This restaurant has very good food and drinks. I go there frequently with my family and it is one of the places I take out of town guests. The location is convenient although parking can be challenging on busy weekends in summer.
I do agree that the service can be improved. Often it is slow and the servers are distracted.
Avila's El Ranchito in San Clemente always has the best most delicious food, friendly staff, and artistic atmosphere. my water glass was always full, we were treated like family. I had the most amazing fajitas ever. the fajitas had steak fresh zucchini and tomotoes. I absolutely loved the zucchuni yum yum. one of my family favorites is to share a flan. I love this restaurant and the artsy ambeince.. .. you will love it too! a relaxing place to hang out with family and friends.
Review Source:Sucks. Â Typical chain food - but worse. Â And the service? Â The slowest EVER. Â The waiters don't care about you as a patron. Â You'll sit forever after twice requesting your drink.
I wish that I could say that this was a single situation. Â But we've been here plenty of times. Â And each time, it has gotten worse. Â We're done with El Ranchito.
Went here for lunch and enjoyed it very much! My boyfriend and I sat next to the fire which was nice since it was freezing outside! The service was outstanding. I didn't get her name but she was a bartender as well. If you want spicier salsa, just ask and you'll get some SUPER spicy yet delicious salsa with your chips! We just wanted a small lunch so we ordered 2 ala carte tacos each. I got a chicken and a fish! The fish taco was one of the best I've ever had! SO tasty! My bf had a carnitas and crispy beef. He said the crispy beef taco was to die for! I'm a fan!
Review Source:We've dined at this restaurant several times and have been generally pleased with the food and service. Â This past Monday we arrived early, around 5 pm, and decided to have dinner in the bar area. Â The food was up to our expectations, the chile rellano was very good and the carnitas portion was generous; however, we had the misfortune to have Jaime as our server. Â As noted by another reviewer way back in 2010, he definitely has an attitude and is not happy to be working as a waiter. Â His machismo is on full display and I can only conclude that he must be a friend of the Avila family for them to continue to employ such an individual. Â I submitted an email with this complaint at the restaurant chain's website and the reply that was promised was never received. Â Needless to say we will not be returning and if you decide to dine here be sure to request a server other than Jaime!
Review Source:I went here because a friend wanted to. Places like this help make for my new OC dining rule: "The better the location, the worse the food." I ordered a chimichanga. All it consisted of was a) Spanish rice, and b) a few scraps of gamy shredded chicken. That's it. I poked it open and took a couple of nibbles then gave up. And there was a pile of the exact same Spanish rice on my plate next to it.
The refried beans were cold, almost a blue hue. Two children at our table got cheese enchiladas and one got French Fries. One of the kids ate nothing but chips and salsa because they said their food was gross (especially the fries), and the other managed to eat about half the enchilada. My friend actually thought her disgusting looking shrimp was pretty good as was her asada, but her senses had been softened by a generous dousing of mojito. If I were ever forced to come here again I might try what she had.
Service was OK until toward the end when our waitress disappeared for a bigger party of unsuspecting victims. I had to find her and wait near the door for my check.
My impression is this place is foremost a bar and second a restaurant. Nice location, though.
this is my FAVORITE Mexican restaurant chain. Period.
Every time I come here I order the same thing. Â The asada and garlic shrimp plate. Â BOMB.COM! Â My husband also loves what I order, but usually insists on getting something different. Â Last night, he ordered the shrimp fajitas--which he devoured. Â :)
we always find ourselves commenting on how their chips and salsa are consistently delicious. Â just perfect! Â
while my husband and i LOVE going to hole in the wall mexican food joints, this is our one exception. Â service is usually good, and the food is always perfect. Â Last night we were both so stuffed after our late lunch, that we actually skipped din. Â :)
If you've never been here, do yourself a favor and check it out. Â I assure you, you'll love it!! Â :)
Don't use credit card here, Bring cash. Went there for dinner Sunday night, I thought everything was perfect . I noticed on my bank statement that I was  charged not only my meal but another charge for almost double the amount . Service was terrible. Our waiter took our order, then we didn;t see him again till he brought the bill.
