Las Olas

Unfortunately, this place significantly Mrs. the Mark when it comes to Mexican/Tex-Mex food. I will say that the spicy bean dip is pretty tasty. It is not spicy at all, but melted cheese mixed with refried beans is going to be good. I also enjoy their chips and salsa. The chips taste freshly made, and the salsa is a little spicy. Now for the bad parts. Do not order chicken here at any cost. It is so dry and impossible to eat. The burritos here are also tasteless. There’s absolutely no flavor and then they smother it in sour cream and their green sauce, which are also lacking a lot of flavor as well. It was tough getting that burrito down. Additionally, staff are not helpful. We asked multiple times for hot sauce, and the staff told us they would get it, but it never came throughout our entire meal. The venue itself is very crowded and extremely noisy. Overall, this is a place I would avoid, especially if you are looking for good Mexican food. There are many other options that provide several magnitudes better service and food.

A good way to end an evening with a very laid back chill vibe . Restaurant is located right off the highway on the beach . Food is top notch Mexican classics with amazing fish tacos and ice cold beers . Not heavy or oily at all with the perfect crisp and crunch . Yum Staff is great : the guys do a super job to accommodate all needs and are fast ! Parking lot is large and free which was a nice plus considering how pricey San Diego parking can be . It does get loud as the evening progresses and may be hard to carry on a conversation towards the end of the meal for us , but the great food made this an after thought . Make sure you walk across to the beach for an amazing sunset and chill vibe A great place and looking forward to come back

Very tasty food, not too salty, just right. The food came fairly quick and was hot. There was lots of flavor to the whole beans and my Chile relleno burrito to which I added shrimp for extra money. The staff was very friendly and took our orders promptly. I look forward to coming back here again.

Stopped in and had a great lunch here. Great menu that does not overwhelm with many vegetarian options available. Will definitely stop in again the next time we hit the beach. Both bartenders were patient and attentive.

I absolutely love this place! Great staff! Everyone is ridiculously friendly and accommodating. I was in there today enjoying the lunch special. There was a customer who just couldn't handle the light music that was playing in the background or something stupid and was being extra rude and the staff was so pleasant to him thanking him for coming in still. They are so nice even when A-holes are being ridiculous to them. The food is so good consistently and the prices are pre COVID good still. I mean the lunch special is still $10.50! Sometimes you have to park in the dirt lot, but it's totally worth it. Insider tip: ask for the hot salsa with your chips and just add a little bit to the regular salsa to give it a kick. Super bomb! Great atmosphere and you get your food lightning fast so you can get back to work. One million stars 🤩

What a great spot. It was busy when we got there around 6:45pm on Sunday but it's a roomy restaurant so we had plenty of space to be seated when we just walked in. Super friendly staff. Great chile-pina margaritas, good size portions. Highly recommend 👌🏼

Love the atmosphere and the service is great! Our dishes were delicious! Would recommend it 🌟

We stopped by for some drinks and nachos, and it was an awesome experience! The place has a great vibe and the food was absolutely delicious. The margaritas are legendary, and the nachos were to die for. We’re definitely adding this place to our list of must-visits when we come back!

A popular Mexican restaurant. Has a Baja vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. The service was very good. Our waiter was excellent; very friendly and great at managing his tables. The food was good. The fish taco was good. The fish was crispy and soft on the inside. Personally I think the tortilla needed to be 2 because of the cabbage but it was good. The chile relleno was delicious (#14 Cardiff by the Sea Combo). Parking is available but it's popular at had to park in the spare lot which is a dirt. But didn't have a problem parking.

My girlfriend and I stopped by Las Olas in Cardiff for a late lunch and had such a great experience, thanks in large part to our amazing server, Liz! Hostess was also great too. Even though we didn't order much & took our time catching up (we hadn't seen each other in a while), Liz was incredibly kind, patient, and upbeat the entire time. We ordered fish tacos (delicious as always), and she kept our sodas refilled without us even having to ask. Her friendly and welcoming attitude made us feel so comfortable and taken care of. It's clear she really cares about her customers. Thanks, Liz, for making our lunch feel special, we'll definitely be back!

