Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

El Mono Fresh Flavors of Peru in El Cerrito

4.3 (199) 11720 San Pablo Ave Suite B, El Cerrito, CA 94530, United States

Categories

Peruvian restaurant
Caterer
Latin American restaurant
South American restaurant

Location on the map

El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-778-8884
Site: http://elmonofresh.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–3 PM
Tuesday:11:30 AM–3 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–3 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–3 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–3 PM
Saturday:12–3:30 PM
Sunday:12–3:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.3

199 Reviews for El Mono Fresh Flavors of Peru 2024:

Review №1

2023-12-09 23:18:32

Had a fantastic experience at El Mono restaurant! The atmosphere was inviting, and the food was delicious. The menu offered a great variety, and the flavors were outstanding. The service, especially from our server Mayra, was exceptional. She was attentive and friendly, enhancing our overall dining pleasure. Definitely recommend El Mono for a delightful culinary experience!

Review №2

2023-09-16 00:51:25

The place is not the most appealing, outside and inside, but the standing is higher than you would expect. The menu is quite exciting, quantities are generous (the paella could be for 3-4), but we missed flavors, was a bit bland for us. Nice staff.

Review №3

2023-10-16 02:13:15

Great food, poor service. Many folks standing around and not attentive to patrons. We sat for 10 mins before anyone stopped by to say hi. The food took a little longer than I expected to be cooked and served and when we were ready to leave we tried to get and pay the bill for about 10 mins.They also ran out of rotisserie chicken at 6:30 pm.The live music was great and the food was delicious as always.

Review №4

2023-09-24 16:45:15

Our favorite restaurant, not only when we visit our daughter in Berkeley, one of our favorite restaurants period. Food is simply amazing, service is top notch and I feel welcomed there. Its a must go to

Review №5

2023-06-26 22:28:25

Stuff is very friendly. The food came very fast. I do gotta say that I think that plates are a bit expensive and also anything you add may be like an extra 4-5 dollars so be careful what you add if you have few money. I went in with my brother and we usually spend about 40 to 50 bucks and we spent about as twice. Other than that I very much liked the place and food.

Review №6

2023-12-09 22:26:15

I stopped by today for lunch with my friend and ended up having a drink and the best lomo in town. The service was phenomenal despite how busy it was. Will be back.

Review №7

2023-06-20 01:08:48

The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly. They always recommend the best dishes and are willing to customize food as per your liking.

Review №8

2023-09-29 02:11:00

When the food is fresh and the drinks are cold, the service and atmosphere blends in well.Come through for some good times, especially during HAPPY HOUR!!

Review №9

2023-11-12 19:43:30

I love this place the food is great all the times I come to this restaurant all of them are very helpful and greatfull

Review №10

2022-10-15 03:00:52

Everything is so good! We are quite impressed. The sauce is very tasty especially with the rice. Deep fried clams and mussels are crispy and delicious. Our servers are also nice and friendly.

189 more comments

Review №11

2023-11-17 01:21:23

My wife and I had our anniversary party catered by El Mono. All our guests raved about the food and commented on how delicious it was. There wasn’t a single dish that wasn’t great. They were super accommodating on what we needed and delivery to the venue. When they delivered it was still piping hot. I definitely recommend!

Review №12

2023-05-17 20:01:27

Tried the paella and it was delicious 😋. We also had the ceviche appetizer and enjoyed it also. The food here is good. I started eating the paella so fast I forgot to get a picture.

Review №13

2022-04-03 20:54:28

My fiancé and I just came to El Mono for a Sunday lunch, we absolutely loved everything. Everything was fresh and prepared beautifully, the flavors will really blow you away. Things were a bit pricey, but felt as though the quality of the food was there so. I will definitely be back, perhaps on a weekday to take advantage of the prices of the lunch specials.

Review №14

2023-08-19 23:13:37

First time here and they did not disappoint. Food was good and their lemonade was to die for. I will be back

Review №15

2023-11-23 01:56:00

We went to try the food at this place and let me tell you something. The only thing that I liked was the rice with chicken. We also tried the steak for the $$ was nothing special, was really hard to eat and was also raw. I ordered chicken with green beans and my food was really salty the aguas frescas way over sweet for my taste. They probably started thinking about changing the size of the plate cause they served you in a salad size plate and the food looked over crowded and started falling out the plate. I dont know if I would try this place one more time. but well see.

Review №16

2023-12-09 23:09:52

I recently dined at El Mono, a delightful Peruvian restaurant, where the standout was undoubtedly the charming waitress, Tuty. Her lovable laugh created a warm atmosphere, and her exceptional customer service added to the overall enjoyable experience. The combination of authentic Peruvian cuisine and Tutys attentive service makes El Mono a must-visit.

Review №17

2023-08-05 00:25:30

The food is undeniably fantastic; however, the service leaves much to be desired. It is evident that this restaurant places a significant emphasis on take-out orders, as my companions and I found ourselves standing at the front door, waiting for service for an interminable ten minutes. Meanwhile, the staff, who were well aware of our presence from the outset, seemed solely focused on packing take-out orders. Eventually, another member of the staff seated us, yet even then, we were left parched as no water was offered until we had already finished placing our food orders. It is evident that this establishment suffers from a shortage of staff, as they are overwhelmed by the abundance of take-out orders they receive.

Review №18

2020-11-14 04:24:45

Food is delish!!! The staff is fun!! Paella scrumptious!! A party in my mouth!!! They are super generous with the portion size. Almost forgot about the plantains...sweet, thick, just soft enough...a perfect accompaniment to the meal.

Review №19

2023-04-24 04:05:11

Tasty authentic food. It was our first time visiting, and will go back again!Service was great!

Review №20

2021-04-23 01:11:04

Date night deliciousness!!! Appreciated their digital menu, outdoor patio for the evening, and friendly/attentive staff. We had a Maracuya Pisco Sour ($13), Miti Miti ($3), Chupe de Camarones ($22), Saltado de Champiñones ($15), and Platano Frito ($8). A bit salty and pricey in all but the portions were worth it. And apparently live music on Saturdays, 6-9? Looking forward to our next visit!

Review №21

2022-06-09 21:23:55

Have you ever found yourself thinking about a meal youd had days after the fact? Something that you had thought was good but not earth shattering at the time, but the more you thought about it, the more you appreciated the little touches that made your meal special? El Mono was such a lovely surprise that I couldnt fully comprehend how good it was at the time, and the more I do think about it, the more I loved what I had and want to go back for more.I stopped at El Mono on a whim because Of been driving out of SFO and really needed something decent to eat and I was feeling a little jaded about typical dinner fare. Ive eaten Peruvian before and it is typically different enough to be interesting, so I headed over to El Mono. I split half a chicken along with a number of sides and tried both of the two aguas frescas that they had.The drinks were sweet without being cloying. They also paired incredibly well with every dish that I had, and each dish paired well together too. I forgot to take pictures of everything that I had, but I could go on for quite some time talking about how much I loved my meal. It was a great time.

Review №22

2020-12-06 05:25:32

The best Peruvian restaurant that we have ever try, and we have try lots of different ones. The flavor of the dishes are so bold and unique. We drive 2 hours just to eat here, totally worth it. Would come here even if it was 3 hours away.

Review №23

2022-08-31 15:11:38

My mom and I are regulars at El Mono. They are a solid genuine Peruvian restaurant with awesome welcoming staff. Our favorite go-to meal is lomo saltado or ají de gallina. Recently, we ordered Arroz Tapado (ground beef with raisins & olives)! We always order cancha, yuca frita, helado lúcuma and my cocktail pisco sour! Yum! I’m already thinking of my next meal: bistek a lo pobre & chupe de camarones. I’m grateful they expanded to a new location and continue to thrive in El Cerrito. I wish them continued success!