Review Source:Have eaten here probably a few dozen times. The salsa is fantastic!. In my opinion they have the best Huevos Rancheros in San Clemente. The flautas are excellent as well. Only issue is that it can be full at times (especially in the summer when tourists are in town) so you have to wait sometimes-not the worst problem to have for a business I guess. Fun atmosphere, can be loud (which I like) so if you come to party or want to bring young kids who can be loud it's a great place. Stoked to have this place in town.
Review Source:My husband and I ate dinner there on Friday, June 29th, after strolling Del Mar and checking out the menus of other restaurants in the area. Â We both ordered the Chingalingas, and they were delicious. Â The ubiquitous rice, beans, and salad were good too--plenty of guacamole and sour cream on the salad. Prices were good. A bit noisy for my taste, but the food and drinks made up for it.
Review Source:Although I love the food at the other Avila's El Ranchito locations, this is by far the BEST!!!
First of all, it's huge! Â They have a huge wrap around the corner restaurant with an outside section in the back.
For those with dogs, this is a dog friendly restaurant. Â They bring your dog water in a paw shaped doggy bowl and have a dog menu as well.
As far as our human food, it was delicious. Â We ordered Veggie Enchilatas and Ceviche. Â The enchilatas were filled with freshly grilled vegetables. Â The ceviche was fresh and tart (just how I like it!).
The food was delicious and the margaritas were perfect!
Our waiter, Jimmy was very nice, helpful and attentive.
I loved the way the inside was decorated. Â Very artsy and eclectic. Â This place is good for groups and dates. Â There is a fun atmosphere that puts you in a good mood. Â Looking forward to coming back with a bunch of friends.
We'll be back!
Great Happy Hour. Â $4.00 appetizers, $3.00 beers. What more can you want. Fantastic bartender and attentive servers. Â Sitting at the window and people watching is fun.
This is a PET FRIENDLY place!! Â They have a great spacious patio and even a pet menu for your pet. Â How wonderful is that!!
I will be back again!!
Muy bien! I went here with three other people last Sunday. It's A-OK and the service is great. Don't hesitate - go there.
But don't expect the most killer Mexican food you'll ever taste. That ain't it. But it's still good eats. Don't worry.
To be fair, I'd have to say that the salsa is not just A-OK, it's excelente. And if you're anything like me, you have no self control when it comes to chips and salsa. It's both comical and sad: I will mow through an entire basket of chips and a saucer of salsa on my own before the food arrives. I do it every - single - time. So much for the confession. Except at this place it's worth it - the salsa is the bomb.
The mole sauce was yum - had it over chicken. Everyone else said they liked their food, too.
Enjoy. Go there! Also, they have multiple locations. I've also been to the one in Santa Ana, Calif. too (honestly I thought it was better).
I've checked out this spot a couple of time during my visits to San Clemente...As a San Franciscan I enjoy good food and expect a lot when I go out to eat...I'm not one that likes to give negative reviews, but I don't have too many positive things to say...
Other than an awesome waitress, who was friendly and attentive, I really can't say much for the food here. Â I'd like to think that Mexican food is one of the easier things to make, especially when it's a chile verde burrito or fish tacos. Â For ok food, I must say this place is overpriced as well. Â
Overall the service was great, great place to visit for the bar and I'll return for happy hour, but not much else.
This place was ok. Service was ok, restaurant was clean, surfing on the t.v.'s. If you are looking for authentic Mexican this is not the place. Food is very Americanized, kinda like higher end Taco Bell.
Nothing special about this place, nothing really bad about this place either. Just a place to eat, I might go back there if I am in the area but I am not going to plan on going there.
I have been here twice now and I'll definitely be going back. We have had very attentive service and food has always been on point. The chips are  fresh and the salsa is perfect - kind of spicy but very fresh. The margaritas are very strong but also a bit heavy on the sweet and sour mix. There are two items at this restaurant that are absolutely amazing: the Ceviche and Mama Avila's Soup. Mama Avila's Soup is a chicken and rice soup that is topped with fresh tomatoes and avocados - you will love this soup!
It's on Del Mar so it gets very busy during dinner time.
NEGATIVE TWO STARS!!!
