We've been going to Cafe Capistrano for years and had always been pleased with the food and service, but our last two visits, and especially tonights, compel me to write this review. 1st the service; horrible would be too kind a word to describe it. Upon being sat, we were delivered a plate of chips and salsa. Chips were nothing but pieces. Okay, it's Saturday night, so I'll cut them some slack. We ordered our favorite blanco queso, but received the original queso. Reminded her we ordered the blanco and she takes it back to the kitchen shaking her head as she is waliking away! So a few minutes later we got the blanco queso and another plate of chip pieces. We asked for some fresh chips and again got chip pieces, but since our food was now being delivered, we just decided we would make do with the pieces. The food delivery came one plate at a time with about 3 minutes between thev1st and last plate. Meanwhile drink glasses are empty! So now on to the food; I ordered the verde enchiladas with pork, but I got them with chicken. My son ordered a beef buritto and pulled a piece of hair out of his mouth on his first bite! We sent it back, and the manager came over to apologize, an offered him a cup of guacamole While he waited. Needless to say his appetite was gone. Not sure what has happened to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Raleigh, but I gave it a 2nd chance and I will not be back. read more

The food is great! Just deal with the identity crisis going on there. It's in an unassuming strip mall, is one large room with tables lumped in the center and low booths lined along the perimeter (expect no privacy or intimate dining here), yet the host will greet you and escort you to your table with the demeanor of a maitre-d in a fine establishment. I was put off by the lack of ambiance on my first visit, but the food is so worth it! The tortilla soup is flavor, flavor, flavor! The cilantro and lime are bold and fresh against the soothing home feel from the chicken and broth. If nothing else, try the soup. The burrito, or el jefe, lives up to it's name. Our second time there we ordered just the burrito for the two of us and it was plenty. Was tasty as well. Empanadas are on deck for my next visit. Don't let it's odd location and lack of aesthetics put you off...definitely give this place a try! read more

We've been coming here for quite a few years now. The food has always been delicious, the menu choices are wonderful and the staff is friendly. The huevos rancheros are always my favorite because they're different from other places. When we all had to do take-out, Cafe Capistrano did the best packing job of any restaurant we went to! But we're glad to be able to be back to dining inside the restaurant. Everything tastes fresh and yummy. read more

Previously wrote an honest review of this restaurant as I experienced it but it appears to have been deleted? I was quite frank but not dishonest in my description. It could have been rated a "1" but did not want to be cruel: Went for dinner on Saturday evening excited to try this restaurant based on YELP reviews and recommendations from friends. The place was very busy when my party of two arrived at 6:30. We were seated promptly without a reservation. There were several large parties of 6 or more that dominated both the wait staff and the atmosphere. Needless to say, the service did suffer because of that. The Food: The menu was modest with a range of offerings, although nothing that would identify it as "California" cuisine. Multiple queso dip selections, general offerings of tacos, quesadillas and the like. I ordered Empanadas stuffed with chicken and a sauce that tasted curiously like Ranch dressing. My guest ordered chile relleno which came stuffed with chicken, spinach, cheese...I suppose that was the California attempt. The Serice: The service was fair to poor. My waiter did not know the menu, and was unfamiliar as to how to make suggestions regarding side items with my meal. He inaccurately noted that we ordered queso blanco dip, which we did not. It came, we refused it, and he came back to ensure we hadn't ordered it. Of course we had not. Drinks were not replenished as I would expect, although the front of house hostess did chip in and get refills as she walked by. There were a lot of staff, but they seemed gathered around a take-out bar of the restaurant, where multiple customers lined up for take-out orders. Perhaps it would do better as a take out business. The Atmosphere: Strip Mall Chic. Paintings hung too high to be seen by diners; lighting completely out on one side of the restaurant; an ill-placed water fountain as an attempt to given the place some California ambiance. Decor by Ross Dress for Less. Staff in black. Our bill came to $50.00 for two guests, 2 entrees and 2 drinks, no alcohol. It would be wiser to spend your money somewhere else. No thank you, come again as we left. The allure of the place by customers baffles me. Certainly is not the atmosphere or the food....and California is still about 3,000 miles away from that front door. read more

Stopped here on a road trip. I was eating alone. The service was attentive and the food was very good.

