Came here for dinner around 7 pm on a Tuesday and we were able to be seated right away on the patio…read morewith our dog. They start you off with complimentary chips, salsa and beans. I really enjoyed the beans and liked that it was offered as something different. I also ordered a spicy michelada with Modelo which was really good. For food we shared the pollo à la chipotle and seafood enchiladas. Both entrees were really good! You could taste the crab in the enchiladas and the sauce on the chicken was really good. The chicken was also moist and not dry. I enjoyed the chile relleno but felt like it wasn't needed. My boyfriend really liked the rice. They offered us more chips once we ran out and brought out a fresh batch. Oh my, the chips were amazing when they were still warm! If I wasn't full I could've eaten the whole basket myself. Our server was also friendly and brought water for our dog without us having to ask. Great location near the beach for a nice dinner with a breeze. We would definitely return!

I should have taken photos! Every bite was delicious. The fresh tortilla chips were warm and the…read moreguacamole was so tasty and was served with chopped cucumbers and a wonderfully smoky chipotle sauce on the side. Why? Who knows. Who cares. They were delicious. We ordered several types of tacos, on both regular corn tortillas and crispy tortillas. WOW! Each bite was better than the one before. Is that possible ? Yes, it's possible. The food was so delicious, we ordered food to take with us for later. ( photos of take out attached. We were too busy eating out sit down meal). The service was exceptional. My water glass stayed full. The room is nice and cozy. We had no problem with parking, but I can imagine it may get tight during the dinner hour. We will return, because I look forward to trying several other menu items. I highly recommend Carmelita's.

It was perfect. The cilantro lime steak salad made the best afternoon snack for me and my husband…read more Grilled carne asada tops a bed of greens, a generous amount of avocado, red onions, shredded jack cheese, tomato, roasted corn, black beans, and crispy tortilla strips.stripe. All dressed in a lime vinaigrette. It was so refreshing and full of protein, both animal and plant. We always try to eat as healthy as possible and this truly hit the spot. Pairs well with a bottle of unsweetened tea. Service was nice and fairly quick. Located in the Pavilions shopping center, and 6-minute walk from our hotel, this really made our day. Seatings are plentiful on this weekday, both inside and outside. There are other items on the menu like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. We will definitely try these next time we're in town. They all sound tasty! Salud!

Delicious food, great vibe and excellent service. I'd be back with a group of friends.read more

To get the bad out of the way the waiter basically showed unhappiness with our not ordering an…read moreappetizer or a dessert.. he basically walked away both times without saying a word. I felt bad so gave him a $25 tip, over 22%, but after thinking about it I probably should've given him more like 15%. The guys who filled our water and took our plates were cordial though. Sorry dude I have to live too. Also parking is very difficult to find, but there's valet off PCH behind the art museum for $15. Okay now the good stuff.. my steak & lobster enchiladas were awesome! The green chili one was spicy and filled with lobster. The red one was a nice marinara sauce topped with Parmesan crumbles and had steak in it. The black beans and red rice actually didn't have much flavor though, probably should've put that on top. My wife's butterfly shrimp and garlic sauce with corn rice was really good too. We also had a Quest Cabernet and a peach mojito both very good! It's a little pricey here, but the experience is great. We sat outside able to admire the ocean and outdoor fire. All in all it was a good experience. Thank you.

Grateful to finally review this favorite Laguna Beach location we've been coming to for the past…read morecouple decades. Parking can be challenging on the weekend or holidays, but here on a weekday the second day of fall for a 5pm dinner, easy parking. Always attentive wait staff: and was surprised that my friend Ivan is manager: so cool to see him work the room and even bus tables. Our server Asher was fantastic. Seated with a lovely view of the bay. Calamari perfect, tender, lightly fried. My Ensalada Cobb was just what the doctor ordered: I subbed Salmon, and am bewildered that the skin was like crispy bacon and the salmon itself so tender and perfect. The caprese was fantastic, the heirloom tomatoes so flavorful! This is the Ur-SoCal experience!

