Jalisco Cantina

We were looking for a place we could eat with our 10 month old baby, the place wasn't too busy at the moment, which made our experience more convenient with the stroller high chair and other stuff, and we got the option to choose a bigger table. The waiter was very attentive, drinks and food were really good. We ordered: Chorizo nachos 9.5 Chile rellenos 9 Tacos dorados (chicken) 9.5 Tacos carnitas. 8

This place is amazing! My wife and I have now been here twice. The tacos are some of the best you can get—which says a lot for Southern California. The salsas and hot sauces are all made from scratch in house, the service is amazing, and it’s an upscale yet relaxed environment inside. Can’t recommend enough. Bonus points for GF folks—they have a dedicated fryer and most menu items are gluten-free.

The service here is impressively fast, and the staff is exceptionally polite. My waiter, Nick, demonstrated a strong knowledge of the menu and the hot sauce. This place is a solid choice, especially with numerous other options nearby for dessert. The location is fantastic, and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be returning.

This place is seriously a must see. The decor = amazing, the atmosphere = so chill, the gentleman who took care of us tonight was exceptional on every level, and the food/drinks were delicious and fresh. We have only great things to say about Jalisco Cantina. Get the Jalisco drink… yummmm!

Very delicious. Staff is attentive, friendly and informative. The atmosphere is very relaxed with spanish music in the background that is not too loud to enjoy conversation. Reasonably priced. The food and drinks taste fresh and of good quality. If you are in the area this place is a must visit.

Walking by Jalisco at night you will undoubtedly witness people having fun, as it’s one of the more consistently busy restaurants in Carlsbad Village. Go there just one time and find out why. Atmosphere is wonderful and the staff from top to bottom is professional and very much on their game. The chips are thick and crispy. It is what you want and what you are looking for in a chip. The guacamole doesn’t disappoint either. We all got tacos and leaned not only does it come with four of them per order but the tortillas are made in house daily. I got the corn. The kids got the flour. Everyone left deeply happy and satisfied. Really nicely done and absolutely worth a visit.

Mahi grilled fish tacos were tough and possible overcooked. Birria tacos were cubed not shredded with pickled red onion and no consume. The green sauce was heavily roasted almost black in color but was okay. Their three sauces were different. One sweet basilica which was odd for the menu, two very vinegar heavy habanero sauces added some tang to the otherwise a average Mahi Mahi tacos. The black beer was poured without a head to the top preventing the release of the hops and making it very malty. The blackberry margarita was good. The deserts sounded good but we didn't want to risk it after the meal. Overall, probably not what you are looking for if you are craving Mexican food but if you want to try some different flavors, it might be an option.

Hubby and I were in around happy hour and were able to partake in their specials. Had split the birria tacos (2) plate (came w/ rice & beans) and the enchiladas de pollo (2) (green sauce; came with rice & beans) and both plates were delicious! The sauce, rice, and beans were all flavorful and oh'so yummy. I love me a good Cadillac margarita however I was not a fan of the anejo tequila in the Cadillac margarita (reminded me of Tequila Gold which not of fan of -hence the 4-star). But don't let my review of being picky over anejo dissuade you from giving them a try. Oh, and Nash at the bar was super attentive and on point with service. ;)

7 of us went after work. The chips, salsa and guacamole were very good. We ordered the special Queso Chorizo dish, I'm not one for Chorizo, but this was so delicious. The fish ceviche was fantastic, I usually only do shrimp ceviche, but this had huge chunks of the perfectly textured fish. The margaritas were nice and simple, fresh lime juice and agave, not the mixer crap. The shrimp burrito was giant, half was taken home. I loved my shrimp tacos, and everyone else loved the carnitas the best, but I think everyone liked the carne asada and fish tacos as well. Will be back soon.

