Second time here and first time dining in. This spot is super packed with locals, we came at 6pm on Wednesday night and there was a line out the door! Love that it's always full of people, definitely speaks volumes. We were seated pretty quickly since there was one table for 2 open in the front of the store around the corner from the main dining area. We were immediately brought over a hefty serving of hot tortilla chips and some salsa. After this it did take a very long time for anyone to venture over to our area and during our meal, we did think several times that they forgot about us because we were out of sight. I was very thirsty from the chips and salsa but we weren't served any water and no servers were coming in our little area for us to flag down. Eventually a woman came to take our drink orders so I asked her for water and we ordered 2 margaritas. We tried to order our food too because it had been a long time and we knew what we wanted by now, but she said she was only here to place drink orders. The watermelon margarita I ordered came frozen (was not advertised as much) and unfortunately I really do not like frozen drinks. Any ice blended drinks are something I avoid because I don't enjoy the ice slushy freeze lol. Had to wait for it to melt a lot before I could drink it, wish it was advertised as blended or they had given me an option because I wouldn't have ordered it this way and wasn't able to enjoy it properly. Once we were able to place our order for food, it came out decently quickly for being so packed! Food is solid, especially for the price. Portions are definitely generous. Took a long time for our server to realize we had been done and waiting for the bill. From when we finished eating to when we got our bill took over 20 minutes. We had to ask the host to bring it over because our server simply wasn't coming to the corner up front to check on us. Once we put our card down it took another ten mins for them to come collect it. We weren't in a rush so we didn't mind too much, but feedback wise it would really help open up another table for a party if we were taken care of sooner. I do honestly think that the issue with service was just due to where we happened to be seated. It was around a corner so you literally couldn't see us unless you walked to the front corner area. I do like this restaurant so I don't want to rate harshly based on this one experience, but this was our first time dining in so it's all I have to go off. Hopefully next time is better because we will definitely want to come back! read more

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Small / quaint local Mexican spot that will not disappoint. Excellent specialties and mainstays - exceptional salsa. We enjoy especially for lunch. Staff is always friendly and seeks to provide attentive service. read more

We came here for dinner tonight. Ambers Cantina is a small restaurant hidden in a small shopping center and filled with locals on a Saturday night. I had the Mamacita's Enchilada Pie with shredded chicken. It comes with cheese and beans baked between layers of corn tortillas. I had to send it back because although the cheese is melted on the outside, the inside was not hot enough. Once they reheated it up, it was so much better. My husband had one chicken and shredded beef enchiladas with rice and beans. He also thought it was good but not amazing. The chips, however, were stale. Salsa was good. Service was good. read more

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Amber's Cantina in Laguna Niguel is a small, family-owned "neighborhood jewel" known for its friendly service and casual, cozy atmosphere. It is a popular local spot that often feels like a gathering for regulars who are often greeted by name. Casual and intimate with a sense of "family." It features comfortable booths and TVs in the back for sports. The menu offers traditional Mexican comfort food and unique house specialties. read more

Amber's Cantina - Delicious "Amberito" -- a burrito from the lunch menu. - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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Love Ambers! The only thing I would change is the the soups are a bit too 'tomato-based' - I love a more brothy Mexican soup. Today I went to have lunch and there was a sort of young waiter with big blonde streaks. I ordered a chicken enchilada combo and a cadillac margarita. He brought me a cheese enchilada (didn't tell him he got that wrong) and a really watery margarita. I told him it didn't taste right. Missing something. Then he went on to school me about what goes into a margarita (tempted to tell him I've been making and drinking margi's since before he was born....he brought Me a skinny instead. Then went on to tell me all about margaritas again....dude, I'm 62. You are barely 30. Just shut up and bring me a better margarita! read more

This place can't be serious about Mexican food or their cocktails or their hired help terrible experience. The food was even worse. I can't believe this place stays in business. read more

The chicken burrito is amazing. The enchilada sauce was so delicious! I loved it so much I had to go back a couple days later to get it again. My kids devoured the chicken fajitas. Lots of yummy peppers and onions too. Homemade tortillas supper yummy as well. I didn't love the rice -maybe too salty, not enough seasoning, but edible. Also didn't love the brownie rockslide. But we will definitely be back to try more soon!! Service was friendly. Food came out fast. Prices are very reasonable. This will be a weekly treat for sure! Chips & salsa Super good too. read more

The food is nearly flavorless. I had the chicken fajitas--no seasoning or spices. To call this Mexican food is an affront to culinary culture. Service is lacking. We will not be returning here. read more

