Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant – Carlsbad

Mediocre food, mediocre service. Was given a leaking ink pen which resulted in ink all over my hands and credit card and zero comp

It’s sad to not see this spot have 5 starts! Great food and it’s super cute inside. The margaritas are
Pretty yummy as well. :)

Garcia’s is a MUST for this mexican when i visit my family in Oceanside. They never disappoint! On my last trip, on christmas eve, after a sunset beach trip, we stopped in at garcias to order to go and the service was very quick and efficient, they served us chips and addicting salsa while we waited which was 20 mins tops, and had our big order ready, correct and hot. the smell of the food alone was satisfying but when i got home i opened my plate to reveal the cheesy saucy goodness and it didnt stand a chance! i dont remember exactly what i ordered, but does it matter!!! i guarantee everything off that menu is delicious. 5 stars for the food, the service, the location, the memories and the cute staff!

Bad… We got quesadillas but they were blend, tasteless and soaked in water. No spices at all in there, no taste whatsoever… There are way better places in town. Don’t go here if you’re looking for real Mexican food.

The food was quite good. I would give this restaurant no stars at all based on the experience I had there on 28 January 2016. I wanted to take good pics of the food so that I could write a positive review and use the pics. Decided to bring my camera bag into the restaurant because I needed to change to a more light-​sensitive lens. Changed the lens and put my black camera backpack on the floor next to me. The restaurant was quite dark with dimmed lights and my bag was black. So when we were leaving I didn’t see my camera bag (was also out of my normal routine). We drove all the way back to San Diego before I realized when emptying the car that I had left my bag on the floor at my table in the restaurant. Only 5 tables in the restaurant had customers; so the restaurant was not busy when we were there eating. I’m sure that the waiter who cleared the table after we left would have discovered my bag. So as soon as we got to San Diego I phoned the restaurant to tell them I’d be back for my bag. But of course, «sir, there is no camera bag here.» In spite of their claims, we drove all the way back there. I told all the waiters as we stood together talking that had this had occurred in Germany, I could return days later and the restaurant would have my bag for me. So, the bottom line is that I HIGHLY suspect the waiters of stealing my camera bag containing two lenses with its total retail value of approximately $ 1,700. I finally reached the manager, Jose Payog, two days later on the phone after several attempts. He promised me he would «get to the bottom of this.» We exchanged email addresses since we had no phone and were on vacation from our home in Germany, but he ignored my inquiries (3X) and never contacted me. We were very sure of the email addresses before we got off the phone, having repeated them slowly to each other with positive confirmation. So not only was grand theft conducted there likely by the waiters, but the manager IGNORED my inquiries after agreeing to «get to the bottom of this.» I would certainly like for the owner to read this.

I give Garcia’s two stars for food and atmosphere, then add another star for our genial server. When my husband, C., and I arrived, we were seated at what was essentially a table for six, a small square table pushed against a rectangular table set for four. The restaurant is very small, with tables squeezed in close together. There was a table so close to my back that I had to keep my chair pushed in farther than I normally would to avoid pressing against the customers behind me. We got chips and salsa right when we sat down, but our server didn’t come to take our drink order for a good five to ten minutes. When she did arrive, she was very friendly and welcoming. I ordered a House Margarita. C. didn’t order a beer… unheard of… but he said it was because they don’t have any «craft beers.» My margarita was pretty good, not the best, but all right. For dinner, C. ordered a bowl of Menudo, which he liked very much. The soup came with flour tortillas, and they looked really good. I had less luck with my meal. I ordered a combination plate with two cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans. The beans were very good, but I didn’t care for the rice… soft and flavorless… or the enchiladas. The enchilada sauce tasted canned. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. About half way through our meal, a foursome was seated at the table with us, which was a little awkward. They showed no interest in talking to us, and we suddenly felt like we had to watch what we said because they would hear us. Because the server was so nice, and because the beans were good and the flour tortillas looked so good; I would give Garcia’s another try before crossing them off our list.

My mom is a regular at this restaurant, but this was my first time visiting. It was just perfect! Our server’s name was Tino, and he was so friendly and accommodating! We couldn’t really decide what to order, but were leaning towards soup. Tino made some great recommendations, and holy cow… their chicken tortilla soup is SO GREAT! It was exactly what I was hoping for! I also ordered the shredded beef taco, and of course we had chips and salsa. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and not greasy or over sauced. I absolutely recommend this restaurant; I’ll definitely be back!