Review №24

2023-08-19 22:30:31

Best Peruvian Food I have ever had!! Drove up from Orange County to enjoy this food based on reviews. It didn’t disappoint. Service was also top notch! We will most definitely be back!

Review №25

2018-09-12 00:57:28

Absolutely delicious food with tasty flavors, creative dishes, and scrumptious. Also, this place has good decor, with Peruvian classical ornaments and Peruvian music. And the service was also really good, so we gave a really good tip!

Review №26

2022-04-02 05:20:44

Everything was delicious from the appetizers to dinner to dessert . Great background music and laid back ambiance. Wait staff was very attentive and the overall service was excellent. Will be back again.

Review №27

2023-11-23 03:44:27

I ended up in the east bay, unexpectedly, for a girls night out. We were thrilled to find this place!We started with some Pisco Sours (obviously!). I appreciated that they didnt overpour the pisco, which can ruin the flavor. It was the perfect balance. I also tried the Inti and Machu Piccu - Both tasty and easy to drink, so be careful! (Shout out to Chris, who made our drinks)We had the ceviche and platano frito which pared really well with the sweeter drinks.El Mono will definitely be added to the girls night rotation.Big bonus (and this can not be overstated) was the proximately to the freeway and public transportation as well as ample parking in a well-lit lot.

Review №28

2023-01-04 17:59:25

Great food and service if you go with their seafood dishes you will leave very satisfied and wanting more. They are that consistent and that good. I had this much left over AFTER the meal.

Review №29

2023-12-09 22:54:38

Tuty has a contagious laugh and awesome customer service. The food was great. I want to come back to try the chupe she recommended! 👌🏼

Review №30

2019-09-16 03:11:57

Suggestion: make reservations!!!Great food! Prices are decent! Portions are pretty big. Service is great! Restaurant itself is pretty small. Indoor and outdoor seating available! Plenty of parking.

Review №31

2022-01-24 08:51:31

Do not waste you hard earn money on this place …. Order a limo saltado … had literally 5 pieces of meat it look more like a saltado de papa … Also tried the ceviche mixto horrible … bill came out to $50 and change ..I believe you should get what you paying for … service was good…

Review №32

2017-04-29 11:42:16

Ever since coming back from Peru last year I been craving some authentic Peruvian food. Found this little gem hidden in the shadow of Berkeley. Ordered the ceviche for appetizer. The portion was big and the taste reminded me of the ceviche that I had in Peru! The Lomo saltado and chifa de carne was huge and unless you are hungry, you will have a hard time finishing it. The Lomo saltado tasted great, but chifa de carne was decent at best. All in all, the food was good and the portion size are generous. So if you are in the mood of Peruvian food, look no further than El Mono!

Review №33

2021-01-08 01:13:13

As a business owner and web developer, receiving reviews and great ratings is important for a business. I order from El Mono around once or twice a week through Uber Eats! I have never been disappointed! Their food is always delicious, super fresh and reminds me of my home country, Chile. I continue to order from them and will continue and hope that they keep up their great fresh service! 5 star all the way!

Review №34

2023-08-04 21:44:36

Got the Lomo Saltado and it was amazing! Lunch combo special for only $19 with soup and beverage. Authentic flavor and feel in the restaurant; felt like I was transported back to old San JuanHighly recommended!

Review №35

2023-08-16 20:55:32

Its my favorite go to place for Peruvian food. The food and staff are amazing, both in taste, quality, and service. Dont forget to try the Miti Miti drink, and pair it with ANY of their dishes. You will not be disappointed.

Review №36

2021-06-10 17:20:24

Went for diner with my wife and the waiter was really atentive and nice, the food was really good and got a lit of food as well. It coukd be pricy but worth the experience and food. It was a very calm, clean and friendly enviroment. We got the lomo saltado, arroz con mariscos, ceviche and chicha morada.

Review №37

2021-06-05 16:04:44

Friendly, welcoming staff. We had a late reservation at 8 pm. I didnt feel like the staff were trying to chase us out at closing time. The waitress even offered dessert. The food was great.

Review №38

2023-07-01 20:35:50

What a shame I’ve been a customer for the last 2 years and today was the last time you’ll see my face.Terrible service, no to everything, they wouldn’t even switch a fried egg for a little piece of plantain…. RidiculousWhat happened with what the client is always right. I mean a plantain for an egg is just wanting to say nooo we can’t. And after all they have promotions and they neverWork because of the system, so at the time you present your Boucher for your free little gift the system is down and they give you nothing NADA!!By the way the place was emptyI wonder 🤔

Review №39

2023-11-10 21:43:19

Love this place. Seafood and lomo saltado is always my favorite. Ive beewaiting too long to cone back. Service is good too!

Review №40

2018-05-06 21:38:46

Traditional Peruvian food. The restaurant has plenty of parking. The place is medium size but not many waiters attending tables. However, we were surprised how fast the food was ready. It is tasty and well served. Service was friendly and attentive to our needs. There are gluten free options as well for a small additional fee. Yuca frita is really good and the dressing just on the spot. I will certainly come back.

Review №41

2023-11-05 04:00:40

Amazing food.👏Service.... F..ing terrible 😢 🤬😡😤🥱🥱🥱Bartender told me that my drink order was weird... all I asked was for no simple syrup due to health issues 😒???

Review №42

2023-03-27 16:51:26

Delicious, authentic Peruvian food, large portions that make you leave with a full tummy and happy! Definitely recommend it!

Review №43

2022-09-27 19:04:42

Oh my goodness. The service is fantastic and food is delicious. Will return with friends for sure. The drink is heavenly. Must order!

Review №44

2023-10-30 22:35:35

Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. They can get busy. The entrees are large, but they dont allow splitting an entree.

Review №45

2023-08-19 23:09:06

My wife and i decided to stop here after a hike and i never thought peruvian food could hit the spot the like this. Service was attentive and very friendly and they have a wide variety of dishes, we will definetely be back to try different dishes.

Review №46

2023-06-09 15:52:19

We were approached by 2 servers, but in the end, no one took responsibility for our table.My moms burger bun was cold 🥶, and the ceviche wasnt the traditional ceviche. The calamari were extremely hard, and the paella burned no to mention they brought the wrong drinks and never stopped to check on us!!!I used to go to the other location, but I will never go back to this locationHorrible experience.Limón o parada are far better

Review №47

2023-06-29 09:09:57

An amazing place to get what Id like to think is authentic Peruvian food. (Never been there before) The service is great and the food is delicious. The beef heat anticuchos are a must get if they have them. Come from Ripon just to eat here if that speak to you.

Review №48

2023-07-26 17:09:43

The food is great the service needs to improve,They have me and my family sitting for like 15 minutes without being offered a glass of water, before the waitress got our order.

Review №49

2023-08-30 05:19:41

Loved the lamb shanks, rotisserie chicken, yucca frites and dipping sauces. Beef in lomo saltado was a bit dry and tough. Ill be back to try other dishes.

Review №50

2018-12-01 18:32:20

So happy to find a great Peruvian restaurant and celebrate my birthday there. The food was very good but they get 4 stars only because of service. My mom brought a tart for them to bring out as dessert. Was not brought out after we finished eating, took dessert orders from everyone and then when my mom had to remind them again, it was brought out. Plus some of us got food after others were almost done. We had ceviche, arroz chaufa, lomo saltado, yuca frita, aji de gallina, all delicious. The papa a la huancaina was ok, garlicky for some reason.

Review №51

2023-11-10 21:40:05

We were here months ago and excited to be back. Its worth the drive and traffic 😝 Lomo saltado is always a favorite!

Review №52

2022-01-31 22:47:40

They were able to accommodate my gluten allergy, and the seafood fried rice I had was amazing and such a special treat!

