Avila's El Ranchito
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I was staying near downtown for a wedding, and was craving nachos after a night of partying. This was definitely the right choice! My nachos were the perfect portion and full of flavor. I love that they already come with ranchera sauce on them, because most places I need to ask ranchera sauce on the side. I ordered mine with shredded beef, and the meat was delicious. My husband had a chile relleno and shrimp cocktail. He loved both items. The chips and salsa were fresh and yummy. I also had a Summer Breeze cocktail, and it was great. The service and ambiance were both wonderful. This was a Friday morning at 11 am. Id definitely come back again.
Stopped for lunch today, after an enjoyable morning of shopping at the San Clemente Outlets. I love Avila's. The food is high quality and very tasty. The menu is familiar and includes all-day huevos rancheros. One of my favorites. The dining room was comfortable and not too crowded. The patio looked sunny and delightful. The service was efficient and friendly. We walked down the hill to the pier afterward. I didn't feel so guilty for cleaning my plate!
Mexican food in Southern California is our definition of comfort food. The same way that the South has grits, biscuits, collard greens, etc; we have tacos, burritos, guacamole, fajitas, mole, chile rellano, etc. Whether you want these in homestyle, food truck or gourmet is up to you but the effect is the same: it is ingrained in our culture/essence and you can't go wrong. Or can you? I was quite intrigued by Avila's El Ranchito but it didn't turn out how I expected... Avilas's is a family-owned pocket of Mexican restaurants under the same name with 12 locations total each owned by a member of the Avila family. The San Clemente location, owned by Victor Avila, sits on Avendia del Mar on a corner real estate inviting hungry bellies with a Spanish architecture white stucco turret facade. Entering welcomes you to an airy dining hall complete with high ceilings and a bar area but nothing too much to comment on: basically like an El Torito. Either way, so far, so good even if feeling a bit bland. The menu at Avila's covers the usual fare you find at Mexican eateries with tacos, bowls, burritos, fajitas, steak, seafood, and options for less-calorie dense plates and a children's menu. My boyfriend and I dined at Avila's in the late afternoon when traveling on the road in between Los Angeles and San Diego so we decided to keep it light. To start, we ordered the Guacamole Fresco (homemade fresh guacamole topped with cheese - $15.50) to be eaten with out table side chips and salsa. For my meal, I chose the Azteca Chicken Salad (charbroiled chicken lightly tossed in cilantro-lime dressing with avocado, black beans, corn salsa on lettuce topped with tortilla strips - $19) while my boyfriend chose the Guanajuanto Combination plate ( 2 flautas, beef and chicken served with rice and beans - $18.50). This is when things started to really sink in that Avila's is, well, just not good. Although the food is presented well (and photographs nicely) it is, bluntly, bad. The guacamole was decent and I don't have much complaints there although needed a bit more acid but my Azteca Chicken Salad was gross. The chicken was cubed and drier than the Sahara Desert with no flavor, the avocado and tomatoes both didn't taste fresh and the 'corn salsa' was just corn. It was the quality of a Mexican themed salad you would get at Applebee's. I couldn't even finish it because the chicken was that dry. The only redeeming factor was the dressing which was tasty. My boyfriend said his flautas were also overcooked and derived of true flavor. It is possible that Avila's caters to an Americanized crowd and that is the reasoning behind the poor food? Whatever the reason, this place is a no-go. Also lackluster at Avila's is the service. Our server not only didn't seem to be having a good day but took it out on us by hardly ever checking on us, never refilling water, never cracking a smile, etc. We didn't feel an ounce of being welcome (although, I must note that the young female hostess at the front who seated us was fantastic and cheerful/complimentary). There isn't much more to be about Avila's as it is simply a poor experience all around. Avila's is sadly disappointing with tasteless, bland food alongside poor customer service that doesn't stand well against the various neighboring options on Avenida del Mar. I can't vouch for any of their other locations but unless you are someone who prefers Applebee's... Avila's in San Clemente can be skipped.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, especially if you can grab a spot near the fireplace. Service is consistently friendly and attentive without feeling rushed, and the staff keeps chips and salsa coming so you're never waiting hungry.[tripadvisor +1] Portions are generous, prices are fair for the quality, and it's the kind of place you look forward to bringing friends and family back to. If you like carne asada, garlic shrimp, and a cozy spot to relax with a drink, this place is an easy "must stop by" recommendation.
