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    Avila's El Ranchito

    3.8 (626 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Avila's El Ranchito Takeout or Delivery

    Avila's El Ranchito Photos

    Business Info

    AVILA'S EL RANCHITO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Asada Taco
    Cathrine S.

    This Avila's location is the smallest one I've been to, but still has that Avila's charm and delicious chips and salsa. They have a much smaller menu than other locations, but still offer a few favorites. Indoor, outdoor and bar seating available, and walking distance from other shops and the beach.

    ceviche
    karla m.

    genuinely the best ceviche ever (number 2 to my mom's hehe) but so so good!!!! the shrimp was so tasty and fresh and it had the best lime flavor. my boyfriend and i ate it all so quick and would come back again when we are back in the state our server also offered us two rounds of chips and salsa and was so nice and attentive!

    Avocado Bowl, California Burrito, & Mayan Burrito
    Jina K.

    I came with my family close to opening on a weekday, so there was absolutely no wait and we were able to pick our own table! We got a spot right by the window where there was an ocean view. Our server was so kind, and she gave us free chips and salsa as soon as we sat down! The chips were so good and the salsa had a nice kick to it. We even got a free refill. I got the Mayan Burrito, and it was massive and so incredibly delicious. It was drenched in salsa verde and topped with cheese. I got shredded chicken inside, and it was so yummy. One of the best wet burritos I've had. There was so much filling inside, and such a good size. My sister got the California Burrito with carne asada, and she loved it too! My mom got the Avocado Bowl, and she enjoyed it too. I would absolutely return to this place and order the same burrito! Excellent service, a pretty view, and a nice relaxing ambience!

    Blackened Wild Atlantic Salmon Tacos
    Brooke T.

    Food was amazing! Everything was served warm. The salmon tacos were not super spicy but had a little but of heat. Shrimp tacos had some heat to them. Rice and beans were also good! Rice was a little dry. Food tastes authentic. The service was ok. Took us a while to get our food and drink refills. Everyone was kind. Ambiance was fun! This is a great place to sit outside or at the bar. Locals do come here, and it is a fun place to hang out! Would definitely recommend this place!

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    29 days ago

    Had a nice experience. Food is always good. Our server, David was very pleasant. I like the ambiance in the outside seating.

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    Michael A.

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    5 months ago

    Great food to pick up ! And eat there can't beat the Ocean view ! I love the chicken soup & crispy Tacos

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    8 months ago

    Melissa had the best service. Fantastic tacos and salsa. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area.

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    10 months ago

    Service was great, the restaurant itself was beautiful. I had the cerviche and it was delicious! Can't wait to go back again!

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    1 year ago

    The food and staff are totally amazing! Every time I order from them, the food is delicious.

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    Page 1 of 16

    Avila's El Ranchito Reviews in Other Languages

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    Carmelita's - Birria Tacos

    Carmelita's

    4.2(2.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    •$$

    Came here for dinner around 7 pm on a Tuesday and we were able to be seated right away on the patio…read morewith our dog. They start you off with complimentary chips, salsa and beans. I really enjoyed the beans and liked that it was offered as something different. I also ordered a spicy michelada with Modelo which was really good. For food we shared the pollo à la chipotle and seafood enchiladas. Both entrees were really good! You could taste the crab in the enchiladas and the sauce on the chicken was really good. The chicken was also moist and not dry. I enjoyed the chile relleno but felt like it wasn't needed. My boyfriend really liked the rice. They offered us more chips once we ran out and brought out a fresh batch. Oh my, the chips were amazing when they were still warm! If I wasn't full I could've eaten the whole basket myself. Our server was also friendly and brought water for our dog without us having to ask. Great location near the beach for a nice dinner with a breeze. We would definitely return!

    I should have taken photos! Every bite was delicious. The fresh tortilla chips were warm and the…read moreguacamole was so tasty and was served with chopped cucumbers and a wonderfully smoky chipotle sauce on the side. Why? Who knows. Who cares. They were delicious. We ordered several types of tacos, on both regular corn tortillas and crispy tortillas. WOW! Each bite was better than the one before. Is that possible ? Yes, it's possible. The food was so delicious, we ordered food to take with us for later. ( photos of take out attached. We were too busy eating out sit down meal). The service was exceptional. My water glass stayed full. The room is nice and cozy. We had no problem with parking, but I can imagine it may get tight during the dinner hour. We will return, because I look forward to trying several other menu items. I highly recommend Carmelita's.

    Photos
    Carmelita's - Inside

    Inside

    Carmelita's - Chef's Combo Platter

    Chef's Combo Platter

    Carmelita's - Seafood trio

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    Seafood trio

    Las Brisas - TRADITIONAL EGGS BENEDICT

    Las Brisas

    3.6(6.2k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    •$$$

    Grateful to finally review this favorite Laguna Beach location we've been coming to for the past…read morecouple decades. Parking can be challenging on the weekend or holidays, but here on a weekday the second day of fall for a 5pm dinner, easy parking. Always attentive wait staff: and was surprised that my friend Ivan is manager: so cool to see him work the room and even bus tables. Our server Asher was fantastic. Seated with a lovely view of the bay. Calamari perfect, tender, lightly fried. My Ensalada Cobb was just what the doctor ordered: I subbed Salmon, and am bewildered that the skin was like crispy bacon and the salmon itself so tender and perfect. The caprese was fantastic, the heirloom tomatoes so flavorful! This is the Ur-SoCal experience!

