Garcia’s

The only reason this place is still standing it’s because of its location. Non Mexican people think this is really good Mexican food but it is NOT. Food is okay but it’s not amazing Mexican cuisine. Rice was blend, the enchilada was blend and my fajitas were good but definitely not the type of quality food I was looking for. Because of its location the food is overpriced but not worth the prize. I don’t mind paying high prizes for food if it’s worth it. I won’t be coming back here.

First time here just moved back to town recently looking for a fave Mexican Restaurant In the area I was really hoping this would be it but I was disappointed. Got a Carnitas & Carne Asada tacos the were both over cooked, dry & way too crispy. The rice had a strange smokey flavor we didn’t care for. The beans were good & salsa decent but chips were ok. My hubby had Enchiladas the ranchero sauce is tasty but the cheese inside wasn’t melted. The service was very pleasant a cute atmosphere but I doubt we will repeat this restaurant. Bummer.

Came back tonight 7 months since we were last here. It was early, about 4:30pm. We had the same things as the last time we came. The service was quick and friendly, and the food was much, much better. All in all, much improved. Is it the best value around? No, but there are much worse places around here.

Salsa was better than I expected but the food was only okay. I had a beef taco and a tamale. The meet wasn’t very juicy or flavorful. I also think the pricing is higher than the quality. The restaurant gets super noisy when it’s busy.

We were going to go there for happy hour drinks as advertised on your Unilocal ad but the restaurant doesn’t offer what you have listed. Some Bull.

This place has one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had and for that in itself, I keep coming back! Although the atmosphere sometimes seems a bit off maybe it’s the odd location of the bar or that I’ve just never been there when it’s busy, the food and drinks are spectacular. I’ve tried the turkey tacos, shrimp cocktail, flauntas and enchiladas and they have all tasted amazing but my favorite is still their margaritas!!! The menu is a little pricy so I recommend going for happy hour for MARGARITAS and an appetizer or two :)

I work close to here and never have been there only came for dessert and the y didn’t even have what I came for. They ran out. But the one I did order was amazing!

We utilized Garcia’s Catering division to provide the food for an outdoor wedding at San Dieguito Park. Not only was the food delicious and the service excellent but the price was extremely reasonable. Everyone went back for seconds!

Tried Garcias because a friend of mine said their margaritas we’re rely good and that’s what I needed tonight. We came around dinner time and were immediately seated. The restaurant had a cool atmosphere inside and the staff wad very friendly.
We ordered margaritas first, I ordered an on the rocks strawberry margarita and my friend ordered a pomegranate blended margarita. Both were very good. They brought out chips and salsa and they were much better than your typical Mexican food restaurant chips and salsa. The salsa is very spicy/​hot and addicting!
I ordered your classic beef taco and cheese enchalada combo and it was good but nothing special. My friend ordered the same. We will return for the margaritas forsure and next time we want to see what lunch specials they have to offer. Over all a pretty good Mexican food restaurant.

My friend and I just stumbled upon this place. We didn’t know what to expect. Their menudo was just what we needed!

When you have restaurant after restaurant to choose from, especially with so many in just the genre of Mexican cuisine, it’s easy to kind of lump them all together. I generally pop these kind of places into two categories; fast food joints, where high school kids can get french fries stuffed into any burrito, and sit down places that tend to pour enchilada sauce on everything. That’s a gross overgeneralization, but it kind of fits … and Garcia’s is one of the latter.
And I like it well enough; the flavors are there. One of the best things you can say about any place is that it reminds you of the food you ate growing up. Days when you went over to your grandmother’s house and helped her make Chile Rellenos, grandpa was roasting Carne Asada on the grill, mixing up fresh Red Sauce with your Nino … this place has a lot of those same flavors and textures. On some level, it’s pretty good comfort food.
Typically, whenever I go with my girlfriend and our son, we share a Beef Chimichanga between us and give him a Kid’s Quesadilla with some of our rice and refried beans. This was great tasting food, satisfying all around, for less than $ 20. Lately, however, the prices seem to have gone up and the size of the portions have gotten smaller. Now, to get around the same amount of food, we generally go upwards of about $ 35, with that same chimichanga now almost half the original size.
This is not to say that the food has gotten worse. It’s still as good as before, but the drastic reduction in value admittedly does leave a sour taste in my mouth. Last time I was here, I was curious if I could just wander off with a tub of their enchilada sauce and go across the street to Mexican Viejo. A few years ago, I would think place would be a solid 4 Stars, but now it feels more like a strong 3.

