Service was outstanding. Very friendly, accommodating and prompt. Poor server even had to tell another customer that they couldn't serve them and to please leave. Handled very gracefully. Margaritas are well proportioned and very tasty. The food was good, a little on the smaller portion size, but good none-the-less. The enchiladas were a little dry, but we asked for more sauce and it greatly improved them. The chicken taco was well stuffed with chicken. The patio takes you away to the streets of Mexico. Papel picados line the patio and the view is right to the beach/ocean. The patio is dog friendly. read more

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Olamendi's - The food was good, the ambiance was nice, but the service was lacking. Their website says, "When you visit our restaurant, you become part of our family," and it felt just like my own family--we haven't spoken to each other for years. "Hello?! Anybody home?" We asked for water three different times and never saw a single cup. Menu (Starters) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=cNuEbcyKYuz0w2ySuZa5TA Olamendi's on PCH has been on my list to try for some time. AR, who frequents this location, recommended we visit on a beautiful SoCal Saturday afternoon. Menu (Flavored Margaritas) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=Lw0nVCKjPPqauqOGm7jxrA I vaguely remember an Olamendi's that used to be in Lake Forest and wondered if it was connected to this one. While writing this review, I discovered there's another "Olamendi's" in Mission Viejo and an "Olamendi's Express" in Aliso Viejo. Are they connected? I'm not sure, but it piques my curiosity. Menu (Combination Plates) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=4Lscxq3jmntv6vmqpW_GgQ We arrived around 12:45 PM, and the restaurant was already bustling. We walked in, waited about five minutes, and were seated within ten. That was easier than I anticipated. We were seated on the front patio with a nice view just across from the ocean. The restaurant was busy, but it took another 15-20 minutes for us to get our menus and another 15-20 minutes to place our order. Our order: Margarita Oro (Regular) x2: $15 x2 = $30 Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=17eW4KxHB5uUAeb3lhElRA Guacamole: $12 Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=S0CIYJB5oJAfhTuu7QcOcw No. 2 - Enchilada (Chicken enchilada with green sauce): $14 Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=94FxUTCD3P-H4ih3ZlwedQ No. 9 - Chile Relleno & Enchilada (Carnitas enchilada with green sauce): $21 Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=Z4LO1F_Imj4sGUNqz2O3cQ Total: $83 (+tip) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=Fm6OcT3xYjPKJmUcuVAjug The margaritas were good, and so was the food (Food: 4 Stars). I'm always looking for a good chile relleno; it was tasty but a bit on the small side. Chile Relleno (detail) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=UUhz_Odq2_9rKc20g3lbnQ This was my first time here, and overall, it was an okay experience marred by lackluster customer service. We requested water three times, but it never made an appearance at our table. AR mentioned that based on her previous visits, customer service has never been their strong suit. Overall rating: Solid 3 Stars Food: 4 Ambiance: 3+ Service: 2 Value: 3 read more

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The ambiance is awesome! The people are very nice and helpful! We had taquitos and enchiladas, rice and beans. The rice and beans were authentic, the taquitos were homemade and yummy. The chicken in the enchiladas was good. The red sauce was ok. We were not impressed with the guacamole or the stale chips, although they were plentiful. Not really a place we feel a need to return to, but everyone in our party found something to eat. read more

Olamendi's - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Fast service. Kind staff. Always kept the water cup filled. There is a great view of the ocean across the world famous PCH.

The Birria taco was terrible. It fell apart. And the shell was not cooked all the way. There wasn't anything in it but meat and a little cheese and lettuce. The cheese enchilada wasn't cooked all the way, and the cheese was not melted. read more

So sad. I was a huge fan of this place years ago and went there for some drinks last year, chips and salsa and it was good So went back yesterday and it was... not the same. The rice was bland, the beans were not great, which as easy ways to tell about the rest. Kid quesadillas were wimpy at best. Sodas for 3.99 in a can. The tacos had a lot of lettuce but otherwise, nothing to write home about. The steak was overcooked and reminds me of Alberto's or something like that, not a sit down spot. read more

