Came here a few weeks ago during lunch. I was super excited to have one in my hometown. I have been to the one in Palos Verdes and the service was phenomenal. Sadly, this location needs a lot more training. We were sat right away, but our server didn't approach us until 15 minutes after. We ordered margaritas, and then another 15 minutes waiting for her to come back. By the way we were the only ones in the restaurant. I wanted a plate (not from the lunch special menu), the server kept giving me chicken when I wanted potato. Which was frustrating as she asked me multiple times before. The food was okay, after we were done with our food I believe it was a manager that approached us and finally offered us water. Our server was not attentive and unfriendly. Unfortunately I don't think we will be going back. read more

Decided to give this place a try. The food was decent but nothing to brag about. I had Tacos Gobernador and my wife had the Green enchiladas. Now the service was horrible, I waited so long for a fork that I just decided to go to the bar and ask for one. Our waitress never ounce came to check on us. I had to wave her down for a soda refill. When she brought it , she just left it on the corner of the table with attitude. We'll guess what , No tip and never coming back. read more

Drinks were awesome.. food not so much Service a bit slow. Parking is great so it's a plus read more

Great food and drinks + wonderful, professional service for both lunch and dinner. Unbeleivable what they did to renovate this old Escondido landmark restaurant. read more

The atmosphere is fun. Good music. Service could use some work. But this was their first week. The food comes out fast, so don't order apps and entrees together, you won't have space on the table. We had to move over to a table of four (2people) and it was covered since apps are delivered on a wooden board. Pick up of finished plates could be better and faster. We had a stack . Now for the food. The enchiladas sauces were good. But the tortillas weren't warm enough. They weren't soft, they were cold and stiff when arrived. The guacamole app was good. Don't bother ordering the roll (was told to t was the favorite) It's pretty basic, deep fried rice egg roll, i didn't taste anything else in there. Again this was their first week, so just offering some feedback. read more

I'm not sure why the reviews are so low for this place right now, we came here after a party on Saturday night and it was amazing! What a great environment! They make a party of the whole thing! We got to meet the sous chef and he was awesome! I will be back again and again and again. read more

Once again I gave this place a chance and once again my order was incomplete I order a caldo de abondigas it was missing tortillllas

Monse, fue una muy buena servidora! Fue muy atenta y muy amable. Nos hizo sentir cómodas y como si estuviéramos en casa. Me gustaría tenerla de nuevo cuando regrese. Fue mi parte favorita aparte de la comida. Todo el staff fueron muy atentos a pesar de que estábamos afuera. I do dislike that the music was so low, you couldn't really hear it. It's quite upsetting that people complain about the noise level. I don't understand how you gonna go to "Dj Night" and complain about the noise level. Maybe go to Chili's or Olive Garden if that's more your scene? Servers and food are amazing though! But that would be my only complaint. Also maybe bring back having the buffet on the weekends? The Moreno Valley location is my favorite because the atmosphere is more lively and the buffet. That is all! I would def recommend this place. read more

How are you going to be lazy to not serve food 2 hours before you close for takeout. Do better kalaveras in escondido the one in san diego didn't do this to me read more

Panchos by far way better. This place is more of a Bar food is horrible and service kinda sucks too kinda disappointed tbh

The food was great. I had the civeche (sp?). Others in my party enjoyed their meals. Delicious. Loved the atmosphere. Everything was clean, including nice bathrooms. Service was great too. read more

Great food. Ambience is nice. Drinks were great. Shrimp enchiladas and shrimp and fish tacos were amazing. The best thing was the tortillas. Very fresh! read more

The food was a huge miss. The appetizer roll was a complete mess lacking any sort of flavor. Just a hodge podge of ingredients thrown together with a slew of onions on top. The enchiladas verdes were cold and salty. The beans had this sour, spoiled taste and were also cold. My husband's carne asada, although overcooked, wasn't actually that bad. Although his beans and rice were also cold. And he ordered flour but got corn tortillas. The margaritas were okay but managed to pack a punch. The ambiance was odd particularly with the black lights everywhere. Perplexed how so many Kalaveras have been popping up with some measure of success then with this location somehow completely out of tune with the rest. With numerous established Mexican restaurants in the area who have consistently delivered over the years quality food there's little reason to give this place a second chance. read more