Be prepared to wait at least twenty minutes on a Saturday night! The ambiance is pretty lively and the service was still great despite all the filled tables. The chips and guac were so yummy because they came out warm. I ordered the sour cream chicken enchiladas combo that came with rice and refried beans. The portions were great, but I felt like the chicken was really dry. While there was nothing else particularly wrong with my order, I feel like I've had better quality enchiladas elsewhere.

Moy Bien It was delicious, great price and location The fish tacos. Chips and Margarita were excellent.

Loved this restaurant right across from the beach. Great margaritas and guac dip. Friendly service and a laid back vibe. Don't let the exterior fool you. This place is amazing and fun.

My all time favorite Mexican food restaurant! Margaritas, so good! And, the bean dip, yummmm! Everything I've tasted has been good!! Happy hour seems too good to be true, but it really is that amazing! Everyone working is always awesome! Right across hwy 1 from the ocean!

You cannot be at this lunch spot located right on PCH. Locals and tourists were enjoying the lunch specials with great prices and food. The fish taco was super crispy and the beans tasted of pork lard and were sooo goood. Not oversalted...which is often a complaint if mine at Mexican restaurants. Great service and clean bathroom as well.

We had such a great meal during happy hour the other night. Our waitress was so sweet and our food was great! Also, the happy hour prices were wonderful so it was an affordable meal for my husband and I. We will definitely be back soon!

Los Olas 3.0 I have been to Los Olas multiple times. In the past we have enjoyed their lunches and dinners. We were unlucky last week with very slow service and not the food quality that I have enjoyed in the past. We were seated for over 10 minutes before we were noticed by the hostess who said our waitress would be with us shortly. She did take our drink order and provide chips and salsa for the table. It was another 10 minutes before our waitress came to take our order. We ordered the tacos; and we were surprised that they were mostly filled with cheese and very little chicken. Clearly not to the quality of our previous experiences. We also had a lot of difficulty finding our waitress to pay the bill. If you don't need to be next to the beach, you might try Fidel's or Tony's Jackal.

Good ol' fashioned Mexican food in a beach like setting. (Ok so you are arias from the beach). For this area, the prices are good but if you are visiting from Milwaukee, it is expensive. The food is excellent and appropriate proportions. It's very tasty and the bar is excellent. This is not the Ritz but a local favorite. Eat enjoy and pit your toes on the sand across the street.

What a great little spot!! We were wanting good local tacos and Las Olas did not disappoint! Great staff, view and even better tacos! Will be back!!!!

Great spot for a quick lunch. Got there with only one couple ordering in front of us. Ordering was fast, efficient and easy. Lots of seating and a really great salsa bar. We sat down and had our food within 10 minutes. Great for a weekday work lunch. Ordered a spicy margarita which was very delicious. Great flavor and a great kick. The fish tacos were OK, the flautas were very good. Loved the different salsas you can try. The view is pretty nice of both the lagoon and the ocean. If you sit on the patio, you get a great ocean breeze. Fun little spot for lunch and drinks!

Had been wanting to try this place forever! A dear friend took me and I'm so glad she did! I mean, who has a chile rellano with shrimp inside? Delicious! Food was excellent, service was great. A bunch of nice to look at surfer guys work here ;-) salsa, and chips were addicting! And you can choose to walk Cardiff Beach before or after your meal. What else can you ask for? Can't wait to go back.

Hadn't been to Las Olas in years, it kind of went downhill during C19, had lunch there today it was so great, food was amazing and they've cleaned it up without losing its old school beach charm. My 11 year old says it's his new favorite Mexican in San Diego

Las olas...where did you go wrong??? Oh that's right! Covid. If this is your first time and it's after 2023, you'll enjoy it as there is nothing to compare it to. You order at the counter and find a seat. Drinks are pre-mixed and service is fast. Super casual ambiance 5 stars! Now if you've been here before covid...this is where the star deduction happens. Back then it was a sit down restaurant with strong margaritas, great service, great food and delicious food. Overall, it's still good but I do miss the old las ols

Came here recently (second time in a couple months, which I'm not complaining about) for what we called a "senior dinner" at around 5-5:30 on a Saturday. Because we were at the onset of the dinner rush, we were immediately seated on the front patio which was nice with the heaters. Our server was friendly, attentive, and patient since we got margaritas and chips before ordering our entrees. I was very happy to hear that lobster was available (it was sold out last time), and my tacos plus marg hit the spot. I will say that $40 for a half lobster was steep but I gave into my craving.