    To get the bad out of the way the waiter basically showed unhappiness with our not ordering an…read moreappetizer or a dessert.. he basically walked away both times without saying a word. I felt bad so gave him a $25 tip, over 22%, but after thinking about it I probably should've given him more like 15%. The guys who filled our water and took our plates were cordial though. Sorry dude I have to live too. Also parking is very difficult to find, but there's valet off PCH behind the art museum for $15. Okay now the good stuff.. my steak & lobster enchiladas were awesome! The green chili one was spicy and filled with lobster. The red one was a nice marinara sauce topped with Parmesan crumbles and had steak in it. The black beans and red rice actually didn't have much flavor though, probably should've put that on top. My wife's butterfly shrimp and garlic sauce with corn rice was really good too. We also had a Quest Cabernet and a peach mojito both very good! It's a little pricey here, but the experience is great. We sat outside able to admire the ocean and outdoor fire. All in all it was a good experience except for the waiter. Thank you.

    Photos
    Las Brisas - One of their beautiful indoor dining areas.

    One of their beautiful indoor dining areas.

    Las Brisas - LAVA CAKE

    LAVA CAKE

    Las Brisas - July 30, 2025

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    July 30, 2025

    South of Nick's - Tres leches

    South of Nick's

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    •$$

    You simply cannot go wrong dining at South of Nick's in Laguna Beach. We've tasted so many dishes,…read moreand every visit gives us another reason to return. The La Tablita and shrimp taquitos are standouts, and the chips with their trio of salsas are divine. They are the kind of fresh tortilla chips you keep reaching for even when you promise yourself you're saving room for dinner. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with thoughtful attention to every little detail. Add the spectacular ocean view, and you have a setting that makes you want to settle in and savor the evening. Our server, Paul, was exceptionally attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and helping us feel truly cared for throughout our meal. The toasted coconut margarita remains a favorite, and the wine list has all our go-to choices. Between the delicious food, gracious service, and beautiful setting, South of Nick's is a must every time we're in Laguna Beach.

    I had been meaning to try this place. I have been to Nick's which is very good but I think I prefer…read morethis. The view is awesome and Mexican food is more of my style. Got fish tacos and they were some of the best I've tried. The chips and salsa were excellent too. I got a Paloma which was pretty good and had a nice seat by the window. People are nice as well. The parking is tricky and this was at lunch during the week, so it's probably even worse on weekends and dinner.

    Photos
    South of Nick's - Bar area with chips and dip

    Bar area with chips and dip

    South of Nick's - Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

    Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

    South of Nick's - Mini Soft Taco Platter; carnitas, roasted chicken, al pastor, and steak

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    Mini Soft Taco Platter; carnitas, roasted chicken, al pastor, and steak

    The Taco Stand

    The Taco Stand

    4.2(597 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$

    The people here are so friendly and accommodating. The food is amazing and one of my go to spots…read morehere in Laguna Beach. Definitely worth the hype!

    The Mar Y Tierra burrito is my favorite burrito of the year. I haven't had a single burrito in…read morealmost 10 years but this pregnancy had me craving for some, so after hubby and I enjoyed our date at Laguna Beach, he found this place for us and it did not disappoint. Usually, I'd expect burritos to feel heavy after eating, but this one was full of shrimp & steak (surf & turf - my fav) with cheese & cabbage instead of rice & beans. Some may prefer the rice, beans, and cheese combo in their burritos, but I much prefer the protein-heavy, and veggies forward type of burrito that the taco stand serves. I split the burrito with my hubby thinking it was big, which I borderline regretted after taking a bite, because I'll need my own next time. It's just that good... & feels light on the tummy :) Service was no frills, and glad they have their own parking lot. Ambiance is super chill.. not an actual taco stand but there are plenty of seats both inside and outside the restaurant. Only one bathroom for all customers so that's not exactly the best for a pregnant woman like myself, but the burrito makes up for that too! The salsa bar was also quite extensive--we got everything to try, but the classic pico de gallo, smoky salsa matcha, and the green sauce did it for me. Chips and guac were classic delish as an appetizer, and so was the carne asada tacos, but the burrito is worth coming back for.

    Photos
    The Taco Stand - Great spot

    Great spot

    The Taco Stand - Pollo Asado taco

    Pollo Asado taco

    The Taco Stand - California burrito- good carne Asada in there

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    California burrito- good carne Asada in there

    Chelas Mexican Kitchen - Best Tacos ever!

    Chelas Mexican Kitchen

    4.3(100 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    This place has a great location right off of PCH, but up on a hill away from most similar…read morebusinesses. It has a unique feel. Walking upstairs gives a nice ocean view and is good for small groups. It's a great option for Taco Tuesday. They are quick and high quality. The service was welcoming and will encourage a customer to return and try more menu options. This place is well worth a visit.