Typically a good experience here. That said we always came for lunch, first time for dinner last night. We will never come for dinner again. Asked for GF Caesar Salad, came out with croutons and had to send it back. When we received our new salad, it was like they not only did not put on the croutons but same with the Caesar dressing as well. It was just freaking Romain with a hint of dressing. Disappointed for paying $16 for that!!! No I did not complain either. Tacos. They are good but I just do not get why the tacos come alone! For lunch you get 2 tacos, beans and rice. Perfect. Dinner you get 4 tacos and nothing! So you have to spring for other things. Crafty to bring the bill up but not something I will do again. Dinner: 3 tacos, ride and beans. Much better. Or maybe a taco plate that you can have 3-4 DIFFERENT KIND! 4 tacos of the same makes no sense to me. Menu selection is boring. Entrees as way way too expensive that I am not willing to spend on. Waitress was less than enthusiastic about anything. LOUD! Stupid Loud. I could not hear anyone at my table. The space is large and noisy! Not comfortable to be in. Kind of dark and cold. Anyway, we spent a $155 on tacos, salad and rice/beans side 1 glass of wine @15 another @$12, $6 for a sprite and a Beer. Kind of unreal! Although the tacos were pretty good, it sure ain't worth the rest of the headache or gouge to the pocketbook. I can get good tacos at other places for way way less. I think I am over Fancy mexican food places.

Awful, place is not inviting, always empty. Food and drinks are not good, staff seems disengaged and clueless. Carlsbad is not a great option for Mexican places. Hard pass.

Drove to the Carlsbad location from Wildomar to celebrate my sisters birthday. The restaurant was nice had a great ambiance; however, the service was lacking. First the gentleman who took our order didn't write anything down so, of course, he got our order wrong! We ordered a carnitas burrito and after about an hour, he brought us a carne asada burrito. We sent it back. Also, it's not like the restaurant was busy. There was maybe a couple of other parties in the entire restaurant. About 20 minutes later my sister received her burrito. I had already eaten my shrimp tacos since they weren't that warm when I received my plate. A different person delivered my sister's burrito and said that she would not charge us for it. At that time, I told her we were there celebrating my sister's birthday. I would've thought they would've brought a birthday dessert of some sort, but nothing. Needless to say, we will not be back and I cannot recommend this place!!! Also, be ready to pay $7.00 for chips and salsa that is normally free at other Mexican restaurants.

Delicious meal with my son at Jalisco Cantina in Carlsbad Village. We got the carnitas tacos and chicken tacos with the chips and salsa. Both were delicious and highly recommend. Each meal came with 4 tacos. Very filling and was able to take 2 tacos home. Chips were crispy and came with 2 salsa both good. Will come back for the churro donuts and ice cream for sure!

Stopped in about a week ago with hubby to start off our date night. Sat at the bar. Was given several menus to pick from and settled on ceviche and guacamole. Their hot sauces were extra. I enjoyed the more mild sauce where hubby enjoyed the heat. Drinks came out great. Bartenders were attentive. Only issue we had were seeing a fruit fly trapped in the lemon jar at the bar but other than that the place is open and inviting giving off a cool vibe. Would definitely return to try out entrees.

We love coming here! The staff has always been super kind and welcoming. Special shout out to Angie who is very sweet to us every time we see her. The ambiance is beautiful here. The Chorizo Nachos are my go-to item here. Have tried a few others such as the ceviche as well as the shrimp and asada tacos but they weren't dishes I would reorder. A bit bland. The three salsas they bring are a bit heavy on the vinegar, which I personally don't care for in Mexican salsas.

I found this restaurant to have small servings and to be overpriced. I am a local, but the restaurant seemed like a tourist trap. I will not be going back.

Loved our experience here! The restaurant has a great ambiance. We started with the chips, salsa, and guacamole. The chips were fresh and tasty, and while both salsas were great, the green salsa was the crowd favorite. Next, we tried the creamy poblano soup, which ended up being one of our favorites of the entire meal. On a recommendation, we also ordered a side of fries, and they did not disappoint--generous portion, perfectly seasoned, and full of flavor. For the main course, we had the enchilada plate with one green and one red enchilada. The green enchilada was definitely the standout! We also sampled a few of the cocktails. While they were all delicious and well-crafted, they were quite weak alcohol-wise. After several drinks, none of us felt like we had much more than a mocktail experience, which isn't typical. At the current price point, I'd expect standard pours in the cocktails. Overall, I was very impressed with the food and atmosphere and will definitely return. Just hoping for a bit more kick in the drinks next time!

