El Mezcalito

Long ago we tried El Mezcalito's sister restaurant La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard, which we loved for their mole. So now that we're back in Seattle for a weekend, we learned about El Mezcalito and decided to give it a go. It was a short drive from our hotel and it was relatively easy to find street parking. The interior has a nice ambiance and the staff were friendly and attentive. We got an assortment of entrees to share, including their signature mole dish (great flavor, but didn't like the bones), the gringo pork tacos (yum), the carne asada tacos (really good), and the carne asada plate (really good). We also ordered chips and guac (cost was $11, and then chips were unlimited). They also had a salsa self serve station, so we loaded up on that. All in all, we really liked the flavors, but we felt like the price was high for what you get.

Stumbled upon El Mezcalito on Yelp!

We ordered chips and guac, asada tacos, and tacos al pastor.

The chips and guac were pricey at $10, but the chips were so good! Piping hot! Tacos were good as well. They have a salsa bar in the back.

The space is huge. We came for lunch and it was relatively empty. Parking was a bit difficult to find.

Shoutout to Raul for taking care of us that day.

One of the best! Great tequila and mezcal selections as well. Love the self service salsa bar too!

Fresh, hot chips! Salsa bar! Everything I've ever had here is so good. Authentic and fresh and just delicious. The drink menu is so fun! Tahin rims and actually spicy when they say it's spicy. Love this place and can't wait to go back

This is a hidden gem tucked away in Upper Queen Anne. The food is made with the highest level of integrity. They make an excellent Mole and their Tamales are moist and flavorful! The margaritas are excellent as well and if you're a Mezcal fan this is a place to put on your radar!

Every time I dine there I meet friendly people and the ownership and team that make it all happen are kind and professional! One of my favorite places in Seattle!

I will say that the drinks were excellent. The 309 (Sauza, house infused spicy tequila, muddled orange, triple sec, fresh lime juice, Mezcal float) was not messing around with the heat! I ended up preferring the Paloma which helped squelch that fire. Most cocktails were about $13.

The food was rather disappointing from a vegetarian standpoint. I went with one of two options: the tostadas vegetarianas, $15 (three fried corn tortillas topped with black beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, crema, queso fresco and avocado). I'm accustomed to the beans being at least warm, but it was all cold. These were very unexciting. There wasn't even any salsa to dress them up. I would not order them again. J. had their house specialty Mole Negro Oaxaqueño, $20, with chicken, white rice, and corn tortillas. He said it tasted good but was literally just a fairly small piece of chicken and some rice.

The bar when we came in was packed, but we were seated right away in the back room which was less lively, brighter lit, and had more of a family dining vibe. It would be a good space maybe to reserve for a larger party. Service was busy, but the kitchen was quick. We ordered food and drinks at the same time and actually ended up getting our food first. I don't remember anyone coming back to check on us until our bill arrived.

I'd come back for drinks and maybe chips & guac in their bar up front, but I'll make sure I come fed or find someplace with better vegetarian options for dinner.

Was out delivering with some co-workers and stopped by for a quick bite. Service was extremely friendly and the food was very good. The chips and guacamole tasted so fresh, we had to order another batch. Rookie mistake and didn't take a photo of the chips. I was very pleased with the Taco Carne Asada. It's the fat man in me saying this but I wish there was more on the plate. However, after eating, I wasn't feeling so bloated and tired like I normally am after a good meal.

We got the carne asada tacos, the chicken taquitos (x2), chips and guac, and ceviche. Everything (with the exception of the ceviche) had very little flavor. For $100 not including tip, we were very disappointed. Definitely would not go back here.

I've worked on the hill for years and this was my almost daily lunch spot for a long time. The food has always been good to great depending on what you order. But, I gotta say, this place has gotten prohibitively expensive.

I'm a small person, and feel many of the portions sizes are on the just barely too small side. So you're kinda always in that spot of having to choose between leaving a little hungry still, or be willing to shell out $35 for lunch, which gets you 3 small tacos with chips and guacamole, after tax and an appropriate tip.

Food is still good, but I'm leaving still hungry today, which is annoying since I just spent $20 for lunch.

I think it was the best Mexican food I have had in the United States. Our service was friendly, and we loved the vibe. We will be back often.