Our favorite Mexican restaurant. Family-owned, great service, good hearty Mexican food. Been coming here for years. It's super affordable and the people are so great! read more

Cafe Rosarita - Family owned gem. - Mexican Near Me - Oceanside, California

I haven't been this excited about a Mexican restaurant in a very long time because I grew up eating very good Mexican food and am very finicky. Not as finicky as my wife is about the freshness of fish, though. She hates to order fish tacos because of this. The fish tacos here are GREAT...so fresh and well prepared, as was the salsa (something else my wife is finicky about). After tasting the salsa, I knew we were in a great place; it was so flavorful. The chimichanga plate was excellent, including the rice and beans. I always taste the refried beans first; these were obviously homemade and tasted fantastic. The carnitas plate was also amazing, and the guacamole was superb. Everything was so fresh and well-done. Don't skip Café Rosarita. read more

Cafe Rosarita - Chimichanga plate in front and carnitas plate in the background - Mexican Near Me - Oceanside, California

I've come here since I was a kid and the food is fantastic. Really neat family that runs the place. The salsa is the best ever and is homemade. I buy the salsa from them when I host parties at my house. The chips could be better. Prices are low compared to more touristy restaurants. I'd say my encouragement is to have a more festive atmosphere somehow, its not decorated as ornately like top tier expensive places. So maybe that's a plus to be a hole in the wall! read more

We were wanting to meet for lunch with some out-of-town friends who were staying in the LA area. We live east of San Diego, so picked Oceanside as a half-way point, but I had no clue about dining choices there. My friends said Mexican food sounded good, so that at least narrowed the choices. We wanted a sit-down, order-at-the-table restaurant, so that eliminated a few other. I finally narrowed it down to a couple of choices. Café Rosarita seemed to have the best reviews, with the poor reviews mostly having nothing to do with the food. It turned out to be a very good choice. Some disliked the ambience. We thought it was fine. I'd pay to not have mariachi singers! It was clean and neat. That's all the ambience we require. They were very friendly and accommodating to our needing seating for seven, with a place for a wheelchair. They offered to split the check, which we turned down, but so often it's a fight to get the check split. Although there is a 50¢ charge for chips after the 2nd bowl, they brought out two large bowls for our group and we had one refilled. There were ample chips. The salsa was good and chunky. Our food was served in a timely manner. If you're a need-to-eat-five-minutes-after-placing-your-order type of person, it would be slow service, but if you like to enjoy the chips, salsa, and your dining companions, the time it took was great. I'd rather have fresh, hot food, than food that just gets a quick warm-up so it can be served quickly. The owner was our server and she was friendly and was attentive without hovering. (For those reviewers who dinged the rating because "no Mexicans to be seen", the owner mentioned her husband, the Mexican cook!) We ended out staying for quite some time after eating, but didn't feel like she wished we'd leave. Actually we stayed long enough that we decided we needed dessert. A couple of people got the ice cream sundaes and they looked good. Two of us got the cherry burrito and one got the apple burrito. My burrito was a bit too-well done, but the middle of it and the cherries were very good. If we're ever ready to eat in the Oceanside area again, I know where we'll be heading. Café Rosarita satisfied my Mexican-food craving. read more

This food was a knockout for our family! We have a few gluten free family members and we stayed to items that were naturally gluten free and we experienced no gluten reactions. The food was fresh, delicious and satisfying. We will be returning to Cafe Rosarita every time we make a trip down to Oceanside! Delightful! read more

We like this little place. The service is always efficient. The food is served hot on hot plates and it tastes homemade. Prices reasonable. The only thing, don't order the Albondigas soup. It's bland and tasteless. Everything else was pretty good. read more

Location: Oceanside Located in a shared parking lot with numerous businesses, so parking shouldn't be too much of a concern. Found some right away. The setup of the place reminded me of the usual Thai Restaurants i go to. Host in front, with additional seating and a kitchen that you can view from your table. Haha. We went here during their lunch special. Price wasn't too bad but you get what you pay for. Got a fish taco with beans and rice, they gave us some chips as well as we waited. I tried to order a Horchata and they said they dont carry horchata?! I was mind blown. But I was ok with it but to me, that was a deal breaker right there. But thats my personal preference. Haha. Food was good. Portion sizes as if we were at Panda Express, if you get my drift. Service was good, server was also nice as well. Food came out in a timely manner as well replenishing sodas/waters. Not my go to place and I'm sorry i'd probably pass on coming here again. Maybe if i was in the area or if they stocked up with Horchata. Still a good place though, none the less. read more

This restaurant was not authentic. The reviews based on this restaurant have got to be fictitious. 4.5 for this place is wayyyyyy off. We ordered the chilaquiles which the sauce if I had to guess was from a can. We could not even eat them on account of how bad the sauce was. The cheese was heat blasted which suggest it was probably microwave melted. To top it off, what kind of actual Mexican restaurant does not have fresh juices? No horchata? WTF. Sorry guys, really kind service, but it is very, very far from Mexican cuisine. read more

