I've been here numerous times either for a sit-down meal or to just have a drink and some chips/salsa with friends. I really want to love this place - it has a great hangout spot in the back with picnic tables, fire pits, great hip outdoor ambiance, great drinks.... And then there's the service... which after my last visit may have turned me off completely. The bartenders are great but when they start to get slammed at the back bar, they become rude and ignorant of people standing and waiting and wondering if the drink they ordered 10 minutes ago is actually in the process of being made - just communicate... apologize for the wait... and then people won't be so nasty! Next is the service in the back - so what exactly is the policy? Are you allowed to order/eat outside? Do you order at the bar? From the random waitress wandering around? Do you order drinks from her too? Or the bar? Some serious confusion and I hear a different story from the staff EVERY TIME. I'd feel much better about dropping money at this place if the service didn't come with a side of arrogance and attitude as though the staff is above the patrons. If you act like you don't care if I go eat/drink elsewhere, I in fact will. read more

This place is a disgrace. Their food is not Mexican at all. Their portions are ridiculously small and unappealing and gives Mexican food a bad reputation for folks that have never had it. 1. Enchiladas bland chicken and watery canned sauce 2. Tamale bland chicken with uncooked maza 3. Chicharones stale and from a bag 4. Rice and beans have no taste at all the rice tasted like ketchup. If y'all want authentic mexican food in Berkeley go to panchos ! read more

Come here if you like being mistreated! For reals. First of all, there's a huge waiting list when you arrive at 5:30pm. Why? Because they fully book their restaurant through secret online reservation means. I overheard a frustrated party of 3 complain how they called in a few days earlier to make a reservation, only to be told to call back the day of at 4pm. When they called at 4, the front desk told them to come at 5. It was 5:40 and they were still not seated because there were no cancellations. YOU CANT RELY ON CANCELLATIONS! This is so disrespectful and its wasting OUR time. I came at 5:35 and they wouldn't let me put my name down because my bf was parking. AND I KNEW THERE WAS ALREADY A 20 MIN WAIT. So messed. This is freaking Berkeley, a chill and cool city. This is not NYC. Why is this place even so popular with just 3.5 stars? Please. I briefly glanced at other yelpers complaints and this one stood out: "Poor hostessing provided a bad first impression. Ladies need to meditate on warm and friendly - not cold and aloof." I could not agree anymore. Those two ladies are the most judgmental, cold pair. Learn how to be warm and humble! read more

Comal is great -- I'm quite happy they moved onto Shattuck in recent months. I've been three or four times in the past few months. Twice I've stopped by just for cocktails. The tequila and mezcal list is impressive, but the cocktails rival nearby Revival. Yup, I said it. The Black Daiquiri (rum and averna) and the Palomaesque (mezcal and grapefruit) were particular favorites. The food itself is good, but not amazing. The ingredients are plenty fresh, and the chips and salsa are good. I didn't, though, find an amazing dish out of the six or seven I've tried at this point. The decor is fantastic. It's varied, you'll get a different experience between the bar, kitchen, and patio areas (and they're all good). The kitchen is a particular favorite, especially if you're near the guy shouting out orders to all the runners. Four stars for great drinks and decor. If the food goes up a notch they'll be at five stars. read more

Having read reviews in both the Zagat and Michelin guide, I walked into Comal with high expectations. I really wish I left understanding the hype. Entering without a reservation, we passed our brief wait with stellar, well-salted margaritas at the bar. After leading us to a table in the comfortably lit back-patio our server excitedly assured us that "we might never go back" after partaking in their house-made chips. I'm sorry to say that I will be going back. Paired with the guacamole, the chips were certainly enjoyable, but they did not surpass the flaky fattiness of the pork-fat fried chips abounding in many neighborhood taquerias throughout the Bay (e.g. Guadalajara in the Fruitvale). For our main entree, my friend and I split the 22oz steak, one of the "Platos Fuertes" that came accompanied with beans, rice, and tortillas. I have no complaints about the individual components of this dish. The steak was perfectly prepared and seasoned (over a grill heated with almond coals I believe?), the beans and rice were tasty, and the white corn tortillas were warm. However, in this case the whole of the dish was less than the sum of its parts, because it was unclear what we were supposed to do with each of the components. Our server marketed it to us as a "make your own taco setup," but since we lacked ingredients like cheese and cilantro, the best taco we could make was an rather dry interpretation constructed of beef strips slathered with salsa, wrapped in a tortilla. If tacos are the objective of this dish, then adding cups of a fatty cheese (perhaps queso fresco?), some cilantro, and onion along with the rice and beans would round out the taste and give clarity to each component. I left Comal feeling like I overlooked something. Though nothing was bad, little about the experience was memorable. I want to go back to figure out what I missed, but I can't say I'm in a rush. read more

