El Comal

Great place for lunch! It gets busy though, so expect to wait a little for your food to be served. The place is cafeteria style but they also sell groceries, so it’s nice to browse during the wait. The enchiladas and tacos are delicious and satisfying in good portions. You can also buy their soft taco shells to go!

Love this little hole-​in-​the-​wall. Feels smells and tastes like being in Mexico!
The grocery portion of the store is great too as the warehouse behind is well-​stocked.
A little off the beaten track, if you don’t work in the area.

Terrible dirty place — place is invested with vermin. poor service, terrible food. stay away.

We went for an early-​lunch recently, arrived about 10:20am, and dined in.
The floor in the main dining-​in area was being damp-​mopped as we walked in, but was dry and accessible after ordering (with our ordering being a touch delayed, as the woman mopping, was the same woman taking orders at the deli counter). After ordering, we chose to sit at one the larger round tables — it provided a nice 360 view of the rather cute and colourful surroundings. The table and place mats were a touch dirty though — we had to provide some cleaning before settling in. And then after waiting for what we thought was more than sufficient time for some service of water, napkins, knives, and forks, etc., to our table, once again, we provided our own service. So far, not so good, in the service department! But heh, we did get small bowls of tortilla chips and salsa brought to our table before any of our food order arrived.
Subsequent food service to our table was consistently delayed by customers coming in and ordering take-​out. There was just the one person doing everything — taking orders, serving, cleaning floors, and etc.
A heads-​up to those who have not dined there — you pay at ordering, and no ‘official’ receipt (listing what was ordered) was provided. I mention this because we had what bordered on an argument later, while dining, over what had been ordered, and what had been received. I knew what I had ordered and paid (had written it down), but it took a good while to convince the server that she was in error, and we had not received one of the dishes ordered — and that was why we had come back to the deli counter asking asking where the dish might be, after waiting a good long while wondering. She eventually acknowledged fault when she found the plate sitting in the microwave oven where she had forgotten it!
We ordered three of their dishes: two-​tamale plate (wanted three tamales, but they only had two, they came with rice and re-​fried beans) — three-​enchilada plate (which came with rice and re-​fried beans) — three soft tacos plate (chorizo sausage, pork, chicken). The tamales: were served without any banana leaves (as shown on the plate in the picture) in place (thought this a bit strange, had never been served a tamale without the banana or other leaves in place), no separate meat or other filling, just a thick, dry, and quite spicy hot masa — everything on the plate only mildly warm! The tacos: the corn tortillas (one per taco) were thin, damp, cool, and flavourless, and the fillings inside a few tiny pieces of the meat, tomato, chopped lettuce, and ‘sauce’ — soggy — so eating with one-​hand, ‘the’ appropriate Mexican way, was next to impossible! The enchiladas: thin, flavourless, and rather cold — and the pictures on the wall looked so good, the tortillas filled, and plump! The rice was ‘ok’, but rather tasteless. The re-​fried beans, tasted and looked like a canned product, without any real texture or flavour.
In summary — half-​decent presentations, but mostly cool, flavourless, and poorly-​prepared foods.
We were very disappointed with our dining experience at El Comal, we had so hoped for more!

El Comal is in the middle of nowhere. It’s surrounded by businesses, but it has a big friendly sign and friendly (but very busy) staff.
El Comal has a really hot entrance (their kitchen opens to the front and they have some ready-​to-​go options, but the dining area is a bit cooler. Regardless, it was a hot day and it was more comfortable outside than in. They didn’t have any glasses for water (or cutlery for eating), but we got some quickly after asking.
The chimichanga was great — just a drizzle of sauce on top instead of the soup I’ve seen (and enjoyed) before. It had some crisp, came with salsa, and I really enjoyed it.
The enchiladas were okay. The large (with three) isn’t that big — they’re small tortillas and less than 2 cm in diameter. But it’s under $ 8 and you get refried beans and rice.
The tamales weren’t very good. They were generally dry. I had two bites with what felt like that chewy texture of old rice that’s dried out.
Not sure if I’d go back. Maybe to try the antojitos (for some reason I think they were labelled sopa?) and have another chimichanga.

Living in Vancouver Lower Mainland, its a stretch to get Real Mexican Food. I found this by accident while at a Business close by. What a Surprise, I had Chorizo Tacos, they were simply amazing. The Arbol Salsa was also amazing. They make all of this from scratch in House. I’m surprised I cannot by their products in Supermarkets in Vancouver. They serve many other dishes, all look great. The smell is that of Mexico when you walk in. Very Rustic and quaint. If you like Mexican food, I suggest you drop in here.