Right away I noticed there weren't Many selections on the menu. I've been to many Mexican restaurants and they usually have a wide selection of meats, and drinks, but not this place. No orchata!!!! What Mexican doesn't have any? The service is super slow, the place was pretty much empty. The prices are high and the portions are ok. The food was surprisingly good. But I probably won't be coming back to this place. read more

Cafe Rosarita - Mexican Near Me - Oceanside, California

Nostalgia + great salsa + yummy carne asada = frequent diner. I go here at all the time & the service is fantastic. Such friendly family owned atmosphere. Comfort mexican food. I love the carne asada nachos - amongst other things. read more

Oh my gosh I was not expecting to be wowed like I was by their food! The salsa is freshly made in house and the best I've ever had! My husband & I both ordered the Carnitas Burrito & it blew my mind! The carnitas were juicy & crunchy. I almost couldn't stop eating. Next time we are in Oceanside we are definitely stopping in again. Soooo damn good!!!! read more

Very good Mexican cafe. Been driving by this location for a while and I just wish I would of came a lot sooner but as they say better late than never. read more

Cafe Rosarita - Mexican Near Me - Oceanside, California

Good food great prices good people. Lunch specials Daily specials on the board. Out door seating when I bring dog This place is a hidden gem read more

Great tasting, always hot food, served quickly by friendly workers. And at reasonable prices! The owners are doing their best to stay in business during the lockdown. read more

The chili verde burrito was huge and delicious. They roast the pork all day and it was the best we've ever had!

came here for the first time last week. food was really good service was quick and the food came out quickly as well place is very clean and the staff was very friendly. Cant wait to eat here again. read more

Great, authentic Mexican food & Impeccable service. Sonya couldn't have been any nicer. Also, the portions are Huge.

We dined here for years before we moved out of state. Now visiting and had to come enjoy the delicious food of Cafe Rosarita. During the smack down, they have set up a cute outdoor seating area. Very festive. read more

Had the chilaquiles and they were DELICIOUSSSS. Also loved the hot cheese dip!!! More Mexican restaurants need to have hot cheese dip!! Husband loved the chorizo and egg scramble. Will come back again. read more

The best.so far,.going. back.again tonight for Enchilada, Tamale, and Chile Rellano. Everything was hot and.tasty, salsas were okay. My SWEETIE loved the shrimp and the service. read more

Amazing food! Fast service! Amazing atmosphere! What's not to love? Cafe Rosarita is a homey, sweet little Mexican restaurant that is great for taking your kids for a nice family dinner. read more

The food is out of this world!! Everything is fresh, not greasy and tastes wonderful! The wait staff here is so friendly and even the owner is waiting tables . I will definitely return here again and bring all my friends. read more

What a pleasant surprise! We were starving and on our way to Frazier Farms to grocery shop and in desperation we stopped at Rosarita for a bite. The vibe is classic SoCal Mexican restaurant from the 80s, which I mention with affection and regard. Service is was warm, friendly and on point! The best surprise is the tasty food. We had a chicken enchilada, beef tamale, and albondigas soup. It was delicious! We learned they have been here 24 years, and we can see why. read more

Ordered the fish burrito here. Pretty good stuff! Came with guacamole and sour cream plus a bag of nachos and salsa. All of that for $9. The fish was soft and juicy and the sauce they put on top of the burrito was delicious. Will definitely stop by again if I am in the area. The owners of the restaurant are very nice and made sure I was taken care of here. Came in at about lunch time and the restaurant was half full, so it can get busy here. read more

We love this place, Bert and Marion are the best. We have been coming for several years, and there is one thing for certain--you will always get great food. The chips and salsa are perfect, I am not sure how they make the salsa, but it is always the same great taste. Their ground beef tacos are killer, they will also put the ground beef in burritos or quesadillas, you have to order at least the taco. We have never had anything bad, or not tasty; it has always been great food. The place just feels homey and comfortable, they never rush you, and they will chat with you any time. We are so glad they made it through the lock down. read more

Wonderful service from warm engaging people. That is the very first thing you will notice here. Second you can tell that the food down to the tortillas and beans is homemade and that it is prepared when you order it and not ahead of time. The servings are substantial and if you order a Margarita they give you the extra that didn't fit in the glass on the side. Truly a family run neighborhood restaurant where they remember who you are each time you come in. They leave you space if you demonstrate you want it and chat with you if that seems appropriate, and they can tell the difference without your having to say anything. read more

Food was good, and the prices were good. Our order took about 10 minutes from the time we walked in and everything was wrapped up nicely to go. They are around the corner and I will be sure to stop in again. read more

