I'm not sure why the bad reviews? Things are different because of COVID, but the food was amazing, the ambiance is great, and staff was doing the best they could under the circumstances. The bartender/owner was so kind and friendly. We loved this place and will come back and support them anytime we are in town!! read more

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

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amazing atmosphere , good food , ok prices nice ocean front view on patio ! margarita is huge ! walking distance from hotels

Was very disappointed with my dinner. Chips were cold and hard, and the salsa was less than tasty. I ordered a carnitas enchilada with rice and beans. Rice and beans were good, but the carnitas in the enchilada were in large hard chunks and very dry. The red sauce was very bitter. Service was okay. I won't be returning here. read more

Enjoying a meal at Olamendis is like having Sunday dinner at home with family! Mr and Mrs Olamendi are gracious and welcoming!The food is very good and the atmosphere is very festive. I love sitting at the Nixon table . Former President Nixon and his wife were regulars and there is a table held in their honor. I have held several private parties ( Sweet 16, Wedding Rehersal) in the back and each event was A+++++ Olamendis is like coming home for dinner ... But you don't have to cook or clean up! ( Just like my children when they come home Lol ) read more

I guess world famous means servers do not have to work as hard. Claudia, our server was below par. Not attentive at all. Forgot multiple items with a very low energy. Auto gratuity for 4 adults 2 kids was very lucky for her. Bummer because I used to come here as a child and had a very different memory. read more

I went to Olamendis for a work lunch today - we all enjoyed our dishes - I ordered the shrimp tostada and it was excellent - all of the ingredients were so fresh. And the margaritas looked amazing - I'm going to come back to try one! read more

Super expensive for food quality and service. If it weren't for the location and patio, would not consider eating here. If I'm spending $14 on a house marg, I better get a solid buzz. I didn't. read more

Well margaritas were nothing to write home about. Chips were terrible and if you don't order food they charge you $3 for a refill. Patio is dog friendly but if you come from the beach, they tell you to go get your shoes. Go figure. The prices were high and another table with eight people were upset with their gratuity of 30% added to the bill. I didn't see the bill but was told that's what it was. View was great and that's about it. read more

Stopped by Olamendis this weekend with my two boys as I was craving some good traditional Mexican food. Upon walking in, everything felt different than my prior experiences there. Atmosphere was cold partially due to Covid protocols they are now having to follow which includes having to walk up to main counter, order, and then go sit at an open table with your number. Look, I am not gonna give up on you guys (you are an institution), but let's get the warmth back. I realize Covid stinks and it prevents a great deal, however happy, welcoming, "customer comes first" attitude still goes a long way. You shape that up and get some better salsa going (no one wants huge chunks of tomato's put in a bowl and called salsa) and we are back to good times. PS - taco's are still great and the boys love their burritos! read more

Food was awful. Service was terrible, and way over priced for the amount. I see it's going down hill over the years. When at the time share. Will have to find another go to place to eat. Sorry but true. read more

I have been coming to Olamendis for 30 plus years. It has always been one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. I hadn't been to Olamendis in about a year and a half until this past Friday. I was very disappointed. Everything was poor at best. The service was fair even though our order was incorrect. The food was not the authentic Mexican I remember from the past. Everything was bland. Portions were smaller, and the chips are probably the worst I've had. We ordered two margaritas, the Oro and a Cadillac, they were flavorful, but definitely didn't pack the punch you would expect from a schooner sized container, especially, with the price point of the drinks. It's with great sadness and disappointment, that I won't be returning to Olamendis. read more

First off, let me start by saying that I've been to this restaurant many times and usually enjoyed it. My wife and I just went for breakfast this morning and they had a brunch menu. She ordered Machaca and I ordered enchiladas plobano. We each had a glass of water and no sides when the bill came. We were shocked to see that the enchiladas cost $30. I know times are tough and restaurants have to survive but $30 for two tortillas with some chicken inside sitting on PCH seems ridiculous. To add insult to injury, the waitress was not a very happy person and you could tell she did not want to be there. We will not be going back, unfortunately, even though it is a nice spot. I think the owner has gotten too greedy and is just charging as much as he thinks he can possibly get away with. There are so many other Mexican restaurants to choose from and I know for a fact that even in a place like Ladobe, the same meal is by far, 1/3 less pricy. Asta la vista OlaMendis. It was nice while it lasted. read more