You simply cannot go wrong dining at South of Nick's in Laguna Beach. We've tasted so many dishes,…read moreand every visit gives us another reason to return. The La Tablita and shrimp taquitos are standouts, and the chips with their trio of salsas are divine. They are the kind of fresh tortilla chips you keep reaching for even when you promise yourself you're saving room for dinner. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with thoughtful attention to every little detail. Add the spectacular ocean view, and you have a setting that makes you want to settle in and savor the evening. Our server, Paul, was exceptionally attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and helping us feel truly cared for throughout our meal. The toasted coconut margarita remains a favorite, and the wine list has all our go-to choices. Between the delicious food, gracious service, and beautiful setting, South of Nick's is a must every time we're in Laguna Beach.

I had been meaning to try this place. I have been to Nick's which is very good but I think I prefer…read morethis. The view is awesome and Mexican food is more of my style. Got fish tacos and they were some of the best I've tried. The chips and salsa were excellent too. I got a Paloma which was pretty good and had a nice seat by the window. People are nice as well. The parking is tricky and this was at lunch during the week, so it's probably even worse on weekends and dinner.

The Mar Y Tierra burrito is my favorite burrito of the year. I haven't had a single burrito in…read morealmost 10 years but this pregnancy had me craving for some, so after hubby and I enjoyed our date at Laguna Beach, he found this place for us and it did not disappoint. Usually, I'd expect burritos to feel heavy after eating, but this one was full of shrimp & steak (surf & turf - my fav) with cheese & cabbage instead of rice & beans. Some may prefer the rice, beans, and cheese combo in their burritos, but I much prefer the protein-heavy, and veggies forward type of burrito that the taco stand serves. I split the burrito with my hubby thinking it was big, which I borderline regretted after taking a bite, because I'll need my own next time. It's just that good... & feels light on the tummy :) Service was no frills, and glad they have their own parking lot. Ambiance is super chill.. not an actual taco stand but there are plenty of seats both inside and outside the restaurant. Only one bathroom for all customers so that's not exactly the best for a pregnant woman like myself, but the burrito makes up for that too! The salsa bar was also quite extensive--we got everything to try, but the classic pico de gallo, smoky salsa matcha, and the green sauce did it for me. Chips and guac were classic delish as an appetizer, and so was the carne asada tacos, but the burrito is worth coming back for.

Visiting from NM. I had low expectations as I do whenever I…read morevisit a restaurant outside of New Mexico but holy cow! The Taco Stand has the most delicious food I tasted while visiting Laguna. The staff is amazing, friendly, and attentive. We went back a second time and each ordered a mar y tierra burrito which was to die for. The manager on duty surprised us with a sweet treat, churros! I will definitely return when I visit California again. I wanted to dance while I was there because the music was as flavorful as the food. Thank you to everyone at the Taco Stand for providing tasteful memories.

Chelas is a local Mexican Restaurant near Gallery Row in North Laguna beach, offering delicious…read moreMexican fare with a smile at a reasonable price. I ordered for my takeout the La Calle Taco Kit ($80), which included 2 pounds of meat (half steak, half chicken), cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, onions, rice, 2 dozen tortillas, and limes. Bangers all around. The chicken was superbly spiced and tender, the beans soft and well spiced, the tortillas hot and fresh. Of the lineup, the strongest contender was the guacamole, which had the perfect mix of cilantro, lime, and creamy avocado, one of the best guacamoles I've ever had. I found the steak a little weak, being more beef shavings which were a little tough. Everything came together well to feed our group of five with plenty for leftovers the following day. Service was friendly and very, very fast. When calling in our order I was quoted 12 minutes. For such a large order during the dinner rush, this is commendable. Service was effusive and friendly, tailoring the order to our liking (half and half meat, half and half tortillas, the mildest of mild salsas, etc). Price, above, was very reasonable for the quantity of food in an expensive area. I went in with modest expectations but left quite impressed. Te felicito, Chelas! You have my highest recommendation for anyone looking for quality Mexican in Laguna at a fair price. Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 4.5:5

Chelas is a cool little spot on Coast Highway, just a few blocks from Heisler Park. They have a few…read moreparking spaces out front and a second-floor patio with a nice ocean view. I tried the Chelas MVP Breakfast Burrito, and it was really good! It's huge and packed with scrambled eggs, bacon, steak, crispy hash browns, guacamole, and Colby Jack cheese. Everything worked really well together, and the hash browns gave it a nice crunch. Good food, big portions, and a nice view. I'll definitely be back!

Great spot, especially if you want Mexican food with an ocean-side atmosphere. I had the skinny…read moremargarita, which was refreshing and a perfect pairing with dinner. I ordered the steak fajitas, and they were pretty good! The steak was flavorful, and the fajitas came out sizzling with all the classic sides. Overall, a fun spot to grab some quick sit down Mexican food and drinks while enjoying the beautiful Laguna Beach scenery. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area!