Review №53

2023-05-08 12:39:46

My husband and I went on a week day for lunch the service was fast and the servers were very attentive and helpful.We order the ceviche platter was delicious. We also order lomo, paeya and a dish with noodles and all the food was delicious and freshly made.We will definitely be going back.Parking is an issue very limited.

Review №54

2021-01-18 06:51:21

Amazing flavors, great portions, the staff is super friendly and very welcoming. My boyfriend and I drive 2 hours for this spot and always leave very pleased. This is hands down the BEST Peruvian restaurant Ive been to. Definitely recommend!!

Review №55

2021-11-07 18:53:34

One of my fave restaurants!! Plates are always steaming hot when they arrive to you. Service has always been okay, and inside is nice and cozy for a nice small dinner with someone or small group.Saturday nights they have live music and most times they’ve been accommodating if we come in w/o a reservation.Beef lomo saltado is where its at!! One of their signature dishes, juicy beef, bell peppers and onions with a slight bite, French fries soaked in that soy sauce tangy flavorful sauce on top of rice…I’m salivating right now as I write this!Recently got the fried fish on top of flavorful garlicy, white wine flavored rice mixed w/ squid, mussels, clams and shrimp. Exceptionally delish!Go, now!!

Review №56

2019-06-09 20:39:22

Yummy, yummy, yummy, so very satisfying. All the traditional flavors have a party on your tongue until they pass out. Come and enjoy a wonderfull lunch and go home with your belly stuffed to the rim. Nice selection of beer.

Review №57

2023-07-11 16:55:39

Tasty Peruvian food. I went for dinner on Saturday and I was happy to find that there was live music 🎶! I was happy with the service and the variety of plates.

Review №58

2023-05-28 03:04:46

Really delicious food and drink. Fish, noodles, beef, chicken all good. Good pisco cocktails. Had live music on Saturday evening. Kids menu too.

Review №59

2023-06-08 05:42:34

Great food, very tasty (and big quantities).The waitress was very very nice and helpful.Ill definitely go back there!

Review №60

2023-05-13 04:44:32

I’ve had really good Peruvian menus in different locations in the bay. El Mono I do not recommend totally disappointing!! By the way I am not the only unsatisfied costumer…If you’re craving Peruvian food or going out of curiosity just go somewhere else. Take this advice and save yourself the money

Review №61

2023-06-04 15:09:59

The food was ok at best. The chicken was dry, easy to tell that it had been sitting in a warmer for some hours. El ají amarillo sauce for la papa a la huancaina was bland, didnt taste authentic, and why pour parmesano cheese on it; to mask the flavor? We also had the lomo saltado sandwich, it came soaked in saltado sauce that when I inclined it to take a bite, it all dripped down on the plate, i had to pour it into a little bowl on the side, and there was contending with the overload of mayo on the sandwich.Coming here left me disappointed as I was accompanied by a friend who had never eaten Peruvian food.And the ají sauce was mostly mayo also.Sigh...Cmon Mono, you can do better

Review №62

2016-09-20 05:46:19

Food was yummy, staff very informative. They didnt have what my husband wanted but server helped him choose. I ended up liking his food better than what I got. We sat outside so it was cold, outdoor heaters didnt reach us. Overall I would go again.

Review №63

2019-03-22 18:00:00

Very tasty and authentic Peruvian flavors with friendly servers. The lomo saltado and ceviche mixto were delicious. Order a side of platanos to top off your meal!

Review №64

2016-09-23 04:09:08

Definitely everything is delicious here, this place is very cozy and its employees have this so personal and dedicated customer service. food and Rocoto sauce fascinate me, I love it!

Review №65

2019-12-08 15:25:53

My relative took us to El Mono, and I was delighted to find tasty seafood ceviche in this small but pleasant cafe. We figured out the ordering procedure at the counter, and were served promptly at our table. I asked for ceviche de calamar since thats my favorite ceviche, but it was not a menu item. However, the staff made sure my seafood ceviche was loaded with my favorite! We accompanied our meal with tamarindo, maracuya, and other beverages. Good food, good service, and a place to remember for our next trip.

Review №66

2023-08-29 19:35:40

I ordered them on Doordash. The food was amazing. Very flavorful. I will be ordering again.

Review №67

2019-03-27 16:13:07

Really great Peruvian food. Ceviche was good portioned and yuca was delicious.

Review №68

2022-10-16 01:06:35

The food is amazing! I ordered the rotisserie chicken 2 days prior and I am already back for more. Well seasoned and well portioned. They have a green sauce that’s absolutely amazing. Definitely my new go to restaurant in the neighborhood highly recommend!! The staff is also amazing very friendly

Review №69

2022-07-19 06:23:06

Fresh fish and seafood with unforgettable taste. This is my first time trying Peru food, thank you for the great experience!

Review №70

2023-11-05 18:35:42

One of our favorite places to eat. Service and food are top notch!

Review №71

2023-11-20 05:33:01

The food was delicious as always and the portions are very fulfilling.

Review №72

2018-07-31 13:36:19

Loved the food here. Came here because of great reviews and wasnt disappointed. We will be back!

Review №73

2022-11-27 02:01:41

Weve been going here for years but during the pandemic we started ordering delivery a lot more. The food is always top notch no matter what! A couple months ago my husband took me to dine in for my birthday. We both forgot that he had mentioned it was my birthday when we arrived, and by the end of the meal, the owner and waiters surprised me with a birthday song and delicious ice cream! Great food, great people!

Review №74

2022-07-24 04:06:44

Friendly inviting atmosphere, great service, and fantastic menu. The portions were ample and the food was excellent!

Review №75

2022-12-15 17:44:54

Every dish was full of flavor & filling. Perfect portions.I usually just order to go but have been choosing to dine in the last 3 times. I love the atmosphere. Matt & Alexa are awesome. Loved my “mock tail”.

Review №76

2022-07-23 08:30:32

My favorite Peruvian restaurant!! If I could, I’d probably have lunch here everyday. El Mono is just one of those places that you crave to eat often. Everything I have tried from the menu has been absolutely delicious and they have a great variety of choices. The food is freshly made so full of flavor and the service is excellent. I’ve tried other Peruvian restaurants but El Mono has topped them all and set the bar very high, I just stopped searching. Staff is very kind and attentive always willing to go the extra mile to ensure customers are satisfied. I highly recommend this place!!!Thanks El Mono!

Review №77

2018-01-28 22:36:43

Great Peruvian food and a hidden gem! I felt like I was back in Los Angeles. Order the Causa, Lomo Saltado and Aji de Gallina.

Review №78

2022-12-16 17:46:50

Food and ambiance is 5 stars. I really love the food here. Recommend reservations for dinner. Also plan your time accordingly, it does take awhile to get served. Definitely not a quick in and out meal. But the food is worth it. My favorite is the Tallarin Verde con Lomo. Ive never had pesto pasta like it and it is AMAZING. Ive always ate in but it looks like a lot of people order take out from here.

Review №79

2023-06-18 04:25:08

Service was extremely slow. Paella was burnt. Server never came to check on us once; not even refilled our glass once. It sat empty for over 30 mins.

Review №80

2017-09-09 05:25:33

The chupe de camaron is rich, thick n delicious! Our family loves this place, weve tried a bunch of dishes. The arroz con mariscos is the only complaint, too much rice, with little seafood. Everything else is really good! Our 8 yr old boys share the tallarines verses w/lomo. The anticuchos are the best!!

Review №81

2021-06-13 22:09:44

Food was super tasty. Service was great and the waitress was very helpful being it was our first time there.

Review №82

2023-12-09 18:01:08

Very good experience. People are so nice! Thank you!!