Love the back patio! There's a limited menu there and they push a cart out with chips, guacamole, salsa, taquitos, beers, etc. It's all great quality and the patio is killer. I ate I'm the dining room one time and the food from the main menu was good too, but our waiter not so much. Think I'll stick to the patio. read more

We came here on a warm summer evening and I was ready to fill my stomach with tequila. They have a great outdoor area where you can order drinks from the bar and relax with your friends. They have a woman who pushes a little cart around, giving you the option to purchase chips, salsa and guacamole until you order the full meal. It was also much more spaced out than the tables inside, which gives you and your party plenty of space to enjoy each other's company! All the entrees and appetizers we ordered were solid. Jicama and cucumber appetizer - light and fresh! Rabbit tinga quesadillas with mole: amazing flavor and perfect portion for sharing! This isn't gamey at all, for anyone who might have second guesses about this dish. Cochinita tacos with black beans and queso fresco: solid tacos, great seasoned meat and plenty of flavor. Great to share for 3 people - double up if you want an even portion for more than 3 people! Cocktails were also amazing: Comal Swizzle: you get to pick tequila or rum mixed with pineapple, passion fruit, and lime - so good! Not overwhelmingly sweet. SPF 2020: rum, strawberries, blood orange, st germain and lime - much sweeter than the comal swizzle but still packs quite the punch! They also have a very comprehensive tequila menu - so if you're a tequila connoisseur, this may be a place you want to visit! read more

A truly beautiful place, highly recommended by my dear friend SG Danny (as I will lovingly refer to him throughout my Yelp career, lol). Interior is gorgeous, atmosphere is incredibly warm and inviting, bathroom are gorgeous and clean, as is the bar area and entire seating space! What a great place for Downtown Berkeley :) The food was... really good, but generally didn't meet up to my expectations. Having dined within the past month at a comparable SoCal vehicle (see: Vaca, in Costa Mesa, CA), I was hoping for a lot more that I didn't receive: flavor combinations were so-so, temperature and presentation was average, and although I enjoyed the hell out of my tacos and quesadilla, everything still needed a small sprinkling of salt. The cocktails were impeccable. I thought in general they were a bit on the sweet side, but let's not nitpick -- those were what I ordered, lol. Aside from the slightly above average mediocrity of the food, and the delightful yet predictable nature of the drinks, 20% was automatically added to our bill. This is why I disagree with this practice: -- I requested extra chips twice. Never received them. -- Our server seemed more annoyed that we were even there, until near the end when he finally cracked a smile/somewhat of a joke. In other words, if I'm paying you 20% of my total way overpriced bill, you better at least have some humanity in your eyes when you halfheartedly ask me how things are. -- No offense to SG Danny, but... well, I'm a full-functioning, fully employed adult. Not everyone who comes in here is a college kid, so you don't need to be so abrupt or mildly condescending. I really enjoyed the overall time we had at Comal, but I think that mainly had to do with the fact that I was super enjoying SG Danny's company more than anything else :) Comal is A-OK, but I don't really foresee myself returning on a regular basis OR recommending this to other folks, just on principle alone for that mandatory 20%. read more

Tequila selection praiseworthy, tequila flights poorly balanced; not sure about the palate cleanser a bit odd; Training issues with barback / food runner: cannot set down a flight and run away. Gotta explain it. A celebrated chef: He should know better than to serve Chicharrónes that you can get from your neighborhood corner store. Try the ones at La Espiga De Oro in the Mission. Served with about 1/2 inch of pork attached to the skins, they can serve as a meal on their own.. read more

