Have eaten here a few times. Food is reliably good. Always love the fresh chips served with bean…read moredip and salsa. My favorite beverage is their tamarindo margarita

Lamb pop apples tonight were great…read more We also had the guacamole; short ribs and fajitas.

I wanted to try something new, and was craving Mexican so I stopped here. It was a nice day so I…read moredined in the patio. I went with the Asada burrito and iced tea. They brought out chips and salsa when they brought my tea. I really enjoyed my burrito they didn't skimp on the Asada. It was decent size too. I almost ordered a second one because I was still hungry. Next time I'll get the burrito and enchilada plate. It was hot and I was drinking a lot of tea. My glass was always full. I saw a sign saying there's going to be a name change and ner owners. I hope they don't change anything. The food and service is really good.

Came in for lunch and was sat immediately. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We ordered the…read morepork belly tacos & Ensenada ceviche.... Amazing. We were silent enjoying the food, we loved it. We will be returning!

A legit and affordable Mexican joint in South Orange county. There are a lot of ready-made dishes…read moreas well as your usual antojitos: tacos, tortas, quesadillas, etc. I came in with 4 adults and a child. There was a little bit of a line but line moved fast, waiting for the food is what takes the longest. After you order at the food counter, you wait for your number to be called. Once called, you get all your items and you can order drinks if you want to. We were hungry so we over ordered. This is what we had: 1. Pozole: the soup was so tasty! They provide you with a small container of dry red peppers and oregano. Use it. It gives a nice kick to the soup. The meat was tender and the homini perfectly cooked. The ratio of homini to meat was just right. 2. Pork tamal: the masa was not the best I've had but it was still tasty. I like my pork tamales to have chunks of meat but the one I got was more like a meat mush. 3. Lengua plate: delicious! Came with a side of rice and beans. 4. Cabeza tacos: needed a little salt but cabeza usually does. The meat was very good. Try them with the green salsa. 5. Carnitas tacos: if you like different textures, get it mixed (cuero included). The mix of different parts of the pig is a lot tastier than regular maciza meat. 6. Drinks: horchata and Jamaica. No package drinks here. Horchata tasted home made and Jamaica was solid. Two of the adults had regular coke from the soda fountain (nothing special). 7. Dessert: flan and arroz con leche. Both very delicious and not overly sweet. Desserts can be paid for in the bakery area so no wait here. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of any of the food we ordered. We were so hungry that we started eating right away. The best part of this place was the affordable prices. For everything we ordered we paid ~$70. Not bad considering we had a lot of food, drinks, and desserts. There's counter siting available inside and some tables outside. Bathroom is on premises but I didn't go in so I'm not sure how clean it was or if it was gender neutral.

Whenever I need to supercharge at the Tesla chargers I get to get some food here at El Camperon…read more The store does not have seating inside and so you will need to sit outside. The store is split between savory and sweet. I ordered a few tacos (carnitas, cabeza, and lengua). The full size tacos are quite large and filling. I have to remember to order the street taco version. The flavor is good and with the salsa it hits the spot. I also ordered the menudo to dip my tacos in. Paired the food with some horchata and agua fresca. The service can be a bit slow, maybe because it is usually busy. One thing to note is that you will need to order the drink with your savory order but pick up is on the other side with the sweets.

The atmosphere here is so immersive. This is exactly where I'd want to spend my evenings! Perfect…read morefor a date night. The decor was thoughtfully executed and respects the original architecture of the building. Many food options on the menu. I got a virgin margarita (mango), ceviche, and enchiladas. Loved all the food but probably would skip the margarita next time. It was made from a mix and didn't really stand out. The ceviche was super flavorful! I'd probably try something else other than the enchiladas next time I'm there because I found them to be a little bland. It's worth visiting again for the pretty atmosphere. I really hope the food meets the aesthetic, I probably ordered wrong to begin with. Will be giving this place a second try! [this review was made in connection with a Toast promotion]

Such a unique restaurant it was quite the buzz luckily we got in before the dinner rush…read more Food was really good. The server was very attentive. They only had one bathroom stall since it's a historical site. Heard about it thru a friend so happy we got to checked it out. It was worth it.

