Comal

"Comal is upscale Mexican at its best: awesome tamales, ceviche, and enchiladas with sauces that took 5-7 hours to make. The cocktails are great, mezcal flows like water and the huge outdoor patio is perfection. There’s a margarita cart. Heaven in restaurant form, right? First, the food is consistently excellent across the board. The sauces and salsas are rich, the enchiladas aren’t drowning in cheese, and the meatballs are some of the best we’ve ever had. Everything is good to share, and some things are so good you may need to fend off people from taking more than their portion. Also, maybe stop being friends with that person if they try to eat all the ceviche. Sharing is caring. Cocktails, also great. We’re partial to the Palomaesque and/or a mezcal flight. Then there’s the back patio. Where to begin with this magical place. There are fire pits, there is a cart and someone pushes it around and you can get chips, salsa, beers, and margaritas to your spot. If you are looking to grab drinks and snacks (there’s a smaller menu for the outdoors), this is the best spot in all of Berkeley. It’s a place you never want to leave. Food Rundown Chips & Guacamole You’re at a Mexican restaurant. Don’t ask questions, order this. Thick salty homemade chips with bomb salsas and guacamole. Shrimp Ceviche A sizable bowl of spicy, cilantro-y white shrimp. Eat this. Yellowtail Crudo Citrusy, salty awesomeness. The fresh peas make it taste even brighter. We dig. Beef & Pork Albóndigas Mexican meatballs that aren’t to be missed. Super tender, and the rich adobo sauce is unreal. Sometimes we eat these first, eat a few more things, and get another order. They’re that good. They come with house made tortillas with the intent of sopping up the sauce, which sounds good, but turns out to be somewhat technically unfeasible. Enchiladas The filler meat varies, but the results are always delicious. We’re partial to the duck option - so look out for that. Killer sauce, doesn’t feel too heavy, and they don’t skimp on the meat, whatever kind it may be. Chicken Tamales There is a lot of mole sauce involved in this dish and we fully endorse it. We love this dish. Pork Tacos Good, not great al pastor tacos. The pork is decent but not wildly flavorful. Save your stomach room for everything else." - Taylor Abrams

"Comal, equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, manages noise so effectively that a loud clap at one table is almost inaudible a few tables over, allowing guests to interact in relative quiet." - ByAngelica Maze

"Comal satisfies with Mexican cuisine served in a sleek setting, complete with a gorgeous patio." - Dianne de Guzman, Clair Lorell, Paolo Bicchieri

"For bold and zesty Mexican food crafted with pristine ingredients, Berkeleyites pack this industrial-chic hot spot, where an excellent cocktail program and an extensive tequila and mezcal selection keep things buzzing. The large flat tortilla griddles for which Comal is named are on full display in the open kitchen, while a covered and heated back patio draws locals for year-round outdoor diningFryer-fresh warm tortilla chips paired with perfect guacamole are irresistible; summon an order as you peruse other options like the refreshing white shrimp ceviche and earthy hen-of-the-woods mushroom quesadilla. Just make sure that those smoky wood-grilled rock cod tacos, with creamy avocado aïoli and spicy cabbage slaw, are on your must-order list." - Michelin Inspector

"Though this trendy and bustling Mexican restaurant is primarily a dining destination, the back patio is reserved for drinking and snacking on chips, salsa, and guacamole. Snag a seat at one of the communal tables, or around the fire pit, and grab a classic margarita from the patio cart that is stationed there on busy nights. Hit up the back bar for a Paloma or Jack Satan (reposada tequila, hibiscus, inferno tincture, lime, and salt) and enjoy the fresh air." - Dianne de Guzman, Ellen Fort