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Salsa in San Clemente

A kitchen that understands salsa should be a deliberate part of the meal, not just a generic condiment.

Based on 456 Opinions
+453
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Updated May 2026
01
Taqueria Luna image 1
Taqueria Luna image 2
Taqueria Luna image 3
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Restaurant

Tiny restaurant with limited indoor and outdoor seating offers a cozy patio and warm, relaxed vibe. Staff speak Spanish, adding to the authentic atmosphere. The place stays open late, serving fresh, well-regarded tacos and Mexican dishes at reasonable prices.

Mexican food here stands out for its delicious and exceptional flavors. Service matches the food quality with a friendly and attentive staff.

Salsas come in two main types here: a red salsa that pairs well with everything and an orange salsa with a noticeable kick. Both are fresh and flavorful, complementing dishes like fish tacos and guacamole perfectly.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best."

"I thought this burrito might have been the best I've had."

"I found the food here to be fantastic and delicious."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday features $2 tacos all day.

2

The restaurant is open until midnight on weekends.

3

Limited seating is available inside and in the shared walkway.

02
Ricos Mexican Food image 1

Small space with limited seating inside and outside offers a pleasant atmosphere and fast food Mexican dishes. The vibe is casual and comfortable, with freshly made food that draws consistent appreciation for its quality and flavor.

Food features excellent quality and fresh ingredients with dishes like asada torta and fish tacos served alongside fresh guacamole and warm chips. Service is friendly and attentive in a small, comfortable setting with outdoor seating.

Salsas here come in green and pico varieties with a spicy kick. They pair well with burritos and pastor, adding great flavor.

People are saying

"The food here is so delicious and fresh."

"I loved the huge burritos with great salsa."

"The burritos here have great salsa and amazing flavor."

Good to know

1

It can take a few minutes from ordering until the food is ready, so calling your order in advance is recommended.

2

There is seating inside and a few tables outside if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather.

3

The small bottle of water costs $2.35.

03
Surfin' Chicken Grill image 1
Chicken restaurant

Family-run chicken restaurant offers a homey atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating that welcomes dogs. The menu features fresh grilled chicken and fish, including standout burritos and tacos. Prices remain reasonable considering the quality and homemade taste.

Food comes out hot, fresh, and delicious with a focus on great quality and homemade preparation. The menu centers on chicken fast food with consistently amazing freshness.

Green spicy salsa stands out with its bold flavor. Chicken dishes come with tortillas, guacamole, and salsa that complement each other well. Other salsas are generally mild.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be super delicious and fresh."

"The fish here is so fresh and perfectly cooked."

"The green spicy salsa was delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a good selection of dishes to choose from.

2

Prices at Surfin' Chicken Grill are reasonable and not outrageous.

3

The restaurant is clean and has seating inside and outside.

04
Primo Foods image 1
Grocery store

Local grocery store combines relaxed atmosphere with excellent Mexican food and affordable street tacos. Lines can be long, especially on discount taco days when prices drop to under a dollar. The place offers free samples and a smooth shopping experience with a strong neighborhood vibe.

Offers authentic Mexican food with great prices and high quality dishes. The cooked food and tacos stand out, alongside unique craft sodas and excellent BBQ options.

Salsa comes in a great selection with authentic Mexican flavors. It pairs well with chips and guacamole and stands out as a delicious part of the menu.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos were authentic, fresh, and delicious."

"I thought the tacos were delicious and only cost $1.50."

"I found the salsa and chips to be delicious."

Good to know

1

Tacos cost $0.69 on Tuesdays and Fridays, $0.99 on other days.

2

Expect long lines on Taco Tuesdays and Fridays, sometimes wrapping around the corner.

3

Parking options are limited and can be quite challenging.

05
Franco's Famous San Clemente image 1

Spacious Mexican restaurant with an airy patio and pet-friendly courtyard offers a comfortable setting and lively bar area. The atmosphere blends friendly local energy with good music and a relaxed vibe. Cocktails, especially margaritas, stand out as a highlight alongside fresh chips and house-made salsa.

Mexican food offers great taste paired with tasty cocktails. Outdoor seating enhances the experience during happy hour with a pleasant breeze.

Fresh chips arrive right after seating, paired with house-made salsa that has a slight spice. Both chips and salsa taste very good and come served immediately.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and very well priced."

"The airy patio is a delightful spot for tasty Mexican food."

"The chips and salsa here are excellent and very tasty."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6pm and all evening on Tuesdays.

2

Taco Tuesday offers an affordable menu with great options.

3

Expect a small wait for seating during popular happy hour times.

06
Baja Fresh image 1
Mexican restaurant

Outdoor seating welcomes guests with dogs, creating a casual and open atmosphere. A large salsa bar offers a variety of fresh options, standing out as a key feature. Food portions are generous, with a menu that changes periodically to maintain variety.

Food stays consistently fresh and tasty with a good variety that changes sometimes. Portions are large, like the grilled fish taco combo that covers two meals.

A large variety of fresh salsas sits at the salsa bar, offering many options. The selection stays consistent and complements the fresh ingredients used throughout.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is so fresh and tasty."

"The food here is so fresh and delicious."

"The salsa bar has a nice selection and fresh ingredients."

Good to know

1

The menu features a variety of Mexican dishes, including burritos and tacos.

2

Expect to pay around $17 per person for a meal without drinks.

3

The restaurant offers large portion sizes suitable for sharing.

07
Chelas Mexican Kitchen image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with outdoor seating and a chill atmosphere featuring contemporary Mexican music and soccer on television. The vibe is comfortable and relaxing, reminiscent of a beach shop in Mexico. Generous portions and flavorful dishes like burritos and rib eye tacos define the experience.

Food features freshness and excellent flavor with generous portions. Preparation is consistent and the taste is very good.

Homemade chips come with phenomenal habanero salsa and fresh green salsa. Taquitos pair well with chipotle salsa, and bags of chips are available for purchase.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was great and fresh."

"The tacos and rice and beans here are so good for Date Spots."

"The salsa here is fresh and flavorful, a perfect complement to the gigantic burritos."

Good to know

1

Happy Hour runs from 3 pm to close on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

2

Taco Tuesday offers great deals on tacos and is popular among locals.

3

On Wednesdays, enjoy fresh fish tacos with chips and salsa for $6 during Happy Hour.

08
Los Patios Cocina Mexicana image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers a cozy, casual atmosphere with a comfortable patio that welcomes dogs. The vibe is relaxed and inviting, featuring fresh homemade tortillas and authentic dishes. The setting feels charming and cultural, reflecting an old downtown style.

Food comes out hot, fresh, and tasty with generous portions. Service and bar complement the consistently great meals.

Homemade salsa stands out with a rich, fresh flavor. Large servings come with crispy chips that complement the salsa well.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is amazing, and Roxy is such a delight."

"I found the food to be authentic, fresh, and delicious."

"I thought the homemade salsa was the best I'd ever tasted."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required, making it easy to drop in.

2

Parking can be tight, especially during busy hours.

3

The restaurant is dog-friendly on the patio.

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San Clemente, California

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