Palo Alto Sol provides some of the best Mexican food in Palo Alto, served in the “Comida Poblana” style. A family restaurant, the proprietors Hector and Helena attempt to recreate the foods of their Puebla heritage. If you’re tired of the Treehouse or looking for a date spot, Palo Alto Sol, situated in the heart of California Avenue, is definitely worth a try.

The eatery can get packed at dinnertime, so try making a reservation during weekdays or you may end up like my party – waiting approximately 20 minutes for a table. The restaurant is dark but comfortable, with a large bar and great drink variety. While the drinks make for a great show, especially margaritas served in a goblet, diners on Yelp repeatedly lament weak- to average-strength drinks.

I enjoyed snacking on the chips while waiting to order with three types of salsas and an involved menu chock-a-block full of text. With the hopping nature of the restaurant at dinnertime and the large menu, you may have some time to chow on the chips.

My party had a range of dishes. I really enjoyed the burrito mole, with its rich chocolate-flavored sauce. The Camarones Diabla (spicy shrimp) suited my friend, especially as she could set her degree of spice. The Burrito Campeano was a bit of a let down; the green sauce was watery, but it did strike a good balance between the component parts of the burrito: rice, beans, lettuce, tomato and mushroom. Portions were filling, but prices were high.

If you’re looking for a night out or some nice Mexican food for your next date, keep Palo Alto Sol in mind.