It starts with the staff. Everyone is always friendly, professional and on top of it. The food is fast, fresh and delicious. It's a beautiful restaurant inside with a huge bar and good drinks. read more

My wife and I are regulars at this spot and we love the atmosphere and food. Service is always prompt and attentive. Menu goes on for days with something for everyone's tastes. read more

I'm genuinely so shocked about how horrible the service was. I wanted the most basic items- a house margarita and a bean and cheese burrito. For some reason that was the most difficult ask.. The margarita was horrible and the burrito was brought out swimming in a bowl of red sauce that tasted like luke warm spaghetti sauce. I asked for just a plain bean, shredded cheese, and tortilla burrito. Finally the most pathetic looking dish was brought out. Not hot- no cheese- not even rolled into a burrito?? We will not be back. How disappointing. read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Bean and cheese burrito?? - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

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Another great meal at Camino Real! Friendly service and quick seating, charming design and decor feels like sitting at an outdoor cafe (minus the heat and bugs!). Lunch for my partner was brunch burrito, smothered in cheese and accompanied by oven roasted potatoes and light pancakes with a sweet frosting drizzle. I enjoyed a birria quesadilla with rice and beans. The consommé was *chef's kiss*. This is one of our favorite Surf City restaurants off Topsail. read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Pancakes w/crema Brunch burrito, oven roasted potatoes Fresh tortilla chips Birria quesadilla, refried beans, rice, consommé - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

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Super cute inside, delicious margs, and incredible apps! The chicken empanadas were definitely the star of the show. The tortilla on the burrito was amazing and crispy. We didn't love the empanadas - nothing special - but otherwise a wonderful spot. read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

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Not open until 10. When we walked in, there were 4 girls up front who all managed to simultaneously roll their eyes. Muttered in Spanish and said "we're closed"... could have been handled better... so they will closed to us for good. read more

We order to go. Decent food for the price. Good sized portions. We ordered chicken nachos, burrito supreme and veggie fajita. All were good. Only thing that could have been better was veggie fajita. Half the veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, onions and summer squash) were fresh and other half of veggies (carrots, broccoli and cauliflower) were frozen. It would have been better to use all fresh veggies. Definitely would give them another try but a different selection on food. read more

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A disaster. Had to try three timeline to get. Clean Lean silverware. Then charged for an item we didn't order. Also I got a fajita salad when I ordered a taco salad. Very frustrating condidering I don't eat peppers and this salad is full of them. Waitress was apparently new. Very slow and and the guy seemed to be on top of it all. We have been going there but never for years but never again. read more

Stopped here for dinner with 5 others on a Friday night after we were told Shuckin Shack would be an hour and a half wait. We sat outside which is a nice area! Service was quick. Food was cheap and filled us up. The complimentary salsa was good and spicy. I wasn't crazy about the street corn, it was sort of bland. I had the shrimp with onions and mushrooms which was good and a lot of food. I tried someone's cheese enchiladas which were really good and covered in a yummy cheese sauce. I will say that the best parts of the meal were the guacamole and queso sampler. Lows of the meal was that my rice was cold, my michelada wasn't the greatest and was totally watered down, and i got a $5 coupon for checking in on yelp that they wouldn't let me use! read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - camarones al mojo - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

This was our first trip to Surf City and while we knew we would be having seafood at some point, this place was recommended by our dentist, so we thought...why not? We are so glad we did. We were seated immediately and our waiter (who was very cute and good at what he does) was quick to bring us beverages and take our orders. We started with the Buffalo Shrimp appetizer and WOW, it was fantastic. There were a LOT of huge shrimp coated in a perfect buffalo sauce. As good as the shrimp were, they were almost beat out by the "mushroom, cilantro, onion, tomato" buffalo salad in the center of the plate. They need to definitely sell that by the gallon...it was that good. I had the chicken quesadilla which was chock full of chicken and oh so delicious. It was HUGE, but I managed to clean my plate (and would have licked it if I hadn't been in public...also THAT good. My husband had the chicken fajita quesadilla and it would be difficult to find anything better in any Mexican restaurant. It was also HUGE and he ended up bringing some home. It was even better crisped up in the air fryer the next day:-). We will be back in Surf City many times in the future because our nephew bought a place at a local campground and it's perfect for our RV. Will definitely be back for more amazing food at Camino Real. read more