Review №83

2022-05-10 04:18:17

Ive been here multiple times since Im local and live like a half mile away, but just wanted to say I went there on Mothers Day and the service was fantastic! They were super busy but made sure to check on my table often and made sure we were taken care of. Bonus having live music!If youve never been here before you will be impressed with the food. Everything on their menu tastes fantastic and Ive tried most of it. Be sure to try their Aji Verde sauce, like they say on their menu, you can literally put it on anything! I love supporting local businesses and this is one place I will keep coming back to.

Review №84

2022-02-04 04:25:19

Great Peruvian restaurant. I had a great time here. I loved the ceviche. It was fresh and tasty. The service was great. Definitely recommend it.

Review №85

2022-11-10 05:24:11

Every dish they offer big or small is very good as well as the beverages, alcoholic and non alcoholic. Staff is very nice, attentive and hustling to cater to their customers. Nice atmosphere with music, art and images of Peru. Would eat here weekly if I could.

Review №86

2023-10-01 16:50:18

El Mono is such a good Peruvian restaurant. Food and service is top notch.

Review №87

2022-09-26 04:49:47

I expected better from this restaurant. I start by mentioning that the venue its very nice and clean, unfortunately the service is super slow, we basically had to go and look for a waiter to place our order, then it took half of hour to bring our food to our table, waiter never came back again so for a second time we had to go find him to get the check. We ordered lomo saltado, a burger, a scallops plate and drinks. The food had good presentation but the flavor wasnt very delicious. Id eating better Peruvian food in other places. In overall I wasnt very impresses with El Mono restaurant.

Review №88

2021-05-02 21:08:14

The best food Ive tried in Oakland! Great customer service too! Me and my man loved it here!

Review №89

2023-10-11 19:06:11

Dinner was great with excellent service and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Review №90

2021-07-10 23:02:38

First time here and we had an amazing time. The staff is super friendly and the food is delicious. Come try their bar bites and drinks. Everything is on point!!!

Review №91

2022-11-05 16:49:03

Dinner was delicious. I’ve never had a bad meal at El Mono. Staff is fantastic and free entertainment on the weekend. Beautiful atmosphere…drinks are generous, plates are generous as well. Try it, no disappointments here!!!

Review №92

2022-11-10 05:08:31

Very good attention the presentation of the dishes and very good flavors

Review №93

2023-03-09 03:08:37

Every time I go we get horrible service. The first time it took 15 mins to get our orders taken. The second time our order was taken fast but our appetizers and drinks came after our entrees did.The food is great but service is terrible 😞 once to not deal with the service and just get the food I called to place an order for pickup. They answered told me to hold and I was waiting for 10 mins before I decided to hang up.It’s unfortunate how horribly managed this restaurant is.

Review №94

2023-05-04 19:13:27

Food was delicious! Very flavorful and good portions. Definitely will order from them again.

Review №95

2021-12-22 22:32:26

The food was excellent as always. And the staff is super friendly.

Review №96

2022-10-29 02:18:01

The food was amazing (and there was a TON of it!), the atmosphere was nice (not overly fancy, but nicer than, say, an Applebees), and the service was so good. I cant wait to go back and try more of the food!

Review №97

2018-05-27 01:31:41

A healthier alternative very good comfort food and comes out quickly great customer service small place reservations recommended

Review №98

2023-07-01 21:13:38

The food was very delicious 😋 i loved the ceviche with the cusquena it was special flavors.

Review №99

2022-09-04 22:53:27

Very delicious Peruvian food, great servicePescado a lo macho A must try dish

Review №100

2022-02-24 18:47:43

Excellent food and service. My daughters and I have food allergies and the manager came and went through the whole menu with us to figure out something we could eat. Usually when this happens, we are stuck with salad, but we actually had an amazing and complete meal. The steak was cooked perfectly, everything was fresh and the chimichurri sauce should be sold by the bottle it’s so amazing! My daughters now refer to it as the “magic sauce.”

Review №101

2022-01-29 02:53:03

Good place for Peruvian food. I enjoyed the ceviche with sweet potatoes. The chicken was delicious.

Review №102

2020-10-02 04:32:26

The best Peruvian food, tastes amazing and very good service, love it 👌

Review №103

2022-12-30 02:50:54

The servers greeted us and were friendly and accommodating. My phone was not picking up the menu from the scan code, therefore a tablet with the menu choices was available for us.Our server told us about the starters and recommended the mixed combo Anticuchos which was skewered Incan delicacy meats and vegetables. It was a hit with us! We also chose the Aji de Gallina a chicken dish and the Pescado Frito - fried fish. The platanitos was also selected, which I had a coupon for from a previous visit. The food is always fresh and delicious. It was the first visit for my friend and she thoroughly enjoyed her dining experience here and will be returning again for this delightful Peruvian food with ample servings. El Mono is my choice for Peruvian food in this area! Thumbs up!

Review №104

2023-09-05 01:12:32

Everything was deliciousness 😀

Review №105

2023-02-22 23:33:47

Our first time here, and the food was delicious. Dont pass on the house-made passionfruit and purple corn drinks! We will be coming back for sure.

Review №106

2022-08-17 00:08:17

Weve been coming here since we moved to the area - both dining in and taking out - and this place is consistently delicious. The flavors are amazing- some of our favorites are the pollo and lomo saltado, aji de gallina, vainitas de pollo and the pescado frito (just to mention a few). If you have a chance to dine in Id recommend. Staff is always friendly and food is always on point!

Review №107

2023-07-31 21:32:33

Best food ever. Extremely authentic, and great service

Review №108

2022-11-04 06:28:09

Consistency is key here and every time we come here we get GREAT food and service! It’s so lovely to have a place with amazing drinks, atmosphere and amazing food - so close to home! Truly a family favorite.

Review №109

2023-07-07 00:17:12

I love them. The best Peruvian food in the Bay Area

Review №110

2019-10-06 23:28:18

Good food and has something for everyone but a little expensive

Review №111

2021-09-27 14:25:22

Once a week I have lunch with my father, and we are always trying to find new places to go. What a find! Location is not great, but dont let that put you off. The food was fantastic, and the service was friendly and knowledgeable. We split the paella and it was plenty for two.We will definitely be back.

Review №112

2022-01-23 05:06:59

Delicious food, excellent service, yummy drinks and delightful live music on Saturdays. Definitely coming back and will try everything on the menu. We sat at the bar and had front row seats to bartenders magic.

Review №113

2022-12-19 02:42:04

Huge and delicious paella o: easily can be shared between 3 people. Odd table shape in the corners but cozy and good service.

Review №114

2022-05-23 02:29:27

I went with some friends and had the chupe de camarones and it was sooooo good. I really recommend it if you like kind of creamy, rich sauces with your seafood. Also our server Daniela was super nice and funny! My friends ordered the ceviche and that was also so delicious

Review №115

2023-02-18 19:54:01

Love the food and live music. Great service. Every time my family and I visit we leave with a full belly and good memories. Thank you El Mono!

Review №116

2019-04-12 05:25:54

The service was decent and fast but the fries were cold. I had a really great beef and rice dish. So tasty and fragrant with rasins and olives. Fried plantains were quite a treat. Similar to ones I have had in the Caribbean. The server forgot two of our drinks. They were pretty busy.There is outdoor seating and heat lamps. They are family friendly and accommodating for large groups. It was pretty clean. My daughter was crawling around the floor in a white dress and she didnt get dirt on her dress so I am assuming they clean very very well. Small but not cramped. Nice lighting.Make reservations! Cash only tips.

Review №117

2021-12-20 20:17:41

This was my 2nd time here & we had so much fun. There was live music that plays Friday thru Sundays I believe. It was awesome. The food here is amazing! We got 2 appetizers the yuca fita & we shared the Jalea. So delicious. Then for our main meals we ordered--The shrimp saltado, Lomito sandwich, The Paella, & Chaufa. All was really really good. The drinks are yummy & strong also. You do need a vaccination card to dine in, Fyi.

