90%of the time we just go for the chicken tacos, not that anything else is bad, they're just the best chicken tacos in a large radius. Nice place to have lunch. Sopapillas only on Mondays and Fridays though read more

El Parasol catered our high school reunion. Excellent green chile enchiladas, and red chile beef enchiladas. Cheers! read more

Not impressed at all -- we were expecting divey/fast food, but what we got was was cafeteria quality. The food was bland, except for the green chile hamburger which was too spicy. The cheese and tortilla in the quesadilla were poor quality. Probably the best item was the chicken taco, which was pretty decent. Service was mediocre -- they didn't get our order correct. It's a cute restaurant and we wanted to like it, but it was disappointing. read more

Lots of options from tacos to tamales to burgers. Something for the whole fam. I got the beef/chicken taco combo plate. Tacos were good... filled with lots of meat. I should have just gotten this as a la carte since I didn't like the beans it came with and the posole was a bit lacking in flavor. However, once I added the green chile from my husband's tamale to the posole, it was awesome! Their green chile (which I think you can put on top of anything) is Fantastic! The pork tamale with green chile on top that the husband got was really tasty. We ordered a large bag of chips and it was way more than we needed for 7 people. The kids ended up munching on them for a couple of days. They also make their own tortillas... FANTASTIC! So good. I kinda filled up on this too much... oh well... sooooo good! read more

I go to the Los Alamos location on a fairly regular basis. The food is always great and the service is pretty quick. There is a drive thru option; however, I have not used it. There is a good amount of seating and the restaurant is located in downtown, which makes it a great choice when events are going on in town. I have always been happy with my experiences here. read more

A great restaurant in Los Alamos. This restaurant is located at 1903 Central Ave, Los Alamos, in the heart of downtown Los Alamos. It is close to many other shops, restaurants and a very nice park. There is free parking available in the lot behind the restaurant. The lot is small, but there is usually enough parking available as I was able to find a space every time I have visited. The inside is decorated in a traditional Mexican style. The walls are adorned with colorful murals, and the tables are covered with red and white checkered tablecloths. The chairs are large, wooden affairs that are well-worn but look good and are comfortable. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere. You order at the counter and they call your name for pick up. The menu items are traditional Mexican food that includes a variety of dishes, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas. The food came out quickly and was fresh and delicious. The restaurant was clean and the staff was very pleasant. I am told that the restaurant has a full bar, which serves a variety of Mexican beers and cocktails but I did not try anything from that part of the menu. Please be aware that they have limited hours and may be closed "early" for people visiting from other cities. Please check their hours and if they are going to be open when you arrive. I definitely recommend this to my fellow travelers for a good meal. Enjoy. read more

El Parasol - Wall Menu - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

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This is the best cheeseburger I have ever eaten. I don't live in Los Alamos but every time I come there I always go and get my cheeseburger

Delicious hand made tacos!! Got chicken and shredded beef. Salsas are also authentic and spicy the way I like ! Homemade tortillas chips are da bomb as well read more

I come to Los Alamos twice a year for work. El Parasol is always a lunch favorite. My personal favorites are the steak tacos with the fresh guacamole, the pork tamales, and the biscochitos! read more

Great Mexican food fast. The veggie taco, burrito, and tamales are particular favorites. The veggie tamales sell out quickly so jump on them quick. This place is packed with locals for lunch and the pace is a bit hectic. You can dine-in but you'll get your order in a bag like everyone else. The service is fast and friendly, and don't miss out on the biscochitos for dessert! read more

Los Alamos has quite a few options for food and this place had come up in various recommendations so I had to try this place! Its an extremely busy place with enough parking in the strip mall or behind the shops as well. The ladies running the front of the restaurant were super nice! You order at the counter and then wait for your food....unfortunately the wait for us was a bit long but man was it worth it! Amongst us we ordered chicken tacos, veggie taco and steak taco The steak taco is the best of the lot and the memory of that taste and texture will last with me forever. The veggie taco is overloaded with veggies, and not enough cheese in my opinion. Little less potatoes and veggies would balance it out. The star are the tamales - especially the red sauce with pork. The pork and sauce are extremely tasty and the masa was so delicate, so perfectly soft that it all blended together perfectly. Infact the tamales made me cry cos I am not sure when I am going to be able to have such a tasty tamale again. I think my husband also tried the special that day of green chile pork stew and was raving about it. Hopefully I can have their food someday soon in the future. read more

