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Ruben's

4.1 (101 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Ruben's Photos

RUBEN'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Ruben's

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Reviews With Photos

Female performer on Sundays for Brunch. Best Mexican brunch ever
Lisa G.

This is our to go place when down south. We love Sunday brunch and live entertainment on Sundays. The female performer is awesome and knows how to get the crowd going. She sings all rules of music. We are always ready to dance and of course the shots Ruben passes around. Highly recommend. Ruben is always great.

Fresh Salmon Chef's Choice...Excellent!
Larry F.

We've eaten here a few times and this particular evening when we came I saw two fish specials walking in on the board so I asked and the waiter said the two fish specials were salmon or sea bass and I asked which might be better he said the salmon was fresh. He asked how would I like it prepared and I said please ask the chef for his own choice. I am so glad I did that! The chef wasn't super busy and he took great joy in preparing what he thought is the best method and he was right! He cooked a variety of small vegetables in a light teriyaki sauce and poached to the salmon in the same sauce with beautiful garnish and a wonderful presentation. I thought I was in the fanciest restaurant in Baja California! Even the house salad was better than most house salads on the north side of the border.

Sampling from the buffet
Missy B.

We recently discovered Ruben's and we've back twice since our initial visit! First off, go on Sunday for brunch! I think it's better than the over-hyped La Fonda and not as crowded (though still busy). They have a buffet style brunch with bottomless mimosas, or you can select meals from their menu as well. We've been for the buffet and for a typical dining experience on a Saturday and both times the food was excellent! The buffet has everything from chilaquiles and omelettes to seafood and other traditional Mexican dishes. There are obviously fresh-made tortillas (quesadillas, anyone?!) and they even have paella! There really is something for everyone. We enjoyed sitting back down at our table and laughing at all of our randomly (yet perfectly) put together dishes! Service at Ruben's is top-notch. The servers are always hustling and are quick to fill up your drink and bring you whatever you need. You'll even see Ruben himself running around, greeting guests and making sure everything is running smoothly. The view is insane so definitely sit on the patio if you can and the weather is nice. Otherwise, there's plenty of room in the dining room as well. There's even seating at the bar if that's more your style. I highly recommend you check this spot out. I think you'll find you favorite new brunch spot, too!

Outside patio with
Ryan M.

Still killing it! After covid I was worries spots like Ruben's may not survive or that the buffet would stop. They've adjusted and now have the buffet served cafeteria style and the food quality hasn't lacked. Went last weekend and it was $22 a person w/unlimited mimosas and of course Ruben himself is out there working his ass off and pouring shots in peoples mouth assuring we all have a good time.

Wendy B.