We came here on a Saturday evening at 6 pm. The wait was 45 minutes for a table for four. The hostesses encouraged us to grab a drink at the bar, which was packed. Luckily, you can drink outside as you wait for your table. Our waiter was great and the food was really good. The margaritas were divine. The parking is a bit of a nightmare. They have a VERY small paved parking lot with only a handful of spaces, and then a dirt lot where people park however they want to. We had to circle for 15 minutes before getting a spot in the dirt lot. I saw some reviews that this is a tourist trap, and I can definitely see that. It's right across the street from the beach and gives off touristy vibes.

These are the best fish tacos in San Diego! They have the most incredible chips and salsa as well. The only reason for four stars is the weight is normally very long. The service is always great I do wish they had more vegetarian options but it's definitely a go to place when we're at the beach!

What an awesome spot in a great location! Fish tacos were really tasty and so was the margarita I ordered. Went on a Saturday during lunch and it was busy but we were able to get seated right away. There is an asphalt parking lot but also a dirt lot next to it for overflow parking, which was filling up. I really liked this spot and definitely will be back to try more items on the menu!

Solid burritos to go. Chili relleno with shrimp was good. Our guests liked theCarne Asada, Carnitas and the chicken chimichangas. Hot sauce Was good. Food was ready as promised on time.

Great service (we had 2 babies they were very accommodating to), great atmosphere, and yummy food!

A longstanding traditional Mexican restaurant right next to the beach. One of our friends has been coming here for years and wanted to visit. Plentiful parking and a walk light to go across the road to the beach.

I hadn't been here for years. Used to go several times a year--since the 80s! Tonight I got fast, friendly service. The chips and salsa were delicious. I think 2.50 for good chips and salsa is very fair. I had a bean and cheese burrito served dry, without sauce and cheese on top. It was very good. I chose to use salsa on it instead of the sauce that came on the side, but that sauce was okay too. Just not my thing. I have no idea how the other items they serve now are--but the b&c burrito was A-ok! All in all, perfect. And there was a lagoon with ducks outside my window.

No more "free" chips (they must be saving some serious $$ by doing that) . The outside seating is gone as well, along with the beachy vibe. Now it's a full service establishment but the service part is just ok. I'd prefer the old system where you order up front and they just bring your order to the table. The salsa station has been removed and when asked to bring salsa it took them long enough that I had almost finished my dish. So in short they are cutting costs at the expense of customer's experience. Disappointed.

Ive lived in the area for over 10 years but never made it here despite the fact that it was an institution. Finally made it there yesterday. I didn't except to order in line so it really is a taco shop with seating. Not a restaurant. Prices were quite reasonable. The cashier was not rude but she was quite cold and unkind despite our efforts to be nice/smile etc. you need someone with a smile to greet masses.. We had to pay for chips. What?! And the salsa was a little picante and had canned tomatoes in there. I hate that. But the chips were hot which i love. We ordered a cheese crisp to share thinking it would be small but it was humongous - and good. My enchiladas were sooo salty. We also ordered a fish taco plate which was huge but the fish was grilled and good (they had baja style option). It was quite dark inside and the guys who brought the food out all looked like they were high. I don't think ill be back! Oh and the lemonade tasted like a fish tank because it came from those dirty pipes.. I cant believe an institution like this doesnt even have agua frescas

Margaritas sucked and so did the service. Can't comment on food because we left before we ordered. Genuinely felt so disrespected by little blonde server possibly Johnny?? Anyways can't recommend at all

We have been coming here many times before, during and after Covid. Sadly it's not what it used to be as far service is concerned. Now you wait for a table to be seated. The server comes and takes your order and if you're lucky you'll get to see them once more before it's time to pay the check. Sadly they got rid of their salsa bar to make room for more seating. Less of an experience for customers and more money in their pockets. Their menu has also shrunk over time. The food is good but the service is slow. We still go here but not as often. Views of the beach and ocean are great to enjoy on warm days.

A OK All margs are premade and on tap ... yet still tasty Chips cost a small amount ($1/$2) Self serve salsa bar Good lunch specials Happy hour deals

We had someone recommend this place and when we drive by it's seems busy so we stopped and had lunch. I felt led astray. First, they charge for chips and salsa and the salsa doesn't taste fresh. Margaritas are from a machine not hand poured. The enchiladas were so salty I couldn't finish them. The only thing this place has going for it is the location. Won't be back.

