Sandbar Cocina y Tequila

Sandbar Cocina y Tequila sits right off the Huntington Beach strip, and for a spot with that kind of real estate, the quality-to-price ratio is almost shocking—in the best possible way. We stopped in for lunch and kept it simple with a spread of appetizers: ribeye street tacos, those fantastic potato-stuffed bites (the papas rellenas—it finally came back to me), and a Caesar salad. Everything arrived fresh, fast, and beautifully plated. The ribeye tacos were tender, well-seasoned, and carried that perfect balance of char and citrus you want in a street taco. The papas rellenas hit like comfort food with a little flair—crispy outside, soft and savory inside, and perfect for sharing. The Caesar salad was probably the most ambitious item on the table: complex, layered, tangy, garlicky, and clearly built by someone who enjoys rethinking classics. For our personal taste, it might have been one or two twists too many, but there’s no denying it was elegant and skillfully done. What really sealed the whole experience, though, was the service. Friendly, upbeat, and just attentive enough without hovering—exactly what you want in a beachside lunch. And the bill? Right around $50 for quality food, generous portions, and a prime location. For Huntington Beach, that’s practically a steal. If you’re looking for a relaxed lunch with higher-end execution and a vacation vibe, Sandbar Cocina y Tequila is absolutely worth the stop.

Updated—service was very poor, cold, unfriendly, and uncaring the last couple times. Being ignored, not bringing chips (and this last time, server claimed it was due to them making a fresh batch)—chips were ALL broken up, cold, kinda stale—for sure NOT freshly made, bean dip was like an afterthought (whereas the first time it was amazing).😕 Guacamole was quite salty last couple times. 😕 Birria taco, which was delicious first time I got it, was terrible this time and very salty. The Frozen Strawberry Margarita was pricey and way too sweet without much alcohol at all—not worth $14. *First Visit—Sat at the Window Bar facing Main. Was extremely loud inside—Server was late in arriving and stood outside facing me (keep in mind I was sitting inside with the main bar and TV Screens—Football on) spoke so soft I couldn’t hear! I ordered the Jalisco Shrimp Quesadilla and they brought chips with salsa and an amazing, tasty bean dip. Food arrived fairly quick and was fresh. Guacamole is amazing. Street parking (meters or parking garage). Place is definitely hopping. Outside patio in front and in back. Bathroom could use a bit of help. Service (hosts/servers) could be a bit more warm, welcoming, and attentive.

This nice restaurant exceeded well above our expectations! The food was authentic, the service top notch and of atmosphere was nicely created with a seating area inside & out with decor that paired perfectly with the ambience. Very close to the beach & pier. Chips & salsa were served with beans & salsa that was fresh & flavorful. The birriera tacos with consume were flavorful & seasoned really good with the meat & the crunch on the tortilla was perfect. Fresh ingredients were used in all the meals served. The bar was really nice and plenty of TVs to view Monday night football. Will definitely return when coming back from Idaho, as the visit here was of great experience. Dessert was served with a freebie for a birthday was well with a tasty coconut ice cream. Two thumbs & five stars for Sandbar. Well done !!!

My quesabirria quesadilla was DELICIOUS, our servers were super sweet and helpful, and we loved the atmosphere both inside the restaurant and outside in the patio seating area. Mom said she had possibly “The Best shredded beef tacos” she has ever had. We will definitely be back next time we are in California.

It was game day today, and the crowd at Sandbar Cocina y Tequila was taking in all the games with their big screen tvs. We got there as they were serving their Brunch/Lunch menu which had a great selection of items. Service was outstanding and food was really delicious.