Review №118

2022-05-30 23:03:00

The place is “ok”. Food was not spectacular, decent at best. The service was slow, not accommodating and we had to repeat requests a few time. This was despite the place being relatively empty when we stopped by. Major con is the restroom, which was honestly in need of maintenance - it’s almost on par with one that you’d find at a gas station, not a restaurant with this kind of prices.

Review №119

2020-10-21 23:39:13

This is one of the best Peruvian restaurants Ive been to. They have variety for meat and fish lovers as well as vegetarian. I always ordered the plantains no matter what! And their drinks are hellllaaaaa good!Another reason why I was motivated to write this review is because I really appreciate their friendly service. I would NOT go to a place where the service is rude no matter how good the food is. I dont support that (period.) But I truly love the service is here. Youll see it for yourself. Good food, good drinks, smiles, and good vibes.

Review №120

2021-04-09 19:59:35

The food was good lots of choices been awhile since I had Peruvian food. I had a dish that was chicken and red onions tomato it was sauteed with soy sauce and seasoning. Mixed with French fries! With garlic rice that was really good. My son had the same dish but it beef with a egg on top. Only thing that threw me off because of the pandemic is you had to look at your cell phone for the menu. And one price on the menu had changed. So I let the server know that. People have a tendency to get angry with that. Other then that server was very helpful with menu and service was good.

Review №121

2022-02-04 05:01:42

First time ordering from here. Every we ate was absolutely amazing. The Lomo Saltado was so flavorful and good, Calamari was cooked to perfection and quite tasty, paella was full of seafood and flavor, plantain and yuca were amazing appetizers and anticuchos was so flavorful. Just an excellent meal. Got a miti miti to try and it was so good. Will definitely go back and try more items on the menu.

Review №122

2022-05-05 15:16:02

First and foremost, I’d like to stress that if you are not a patient person, pick a different place because you’ll probably just rate this place poorly based solely on the fact that you can’t manage your own discomfort with waiting for a little longer than you think you should.That being said, if you are someone who is willing to wait for good food, you will not be disappointed. The Chicha drink which was yummy. Not too sweet, just the right amount of flavor and it was very refreshing. If you’re looking for a flavor combo, my sister enjoyed the Miti Miti.For food, I ordered the Tapado A Lo Pobre which was delicious. It was rich and flavorful. It came with sweet plantains which you can never go wrong with! My sister had the Seabass. The presentation was absolutely lovely. Each dish was picture worthy (for all you foodie nuts that like to post what you’re having to eat everyday!)

Review №123

2019-01-04 03:10:10

I was really excited about this place when they first opened, and the first few visits. Food is generally good and staff friendly. However, proportions have gotten smaller, and the quality has gone down. They put WAY too much salt in the food, and not enough spices to provide flavor. The acoustics are terrible. Its so noisy; if there is a table of drunk folks next to you speaking loudly, it ruins the dining experience.

Review №124

2018-04-22 06:27:02

We tried to love this place but it was hard to do. After a few visits we always left unimpressed. The food is truly just okay and falls flat. Dont let portion size distract from what youre tasting. Service is great and thats what lured us back a few times.Bottles of wine are stored near a warm cooler- Why?

Review №125

2018-02-20 00:12:37

Weve never had Peruvian food before, and this place was a great introduction. You cant go wrong with any dish! Id definitely recommend trying the drinks here as well The staff were happy to answer our questions, and make recommendations. The dishes were surprisingly inexpensive, and the service excellent. Were definitely going back!

Review №126

2023-05-28 18:37:54

Excellent service, warm atmosphere, and incredibly delicious food at a reasonable price!

Review №127

2018-02-24 06:08:23

Extremely great food and service!!!This was my first visit to El Mono, do to a friends recommendation. All I can say is we will be back very soon!!!The restaurant is not huge, but great atmosphere, clean and awesome service!We scheduled a reservation for our party of 8, we were sat on time at our arrival. They seem to fill up quick, a reservation may be a good idea.If you love seafood, this is your spot! Iam a huge fan and was in heaven!!Try them, it’s a fun place with large portions, reasonable prices and great service

Review №128

2017-07-11 05:49:40

Perfect Peruvian restaurant. Free parking and you can reserve a table through Yelp.

Review №129

2017-06-07 03:49:47

Best Peruvian food in the bay!! Service can be a bit slow sometimes, but everyone is so kind. The quality (and quantity) are well worth the wait! They deliver and offer take out, too. Atmosphere is also very nice, outside seating option as well as a cozy dining room.

Review №130

2022-10-15 07:29:03

Very tasty❤️❤️ we love this placeSupport local businesses 🫶🏼

Review №131

2018-03-05 18:10:46

Food is outstanding! Been here several times with friends and tasted many of the dishes. All were very flavorful and generous amounts were severed. It is small place so not great for parties, but nice for intimate dinners. Service has been very friendly and welcoming.

Review №132

2019-04-08 01:47:10

Really excellent find in El Cerrito. Really flavourful well prepared dishes.

Review №133

2022-04-12 17:23:37

Delicious Peruvian cuisine. They have some special menu items that are seasonal that are LEGIT must haves. If you know you know, and if you dont know, better go to El Mono and find out. Their yucca fries are tasty and the grilled heart appetizer is a must have.Please try out El Mono, you wont regret it.

Review №134

2021-12-27 08:17:33

Came here first at their original location during a soft opening. Came back when they got popular...as in wait outside for a table popular...in El Cerrito. Recently visited their new bigger location down the road and didnt disappoint. Weve traveled to Peru and this is authentic, high end cuisine. The cocktails, especially the pisco sours, are delicious. Although maybe a bit expensive for the small glass. Food portions were enough for another full meal and then a lighter lunch so the higher priced entrées are well worth it. One of our go to neighborhood restaurants.

Review №135

2021-09-18 18:20:03

Hoping to get an authentic response here. seems as though the manager/founder copies and pastes the same generic response for all unfavorable reviews. matt, please reach out to me directlythis was my second (and last) time at el mono. the first was pre covid and the food and service were decent (a solid 3-4 stars). however, i recently took my family here and i could not have been more disappointed in the service. i appreciate that they are open for patio dining in addition to their indoor options. unfortunately, the server we had appeared to only attend to the indoor tables. i literally had to walk inside after 15 minutes in order to ask for some water for our table. i thought maybe the person who sat us didnt inform our server that they had a new table.we received our water from a busser (who was super friendly), but then waited another few minutes for a server to come over and actually ask if we wanted to order any beverages. we ordered a carafe of sangria for the table. the sangria was actually pretty good.the problem was the food, not necessarily the kitchen. our server let the food die at the pass for way too long. from where i was sitting, i could see food at the line in the kitchen and wondered if it was aging, waiting for a server or food runner to bring it to a table. we ordered 4 dishes and this was the case for half of them.when food did start to arrive at our table, we did not have silverware. i asked the server for some, and she apologized and went inside. i assumed she went to get us silverware but she did not return. after five minutes of our food getting even colder than when it arrived, i went inside and found our server who was standing around on her phone. i asked her for silverware and she stated oh i am sorry, no one brought it to you?. i am not sure who she thought was going to bring it. perhaps she asked one of her colleagues and they forgot. regardless, i think she should have followed up. she handed me the silverware and plates that we needed to eat and i essentially set the table myself.hard to judge the food because at this point it had been sitting for 5-10 minutes at the pass and 5+ minutes on the table.from the time we ordered to the time we actually got to eat was 55 minutes (add the 15 minutes before we ordered and we are at over an hour wait). they were not busy, dining room 30-40% occupied.while i dont believe this to be a reflection on the average experience at a place so highly regarded by the yelp community, i was disgusted by our servers neglect, disinterest in turning around our experience, and general dismissiveness.

