We were seated quickly and our server brought us chips and salsa as quickly as I'm sure was possible. She apologized for any possible delays because the place was very busy. Didn't happen. Our drink orders and appetizers arrived fast and our food orders taken with assists on menu options. The food arrived hot and delicious. Looking forward to return.

Very good food and good service nice and cozy place I will sure comeback to try more food

Solid food at a reasonable price! Our first time to eat here, and we are asking ourselves WHY!!! Definitely coming back! Tip, the house margarita is really good, better than the more expensive Cadillac margarita. Awesome pork Verde and the sauce on the enchiladas was scrape the plate good. Can't wait to go back and try the seafood.

We were recommended to La Especial Norte by a friend and I'm glad that we went. There was a little wait. The staff was very nice and the food was excellent! Very authentic. I had a bloody Mary to drink a little different from what I'm used to but very tasty. The prices were very reasonable. You can dine in or outside.

Good food, service, prices and drinks. Supper cute decorations and cozy family feel! Chips were hot right out of the kitchen. Loved the purple Cadillac margarita for $8.50 was a steal! Chimichanga combo filled me up, I took half home and wasn’t greasy. Can’t wait to come back and try more items from their menu.

One of the best Mexican sit down restaurants I have ever been to.. they've got pretty much everything under the sun to choose from and the prices are extremely cheap for what you get. The portions are huge and the staff here are extremely friendly. Our family come here frequently with very large groups some times and they always accommodate us. Thank you la especial Norte for the continued excellent dining experience 😊 we will continue to come back 😁 Just as a heads up they don't take reservations and it's a first-come first-serve seating when you get there because they are so good and too busy and I mean this restaurant is big but they're so popular that most of the time you can expect a 15 to 30 minute wait to be seated so it's always good to have somebody go out ahead and get your position inline if you plan to go during busy times 😉

This used to be a regular stop for me, but now I'm off on Mondays and they are closed. 😢 Oh well at least I can stop by on the occasional Sunday. Which we do the tortillas soup is my wife's favorite. I personally have the combination plate. Fair pricing and good service.

I've been coming here since I was a kid. I always get the cabbage and avocado tacos. Love that this restaurant has always been owned by a local family and not a corporation.

This place lived up to its reputation as serving the BEST chicken tortilla soup in North County...great decorum..fresh hot chops with chunky salsa and the vibe was (is) great!!

I used to go here all the time after golf with buddies. Beers are cold. Margaritas are traditional. Food is solid. The soups rock. Great place for lunch or dinner.

Food was excellent as was the service. Went on a Saturday night it was busy but not crowded.

+5

This is a the best Mexican food in town, we are going back twice this week. The chicken especial is amazing.

La Especial Norte is an authentic mexican restaurant. The portions are very generous and delicious. The staff is super friendly. Great place to get soups, they have like 10 different kind of soup. If you are in Encinitas ypu must stop at least 1 time, at La Especial.

Eating here for the last 50 years, still good as ever.

My order was to-go, so I can't say much about the atmosphere, but my green salsa chilaquiles were exceptional. I added sliced onions on top! Yummy! I usually don't like to order this plate at restaurants because I'm always disappointed. This time I wasn't! I really enjoyed the side of rice and beans, too!

This is an older restaurant that we have eaten at every time we come here to visit family. Our favorite is the tortilla soup. It's still as good as the first time I ate it. Over 30 years of consistency. Lots of new Mexican restaurants have sprung up in the last 10 years, and I've eaten at many, but the soup at El Norte has got them all beat.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at La Especial Norte, and I have to say, it was an incredible experience. Not only was the food delicious and authentic, but the margaritas were some of the best I've ever had. They were perfectly balanced, not too sweet or sour, and packed a serious punch. And the pours were definitely generous - I felt like I got my money's worth and then some. The restaurant itself was clean and welcoming, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. I also appreciated the wide variety of menu options, and the fact that everything was made fresh to order. The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the food and drinks. Overall, I had a fantastic time at La Especial Norte and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Mexican cuisine and amazing margaritas. I can't wait to go back

Chicken Soup is the best in Dan Diego, very authentic Mexican dishes with traditional Baja atmosphere

The albondigas soup is INCREDIBLE! Fair prices, decent parking, friendly employees. Woefully understaffed at times which can translate to slow service, but it’s a local family business that’s been in the community for decades so I extend them grace. The deserts are good too and they actually put a good amount of booze in their drinks which is nice. Love this place!