Walked in, got seated right away. Saw the queso fundido on the menu, had to order it right away. I liked that they offered both corn and flour tortillas with the queso. Found out from the manager that it was recently added to the menu. It was fantastic. We decided to order tacos. Of course, a margarita was in order to pair with the tacos. I ordered the Jalisco margarita, it was so flavorful. The tacos I had were the birria and asada. Excellent choice. Could not leave without trying something sweet. We opted for the churro donut. The churro donut was paired with this mouthwatering horchata ice cream. 10/10. Shoutout to Andy who made our experience here a remarkable one. He was attentive, water glass was never empty, was personable, and had great recommendations. Can't wait to come back.

We didn't have a reservation and was able to get a table on a Friday night. The service was pretty quick and everyone was helpful. Food was very good! I'd definitely come back. It's way better than the trendy Javier's

My family and I tried this awesome Mexican restaurant yesterday. Yay for taco Tuesday they have a couple specials $14 for 3 tacos and $8 margaritas. The Biria and ceviche was our favorite also the guacamole with the house salsas was amazing. Everything was cooked to perfection and flavors were incredible. Service was great and we really enjoyed and we will for sure come back.

Drinks were really good, bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. Super cute ambiance. We didn't have entrees so I can't comment on the food. We did order the chips and salsa and it was good but wish they had a spicy salsa they were both very mind. Other than that the experience was very good and I would definitely go back to get drinks again.

Our favorite Mexican food place in Carlsbad! Great food and drinks with a great selection of premium Tequilas!

I had the chicken enchiladas and they were delicious. A good size portion w/tons of flavor. The service is great & very attentive. The ambiance is soothing and fun. The hot sauces are so unique and I crave them so much. You can actually buy them, so of course I did. Can't wait to go back!

My friend and I grabbed an early dinner at Jalisco Cantina in Carlsbad on a Tuesday evening. Everything was super delicious, fresh, and unique! Here's what we had ~ Smoke & Fire Margarita N/A Athletic Lager Salsa Verde Salsa Ranchera Guacamole Carnitas Tacos Blackened Shrimp Tacos Great service, and super cute interior and patios! Highly recommend you check out this spot next time you're in Carlsbad. Cheers!

Food was very tasty!! Taco Tuesday was a hit. Lots of good salsa choices. Margarita specials also. Great place!! Service is great and staff is friendly.

We were in the mood for Mexican food last night and decided to try something new. We searched and searched and found this spot online which looked delicious. When we arrived we were seated pretty quickly. Menu was small which made me nervous but also made me believe since it's a small menu their food had to be good. lol We started with a few margaritas which were delicious. We ordered chips and salsa, carnita tacos, birria plate, and the chili relleno. When everything arrived it all looked soooooo good! Chips and salsa was so good. Salsa was fresh and not too spicy. Food was delicious! Everything was full of flavor and tasted like high quality ingredients. It wasn't cheap.. but I feel like it was definitely worth it.

Our party of seven stopped off after our soccer victory. The parents needed a celebratory drink and kids needed a filling meal. This place fulfilled both needs. Between all of us, we had burritos, tacos, steak plate, pozole, and salad. I ordered the Jalisco margarita and it was amazing and beautiful. Our server was quick and when we encountered a hiccup, he made it right. My only concern about this place was the bathroom situation. There's a female restroom and a restroom for all. The female restroom is one stall so we wait but the other has a stall with door and a urinal by the door in plain sight. That door is open so at one point when I was waiting for the restroom, I saw a man use the urinal. Maybe the door shouldn't be propped open? Besides that, I enjoyed the restaurant and would come back.

