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South of Nicks San Clemente Mexican Kitchen Bar in San Clemente

4.6 (199) 110 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

South of Nicks San Clemente Mexican Kitchen Bar image

Categories

Mexican restaurant
Bar & grill

Location on the map

San Clemente, Orange County, California, US

Phone: +1 949-481-4545
Site: http://nicksrestaurants.com/sout...

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–10 PM
Thursday:11 AM–10 PM
Friday:11 AM–11 PM
Saturday:11 AM–11 PM
Sunday:11 AM–10 PM

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Total reviews rating 4.6

199 Reviews for South of Nicks San Clemente Mexican Kitchen Bar 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-28 03:31:01

Service is FLAWLESS here!! We came with a large group and they had us in a private dining area and the servers did such a good job meeting our needs, keeping our table tidy, fast but delicious food, and drink refills. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is such a fun vibe! Highly recommend this place! Will definitely be returning!!

Review №2

2023-12-05 03:30:12

The service was exceptional, the bar tender was attentive and had great recommendations. The chips and salsas, enchiladas divorciadas and warm butter cake dessert were all served really quick and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere, while a little dark inside, was very welcoming, nice, and clean.

Review №3

2023-09-09 03:09:05

Best food ever?! We like food. But everything we had at South of Nicks was some of the best food weve ever had. The Birria stacked enchiladas....unbelievable. The filet mignon ranchero....incredible. And then the waitress mentioned butter cake? She is our hero. Butter Cake will go down in history as the best dessert known to man. Thank you. We will be back.

Review №4

2023-07-02 01:33:45

Good Mexican food in San Clemente with reasonable prices. Loved their Fish Tacos, Guacamole, Chips and Salsa. Kids liked their Birria Tacos and Chicken Flautas. Make sure to order Churros for dessert!

Review №5

2023-09-13 21:03:09

This place was not what I expected. We made reservations for 6pm cause we tried for 7pm but they said they couldnt accommodate that time. So we took 6pm. We didnt get to our table until 645pm. The hostees didnt even greet us bevause she was too busy mingling with the staff. This was first time as your establishment, it was my birthday dinner from my kids which are 21 and older. We ordered food it took forever. my son order a 7up three times it came in the middle of his dinner. This was not the greatest experience for a first timer not impressed

Review №6

2023-04-05 03:47:57

We’ve been here multiple times and tried various dishes. I love their (free) appetizer dip trio, the guacamole, and the appetizer shrimp. Steak fajitas are the bomb. I can also recommend the enchiladas divorcadas although they’re on the smaller portion size.Customer service is excellent but there has been a few times we went where we were rushed to finish. Like I barely put down my utensils and they scooped up my plate, and gave the check to turn the table over.That aside, ill continue to be a loyal customer!

Review №7

2023-04-23 03:34:00

We have been going to Nicks for years, but this was our first visit to South Of Nicks. Heard good things and it did not disappoint. I would consider this as upscale and fresher tasting Mexican food. The quality was spot on and the service was very good. The chips and 3 varietal salsas were tasty and good starter to our meal. We really enjoyed the tortilla soup - nice amount of chicken and fresh vegetables, good flavors and nice avocado. The duo platter was a good choice as you can choose from enchiladas, tacos (soft or crispy) and two sides. We went with a cheese enchilada and a chicken taco and beans and Mexican corn as the sides. All were fresh and tasty. Topped it off with a craft beer and made for a good meal. It is a nice place with bar seating but the place can get crowded on weekends. Parking isnt easy so you may have to walk a bit. Cant wait for the Del Mar location to open

Review №8

2023-11-12 06:17:49

This is a good place. The food is good and not too greasy. Its fru fru Mexican food but tastes good. The service was really good. The jefe burrito was huge and the Mexican pizza was good. Id go back again.

Review №9

2023-04-18 04:58:08

Excellent food and amazing service. They had quite a few options for vegetarians. The sauces were creamy and different than regular Mexican food. Don’t forget to end your meal with warm butter cake dessert - you are welcome!

Review №10

2023-11-29 16:16:58

I used to eat at this place very often because I enjoyed its food. I moved to a different city, so I stopped going for so long. This day my husband invited me for dinner and we decided to go here. I ordered a combination with shredded beef tacos, but didnt like it at all; it was not what I was expecting. My favorite dessert had been removed (the tres leches), so I ordered the butter cake, but was too sweet for me. Service continue being great as well as the atmosphere.

Review №11

2023-06-01 05:56:10

My wife and I went for our 1 Year Anniversary. Overall it was and okay experience. Our server was a bit slow but I wasn’t upset or complaining about that I understand and get it! So I stopped him and asked for a box for the food to-go and he can take the queso, because the queso is absolutely awful DO NOT RECOMMEND. Then my wife also said two boxes actually please. So he said okay I’ll pack it for you and took our food. Brought our check all that good stuff, then when it came to give my card back I asked for our food and he said he threw it away. Keep in mind my wife got full on the chips, salsa and guacamole and she only took two bites and I took a bite of her fish taco that was it. She had a full plate of food! I’m sorry for being blunt but common sense at least to me would be ask the couple again to confirm if they’d like to discard their food if that’s what he heard because that’s a whole plate of food! My plate had a little less than half a burrito left over so I wasn’t to upset about that but still was quite annoyed. At the end we ended up getting my wife’s taco’s back, but no burrito or anything else. The food was overall okay the taco’s are absolutely amazing and highly recommend even that one bite was to die for! Everything else though as for the burrito it was okay. Not much seasoning. A lot of seasoning was missing on all the food. Definitely an amazing place as for the atmosphere and I bet some other of there dishes are good as well! I just don’t think it’s worth another visit. I guess we’ll see, might have to give it another chance.

Review №12

2022-06-04 15:09:32

Ive been here twice and Ive enjoyed their food, drinks, and service. Honestly, I dont give out that many 5 stars, but I really didnt find any negatives here. Being Mexican myself, I can say the food is good quality and had good flavor. They have really good cocktails and mocktails. I was joking with my wife about how if this place had bad food, Id still come back because of their service... Ill say it again, this is definitely a place where Id consider it for top 5 best services Ive ever gotten.

Review №13

2023-10-11 23:04:19

The burritos are huge and delicious! The skinny margarita was also very good and Im picky about my margaritas. Great service and atmosphere.

Review №14

2023-04-23 18:36:59

We totally enjoyed our first time to this Nick’s location. We had a slow start to our experience with waiters switching over but once it was switched, the service was amazing! Be ware - if you do not have a reservation on a Friday night, the typical wait around 6-8 is 45 minutes to an hour. We waited almost exactly 45. We enjoyed shops while we waited, just around the corner. You can sit at the bar with no wait but it was quite crowded.We are so glad we waited because the food was to die for! We got lucky with some new adds to the menu. We had the ceviche to start with chips and salsa. The salsa choices were great and the ceviche was delicious! Octopus and shrimp ceviche with mango and some other flavors.For the main dish, I enjoyed their new steak salad and my husband had a plate with multiple sample items on it (can’t remember the name) it had flank steak, chicken chimichanga and chicken enchilada. It was well seasoned and delicious.Our server was amazing and so kind to give us all his favorites and recommendations. We got warm towels to finish. Didn’t have the butter cake this time BUT if you haven’t had it, you must!

