An old time favorite. Coming here is tradition but be warned no air conditioning, no music, their new way of walk up order and they deliver is ok. Food is ok, have to say salsa is nice and spicy. Drinks , margaritas had no tequila in them. Tasted like limeade. Bill reflected a better quality restaurant. It was nice to sit out. Inside is warm but lots of old pics to look at of celebrities who have been here to eat. This time of year arrive about 6:30 to watch a beautiful sunset on outdoor patio. To small margaritas a 2 taco dinner with rice and beans and an alacart chimi was $57 before tip. Yet it is a place we go every time we spend a week at Dana Point area a nice walk from our hotel on PCH. read more

Olamendi's - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Our family love Olamendi's. We adore their beach side restaurant with all it's pictures and Knick knacks. We have spent hours playing, "I spy" and found many fun things. The food is really, really good. And I am so happy that they have a vegan menu now, too. (Even though they happily adjusted the food for me, before). There is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant, and on PCH. ADDED: During the stay-at-home order, we are still ordering from Olamendi's. Funny enough we're trying new things now. (Okay, the rest of the family is, I'm still in love with the Canastita. Always will be!) Today, my husband ordered the Potato Enchiladas Piplan Verde, and loved it. The portion is large, he is having "leftovers" for lunch tomorrow (leftover is more like a half portion). The chipotle ginger vinaigrette is to die for. I would eat that straight out of a jar Oh wait, I did. That's how good that is. My son enjoyed his Chicken Quesadilla so much, he dared try their fajita veggies with it, and he loved them. Youngest eyed my Canastita and asked if she could have some, LOL. Your local restaurant supported your school/sports team/non-profit, now it's your turn to support them! We love Olamendi's read more

I met with 7 clients today for lunch. I was greeted by Joanna and she suggested a table that worked out great for us. She was also our server and did a great job. My clients loved the food. If you need to meet with some clients or date night or a nice dinner with the family, I highly recommend Olamendis! read more

Food was horrible. No chicken in my chicken salad. 5 people ate and 5 people were disappointed. We all ordered something different.

The main staff was not nice or was the food good. Their service has gone down the drains since last time my family was there. So sad. read more

As a real Mexican I give this restaurant a one star. The food has no flavor at all. The menu needs to be updated as well as their food. The place is a vibe so I wished the food had been the same too. Save your money and dine somewhere else. read more

Quick walk from our hotel; restaurant was recommended by the desk clerk. Service was excellent and quick. The salsa was spicy and spot on, chips were fresh. Enjoyed our entrees. The decor is super funky! read more

Food was ok...just ok. Chips and salsa is quite good. View is great. Loud with the heavy traffic on the street but worth it with the ocean view if the view is more important to you than the food. Note: even though outdoor patio seating, this is NOT a dog friendly establishment. Can't think of another beach city casual dining outdoor patio that is not dog friendly, but this one is not! Would be good to know before heading there with the pooch for a quick bite, so adding this here to save the dog lovers the hassle. Too many other places to enjoy a car ride to or, in our case, a bike ride to with the little 5lb pup, so wouldn't go back. read more

This place is so gross, I would not eat here again. You'd get better quality at a cheap place like Sabrosada or Albertos. I read a review sharing how great the fish tacos were and took a chance on them, but they were soggy and strangely chewy. The beans were very bland, the rice was the only barely edible thing. Husband ordered a chicken quesadilla, also gross. He requested an extra salsa when recieving the food and they insisted that he had more than enough salsa. They only gave us 1 salsa, enough for my plate but none for his? He had to persist with his request, so strange. I would stay away and eat elsewhere. So many amazing Mexican food spots in So. California, especially OC. Skip this place and try somewhere else. read more

Olamendi's - Baja Fish Tacos - soggy & inedible. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

This old school establishment, with a great view of the Pacific, served up a big heap of disappointment. Margarita was too weak and dull, like from cheap mix. How does this place mess that up? It should be the standard for all other places around here. The chicken and squash specialty dish was bland. The carnitas taco was tough (reaheated?) Rice and beans did not taste fresh. read more

Had to try this place because we saw it on YouTube review of Doheny Beach Campground. Not as amazing as the reviewer said but it was good. The service was outstanding. We were greeted promptly and got to select our table. My husband and I loved the decor (very eclectic) and charming. My husband had the Carnitas La Olamende, which he really liked. The cilantro ranch was good, as were the flour tortillas. Their salsa is on the hot side but very good. I had the chilaquiles (unfortunately I'm super picky when it comes to chilaquiles so I'm going to pass on rating them). Will definitely try this place again. read more

