The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: El Comalito

02/13/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Joel Cuellar

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Joel Cuellar, former Spirits Sommelier of Brandy Library, who now presides over Speakeasy + Whiskey Bar at The Doyle Hotel, where he is beloved for his service, cocktails, and knowledge of all things spirits. A world expert on whisky and permanent judge at New York International Spirits Competition, Cuellar has a palate that can discern a whisky’s origin, age, and barrel type. Saturday, February 28 is a rare chance learn from him at a Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Dinner. Guests will begin and end their evening with an apertif and digestif prepared for the occasion by Cuellar. In between are four courses paired with Virginia Distillery Company whisky, which Cuellar calls among the best spirits in the world. Menu below. Tickets here. Cuellar’s picks:

1) Burger at Smyrna. “I feel like every single dish I have tasted here is always the best it can be and while the burger doesn’t seem like the best choice out of the ethnicity of their cuisine, for me there’s no better execution in town. Perfect blend of flavor and texture. Also, best fries.”

2) Octopus at Zocalo. “At the bar, I always run polls on where is the best anything in town and I started to ask my customers where is the best octopus, so I can go to all these places to draw my own conclusions. Chef Will Miguel at Zocalo took the title. Its texture, flavor, presentation make for an exquisite dish I can always go back to.”

3) Sopes at El Comalito. “Out of the hands of Lucia, all the dishes here have the authenticity of someone who grew up with them, not a recently acquired knowledge. Try with any of their fresh salsas for a kick and you are totally savouring real Mexico.”

4) Old Tom Gin from our dear friend Ivar at Spirit Lab Distilling. “Old Tom differs from London Dry in the fact that it is aged in an oak barrel and has somewhat of a little sweetness to it. Rich texture followed by a multilayered mouthfeel, a bold collection of botanicals well integrated. It’s a pleasure to make a drink with it. Howeber, I personally like to sip this one, maybe with the addition of a few drops of water. Perfectly rounded and an amazing long finish.”

5) Notorious P.I.G. at Ivy Provisions. “If you have lived in the Tri state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) you may have seen an old Italian Salumeria, where you might have routinely picked up a sandwich. This is the memory, well executed: generous amount of cold cuts, cheese, shredded lettuce, oil and vinegar. And some hot peppers on top.”

11/21/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Andy Argaud

In the Charlottesville food community, when one has a need, others rush to fill it. Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from A Squared Pizza’s Andy Argaud, who could use our help. His three-year-old daughter Zoey was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and now the “precocious, funny, and determined 3-year-old who loves unicorns, Bluey and K-pop Demon Hunters” is in the fight of her life. The community is rallying to help Zoey and her family, raising funds for medical expenses, lost income, and basic household needs: How to chip in: “Help Zoey Beat Leukemia.”

Another way to help is by enjoying Argaud’s delicious pizza at A Squared. Argaud has cut back hours, but still opens from 3 – 8 pm. Argaud’s picks:

1) Vietnamese Coffee from Nguyen’s Kitchen. “I’m typically a black coffee drinker but will always make an exception for this. The coffee is strong enough to power through the cream and sugar to make it an excellent treat. Drink before noon though if you dont want to be awake all night.”

2) Jambon Buerre from Belle. “I am a Frenchman at heart, and this sandwich takes me to sitting at a cafe in the middle of Paris. Their baguettes are the best in town, which pairs so well with the salted butter and ham.”

3) Carne Asada Torta from El Comalito. “After living in L.A. for a few years, I have become very particular with my Mexican food, and Comalito always satisfies. The asada torta is meaty, cheesy and spicy, all the makings of great Mexican dishes. Don’t forget the salsa verde.”

4) Chicharrón, Queso and Frijoles Pupusa from AMIGO Mercado Latino. “This place is a hidden gem. The pupusas are filled to the brim inside delicious masa, paired with slaw. Kick it up a notch with their habenero orange salsa.”

5) Chicken Parm with Pink Lady Sauce from Sal’s Caffe Italia. “I might get in trouble for this one as its a ‘secret menu’ item but boy is it good.  A cripsy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella, on top of a bed of pink lady (marinara and alfredo mix) noodles makes for a delicious meal.”

 

04/12/2024

Five Finds on Friday: Lorena Aparicio

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Lorena Aparicio, who this week celebrates her tenth anniversary of work at Sultan Kebab. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Aparicio has been a key reason for Sultan Kebab’s decade of excellence and success. In addition to her picks, below are words of appreciation from Sultan Kebab’s owners. Aparicio’s picks:

1) Carnitas at El Puerto. “I like the carnitas because they are made with the flavor of my country.”

2) Enchiladas Verdes at El Comalito. “The sauce is delicious.”

3) Sopa de Gallina at El Ciruelo.”It is good quality chicken from Honduras, and has a unique flavor.”

4) Tacos de Carne Asada at Tacos Gómez. “I like their carne asada tacos because the tortillas are freshly made.”

5) Pupusas at Mi Casita. “I like their pupusas because they are soft with well-melted cheese.”

Sultan Kebab’s tribute to Aparicio:

We celebrate a remarkable milestone at Sultan Kebab restaurant – 10 incredible years with our dedicated team member, Lorena!

Lorena, your hard work and unwavering loyalty have been instrumental in our journey to becoming the thriving restaurant we are today.

We are forever grateful for your dedication, expertise, and kindness. Your presence has been a cornerstone of our success, and we cannot imagine Sultan Kebab without you.

As we mark this decade-long journey together, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for all that you do. You are more than just a team member – you are family.

Here’s to many more years of delicious food, warm smiles, and unforgettable experiences together! Cheers, Lorena, and thank you for being an integral part of our Sultan Kebab family!