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My bride and I trekked to Oceanside so she could browse some Facebook Marketplace finds she bullseyed. Famished on our way back, we tucked into Carlos Cantina, a staple of Dana Point since its inception in 1972. The pulsing heartbeat of Carlos is the festive fire pit that blazes at the center of their patio. The pit is arrayed with volcanic rocks ablazed with gas fueled flame, creating for unbeatable ambiance on a cool evening. My gorgeous girl ordered one of her stand-bys, an ice cold shrimp cocktail paired with a pineapple margarita. Yours Truly? Opted for the street tacos de birria. The taco plate was good...my trio of tacos with spilling over with ample cuts of the succulent birria. But if I'm honest- The chain of Kalaveras/Mariposas in LA County has in all candor "ruined" all other birria recipes at dueling restaurants. And that's on me, for hoping against hope. My (unsolicited) tip? Consider pairing the birria tacos with a cup of steaming, unctuous beef consomme to dip the tacos into; debate the merits of pan-sizzling the tortillas in a full flavored queso-enchilada sauce before filling them with the birria. The service was outstanding. Our server Freddy's was "Fast Freddie on the spot" for the speed with which he swiftly kept our refills of drinks and chips/salsa coming. Our bill was $64, incl taxes and tip, for a pair of entrees, a margarita, and a fountain drink. Restroom was cozy bit suitably clean + provisioned.
This place was absolutely lovely: spacious, welcoming, and it genuinely felt like being at home. We stopped here by chance, and it turned out to be a great find. The Mexican cuisine was delicious, with good food quality, friendly staff, and a well-kept, inviting atmosphere. A truly pleasant surprise!
Had a really nice experience at Carlos Mexican Restaurant in Dana Point. The place has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, and the staff was friendly and attentive. The food came out hot and fresh — everything tasted homemade and full of flavor. I tried the fajita , and it was delicious. The portions were generous, and the chips and salsa were a great start. Drinks were also good and reasonably priced.
What a lovely place! The patio is beautiful. Our server was kind and attentive. The food was average, but my cucumber jalapeño margarita was fabulous!
Very good chips and salsa great atmosphere. If you’re in the neighborhood, give it a try.