My girlfriend and I have eaten at some of their other restaurants and have always been very pleased. We stopped in for a couple bowls of albondigas. To make a long story short the soup was awful point blank awful! When we said something to the server she explained back that was the way they made their Soup and that each of the restaurants made things their own way. We were appalled. No amount of salt or salsa that we added to the soup made it taste better. To use the phrase it was like dirty dishwasher would be making it taste better. We sent the bowls back with just a couple spoonfuls taken from each. The waitress did offer us a free dessert but when we got the bill we were just shocked that they did not do Anything with the bill and still charged us $11.50 per bowl. No manager came over to speak with us. Will not go back to this restaurant ever. I wish I could give it 0 stars. read more

It was a complete turn off versus my experience at the Santa Clemente location. I ordered the carnitas plate and the pork turned out to be dry and unflavorful. I will not come back, that's for sure. read more

We stopped by on a whim. Left the house with Mexican food on the agenda. Ended up by the beach. I had the Chile Relleno and flauta and the hubby had the crispy taco and flauta. Beverages, two Tito's and sprite. Food and drink, A1! Service on point! Can't wait to come back and try another dish. BTW we sat at the bar. Stopped in on a Friday around 7pm. read more

Awesome service and killer chipotle habanero bloody mary by Rudy!! We come here for mendo, pozole and bloody mary! Oh! Their omelet del Mar is bomb too!! read more

Avila's El Ranchito - Best menudo and bomb chipotle habanero bloody mary! ask Rudy to make it! - Mexican Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Wife and I were looking for a new place for Mexican food. We decided to try Avila's because of their great reviews and location on Main Street in Seal Beach. I had chicken taco and enchilada plate with beans and rice. Wife had beef enchilada plate. All of the food was great and seasoned perfectly. The service was fantastic also. I paid with American Express Business Gift card with no problems. We will eat at Avila's El Ranchito again soon. read more

I wish I didn't have to write this, but the food is slipping. My past three visits got progressively worse. The food just isn't what it used to be. The whole experience just feels sloppy and thrown together. Shame. read more

Cheryl is the best!!! Great service, great food!! Went there on St. Patty's Day... best Corned Beef Nachos! read more

From the food to the service, Avila's Ranchito exceeds all expectations. From the moment you walk in and sit down, your treated like a member of their family, there for a meal at Abuela Avila's house. The caretaker of this house is Elyse, one of the younger Avilas, and she definitely delivers on the customer service side. She is warm, personable, and inviting. She commands a presence in the dining room, touching each and every single table throughout the meal, ensuring that your expectations are met. She definitely knows what she is doing and it shows. Now, onto the service. Let's just say that you can expect to be killed with kindness. Expect visits from almost every single server and busser....they will definitely make sure that they get you everything you need. Attentive service is certainly not lacking at this eatery. Okay, the food... Avila's serves up some pretty good Mexican fare. Their menu is neither overwhelming or over complicated. Thy have just the right number of appetizer, salads, entrees to keep the entire family happy. When you get your food, expect it to be hot and fresh, with ooey gooey cheesy goodness and lots of tantalizing flavors. For starters, you will get a complimentary bowl of salsa and a basket of chips. Their salsa is packed with just the right amount of kick and plump, fresh tomatoes and onions....the chips were hot, fresh, and crunchy. For an entree, their quesadilla stuffed with shrimp, steak, or chicken is the right call. It is overflowing with meat and rib-sticking cheese and generously topped with guacamole and sour cream. The one thing that has to be pointed out is the lack of parking. Be prepared to fight for very limited public parking spaces. However, once you find your prime space, be prepared for a great meal and overall great time at Avila's Ranchito in Seal Beach. read more

