El Cantaro Menu (Update 2025)
If you're looking for a blend of Mexican flavors with a vegan twist, El Cantaro in Monterey is a hidden gem. This casual yet classy restaurant offers a menu full of delicious options, from Memelitas and Taquitos appetizers to a variety of flavorful burritos like the El Cantaro Burrito and the Grilled Pineapple Veggie Burrito. Wash it all down with their refreshing Seasonal Fresh Fruit Waters or indulge in a Mango Smoothie.
Customers rave about the welcoming vibes, excellent service, and the fresh, tasty food that El Cantaro serves up. Whether you're a vegan foodie or a meat eater exploring plant-based options, this spot is sure to please your palate. Don't miss out on this spot for a satisfying meal that won't break the bank.
Appetizers
Memelitas
Three small homemade tortillas, black bean puree, topped off with cheese and cabbage.
Kipes
Four stuffed kipes with potatoes, mushrooms and spices wrapped in a bulgur grain, and dipping sauce.
Taquitos
Four corn tortillas filled with spiced chickin', then rolled up and served on a bed of lettuce and guacamole.
Kale's Salad
Walnuts, raw beets, onions, and carrots. Amino acid vinaigrette.
Tortilla Jalapeno Salad
Spring mixed lettuce with corn, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, and cilantro. Ranch jalapeno dressing.
Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, cashew parmesan cheese. Homemade caesar dressing.
Spinach Salad
Strawberries, carrots, jicama, and pumpkin seeds. Agave-lemon vinaigrette.
Quinoa Salad
Cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, tomato, green beans and radishes in a bed of romaine lettuce.
Salads
Soups
Tortilla Soup
Marinated Chicken', fresh avocado, cheese, roasted corn and tortilla strips in a spicy vegetable broth.
Pozole
Hominy corn stew, spiced broth, with Chicken' topped with cabbage, radishes and lime wedge.
Tamales Plate
Tlayudas Oaxaquenas Plate
Layered in beans, cheese topped with cabbage, avocado, salsa fresca, and red hot sauce.
Two Chickin' Tamale Plate
One Large Chile Relleno Plate
Three Chickin' Emoladas Plate
Coloradito mole. Topped with onions, cheese and parsley.
Three Enchiladas Plate
Chickin' or beef. Choice of red sauce or green sauce.
Vegetable Enchiladas Plate
In a green tomatillo sauce.
Huaraches Plate
Large homemade corn tortilla, layer of beans, topped with mushrooms or cactus, cheese and salsa.
Sopes Plate
Homemade tortilla. Layer of beans, cheese, topped with lettuce and salsa.
Taquitos Plate
Four chicken rolled corn tortillas, topped with guacamole, sour cream, cheese and salsa fresca
Mega Quesadilla Plate
Choice of mushroom, chickin' or beef, topped with lettuce, sour cream, and salsa.
Crispy Potato Tacos Plate
Four deep fried corn tortillas, stuffed with mashed potatoes, topped with cheese, sour cream, salsa fresca, and lettuce. Side of beans.
Mole de Cacahuate with Chickin' Plate
Peanut mole.
Authentic Mole Negro Oaxaca Style Plate
Served with chickin'.
Fajitas Plate
Chickin', beef or veggies.
Chilaquiles Plate
Fried tortillas smothered in a tomatillo sauce or red tomato sauce, topped with cheese.
Famous Chile en Ahogada Plate
Poblano pepper, stuffed with spiced flavorful ground beef, grains and a walnut cream sauce with a side of white rice. Beans not included.
Special Veggie Burger Plate
Mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sauteed onions, mushrooms and jalapenos. Side of fresh seasoned fries.
Traditional Plates
Tortas
Tortas
Choice of: chickin' mushroom, ham or beef. Lettuce, aioli, zesty garlic mayo, tomato, sauteed onion, roasted jalapeno and avocado.
Tostadas
Salpicon soy meat, topped with cheese, lettuce, cilantro, onion, and avocado.
Nachos
Beans, cheese, salsa fresca, roasted jalapenos, sour cream, and guacamole.
El Cantaro Burrito
Grilled chickin' or steak, cheese, pinto or black beans, spanish rice, and salsa fresca.
Grilled Pineapple Veggie Burrito
Black beans, spanish rice, and red sauce.
Tofu Veggie Burrito
Black beans, spanish rice, cheese, pico de gallo, and red sauce.
Dos Amigos Burrito
Black or pinto beans with rice. Add cheese $1.50 extra.
Veggie Burrito
Beans, rice and salsa fresca.
Bean and Cheese Burrito
Black or pinto beans.
Burritos
Tacos
Ranchero Taco
Meatless and soy-free grounds topped with cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. With a choice of mild or hot salsa.
Fish Baja Style Taco
Vegan tuna fish topped with cabbage. With a choice of seasonal homemade mango salsa or pineapple salsa. Wheat and soy protein.
Chickin' or Steak Taco
Homemade corn tortilla served with cilantro, onions, and choice mild or hot salsa.
Sauteed Vegetable Taco
Homemade tortilla, beans, salsa and cheese.
Mushroom Taco
Sauteed mushrooms topped with cilantro, fresh onions and salsa.
Crispy Potato Taco
Bean and Cheese Burrito (Kids)
Side of fresh made seasoned fries.
Enfrijoladas (Kids)
Two deep fried corn tortillas, smothered in black bean puree and cheese with a side of rice.
Memelitas (Kids)
Two hand-made tortillas, layered with beans and cheese, and a side of rice.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Kids)
Fresh made seasoned fries.
Fresh made seasoned fries.
With a side of beans.
Kids Menu
Sides
Beans
Rice
Guacamole
Cheese
Chips and Salsa
Chips and Guacamole
Sour Cream
Fried Plantains
Served with vanilla soy ice cream, strawberry sauce and carob chocolate sauce.
Sweet Potato
In a sweet cinnamon syrup, topped with vanilla soy ice cream, and pecans.
Chocolate Cake
In a soakin milky coffee sauce.
Spanish Rice Pudding
Topped with cinnamon and raisins.
Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream
Desserts
Beverages
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Waters
Choice of strawberry, pineapple fruit water, watermelon, horchata, tamarindo, or jamaica.
Orangina
Bottled Soda
Choice of Virgil's black cherry cream soda, root beer or real cola soda.
Sparkling Apple Cider
Bottle Water
Ice Tea
Orange Juice
Carrot Juice
Orange and Carrot Juice
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Mango Smoothie
Strawberry Smoothie
Antioxident Blend Smoothie
All made with organic soy milk.
Oaxaca Mexican Chocolate
Cafe de La Olla
With cinnamon.