I came here for date night last night with reservations for 6:15pm. We were 10 minutes early but the hostess said "our table wasn't ready yet." OK....annoyed, Strike 1. Then we weren't seated until 6:40pm, and sat a high-top with extremely uncomfortable chairs, when I requested to sit in 'standard seating'. Then we waited, and waited FOREVER for our server & when we were finally greeted, we ordered fish tacos & shrimp tacos for me...and 2 margs. Now...for $20 a margarita, I'm expecting something special and delicious. On a scale from 1-5, its a 1 at best bc its served in a baby rock glass and it's all ice and about 2 sips, Strike 2. Placed our order at 6:45pm and food didn't come out until 7:20pm!! Unacceptable! I told our waiter to bring us our check when he brought our food bc we had to gulp our food down bc we only had 20 minutes on our parking meter left. Now I'm getting mad & angry. The tacos weren't appealing and looked like the 1.00 tacos from Jack in the box. Yes, seriously. And the worse part was the "ambience" that they are known for...Please! It felt like one of those annoying clubs with extremely loud music, all the tvs blaring, and completely impossible to talk to my date without screaming at him. Strike 3! You're out Sandbar. We both hated our experience and I wouldn't recommend this place. Save yourself time, energy & about $80 and go to Miguel Jr's instead. Better food, better service, no loud club music blasting your ears off & cheap & cheerful , plus no wait!! You're welcome people. Signed a disappointed customer.

Omg I stumbled across this place on my walk and I’m SO glad I did. The food was insanely good — everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and just perfect. On top of that, the service was amazing. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and my food came out super quick which made the whole experience even better. Such a hidden gem energy. My goshhhh I’ll definitely be back 🤍✨

The food and the vibe were great. The bartender was really nice and we celebrated my lady’s birthday there. It was perfect.

Matt, our server was hospitable and friendly. Our food came in very quickly and it was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was clean and warm.we ate outside. I can't wait to come back!

LAUREN IS THE BEST!!!!! Will be asking for her every time. Recs: Spicy mango margarita 10/10 Fish tacos 10/10

By far...best crispy shrimp tacos I have ever had! There was a perfect amount of all ingredients which included grilled shrimp, queso fundido, spicy aioli, roasted poblano, chile serrano and scallions...bam! They were beyond flavorful. The tacos get all 4 stars! My friend had the ribeye tacos and he gave them a full thumbs up! Beer was nice and cold! Service wasn't too bad, it was ok. We sat at the bar on the 4th of July. Ambiance was a bit nutty...staff all over the place but yet not packed with customers. I'll be back for those shrimp tacos!

I recently visited Sandbar, and I had such an awful experience. The biggest issue? The pricing! What's listed on the menu or website is NOT what you'll end up paying. When I pointed this out, I was met with nothing but attitude. The manager was incredibly rude and unhelpful. Instead of addressing my concerns or even attempting to explain the price discrepancy, they just brushed me off with a condescending tone. It felt like they couldn't care less about customer satisfaction. I can understand that prices can fluctuate, but there should be some transparency and consistency. It's frustrating to feel like you're being ripped off, especially when the staff doesn't seem to care. I will definitely not be returning to Sandbar and I DONT RECOMMEND THAT YOU VISIT THIS PLACE. Save your money, sanity and double check your receipts!

Total vibe sitting outside and a beautiful day. Food is above average but not amazing. Good though, good enough to return. Maybe a little pricey but for location I expected that. Our server did her best. She was so busy. Took awhile for our table to be cleaned up. Lots of hosts standing around chatting.

I really enjoyed the ambiance of this place. Went here for drinks and everything was really great. The food looked amazing, bummed out I didn't try the food. Definitely looking forward to trying the food. The pricing is really cheap and reasonable.

I have had a lot of tacos and enchiladas in my day. It's my "goto" 1st meal at any new Mexican restaurant. This place knocked it out of the park! I had a carnitas taco. It was Big, probably 6 inches. It was loaded with meat, lettuce and lots of cheese! The enchilada was on the medium spice mess but still really big. I like when the items are big and the rice and beans are small. Chips and salsa and the bean/cheese dip were perfect! Drinks were tall and full flavored. And now for the weird stuff....bathroom was clean and I loved the wallpaper! There were too many dirty tables and bar was inundated with dirty glasses. I'm glad people came first but it was a little understaffed. I will be coming back for sure!

Came here on a weekend and there was definitely a wait, but it went by fast since there are so many shops and things to do in the area! It was more than worth it because the food was delicious and service was great. You get free chips and dip to eat while you are waiting. The portions are generous I had to take the rest of mine to go. The inside is so perfect it's opened up into the street and it makes for the cutest seating. There is also a beautiful bar in the middle to sit at if that is more your vibe. Love this place for a date night or somewhere to dress up and go out to. Will definitely be back!

Met Grant tonight and he killeddd the service. Had a pretty large party and he totally answered all our questions and helped us out. One of the best bars in HB, highly recommend stopping in for food or later for drinks.

