El Molino Central

Ouch! I quit! The meals have been so spicy hot lately that I no longer enjoy them. Three of us ordered chilaquiles for breakfast — they only serve them for breakfast. They were so spicy we didn’t even finish them. We couldn’t eat food that hot. Especially not for breakfast! The enchiladas that we took home for another meal had the same issue. The refried pinto beans were so blistering hot they were inedible. We have loved this great little spot since it opened but I’m not up for food too spicy to eat. It has lost all subtlety and authenticity. Please return to your delicious, balanced Mexican home cooking, El Molino.

The al pastor tacos were awesome, and the chips were to die for!

Awful. We ordered fish tacos and chips and guacamole. The fish was so greasy we could not finish it; I awoke in the middle of the night with an upset stomach. The chips were too thick; the guacamole was fine. They handed me a beer and told me to find the opener outside.

Update on 6.12.16:
Returned for dinner tonight. I’ve finally decided — this is the best Mexican food in the Bay Area.
Last visit:
Again we enjoyed an impressive dining experience. This is Mexican food with distinction, seasonality, and complexity not usually found at a taqueria.
As an example of seasonality, tonight they served a chili relleno with nogata sauce and pomegranate seeds. This is a classic Mexican dish not found in many restaurants. The spicy, creamy and fruit combination was excellent. I would certainly uorder it again.
Others in our party ordered Tacos al Pastor, which came with pineapple tonight. The fruit artfully offset the spiciness of the tacos fling. Also the Chicken Mole Tamales were delicious. There was a higher ratio of filing to masa than most tamales we have had.
Again a delicious and impressive experience.

The best Mexican restaurant I’ve been to in the last 18 months in Cali. It’s like being in Mexico with fresh tortilla, sopes and Mole counter in the front &open air patio at the back. None of this over-​serviced Cali restaurant nonsense either; too many staff treat you like a milking cow. went for the ahi tuna tostadas instead of wild halibut ceviche. Raw tuna on freshly toasted tostada bowls; perfect fusion between sashimi and Mex Mexican, highly recommended.

Mole tamales here are incredible. The guacamole is delicious. The pumpkin enchiladas are yummy. The only negative are the prices are quite high but you get a lot of food so you can easily share a dish and leave full.

Awesome beyond words. Who knew good Mexican food was only an hour away in Sonoma?!? I especially like how El Molino Central uses sauces to give their food such deep, sonorous flavors.

After a winery stop, my husband and I realized our early brunch was not going to tide us over as long as we had thought. But we didn’t want a fancy, pricey lunch and we didn’t have a reservation anywhere. El Molino Central was there to save us from hanger-​induced marital discord.
The restaurant is very cozy and cool. An outdoor patio boasts cement tiles and a colorful array of year-​round Christmas lights. There were definitely other people there, but it wasn’t crowded and we were able to get a table. Ordering happens at the counter, which gives you a chance to consider your options.
The tortilla chips are really nice, obviously very fresh but thicker and lighter than typical chips. I thought they were really unique and delicious and couldn’t stop eating them. The salsa verde is an amazingly fresh avocado/​tomatillo salsa that I highly recommend.
I ordered the chicken enchiladas, which is a more mundane choice than I would usually make, but I saw someone else eating them and knew it was the rainy day comfort food I needed. They did not disappoint. A lot of places include rice and beans with their dishes, but El Molino Central does not, and I am so glad. Rice and beans is just filler to me. What arrived was two huge, piping-​hot enchiladas stuffed with chicken and drowning in cheesy, saucy goodness. Served with some pickled slaw for tangy relief. An enormous, delicious, filler-​less portion.
My husband was overwhelmed by entrée choices, because everything looked so interesting. And then there were specials too, yikes. He always wants something different and went with some lamb tacos. They were nice, and I would definitely get the fish tacos here next time. But the enchiladas were better.

El Molino Central is a great spot for Mexican food in Sonoma.
There is a small parking lot, along with an outside patio. Orders are placed inside at the counter and the food is delivered to you. There is a refrigerated section for some take out meals, tamales and sauces.
This is not your standard roadside shack serving Mexican food pared down for American palates. The food is very fresh, the flavors pronounced and the ingredients are high quality and organic. The seasonal menu contains dishes that may sound familiar but the restaurant puts a twist on them to elevate them beyond your typical fare. Be prepared for some spicy food in generous portions.
On my visits I’ve seen Blue Bottle Coffee and Four Barrel coffee offered for sale.
I thought the prices were well worth the quality of the food served. There is so much I want to try on that menu but I keep returning to the tacos.
I’ve been here a few times and have always left with a pack of their tamales. They freeze well and are ready to reheat without drying out.
A great spot for really good, fresh Mexican food in a relaxing setting.

The enchiladas are on point. Lets start with the chicken, its marinated and flavored to perfection, the homemade corn tortillas add an earthy texture and the green sauce is out of this world. To top off the best enchilada I’ve tasted, they add delecious monterey jack… and they don’t skimp on portion size. Fish tacos are beyond good! Love this place. Travel from sacramento just to get my fix.

A hidden treasure on the edge of Sonoma in Boyes Hot Springs. Amazing fish tacos at a charming roadside stand. I’ll be back with a group so we can try everything.
Also dog friendly outdoor seats!