Stopped here for lunch on Friday, it was my first time and I’ve always wanted to try this place. Waited at the door for about 10 minutes, nobody sat us. Finally an overworked not so happy frustrated waiter told us to sit where ever and he’d bring us menus. Waited about 5 minutes more at our table outside and he didn’t come back to us. Got up and left and went to Norte instead. Very poor service, will most likely never return

Wow. We took Mom to the village just before Christmas for a nice dinner. We originally wanted to go to the Naked Café in the village, but discovered it’s not open for dinner. We decided to go to Garcia’s on State Street.
I love the interior of this restaurant. It’s family owned, so there are many photos of the family on the wall. The staff was great, taking our drink order right away. I had a Shirley Temple. I haven’t had one of those for years.
I order off the ala carte menu, a shrimp taco and an order of taquitos. Wow, they were just so delicious. Hubby and Mom had carne asada, which they loved. This is a wonderful restaurant, in the heart of the village of Carlsbad and I would highly recommend you take a seat and enjoy the hospitality Garcia’s has to offer.
If you’re there during the day, or in warmer evening weather, sit outside and dine. You’ll love it.

My favorite Mexican food restaurant in the whole wide world. Love the chips and salsa and the enchiladas.

The service was terrible! Our waiter was rude, never checked on us, completely ignored us the entire time. Our food was ok at best. Tacos was chewy and frankly overpriced. Gracias for nothing! Do not recommend at all. Bad service and not so great food, no thanks!

Had a great after the Movie dinner here. Great service and the food hit the spot.
Linda had a Chili Relleno and I had a Well made Veggie Fajita with a bowl of beans.
Garcia’s has been here as long as I can remember and for a good reason. Family operated with lots of local history.

We were tourists and we were trapped. My husband and I had had a rough day helping a friend in need and were desperate for food (him), a drink (me), a bathroom (both). Factor in the fact that we had a dog and needed a patio, and TADAH! Garcia’s looked like the answer to all of our needs.

We were directed to a table outside by the friendly hostess. That was the highlight of the evening. I glanced at the menu, selected my margarita, asked my husband to place my order and headed back to the car to pick up some doggie things. Upon my return, I expected to see my drink, tart with freshly squeezed citrus, rocks clinking and coarse salt adorning the rim waiting for me at the table and… NADA. You know that feeling when you’ve had a bad day and a margarita will really go a long way to take the edge off? You know that feeling when the margarita hasn’t even been ordered yet?
Waiter finally appeared to take our drinks order and they were delivered fairly quickly. As were chips and a fairly decent salsa. Things are looking up. Take a sip, and what? Is this a kid’s drink? Take another sip. Why is my marg so sweet? Ask for limes wedges. Wedges arrive, squeeze several into drink. Ahhhh. Much better.
I ordered Enchilades Suizas and my husband ordered a beef taco and beef enchilada. The waiter took note and turned to leave and I asked for confirmation that my husband was getting a combination plate, which included rice and beans. No, since he ordered the items individually the waiter has assumed that he wanted them a la carte and didn’t bother to ask for clarity. We had to consult the menu and select a combo that was closest. All of the combos had men’s names: Juan, Luis, Pepe, Jesus, etc. We selected Luis and substituted beef for cheese enchilada. I then asked for an order of guacamole and there was no comment at all from the waiter. I saw him write it down, otherwise I would not have known that he even heard me. He gave no acknowledgement.
Note — we are not rude people. I am very polite and was raised by my British parents to always say please and thank you. Just in case you were wondering.
Food arrives. It was so just OK. The beans were decent. My enchilada had no sauce inside the tortilla, just strings of chicken. The sauce was on the outside of the tortilla. I know, I know, this is the way that many Mexican restaurants do it. It just tastes so much better if you mix the meat with sauce, garlic and onions before you fill the tortillas. Did I say the beans were decent?
About the guac — I agree with another reviewer. The taste and presentation were very Smart and Final. Presentation with some freshly chopped cilantro and onion would have gone a long way. No wait, even that would not have helped. All of the guac had that avocado past-​its-​prime taste that nothing can revive.
We were never asked if we would like another drink or dessert. Our check arrived unrequested. Note — we were the only party sitting outside on a cold night and although there were people waiting to be seated, they all wanted to be inside. So no-​one was anxiously waiting for our table. We ordered one more margarita, which also needed to balanced by the addition of more fresh lime.
We were tourists and we were trapped. We are from Santa Barbara and know what it is like to live in a tourist town, but come on; there is no excuse for such poor service and mediocre food and drink.

