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Absolutely delicious! The food was wonderful. The prices were great. The service was outstanding! Best Mexican restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. And please come here just to see what the amazing interior looks like. This is a true gem in the middle of the city.
A pleasant enough experience in a historic building surrounded by the history of the Mission San Juan and the convenience of the Surfliner stop nearby. As for the food and service, our party of 7 waited for menus, water, order taking, entrees, refills of water...and the bill. Not all the tables were full on this Friday during lunchtime (non holiday weekend). It just felt like a long, drawn out eating experience and I was in nice company. So us noticing all of this despite the good conversations really made a negative impression. As for the food, when the entrees finally arrived, they were pretty average. I could close my eyes and think of several similar Mexican restaurants with similar flavors and portions. There's plenty of restaurants and eateries around the train station that work hard to earn our business. I was not impressed and won't be returning.
Had the Presidents Choice combo and the Cilantro - Pepita Salad. The food is extremely bland IMO. The salsa tastes fresh, but virtually no flavor at all, zero heat, and this is coming from a Gringo Americano. Food temps should be much hotter. Cheese enchiladas get cold by the time you get to the second one. The crispy beef taco shell isn't crispy, it's really soft,.might as well be a soft taco. No albondigas soup, I guess they change the soup every couple of days. For $86 total before tip, I have no desire to come back here.
Such a unique restaurant it was quite the buzz luckily we got in before the dinner rush. Food was really good. The server was very attentive. They only had one bathroom stall since it's a historical site. Heard about it thru a friend so happy we got to checked it out. It was worth it.
I absolutely loved my time dining here! I just went with my friends for dinner. It's a huge and charming restaurant with high ceilings and plentiful space. As soon as I was seated, I heard/saw a harp player right in front of me. The food was exquisite with generous portion sizes. We ordered the espresso martinis, guacamole (which was made right at the table), shrimp tacos, and churro cake. The service was quick and excellent! This restaurant is located in historic downtown San Juan Capistrano- so there's a lot to see nearby if you choose to walk around afterwards (including some interesting country bars close by). What a cozy comfortable evening!
Our 60th Class reunion was held at the El Adobe last night, Thursday, September 10, 2026. I would recommend, without any reservations, this venue for anyone looking for a venue to host an event. Sianna and Daniel, event coordinators, answered every email sent (and there were plenty, even up to the day of the event) regarding our event quickly and assisted with every need including, their expert advice on menu items, providing easels, a microphone and podium, linens, set-up and turned our event into a visually beautiful event and lovely atmosphere. The staff's attention to detail was appreciated, including making sure our welcome table was in the shade, that the room was set up to our specifications, and our event timeline was following. The serve staff, Jessica, Gloria, and Brian made a point to confirm that our needs were being met throughout the evening. Santos, the bartender, was great, as well. The meal was served hot and was delicious. The desert was a sweet end to the great meal, and every detail, from the champagne toast to the chips and salsa was perfect. Special thank you to Jessica for going above and beyond at making all of our guests feel special.
Anytime I'm in the area, I make it a point to stop here and it never disappoints. The Mexican food is consistently delicious, and while prices are a bit higher than average, it's absolutely worth it. Located near the mission in San Juan Capistrano, this spot may look small from the outside, but it opens up into a spacious and charming restaurant. There's a cozy cantina right at the entrance, a private dining room to the left, and as you head downstairs, you'll find a larger dining area plus additional event space visible through the windows. They even have a banquet hall in the back, making it a great option for private events or gatherings. Great food, good service, and a warm, inviting ambiance every time. Definitely worth checking out if you're nearby!
We have been coming to El Adobe for years and haven't been in some time. We just had an outstanding dinner. I got the President Special Chicken enchilada, taco, chile rellino, beans and rice delicious! The service was amazing! Great job El Adobe!
