The CHIMES

Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Lifestyle

El Canelo offers good food at low prices, but the environment fizzles. Located in the Glenwood Shopping Plaza in Oneida, NY, its interior includes bright orange walls and Christmas decorations. There are still remnants of the previous establishment, T.J. Rileys, even though El Canelo has been open for years. Unimpressive from the moment you enter till the moment you leave, El Canelo leaves you wondering how they remain open.

After being seated (at a table not quite wide enough for salsa, chips and plates of food), the drinks and traditional tortillas and salsa were brought out. The tortillas were stale and tasteless, definitely not made on-site, and the salsa was bland. My unsweetened tea had to be sent back; it tasted almost spoiled, even though the restaurant had only been open and hour-and-a-half. When the food came, it was hot, fresh and delicious. It was almost good enough to make me forget the rest of the problems, but not quite.

The entrance of the El Canelo restaurant in Oneida, NY. El Canelo, a Mexican chain restaurant, offers a variety of traditional Mexican dishes at low prices. Photo by Amanda Kuhl, '12

Our waitress was courteous and quick, and did not charge for the tea that got sent back. She was careful to warn us that the plates were hot, and patient when we couldn't decide what we wanted. For those wanting to try it all, they now have a buffet.

Before leaving, an inspection of the bathroom seemed necessary, but after seeing the rest of the restaurant, I was dreading it. It was basically clean, but just as horribly decorated as the rest of the place. The orange paint didn't come close to covering the flower and stripe wallpaper that graced the walls previously. There were also orange paint drips on the floor and the tile grout was black. With no soap or paper towels to be found, I was glad I had already finished eating. I just hope the employees wash their hands in the kitchen.

El Canelo is a dive, but some people enjoy that. If you enjoy good food at great prices, check it out. But if you are trying to impress a date, try something somewhere different.

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