This is as authentic as a Japanese restaurant gets anywhere. My husband and I ordered Seafood Salad, Black Cod (Gindara) and Salisbury Steak curry. Black Cod is to die for, if you like grilled fish dishes. Quality ingredients, friendly and fast service and very reasonably priced for the quality.

I've had the pleasure of visiting here twice. It easily ranks as one of, if not my absolute favorite, restaurants in Orange County. Their commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from the water to the chopsticks and the tea. The level of attention they pay to even the smallest aspects is remarkable. In terms of the cuisine, while I definitely do not consider myself an expert on Japanese food, the authenticity is unmistakable. I got the ginger pork dish, and its flavor left a lasting impression. The staff delivers not only excellent service but also a warm and inviting atmosphere. For anyone who likes Japanese cuisine, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit.

This is the unicorn my Obaachan searched for! I only regret finding it late. Delicious authentic Japanese food made with the best ingredients by native Japanese who care. Tomoko-san, the co-owner, made sure I was aware of the City of Lake Forest Shop and Dine Card to get 50% off at this restaurant and many other LF businesses. I had the Hamachi and Salmon Donburi. The serving size and quality was perfect. I've already been back with friends and look forward to many more meals here!

Delicious mackerel bento. The fish was so moist and meaty! It's small but very clean, and feels like I'm getting a home cooked quality meal. I will be definitely back to try other dishes!

Super fresh fish, the right balance/quantity of rice. Friendly service. Had a great dinner.

I had the Salmon and Hamachi (Yellowfin) Donburi. It was like an upscale poke bowl and excellent. 10/10 Would eat again.

keith singleton

I didn't get to sit down and eat I did order to go. Visiting from dfw and this spot is solid 💯 and the margaritas are amazing. Everything was top tier. We will be back here next time we are in the area.

Mark P

I love this place. Typical Baja cantina style. Colorful, background music, lively, great. I am a chilli relliano lover , they have a great one.

Maz

Absolutely loved this place! The moment we sat down, the staff made us feel welcome, and everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled amazing. The fresh guacamole was a standout ,super flavorful and made right before serving. You can really taste how fresh the ingredients are. The portions here are generous, so come hungry! Everything we tried was full of flavor, and the atmosphere had that perfect mix of lively and relaxed. Definitely one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve been to in a while. Highly recommend!

Michael Vasquez

We came across this El Ranchito by chance when we were at an event nearby a couple years ago. It became our favorite location and have come back many times and will continue to do so. Food is always great and margaritas even better

Claudia De Avila

I have been at different locations but this one is really cute and different, 105 different tequilas.. really?.. yep, I counted them 😆

Carlos C

Updated: if I could give them more than 5 stars, I would...they are always great. Great food, great service, great portions. This is the best Mexican restaurant you can go to. Absolutely phenomenal food and service. The best Mexican restaurant we have been to and keep going to. David Rojas always provides incredible service and is always upbeat. Andrea and Blanca are always awesome also.

Lynnann - Sid’s Mum

Always excited to discover a new location of this brand. This location has a more intimate vibe. I remain amazed that no matter which location; the quality and taste are proudly preserved and maintained. Truly a remarkable feat and it’s telling that there so many successful locations. Affordable, huge plates of deliciousness. Servers like Jacqueline O are the icing on the cake and their salsa should be its own food group it’s so great. Don’t hesitate!

+1

Said Yanik

I got the Vegan Avocado Burrito. Has a comparably better vegan selection than most restaurants. Nice decorations and cool servers. It’s a bit full on lunch hours so service is slower. Also the burrito itself will run you ~$18. A bit on the high end.

Lyn Jiron

We always come here when we want to celebrate. Food is delicious and the drinks specially the Margarita.

+1

Adri Richards

I've been to multiple Avila's location. This is become a must stop when I visiting from Washington! My goal is to visit all the locations. The way the staff welcomes. It’s not just about the food, which clearly is a highlight with the famous caldo and the must-have crispy taco, but also about the feeling of connection and warmth. The streak and garlic shrimp is also another favorite of mine.

