Not from around here, was on vacation and wanted some authentic hole in the wall Mexican. This place is definitely it. They bring fresh chips and salsa to the table. Agua frescas were homemade and delicious. We ordered horchata, melon, and watermelon. They were all sooo good. Ordered a kids quesadilla for my child, came out right away. The burrito was huge. They accommodated special requests. Ceviche tostada had a little kick to it, so good. I wish this place was closer to me. I'd be a regular. Good service. If/when I'm in the area again I'll be back. read more

Came on a Friday night and apparently that's karaoke night. I really enjoyed the karaoke but the volume on the sound system was way too high for me. You cannot hold a normal conversation at all with someone across the table. Feels like someone's uncles at a birthday party singing so don't expect a professional performance but rather a homey feel. I ordered the Mojarra Frita which came with sides of mixed rice, potato salad and salad. Really fresh and beautifully fried tilapia. I was surprised the fish is not seasoned (or at least none I could detect). Perhaps really homestyle cooking but it was a bit bland for me. I really enjoyed that potato salad which is different from the mayonnaise and onion-heavy American style. The quesabirria was good but but definitely very heavy on the meat and cheese as the name suggests. I would get this again. One would have been more than enough for me. One comment is I was originally going to order one but was told convinced to order 3 for $9.99. I was charged $10.39 which is a tiny difference but on principle, I don't like the price discrepancy. The vegetables for everything were really crispy, crunchy fresh which I really appreciate. Appears to be a family run restaurant. Come on Friday night if you're looking for a lively casual dinner. They may or may not sing the same songs at least twice haha. read more

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I am very picky when it comes to this dish. It's super delicious, the right amount of spice! Don't get me started on the tortillas, I don't know if they make them handmade but that is exactly what it's giving. It's very welcoming and the customer service is on point. Highly recommend. Very cute and kind of hidden place. Very authentic. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Camarones a La Diabla (spicy) - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

I came here for a takeout meal over the weekend and I was very underwhelmed. I ordered a milanesa torta and the beef was tough, unseasoned, and badly breaded. It was like a thin layer of bread crumbs that were not crispy at all. My fries were also completely unseasoned. I was really disappointed in my food here. The service was also quite slow- I waited maybe 25 minutes for my torta. read more

Delicious and authentic chile relleno and carnitas burrito! Service was great too! Will definitely go again!

The food here is absolutely delicious! Service is good. Rafaelas is my personal favorite spot in Vista with very authentic horchata, I highly recommend. Chips and salsa are complementary and they're very good! read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Sopes de chorizo - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

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Nice quaint place. It was not busy at 3:00pm on a Sunday. The service was good. The food arrived in a timely manner. They provide chips and salsa. the chips appear to be made in-house. very delicious, not too think or too thin. The salsa had great flavor and was not hot, which I appreciate. I ordered Huevos Rancheros. Reasonable prices. The rancheros sauce was a little more dense/thick than I'm used to. The flavor was nice, with a little more chili seasoning than I prefer, it taste more like an enchilada sauce but with onions and diced tomatoes; the rice and beans were wonderful. I also should have requested over medium as the eggs were fully cooked, I prefer a runny yoke. Over all, the meal was delicious. I will come again and try different dishes. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Huevos Rancheros - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Beans and rice had a bad taste. Meat was to thick, unable to chew the meat or bite off a piece of meat without making a mess. Meat was to damn greasy. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Beans, rice, and meat. - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Food, portions and service is amazing 10/10. Fresh Homemade tortillas. Highly recommend! Very clean. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Molcajete Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Beers are very cold and good service from girls and they have good music and I like the smiles of the nice Mexican girls

Rafaela's is a family-run restaurant. They were VERY festive on Friday Night - someone celebrated a birthday, lots of people coming after work. It was a very local community establishment. They had a karaoke machine and the owner(?) was singing popular Mexican songs. They came around with a card so we could request one. It was LOUD, but reminded me of family parties I have attended, and so I also felt able to relax. Hubs spotted a flag from the Mexican state of Michaocan (hometown vibes) and I think he felt more relaxed too. Food was VERY filling and excellent. Green enchiladas with chicken and cheese, California burrito, homemade salsa - the green was excellent, even for our picky eater ;-). Beer and wine-based drinks only, so the Michelada was fine for me. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Michelada con Modelo Especial - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

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Make sure they have regular size coffee cups before you order coffee. I asked if they made the sizes smaller, and she said, "No, we are just out of the regular size." I was already there for 25 minutes, so I didn't make it a big deal, but this isn't worth the$2.50 the waitress even told the one in charge they were out of cups. She said, "Let's go check," so I'm assuming when they checked, they saw they were out of cups, and she just told her to just serve in a little cup. Instead of coming back to the front and saying we are out of cups and giving me a refund. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Charged me for a regular cup coffee but served it in a small water cup - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Place was very good, I love how they give chips and salsa as a courtesy. Food Is especially very good, and always a very clean atmosphere , thats why I'll give them 5 Stars read more

This place is great ! Food and the service. Would definitely come back again, the ambiance was great .

