This small location is tied in with the local park just past downtown. My initial impressions were not that great because I saw that the park public restrooms were inside the location and fenced in. The initial odor wasn't so pleasant. The men's bathroom did not have hand washing soap and it was very dark inside. I was prepared to give a very unfavorable rating. However. after receiving and tasting the food and drinks I was very surprised. The food was amazing and much authentic. The aguas frescas were definitely fresh and delicious! I observed patrons enjoying their taquito plate and burritos. I will definitely return to try another entree. They do only offer outside patio seating but I think it's part of the ambiance. The service was very friendly. I definitely could tell that they use fresh products. Again, some of the negatives was the occasional restroom odor and that they charge a service fee for paying via credit card. Don't confuse it with La Única restaurant downtown read more

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We had an incredibly frustrating breakfast experience here. I'm generally understanding when a restaurant is busy or short-staffed, but there were so many mistakes and such poor communication that it became unacceptable. Our order was taken incorrectly, and when I pointed it out, I was told that I had never given the correct order--even though I had repeated it twice. My children's order was also wrong. When the food finally came, we still didn't have our drinks, and even the tortillas were incorrect. The breaking point was my child's drink. About 40 minutes after our food arrived, we still didn't have it. I went inside and told the employee I was happy to take the drink myself--I simply needed it so my child could eat. She said okay, yet I stood at the counter for another 15 minutes while she continued doing other things and then attempted to take another customer's order. At that point, yes, I became visibly frustrated and said I wasn't willing to continue waiting. Nearly an hour for a child's drink after multiple mistakes is unreasonable. Another customer then decided to involve herself, telling me to calm down and not be rude because the employees were "doing their best." She had no idea what had happened before that moment or how long we had already been waiting, and the interaction unfortunately escalated from there. I understand that people make mistakes and employees can become overwhelmed. My issue wasn't one mistake--it was the repeated mistakes, extremely long wait, lack of follow-through, and then being told I hadn't communicated something that I absolutely had. I hope management provides better training and support because this experience was unnecessarily chaotic and frustrating. We came in wanting to enjoy breakfast as a family, and instead spent most of it trying to get basic parts of our order corrected. read more

Food is good.chilaquiles are very good. Beans have lard. Vegetarian options are very limited. Setting is beautiful. Chairs are a little dusty. Service was good. The restrooms appear to be of the park and they were lacking maintenance. No lighting and no paper towels read more

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I can finally say I found my taco shop! Incredibly nice staff, delicious food, and beautiful outdoor seating area surrounded by greenery. 5 stars! read more

Another go to Mexican spot in Lake Elsinore is El Unico. This is my go to for Cabesa Tacos. Hands down they have the best and most tender cabesa tacos that I've ever had. This reminds me of my childhood. Customer service is great and the staff is always helpful. The ambiance is cozy outside type of area where you'll see birds around you, bugs flying around so your orders may end up being to go as it's an outside type of seating. Other than that the rest of the food from what my wifey has had been very good and on point. read more

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Oh my, this spot is so delicious. We came on a colder day, and there was only outdoor seating, which may be something to keep in mind. Saturday at lunchtime, the restaurant was pretty busy and seemed potentially understaffed. The outdoor seating area had lots of seats (seems that most people are doing takeout), and is so beautiful. Absolutely loved what they did with the foliage here. While I will say the chicken enchiladas didn't particularly stand out to me, the rice and beans were some of the best I've had. I don't generally like rice and beans but I cleared off my plate here. And we were all blown away by the nachos (with carne asada)--they were so delicious and easily devoured. It's a large portion, and well worth the value. Such a lovely spot and I'm glad to have stopped by. Hope to be back soon! read more

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Excellent food, fast and friendly service, large covered patio, I will definitely return!

