El Maguey Mexican Restaurant

+1 949-493-8681

31481 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 United States of America

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Quick Facts About El Maguey Mexican Restaurant

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant has received several positive comments highlighting its strengths. One of the main strengths mentioned is the excellent service provided by the staff. Guests have praised the friendliness and helpfulness of the waitresses, mentioning specific names like Irene and Alondra. This highlights the customer-oriented approach of the restaurant, making guests feel valued and cared for.

The quality of the food is also frequently mentioned as a strength. Guests have described the dishes as delicious, mentioning specific favorites like the guacamole, Chilaquiles rojos con huevo, menudo, and mojarra. The flavors are described as exquisite, and the freshness of ingredients is appreciated. The comments also mention the flavorful sauces that accompany the dishes, enhancing the overall experience. The authenticity of the recipes and the well-seasoned Spanish rice and refried beans are also highlighted.

The cozy and well-run atmosphere of the restaurant is another strength. The décor is praised for creating a welcoming and enjoyable ambiance. It is described as a place where guests feel comfortable and can relax. The mention of it being a favorite sit-down Mexican restaurant in San Juan Capistrano further emphasizes the positive dining experience.

However, there are a few weaknesses mentioned in the comments. One recurring issue is inconsistent service. Some guests have experienced poor and rude service, even mentioning consistently long waits to place orders. This inconsistency detracts from the overall dining experience and may lead to frustration and dissatisfaction.

Another weakness mentioned is the occasional inconsistency in food quality. While the majority of the time the food meets expectations, there are instances when it does not. Some guests have suggested going during busy times for better food quality and consistency. This may indicate that during slower periods, attention to detail and quality may be lacking.

One comment mentions the need for improvement in cleanliness and possibly remodeling. This suggests that the restaurant may not have the best hygiene standards, which can negatively impact the overall dining experience and perception of the establishment.

Finally, the comment about the walk-up window suggests that the sit-down experience may not be the best option for everyone. It implies that ordering from the window may provide a quicker and more efficient experience, potentially indicating that the service and atmosphere inside the restaurant may not be as strong as desired.

In conclusion, El Maguey Mexican Restaurant has several strengths, including excellent service, delicious food, and a cozy atmosphere. However, there are weaknesses to address, such as inconsistent service, occasional food quality issues, cleanliness concerns, and a less appealing waitressing experience. Overall, improvements in these areas can enhance the overall dining experience and further solidify the restaurant's positive reputation.

Best TL Reviews

¡Excelente lugar! La comida, la decoración y sobre todo las atenciones que nos han dado nos dejaron un recuerdo digno de agradecer y compartir.

Los platillo son deliciosos, los totopos y el Guacamole fueron una entrada perfecta, mención aparte para el Guacamole, muy delicioso, y algo que me ha gustado mucho es la salsa, tiene un sabor exquisito, pedimos Chilaquiles rojos con huevo, otra gran experiencia, el café también muy rico... Mi total agradecimiento a Irene y Alondra, quienes nos trataron como a reyes.

We didn’t wait long to be seated. The waitress was very friendly and helpful. The food and drinks were good!

First time here

Excellent service and great food

I had a menudo and a mojarra with an horchata

I will definitely come back

Oh, by the way, loved the guacamole

This is by far my favorite sit down Mexican restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. Delicious and authentic recipes highlight this cozy, well run restaurant. Whether you prefer a taco, burrito, enchilada, or cheesy Chile Relleno you won’t be disappointed. Flavorful sauces elevate every dish to accompany the well seasoned Spanish rice and refried beans. Check this place out if you’re in the area. You’ll thank me.

My family has been coming to El Maguey for over 5 years. We have tolerated consistent poor and rude service. The wait is awful to even place your order on most days. Last Friday my husband and I went in to split a burrito. I asked to have the chili on the side and also asked to try the red and green chili. If you ask for a drink refill or anything, it’s like you’re bothering them. They brought our bill on a portable credit card processor. She charged us $2.00 for the chili then another $3.50 for me asking to try both red and green chili (which each salsa were in tiny salsa bowls and not worth $5.50). The waitress did not tell us of the extra $5.50 of charges. Then the credit card machine had 18/20/25% options for tips. My husband hit the other option and left a lower amount. He went to the bathroom and the waitress comes over to me and says “is that your husband?!” I was like “yes”…. And she tells me “he apparently doesn’t like me very well….” I was confused and said “he likes you.” Then she tells me “I can just feel he doesn’t like me…” I didn’t realize until I talked to my husband it was because of the lower tip he left. Don’t overcharge us and not tell us and then try to manipulate it to make it appear that it was because he didn’t like you because you didn’t get an undeserved 20% tip. It’s so unprofessional to come up to me and confront me about my husband. Unfortunately I’ve had enough of the poor service and attitude. We won’t be returning.

El Maguey is a good sit-down Mex place in town. Pretty dependable experience with level of food, menu choices and staffing but over the years it has had its ups n' down.

I would say that 90% of the time you could order the same thing over and over and the quality is what you would expect but then there is that 10% where it's not the same

I would suggest that you go when it's more busy for better quality and repeatable food vs trying to catch it before it gets busy. That sounds odd as you might have to wait for a table but food consistency is better

If you like thicker chips for your chips n' salsa, this is your place! Salsa and quac is good good!

Also, if you don't want a place to sit and enjoy your food try El Maguey Express across town. Awesome grab n' go grub there at the Express....not the same owner but there is some sort of connection between the two places

The food is okay, we’ve been coming for years and prefer the patio for fresh air. Menu is over priced yet convenient so we’ve realized expectations. The staff are friendly and fast, however there’s a waitress that has been there for years who isn’t the most friendly (or helpful) which is interesting and makes it even less appealing. They could definitely use a good deep clean and/or remodel. If you’re looking for cheap, authentic or upscale, there’s plenty of options within walking distance. (That don’t use styrofoam ????)

I ordered the Chile Colorado plate. It was good and very tasty. The beans and rice were delicious. The service was okay. I noticed a walk up window on the side of the restaurant. I would order from there instead of going inside to sit down.