Share review Embed review Write an update Edit review 6/15/2020 Don't know that I would return. During these times of COVID I was very uncomfortable with the way in which things were done at this restaurant. None of the staff was wearing mask or gloves. Our waiter was helping all the tables in the restaurant going from table to table taking orders at a very close distance to the customer. He was also passing out menus and picking up used cups and plates from the table. The menus were not single use and they were being put back in big pile after our table looked them over. The gentleman who passed out chips and salsa, no mask, no gloves and holding chip tray very close to his face. The restaurant was not distancing their tables, the place was full just shortly after we sat down. During this time I would not feel comfortable returning to each here. The food itself was just ok. I ordered the steak and shrimp, the steak was dry and so were the shrimp, not much flavor. ** In response to Avila reply all Avila replies are "_____": "Our servers all have masks/bandanas around there necks" does no good to the customers if they are around their neck, also our server never mentioned that it was an option for him to wear, in fact I do not believe our server even had one around his neck. I did however notice some NOT all of the staff with bandannas around their neck. "Our tables are social distanced and we are currently having dividers made for extra precaution." during our visit the seating was not within social distance, we have a couple families sitting directly behind us, no farther then may 3 feet possibly. "Servers are given the option to wear gloves and change them every hour or wash hands every 30 minutes" washing hands every 30minutes is great but no comfort to me as our server was handling dishes and menus from other tables and then coming to our table directly after to do the same. "We offer a QR code found all over the restaurant for contact free menus and also give 1 menu per table which is put in a big pile after use so it is able to be sanitized properly." The QR code is great and we would have definitely used this however we were never made aware that this was an option, also EVERY person at our table was given a menu, not one to share. "Chips and salsa are offered to each table but are complimentary and by no means required to accept." chips and salsa are wonderful but again the person caring them was delivering to each table and being cared very close to his face. It just didn't seem ideal. read more

The wife had a chicken taco and potato taco, and the bowl of chicken soup. I had the fresco burrito with steak, and made it wet with tomatillo sauce. We also ordered the guacamole and it was some of the best I've had. The food was so fresh and good! Service fantastic. We will return often :-) read more

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Love this place! The food is so delicious. We ordered some party trays and the food came out perfect. Will definitely be using them in the future. read more

Good service, yummy margaritas! yes! Ordered steak fajitas and ended up just eating the vegetables and leaving the meat. It was so tough and gristly and certainly not worth the money. Not a reason to skip going to this restaurant but just a heads up that the steak fajitas are no bueno. read more

We came here to celebrate a birthday on December 11. 5 adults and 2 children. It was not busy. They had two other tables. We arrived at 7:30 they closed at 10:30pm. It looks a bit fancy. Service: the waitress was rushing through the order. It was our first time. She seemed annoyed by our questions about the food. They kept asking if we finished and we were still eating. She was moody. The bass-boy: he was awesome. Served water and brought chips and salsa and very polite. Food: its ok. Supermex is better. The salsa is made out of a can here. Price: high I would go back if there was no other place. read more

We came here for the first time last week for taco Tuesday. AMAZING! We have the nachos, baja fish taco and a chicken taco.. so good! Mariam was our waitress. Shes awesome. Very attentive and friendly. We will definitely be back! read more

I was so disappointed with the quality of food here. recently went last wknd of january 2021 for my first time. ordered the avocado burrito and a carne asada burrito. both were just not good and lacked so much flavor and actual freshness and quality of food. skinny margaritas were great and refreshing. got the cucumber and lime and the guava one, both good! read more

Really Good for the most part, wish the Guacamole was made tableside and the lady forgot the mushrooms and zucchini in our fajitas...otherwise very good! read more

First time here. Ordered 2 meals and added a cup of albondigas to start. Our dinners were delivered and I asked where is my soup. Waiter said it takes a while to heat up. I asked how does heating up soup take longer than actually cooking our dinners and I told him that I didn't want it anymore. My garlic shrimp was good. Chips were NOT the freshest. Guac was bland. Margaritas were light on the alcohol. Friend asked for a CHEESE quesadilla. Mind you, the quesadilla on the menu costs $16 but that includes chicken or beef. We asked for a plain CHEESE quesadilla. Waitress said due to inflation, we charge $16 for a quesadilla with or without meat. That was by far the most expensive plain cheese quesadilla I've ever ordered. INFLATION? Thanks for the lesson but I know better than that. I also know that in restaurants the soup is already fresh, hot and ready to serve. Manager comes over and I explained to her about the soup and she basically said the soup was NOT fresh and they had to heat it all up. It's unfortunate to pay 100 dollars for mediocre food and a manager that couldn't care less. Definitely not going back. Too expensive for low quality of food and service. Good luck read more