Food was good. I ordered a shrimp and avocado salad and tortilla soup. The soup was incredible! However, the shrimp salad was quit different. The shrimp and avocado was sitting on tip of a bed of rice and lettuce which I didn't care for. The shrimp was good and when I was finished eating only the shrimp and avocado there was the plate with a bunch of rice and lettuce. Wish they would serve the salad as other restaurants do with only the shrimp, avocado in a salsa dressing. My friend ordered a quesadilla and really enjoyed it. read more

Let me start by saying, I'm not usually a fan of Mexican food.. at all. However, the place was excellent! We started with the chips and salsa of course, which had flavor but not too hot and queso classico, which is the real deal. We also had a cup of the chicken tortilla soup which was the best I've EVER had. My husband agrees, and he is the one who loves Mexican cuisine. So much flavor and tasted so fresh. I also had the empanadas ..again.. incredibly fresh. And my husband had the burrito which he was very satisfied with. The service as terrific and even before they knew it was our first time in there, they were genuinely concerned that we were happy with everything on the table. I also liked the atmosphere. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in the area that a loud, cluttered and just obnoxious. This is simple, loved the water feature, and vibrant art on the walls. Can't wait to go back! read more

Food was absolutely delicious! I had the mango shrimp dinner and was not disappointed. It was the first time I had tortilla soup and it was sooooo good. Great customer service! Great spot to meet friends and to just enjoy great food! read more

Highly highly recommend. I had heard a lot of good things about them and they were not wrong! Food was great as well as the customer service. The managers were always there to make sure everything was great. I Wil definitely be going back. Oh and the queso dip! They have the real stuff! read more

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I have really mixed reviews of Cafe Capistrano. My first 3 times eating there were amazing, 4-5 star experiences. The food was delicious (I get the chicken tacos) and service was good. My most recent visit actually proved to be very disappointing. The quality of the food seems to have gone down and the preparation seemed different. The last few times the rice had cilantro in it and was deliciously fresh tasting but this time the rice was a total disappointment (and no cilantro to be found). The same for the chicken tacos. It could just have been one bad experience but for the price and the 20 minute wait to get in, I felt that the food quality was not worth it. I might have one more shot in me for this place and if the experience is the same as this last time, I won't go back. read more

This place is in a nondescript strip mall, but don't let that fool you. The food was very good. The menu sticks to simple California influenced Mexican food, which is exactly how they describe themselves. We went for dinner with some friends on a Saturday night and it was almost full. I had the empanada special and chicken tortilla soup. Both items were very tasty. The empanadas were filled with cheese and chicken. The rice was good and not too salty. The chicken tortilla soup was really good. Odds are high I will get cravings for it. My husband had enchiladas verde and the other male had a HUGE burrito. They both finished everything on their plates. Our lady friend ordered the fish tacos and said they were her favorite. The menu is simple fare with lots of flavor. Note: This is not authentic Mexican but is still very good. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for some simple Mexican fare. read more

This is the best place around the area for lunch if you like Mexican food (though they call it California-style). Although it is a little pricey, you get a lot of food for your money. I highly recommend the California Torta Sandwich. The bread is made fresh and it comes with a cup of their chicken tortilla soup (best I've ever had). The service is usually excellent, though I have had a few visits where I waited for a refill or the bill (none recently and I eat here a few times a month, sometimes weekly). I've been with several co-workers and the service was spot on. Like I said, mostly the service is very good. If it is your first time or your looking for a really unique meal, try the California Torta Sandwich. It comes on fresh made bread and is made to order. It is so tasty and not something you can get anywhere else. The chicken tortilla soup is so good. I could just get a huge bowl of that. It comes with a small wedge of lime, so make sure you fish it out and give it a good squeeze before setting aside. The soup is full of shredded chicken not just a few tiny pieces that you have to search for. The presentation of the food is also very well done. They always serve the sandwich with a side of marinated tomatoes and lettuce. I like to add the tomatoes to the sandwich and will request more if they don't put much on the plate. The queso blanco appetizer is very tasty and a large portion. The guacamole appetizer is piled high on the plate and has a wonderful presentation. Everything they serve has such a personal touch with the presentation even the dessert. I've tried most of their desserts and they're so fresh and delicious. The portions are huge! You can order ahead for food to go, I've seen many people come in and pick up orders while I'm there. I would suggest if you are going with a large party to call ahead. They seem very accommodating with groups, but the space is limited. One review said the layout was poor, but I love it. It has booths on the sides and tables in the middle that can be combined for larger groups. When you arrive, they are very quick to get your drink order and bring you a bowl of salsa and chips. If you want the salsa a little spicier or a personal bowl (for double dipping), just ask and they'll bring you out a bowl special made for you. Everything you order seems like it was made just for you with little special touches along the way. That's why I love this place. The only thing to add is that I've never been for dinner, only for lunch and not had any wine/beer/alcohol, so I can't comment on that. I work nearby, so it is a perfect place for lunch. I've never had a problem getting in and out during my lunch hour. read more