The mole is amazing!!!! The negro mole is to die for - very traditional cocoa based mole....the coloradito mole is truly original and unique w/cinnamon and nutmeg. PROBLEM: if u sit in the back area - the coolest most ambiently perfect space I've experienced in Berkeley to date.... There is NO SERVICE. No one asking for a drink order, no one asking for appetizer orders... Nothing. A desolate land of no servers and limited access to a bar that will give u grief for ordering for several people sitting at a table in bak patio area. It's almost comical- unless u actually ARE SERIOUS about feeling like ur paying top dollar at a restaurant. Agwu is an amazingly awesome and tolerant server who, despite our constant questions as to why there was not service outside, laughed with us and made us feel taken care of. Again: The mole negro and mole coladorito -AMAZING. Restaurant.... In need of new management and an expansion of service on the bak patio. read more

Chips are meant to be dipped in salsa, not spread with a tiny spatula-spoon of residue of what Comal claims is salsa. Luckily they don't give you more than a few chips because by the time you have barely moistened a few chips with salsa residue it will be gone. Worst chips and salsa I have ever had. Salsa is not fresh or spicy, tastes like it came from a bottle and expensive. How can you have a good mexican restaurant without salsa? read more

Comal is spotty. Went there with a friend and ordered the beefsteak for two or three. We were served with the worst piece of beef I have ever had in my life. Took the left over home and boiled it with vegetables and it was still like shoe leather. You have to go out of your way to find junk like this and call it ribeye and charge a fortune. If you need a drink, find another place. They do not respect customers. read more

This is a review of the New Years Eve party. Dear Comal, when your restaurant emptied out immediately after midnight did you think, "Darn, were we bad hosts?" The answer is "Yes! Comal, you were very bad hosts and threw one of the worst parties I have ever been to." Here is what was wrong with your greedy and incompetent event. 1. I spent most of my time from 10pm- midnight waiting for drinks at the bar. I only had 2 drinks before midnight, but it took me at least 45 min to get one. You would think that if you are inviting hundreds of people you would have more than 2 bartenders at the bar. Not Comal. I watched a lazy and confused bartender measure drinks putting half a shot of liquor and one shot of juice. Once, he forgot to put ice in the shaker and when he poured out the drink into a glass it was only 30% of the glass. Shamelessly he loaded the glass with a pound of ice in front of clients and handed the joke to them. I thought, surely he is not getting any tips. Have no fear, Lord of Lazy, Comal bartenders get a mandatory 20% tip! My partner and I had three drinks each in 2.5 hours at Comal, were completely sober and were forced to leave $12 tip at the end. 2. You cheapskates, you had no decorations. Nothing! You gave out idiotic Mexican masks, of which I only saw two. Who in their right mind would wear those on NYE? At midnight, you had a few balloons suspended on the ceiling, even those didn't come down. You kept pulling on the rope and it was stuck. You had one NYE decoration and your couldn't make it work! LOL, the incompetence is surreal. 3. Your music sucked! The music was between bad wedding and reggaeton. I saw people leaving the party BEFORE midnight, it was so bad. 4. Your food was horrendous! I would say the food was on par with Friday's or Chilis, but it was actually worse. In addition, it was cut into giant sizes and you didn't provide any knives, so it was impossible to eat. The only thing that was edible were the cookies (one star for cookies). The crowd was a mix of middle aged folks, Latinos and 25% hipster who got lured by your paid articles advertising the event. The whole scene was sad. Even the middle aged folks were bored. The Latinos were wondering why the music sucked and the hipsters had disgusted looks on their faces wondering how they got there. Absolutely EVERYONE left after midnight. I have never seen such a long line for the coats at 12:05. My partner and I had a blast, only because we always have a blast with each other. Our good time had nothing to do with your greedy party. read more

A friend and I came here the other day to grab some quick bites and drinks before going to a show. We didn't have much time, and our waitress amazingly got our food very quickly and kept tabs on the time for us. We got the pork ribs from the oven and they were flavorful and scrumptious. I loved the corn, it was perfectly seasoned with the right amount of sweet and spice. The cocktails were colorful and pretty good too. read more