Excellent service. Excellent food. We’ll definitely be back! This place is a hidden little gem!

We are kind of Mexican food snobs being born and raised in San Diego and we loved everything about this place. Salsa was great, service excellent and the food was top notch! The ambiance was great too, very welcoming and nicely decorated, even the bathroom was adorable! We will be back. :)

I was waiting on my car at discount tire and wandered over and decided to try this place out. It compares to Bandini so I was pretty happy with my meal. The tamale was extra tasty. They also were really good about not putting any dairy on my boyfriends meal since he is allergic. Service was fast and very nice. I will definitely be back.
I like the colorful décor too, it makes me smile.

Fast, amazing food. Big bar, a couple of TVs and big comfy booths. We highly recommend.

Walk in this place and believe me you will instantly smile! It’s colorful and welcoming. I have had two visits here and the food is delish!
Margaritas made the right way, a little tart,(not overt sweet).
Chile verde was wonderful, chile rellenos awesome! Menudo very flavorful!
Go enjoy!

I think Garcia’s gets forgotten about in the world of Encinitas sit-​down Mexican joints. Located in what used to be Country Inn, Broken Yolk, Herschel’s and Filippi’s, the interior of Garcia’s has been totally updated from the prior restaurants. Bathed in blue light, with a large curved bar, the walls are adorned with family photos, creating a unique atmosphere. The service has been nothing less than exemplary.
When I get to a sit-​down Mexican place, I gravitate immediately to the Chile Colorado. I’ve found good versions at Fidel’s, Norte and Casa De Bandini, and Garcia’s version goes toe to toe with their competitors. Their fresh tortillas are piping hot, the Chile Colorado gravy is flavorful with a chili bite, and the beans and cheese make for good accompaniments in the mini burritos you’ll make with the components. Their Sunday brunches are tasty and affordably priced. Keep a look out for their special event brunch buffets. We had the Father’s Day brunch and loved it. A little pricy, but well worth it if you can hold your own at a buffet.
Rather than deal with the hour wait at Casa De Bandini’s just to be assaulted with loud mariachi music in your ear, I’d just as soon show up to Garcia’s and be done with dinner in the time you’d be waiting for a table. Family owned, my hope is that Garcia’s can keep the legacy of quality food in this location alive.

I love this place! my go-​to place in encinitas :)
The staff is memorable; they’re friendly, respectful, and informative.
Great margaritas, live music, and sports on the tv.

I like the vibe of this place, casual sit down Mexican restaurant with a huge curved bar table with TVs, and some tables with big couches.
Not sure about the food, we came here for drinks only. They have really delicious margaritas, FYI it’s really strong too! My only complaint was it gave me a headache the next morning… maybe its just me though, I drank on an empty stomach.
They also had chips and salsa on the house, the salsa was delicious! Perfect snack to go with the margaritas!
They close pretty early, at 10pm on a Friday night, boo

This place is pretty funky. Walking in from the outside made me fixated on all the bright colors they used for the place and how out of norm it seemed for encinitas. I felt so weirded out like I entered a different time zone! But upon walking in, it was homey and huge and the lights were pretty surreal.
We sat at the bar which was this long round table in the center of the room with crystal lights hanging from the ceiling and a bunch of different kinds of alcohol. This restaurant was swanky and had a bit of sex appeal with it’s décor, the lady on the menus and all the posters of Spanish women.
We came for happy hour which was decent, 2 – 6 even in Saturday. $ 2.50 for a bud light, $ 4.95 for their house margaritas and chips and salsa on the house. Salsa was delicious! Fresh and a teensy bit spicy! Just how I like it! And I ordered a peach margarita, not bad. Could’ve been stronger and larger for the price but it was okay!
It’s cute, I’ll be back =] the fajitas looked amazing!