Y U KNOW HAVE 4 STARS?!?!
Let's start this review off all proper like...
I was there yesterday for Cinco Del Sucko, and this place was horrid. Â They were OK at best, the first time I went there about a month ago, but because they were busy yesterday, they decided to let quality go down the toilet.
The "margaritas" were served in a plastic dixie-style cups, and I'm pretty sure they were made from those pre-mixed bags you can get at Costco, except instead of having Costco's quality, it was more like the 99 Cent Store from the HOOD.
They tasted like overly salted, icy turd.
The food was extra greasy and disgusting, and served only luke-warm at best. Â
The ceviche wasn't very fresh, and the shrimp cocktail was very sweet, in an unappealing sort of way.
Nothing about this place was good.
To add insult to injury there were four drunk, stupid Marines who decided it was a good idea to open the window to chat with their friend who was smoking outside, and let the entire half of the restaurant I was on smell the smoke. Â Thanks douche-bags. Â
One of the waitresses said something to them, but they blew her off. Â It's no wonder these guys always end up going home in their little packs, sans females.
Great service and food! We came as a party of 20-ish for lunch on a Friday, and were seated on the outdoor patio with no wait. Even the food came out fast and fresh.
Several of us had the taco salads. I had the shredded beef taco salad, and loved it. It was the perfect size - the beef was juicy (not dry as with some other places). The salsa was fresh and yummy.
It's pretty good. It's pretty boring as far as food goes. The salsa isn't spicy enough and the atmosphere is just okay. There's a large selection of food, and it's on Del Mar, so that gives it a lot of bonus points. It's in a good area to have fun, but the restaurant itself is a little crowded, and the bar and the dining area are basically in the same place. If you have little ones, I wouldn't recommend it. It's a weird kind of design, like you're in the bar, the hostess stand, the dining room, the back of the restaurant and the bathroom area all in one.
The service we've had has been great though. The flautas are great as are the margaritas and other bar drinks.
I'd recommend it as a safe Mexican restaurant, but I'd suggest going to El Mariachi instead!
This place is the epitome of HORRIBLE SERVICE. I've never ever once not left a tip or even considered doing so. When I go into a restaurant, I have an expectation to leave a tip, regardless of service. This place has forever changed that.
We went in later on a Saturday or Friday night. The place was pretty busy. We stood at the hostess stand for what seemed quite a while, before someone finally so much as says 'hello.' Mind you, although they were busy, there was no one waiting for a table or in line. Just two of us standing there like morons.
Then we got seated. Then we waited. Then we waited a little more. After that, we waited. Our waiter, Jaime, finally graces us with his presence. I try to order two tequilas, two beers and two waters. He interrupts me during my order and makes a face at the tequila brand I'm ordering. Basically he insinuated that I don't know anything about tequila. Being a nice person, I ask him what he recommends. He rattles off several brands (all Spanish) as fast as he can. Great, I don't speak a word of Spanish. We order one of his suggestions.
Then we waited. Some chips and salsa came. Then we waited for a while longer. Finished the chips and salsa. Mouth burning, could use a beer. Then we waited some more.
A bus boy and Jaime appear with half our order. Two tequilas, one beer. I ask Jaime "Could we get a second be..." to which he YELLS "Hold on, I'll be right back!" and races off. So then we waited. And waited a little longer, then waited some more. He finally returns and I order a beer and some food. Then we waited and also waited a little longer. (No wonder they call him a 'waiter' HAHA.) Anyway, my beer finally showed up, delivered by a bus boy. Nothing like waiting a full 40 minutes for your first drink at a bar.
Same story when we asked for the check, and a bunch more attitude for bothering Jaime. Anyway, left a nice zero dollars and zero cents tip for his efforts. Had he a) not yelled at me and b) not rolled his eyes at my tequila selection, it would have been tolerable to wait. Yeah, they were busy, but I eat out a lot and they weren't THAT busy. Food sucks at Avila's too. Too bland. Tastes unseasoned and overcooked.
Avoid this place.
I've been going to Avila's since they opened. They have a great location just a short walk from the San Clemente pier. I understand that parking is tough in that part of town - but lucky me I leave the car at the condo.