If it wasn't for the fact that I was staving and craving the World Famous Spicy Bean Queso I would have walked out and gone to Taco Bell. I've been coming to Amber's Cantina since it first opened. Back then the service was spot on. Over the course of the years sadly to say the service has declined. Today the service crashed and burned thank God the fire extinguisher was close by and somewhat safed both my dinner and experience. Sadly it was past the point of no return. Granted the two item combo of Chimken enchiladas and black bean queso hit the spot. It was kinda hard to enjoy it without utinsels. The ambiance was good as always. What scares me the most is that if the service i experienced continues to decline I don't think this place will be around much longer. What could improve? 01) Bring back Amanda. She was the best this place ever had., 02) Fernando, I love you dearly, stop drinking while on the clock., 03) Wait staff, servers and runners... Follow the work ethic of the dishwasher. read more

Amber's Cantina - Two item combo.. chicken enchiladas with black bean queso. - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Cute gem of a place. It has all the essentials you want from a local socal Mexican spot. The food portions are always generous and delicious. If we can't think of a place to go for the nite or want to do take out, this is a local goto spot. read more

The food here, specifically the enchiladas and the fajitas, are fantastic!! It's crowded on weekend nights, there's a reason.

The server was great, so the service was good. However, the taco shell was stale and hard to chew, the Taquito was overcooked, and then I felt like crap after eating the refried beans and enchiladas. Will never go back unfortunately. You cannot get away with selling stale food just because you don't want to waste money... preserve your food better, or don't make it ahead of time so it sits around to get stale. That is unfair to the paying customer... which you permanently lost this one, so that's more loss of $$ than what you would have lost replacing a stale taco shell... read more

Great food and service! The house margaritas are excellent. The food is a very good quality and the menus items have not disappointed. Try the spicy bean dip appetizer. If you don't like very hot the server can ask the kitchen to take the very spicy topping away. It still has a good kick without it. read more

I have been a customer at this establishment for some time, frequently visiting with my daughter who enjoys her afternoon snacks here. Typically, the service is commendable. The servers are fun and attentive. However, today on my most recent visit, I came alone for a quick bowl of tortilla soup, I experienced disappointing service that requires the attention of management. Upon arrival, I noticed that other patrons who came in after me were being attended to promptly. I approached a young lady and asked if I could place my order, as she had not yet come to my table. She responded with a "yeah" while facing away at the bar. She completed her task of making the drinks, (which is totally fine) she then took my order, the service continued to be subpar. I received my soup wihich is always a 5 but no further attention or courtesy. Throughout my visit, the server did not check on me, except to bring the check. Meanwhile, she was attentive to other patrons in the restaurant. The lack of service is unacceptable. Ella needs additional training in hospitality to ensure she provides the same level of service to all customers. I still left the a tip for her attention to serving a bowl attitude. Unfortunately, this type of service gets 15%-ish gratuity. Management, thank you for your attention to this matter. The stars are for the food. Service is def in the negative. read more

Amber's Cantina - Tortilla soup - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Great food. The best margaritas ever. Super service! 5 stars. Will go there again very soon

What a great dinner! Came in after flag football practice with my two children, and the food was fab, service even better! The quality for the price is hard to find these days. What a great find. We'll be back! read more

Amber's Cantina - My boy ate alllll of this. - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

As a long time resident of Laguna Niguel, I have visited Amber's a few times, always good. However, yesterday, I went with a friend and was embarrassed as to the condition of the vinyl seating areas, ripped, torn, stuffing coming out. Also, our table had a huge gouge out of the table top. The place in in need of a rehab. The food was ok, but the red sauce used on the bean and cheese burrito had a ton of salt in it.......way too much. Service was good and the place got crowded. There was more tortilla than beans and cheese in the burrito. I hope they take this as constructive criticism, and take on a rehab of its seating areas. read more

1. The margaritas are TO DIE FOR. 2. The service is impeccable. 3. The menu is not outrageously priced. 4. THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. 5. They have GOOD FRIES AND CHICKEN ON THE KIDS MENU for kids like mine who won't even try a bite for a dollar of Mexican food. The booths are super comfortable and it's a fun family vibe but can also be a fun date night vibe. I truly think this is one of the best Mexican establishments in the area. read more

Amber's Cantina is a wonderful place to go for Mexican food with friends. While it is a little difficult to find, you will be rewarded for your efforts to go there. Think of this restaurant as a local hang-out. I especially enjoy the chicken nachos as well as the free chips and salsa. There is plenty of parking. read more

Always a great experience!!! Service and food are great!!! I will recommend 10/10. Comfortable seating and musicas well.