Bad experience at lunch time. DONT ORDER FISH TACOS HERE. They must have the guy from white man cant jump making them. Bare boned no fish, no guac, 100 onion pieces, and over priced at $16.00. Wife ordered it and she was :(. Asked for more fish took forever after we are done it came. read more

I did not appreciate the fact that twice I have to return a Burrito because of large amount of sodium (salt)in the meat. I end up not eating after a long wait. NEVER AGAIN! read more

The chicken tortilla should is delicious. I had the skinny coconut margarita and it was so good. I'd keep coming back.

We were recently in Seal Beach for the weekend and visited this place since my girlfriend loves Mexican food. I didn't expect anything great as location kind of drives crowds to the place regardless. The food was decent so I gave three stars. The tables are TINY and you're pretty packed in even though the place doesn't hold that many people so we were jostled a few times while trying to eat. Also the noise level was unbelievable, and the busser was this great big non english speaker who appeared confused and angry the whole time we were there. If you go, eat on the patio and you'll probably enjoy it. Huge burritos also so good value. read more

Walked up and was able to be seated quickly. There chips and salsa taste great. Small place and have a Friendly and responsive staff. Definitely going here again to get my Mexican food fix. Keep up the great work. Dog friendly Patio!!!!! read more

Avila's El Ranchito - Chicken fajitas!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Worst Mexican Food I've ever had, salsa tasted like watered down ketchup with chunks of celery and onion in there. The food was beyond bland, ordered 2 Baja bowls and a salad. The chicken Baja bowl tasted like flavorless minute rice with unseasoned chicken, the steak Baja bowl didn't taste like anything at all and the salad was beyond pathetic. I could've made a better one with $3 at home. This place is way too over priced for its shitty food. Definitely do not recommend, save your money and go to Taco Bell instead. read more

This is a MUST VISIT place!...I have heard good things about this place and true enough it was worth the visit...Even a simple lunch special did not disappoint . I had the Two tacos and Caldo...and it was Bursting with flavor!...this simple dish was so delicious!... will definitely be back to try the other items on the menu. Family Friendly atmosphere and was greeted by the owner herself!...That's awesome! see ya soon !!! read more

Great food and great service! They hooked it up with salsa and chips without us having to ask. Then the food prep was brought out quick! Food was delicious. Will come back for sure. read more

We just revisited this restaurant after a not so great experience and it is REALLY good. Jordan was very gracious and gave us great service. Elyse the owner reached out as soon as she read about our first experience here and made it right right away. We will definitely be back! read more

This was my favorite restaurant when it first opened, however my recent visit was disappointing. I ordered shrimp enchiladas, which were decent, but there were pieces of beef in them. The waiter was nothing special, he was not exceptionally friendly and the food took longer than expected. The ultimate issue that made me leave this was that I went to use the restroom midday on a Saturday and it was disgusting, there was trash and paper all over the floor which was also sticky and it needed to be restocked if paper goods and an air freshener. It smelled like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. Very sad read more

Had brunch here yesterday and it was amazing! The food was delicious and the service was on point. Can't go wrong with bottomless mimosas! Will be back soon! read more

Food was meh, our waiter was really great however, this one waiter, a young white boy, not only did he keep giving us dirty looks before ordering, while eating, he also gave a dirty look to my sister while we were waiting to leave. I don't know if racism comes into play as we are a Latin family and waiter did not give other customers dirty looks My family felt uncomfortable the whole time and it just seemed extremely rude. Said waiter should definitely improve his attitude and if he is unhappy or can't provide better customer service he should look for another job as no family should feel uncomfortable. Definitely needs to be talked to about. read more