Hanging out with The Wife, and The Kid who was visiting from San Fran. She wanted to got to Åvila's while she was home in SC. Five stars for our server, Taylor (that's what the receipt said). She was taking care of people all over the place and at first seemed to be the only server. Yet it didn't matter she kept us happy with drinks, chip refills, taking our order and bringing out our food. Nice job to the kitchen staff who seemed to turn our order around in 2.3 minutes! Food was great. Back to Taylor. She did seem a bit frazzled and apologized a couple of times, but no need to apologize. She did a good job. We found out she was fairly new when The Wife asked to buy an Åvila's pint glass. Taylor found out they did not sell them. The Wife was bummed but she'll get over it! Ha!! All in all a great dinner and great service. Thanks Taylor! Thanks kitchen and bus staff. Go! Eat Well!! Get great service!!! HAVE FUN!!!!
Hard to pass on this restaurant while you're strolling by. You'll be welcomed by a very real looking dog statue. It was a perfect summer day, so we decided to eat outdoors in the patio. The staff were friendly and attentive. There were plenty chips and fresh salsa before we ordered anything. I got a mocktail pina colada which tasted really good. I loved the Fajitas salad too. Generous portions despite ordering from the light cuisine menu.
A 'Locals' favorite! We have been consistent patrons and promoters for El Ranchito's for many years. They offer authentic Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices, a great 'Taco Tuesdays' and daily happy hours at the bar. Mamá Avila's Chicken Soup is the BEST! Yesterday, after over a month in Europe, we went to 'Taco Tuesday'. Camile, our favorite server, was there, but she wasn't her same 'perky' self. She... I understand her schedule cut to one day, Tuesday, and she is no longer a bartender. We were a bit shocked and saddened for her. Getting together with our 'El Ranchito friends' along w/ Camile's personable service are the main reasons we keep returning to El Ranchito (and, of course, Mamá Avila's soup). We hope things will change for the better real soon.
:(( sigh I was so excited to eat my fajita salad and... It failed to please me. So I ordered the salad with steak and shrimp (24$ btw) and I specifically told them I don't want mushrooms. There were mushrooms And zucchini? Zucchini wasn't on the menu if it was I would have said NO ZUCCHINI SUCKS There were numerous things going on with this meal 1: there was ONE PIECE of steak like huh? Did I not get STEAK fajitas?? 2: salad was naked! It was not dressed that lettuce was dryer than my science teacher's jokes 3: it was so dark I had to pull out my phone to see what I was consuming. I didn't think there would be mushrooms because I DIDN'T ASK FOR MUSHROOMS so I took a bite and no joke it was literally all mushroom The only good thing was that it was 4 people's birthdays so happy birthday to them Frankly I'm disappointed I was so excited Now I'm just numb and hungry
I have a friend visiting from Minnesota. Her goal is to try every place that has fish tacos. This was her fifth place and she said they were the best fish tacos she has ever had! I had their chicken tacos and the white meat was bursting out of the shell with a delicious aroma e taste. The refried beans? The best. The staff? Made us feel like we were the only ones there. I live in Corona.. the drive to San Clemente well worth it!
