Tried El Adobe during a day trip to San Juan Capistrano. The experience: We walked in and were seated at the bar per our request. Shortly after, a server came to take our order. The customer service was excellent as many servers kept checking in on us throughout our dining experience. The food and drinks: My husband and I tried their margaritas. For food, we had the ceviche and had a few rounds of their chips and salsa which were fresh and delicious. Overall, we would definitely return for the great service, good food and atmosphere! read more

El Adobe - Ceviche - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Great Authentic Mexican food, friendly servers, impressive happy hours and the ambience is beautiful. Must try the blood orange margarita--amazing!! read more

Funny aftertaste after my taco meal. Mediocre service.Excellent margaritas and lovely patio. It's a SJC institution but not the best restaurant for authentic food. The prices, however, are very reasonable and the portions are large. read more

Beautiful historical restaurant that was a jail in the past and repurposed. President Nixon and his wife often ate there and they have a table dedicated to them. You can also tour the former jail that's now a wine cellar. Surprised that the salsa served with the chips is lacking flavor but the tableside guacamole was wonderful. The carne asada was very tender and tasty. The presidents plate was a generous portion and also tasty. read more

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Went for brunch, maybe we just picked the wrong items. The breakfast Benedict was not something I'd get again the sopas were dense and the whole dish just lacked flavor. The salad was great and when we asked for spicy salsa to pair with the chips and guacamole it was wonderful. We ordered the table side guacamole which was nice to see in an establishment. The bartender was nice and the staff seemed to work really well together as a team. Would go back for taco Tuesday to try out other items read more

El Adobe - Pepita Salad, great size portion - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Came here with a larger group and ordered a bunch of plates! Everyone mostly ordered the presidents choice plate and I got the southwest salad. The salad itself was perfect, the dressing was fresh, there was a good variety of crispy greens and the chicken was seasoned perfectly. The presidents choice: people enjoyed it but I'm kind of iffy about it. The enchilada sauce was not that good and the cheese covering everything was just all very very Americanized. Just a heads up that there is a 20% gratuity fee as well for larger groups! read more

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I really enjoyed my lunch here. I liked the history of the building, its location, and proximity to the train. The server was very friendly and service was good. I had the President's choice which I thought was HUGE for the $20 price. Their chile relleno was my favorite on the dish. So good. This is a beautiful space and I would definitely go back. read more

El Adobe - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

El Adobe is a cool spot with pretty good food. Here's how my first time went: When you get there, there's not much parking but luckily we circled around and found the only open spot. We walked in and checked in (we had a reservation) and it took about 5 minutes to be seated. There's live music playing and a lot of tables in different rooms. The music was loud but luckily not too loud to where to you can't have a conversation. We sat at our table and were quickly given waters, chips and salsa. We ordered pretty quickly and the food came out quickly. The enchiladas suizas were pretty good. The fajitas were really good. The bill is given with a QR code on it so you can scan and pay from your phone using Apple Pay which was actually very convenient and easy. Wouldn't say it's the best Mexican food in the world but the service was good and it was an overall good experience. read more

We had a great pleasure of hosting our daughter's wedding at the El Adobe this year! From the very first meeting with our event coordinator, Daniel, we knew we were in the right place. In addition to delicious food and experienced and efficient servers and bartenders, the room look beautiful! The attitude was always positive, always "yes" to making our dream for this wedding come true. I couldn't be more grateful and recommend the Adobe highly for any event. Thank you to everyone, especially our family favorite Daniel! read more

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Our first time there. Service was great, love the atmosphere, I had the lobster tacos which were very tasty, Presentation was also very good. Great experience all the way around , We had reservations for lunch this last Saturday. Highly impressed. Can't wait to go back. read more

Absolutely love this restaurant! Great food and great service! The bar and restaurant are very inviting. If you have a banquet or wedding they have a beautiful very large courtyard off the ballroom. read more

We came in today for a quick appetizer type lunch. We bought two drinking and one entree to split. The entree was the enchilada salad. This salad was the best salad I have had in YEARS! The dressing was fresh and I loved the crunch of the seeds BUT the enchilada was gross... my husband and I didn't even eat the second one we were so put off. The free chips and salsa were a standard affair ALTHOUGH the salsa is white people spicy which means it's more marinara sauce then salsa. read more

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Friendly, accommodating staff and delicious food. The historic charm of El Adobe adds so much character to the experience. highly recommend!