Absolutely the best Mexican food in all of San Diego and the world. SERIOUSLY!!!! From the moment you walked in you and immediately feel the family atmosphere the cleanliness of the establishment and you can smell the home cooking. Everything is fresh to order with the freshest ingredients I've ever had including the tortillas for the tacos and burritos. The service is phenomenal it's like you're sitting in your home kitchen with your mother waiting on you. I mean no disrespect by that but utter amazing quality of service and friendliness. They are so accommodating to kids and they know how to make them feel special. The FOOD IS INCREDIBLE! EXCELLENT FRESH FISH TACOS AND HOMEMADE SALSA. There's something to say about a place that's been around for 25 years and only moved locations to grow bigger!!! This is the best restaurant hands down! read more

I've eaten here on a few occasions, there food is really good it's always hot and fresh BUT the service is bad. They take so long to notice you and after they bring you your food you are ignored and get no refills and you have to hunt somebody down to get your check or a box, for being a cafe they're pretty expensive to. I mean $7 dollars for a cup of guac as an appetizer!! And after two bowls of chips you have to pay for additional, what!! I've never been to a mexican restaurant that makes you pay for chips after two bowls that are child size, they're pretty much cutting your off and telling you you've had enough if you want more it's gonna cost you. read more

Came here on Cinco de Mayo for lunch and was super disappointed. It wasn't very busy and after waiting a half hour for my food and it still not being done I had to tell them to pack it to go because my son was getting antsy. The booth we were sitting at was falling apart. It was being held up by little styrofoam pieces under the legs but it was very unstable and kept tipping over. When I got home the food was so bland I couldn't even eat it. The worst Mexican food I've ever had. The waitress was rude too and the owner was standing at the front of the restaurant doing nothing. read more

Ok let me start off my saying that I havent even got done eating before writing this review. ..AMAZING FOOD and FRIENDLY STAFF.. its hard to find both of those qualitys..I suggest the shreded beef its FULL OF FLAVOR. . The salsa was not the spiciest but they gladly gave me some seronos witch pepped it up perfectly. And on top of it all they gave me and my hubby a delicious treat for our 1 yr wedding anniversary... this place gets a A in my book read more

Great little family-run restaurant. Very neat and clean. I've been eating here two or three times a month for the last seven years, and it's been great every time. No exotic dishes, just fresh, well-prepared, straight-forward Mexican food. Great service, friendly staff, and killer salsa--I always have two or three bowls just for myself. Be sure to grab one of their business cards; it's got one of those "buy 10 and get one free" club things on the back. read more

We go here weekly. It is a nice homey atmosphere. The food is always good and the customer service is great! I had the taquito lunch yesterday and it was literally the best taquitos I have ever had. Plenty of meat, and not so hard you couldn't bite it! Originally I would ALWAYS order the fish tacos or chicken tacos. The meats are well seasoned and they are not stingy. Now I'm exploring the whole menu. read more

We come here at least once a month. I want to try other items, but the Chimichanga with steak and the chile relleno are too good. The salsa is one of the best I've had. The service is already great, very friendly. Mostly an old people spot, locals probably been coming here for years. Inside is old, but what do I care about style. read more

We were so pleased with the amazing service from Bert and Marian Bonilla! They treated me and my party of 22 with such care and kindness, I can hardly wait to go back! Oscar greeted us as we arrived and everything was ready for our large party before we even arrived. We even had to add some more to our party and they assured us that it was no problem and quickly added a couple more chairs. They were attentive to our needs and the food was good and reasonably priced! Thank you guys! We will be making the trip down south more often now that we have found you! YEAH! for excellent service! read more

Enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Cafe Rosarita this afternoon. I had a chicken chimichanga combo, my husband had one of the A-G lunch combos from the back of the menu. Note that the lunch item specials end at 3p.m, and that they are closed on Mondays. Our food was delicious. The salsa was tasty, the chicken meat was really freshly cooked and the beans homemade. Marian's service was attentive, yet unhurried. This cafe will definitely be a regular stop for us ---newish coastal Oceansiders. read more

Sooo good!!! My husband and I traveled to CA from Florida and had Mexican multiple times a day, in hopes to find our favorite! And this did it! The salsa is my absolute favorite!!!! Like, I wish I they could ship me their salsa.... read more

Absolutely amazing. Salsa is perfect. Wet burrito and shredded beef on Point! Great place for families & kids.

Great lunch Specials, good portions and a nice selection of Mexican specialty dishes. I love their Chicken Soup!! Family owened business that caters to their population (mostly elderly folks here but don't let that scare you), the food is fresh, not salty and tasty! read more

This place is great. Real Mexican food . Salsa is very good with chips . Not hot but tasty. The steak Colorado is fantastic. This place is worth trying out you will not be disappointed. read more