Miguel treated us just right! The harp music was fun! The food could have been spicier but that is where hot sauce comes in handy! We know who they are catering to. The space is beautiful. I love the Mexican ambience! When we first arrived we were served delicious chips and salsa, very mild. No one greeted us for a bit but they made up for the delay in drink orders.
Beautiful restaurant, we sat on the patio which is "first come,first serve", thankfully because we were told the wait was over two hours for a Sunday night. Patio is nice, heaters make it enjoyable if it's cold. Chairs are a little beat up, but not bad. Food was good, I had short rib taquitos, I was surprised by the size for the price of them, it's definitely a little pricey for what you get but it was enough for me as I don't have a huge appetite either. My husband got beef tacos and they were a little dry, meat was bland and oily. Guacamole was good, chips and salsa as well. I'd come back, nice place to have lunch I think.
Adorable authentic Mexican restaurant in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Highly recommend making a reservation as the restaurant gets busy! Staff are friendly and service is quick, but they are a busy place so they do try to move tables quickly. Their complimentary chips and salsa were delicious. We tried the tostada salad, large enough to split between two people. Highly recommend and already looking forward to my next visit!
The last time I visited this establishment was over 32 years ago. This restaurant first opened in 1948. El Adobe was once the court house and jail for this area and is recognized as a national landmark. There was no wait time at 11:30 am on a Saturday. I love the ambiance. Classic furniture that is sturdy and the woodsmen work does not go unnoticed. Beautiful pictures and light fixtures. There is so much to see and appreciate. You can sign a log book, add notes, and record the date. If you are kind to your server and ask politely I'm sure you can be led down to the old jail down stairs, (that has been converted into a wine cellar). The drinks were pleasantly refreshing. My daughter had her first Mexican coke! I had a cilantro cucumber margarita which went perfect in this hot humid weather. Hubby enjoyed the Cadillac margarita. Our family of three ordered the Molcajete. This feed all three of us and we had leftovers. My personal favorite was the nopales, zucchini, panela cheese, carnitas, and chorizo. My daughter loved the salsa and asked to bring it home, (that was the first). *Pro tip for people that love spice: ask for a side of Habanero salsa. You can add a couple of tablespoons to your table salsa to take it up a notch. Our servers were prompt, kind, and shared valuable knowledge about the history of the restaurant and the land prior history.
A Coastal Vibe, a Cinnamon Surprise, and a Harp vs. DJ Battle Royale If you're looking for the perfect date night, drive down the coast and follow it up with a stroll through the most charming little corner of San Juan Capistrano, El Adobe is the move. The date gods were shining favorably upon us as we scored a table, sans reservation, so evening out was looking good. But would highly recommend you make reservations as the place gets full quickly. Back to the review . . . . we came for dinner, but stayed because we were spiritually adopted by the Salvadoran Mezcalito, or at least, I was. The BF is always the DD. That drink? A cinnamon-kissed treat I didn't know I needed in my life. Honestly felt like my taste buds went on a wellness retreat. The chips? Fresh, crispy, and clearly made by someone who respects the sacred art of crunch. The BF went with the salmon and said it was absolutely on point--like, "tell my therapist I found happiness" good. And the short rib taquitos? Incredible. Little pockets of joy. Now let's talk ambiance. At the beginning of our dinner we had a harpist gracefully setting the mood--very "romantic telenovela." Appropriately playing, "Just the two of us" but a packed house with a variety of celebrations happening simultaneously. As our evening progressed the harpist bid us all a good night while the wedding happening just below us was getting underway. The DJ decided it was time for Club Adobe. So there we were ahppily transitioning from the harpist playing heavenly melodies followed by the DJ dropping the beats like it was 1999. Oddly? It worked. For my second drink I tried the roasted pineapple margarita but it was too sweet for me. Opted instead to wrap up the night with a Hugo Spritz, because why not end an already whimsical evening with a drink that tastes like happiness? Shout out to the server who looked up the drink to make sure I ended our evening with the right drink. 10/10. Would return for the vibes, the food, and the harpist-DJ crossover event of the century. A bonus for the history buffs, this place is a historical site and I hear it's haunted. Ooooooo.