+8

Halestorm

I must say... I'M IMPRESSED. I'm not sure if I should commend the entire corporation or just this restaurant; El Ranchito has really upped their game. I've never been to the Lake Forest location. LOTS of flair on the outside. It gives kind of a "tiki" vibe at first. They were moderately busy for a Friday night. People waiting in the lobby, but they were quick to get parties seated. We got take-out. Ordering was super easy. The hostess was very knowledgeable about the menu, and although she seemed a bit confused when I requested low sodium for my burrito, she put a note on the ticket, and left it up to the kitchen. I ordered a Chicken Burrito expecting to be a tiny little thing from El Pollo Loco... heck NO. This thing was huge! Loaded with super tender chicken. It reminded me of the Works burrito I used to order from Del Taco. It was SOFA KING delicious. Mom got the 3-item plate, and would not stop raving about her enchilada. It was beyond her expectations! She saved the little flyer attached to our take-out bag, and is already planning a visit to try the Natalie Special for lunch.

Tyler S

Yes, the marg will sneak up on you. At first I was disappointed it didn’t hit like a real gringo Mex margarita but once you get through halfway and start eating, it hits right. The food was excellent, everything you could want and the flautas we more robust than any I can remember. There’s too many menu items to try but go with the combos and you can’t miss. And don’t forget to keep the plastic souvenir on your marg for good luck!

Crystal Stillwell

Absolutely amazing food and service!!! They blew my expectations out of the water. My only slight complaint was that music was little loud but that's a very minor detail. Highly recommend the food and margaritas ❤️

Richard Broussard

This place is excellent! The service is incredible! The entire staff is so well mannered and friendly. I believe this is a family owned place because everyone seems to really want please the customer! The atmosphere is so cozy and beautiful! The food is incredibly good and the presentation is very well done. The young lady made authentic Guacamole. The rest of the meal was incredible and we really enjoyed !!

Michael Sandler

Love this family owned restaurant. Known the Avila’s for most my life and they always take such good care of me. The food is great, the margaritas are amazing, the ambiance is welcoming, and I’m obsessed with the salsa! Can never get enough.

Avila's did not disappoint again, we really enjoyed our dinner. This time we made a reservation, which was a great idea because it was pretty crowded. We were seated within 5 minutes in the back dini…

Avila's did not disappoint again, we really enjoyed our dinner. This time we made a reservation, which was a great idea because it was pretty crowded. We were seated within 5 minutes in the back di…

We went there before the Rams Watch Party at SoFi and it didn't disappoint! My family had taco n enchilada plate, the chingolingas and I had a chile relleno with a carnita taco on a handmade corn…

Good comfort mexican food! Love their chips and salsa! Staff was friendly and we stayed a long time and they were ok with it!

Good comfort Mexican food! Love their chips and salsa! staff was friendly and we stayed a long time and they were ok with it!

Good comfort mexican food! Love their chips and salsa! Staff was friendly and we stayed a long time and they were ok with it!

They best mexican food I've ever tried!\n\nGood service! \n\nBest ambience place it's very nice

What a great place to enjoy Mexican food! The service was great, and the staff had good attitudes. We went for lunch and enjoyed a lunch special of Flautas and tacos. You will also enjoy the decora…

I went for Christmas party, the location is so nice and different, the food was good, since I went on Tuesday was busy and we had to wait for the waiter to bring us the birthday cake

Despite not having a reservation for the 7 of us and despite there being a ton of people already dining or waiting for their seats, they managed to set up an place for us for dinner in no time. Ser…

Many restaurants in Lake Forest have been understaffed, often making the wait times quite long. We were delighted to arrive for lunch and find that there were plenty of tables at Avila's El Ranchito,…

Many restaurants in Lake Forest have been understaffed, often making the wait times quite long. We were delighted to arrive for lunch and find that there were plenty of tables at Avila's El Ranchit…

I love the ambience of this restaurant! From the entrance to being seated, the place is decorated with lots of interesting things to look at. We started with 3 blood orange margarita's with Grand M…

I love the ambience of this restaurant! From the entrance to being seated, the place is decorated with lots of interesting things to look at. We started with 3 blood orange margarita's with Grand M…

small store but really good japanese food They have many actual Japanese food you can order and also season menu Sashii beef tongue good and also like the linited seafood curry

The food is great. Authentic Japanese with a little California twist (avocados). The fish in our Donburi bowls was great quality and plentiful. Quality rice and soy sauce as well. There are a few things that keep this from being a 5 in my book. The hours are pretty inconvenient. Closed Sunday, and close at 7:30 on the dot other days. The dining room closes even earlier, we walked in at 7:15 and the dining room was already closed. We had to do takeout. They also didn’t have any chopsticks for takeout and gave me a fork for my Donburi…luckily I have my own at home. 3.5% credit card fee on top of the already high prices. So good food, but rough around the edges otherwise.

