El 42 Cantina

38 Front Street North, Issaquah
(425) 369-4772

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas
Passion Fruit Margarita Tall
Cochinitas Pibil Pork Tacos
Braised Chicken Tacos
Chips and Salsa
Halibut Tacos
Loaded Nachos
Peanut Sauce
Carne Asada
Al Pastor

Menu

Apertivos/Sides
Chips and Salsa
Served with fire roasted tomato and Juan loco salsa.
Plantain Chips
Served with house made peanut dipping sauce and Juan loco salsa.
Guacamole El42
Cilantro, lime, onion, serranos, and garlic. Served with tortilla or plantain chips or 1/2 and 1/2.
Elotes
Our take on classic Mexican street corn.
Nachos
Fresh tortilla chips, Oacxaca and pepper Jack cheese, salsa roja, El 42 guacamole and sour cream, black olives and pickled jalapenos.
Ahi Tuna Ceviche
Ahi tuna, lime, mango, pineapple, red onion, jicama, cilantro, habanero. Served with chips.
Scallops Aguachile
Soy-lime marinated scallops, cucumber, jicama, red onion, avocado, cilantro. served with chips.
NY Steak Aguachile
Grilled New York strip, lime, Worcestershire sauce, red onion, cilantro, and avocado.
Queso Fundido
Monterrey Jack, Oaxaca and mozzarella cheese dip topped with chorizo. served with fresh tortilla chips.
Rice and Beans
Red Rice
Rice cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and spices.
Sinaloa Beans
Refried pinto beans with chorizo and Oaxaca cheese.
Black Bean Salsa
Sauteed Veggies
Red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, poblano peppers, onion, and garlic. sautéed in olive oil.
Small Guacamole
Medium Guacamole
Sour Cream
Sliced Avocado
Side Fresh Jalapeno
Side Pickled Jalapeno
4 Corn Tortillas
3 Flour Tortillas

Sopas Y Ensaladas
El 42 Salad
Arugula, cilantro, grape tomato, red onion, roasted corn, sliced avocado, and cotija cheese.
Caesar Salad
Romaine, Caesar dressing , parmesan cheese, bolillo croutons, and lime.
Tortilla Soup
Creamy chicken tomato chipotle broth, topped with fried tortilla strips, avocado, and sour cream.
Side Salad

Tacos
Braised Chicken Tacos
Tomato chipotle braised chicken thighs, fire roasted salsa and guacatillo.
Cochinitas Pibil Pork Tacos
Traditional Mexican pulled pork. slow roasted in banana leaf. Juan loco salsa, pickled red onion.
Pork Al Pastor Tacos
Sweet adobo marinated pork, topped with tropical salsa.
Veggie Tacos
Al pastor jackfruit, creamy coleslaw, and tropical salsa.
Birria Tacos
Braised beef in guajillo pepper, Oaxaca cheese crust, white onion and consommé for dipping.
Asada Tacos
Citrus marinated ribeye roll, Pico de Gallo and guacatillo.
Crispy Prawn Tacos
Gluten free. Panko crusted butterflied tiger prawns, creamy coleslaw, Pico de Gallo, and chipotle mayo.
Lengua Tacos
Slow cooked beef tongue, pico de gallo and salsa verde.
Blackened Swordfish Tacos
Mesquite blackened swordfish, creamy coleslaw, cucumber serrano mayo, and pico de gallo.

Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas
Braised chicken, yellow corn tortillas, salsa roja and verde, and Oaxaca cheese.
Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas
Lobster, shrimp, yellow corn tortillas, artichoke dip, salsa verde, Jack and Oaxaca cheese.
Pork Al Pastor Enchiladas
Pork al pastor, yellow corn tortillas, salsa roja and verde, and Oaxaca cheese.
Veggie Enchiladas
Al pastor jackfruit, yellow corn tortillas, Oaxaca cheese, and salsa verde.
Birria Enchiladas
Braised beef, yellow corn tortillas, salsa roja and verde, and Oaxaca cheese.
Enchiladas-Cochinitas Pibil
Cochinitas pibil, yellow corn tortillas, salsa roja and verde, Oaxaca cheese.
Cheese Enchiladas

Tortas
Torta de Birria
Torta de Asada
Torta de Pibil
Torta de Pastor
Torta de Pollo

Entrees
Carne Asada
Citrus marinated skirt steak, served with guacamole, pico de gallo, roasted jalapeño, red rice and sinaloa beans.
Cochinitas Pibil Entree
Traditional Mexican pulled pork slow roasted in banana leaves. Served with pickled onions, tropical salsa, red rice and sinaloa beans.
Pollo en Pipian
Roasted airline chicken breast (drumette attached), mole verde sauce, red rice and sinaloa beans.
Mahi-Mahi Entree
Pan roasted 8 oz mahi mahi steak marinated in chili garlic, served with red rice and side salad.
Camarones a la Diabla
Sauteed jumbo tiger prawns in tomato chipotle sauce, red pepper, red onion, served with fresh avocado, red rice and Sinaloa beans.

Salsas/Sauces
Baja White
Mild - yogurt, mayonnaise, cumin, Mexican oregano, lime juice, pinch of cayenne.
Peanut Sauce
Mild - peanuts, coconut milk, sesame, rice vinegar, chili paste, ginger, lime, garlic, brown sugar, soy and cilantro.
Guacatillo
Mild - tomatillo, avocado, onion, cilantro, garlic and jalapeño.
Pico De Gallo
Medium - fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic and jalapeño.
Fire Roasted
Medium - roasted tomatoes, jalapeño, red pepper, roasted and fresh garlic, lime, cilantro.
Enchilada Rojo
Medium - fire roasted tomato, roasted onion, roasted ancho chili, chicken stock, garlic, cumin, coriander. Served hot.
Enchilada Verde
Medium - tomatillo, jalapeño, green bell peppers, cilantro, green onion, Mexican oregano, garlic, cumin, coriander. Served hot.
Juan Loco
Hot - tomatillo, pickled jalapeño, white vinegar, onions, cilantro, roasted garlic, and lime.
Tropical Salsa
Hot - habanero, jicama, red onion, red bell peppers, lime, cilantro, mango chutney, fresh mango, and pineapple.
Salsa Cancun
Hot - habanero, orange zest, and onion.
Diablito
Very Hot - arbol chilis, fresh tomatillo, Roma tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and Jak's salt.
Arbol Sauce
Extreme - roasted tree chilis and garlic.
Chipole Aioli
Chipotle Ranch
Cilantro Lime

Desserts
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
Brownie
Tres Leches
Sorbet

Photos

Photo credit: google
Photo credit: nextdoor
Photo credit: nextdoor
+35 photos
Photo credit: nextdoor
+34 photos
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Recent Reviews

I had lunch here with a friend a few months ago. Unfortunately they were short staffed, but the bartender hustled and gave us great service. The tacos were amazing. The chips and guacamole were well worth it as well!!! 4 out of 5 stars highly recommend!!!
September 2026
We recently visited El 42 Cantina in Issaquah and had a fairly mixed experience. The food was okay overall, with some flavorful dishes, but it didn’t quite live up to our expectations.

For us, the biggest disappointment was the portion size. The dishes felt somewhat small for the price, and the rice in particular was not very impressive. While the flavors in the main dishes were decent, we expected a little more given the restaurant’s positioning...
September 2026
We got a gift certificate but had never been before. What a great introduction to an excellent place. The food was phenomenal. Friday night was busy but no wait for a table. The mole, birria and the guacamole were perfect. Highly recommend!
August 2026

More Reviews

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El 42 Cantina

38 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 369-4772