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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks in San Clemente

Mexican food and salsa

Mexican food where the salsa is treated as a signature component rather than a bland, watery side dish.

Based on 665 Opinions
+662
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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.

Tacos stand out with fish, carne asada, and pastor options that deliver strong flavors. Burritos like the carne asada and birria come with good taste and value, paired with fresh salsa and guacamole.

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."

"You have to try the yummy salsa with fresh tortilla chips."

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
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.

Tacos come with generous portions and fresh ingredients like birria, carnitas, and pollo asada. Taco Tuesday and Friday offer street tacos at $0.69, making them very affordable without sacrificing quality.

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."

"The Mexican food here, especially the tacos, is always fresh and authentic."

"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.

03
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.

Breakfast burritos stand out with home-made sauces and a light, flavorful touch. The birria tacos and Carne Asada Cali offer rich, satisfying flavors, complemented by fresh guacamole and warm chips.

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.

04
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.

Shrimp tacos come extremely fresh and not greasy, with fish burritos seasoned to perfection. Grilled red snapper and chicken quesadillas stand out, paired well with green spicy salsa.

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 Mexican food here is so flavorful, especially the quesadillas."

"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.

05
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.

Generous portions of breakfast burritos stand out, especially the MVP and chorizo varieties packed with flavor. Fresh chips and salsa accompany burritos and tacos, with the Chile verde wet burrito and carnitas tacos noted for their rich taste.

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

"The Mexican food here is really delicious."

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.

06
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.

Shrimp tacos and enchiladas stand out with fresh, tasty flavors. The guacamole uses all avocado with no fillers and comes in generous portions. Taco Tuesday offers a phenomenal and affordable menu, and margaritas, especially during Happy Hour, are excellent.

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."

"You've got to try the Mexican Food; the chips and salsa are excellent."

"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.

07
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.

Fresh ingredients stand out, especially at the salsa bar with its large variety of salsas and guacamole. Burritos and grilled fish taco combo plates offer generous portions, though some items like fajitas may have a wait.

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.

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.

Shrimp tacos stand out with fresh homemade tortillas and authentic flavors. Burritos like the Chile Riano and Asada and Wet Chili Verde offer large portions and rich taste. Chips and salsa come top tier, and Baja enchiladas impress with their bold flavor.

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."

"This taco spot is a cute, cozy gem."

"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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