Ruben had a dream. A classy, big, gorgeous restaurant that offered fine dining. And he made it happen. And even though the huge back patio (intended for brunches and wedding receptions) is still incomplete, that is something we must get used to if we are to immerse ourselves in the "there's always mañana " Baja way. That's ok with me. It was quite beautiful inside, tastefully decorated, rich with stone work, tile and lots of wood, with white table cloths, flickering candles, and quite elegantly modern in attitude. And the hospitality that would not quit. We were guided here by someone who knew Ruben and had no doubt he would make us happy. It was a memorable evening. We tried to be discrete in ordering, our group of 6 friends. We failed miserably. And we really barely sampled the menu. First, a huge bar where we sat around, imbibed, and admired the new surroundings. After being seated at our table, we ordered a bottle of wine to share, then started with a tableside Caesar salad, something I haven't seen in a couple decades. Had to try it. The waiter pushed out a cart laden with tons of small dishes and bottles, even the raw egg, all the ingredients necessary for making an authentic salad. It took about 5 minutes, each ingredient added one at a time and expertly blended. The performance was fascinating. Out came a couple of baskets of garlic bread. Mind you, not just any garlic bread. Thinly sliced, delicately buttered, still soft and hot. Then out came another appetizer. Guacamole. Not your Grandmother's guacamole. This one was generous, lumpy, even had cubes of cream cheese in the mix. Served with thin pita chips, it was unusual and tasty. When I saw Shrimp Scampi listed as an appetizer, I knew this was my "dish" for the evening. And I was so right. Despite only 5 large, sweet shrimp, it was the copious amount of garlic, wine and butter sauce that pushed me over the edge. I cleaned my dish, left not a drop of sauce, greedily sopped it all up with that great bread. I shall probably go to hell for this. And I spent the rest of the evening, and most of the next day, fiendishly calculating how to get that dish again. Nobody took my blatant hints, but some day, I shall. The rest of the group each naïvely ordered a bowl of the lobster bisque. Eating light? Right. Who knew it was so huge? Who knew it was completely sealed with a buttery puff pastry lid? Who knew it would be another showpiece as the waiter cracked open the middle and drizzled sherry into the hot soup inside. It was creamy and rich and filling (I stole a spoonful). My only wish would have been to discover chunks of lobster meat inside. This one was a smooth one. No matter. I was still sopping up that amazing scampi butter and tearfully moaning words of endearment. The grand finale was yet another tableside showpiece. If you have never seen Mexican Coffee made, this is* the* place to do it. The cart came out displaying the bottles of Tequila and Kahlua. First they glaze the edge of your glass with sugar, then caramelize it by fire. Then comes the igniting of the different alcohols that have first been poured into a ladle. And a generous sprinkling of cinnamon that sparks like fireworks. Still blazing, they pour it into your glass. Then comes the hot coffee. And lastly, a generous topping of whipped cream and a cherry. What fun. And how delicious. After all this great food and several spectacular shows, each couple only paid $75. Total. Where can you do all this in the states? And where can you find kinder hospitality?

Shrimp Echilada

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

Yummy steak and potatoes! Great decor on the drinks! Helpful staff. Clean rest rooms! Easy location and parking.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Great steaks and amazing table-made Caesar salad. Always a wonderful experience! Perfect for everyday or special occasions.

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4 years ago

Best fajitas have ever had service was great will you bring your own wine. Tons of space great parking.

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4 years ago

Mimosas and bbq clams in the shells. Great selection and view of the ocean. Plenty of seating and food options.

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Ruben's Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Ruben's

I've been coming to Ruben's Sunday brunch for about 10 years now.

Mentioned in 14 reviews

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Encanto - Hot molcajete

Encanto

(324 reviews)

$$$

Encanto somehow just keeps getting better. The views alone are worth the drive, but they've really…read morebuilt up the patio area and it is gorgeous now. There's so much seating, so it feels open and relaxed even when it's busy. It's one of those places where you immediately want to grab your phone and take a few photos. The food is still just as delicious as I remember, and the service is unmatched. Everyone is attentive without hovering and you feel really taken care of. Honestly, it's worth stopping in even if you just go for a drink and soak in the scenery. Great cocktails, stunning backdrop, and such a good overall vibe. I'll definitely keep coming back.

I recently visited Encanto in Ensenada and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience…read more When the bill arrived, I noticed that one of my dishes was priced incorrectly. I politely pointed it out to our server, Daniel, expecting it to be corrected. Instead, he casually dismissed it and said, "It's only 100 pesos more," which I found unprofessional and disrespectful. It's not about the amount it's about accuracy and customer service. Because of this interaction, I decided to remove the $20 tip I had initially left. When I did, he took the receipt to his manager and claimed that I hadn't tipped at all. I explained the situation, but he responded with a smirk, which felt mocking and made the situation even more uncomfortable. Additionally, the service overall was slow. We asked for water multiple times before ordering, during the meal, and even after finishing and it still took a long time for it to arrive. Unfortunately, this experience left a very negative impression, despite the setting. I hope management takes this kind of behavior seriously and works on improving both service quality and professionalism.

Ruben's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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