Made reservations here Friday afternoon for Saturday at 12:30 Our party of 8 was quickly seated Dogs are welcomed Service is a bit slow but that's to be expected on a brunchie weekend. With that being said brunch menu ended at 12:50PM Staff was friendly and made sure we were okay all throughout. Volume inside wasn't too bad, screens surrounding the area with all the games playing was also nice for sports followers. Free chips, salsa and spiced queso were 10/10 their salsa was amazingggg I got the Birria crusty queso tacos - 10/10 So flavorful and juicy Passion fruit Paloma was also 10/10

Save room after they bring the chips, salsa and bean dip because the entrees are delicious! The El Supreme Bowls are so good - all the best things put into a bowl! Drinks are strong and delicious! The hostess and server were both super friendly and provided great service. At about 9pm the lights dimmed and the music turned up so be prepared for that-fun atmosphere if that's what you're looking for...otherwise maybe plan an earlier visit

The food was delicious but customer service could be better other than that I'd recommend it but be prepared to wait to be served

Cute ambiance, good food and yummy drinks. Chips and salsa with their golden dip (queso and beans), birria tacos, shrimp taquitos and chorizo breakfast scramble was all good. Passion fruit paloma and mango margaritas were so tasty. Will def be back!

As a local I really appreciate Matt and Maris attention to detail and their great attention to detail. It's all about the relationship you build they are the best!

Came here late afternoon for a quick drink and some food with my boyfriend and was pleasantly surprised with the service , food and drinks. When I've come here it's been late at night just to get drinks and go dancing ! We actually arrive during happy hour and bought tequila shots for 4 dollars each! The server was friendly and we received our food rather quickly. The burrito we ordered was with vegan meat and extremely delicious! The margarita was very well presented. It was a little too sweet for my liking but I did order a jolly rancher margarita so I can not complain ! Over all it was a great experience and will be stopping in for the late night dancing and drinks!

Very busy day in HB and the staff killed it for the quick wait time to a clean table. The hiatus and waitress were in point . The chips came out quick drinks flowed and the food was perfect. Not only is the Mexican food here off the chart but their cheeseburger is the best in all of HB!!! Well done folks I'll be back!!!

Love the style of this restaurant! Very Tulum vibes!! Came here randomly on a weekday and it was empty!! Was able to get a table right away. Food was amazing!! Portions are solid! Love the chips they provided as well!! The cocktails no bueno tho, don't recommend.

Food and service was pretty quick because we came on a Monday. Drinks were ok. We didn't finish it because we didn't really enjoy them as much. My fiancé drink didn't even have a dent and I tried to finish half of mine. Food was good! We took it home. As well as the house chips and salsa. Ambiance inside is nice and dimly lit. Intimate spot before the bar environment starts. Then it's gets loud. It started to get loud right before we left. Around 830 ish PSA: all street parking unless you park in a structure. And before make sure to read curbs and not just signs. We parked and saw the signs was no parking Tuesday. Came back with a ticket because the curb said 24 mins which we did not see.

Fun place on Main St! The Pineapple Serrano Cilantro Marg was delicious. Had a nice kick of spice. The complimentary chips and salsa & beans are pretty good, too. The service was prompt, our server was named Ocean, she was friendly. Ample seating. The ambiance is fun. I was here for a work happy hour, but I bet it would fun with a group of friends. Would definitely visit again.

What can I say about this place was an unexpected amazing experience, the bartenders were all very kind and tour guided us through the menu. The place was very clean and service was outstanding. Will definitely be coming back and telling my family friends about this spot. Also, the food was absolutely delicious and drinks were on point!

Food and ambiance was good, but these 3 hostesses and their snobby attitudes ruined it. Last time I checked hostesses were supposed to be kind and welcoming .. not give dirty looks and make rude remarks with a nasty attitude to new customers , guess that's not the case here. I don't recommend this rude establishment. Based off the reviews it seems like others have experienced this as well. I'm suprised they allow these types of people to work here... Go to other better restaurants with better staff, NEXT!! (I'll be posting a video of my experience with this restraunt on all social media platforms to raise awareness for thousands of others to see and NOT go here)

Wow! what a gem in Huntington Beach! Had a delicious breakfast here and bottomless MIMOSASSSSS!! Our server was great, the food was on point and the PRICES were AMAZINGGG! we have a favorite spot here! the decor was so cozy and modern with a bit of spanish charm! you can tell this place is a favorite amongst the locals. i was impressed by their restrooms. they had fancy napkins engraved with their logo. lol oh so soft! the staff really maintains the cleanliness of their establishment. and get this!!! at night this place is POPPING! it becomes a bar/lounge which was a totally surprise and the drinks are reasonably priced! over all this place is a HIT! Cant wait to be back fro some delicious food!