Came here on my way home from a day on the rode . Kinda worried about it but the rating made me want to try it anyways . Got a chile verde plate and a carne asada burrito and let me tell you I want disappointed at all . I have lived out here for 10 years and have never had a better plate or burrito since living out here .I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AND IT WONT DISAPPOINT! read more

Food and drinks are freshly made in the kitchen w all fresh ingredients. Presentation is beautiful and the taste is even better. Maybe some of the best food and drinks in the whole area. Try the horchata!!! Your welcome read more

El Unico - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Ok so I've been here a handful of times and even recommended this place to friends and family. The food has so far been consistently great and the service is spot on. It's a bit of a hidden gem. But just know once you get off the 15 freeway and head into Old Town Elsinore it's all the way at the end of the road connected to Main Street Park. No inside seating but the outside area to eat is private and nice. I will keep going back when in the area! Thumbs up for me! read more

El Unico - Get the chips and salsa.. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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I was taking a leisurely stroll on my lunch break and I intended to go grab pupusas up the street. But the smell of carne asada on the grill lured me in. I had to try a taco right quick! At first I was like "what's taking so long for one taco?!" As I was devouring it, I realized the corn tortillas are made to order by hand. I had to go back and thank the sweet staff working there. It was absolutely delicious! I returned the next week for the taco trio. Portions are generous, taste is outstanding, customer service is friendly and warm. read more

Wow! Now this place is a true "hidden gem" but once you know about it, I can guarantee you will be back! I had El Unico bookmarked for places I wanted to try while visiting Lake Elsinore, I loved the idea of it being in the park. And now I LOVE it for the food! I ordered crispy shredded beef tacos (one of my faves) and it had to be one of the best I have ever had! The shell was light and crispy, the beef - so amazingly flavorful... mmmm, just thinking about them makes me hungry! Each bite was bursting with flavor!!! The beans were tasty and the rice light and fluffy. The ambiance of eating outdoors in the cute patio, was so peaceful and serene... I loved hearing the birds tweeting in the bushes. The service was friendly and our waitress brought our order to us and offered suggestions about the menu and salsas... I loved the hot one! All in all... I will definitely be back! Do yourself a favor and go enjoy this place with this gorgeous spring weather in Elsinore. Thank you - you are truly a unique dining experience. read more

El Unico - Mom enjoying her Machaca on the lovely patio. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Most authentic Mexican food in the Area. Everything was so tasty and reminded me of moms cooking Patio ambiance by the park is so cute and relaxing for a Sunday morning outing with the fam. Plus they're puppy friendly with a pup menu and offered our pup water. Overall 100/10 for taste, authenticity, friendly service and outdoorsy ambiance. read more

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So delicious! my son Pablo sold me on this spot. Our office usually orders it for take out . Their tortilla soup is absolutely delicious! and they are generous with the serving size . Looking forward to having lunch out there soon! read more

portions are just right..tried the taquitos plate this time.. a must try are their burritos also.. ( the hubby gets them every time)..lol read more

El Unico - Taquitos plate... - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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This place is amazing quality food and presentation clean and good ambience. I drive about 1/2 hour for this place..

Honestly so disappointed. Came here for the first time this morning to get a breakfast burrito they have great reviews from what I've seen and it is a beautiful seating area with nice staff but they didn't really have any "breakfast" items or burritos which oh well not a big deal, I got a California burrito to go and asked what was on it the lady told me "meat , fires, cheese, sour cream, salsa, onion, and cilantro" I said " okay so nothing else no pico or anything?" She said "no" I got it with everything and left without grabbing salsa because she said it was in the burrito. And when I started eating it when I got home I realized there was no salsa but mainly there was a bunch of guacamole/avocado which I always have and always will hate. It's disgusting. I paid 17$ for a burrito that went to waste not only because it was full of guacamole and ruined, the quality of the carne asada also was not great. Every bite or every other bite I was chewing really tough or fatty pieces of meat. read more

Tamales were absolutely delicious! Will definitely order more: Tha carrot cake was yummy too. Excellent customer service by the girl who assisted us. Truly authentic Mexican food. read more

Well this is a bummer. I have ordered the menudo to go before and it was good. I wanted q tqco and enchilada plate , which they said they couldn't do so I ordered one cheese enchilada and one beef enchilada plate. I then ordered a chicken hard shell taco on the side. When I got home realized I was given two beef enchiladas instead. The beans and rice were good but my enchiladas were dry definitely not enough sauce. The hard shell taco was in a seperate container and was sitting in water. So when I went to eat it, it was soggy. read more

El Unico - Chicken Hard Shell Taco - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Really good service are Great the tacos, the burritos, their dessert The food is a good temperature.