I hosted a Luncheon for 25 women at the café yesterday. Brandy, our server, was superior. She was very attentive without being intrusive. The food was wonderful and several ladies told me how smart I was to pick the place. They set up the tables exactly as I wanted them ,the service was smooth ,the food came quickly and I don't know how many more good things you can say about the Luncheon. Everybody had a good time and I'm very grateful. thank you café Capistrano I for making me look good. read more

Wow! We've been passing by this absolute gem promising we'll try them and we finally did! Their food is a-mazing. It's tasty, fresh, the portions are generous and the service puts the cherry on top. We had their complimentary chips and salsa, queso blanco, burrito el jefe, fish tacos, enchilada verde and a quesadilla. Everyone agrees it was so good; if you haven't tried it, please do! read more

Cafe Capistrano Mexican Restaurant - Possibly the best fish tacos I've had - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Amazing food and service! Best hard flour tacos I've ever had! The white sauce they put on the top of the taco is incredible and makes the dish. Cilantro lime rice is amazing! I could eat here every day! read more

We ate dinner here last Saturday night. I ordered the nachos (veggie) with a side order of beans and guacamole. The guacamole is tasty--made fresh--but also expensive for the side serving size. The queso sauce on the nachos was excellent and the chips above average. I enjoyed the veggie version of refined beans, too. Kudos for the vegetarian friendly menu options. My wife had the soft corn tacos with three different meats. She liked the pork one the best. The only negative for the evening was the drinks. My wife and I ordered a carafe of Sangria. Huge mistake. If you like Kool-aid, you might like the Sangria (in that case, why are you ordering Sangria!?) Otherwise, do not order the Sangria! Their idea of Sangria is wine mixed with fruit juices poured over a thin orange slice. Not good. We politely let the waitperson know it was way too sweet for our tastes--she quickly ran off and tried to make a less sweet batch, but that didn't help any. On the plus side, we were not charged for our taste testing. On the negative side, we weren't given a chance to order anything else with our meal. I left craving a cold beer. Cafe Capistrano uses quality fresh ingredients and when I'm back in the area I'll give it another try. read more

The menu is limited. But what they do, they do exceptionally well. This Californian/Mexican fusion restaurant is top notch. It's a very pleasant, yet casual, atmosphere. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. Prices are a bit higher than other area Mexican restaurants, but the food quality is significantly better. Try their guacamole. They make it fresh to order. read more

It's a small u assuming restaurant, but the food is delicious and authentic and the service was wonderful. The chicken tortilla soup was the best I have ever tried and everything about the torta sandwich was spot on from the bread to the guacamole! Definitely one of the hidden gems! read more

I love the food at Cafe Capistrano. I've been there 3 or 4 times and every time it was great. I fell in love with the tortilla soup and their guacamole is fantastic. The service has always been average or above as well. The only problem I have with the place is the price. I'm not one to scrimp on dining out, but this place is just a tad too expensive for me to consider on a regular basis and the food isn't that extra phenominal that I think it's worth it. The entrees are probably 3 or 4 bucks over what I'd think was appropriate and the fact that they charge $3 for tea/soda is just kind of silly. read more

