Asada is what happens when Mexican food puts on a nice shirt and decides to go out for the evening. The food is excellent, although don't come expecting your traditional neighborhood taco shop. The dishes are creative, upscale, and very well done. It's a little on the pricey side, but the quality is there, so you don't feel too bad about it until the credit card notification shows up. The bar is one of the highlights. Great drinks and even better bartenders who actually know what they're doing. We've been here several times, and the service has always been fantastic--friendly, attentive, and consistent. If you want traditional Mexican food, there are plenty of other choices. If you want really good Mexican-inspired food, a great cocktail, and a fun night out, Asada is definitely worth a visit. Just don't expect taco-truck prices. Apparently, nice shirts cost extra. read more

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We were craving for some Mexican food after walking around the outlets all day, so this was the perfect spot! Right off the bat, I loved the vibe and ambiance of the space; it had more of an intimate feel to it with all the dim lighting, but not too dim that you couldn't see your food anymore. It was also clean and well ventilated. Service was top notch--absolutely no complaints there. Our server made sure we were attended to during our entire meal. He was nice, friendly and was very kind enough to share his recommendations. The food was okay. It's definitely an elevated Mexican restaurant, but the dishes were a bit of a hit or miss. What we tried: House Chips & Salsa - 5/5 Filet Mignon Tacos - 4.5/5 Signature Carne Asada - 4.5/5 Crispy Carnitas - 3.5/5 House Made Horchata - 3/5 We loved the complimentary chips & salsa they serve you while you wait for your order--their salsa was the BOMB. I was also very happy with my Filet Mignon Tacos and the Signature Carne Asada--the steaks were cooked to perfection in both dishes. They were so delicious and every bite was just *chef's kiss*. The Crispy Carnitas was kinda meh though. It was tasty, but the pork was tough and dry, making it a little hard to eat. I wasn't a big fan of their horchata either--it had this chalky/powdery texture that didn't sit right with me. It tasted good, just not the texture for me. Overall, I think we're still quite happy with our experience here. I would love to try their other dishes for sure. read more

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Very upbeat atmosphere. Delicious food and drinks. Friendly and efficient servers. My family selected this restaurant for a special birthday celebration. read more

We really like Asada Cantina + Kitchen. The food is consistently good, and the ambience is nice here too. The service was also really good on our last visit here. We usually get the chicken enchiladas with the green sauce when we're here. The enchiladas are always delicious. The chips and salsa are great here as well. They are served warm and tasty. The only downside of the restaurant is that service is hit or miss here. When it's super busy on the weekends, service is really slow, and we tend to be overlooked. This is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. The Asada Cantina + Kitchen really has great food. The portions are good, and restaurant is clean and beautiful. We definitely plan on coming back soon! read more

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Wow! What an amazing experience! We were early for our reservation, but they were able to seat us immediately. The waitresses were attentive, and even the chefs came out and the Manager to check up on us and made us feel extremely welcomed.. thank you for making our experience exceptional and we will definitely be back. read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Loaded Nachos Original Chipotle Prawns - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

3.50 rounded u stars. Almost 3 years ago we visited for my oldest son's 21st birthday. Tonight we walked across the street living in Sea Summit now (dream realized) and celebrated my Daughters 21st. First off the place is beautiful and always packed. Service is good but it's never been great. It's always seemed a bit hurried which is why for $360 for 7 people (including tip) we usually go to South of Nicks. It's a less hurried service and much more mellow atmosphere at the tables. But we wanted to walk tonight, so that was special and fun. The runners who bring the food have no idea which food goes to what person they just walk out and yell "who has the birria tacos?!" This needs some serious work. Food: The bacon wrapped jalapeño app they need to remove the veins and seeds they can be ridiculously spicy. Love the concept 3/5 Queso with fresh flour tortillas OMG 5/5 Fajitas 3/5 more like a stew than sizzling charred fajitas. Corn tortillas they are served with are trash. Birria tacos, only comes with 2. South of Nicks comes with 3. A lot of fat and small portion of meat. Flavor was solid. 3/5 Shrimp enchiladas 4/5 Final: Beautiful decor, loud and fun restaurant, decent service could be better, runners are clueless and need training, food is good not great. read more