Review №136

2019-09-29 21:41:11

Fair amount of items to select for lunch. Good service. Food was very good.

Review №137

2023-06-08 03:25:48

The food is delicious 😋 been here multiple times an was amazing every time

Review №138

2020-02-01 03:26:45

Tasty fresh Peruvian food at good prices with friendly service. Me to

Review №139

2021-05-17 20:33:59

Me and my husband went on a Sunday night. Perhaps it was because we were seated outside, but we were basically forgotten. Spent almost two hours there and only saw the waiter THREE times. Drinks were empty and the food took forever to come out.To highlight it all, I ended up getting food poisoning from what I suspect was an undercooked egg (they serve a poached egg on top of the Chupe De Camarones). The egg was disgusting and I didn’t think too much about it at the time. Spent the rest of the night and morning-after vomiting.Horrible experience! The place has potential, but due to the outcome we will not be returning.

Review №140

2019-06-10 04:02:32

Short Summary: Food is great, but the service is terribleMy girlfriend and I got seated and waited for about 20min. We then had to walk up to the front and remind the waiter to serve us. The food was delicious, but a little overpriced. Also there is a 4% surcharge if you use a credit card. This is only mentioned at the bottom of the menu. We then had to walk up to the front and ask for the bill TWICE. Food was delicious, but dont think well be coming back soon as this is not the first time weve had bad service here.

Review №141

2021-06-03 04:19:38

I tried this place with a bunch of friends for a birthday and had a great time. It was my first experience with Peruvian and I was quite surprised with the Chinese influence in some of the dishes. I had the soltado de pollo which was tasty. The sauce was a little salty for me but worked well with the green sauce given to us. If you are in the area looking for something new, try it out. Also, the purple corn drink was nice!

Review №142

2018-12-05 02:06:41

Delicious, nutritious traditional selections, with home-cooked flavor. Everything we ordered was delightful - but I especially loved the ceviche and their fresh chicken soup...yum! Lunch specials are affordably priced, and they dont skimp on portions - we ordered an additional appetizer and had to take part of our order home. The location is cute and casual, with interesting historical artifacts displayed as artwork. Daytime is quick service with countertop ordering, so great for your daily lunch break - dinner is waited service. This is a friendly, family-owned local spot, and I really cant emphasize how amazing their food is!

Review №143

2023-04-02 15:50:33

Food was good, but a little salty and the pisco sours were extremely small for the price.

Review №144

2021-05-02 06:56:42

The Best Peruvian food you can find in the Bay a slice of sheer heaven in this Utopia of a restaurant. The Atmosphere is booming with great Peruvian staff. Its authentic and delicious and will have you coming back over and overThe Large Menu selections has a taste for everyone and the drinks are SUPERB!! 👍👍👍👍👍

Review №145

2022-12-24 17:43:42

Everything we had try here it’s very good and delicious.You need to try the “Seco de Cordero” if you lamb. “Lomo Saltado it’s a must and of course “Cebiche” and “Causa”

Review №146

2022-06-14 03:35:07

Very good. Food.I will come backThank you. Staff. For everything

Review №147

2019-10-09 06:13:41

Great food, but a nice evening a month ago ended on a bad note when, upon receiving the check, we were informed that they could only accept cash tips. Our 2 options were to stiff the wait crew, which would have been very unfair, or to ask our out of town guests (who we were treating)to have them pick up that part of of the tab. Since we had called in reservations earlier in the day, the wait staff or management could have informed us then about their cash only policy for tips, thus avoiding an embarrassing situation.

Review №148

2019-05-12 01:35:18

This restaurante represents Peruvian culture in many ways. The decorations make it feel as though you have entered an antique Peruvian Museum. The food is delicious! Each dish holds its own unique and delicious flavor. The service was also great. Everyone welcomed us and was very helpful. We didnt know much about Peruvian food yet the waitress recommended the perfect dishes, one of them even made by her grandmother when she was young. The menu left options without being overwhelming. The deserts were a perfect size, and had exquisite flavors. I would strongly recommend this gem to anyone nearby.

Review №149

2015-10-11 00:33:45

Excellent food, beautifully cooked with perfect presentation. Good service. Prices (moderate) but for this quality worth it.Interestingly, I have always had excellent food at Peruvian restaurants - in the past I ate at such establishments in Redwood City and (if I recall correctly) also either San Carlos or San Mateo. Excellent, appetizing food, but NOT friendly. My ex-boss married a Peruvian gal who was very nice but told me: we are not the worlds friendliest people.I found the folks at El Mono - wherever theyre from - to be very nice!Try it. If youre adventurous and wondering whats Peruvian Food like? the answer at this place is: delicious.

Review №150

2017-10-03 00:17:13

Absolutely amazing. Thank the Lord they are doing well, the food is incredible.***update. They Kitchen went down and it caused a significant delay. That in itself is not a big deal as they communicated with the patrons. What we didnt like is they cut all the servers immediately so things got really screwed up. Instead of allowing the servers to finish off the tables they started, they cut the staff and filled in to save money. Very disappointing. They didnt communicate, we had to ask 4 times for water. They tried to bring out entree 3 times, after we got it. I hope they learn from mistakes.

Review №151

2021-09-07 02:15:55

First time there. My brother and his family invited us to eat at El Mono and the service was very slow. The chupe de camarones wasn’t chupe de camarones. The fried yucca was old and the potatoes were old (how?). Wouldn’t return. Bad eating experience. No return definitely.

Review №152

2018-07-17 18:11:17

Staff is very friendly and also knowledgeable about menu ingredients due to the fact that we had folks with special dietary needs. But none of that prepares you for how ridiculously good the food is. The reason I know its good is because all conversation ceased when folks got their platters and only resumed after the silverware was relinquished

Review №153

2019-02-13 18:07:50

Great food and nice staff. Just dont leave any valuables in your car. We were recently victims of a smash and grab. Lost all our luggage and computers. Our waiter said there were 2 car break ins the week prior. Wished they had a sign warning patrons or told us coming into the restaurant.

Review №154

2018-11-14 00:41:20

I wish I could give this place a better rating, but I can say that I wont be going back to see if it can get any better. The service, although very friendly, wasnt very good. Took 15 minutes for someone to take our order. Offered us a menu of something that wasnt even available anymore. (Only found out because I tried to order it.) Ran out of a lot of stuff from drinks to food. Order took almost 40 minutes to come out and then, when ordered food to go, was told there was no more rice. This only after we had ordered 25 minutes into our own meals so we could get it relatively quick. Food was good but nothing to write home about.

Review №155

2018-02-04 06:39:25

An authentic and genuinely fantastic Peruvian food experience. Recommend making reservations as it filled quickly for dinner. Portions are huge (prob best to share), and prices are more then reasonable. As of this review (Feb 2018), while they accept cards, tips are only in cash.

Review №156

2021-05-09 23:31:28

The waiter is so good in the attention, but the cashier is too bad because she doesn’t ask about the tips, if it is 15%,18% or 20% she take 20% without ask you. And the attention is bad because when you give one recommendation about the meal, she bring in your face the food. Is very bad. Is no recomendable.

Review №157

2018-12-24 00:22:35

Overall I liked El Moro. The staff is friendly and the food is quite tasty. It was a cold day and the restaurant was cold. It would have been more comfortable if the temperature was just a few degrees warmer. We recently returned from a trip to Preu. In comparison to restaurants in Peru, the taste and quality is right up there. However, there could be more choices and and they should have more of the vegetables that are listed with the entrees on the menu in the dishes. They skimped on the veggies while being somewhat generous on the protein. The first thing we ordered was the plaitanos. It was well prepared and quite tasty. I ordered their signature dish and my wife ordered one of the vegetarian dishes. Both were yummy.