How in the world can you call this MEXICAN food It's a upgrade Taco Bell ! Shrimp cocktail was blah and OLD tasting . Chicken pozole was a JOKE 2 pieces of chicken and NO FLAVOR Over priced SLOW custom service. Only reason for the 2 stars is location Other then that I would NEVER go back read more

Olamendi's - HORRIBLE shrimp cocktail OLD shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

3 is for location. I have been coming here for years and I have seen others have issues. The main lady does not care. My burrito with red sauce was so watered down it had zero flavor. Water was standing on my plate from sauce after I put on burrito, after picture. Waiter saw it and had zero suggestions to fix it. It's the main lady! I'm done won't be back, which is sad. read more

Olamendi's - Do not let picture deceive you. Sauce was watered down with zero taste. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

We have tried so hard to like this place over the last few years . Each time they disappoint , food has no flavor, sauce smells straight from the can and the burritos have hardly anything in it. Service is not good either. No more chances for this Mexican food place. read more

Thank you so much. It was excellent for having a vegan menu. The guacamole is so good hot salsa everything fresh. Great service. read more

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Very cute place that is just a short walk from the beach! I had the bistek al chipotle that came with albondiga soup, beans, rice, and 3 tortillas for $29. The meal was great but the sauce did come out less creamier than I thought it would be (photo for reference). The steak is on the thinner end, but it wasn't bad! The albondiga soup was mouth-watering, we all shared the small side. My favorite dish from all of our food would probably be the albondiga soup. Service was good, our waiter was very attentive and noticed right away that our tacos weren't soft and immediately went to get it fixed. I would say the only thing that threw me off was that they had a subcharge for splitting meals so we ended up just each getting our own dish. read more

Olamendi's - BISTEK AL CHIPOTLE - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Service was super horrible. I got a metal piece in my food and Claudia, which was our cashier was super rude about the whole situation. read more

Olamendi's - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Great ambiance. Love the pics on the wall and the location. Always get the same thing when I'm there. And always have a jarritos lime with it. One of my favorite places in Dana point. read more

What a fun place! The interior is filled with lots of memorabilia and fun things to look at. The patio area is inviting and comfortable. The first stop was just for margaritas and a shrimp cocktail. Both were great and our server was super friendly and prompt. We went back for dinner and everyone at our table enjoyed their meal. We had read previous reviews that were not favorable, but we are glad we went regardless of the reviews. read more

Are here with my wife today. I left underwhelmed. I ordered the #5 combo with 2 tacos and beans.tacos were dripping grease and bland. Beans were bland. They served chips and salsa and the chips were stale. The beer was not cold. Asked for a Grand Mariner double, only to be told they do not have it. They suggested their orange cognac which is shit. I believe in honest reviews so here are the pros... The view of the beach and ocean are amazing. The staff is friendly and accommodating. It is within walking distance from the hotel we were staying at. We will not return. Despite that, we will not return. read more

Excellent food and service. Jorge Sr and Jr take care of us very well. We drive from Lake Elsinore to Dana Point just to eat here.

Walked here from our hotel for lunch. Delicious Mexican food. I had a shredded beef chimichanga covered with red sauce and cheese. Was so good I wanted more!! Chips were a bit hard but good salsa! It was such a beautiful day we sat on the patio but they do have indoor seating and cute decor. read more

Olamendi's is seriously so good. The restaurant itself is decorated so fun with all of the pictures, plates, skeletons, papel picado--it is so vibrant! The staff were also all super kind and attentive. And then the food itself, amazing! I got the calabacitas a la olamendi, and it was so so delicious. read more

Olamendi's - Calabacitas a la olamendi - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Horrible service. food was ok. Rude waitstaff. Wrote her own tip. Only beer and tequila. Not again. read more

