Shelley Taylor

Feelin’ sad and blue? The sun in Sunny Sequim letcha down?
Well, step right into the sunniest place in town! El Cazador will lift your spirits on a gray day — and quell your hunger pangs to boot.
Because you can’t possibly stay in a bad mood when you’re surrounded by bright colors and sunny suns all over the place.
The peach stucco building has shared a space with Sequim’s iconic grain elevator for the past 20-some years.
Once inside, the music wafting through the air will have you dancing and shaking your maracas. Bright cheery scenes of all things south of the border line the walls, beginning with a bouquet of calla lilies that would’ve made Mexican muralist Diego Rivera feel right at home.
The restaurant is spacious with an abundance of comfy booths in the main dining room. And there’s an overflow room that’s just right for an office or holiday party.
Greg and I had planned on dinner several times but ended up going on a recent Sunday for lunch — only to be most pleasantly surprised. Their Sunday Brunch Buffet is fairly new and understandably gaining in popularity. And reasonable too (only $12.99 for adults, $6.99 for kids 12 and under). What a great array of choices. Although, with a buffet, you don’t have to make a choice. Have one of everything … or two … or more!

To the menu!
On the menu are the usual suspects. Some notables are new menu “Starter” item Carne Asada Fries topped with mild green chile and grilled onion, carne asada steak, melted cheese, drizzle of crema, pico de gallo and guacamole for $9.25. For the wheat-challenged, they offer gluten-free fare such as the White Queso Dip Starter made with a smooth and mildly spicy white cheese sauce (small $2.99 or large $5.99) (Add crumbled chorizo for a dollar). The Nayarit has all your favorite El Cazador Starters  together on one platter: taquitos, quesadillas, flautas nachos, and bean dip ($10.99).
Chicken Tinga Tacos have simmered chipotle shredded chicken, onion and tomato topped with white onion, cilantro, queso fresco and salsa roja ($13.25). Tacos de Pescado are filled with golden crisp talapia fillet, fresh pico de gallo, chipotle mayo and cabbage stuffed into three soft corn tortillas — grilled or fried ($13.25). The Burrito Colorado is stuffed with cube steak in a fire-roasted tomato salsa and comes with rice and beans topped with sauce, melted cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce and sour cream ($12.99).
If you’d rather, they serve hamburgers with guacamole and bacon, or cheese, or try the Hawaiianas Chicken Burger with adobo marinated chicken breast fillet topped with grilled pineapple, onion and cilantro with Monterey jack cheese. But we scored at the buffet. And it was all delicious!
There’s their made-to-order Omelet Bar and Waffle or Crepe Bar. The Carving Station features Chef’s Choice meats which probably includes sausage, bacon and ham. To go with, try hash browns, Cazador house potatoes (with peppers and onions), or Mexican rice and refried beans, assorted enchiladas, authentic chile relleno, Nopales en Chorizo (cactus with chorizo), Pollo Pibil (Yucatan-style barbecued chicken), yummy chipotle honey back ribs, Camarones a la Diabla (prawns in a deviled red sauce). The Chef’s Choice Cazador Taqueria taco bar features beef, chicken, carne asada, carnitas and Al Pastor. And Mexican Street Faire corn on the cob — absolutely mahvelous! And Chef’s Choice soups of the day might be pasole or black bean or albondigas.
Dessert at the buffet offers fresh fruit and the more decadent, like the Mango Leche cake — yum!
After reading the description, I just had to try the Horchata, an authentic Mexican beverage of rice milk and powdered almonds served over ice with a sweet cinnamon finish. A light and refreshing alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth.
For football fanatics, there are Monday night specials in the cantina. For the ladies, $5 for margaritas (usually $8). Or $5 All-U-Can-Eat tacos — and all you have to do is buy a beer (or other beverage). Happy Hours are 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-to-close, daily.
Manager Joshua made our lunch experience topnotch and when he said they’re always interested in suggestions for the menu, I told him of a flan I had in Los Angeles topped with shredded coconut in extra sweet and thick syrup. Hopefully, they’ll give it a try.
El Cazador is especially business friendly. Stopping in wearing your business logo (or a business card will do) will get you a 10-percent discount on your meal. And the more often you dine, the bigger the discount. And, they deliver from Carlsborg all the way to the John Wayne Marina daily from 4-9 p.m.
Suffice it to say, if you can’t find something on the menu to please your taste buds, you just aren’t hungry!
So the next time the sun refuses to shine, you’ll find plenty to brighten your day at El Cazador Mexican Grill and Cantina.

Reach Shelley Taylor  at columnists@sequimgazette.com.