The best taco Tuesday! I live far but I bring my son down to seal beach to get his hair cut by Mike then we got for a swim then it's avilas time for dinner. Everything I've had is delicious but seriously you can't beat the taco Tuesday deal. 2 big tacos for $5 and we get a side of rice and beans it's the perfect amount of feeds us for under $20 read more

The food at El Ranchito Seal Beach restaurant is always good. However, whenever you get to go food make sure you check the bag. Many times when I have picked my order up they have left out some of my items. And I always need to ask them not to bag warm items with salads. Just today my husband picked up our order and the salad was with the soup and we ended up with wilted salad! read more

Best Cadillac Margaritas in Town. The manager Rudy made my boyfriend and I feel very welcome. Great food, best menudo and best chicken soup as well! This place is a must! read more

UPDATE: So, I decided to give the place another try, per my friends recommendation. It turned out to be even worse than my previous visit. The "ceviche" was some seriously frozen tasting seafood, don't even serve this dish if you can't supply fresh fish/shrimp. Not worth the $$$$. From what I've tried, this place is more expensive than el burrito jr, hole mole, etc; but cheaper quality. Gringo Mexican food. Yuck. This is truly one of the worst restaurants I've ever eaten at. Considering El Burrito Jr is down the street, I will never step foot in this place again. Fast food at restaurant prices. I personally watched the server getting their butt kicked, while the "manager/owner" chatted with patrons. She offered zero help to her staff, I can't imagine what it would be like to work there. Don't waste your time or money. read more

great place! needed to find a cinco de mayo spot that wasn't crazy and this place fit the bill. we called ahead and was told that there wasn't a wait so we booked it to the restaurant. we were given a gift card and wanted to use it. there's plenty of street parking. as we walked up there was a group waiting so i was bracing myself for a long wait but we only needed to wait about 10 minutes. our server greeted us right away and we ordered our drinks and a side of guac. the salsa and guac came and both were delish! i ordered the shrimp cocktail and a side of tortillas and you won't believe the size of the shrimp! huge! the cocktail was delish and the tortillas tasted homemade. attentive staff. will be back. read more

I'm disappointed on my take out order ? My burrito wasn't even rolled up right , al soggy , It had more lettuce and salsa , then meat , beans and rice My food was plain :( But the salsa is good My salsa was better than my meal ... read more

Came here yesterday ( Mother's Day) with my daughter after a long bike ride. We both ordered "Mamas chicken soup" and we were so disappointed. Because we go to the same restaurant on Main Street in Huntington Beach we thought the soup would taste the same, not the case here. Just totally bland, no spice or flavor even after adding salt pepper salsa Tabasco sauce nothing helped. To top it off they were only giving out roses to mothers who happen to order their Rose margarita that day, kind of cheesy if you ask me. Will I stop in here again no sticking to the one in Huntington beach only. read more

Avila's El Ranchito - Mexican Near Me - Seal Beach, California

This service was the best I've had in a very long time and I go out frequently. The Bloody Mary was the best I've ever had in my life ! I'm a huge Bloody Mary fan ! Ya I may have a slight buzz why I write this but I they deserve this review ! It's hot out and I've been served with warm smiles and top notch service which was a far cry from my last experience in Huntington Beach ! Love this place ! Jordan is a great waiter and serves with a smile and manager too! One little tip maybe one green olive in Bloody Mary:-) but I'm not complaining best Bloody ever ! read more

Quick drink service. Stuff mojitos! Complimentary chips and salsa. A good stop on a bar crawl.

You know, I absolutely love Avila's. I have been coming here for mini mini years. But I have to say today I showed up at 11:05 AM to get my weekly fix of Menudo. The server looks at me with a blank stare and says "we are all out of Menudo" they open at 10 and are out by 11. Really!? Not even a "we are sorry", or "we are making some more", or "Alien invaders from Mars came down and stole all the Menudo". Messed up my day something serious. Life may never be the same. read more

Great food and great service! I've been several times recently with Jordan as our server and he is great, will definitely be back soon