This place was sooo good. It was suggested in a town group I'm in and I can understand why. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They have a salsa and things bar for you. The chips and salsa were good. The servings were HUGE, especially for the price. And the food was delicious. What more could you want?! read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - the interior of a restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Super bueno y fresca y muy rica la comida no se diga el menudo lo recomiendo las tortillas ricas y echas a mano

I spoke to Joana who is the waitress and cashier here at this family restaurant. She was very sweet, courteous, and helpful. She explained the two different sauces which were something new for me. One was a Jalapeño Cheese Sauce and the other I will just say delicious haha my coworker and I came from across the street to give it a try. I got the 2 carne asada tacos, freshly made by Rafaela. She is the jack of all trades in the restaurant; the Owner, the Chef, the Bartender. Although I only got 2 tacos, they were perfectly made. The tortilla nice warm and toasty. The carne asada was juicy! The salad you can tell it was super fresh! I know I'll be back to try more food. One thing that brought everything home for me was the fact they have a Juicebox that just gave me a comfortable feeling. read more

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Ecxelente servicio, la comida super buena, exelente sason y el servicio al cliente ni se diga 100% recomendado read more

Tacos were good. This is old Mexican food served in traditional style. There are several beers available and a pretty standard so cal Mexican menu. read more

Sad excuse for a Mexican restaurant. Two day old "crunchy" and hard rice, beef jerky meaning, overly dry carnitas, flavorless beans, and bland salsa. After reading the reviews I was excited to try this place and I want to help local restaurants, but in this case it was a swing and a miss. Sorely disappointed. read more

I had boxed up my food to go and they literally threw it away after not even a 1min passed. What a waste of food. Didn't even apologize at all. read more

Great food ! great service ! The place is clean and food is fresh! Pozole is very tasty read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Mocajete - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

I can't believe the service 45 min for a torta to go and on top of it the waitress made a mistake to dine in my so polite he justed to eat ..I've been waiting for him to get his food . Not a happy customer it's happened before I just let it go but this is to many times. read more

Do not go to this place if you have a large group. They can't handle it. Took 2 hours to serve us. Server kept forgetting to bring drinks, food or even forgetting to take orders from some at our table. .... For example 2 hours for a quesadilla and tap water Food tasted really good but it wasn't worth the wait read more

After a long day of looking at property the only criteria for lunch was Mexican. Yelp brought us to Rafaela's and we're all the better for it. Rafaela's is legit Mexican food. We ordered the Molcajete (shrimp, steak, chicken, cactus) Birria plate and the Chile Verde. The molcajete is huge but I shamelessly ate it all. I also sampled the birria - delicious. We really loved our meals. We were welcomed by a friendly staff and fast service. If we end up in the neighborhood I think we've found our goto Mexican place. read more

Gave this place a try today after getting some personal recommendations. I'm really picky about Mexican food. Good salsa, good beans and rice is basic and they have all 3. No canned sauces here, it's obvious. I had the barria plate, delicious. Tender meat, great flavor. Served with warm tortillas. My wife had chicken enchiladas, sauce was really close to a mole sauce, dark and rich with flavor. Chips and salsa served when seated. I wish they had ice tea, but not a must. Friendly staff , will definitely be going back, at least a dozen other things I want to try! read more

Amazing food. So flavorful. I got the carnitas plate and was blown away. Home made corn tortillas were fantastic as well. I'll be back to try more, you can count on it. read more

Great, authentic Mexican food! The waitress was very friendly and attentive! The chilaquiles were amazing! Very good quality food!