This place used to be good. They need to read these reviews and make the proper corrections immediately or lose a great location and continued loss of decade long customers. The food was absolutely horrible! Not one item tasted good or had any taste whatsoever. read more

It's my second time ordering Olamendi's steak burrito. Though this restaurant is a bit pricey, it's the best steak burrito that I have ever eaten. I would have not returned the second time, had I not loved the stuffs inside it. Big, has lot of steak inside, and costs me $15.00. Pricey for a burrito, right? By the way, the chip which comes with the burrito is amazing. read more

We got fajitas with no cheese and not meat, they still charged us the full $28. For some belll pepper and onion in a skillet. This place has really slid in recent years. read more

Stopped in for lunch on Saturday, what a disappointment! The menu was boring and the prices outrageous. Tortilla chips were so hard couldn't eat them. No idea how or why they would put peppers and onions in a carne asada burrito, it was terrible. Service was mediocre and place was not busy at all - now I know why. We won't be going back. read more

Very disappointed , tried to come in here for dinner after calling and was turned away because it wasn't busy .. seriously ? Are you trying to get shit down . A stupid read more

First time here . Very eclectic , casual and fun ambiance. Friendly service. Tried their enchiladas. So far so good . Bringing family next time. read more

I haven't to Olamendis is about a year and will not be going back again. The service has really gone downhill and sadly to say, so has the food. I ordered enchiladas with verde-green sauce and they brought me my plate with "red" sauce. I would have eaten it, but there was so much all over the entire meal it was horrible. Sorry not going again..... read more

We were staying next door and got a 20% off food deal that enticed us to stop in for dinner on a Tuesday night. The decor is fantastic and made great topic of conversation with my 8 year olds while we waited for our food. This place was almost all good so I'll start with my bad and end on a good note. The drinks were a total disappointment! $12 for a watered down Cadillac margarita that left me wishing I had just ordered a Diet Coke. There was more ice than drink in the small tumbler and I don't feel like I got my money's worth. Secondly - the waiter did not deliver the kids meal dessert and by the time I thought of it (bill was paid) I did not feel like waiting around for it. The food is fantastic! Tortilla soup was hot and tasty; eat it right away or ask for it to come out with your meal as it seemed best when the tortilla chips were crunchy. Chimichanga was hearty and filled eight TONS of meat, I got both red and green sauce on it for the extra $2. Chicken fajitas were good, not steaming like I've had it at other locations but still good. Had to ask for a couple extra tortillas and they were happy to provide. Overall I would go back and try another meal ... just no drinks read more

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The interior was fun and eclectic, the only positive experience. The service was TERRIBLE, nonexistent! My food was bland. Very disappointing. I don't usually make reviews but this experience changed my mind. Wait staff was rude and inattentive. Taking our order took forever, in fact it took forever to get menus. Wait staff said they ran out. However menus were clearly stacked on outside podium for the outdoor dining. Once received they were sticky and dirty. No one came by our table to check on us and food took a long time to get. Just very disappointed in food. Bland! I may have considered going back but the absolutely terrible service sealed the deal. I will not go back. read more

Restaurant is not very clean a lot of items hanging from the ceiling and on the walls, all dusty service and attitude is not good there found a tree branch and in my chips. Had a stomach ache the next day from eating-there Ask for an extra plate when I got my bill there was a charge ask for green salsa. They brought me red then they brought me green. There was a charge. They're still using the parking lot in front for more seating. It's all uneven table lines one way Chan. Another they both wobble. I would stay away from this place. read more

This was by far the rudest staff and worst service we have ever received. None of us finished our food either. Don't waste your time or money. read more

Loved it. Need to go back and try a few more plates and maybe a margarita. Great CUSTOMERS Service. Gracias read more

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We have been going to Olamendis for a number of years and are now very disappointed with most of the changes. While they have upgraded their outside seating, the changes inside with elimination of bar stools by the bar and windows in lieu of tables makes no sense. We went there to have drinks (oand they said if no dinner they would not provide chips and salsa. ? What? We then negotiated for chips with guacamole (which we paid for) but they would not provide us a second basket of chips or salsa. The ice was also dirty in our waters. Really sad to see the changes. Nickel and diming doesn't bode well. read more