Grew up in SJC and I always love coming back to El Adobe. The food is consistently delicious. Love sitting in the bar area with the cozy fireplace and authentic decor. Pedro provided great service and the best drinks! Will be back. read more

The best authentic Mexican food in Orange County maybe even Southern California. Always fresh organic food prepared my great Mexican chefs. Beautiful restaurant with plenty of parking in the back in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Everything on the menu is fantastic. They make their own salsa tortillas and pastries and they're all fantastic. One of my all-time favorites is their huevos rancheros. Yum Yum. Of course they have a great bar with fantastic mixed drinks and Mexican beers. Of course the service is fantastic. Everybody is friendly . They have a huge banquet room for special celebrations and weddings. It's an Orange County treasure.. if I could give it 10 stars, I would read more

I just was able to experience El Adobe after attending a rehearsal dinner there. We were seated in a beautiful area with string lights and the ceiling opened up! Every employee I came into contact with was incredibly nice and helpful! I am vegan and there weren't any major plant-based options at the buffet. I grabbed a plate of greens, tortillas, and guac and then an employee said they would bring my parents and I vegan plates. They brought out plant-based enchiladas and beans. The enchiladas were outstanding! I definitely overate because everything was so so good! I also loved the guacamole and beans. I knocked it down to 4 stars for two reasons. First, I use a Wheelchair and this is not a very wheelchair friendly space. There was one ramp to get to the bar, buffet, and bathroom and it was very difficult to get through the mass of people since it was right by the bar. The bathrooms were also not wheelchair accessible so they had to take me through tight spaces in their kitchen to get to the "wheelchair accessible" bathroom which was still a TIGHT squeeze and my small wheelchair could barely make it through the door frame. Lastly, the first margarita i had was really good but the second tasted purely like premade margarita mix and was very very not good. I couldn't drink it. For a Mexican restaurant, I definitely prefer fresh ingredients and not margarita mix. So, in summary, beautiful dining room, great staff, delicious vegan enchiladas, but not very accessible ! read more

El Adobe - Custom Vegan enchiladas & beans - sooo good! - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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We love coming to El Adobe, Great food and drinks. We love the ceviche and tonight Pedro suggested the Monday night special dinner which is the BBQ pork ribs. That was a super delicious meal. It came with French fries and corn on the cob. Thank you Pedro for the suggestion and your great customer service. read more

Had a wonderful time at El Adobe de Capistrano (my 2nd time).... we were able to reserve our table online, the food was delicious and plentiful and we had no trouble finding parking or getting our check. Going into detail - I reserved a sameday reservation for 5 people on Open Table and we arrived to a private parking lot immediately adjacent to the restaurant. Inside was a very Large main dining area not easily accessible by the disabled however there was a largea nd separate wedding reception / large event venue that appeared to be able to fit 100 guests that was accessible to everyone. Food wise - had the steak fajitas that were marinated in savory juices and veggies and I couldn't have been more pleased. Additionally the fajita wraps were in a plastic container that kept in the heat as opposed to wrapped in aluminum foil which is more common in Mexican restaurants in the area. We were there for brunch and my mother in law got the brioche French toast and she loved it. What Mexican restaurant is known for French toast (not many!) Drink wise -i took advantage of the 3 Mimosa special for $7 and it was mostly made of champagne which was great,however the service was slow to come around with the orange juice. Another minor criticism keeping this restaurant from 5 stars is that the men's restroom doesnt have a changing table but the women's restroom does (but if fairness they do advertise this and as a dad myself -i didn't mind it lol) I would highly recommend this place for brunch or lunch and look forward to my next visit! read more