Came here on Tuesday night and it was surprisingly crowded. We had about a 15 minute wait before being seated. The indoor seating area wasn't too small but there were a ton of people there. The res…

Good food good price good service.\n The company had lunch and all were satisfactory. For others, not the first time and recommended

Good food good price good service.\n The company had lunch and all were satisfactory. For others, not the first time and recommended

Good food good price good service.\n The company had lunch and all were satisfactory. For others, not the first time and recommended

Visited this mexican restaurant for the first time. We were in the area and the scent of their delicious cooking is what lured us into picking this place to eat. I will definitely visit again if am…

Excellent ! Food , ambience, service and prices were great! We will return soon. The portions were also generous

Excellent ! Food , ambience, service and prices were great! We will return soon. The portions were also generous

We like it here. We've only been here twice - on a late Saturday afternoon (it was empty) and on a Saturday evening (it was packed). Def recommend making reservations if you're coming on a weekday.…

Glorious, fun indoor romp for the eyes! Take selfies and sip margaritas! Skip the food. Eat at Taco Bell. Posole meaty but mediocre, chicken burrito from microwave, knockoff fried egg roll chicke…

Glorious, fun indoor romp for the eyes! Take selfies and sip margaritas! Skip the food. Eat at taco Bell. Posole meaty but mediocre, chicken burrito from microwave, knockoff fried egg …

Glorious, fun indoor romp for the eyes! Take selfies and sip margaritas! Skip the food. Eat at taco Bell. Posole meaty but mediocre, chicken burrito from microwave, knockoff fried egg roll chic…

Large portions and a very well priced check - the value really is unbeatable; the food alone is perhaps just slightly above average and a bit greasy although the enchiladas I had did have decent cuts…

Large portions and a very well priced check - the value really is unbeatable; the food alone is perhaps just slightly above average and a bit greasy although the enchiladas I had did have decent cu…

Large portions and a very well priced check - the value really is unbeatable; the food alone is perhaps just slightly above average and a bit greasy although the enchiladas I had did have decent cu…

Great food and drinks with a good service staff. If you like Suiza, get the enchiladas! I have been twice and couldn?t resist getting them both times. The Cadillac Marg is very good as well!

Great food and drinks with a good service staff. If you like Suiza, get the enchiladas! I have been twice and couldn?t resist getting them both times. The Cadillac Marg is very good as well!

Great food and drinks with a good service staff. If you like Suiza, get the enchiladas! I have been twice and couldn?t resist getting them both times. The Cadillac Marg is very good as well!

Paul Vargas

I was here for over 90 minutes. Not cause of food and such, cause my waiter basically ignored my table like the plague. I finished eating and was waiting for 25+ minutes for the check. I even tried to get his attention but he wizzed by with two margaritas. I get it I was a small group, but still…worst part is place wasn’t even that packed, and one point there were 4 waiters in my area helping but again no. Food is usually good but my food was really greasy and more picado than steak. Like I had maybe 3 oz of meat. Covered by all the sauce and veggies. The guac also had the avocado stem in it still. Luckily caught it but wasn’t pleasant when I bit into it. I now will avoid this place unless I have 4 people cause these guys definite focus on the bigger groups.

No, not the best Mexican food I've ever eaten but adequate in taste and in serving quantity. Service is very good. Overall I'd say that the food taste level is about average. prices are up since la…

Ok food. Too much white rice. Whereas portion size of the fish was just too small. I would say like two thin apple slices. I was still left hungry after the meal.

Found myself in Lake Forest and have heard what I thought were good things about Avila's. I decided to give this place a try. Super cute decor, reminds me of restaurants in Mexico. Food, meh. The men…

The only reason to go was kids eat free on Monday but they changed it to Sunday. No point to go anymore.

Absolutely terrible. The food was nearly inedible and the cost for chips, a burrito, a chicken salad and two tacos and 3 drinks was $165. Unreal!!! I will NEVER eat there again.

My sister and I ate here last night. waited over a half hour for two bowls of tortilla soup. She had onions and cilantro on top ($2 extra by the way). I did not. A few hours later she was violently…

Went to this place about 2 weeks ago with a group of friends. Half of our group was already eating inside while we waited for our table. Then we saw that there’s a table available next to them, so we sat down to talk to our group while waiting. The waiter came to us and told us that we must wait outside while they prepare the table. We didn’t have a problem with that, however, as we were walking out, this old man in his 60s looking like a manager started shouting at us rudely “get out, get out!” with a very disrespectful hand gesture. They made us feel like we were not welcome there.