We have lived in Vista for many years and have never eaten here and let me tell you after today, we will definitely eat here again!! The waitresses were attentive and friendly, the service was fast, the establishment was clean and the food.. OMG the food was amazing!! We ordered the Molcajete, which includes shrimp, steak, chicken, cactus, Bell peppers, cheese, and this amazing red sauce!! That thing was huge and so delicious!! On top of that their tortillas both corn and flour are made in house!! Man O'man, everything was really really good and flavorful!! I can't wait to come back and try some more of their amazing food!! read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Molcajete, with shrimp, steak, chicken and nopales.. in a red sauce with red and green bell peppers topped with cheese and avocado. - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

I took my son here on his birthday by his request, (he is a foodie) and it was the best Mexican food I've ever eaten! One bite of the beans and I knew. I went to get some salsa at the salsa bar and looked in the kitchen and saw two happy mamas back there cooking. read more

Amazing hidden gem in vista great food wonderful service!!! I will be back. Chile Verde so rich and full of flavor!!! read more

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Great Caldo, excellent tostadas with homemade tortillas flour only. This place is fantastic and the wait is not too long. It's definitely better than your taco shop this is more like home cooking. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - My favorite dish here - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

I have had dinner here several times. Each time the food was delicious. I had the mole enchiladas and the mole sauce was dark and rich and perfectly complimented the flavor of the chicken and cheese. Also, the rolled tacos, flautas, and taco plates were excellent. But truly one of the standouts is the guacamole. Additionally, I recently had the ladies for help with my daughter's birthday party and they went above and beyond. The food was excellent, all of the adults loved the food and gave multiple compliments which I need to pass on to Rafaela and her cooks. If you are in north county and want a family traditional Mexican restaurant. I highly recommend it. It is truly a gem. read more

I thought all of the previous five star reviews were probably friends and family of the owners, but I have to say I'm convinced - Rafaela's rocks! My wife wanted to try a couple of different things, so she ordered (1) Beef Gordita ($3), (1) Sope with Al Pastor ($2.50), and (3) Roll Tacos ($3.99). They brought them out on one plate, and it looked like a TON of food for under $10. Margaritas are $4.99 (though a little weak). The "Molcajete" is my new favorite Mexican dish in California by FAR (second only to Ceja's mixed fajitas). It had plenty of grilled chicken, beef, and shrimp along with green onions, roasted jalapenos, some kind of white cheese (Queso Fresco maybe), nopalitos (cactus), and a sauce that is out of this world. It's a lot of food, so come hungry or expect leftovers. There also is a second plate with rice, beans, tortillas, and a lime wedge. Service can be a little slow. There was only one server/cashier/bartender so getting served wasn't quite so prompt, but that did give us more time to eat the chips and salsa which were both fantastic. They do have a much MUCH hotter red salsa, if you want to ask for that for your chips. It came out with my wife's plate and now I know for next time. We were very surprised with Rafaela's. It goes to show you that sometimes even a hole-in-the-wall can be a diamond in the rough. read more

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Gotta be honest. I absolutely did not feel welcomed here. Waitress was not pleasant to me. Food was ok. Definitely not for me again.

The gorditas are soo good here! I always recommend ordering ahead for pickup and they do make everything by hand so just be conscious of that with the time. read more

Stopped by since our usual place was closed. Mom was craving menudo and brother wanted carnitas. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. If they had fresh handmade tortillas it would have been absolutely perfect. Regardless, coffee, fresh juices, carnitas plate, salsas, guacamole, and beans were tasty! Mom usually offers to share her menudo, but she just ate it away this time! read more

The food here is unbelievable. We had come for a short stay in Vista the year before and tried it as takeout. My wife said for the first time ever she had pozole better than her moms, and had been waiting for our next trip there. This time we had the chorizo and eggs and the red chilaquiles. Chorizo and eggs was great and came with homemade tortillas. The chilaquiles were the best I've ever had. It is amazing how good the food is at this place. My Suegra has ruined me for most Mexican food, this place is the best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. And living in Southern California, I've been to a lot of Mexican restaurants: I'm guessing everything they make is unbelievable. I almost didn't want to write a review because I don't want them getting too crowded, but they deserve it. I would give six stars if I could. Try it, you will be glad you did read more

My girlfriend and I came to eat at this restaurant for the this time. We ordered chilaquiles and it was extremely delicious and a big plate for $9.99. Definitely recommend the place and this plate as well. read more

Rafaela's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Vista, California

Finally gave Rafaela's a try today for breakfast and the food was delicious... salsa muy caliente! Only issue was after ordering a meal with bacon, 10 minutes later they notified us that they ran out of bacon. We will be back for sure! read more