Ha ha, this is funny, …or tragic.
Actually, I don’t truly know how to rate this?!?
I take a seat on the patio, simply to have a margarita, and take a break from the State Street Farmer’s Market.
The young waiter arrives to take my order, and then accidentally dumps an entire bowl of salsa all over the table, the menus, my shopping bags, my shirt!!!
…face palm…
And,…he’s wearing waaaay to much cologne.
Sigh
He apologizes, he cleans, he brings my drink.
Ok, the spicy margarita is pretty good

My initial reaction was how adorably attractive this restaurant is. I searched for a Mexican restaurant on Unilocal until I found exactly what I was craving. I decided on the queso dip, I loved the wide variety of the vegetarian menu and fried ice cream, of course. I tried to order from this menu, however, the waiter informed me that this is the «other Garcia’s»…he lied… or did not understand me. However, I showed a different waiter the website menu and he informed me that it has changed. My first recommendation for this restaurant is to update the website menu. It was highly disappointing. I settled with a tostada and my husband got the menudo with beans, we shared a desert and two soft drinks, ALL for a whopping $ 50(including tip). Insane.
Food was very mediocre, I’ve had better Mexican food, for under $ 5.
The service was not very attentive. I had no idea who my assigned waiter was, they were an unorganized mess. IE: I held my hand out until one of the 5 guys grabbed my card to pay the bill.
Won’t be returning.

As with other reviewers, I’d have to say very similar experience. We went to Garcia’s for the first time this past Saturday. Doing a «drive by», the exterior patio appears very inviting and the place looked busy, so we stopped in. I would definitely put this in the «tourist trap» category.
The salsa for the chips was probably better than most that I have had in the past due to the level of spiciness. The waiter, while mostly attentive, until the end after he had given us the check, wore some pretty heavy cologne, which anyone in the restaurant business knows, is a huge NEGATIVE!!!
Our food was pretty standard, nothing to be overly excited about, but the price was as others stated, very over priced for what you get, which is why I said this is definitely more of the tourist type trap. I had the tilapia fish tacos — the fish was pretty fresh, but again, there was really no «wow» factor.
Overall would give it 2.5 stars if half stars were allowed, but not good enough to warrant three stars.

I came to this little Mexican Shack in Carlsbad in search of good Mexican food. There are a lot of pictures hanging on the wall and when we were sitting there looking at the pictures we noticed that there was a bunch of cucarachas running from picture to picture.
I lost my appetite real fast, so I never got to try the food. You need to tear this place down and start all over. Personally, I think it’s beyond repair. This is another place that I would hate to see the kitchen. I think this place needs to be condemned. How come the health department can give this place an A. Really? Come on and do something about it. P. s this place is expensive

If I could rate the food and the service separately, I would give Garcia’s a 4 in the food department and a 2 for the service (based on my last visit) and not previous visits. The thing I like about Unilocal the best is that when I go back to this location, and I will, I will edit my review to reflect any change (positive or negative) in the service.
While I was sat quickly, I was quickly forgot about. Sat outside on the patio and waited at least .15 min to order. While the food came out in a decent amount of time (good food takes time to make, I get it) my server let my chips, water and salsa go empty. He was no where to be found. After seeing him, finally when the meal came we asked for more water but none ever came. Half way through lunch, my husband decided to go inside and actually was able to find a pitcher of water and bring it out to fill our glasses. No one saw him in the restaurant and asked if he needed anything — shame.
Besides this, the experience was on par with Garcia’s and yes, I’ve eaten here at least 10 times. This may have been an off experience but based on some of the other reviews on Unilocal,it seems I am not alone. Great food, service is just lacking and could use a little improvement. If you aren’t in a hurry and want some good Mexican food, this isn’t a bad place. I’ll give them another try soon and update the review as needed, promise.

We were the 2^nd couple inside as other people sat outside and enjoyed the nice fresh air. Warm tortilla chips were plopped on the table and the fresh salsa, not too watery and not too chunky with just a bit of zip was waiting to be enjoyed, yummy!
I had the Tello combination plate which consisted of a cheese enchilada, chicken flauta and the beans and rice, all of which was quite good and served promptly. I like that the enchilada sauce actually tasted like it was cooked through, rather than just out of the can as so many other places are. Nice family style restaurant with family pictures and memories on the wall. Wait staff was very polite and quick, with the only hitch being that my wife was never asked if she wanted a refill on her decaf. Aw well, still a nice place and one I’d like to return to for sure, just for the salsa alone!

In my continuing search for good Mexican food in Carlsbad… this ain’t it.
Lots of tourists go here, it’s convenient right on State street, but I found it lacking. The beans had a sort of smokey taste that I didn’t like. The chile relleno was good, light breading with a good amount of cheese inside and a tasty chile. The enchilada was okay but didn’t like the smokey flavor of the sauce.
I’m just a picky Angeleno and soon I will be back there to heavenly Mexican food. For now, I think I’ll just give up my search for goodMexican in Carlsbad. Las Olas in Cardiff is pretty good.