First of all they have a great tequila selection. They used to have a tequila tasting menu - and would bring out like 6 half shots for sipping, I was sad to see that go. But the tequila is still there and the margarita's a good too.
As for the food - I've tried a few of the options at Avila's and what you need to get is the Lobster Botana! The lobster is delicious, and comes with the necessary taco toppings along with tortillas. Plus they serve it with spicy garlic butter goodness from the gods!
I'm telling you forget all that other nonsense on the menu that you really could find at another Mexican restaurant paying less rent more inland - and go for the lobster - you will not be disappointed.
Cute location, good service, breakfast served all-day every day, better than average chips served with salsa with a spicy after kick, Â & about a 20 minute wait on sunny Sunday afternoon -- that gets this review 3 stars right off the bat. Â The food itself doesn't necessarily add or deduct points. Â It's your standard SoCal Mex faire. Â I've had far better at hole in the wall tacos shops & far worse a sit-down establishments with serape wall art & Â wrought iron accoutrements. Â I had the chorizo and it was good...but you can't really f-up chorizo & eggs on a grand enough scale that I'd care. Â The rice was dry, but the beans were pretty good. Â
The fourth star comes for the margaritas. Â If you drink margaritas because you don't like the taste of tequila, then you won't like these. Â I, Â on the other hand, LOVED my margarita. Â There was none of that sweet & sour crap in it. Â It was all lime & tequila goodness. Â You just know half way through the glass that there will be an issue standing at the end of the meal. Â
It's a great casual place with a beachy, chill vibe. Â They have a kid's menu with all the faves. Â High 7-year old marks were given for the fact that curly fries are given as a side option to the enchiladas.
I've always wanted to go here, especially dragging along the doggies (anyone know if they still allow dogs to sit outside and have a special menu?)
Nick's was PACKED at 7pm -- a 1 1/2 hour wait. The Shore had a 20 minute wait -- and my dad isn't the patient kinda guy -- so we ended up at Avila's.
It was fairly busy and buzzing with energy. The bar had a number of people enjoying drinks, while there were little kids playing at a booth -- definitely a mixed crowd.
Our server started very punctual, very pleasant, and very observant to our needs. We ordered House Margarita on the rocks. Woo -- did that have a kick! I'll have another please! I didn't, but I would've! Zing.
The chips were nice and crispy and the salsa definitely required alcohol or a creamy drink of some sort -- and I mean that in the best way. As with most Mexican restaurants, the next batch of chips is hot -- but the first batch was crisp and delicious to start. I coulda eaten a batch of those with margaritas and called it a night.
I got the Tostada with no meat, my dad got Soup and Salad.
After the server provided us our food she vanished. She'd zoom by to serve other tables, but she was done with us. Kinda sad 'cause she seemed really nice.
My Tostada was good and HUGE! I guess it should be for $8.49 (and that's without meat). I'd get it again. It hit the spot.
My dad enjoyed his soup and salad. The salad didn't seem to exciting, but he loves the soup there (he HAS been there before). The soup was HUGE, too. That meal goes for $9.99, not bad.
Like I said, our waitress forgot we existed, which was a bummer because we probably would've ordered another round of margaritas. Also, more people started to pop in around 7:30pm, so as soon as we were done they cleared off the table so fast we couldn't ask them to leave the chips behind -- we had half a basket left. What's up with that? But, for the most part, the busboy/runner was really attentive to taking and bringing chips/water/etc.
I felt like trying their flan. I hadn't had dessert for a while, so I had a hankering. Big mistake. That flan was weird. It was, like, overly floury or something. I only took a couple bites of the large serving but left it for them to throw away. The waitress and the busboy didn't even bother to ask why it got left behind -- maybe because they knew it was gross, too. I'll stick to my favorite flan at El Pollo Loco (seriously, it's awesome!).
Overall, I'd come back but it wasn't anything special -- beside the margarita actually having alcohol in it. If I need a drink, I'll come here. The Marines that came in to sit at the bar seemed to think they were pretty darn good, too. But, I don't think I'll go out of my way to have food here. Maybe if Mongkut Thai, Beach Fire, Nick's, Selma's, and The Shore are too busy . . .