Food was great. Service was awesome. I will definitely recommend this place I am definitely coming back. I had steak fajitas. My son had the flautas and I love their beef empanadas. read more

This place was a hop, skip, and jump away from a training center we were at but we drove instead. Silly us when we realized it was literally within walking distance. Oh well. Olamendi's is off of PCH and has a great view of the beach. The parking lot is tiny (there's only space for about 5 cars but there might be space somewhere in the back that I'm missing) and the restaurant itself is pretty small too. We had our choice of seats for lunch so we grabbed the nearest table. Water and salsa was promptly brought to the table. I love that the salsa was chunky and not the watered down tomato puree that you get at most places however it wasn't very spicy. For my entree, I decided to get the veggie and cheese enchiladas with rice. These were actually pretty good. Service is hit or mess. They are definitely fast but not very friendly. Oh well. read more

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

Very good Mexican fair for the price, The front & back of house is nonexistent and caused confusion with my carry out order, But they got it right. I would recommend to family & friends. read more

Olamendi's - the interior of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

My family and I have been coming here for nearly 30 years. The food is still beyond amazing, and Victor's service was the best we've had in years. We'll continue to visit this place as long as it stands! read more

Great location and worth a trip just to see all there is inside this historic restaurant. Although located in the eastern side of road from beach, nice sunset views. Food is nothing special and a bit pricey for the portions and quality. read more

Great food and service. What a fun place to visit. Like much of SoCal, they offer a bold and eclectic space to go with the great food. I also bought some of their house-made tequila for a friend. I told them that I rarely drink tequila and they suggested that I give it a try, anyway. They brought me a shot and the manager told me all about the process while I sipped some. I'm regretting not getting a bottle for myself, though I'm sure that I'll be back. read more

Every time I come here, I always get great service and just great food. This time, I brought a few of my friends and we ordered the: Chile Relleno, Nachitos, Enchiladas, Esmeralda's Choice Margaritas, Potato and Fish Tacos and then were all delicious. I always judge a place by there rice and beans and I love there rice and beans. Thick tortilla chips with bomb salsa. I always ask for the more spicy salsa cuz I love me some heat. I love the fresh fruit in the margaritas and i haven't had a meal I didn't like. Next time, I'm going to try the shrimp enchiladas. read more

We have gone here a couple times a year over the past 20 years. Unfortunately, I am more disappointed every time I go the past few years. Great location, great history. Food does not match either. read more

Oh my... Terrible! This place clearly only gets business by its' location. NO flavor whatsoever. I have lived here for 10 years, eat out 2-3 times a week and have never, ever had such a flavorless experience. I don't even write reviews more than once a year, but I felt compelled to share my experience. Capo burrito - Beef, dry and absolutely zero, I mean not a hint of flavor. The rice, the beans... nothing. The guacamole that comes with it... NO flavor. The salsa they give with the chips... you guessed it, no flavor. Wife ordered a chicken burrito, wet. Dry, overcooked, flavorless. Beyond flavorless... like impressively flavorless. They must have invented a new way to make food terrible... serving sawdust shaped as food? Quite possibly read more

Super friendly staff, nice bathrooms, and great food! Right on the side of the road overlooking the ocean. I can't stress enough on how nice the staff were! read more

Olamendi's - Chicken Enchilada with green sauce - 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

So very disappointed. The service and food quality has greatly diminished. Having to stand inline, order then take a number to your table and wait is not acceptable. The food was terrible. The salsa and guacamole were great, that alone is not enough to get me to come back. I had two cheese enchiladas. The sauce I had to be out of a can. Asked for a glass of ice, never got it. Asked for more chips and salsa, never got it. Piss poor all the way around. Find another Mexican restaurant to spend your money.... read more

I am so glad I listened to my cousin who told me to come here. It was so delicious! The salsa was so tasty. I loved the nachos and the authentic egg dish I ordered. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Food was greasy and margarita tasted like a cheap mix with no tequila. Very expensive for what you are getting. The view and location are great and that's about it. So bummed because it looked like a fun place to eat! read more

I really liked the decor at this restaurant. The food was good and came out fast. My two complaints were that the michaladas were not very good (not enough mix) and the beans & rice were tasteless. The chicken burrito and chicken tacos were good though so all was not lost. read more

Olamendi's - Chicken burrito with beans and rice & chicken taco plate - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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