Right across from Cardiff beach, we got to watch an amazing California sunset from this shabby, yet not so shabby street side restaurant.
We have been here before (3 years ago), this place came highly recommend from a friend that is a San Diego native (so you know he wouldn’t steer me in the wrong direction...). After a long day at the beach - this was perfect. Strong, Patron margarita on the rocks along side my combination plate of grilled shrimp with cabbage taco and charbroiled chicken and sour cream - screams Baja California from first sight to the amazing flavors in my mouth. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.
Great customer service..good authentic Mexican food...The guacamole, chips & salsa were delicious. ..The chips where fresh & warm. The food is priced decent based on location...Our server didn't disappear, she actually stopped by to ask if we needed anything. The food portions are a good size. I shared my breakfast with my friend. :) definitely will go back & will recommend this place. ♡
Favorite Mexican Restaurant. Las Olas is my favorite Mexican restaurant in San Diego. I agree with Gary, the FIre-Roasted Chile Relleno is the go-to dish. None of that egg-dipped Relleno style. Simple salad, with a yummy avocado dressing, that's always super fresh and crispy. The Margaritas are tasty, the service is always friendly, and the beach-side location with lagoon views (and even an occasional train) to add to the scenery.
Great!. I go here ONLY for the broiled (NOT BREADED OR FRIED) chile rellenos. They are FANTASTIC. Every time I say "I'm gonna order something else" and I never do. Why should I?!! And of course the beer and tequila...
The ultimate grunge beach Mexican! Surfer dude and girl waiters, superb fish tacos, salty margaritas and a pacific coast sunset. Epic! You feel like you are in a Patagonia catalog photo. It was given to me by a fellow las vegan 20 years ago, and I have passed it on to people I like ever since. The only place we visit every time; on tough days I dream of a Road trip to las olas...
Gidget Works Here!. Great food, service and a beach shack atmosphere. A regular stop when I'm driving the beach route. I've never had a bad meal here.
Flew in to San Diego and wanted a great Mexican restaurant on the way to Anaheim. Las Olas did NOT disappoint. Located across the street from the beach it had a great view. Food and service were top notch. Highly recommend!!
Great food, excellent margaritas! Friendly staff & great view! What else do you need? Too bad our favorite bartender is gone. Miss you Grim!
Strong Margaritas, authentic Mexican food and a great view!
Owners are super nice and food can't be beat. Try their homemade fresh salsas and anything fish! Yum! -tell them jim Hardison sent you.
Lunch special was spot on. Crispy taco with savory shredded beef... and a chicken enchilada! Also, try the Cole slaw. It's vinegar based, so if you like that style, go for it. Margarita was standard. Tasty. Could be stronger, but ain't that always the case??
Very nice atmosphere and the staff was great. Salsa was good too. Will be back!
Las Olas is the epitomy of a great Mexican food restaurant in an authentic location. The flame broiled carne asada was so tender! The spicey bean dip makes a great appetizer.
I've been coming back to Las Olas for many years as it is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. During COVID they switched to more of a self-service model where they don't take your order at the table. As such, they've been able to keep their meals affordable. The chips and salsa are fresh and delicious. You can't beat their lunch specials. They have lots of outdoor seating, and beautiful ocean views. Recommended!
Authentic , great price, amazing food, great atmosphere, informal , great people, service! It’s very difficult for me to find an authentic Mexican that is not spicy, I eat ZERO spicy food and Las Olas was perfect! You can add salsa if you want but nothing comes spicy! Their guacamole and chips are amazing and portions are great served! Super reasonable prices! Definitely a must to go! Shrimp tacos are amazing also.
This is a local favorite and now more people are starting to catch on. I was in town for the weekend visiting family and the food quality is still fantastic. Their presentation may not be as flashy, but don't let that affect how you feel about their food. Their meats are flavorful and generous portions. Price is also pretty damn good still for the quality of food! I will say that now you have to order before you sit. It used to be a legit sit-down restaurant but it probably changed due to recent industry demands. Small inconvenience, but nothing to really worry about.
You order when you walk in, no waiters, only busboys that clean the tables and retrieve your dirty plates. Good selection of food.
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Las Olas in Cardiff, CA, has a lot going for it.
They give you a nice-sized bowl of crispy tortilla chips. The salsa, filled into small cups, as well as your cutlery & drinks, will require you grabbing, at their salsa/drink bar.
This restaurant is a bit different. You order, & pay just inside the front doors here. There's a large menu sign before you walk in, plus one directly above cashier.
It's self-seating here, so we snagged one of the last open tables, on their large outdoor patio. From here, you can see the edge of Cardiff State Beach, directly across the highway. The rest of the beach is hidden, due to a sand berm, which obscures the blue ocean water from your view. This doesn't stop you from enjoying the cool ocean breeze, though. It felt so soothing, on 8/9/23. It was a Photo Shop-type day in Cardiff, with lovely blue skies, and majestic white clouds overhead.
There are perhaps 12-15 large picnic tables out on the patio, covered on top with plastic, so they're easy to clean. There's also seating inside the restaurant, should you so desire.
Our food arrived just in time. We'd just polished off our chips & salsa, when it was delivered. My wife ordered a Cheese Crisp, which was a feathery light, crisp tortilla, topped with loads of tasty cheese. She loved it!👍
I got 2 tacos- a Fried Shrimp Taco, & Carne Asada Taco. Both were good, but the steak taco I liked best. It was loaded with a symphony of delicious flavors, from all the tasty steak, & accompanying ingredients inside this one.
We loved the food here, & the setting, right by Cardiff State Beach was ideal. The free tortilla chips were super tasty. The bus boys were quick & friendly, too. I gave Las Olas 3 stars for service, since you must do some of the work here yourself, ie...grab your silverware, drinks & salsa, plus whichever refills you need.
This place is in a stunning location and that is all that you need sometimes. The margarita flight is fun and sitting outside by the beach is the best atmosphere anyone can want.
Good Mexican food across the street from the beach.
Came highly recommended, but for us, it wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
Margaritas were good; food taste was good but not mind bending. Lastly, our stomachs were all off for the rest of the night.
This place is awesome! Possibly the best Mexican food in North County. Pretty place, great location, friendly staff. It reminds me of restaurants in Mexico, as opposed to most places around. Highly recommend, we're lucky to have this place!
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