Mindi

This is one of my favorite Mexican food restaurants…I always love sitting in the outdoor patio area. The water fountain and tropical plants really add to the ambiance. The drinks are amazing. I got the pina colada. The service is friendly. The food is delicious. I love the enchiladas.

Richard R.

We had a wonderful dinner for two. It is hard to find an authentic Mexican restaurant that does not use lard in their frying. Tony’s does not. We started with a cold draft from the extensive beer list. Some of the drinks and the tequila six selection Looks wonderful as well. We started with a basket of chips with salsa and ordered a large guacamole, which frankly was not that large, but it was wonderful. It was served on a bit of lettuce. Companion had the potato enchilada which he said was wonderful, vegan, And served with vegan beans spiced rice and they’re wonderful cabbage salad, which taste like it has a very light mayonnaise dressing on it but thick cut and not like coleslaw. I had the mixed seafood enchilada which was really really good. It had a sauce on top of it and again the vegan beans And rice and a very chocolate flavored molè on the side. We passed on dessert. They did not give you a check at the table, the first time I have ever seen this, but you finish and go up to a desk and give them your table number. They have what you ordered and they enter it there. Not sure I’d like the system as it doesn’t give you a lot of time to check Whether they are accurate. See my photos the bathroom needed a little bit more attention and was messy. The atmosphere of the place is wonderful. It’s like one big party. The outdoor dining area is gorgeous with a central flower garden and a waterfall. Very authentic delicious Mexican food with an amazing variety on the menu. Would definitely go again.

+4

N W

Best authentic Mexican food experience we’ve had in years, including our most recent trips down to Mexico. Highly recommend!! If I was local I would eat here at least once a month. Loved every bite and great service and atmosphere. Spent $60 with tip to feed two adults (no alcohol) and it was worth it.

Todd Johnson

A Magical Last Night at Tony’s Jacal I was really hoping to revisit Tony’s Jacal on my last night in San Diego—and wishes do come true. The moment I walked in, I remembered exactly why I love this place: the warm, authentic atmosphere, the friendly and fun staff, and of course, the delicious food. It’s a bit hidden, but that only adds to its charm. They only take reservations for parties of 10 or more, so bring friends or be prepared to wait 20–45 minutes. If you do wait, head to the bar and see Milka—she was absolutely wonderful, keeping us refreshed and sharing helpful info, like Sunday early bar hours. Once seated, Carla took over and handled everything with grace, getting our large order spot-on despite the busy evening. Portions were generous, food was flavorful, and the mariachi band took the whole experience to the next level. If it's your birthday, get ready for the entire staff to sing to you in Spanish—such a fun and memorable touch. Viva México and viva Tony’s Jacal! A true gem with a long history of making magic—and wishes—come true.

+29

Colin MacKichan

My family has been going to Tony’s since long before I was born, so I am extremely bias. The chile relleno’s are absolutely amazing. 10/10. If there was one fault, I would say the fish burrito is not their specialty. However, their carnitas is always so well done, every single time. And to top it all off, the slaw is always perfect.

Nhoj “Bams” Serev

Tony's Jacal is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that has been serving authentic cuisine since 1946. The staff's warmth and attentiveness make you feel right at home. As you savor their renowned turkey tacos, don't be surprised if a seagull swoops by, eyeing your meal—it's all part of the coastal charm. With a beautiful outdoor patio and a menu boasting fresh, local ingredients, Tony's offers a memorable dining experience where friendly service and feathered spectators coexist in perfect harmony. We had the grilled Mexican Platter for 2 and it was amazing. The staff was awesome I'd love to go back and eat everything else and try a beer or three.

+22

A Smith

Stepping into Tony’s Jacal was like stepping back in time to 1946, the year it first opened its doors. The rich history and nostalgic décor immediately captured my attention, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Despite its Solana/Del Mar location, parking proved to be surprisingly manageable, thanks to designated spots scattered around the residential area. While we had to park across the street, it was a small inconvenience and helped me get a few extra steps in. Customer service, while not overly warm, was efficient and no-nonsense. Our orders were taken swiftly, and the food arrived fairly quick, despite being busy. The unique system of paying the bill, with your table number at the front counter, added to the old-school charm of the place. Now, let's talk about the food – the star of the show. We kicked off our meal with the shrimp ceviche, which, while flavorful, left us craving a bit more shrimp amidst the abundance of fresh veggies. For our main course, we savored the chicken enchiladas Verde and Chicken Mole, both of were delicious. The Verde sauce was a standout, perfectly complementing the tender chicken and accompanied by delicious sides of rice and beans. The Chicken Mole, with its rich, velvety sauce, was another highlight. The elote was good but slightly overcooked corn. The homemade flour tortillas were the BEST!!!!! Overall, our dining experience was great, leaving us eager to return and explore more of the extensive menu offerings. With its rich history, charming ambiance, and delectable cuisine, this restaurant is truly a hidden gem worth discovering. Whether you're a local or just passing through the area, make sure to add this place to your list – there's something here to delight every palate.

+2

I've lived in Encinitas for over 25 years and I've never been to this place. The place was really busy and there was about a 30-minute wait so we sat in the bar. You can get a limited menu if you eat in the bar. The drinks were really good and you have to get a margarita. Service was a little spotty but the girls in the bar were really busy. Overall a good place

Casey M

This place is a great neighborhood gem. There are two Mexican restaurants right next to each other, so if it's your first time, I recommend trying both of them at different times. I really like Tony's food and tacos, especially, and they have a cute environment, plus an aviary inside the restaurant. They are a local family owned restaurant who have been serving their community for a very long time. Definitely shout out to their good food and hard work. Make sure to support this families business if in the area for lunch or dinner.

Jamie Oakland

Visited on a Thursday evening with 2 guests and were seated indoors after about a 5 minute wait. Atmosphere and restaurant are very fun and well decorated. Their meat options are mostly beef and turkey - chicken is not common on their menu. Chips & salsa served complimentary. Ordered the 2 Combination plate - potato taco, cheese enchilada, with rice & beans. My husband got the chicken mole and spare ribs. We both enjoyed our dinners - though I could've gone without the taco. Service was friendly and prompt at the beginning of the meal, but by the end of it, nobody was coming near our table (we even tried waving a couple servers down), and it took about 25+ minutes to get a to-go box. 2 entrees and a soda came out to $63 including tip. Overall, it was a little pricey for the value/flavor. Probably wouldn't necessarily return but would recommend if you need a quick, standard Mexican food meal.

Teresa Manjarrez

The place is nicely decorated, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The service was slow and sometimes our waiter disappeared completely. The food is good, close to authentic. Big portions! The chips and salsa are really good and they have a lot of options for cocktails and margaritas. You have to pay at the register on your way out, not sure how they control that. A lot of parking spots.

Chris Shelton

I had a very disappointing visit to this restaurant last week. I took my family there based on previous good experiences. On this visit, the server arrived with a dirty shirt and a horrible attitude. After placing our orders and waiting more than 40 minutes for our food to arrive, something that I didn't order was delivered to me. After trying to flag down someone (anyone) to address this for 30 minutes (our server was no where to be found), I gave up. I didn't get what I ordered, no offer was made to refresh our drinks and we didn't get any option to order desert. I have enjoyed this place in the past but this visit was truly disappointing.