Review №15

2023-03-28 21:02:09

The blacked fish tacos were not really very good but the beer bartered fish tacos were fantastic and so were the shrimp taquitos !The chips were fresh and delicious as were the two types of salsa and bean dip!

Review №16

2023-08-15 18:07:25

Its my favorite restaurant to eat shrimp tacos. The food here is always fresh and tasty. Staff is friendly and very attentive

Review №17

2022-08-16 22:26:32

Best meal of this trip. So good we booked it twice in the same week! The Single Barrel marg was refreshing. Guacamole tasted fresh. Carnitas were jammed with amazing flavor. My daughter loved her chicken flautas. The shrimp taquitos had a nice spicy kick. Jaden provided perfect service. He made great recommendations!

Review №18

2023-01-13 03:40:05

To start liked the salsa selection and chips. Got michelada to drink and was not too flavorful. I got the carnitas plate that came with beans and rice. Had good flavor and the homemade tortillas were a nice addition. My wife got the cheese enchilada and the asada taco. She loved the crusted cheese they added on the blue corn tortilla for the taco. Would definitely go back although it is on the pricey side. Drinks were not refillable due to them being small bottles.

Review №19

2023-09-28 16:05:06

Great spot. Beautiful restaurant. Hostess was great! She had an amazing personality. Our server was great as well. Food - delicious! I had the taco salad with blackened chicken. Yum! Looks small from the outside and then you enter. Great spot!

Review №20

2022-10-30 18:07:18

Based on a positive recommendation from my friend I opted to have my Birthday dinner here. It was a wonderful experience from the atmosphere, amazing service and absolutely delicious food! Our waitress was super friendly and made me feel special on my Birthday, even giving me a signed Birthday card from the restaurant with everyones signature. I would highly recommend and we will be back!

Review №21

2022-01-27 23:36:54

This Nick’s location is amazing. Super friendly staff. Called close to closing and asked if I could still come in and grab a bite to eat. They didn’t hesitate for a second when telling me that it would be their pleasure to have me come dine in. For a drink, I got the Tijuana Poolside - a delicious rum cocktail. For food I ordered the slow braised beef tacos. The tacos were “melt in your mouth” delicious! My companion got a local beer and a combination dish. Had we not been closing down the restaurant, I would have tried dessert. The table behind us received to be some sort of cake with an assortment of fruits and syrup. The dark ambience and atmosphere of the restaurant was calming. I also loved the open kitchen. I will definitely be coming back here to try out additional food and drinks!

Review №22

2022-12-03 00:47:20

All food are so delicious!! Also, servers are very friendly and nice. I really want to be there again! If you have a chance to visit San Clemente, go to this restaurant. Highly recommend!Parking lot is also available.

Review №23

2023-12-01 16:14:31

This place is an absolute gem hidden away in south OC! Ive been here twice in 3 days and literally everything I ordered and drank tasted like I was in heaven. Service is fantastic and so knowledgeable!! Highly recommend - You wont regret listening to me! 🫶

Review №24

2022-08-29 04:17:27

Soooo good and I am picky with my Mexican food! I had the guacamole and the 2 taco plate. Birria and chicken tacos were both very flavorful. You can pick between refried beans, white rice, Mexican rice or street corn. I had the Mexican rice and the street corn and loved both. I had the chard pineapple margarita drink and it was amazing. it came with a full pineapple ring and had bits of pineapple and Chili’s in the actual drink. So yummy! Will definitely be back!

Review №25

2022-12-04 00:11:21

Service and food were top notch! Several varieties of margaritas and tequila. You can grab a tequila flight too! Everyone enjoyed their meal! Try the filet mignon taquitos!

Review №26

2023-04-21 01:30:59

Had an excellent dinner with family here. Cocktails were first rate. Chips came with two salsas, hot and mild plus dipping beans. I really liked the birria taco as well. Mole was OK but not as thick or rich as some others Ive tried. Overall, everyone enjoyed their meals and it was a great sitdown upscale Mexican dining experience. Parking definitely a challenge though, so consider parking at one of the free trolley lots and taking it to the restraunt!

Review №27

2021-11-17 19:57:45

Food was full of flavor, you could taste the freshness of the seafood.🤤 We had cucumber (I think margarita?) 🤷 All I know it was Very refreshing. Service was great..a little overkill with checking on us😒 to the point of disrupting our meal. But I still give 5⭐. So if you are looking for great tasting high quality food this is the place to be for Seafood/Mexican cuisine.🤩😁👍😍 Enjoy!

Review №28

2023-11-28 01:46:31

I got food poisoning from this restaurant. I ordered the 3 tacos dish (beef, chicken, fish). The only other food I had that day was cereal, so I am certain the food poisoning was from my meal at South of Nicks. I had eaten here several times in the past without any issues. But this was an experience I dont wish on anyone else!

Review №29

2022-09-23 06:21:52

We went here with our 1 year old and let me tell you, we had an outstanding experience. Our server Rebecca did a phenomenal job checking in on us making sure we were good. The food was absolutely delicious! My husband and I are both hispanic we had doubts about the food because usually when a place says modern Mexican Food it ain’t good. We were blown away this food was innovative and made us experience food from our culture in a new way. The chiefs bring the food out to you and it’s just worth the money. Can’t wait to take my parents here as well. 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review №30

2023-08-20 20:49:22

Very good high quality south of the border food. Chips, bean dip and salsa great! Consistent and good service each time we’ve been. Wish they hadn’t changed the shrimp I. The spicy shrimp salad. I liked the seasoning before better and liked that it had a bit more kick. Also they were just slightly dry. If you order the mexican pizza be sure to share- it’s huge! The burritos are equally huge.

Review №31

2022-04-09 16:34:38

This is a great Mexican restaurant with fantastic service and a covered friendly staff. We came in with a party of 10 and had a fantastic waiter to care of everything that we needed. We drank three pictures of margaritas had a wonderful dinner and fantastic dessert for a birthday celebration. The company was great and the environment was great it was quiet and we all had a great time. I cannot think of a better Mexican restaurant to celebrate a friends birthday.

Review №32

2022-10-29 22:34:19

Food, cocktails, and service are on point. The BEST taco salad I have ever had! The chicken and carnitas are both so delicious. Can’t recommend more.

Review №33

2023-08-12 21:02:02

Really good. The bean and salsa dips are AMAZING. The chips are good, but very oily. Highly recommend they do something about that. The guac was good, not great. We asked for some cilantro, which we cut up and mixed in, which improved it a lot. Perhaps personal taste. The shrimp and the fish tacos both were excellent. The yellow cake (cant recall what it was) was insane! One of the best Ive ever had. Highly recommended.

Review №34

2023-12-03 02:07:21

Went for a corporate holiday dinner. The manager and our waitress were amazing. The food was excellent. Highly recommend

Review №35

2023-09-13 23:36:37

I have been here about 7 times now, and the food is typically pretty good and I love the array of salsas with bean dip provided.Drinks are good as well! I like to be at the main bar and typically is okay service.Recently I was offered to sit at the smaller side bar..sat with my girlfriend were able to order drinks quickly...time goes by and her drink comes - told mine is coming up...sat for 20 minutes..watch an old couple with next to us get chips/salsa and drinks right away...now Im thinking of chips would have been nice... girlfriend finished her drink..was considering dashing at this point..but a hostess of sorts saw the girlfriends drink was empty asked if she could take the cup..we asked to only be charged for one drink and left...30 mins yall..I was hangry and thirsty. Going to give this place a rest.

