Evan Tynedal

Amazing Mexican Soup. Great hot sauce options. Service was amazing. They were generous in helping me get a takeout water when I left. The salsa and chips at the beginning was amazing as well.

T B

La Especial Norte truly lives up to its reputation as a classic gem for Mexican cuisine! From the moment you step in, you're greeted by a bright and fun atmosphere that immediately lifts your spirits. The vibrant decor and lively ambiance make it a perfect spot for any occasion. The menu offers an impressive array of classic Mexican dishes, each prepared with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. I highly recommend their tortas and tostadas – both were absolutely delightful. Every bite was a testament to their commitment to quality and tradition. What sets La Especial Norte apart, however, is their exceptional service. The friendly staff goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience. Their warmth and attentiveness make you feel right at home. In summary, La Especial Norte is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious Mexican fare in a welcoming and festive environment. It's just fantastic!

+2

Jonell Huger

My Dad Wally loved La Especial! July 12 is his birthday today. 🤙🏼🕊️ Pictures of my daughter and your restaurant. I am grateful for you guys because my Dad loved the way you treated him and I am thankful for that. Thank you guys! I appreciate your kind words about my Dad. 🕊️🤙🏼🤍

Stephanie Gutierrez

Good food. The beef enchiladas were good. The rice was good. Their guacamole is good because it's simple and I like their salsa with it. Definitely try another dish next time. Can't wait to try it again sometime. It gets super busy and one area for the dining room and a little small, but it's good. They do have a bar and outside patio seating. Their crispy tacos are good too. My husband and I definitely like this spot.

Tim Thompson

We stopped here for an early dinner after taking a walk on the beach. We arrived at 5:15 pm and there were plenty of tables to choose from. Within 30 minutes the place was packed. Our server was great, and took our drink and food orders quickly. The food arrived really quick! The food was delicious and the amount of food was incredible, given the low prices. We'll definitely be back many times.

M Ruiz

We had the tortilla soup, chicken soup, and the parrilla. The only issue was the beef from the parrilla tray not being warm enough. Aside from the one issue, the food was very tasty. Too bad they open late on the weekend, would have loved to try their pozole.

Kimberly Prather

We go to La Especial Norte for their tortilla soup. It is really good. Tonight we went there to celebrate our son coming home from Europe after a year. As something special, we ordered parillada for the table. It was perhaps the worst dish I have ever had at a restaurant. It was inedible. The chicken and steak had no flavor and the texture of shoe leather. The carmitas were cold tasteless chunks of mostly fat. The overall plate of food looked bad. It was mostly cold and dried out.I feel horrible writing such a review but it was that bad. It was the end of the night so perhaps it had just been sitting out all day. It was lukewarm and terrible. This is the worst review I have ever written. As I said, the tortilla soup was as good as always. Not sure if we will ever return.

Colby Adams

I wasn't impressed. The price was very expensive for Mexican food. The food was very Salty, the waitor an older man with a hat was bothered by us asking for our drinks, and my daughters quesadilla was at our table after everyone was finished eating. I never got the impression that our waitor was happy we chose this place to eat. We'd never been here before and I don't see us coming back. All of the food was very salty steak, shrimp, rice, beans all heavily Salty. Save your money unless you like spending $80 for 4 people, the water was the best part and the Mexican coca cola . My kids weren't happy and they usually clean their plates they couldn't stomach the food they all wondered if this was how people cooked the food in Mexico but I've had better Mexican food elsewhere. Beware

Denise Cook

I haven't been to this place in many, many years. I moved 4 years ago, but was back in Cali visiting my mom, son, daughter in law, and friends. The prices have sky rocketed $15-20 per dish. You get one small basket of chips for 4 people, and the chips at the bottom were all broken. If you want more chips it's $2.00 extra. It didn't matter if you are eating alone or with 4 people the basket of chips was the same size. Black beans $1.00 extra. They said they use the same size shrimp for all dishes. We got 3 different dishes of shrimp and they were all different sizes the shrimp. You ask the waitress and she says I am just following the rules. The service was so slow. You had to ask for refills. The food was ok not the best. There are so many other Mexican restaurant that is better food, and doesn't care if you want another basket of chips. The total bill for 4 people was over $80.00. My mom talked to the manager when we left because as we were walking out this table had one person sitting there and there chips was piled high for one. They told us if there is 1-2 people you get less chips. 3-4 you get a full basket. That was not true. Very disappointing,, and I will not go back. They changed their policy a few months the waitress said..The manager said we should have asked for him and not just taken the waitress word for the new rule. What?!?! That's crazy.

+4

Asia Pereira

I do not know why this place is a 4 star. I ordered a cali burrito that taco bell could have wrapped better. Guy was concerned that I wasn't gonna order when I parked. Mildly annoying, but fair. I ordered a cali burrito that didn't even have guacamole in it. Literally the whitest burrito I've ever had. Del taco is more Mexican than this joint sadly.

M B

I went to this restaurant because of the reviews, however, the food was not that great and the combo taco and enchilada did not looked like the pictures from the reviews. Also, the waiter was kinda rude and impatient. No one even came to our table to check if we need anything else after he rushingly delivered the food. I will not recommend this place. There’s a lot of nice places in Encinitas that deserve my business.

Hazelton Online

We’ve supported this restaurant for 15 years, but after last Sunday, we will never return. My wife and I have been loyal customers for over a decade, introducing countless family and friends to this place and always recommending it as our go-to for Mexican food. We’ve built relationships with the staff and genuinely enjoyed coming here—until our last visit. My wife suffers from chronic migraines and has a fully vetted service dog approved by her neurologist. This dog alerts her before a migraine hits so she can take medication in time. When the owner saw my wife with her service dog outside the restaurant, she was immediately rude and dismissive, saying, “We don’t allow dogs.” We calmly explained that this was a service animal, and pointing to her sign indicating service animals were allowed, but she looked at us with a condescending smirk, laughed and walked away. I even went inside to show this lady documentation from my wife’s doctor confirming the legitimacy of her service dog. Instead of apologizing or correcting the situation, the owner brushed me off then came back outside and demanding my wife—who was holding the dog in her arms and had not even entered the restaurant—to put the dog on the ground. Her tone was condescending and disrespectful. This level of ignorance and unprofessionalism is shocking, especially from a business we’ve supported for so long. When I reminded the owner that service animals are protected under federal and California ADA law, her response was, “I don’t care, this is my business.” That was the last straw. We will never spend another dollar here, and it’s heartbreaking after so many years of loyalty. To the owner: You are not above the law. Educate yourself on ADA requirements before you find yourself facing serious legal consequences.

Colby

I was not impressed. The service was a 1/10 not desirable, if I have to ask for my food after everyone has there's and the waiter says they forgot, and he never refills our drinks then there's a service issue. It was nearly $100 for 3 kids meals and 2 adult meals. We're talking no alcohol and just beans and rice. The food was extremely salty and when everyone at the table didn't eat but a few bites the food isn't worth it. I figured that we paid more because it's closer to the ocean and that quality would be better but I wasn't impressed. The sodas were missing carbonation and the water was the best part. The atmosphere was very authentic to Mexico but the service was horrible. Asking for basic things isn't what you have to do after ordering them I could've done it myself and saved nearly $100 Beware of this place if you want to be treated like garbage and pay a lot for beans and rice.... go ahead.