I give this place 2 stars only because the chips and drinks are good. I'm a fan of Mexican food, but this place just didn't hit the spot for me. I was craving a really cheesy chile relleno but what they served me did not meet that expectation. The sauce they served over it tasted like watered down tomatoes, with not seasoning. The atmosphere was nice, the outdoor seating is a nice touch, but I probably wont be returning, read more

$4 for chips and salsa. Chips were super greasy and it was hard to get them to bring more. The salsa was a trio of canned Herdez salsas. You can't fool me, I know they were canned and probably bought from Mi Pueblo. Shame on you. The food is very expensive here and nothing warrants $12 for 2 fish tacos with no sides. The tripe guisado I had was absolutely canned Juanita's menudo. They added chickpeas to it to try and fool me into thinking it was made on the premises, but I know canned menudo well because I grew up eating it when my mom was too lazy to make it from scratch. $9. My boyfriend had the goat birria quesadilla and it was dripping with grease. It gave him a bad case of diarrhea. If you can't handle cooking with goat meat, don't try to sell it! Birria should not be more grease than meat and the tortilla was soaked orange with it. $13 Guacamole was bland and meager. $9 The sound system there was great, so that's probably why they charge so much for the food. I cannot understand at all how this place get business. I do not comprehend why so many people can be suckered into paying this much for Mexican food that is not anything special. Serious WTF. I didn't like our waiter. I thought he was snooty and condescending. I guess with my colored hair I didn't fit in with the upscale hippie crowd he's used to. Oh, and the big draw there is that some person in Phish runs the place. The only reason I came in here was because it was being paid for by someone else. I will definitely never come back, even for free when I am spoiled for choice with authentic Mexican restaurants that charge fair prices and make things from scratch. I left both hungry and angry. read more

Everything was so delicious and the service was great!! Only problem is the bathrooms are unisex and I dislike sharing public restrooms like that. They have room to seperate it.... I just feel so unsanitary when it comes to that especially if its not often cleaned. Highly recommend their Ceviche, guacamole, and comal swizzle or something like that... Its enough to get separate dish and all share that way you can taste everything! read more

This is the worst service I ever had. The waiter was super rude with us, nagging us all the time. It is a shame because the food is good, but I'll certainly never coming back here. read more

The food here is the blandest Mexican food I've ever had. My table asked the waitress for some hot sauce for the ceviche and she scoffed at us saying that ceviche and hot sauce don't go together. What?!?! The other dish we ordered was a chicken quesadilla that like the ceviche had no flavor. The only good things about this restaurant are the glitzy decor and the drinks. The variety of tequila and mezcal that they offer is phenomenal. The drink flights with the fruit chasers are artistically presented and fun to try. 5 stars for their bar! Comal would be better off not selling that bland food and just be a tequila bar! read more

This place was pretty good. You order at the counter. Go sit down then pick up your order. Drink: watermelon aqua fresca:good but plain Food:shrimp burrito: very tasty and fresh. I gobbled it up Salsas: a huge selection. But most were decent. Fruit bowl: good I'd love to go back sometime. read more

It's all right. The food can be very good, but it's such a production. It's beautiful. It's exasperating. It makes you not want to come specifically out to dinner after work with coworkers to try a new place because you've already spent all this time in the East Bay and you just want to go home. I completely understand why it's difficult and stressful to be a server in a restaurant like this, but I'm also a more-than-forgiving restaurant-goer, and the service began to wear on me. Don't pick the communal table if you can avoid it. read more

A great food conveyor serving middle grade Mexican dishes at higher than average prices. We had the tamales which were a lump of masa and the quesadillas which were boring with a side of black beans. All were underspiced and gummy. But the tequila drinks were fine. So sit at the bar and enjoy the guacamole. read more

