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    El Zarandeado

    4.7 (395 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

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    EL ZARANDEADO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    4 lb lobster
    Pat M.

    We ordered a 4 lb lobster. It came with shrimp, potatoes, and rice. The price was cheap, but the lobster was so bad that I'd never go back. The lobster meat was watery & mushy. I complained & they gave me a discount. The discount did not take away the bad taste in my mouth. I came here because of the great reviews on Yelp. I was so disappointed!

    Tuna ceviche
    Bonnie T.

    Very fresh and authentic Mexican seafood place. We had a tuna ceviche, grilled octopus. Both were super delicious. For drinks we had a Medolo Negra and original margarita, and dessert we shared a flan. Restaurant is family friendly. Service was very good with frequent checking on things.

    Tara H.

    Just an updated review to say that this place is STILL amazing. They constantly amaze me and the party I am with. They recently welcomed a party of 7 and our waitress was so attentive, kind and helpful. We were a lot and asked a lot of questions and she accommodated us and went above and beyond. They could have the worst service and I'd still be back for the food. The food is so flavorful. Every sauce offered is bursting with authentic flavors and it's hard to determine what to get. There is no wrong dish! Keep up the amazing work! I nominate this restaurant one of the best restaurants in Orange County!

    Nelson L.

    An absolute hole in the wall that was surprisingly delicious and satisfying. The service was great and restaurant was clean. Decent amount of seating. The free homemade chips and salsa were great. The stuffed pepper was amazing. The seafood enchilada was fantastic. The shrimp plate was super savory. All in all the food was fantastic and worth the wait (fill up portion chips when waiting).

    Kat G.

    Family and I had dinner here, our server was really nice, helpful and accommodating. We started off with the shrimp appetizer, 12 shrimp that were charred with two dipping sauces. My daughter enjoyed it alot. Then we ordered the fish and Chile relleno, we did wish there was more Chile relleno or a bigger portion of it. The description was a bit false advertisement. But the flavor was great. All in all we left feeling a bit hungry still even after spending over $100 not including tip.

    If you're the kind of person who believes the best food comes from the most unassuming places, this little hole-in-the-wall spot will absolutely win you over. From the outside, it's easy to miss--but step inside, and you will love it. The seafood here is incredibly fresh. The flavors are simple but done right, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. Whether it's perfectly grilled fish, buttery shrimp, or a rich, savory seafood platter, everything is cooked with care and consistency. The staff treats you like a regular, even if it's your first visit. They're attentive without being overbearing, happy to make recommendations, and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do, which makes the whole experience even better. It's not fancy, and that's exactly the point. No frills, no pretension, just amazing seafood, generous portions, and people who know how to take care of their customers. Places like this are rare, and once you find it, you'll keep coming back.

    Aguachile negro
    Kameron G.

    Best Aguachile I have ever had. Everything we had here was amazing. Tasty margaritas and tacos but I would totally come back just for the Aguachile.

    Crab and shrimp Enchiladas
    Kara L.

    This place was great. Went for my dad's birthday (he is a repeat customer and this is where he wanted to go) for our group of 8. It was quiet inside and the food and drinks were great. I had a cucumber margarita that was fresh and very good. Everyone at the table loved their food (we had a little bit of everything including enchiladas, burritos, tacos and even grilled chicken) and the fresh quac was also amazing. They were sweet and brought out a piece of flan for my dad and sang to him in Spanish. As we were leaving there was a big birthday party outside on the patio and it seemed like the perfect place to host an event like that that! It can be a little hard to find but they have signs and you just go behind the bank and you will find it. We will definitely go back!

    Puplo Zarandeado

    Octopus lovers need to try this restaurant! Service was friendly and attentive. Enjoy our entree and appetizer.

    Shrimp sampler
    Kamelia T.

    This place has a very casual atmosphere. We went there on a week night and the place was kind of empty. Bu

    Lee G.

    El Zarandeado in San Juan Capistrano has a lot going for it, fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and friendly service. The staff was attentive without hovering, and everything came out hot and well-prepared. The flavors were solid, good, but missing that extra punch that would make it great. Prices felt fair for what you get, would have liked to seen a little more shrimp and it's definitely a spot worth checking out if you're craving Mexican-style seafood and a chill vibe.

    shrimp dish

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    12 days ago

    Great seafood, quick service. The tacos don't come with rice and beans. Quick walk from the train station

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    Page 1 of 10

    El Zarandeado Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Zarandeado

    Do they have any specials for taco Tuesday?

    Asada pastor chicken 2x$5 Marlin and shrimp 2x$10 4 -9

    Do you have Sauvignon blanc or rose? Is there a corkage fee?

    Do they have tequila or just wine and beer?

    Just beer and wine

    Are they opened today Weds? Called but no one picked up the phone...

    I just went by and saw they were closed. The owner mentioned something about closing on Wednesday because they're so slow.

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    El Campeon

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    Whenever I need to supercharge at the Tesla chargers I get to get some food here at El Camperon…read more The store does not have seating inside and so you will need to sit outside. The store is split between savory and sweet. I ordered a few tacos (carnitas, cabeza, and lengua). The full size tacos are quite large and filling. I have to remember to order the street taco version. The flavor is good and with the salsa it hits the spot. I also ordered the menudo to dip my tacos in. Paired the food with some horchata and agua fresca. The service can be a bit slow, maybe because it is usually busy. One thing to note is that you will need to order the drink with your savory order but pick up is on the other side with the sweets.

    I really wanted to like El Campeón because the food is actually pretty decent. Unfortunately,…read moreeverything else about the place brings the experience down. The biggest issue is the environment--it feels very hostile and uncomfortable. The atmosphere alone makes it hard to enjoy your meal. On top of that, the condition of the place is rough. Basic things like lighting don't seem to get fixed, and the whole place feels like it's falling apart. It also comes across like management just doesn't want to invest back into the business. When an owner cuts corners like that, it shows, and customers notice. It's disappointing because the food has potential, but the poor upkeep and negative environment make it hard to recommend. With better management and some real effort put into maintaining the place, this could be a much better spot.

    Photos
    Food case
    Food case
    Chales - Chicharron c/carne ($9.89/lb)
    Chales - Chicharron c/carne ($9.89/lb)
    Chales - Chicharron c/carne ($9.89/lb)

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    Chales - Chicharron c/carne ($9.89/lb)

    El Zarandeado - mexican - Updated July 2026

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