Surfin’ Chicken

I got so mad in the early evening and ended up arguing with this man who obviously has no clue about how to treat a customer and thats one reason why his business doesn’t do well at all. I had drove by this chicken place hundreds of times wondering why there were rarely any customers at lunch and dinner when others are packed. I assumed the food was bad. To my surprise Unilocal gave it 4.7 stars. Reviews said the food was good and the bummer is it is at times. Very inconsistent. I had went to this place once and I was turned off by no air conditioning and watching sweat drop off the cook but the chicken was good and huge portions. The owner seem to vary kick back and he was nice that time when I went. I decided not to go when its hot. l So ealier this evening I found out why this place is empty. I get there at 5 p.m. there was nobody there except this older man who I think is the owner. So I told him I was ordering the half a chicken meal and went out and came back in 15 minutes and that would give him time to get my food ready. So I gave him plenty of time I go back in and now there’s another couple sitting at a table talking and he hasn’t done anything. He looks at me sheepishly and asks what is it you wanted? Was it the half chicken? He turns around and now there is a younger guy who starts to put my meal together butt no one had asked me what I wanted as far as side orders excetera. They both move slowly it was like there was no hurry at all. I was supposed to have a choice if I want guacamole or rice and beans they gave me guacamole which I didn’t want so I had to order the rice and beans and pay extra. It wasn’t a lot of money it was just no they should have asked. I wasn’t happy that now I had to wait AGAIN. I get home and the salsa is complete water with a couple pieces of tomato floating on top, worst salsa I’ve ever seen. So I was really pissed now I have to go back. When I got there I told both of them why I was upset and the older man said «You said you didn’t want tortillas which wasn’t true and I told him that there’s no way I would say I didn’t want tortillas! I replied «You didn’t ask me anything.» He lied and said oh yes he did and started arguing. Then I told him you know what if you hadn’t of argued I would have came back but I won’t be back. This could be a little gold mine. Clean it up and modernize it. Customers have to go behind the counter and scoop their ice out of a big bin. It get’s way too hot. Its not appetizing to see sweat dripping down on the food! The owner is more into being right and using this place for his entertainment talking to his buddies and goofing off. Like playing poker. He’s awful when anyone complains. It’s creepy how the place is empty at lunch and dinner most of the time. Makes me nervous about the freshness of the food. Some times the chicken is good and others is it’s an awful burnt dried up mess. The salsa is the weirdest ever! Full blown water with bits if cilantro etc. floating on top. The younger man knows there are problems and he’s very nice but the owner is volatile and controls the place. I’m disappointed because I really like the food the first time and I would have kept coming and getting it but after this last time no way. «Surfin» Chicken is a WIPE OUT!

Took the Unilocalers advice and got the chicken, tortillas and salsa. It was great. This place is a little gem. Lots of locals and good food. Will be back for sure.

Quite the interesting experience this afternoon.
Coworker and I had called in to order the following: Fish Burrito, Half Chicken, Fish Quesadilla (but I wanted carne asada as an add on to make it a makeshift surf and turf). My coworker asked for her to repeat this order, she didn’t seem to understand and hung up saying it’d be ready in 10 minutes.
We get in and the place is empty at like 12:30, which we found odd. The lady who had taken the order over the phone had an order packed and ready to go. We then go over our phone order and she has a hard time comprehending what we’d asked for. This went on for about 3 times before she asked for help. From what I gathered she had actually made a fish burrito, chicken burrito and a carne asada quesadilla. I appreciated her want to make a fish quesadilla and put it on, but I really wanted to add carne asada to it, she didn’t seem to understand what we wanted. In steps the owner who then asks what the order was.
We repeat: Fish burrito, Half Chicken, Fish quesadilla add in Carne Asada. He looks at me and shakes his head not understanding.
«So you want a fish quesadilla… but you want to add on carne asada?»
I said «yes»
“We can’t do that.“
So then I get confused because they do have carne asada and I didn’t really see why he couldn’t just add a portion of it onto my quesadilla. This did not seem to be a rather cumbersome request. I ask him what was the difficulty in doing that.
«I get charged $ 7.99/lb for carne asada… just go anywhere… and I don’t want to charge you 15 dollars for a quesadilla.»
I again say look it’s ok to charge me extra for the carne asada whatever that amounts to is not a problem.
He then continues to argue about how it’s wrong and that’s now they do things there.
So i just said «Oh all right. I honestly don’t want to cause a fuss… it’s definitely not a problem I can just go somewhere else»
His response was the following «you can go somewhere else, that’s fine. I’ve been in business 27 years, so one customer doesn’t matter to me.»
It was as this point my coworker looks at me, and says «Dude, let’s go somewhere else» and we walked out.
I cannot fathom how he’s been in business for this long treating people like that. Even if I asked for something a little off, there was no reason for his response.

Looking for a new place to try, I stopped by here for lunch based on the good reviews. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the flavor of the food. I ordered the chicken tacos, but when I received my meal I saw that the plate was filled with lettuce — there was no flavor, and it seemed the chicken had not been seasoned at all. On top of that, the tortillas were soggy and there was no real salsa to make the dish taste better — will not be coming back here again.

I visit San Clemente from Utah and I always make sure to visit here! Jose cooks up the best fish, chicken, etc!