El Parasol was my introduction to the amazing world of New Mexican cuisine. Having flown in a few hours earlier, I wanted to try some of the state's unique fusion food and a few friends recommended the same place: El Parasol. I spent the night in Los Alamos and noticed that the small family-owned chain had an outpost in town, so I visited for a small dinner. El Parasol is a counter-serve establishment with a large takeout business. I wasn't horribly hungry, so I ordered a red chile pork tamale and a small order of chips and salsa. 10 or so minutes later (if that), I had my fresh food in front of me. The tamale was very good. Tender pork wrapped in dough and steamed in a corn husk with a hint of red Hatch chile. But the chips and salsa were the real star of the meal. These were easily the best chips and salsa I have ever had. The "small" has as many fresh chips as you'll get in a normal Tostitos bag and the chips were seasoned with salt and red chile powder, providing a unique kick. A "small" is enough for 2-3 people if they're a side dish and could serve as a meal for one. Two types of salsa were provided. The mild green chile salsa was okay, but the hot red chile salsa was out of this world. Think Chipotle's hot salsa, but much better. I don't know when I will be back in northern New Mexico, but when I am, El Parasol will be a stop. I need more of those chips and salsa. Maybe I can try some more menu items, too. read more

El Parasol - Chips, salsa, and tamale - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

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Their breakfast burritos are very good. I like how they cook the potatoes and egg and bacon together. The bacon is in small pieces which makes it easier to chew and the red chile is delicious! read more

Small portions, high prices. The breakfast tacos were $3.50 each. They should have been three for $5.00. Food was good, just not nearly enough. read more

We were in town to honor Veterans for the annual Wreaths Across America event at the local Los Alamos cemetery. Following that humbling gesture, we were obviously in need of sustenance. Hence our aimless foggy winter drive through the town of Los Alamos and stumbling upon this place. Once again New Mexico, you're confusing me! You can't combine burger & taco joints under one roof! Or can you? Hmm, it seems to be a constant here, and I'm slowly becoming OK with this. I opted to try both a burger & a taco! I know, crazy huh? Naturally I ordered the green chili cheeseburger & a shredded beef taco. The burger was OK, decent size, good flavor & I'd order it again. It was a bit dry though, and heavy on the mustard, but still pretty good. The taco was OK, nothing to really write home to Mom about (As if anyone still writes to Mom, shame on you!), but it was indeed OK. Both my daughter & wife also had tacos & they liked them as well. However, the shining star here might have been their mince meat empanada. It was good & a nice surprise to an otherwise average restaurant. If I lived in the area, I'd go back, but I think I'd seek out the more unusual items. read more

El Parasol - It was a pretty good burger! - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

The chicken tacos were very greasy, the grease was just dripping out as I at them. I have eaten here at this location many times in the past and it was always good before. Must have been an off day because the service was pretty poor as well. Whatever the reasons it will be a long time before I will return to this location. read more

Nice clean facility with quick self-service, but we found the food unexceptional. The nachos were cheese poured over chips, and pretty poor. If you are a Texan, you are going to find the Frito pie too picante and with too many beans. I don't think Robert Oppenheimer would have eaten here very often. read more

I ordered a taco plate with ground beef price was Fair at $11 they up sold me one extra taco for almost 4 dollars when I opened it taco was small meat was tasteless all lettuce I would never pay almost 4 dollars for something like that I hope the owners can at least taste their hamburger meat don't have no taste no salt no flavoring read more

Went here for dinner after a day of hiking in Bandolier National Park and visiting the Manhattan Project Park. I was thinking of enchiladas, but they don't offer them. But, hubby said "l'm hungry and let's just eat here." So, okay I obliged. I ordered a chicken burrito bowl with the red chile sauce smothered cuz the person behind the counter said that was not as spicy as the green. Well, I will say the chicken was good, but the sauce was too spicy and too smothered. The food was okay, but probably would not revisit. Maybe if I liked really spicy food I would go back. It was crowded, so that was good. Just too spicy for some. read more

Called in an order, the lady on the phone was awful to talk to. Serious attitude, usually not a real issue if the order gets done right...but.... Ordered 8 tacos, paid for 8 tacos, got 5. Ordered an extra side of sour cream, paid for it, guess what...didn't get it. The food here is always great, but the service has gone downhill very quickly. I'm going to take my business elsewhere from here on out. read more

I've tried this place twice...both times a bit disappointed. A restaurant which serves cheese sauce from a can as chips and dip is basically cheesy(pun intended). Also-Flavor doesn't mean HOT~ Won't go again! Was hoping for simple and authentic~ read more

Tons of seating inside and quick service. You order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. I always get the ground beef tacos with shredded cheese and lettuce (~$2.50 each). Usually 3 tacos fill me up. It is much better than your typical fast food joint. The shell is crispy and the beef flavorful. I recommend trying the horchata ($2) too. It's very refreshing and sweet. Will be back here again as one of my go to lunch spots in Los Alamos. read more

El Parasol - Ground beef taco (~$2.50) - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

Some of the best posole you can find! They also have great carne adovada. The portions are very generous!

