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    Sonora Cantina

    3.6 (626 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sonora Cantina Photos

    Business Info

    SONORA CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Sonora Cantina

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    Chicken Flautas
    Paul P.

    Food: Two Shrimp Tacos Rice & Beans pretty good could of use more beans Chicken Flautas not bad a little greasy Service: was a little slow maybe because under staff Ambiance: patio seating nice would come again

    Gin tonic
    Cina A.

    Great food Great service Ambience was nice cozy and clean Would definitely come back

    Drink menu
    Jay T.

    We had been to the German restaurant across the parking lot multiple times and had always wondered what this place would be like so decided to finally check it out after several years of wondering. We came for lunch and it was quite busy. Their prices are really good and especially for happy hour, so I suspect it's a favorite with locals. Unfortunately, we did not enjoy our experience. The food just seemed to miss the mark at every turn. The initial chips and salsa were great with the salsa having a little extra spice that we really enjoyed. Next we ordered the mini nachos off the happy hour menu and what came looked like something that was made by my college roommate, very un impressive. Next, we got the mini bean and cheese burrito off the happy hour menu, which just seemed kind of flavorless and not tasty. For my main dish, I got the taco sampler off the happy hour menu, with the grilled fish, the fried fish, and the chicken. I started out with the grilled fish and kind of got a fishy taste in my mouth that was completely unexpected. It kind of ruined the rest of the tacos for me, although the fried fish & the chicken were a little bit better, they still didn't taste great. All the food here seemed to be missing something which surprised me as I pretty much like Mexican food at any place I go. Very disappointed by the quality of the food, although I can't complain about the happy hour prices which were about as good as you can find in big bear. I think my favorite part of the experience was the artwork on the benches and tables, pretty cool, I wish the food had measured up...

    Carl W.

    Went for happy hour on a Tuesday. I ordered off the happy hour menu and my family ordered off the regular menu. The food was ok, the service was fine as well. I ordered the happy hour Cadillac margarita which was listed at $5.50 on the happy hour menu the server handed me when we were seated. After two of those, we finished eating and asked for the bill. The price they charged me for the drinks was not $5.50 but $7. I asked the waiter why the different price he didn't know so he called someone else over and they didn't know either. Then they came back and said it was taxes. So you display one price, change it and call it taxes then tax me again on the final bill? I know it's only $3 but if this is a practice every Tuesday during happy hour or in general those $3 add up pretty quickly.

    3 item
    Jillian N.

    Overall, just okay! We chose outdoor seating on a nice 80° day in Big Bear. Was brought waters and orders taken quickly. Alcoholic beverages are worth the price. $5 for a Dos Equis and $15 for a 22oz fruit margarita that you can definitely taste the alcohol in. Green sauce for enchiladas and chili verde is their winner. Perfectly balanced with spice. But their rice and beans fall short amongst other Mexican restaurants I've had..

    Wet burrito?
    Courtney M.

    The fajitas were so good! We also ordered the wet pork burrito, and margaritas. Definitely good Mexican food. Our service was great, we appreciated the quick time lapse too of how quickly the food came out and how quickly our drinks came out. This place is definitely chill vibe fun to come in when you get done boarding or before you go up snowboarding. Happy eating!

    Nachos and Happy Hour 6 street tacos of your choosing. All of it scrumptious!

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    2 months ago

    Lack flavor Mexican food is about flavor. But it alright for the portion. That is all they need here.

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    8 months ago

    Chips Salsa Cold beer tostadas this place is great! Love the atmosphere and location. It's a must stop after snowboarding

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    3 months ago

    We always stop at Sonora Cantina for a great meal and delicious margaritas when we are in Big Bear. Friendly staff too!

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    1 year ago

    Food was delicious and server, Mercedes, was super sweet! Loved the vibe as well! Will definitely be back!!

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    Page 1 of 16

    Sonora Cantina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sonora Cantina

    Do they have a taco Tuesday special?

    Oh yes! The best ever. All day long. Tacos $3,soft or hard, bean cheese burritos $3, enchiladas $3, margaritas $5, draft pints $4, nachos $4.50. Great service and wonderful owners and staff!

    View All 2 Questions

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    El Jacalito Grill - Chicken burrito

    El Jacalito Grill

    3.5(1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Stopped by El Jacalito Grill to watch a World Cup game and had a great experience overall. The…read moreservers were friendly and attentive, the drinks were good, and the atmosphere was perfect for catching the match. We took advantage of happy hour and ordered the margaritas, which were delicious and a great value. We also happened to visit on Quesabirria Wednesday, and the birria was excellent. My only complaint is the regular drink pricing once happy hour ends. While I understand they're located in the Village and prices tend to be higher in that area, $19 for a margarita felt a bit steep. Because of that, we ended up leaving when happy hour ended. Overall, I'd definitely come back for the service, food, happy hour specials, and game-day atmosphere--just be prepared for higher drink prices outside of happy hour.