Their food is so good. Such a hidden gym in this area, whether you're driving by or camping at the camp grounds this is a must stop. The services are great and are constantly making rounds to collect plates and help clean tables. And the prices are good, win win!

Service was slow; I prefer the self-service style they used to have. Prices seem higher and they charge for chips. Food was just ok. Probably won't be back, which is a bummer because we used to love it here!

The service and ambience was excellent. The food great. The Baja tacos were excellent. The three roll flautas were Crispy and had great flavor.

Las Olas was our family's favorite restaurant for over 20 years. Back in the day this restaurant was a casual, inexpensive restaurant that served good Mexican food in a fantastic location. Fast forward to 2023. Now people wait in line to order from an inferior menu. The strong drinks are now watery and overpriced. The ambiance of a fun restaurant is gone and most of the seating is outdoors on a parking lot. My favorite dish of years past was an appetizer called chilitos, a decadent sharable dish made from deep fried jalapeños smothered in cheese and served with chips and toppings. It was magical and when they took this off of the menu several years ago they would still make them on request which is what brought me back again and again. I am so sad that I can not enjoy Las Olas any more, but there is nothing left of the Las Olas that I loved. Just reading my review from 2013 puts tears in my eyes, what a loss.

We enjoyed delicious nachos and our wonderful waitress, Liz. She was so very pleasant and nice. She deserves a shout out for being such a great server

I LOVE Las Olas, I love the service the people were very nice and the chicken there is the best I ever tasted I think the place should have 5 stars. Ambiance is so cool, laid back restaurant right off the beach!

This place has been our go to restaurant every Friday since Covid back in 2020. We love the food and the margaritas are Fantastic!! However there have been a lot of changes recently and it's starting to get annoying. First off they took away the salsa bar which we loved! The onions with habanero peppers were the bomb and we would out those on every dish. The menu has also changed and a lot of the faves are no longer on there. (You can still order them however as a "secret" menu items). The new grilled chicken however is not the same as it used to be and it's not good. We like the change to table service as there were often long lines ordering at the door. Overall this is still a great place for food and drink, just please don't change so many things at once as it really. PLEASE bring back the salsa bar!!!

Great vibes, excellent fish tacos, amazing oceanside location with parking. Love the energy of this place, what a treat!

First visit to Las Olas. We have driven by so many times and we're always curious to try, but never took the time. We finally came on a suggestion from friends after a rugby match. The place was quite busy, but we were lucky to find seating right away. The furnishings were simple and yet comfortable and the vibe was friendly. The waitstaff was welcoming and courteous. We tried the Margarita flight and the servings were appropriate and with good flavors. Our favorite was the Chile and Pina. For our meal my wife tried the Chile relleno with Mexican rice and black beans. I had the shredded chicken taquitos with Mexican rice and refried beans. I was not please with the taquitos. It had a subtle sour taste as if the chicken was turning bad. I chose not to complain because we were having a good time and enjoying our company. In the future, I'll likely not make the same choice. Overall, the place was good with great views of the ocean and the calming effects of the beach. By the time we left there was a big line to come in. Be aware of the parking on the dirt; it can get quite muddy.

I have driven by Las Olas for many years, but did not stop there until yesterday for a late lunch with my wife. Our waitress Lily was friendly courteous and attentive. I had the Burrito Grande. It was surprisingly good, but otherwise the food was somewhat plain and Gould have more spice. Although it across the street, you can't really see the beach from here and parking is limited. But overall a good experience.

What happened? I think it was during Covid they switched to an "order at entry, seat yourself" system. I can guess it was to save $ on wait staff. This system totally takes away from the dining experience. Want another drink? Go up, wait in line, and order. Need napkins? Serve yourself by the soda fountain. Need silverware? Soda fountain. Salsa, hot sauce? Yep, go serve yourself. This is essentially a fancy Taco Bell at this point. Order up front, go and eat and don't even think about needing anything else. And don't plan for this to be a social destination ("hey, let's go get tacos and beer @ Las Olas!"). Just don't... you won't be happy.