After finding out that El Rigoberto's is closed on Sundays, I decided to try out the other main Mexican restaurant in Los Alamos, El Parasol. My first impression after walking in was that te atmosphere is quite nice - with nice decor and ample seating. I came at around 1:00, and it was quite lively inside. I decided to get a smothered chicharron (pork rinds) burrito with Christmas chile for $8.25. Upon opening the box, I found a good amount of food inside. The taste however, was pretty average. What I've discovered about New Mexican food is that most dishes are a little blander than average, which allows for the green and/or red chile flavor to shine through. As a huge chile fan, I'm perfectly OK with this but it means the chile makes or breaks the food. In this case, the chile was a little bland, so what I mostly tasted was the shredded cheese on top. The pork rinds inside were OK, but not anything to write home about. If you're looking for a quick meal, there's nothing wrong with El Parasol. But if it's before 1pm, go to Chile Works for the best burrito in town. read more

El Parasol - Smothered chicharron burrito with Christmas chile - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

Can the shredded beef w/ guacamole tacos be any better? I throw down at least 3 of these when I visit here. El Parasol, it's home base in Espanola has many great satellite restaurants in Northern NM, including this one. The salsa is soooo spicy, tasty and goes with anything here. The taco shells are fried and made to please after crunching into one. The shredded beef is addicting and has a bit of potato mixed in them. The lettuce is fresh as is anything on the menu. They have specials such as menudo, posole and any other Northen NM dish you feel the hankering for. As we were snowed in, I ordered the Sausage red burrito. The red chile is pretty good but I would go with their green next time. The burrito is a pretty big size, and the sausage is grounded up with a good amount of eggs. A good order to start any breakfast. read more

El Parasol - Outside in the snow - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

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Are you freakin' kidding me? since when is it legal to put crack in tacos? I can say hands down that this place has the best tacos I have ever eaten (top 10 best things I've ever eaten)! I usually can't decide if I like the shredded beef or chicken/guacamole tacos better so I get 2 of each, with a good dose of their amazing red salsa. I've eaten at el parasol about a dozen times now, but the only other items on their menus I've tried were their great tamales (xmas please), and their chicharon buritto which I thought was pretty gross and I threw away about half of it. If only they also served thirst-quenching horchatas... read more

El Parasol - Shredded Beef Taco - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

Omg sooooo good! We stumbled on this place! Yum, yum, yum. Restaurant was so clean. Staff was friendliness read more

I was being shown around by my girlfriend who grew up in Los Alamos, and we went here for breakfast one cold morning. Decor/Atmosphere: 4/5 Bright, sunny decor. A large menu is clearly visible to the side of the counter so you can decide what you want as you wait in line. Long wooden tables provide most of the seating, but there are a few 4-6 person tables along the walls. Service: 4/5 Just walk up and order at the counter, then sit around and wait for your food to come out. The girl who took our order was nice and got us through the line really quickly. Food: 4.5/5 Had the chorizo breakfast burrito, with green and red chile. Really good stuff, just what I needed on a freezing cold morning before a big day of exploring LA and the surrounding area. I can only compare New Mexico breakfast burritos to another one I had from Chili Works. I'd say the biggest difference was the potatoes (better at Parasol, not as mushy and overflowing). I personally couldn't tell any other differences, which just means it was a damn good breakfast burrito. Not from around here, so I unfortunately won't be a regular. But I'd definitely come back again and again. read more

El Parasol - Chorizo breakfast burrito with red and green chile - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

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Overpriced. Food is good but they have high prices for the type of food they serve. Ok

Tasty and fast. This is a great place for lunch. My favorite things are the pork tamales. They are always perfectly seasoned. I've also had the green chili burger and it was one of the best burgers in town. I just wish they were open later. They close at 6 and I don't always get out of work in time to make it. Overall, great place. read more

Great burritos and friendly staff. Nothing fancy. The location is close to the museum