This place has a great atmosphere and incredible staff. I wish I remember my waiters name because he was that good! We got classic margs which you can't go wrong with. Dogs allowed on back patio! Recommendations: - tuna starter - chips and salsas (must get and bottomless!) - shrimp tacos (they give you 4! Downside you can't mix and match so get someone to order a different type of tacos!) - burrito - I didn't try this but my friend got it and it was huge! Things that were good but I'd try something different next time: - guac - very disappointed. It was fresh and good, but just was missing something. I could have made better guac at home :/ - carne asada tacos - the meat was a little well done. I prefer medium rare. Overall, I will be back here to explore some of their larger dishes. Can't wait!

No salsa & no authentic hot sauces.... Who wants turmeric or balsamic on their taco? Food was very bland and we are convinced our margaritas did not have any alcohol in them. I'm a one drink kind of girl and I did not feel anything after drinking their margaritas. Nice plating, good quality of food, but beyond bland! Very Americanized Mexican food, not worth the cost. And most importantly, there was no chips and salsa!

This place is a new addition to carlsbad village and actually pretty dang tasty. I've been on several occasions and the food is fairly flavorful with a decent price. The chicken enchiladas, shrimp tacos and guac are all pretty solid. The margaritas are tasty as well. Ambiance is casual chic and the service is pretty solid, NGL. 3.5-4 stars and here's why... I frequent several very high end places in Asia, Europe and pretty much all over the world and I have never had a basic margarita with Clase Azul Repo cost me $72 each... I get it, it's a premium tequila, but these things should be priced around $40.

Jalisco Cantina is a Mexican restaurant in Carlsbad Village that has an excellent ambiance and offers both inside and open air dining. We went with two adults and three children and everybody was very happy. The location had an upscale feel but is very inviting. The menu had a good variety of appetizers, tacos, burritos, and entrees. We tried the guacamole and were impressed by the homemade chips. The tacos come with four per plate and had great flavor. Two kids had quesadillas and I tried the chicken enchiladas. The enchiladas were fantastic and had a rojo sauce that was excellent. If you go, ask for the three hot sauces but be prepared - all three pack a lot of kick. The balsamic hot sauce in particular was very unique. Service was great and the prices were fair for the area. Definitely worth checking out!

What a great experience. The location and ambiance are great. There's lots of seating and it's open air which I like. The food was high quality. I had a grilled Mahi burrito which is the best I've ever had, and I've had plenty :). The service was pretty good with the hostess being very friendly and welcoming. Public parking is only a block away which was easy for a Sunday afternoon. I'll definitely be visiting again.

Love this pace. Food is amazing. The back area has a fireplace that is cozy. Recommend the carne asada tacos with fried avocado on top. Our waitress recommended it.

We were visiting the Carlsbad Village area and decided to stop for lunch. We all felt like having Mexican food and we liked the look of this restaurant. It had a nice ambience and the servers were very friendly. We ordered off their lunch menu which was reasonably priced. We all ordered tacos which was about $14. I tried the grilled mahi fish tacos and the pollo asada tacos. Both were good. If I had to pick I would definitely order the fish tacos again ! They were delish! It came with rice and black beans. The rice and beans were not hot, room temperature at best so they may have forgotten to reheat them before serving. I believe they would have been really good if they were hot. The restaurant does not serve complimentary chips and salsa so if you want to enjoy chips and salsa before your meal you will have to pay for them. Overall good food and atmosphere at Jalisco Cantina.

San Diego born and raised, I've had tacos all over this county, these were without a doubt the best tacos I've ever had. Grilled Mahi Mahi, Carne Asada, Fried Mahi Mahi. The tortillas are made on sight and super light and fluffy, the toppings were delicious. Highly highly recommend if you're in the mood for high quality Mexican food. The atmosphere is perfect, very very friendly staff. I'm so grateful we gave this place a try.

Service is amazing! Reese is my favorite server, so friendly and attentive to what we needed. Her customer service adds to the experience. The tacos are perfectly seasoned and a really good portion! The espresso tres leches cake was moist and decadent. If you listen to Spanish music, you'll appreciate the playlist. The songs are something I would regularly listen to. Overall, worth it.