Wonderful food and service! We really enjoyed the margaritas!

Came here for the soups and wasn't disappointed. Huge selection of soup. Large portions and all were delicious. Other food plates looked nice as well. Parking lot is available. Great for an easy, down to earth, relaxed lunch or dinner.

Rock solid Mexican meal. Had the cheese enchiladas and shrimp enchiladas. Soooo good!!

I love this place. Great local spot and yummy margaritas. I mean, really, it's all about the margaritas! Super nice staff too! Never had a stale chip or a frowny face!

Family owned and an amazing local experience. My favorite Mexican restaurant and their Margharitas are so delicious.

Their chicken soup cures colds. Everything is delicious. We drive 40 minutes to eat here regularly.

Great food! Very chill place. We will be back.

+1

The best soup ever! Doesn't matter which one, all are delish. Been coming here since 1989. So good😜😜😜😜

+1

Such an authentic Mexican Restaurant that represents Michoacán recipes. Everyone is very attentive and friendly. This is my go to when craving Mexican Food. I can’t wait to have tried everything on the menu. But for now, here is a pic of this savory Pozole.

Absolutely fantastic! Our family has been dining here for years and we’ve never hesitated to come back. The food is delicious and the employees are delightful.

Absolutely delicious! We would return for sure!

Very authentically decorated Mexican restaurant, that is family-friendly. Good portion size and great tasting food!

Thankfully some things don't change! I haven't been to La Especial Norte for almost two years now and the excellent service, great food and killer margaritas are still the same! The Matilda's Chicken Soup is literally chicken soup for the soul, and they give you so much that you have to take some home with you! Bravo!

A very nice place in Leucadia. Old school Mexican decor made me feel at home like the Mexican restaurants when I was a kid. Great food and generous portions. I did not try any of their soups but they offer a large variety, served in huge bowls for a mean in itself. Prices are very reasonable, especially for lunch during the week until 3 PM.

One word... molcajete - order it! Authentic class Mexican restaurant in Leucadia. No Frills - the margaritas are strong, the food is delicious. The prices are good, portions are shareable. Very filling. If you like Mexican food, you will love this place. A favorite amongst locals. The soup is delish also!!

OMG! This place is fantastic. Super yummy food. The chimichanga was as big as my hand and the queso fundido was perfect! The restaurant was very cozy and the staff was very welcoming.

An all time classic Mexican Restaurant in Leucadia / Encinitas. It's the kind of place where you crave the food if you haven't been in awhile.

+3

A beloved casual Mexican restaurant known for its authentic, flavorful dishes and generous portions. Locals and visitors rave about the rich tortilla and chicken soups, fish tacos, enchiladas, and vibrant, colorful atmosphere that feels like a lively Mexican kitchen. Friendly service, great value, and classic favorites make it a go‑to spot for hearty comfort food

Great food and service. The chicken soup was really good and the carne asada burrito was also very good. It was spiced like I have never had before and I thought it was delicious!

Best chicken tortilla soup, chips and salsa ever! Great atmosphere and super friendly staff. The amount of food you get for the money is unbelievable.

Jessica Wilkinson

This place came recommended by my coworker and it did not disappoint! Fantastic food, reasonable prices, and great staff!

Gillian Jazzar

Authentic Mexican cuisine. Favs are Tortilla Soup and Enchiladas Suizas but they have a pretty extensive menu. We stop here every time we are in town.

Mo Jo

Our second time here and we'll be back. Generous portions! We had plenty to take home for later. My mom was shocked at how much food there was !! Good service and fun atmosphere.

Ginny Smith

Best Tortilla Soup I've ever had! [They have chicken soup too, and the Tortilla Soup has chicken in it, so be careful what you're ordering 😋]... Has a very Family Owned vibe [not sure if it is family owned] and is very casual. Super busy during lunch hour on any day of the week, and parking is limited, so plan accordingly. I've tried other dishes too and all have been excellent! This place has never disappointed me.