6 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Wow, what a wonderful culinary experience. The last time I was at this location was buying Black Sabbath's Master of Reality LP at Cornet's Pharmacy in the early 70's! Now it's all gentrified and serving the locals and tourists walking along Del Mar.. We were in town for the Hula Celebration in late May, and passed the spot on our way down to the Commu its Center. So glad we decided to try this place out. We got seated right away, the gold out the flaps on the round table and all 5 of us sat down and perused the menu while simultaneously taking in the decor and the colorful bartender vigorously mixing libations. I opted for a Watermelon Margarita con Tajin/Chimoy and how TASTY! I nibbled off of my wife's plate of chile relleno, taco and beans/rice. Honestly everything tasted very authentic and hecho con mano, and I say that as a gringo who has loved Mexican food and culture my whole life. (Plus my wife, and group were Mexican with one Hawaiian thrown in for flavor! We will definitely come back again and try the Chile Verde, or perhaps the El Mojo de Ajo entrees...Deliciosa! read more
I've been multiple Avila's location. This is become a must stop when I visiting from Washington! I love how the staff does an amazing job embracing you and making you feel like your family or friends. Even though it's often my first time visiting one of their locations. This is real authentic Mexican food. Their food is always extremely consistent. I always make it a point to find a location when I am in the area. The Avila's famous caldo is worth it! I always enjoy the crispy tacos. But you can never go wrong with the streak and prawns. Parking for this location can be a bit tricky. As there is so much going on in the downtown San Clemente area. read more
9 months ago
I have been coming here for a couple of years now every other month, as a halfway point between SD and OC to meet family for a good Mexican dinner. We always get the Shrimp Botana which two of us split each time and it is delicious and I can't find this anywhere else. The tortillas are amazing too. The service is always good and attentive, and its dog friendly so bring your pupper. There is plenty of places to sit both inside and on the patio. If you are in the area, this is the place to go. read more
1 year ago
Sat outside on the patio on a nice day. Had the breakfast burrito - good portions. The burrito came with rice, beans, chips + salsa. Service was good as well considering we were outdoors! Would recommend. read more
10 months ago
4 months ago
It's good, but better quality Mexican food is close by. Love the service and drinks at El Ranchito and their ability to accommodate large parties. The food is great but personally I think the food is a better at sol agave and the price is equivalent. South of Nicks is better than both of them but the price is much higher! read more
Late post March 2024 3.5/5* Stumbuled upon Avila Restaurant while cruising downtown to my suprise it was Restaurant Week, Orange County Restaurant Week (OCRW) is a fantastic opportunity for food enthusiasts to explore various restaurants in O.C. offering prix-fixe menus at affordable prices. Avila's presented both lunch and dinner prix-fixe menus. Opting for crispy tacos and flautas, my partner and I enjoyed a meal that included homemade guacamole and chips, Mama Avila's chicken soup with broth, chicken, rice, pico de gallo, and avocado. Despite the generous servings of guacamole, which felt excessive since it was served both as an appetizer and with the main course, I would have preferred a non-fried option to showcase something unique during restaurant week. Nevertheless, our server Aurelio was great. The ambiance inside the restaurant was inviting, and the open doors let in the refreshing ocean breeze, keeping the dining area pleasantly cool. Outdoor seating, dog friendly! read more
Seating was fast, and ample around 6pm on a Thursday night for a party of four. Drinks were offered and mostly on the rocks. The house margarita was tasty, and packed a sweet punch. For the food, I had the Mayan Burrito, shredded chicken with rice, smothered in tomatillo sauce. Unfortunately, the burrito was mostly rice and the shredded chicken was a lesser quality of dark meat. I also encounter a small chicken bone in the burrito. It could have cause a choking hazard for anyone. At that point I was finished with my meal. Overall a place maybe for drinks versus food, but other in the party were happy with thier food. read more
So after a short weekend in San Clemente, I found myself looking for somewhere to eat before I got on the road. Why........because the place I settled on was closed.......like out of business closed. So I walked around and I found this place. The bartender was very attentive and took my food and drink order quickly. In turn he served up some chips and salsa. The salsa has heat, so you've been forewarned. I got one of each taco and I can say I made the right choice over breakfast. The rice and beans went well with the tacos, plus adding in the occasional bite of chips and salsa. One of the few Mexican restaurants in this area and it holds its own. The tamarind mule was good, but I could have done without the garnish around the rim. Great place, great food and centrally located in San Clemente. Check it out. read more