Review №158

2020-06-12 20:47:57

El Mono has amazing food. But today for lunch I was extremely disappointed.To start I was over charged $10 for my food, so check your receipt before leaving.I made a pick up order that was supposed to be ready in 25 minutes and when I got there I was told they hadnt even started making my food.When I got home I realized the Chaufa was in a container half the size it used to come in and the price had gone up $3 according to the website.Then I opened the Lomo Saltado to fine 7 small pieces of steak. Yes, I counted because I was in such shock.Honestly this has been one of my favorite restaurants since it opened. However, the past few times I noticed the prices had gone up and the quality has not been the same. Unfortunately this will be my last visit.

Review №159

2018-12-29 20:43:48

Very good Peruvian food. Ive eaten here several times, and always had good food.There is both indoor and ouside seating, though a limited number of tables. Its a good idea to call for reservations, especially on the weekends (or any time if you have a large group.)Carryout is available.Note the road is divided, and you need to be driving north to get into the parking lot.

Review №160

2022-02-18 02:55:03

Chicken saltado tasted good but came with six bites of chicken and half a tomato. For the price, it was not worth it. The half rotisserie chicken was delicious but a bit dry and the fries were soggy.

Review №161

2020-04-13 02:56:23

I just ordered ordered via Uber Eats for the first time and it instantly became my new favorite restaurant. The food is INCREDIBLE! The roast chicken is flavorful and juicy, Peruvian beans were perfectly seasoned and the salsa criolla is amazing.

Review №162

2022-11-14 19:32:12

Great food and very nice piscos drink. Service is good and very accommodating. Paella is the bomb. Everything is oh so good.

Review №163

2023-04-08 23:15:57

They open up too late, until 5 in the afternoon, they should at least open at 1 pm . People are gonna think its always closed. NOT good hours . Besides that the food is good there .

Review №164

2019-09-07 23:47:58

Incredible food!! Try the lomo soltado, it’s sooooooo good I ordered another one Togo!

Review №165

2021-05-10 00:07:37

Never had the opportunity to try authentic Peruvian food, so I was excited to try this restaurant. After ordering several dishes from El mono, that fact remains true. Tears on my guitar as I took the first bite into the paella. I had to dig through inches of rice to find a rare piece of seafood. Kind of like a child searching for the marshmallows in a bowl of lucky charms. The burger was a painful experience. I never thought anyone could be sad biting into a burger. However, El mono has achieved this with ease by making it so bland, it was like biting into two slices of bread with ice in the middle. Opening the box of ceviche was like going down to the Christmas tree on December 25th, just to find out that the entire living room has been ransacked by the Grinch. It was bland and the texture was offensive. Overall, Im looking forward to forgetting this experience.

Review №166

2022-11-03 19:30:13

Food was delicious and service wonderful! I love this place! I ate in and ordered a dish to go! yummy!

Review №167

2023-11-20 06:22:50

Vegan and vegetarian food is excellent as well!

Review №168

2021-07-13 02:31:28

Free on-site parking but few availability, friendly staff but seemed understaffed as I had to go walk to them to have drinks refilled, chicha drink was sweet, lomo saltado seemed small-portioned at first but was actually adequate and was just O.K in flavor. Went because, according to the SFgate, it was a must in the area - not impressed, but Id go again to try something else.

Review №169

2018-04-26 22:51:17

Good food. Intolerable wait time for food. 50(fifty !) minutes after ordering. And then there was 5 minutes between the first two plates and the second two plates arriving. And no, the restaurant was not packed full. There were empty tables. We were told it was because there was a table of 6 that had ordered before us. Seriously? They couldnt handle 2 tables ordering at the same time?

Review №170

2019-04-25 01:13:49

Whether it is 20 people or just a date night I LOVE coming here. I recommend smaller groups because the restaurant isn’t that big but the food there is amazing. Big portion sizes and their chili sauce is delicious. It’s the kind of spice that clears your nose right up!

Review №171

2017-09-26 02:49:15

My go to place for good Peruvian food. Food has been constantly good. I always get the same thing which is skewered meat and rotisserie chicken. This time I ordered paelle which tasted so good. I love the mint sauce they serve. It goes well with every dish I ordered.

Review №172

2019-05-27 01:11:52

The food was SO tasty and fresh. We ordered the Pescado a lo Macho and at first we thought it would not be enough (but it was). We cleaned that plate! Reservations recommended on the weekends, unless you arrive early.

Review №173

2022-11-01 16:55:26

Great food.I asked for a extra cup of soup because it was delicious and they gave it to me . Good service and attention !

Review №174

2019-05-15 19:01:02

This is one of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time, from the greeting to the close of the check, it was nothing but top notch class, their delicious food was made in almost light speed timing accompanied by extraordinary customer service. I wish these stars were pure gold because that’s what this establishment deserves. We will be returning soon but with friends and family.

Review №175

2019-04-19 00:56:17

Ive been frequenting El Mono since they opened and was initially super impressed. Great tasting food, huge portions, and friendly service. Ive noticed in recent months that the food portion has significantly shrunk. Not sure what that is about? The taste/quality is still pretty good but it used to be a much better quantity to cost ratio. Now it feels overpriced. In addition, service can be hit or miss. For example, on a recent visit with a party of 4 people, all 4 dishes came out at different times. Mine, a salad, first. 5-7 minutes later the next two. And another 5-7 minutes until the last one which ended up being wrong, so add another few minutes to fix. I can understand short staffed; it happens. But being up front about it would help. Not sure Ill continue to patronize El Mono often, which is a shame. Overall 3 stars, because the food still holds some hope. The rest of the experience, not so much.

Review №176

2023-07-26 16:47:52

I love this place!!! I fell in love of seafood paella is the best !!!!

Review №177

2018-01-12 18:33:37

Friendly staff and great Peruvian food. Has ample of parking space. Lunch could be busy. For large party (more than 6) its probably ideal to make reservation so they can arrange your table before hand since space can be limited.

Review №178

2018-07-05 13:41:07

We ordered over the phone & picked up the food on our way to a friends house. I was pleasantly surprised buy just how good it tasted! Ive been to Peru and this tasted authentic. Will have to dine in one day for the full experience and update my review.

Review №179

2019-03-02 07:24:09

Tasty food and drinks, nice servers.The wait is long, call in a reservation if you can.They charge a fee if you use a credit card, which they dont tell you about until you get the bill. I understand having to keep the cost down as a small business, but all small restaurants waive the fee as long as you spend over a certain amount. Either that, or post your policy more prominently up front.It also gets very cold in the restaurant for some reason. They have a plug in heater they used by the front door.Over all worth a visit, but bring cash, a jacket and call in a reservation first.

Review №180

2018-01-07 02:43:44

Food was great. Better portions than what I thought. Service was good, just took awhile sometimes. One thing that got annoying was their door, it keeps slamming each time a server or guest come in and out. So when its really busy, theres no end in hearing it if your right by it. The platanos dish could have more platains too. Other than that, Id definitely come back.

Review №181

2020-01-05 04:24:33

We found El mono when searching for a new date night spot. We met the owner right when we walked in and all of the staff treated us great. The food was excellent and the entire menu is labeled for food allergies. I have celiac and they made sure everything we ordered was prepared gluten free.