Just because we didn't get the opportunity to eat here. Was excited because I have heard good things and the menu online looked sooo good.. the issue I had was it wasn't what we expected. Online they have the hours and menu. When we arrived the host was polite and sat us with menus but then were stopped and told it was actually only buffet style for brunch.. online it said nothing about a buffet style brunch. When the server came over she proceeded to explain how it was just buffet style and she couldn't get us drinks either because they had "aguas frescas" out. 25.99 for adults and 15.99 for children.. we had 3 kids that would of only eaten eggs and maybe some fruit don't think it would of been worth it for them. And in all honesty we were hoping to just sit down and eat, getting up and having to get your own food with toddlers isn't ideal. That was our only issue and that the manager on duty seemed slightly rude and disturbed that the host had put 2 tables together for us. They did try to accommodate our issue by charging us only one kids buffet for 2 kids. Again if it weren't buffet style we would have definitely eaten here but because it wasn't what we were expecting we left. It looked like it had a good atmosphere and ambiance maybe for just adults. Maybe just advertise it online a little more. read more

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The reason I had somewhat high expectations is because I have been to the Kalaveras in OC where you stand up in a line to get your tacos (Taco Tuesday). But here at the one in Escondido you get served your tacos which is great but they were cold. The meat was cold. The corn tortilla was cold and hard to eat... kind of gummy texture. The tacos in OC are warm! Also- we both ordered 4 tacos each and somehow 6 came out. Whatever... we will eat anything and not send it back but I would love if the warmth of the tacos were looked into! read more

Kalaveras - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Escondido, California

Service was fast , food was gross , got the aguachiles and they tasted way too over cooked like they had been sitting in lime juice for a while ! Super salty as well . Good place to hang out with some loud good music . Messed up my drinks twice then gave me a stink face about it when I asked them to make new ones , wouldn't go back again . read more

Food was okay, aguachiles weren't fresh, birria tacos were greasy, sloppy, saggy. One basket of tortilla chips for 8 people. Tacos bland. Servers were slow and didn't know the menu. Food was below average overall. They automatically added 18% gratuity when they didn't even do a good job. On top of that they didn't give us our change. Pathetic establishment. read more

Had the potato taquitos off the lunch menu. They were very good. Service was excellent. Did not try a cocktail but will definitely be back. Good prices on the lunch menu and the staff is friendly and attentive. Happy to have another good restaurant in the downtown area. read more

I have been here many times with excellent service and food. I finally brought a group of 6 plus a child and we had to ask for water and chips and salsa. On top of that, they automatically charged us a 18% tip and then was accidentally tipped on top of that for poor service. I contacted Customer service email and waited 6 weeks to hear back and NOTHING, NOT an email or phone call or refund. After the amount of times we had frequented this establishment we will never go back and have told our friends to stay away. Lack of customer service, food is no longer good and chips and salsa have to be requested. Too many other places to go and get excellent food and service. This place had so much potential. Management and employees who do not service will have no one to service. read more

Was told that men couldn't go into the men's restroom due to there was a woman in there. It's not gender neutral restrooms. But they said they are. So men have to go outside to go to the bathroom. That's not rite at all! Anyone that can help get this corrected would be greatly appreciated. read more

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Combination plate was on par with a TV dinner. La Tapatia was replace by this place and isn't as good.

The food and drinks were very good. The service excellent. The music was too loud for conversation. AND the music videos NOT family friendly. read more

First time since I was a wee lad. And boy I was impressed. Priscilla was nothing less than fantastic. She guided us through our drink selection, and carefully curated our experience. I do recommend anyone who wants to be baptized in the full Mexican hospitality experience to come and enjoy your time here. She is everything we could have wanted and more. Godspeed fellow Escondidans. read more

Loved the food, drinks, and party vibes! Will definitely be back, food exceeded my expectations.