A) The menu provides tons of options for every kind of eater. Only thing I would avoid is there is some kind of seafood stew (soup) that my boyfriend has ordered (twice) that he dislikes heavily.
B) The bar area is great, lots of table with flat screen views. The bar staff is knowledgeable and efficient...have seen some d-bags hanging out there - "Excuse me miss, this tequlia is terrible." Well yeah, so is most well tequila - but maybe instead of ordering shots for you and your wife/girlfriend in front of your son, you could just order the cadillac margarita like everyone else? That's what's good here. Don't get the regular margarita, it tends to be a bit watered down.
C) Restaurant is airy and in a great location - note to people who think parking sucks - make a right at the light before passing the restaurant, then make another right at the next stop sign, there's a free public parking lot right there - we always get a spot right away.
D) My dish: Blackened fish bowl with black beans (or whatever it's actual name is) is what I get. Tons of goodies in there, fresh avocado, great fish (I get it sans rice b/c I get too full) and fresh tortillas on the side. Large large portions here. The experience is much better than La Siesta or Olamendi's.
E) Chips and salsa. Eat but if you are ordering an entree don't eat too much, the portions are so big and these chips are really addicting.
Chairs are a little uncomfortable in the bar area, and it can be a little crowded. I would never recommend going here on a summer holiday because any place along Del Mar will be a madhouse filled with tourists and the ratio of d-bags per capita will be quite high.
Yes, your typical hot plate of brown, tan, and white. Â Service was OK, nothing great, slightly apathetic, but far from rude and they made with the chips and salsa refills (always a good thing).
I had the cheese enchiladas, which were very good, run of the mill examples of the product. Â Nothing new, nothing bad, nothing great. Â The margaritas looked like your typical nuclear concoction, what you get at these types of places, beholding a color not before present in nature. Â I had a Corona.
Bill was fair - around $50 for four people. Â Not much to say really - I would definitely not go out of my way to come here, but we had a nice enough meal and my wife and her family go nuts for this most Southern Californian of comfort foods.
This place is great if you're white and like bland flavorless food. Â
Why then you might ask do I give it 3 stars? Â
They have a great bar, and a few menu items that rock. Â The breakfast quesadilla (cheese, eggs melted together in gooey goodness in a tortilla) is great! Â Most of their other dishes are just ok...
Came here for lunch during work, and I would say I've seen better. The place is pretty pricey for lunch. We ordered off the lunch special and got a drink, and each person was around $15 + tip. Food came quickly and service was okay (they kept filling up our drinks every 3 minutes even when we got our check).
I got a mahi mahi w/ beans bowl, which was filling for lunch, but there was hardly any taste in anything. I thought the free chips was the best out of the whole meal. I probably won't come back. I'd rather get a couple burritoes somewhere else for cheaper. An odd thing about Avilas is the menu does not indicate the cost of drink. It just lists what they have (soft drinks like Coke, Sprint, lemonade, etc.) and then when the bill comes, it turns out to be over $2.50!
I came here on 4th of July and b/c we didn't want to have a long wait at the pier and it wasn't too busy. Â Disappointingly, the food was not very good ... actually, way below standards. Â Fortunately, their salsa had a kick and w/chips were actually very tasty. Â I kept drowning my burrito in salsa hoping to get any taste but it was the blandest Mexican food I've ever had. Â
Also, and this is just something I noticed -- they brought our bill ten minutes into our entrees. Â I had only had one beer and would have loved another (and my friend would have ordered dessert) -- and they came back and checked every few minutes to see if our bill had been paid. Â I don't like feeling rushed out ... just sit back a sec and bring our check when we're at least visibly done w/the meal.
Mas Margaritas!!!
Okay, so I know its a chain and I know the best Mexican food is usually from a hole in the wall  but sometimes it's nice to dine somewhere a bit more upscale.  That's Avilas.
Great location in downtown SC with an upbeat atmosphere and the food is tasty. Â Decent menu with plenty of options plus friendly staff and good margaritas. Â Good for family or friends.
Caaaaarrrnitaaaaaassss!!!
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