I loved everything about this place .. from the friendly greeting to the al fresco dining patio .. birds all around and just a chill friendly vibe . The food was top notch and we had amazing service . Can't wait to bring the family :)

Genuinely felt shonked by this place, which I have always wanted to go to as I drive by but never got to stop. Cute inside. Came to meet friends the other night, I got a shrimp tostada and 2 margs (piña y chile + strawb), genuinely enjoyed it, but I found myself at home that night watching GoT and DREAMING of the carne asada nachos my friends ordered that night. So duh I went back on a date w my bf, we split the carne asada nachos and just absolutely devoured them. Something about the chipotle sauce smacked so insanely hard, tasted almost as good as my favorite taco spot in Nayarit. Definitely will be returning. This would be 5 stars except there was a hair cooked into a chip we found!!!!! Like not even on top of the food where getting a new plate would solve the issue but like omg when it's cooked into the chip that's something. And also there was a man working at the front once with a curious attitude with us but the rest of the staff were all great to interact with.

We've never been treated so poorly. We drove from the Bay Area and stopped here for dinner The young blonde hostess told us the bar was "first come first serve" so we grabbed 2 seats. Then they came over to tell us a woman was waiting before us for the seat so we needed to leave?? After we waited for seats to open up I sat down w my daughter. The bar was very busy so I turned around to ask the hostess behind me if we could get chips and salsa while we wait. She walks over to us and starts yelling at me in front of my daughter. I just listen and finally say I'm sorry that you feel this way. She says " I hope you are sorry and you should be." My daughter is now crying and runs to the bathroom to escape the situation. Shes 10 and we are out for valentines dinner. I'm sitting there shocked and wondering why she's aggressively attacking me. I've never dealt with anyone that was done this. She shouldn't be working with people let alone a hostess who must greet all types of people. I would never go back here and will pass this onto anyone that asks.

We were making our way back to orange county and decided we would have some very authentic Mexican food... This is really a beach community , local hang out . I believe I was told that they used to take orders at the table but now you order when you walk in and they bring the food to your table, that's OK.... Unfortunately, they keep the entire restaurant pretty much open , windows and doors. There's no warm place to sit. The patio is extra large, which is great in the summer months, but it was very cold on this day. . I couldn't seem to keep myself warm. We had the Chile renno burrito and chicken taquitos with fresh guacamole and chips. It definitely hit the spot . very dog friendly. It would probably be a fun place to come and have a margarita in the evening time if they had the heaters going. It is right across the street from the beach in Cardiff by the Sea . lots of parking.

Whenever we are in the area, we always make a point to go to Las Olas! Excellent, fresh, tasty food, great Margaritas too! Always crowded!

first time here and it'll be the last time. The service was horrible! Even though the food was decent, it still doesn't make up for the service given. my family and I waited for a very long time to be served. Of course they forgot about us as they were sitting other groups that came after. Then they forgot to give us utensils and napkins.. we also had to wait a while to get the staffs attention for that...For the first time, I felt as if they ignored us because my family & i were the only Hispanics there. This was my sister's birthday dinner and the staff ruined her birthday dinner.

I've never had a Chile relleno stuffed with anything other than cheese- but went with the shrimp chili relleno. Amazing- a favorite New Mexican food entree (and I grew up in San Diego). They use a delicious flavorful verde sauce for this relleno (red sauce for my daughter's traditional cheese relleno), light cheese and a lot of grilled shrimp. Got the cabbage slaw on the side, perfect accompaniment. Highly recommend. (Although not such a fan of the order at counter approach after so many years of sit down service at Las Olas. Such is life- great margarita but not so encouraging to sit and enjoy extra drinks).

We've been wanting to try this place for the longest time because it always looks like it's busy! We were welcomed at the front counter by a friendly women who directed us to order from the menu pictured above. It was easy to order and pay. It's a big place with open seating. We picked a nice table in the sun with a view of the ocean. The bench/cushion was unglued and my son slipped right off. The fish taco was one of the most disappointing that I've had here in California. The batter was not tasty, the fish was undercooked - not good at all. The tortilla soup was average at best and definitely not worth the price. Unfortunately, the best part of this was the chips and salsa.

Las Olas should be San Diego coastal institution. I have been going to this restaurant for over 20 years. The food is great. The location and ambiance cannot be beat. Staff and service is fantastic.