Unfortunately, the older woman manager was incredibly rude to multiple customers for absolutely no reason. You'd think they want your business, but I guess she'd rather you go elsewhere. I've never encountered such blatant hostility at a restaurant before in my life and I hope if you choose to still go, you manage to catch her on her day off. read more

The food was good. Nothing I haven't had before but it was good. Can't say anything bad about the food. The service is weird. I'm going to to guess they did table service before covid. That would make more sense. Now they give you menus and ask you to choose a place to sit. Then when your ready to order they have you go order. Then they bring you your food but you have to get most things yourself. They have water out for you to get. Your to go boxes. Napkins. So it's kind of contactless but it's just a little weird. All in all location location location. Really cute restaurant with decent food in great location. read more

This was our third visit because my husband likes it. This time, I did, too. We sat outside for lunch on a glorious day. The service was excellent. I had the Olamendi's Tostada with carnitas and was impressed with the quantity of meat. My mango margarita was excellent. read more

I am a local resident and thought I would try olemendis again after a bad experience 20 years ago . When the chips suck it's probably gonna go downhill from there , because if you don't care about that then you probably don't care about the rest of it . The rice and beans were tasteless , enchilada sauce tasted like it came from a can and the salad was just just lettuce shredding for the tacos thrown in a bowl. Maybe there are enough dumb tourists to support your business , but why not put a little bit more effort into the food your making. If I live another 20 years I won't be back, I should have known better and I feel like an a-hole now. I hope moctezuma doesn't visit me tonight . read more

Things have gone downhill. I ordered the guacamole it's runny it's not even good it's like disgusting. And then I ordered the Christina Dona which I always order and it came to my table cold. There are two waitresses. One is responsive and nice. The other just flopped the menu down our table literally throwing it at us, and walked away. When she asked us if we ready, i asked a question about a sauce. She answered and then said, guess you're not ready to order and walked away. If the beer wasn't down, i would have walked out. Finally, the nice waitress came over and served us. They also remade my meal. I just hate that I have to wait while others have eaten their meal. Sorry to the owners that i know, but what happened???? Honestly, it's not the waitresses fault but the meal was absolutely horrible. read more

Olamendi's - This is Olamendi's in the 1935! - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Great location, great service, wonderful margueritas, good food. Love the patio overlooking the blue pacific.

Wanted to try this place, been by it dozens of times. We seen the mixed reviews on Yelp so thought we'd give it a try . Gave it 3 Stars for the ambiance, but the reviews are pretty spot on, the prices are insane but I guess your paying for the views and location. We just ordered some chips and guac. Empanada's and Churros. Chips are thick and hard, guacamole has tomato and onions in it and was ok. The empanadas are just tortillas with a bit of meat then fried and oily. The churros were a bit tough and chewy. Can't really comment on the other dishes since we weren't ready to shell out $30 a plate. Still think Lupe's is a better choice.:) :) read more

It looks like a hole in the wall but once you walk in the door you will not believe the atmosphere. Lots of photographs of Nixon, Reagan, George H.W. And George W. Bush plus innumerable other decorative items, truly fun. Turns out it was a Nixon hangout when he lived in San Clemente. Salsa and guacamole were very good and the menu was huge. We ordered from the a la carte menu and got huge portions. I ordered a fish enchilada and pork tamale. The fish was excellent but the pork was a little dry. My wife ordered a tostada and it was huge. She really enjoyed it. Definitely worth the stop. read more

Olamendi's - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

They have a full vegan menu. Service is friendly & prompt. They offer indoor and outdoor seating options. Atmosphere & decor is festive.

We had a delicious lunch here today! The capo burrito and chicken enchiladas were fantastic! Victor, our waiter was excellent as well. Be back soon! read more

So nice restaurant, super kind staff, delicious food! Beautiful view to the ocean! They also have many vegetarian and vegan food. I am sure we will go back read more

Great Rellanos and service. Very beautiful setting near ocean. They packed my leftovers and insisted I take salsa home.