Diana Garcia

The most unpleasant experience, at the moment of paying obvious, the ticket has the information of what amount you want to pay with or without a percentage of tip, but we pay with a card and apart from the tip we left, the waitress took 100 dollars more for no reason, and I think they should check that.

Edgar Godinez

It's hard to describe just how terrible the shrimp cocktail was.. absolutely disgusting, 0% authenticity. Shrimp was undercooked and the cocktail juice/sauce was essentially tomato juice with Pico de gallo.. I don't think I've ever tried anything more disgusting in my life

shelly

Came here yesterday, and had an overall bad experience. I have been to the Avilas in San Clemente many, many times and the Newport Beach location several times, and always had good experiences. I thought this was a family owned company, so I expected the same quality of food and service from all locations, but turns out it's very different. Waited 40 min for a table. Which was fine - it was Cinco De Mayo so I knew Mexican food places would be busy. Got sat at a dirty table. They didn't bother to clean up in between guests. My feet kept slipping around under the table because of the greasy food left all under the table. The table top was also all sticky. My friends also noticed and were grossed out. If you can't keep the dining area clean, how bad is your kitchen? Also, we were sat where there were animal heads mounted on the wall. Very unlike the vibe at their other locations. My friends and I found it pretty offensive. Strike 1. I ordered a Banana margarita. Was told that they don't make those anymore. Yet it was on their menu still. Strike 2. The chips and salsa were terrible. Chips had no flavor and the red soupy water they brought out with a few floating onions was unlike any salsa. Totally different quality than their beach locations. We pushed all the soupy red waters (sad excuse for salsa) to the outter side of table to be cleared out of the way, but our server never bothered to clear it. Strike 3. I ordered Nachos, figuring I wouldn't notice the flavorless chips with the cheese and sour cream and guac on them. Took 20 min for my food to arrive and then there was hair in it. Even if it wasn't for the hair, I would have sent it back anyway. The whole bottom of the nachos were soaked in that red soupy water so they nachos were getting all soggy. I believe the menu said they would have rancheros sauce. This red water was nothing like rancheros sauce. Strike 4. I asked them to please bring a 2 cheese enchillada plate (in the hopes of no more red soupy water, and hold the hair please.) You would think they would put a rush on this, since they had just served me nachos with hair, but no. I sat there for 30 minuted with no food while my friends finished up their food. I was just getting up to tell the server to cancel my order, since my friends were just finishing eating, when my food finally came. Strike 5. My food again lacked flavor so I asked for a small side of pico and sour cream. They did bring 2 small sides. I took most of my food to-go since my friends were done eating and about ready to leave. Finally our server asked how we were doing and if we were needing anything. This would have been appreciated earlier on. Not right before you hand us our check. We could have used more drinks, but nobody stopped by and bothered to ask. I know they were busy, but for how expensive they are, the service should have been much better. Strike 6. Got my bill and was so disappointed. They hadn't offered me any sort of discount for serving me hair, then making me wait for 30 min for new food to come out. I came here to eat with my friends and I just got to watch them eat. My food came at the end of the meal. At any decent establishment the manager would have come over to check on us after an incident like that, would have offered a discount or a free drink. But no, they did nothing. Then they charged me $5 extra for the tiny (not large) sides of pico and sour cream. Seriously?? I go to a nice mexican restaurant in San Clemente far superior to this one all the time, and they have NEVER charged me for a side of pico. When you are charging $20 for a plate of bland enchillads already, charging 2.50 for a small side of pico is just absurd. .50 cents would have been acceptable for a small side of pico, if they insist on nickle and diming customers who are already spending a lot. But after you serve someone hair, and then make the person wait another 30 min for clean food? Seriously? I hope their manager is aware how they have really dropped the ball with their service, atmosphere, and food. Strike 7.

Jose Aguirre

We often come here so when I was given a gift certificate I was thrilled. When we were ready to pay we showed the certificate only to be told that they did not recognize the signature and that they are not going to validate the certificate. Why sell/offer something that you are not going to honor? You take pride in being a family owned restaurant and can’t process your operations correctly. The certificate clearly says valid at “all locations” so I don’t understand what’s the issue? Sounds like false advertising to me.