You know.. i've never been here before. I had no idea it existed..from the street you have NO idea its Mexican, or anything.. The SPACE ROCKS big time. Loads of fun.. lots of people .. i thought I was in the know, but heck..how wrong was I. Got out of my little shell, met people I didn't know..had a blast. That is how this place grabs you. A matter of fact, people that I didn't know started to blabbing at me too... so I guess i am not alone. Open for business, its serves Mexican food..and the stuff is really quite good. I would have thought you would only find a place like this in SoMa but Berkeley? Moooo... -and read Majid S's review.. it hits on the head. read more

Meh. Okay let's back up. The place is beautiful! The best area, however, is outside. There are plenty of heaters, and has a great ambiance. Although, if I remember correctly ordering food outside was not an option. Not exactly sure why. Drinks are cool though. The outside area also offers a large space, but with finite open seating. The food is generally pretty fair. But it is way overpriced. Drinks are good, service is just between mediocre and pretty good. Anyway, I think that's all the bases. Definitely worth a go for drinks read more

Okay, so I have been here at least 4 times. I keep going back each time to try new food and drinks, and always leave wanting more. The service is really hit or miss. The one time I had a great waiter was within the first month of opening. The rest of the time, the waiters always seem to either have attitude or just literally do not seem to care about me or my needs at all. I would love if the food also had more flavoring and more spice to it. It is a Mexican restaurant, after all. Lastly, it is a 100 freaking degrees inside the restaurant at all times. It's unbearable. I went there with a friend I sat there looking horrid and sweaty the entire time. Yes, there is outside seating, but sometimes you want to be able to sit inside without having to feel like you're in a sauna. It's not my favorite place at all, and frankly I don't think I will be back. NOTE TO MANAGEMENT: PLEASE FIX THE TEMPERATURE IN YOUR RESTAURANT AND ADD MORE FLAVOR TO YOUR FOOD read more

So let's be clear from the start. Comal is only getting 3 stars instead of 4 because of the service/ staff. We went on another date night with some friends (double date). We expected a wait which was fine and we expected to hang on the patio and take our time. We had to do both of course. The patio is pretty amazing - it's huge and accommodates a sharing atmosphere so go ahead and ask your neighbor if they use that chair next to you! While on the patio to alleviate those grumps who come hungry there is a bar cart with pre made margaritas, beers and chips and guacamole. This is genius and you can pay with a card to it's easy. There is also a huge outdoor bar so if you want to grab something else you can as well. We had several drinks before we sat down and every single one was a crowd pleaser. If you've read my reviews you know how I feel about drinks (as important as food). Here is where the service is tricky. We found a hair in our guacamole and we told the bar cart server if we could get a new order or something to take care of it. She slapped some salsa down and said here you go and "I'll refund you for the guacamole" as if it were our fault or we put the hair in there. Mind you this was our third order so it's not like we wanted anything but a replacement guacamole. That was a little weird. Then we get seated at a very nice outdoor table and our server although nice was just ok. He was in a hurry no doubt and didn't really walk us through anything. If it weren't for the AMAZING food this place would have even less stars. We ordered the ribeye to share, the corn, a salad and the papas. All were mouth watering minus the papas (wouldn't order them again - they are fries with paprika aoli). All in all a good experience just don't expect great service and you are on your own to figure out what you want! read more

Very disappointed, especially for the price. Very Meh. We found the menu to be a bit boring and not as daring as we had been lead to expect. Very Disappointing food, noisy back room, too hipster cool for us. Berkeley deserves better. Including the tip is OK, but why 20%?! Don't Bother with this place read more

We came here Wednesday night and were seated immediately. I ordered the horchata and my dad ordered the jamaica.The horchata was weird.It was basically milk with WAY too much cinnamon.The jamaica was bitter and lemony . We also ordered corn,ribs and carne asada tacos.The ribs were pretty good,actually.The were crisp and flavorful.The tacos were also flavorful and very juicy.The corn was delicious according to my mom.The ribs came with a side of rice and it was very bland.Come here only for the meat and the ambiance.The service here is also very good.They checked on us half way through the meal and we had a pleasant little chat. read more