Lisa Guzman

Always solid and a delicious soup place. Their pozole, bean dip, and tortillas are great!

Mark Perine

This review is 30 years overdue. Why? Because I didn't want to make La Especial Norte more popular than it already is. I didn't want to wreck the SoCal beach neighborhood vibe that seems to be built into the kitschy decor. But I find myself leaving the area, so this review is one of the last things I need to wrap up. I will miss the soups, especially the tortilla soup pictured below. In recent years the soup has been served warm so I ask to have it hot. I add 2 spoons of salsa, and that elevates it to the best tortilla soup I've ever had - apologies to my wife who has tried to replicate it. Seafood dishes are wonderful, especially the fish tacos. Pictured below as well is the enchilada platter. The beef enchilada has shredded beef and not the ground beef so many other restaurants use. I always ask for extra cabbage slaw. This is the only Mexican restaurant I have been to that serves it. In fact, I think it's better to substitute the cabbage for the rice on any platter. Also, avoid the sour cream and ask for red sauce instead. Skip the margaritas and other mixed drinks, I don't see the value. Instead get a Corona or better yet a Modelo Negro. This isn't fancy food. It is basic food done really well. The portion to price ratio is fantastic. The proof is the number of families who jam into the place every weekend night. If you're wearing shorts, sweatshirt, and flip flops you'll fit right in. For a restaurant to be so popular for so long is pretty much all you need to know. Get off the 5, enjoy a slower trip on the 101, and stop in Leucadia for some authentic Mexican soups and platters. Muy gusto!

Sunny Sangha

Authentic mexican. Best carne asada burrito I've ever had. Warm, fresh, balanced, full of flavour. Waitress was attentive and motherly. Interesting decor and nice atmosphere. Best in North County

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.

The soups beef stew and the pizole are delicious and gigantic - Definitely a meal by themselves. You don't see this specialty in most other places. I did not try any other food here so can't comment. The staff were kind, welcoming and informative on the menu, but service was a little slow tonight. This was likely due to being understaffed as it looked, and the server pathway between the kitchen and dining rooms are awkwardly designed for the max distance to opposite sides of the building.

Their food is wonderful but the prices are a little steep

Good food, good prices and large serving sizes. The only drawback is if you are a large group like we were (about 16 to 18 people), they will not give individual or family checks. Only one bill for all of our group to divvy up into what we owed. Longer serving time since there were so many of us (we made a reservation a few days earlier so they knew we were all coming). Some people were almost finished before others were even served. Staff was friendly and helpful. We would go back again, but with a smaller group.

We chose off the lunch specials, it was delicious and the price was good! I ordered the red snapper and it came with a small chicken soup. The soup was delicious but unfortunately i cannot handle even a little spicy so i could not eat the snapper. It was ok though, i took it to my mom and ordered a big bowl of the chicken soup 😉. My brother got the meatball soup and tacos and loved it.

The food was good. We've come here at least once a year for the last 30 years. I was adisappointed that they charged us 2$ for a second basket of chips. We were a party of 4 and everyone ordered entrees. Overall we are always happy with our experience.

We've been living in Encinitas for 3 years and have wanted to eat here and I'm sad that we waited this long! We arrived on a Thursday night at 530pm and were seated inside right away (plenty of seating outside on their patio too) in a booth. Within an hour the place filled up with locals. Fast and friendly service. The drinks, chips, and salsa were great. Really appreciate the kids menu. My wife and I both ordered enchiladas which were solid - the red mole was a bit strong for my wife (but to each their own). I'm so glad that I ordered the chicken soup because it was AMAZING. A friend had recommended trying one of their many authentic soups and I will definitely be back just for the soup alone!