Hands down the most authentic Mexican food you can find in the south Orange County area same owner since he started the place and he's very friendly and nice. His workers are amazing as well. My favorite server is victor he always takes great care of me and my family and he remembers our drink orders when we walk in. Ocean view for outside seating on pch amazing views cool cars drive by and the atmosphere is a perfect balance of elegant, but also casual enough to where you could just drive here after a long day of work or a nice day of golf and feel really at home. If you're looking for a place with the best hospitality and most authentic Mexican food, you can find with great service. I suggest going here immediately. read more

Olamendi's Mexican Restaurant in Dana Point is a vibrant celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine, exceptional service, and a traditional aesthetic that transports you straight to the heart of Mexico. From the moment we stepped in, we were enveloped by an explosion of color and culture, with every wall adorned with eclectic Mexican art, vibrant murals, and fascinating memorabilia, including nods to its storied past as a favorite of President Nixon. The traditional Mexican aesthetic is not just decor--it's a warm, immersive experience that makes every visit feel like a festive gathering. The food is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the rich, authentic flavors of recipes passed down through generations. We started with their freshly made guacamole, bursting with bright, zesty notes, paired with warm, crisp chips and a tangy house salsa that set the tone for the meal. The Mole Poblano was a standout, its complex blend of spices and velvety texture draping tender chicken in a way that felt like a loving tribute to Puebla's culinary heritage. The Baja-style fish tacos were another highlight, with perfectly crispy fish, fresh pico de gallo, and a creamy sauce that made each bite a delight. Every dish felt like a labor of love, crafted with the freshest ingredients and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. The oceanfront patio elevated our experience to another level. Nestled along the Pacific Coast Highway, it offers a breezy, dog-friendly space with stunning views of the ocean and fiery sunsets that paint the sky. Sipping on one of their signature hibiscus margaritas while watching the waves crash was pure bliss. Speaking of margaritas, Olamendi's vast selection is a tequila lover's dream. From classic to innovative flavors like strawberry and organic agave, each cocktail is crafted with their own smooth, family-made organic tequila--voted "Best Cocktail in America" for good reason. We sampled a flight of their top tequilas, and the crisp, clean flavors were a perfect complement to the meal. The service was impeccable, striking that rare balance of attentive and warm without being intrusive. Our server was a gem, offering thoughtful recommendations, ensuring our drinks were always topped off, and sharing stories about the family-run restaurant's 50-year legacy. The staff's genuine hospitality made us feel like part of the Olamendi family, a sentiment echoed in the bustling, community-oriented vibe of the restaurant. Olamendi's is more than a meal--it's a cultural experience wrapped in phenomenal food, top-notch service, and an unbeatable oceanfront setting. Whether you're a local or just passing through Dana Point, this gem is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Mexican cuisine with a side of coastal charm. We're already counting down the days until our next visit read more

Service was friendly. Margaritas was the best part. Blended Mango with Tajin and Pomegranate. Pomegranate and Hibiscus margaritas are not blended. Mango was sweet. Pomegranate has a great flavor and was strong. - Carnitas were dry and not much flavor, - Generous with the amount of steak in the burritos. - Verde sauce is tangy / vinegary with good flavor, - Ref sauce is a base flavor, almost like a light molé. - Guac is made with tomatoes, no jalepeños, Nice place to visit. Next time probably just drinks and appetizers / chips. Decorations are eclectic. read more

Mexi-can't ! I'm a local, born and raised Hispanic woman frim San Juan Capistrano for over 57years. The last time I had dinner at Olemendis is when I dated my husband back when we were in our 20"s and we never went back bc we had a guest join us for dinner- a roach. Thirty years later we decide to give a chance to our local establishment and much to my dismay the #6 enchilada combo tasted as tho they bought the sauce from a can at Ralph's, the rice was Al dente and the beans- the entire dish had no salt flavor. The server lady copped attitude when I inquired what was in their house margarita. You are better off making your own dinner. I highly discourage you from attempting to give this Olemedis a chance. They must think this is what Mexican food should taste like. Please, no, it's not. They think you are a dumb dumb. Save yourself $60 seriously!! read more

