El Cazador Sequim restaurant review

In the office of the old galvanized Coop grain elevator at 531 W Washington, this is the go-to place in Sequim if you have a big group. El Cazador may not make your list of best Mexican restaurants, but is is a solid experience all around. Never disappointed, we find the best feature of the restaurant is the people we are with, and El Cazador hardly ever causes a disruption of our fun, a tribute to a professional staff. We give it 2 out of 4.

The decor makes an an attempt to be a classic, big American Mexican restaurant. A nice, though hardly every used (northern exposure in the Northwest), porch serves as a patio, and a "cantina" opens off the left as you walk in. Music is thankfully Mexican, but not too loud. In this community of older citizens, it is nice that sound is subdued. Design is decidedly south of the border; hand-made tiles, Mexican murals on all the walls depicting traditional scenes. Colors are what has come to be the accepted array of teal, orange, brown and yellow. A couple of changes to carpet and booths would really lift the whole place up.

The owner and staff make large groups feel as welcome as couples, and that is saying something. We have found service to be consistently professional, prompt and attentive. Our special requests are received with so much acceptance we sometimes repeat them to see if they were missed, but they never are, simply accommodated as a matter of course.

The Margarita menu includes some nice "top shelf" offerings that again are mixed with good quality liquors- no ultra rare and expensive tequilas, but decent enough. On the rocks or blended to order (thankfully no slurpee machines), presented as you would expect in heavy, giant Mexican-style glasses.

As soon as you are seated, a bowl of chips and house-made salsa are presented. Unfortunately, the chips are bought out, and sometimes they are warm, sometimes not. The salsa is a good, with the usual variation in heat you expect when dealing with fresh jalapeno peppers. The menu is large, with many combinations, and the basic elements are traditional way north of the border Mexican fare. They manage to incorporate the new-gringo dishes like chimichangas and fajitas with more traditional tacos, tamales and enchiladas (including a large and creative enchilada section).

Food comes presented on big heavy and hot plates, accompanied by good, if nondescript, beans and rice. If you are in a large group the kitchen still manages to get food to the table as much at the same time as possible. Flavors won't transport you to Mexico, though everything we have tasted has been acceptable. Sometimes the masa of the tamales is thick, a shame since the filling and sauce are good. The Macho Burrito is a large, very well balanced and tasty American burrito that features fresh flavors and colors.

You won't put this restaurant on your list of very favorite Mexican restaurants in the world, but it is a good value, and has been a reliable place to get a quick meal for us. Prices for Sequim are reasonable, with quantity being the main driver of value. Bottom line, a worthwhile stop, once in a while.