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Came here for a work event in the back venue and it was very well executed. Super cute spot with string lights everywhere. Mexican food was tasty - it was sooo much better than other catering/venue food I've had in the past at other places! I would recommend hosting a private event here. read more

El Adobe - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

My husband and I had our wedding here in October 2022 and it couldn't have been more perfect! We also came back for Valentine's Day a few months later and they made us feel at home with a free bottle of champagne and a hand written card to celebrate. Sianna was our special events manager. She went ABOVE AND BEYOND. She was accommodating, responsive and kind and made our wedding so special. Our wedding was about 110 people and the venue was perfect. Everyone raved about the food and margaritas oh and the churros! I would definitely recommend renting the bridal suite as well, they have a separate room attached to it for the guys to get ready too so it was perfect. I couldn't have imagined a better day. Thank you to the entire El Adobe staff for a night we'll never forget. read more

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Hospitality, food and ambiance My first time there was last Sunday and it was a phenomenal experience!! I went with my sister and my daughter. The hostess was super attentive and accommodating as well as our waiter, Juan, was so sweet and attentive. I was also very happy with my food choice: Vegetable enchiladas with a side of a delicious salad We will absolutely be back!! read more

El Adobe - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

If you're looking to dine in the area after visiting the mission, beach, etc. El Adobe is a gem and my go to in the area. The restaurant is recognized as a State historic landmark, is in walking distance from the mission, has a unique ambiance and serves authentic mexican food. They offer indoor and outdoor seating with a dog friendly patio. The service, food and drinks are excellent. Everything is fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. I am predominately plant based/vegan which the staff is familiar with how to adjust their meal options accordingly and are happy to do it. I enjoy their vegetable enchiladas and vegetable fajitas with pinto beans and chips and salsa on the side. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I highly recommend. read more

El Adobe - Latin American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Amazing food great service I had left my credit card and they held it for me Real old town Mexico ambiance read more

We have enjoyed several fine meals at El Adobe de Capistrano. The food is quite good and generously portioned, the service friendly, attentive and efficient, in other words, great. Also, the charm and ambiance of the very old and historic building itself is the icing on the cake. We will return and highly recommend. read more

Had this place in the back of my head cause I didn't know if much presidents endorsing a place let alone one as old as this one. Wanted Mexican with my homie to celebrate our accomplishments and ended up both coming up with this place. When you go there the parking is either street or paid lot so try to come early and make a reservation since we had to pick the bar which wasn't that bad as it was still full service with tons of TVs ironically covering our sports in rugby and golf. Music is poppin as well with tons of throwbacks from 90s to the golden age in the 70s-80s imo. Great mix to enjoy the dimly lit ambience when she came at 7. Food came out fast and each was poppin with quality and quantity on the plate. We started off with table side guac, nachos and some flautas which were perfectly portioned and flavored with each completing the total ingredients which is rare nowadays in the world of flavor bombs. We also had some sangria which while a tad strong were balanced properly with their individual fruit flavors and helped ease us into our dinner choices. We went with the presidents choice for me and the 2 choice combo for him with the enchiladas and tacos plate. Everything from the beans and rice to the salsas which didn't overpower and had a good amount of heat made every bite worthwhile. For the price id easily come back here again even to not celebrate something and just enjoy myself cause everything is perfect. read more

I think that the Carne Asada is one of the best in the area. The Blackened Fish Tacos are the best I've had. Service was excellent, we sat at the bar area and the waiters were very attentive. The Ambiance was chilled. I would recommend this restaurant food is great. read more

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I love this place! The food is excellent and the service is awesome. We go for Taco Tuesdays and Happy Hour, Pedro our waiter is always welcoming and fun. I highly recommend El Adobe! For me it's my favorite Mexican restaurant. See you there! read more

We walked around downtown SJC and landed here for lunch on 7/5/21. We made a reser and didn't really need it but we wanted open table points! Ordering chicken fajitas and guacamole to share. It was a solid 3 stars and the fajitas have a nice flavor. Nothing exciting or fascinating read more