The wife and I were coming home from a Christmas soiree we attended the night before in Huntington Beach where we also spent the evening. I wouldn't say I was over served, but we certainly ordered too many drinks, champagne and wine. The dancing helped, but still felt a bit hung in the morning as we packed and thought about where we should go for breakfast. Too late, our friends had some champagne open in their room as they were packing. So after some time hanging with them, we were on our way back to SC and now trying to think of where to go for lunch. As we were driving through Dana Point and on PCH toward home, I suggested Olamendis. We have not been there in ~15 years since it was not that great at the time and there are so many good Mexican food choices around here. Anyhoo, back to Olamendis... We were able to get a table quickly and I was a bit surprised as it was a beautiful December Saturday. We chose to sit inside and were greeted by a nice welcome and told we could sit anywhere. Once we sat down, menus, chips and salsa were brought and our drink orders taken. We dove into the chips/salsa since we were starving. Chips fresh and warm and the salsa was excellent. Wish I would have asked to take some of the salsa home. For drinks I went for my standard, a diet coke, and the wife went for her standard, a Bloody Mary. These were served up quickly. The diet coke was, well, diet coke. The Bloody Mary was more like clamato and vodka. Not too Bloody Mary tasting and no amenities like olives or celery. Just ice. Well, we were here for lunch. I still wanted breakfast so I looked at their choices for a breakfast burrito. They did have various options, but I decided on the almost common breakfast burritos. When I asked if I could add bacon or sausage the server said that they did not have any. So, the breakfast burrito was eggs, potatoes, bell peppers and onions. Sounded good. Wish the server would have suggested adding chorizo instead of just saying they did not have bacon or sausage. Now I know. I ordered it dry as I like to pick up my breakfast burritos when I eat them. The wife ordered a bean and cheese burrito wet with red sauce and cheese. Both burritos arrived quickly and they were huge and HOT! I asked for a side of the green (I assume tomatillo) sauce. I cut my burrito in half and had to let it cool down a bit. There were a LOT of potatoes. As I started eating I did have to check to see if there were any eggs, as all I could taste was potato and sometimes peppers and onion. While it was no bad, it was not satisfying my craving for a breakfast burrito. It was really a potato burrito, with some egg, pepper and onion. Perhaps a bit bland. The tomatillo sauce helped. The wife's burrito was tasty, not out of this world, and the sauce and cheese were nicely melted on top. Both of our burritos were pretty large, so we ate half and brought home the rest. I warmed mine up the next day with the rest of the green sauce and added some shredded cheese. It was fair. I should have added some eggs and sausage. The servers were really nice and the food came out quickly and hot, so I will give them that. Even so, I probably won't be going back soon. Go (Somewhere Else For Breakfast Burritos) Eat Well Have Fun read more

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I have been coming to this restaurant since 1988. I fully understand changing times. What I don't appreciate is charging $2.00 for extra sour cream equaling three table spoons when the entree was $20.00. Or changing for extra cilantro! Sadly two of us ordered tamales that came with overly thick dry masa and so were the fillings one pork and one chicken. Be prepared to pay for your second request of table chips and salsa and you will order because the first complimentary basket is small which is to be shard with the entire table. The new outside patio is lovely and the cleaned up inside decor is refreshing. But the bottom line is the food. Normally we eat here three or more times during our week stay next door. Once was too much for my guests and myself. Very disappointed. read more

Gotta agree with some of the posters who tried it recently. I was just there. House margarita was powerful, but $18? They should at least use a good tequila for that price. Had a burrito. It was cold. Not just a little less than hot, it was almost room temperature. They took it back, heated it up and it was then a bit warmer than room temperature. I gave up on it. I'm not used to Mexican food being lukewarm even after being reheated. They said it was because the burrito has sour cream and guac in it. So, guess they cooked it a tiny bit without heating the meat first. No thanks. Service was great. Prices were astronomical. Food was not good. read more

Went to dinner last night and had some visitors from out of town the worst food chips, salsa service I've ever had to experience at a Mexican restaurant overlooking the ocean. It's a shame wouldn't recommend it.. I had their enchilada with the shrimp which was overcooked and the sauce was kind of like their catchup with water down tomato . Definitely not authentic. read more

