EL SOMBRERO MEXICAN CUISINE

Health grade
C · 78/100
Brevard County rank
Safer than 15%
Diner rating
4.1 ★ · 2,638 reviews
Violations
3 intermediate and 13 basic
Last inspected
Jan 2026

By health score it ranks safer than 15% of Brevard County restaurants we grade. Its last report logged 3 intermediate and 13 basic violations. Diners give it 4.1 across 2,638 reviews. Menus here flag vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary options.

C · 78/100 · safer than 15% of Brevard County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (321) 802-5732

Restaurant details

Health grade
C (78/100)
Violations
16 total — 3 intermediate, 13 basic
Address
4990 STACK BLVD, Melbourne, FL
Cuisine
Mexican
Categories
Mexican restaurant, Restaurant, Taco restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.1 stars (2638 reviews)
Seats
200
Phone
(321) 802-5732
Website
Official website
Photo of EL SOMBRERO MEXICAN CUISINE
Photo: El Sombrero Mexican Cuisine

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.1 Community-sourced rating 2,638 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

There is no middle ground in these 23 reviews. When front-of-house comes up here it is usually a criticism, and the ratings attached average 2.6. Wait times is the next most common subject, in 26% of reviews (averaging 2.5).

The split is 9 positive to 13 negative across 23 rated reviews, with 1 in the middle. The single most common rating left here is 1 star (12 of 23). How food arrives shows up in 22% of reviews as well, averaging 1.8.

The inspection lands in between as well: DBPR graded this kitchen a C (78/100), citing 3 intermediate and 13 basic violations. The visit behind that grade was January 26, 2026. On health score it sits safer than 15% of the Brevard County restaurants we grade. For specifics, the last inspection cited cross-contamination and in-use food dispensing utensils properly stored.

The honest summary is that the evidence is mixed on both sides. The reviews themselves follow, unedited and newest first.

Our own analysis of 23 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 26, 2026

    Servers were friendly. Tables were dirty. Food was not great. Guac was mostly tomatoes and onion. Margaritas were decent. Overall, wouldn't recommend or visit this place again.

  • June 15, 2026

    Terrible ceviche the shrimp tasted like rubber and the chips was stale but they have good margs

  • May 31, 2026

    I loved this place, we came here after we were not treated so good at another place. Even though they were a little busy, he stayed on top of it or it was another person always asking were we okay. He got our drinks to us quickly and took our orders all with a genuine smile. I will definitely be going back soon.

  • May 27, 2026

    Just a great place for food. Not really sure how kid friendly it is but for adults is pretty good.

  • May 27, 2026

    This place has decent food, but if you order pick up your food will never even be started. They will start cooking it when you show up. Waiting 10-20 minutes encouraging you to have a drink. This has happened 3, 4 times I'm finally done.

  • May 23, 2026

    Ordered El Paso Shrimp dinner. Let me tell you the peppers were raw not cooked, the onion were also raw and the mushrooms tasted like can mushrooms. The server did not even checked on us or asked how the food was. I will never come here again.

  • May 19, 2026

    Mother's day feast, great food.........

  • May 17, 2026

    We stopped in for lunch. We had the nachos (without olives), tacos, enchiladas, and chicken fajitas. Everything tasted fresh and in season. The salsa was spicy and thick. The chips were warm and refilled immediately. The enchilada had great flavor with the sauce and a good amount of ground beef. The tacos and short grain rice were good. The fajitas were fantastic. The chicken was juicy and moist. The peppers and onions were fresh, sliced uniformed, and tasted like a chef handpicked them the day of perfection. The decor is very nice. It is like a beautiful modern upscale look while keeping some classic mexican restraunt pieces for conversation and display. The music is festive and loud enough to hear and low enough to have a conversation over. The volume was perfect which is a first for us at any restraunt across the U.S. I dont drink often, but ordered a strawberry daiquiri when I saw that virgins were on the menu and their adult only versions flavor was balanced and the strawberry tasted like it complemented the alcohol. The service was smiling, and prompt. We had 3 people check on us and each had a friendly smile and kind question to keep our drinks, chips, and order fulfilled. We loved it and want to come back.

  • May 17, 2026

    So Nice place, food was delicious, the service excellent.