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Asada Cantina + Kitchen in San Clemente was exactly what we needed after a long day at a soccer tournament, and I was not expecting the food to be THIS good. You know when you're starving after being out all day and almost anything sounds good? This wasn't one of those situations where the food just tasted good because we were hungry. Everything that came to the table was legitimately impressive. We started with the chips and salsa, and immediately knew we were in for a good meal. The chips were fresh and crispy, and the different salsas each had their own flavor instead of just tasting like different levels of heat. The creamy green one was especially good. We kept going back to it. The Birria Quesadilla was ridiculous. The tortilla had that perfect golden crisp on the outside, plenty of melted cheese, and the birria inside was tender, juicy, and actually flavorful. Dip it into the consommé and it takes it to another level. Add a little guacamole and pico and you get the perfect combination of crispy, cheesy, rich, fresh, and savory all in one bite. We also had the Carne Asada and this is where I really have a hard time describing how good the food was. The texture, preparation, and flavor of the meat were all on point. It had a beautiful char on the outside while still being tender and juicy inside. Nothing tasted overly seasoned or covered up. You could actually taste the quality and preparation of the meat. Even the rice, beans, pico, guacamole, and bacon wrapped jalapeño on the plate felt like they belonged there instead of being random sides thrown on to fill the plate. The portions were generous too. This is the kind of Mexican food where you can tell someone actually cares about how each component is prepared. There are different textures throughout the meal, crispy tortillas, tender meat, creamy guacamole, fresh pico, rich beans, and everything works together. The restaurant itself has a great San Clemente feel. It's lively and casual, but still nice enough that you could come here for more than just a quick meal. We came in after a soccer tournament and felt completely comfortable, but I could just as easily see coming back for brunch, dinner, or drinks. And after looking through the menu, there are already several things I want to come back and try. The menu goes way beyond the typical tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Filet mignon tacos, short rib, blackened shrimp, seafood, birria noodles, bowls, burgers, brunch, there is A LOT happening here. What impressed me most was how well the food was actually executed. Sometimes restaurants with huge menus do a little bit of everything but nothing particularly well. That wasn't our experience at Asada. We came in tired and hungry after a soccer tournament and left talking about the food. Asada Cantina + Kitchen is absolutely going on our San Clemente list. The texture, preparation, and taste of the food are honestly hard to put into words. You just need to try it. read more

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Excellent service and great food. Early lunch for us and the menu has lots of options...both Mexican cuisine and American. First was the chips and salsa and guacamole. Very good. Not pictured. We had the Signature Asada and the Enchilada so good. This is a must lunch and or dinner site. I highly recommend this place. Five stars all the way. read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Signature Carne Asada. - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The atmosphere is really cool... From this aspect I totally love the place. The food honestly is not my favorite but.... personal preference could play a role. In my opinion everything "ranchero" is just too rich for my liking... Even the salsa. I will try the *verde' versions next time. Service was excellent and friendly. The price was about as expected. read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

We've come to this place several times now for happy hour and for lunch and for brunch and everything has been really good. The service has been excellent. The atmosphere is very cool. It's a little bit pricey, but the food is delicious. We came here for dinner with three adults and two kids under 10 and the kids plates were excellent. The kids had tacos and really enjoyed it and then adults had several different items but you must try the bongo soup. It's the best we've ever had.! read more

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Very very good food and great customer service. We felt like we were at a high end restaurant without the prices. We will be going again!

