Sombrero Mexican Restaurant Opens in O'Fallon On Wednesday
The restaurant serves San Diego-style Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Photos
There's a new Mexican restaurant in town serving up burritos, tostadas, enchiladas and more for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sombrero serves San Diego-style Mexican food and opens in O'Fallon on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The restaurant is located at 1491 Mexico Loop Road East in O'Fallon, where Del Taco once stood.
Sombrero originated from a father and son team in San Diego, CA beginning in 1984.
John and Karen Barnett, of Wildwood, own the new O'Fallon location. Karen said the local establishment is the first franchise opened outside of San Diego.
John grew up in San Diego and moved to the St. Louis area years ago. He said since then, he's been searching for the Mexican food he grew up on. Now he's happy to be able to bring the authentic experience to O'Fallon.
"This is what I had as a kid and couldn't find here," he said.
John said Sombrero food is handcrafted with fresh ingredients and is cooked with trans-fat free cooking oils.
"Everything is made here. We pull our own pork and other meats," he said, adding that they also peel their own avocados.
John said one specialty you won't normally see outside of California, is the hot carrots at the salsa bar, which are marinated and similar to jalapeños.
Other core items include, carne asada, rolled tacos, fresh guacamole, rice and beans and house made salsa.
The Barnetts are not new to opening restaurants in the St. Louis area. The couple has owned the The Melting Pot in Town and Country for 10 years.
John said they hope to open more Sombreros in the St. Louis area, depending on the success of their new O'Fallon establishment.
Click through the gallery above to see photos from our Monday sneak peek of Sombrero.
Jim Pepper
12:36 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Absolutely a fine experience. Portion size is amazing and quality is top notch
Dan Kelley
3:31 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
I was so excited becasue I heard this franchise was an authentic mMexican restaurant from San Diego. I ordered the taquito and enchalada plate with rice and beans for nearly $10.00 counting the .99 soda. it was HORRIBLE! The shreaded beef was tough and you could hardly cut through the rubbery shel of the enchalada with a plastic fork.
The beans were soggy and and cold, the rice was burned and the taquitos were bland with guacamole htat had sat out too long and lost it's color and flavor. Not a good experience. It was opening day and I mentioned to the owner, the founder and the franchisor. I doubt they cared though.
On the bright side, the sprite was great.
Jo Moore
9:45 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
OMG Dan! This is exactly how I would describe my experience as well.
Jim Frain
4:11 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
My parent's always told me that if you didn't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all. I enjoyed my meal a great deal and will go again often. I found the owners to be delightful.
Jim Pepper
6:00 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Would like to comment on Mr Kelly but the FCC would frown on it. Wife and Daughter went today and couldn't stop raving on the quality and taste.
Dan Kelley
8:01 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
What was I thinking Jim, how dare I state my opinion if it differs from yours !
Anna Hyland
9:51 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
I've been meaning to offer my review for a couple of weeks! We went as a family of 4 and all ordered different items off of the menu. Each one of us was thrilled with our choices...the churros were awesome (from my 17 year old), as were the tacos, the carne' asada fries, and the made to order chicken chimichanga! It's on the menu as a beef chimichanga but I prefer chicken and they were absolutely willing to make it to order! The portions were large (much larger than other local establishments) and we thorougly enjoyed our dine-in experience! We will definitely go again and have told many friends to do the same!
Jordan Lanham
9:58 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Thanks for sharing Anna! Carne Asada fries sound pretty good! I may have to try those next time.