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    El Campeon

    4.0 (769 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    El Campeon Photos

    Business Info

    EL CAMPEON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Fat ass tacos!
    David B.

    The food is ridiculous here. They don't cheap out on the servings. Check these tacos out. I buy a few different ones because my eyes are bigger than my stomach but it end up being two or three meals.

    Inside
    Michelle C.

    A friend was showing me around San Juan Capistrano and this place is a hidden gem for good tacos. Each taco is about $4-5 unless you get street tacos (smaller) $2-$3. This has existed for about a decade according to my friend TB. She says it was cheaper back then, but inflation and the development of the San Juan Capistrano area has really increased the prices. The two tacos I got today: (1) El pastor - the spicy marinated meat lit a fire in my stomach in the good way (2) Carne asada - the meat was generously provided I was asked whether I wanted cilantro and onions with my tacos and I said a resounding yes! I was incredibly full with just two tacos. It's a filling meal. TB and I came around 10-11 am which is a bit early for lunch hahaha but this place opens at 6 am! We still had to stand in line for 10 min. That's how much of a consistent presence of customers and service is provided. There are a lot of people working to prepare the food for you, so I've been so blessed. You'll be provided a receipt and a number. In a sense, it reminded me of a pastrami sandwich store I visited in NYC except this time it's for tacos in Southern California. Hone in on your Spanish so that you'll be able to recognize your number when they call it out too! There's much to look around and explore just within the restaurant. I was so tempted to order a juice and pastries, but God knew I wouldn't be able to handle everything. I can't wait to come again another day. There are tables outside that you can sit to chat with friends, which is what TB and I did. God bless you all!

    Fruit Salad
    Andrea G.

    Delicious fruit salad I had! The other pastries and food looked incredible! Very busy location, I sense it's a reflection of the great food?

    Carnitas burrito

    El Campeón was a mixed experience for me. I ordered a carnitas burrito and while it was filling, the carnitas themselves were just okay and a bit dry, maybe it was the time of day. The service is where things really fell short. After placing my order and getting ready to pay, I asked for an agua and the girl at the counter visibly got upset and even rolled her eyes. Maybe I should've asked for an agua de Jamaica earlier, but as a customer it wasn't very clear and ordering here feels a little tricky. In terms of authenticity, it's decent but not anything that stands out. The surrounding area was also kind of dirty, with tables not being cleaned and not many people maintaining the space. Overall, it's okay, but there's definitely room for improvement in both service and cleanliness.

    Enchilada plate
    Sherry T.

    I came after a frustrating experience at El Molino De Oro since they messed up and gave away my order of enchiladas. I found this experience to be far more orderly and customer-centric. The line to order and pickup via announcement by ticket number were much clearer. The workers spoke English. The cashier was friendly and apologized for my enchiladas taking so long to cook (which I was fine with since it takes time to heat those up). I appreciated competent customer service after El Molino. As for the food, I wanted more cheese over the enchilladas. The sauce could be more chile-tasting. The sides of beans and rice are not throwaways here and have a good salty flavor. I got a horchata which was fine, but I would've wanted more grit at the bottom. I will be back for my authentic Mexican fix. The prices are hard to beat!

    Breads
    Genezaret C.

    Pretty great prices! I ordered my large fresas con crema for less than $5. My friends ordered líquados and a large fruit platter with tajin. Oh, so good. The service was swift, especially considering how packed it was. Also, lots of pan dulce to choose from and cakes too!

    Said they were open to 8/00 pm can see the screen shot it was 7:30

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    29 days ago

    Great food with fast and friendly service. Small seating area outside makes it a perfect stop for lunch.

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    3 months ago

    Best food ever. I'm hungry just thinking about it! And they have kept prices reasonable. Thank you!

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    6 months ago

    The agua de plátano was like no other! Great with our food. We ordered small caldo de res, burrito and taco de chicharrones.

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    Page 1 of 20

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    El Zarandeado  - Aguachile negro

    El Zarandeado

    4.8(386 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    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.

    Photos
    El Zarandeado  - Inside

    Inside

    El Zarandeado  - Camarones Playa de Melaque

    Camarones Playa de Melaque

    El Zarandeado  - Tiquio the mixologist special drink

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    Tiquio the mixologist special drink

    El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Irene's Irenes Adobada Special Plate

    El Maguey Mexican Restaurant

    3.8(646 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Additional dining quarters in the front and back.

    Additional dining quarters in the front and back.

    El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Good hot salsa and Guacamole

    Good hot salsa and Guacamole

    El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Menu 12/4/2022

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    Menu 12/4/2022

    El Campeon - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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