A very nice surprise awaits those who want to experience authentic Mexican food, superb seafood, and delicious steaks. Established in 1975, El Coral was the first restaurant in Cabo San Lucas and is still going strong. A photograph of the stand-alone structure when it was built hangs in a place of honor over the well-stocked bar.

The ambiance is very Mexican, with hand-carved, hand-painted chairs and multi-colored Mexican tablecloths. The rustic décor adds to the comfortable and casual atmosphere. Life-size hand-painted Mariachi adorn the back wall and look as if they could step out singing. An old-time rifle, painted maps, faded portraits including those of Pancho Villa, and twinkling lights remind one of Old Mexico. Two large green parrots are tucked around the corner; their cawing adds to the tropical feel.

The sounds of outside fade upon entering the open-air palapa. Cool breezes greet patrons as does the aroma of mesquite-grilled fish and top-quality steaks cooking on the large grill. Choose a strawberry, mango, banana, or lime “Mucho Grande Margarita” to start, or try El Comal’s mojitos, sangria by the pitcher, or consider other top-shelf margaritas such as the Cadillac or the Tamarindo. Accompany your beverage with Choriqueso (melted cheese with Mexican sausage). Fresh shrimp ceviche is also outstanding as a starter. The lobster combo special or BBQ ribs are popular with tourists. Shrimp any way you like it— Diablo (hot), garlic, butter, or rolled in coconut— is bound to please the most discriminating diner. Grilled whole red snapper, cooked to perfection, is “to die for.” Outstanding steaks include New York, rib eye, T-bone, and one dubbed “48 Steak” (marinated for 48 hours). For pasta lovers (or kids), there’s spaghetti with shrimp. Real Mexican food? The combo has it all: chile relleno, enchilada, quesadilla, guacamole, rice, and beans. The Tampiquena is the ultimate that includes tender beef. Beef, chicken, or fish taco plates come with three tacos, but if you want four, just ask, at no extra cost. The giant wet burrito features pork chunks swimming in a spicy chile Colorado sauce. And, all-you-can-drink tequila shots are offered with dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. End a fabulous meal at El Coral with a crispy banana burrito a la mode and a Mexican coffee.

Roberto Real, a handsome young man with an engaging smile, is the second-generation owner. His father, Roberto Real Sr., founded the establishment back in ‘75, when Cabo San Lucas was what we‘ve all heard it was, a little fishing village. Roberto is on hand to help guests decide from the array of up-scale dishes available at reasonable prices: from $8 U.S. for squid, either sauced with garlic or fried, to $18 U.S. for the Surf & Turf (lobster tail or shrimp with New York steak) and just $40 U.S. for the seafood sampler for two. Steaks run $13 U.S. and up; Mexican dishes from $6 U.S. for tacos to $11 U.S. for shrimp fajitas. The same menu is offered at lunch. El Coral's breakfast items range from $2 up to $7 U.S. for steak and eggs.

On any given evening at El Coral, catch a real magician performing close-up magic tricks. A pool table is available in the bar area. El Coral seats 80 and groups up to 30. Open for breakfast at 8 a.m. (except Sundays), until 10 p.m. On Boulevard Marina at Hidalgo in downtown Cabo San Lucas, near Tesoro Los Cabos Resort. Limited parking, but worth the walk from any parking lot in the vicinity. Call (624) 143-0150.