Finally I have came across this restaurant. Proper Mexican food. Everything on the menu is delicious. they make fresh corn tortilla for sale, and sell hot sauce from mexico (I buy corn tortilla and make my own chips for salsa). Thank you so much for making yummy food mucho grasias!!!

Great place to buy tortillas and other staples, but don’t expect a lot to choose from. Good casual prepared food. A gem for Vancouver.

Everything you want in Mexican food. Fresh and delicious. There is a small market area where you can pick up your salsa, chips, hot sauce and peppers too.
Staff is very friendly. All speak Spanish which adds to the authenticity …
Worth searching out as it is off the beaten path. They close at 5 pm so unless you live in the area Saturday would be your only day you could make it. Lots of kids and family show up Saturday.
We brought ours on our way to see the birds at Burnaby lake.

Another gem for latin food lovers, location is far, parking is very limited, a restaurant and grocery combined, from outside its very ordinary but when you get inside the ambiance is very mexican, friendly people inside and foods will make the place extra ordinary… tamales tacos soup etc unremarkable, noise level low, casual attire, family and kids friendly, i love the wooden chair and tables… plus the wide variety of goodies from mexico… nachos, salsa and drinks… my trip is worth and will come back again…

What happened?
This used to be a great place with great food… now it’s just ok. I had bragged about how good it was and then I brought it back to the office for everyone and we were all disappointed. My wife and I went back to see if it was an off day but we got the same forgettable food.
Very disappointed

Sorry but I can’t agree with others this is most defiantly NOT the best Mexican food I have had in the Vancouver area. Maybe it’s because it’s cafeteria style I guess because it’s in an industrial area. I ordered the Chili Relleno. Was at my table in less than 5 minutes. Rice was old and crunchy beans were ok. The chille was covered in a very bland tomato sauce. For the $ 7.95 I would stop back in.

As someone who’s lived in the South West for years and has eaten many Mexican dishes I can tell you this place is awful. The service was slow and absolutely terrible… they continued to talk in Spanish with their Spanish customers with no regard that the line of waiting customers was out the door. I waited a long time for my food and when it arrived it was cold with little flavor. As an added bonus the grand daughter of the owner was running around unsupervised, yelling, screaming, pushing the furniture, and interrupting our lunch. This little girl about 5 was very neglected with dirt all over her face and doing anything she can to get attention from the customers. It was the worst experience I’ve had in a «restaurant» if you can even call this place that!

If I had to pick one word to describe El Comal, I’d pick «authentic.» This place is wholly authentic, from the food to the staff to the décor.
I went with a group of friends and we ordered all sorts of dishes. The menu is very limited, as they do not offer much variety, but I went with the chimichangas. Man, what a treat! The food took quite a while to get to us, but once it did, it was great. Very delicious, good portions, good price; it was awesome. One of my friends ordered the enchiladas and it looked amazing, definitely ordering that the next time I visit.
The staff was nice. I only spoke to one person, and it was the lady at the register. I’m fairly certain this is a family-​run restaurant, but it is no less busy than any other restaurant. You know the food is good when natives of the cuisine line up to eat it! Like I mentioned, the food did take a while to be delivered, so keep in mind that this is probably not the best place to go if you’re in a rush.
Another interesting thing is that they seem to also sell ingredients and supplies for cooking Mexican food in another section of the restaurant, like a grocery store. Very cool stuff, especially if you’re looking to cook some Mexican food at home.
In closing, the food was great, the place was easy to find and looked great, and it was overall a very pleasant experience. Now I know where to curb those Mexican cravings in Burquitlam!

I’ve tried to find good Mexican food in the lower mainland, however, felt that it wasn’t possible.
Thankfully, my last experience at another place reminded my wife and I to consult with Unilocal.It led us here.
FINALLY!
I would like to say this brought me back to my trips to Mexico. Some of the best food I’ve had. Thanks for the experience. We will be back again soon.
Amazing and reasonably priced. I really recommend giving it a try!