I went here on a date during the summer. The ambiance was nice. The restaurant was beautiful. It was quite busy the night we went. The wait was around 20 minutes which was reasonable for a Friday night. We sat on the patio, and it was heated well. I ordered the asada, and ordered it medium well, but it was cooked medium rare. It was too bloody for me, but I didn't make a fuss because I didn't want to be difficult. I only ate part of the asada, and ate the sides which were pretty good. If the steak would've been cooked to my specifications, I would've given the restaurant a higher rating. The drinks were ok. Nothing spectacular. Unfortunately, I left here still hungry. To try to get to the restroom on a busy night was a challenge! There were people standing all around on the "dance floor" and it made it difficult to get to and fro in a timely fashion. As for the service, it was forgettable. Nothing stood out. My experience was mediocre. I had high hopes for this restaurant. Maybe it was just a bad night.

Stopped in for a cocktail while in HB for the Airshow. We took a seat at the bar. The bartender was welcoming and cool. This place was open and airy. Super cute and a total vibe. We just got 1 drink each and were on our way... we all enjoyed what we got. I really liked my strawberry daiquiri. They also serve complementary chips, salsa and a bean dip. It was all good. Curious how their main meals are. I have a strong feeling that we will be back!

Food was Excellent...Great Ambience. Highly recommend..come hungry. My new go to on aSunday morning.

Super chill spot to grab a drink and watch a football game. Bartender was super cool and the staff were very attentive. The food was also very good and drinks weren't watered down. I had some tacos and they were very yummy. Also the restaurant is very clean and well maintained. I live super far from this place but wouldn't mind coming down here for a staycation and coming here again to eat.

Came here for happy hour & it was so nice & sunny out. It's part of the large strip of shops, restaurants, bars along the beach. We sat outdoors at one of the hightop booths near the heater. Id say the prices were a really good deal for both the drinks & the food! Loved the queso, the wings & the guac. Also cant go wrong w/ one of their margs! Would definitely come here with a group again :)

This is such a top tier spot to visit with friends! It's a guaranteed good time with yummy Mexican bites and drinks. A huge plus is that it's walking distance to the beach. What more could you ask for? The ambiance is amazing! Very lively and bustling. It's immaculate summer vibes as soon as you step through the door. There's tropical decor everywhere and huge screens for anyone who wants to catch the game! Service is super quick! They really make sure that you're accounted for and taken care of. Huge bonus for the complimentary chips and dips! Their queso is to die for. As far as food and drinks go, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu! I've never had a bad item.

They have happy hour until 6:30pm with food and drink specials. Significantly you can upgrade your beer or margarita to a large size for just a dollar more. Their margaritas are excellent! The Birria Taco was great. The Beef Taquitos were average. The Habanero wings were good. They were headed and not spicy. My wife liked them. This time my wife didn't care for the Quesadilla De Parilla with Chimichurri Ribeye. Mainly because it uses a cheap cheese.

Sandbar took over Dos Toros and I didn't even notice it even if I went to Longboards next door, well thanks YELP for pointing it out to me. I was at the US Open of surfing n decided that was the day to try this new restaurant. My husband almost wanted to leave because they had no happy hour I guess we were spoiled w all the 1/2 priced apps n $7 margaritas but I was glad we stayed their margaritas just knocked my socks off! It was as good as in Mexico n at $11.25 was really not that bad. We had the combo chili relleno n enchilada and el supreme bowl w rib eye n chimichuri $20.75 you can see in my picture I just posted, the salsa guacamole was so good, omg this was an out of body experience, the rib eye was marinated to perfection and the chimi was more flavorful than what I had in Buenos Aires. You'd think you are in a big hacienda in Mexico the decorations were so beautiful, the inside of the restaurant was full of cozy booths, the bar was vibing n exciting like in CHEERS. We sat on the patio it was like my living room but I don't have these beautiful pillows. When I finished my dinner I didn't want to leave I lingered n just absorbed the vibes, I'll come back! HB Main Street has so many Mexican restaurants but this one just stood out n as someone who travel to all the Mexican resorts 3x a year I can tell you this is muy bueno! Olé olé.