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Comal is an institution. The kind of place that comes to mind by default when a group of friends wants to hang out after work, or when you simply want to take the family out for dinner. The food menu is small, but every dish is outstanding. The drinks are amazing. The indoor dining room is inviting with a great atmosphere, and the patio in the back is one of the coolest in Berkeley. The only problem is that now the secret is out, and it gets busy. read more

Fave restaurant eva! Okay one of them at least. Everything is served fast and warm and delicious. The Agua frescas are delicious, my face is the coconut guava omg and the horchata. Food: everything. But for starters try the guacamole best ever. The burrito de rajas and corn. The chicken is so perfectly cooked. The steak was cool but chicken is way better. read more

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This is one of my go-to spots in Berkeley. Great food, service, and ambiance. The right place to take a friend, a date, or family. Comfortable, cozy, but still astoundingly modern. Comal offers an unusual take on Mexican, and is like nothing I've ever seen before. Each item on the menu is full of surprises-- great ones. The combination of flavors, textures, and temperatures is almost always spot-on. And the service, too, is lovely. Go for the drinks, if nothing else. The bartenders here are nothing short of amazing. The Abuelo Sucio is a favorite. The Palomaesque is a deliciously smoky grapefruit drink, and I could sip on it all summer long. If you're feeling daring, try the extremely spicy Jack Satan! Even if you're opting for something non-alcoholic, the agua frescas are refreshing and complex-- I like the bitter-tart jimaca. (They're not on the menu, so you'll have to ask.) Tequilas and mescals are pricy, but worth trying at least once. They're strong but smooth, and are paired with a tiny glass of house-made sangrita to sip afterwards. The menu doesn't change much, and options are limited if you're a vegetarian, like me. That doesn't mean they're any less delicious. The chips and three salsas are a great choice for a starter, especially if you have a group of people. Munch on them while you pick out the rest of your meal. I love the ensalada picada, and the chile rellano. The quesedillas are a weak spot, but that can be forgiven because of the great sides. (If you're a vegetarian, I recommend skipping the quesedialla, one of the few vegetarian mains, in favor of pairing up some of the lighter starters or sides to create your own main.) If you're not a vegetarian, you can't go wrong with the enchiladas, tamales, or tacos. I hear from friends that the whole roasted chicken is great. And don't miss out on the mixed baby lettuces-- they may be the simplest looking item on the menu, but they are also one of the best. And the desserts? Oaxacan chocolate budin. Mexican coffee. To die for. Every single time. I dine at Comal fairly regularly, and I can't imagine getting tired of it. This is one of those places not to miss, and it's one that you'll want to visit again and again. read more

Simple menu of the usual Mexican cuisine, but everything was fresh and tasted great. This is certainly a place to go to in Berkeley for a casual meal. The decor itself is very nice and there is a huge outdoor bar and covered seating area. read more

This is a really neat space. The indoor area is spacious and has great appeal. The outdoor space is just as nice and kept warm at night. My favorite is the Sikil Pak! Definitely going back! read more

This is the copy of an email I sent to Comol in Berkeley: I stopped by Comol in Berkeley last night for the first time. The atmosphere was pleasant and drinks stiff and the help was very nice and helpful. However at the end I received a bill for exactly $58.91, with an "automatic" 20% "gratuity" included. I am sorry but since time immemorial, 'gratuity' means' free' as in "freely given". I really, really resented having an automatic 20% added to my bill and me expected to pay this EXACT, pissy amount! It was awkward and embarrassing as my date and I scrambled to get the exact 91 cents change for this stupid bill! Do any of you have any idea what I am talking about??? Obviously not since you have instituted this ridiculous form of extortion. Just to note, I always give 20% but it might be 19%, it might be 20.5%, but it is an amount I CHOOSE, not one imposed on me, coming with final bill of some absurdly precise, and not rounded down, figure. I will not be back and in future when confronted with this kind of extortion I will just ignore the bill and pay what true gratuity I want to as I have my entire lifetime of over 60 years. Never again. read more

