Breakfast review: 5 stars all the way!
Best happy accident restaurant i've ever found. I neeeever write reviews, but it this place for breakfast was that good.
Visiting the area on a work trip and being the good little east coaster i am - i tried (and failed miserably) to find a starbucks. I assumed the shopping area by W. Del Mar (HEB, Target, etc) was the logical place but struck out. Did a quick glance around and saw that the parking lot for El Metate was pretty full so figured i'd try my luck there for a cup of coffee and maybe a "breakfast taco" (again..ignorant east coaster).
Wow. Thats all i can say is - fantastic.
Walked in, it was about half full. Waitress immediately helped me and came over with a menu. While she presented the side of the menu for "American Breakfast", she recommended the local favorite (which, again, East Coaster) that i was baffled by, i.e., Nopalito which she explained was eggs and cactus.
I had a "??" moment and decided to be adventurous.
Amazing. Wait staff - wonderful, very helpful. Food. Brilliant. Tasty, not too large portions, clean flavors - the homemade tortillas i will be dreaming about (and attempting to replicate badly) for months to come. Coffee - not fancy but solid and did the trick. Cannot say enough about the my perceived authenticity of the place ( i seriously wanted to steal the wood carved chairs from here and smuggle them home).
!! Please note!! - i paid my credit card (rarely carry cash) and was handed a receipt with no room for a tip! Perhaps if you advise the tip amount before they swipe they can work it that way. Regardless, i will be going back there every breakfast and have the wonderful breakfast Napolitos (with cash!) every day that i'm here. read more