If you're looking for authentic, fantastic Mexican food in San Juan Capistrano, El Zabandeja is…read moreabsolutely worth your time. This is the kind of place where the food speaks for itself. As a local gringo, sure--I wouldn't mind a few pictures on the menu--but honestly, it doesn't matter. Just pick something and go for it. Everything I've tried has been excellent, and you really can't go wrong. What makes it even better is that it's truly family-owned and operated. And I mean that literally--you'll see them in the front, in the back, and serving tables. There's something special about that level of care and pride in what they're doing. It's incredibly important to support places like this, especially in South Orange County and particularly in San Juan Capistrano. Restaurants like this are what give the area its character. Take your time when you go--make it a date night or bring family when they're in town. If you want real, authentic, fantastic food, this is the spot.

The seafood was fresh and full of flavor, and everything tasted very well prepared. I highly…read morerecommend trying the agua chile con salsa negro -- it had great flavor and was one of my favorite dishes. The camarones a la diabla and camarones al ajillo were also both delicious, well seasoned, and cooked perfectly. If you enjoy seafood, this is definitely a place worth trying. I would gladly come back again.

best place ever !!! amazing service and food omg !!! my top place to get lunch on my work break or…read moreon my days off.10000% recommend

Love this place, authentic good Mexican food. Excellent carnitas and chile relleno. Really good…read moremargaritas. Friendly good service. Definitely will be eating here again.

Another great visit to this spot…read more These were good: Ceviche tostada Mahi mahi taco Breakfast taco combo: Taco enchilada, Mboth chicken

These mahi mahi and carne asada corn tacos don't just show up, they arrive…read more The mahi mahi is pristine and perfectly cooked, with that clean, ocean-fresh flavor that only comes from real care and real quality. The carne asada is deeply seasoned, tender, and unapologetically authentic, the kind of bite that reminds you why corn tortillas exist in the first place. Every element tastes intentional. No filler, no shortcuts, just honest craft. Add in a staff that's genuinely welcoming and clearly proud of what they serve, and the whole experience feels dialed in from first order to last bite. High quality, authentic, and unforgettable. Already counting the days until I'm back.

What a great place to dine in the shadow of the San Juan Capistrano mission. Delicious Mexican food…read morewith many seafood choices as well. I introduced myself to the owner, Enrique and complimented him on what a fine place with great service. He was a gracious man and I could see the pride of 33 years in one location within him. My waitress, Yolanda, was extremely attentive and kind. This is the kind of place you go to and never will you return to the town without dining there again.

Very disappointing experience at El Maguey Mexican Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. We came in…read morefor a quick lunch and had to ask for chips twice, only to finally receive a half-empty basket. Then, when we asked for more, we were actually charged for additional chips, which felt unreasonable right from the start. It got worse when we saw a "split plate" fee added to the bill--even though we didn't split a meal. We simply asked for an extra plate and were still charged. That kind of nickel-and-diming really takes away from the experience. For a lunch spot in San Juan Capistrano, the food is also overpriced for what you get. The quality and portions just don't justify the cost. See the attached bill--the upcharges alone were nearly a third of the total. Two enchiladas and chips came out to about $35 before tip, which just isn't reasonable for lunch. Well, at least they didn't add a 3% credit card fee... maybe that's coming next. Overall, El Maguey Mexican Restaurant missed the mark on both value and customer experience. Unfortunately, we won't be back anytime soon.

This place is phenomenal. Good service…read more Parking is a little rough. Gorgeous decor inside and out. Table chips and salsa were sooo good. Fresh guacamole... best I've ever had. We got the La parrillada. Chicken steak and carnitas. Sooo freakin good. Super cheesy beans and perfect tortillas. Green chicken enchiladas were also phenomenal. If I lived out here I would definitely be a frequent guest. Don't skip on this place!

A nice mexican restaurant on PCH near Doheny State Beach. It…read moreis pricey, we paid $28 for 2 fish tacos, but that price is seemed normal for the area. It is right across the street from the Best Western and around the corner from the Marriott. They do have a happy hour from 4-6pm. The service was amazing. Friendly and helpful. The fish tacos, were very good. (Mahi-Mahi)

This place is a special secret. The food is delicious…read more The service is wonderful The ambience is super cool. I gotta find them A new Tonka Truck. This place is worthy or respectful customers.

Found this little whole in the wall restaurant on Thursday while waiting for my church group to…read morestart. This place is so cute inside and the staff are very friendly. I love the crispy tacos there they're my favorite. The chips there are so hot and fresh it makes me very happy. I love the kindness of the workers, it takes me a bit to understand things and they're very patient. I highly recommend this place if you're in the mood for some really good Mexican food.