The long wait on a Saturday night is worth it. We sat in the back and had a drink while waiting for a table. I really enjoyed the casual outdoor space and the picnic tables were clean and fairly comfortable. I had three cocktails: Margarita was great! Beau ordered the Jack Satan not thinking with a name like that it could be super spicy. It was too hot for him but about perfect for me so I took it. This drink is very spicy, but deliciously so. For my final drink I needed something to cool the sting of Satan so I had the Comal Swizzle. It was fantastic! We had several apps. Chips are fine but trio of salsa are excellent! Loved the grilled eggplant with pumpkin seeds and the watermelon salad was also very good. Of the four of us, I was the least impressed with my entree. I had the squash blossom quesadilla. It was fine but not great like everything else. We had dessert and both the rice pudding and the chocolate budin were divine. read more

You know those nights, where you don't feel like leaving Berkeley, but you feel like adding a bit of SF class to you evening? No? Oh... ok... If you said yes though, then head over to Comal! As soon as you walk in the door you are greeting by a chic minimalist interior that could compete with the best of SF or NYC restaurants. Not only that, but they have this awesome outdoor space in the back that has an awesome energy to it. Drinks: The drinks are both delicious and dangerous. Pretty much three sheets to the wind after just one drink. My favorite is the Jack Satan with the Comal Swizzle coming in a close second. Also, with a bar in the front and a bar out back, it is a great place to come for drinks. Food: I love me some Mexican food. But sometimes I don't feel like the artery clogging 1000 calories that come with a Mexican dinner. This place offers a lighter and more modern twist on Mexican food that will tantalize your tastebuds. While the salsa and guac is pretty standard, the 3 salsa thing is a nice take on it and the chips are out of this world. Their menu changes regularly, but everything I have had is was great. While this isn't the cheapest place, since you typically need 2-3 plates per person, it is worth it. read more

Have been here several times and always loved this place; however last two visits makes me wonder if the cocky staff is trained to be rude or if I have just encountered all the rude ones. Sit on the patio you can count on no service - and they make that clear to you. 20% service charge/gratuity for what? I went to the bar myself. I order myself (no menu needed as I know what I want). Throw my drink at me and demand a signature. Come on guys...you aren't that amazing. Yes you have good food and a great look, but service will take you down real quick in a small town. Work with your bartenders and servers. Thought the first time was a fluke and yet it happened again. Bummer - read more

Really liked this place, there aren't a lot of sit down mexican restaurants so this is a really good dinner option to try! Their appetizer is fresh made tortilla chips and salads which is amazing! they keep refilling the chips! I also got the memelas which was really good and i've never had anything like it! A lil pricy but def a unique choice! read more

Get these key elements right - tasty food, attentive host, inviting ambiance, engaging music and a lively crowd, and a party goes from good to great. I think the same mix applies to restaurants and Comal is definitely "getting it right". The space alone is enough to make you swoon. Open, airy, modern without that cold, cavernous thing going on. Quite the opposite actually with the stunning woodwork and lighting, open-air patio with gas fire pit and beer garden, cozy communal tables and bustling bar. And then there's the state-of-the-art sound system that deftly combines the "conversational ambiance with the buzzy ambiance." I love the small-plates concept for sharing and sampling the many flavors of a Oaxacan-inspired menu, plus it leaves room for some of the best guacamole I've ever tasted. A little coercion revealed the secret ingredient - muddled garlic and lots of it! And then there's the delicious items from the wood grill like spareribs and Fulton Valley chicken, and the crisp and juicy salads like watermelon & feta. Last but not least is the vast array of offerings from the bar. Specialty cocktails, house-made Sangrita, over 70 brands of Mezcal and Tequila, and a huge selection of beer and wine on tap pretty much guarantees you'll be getting your imbibe on. But here's the best part. It's centrally located in the Berkeley arts and theater district, close to Revival and Gather and that means there's another uptown crawl in the making - never a bad thing in my opinion. read more

The food is mediocre. I went twice -the second visit was to give a second chance or verify the food isn't all that great, and I was right. The space is cool and the cocktails are great... The food is so ehhh and $$$$. In the future ill plan to go for a cocktail and maybe chips and salsa. Chewy pork tacos with too much sweet pineapple. Soupy bland tomato sauce smothering a too thickly battered chili rellano. Mild mild salsa... Zzzzzz read more