Great service and really good food! Sauce on the verde chicken enchiladas is delicious! Very attentive server named Brandy is also very generous with salsa and soda refills. read more

We only get their Mahi mahi fish tacos and without a doubt they are the best fish tacos we have eaten in the triangle area! The service can be a little slow and nonchalant but it's not bad. read more

Excellent good, fresh salsa, and great service by our pleasant and efficient server Charlene! No fast food, standard Mexican flavors here... Loved the soft corn (steamed) tacos. Tried both kinds of rice, too, and they were both delicious! Such fresh food - our new fave Mexican restaurant. read more

Cafe Capistrano Mexican Restaurant - Fresh, excellent food including the salsa! - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Absolutely horrible! I don't understand the good reviews. We had to wait 18 minutes to give our order. Queso-the worst I've ever had, chicken verde enchiladas-flavorless, chips were stale and salsa was average. Will never go back. read more

This lovely hidden gem continues to delight over the years. There isn't a bad thing on the menu and the white wine margaritas keep me going back over and over. Just enjoyed the flat iron quesadillas last night and as usual wasn't disappointed. So delicious and the serving was enough that I had the rest for lunch today. Love this place and hope it's around for many more years to come! read more

Aliyah's first chimichanga! At the best mexican place in town. Happy Cinco de Mayo! We had a delicious meal and the service was great even on such a busy night. The live music was a great added touch! read more

Cafe Capistrano Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Before coming here, I thought it was an Italian restaurant based on its name. It has a really weird layout that's way too open. A bunch of tables just thrown together in a square room that doesn't feel like a restaurant at all. Since we weren't that hungry, we ordered a few appetizers to share plus a carafe of their margaritas. I wouldn't get a margarita there again. They add sweet white wine to it. I could hardly finish my glass it was so sickeningly sweet. For our appetizers we got guacamole, mango shrimp taco bites, and their nachos with chicken. All were good, but the nachos were my favorite. The guacamole just tasted like a mashed avocado with no seasoning or anything else added. Not one of my favorites, but I'd be willing to come back and try their entrees. read more

Amazing food for a reasonable price. Waitstaff usually very friendly. Just simply a great place to eat.

Took the kids after dance service was a bit slow, but food was worth the wait. Kids meals had great portions.

Finally had a reason and time to stop by last Wednesday night and I can say that we were very happy with the food and the service. The guac is fresh made with lovely chunks of avocado. I had the Mango Shrimp Tacos which were fabulous ... crispy little shells with more guac and the mango salsa was a nice twist. My dinner also included a cup of the Chicken Pozole soup - yum! Will be back again soon. read more

Went over Memorial Day weekend and was it ever worth it! The food is just delicious, fresh and the staff was more than friendly! The location is the only reason this place gets 4 stars instead of 5 ... well that and they have no liquor license. read more

We've now been twice in about a month, and the food is excellent. I've had the blue crab quesadillas both times, and they were excellent (and big enough to take home 1/2 the order.) Environment is nice and cozy. Outside seating is a little odd, but still nice. Keep up the great work! read more

Food & service were both on point at this wonderful, locally-owned family restaurant.

I come from California and have been looking for authentic, fresh Mexican food since I moved to NC. This is not it. We went for an early dinner. The service was fantastic and the location was pretty. The fountain in the middle of the venue is a nice touch. The food was very bland, no spices what-so-ever and the food lacked the abundance of fresh vegetables that typify California Mexican Cuisine. The guacamole was a bit oxidized and there was no pico de gallo. The salsa and chips did come with at least one refill but the salsa was bland, like tomato sauce, and tasted like it may have used canned ingredients or was prepared or stored in metal bowls which left a distinct flavor. I think that Cafe Capistrano is a fine choice for Mexican food given the the options available in Durham/Raleigh but it is not California Mexican. read more