The food I ordered was good but my birria tacos had a black hair. It grossed me out. I told the waiter they brought a new plate but it took a long time. The manager came by and said that they were going to bring me new plate. Didn't apologize. We were a party of 5 and they brought each meal (individually) every 10 mins. We did not eat at the same time I didn't want them to wait for my food because their food was gonna get cold. read more

Let me start off by saying they made the inside look a lot better than the former restaurant that was there (el tapatio I think it was called) new tables and fresh paint so I had high hopes. Now El Tapatio was not very good sorta middle of the road when it comes to the food. This place was worse, way worse. 4 out of 10 on food. No flavor and lots of filler. And a bit pricey considering how bad the food. Maybe it is just a place to party with drinks and the food takes a back seat to that. Just about any tiny hole in the wall Mexican restaurant even the ones with Drive thru beat out this place by a lot. Really doubt it will last especially in Escondido where they have so much really good Mexican food. I really only have had worse Mexican food in Fallon Nevada. Now this place would probably do well there. So they are a couple steps above the worst I have ever had. But find out for yourself but don't say I didn't want you. read more

The vibe was great ! Service was pretty good considering how busy they were and just opened few weeks ago. Chips are just terrible. Really should not serve that. Other food was pretty dang good! Happy hour drinks are definitely made to weak at this location. Few tweets here and there and they will keep customers coming. But everyone was saying cheap bag chips. Don't wanna be know for that . read more

Great food, great service. It's our new date spot. I highly recommend the Kali burrito.

Dirty bathrooms, stale chips, cold food... I don't understand how they have so many locations with that kind of service.

For my first time coming here it was a great service and place. Estepania was an amazing server. She made sure my friends and I were taken care of before she went on her break. She was very my helpful and recommended great tasting drinks. I will be coming back especially since she took great care of us read more

I went last night to celebrate my friends birthday. The vibe was so much. My waiter was so fun and attentive( I forget her name ) . I order two of the mango micheladas , it was sweet and spicy. For out appetizers we order guacamole, it was very fresh and tasty. I ordered the chicken mole enchiladas , it was so delicious. Overall it will be my new go to spot for a night out. read more

A great place for taco Tuesday for sure! The carne asada was great! I love the decor at night it's even better!

We had dinner before show at the Center for the Performing Arts Escondido. All the food was amazing!! We had the Mole & green enchiladas, chicken taquitos & guacamole, beef tacos, skinny margaritas and Paloma negro drinks.. The service was very good!! The Ambiance is casual nice, they had TV's & sports on everywhere, which was a plus for my husband :-) We would definitely recommend this place! read more

Went for happy hour and was not disappointed. We were able to get a spot at the bar and the service was great. The guacamole was excellent and the happy hour tacos were great. Great value all around too. read more

A friend was visiting from out of town so we took a chance on this new Mexican restaurant in Escondido. Wow! We were pleasantly surprised by Kalaveras! The look and feel of the place has been completely transformed. They now have great wall murals and chic seating. They have wisely retained some of the best features, like the outdoor patio to sip margaritas while watching the sunset. The menu is varied and interesting, with some very traditional dishes alongside fusion choices. Our party ordered the carnitas, the barbacoa, and the two vegan taco choices. All were really delicious, especially the vegan tacos. Hurray! We also ordered the house margaritas, which were just as delicious. Our servers were very friendly and attentive. All around it was a great experience, we will definitely return! read more

There for lunch to try out new place. Breakfast tacos (eggs) and fish tacos. Food was fresh, hot, seasoning was great. Great service.

My girlfriend and I came here for my birthday lunch and were so impressed with the food and friendly atmosphere we will definitely come many more times! read more

Visited during their grand opening. Very loud and crowded. You could def notice that the staff was new and poorly trained. Our drink cups were sticky and didn't seem clean. read more

Idk what everyone is talking about, this place kills it! Tacos are great, margaritas are great especially on Mondays, pork belly chile verde is delicious. Chips are extra crunchy paired with the habanero salsa they make are great. Esco folk have weird expectations, Kalaveras keep doing it up ! Service is great too all of our servers have done a phenomenal job. Great to see such a great concept come to esco !!!!!! Wooooooo!!!! read more

The food and the coffee were lukewarm. The website said free mimosas with buffet. No mimosas and no buffet. After paying, the server returned twice to see if we were ready for the check. I won't be back. read more