We had an overall nice lunch. Salsa was really good & the house-made chips were above average. The beans & rice are very good. I couldn't stop eating the coleslaw type salad until it was gone. I'm not sure why. My partner in crime's tacos were reported to be good. 1 chicken, 1 beef. Nothing more remarkable than the crispy shells were a bit of a mess. I had the Chile Verde & I liked it but it was not Chile Verde. It was carnitas in Verde sauce. It was really tasty but, my whole life in a family of Mexican heritage has had the pork stewed in the Verde sauce. Again, it was tasty but I won't be ordering it again. I'd definitely get the carnitas because that meat was fantastic. The flour tortillas were very good. I like them a little more done but my weird stuff is not their fault. At first, I thought service was slow for the maybe 6 tables seated. I then realized we were all getting our food served about the same time so it was more than likely bad timing with everyone ordering at the same time. Very reasonably priced. The decor is awesome. The booths are quite roomy. I'm an oversized man & there was almost too much room between me & the table. The tables are not fixed so I could have pulled it closer but that would've caused a bigger issue on the other side. We'll be back fairly regularly, I'm sure.

Very good authentic Mexican food and good service. Great chicken soup!

Camarone Molcajete was super delicious. Lots of soups on the menu.

The food was pretty great. I was with a large party where everyone ordered something different and everyone was very pleased. The menu had entertaining descriptions of their soups. The only downside of my experience was the service was a little slow (we ordered waters and received them half way through the meal, he must of forgot) and the seating was crammed.

Great little local place, terrific food! Customer service can be a little on the slow side. I think if they came up to check on your more often that would be nice. Otherwise not too bad, but the food is phenomenal... The mechiladas are the bomb!! The only thing I would change here is make an outdoor patio for dining, and definitely a sit down bar would bring in a lot more money and make it easier for those of us that just wanna go have a couple of drinks and some chips and not feel obligated to order from the menu or take up seating.

I really enjoyed my enchiladas and my husband did too. He wished it had been more spicy but he didn't ask to see if they had a spicier one. We were pleased with our food. The service was great even though they seemed short staffed.

Great authentic Mexican food. Great selection of soups and other dishes. Good beer on tap and decent margaritas. Nothing fancy but a good place to eat. I'm a big fan of the chill Colorado and the enchiladas plate. You can't leave there hungry.

Update 2023-07-14: This is still a top-notch place to get great Mexican food! This time we had an octopus cocktail and a bodega soup, and it was wonderful. Also, my wife had a shrimp salad and that was very good as well. Don’t miss this place! It’s great! ========= This is a wonderful Mexican restaurant located on the "original" coast highway in the northernmost part of Encinitas, actually closer to being in Leucadia. The food is very good, although I have had equally good Mexican dishes elsewhere. The service is very friendly and fast. The parking lot is VERY limited in size to you may have a bit of trouble with that. They have a dish that I really, really love and that is hard to find elsewhere: Milanesas. This is where they bread and fry a tenderized piece of flank steak or chicken breast and serve it with salsa and chopped cilantro over it. THAT is a great entree! For even more milanesa goodness, ask them to cover it with enchilada sauce and grated cheese. Muy sabroso!

The service is great. And opening the door felt like coming to America. The place was clean, and the fluorescent lights were bright. The portions were large, but the food was pretty good. It felt geared toward tourists.

Love this place! Lots of delicious soups on the menu.

The chicken soup was amazing. Perfect lunch. Definitely will be back to try other items on the menu.

Pricey but big portions. They nickel-and-dime you for extra salsa/any Pico de Gallo. Homie feel.

Cute local place. We were greeted at the door, had great food and friendly service. Can’t wait to come back! We enjoyed all the soup options. I had a Smokey chicken soup that was lovely.

Pancho, our waiter was very personable. We really enjoyed our Mango Margaritas 🥭 and the Mole and Swiss Enchiladas we're delicious!

Their chicken soup is very delicious, except a bit too salty. Their black bean soup comes with fresh guacamole on the top, and the salsa is good too. The restaurant feels rustic and old school, very nice ambiance.

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.

I live nearby and eat here fairly regularly because my wife and kids like the chicken soup and chili rellenos, which are very good. However, it's rare that I leave feeling like I had a great food experience. On my last visit, my food was luke-warm (the cheese in my cheese enchilada was not melted thoroughly) and my beef taco was so soggy I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Their policy of charging $2 for additional baskets of chips is not in line with other restaurants in the area. The staff is wonderful, but I feel like there's some QC work to be done in the kitchen.