Review №36

2022-04-16 01:37:37

Service was on point, food was so delicious, and I highly recommend the steak and seafood enchilada,, rice and beans!The Tamarindo margarita was one of the tastiest Ive had in the OC.

Review №37

2021-02-14 16:16:18

We had to wait on a table for over an hour which didnt start the experience off on a good foot because our name and phone number were taken down incorrectly. it was a complete turnaround when we sat down because of great wait staff they had working that day. i really enjoyed the small salsa which came with the chips and asked for more as i didnt even touch the other two. i ordered their pork mole enchiladas and those knocked my socks off! i also ordered, by waitress suggestion, the single barrel tequila margarita and it was very good as well. id definitely return but i wouldnt want to wait so long on another visit.

Review №38

2021-04-28 02:28:00

This was beyond a delightful surprise! We love the other Nicks but hadnt been to this one. Fantastic, creative and generous proportions. Excellent and unique salsa including a mid-spicy almond oil pepper salsa. Great presentation. Authentic but with a twist. And, really - what made the difference was the great service. Above and beyond. 5star service. Especially Jacob, a young but very professional waiter. Inquisitive, polite, professional. This will probably be our go to spot driving between OC and San Diego.

Review №39

2022-07-10 02:17:05

Amazing salsa, amazing cheese dip, ridiculous flavor any dish you choose.But the best part of all? The margaritas. Absolutely the best Ive ever had anywhere.

Review №40

2018-12-16 05:44:31

Wow! Such a lively place! Wonderful ambiance and great staff! We did have to wait a while since we didnt call ahead. The front staff were wonderful and let me bug them to find out when we would be seated. We were able to get a cocktail from the bar while we waited. Drinks were made well with obvious pride from the bartenders. Such luck we were able to get a table by the fireplace. Im a country guy and a fireplace remindes me of home. The food as you can see was beautiful and tasted amazing. Our server Vivian was such a gem. She gave us great recommendations and made sure we were taken care of. I always love a place that handles the leftovers for you.Bathrooms were gender specific but the stalls had floor to ceiling doors. ADA accessable with plenty of room in the dining area. Although bathroom stalls would be a bit difficult to transfer from a wheelchair to toilet.5 STARS and a definite returning customer here!

Review №41

2023-07-14 18:00:10

We were in town for the week! We went to this restaurant two nights in a row. This is the place to eat! Robby made our experience over the top. His energy was contagious as he brought us food. Made great conversation with us also. Thank you man! We look forward to coming back in the future. 😁

Review №42

2021-09-12 20:57:02

We ate there for dinner with a beautiful sunset view of the Pacific. Service was fast and friendly. Large selection of tequilas. Lots of different options for margaritas. I had the quasabirria taco even though it was listed on the “starters” section of the menu. It was filled with melted cheese and short rib. We ended our night with the warm butter cake which was moist and delicious.

Review №43

2021-04-25 23:06:24

This a great place in San Clemente. The food is really good, the carnitas and enchiladas are delicious. The margaritas are highly recommend and the churros are a must! So delicious 🤤. Excellent service 👍. Good ambiance.

Review №44

2020-06-29 06:35:50

They are opened for dine in! We went there for lunch today and the restaurant was full although with social distancing between tables. This restaurant is always our favorite stop over for food on our way San Diego. Our regular dish is the their la tabalita which consists grilled shrimp, ribeyes, grilled chicken and verges, Good enough for two persons. You may change the chicken to Sea-bass with bit of extra charges, but it’s worth it.We didn’t get our favorite today as we wanted to try some other dishes. I started with their tortilla chicken soup. I have to say they have the best soup here. The chicken was tender and the combination of shredded tortilla chips and avocados made the soup extra tasty. I also ordered their short rib tacos. Here we’re here small tacos with this dish and the flavor was quite good. I felt the beef was is bit dry though. My wife got a filet mignon Ranchero for lunch. She loved her food. The portion was very big and she ended up having left over to take home. We were so full and satisfied.We are a fan of Nick’s restaurants. We often frequent their Pasadena and Manhattan locations. If you have a chance, you have a chance, try out Nick’s American foods.

Review №45

2022-12-27 10:18:07

South of nicks has my favorite margarita ! it’s more like a coconut dessert but that’s ok ! the food is also delicious here ! we got the guacamole and i highly recommend it ! nicks is a great fancy date night spot and the food is delicious !

Review №46

2023-06-15 19:18:02

Wow! What an amazing experience. The service was exceptional and quick and the food was absolutely delicious and super gourmet. Its a little pricey but its well worth it Even the cocktails were unique fitting with restaurant theme and outstanding!

Review №47

2021-02-22 06:37:05

First time but no last. Our server Glen was great. Good service and tasty food. Portions are big. Chips n salsa were good, same as Guacamole and we also had Queso Fundido.Try the jalapeño and watermelon Margarita! Outstanding 🍉

Review №48

2023-09-25 23:04:17

Vyonne treated us like family, she was great. The chips and salsa and unique honey blond ale were an abolute treat. Cant wait to go back next month.

Review №49

2021-10-29 23:50:19

South of Nick’s is such a great place. If you haven’t been here already, you just don’t know what your missing! The food is delicious and the service is top notch. Never a disappointment here. Be prepared for fresh, crispy and delicious chips and salsa to be served after you are seated. Far superior to many places we’ve tried. Trust me, you will not be sorry you are here. Always amazing!

Review №50

2019-03-30 12:15:37

South of Nick’s is on a different level than most Mexican restaurants. A very relaxed atmosphere helps you settle into their comfortable booth. Our group shared multiple appetizers that were all excellent. Our meal was great along with cocktails that I’ve never heard of before. I believe the churros were designed to share, but I ate the whole thing myself. While the drinks were a little slow our service was excellent. Great place!

Review №51

2023-06-10 01:25:43

The place had a nice view, and really nice ambiance. The service can improve. I felt a bit rushed by the waitress while I was taking my time to eat the food. I had the Seafood Chile Relleno, and it was good, but it wasn’t something crazy to go for (IMO). The cocktails are good, buuut a bit pricey.

Review №52

2022-01-21 01:13:25

We had fantastic service at South of Nicks! The giant Pina Collada cocktail was the most fabulous drink! I was celebrating my birthday and our waiter Dave made it extra special! Thank you, Dave!

Review №53

2022-01-10 00:15:10

Ive always wondered what upscale Mexican food could possibly be. I got my answer here. Everything is just done exceptionally well. The chips and salsa that came with the table were fresh. The chips were still piping hot.The birria tacos were basically pre-dipped. Delicious and dripping with tons of flavor. They werent too spicy to eat, but youll definitely feel the heat.The carnitas were phenomenal. Get them crispy. They may be the best carnitas Ive ever had. Crispy and juicy with fresh tortillas.The portions were very filling, we didnt have room for dessert.

Review №54

2021-09-12 19:02:54

We had a great lunch at South of Nicks! There was no wait, we were seated quickly, and the service was great. They offered a lot of recommendations, as we weren’t sure what to try. The three salsas were all so good to try with the chips. Our favorite thing off the menu was the Quesabirria. The pork carnitas tacos were also very good. I’d highly recommend!

Review №55

2023-07-26 21:57:18

Best food ever. Great service.Thank you for taking care of us.