The only flavor the food had was the salsa. You had to pour the salsa into your food to get flavor because there was NONE, it was tasteless. If you order more salsa, you'll be charged for it. Not authentic at all. Very disappointed for a high priced Mexican restaurant. read more

How is this place open? How are there people dining in here? They must all be first time diners & from the Midwest or someplace where Mexican food is not a specialty. I'm absolutely boggled. This is the most disgusting restaurant I've ever eaten at. How is this place even open?? The chips were super hard. They seemed stale. Very difficult to bite & chew. No salt or flavor either. They have vegan chips available, so we asked if those are any different & paid $5 for those. They were not as hard but equally flavorless. The table salsa was the worst salsa I've ever had. It was more of a blended tomato thing than an actual salsa. The guacamole also had no flavor and the onions were cut too big in it. Really disappointing. I added a bunch of salt but it still was just super bland and boring. I ordered something that looked like it had cat food smeared across it. No exaggeration. Terrible texture. It looked regurgitated. Terrible taste. Look, I've been vegan for a long time, I'm not the best chef, I've made dishes that have turned out like this. Never this bad, but I understand it can be tough to create vegan food that tastes and looks good. But no. No one should have to eat this. No flavor, very disgusting looking, just no. Why did they put this dish on the menu? Aesthetically it looked regurgitated. Taste wise there is no flavor. No salt, no spices, just bland cat food textured stuff smeared across tortillas filled with bland mashed potatoes. The cat food stuff on top of the food was also super watery and separated. I dabbed the plate with a napkin to absorb it before even attempting to eat this stuff. There really are no words to cover how disgusting this meal was. I can't believe we paid to be fed this hot garbage. I ordered one veggie taco & one potato taco. They gave me 2 potato tacos instead. It was very bland mashed potatoes inside of a mostly lettuce taco. Extremely bland. Like I said, the salsa was terrible, so I had no way of making this edible. The mashed potatoes in this food was like something you'd expect if dining in a European trailer park. The beans were okay. The rice had no flavor whatsoever. They have got to have white people making this food. White people from Wisconsin could probably make better Mexican food than this. The chef has got to know that this is atrocious. The servers had to have looked at our food and laughed at serving this garbage. The audacity to charge us money for this muck! My husband ordered chicken enchiladas and 2 tacos on the side. The cheese on his enchiladas was melted and browned like a pizza. The enchilada sauce was thick and weird. This was absolutely the worst restaurant I've ever been to. The service was terrible. Our waitress disappeared towards the second half of our meal. We asked for a booster seat for our 2 year old and didn't get one. We asked for a jumbo margarita and didn't get it. We asked for more water and didn't get it. At least they agreed to remove the $6 veggie taco from our bill that we never received. Again, I ask myself how this place is open, how there were people inside eating this flavorless crap, and why did we pay $100 for this food. It would be unfair to feed homeless, starving people this food. I could see people in a free soup kitchen refusing to eat this crap. It was BAD. No flavor at all. I really can't get over how disgusting this food was. It's laughable. We were starving and ate as much as we could. I'm nauseated thinking about what I consumed. So gross. So very gross. This restaurant must be stopped. read more

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Heartbreaking! We used to be regular customers of Rosa's Olamendi's Restaurant in Laguna Beach, many years ago. My daughter was even the flower girl for Gena Olamendi's son's wedding. We celebrated every special occasion at Olamendi's and it was the first restaurant our daughter had gone to as a baby. She was very close to Rosa and in many ways Rosa felt like a member of our family. So when it came time to pick a spot for her wedding shower, though Laguna Beach location had closed, I thought of this location. I read the reviews and thought it couldn't possibly have changed that much. So my hubby and I decided to have lunch to explore the possibility of having our daughter's shower here. But what we found was so disappointing. The margaritas were great. But everything else tasted like it was fried in rancid oil. Maybe money is tight and they thought no one would notice that they didn't change the oil. Was it seed oil? Or was it that they just didn't think it would make a difference? I really believe these reviews would improve if only they would use high quality oil to fry chips & food and change it often. Just when we were trying to convince ourselves that it still had enough of the Old Olamendi's charm to hold our daughter's shower, we both went home and experienced the worst tummy aches. I'd brought part of my meal home, but ended up throwing it away. Unfortunately, this is the end of an era for us. read more