3 years ago
Meh. Very disappointed. I was looking forward to this. The hostess was rude. It was FREEZING so we requested to sit in the bar area with the fireplace on. The bartender turned it in, on low, no firewood lighting. Then, left 2 door to the patio open just to our right. I asked 3 times to close it. He closed one side. Another server walked through, opened it, and was rude talking about us not knowing we are fluent in Spanish. Food was just average. Unattentive service and average food. Bummer. read more
1 year ago
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6 months ago
2 years ago
Took my girlfriend and her parents here and loved everything about it. We ordered a variety of items from the menu and each dish was perfect. Make sure to order the churro dessert. It was by far the best churro I've ever had! Also, Miguel was the BEST waiter. Super funny, attentive and super accommodating. If you dine here, definitely ask for Miguel! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
This past Saturday my wife, and our family met to celebrate our anniversary at El Adobe. We chose to celebrate here, as this is where our wedding took place, and one of our daughters had her wedding here as well. We have always been treated very professional here by the staff. The food is always on point, and excellent service. The event planner Sianna is nothing less than Awesome! She went out of her way not only to make our wedding special, but also our anniversary on Saturday! Thank you! The event area is very nice, and best of all if you're planning a wedding, or other event but maybe not want their outstanding Mexican food, they also have amazing prime rib too! (On Fridays and Saturdays) Also the prices are very reasonable. Thank you again Sianna and staff for making our special events, very special! read more
Nice place in San Juan Capistrano, the venue is a traditional style built with adobe and part of the historic mission area. The menu was a bit generic but had a few items that stood out like the seafood stuffed chile reyeno. The waiter was friendly and helpful but the only knock I have is that the price point is a little high, the do give you a good amount of food but it's not elevated enough for the price. read more
This is one of those spots I almost don't want to tell too many people about... because it's incredible and I don't want it to get more crowded haha. But really this place is my favorite Mexican restaurant. Food is authentic and flavorful. The drinks are perfection. My fav is the Smokey Paloma. It has black salt on rim and is made with mezcal and that just makes the drink. Table side guacamole is delicious just get it. My hubby loves the President's Choice. Love their chicken or beef crispy tacos with really great rice and beans. My favorite part of the restaurant is the building and area. It's such a cool, historic area with so much charm. Love it and so glad we got recommended to this restaurant by a friend. They also do events. First time eating here we got to watch a wedding happen outside and they had a live musician. So fun! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Came down to San Juan Capistrano for a day trip with the kids but baby, let me tell u, I have found one of the best Mexican restaurants in a very long time, in El Adobe. The ambience is fun and friendly. We sat in the bar area (there was a 30 minute wait to be seated), which was still good. I drank the Adobe Peach & my friend had a blood orange margarita. For meals, I ate a short rib empenadas, my friend had flautas. Her son had chicken fajitas and our nephew had a steak quesadilla!!! After savoring every morsel, we found out that the Presidents Choice meal is for President Nixon. Turns out he and his wife used to frequent this place! Will be returning!!!! read more
1 year ago
Looking for a Mexican restaurant while our wives were at The Tea House in San Juan Capistrano, we selected El Adobe for the close proximity to the Tea House. Though I live less than 5 miles away (my friend in from Indiana) I had maybe been to El Adobe once or twice for a Taco Tuesday thing, but after having lunch here It will be one of my go to places for Mexican food. Both my friend and I both ordered the "President's Choice" a combo plate of a Chile relleno, chicken enchilada, beef taco and rice and beans. It was fantastic! Great flavor, just the right amount of "heat" and such a large portion. The chips and salsa were excellent and we went through two baskets of chips. It will not be long before I go back for a really good Mexican meal at El Adobe. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