    Chelas is a local Mexican Restaurant near Gallery Row in North Laguna beach, offering delicious…read moreMexican fare with a smile at a reasonable price. I ordered for my takeout the La Calle Taco Kit ($80), which included 2 pounds of meat (half steak, half chicken), cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, onions, rice, 2 dozen tortillas, and limes. Bangers all around. The chicken was superbly spiced and tender, the beans soft and well spiced, the tortillas hot and fresh. Of the lineup, the strongest contender was the guacamole, which had the perfect mix of cilantro, lime, and creamy avocado, one of the best guacamoles I've ever had. I found the steak a little weak, being more beef shavings which were a little tough. Everything came together well to feed our group of five with plenty for leftovers the following day. Service was friendly and very, very fast. When calling in our order I was quoted 12 minutes. For such a large order during the dinner rush, this is commendable. Service was effusive and friendly, tailoring the order to our liking (half and half meat, half and half tortillas, the mildest of mild salsas, etc). Price, above, was very reasonable for the quantity of food in an expensive area. I went in with modest expectations but left quite impressed. Te felicito, Chelas! You have my highest recommendation for anyone looking for quality Mexican in Laguna at a fair price. Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 4.5:5

    Photos
    Chelas Mexican Kitchen - Inside

    Inside

    Chelas Mexican Kitchen
    Chelas Mexican Kitchen

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    Javier's - Jalapeño Margarita

    Javier's

    3.6(4.6k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    •$$$

    Enchiladas de Camarones (packed with shrimp and crab, so yummy)…read more- Guacamole Nachos - Empanadas de Camarón (the crust is super crispy, stuffed with tender shrimp, topped with creamy sauce, cheese, and pesto - so rich and flavorful) Definitely recommend! The Trio de Enchiladas Lobster, shrimp, and fish. The sauce is killer, feels like avocado and cheese. - Steak Picado (made with premium Angus sirloin, stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and pasilla chilies, seasoned with garlic and cilantro) You gotta try this! - Ceviche de Ahi (so fresh, refreshing, and sweet) Totally loved it Service is great. They have performance at night and the ambience is pretty chill and full of cultural decorations.

    I've lived in the US for 10 years, and this was easily the worst service experience I've ever had…read moreat a high-end restaurant. We came for a birthday lunch, and the restaurant was not busy at all -- about all of the tables were empty. The hostess, an older Latina woman, seated us in a corner table. We politely asked if we could switch to a different spot with a better view and looked around at the open tables. We were respectful the entire time, but she was rude from the very start, with a terrible attitude. My friend later told me she slammed our menus down on the table and pouted. It was shockingly unprofessional. I couldn't help but wonder: if she doesn't like her job, she shouldn't be working in hospitality. We even questioned whether we were receiving this treatment because of our race. We requested to speak with the manager. Unfortunately, the manager's response was dismissive and perfunctory. We never received any genuine apology for the hostess's behavior. This level of treatment is completely unacceptable for a restaurant of this caliber. That said, our server who took care of our table was wonderful. He was polite and attentive, and he's the only reason this review is not a total disaster.

    Photos
    Javier's - Newport Beach Location

    Newport Beach Location

    Javier's - Filete Ladrillo

    Filete Ladrillo

    Javier's - Newport Beach Location - Tacos

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    Newport Beach Location - Tacos

    Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Short rib cheese grilled sandwich with warm potato salad

    Reunion Kitchen + Drink

    4.4(790 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    •$$$

    Came here on Mother's Day. This is always a tried and true. We got a little of everything and it…read moredid not disappoint. Would come back here again, no questions asked!

    Decent New American/Breakfast/Brunch spot in Laguna Beach. I came here for a friend's birthday with…read morea big group on a Sunday and the experience was alright. Going down the list of dishes I tried here: -Miso Garlic Noodles: Solid and good flavor. Nothing special and overpriced for what they were. -Avocado Wontons: These were interesting. It was like a vegan poke only that it's watermelon. Not bad, but the 'wontons' weren't actual wontons. -Ahi Poke Stack: Solid poke and I enjoyed the creamy avocado. Also a bit overpriced considering the portion size. -Matcha Martini: Pretty disappointing. Couldn't really taste any matcha. Only tasted like a sweet and creamy cocktail. -Chilaquiles: Overall enjoyable. I liked the crispy chips. However, the servers forgot my eggs which was annoying, but they brought it out later with an additional egg. -Crispy Fried Calamari: Tasty and I liked the sauce. Calamari wasn't the greatest quality itself though. Service was pretty slow and the servers seemed to forget many details when taking orders which caused service delays wasn't optimal. The interior was decent and not dirty. For parking, there's a good amount located at and around the Pavilions parking lot. Overall, I probably wouldn't come back here again. It just seemed like a standard chain restaurant. It is located walking distance from the beach though.

    Photos
    Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Warm butter cake

    Warm butter cake

    Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Brussel sprouts appetizer

    Brussel sprouts appetizer

    Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Lemon bar brûlée

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    Lemon bar brûlée

    Avila's El Ranchito - mexican - Updated October 2026

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