Food: 5
Service: 4
Uniqueness: 4
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This was a phenomenal place for food. Almost perfect for me, but fell just a little short.
Definitely pass on the guac. It’s made fresh but is essentially two crushed avocados with some cilantro and lime.
What stands out is their actual entrees. Holy smokes. The fish taco with the guacamole mayo was delicious and the pork tamales were out of this world. The freshness of everything was really apparent as well.
This is definitely a great spot to check out for a reasonably fared lunch when you’re in otherwise expensive wine country!

Pretty little Mexican food joint on 12 in Sonoma. Give it a try, the patio out back is larger than it appears when you’re driving by. Food is excellent, fresh and spicy. The menu is not huge, but the things they offer were all great on our recent visit for lunch.
Chips are substantial and home made, guac and salsa was nice too. The chicken mole enchiladas were mind blowing, highly recommended. The chicken enchiladas with green sauce (don’t recall the name) were good, but very mild. Kids loved those.
Surprisingly, the coffee was top notch and much better than the usual restaurant fare.

I get really angry when Unilocalers steer me wrong… so I’m ANGRY.
Why do you do me wrong, Unilocalers?
Fish tacos — burnt batter, uncooked fish inside, no flavor
Sope with pork — odd taste to the pork, possibly something went wrong.
Fish tacos (2), sope, and Modelo beer came out to $ 28.
Seriously, people who rated this place mush never have had descent Mexican food.
If you are even remotely familiar with Mexican food, don’t eat here.

Great food and prices are not unreasonable
Stop by if youre hungry. Get generous portions. I’d highly recommend this as a must-​visit on a trip to the area.
I had the Pumpkin habanero dip with a Negro Modelo beer awesomeness

Rainy day and hungry, what can be better than some authentic Mexican food? Visited El Molino many years ago when they first opened and felt it was overpriced and the food quality was okay at best. Decided to give it another go today to see if it has improved over the years.
Ordered two dishes to go, went with the Pumpkin Cheese Tamales and Chicken Suiza Enchiladas with a side of guacamole. Prices this time around were much more reasonable for the area where the restaurant is located, so that is a huge plus. On top of that, the food is much better, I enjoyed both dishes! The Pumpkin Cheese tamales were super tasty and I found myself wanting more even after devouring both tamales. As for the enchiladas, they live up to the hype from various other Unilocalers, seasoned chicken shredded with an excellent green sauce and a somewhat spicy vege on the side. Guacamole was somewhat bland, some added spices or maybe lime juice really would of been a great addition to the guac.
All and all I was extremely impressed with the food and will definitely be back again for some more authentic mexican food.

Funny how different people’s opinions can be based on their past experiences and expectations. So I should explain… I’m not from California, I was visiting Sonoma for the wine on vacation, and I was getting a hangry headache when we pulled into the lot here.
The reason why those points are relevant is because in my mind, this meal was super affordable and filling and awesome. Compared to most of the other wine-​tourist hot spots, this place is a steal. We had tamales, fish tacos and chips & salsa, along with an agua fresca. The only thing I’d skip is the chips & salsa next time (the salsa was forgettable).

$ 13 at El Molino Central gets you a belly full of delicious tacos and a fabulous food coma.
Best of all, you can sit outside on their sunny patio to enjoy your meal. The only thing missing was a mouthwatering margarita on the rocks. Unfortunately, El Molino is beer & wine only.
Word to the wise… If you want chips + salsa, that’s extra. And for my taste, the chips (although obviously home-​made) were a bit thick for my taste, and the salsa (although clearly fresh) was a bit watery and lacking in flavor/​spice. However, their guacamole is totally fresh, on-​point, and worth ordering.
All in all, this is a solid, upscale taqueria. I’d definitely come back!

Definitely a bit different set up than most places. Didn’t see in the menu that chips and salsa are sold separately, but that’s ok. Chips a bit too robust, even if you have good teeth, and greasy, tho.
Trying to order felt a bit rushed, specially after no welcome or hi after waking in the door. I mean, don’t expect a hug but a business depending on clients should at least be friendly.
Walk thru the kitchen avoiding unapologetic cooks and waitresses into an open area that feels bare and cold, although cutely decorated and with gas heaters outside.
Anyway, to the point, the food: flavor is definitely there. Probably the best in the county. I had the enchiladas suizas and the salsa was just spot on. Could have added a bit more top get to perfection, and remove the side coleslaw garnish! That goes on a pupusa, not here. Beans were great. My wife had birria tacos and they were super tasty.
Aside the below average service, just the food itself makes this place a solid 4 start.

Fresh ingredients and super good!
My friends who live in Sonoma recommended this restaurant and I am so happy we tried it.
As you enter and read the menu, first impression maybe that it is pricey compared to regular most of the mexican restaurants in the area. However, once you taste the food, you know that you made the right decision.
I ordered the summer squash tamales and it was fresh, cheesy, and tasty tamales. Everyone else with me ordered the fish tacos since the are known for it. Coated and fried fresh fish in a corn tortilla. Can’t get better than that.
The outdoor seating is very refreshing on a super hot day. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Muy mal servicio y muy caro los precios son carisimos por dos tacos pague casi $ 13 dollares y la comida esta malisima y el servicio al cliente horrible