Had the review been only about the food, I would have given it 4-5 stars...but the service sucks. I moved out here from CA, and could not find a decent mexican place...especially one that had great pintos & cheese burritos (my favorite in CA, and on virutally every Mexican a la carte menu). Well, on Cinco De Mayo, we finally tried out the food at Cafe Capistrano...and we were pleased! We had great food, great Salsa (we even bought some to take home), great Guacamole & chips, great service and I got my bean and cheese burrito that I had been longing for since moving here.Although it was not on the menu, they told me they would make it for me and charged me the price that would be expected if I ordered one on an a la carte menu. My new favorite restaurant...wait a minute. I was so thrilled with this place that we just came back this evening only 6 days later. This time, me, my kids and my husband ordered the exact same thing, but now my bill was A LOT more, my burrito was 1/2 the size(a kids burrito size)...and the waitress was SO RUDE!!!!! WTF???? My new favorite restaurant??? NOT!!!!!!! She tried to charge me $12.95 for a kid size Pintos & cheese burrito. Can you effing believe it??? For pintos & cheese??? What??? Even my husbands plate with 2 tacos, pintos and cheese was only $10.95. When I brought that to her attention, she DID NOT want to reduce the price, even as I pitched a fit in the middle of the restaurant. She told me that it was an adult burrito price!!! What???The size of a child burrito WITHOUT any meat. She then told me that if she reduced the price, the owner would take it out of her paycheck...PULEEZ!!!! My new favorite mexican restaurant is now the #1 restaurant to avoid at all cost!!!! If the manager was smart he would get rid of her!!!PRONTO!!!!! read more

Fantastic food and great people. We usually get the ground beef tacos and vegetarian quesadilla. Beautifully seasoned and delicious sauces! They give you aside of tortilla chips and salsa with every order. Be sure to order a side of queso blanco! read more

Oh man, there is a bit to say about Cafe Capistrano. I finally dined here after months of my significant other talking about it. I just hadn't felt like deviating from Gonza's whenever I wanted "Mexican" food. I'm particular to start with. I can also cook well and lived in southern Arizona for a decade...eating legit Mexican food. I tried to go in with an open mind. I've experience quite a bit of food let down here in the Raleigh-Durham area and just never know what to expect. They are housed in a strip mall setting with a dance studio, musical theatre, and dog spa/bakery. The exterior is not convincing, but do not let that fool you. Hell, the interior is down right confusing. This place is a prime example of mixed messaging and unclear brand representation. Luckily (for them and for you) the food is damn tasty. They might have an italian name, italian decor, and some funky ass fountain in the middle of the dining room, however, the food is on point. On to the actual breakdown... We had a cocktail, an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. The cocktail was eh. It isn't amazing, but it isn't bad either. The appetizer we chose was the queso blanco with black beans. Hands down that was possibly the best queso I have ever encountered!!! The tortilla chips need improvement though. They taste like some low grade wholesale store tortilla chips. The chips cannot compare to the queso. Next time I won't waste the queso on the crappy chips, instead, I have plannnnssss for that queso. The Santa Fe Enchiladas (beef) are tasty. The tortillas are soooooo good. Now, I'm not a fan of green sauce, but the actual enchilada is delectable. The chimichanga (pork) is damn tasty as well. There are two bean options (black or pinto) and two rice options (Spanish or lime basmati). I like that they offer basmati rice. Be warned, it comes with some funky sauce poured on top of it. Next time I'll pass on the funky sauce and just enjoy the rice. The beans are tasty. I plan on pouring that amazing queso over whatever entree I venture into next time though!!! For dessert we tried the gooey chocolate butter cake. This is like a brownie met a poke cake. The desserts are made in house, which is a win these days! It is a HUGE piece of cake. This is a super rich and decadent dessert. Overall, this is a winner. I'll gladly dine here again and am looking forward to the experience! read more