I LOVE Surf City, N.C. and I LOVE Camino Real Mexican Restaurant! I've visited this location quite a few times and I've only had one bad experience. Unfortunately, that was my most recent visit (hence, the 3 stars). The food here is always good and the portions are typically very generous, except for our one bad experience. I generally visit this location for an early dinner (between 3pm and 4pm) and I pretty much order the same thing, Fajitas Texanos. I LOVE fajitas, especially, mixed fajitas with steak, chicken and shrimp! Our typical visit time is pretty slow for business and our orders of fajitas are pretty quick to prepare but our most recent visit proved things are not always what they seem. Plenty of staff, yet we waited outside at the "Please Wait Here To Be Seated" sign for over 5 minutes before we stepped inside and asked if they were open. Service was "fair" from there on, if I'm being fair! I don't want to lose this dining option in Surf City! I've already crossed their seafood neighbor off my list for poor service. I will return to give them another shot but it is frustrating to have so many staff just sitting around doing nothing and you have to wait to be seated and for food. read more

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Terrible service. The food was ok but they didn't care about the allergies of one of the guest.

this new place is amazing, the employees are doing good except the bar area . The last three times we went to the bar it took at least five minutes for somebody to look at us and actually take our order for a drink. It seems that they were too busy to help because they were making drinks for the waiters and waitresses and doing other work. When you head to a bar you want a smiling face asking what you want right when you sit down, didn't happen , these 2 girls need to be retrained. read more

Very nice place. The food was excellent. The music was fun. Would definitely go back when we visit again.

I try to stop here when I'm in town. It's got really good food and an amazing atmosphere about it. The service is always great and I have a good time. Really do enjoy it here. read more

Everything was nice, food was very good!!!! Nice atmosphere with a Mexican music going made me feel like I was back on the border in El Paso Texas. read more

Food was great and the waiter, Enrique, was amazing. Highly recommend if you're looking for more of an authentic Mexican restaurant. Everyone was so kind and the atmosphere felt so welcoming. Definitely will be returning! read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Chicken Enchiladas topped with green sauce. Not spicy at all. - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

Love their Carne Asada Street Tacos! The Mexican Corn was a wee bit salty for me but I'm super sensitive to some flavors. I can't handle the spicy salsa that comes with the complimentary chips but that's on me too! Being a local and having Camino nearby to dine in or just pop in and grab their tacos is such a treat. As another reviewer explained, every type of cuisine throughout the country will have a different touch, flair, etc. Having lived in San Diego for 6 years, I don't expect the same street taco here as I had there. Nor did I expect the food I grew up with here and in Wilmington when I dined out there, in Las Vegas, in Michigan, etc... I love their fajitas as well! The lack of close parking isn't their fault, it's summer, in a beach community. The wait staff have always been really patient even when they're slammed! Enjoy the food and always be kind to the staff! read more

Good food; The restaurant needs a little TLC or slight update. I would go in and sit down if it was a little cleaner. I order takeout and have been pleased. read more

I come here every other day. Can't get enough of the delicious food, tasty drinks, and unbeatable prices!

The best! We best here at least once per week. The food is always delicious. The food usually comes out quickly and the service is great!

From Texas we gave it a shot and the food was very delicious.. I will be back if I ever get this way!!! Be sure and and get the Shrimp cocktail!! read more

Easy good family dining. The food is good- Not really into enormous huge classes of margarita. Seems to be all they offer. We had a good time we like to go on Thursdays. Great place to go in the neighborhood. Thanks Surf City read more

The queso was terrible and made the acp inedible. However, our waitress was very nice, hence the one star.

Food was very good, Service good , very good ,!!!!!!!!!! I'm from West Texas on the border El Paso, real Mexican Food, but this was actually not bad at all .... read more

Beans were cold the rice was cold and sticky. Fajitas came out on a plate not sizzling on cast iron. The salsa is good though. Sanitation grade B 88? Not impressed. read more

I wouldn't recommend this place to my enemies. We were sat in a definitive & isolated "kids section" which smells like mold. Never mind the ceiling insulation that was caving in. We were given 3 PLASTIC sets of utensils. Which believe me, doesn't work well on Chicken & Carne Asada. The service was the absolute worst. When I asked about real forks the hostess acted like I asked for a million dollars. It was a challenge to stay the least. As we left, we noticed everyone else had actual silverware..... it was like we were in the twilight zone. I will absolutely never be back and would never suggest it to anyone we care about. Please, do your self a favor, if you have kids - DO NOT COME HERE. Such a complete let down! Wow. read more

Got us seated very quickly. Service was very good, constantly checked on us and was very nice to the kids. The food came out super hot and fairly quickly. The birria quesadilla was delicious and the kids loved the rice and beans. Queso was great too. Should definitely visit! read more