We haven't been here for 20 years and won't come back. Ever. For a Mexican restaurant to CHARGE for chips and salsa - and not to mention it - unforgivable. Times two. Service was fantastic however - everyone was working hard and extremely attentive - and for that I'm thankful. Prices were outrageous for the simple food we ate. read more

This is a San Clemente favorite, right across the street from the Pacific Ocean. I would have liked the salsa a bit spice. read more

Olamendi's - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

This restaurant has a dedicated vegan menu which although not huge, has some great options. I really like that, and found that all of them are nicely flavored and the portions are large. Combine that with the great location and the amazing service (even though you have to order at the counter), this is definitely a place I would return to. read more

This place has a beautiful view right along the water. It's a nice place to ride to on the bike. I got a beef burrito which was good. It's definitely more costly than a typical Mexican restaurant, but you're paying for the location. They give you chips and salsa for the table. The salsa was a bit spicy for me and they didn't have a less spicy salsa to give me without paying. The staff were friendly and helpful. read more

The taquitos were so greasy. My lite margarita didn't have any tequila. When I asked, I was told you only get one shot. I said but there's no tequila and the waiter just walked away. Never going back!! read more

The food was the worst ever. Cold fish for fajitas. The food took 40 minutes to come. They served us with plastic ware! The water taste like crap. After I complained they didnt compensate me for anything. I couldn't eat me food. Left it all. The cali burrito came cold. Cold chicken. So gross. Avoid at all costs. read more

Olamendis is a local favorite. Great food, authentic atmosphere. According to mom , best margarita in town. Great view of the beach, easy to find and enjoy. Check it out. Jorge is second generation and will make sure you have a wonderful meal and time. read more

Wonderful location, and the crazy colorful exploded pinata interior is fantastic & cool, but the locals only eat here when they're lazy or dont care, because that's exactly what you get from the kitchen here - food that is barely ever above taco bell quality. In a world full of talented Mexican cooks & restaurant workers - as well a tons of competing good local taco joints- you'd think that they would try & care, but no. You'll get way better service and food at El Torito. Still, it's sunny on the terrace out front, and you can have fun watching the world go by at the beach- with an Ok margi in your hand. Dont expect much, and it will be more than enjoyable. Que Lastima! read more

This restaurant is perfectly located across from the beach and walking distance from the hotels. The staff were kind,Albondigas knowledgeable, welcoming, and attentive, taking care of all of my needs quickly and efficiently. Giving me the space to eat yet close enough to be available for any needs. The decor was culturally captivating, and the tables were well spaced,clean, and stocked. Now I will say everything is grossly overpriced! The Jamaica Margarita was $18 but lacked the flavor of Hibiscus, very disappointing. I ordered the Carnitas plate, which was $30! For just a serving spoon size of rice, which had ABSOLUTELY no flavor! Completely seasonless it was so light it looked like just white rice. The same spoon size amount of beans that also lacked authentic Mexican flavor. The hand size portion of Carnitas was NOT fried or slow cooked as it should be. It was dry like shredded wheat and had NO seasoning at all! The few pieces that were not dry just tasted like boiled pork. The plate came with your choice of corn or flour tortillas I chose flour and got 3 small hand size tortillas. Also had a choice of soup or salad, I chose the soup of Albondigas (which is my favorite Mexican soup) Unfortunately this is the worst bowl that I've ever had! Like the rest of the food, it lacked Any seasoning I made it edible by adding a bit of salt,pepper, and lime. The food not at all worth the price if you're looking for authentic Mexican flavors, this is NOT the place to get it. But the Ombiance and location is worth visiting. read more

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Yuck! This restaurant should be closed and reopened by someone who actually cares about the food they are putting out. Apparently the owner likes to come every morning to open the restaurant but it seems like he is lacking in quality control. The chips were stale and tasted like they had been fried in oil that hadn't been changed out. Everything tasted like it had been in the fridge for a month and then warmed up. My stomach immediately took a turn after eating the nachos. So I stopped and went home. The outside is nice enough but we're told when we sat down that they don't want dogs on the patio. We told the waitress he was a service dog and what services he preformed and she said we will see about that. Just overall not a good experience and I would suggest going to Carmelita's down the street. They know how to cook and have great customer service! read more

We are visiting from out of town and this place is right next to our hotel. The atmosphere is fun, and the margaritas are tasty! Prices are decent and the service was good. Food was flavorful and my son ate two baskets of chips! Love that their salsa is spicy, and their plates are big, but not too oversized! We got there at 5, right before it got too busy! By 6 the place as totally packed! We will definitely come back next time we are in town! read more