Review №56

2023-02-02 05:08:09

This place was great, very high-end Mexican food. Top notch.

Review №57

2021-10-19 14:42:21

One of my favorite places to eat in San Clemente! Everything is amazing, but don’t miss their butter cake dessert! Staff is great & restaurant is clean.

Review №58

2023-07-25 06:31:35

Wonderful server, Juan. Great meal. The staff was kind enough to sign a happy anniversary card for us. So lucky to be married to my guy and celebrate at South of Nicks!

Review №59

2023-06-15 19:45:24

Amazing! Food, drinks and delicious desserts! Highly recommended

Review №60

2023-11-13 19:50:53

We were visiting Austin & daughters took us here. They serve fru-fru not quite Mexican food. Service was excellent & our seating was perfect. Thanks.

Review №61

2023-08-27 06:30:23

South of Nicks excels in its 2 locations, Laguna Beach and San Clemente. Hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants in SoCal. Drinks are phenomenal, I always order the Smokey Pineapple Margarita. Original and tasty. Food is always on point, since you sit at that table or at the bar, the tortilla chips flow with delicious salsas and black beans. You wont be disappointed by any dish. My top 3 are Chicken flautas, Carnitas and seafood enchiladas.Service? 5 stars.

Review №62

2023-09-30 04:32:23

First time at SONs. Great food and great atmosphere. The service was very good. Great place to eat in San Clemente. Try South of Nicks.

Review №63

2018-12-20 02:32:53

We had a wonderful experience dining here. Service was professional & attentive w/o being overbearing. Prices are fair for the area. Both of our meals were very tasty, prepared well, and perfect proportions.

Review №64

2023-07-03 00:33:58

Pricey but worth every penny. Delicious, not mediocre

Review №65

2022-06-29 04:12:47

Best burrito Ive ever eaten! Super tasty, very fresh and flavorful. Definitely check it out!

Review №66

2022-06-12 05:10:06

Food was 5-stars - Service wasn3 stars. Overall South of Nicks get a 4 star rating

Review №67

2023-01-08 16:28:19

Pricey but SO worth it!! The drinks are amazing and the food is delicious!! This is street tacos. Carne asada, carnitas, chicken, al pastor. The al pastor was to die for. Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita and Cucumber Margarita. Street corn....perfection!

Review №68

2023-10-20 18:08:22

Very good but pricey upscale mexican, the toasted coconut is desert in a glass in the best way - this place is often booked!

Review №69

2022-05-01 03:48:27

The best chicken enchilada I have ever had and paired with a shredded beef taco, was the best dinner I have had in a long time!! Great atmosphere!!

Review №70

2023-09-21 02:05:04

Birria tacos were well worth the price, and the consume was delicious. Service was beyond excellent..

Review №71

2021-10-18 01:14:06

Incredible. Passing through on a short vaca and ate here on a recommendation from a friend. The food is worlds above the Mexican fare back home (Idaho). Its the upscale environment we crave with food that blows our minds. You locals are spoiled!

Review №72

2023-05-28 15:59:14

Staff Attitude, work ethic, management attention, quality of food details (eg excellent tortillas used in the seafood enchiladas, their salsas are rich and thick, their Mole is very good (little sweet)) Oh the Smokey Pineapple drink, a must try. I know why the the tables are overbooked. Cheers to their on going success.

Review №73

2023-08-21 04:59:33

South of Nicks has great Mexican food. Great atmosphere. But very popular. So make a reservation in advance.

Review №74

2023-06-17 01:12:01

It was a pre-wedding party, so the food was served in humidors, or whatever they are called. In any case typically, no matter how good the food was originally, it usually doesnt stay good for very long. This night was more successful in maintaining the quality of the food for all the time it lasted.

Review №75

2023-06-12 02:32:16

Ok -I booked a reservation to celebrate my wifes birthday. We have been residents in san clemente for many years.When I made the reservation, I was asked if it was a special occasion and informed them that it was my wifes birthday.At the end of dinner, a small cake was delivered by our waiter. I assumed it was on the house as is with most restaurants - Got home and and realized we were charged 14 dollars for the desert.Amazing, we were never informed there would be a cost - Please be careful with Nicks when referring to special occasions - it is not what it appears at this restaurant.

Review №76

2019-09-14 03:53:31

Service was excellent, as always. Food is over the top! Fresh guacamole that you can’t stop eating, along with the complimentary chips and salsa. All three salsas are good. The small one is muy caliente! Plenty of options for drinks, including lots of margaritas. I had enchiladas divorciadas, which were amazing. One was chicken with the best mole sauce ever; the other was cheese with a poblano verde sauce. Can’t decide which I liked better! We’ve never been disappointed here, just hard to choose!

Review №77

2023-08-08 11:21:39

The food was excellent, especially the taco sampler. We ordered takeout because we were there on a busy Friday night.

Review №78

2023-08-30 19:00:56

A consistently delicious experience! Great service! The only thing missing are the Oh-So-Yummy Portobello Tacos!

Review №79

2020-01-12 04:21:12

Very good for up-scale Mexican! If you have never had up-scale Mexican food this is the spot. I have been to several up-scale Mexican restaurants, and there are not many. This is one of the best. I really like their touch on the dishes just take a look at the Churro’s. Very classy. Great service.

Review №80

2023-02-17 07:00:03

Great food, and excellent work from the kitchen. The welcome was ok, politely but not friendly. We got our drinks fast and a very professional waiter. Nachos and salsa were good as an appetizer. The food waitress was friendly but rushed our meal. (we arrived late 21.00) Ordering took some time. No presentation of the food only more concern about going home. And since we are in the same business: -the boss or the shift manager should not sit down and eat while the rest of the crew is working. Bad manners👎

Review №81

2021-04-03 20:45:13

Beautiful place, great service, delicious food, very good drinks! The shrimp taquitos were the business, a must eat item!

Review №82

2018-05-14 02:07:03

My husband and I tried here today and are absolutely in love! The food was good, waiters were always asking if we needed anything, and the place was spotless. Desert had to of been my favorite part! Will definitely recommend!

Review №83

2023-11-27 03:09:04

Super friendly service and an amazing menu of options. Highly recommended.

Review №84

2023-05-04 19:31:56

South of Nicks San Clemente is our go to place for the best food and atmosphere. Nick was our server today and I think he loves the food at the restaurant more than us. He knows the menu as if he owned the place, even though hes not the Nick of South Nicks. Great hospitable service from Nick. Driving from San Diego is worth the drive, but I understand from my source that South of Nicks is opening soon in Del Mar. See you again soon

Review №85

2023-11-25 19:15:51

I would do a review of this restaurant BUTi can’t even get a reservation to eat here!!! So I’m done trying to eat here again🤬🤬🤬🤬

Review №86

2023-06-26 03:45:00

Had great service and experience for my 1 year anniversary!

Review №87

2023-06-29 00:24:14

Best mexican/seafood restaurant around. Consistently delivers fantastic food, exceptional service and outstanding atmosphere.

Review №88

2023-03-10 21:10:41

I was disappointed in the meals served. My dinner items were too spicy. Portions are scant on some plates: 4-well portioned flautist, but 2 very small enchiladas for the same price. What Mexican food restaurant doesn’t include rice and beans with the entree? The room was very noisy, so much so that could hardly hear each other or visit. Service was very good.