The service is average. The salsa for the chips tasted like is was from a can. The food taste was average as well. Overpriced for the quality. read more

After a day trip to San Diego, my wife and I made a quick pit stop here--and wow, what a pleasant surprise. From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent, the menu had great variety, and the food quality really stood out. The Cabo Jerky and Ahi Agua Chile were absolute highlights--both dishes were packed with flavor and beautifully prepared. We've tried quite a few spots, and this one easily ranks among our favorites. Definitely a hidden gem that's well worth a visit! Also, thank you again, Augustin! read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Cabo Jerky - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Across the way from the San Clemente Outlet, you can hear great sounds of nature, people and most importantly music! Plenty of parking. Clean exterior and interior. We were seated right away! Chips and salsa placed on the table and I had to ask twice what he was saying compared to how elevate his voice was at other tables Waitress came to the table and offered rose options. Super personable! Took our orders and we waited for a bit. I noticed the limes I asked for were completely dry. Fun fact, the smoother the lime is, the juicer. If it's bumpy then expect the lime to be dry. Food arrived and from the wet burrito to the tacos... everything was ok. I noticed the tomato notes were actually throughout all the food we ate and I'm guessing that's their signature. Overall food was on read more

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Hip Mexican food restaurant adjacent to the San Clemente outlets make this far and away the best choice for food when shopping here. Lots of TVs showing the opening games of the NHL playoff weekend. Portion sizes were big. The grilled steak in the signature carne asada was so tender and perfectly grilled. read more

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The food was incredible! everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and delicious. The ahi tuna ceviche was perfect! Service was quick and friendly, and you can tell they really care about quality. Easily a 5 star experience. Agustin made sure we had everything we needed! We will definitely be coming back read more

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Food and service were perfect! All the food we ordered was delicious. i highly recommend and will make the drive to eat there again' ! read more

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When tortillas rice and beans with some sort of meat goes over the $20 mark you're paying for ambience . In this case its $15.00 a head. Then at the end you get to tip on that ambience ... You will be paying more on ambience and tip than you are on food. Stick to the mom and pop joints . Another no BS review by J Bossco . read more

Stopped in just looking for a quick midday snack and ordered the ala cart short rib taco to go. I love a crispy taco and this one had good overall flavor. The meat was a little dry but the sauce and toppings helped save it. The white cheese was solid and there was a green sauce on it that was really good. Honestly I wish there was more of that because it was the highlight. It didn't come with any extra salsa on the side but it was an ala carte taco, so that's fair. The place itself is really cool inside. Great atmosphere lots of energy a nice bar setup with TVs everywhere. It was packed on a Saturday which explains why this turned into a grab and go situation. Prices are a bit higher than other taco spots but you're clearly paying for the atmosphere as much as the food. Not the best taco I've ever had but definitely a solid stop and I'd come back especially if I can get extra of that green sauce next time. read more

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From the food to the service, everything here was great! I've wanted to try this place since they opened, but I mistakenly let negative Facebook reviews hold me back! I should have just come sooner! The food was delicious. Their complimentary chips and salsa are homemade, super fresh, and absolutely scrumptious. We ordered the crunchy carnitas tacos, Crunchy Short rib tacos, soft flour tacos which were incredibly flavorful and came with beans and delicious, buttery rice. Their drink were absolutely worth it as well! We ordered a Margarita and whoaaa! It is really kickin' ! Our server, Fernando, was so kind and friendly. He took excellent care of us despite how busy it was! The ambiance is great!!! perfect for a chill lunch or a fun dinner night with friends. The only minor downside is that it gets a bit loud, and the music was cranked up. It's also a little overpriced, but totally worth it for the freshly made food! (I guess) I highly recommend checking it out regardless of the reviews! read more

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This was my first visit, and I will definitely return! I ordered the Asada Grilled Baja Bowl with steak, which was delicious. The steak was tender and full of flavor, and the bowl featured a great combination of fresh ingredients. I also tried the Mexican Candy cocktail, perfectly blending sweet, spicy, and refreshing flavors. The vibe was lively, the restaurant was spotless, and the staff were friendly and quick. It's an excellent choice for lunch or dinner with family and friends. I can't wait to explore more of their menu on my next visit! read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Mexican candy Margarita - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Staff: We were very impressed by our sever Humberto. He was truly amazing. Excellent customer service, very attentive, and friendly. Major kudos to him. Quality/Quantity: Wowzer! The food here is absolutely delicious. I started off with one of their famous blood orange margaritas and it was so good. For lunch I got the steak burrito that was served wet and boy was it good. My group got the enchiladas which were described as the best she's ever had. Other guests in my party got the taquitos, tacos, and kids hamburger. Everyone was very happy with the food. Value: The pricing is a little high but the quality of the food supports it. Overall: I was totally digging this spot and will return again. read more