2 years ago
Upon arriving and receiving our water cups, I instantly noticed a lot of floating elements in my cup and no it wasn't ice. Yuck! Went to salt the chips and there was a bug in the salt. I absolutely hate leaving one star reviews, but the food was subpar at best. The rice and beans were so bland, as was the chicken taco. Service was lacking for sure and I think Taco Bell would have been a better option. To top it all off, our waiter added extra to his tip. Less than one stars, would not come back. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
2 years ago
This was one of our stops out of many on a birthday celebration. The only food we tried was chips and salsa with guacamole, which was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming to our group as we took over the bar for shots of Casamigos reposado. It was fun and they brought over, some people to sing a great happy birthday song and bought us another round of shots. The place has a great vibe and high open ceilings and a large bar and a big seating area with lots of windows. I would definitely love to come back here for food, which I've heard is very good. read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Delicious! The combo options were my favorite These were great: Tamale & taco Enchilada & taco Quesadilla read more
1 year ago
I would give Avila's a 3 1/2 star rating. This San Clemente location is in a prime spot. Service was amazing as the server was very attentive. For beverages we ordered a Tito's Strawa and a Pacifico. The Strawa was good but lacked in presentation. The watermelon wedge was mushy and looked old. Food is good but nothing exceptional today. We ordered the Avila appetizer platter which came with two shredded beef tacos, a couple of beef taquitos, cheese quesadillas and chicken flautas. One of my flautas had some cartilage in it so that turned me off a bit. Tacos and taquitos were good. The prices have gone up a bit too so their food prices are comparable to their two competitors down the street. read more
2 years ago
It was an extremely overcast late afternoon in the perfect weather for a bowl of hot meatball soup with vegetables from my favorite Mexican restaurant in San Clemente called Avila's. read more
2 years ago
Marvin the manager made us the best bloody Mary. They have a really good salsa and chips. Good music good vibe really recommended. read more
2 years ago
8 months ago
1 year ago
We moved away few years ago but whenever in the area, we always come back to Avila's. Out of all their locations, this is our very favorite. They are very dog friendly in the patio. The restaurant portion is large and it's great for date nights, families and large groups. The service is amazing and so is the food. We ordered... Mango Margarita Corona light Guacamole fresco Avilas appetizer Tacos de papa Small bowl of chicken for the dog Everything was fresh and delicious! We all enjoyed our meals (even our dog). Definitely will be back when in town! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
My friend who lives in San Clemente brought me here for lunch. I had a crispy beef taco and tortilla soup. Tacos? 10 out of 10! I am picky when it comes to tortilla soup- I can honestly say it was the BEST tortilla soup I've ever had (and I've had a lot!). Big pieces of chicken and the veges were the perfect blend for a delicious broth. Maeghan was our bar tender and she made us the best skinny margaritas ever- light, tasty, and they made us feel full of joy! What more can you ask for? We started chanting Maeghan Maeghan Maeghan! Danny was also so fun! The room was full of fun people who were out enjoying the beautiful day and the Olympics- I will definitely be back and I'm taking soup home for my husband. I highly recommend this restaurant/bar and Maeghan! read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
I love this place ! Food & drinks are Awesome! The best part of Avila in San Clemente is their great service. Juan was our bartender & server. He is the BEST! He is caring and fast. He makes the Best Margaritas !!! A Must ! They are so delicious. My husband & I highly recommend this great Mexican restaurant. read more
5 years ago
We've been to other locations this was our first time in this one. We had a great night. Great service, we sat at the bar and had a drink, chips and salsa. Friendly service, great atmosphere and it was a busy night. read more
More info about Avila's El Ranchito
204 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
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(949) 498-5000
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http://www.avilaselranchito.com/
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Avila's El Ranchito - mexican - Updated July 2026
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