Review №89

2023-09-14 21:57:48

Ive been going here for 10 years and it is as good as ever. Its the best restaurant in San Clemente!

Review №90

2022-12-27 20:51:03

We had an amazing dinner and lovey time! Gavin was our server and he did a great job accommodating my children who were not being the easiest. My wife and I both had excellent margaritas as well as a great dinner. The atmosphere is lovely and the music was loud enough to hear but not loud enough to overpower conversation. We will dine here when we visit San Clemente again!

Review №91

2023-04-03 01:39:56

Great atmosphere and good food! Service was excellent. The reason for the 4 stars, we had made reservations for our family and we were separated from our family members; I had called earlier to confirm our tables and that didnt happen. Otherwise, it was a good experience.

Review №92

2023-09-06 21:56:00

We love South of Nicks. The food is always amazing, a little pricey for the portions but overall we really enjoy the experience.

Review №93

2023-03-08 02:02:32

Customer service is superb. Ive visited twice over the past year. They are always very welcoming and accommodating of our group on short notice. The flautas are delicious, and so is the guacamole. Its a regular go-to for some of the locals in my party.

Review №94

2022-04-12 16:56:17

Delicious food! Great service and atmosphere.

Review №95

2023-05-09 02:50:29

Thomas, the manager, is so kind. There was a little mix up with my to go order and he was understanding and went above and beyond to prepare my food. I’d definitely recommend this place for good food and quality service. :)

Review №96

2023-09-26 02:38:56

Love the vibe. Best chips, beans and salsa to begin your meal. Love the camerones!

Review №97

2023-09-21 11:36:24

Luv the interior. Place so prestine including restrooms. Great food & drinks. Service staff wonderful.

Review №98

2019-04-01 01:41:22

The chips are airy and delicious. The salsa wasnt to my liking but there were three options. Got the combo; cheese enchilada and a shredded beef taco with black beans. It was delicious!!! Others in my party got the Gringo salad it was huge and they super dug it as well. We ended with the butter cake. It was AMAZING!!!!!! A side note if you are a fountain soda lover its not available. They use single serve glass bottles.

Review №99

2019-02-22 01:12:17

Excellent Mexican food! I went with the El Jefe Burrito with the shredded chicken. For this specific dish, you get a choice of shredded chicken, chopped chicken, or chopped beef.I also had the pleasure to try the diablo shrimp dish. Only draw back with this dish is that its not as spicy as you would expect, especially given the title diablo.For desert, you have to try the butter cake. It is sooooo good. Yum!

Review №100

2018-11-11 20:09:27

A little on the pricey side for Mexican food, but it was creative cruisine & the service was excellent!

Review №101

2023-10-20 03:40:27

Great experience everytime

Review №102

2022-12-18 19:40:44

Im not one to give 5 stars as theres always room to improve, especially when its a large group event and buffet, but... WOW! The food was amazing, the appetizers were a meal in itself and the guac... where do you get avocados this time of the year? Worth the 45 min drive just for the guac! And service was spectacular! Great job! If you havent been... GO!

Review №103

2023-04-10 02:21:32

We are big fans of Nicks in Belmont Shore Long Beach, so we thought wed drive too San Clemente and try South of Nicks.Tried it last Sunday for dinner, it was so good we drove the 40 miles from Seal Beach again on Easter Sunday. Fantastic!!I liked the El Vaquero plate so much last week I had it again this week.

Review №104

2023-06-21 23:51:11

Excellent food! We had pork carnitas, Baja fish tacos, and chicken flautas and all were delicious and ample portions.

Review №105

2022-12-03 22:38:08

If you want delicious, high quality Mexican food then you should go to South of Nicks! Literally everything on their menu is delicious. The drinks are fabulous too. You must try the frozen coconut margarita, it’s like a margarita and dessert all wrapped in one and it’s perfect for your instagram story. The service is great and the atmosphere is warm and cozy, especially if you get a seat near the fireplace! This is my go-to nice end Mexican restaurant in San Clemente!

Review №106

2022-12-07 22:36:29

My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner at South of Nick’s. We worked with Corey who was very helpful in planning this special event. Their private events room is beautiful and our family sat together at a large dining table. Everyone loved the food and drinks. The service was phenomenal and all the staff were very accommodating. We highly recommend them for a wedding rehearsal dinner!

Review №107

2023-09-15 21:06:01

South of Nicks is my favorite Mexican restaurant in San Clemente. Very nice atmosphere and quality food!

Review №108

2021-07-07 02:43:29

Good drink. The bartender could not take cash. Said it came from his pocket and I need to pay with a credit card. Said they had no money for change. Outrageous

Review №109

2022-12-19 17:30:38

First time visiting the restaurant. Came for an early lunch with a colleague. Great atmosphere and vibe. Salsa and chips were great! The burrito was ok. Really friendly service team, though getting a refill on beverages was a bit slow. I would come back and give it another try.

Review №110

2022-06-30 03:09:45

Delicious food, fun and relaxed atmosphere. The guacamole and queso were both fantastic. I also had the seafood enchiladas and they were great! Huge portion, so I also enjoyed them for breakfast the next day. (Those of you that live for breakfast leftovers the next day know what Im talking about. 🙂) Do NOT skip the butter cake for dessert! Its famous for a reason and was just scrumptious. Unforgettable.

Review №111

2019-05-27 03:23:48

The food was awesome! Got myself short rib tacos. A nice clean environment. The Staff was friendly.

Review №112

2020-10-06 04:39:54

Great dinner and excellent service. The combo plates with corn and beans on the side and guacamole are awesome. And always a pitcher of Margs.

Review №113

2023-09-29 19:02:25

We found hair in our food and the server blamed my friend. Fortunately the manager came over and apologized.

Review №114

2023-01-25 20:28:45

I have eaten here multiple times food is always on point! Service not so much. We ate here for my sons birthday (8 of us) the waitress (Lauren) initially appeared to be good (order taking and helpful with recommendations) but then disappeared and was aloof. She neglected to inform us that soda refills were 3.50ea!! Keep in mind this was nothing special like a craft rootbeer or strawberry lemonade just coke. After 3 refills the tab for soda alone was 14$ ...what restaurant does this 🤔 like I said above the food is good. The service however leaves much to be desired. Btw the manager took off the extra 11$ (refills) after I complained and we still left her a good tip (25$) even though it wasnt truly earned.

Review №115

2023-10-28 21:14:51

Comfortable restaurant, with good service and the food is reasonably tasty 😋. Pricy

Review №116

2022-04-17 14:21:41

This is my second time coming to this location and I came for my anniversary. Our waitress was great, our food was fresh and full of all the perfect flavors and spices. Seriously, Ive had a lot of Mexican cuisine all over the state (and country), the flavors here are wonderful. I couldnt leave without ordering the butter cake. I often crave it and It was as every bit of moist and buttery deliciousness as the first time I got it. Will definitely be back.

Review №117

2021-12-05 18:56:35

We rented out the private room for a holiday party. The room is gorgeous, the staff is awesome and the food is delicious. Highly recommend this place.

Review №118

2023-03-09 17:42:44

Very friendly and helpful staff! extremely knowledgable about the menu. we had the shrimp taquitos, chicken tortilla soup, and chicken enchiladas. all of them were super delicious. would definitely recommend!!

Review №119

2022-10-02 23:14:51

I love South of Nicks! It has a great ambiance and great food. Everything is so delicious.

