Garcia's Mexican Restaurant (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

$9-16 per entree.  So, slightly more expensive than your hole-in-the-wall taco shop and slightly less expensive than Casa de Bandini.

Distance:

Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection.  So very close to most Encinitas residents.  About a 5-10 minute drive.

Thoughts:

Garcia's is your standard commercial Mexican served on Fiestaware-looking plates.  Meaning that it's tasty but not exactly distinctive.  If you tried it side-by-side with the food from Casa de Bandini, it'd be difficult to tell them apart.

But I like this place.  Again, the food is tasty.  You're not going to have mariachi bands serenading you and the atmosphere is slightly more subdued, but at least you don't have to wait 20 minutes for a table every time you go.  I also appreciate the fact that they actually put alcohol in their margaritas.  If I'm paying $9 for an alcoholic drink, I don't want a slurpee.

The location (right next to the Ford Dealer) is unfortunate and the only reason why I think this place is not more crowded.  If you are a native and just want some dinner, it's a great option.  If you have out of town guests or an event, Las Olas with it's spectacular ocean view or Casa de Bandini with said mariachi bands would probably be more fun options.

Casa de Bandini Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

Pricing:

The full size entrees cost $10-15 apiece.  The enormous fish bowl sized margaritas are about $5-8 apiece.

Distance:

A Carlsbad restaurant.  Though I count this portion of Carlsbad as part of Encinitas.  It's in The Forum shopping center.  Right off Encinitas Blvd., you can use either Lucadia or Calle Barcelona to enter this mall.

Thoughts:

Formerly a fixture in Old Town, Casa de Bandini moved to Carlsbad and got a face lift.  The atmosphere changed ever so slightly from Old Town charming to suburbia dining.  But it's still a fun place to go.  The waitresses walk around wearing flamenco outfits and expect to be serenaded during your meal by the resident mariachi band.

The food is good but could best be described as generic Mexican.  It's really not all that different from El Torito or Garcia's flavor-wise.  One nice thing about this place is that they do have whole parts of their menu devoted to various diet needs such as vegetarian or gluten-free. 

I only have one major gripe about Casa de Bandini: they barely put any alcohol in their margaritas.  Yes, they serve fish bowl sized drinks.  But it's basically just a really expensive slurpee.  And it's not just me.  I have been to this place with people who barely drink at all and were actually worried about ordering a margarita so large.  Every single person ends up saying "is there any booze at all in this?"  I feel kind of ripped off on this point.  I mean, this place is making money hand over fist.  Skimping on the booze is just tacky.

Other than the questionable margaritas, I enjoy going to this restaurant.  It has a fun atmosphere that makes it a perfect outing on a warm evening (good patio seating).  Do keep in mind that there is almost always a wait there of at least twenty minutes.  So plan accordingly.

Rico's Taco Shop Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

Hole-in-the-wall Mexican dining experience.  $4-6 burritos.  The combinations range from $5-9.

Distance:

An Encinitas restaurant.  Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection.  In the LA Fittness (the old Target if you've lived here for as long as I have) shopping area.

Thoughts:

If you live in Encinitas, dive Mexican food is probably a staple part of your diet.  Life really can't get much better than eating a California burrito on the beach.  And, if you've lived in Encinitas for more than a year, you've probably been to Rico's.  More than once.  If you haven't: go now.

There are a multitude of burrito places to choose from around here, but I think Rico's is one of the best.  It's fantastic Mexican food run by Greeks.  How can you go wrong?  They have just about every combination of beans, rice, cheese and meat you can possibly think of.  And if they don't have it, you're welcome to ask for your own custom order.  Rico's also does breakfast starting at 7am.  They serve a pretty mean breakfast burrito.

In my years of going to Rico's I have seen people walk in wearing swimsuits and I have seen homecoming parties exit a limo to dine at this fine establishment.  A landmark to Encinitas cuisine, this restaurant is packed with both flavor and charm.   

Las Olas Review (Cardiff By Sea Restaurants)

Pricing:

You'll be looking at $9-15 per entree.  By entree I mean one of those rice and beans plus food type combinations.  And then of course you'll have to get margaritas.  While the margaritas don't come in a large fishbowl, they do pack a punch.  When I go here with three or more people, I usually order a pitcher of margarita which is about $30.  Saves you a few dollars if you want to drink.

Distance:

A Cardiff restaurant.  Located on the 101.  5-10 minute drive if you're located in Encinitas.  50-60 minute walk back after too many margaritas.

Thoughts:

The epitome of a Southern California Mexican food dining experience.  It's by the beach, the hygiene of the bathrooms is questionable and they serve large quantities of good food.  When it's lobster season, they serve super cheap, really fresh lobster (I think they walk across the street to the ocean and catch them).  Las Olas is great for just about any occasion.  It's a fun date night, it's family friendly and it's a good place to take out-of-town guests.

The food is not too unlike your typical sit-down Mexican restaurant.  But, in my opinion, it tastes a little better than, say, Casa de Bandini or El Torito.  It's also more laid back than other said establishments.  The environment is one that encourages conversation rather than getting in and out as quickly as possible.  There's also a nice selection on the menu.  There's the standard entrees for the hungry.  But I also will sometimes just order their chicken tortilla soup (which is excellent) for a light but filling meal.

On a Friday and Saturday night it can get a little crowded.  But I've never had to wait longer than 45 minutes for a table.  And 45 minutes is unusual.  Most of the time it's about a 20 minute wait.  If you get antsy, it's fun to go and talk a walk on the beach.