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Asada Cantina is one of those places we truly love and always make a point to come back to whenever we're in the area. We've tried several items on the menu, and honestly, nothing has disappointed us so far. Everything has been consistently flavorful and well prepared. My favorite by far has to be the Asada plate--it's always cooked perfectly and full of flavor. This spot has definitely earned its place as a go-to for us, and we'll gladly keep coming back. read more

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The atmosphere here might be the best part. The lighting is great, the outdoor seating is really well done, and the whole place feels upscale without the prices reflecting that. The chips are excellent. Thin, crispy, and paired with a red roasted salsa that is honestly outstanding. It comes out warm with a smoky flavor that works perfectly with the chips and is easily one of the best salsas I have had. The burrito was also very good. The green salsa really carries the flavor, and the presentation is on point. My only small critique is that the chicken in my double chicken burrito was slightly dry, but there are more than enough positives to outweigh that. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive. This spot is perfect for a relaxed family dinner or a date night. read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Tomatillo Chicken Burrito - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

Everyone in our group enjoyed their meal, although it was slightly disappointing that the tostada was majority lettuce with not enough chicken. Friendly service team, very clean property. Large parking lot with free parking. Outlet mall is across the parking lot so this is a convenient stop for food. Nothing spectacular about this place but, it's cute and a bit upscale as far as Mexican restaurants. read more

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Food and Margaritas are fabulous!! People are always kind and friendly. The restaurant is Beautiful. We love Asada's. Pricier yes, but worth every cent. read more

From the moment we entered Asada we were treated like family! Together from the Hostess that escorted us to our table to our excellent attentive waitstaff Alyessa to the delicious food they all made for an enjoyable evening. And what a great menu full of amazing choices. Thank you! read more

Stopped by spontaneously to get a quick lunch while in the area. Everything was delicious. From the chips and salsa (the salsa was so tasty!) to my chicken fajitas to the coffee in the end, we had a great lunch. Our waitress was so friendly and sweet too. My chicken fajitas tasted really fresh especially the tortillas. We went on a Saturday noon and it wasn't that crowded where we had to wait to be seated but it was busy enough. It is a big restaurant and they have a nice enclosed patio overlooking the beach I think. I couldn't see from where I was sitting but looked like a nice view lol. It's situated in a big shopping center so there's plenty of parking. Great spot we discovered! read more

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Food always great Atmosphere always amazing Servers in the restaurant fabulous Host welcoming A solid team and management Last night we had a first and sat at the Bar and Luke was good but poured extra 2oz and charged us without asking. Who does that? The management team obviously tells them that's okay... and you should be ashamed of yourself. Luke also charged us extra for our quesadilla having meat on it versus cheese this kind of practice stems from the core leadership and owners. We'll still come back but not without asking how much everything is. Shame on you read more

Wonderful day to dine at Asada's at the outlet mall. We were seated outside and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. Food is always delicious. I tried something new today the barbecue pork quesadillas. The servings are very generous. I basically have enough for three meals on this plate. Our server was on point and very courteous. The margaritas were especially refreshing. read more

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Asada is the perfect night out with friends and family. The ambiance is off the charts and service is attentive and friendly. My fiancé loves the short rib tacos and I get the mixed shrimp and halibut taco plate. Parking is ample as it is shared with the outlets but in its own area. Highly recommend making a reservation on Fridays and Saturdays as it can get quite busy around dinner time! It is always a fun environment and the decor is beautiful. Would be great for hosting a team dinner as well. read more

Asada Cantina + Kitchen - Tacos Near Me - San Clemente, California

My wife and I love to eat at this place. We drive all the way from Duarte. The food is great and the staff is very friendly. Last night we had the Asada Molcajete. Try it, you won't regret it. I want to thank Alberto, the manager, for his attention and friendliness as we approached the front desk. He immediately welcomed us and found us a great and cozy booth in the restaurant. Here are some pictures from a past visit. read more

