El Canelo

An authentic Mexican Restaurant in the mountains of western Maryland in a small town, Frostburg. The portions are very large and great food. A small older restaurant, casual and food well worth the price. Bar has draft, bottled beers and Margaritas.

Stopped here for dinner on a road trip. It looks like your average casual Mexican bar/​restaurant. A bit old, nothing fancy. But we didn’t go to admire the ambiance, we came to try the food. Sadly, it was your average Americanized fare. A lot of bland processed cheese with very little flavor. My cheese enchiladas came in a molé sauce that was too sweet and too chocolatey for the dish. The cheese filling was straight queso blanco-​esk and bland– no flavoring at all, no onions or such. Tried my companion’s wet burrito which was impressively large. The pork was unseasoned and again, the most striking attribute was the general blandness. Prices were reasonable and the service was good. Too bad they struck out on the food.

What a delight! I come from SoCal and we are surrounded by amazing Mexican restaurants with that Cali vibe, and all sustainably grown and fresh seafood. But here I am up in the mountains of Western Maryland and find a Mexican place that makes me happy. Plenty of food served with a smile. No über-​hip gastro pub here but a friendly eager to please, homey local eatery. And please, it’s not Spanish food, it’s Mexican, and if anything it’s more Tex-​Mex. Can you say Tey-​han-​oh. Try it, you’ll like it!
Nicely done, El Canelo!

I frequent this joint about 2 times a month. It used to have a location in Cumberland, but closed it due to family illness. When it was there too, I was a 2 – 3 week champ.
ATMOSPHERE: On Main Street with modes outdoor seating and two areas inside to eat. Plus there is also a large table for bigger groups as well. Plenty of seating, Mexican décor and a friendly staff. Due to being in a college town you may rub elbows with college pukes– which isn’t fair to them but thought I would mention it.
STAFF: After reading some other silly reviews here, I have never waited on a check or felt unimportant, if you want the check– ask for it immediately. They are friendly, courteous and accommodating. My boy Pepe (ponytail), Mya (younger lady), will all take care of you.
FOOD: As far as the food goes– it’s outstanding. If you have certain preferences etc let them know ahead of time. I usually go with the jumbo burrito, or three soft tacos, or enchiladas.
They also have lunch specials that are cheaper.
OVERALL: in my honest opinion ‘Ichihara better and fulfilling than Rio Grande, but you can be the judge.

Excellent food and service. Very affordable pricing as well. My only complaint is the small parking lot.

Have visited multiple times and become more and more dissatisfied with each visit. The waitresses are AWFUL. I have sat 30 minutes before without receiving a refill. They aren’t polite. And trying to get the check in a timely manner is out of the question.
The food is okay. They do have decent tacos and queso but that’s about it.
Do yourself a favor and drive a little ways down the road to Rio Grande in Lavale and have a tasty meal!

We liked it. Kind of dark inside during the day. Chips and salsa were good. Clean for an older building setting. Entrance for us was through the bar area but there may have been another door. There was an outdoor seating area.
We liked the food! The portions were good. The margarita was good. The atmosphere was not lively, but we would all go back again.

Authentic awesome Mexican food. The chicken fajitas were very delicious and the guacamole is very fresh. The service was very excellent. This place isn’t very far from I-​80 688 and a worthwhile stop if traveling through. This is a PET FRIENDLY establishment.

I like El Canelos Frostburg. I am a repeat customer. It’s basic microwaved Mexican but better than a fast food chain. The Canelos in Frostburg is more consistent than the one Cumberland. Queso Fundido is my fav. Bad for the heart but great for the taste.

Authentic Mexican Food is the understatement!
Awesome food and way more than one soul could eat. Plenty to take home for lunch the next day.
Reasonable prices and it is truly authentic.
Enjoy!

This place was tremendously endearing during my visit to Frostburg. It was super late at night and the food was filling and not bad at all. I would go back.

The dinner portions can feed two and there’s a full alcohol menu. Once a waitress mischarged me and the manager gave me a full refund.
Overall a swell place to take a big group or a friend who doesn’t know what they want. Quality desserts and margarita pitchers that don’t skimp on tequila.

You have to realize one thing. you’re in the mountains of western MD, eating Mexican food.
The food is good, the servers are usually right on top of things and generally pleasant. We can never visit without margaritas, queso, and chicken nachos.
Only negative is the tiny parking lot (7ish spaces)

Not much around. Everything is the typical Mexican/​American fare, running $ 10/​plate.

Awesome food!!! Great white queso and great margaritas, SO SO glad Frostburg has a Mexican place that stayed.

Great prices, big servings, great service, good alcohol menu. I always love everything I order. Sangria was good, though a little watery, not enough wine… Margaritas are good but very sweet.

Not a bad place. Cozy place with good cheese /​chicken fajita to start off with. I had a jumbo chicken burito which was good. The only negative was very slow service and small parking lot.

As a New Mexican born Texas resident, I probably expected too much from this very small town mexican restaurant in Maryland. I was definitely amused by the fact that they felt the need to have a section of the menu dedicated to explaining what common items like enchiladas and tacos are. I asked for some corn tortillas to go with my queso and the waitress pointed to my basket of chips and insisted those were corn tortillas. I ended up having to ask for «unfried tortillas» and she finally got it. I was too afraid to try anything else, so I filled up on queso and called it a meal. I’d go back again but only to try a margarita.

Their cheese quesadillas are ah-​mazing. Not the best spanish food I’ve ever had, but your best choice when in this area. Nice sit down family restaurant.