We stopped to eat here a couple of times while vacationing next door at the hilton. It has a perfect view of the ocean across the street. The staff is amazing and welcoming! The ambiance was great! The decor was very authentic and real. My daughter enjoyed her albondigas soup and birria and rice and beans. I really liked my birria empanadas with rice and beans. The salsa and chips were delicious! Definitely recommend the is place. read more

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Great spot! A former Nixon favorite as they have lots of photos. Probably the best salsa I've ever had. Real thick and chunky. I had a chile relleno and taco combo. The chile relleno was great. The taco was ok. Real good service. Look forward to returning! read more

Delicious old school Mexican food with great vibe, been eating here for 20+ years! Always recommend to anyone who asks.

Horrible service. Seems like they prey on out of towners. Had to ask for water.. they charge for "chips and salsa". Super ride about every thing. I live right down the street, will never be back again. read more

We were excited to come here today to enjoy some great food and we walked into a very rude older lady that seems to be the manager and she told us we had to wait outside for shift change to happen. So we did. When we sat down we asked for waters and it's been 20 minutes and still no waters. There is 5 of us and we got one chips and salsa. When we asked for more we were charged for them. The service here was super rude and extra charge for everything. The prices are crazy as well for such horrible service. It's sad because we wanted to have a good experience read more

I get the three stars here but... This place has been around forty plus years. It is located right across the PCH from the beach. No view to speak of. It has the notable history as being Richard Nixons favorite spot. There are lots of pictures of him in the place. It's also a beloved place for generations. They have done a nice job of brightening it up but still is a order at the counter kind of place. The servers are very friendly and helpful. So, the food has its highs and lows. I am not sure i picked right with the combo plate. It was huge, temperature perfect, just a bit bland. That was the verdict around the table. Now, this is not to say that it's not for you. They also have some award winning cocktails and i did not partake. read more

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I have bought Olamendis for years. Great food. Today I ordered a combo plate side of taco and chili rellano. Buyer beware. Dont order the chili rellano a la carte. It was 11.95 for one. Are there other a la cartes were 5 to 6 dollars. I was told next time buy a combo plate. I did have a combo plate and if i knew it was going to be so expensive i would have included the rellano in the combo plate and then order the enchilda which was in the combo plate a la carte and save $6. I was told prices have gone up but all the other prices remain the same. Not a happy camper. The rellano is good but not 11.95 good. read more

Olamendi's in Dana Point used to be good food years back. Now not only is the food not good,but the service is terrible. My daughter was visiting from Arizona and I took her there because it used to be one of her favorite, but no longer. The burritos were dry and tasteless and the tacos burnt. Also, they now give you a very small basket of chips, and charge $3 for a refill. I seriously don't know of any Mexican restaurants that do this. And lastly, I was sick in bed and my thoughtful daughter decided to send me albondigas soup. They now give you longer offer the bowl so she ordered 3 cups. Two cups had one meatball and a few pieces of zucchini, the other cup had a very small carrot added. At $7 a cup, she ended up paying $21 for 3 meatballs a few pieces of zucchini and one carrot. Not to mention the taste was terrible. Needless to say we will not eat there ever again. If you want a great atmosphere, amazing food, and reasonable pricing.... try Franco's Famous!! read more

I love this place so authentic and yummy food! Service so personal and accommodating! You have to go there! Sunsets a plus! Wow

Terrible food & service. Very small portions. Food did not have much flavor. Server was not welcoming, more on the side of rude. Made to feel, she was doing us a favor. Suggest not wasting your money here. Interesting decor. read more