If you’re looking for a casual place that has fresh and well made food for a decent price look no further than surfing chicken. after 8 few hours in the water there’s nothing better then coming here and getting a big plate of their specialties. not only is the owner very friendly but the food is fantastic for the price

First time trying this spot. Just got off a long day of work, was expecting a fresh chicken burrito when instead it was the opposite. Customer service was horrible and the man in front of me was arguing with the man at the register. I wasn’t getting good vibes from there on.
When I got back home with the burrito I open up the foil, and see that the burrito tortilla has been soaked in the bean juice and the tortilla was ruined. I ended up eating the burrito with a fork. The chicken was decent, but it took a couple beers to wash it down. The salsa was watery and cheap tasting. Nothing about this place is «authentic». I don’t advise anyone to eat here. But hey, if you’re really hungry it’s better than nothing.

Surfin Chicken never fails. I like this place cuz it’s healthy and affordable. Just be sure to ask for corn or flour tortillas, enough salsa, and guacamole.

Ok. I’ve only lived in San Clemente for one year now. It is thee hardest place to find good frequent dinnertime options. Finally, clouds parting, ahhhh Surfin Chicken appears to me. Aaaand WHAT a blessing!!! To my stomach! It’s a more juicy, flavorful version of El pollo loco. With those thicker homemade style tortillas and homemade sides. Coleslaw, crazy bomb. Aaaand, dududunnn!!! THEY HAVE RIBS!!!:Melton off the bone ribs, great great prices. I love supporting this local business. Thank you Surfin Chicken, I look forward to our relationship for many years to come :)

Stopped by for lunch today, a coworkers mentioned it was good. But… I will not be coming back. Service is lousy. The cooked seemed annoyed I walked in, he was playing poker with his buddies, he took my order and put it together… Honestly I never knew anyone could ever mess up a burrito. Worse Burrito Ever. I took 4 bites threw it away and went to Del Taco instead. Bad Service. Bad Food.

This unpretentious quirky family owned restaurant is all about the food. Most go for the chicken; but the amazing Red Snapper meal is my favorite!!! It comes with small salad, rice, beans, tortillas and salsa all for $ 5.50!!! Complimentary pickled Jalapeños & hot sauces are available too. Not fast food and no wait staff, so be prepared to wait a few minutes for order to come up and take to your table. Outside tables provide pet-​friendly dining. Love the laid back beach style. Flip-​flops and shorts welcome.

Amazingly seasoned, cooked to perfection chicken. It couldn’t get better than this.

You know we’ve been coming to this place for years, a long time ago the Hogan surfing family owned it. The current owner has maybe run it for 20 years not quite sure. If you want to label something Mom and Pop this is it. But it’s mainly Pop! Seems like he just there’s some times… But always very pleasant. A good cook, when you get past the point that he’s just laid back and he’s not there to turn Surf’en chicken into a Big chain. He’s not a businessman, he’s your neighborhood good old boy. Sometimes things aren’t perfect (far from it) BUT most other days the chicken is the best around! The place need air conditioning and some remodeling… But then it might lose its local ambience. price is excellent chickens flavorable… I just get frustrated with what this place could be! Soooo We just go there to eat the chicken and wish him the best of luck. Go Surfing chicken!

Ordered half chicken to go, got home to be severely disappointed. Chicken was way over cooked, so dry the salsa didn’t even help. Hair found in guacamole. Received neither garlic butter or lemon. Service was quick though

I would give them half a star. Sorry guys! I was coming in with good expectations because of the reviews on Unilocal.The chicken smelled good and that was about it. Turns out the chicken is bland and needs another type of salsa that’s not watery. I love food and found that pollo loco was way better than this place.
Customer service is excellent. I just wouldn’t recommend this place for lunch and I won’t be coming back here.

I always enjoyed stopping at surfin chicken when I was in town. The guy is usually not very friendly but because the food was worth it. That never mattered. I stopped today to get some food to go. I order a side of garlic butter to go. Got home and saw that he gave me burnt chicken that was super dry! I mean really burned. To make matters worse he never added the garlic butter. What a disappointment and waste of money.
I won’t go back again. What is this guy thinking the business was empty when I stopped by. No wonder it was empty.

Authentic Mexican food that’s pretty guiltless! ! A long time favorite of my family & I after a long beach day, or just when I don’t want to cook. Always a friendly atmosphere, the beans and rice are homemade, and the salsa is straight out of the cocina de mi abuelita (just like Grandma used to make). Add some guacamole to further indulge your taste buds & don’t forget the roasted chiles (be careful, they’re a little spicy!). This place is never a bad choice — Salud y provecho

I love this place! Loved it since my family first moved to this culinary mecca in 1991. Jose is great at what he does. It’s simple, and it’s consistently great. If you’re looking for a big menu where you can do your own thing. You won’y find it. Get the Chicken, or the Red Snapper. Anyone who leaves a bad review about Surfin’ Chicken should look both ways when crossing the street…

Mmmmmm the chicken is amazing!!! It was piping hot and drenched in the delicious lime/​garlic/​butter sauce. $ 12 for a whole chicken with tortillas and salsa? What a deal! The owner is super nice and the service is fast and friendly. It’s a hole in the wall, hidden away by the dollar store, Staples, and a small gym. I definitely recommend this place and will be coming back =)

I was kinda bummed. I usually get the salmon which I really enjoy, but I got the chicken tacos and though they were fresh, like the other reviews said the chicken was dry and lacked flavor… I loaded them w salsa and ate them cause I took em to go and was very hungry but even the guacamole needed some salt or lime or both. Not sure I’ll be coming back.
Bummer.