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    Ruben's

    4.1 (101 reviews)
    Open 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 groups
    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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    Photo of Liza M.
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    12 years ago

    Love it here!!!! Antonio is the best bartender. Kids love adults live food is good beer is cold and prices are good.

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    9 years ago

    Lobster Bisque was really good, but could of used a lil bit more lobster. Place was good and I will be going back.

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Rubens has one the Best Lobster Bisque I've ever had. Going this morning for our first Sunday Brunch.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great food. Great dinner. Had garlics shrimp for dinner and octopus in chipotle sauce. Flavors were amazing.

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    Photo of Sally P.
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    11 years ago

    Sunday brunch is awesome here. Live music, great service and good food. The serve paella, prime rib, chili replenish, bbq ribs, etc.

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    9 years ago

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    Page 3 of 3

    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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    Tapanco - Table side salsa

    Tapanco

    4.3(281 reviews)
    11.2 km
    $$

    THE BEST TABLE SIDE SALSA IVE EVER HAD! AMAZING DRINKS AND FOOD AS WELL!…read more Customer service: 5/5 The customer service was seriously great! My boyfriend and I wanted a nice dinner, and I looked up on Yelp and found this place! (YAS MEXICO YELP- COME THRU!) as soon as we got there, we were instantly greeted with a warm welcome. Our servers, were absolutely amazing. They knew some English, although my boyfriend is fluent, I appreciate they tried hard for me! lol :) Food: 5/5 My boyfriends and I ordered drinks, which included a mango margarita, a whiskey, and a lemonade. The drinks were seriously phenomenal! Perfect amount of sweet and alcohol! Then we ordered the food. They're a steak house, so I had to go with the steak tacos. It was amazing! The steak was so tender and seasoned to perfection. However, Our table side chili was the star of the show. My boyfriend even ordered 2 rounds, and we ate it the next day! I should've bought that stuff by the pint lol All around experience/pricing: 5/5 Zero cons, my experience here was nothing short of amazing, and we cannot wait to come back for more! The cost was also reasonable for what we received. $1,125 pesos, and $59 USD. Some may think it's a bit high for Mexico, but in LA it would've easily cost 100.

    Unfortunate the only good thing here are the flour tortillas!! As far as the food terrible, and…read moreexpensive!

    Photos
    Tapanco - Interior looking out to the garden area

    Interior looking out to the garden area

    Tapanco - Chilaquiles Sencillos

    Chilaquiles Sencillos

    Tapanco - Margarita de Marucay

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    Margarita de Marucay

    Ocean Buffet - Crabs

    Ocean Buffet

    3.8(159 reviews)
    109.7 km
    $$

    I've been to this buffet a few times while visiting The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Occupying the former…read moreSouplantation building, the restaurant offers a consistent weekend price for both lunch and dinner. On weekends, they feature a premium all day menu that includes all you can eat crab legs. Between the cold and warm crab leg options, I found the warm ones to be superior as they're less salty and much more flavorful. The buffet offers a solid variety of Asian fusion staples, such as fried rice, orange chicken, and honey shrimp, alongside a surprising selection of sushi and decent sashimi. My personal favorites were obviously the crab legs, stir fried whole mushrooms, clams, string beans, and the scallops with vermicelli served in the shell. The service is quite attentive; the staff is quick with drink refills and clears finished plates promptly. They also provide practical extras like crab crackers and disposable gloves. While the dining area is spacious and relaxed, I would suggest skipping the dessert section, as those offerings were not appetizing. Overall, it is a reasonably priced spot for a wide variety of food in a comfortable environment. A solid 3.5 stars.

    FOOD POISONING WARNING‼I was going to write a longer review on our experience here but I'm…read morerewriting to cut to the point. This was not a good experience for us. Upon arriving there were a few questionable items being served as far as sanitary and temperature. With that being said my family has and is currently experiencing the symptoms of food poisoning, since we were here earlier for dinner. If you are visiting double check the temperature of the sushi, the texture of the chicken, and mold in the fruits. There was also cream cheese ragoons, I was wanting eat but as soon as I took it apart there were black spots in it , so I set it aside. Something we ate here was just not right as our entire family is experiencing sickness. We are in Carlsbad for a vacation and this was not in the plans for to dine in and later experience diarrhea and vomiting! It was definitely the food, so please be warned.

    Photos
    Ocean Buffet
    Ocean Buffet - Seafood

    Seafood

    Ocean Buffet - Peel shrimp

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    Peel shrimp

    Shalom - Buffet bar

    Shalom

    4.4(7 reviews)
    53.4 km
    $$

    An excellent restaurant with quality food and exceptional service…read more They had a lunch buffet (Mexican style food), but I ordered some Tlalpeño soup off the menu because I wasn't that hungry. They do have steaks and other great food available, including American style dishes), and the atmosphere is also quite pleasant and family friendly. The wait staff was very professional and attentive. The food was delicious. When you want something more than tacos this is a great place to eat.

    We came to Shaloms for their Sunday mornings buffet. I really wanted something other than street…read moretacos. They had fresh menudo both the red and white. I enjoyed it, I just wish it had less hominy. They had baked potatoes, hot dogs, empanadas, beef stew with potatoes. There was an omelette station that was working at a fast speed. There was a dessert station of sweet treats. I believe I paid $140.00 pesos for two. The baked potatoes were loaded with sour cream, butter and bacon bits. The empanadas were good but could use more seasoning inside. There are pancakes, fresh fruit and Mexico rice. If you enjoy coffee this place has a great brew. I wish the set up was different. They have the omelette station with people waiting where the menudo station is. A lot of foot traffic. The service was just ok for me. At least from the drink person, I was almost done eating by the time I got my drink. However everyone else was awesome! I was expecting something different because of the name. This is a Mexican restaurant. I would come back here again. If you are ever in town, this is a great Sunday buffet.

    Photos
    Shalom - Entrance

    Entrance

    Shalom
    Shalom

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    Ruben's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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