El Comal Restaurant

Gave this place a shot since I usually dine on the other side of the street in the main drag that is Mexican Town. I learned to stay there. Entered to a vacant dining area with the manager having casual conversation at the counter with two friends. Was not greeted or seated until the waitress got around to it. Had our choice of table and selected one against the windows. Table was found to be filthy upon later inspection, with salsa and stains basically becoming part of the grout between the tiles on the table, if not the grout itself. Placed our orders and waited while having small talk over chips and salsa... and waited...and waited some more. Not once did the waitress swing by to see if we needed more chips/salsa or any drink refills. Another customer came in to dine alone and stood at the counter for around 5 minutes before he was seated. This was odd because the manager was continuing her conversation just a few steps away the entire time he was at the counter. After about 20 minutes of waiting, we were served. Kind of a long wait time for being the only diners with a food order placed. The food cannot be compared to the other restaurants in the area, since it basically doesn't deserve to be comparable. Taco salad was a mix-up of beans and ground beef, with beans coming out the winner. No cheese on a taco salad either, basically just a mushy bean cluster of gross. Chimichangas were about the size of what you would get if you bought a taquito from 7-Eleven and served with a bland rice and bean combo on the side. Finished eating (some of) the food and just went to the counter to make my escape where the manager couldn't even figure out how to use a debit card as a form of payment. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place... it doesn't deserve to be anywhere near the quality restaurants in the district. Pros: Uhm, nothing. Cons: Filthy, terrible service, portion size, everything else more

Good foods and good quality Pros: Good Colombian food Cons: Good more

the food is the best in mexicantown. kinda pricy, but worth every penny. \r service is crappy. try going during the weekend mornings, when their servers speak fluent english. night service isnt friendly, but not bad. Pros: food. parking. furniture. Cons: service. more

I've traveled throughout central and south america and have found el comal to be the place to get what I so sorely miss. \r \r I have been to El Comal on around six occasions and have found the food to be consistently flavorful and well-prepared. I haven't tried anything from the Mexican menu, but all of the the others are great. When I eat the Piasia combo, I long to be at the Medellin festival of flowers.\r \r I don't have any idea what people are saying about the poor service, I've found the people to be helpful, courteous and attentive. Plus, where else can you talk about the FMLN and the good old days?? Pros: food, people, drinks more

The waiting staff needs more training and a better understanding that good service plays an important role in a restaurant's success. Four of us went there about two weeks ago and were very disapointed of the cleanliness, service and variety of food. We decided thet we'd rather drive 4 hours to Chicago to eat pupusas. In conclusion, I don't recommend this place to anyone. more

I went to this place on Father's day 2005 and I was very much disapointed. I have been there before on two other ocassions and found the food very good as did my tablemates. The food was bland and the service was shoddy and unattentive...we had a 18 or 19 yr old young woman who needs some lessons on civility and good waitressing...hence the small tip honey! The owner did come and greet us warmly which made up for the poor food a bit. I know Guatemalan food can be much better since my father was from that country and I have eaten at a Guatemalan restaurant in Chicago. Pros: prices Cons: food, service more

El Comal offers Mexican food along with Salvadorian and Guatemalan among others. Their authentic Salvadorian papusas are muy excelente! The atmosphere is a bit sterile and the dining room is small, but overall the food makes up for any misgivings. El Comal is definitely worth seeking out! more