I heard good things about this place and popped in for a late lunch. It appears to be a mother and son operation, but that’s just a guess on my part.
Limited menu selection with pictures posted on the wall. Typical choices (tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas) but the guy seemed a little confused when I asked what the chimichangas come with. Apparently, nothing. Just a single piece for $ 7.95 and he said for two would be double the price. Odd, since the enchilada platter was $ 8.95 for two and a dollar more for three.
Anyway, I went with the enchiladas as I was hungry that day. It took about 10 minutes for my food to arrive and it was lukewarm at best. Tasted fine, but nothing spectacular. Similar to Las Margaritas or Pepitas in Kits. If it was hot, I might’ve given them another star but it was a bit of a letdown to me.
The people sitting next to me received their food steaming hot, so I’m not sure why mine wasn’t hot as well. I’d probably go back if someone else suggests it, but I’m not in a hurry to return.

The discussion on lunch places in the hinterlands of Burnaby/​Coquitlam kicked me into gear to finally try El Comal. It’s not too hard to find, as Winston Street is a pretty well-​beaten track for traffic bypassing Lougheed. And it was worth the trek for the super-​friendly Spanish speaking staff (authenticity points), good value (combo plates all under $ 10) and hello, muy delicioso food.
I got there after the lunch rush, so didn’t have to wait at all and had a table all to myself in the warm and sunny seating area /​Mexican grocery store. It probably gets busy in there, but it seemed to me there is room for about 20 people.
I tried the taco plate, three different tacos with rice and black beans (can’t beat $ 8!), and it was a flavour party to the last greedy bite. I agree with others about the problem of the tortilla falling apart — a double tortilla would be ideal to hold in all the fillings. I simply let the stray bits fall to the plate and scooped them up with the rice. Afterward, belly filled with taco goodness, I mentally nicknamed the place El Food Coma, and after that, started scheming for more reasons for a midday trip to this particular Burnaby neighbourhood of warehouses and parks …

I couldn’t wait to try this place since the reviews were amazing.
We walked in and there was 2 other people in line. You have to wait to order, while the lady behind the counter, although seemed very nice had to talk to rack customer for about 5 minutes.
So we waited about 10 minutes to order, we sat at a random table and waited. I recieved my polozas fairly quickly. I personally like my soup hot, and to be honest everything we had was room temperate or warm. The soup was alright nothing I would order again as I make this soup 10x better.
The soft tacos came next, I was surprised how tiny and small they were. The taste was alright, there was just meat and salsa on it, nothing special.
Next was the luke warm tamales, ignore the pictures with loads of rice and beans, what you get is about less than ½ of that. Again the tamales were alright, my daughter said I make them better.
There was no napkins and forks, when the young girl brought the tamales maybe she thought I would use my hands? So we asked for forks and napkins and 5 mins late she brought 1 fork and 1 napkin?
I asked for hot sauce and this was probably the most impressive thing we got during our meal. A little goes a long way and I really enjoyed the hot sauce.
We waited in line to pay, because that was what we were told to do, so we waited another 15 minutes in line to pay ?
There must be a better way to serve you customers.
They should have a condiment, napkin, utensil and cold water station for people that do not want to buy a beverage, and wait for there utensils.
Coming here made me want to make tamales and tostadas, which I’m in the process of making now.
Sorry wont be coming back.

If there’s one thing I love to support, it’s small businesses!
El Comal is literally a hole in the wall — a small Mexican goods store in an industrial block with an incorporated deli and seating area. Don’t be so quick to judge, however, because their Mexican food is authentic and convincingly delicious!
I’ve been here on two occasions and not once have I been disappointed.
I am aspiring to tackle their entire menu, but so far, I’ve only tried the Chile Relleno (roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, lightly battered & baked in a tomato sauce, rice and beans) — vegetarian friendly — and also the Enchiladas with chorizo (stuffed corn tortillas smothered with enchiladad sauce, cheese, cream, rice & beans).
What’s great about this place is its authenticity, selections of Mexican goods (thank you for having lime flavoured jarritos and green habanero pepper sauce!) and their efficient service.
I should also mention that vegetarian options are available and parking is a private lot out front. Cheers!

Went here for lunch, I’ve been wanting to try it due to the good reviews.
Its tacked in a very industrial area. ONLY a small eating area. Great for take out.
Food is great and very authentic. I love Mexican food, and this place hits the spot!
My friend ordered soft tacos combo tasted fresh the tortillas was nice! beans, rice was also yummy! I had Chicken Enchiladas combo, really good flavours! I like things more on the spicy side so I just added some hot sauce. We also started with a free bowl of chips and salsa (fresh and delis). They also carry food to cook at home and great Mexican delights!
Cost was pretty reasonable!
I will be BACK!