Went for breakfast based on the recommendation of a friend who used to live here. Great breakfast burrito with chorizo. I want a second one. read more

El Parasol - Breakfast burrito with chorizo. - Mexican Near Me - Los Alamos, New Mexico

Best mexican spot in town. I love their vegetarian burritos but it's a hidden menu item so you've gotta request it. They also have vegetarian tacos. read more

Service was iffy on a slow afternoon - had to basically flag down the staff to order. We'd heard about the chicken tacos, so tried them along with some enchiladas and nachos. Neither the enchiladas or nachos were particularly noteworthy (movie-theater style nacho cheese), but the chicken taco was quite tasty if bland. Only after we eat did we discover a small bit of hot sauce in the bottom of the bag - this might have made the difference. Tip: order the chicken tacos. Skip everything else. Make sure you add hot sauce. read more

This place is a very solid choice for delicious "fast" Mexican food. I always make a point to come here at least once when I'm in town. Let me preface this by saying that I don't like chicken tacos... anywhere.... Besides here! They are absolutely incredible, and I'm salivating just thinking about them. They come with a heaping portion of guacamole too. You MUST order at least one when you come here just to witness the magic. The smothered chile relleno burrito is also very delicious but it consistently takes forever to our order to come out when I order it. It is pretty busy around lunch so I would recommend looking at the menu online and calling in the order if you choose to come around that time. Overall, this place is incredible. Seriously, get the chicken tacos. read more

Not the best New Mexican food by a long shot, but better than average for Los Alamos. The good - They're breakfast burritos are the best I've found in town. They're flavourful even with or without meat and reasonably priced. The tacos are greasy but tasty. Their burgers are also the best I've had in town, especially with green chili and cheese. When they have them (only occasionally, on special), their chicken enchiladas are good. My favorite is there vegetarian lunch burrito: Potatoes, beans, brocolli, cheese, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and your choice of chili, but it appears that they've removed it from the menu. You can probably still order it anyway. The bad- The meat burritos tend to be a mass of meat and nothing else. Not very appetizing as far as I'm concerned. The cookies at the counter are awful. read more

Los Alamos may be the sleepiest town I have traveled to yet. El Parasol is the local Tex-Mex chain and was the perfect place to try green chile and eat lunch after a series of flights from Knoxville, TN. My chicken burrito was very flavorful, but you have to get it with all the stuff on top. By stuff I mean cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and of course the green chile New Mexico is known for. Apparently, everything here closes very early, so don't be alarmed if you see stacked chairs and people sweeping by 3:00. They are open until 7, but don't have the traffic. I'm glad I could stop through... read more

This place taste great people are nice they have vegan options and will work with you to get a picky order in. And they get it right the firs time no matter how weird! read more

It had been 3 years since I have been back to my hometown of Los Alamos, and I was in town visiting the folks during the holiday break. Since I grew up in Los Alamos with fond memories of standing in line outside of Chili Works on freezing-ass winter mornings for a breakfast burrito, I was psyched to finally get my Chili Works breakfast burrito fix. BUT ALAS!!! Chili Works was closed for the holiday break! WTF? Luckily, El Parasol was open and serving breakfast. I ordered what I would've ordered at Chili Works: sausage, green, no cheese. While I wasn't blown away by the burrito, it was a pretty decent substitute for Chili Works. (Although, local sources say that Chili Works has been steadily going down hill since my high school days, so perhaps the comparison to Chili Works is moot.) The prices are reasonable, the portions were generous, and our orders came out promptly. All in all, I'd return to El Parasol when I'm back in town. Hey, it's Los Alamos and there isn't much to choose from! read more

Came here with fellow Yelper Amanda H. after a rather wild night down at Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe. Not having our best morning, we postponed eating lunch until about 1:00 when we got back into Los Alamos-- we came in as ravenous as a pack of starving coyotes (NM animal reference = 1 bonus point). Not used to northern NM food, I was extremely happy with my meal. It took a little while to get it, but it was WELLLL worth it! Single chicken taco ($2.30): A downright amazing deal for such a delicious taco. Plenty of chicken with a smooth guacamole lining the top. Definitely coming back for this one! Chile Relleno Burrito ($5.75 + $1.95 smothering): Made to order, the relleno was so fresh. I'm typically a green chile fiend and rarely order red, but I got Christmas per Amanda's suggestion. Three words: Nom nom nom. If I'm ever up north again, you bet I'll be here again! read more