Review №120

2023-06-18 04:04:49

First time trying this restaurant. Have to say food and service were excellent 👌 we will definitely be back !

Review №121

2023-02-18 00:12:58

Wonderful experience. Rick is the 🌟 star in this restaurant.

Review №122

2023-08-03 20:31:47

Great food, staff, and atmosphere. Excited to go back next time Im in Cali

Review №123

2023-05-08 01:45:38

Been here many times, usually better than my last time, but management does not know how to appropriately handle a situation effectively, received service that was not great, and when pursuing a manager rather than him proactively reaching out in a moderately level of customers where expo, server and kitchen all made mistakes, manager topped it off with his terrible communication.Will never go here again. Laguna location for the win.

Review №124

2019-09-10 05:00:05

Upscale Mexican that is AWESOME! Excellent selection of tequilas. Highly recommend the side of corn. TIP: Drinks come with a skinny version for less sugar — ask for it.

Review №125

2019-05-30 02:04:16

The food was very good. Service was very good. A small margarita was $13 which we thought was a bit much. No happy hour.

Review №126

2022-08-22 00:22:02

A couple of weeks ago, we had a fantastic dinner at South of Nicks in SC. We had extended family in town and had a party of 9.The evening was a 10/10.The food was fantastic. We had enchiladas, burritos, chips and salsa, guac, drinks (including mocktails for the kids), and other mains and side courses. Nobody had a bad bite.The service was basically perfect. The servers were there when you wanted them to be there and absent when they should be.The bill wasnt nuts either.Weve been to all of them in SC and some of them seriously need a remedial course taught by South of Nicks in how to do it right.

Review №127

2018-02-22 20:04:59

They have very good short rib beef tacos here. The beef is very very soft which is the way it should be.

Review №128

2018-07-14 05:08:49

Fillet Mignon Fajita was amazing. Must keep space for the butter cake... so yummy. Excellent service.

Review №129

2022-02-19 04:56:44

This was our second time here. We drove an hour and a half to get here. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. The decor is very nice. The server are very accommodating and professional. Anything that you want, you will get. We all loved our food and drinks. The prices are very high but so is the quality of the ingredients and the preparation. They have their own parking lot and it’s a great area to take a walk after your meal. I can easily see us coming back again.

Review №130

2022-07-05 16:47:08

Excellent Mexican cuisine. Chilean Sea Bass is incredible. The seafood enchiladas are filling, comes with beans and rice. Loads of chips and salsa. Definitely get the guacamole. Top off dinner with a mouth watering Butter cake for dessert. Make reservations / worth the wait without. You wont be disappointed.

Review №131

2022-10-15 16:39:16

Seriously the best restaurant experience I’ve had in a longgggg time. The bartender was so kind, knowledgeable and personable. The coconut blended margarita is out of this world!!!!Hot, fresh chips and perfect guacamole. I had the portobello tacos. Divine!!Thanks to the staff for such a lovely dinner.

Review №132

2023-07-04 14:30:54

We sat in the bar, the seafood enchiladas are awesome with a very flavorful green sauce.

Review №133

2023-01-25 23:02:22

I used to love this place but now its way overpriced and the quantity of food is much smaller. Had the chicken diavlouala and cheese enchilada. They literally charged me $3 for 2 tortillas even. Taste was average .

Review №134

2022-02-24 21:31:02

Came on a Tuesday night, it was an hour and a half wait for 2 people. After waiting so long we were finally seated. We ordered right away and had to wait 45 min for our food. Our waitress was MIA most of the time, finally when we wanted to order dessert I went to the hostess and asked if she could help me because our waitress was MIA. She went and found her so we could order. Been here many times and the poor service and mediocre food isn’t worth the wait or price. The worst part of it all was we paid in cash and the waitress shorted us change by $3 which is pretty substantial. The restaurant should have taken the couple dollar hit since they didn’t have enough change. Wont ever go back.Sol Agave is the new best Mexican restaurant in town, the food, service and price is exceptional. Go there instead for a great experience.

Review №135

2019-04-05 21:32:45

Great spot with ample space, high ceilings and a clean, fun atmosphere. We got the shrimp taqueria and taco sampler. Shrimp taquerias were tasty, nice crunch.

Review №136

2021-03-20 21:43:46

Fabulous!! A great restaurant experience. If youre willing to pay the extra dollar for high end Hispanic cuisine this place is awesome. They bring you three salsas that varied in spice intensity and some obviously house made tortilla chips which for someone who is a self appointed chips and dip expert like myself it was very nice how it accommodated not just my strong taste buds but also milder taste buds without sacrificing the taste. If youre looking for anything extremely spicy in that regard you wont be satisfied. However the dish I ordered was absolutely delicious. They have a seafood enchilada dish that is spectacular and so much different than what I expected from a Hispanic/Mexican cuisine restaurant. It contains shrimp and Maine lobster which I have to admit I was sceptical about but was very pleasantly surprised by how well it worked in an enchilada dish with the side of white Spanish rice with vegetables and black beans. Which were delicious. Also since it was my mothers birthday my mother and her close family friend enjoyed the butter cake which was so rich that even my mother with her extreme sweet tooth was overwhelmed by the cake and its taste. It took all three of us who were dining to finish it and we still failed at that because of how full we were from the main entree. The staff was very accommodating and respectful. Our waiter was great. Overall it was a great experience that was worth the half hour wait.

Review №137

2022-06-05 08:28:05

The food was fantastic. Excellent menu, delicious dinner, great experience. The thing that really stood out, though, was the service. It was over the top attentive, everyone was extremely friendly, and they were all hustlers! It was an amazing dining experience!! Highly recommend it!

Review №138

2023-03-02 07:29:33

Margaritas are $15 made by couple of kids from high school that just turned 21 and they’re trying to pick up any girls on the bar rather than serve customers service is lousy. They are trying to save money by hiring absolutely the least experienced servers lousy service.

Review №139

2023-02-17 06:18:14

One of the best high end American/Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been too. Good value and great qualityLa Tablita can’t be beat, also the service is great here. Enjoy!!!

Review №140

2023-07-20 20:55:53

The best Nuevo Mexican food. Awesome use of a farm to table ingredients. 👌

Review №141

2021-12-17 13:57:00

This restaurant features an elevated take on traditional Mexican food. Some of the dishes are quite tasty and its clear that fresh, good quality ingredients are used consistently. We liked most of what we ordered, though entrees are quite pricey for the quantity and quality. I had the seafood enchiladas which were very prettily presented. Most of the components of the dish were tasty except the enchiladas were crammed with slices of poblanos or some other sort of pepper, which was not described on the menu and their crunch did not fit well into the dish, ruining the whole experience of eating it.The real problem with this restaurant, though, is that if youre seated in the side dining room, it is FREEZING COLD! One chooses a Mexican restaurant of this type primarily for the ambience, since food of similar quality can be purchased for much less money at more casual places. The main dining room is very pretty but the side room is not. All of us in that room had to sit and eat in our coats. This is clearly EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of the sort of experience one is seeking when choosing a restaurant like this. For this reason, we would never go back.As concerns the service, the restaurant runs smoothly. The servers are attentive but, unfortunately, sometimes almost too attentive. Our main server may be an aspiring actor, because she talked a lot in a super-animated way that felt intrusive at times. Also, they kind of pressure you to order more expensive food and drink items which, like the cold, is unwelcome.

