El Cortez Mexican Restaurant
| Address: | 28971 Street of the Golden Lantern A101, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA |
| Phone: | +1 949-495-4808 |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 10:30AM–9PM 10:30AM–9PM 10:30AM–9PM 10:30AM–9PM 10:30AM–10PM 10:30AM–10PM 9AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 16
CA
Cathy Fisher
Exceptional Mexican Food the owners make most all of it from scratch including tortilla chips, salsa and corn tortillas. Their prices are about a dollar or two more than most Mexican restaurants, but the food is worth it. The best salsa, chips and corn tortillas Ive ever eaten. Also their enchilada sauce is fabulous! They have a few negatives that are irritating, and complaining to the owner does no good. Your first bowl [small] of chips and salsa is free, but if you want more they charge you $1.35. Tacos and/or enchiladas: if you want shredded beef instead of ground beef its at least a dollar more. Any substitutions they charge you a couple dollars more. If you order sides like a side of beans its $3.99 and its just a small dab of beans...same goes for sides of rice. The food doesnt get to your table soon enough; I believe it sits too long waiting to be picked up. Also, if you intend to eat lunch there make it a late lunch because they dont turn on the heater until almost evening and in November through March its cold in the mornings and that restaurant will be in the low 60s. And lastly for sweeteners say you want ice tea...all they have is regular sugar and Sweet and Low no Equal so I bring my own. I wish the food wasnt so good because the other things are very annoying.
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GREGG STONE
Miserable, the first time we tried El Cortez, the food was a long time in coming, we asked for some more salsa and chips, as we were hungry. the waiter said he would have to charge us $1.50 extra, this was the first time in any Mexican restaurant, a small bowl of chips extra had to be charged for. The food was mediocre but not bad. It was a bit cool as if it waited to be served for a long time. We tried another time, thinking maybe it was just a bad night the first time we had dinner there. We were on a waiting list to be seated , the greeting girl seated 2 couples before us who came in after we did and were further down on the list than us. That did it it, we left disappointed without eating, the people at El Cortez are rude and cheap, and the food only just edible. Please dont waste your time
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Jeff Smith
This is my favorite restaurant My family always starts with the appetizer platter. Sometimes I will bring a friend here and we will split the appetizer platter and get drinks as our whole meal. I get the Discovery Burrito which is 3 pounds. I eat half and take the other half home! We come during the off times between 2pm and 5pm to avoid the crowds. This place is busy for lunch and dinner because it is delicious and the atmosphere is authentic. Sometimes there is a harp player that doesnt speak English. Very neat! If the salsa is too spicy for you, ask for mild, then you can mix them to an appropriate spiciness. PS They charge for the Second basket of chips during dinner hours.
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Fredrik Knutson
My family and I has been coming here for years. We started coming here once we moved to Laguna Niguel, and we were there long before they had their expansion. When we saw that they were expanding into one of the surrounding spaces, we were scared. Would they turn out like so many other places, overprices and not very good? Luckily for us, and our ability to find something close to home, they remained just how we liked them. With more space, it became easier (for a small while) to find seats. Now, it is just as hard as before, but with a larger bar section and more tables. It may not be for everyone here, but it is the place for my family, and many others.
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Aron n
My favorite part about this little gem is the salsa. They dont serve ketchup with tomato chunks, they serve the real deal salsa... say it out-loud SALSA. Its great. I also recommend the guacamole, maybe a little less onion and it would be perfect but tasty nonetheless. My first time there was simply based on convenience and then I tried the food - delicious. Now I go back at least once a month. Service is slightly above average, but chips, salsa, and cervezas hit the table so fast it discourages any nay-sayers. Dont get lost and stop in for Wendys or Patsys Pub... Say it loud, say it proud - EL CORTEZ! Tastefully Yours, Slightly North of the Border
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A Private User
I ate there tonight and had a 3 inch chicken bone in my taco...and the waiter could care less! Biting into a bone was disgusting and I am still gagging just thinking about it! I ate here before and had a good time, but tonight was hands down the WORST MEAL I HAVE EVER HAD! The manager said "thank you for telling me" when I complained about our meal. WHAT A JOKE! The beans and rice were hard and my mothers meal was a pork tamale that was rock hard. This place is a massive FAIL!!!!!!
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A Private User
Best restaurant around. The owners are always there, making sure things run smoothly. The food is wonderful and the service is friendly and responsive. The salsa is amazing here - fresh and very hot. They also have a great sports bar. Its the perfect place for a date, for family dinner or for celebrations. This place always crowded for a reason: its the real thing.
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A Private User
Pretty good food but and the price is not too bad alittle high, after all its just mexican food, but still pretty good. The gf got the burritto de carnitas with the green sauce it was good dont get the big burrito with everything (forget the name) in it thou that ones not great.
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Leslie Moore
EL CORTEZ IS AMAZING!! Weve eaten here for years and the staff is remarkable and friendly. Love there food (chile verde burritos, shredded beef crispy tacos are the favorites) Moved to Oregon a year ago and when we visit, this is always the first stop. THANKS EL CORTEZ!!
CA
Carlos Carrion
Food very good fresh and clean tables. The new bar area very well as an extension of the main dining room. Tortilla chips the best with a great spicy fresh home made salsa. Chile relleno the best in area.. Prices appropriate for thr quality. I recomended.
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Rodger Pitts
This place is fantastic! Authentic food, including the most delicious home made tortillas ever, and our waiter, Jaime, was so accommodating and gave great recommendations (the sampler appetizer plate was perfect!). We will definitely be going back.
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Michael Ledesma
One of my fav spots for Mexican food. They have homemade tortillas served fresh to your table. Carne asada is always the best on the menu. Drinks are strong and not watered down margarita mix like most places.
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Manuel Jaramillo
The food is delicious and the margaritas are out-of-this-world. The best of everything is the service. Martin, the Bar man is is cordial and attentive. He makes the best cocktails. He makes you feel especial.
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Tex Na
One of my all-time favorite Mexican restaurants that Ive been going to for years. Their staff is always attentive and they have the best salsa. Dont miss their queso fundido and their chile colorado!
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Kathryne Campbell
My husband and I go here often and the food is the BEST!!! The discovery burrito is one of our favorite items, but just about everything is delisious. The Chips and salsa are addicting. Great Place.
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RUBEN RODRIGUEZ
best restaurants ever work for,best part was that I got to eat there every day I live in mexico now I miss the flavor a taste of the food miss those nachos mmm :) cant wait to go and visit some day!