This is my review on their Facebbok psge and their response: Walked in and was seated right away. Waited about 5 minutes or so for a waiter, another 5 minutes for the endless chips and salsa, which no one even offered to refill when empty. While our and other tables drinks were empty and two other tables were waiting for their to-go orders, our waiter was walking around the dining room doing Facebook live. We finally asked the person who brought the chips out for a refill of sprite which he got. The waiter walked by and asked if I would like more water and I replied yes, the hostess right after asked and I said he just asked so I thought he was getting it. After about 5 minutes or so our dinners came out, delivered by the hostess and I still did not have my water. I asked again for it and finally she filled it up. My boyfriend was so pissed that he couldn't even eat. His shrimp and beans were cold and he never received his soup. My tacos were good but I was upset so I only ate one and my beans were cold. Everyone we c omplained to didn't seem to care. The waiter (ths one who had been on Facebook live) even said they were short handed...hmmm maybe you shouldn't have been on Facebook. After all this we received a whopping 15% discount....yea last time for us.I apoligized as my boyfriend said the discount was 50%. I thought the manager said 15. Their response: I have never responded to a negative review in this fashion before after 11 years of being in this business. First I will not apologize for being busy to capacity tonight. We are so grateful and love every one of customers. When they are right they are right. But, in this instance I find this review unwarranted. Your food came out at 30 minutes. Your boyfriends entree was the mango shrimp. The shrimp is served as a cold dish. You both said you didn't want to eat because you lost your appetite and refused to eat. I checked with your servers other tables to head up another complaints he might have had. They all spoke of him as the best service they have had. I have been a law Enforcement officer since 1997. I started a drug interdiction team in 2003. We I spoke with you and your boyfriend I couldn't help but notice his eyes dilated and obviously on meds. Probably for his broken are or for whatever reason he was in a shoulder sling. You told your Server you did not want to pay for your food before I came out to speak with you and then stated you didn't want free food. You even said you would leave and have nothing good to say about us. I addressed this with yet here you are. I'm so thankful for the great customers we have. I literally get hugs 15 to 20 times a day. Folks I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but it seems like you came in with a bad experience. My reply to that: I have never rated a restaurant before unless I was giving it a good review but this experience was bad all around and from your comments, just continues. I worked in the hospitality industry for about 15 years so I can empathize with a busy restaurant/server. What I don't believe is your only response to our service was that we received our food in 30 minutes. Although it was 40, yes I timed it, and the table of 4 that came in after us was served before us (and also received their soup before their meal) what was more important was that in that time we were hardly acknowledged by our waiter. My boyfriend had to ask the chip server/busser for more drink. After about 30 minutes of seating our waiter and then your hostess asked if I would like more water, which I didn't get until after our food was served. Other than taking our order, asking that one time if I would like more water, the only other time our waiter spoke to us was after my boyfriend ask to speak to the manager. We were not looking for a free meal, we were looking for a new place to eat with good food and service. When you are busy to capacity and your patrons drinks are empty and they are being ignored your wait staff should not be walking around the dining room posting on Facebook live!! Lastly, my boyfriend was not on any meds and for you to insinuate that is UNBELIEVABLE. He was in an accident over 10 years ago and has nerve damage in that arm. He doesn't take meds for it even when he has pain that takes his breath away! I didn't rate your restaurant one star because the rating said ^I hate this place^ and I do not use that word, but to me after this it deserves it or less. Needless to say my boyfriend's family is livid too! read more

Giving 4 stars based on their location. You can hardly find this place due to the trees blocking the store front.

Nothing to brag about. The salsa was blend. Was told the house margarita was good. Ordered it and asked for salt on the rim. It came in a small wine glass and no salt. Said kindly "oh there's no salt on the rim." Server said "oh sorry" and walked away. Never got my salt. It tastes like sweet juice with no alcohol. My chicken taco was okay. The best part was the white sause. The lettuce was old and turning brown. The rice and black beans were bla. On the other hand, my 7 year old loved the chicken posole soup. Told me I should cook it. It was creamy. I wont be returning, it was nothing that I enjoyed and would come back for. read more

I'm so glad one of my favorite restaurants is offering order-ahead curbside take-out. My friend and I ordered the Mahi Mahi tacos in hard corn taco shells, with an appetizer of guacamole. The food was fresh and absolutely delicious. The Mahi Mahi was flash fried, crispy and light. Perfection. They also provide a generous side of homemade tortilla chips and salsa. To order, call ahead and reserve a pickup time. I think they are working on getting their menu online. In the meantime you can find it on TripAdvisor. When you call Cafe Capistrano, they will also tell you their specials. read more