Dined with family including their young children. We'd had drinks here in late April for the first time and found the drinks and appetizers very good. Chose this again for this trip and it didn't disappoint. Drinks and food were very good. I had the roasted corn salad with blackened shrimp and will probably be disappointed if I do t order it again next time. Really good. Service was great and our young kids kinda tested them with a spilled glass of water and just the extra attention kids sometimes demand. Appreciated the staff.

Stopped in while exploring a quiet day in Carlsbad, and this place was a great find! I wasn't super hungry, so I just had the elotes and they were so good. The tacos looked amazing too. The decor inside is really cute and cozy, and the service was fast and friendly. Will definitely be back to try more next time!

NOT your average Mexican restaurant. In the repurposed old tap room that was a worn out venue. Vibrant inside on a Saturday evening. Noise levels acceptable. Generous adult drinks. None of the usual "speciales con beans and rice". Taco choices were great 4 street size per order. Seviche was fresh and spiced well. Prices are on the upper- end of comfortable. Good service

I used to be a big fan of Jalisco Cantina--especially the Oceanside location, which consistently delivered great food and solid service. That's why I was excited to visit this location again, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the same standard. The ahi appetizer has always been my favorite, and while it still tastes good, the portion size has noticeably shrunk over time. What used to feel like a generous, shareable starter now barely feels like enough for one person. The service was another letdown. While the manager seemed to be running around trying to keep things afloat, our server was barely present--no updates, no drinks refilled, and nothing brought out unless we asked. Meanwhile, ticket times were pushing 30 minutes or more. It took about 30-45 minutes just to get our ahi and Ceasar salad, and that was with maybe six tables seated in the entire restaurant and a nearly empty bar. There just didn't seem to be any reason for such slow service. I really wanted to love it here again, but between the portion sizes shrinking and the lackluster service, I'm not sure I'll be back--maybe, but probably not.

Delicious! Great cocktails and kept me safe as a celiac.. will definitely go into the rotation!

The food here is some of our favorite in Carlsbad, so we visit every few weeks. The service can be slow, so we often prefer the bar if it's just the two of us. I think service has gotten better now that they've been open longer, since the last time we went it was much quicker than prior visits. Drinks are awesome here, although I often order wine (which is a hit and miss experience around North County); however, I've never been disappointed with their limited, but well-chosen options. Obsessed with their corn salad, but everything I've tried has been flavorful and unique.

Wow what a great addition to downtown Carlsbad. Beautiful craftsmanship from the restaurant decor and the delicious food. Went here for the 1st time last night with my girlfriend. We had the Camarones Picante picture in review. Very delicious and the perfect appetizer. We also had the tacos substituted as a salad, and also a special chicken salad. A glass of red blend wine and a margarita. Great flavors and ambiance. We will back soon. Thanks again

They have great food and a good environment. Our waiter, Nick, was amazing. He provided great service and was very personable. I really appreciated the attentive service and great vibe he had.

First time here, not knowing what to expect! I ordered the Chile Verde with beans instead of rice. My friend ordered the chicken enchiladas. Everything was delicious! Our server Braden was amazing, making sure we had everything we needed. We went there for lunch so it wasn't crowded at all. My friend got a complimentary fried ice cream because it was her birthday. I would definitely return and recommend Jalisco Cantina to others to try.

Okay here we go... Customer service 5 stars! Food 5 stars! Place is beautiful well to my personal liking, because I love Rustic, Wood, Stone decor. It is a bit pricey, but worth it. You can taste & see the quality of everything. Drinks are ok drinkable lol, but not the best I have tried. Regardless will be back.

We were greeted and seated right away. Benjamin our waiter greeted us and we got our drinks ordered. Hubs had a chocolate ipa and I have the cab. Both excellent! What I noticed was how busy the staff was they worked like a well oiled machine. We sat in the back patio with the fireplace going. Perfectly romantic. Food was fantastic. Everything was wonderful!