We had 3 different margaritas all extremely good. The chips & salsa were fresh and really good. The server was attentive, multiple people came to check on us. All The tacos we ordered were really good. The Birria tacos were my favorite. We would defiantly go back.

We stopped by for dessert after having dinner elsewhere tonight. We enjoyed their fried ice cream, their yummy flan and of course I had to try their delicious Horchata Pina Colada. Theo service was fast & waitresses all friendly. The ambiance was a little loud but that's because all TV's were on to various football games, which is enjoyable. It was a perfect way to end the night.

Terrible service. I didn't even bother ordering. Music was great. Nice environment. It's just too bad the customer service sucks especially with all of the great options in the vicinity. I'm taking my business elsewhere.

Tex Mex on the beach. Crisp tortilla chips with fresh salsa and bean dip. Husband and I split the tostada salad (delicious dressing with hint of lime) and chili renello. Exterior was lightly fried with a juicy green chili and cheese inside. Delicious. The interior of the restaurant is large and has a nice, roomy bar. We didn't drink but the margaritas looked amazing and will have one next time! Service was prompt and friendly.

If I could put a 0 review, I would. The door guy was yelling at me as I walking over about the cover and I asked him what he was saying because I didn't hear him and he said to me "wtf did you not hear what I said". I said "I didn't hear you." He goes "well I told you there's no cover". I said "well I was going to come in but I'm not anymore." I walked away and he goes "you fucking bitch". I said back "I didn't hear you. If you are having a bad day, don't put it out on me". Never going back there again.

What a phenomenal idea, to combine 2 of my favorite meals....birria tacos with consommé and eggs Benedict. They also had inexpensive mimosas for brunch. What's brunch without a mimosa? Not a real brunch, IMO.

We only went to get drinks didn't get to try the food but overall the ambiance was phenomenal! If you want strong & delicious mixed drinks this is your place. They transform into a bar at 10pm which is cool bc there is a live music was a hit! Service was kind of a miss only bc it can get crowded and bartenders are bombarded . Will be coming back to try their foods

We really enjoyed the Sandbar. Their food, ambience and staff/service are really good. We (8 ppl) had so much fun...that when I left that night, I forgot my coat. When I came back the next morning when they opened up...the manager (tall/dark hair, handsome man) had it and gave it back to me. I am so grateful! We will be back here!l! Thank you.

Really good tacos and tasty menu items you don't necessarily find at other Mexican restaurants.... Like the rib eye enchiladas that have rib eye served over super-cheesy enchiladas. Bites of steak by itself are delicious - mine was medium rare. Bites of steak with the enchilada added a whole 'nother level of deliciousness. The service was good, as was the open air ambiance of the restaurant, inside and out. The only complaint I'd have is that I have a bad back and most of their seating are on bar stools unless you make a reservation for a booth. Mario's has always been my go-to place in Huntington, but this place is on a different level. They are different - I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but I will crave this place as often as I do Mario's.

So, I've been here twice. The first time I had drinks with food and I thought it was good. Not great but good. I know I had tacos but it wasn't too memorable. Came back again sober and only had dinner. I got the Blackened Mahi Mahi Bowl. It came and looked amazing. I took a bite and realized it wasn't fish. It was very bland chicken. I mean BLAND. I would've been ok with it if it were good. I honestly couldn't taste any seasoning on the chicken. I was hopeful with the guac and sauce but those were also blah. We were with a group of 6 and I was the last one to get my food. By the time I got the wrong bowl, my friends were nearly done. I told the waitress and I could've sworn she said she'd replace it. I waited nearly 10 minutes and nothing. I ate the beans and that's about it. I'm sure a bowl from Baja Fresh or Wahoo's would've been better. Needless to say, the service was not up to par. Ambiance- super crowded and loud. You need to yell to have a conversation in there. Probably never going back.