Wish I could give this place a better review! We waited over 20 minutes for drinks while our server…read morewas tied up at another table. Another table that sat down after us received their drinks first. I eventually went to the bar to ask if I could order there and was told by the bartender, 'your waitress is right there' and then 'she'll get to you,' which came across as dismissive and unhelpful. Overall, the service felt inattentive and the bartender's response made the experience worse. It's too bad, the view's beautiful!

I LOVE Rasta Taco on Beach Street in Laguna Beach!! It's my new taco place; my all-time favorite is…read morethe Al Pastor!! I enjoy sitting outside, eating Rasta Taco & watching life walk by!!! Try it - you'll love it too!!! by: Mary Jones

Rasta Taco was the Jamaican-Mexican food mash-up that I didn't know I was seeking…read more With just a walk-up window and a little patio of outdoor tables, one might be excused for assuming that an average taco would result but halfway through our meal two of us were remarking on how good it all was. Not just good, but wholly satisfying and abundant. My Asada Bowl was filled with so much tasty protein that what I initially took for a somewhat high-priced offering ($18.95) proved ample enough to satisfy not only for lunch; This was dinner as well. Tacos received equal praise. Order at the counter then take a seat at a patio table. Your meal will be brought to your table though should you need anything else you'll likely be fetching it yourself. If the weather is nice (almost always in Laguna Beach), you're sporting a hunger, and you're not looking for anything fancy Rasta Taco should be on your go-to list. If I found myself in Laguna Beach today, it's where I'd lunch.

Excellent each time we come here. High quality and great tasting fresh food! Eaten here a lot and…read morebreakfast was just as good as lunch and dinner. Love it.

Man. lol…read more Ok. So this is a basic average Mexican place in Laguna beach. Below average service. Entitled Gen Z workers who expect $10 tip for just getting your order. Food was bland. Service forgettable. Outside was gross ... dog feces on the lawn not picked up All in all .... A totally forgettable food experience. A memorable terrible one ( one person cost $42!! For garbage food ) Skip this place. For sure.

Javier's in Newport Beach has been my favorite place to chill in the early afternoons every few…read moreyears. I say that because around 2 pm on a Wednesday, it's easy to get in and out. Ample parking, attentive service, and great food. On Wednesday, I was solo and ordered two Cucumber Jalapeño margaritas with salsa and chips. After I enjoyed scoping out every inch of the awesome decor and ambience, I ordered the famous beans. Boy are they delicious! Next came Enchiladas Mariscos which knocked it out of the park. Beautifully presented, great temperature, and the zesty green sauce was delicious. To my surprise the rice and beans no longer come along with this amazing entree. That rubbed me wrong. Adding $18 to my lunch made me wrinkle my nose and ask why? No beans and no rice, no business. Kelley the hostess was amazing, Martin was attentive, Augustin the manager was cordial. The staff there especially the bartender Salvador whom I've know for many years are memorable. Keep it that way.

We've been going to Javier's for more than 10 years between Spectrum, Crystal Cove, and Vegas, so…read morethis was especially disappointing. We had a 7:00 reservation for my birthday, called ahead to say we'd be about 20 minutes late, and were told there was a 15-minute grace period. We arrived around 7:20-7:25 and were turned away. I understand policies, but this was a Tuesday night, and the attitude was awful.. no warmth, no effort to help, and zero acknowledgment that we had called ahead or that it was my birthday. Simply put, nasty. My wife rebooked us for 8:00, so we waited at the bar. At dinner, we ordered margaritas and they were genuinely terrible. Not just "not our taste," but shockingly bad for a restaurant that has always been known for its margaritas. We sent them back and asked for beers instead. That's where the service really lost us. Our waitress didn't ask what was wrong, didn't apologize, didn't seem concerned, and made absolutely no effort to fix the experience. She just dropped the Modelos on the table with an attitude that basically said, "Fine, you're a nuisance, here's your beer." The food itself was great, but the service and overall hospitality were genuinely terrible. They also completely forgot the birthday despite it being noted on the reservation. I normally tip 25-30%, but tonight I left 15% and wrote, "Thanks for forgetting my birthday" on the check. That pretty much summed it up.