Review №142

2023-06-29 21:45:34

Good food, service, and atmosphere.Food was quite small. I mean the portion.

Review №143

2019-10-02 21:41:27

I asked for lots of jalepeno and cilantro in my margarita, and that what I got! Perfect! Dont remember our bartenders name, but she was great!

Review №144

2023-06-25 02:51:36

Delicious food, great attitude from staff, its like a self service type atmosphere.

Review №145

2023-05-05 01:45:24

Jacob was the best! He was an awesome server and awesome guy. Always amazing food and service at south of Nicks.

Review №146

2023-03-26 20:26:15

Amazing food, seafood enchiladas a must as well as the filet mignon ranchero. Missed the famous butter cake but wont happen again (thank you Clau) :)

Review №147

2022-05-09 14:49:27

South of Nicks is a lovely place. The architecture is beautiful in Spanish style with nice looking beams. Most importantly we were with family, as long as you get along and we do, we had a fun and enjoyable time. We had a lot of laughs together. Staff was very lovey. Also, our timing was perfect, we walked right in and got a table right away. 4:00 pm on a Friday perfect time to meet someone here.

Review №148

2022-07-29 22:02:01

My business partner and I took a client out to South of Nicks yesterday and we were completely blown away by the incredible service. Our server, Paige, was phenomenal and went above and beyond to accommodate us on a tight schedule. Would highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion, especially for business meetings.

Review №149

2023-04-30 18:49:48

Great service at the bar. Drinks were awesome, food delicious. The only critique is the air is somewhat stagnant.

Review №150

2021-09-27 23:51:39

5 plus stars for our review of this fabulous place. Best food hands down we have found in southern California and we have tried a lot of them. The service is outstanding. The chips salsa and guacamole are OMG the best!! The margaritas are huge and the tequila they use is SO GOOD and tasty. I love the ambiance of the place and will go there every time we go to California even if we have to drive an hour or more from Temeluca where we usually stay. Hope we can get in there next time we go because its usually pretty busy and we know WHY! Now all I need is the see the House wives of Orange County there and its to full deal.

Review №151

2019-09-22 16:56:56

Service was a bit slow, but the food was excellent!

Review №152

2022-09-03 17:47:38

Its a good thing they have complimentary chips and salsa, because the tequilas are unreal. We almost never get dessert at restaurants just because of extra cost and calories, but trust me, its worth it at South of Nicks to get the butter cake. Just do it.

Review №153

2021-12-24 01:58:00

We went as a family and it was wonderful. We tried several things from the new menu and everything was delicious. The seafood and sauces were flavorful and rich. The service was perfect and the staff was friendly and prompt.There are 2 salsas served with chips, one was a smokey roasted pepper and the other a pico de gallo. Both were fresh and delicious.The meals were beautifully presented in large portions.It was about 30.00 per person without drinks.

Review №154

2019-07-29 05:51:34

The best Mexican restaurant in California! Great service and food is sooo delicious! Definitely recommend it to everyone!

Review №155

2023-05-24 02:24:04

We love this place. Beyond 5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review №156

2023-03-02 07:21:36

I have lived in San Clemente for 25 years I was there when nicks opened and I was there when south of nicks open it used to be a fairly decent traditional style on a modern setting restaurant nice addition to the choices now it is a Taco Bell style food with a bunch of high school kids running the show they are making good money and they are packed but as a local I will never eat there again save money and eat at Taco Bell food is pretty much the same and the service is definitely the same

Review №157

2019-10-21 22:13:56

Buen provecho! Delicious! Server delightful and helpful, checking on how we were doing, thru out our dining. Highly rcommended

Review №158

2023-10-09 03:14:17

Couldnt seat us for 1.5 hours so went across the street for pizza.

Review №159

2021-10-17 13:47:35

Some of the best Mexican food around! Their take on Mexican food is next level. They have amazing seafood options along with amazing flavorful fishes with chicken, steak, carnitas(pork) and seafood. We always bring friends from out of town here as it is one of our favorite stops. The serving staff is always great. Make sure to make a reservation if you are coming during dinner hours or not there right when they open, there will be a wait.

Review №160

2023-11-27 04:17:48

Very good. Loud, fun atmosphere.

Review №161

2022-08-21 19:54:15

Just need a salad and a 3 item and good for family of 5. Maybe an appetizer but not needed. We always have leftovers. Only needed one a la carte (included in 3 item ). The tamarind margarita is the best. Also the coconut is a close second. Shrimp taquitos were just ok.

Review №162

2022-01-12 21:33:49

South of Nicks was my favorite restaurant ever in OC but I went to it yesterday and it was such a DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! The service was so bad- 3 of our dishes and 2 of our drinks never came even after we told the waiter. Service was not amazing as always. The fillet mignon was my go to dish because it was reliable but this time it was actually inedible. The meat was so chewy and not cooked right. We complained to the waiter that the food was not on par and he didn’t do anything about it. And finally we ordered the butter cake (which is always bomb) and I made sure to order it extra warm because the previous times it came so cold the ice cream didn’t even melt, BUT SADLY IT CAME COLD AS IF I DIDN’T JUST ORDER IT EXTRA WARM! I was so disappointed and returned it back to the kitchen for another EXTRA WARM ONE. Thank god the other one they got was warm. We complained to the manager that we couldn’t complete our meal and would come out hungry and he said he would take care of it and did nothing and pretended he was too busy and on the phone. I used to go to South of Nicks for more than 6 years and I’m not going here again after this disappointment.

Review №163

2022-06-14 06:01:58

This warm and inviting location is my new favorite go-to for outstanding food and drinks. The staff is professional and attentive. All of the food was prepared to perfection. The fajita platter was an incredible twist on the classic.

Review №164

2022-12-19 02:01:23

Best Mexican food and margaritas in town. Warm chips with 2 salsas are free. Prices are so reasonable, Authentic and tasty.

Review №165

2022-01-14 06:54:47

Very disappointing.. it has gone down. Used to be our family’s favorite Mexican restaurant for years.. now we have to look for a new place. Talked to the manager at the end how disappointing our experience was, our dishes were wrong some of us didn’t get their order, others did not get what they requested, some left hungry looking for a burger after paying 40 a person! Oh and the ones who got their orders right it wasn’t the quality or taste that we know from south of nicks.. Anyway he said that he will take care of us.. and did nothing sent the bill as is and disappeared. Very sad with our experience.. loyal customers for years not anymore.

Review №166

2019-10-12 04:21:41

Very nice ambiance. Very attentive and helpful staff. I would say the food is very good. I had the stacked chicken enchiladas and others had enchilada plates. Everyone commented on the sauces. They have more savory complexity than most. I would expect larger portions for the price. I sampled my wifes portabello tacos and these were quite tasty. Its nice to have an interesting vegetarian alternative. Guacamole is nice and they give a variety of salsas with chips. Margarita was good but not very strong. The butter cake is out of this world. Words do not do justice.

Review №167

2023-10-07 21:10:01

Terrific food!

Review №168

2022-07-09 19:36:27

If youre taking a trip to San Clemente, then this is the place to eat! Everything on the menu is GOOD! Fresh as the day is long! Always great service... cocktails are delicious too!

