El Canelo

I love El Canelo. I love to sit in the cantina and eat chips and salsa, watch tv, and drink muchos cervezas. My favorite dish is the chile verde. I have eaten it so many times. When I'm more hungry, I like the carne asada. When I just want a snack, I might get a couple tacos or a chile relleno. El Canelo is fast, friendly, and consistent. Five stars!

Stopped in during our 90 min layover for the Frostburg Flyer train excursion. Had some margaritas and chips while we talked and watched tv. Fast and friendly waitstaff really came through. If you are planning on eating a lunch, you should have plenty of time to walk back down the hill and board.

As a former Arizonan, I haven't found this quality of Mexican food since moving to Maryland, so I am extremely happy and in heaven over this food. The alcohol flows well, the service is kind and quick, and the food is the top tier. My only complaint is that we're out of town visitors and can't come weekly! A must try!

You guys. This place is amazing! Our party of four were all from California and Arizona, so we know good Mexican food. I've personally been in Maryland for 7 years and have never found a tamale as good as what is homemade here by the sweetest little old Mexican lady. This is the real deal! We stopped by for some margaritas after being in Frostburg for a Trax and Yaks adventure and soon realized after looking around that this might actually be authentic Mexican food. So we ordered some and much to our surprise, it is! Come give them some love, they truly deserve it.

El Canelo disappointed this fellow. But what do you expect in Frostburg, MD? The other Tex-Mex place closed at 4:00 PM and had no booze so El Canelo (Cinnamon for y'all gringos and in Frostburg they're all gringos) won by default.

It is basically a couple of boxes (think stationary container ship) with Casa Depot (or make that Casa da potty) decor. A few paper Sombreros, a few they bugged me at the border till I bought the felt Charro hats (made in China), two plastic dust laden chili ristras and some thick and quick pastoral Mexi-scenes of villagers schlepping stuff all complete the rat shack Tijuana dental office look. Okay, so it ain't Pujol in D. F. You came for down home Mexi-fare. Crisp, crunchy, spicy, gooey, ricey, beanie dishes. Party food for an afternoon of watching the Orioles do what they do on the house TV. So, I rolled the bones betting on El Canelo to knock that Mexi-monkey off my back. Seven! Lo siento, senior.

The Staff: One dude for the whole place, one dude in the kitchen, one abuela all moving like they were under water, although they were happy to see me. Probably happy to see anyone. Pleasant enough, all three.

The Vibe: What vibe? There was no vibe. One step below vibe-lite. This place is for the locals
who know Mexico is supposed to be building a wall on their Peso and any day now they could be cut off from Mexican food in Frostburg, except the place that closes during my nap time and doesn't have beer. No beer with tacos is uncivilized. So if they're jonesin' something in a tortilla this is it.

The Bar Program: Stick with a Yeungling on draft. Okay, they have Margaritas which glow in the dark a ghostly green from the bottled cheap mix. This Marg was drain cleaner.

The food: Mexi-fuel. Crunchy things and things that will go bump in the night. (And did).

Sit down and order and the food comes at you like a Pancho Villa raid. Frontal assault. The store bought Chips were piled high in the basket. If you jack the Salsa with Yucatan Habanero it's good enough to keep the beer company.

The Queso Fundido con Chorizo was something a Mexican Chef might offer to Trump. This can be such a guilty pleasure when done right. Warm fresh tortillas wrapped around melted Panela Cheese, Chorizo and Rajas doused with a house made that's gonna make you wet from sweat salsa spooned into the fold. And you can get that at the Zocolo in Taxco but not here. Yes, the Salsa was house made and not bad, truth be told, although it had to be pried loose from the carafe it comes in with tool.

Alas, The Queso was a crock. A crock of Cheese Whiz with the consistency of a Croc from which I had to dredge up a chunk of mystery chew like something prehistoric fished out of tar pit. Leave this one for the Frostburg Time Capsule. Or maybe that's where it came from.

The Guacamole was a mound of watery Avocado. (Probably ripened in the shipping box). The goop was punctuated with bits of Onion and Tomato. A pinch of Garlic Salt might have helped. (God forbid a real clove mashed in). It was Aburrido. ("Boring" for those of you who's parents insisted you take German in school).

The Chicken Nachos consisted of dried out shredded breast cooked till tasteless, some diced Poblano, Melted Jack Cheese and all laid out over soggy chips. Only a feral cat would enjoy this.

The Chili Colorado came with canned Refried Beans sporting a Charles Manson like "X" of Jack Cheese on it. Dried out Mexi-rice took up the other third of the plate. Nothing green here unless you ask politely. But let's stay focused on the Chili Colorado. It was actually not all that bad. It had been braised two clicks beyond tender but still hadn't reached chewing gum stage yet and then covered by a decent mole-esque sauce. Shoveled into a warm tortilla it flirted with being decent. Passing marks for this. A squeaker, but it made the cut.

If you've got a night to burn in Frostburg...find some pIzza, search out some Wings, grab a hot dog from a convenience store. And if you must, you can have Frat House Party Food here hopefully without the morning after Frat House Party residuals.

El Canelo was MEHxican chow at best.

Best Mexican in the area. My wife and I split the burrito fajita texascan. The steak, chicken and shrimp were all cooked perfectly. I love their salsa. A great meal always.

Very good! We were leary given we were in small town without large Hispanic population- but food slightly better and very similar to the El Saltos around Baltimore! Portions generous, margarita tasty and strong (we got the Gold). Chicken was real deal, tender and stewed very flavorful no fake chicken product! Sauces and spiciness exactly what you would expect at decent Tex-Mex place. Atmosphere friendly with 1970s basement wood paneled rec room feel. Full bar off hallway on way in - looked large but dark in cozy way. Nice little spot!

I frequent this joint about 2 times a month. It used to have a location in Cumberland, but closed it due to family illness. When it was there too, I was a 2-3 week champ.

ATMOSPHERE: On Main Street with modes outdoor seating and two areas inside to eat. Plus there is also a large table for bigger groups as well. Plenty of seating, Mexican decor and a friendly staff. Due to being in a college town you may rub elbows with college pukes- which isn't fair to them but thought I would mention it.

STAFF: After reading some other silly reviews here, I have never waited on a check or felt unimportant, if you want the check- ask for it immediately. They are friendly, courteous and accommodating. My boy Pepe (ponytail), Mya (younger lady), will all take care of you.

FOOD: As far as the food goes- it's outstanding. If you have certain preferences etc let them know ahead of time. I usually go with the jumbo burrito, or three soft tacos, or enchiladas.

They also have lunch specials that are cheaper.

OVERALL: in my honest opinion 'Ichihara better and fulfilling than Rio Grande, but you can be the judge.

Ugh. Since my last review I had returned to El Canelo several times as I prefer their food over the other local Mexican restaurants, but again tonight my husband found something in his food. Half of a straw wrapper was floating in the salsa when he opened up the takeout order. If this were the first time we'd found something in our food I'd be a little more understanding.

I ate at El Canelo several years ago when it was further east of downtown Frostburg. I was in the mood for Mexican while in Frostburg and set out for it again, only to discover it had moved into downtown. The ambiance isn't as great at the new location. They're in a long building without any windows on the side. It was pretty dark inside the restaurant, which is not what I normally expect for a Mexican place.

The staff was friendly. Food was pretty much your standard Americanized Mexican fare. It tasted fine and provided a good portion at a reasonable price, but nothing really to write home about. Still, it's a solid choice if you're looking for Mexican in the Frostburg area.