What do you want to know? How delicious the food was, or the ambience of the place was? Well, this place was just the perfect spot to go out in the town and enjoy it all. Let's start with the hostess, she was lovely, friendly and funny. She sat us by the entrance next to the open window. The ambience gives people the feeling of homey, classy, warm vibes. Enjoyed the music. Our waiter was friendly, considerate, and had excellent conversation with us. Now the food... wow! It was amazingly delicious. We had Enchiladas Rojas. We had cream de sopa poblano. We had two beers and a margarita. We have lived in Guadalajara for four years and know how good their food tastes. Well I mean it when I say this is authentic Mexican jaliscan food. Just stop by and make sure you savor any of the menu recipes. Thank you guys for the service. It's been a while that we had eaten like this.

Came by here as it was away from the more busier main strip and had a wonderful meal with a large group that included kids. Our server Ash was friendly and took in our order and got it right the first time! It's has a beautifully lit atmosphere it's spacious where you don't feel you're encroaching on your neighbors or overhearing their convos. We had drinks at the bar prior to being seated. Everyone loved their food. The chile relleno and nachos were a favorite.

Props to Sean (Shawn?) ! Amazing service - 10 stars. Ceviche - delish. All the tacos were delicious but in order of preference ...Carnitas, Carne Asada, Fish and then the Chicken. Cocktails also on point. We are coming back

The tacos and deserts are great! Our server Reese was so sweet and checked in frequently. Such a great server reallyy. If you are Hispanic you WILL DEFINITELY appreciate the music they play. I come here for the great music and yummy tacos. I stay for the amazing service from the bestt server!

Came here for drinks and apps with friends. We each had a marg and they were delicious. La mora was our favorite! The food was tasty and well portioned. It was on the pricier side but you are paying for ambiance. The servers were attentive and friendly. I would come back for the homemade tortillas. I think they should consider complimentary chips/salsa considering how pricey everything else was. Recommend for a cute date night!

You must order the asada tacos!! My friend and I shared some chips and guacamole and the tacos. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. To meat was tender and the handmade tortillas was so good!! Great fresh iced tea and service made for a great experience!

This place is the bomb. I was sad to see it had changed from the self pour establishment it used to be, but I was pleasantly surprised to find I like it even more. Besides the staff and environment being fantastic the chef is a master in his field and the homemade salsas and hot sauces are to die for. If you have been afraid to try habanero hot sauces don't be, try these. A perfect blend of flavor and heat. Just the right amount. Doesn't kill the tastebuds and enhances the food. One is Tumeric based, one is balsamic based and one is Fresno based. I was so impressed I bought nine bottles. If you want a great culinary experience give this place a try. You won't regret it. Boun Apptito!

Food was delicious! I've been here two times with my kids and we enjoyed both experiences. We got the kids steak taco with rice, chicken taco with chips, carnitas tacos, camarones tacos, and carnitas salad. Service has been great, staff has been kind and friendly. Few critiques: - The first time the carnitas was great and the second time the carnitas was really dry. - I wish they offered complimentary chips and salsa and allowed mix and match with the tacos. - We sat outside in the patio area both times, the ambiance is nice but our table was extremely wobbly, the water glasses kept spilling when the table moved. - The water was also warm, wondering why there wasn't some ice in it? Overall I would recommend this place and would come back!

I know Carlsbad is sixty miles from the border. But that's still way too close to Mexico for nonsense. This is Mexican food for Canadians who are visiting Utah. Putting aside lack of spice for a moment, the lack of flavor in the tacos will have you wondering if you've contracted covid again. The fish taco is a 70s era yellow box frozen fish stick in an inexplicable tortilla, with pickled cabbage. Just no. This place is the result of someone whispering "picanté" into an open jar of mayonnaise. Like if a Norwegian got a poorly illustrated postcard from Tijuana and was moved to open an eatery. Bland and inauthentic is what I'm trying to say. Drinks are decent. Service is ok, but I can go without a staff congregation in the bar area discussing last night's shenanigans. It's a no for me.

We tried Jalisco Cantina today. It is a huge upgrade over Barrel Republic. The staff were friendly and very hard working. We ordered the guacamole, salsas, and chips and the carne asada tacos. Everything was very delicious. Best chips and salsa in Carlsbad.