    The place was really good. I came here during the afternoon hours on a Monday. It was sad to see…read morethere was only one server taking on multiple parties. I think someone called off or was running late. The server was helpful and thankful for having patience. The shreeded beef burrito (no beans), wet style with red enchilada sauce was amazing. The complimentary chips and salsas were top notch. I loved the two spicy green salsas. The chips were fresh and delicious to pair with the burrito. The margaritas were good and the atmosphere was relaxing. I would definitely recommend this place.

    Photos
    El Jacalito Grill
    El Jacalito Grill - Trio Fajitas and Cadillac of course!!

    Trio Fajitas and Cadillac of course!!

    El Jacalito Grill - Fruit Margaritas (mango)

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    Fruit Margaritas (mango)

    Nuevo Vallarta Grill - Flan - Custard

    Nuevo Vallarta Grill

    3.9(234 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Authentic Mexican food that not only tastes divine but looks the part as well! In desperate need of…read moregood Mexican food in a snap I discovers Nuevo Vallarta Grill on DoorDash and decided to give it a whirl. What a treat it was!! For the family I ordered a shredded beef chimichanga, cheese quesadilla, and 3 shredded beef taco combo; it was all delicious! Normally Mexican food especially delivered via DoorDash isn't always as pleasing to the eyes as it is the stomach, but this place does or right! Each plate was still hot and beautifully plated, I'm sure in person it's even lovelier. Our food was delivered lickity split and with the quality and care given to each plate you know they work hard and have good service! The restaurant itself isn't huge but whether you dine in or out you will enjoy yourself! I'm already looking forward to our next order, I'm pretty sure everything here is wonderful!

    The food was okay, but the prices didn't match the menu. They charged me more for the food than…read morewhat was listed, and even the total with tax didn't add up (I'll include a picture). I asked for a receipt, but the cashier said she accidentally pressed "no receipt," so I didn't get one. The picture I took from their copy shows the total -- $32.97 plus $2.56 tax should've been $35.53, but I was charged $36.77. It's only a few dollars difference, but it feels dishonest. Overall, I don't appreciate being overcharged. If you go here, make sure to get a receipt. I won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Nuevo Vallarta Grill - Leftovers with eggs the next morning

    Leftovers with eggs the next morning

    Nuevo Vallarta Grill - Combo plate

    Combo plate

    Nuevo Vallarta Grill - Mango margarita

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    Mango margarita

    Jakobes Famous Foods - Shrimp carbaorna....delicious

    Jakobes Famous Foods

    4.3(274 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES! My husband and I were in Big Bear for our anniversary and decided to have…read moredinner our first night at Jakobe's, a lovely little mom and pop Italian restaurant also serving more regular diner options. Patty greeted us when we came in the door and said we could sit wherever we wanted. She was lovely, very attentive and helpful. Her sister owns the place. She even gave us scads of recommendations for other local places to try and things to do. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan with a side house salad while I got the scallop fettuccine dish and splurged the $3 extra to get their Caesar salad (totally worth it, made in house). Everything is made to order and each dinner came with a board of homemade bread and house made butter for the table. Folks. That bread. Was So Good. Soft and tasty and the parmesan, garlic, parsley butter melted right on it. There was something that didn't hit my palate right on my dish, so Patty offered to get me something else. I decided against that (because the scallops themselves were stellar) but I agreed to some extra Alfredo sauce to mellow out the flavors in the pasta, which worked great! When she learned it was our anniversary, Patty gave us a slice of cheesecake on the house the likes of which I have never tasted before. I don't order cheesecake often, but this was beautifully creamy and sweet. If you want to support local businesses, I highly recommend Jakobe's. They're good people who cook great food and care about their community. SUPPORT LOCAL! DON'T LET THE CHAINS WIN!

    So it's owned by the same owners as Santana Mavericks by the lake and they are changing the menu to…read moremore Chinese food with some Italian dishes. I tried the Beef Broccoli with fried rice and unfortunately the beef was tough chewy, salty side and not the teriyaki flavor I was expecting. Couldn't even finish it, but I did finish the fried rice which had crispy vegetables with scrambled eggs. Service is friendly, I was the only one there on a Saturday at 5:30pm. Place is clean, lots of inside seating with a deck outside in the back. 1 single multi gender restroom. I'll give it some time and wait for other reviews before I'll go back. Hope they improve.

    Photos
    Jakobes Famous Foods - Nice clean open layout

    Nice clean open layout

    Jakobes Famous Foods - French Toast

    French Toast

    Jakobes Famous Foods - Cozy dining area with a modern farm country vibe!

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    Cozy dining area with a modern farm country vibe!

    Sonora Cantina - mexican - Updated September 2026

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