Every other Mexican cocina is probably better than Sandbar. I came for a friends birthday (reservation & all) and the hosts were so unorganized. SHOUTOUT TO OCEAN. She was the best waitress and probably made up for everything. The vibe is so off though Mexican urban kitchen with electric and reggae music. (Matches the ambiance of HB but not the decor and literally style of restaurant) Food is pretty mediocre. San how tacos next door is way better than here. Great place to go and just have drinks though.

Cheyenne was an excellent serve and gave us a really good rec for our dinner! She recommended a crushed watermelon skinny margarita with a tajin rim. It was so good and a great price.

What trip to Huntington beach would be complete without stopping at the sandbar. Great food, cold drinks and amazing service. My fiance got to celebrate his promotion with help from matt at the bar and he did not disappoint. Will always stop in for a drink and an app. Great atmosphere, great managers, and great servers. Couldn't be happier with an experience.

We were walking on Main Street on a Saturday afternoon and decided to have a late lunch here, lured by the cool ambiance and vibe. We didn't have reservations (not sure if they take any) and were seated right away. It took a while for our server to come by, but once we placed the drink order, that came out quickly. We tried the pepino Diablo margarita, which was great, cucumber was muddled and fresh with the right amount of spice. The skinny margarita was also delicious (didn't have that artificial flavor), great option for a lighter drink (calorie wise, the alcohol was a perfect amount). For appetizers we tried the ceviche blanco, generous portion, it had cut lettuce in it (interesting), came with plantain chips (not crispy) and was a bit salty. As a main course we tried the carnitas burrito, delicious, flavorful and could be shared. Also had the shrimp fajita salad, with one of the best vinaigrettes I've ever tried, also generous portion. As we were wrapping up we noticed the place had gotten really busy, and that didn't change the laid back feel or attentive service, it seemed folks were enjoying good drinks, food and conversations. So glad we decided to stop by. Will definitely return when back in the area.

Went to early lunch on Saturday and sat outside on a beautiful day- Cheyenne was our server- what a great experience we had - Me(Ronnie Ray) and my wife (Grace) enjoyed every part of our lunch - Cheyenne was so friendly and on the top of her game - definitely would dine there again

I stopped by Monday afternoon with my family for a drink and a snack. We sat inside at one of their booths inside but I loved that it was a completely open window behind us. It was so spacious and airy throughout the entire restaurant. I order the spicy mango margarita which was super tasty, my husband ordered an ipa on tap. The chips , salsa and been dip were very good. We orders the crispy birria tacos and an order of the mango shrimp tacos. I personally really enjoyed the mango shrimp over the birria but my husband loved both. We would definitely be back to try more things here. Such a cute place.

Took my family for dinner on a Wednesday afternoon and luckily it was happy hour. Let's just say my family loved it here and will be back when my parents are in town. I wish I remembered our server's name - great service. Beautiful restaurant right next to the beach. Food was delicious and I enjoyed my birria quesadilla. My dad loved the shrimp and steak fajitas. Can't wait to be back.

We loved our dinner at the Sandbar! They offer a diverse menu with vegetarian and neat options, with standard Mexican type dishes and some unique as well. This is by far the best Mexican food we've had while in SoCal this visit. The Birria Quesadillas were a favorite as well as the chili relleno and cocktails. Interior is a fun atmosphere with beat music and lots of sports screens to entertain. Service was attentive and friendly.

Came in a few days ago after recently moving nearby thought I'd try this place out. Our server Rylie was on point with every suggestion, the espresso martini she suggested has taken my top spot for favorite espresso martini. They give you chips with salsa and bean dip, the bean dip was so good I'd want that on everything I eat here from now on, and I was using it quick but Rylie was even quicker with the refills since I said to keep them coming(they seemed busy so I was surprised). The birria tacos and taquitos were on point. We were too full for dessert, but the drink tasted like one. Will definitely be back for the great service and great food/drinks!

Probably more of a 3 1/2. Food was very good. Had the ribeye street tacos and they were awesome. Food is a 4 1/2 star. Service is a 1. Had to wait 20 minutes after being told table was ready. Our table sat there dirty as they tried to find a busser to clean the table. Literally 20 minutes to have a table bussed. After that had to order drinks twice finally came out right before the meal. Never received our appetizers.