Oh my gosh, this place has the best food and a wonderful outdoor patio. Birds were chirping and the food was great. We had our dog with us and the nice lady behind the counter brought out a water bowl for her. I order 2 shredded beef tacos and they were busting with beef, lettuce and cheese, soooo good. You don't want to miss this place. read more

Even the flour burrito tortillas are handmade (rare). Beans are creamy and fresh. Every regular burrito include guacamole for free. Salsas are good. I wish I lived in the area, I would eat this at least once a week. read more

I got the shrimp salad and it was sooo tasty. The ingredients were fresh and they did not skimp out. The service was fantastic and food came out within a reasonable time. The ambiance is the best part. It's all outdoors which creates a peaceful and tranquil environment when it's not busy. read more

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Came for the first time. I highly recommend the chili verde burrito with no onion. This place is attached to a park and seating is outside but there is a patio heater. My uncle had the shrimp cocktail and said it was one of the best he had ever had. I highly recommend this place. read more

El Unico - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Ordered menudo to go and totally blew me away. Quick service, friendly employees. Cute outdoor area to eat. Very very good. I'm happy I found this place read more

El Unico - Menudo - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Charming little garden like outdoor patio dinning restaurant. The customer service is great, very friendly and also willing to accommodate to dietary needs. They make their tortillas fresh and boy are they good. Since I am vegan I was able to order the freshest and crunchiest potato tacos a veggie taco and guacamole and chips. They were seasoned to perfection. The guacamole was a pretty big portion as well. I only wished the veggie taco included mushrooms but I know it's difficult to carry a specific ingredient for just one menu item. I'm hoping they can add more vegan items to their menu for the growing demand. If you haven't tried this place, you are missing out! Do yourself a favor and drop by, you won't regret it. read more

El Unico - Veggie taco and 2 crunchy potato tacos - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Pleasant surprise. Lake Elsinore has a few gems and this is one of them. Best kept secret if you don't know about it. Food was savory, burritos were filling, and customer service was A+. Restaurant sits on a park and has beautiful views of the lake and surrounding downtown area. Check it out for a nice meal and some bomb a** Mexican food you won't regret it. read more

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First time here and Gloria was an angel, her customer service was impeccable! So kind. The food was also DELECTABLE! I only took a picture of the green Chilequiles but we also tried the chorizo breakfast burrito and yuuuuuuummmmmmmmmm!! My new favorite breakfast spot. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. read more

El Unico - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Stopped looking for a restroom and stayed for the yummy food! Had the horchata and the pineapple orange juice which were amazing! The he carrot cake slice was very good as well. We weren't expecting to find a yummy restaurant and weren't hungry but the snacks and the friendly service was great. Will return to try their food soon! Very cute outdoor seating area. read more

El Unico - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Delicious $5 tacos, what' more can one ask for? Friendly service? ! Yes! Great place!

Been here a few times and the food and service never disappoints. The food is authentic and the salsas are delicious. I had the chorizo burrito and it was amazing with the chipotle salsa Great spot for bikers with a lot of parking read more

El Unico - Chorizo burrito - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Bummer, first time was so good. Smelt good like homemade granny cooking and then the second time I found I peace of meat in my salsa and it wasn't cooked. Lame. read more

We went today for the first time since the pandemic shut them down in 2020. It was just as good as before! They still have the best carne asada! The young lady working today (5/10/2023) was so friendly and efficient! You don't see that with many young workers these days! It was my Mom's first time and she enjoyed it as well. She can be pretty picky too. Thank you so much for always providing delicious food and friendly service! read more

El Unico - Carne asada taco plate, made to order chips and house salsa, and pineapple orange Agua Fresca. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Chilaquiles, are really tasty. The place is surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, that creates a enjoyable atmosphere. Great service, reasonable princes. read more

The food and service is great! We order taco trio and taquitos and they were so good!! read more

El Unico - Great patio area - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Stopped by El Unico as a gem of Lake Elsinore. Service was friendly and we even met a cousin of the owner who works for the city! He recommended the menudo a family recipe which was delicious and filling. I ordered a taco de cabeza which was tender and full of flavor! The fresh waters were also great hibiscus and orange with pineapple. Looking forward to the next time we are in town for great food and beautiful ambiance with flowers/plants for cute photos read more

El Unico - Menudo. Taco de cabeza. Aguas frescas. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

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Great food, tried for the first time and loved it. Must try for breakfast. Good size menu for a small restaurant.

Great food with nice outdoor seating. Many food options reasonably price and they are dog friendly.

Great local food, fresh homemade tortillas, hours 9am to 7pm daily. Definitely recommended read more

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Best tacos in a park! They have wonderful tortas de lomo and burritos with a variety of cool drinks. Beautiful patio sitting.