  • May 17, 2026

    The Carne asada had no seasoning other than that. Everything else was pretty good

  • May 17, 2026

    La comida fue horrible todo echado a perder

  • May 15, 2026

    The server was a bit rude and the food was terrible. I will never be back. Our friends ordered shrimp cocktail and it was spoiled. We ordered fajitas and no salsa was given my husband ordered steak and no tortillas or salsa was given. I was hoping that for the price being charged it would of been a better experience.

  • May 10, 2026

    If I could give zero stars I would. Not one single staff member was pleasant. 45 minutes after ordering never got our food. Was offered no compensation for the wait. Paid my $31 for drinks and left. Will never return to this restaurant.

  • May 6, 2026

    went for cinco de mayo so maybe the food and service wasn’t good. the tostada was stale. the enchilada was tough. the rice was hard. the salsa just tasted like mashed peppers.

  • May 6, 2026

    Worst experience ever. We were seated quickly and our drink order was taken. We ordered our food. Everyone around us was being served. We waited 45 minutes. Asked for our waiter but he didn't come. When we were finally served, our order was wrong. Asked to speak to the manager but, got three different answers as to his whereabouts. Finally a lady came over and said she would help. I explained the situation. She told me that if I don't like it, don't eat it. Never offered to replace it. She proceeded to pile my food on top of my husband's. He wasn't finished eating. Another 1/2 hour passed with no one coming to the table, I found her. She said just leave. Never will I return to this restaurant

  • May 6, 2026

    Cinco de Mayo—expect to wait. I was okay with waiting about an hour compared to other places, but I ended up being here for four hours. The staff was amazing, but the food was not that great. It tasted bland and even had a slight dish soap flavor. The menu was limited (which I expected), but offering something like an enchilada with sour cream as an entrée for $15 felt like a stretch. In my opinion, one small enchilada with sour cream isn’t enough to fill you up. Maybe I’m just being a big back 🤷🏽‍♀️. The drink, though, was good for $6.

  • May 6, 2026

    May 5th, 2026 (Cinco de Mayo) Worst Mexican food we have ever tasted in any restaurant. Beef tacos were filled mostly with beans. Beef burrito tasted and looked like fish. False advertisement: Ad says 4 tacos for $10.85 on Tuesdays. They refused to serve it. Manager would not come to the table to discuss the situation. Cinco de Mayo had blasting hard rock music. Nothing about this experience was worth being there, not worth eating there, and we will be sure to pass this information to all our friends. This place should put itself out of its misery and just close the doors!!!

  • April 26, 2026

    Delicious food - very kind staff! We ate too much!

  • April 21, 2026

    I like this place. The food is consistently good and the staff, management, and owners are very friendly. I highly recommend!

  • April 12, 2026

    The food was cold especially the tacos. I got the taco asada and they put freaking cheese and tomatoes as a Mexican we definitely don't put those in our tacos. The soup was cold and even the lemons weren't coming out good. But the place was pretty but the food pretty bad.

  • April 10, 2026

    Ordered the carne asada lunch special through Doordash. When my order arrived I only received the drink. I reached out to Doordash and they say there is nothing they can do. I called the store and when I told them I paid $20.62 to only receive a coke not only did they not offer to make it right but instead they said I was trying to get free food and hung up on me. I went on their menu after speaking with them and the Carne Asada is not even on the menu now. Overall very disappointed in the treatment I received and I DO NOT suggest this location because if this is my experience I can only imagine what others have experienced.

  • April 3, 2026

    In my opinion it was an average Mexican restaurant. I didn't feel like there was enough flavor. It was 42 including tip for 2 at lunch. This is about 15% more than I would normally spend for Mexican cuisine.

  • March 28, 2026

    We used to get the asada fries ALL the time. We just got them after awhile via doordash. The fries are different, the steak looked like ground beef - chewy ground beef. The sour cream was so curdled :( so disappointed.

Overall Score

57 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 20/40
    Grade C
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 16/20
    4.1★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 4/10
    Stable, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. January 26, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 13 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×3)
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  2. September 22, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 5 intermediate · 11 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×3)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to EL SOMBRERO MEXICAN CUISINE, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • ISLAND GRILLE

    4.1★ nearby

  • JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS #13040

    4.4★ 0.1 mi away

  • TACO BELL 16235177

    3.7★ 0.2 mi away

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: January 26, 2026