We weren't able to sit outside which is why we chose this place. They advertise outdoor seating. The booths aren't comfortable at all. Im short and the booth is so low compared to the table I felt very awkward. The chips and salsa were good. My husband ordered shrimp tacos and only ate one. He didn't like them and I ordered a steak burrito and taco they were ok. Service was slow. Could use some paint and cleaning of walls next to the booths.

Overall good, but a few things let us with a desire for it to be better. One was the guacamole, which was very bland. Same for the famous Chicken Tortilla Soup, it looked so good but had not much flavor. Ingredients were all great just a very bland soup. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be. The combination plates were much better. Prices good as well as the service staff

My mom, 2 year old daughter and I arrived here for lunch on a Wednesday at lunch time. There was a sign in front of the closed door that said please wait to seated so we did. After a few minutes of waiting a worker came and opened the door and said sit anywhere...then let the door close ha. My daughter was in a stroller mind you and it was a bit tricky to get through, and there was no offer of a high chair. Once we sat down at a booth I decided to just push her strolled up the the edge of it. Our waiter finally came over and I think he was just a bit overworked it was pretty busy inside- which you couldn't really tell from the outside. Anyway took our order, we got two fish tacos, a bean rice and cheese burrito and a side of guacamole. The table chips and salsa, guacamole and burrito were great, had all the right flavors but the fish tacos were a bit of a miss. The fish was overcooked- hard in some places and seemed like it was a bunch of little pieces instead of a solid filet so every bit half the fish would fall out. If I ever went there again I would definitely order some things differently and make sure to get a drink that time 😅

Hard to get full experience because of Covid protocols but not their fault. Food seemed close to home made, good selections. Could have more selections in salsa. They cleared out our food while we were still working on it and started wiping down the table lol.

Came here on a Thursday for lunch. It's an institution in ENCINITAS I suppose, been here since 1977, so I had higher expectations. Fairly decent crowd so many must like it. I was underwhelmed. From the start, the salsa was average at best, probably not homemade, really basic, not spicy and too tomatoe-y, but salsa is never ever that bad, so I digress. The carne asada burrito combo was not great. Every bit of vegetable, peppers, onions and especially the lettuce looked days old and very wilted. The lettuce was frankly pretty close to brown as was the avocado. Then on the side is a scoop of, I guess, some sort of slaw. Again, pretty wilty looking. I was quite surprised I had to ask for some hot sauce, tapatio, cholula, etc. None of any sort on any of the tables. Service was fairly prompt and courteous. Price is reasonable if only a little fresher ingredients.

The food was just so so Large portions, very temp hot I had a Chili Colorado dish the meat seemed like it was old and hard to cut through. Not tender like it’s supposed to be and the sauce was not what it was supposed to be. Also an especial chicken dish that tasted and looked like it was a curry dish.

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

Easily one of the top five worst meals I've ever had. This place was a tragic combination of bad service, even worse food, and dirty surroundings. We arrived at 5:30pm and were quickly seated. Our server took our order promptly. We ordered a combination fajita dish. For starters, our server clearly had no desire to be there. He didn't communicate with us at all - even after, at 6:30pm, our order was nowhere to be seen. Two other tables that were seated at the same time as us had eaten and left. Every time our server walked by us, he would speed up and look the other way. Finally he came over, tossed two empty plates on the table, and muttered "it's still going to be awhile." Our food finally arrived and was completely inedible. The meat was all so overcooked that it was not chewable. The only edible part of the meal was the refried beans. Our server never came back to us after the food arrived - the only other time we saw him was when he dropped the check on the table. TLDR - horrible food and service. On top of that, the table and the floor underneath the table were sticky and dirty. Silverware was not clean either. Won't go back.

AWFUL EXPERIENCE in La Special Norte. My husband decided to have his Birthday 's dinner in that restorant on July 6- 4.15 pm. Greeting waitress

I have gone to this restaurant for years, the chicken soup is a favorite. Very disappointed today. The bistec ranchero priced on webpage at $12.95 but charged $19.95 was unappetizing in appearance & tasted worse with a flavorless tomato sauce and beef jerky like meat. The grilled fish tacos were fishy & dry, the carnitas chewy/tough, flavorless. Flavorless was the overriding theme. Everything cost more which would be fine except the quality was so much less.

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.