Review №182

2017-08-26 21:42:40

My daughter, Kelly OBrien and I had our 1st visit to El Mono in El Cerrito yesterday. Their culinary theme is Peruvian food. Neither of us had ever had Peruvian food so thought we would give it a try. It was spectacularly beyond our expectations. From our exotic, healthy and delish fruit based drinks to our entrées: Kelly had a so tender and flavorful beef and vege medley with a generous mound of wonderfully seasoned rice and I had a fabulous curried shrimp dish with a great perfumed mound of rice topped by a perfect poached egg.....to our shared dessert of carmel flan with strawberries....our lunch was perfect. Service was excellent. Our waitress, Sierra was absolutely delightful, very knowledgeable and generous with het time in her explanation of our menu and recommendations. She was assisted toward the end of our meal by Melissa who did not miss a step in continuing the excellent service. The ambiance belies the quality of food and service. Rustic, very casual, view from the outdoor seating is an asphalt parking lot and a busy street. But clearly the local lunch crowd knows where to get a great meal, Im so glad we followed them in.

Review №183

2021-11-12 19:00:27

They improved a lot in the kitchen. I was in the last location and the food was acceptable. Now they have really Peruvian food. I ordered pescado a lo macho.... Presentation and flavor was amazing!!.

Review №184

2020-08-23 01:40:50

So I normally don’t do reviews but this place is exceptional!! The last reviewer that gave El Mono 1 star must have been from the competition, as this place is 5 star food at 3 star prices!!! OMG you cannot go wrong with any order here especially the Fried Plantains for starters with paella and pescado a lo macho!!!! A must try!!

Review №185

2021-01-24 02:36:50

This is really one of our favorite restaurants. Such unique and consistently delicious dishes, great service, a neighborhood treasure! Thanks for hanging in there during the lockdown to feed our community. We love you.

Review №186

2023-03-25 16:41:49

Always good dishes, Manuel the manager also friendly and the staff always with attention to any need, Lomo saltado, anticuchos and trio marimo my favorites.

Review №187

2014-01-05 02:10:30

Its a great find with two co-owners who care about their food and their customers. The cuisine resembles a fusion of some Peruvian dishes along with Mediterranean cuisine, and on Friday and Saturday nights they have a wine bar as well. If you are in the area its well worth a stop or two!

Review №188

2018-08-12 03:09:51

Excellent. Hostess/waitress was an absolute delight. Food was amazing, proportions were very large, and they were very accommodating of my gluten allergy (Im a Celiac.)I loved the soup, puffed corn and the homemade juices like the Miti Miti as recommended by our lovely waitress who invented it.

Review №189

2019-02-01 11:43:06

Really disappointed!My husband and I went there and try to eat, but some of the stuff told us that they were closed; but doors were open. Did not understand if you are out of business hours, why do not close the doors? By the way I am not from Perú, but I have close friends from it. Food from Peru are one of my favorites. Try to convince my husband to try it, but with this bad experience he refuses to come back.

Review №190

2019-11-20 06:33:52

Delicious, authentic food and super friendly service. I got the Aji de Gallina and she got the Lomito, both were fantastic and prepared to perfection. It was our first time here and well definitely be coming back.

Review №191

2017-05-09 18:13:13

This place has great food. Weve ordered several things off the menu and have been pleased with them all. Its small so get here close to noon before it fills up. Love this place!

Review №192

2020-01-23 19:03:54

I’m a REALLY good cook. Even my big brother thinks so. I have a spice cabinet taller than I. I’m 5’3. I’ve can cook and replicate anything I like. I’m an adventurous and curious eater. I don’t go to restaurants often because while they are often good, they’re not often great. My recently single, handsome, badass attorney, top 5 world-ranked for accuracy fly fisherman brother took me to dinner last night. I’m his younger sister, my mother looking down from Beyond would feel a sting if I didn’t go. So I went. Having spent the day in Santa Cruz with my Ayurvedic doctor, I jumped into big brother’s car, and we made our way from Alameda to El Cerrito. El Cerrito? We met a friend who picked this restaurant. Russian attorney. Never made it to Russia on my travels, but ok, this better be good. It was cold and I had just driven 2 hours in traffic from Santa Cruz. The restaurant was full, so we sat outside under a fantastic heater, set up just for us. The owner came and gave us recommendations. His service was impeccable. We’re Mexicans raised in Alameda, so my brother decided to tease the owner at a Peruvian restaurant — he asked him for tortillas. Jokes ensued; great vibe. Our food arrived and EVERY SINGLE BITE WAS SPECTACULAR. Their use of spices was BRILLIANT. Although I have a mystical Peruvian jeweler, I’d never had the food. This food even tasted like it was full of love! Something you often only get at home.Anyway, for appetizers, we had the ceviche (as good or better than any Mexican ceviche I’ve had. Maybe, I should say different, to be more accurate. The spices were perfect; the fish shined.) Beef hearts on a skewer - tasted like a delicious steak. Served with slices of potato - The spices in this dish were delicious, too.Our entrees were a lomo salad (brother), Arroz tapado a lo pobre (lawyer friend) and I had the chupe de camarones (a shrimp chowder that will make you wonder why you ever ate clam chowder, when there was THIS.) served with rice in the middle. Nice. Our dishes were so good, we insisted on sharing. I didn’t really want to share my plate, but I made a quick calculation and determined that the payoff would be greater than my loss. HahahaTook the leftovers home to my daughter. Half Jewish Half Mexican; she can make tamales from scratch, like her ancestors high in the Central Mexican mountains.She has high food standards, too. She ate every single bite, and wondered why her portion was so wanting! She can’t wait to go! I’m Team Mexico, we have some of the most complex and delicious food on the planet. But, tasting this food, I felt a deep connection with our Peruvian cousins. ¡Viva Peru! El Cerrito, and big brothers and their friends, too!P.S. I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures. It was only after we had eaten our way most of our food, that I realized I had to write a review, to inspire you to — GO.

Review №193

2019-11-23 14:11:39

I love El Mono. Service, ambience and food. Great lunch special. The only thing I dont like is you cant add the tip on the card. We all know that tips are important for restaurant workers and not all the time people carry cash.

Review №194

2021-09-05 21:54:27

I like the food it’s “okay,” but NOT the best Peruvian food I have tried. What I don’t like is the customer service there is no greeting one when arrival at the place and the wait to be served is way too long (honestly I had to walk out after not being asked if I would like something to drink and having to ask where I could be seated, the place is “NOT very Busy”where it would be hard for the waiter to greet and guide one to the table) I don’t think I will be coming back to this place.

Review №195

2020-02-17 03:00:48

We enjoyed our first Peruvian meal. Im likely going to Linda for work so Ill have something to compare to. We are moved seafood ceviche and it had a very heavy line flavor component to it. Understandably lime is used to cure the fish so it was good. We also ordered the mixed fried yuca sweet potatoes and plentano which is a sweet banana this was my favorite.we also ordered the garden salad with the vinaigrette and it was fresh and clean and delicious. The price seemed a little bit high for two people it was 50 bucks with no wine would we go back? Ill tell you after I get back from Peru...

Review №196

2018-10-17 19:04:09

Tastes amazing when youre drunk! And then when youre sober, you notice one or two things that are bit off. I cant complain too much though because the overall quality and taste is pretty good. However, they put way too much mayonnaise, in my opinion, on their Causa. Id go back though.

Review №197

2023-06-18 03:09:57

The best Peruvian food Ive had so far.

Review №198

2020-12-18 04:14:27

Ceviche cravings were satisfied: it’s actually not spicy and easy to chew compared with the ceviche at El Aji. We loved the crunchy corn kernels and starchy Peruvian corn! If you love sashimi and you love sour citrus, then this is a match made in heaven. I wish that I had ordered 2 for myself XDThe Lomo Saltado is definitely a larger portion and better than that at El Aji.Although it has a smaller ratio of seafood, the paella did not taste Iike MSG, unlike the one at El Aji.Yes, we did a lot of comparisons but we’ve just transferred our loyalty to El Mono!

Review №199

2020-12-08 02:49:48

Been there for lunch twice in the last month and a half as there are good value and tasty lunch options. The food is beautifully plated as well. Service is consistently friendly with questions patiently answered.