Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

I don’t like giving places a bad review. However, when we check in at the front counter they did not walk us to our table but instead just pointed to where we need to sit down. Then it took over 10 minutes before any server took our drink order. From there it took another 15 – 20 minutes to take our order for dinner. (The restaurant was not extremely packed). I received my meal before my girlfriend and we had to wait for over 5 minutes before she got hers. It was just a disappointing experience.

Same thing to me as Danielle E… I’ve been to all locations. First time I’ve ever had the ass pisses., it was a super hot day so maybe something spoiled

Food poisoning!!!
Did anyone else go on ⁶⁄₁₉ and now to the porcelain throne? My bf and I had two different types on enchiladas and chips and salsa. He threw up violently as soon as we got home. Mine kicked in the middle of the night and I’m still feeling it. The food was alright and the service was cool. But unless you want to vomit your food and call in sick for 3 days then don’t go!

Love love love this place. After reading some of the reviews though, I bet you are wondering is the place good, or not? That answer I believe depends on what you get. The chips and salsa is a lock for one of the best I ever had, and it’s complementary. Salsa is a medium heat with amazing flavor. Usually I find most salsa is too hot or too mild so this is a biggy for me. As an entrée, I always get the California Burrito, which in my opinion in the best California Burrito in the greater LA/​OC area. By the time I finish it, I take a nice stroll on the beach which is literally 30 feet away to walk off some of the awesome Mexican food I just ate. So to break it all down.
–Food
Depends on what you get. My recommendation is the California Burrito (Asada, Fries, Cheese) very generous in size. Probably could be split. Chips and Salsa is the best around.
–Ambiance
Awesome! Right by the beach, lots of foot traffic on the streets. Very lively crowd.
–Service
Quick and attentive. If you become a regular and they recognize you, they often will give you free guacamole or other things to rewarded you for being a loyal patron.

We’ve been fans of all the El Ranchitos in Southern Orange county for several years, so its difficult to give a poor review. However, tonight we returned to our old favorite in Laguna Beach and it was a huge bust.
Let me say that as an old «rocker» I’m a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, etc. But it’s not exactly dinner music. I get that it’s important to have party music for the bar but it was so annoyingly loud that we couldn’t talk to one another at our table. All we wanted to do was eat and get out, but that was difficult because the waitress dropped the check at the table and disappeared. I ended up taking the check to the front so I could pay it, but was told that the waitress had disappeared and I had to wait. I seriously considered doing the dine and dash thing.
Given that we have had wonderful service by charming servers in the past, this was a big disappointment.

Food is ok, but margaritas are really overpriced and really light on tequila. Nothing special. Parking can be a pain. There are better choices in town.

Came here for lunch on Friday. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. Our wait staff was attentive and fast, which goes a long way. The food was flavorful and came relatively quick.

Probably the worst service I’ve had. Me and my friend decided to come here for margaritas, after waiting for the hostess to realize we were there after 5 minutes, we finally got a table outside. Someone dropped off a basket of chips but didn’t say one word, not «Your server will be here in one minute» or «Can I get you a water» nothing. The server, blonde girl with up do and freckles walked by our table about 10 times, not even acknowledging us at all. We finally decided to wait and after 15 minutes, we decided to leave after no service and no water nor any type of greeting. I get it if you are busy but ignoring and not letting us know you see us is just plaid rude. Never coming back here again.

Nice and quite on the night we went, probably due to the weather. We were seated right away and greeted with chips and salsa. My wife and I ordered iced tea, which was very clean tasting there are no sugar packets at the table and they do not bring you any, but I enjoy iceberg tea unsweetened anyway. I ordered the appetizer nachos and my wife ordered chicken fajitas. The nachos were perfect, plenty of cheese, beans, ranchero sauce made them soggy had to eat them with a fork and that’s cool with me. The chicken fajitas, were huge plenty of meat and veggies and very flavorful. This is not my first time visiting this restaurant, just my first time at this location. The service was way better then the other location. They are very friendly and attentive at the Laguna Beach location, we will definitely return.

This was our 3^rd or 4^th time here. The Margarita was awesome. The shrimp taco’s not so much maybe a little over cooked. The chili Verde was outstanding said my husband. Our only complaint would have to be the immature hostess. They were loud and giggling like it was high school. But other than that we would certainly visit again, maybe not so late when kids want to get out of there.

Fajitas were good. Waitress was great and friendly but place was understaffed for a Friday. Try to eat outside if possible. Beers took 15 min. Got second one when we were leaving

This place was so delicious! I got the Avocado Bowl with steak I highly recommend it. My husband got the Chile Relleno & Chrispy Taco Combo Plate, my mom got the Chile Relleno & Flautas Combo & my dad got the Street tacos. The food was very good. The service was amazing, and the option of the outside patio or inside was good. I really liked the fact thatthey even have an item on the menu for «our canine». I will definitely be back.

Yummy! The atmosphere is lively. Place was packed on a Thursday and Friday night. Eat outside. The inside of the restaurant is smallish and crowded.

Didn’t look great, buts apps plate tasty, super friendly service and view of the sunset. Good prices

After sitting at the rooftop restaurant for such horrible service we were so happy to find this across the street. Nice outside patio and music was nice not too loud. Best part was wonderful service and fast !!! Food was delicious and chips and salsa fresh ! Highly recommend the grilled chicken Azteca salad and chicken bowl!!!

I like avilas food
it is pretty authentic, not like off a cart in mexico but good
salsa is 5 star.
outside seating is great, the inside is kind of weird. but fine
I had a great meal the 2 times I came here
I would sit outside
location is key, I love not being right in the heart of town

Had the 10 to 2 pm special on weekends carne Assad taco with egg and choice of Bloody Mary or beer $ 10 pretty darn good !

A solid 3.5 in my books.
If you’re looking for authenticity, this isn’t the place. If you’re looking for a nice place to meet with friends and enjoy some drinks and decent bites in the area, I would give it a shot.
We were there on a Tuesday night and sat outside on the patio. It was a chilly night by California standards but the heaters and fire décor kept us warm.
I ordered 2 chicken tacos and a guava margarita. The tacos were well worth the $ 2 price tag as they were loaded. Guava margarita was good, though I couldn’t really taste much guava.
Our server was SO friendly! I’m digging through my purse to find the receipt to mention his name. The four of us were chatting after our food was cleared and he offered us free coffee so we could warm up and continue talking. It was a really nice touch!

Probably the worse Mexican food I have eaten in a while. The only reason I am giving two stars would be for the ambiance. It probably deserves more stars but the food was so bad, I just had to give it 2. Let’s start of with the presentation. if I am paying so much for the food, I wan the food to at least be presented in a nice way. I felt like the food was just thrown out on the plate and given to the customers. Coming to taste, well nothing good is coming here either. The only good thing was that the people were just great. Good service, got things done as fast as they could.

Yum yum
Great lively atmosphere by the bar and outside patio seating by the fire pit
Food is quality Mexican
Great nacho chips and salsa that tastes like spicy gazpacho
My wife had all the all white meat tostada that was HUGE and excellent
I had the grilled Halibut tacos that were insane! Plus came with lots of black beans, rice, guacamole and sour cream
we will be back