WOW, I've been converted. Normally I am not a fan of Mexican food. it just seems like they all taste the same. Until last night. I came in after a hike for dinner and we ordered up a bunch of different food to sample and try. I had the carnitas salad, we tried the tacos and the taquitos and homemade flan. That was the best Mexican food I've ever had, especially the flan. And through GrubHub deliver there's a $10 off coupon through for your first delivery. I only wish they are in Irvine or Newport. I highly recommend trying this place out if you love fresh authentic handmade Mexican food. Love, love, love read more

Olamendi's - Delicious carnitas salad - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Honestly not the best. I was here for lunch yesterday and was not very fond of the sewage-like smell that is around the parking lot and inside the restaurant. I came with a friend, I ordered a wet carne asada burrito, and my friend ordered steak and potatoes. We were greeted with water, chips and salsa. As soon as our plates came out everything looked absolutely delicious. When our forks and knives hit the plates, grabbed a piece of our food and was delivered into our mouths we were very UNSATISFIED. The burrito I got tasted like a pizza and the meat inside looked like small pebbles of nothing. My meal was supposed to come with rice and beans, but they were no where to be found. My friend's steak and potatoes looked appetizing to the eye as well but it lacked flavor and the meat was too chewy. read more

Olamendi's - Wet burrito - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Unfortunate and unbelievable bad experience!! Location and parking is good, but will not ever go here again and we will let our friends to avoid coming here. Group of 6, friends cup for soda had disgusting lipstick on. When we told the bus boy, he completely ignored us. Food quality and taste bad! Embarrassing, we told the gentleman in charge and he apologized and agreed with us. Very disappointed with this unpleasant experience. Very over priced as well. We don't mind paying high prices, but make it worth it or somewhat decent! read more

This was close to the worst Mexican food and Margarita I've ever had. I was staying at Riviera right next door so I thought this might be a good place to pop in even though the ratings weren't great. It seemed like it was hit and miss depending on when you came and who served you. But in my opinion it doesn't matter when or who because the chef is the one that makes the food and I was not impressed. When we arrived the place was packed and booming so I thought we couldn't go wrong. So we opted to sit in the back corner next to numerous President Nixon photos. The place is decorated like it's Cinco de Mayo everyday. Waiter came over pretty quick and I ordered a house margarita with salt on the rocks. It arrived in some thick short water glass. The salt on the rim was not a fine margarita salt like most but a huge chunky rock salt. Not terrible but just kind of weird. The margarita was awful. The glass was filled to the brim with ice, you could not taste the tequila, and the rest of it barely tasted of margarita mix. I almost left right then and there thinking of the bad reviews that had been posted here. Little did I know it was going to get worse. I ordered the two taco combo and my wife ordered a cheese enchilada. The food came pretty quick and it was hot but neither plate looked exciting. Maybe Mexican food just doesn't look that way? LOL. My plate had beans and rice with two tacos under a head of lettuce floating in a soupy liquid. After biting into the first taco I realized where all that liquid was coming from. It was the beef inside the taco that had probably been sitting in water all day. Although it was very tender it really had no flavor, I asked for some taco sauce or green salsa to put on top. It was the same mild green salsa that was on my wife's cheese enchilada. For enchilada sauce it's fine but for a taco it just didn't do it for me. The second taco was unremarkable except for the mold on the tortilla! Yup, I had already eaten half of it and I immediately felt that portion coming back up onto the plate! The waiter only offered to bring me a new taco. At that point I was just so disgusted I asked for the check and we were out of there! I really should have gone to the sushi place. I think the taco combo was $15 the enchilada was $11 and the margarita was $9. Pretty steep for what you get. You'd think the food would be stellar with all the accolades on the wall. I mean, come on ... Nixon ate here! Oh wait, maybe that should have been my sign! read more

Olamendi's - The two taco combo. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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First visit today. Great food. Kind people. Attentive service. Can't wait to go again. Muy bueno. read more

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They make their own tequila! How cool! Very homemade feel. Went on a Sunday and the green herb soup is only served Sunday. That was fantastic. Had shrimp fajitas which were great and a dish that had zucchini with carnitas. Excited to go back for a sunset dinner. Perfect view of the beach. read more

Olamendi's - Start with tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, and margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California