After a nice day at the beach I had a taste for Mexican instead of my usual- Shuckin Shack. Why oh why did I try something new. So I should have known this was going to be bad when it took a few minutes for a staff member to notice me when several walked past me doing nothing! Finally the bartender came over (she was very friendly) and took my order. Just an FYI, they do not have a to go menu and later found out they also don't have to go silverware! I ordered pollo exotico (chicken with bacon wrapped shrimp) hold the queso and crema! My dairy issues stopped me from ordering the special-Shrimp burritos- when I learned it's just shrimp inside a tortilla covered in queso! Any who, I waited the 15 minutes in my car for my order and when I came back in, I again waited a few minutes while several staff chatted and helped several guys at the bar with a baby! Strange to see a baby at the bar but it's the beach so .... Finally a server asked me if I had been served and I told her about my to go order. She said it's probably not ready since we got a rush (the same groups were still there plus there were a number of staff just hanging around). When my order came it looked correct and I never checked for plastic ware since who doesn't give plastic ware with a to go order(this place!). I drove across to eat in my car only to realize I had to come back because I had no utensils to eat with. After waiting again... I was told they ran out of plastic utensils and if I was eating outside I could use silverware. I took it and commented I wouldn't be back (but I'm no thief so I ate in my car and returned their silverware!) So the food ... well it was a bit different in one corner the rice had 1 green bean, 3 lima beans, and another small bean (honest it appeared to be randomly placed in one small spot in my rice and not throughout. I typically love refried beans but not these so much. The bacon wrapped shrimp did not appear fresh but dried out, the pollo or chicken was just okay. And finally on the side was a small salad with a touch of pico de gallo on top (no crema sauce so it was bland since they didn't offer another dressing). I also received a bag of cold stale chips and watered down salsa that only included fresh cilantro. Honestly I feel like I wasted my money and next time will just go back to my beach ole faithful Shuckin Shack, where I know the food is always fresh and good! read more

The queso tasted like Walmart queso from 2007(very expired)......not good. Are servers very kind tho

Unfortunately, my recent visit to Camino Real left much to be desired. Not only did I suffer from food poisoning shortly after dining there, but I also encountered a rude and unprofessional hostess who made the experience even more unpleasant. The lack of regard for customer satisfaction and health safety is truly disappointing. I hope the management takes steps to improve both their food quality and customer service in the future. It's dingy and dirty inside and a roach crawled over my foot. There's literally poop caked to the walls , probably because of the terrible sickening food. DO NOT GO HERE unless you wanted to be assaulted by cockroaches and suffer explosive dihharea. read more

Absolutely terrible. The only thing we ate were the chips and salsa. Service was fine, atmosphere was ok, could use an update but most importantly the food needs a major change. read more

I have no idea why this place has three stars?!?! That's crazy talk!!! The salsa is so fresh, it's like they went out back and picked the veggies right then! The chips were served warm and the beans are delish! We come down here for spring break every year and eat here nonstop! The fish tacos are awesome and so was everything else we tried. We have a little one and a vegetarian and everyone found something g they liked. The queso and quac are so good too!! They have great lunch specials on food and depending on the day, drinks! We've dined in and had great service and order take out to eat at the beach. LOVE this place!! read more

Just moved to the area and stopped in for dinner. This is a very affordable Mexican restaurant and the food was a substantial amount and great tasting. The house margarita was well-balanced also. Can't wait to come back here regularly! read more

food was good , service was the best part of my dinner. If you come here make sure to ask for Jimena, she was the absolute best!

Our food was fantastic and we were so happy to eat somewhere that masks were not required! The queso/cheesy sauce was wonderful. We got the carne asada fries, the cheesy steak fajitas, fajita chimi burrito, and the chimichanga with carnitas. It was all so yummy!!! read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

Stopped in for lunch as we were craving Mexican food. We were not disappointed. The food came out fast and was delicious. Our server was very friendly and attentive. There were 6 of us in our party and we all ordered something different and every one was very pleased with their meals. The atmosphere was relaxing as well. We will definitely return to Camino Real again when we are craving Mexican food. A+++ experience. read more

The Food is great, the Service is always above and beyond, especially Gaby at the bar.

This place does not mess around ! Great and fast, attentive service and very tasty food. I think it is a really fun and and energetic place to go read more

I've read the reviews and decided I'd give it a shot. Maybe I came in at a good time but I had great service and good food. I have to admit I was a little hesitant after what I've read, but I honestly have nothing to complain about. I got the enchiladas mole, and a couple of taco Tuesday crunchy tacos. My kid liked his food and had zero complaints about mine. I'm not comparing it to food I've had in Mexico, at home in NM or Cali, but it was still something I enjoyed and would have no problem eating again. read more

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant - Enchiladas Mole - Mexican Near Me - Surf City, North Carolina

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