I regretted eating here versus the other options in the area. The restaurant looked promising but it wasn't. The food was average at best and not worth the wait. The service was good but can't say the same for the food. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Some of the best mole I've ever had and the pickled onions were such an amazing touch. I can't wait to be back! Beautiful spot, with very neat history that comes with the building. read more
El Adobe Mexican Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano is within easy walking distance of the historical Mission San Juan. A Mexican Restaurant stepped in it's own rich history housed in a historical building. A personal favorite of former President Richard Nixon and Mrs. Nixon. In remembrance, the El Adobe still serves The President's Choice: Chicken Enchilada, Crispy Beef Taco, Chile Relleno, Rice & Beans. Portions sizes are ample and the price is still very reasonable. An authentic Mexican meal that is naturally proceeded by a large basket of delicious homemade chips and spicy salsa. The staff were all friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, polite, prompt and professional in the performance of their duties. read more
2 years ago
I ordered one of their preset takeout packages for 25 people and was charged a 20% service fee. When I asked the host if the order would be delivered, she said no. I then inquired about the 20% service fee, and she explained it was because it was a large group. I pointed out that no one would be serving this large group, but she insisted it was their policy. I find it ridiculous that packing some meat, rice, and beans into three aluminum containers warrants a 20% service fee. I would have tipped for taking my order, but 20% for no actual service is absurd. They hadn't even packed napkins, plasticware or plates. If I wasn't with my elderly mom I would have cancelled the order. The food quality was a ok. In fact the steak meat was not a good quality asada. But the whole thing to charge 20% service fee without really serving anyone is absurd. read more
3 years ago
Had a very enjoyable meal at El Adobe. It was our first time here and I ordered the 2 item combo with a Chile Relleno and cheese enchilada. Both were excellent! I wasn't a fan of their salsa but that is just my personal preference. We ordered a chocolate butter cake for the table for dessert and it was delicious! A historic restaurant that I would highly recommend trying! read more
Ok- so you are looking into stopping here. Maybe for Sunday brunch or dinner, or an afternoon lunch and the answer would be yes- please stop! It's delicious and the Sunday Champagne $7 with 3 refills was perfect for fun bougie lunch. I would suggest asking them to sit you away from the mariachi band. They play Way way to loud and we could not hear ourselves funk let alone enjoy our conversation. Our elderly person was at a terrible loss for conversation- so 1 star for the band- we came for the food and the atmosphere and not to scream over the loud music. But job well done to the front door ladies, our waiter and all the cooks and bus boys. We will be back read more
3 years ago
The place is stunning! I'm so glad I stumbled upon this restaurant. I came in on an off hour so it wasn't busy. Service was quick and attentive. I ordered an enchilada salad and it was unique and delicious. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the area! read more
The restaurant is easy to get to right off the 5 freeway. I have been here twice now including last night. It is about 35 miles from me so I don't get here very often. This time there was some available parking in the free parking lot in the back, and they were fairly crowded with all that is going on in the world right now. I had made a reservation because I thought it would be more crowded but it was not needed. My party of 4 was seated right on time and were given menus, water, and chips and salsa pretty quickly. We asked for Lemon and they forget it, but when I asked again they brought a bowl with several cut up. The chips and salsa were pretty good, and we definitely had a few servings while deciding what to order. We took some time catching up and then placed our order. We tried the chicken fajitas, which were tasty and sizzling hot. Piled with plenty of onions and veggies, but light on the chicken. It has a nice mild spice to it and was very flavorful. The small plate of rice and beans, and guacamole were good too. It came with 4 tortillas but they were happy to bring more. We also got a chicken Caesar salad which is no longer on the menu, but it is on their online menu. It was good, but the dressing was not the best I have had, and the bowl was 90% salad, like a giant bowl of salad, with some croutons and chicken which were good, but it was missing the cheese. Our friends tried the Presidential, it was ok but missing some items and the chicken was dry, the relleno was not the best they had eaten. They also got the chilli relleno dish, and same thing, shredded dry chicken, and no sour cream or anything like that. I am giving it a 4 because of the ambiance, service, etc. Unfortunately there was a live musician, and the music was just too loud, but we were sitting pretty close. All the tile does not help with the acoustics in the room and neither did the rowdy table of drunk people next to us. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We had to wait about 20 minutes, just before happy hour ended, but we eventually got seated. We got seated and my friend ordered the $5 draft house beer and the waiter brings her a bottled beer, thinking that he could get that past her. Then he said that they were out of the beer that she wanted so he was guessing that the bottle beer would be sufficient. Lol, no! He then took our order. I had to ask two times to bring my water and chips and salsa. The chips and salsa finally came, my water, and our food, all at once! The service was a little slow and it was really busy. However, t is not that hard to bring out chips and salsa and water and I should not have to ask twice! Since it was Taco Tuesday, I got one fish taco and one shredded beef crispy taco. The fish taco was really good. It had a large piece of deep fried fish. I will definitely get the fish taco again. The shredded beef crispy taco was just ok. It was a little too oily for me. I will not get that again. My friend got the chicken crispy taco and she said it was dry and burnt. He took it off the bill. The restaurant is a little cozy, but it was cute with nice decor. I will definitely be back for the fish tacos! read more
One of the best Taco Tuesday's spots in the area. Get there early if you can, because there is always a line. You order with your server, then head outside to the patio with your receipt. The pork tacos are delicious! I also recommend the fried tacos. They're pretty big and filling. They're $3! They also have fish and beer battered tacos. Plenty of parking in the back! Highly recommend you check this place out for a TT. Even the beers are cheap and bar has a great vibe going on. I'll be back soon! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
After touring San Juan Capistrano Mission we worked up an appetite for lunch. Walked down the street and landed here. We sat on the patio and devoured the huge basket of chips (warm and crispy!) and salsa (fresh!) and then ordered the President's Special (the chile relleno, beef taco and chicken enchilada were all good) and lobster tacos. Finished our entire plates but definitely could've had leftovers. Attentive and friendly service. Will return! read more
1 year ago
More info about El Adobe
31891 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Directions
(949) 493-1163
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Visit Website
http://www.eladobedecapistrano.com
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Ask the Community - El Adobe
Is this restaurant within walking distance to the mission?
Yes, we are about two blocks down from the mission, about a 5 minute walk.
Can we bring out dog for outside dining?
I do not think they will cook the dog for you
Do you have taco tuesdays?
Yes we do! It starts at 3 pm - closing. We have $2 soft tacos, $3 crispy tacos and a $5 fish taco
What are your taco tuesday specials?
We have soft tacos (carnitas, carne asada or chicken) for $2 and crispy tacos (shredded chicken, shredded beef or potato) for $3. We also have a beer battered mahi mahi topped with chipotle aioli, cabbage, pico de gallo and cheese in a soft tortilla…
I see you close at 9. Does the kitchen close at 9 or are you able to stay and finish of at the table past that time? (Or do you kick people out at 9? 😊)
No, we will make a last call on food and drinks, but will not rush you. We want our guests to take their time on finishing their meals!
I'd like to bring my mother for her birthday. Do the waiters sing happy birthday? If so do I need to make a reservation for a party of four?
Yes they do! If you let the waiter know they will bring a complimentary dessert for her and sing to her. We always encourage to make a reservation, especially during the weekend!…
Is there a Happy Hour here?
Yes we do from 3pm-6pm Sunday- Friday with specials on drinks and half off bar menu items!
Is brunch all you can drink champagne?
No, but we do offer a special where you pay $7 for 3 glasses of mimosa. We will have free flowing…
Are the beans cooked with animal bones/broth or fats?
Frijoles de la Holla no tienen
Do they have a brunch buffet? with a set amount per person? Adult/Kids?
Can you answer the question please?
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