The service was good, but the food was mediocre. There was a real lack of flavor in the food and the taste and seasoning were far from authentic. The chips and salsa were pretty good, though. read more

So this place is good it's not great however my friend tells me it's his favorite place. I will tell you the service is awesome and the place was packed so obviously there's a lot of people out there that also think this place is good. If you're looking for some good Mexican food I would recommend you give this place a try . read more

Amber's Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

The worst service we've had in years. We'll never go back there again. I don't understand why there's a way to get into this place when you can't get served and they won't bring you their bill in a reasonable amount of time. It's not that their prices are on the low side they are not and it's not that the food is on the high side. It is not. read more

A solid middle of the road Mexican restaurant located in Laguna Niguel. I have to say something as I feel bad for people who live in Laguna Niguel because it seems there aren't a lot of restaurant options down in that area of the county. And when it comes to Mexican food, they are certainly is a lack of high quality down there. Nevertheless, this fit the bill had the three item combo cheese enchiladas taquitos rice beans, some guacamole. Solid 3 Stars read more

Amber's Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Love this restaurant but recently there is a new employee that spends more time chatting with the fellow employees than the customers. It's not to Amber's traditional standards. It's such a great neighborhood place. I hope the service gets better and back to what it use to be. read more

You have to try; it's worth it! I was staying in Laguna Nigel & craving Mexican. Their menu stood out to me for reasonable prices & easy to read/understand menu items. I called for take out & the girl who took my order was SO kind & helpful (allowing me to sub green salsa for red on my food) -- they give you a decent size side of chips & salsa with your takeout meal BTW! It took about 15 minutes from call to pickup & everyone in the restaurant was nice + the place was clean! I got 2 enchilada (1 chicken, 1 cheese) combo w bean/rice (+free sd of chips/salsa) for $18.05 after tax! (Overall it was slightly more bc of tip but they deserve a good tip!!!) It tastes amazing & I reheated left overs just now - STILL SO GOOD! This is somewhere you NEED to visit to sit down or take out! P.S. sorry for my mediocre photos! It's all I have since I devoured it so quickly! read more

Amber's Cantina - Free chips & salsa side (great portion!) - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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Service was good, waitresses were attentive and checked on me regularly. You can tell they're great with regulars and know them well. Food was okay, I do think the taquitos were really good but the red sauce for the enchiladas was a little salty and didn't have much chili flavor. Nice chill spot, some have said it was hard to find but I found it easy to locate. read more

Exceptional service and great Sonoran style Mexican food. Killer green chile verde and margaritas are superb. True neighborhood gem.

Yes! Went expecting not the best service from the reviews, but both service and food were amazing! House margarita is so good! It was packed but we got a seat. We'll be back for sure! read more

I love this restaurant! It reminds me of the Mexican food I used to get in Arizona. It's not the healthy California Mexican. They have great chips and salsa too and the people that work here are great! read more

Amber's has gone downhill. Tacos tonight were hard and burnt. There are other cheaper Mexican restaurants with higher quality food

Love this little spot. The salsa is fresh, the food good, drinks strong, and service is friendly. It's like a local hidden gem. I've been a few times now and most recently got the Mexican pizza, loved it! The Special fish taco was good, the mango salsa had a nice spice. The potato taco was tasty too, had a great crunch. I also ordered the kids burrito for my toddler. The portion and price was great. Looking forward to my next visit. I took a pic of the happy hour menu in hopes to remember to check that out read more

Amber's Cantina - Happy hour menu - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

When food arrived to table it was cold , just ate it and did not complain. Food arrived cold to table.

I've been going to Amber's for years. Their salsa is to die for, and the service is amazing!

Wet burrito, wet chimichanga, 3 idemcombination with enchiladas and chicken quesadilla, steak fajitas all delicious read more

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We love this place!!! The food and service are excellent! I love the chicken Caesar salad and my husband loves the fajitas. We come later and usually sit at the bar. The energy in the place is friendly and very inviting. read more

Been eating at Ambers since before it was Ambers. Try Manny's, Town Center, early 80's that's how far back I go. Back in the day when it was so busy, you couldn't get a table, and the service was terrible. And nobody cared. I miss those days. read more

Amber's Cantina - Proof I was here - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

I used to love their tacos and was the primary reason I went but they changed their taco shells. The service and ambience was never that that good but I liked their tacos. They used to cook their taco shells and now they taste like cardboard from a box at the supermarket. I was very disappointed this evening. Perhaps they're trying to save money. Not certain if I'll continue to go there anymore as there are a lot of other great Mexican food places in the area! read more

Worst server possible. Bad attitude from the start. Followed by meh food that was definitely overpriced and underwhelming. Older woman ( bartender / server?) tried to patch up for large woman server for her sour attitude. Brought friends from out of town we were all disappointed. Never again. read more

Good for a local Mexican fix. Very much an Americanized Mexican feel and food but still really good with some great drink specials.