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This place was fantastic. Atmosphere was perfect, and a great vibe for our group. Our waiter was so sweet as we were 5 women dressed up like men for a 40th bday celebration, but he got a kick out of it. All of the food was so decision, big portions. 3 of us shared 2 appetizers and it was actually enough for us. Definitely will be coming back when we are down in San Clemente again. read more

This is the best place for taco Tuesday in San Clemente. They have all day specials and the hibiscus margarita is hella strong and delicious. They have the best chips and salsa. We got the quesadillas and short rib tacos and they were to die for. Parking is easy. The restaurant is gorgeous and the staff are amazing! Happy Yelping! read more

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I'll start by saying that this place is pricey. You can find better and cheaper Mexican food elsewhere BUT the ambiance is nice and the service is very friendly. We tried the molcajete and it was pretty good. The sauce wasn't amazing but we asked for something spicier. The rice and beans were good and the corn tortillas are hand made. The carnitas were tasty and very crispy. The margaritas are delicious. I wish they played a different type of music. The reggae music ruins the vibe and it doesn't match the aesthetic. read more

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Carnitas all the way. Service was great. My problem is the chipped as d salsa are so good and they just keep bringing baskets

This cantina exceeded my expectations. The ambiance is vibrant and fun. I believe that you could see the ocean from one area, but we were not seated there. We sat near the bar and service was excellent. The salsa is served warm with a fresh basket of chips. So good! We ordered drinks, I had a Paloma, others in our party ordered the classic margarita and my husband ordered something similar to s pina colada. I tasted them all and all were fantastic! Something to note is they don't have blenders here, so everything is served on the rocks. For appetizers our server recommended the chicken taquitos and we also ordered a large guacamole. The chicken taquitos are soooo goood! The portions were good for an appetizer. The guacamole is not huge, but it's packed in there and is made with avocado and spices, no fillers that just make it stretch. This was real deal guacamole. I ordered the filet mignon tacos with rice and beans. The meat was tender and full of flavor. My husband decided to go with the server's favorite, mahi tacos. Now those were bomb! Nice sear, packed with flavor and oh so good. Others in our party ordered the enchiladas. I didn't taste those, but everyone said that their meals were delicious. We will definitely be returning to this restaurant. Next time we'll be sure to ask for a view when making our reservations. Cheers until next time Asada. read more

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This place surprised me. I don't think I've ever eaten in a restaurant located in an outlet that's pretty good! We liked the vibe and the look of the place. We were a big group and the service was good. And we pretty much enjoyed everything that we ordered. They have good selection on the menu as well. The complimentary chips and salsa were good too! read more

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Located in the outlet shopping plaza is this restaurant that offers Mexican flavors. Asada Cantina + Kitchen is a great spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. It also has a beautiful full bar to enjoy at. I was meeting up with some friends and they made reservations here for dinner. When we arrived the restaurant was very busy with people waiting outside. Having a reservation was definitely nice. We got seated out in their beautiful outdoor patio area. To start they give you complementary chips and warm delicious salsa. For dinner, I tried the nachos, their popular crab & shrimp ceviche and the crispy carnitas. The nachos were pretty good and you can order whichever meat you like with it. The crab & shrimp ceviche was pretty good and we ate them along with the chips at the table. And the crispy carnitas I ordered came along with rice and beans of your choice. I found the carnitas to be a little over fried and a little dry. It was okay but I probably wouldn't order it again. My friends seemed to all be okay with their food. The service was very slow. It took a very long time to be served drinks, put in our orders, and for them to bring anything we asked. I asked for some house made habanero hot sauce and I was almost half way through my meal before I even got it. Our waiter was very nice though and apologized. He didn't forget everything but it seemed like they were slammed with not enough servers. It was a cool experience and I do want to come back and try their brunch. I don't know if I would want to come back when it is so busy though. It's a great spot for small or large parties. Parking was easy since they share the same lot as the outlet. read more

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I have to say I do like this place. However, it is quite pricey. The one in Laguna seems to be a little bit more reasonable. When you're in the area by the outlets, there is only so many options. I do enjoy their chips and salsa. I've had a few different things here, and I have enjoyed each of them. read more