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Est. 1948- A California state historical landmark, this place has been around for quite a while. The original building which currently houses the bar area was built in 1797. The attached dining area which was once a court and jail was built in 1812 . When El Adobe open up in 1948 it served regular Continental Fair. But during his administration, former President Richard Nixon enjoyed many Mexican dishes which were exclusively prepared for him, and that became the inspiration for El Adobe to change from Continental fare to Mexican Cuisine . In addition to the rich history of El Adobe, the food here is also very nice. The chips were not at all greasy and the salsa had some good flavor. For the main course, I went with The President's Choice. This dish contains, Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada, Shredded Beef Crunchy Taco and Rice & Beans. It's a great meal. The service was friendly and El Adobe has a lot of old school charm. It's very comfortable and inviting inside and an excellent stop. I will definitely be back for more. read more

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Always a great time with great Mexican food and-ambience . It was our grand daughter's first birthday and they couldn't have been nicer and friendly . We have been going for 30 years and always consistent read more

What makes a restaurant special? Caring, friendly people who love to make their guests happy. El Adobe is one of these special places. They make their guests feel appreciated and special. Their culture is top notch and I'm glad I visited every time I'm here. The food is amazing as well. Cocktails too! read more

It doesn't get more old California than this gem of a Mexican Restaurant. I have been coming here for 50 years or so. I was married here 28 years ago. I ordered the same meal today, as I ordered the day I bought a "President's Special" for all my wedding guests. They have the best tortilla chips the salsa has fresh jalapeño in it. The margaritas are authentic. The service here is always really good! The ambiance has not changed it is rancho comfortable. Treat yourself to a little taste of history, it's delicious! read more

This has the very best Chile Relleno we have possibly ever had. Started with great chips and salsa and dive into tacos, relleno and chicken enchilada. Portions of meat were generous and the my vegetables that I asked for instead of rice and beans were fresh and cooked just right. Rather than the more common fajita vegetables other offer, this was wonderful broccoli, zucchini and carrots. Only complaints were that the side order of tortillas didn't stay warm in the container. We are talking about driving the 40 minutes to come back! Might be worth a south county date night. read more

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We were in a hurry and received speedy service. Generous portions. Good salsa! Hadn't been at El Adobe in years and it is still excellent. read more

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant, and Pedro is the greatest server they have -- he is wonderful.

This used to be our favorite restaurant 15 yrs ago! since then it has gone down hill fast! I had a family reunion at the El Adobe about 5 years ago, it was the worst experience ever! the staff was so rude, just awful people! they just spoke Spanish in the corner & never took our orders. I promised myself I would never to go to this restaurant again. you are better off going to another Mexican restaurant until they change managevent. maybe one day they can bring the restaurant back to its glory! but until now go elsewhere! read more

Sat at the bar and had the worst plate of nachos. I can't believe I was at a Mexican restaurant. I've had better at an Irish bar. The cheese wasn't completely melted and there was this nasty brown demi glace sauce on it like you would put on a steak. I barely touched it. I think people go here because the prices are cheap especially at happy hour, but if you want quality, authentic Mexican, this ain't it. read more

Christian always welcomes my wife and I with a heart felt greeting and excellent and prompt service. He remembers our food and beverage preferences from visit to visit and ensures that we will always have a pleasant dining experience! read more

First time coming here and had a really great service! Food was delicious. Staff are so accommodating and welcoming! Thanks to the team of El Adobe! We will definitely come back! The wine cellar/old jail is pretty interesting. Very beautiful historic pla read more

El Adobe is conveniently located in downtown San Juan Capistrano, walking distance to the mission and Los Rios Historical District. It has a classic and classy old world interior. We spent a gloomy day in the area and decided to come here for lunch. We were seated right away. All 3 of us decided on the combos of various items such as tacos, tamales, enchiladas with rice and beans. The food was tasty, tacos were just the way I like it, crispy. Service was prompt and efficient. It was a nice peaceful atmosphere. We enjoyed it and will certainly be back. read more