Review №169

2019-03-08 19:35:54

Very good tasting food. I cant tell the staff and management enough how awesome it is that the waiters bring you refills on salsa and chips without having to ask. I have had several items on the menu and can attest to the fact that it is one of the best in the area. I, personally, have had better. Do not discredit my review. South of Nicks is a great Mexican restaurant

Review №170

2021-06-11 04:23:21

The only knock here is there was too much cheese on my seafood Chile relleno. And too much dressing on the salad. I know I know - how can there be TOO much cheese?! Just back it off 20% on the cheese and dressing please. Well this place is very very good. The trio of salsas and fresh chips. And plenty of lobster and shrimp in my dish as well. Above all - the service was some of the best service in a restaurant I’ve ever had. NYC, LA, Europe, etc. Nate (I think) was on it. And the rest of the whole team backed him up. First time here on a business lunch but I’ll be back for dinner with friends and family. Nice work!

Review №171

2022-05-17 15:29:03

Coconut drink is a special treat. Shrimp appetizer was perfect combination

Review №172

2023-01-15 23:33:49

Great evening. Service was good and the food delicious.Started with the Guacamole which was spot on, very tasty. Then I had the Dos combo with the chicken enchilada, shredded beef taco and Tijuana corn for sides. All very tasty and great, I will definitely come back. Do make a reservation ahead.

Review №173

2022-04-18 05:19:58

Food just OK, service friendly, though the servers seemed over-stretched and trying to service too many tables at times.Would have been 4 stars, but misleading menu meant we got a 20% bill shock, on top of which is the ridiculous tipping culture. All-told the fair value of our meals was probably half what we paid here.

Review №174

2018-12-19 15:26:18

This our favorite date night place. It is amazing. The drinks, ambiance, service, food, are all top off class and even the parking isnt bad! The menu is small but varied. Last time we went we had a dish for sharing that was outstanding. Highly recommend, even the chips and salsa are great. My one negative would be that the front room is always freezing cold during the winter, to the point that it can be uncomfortable to sit there as the room clears out and cools off towards the end of the night. But that room is quieter and more intimate than the larger more happening dining room. Cant wait to go back!

Review №175

2023-02-27 23:41:11

Great food. Perfect chill atmosphere. I highly recommend. I recommend the butter cake. Best dessert ever 😋

Review №176

2022-03-26 16:52:30

South of Nicks is one of our familys favorite restaurants! It has the most delicious food and fun atmosphere! And their signature drinks are yummy! Servers are amazing and are so on top of making sure you have a wonderful meal!

Review №177

2021-08-17 06:02:21

If you are looking for an amazing vibe, posh n plush decor, and delectable food, this is the best place to go to. Really liked the salsa sampler and absolutely loved the grilled portobello mushroom tacos. I am a vegetarian and it’s rare to find good veg tacos. This place ticked it for me. The ambiance and servers leave no stone unturned in making you feel special / pampered.

Review №178

2023-10-02 15:47:39

Must try, amazing service and foodYou have to try the butter cake 🤯

Review №179

2022-06-27 16:52:17

This place has great food and drinks but watch out when the waiter asks if you want to upgrade your drink... we ended up saying sure give us the better tequila and turns out that margarita cost us $27 😒 crazy!!! So dont know if I will be going back. Or if I do I will make sure to stay with well tequila. The least they could do is give you a heads up that a $13 margarita will go up $14 dollars. Such a bummer. Puts a bad taste in your mouth after a nice meal.

Review №180

2019-06-18 03:23:45

One of if not the best places we went too while in San Clemente! Service was excellent and food was even better! Great selection of beverages. Chips and salsa were very good. They give you three types when they bring it out. Hot, medium and mild. Lots of very tasty entrees on the menu. If you want Mexican food it is a must go too!!

Review №181

2022-02-14 16:41:40

My friends & I have been to South Of Nicks many times. But unfortunately this experience was very disappointing. We walked in & were seated & within a short time a male server greeted us. He immediately offered us strawberry lemonade & VIRGIN margs, that’s fine we look young we informed him we were of age & ordered some drinks. He checked our IDs & then told us we would have to have our IDs checked by his manager.. okay that’s fine all throughout this experience he was kind of rude but whatever we get that he’s trying to be cautious. His manager comes checks our IDs & then says we are good, he comes back and has to take our drink order again & im assuming because he thought our IDs would be fake & then asked AGAIN if we were all 21.. we constantly got the vibe he didn’t believe we were 21 & he didn’t even care to be taking care of us. We had to ask for waters & the other male server was more helpful with refilling waters, getting us boxes, & clearing our plates, this server just completely ignored us until we had to flag him down for the check. Food & drinks were delicious but one servers judgmental & bad attitude can make your whole experience & he made it known he did not want to be serving us.

Review №182

2020-06-26 18:39:07

How could anyone rate this location any less than 5 stars? The service was impeccable, the ambiance was delightful and the food, DELICIOUS! Especially the butter cake. If youre a fan of CPKs butter cake, South of Nicks gives them a run for their money. Brent was the manager on duty, Vanessa was the hostess, and Violet was our server. They make a great team. Violet made sure I knew they all worked as a team when I asked if she could just keep the tip for herself. The level of communication was exceptional once they realized our wait had extended past the initial time frame. Definitely my new favorite place! Thanks to everyone there the evening of 6/25.

Review №183

2017-03-06 02:19:04

One of the top 3 best Mexican restaurants in Orange County. The food is bomb! Do yourself a flavor and order the seafood enchiladas, you will not be disappointed! Everything Ive had here has been top notch, and they make really interesting margaritas that are always really good. The prices might seem high, but you are paying for quality food, and the atmosphere is really classy and hip. I have been here several times and cant wait to come again!

Review №184

2019-11-08 04:01:56

The food and drinks were excellent! Ambiance is nice, but the service was awful! We were interrupted at least four times during conversations. Plates were taken while others were still eating. Overbearing, but not paying attention to the actual diners . Four different people interacted with us and none of them felt like they knew what they were doing! One of them actually packed my friends to go box in my space, I had to back away and they didnt even notice they were being rude to me. The food may bring us back, but another service experience like this and we wont be back.

Review №185

2021-04-06 03:30:35

Food and drinks are amazing. Smooth music and beautiful ambiance. Recommend the coconut margarita or the cucumber. Had a couple shots of good tequila. Kid friendly. Chips and salsas are so tasty. Can get crowded so make a reservation if you can. Churros desert was okay but still a great desert. Enjoy!

Review №186

2022-10-27 21:19:05

Was there for a wedding rehearsal dinner.Great service from all the staff and the food was very good as well. Atmosphere is awesome. No complaints.

Review №187

2021-12-13 04:02:09

If I could give this place a 10 I would !! For starters, the front staff sat us somewhere I didn’t really want to sit, and they immediately moved us over to some better seating. My husband and I went to go celebrate my late birthday and we had such a great experience. We split the Quesabirria appetizer, which was amazing, then my husband had the Chicken Flautas and I had the El Jefe Burrito: DELICIOUS. I also had the toasted coconut frozen margarita, and to finish it all off, we had the butter cake (which they put a little candle on!). Our server Rebecca, was absolutely amazing, very knowledgeable and energetic, other servers were helpful and kind as well. They even gave me a card with everyone’s name signed on it for my birthday. Thank you so much for such a great experience, we will definitely be coming back :)

Review №188

2019-06-07 23:10:17

A very nice restaurant located in the heart of San Clemente. Very friendly staff, quick service and really good food!Stop by some time, I thought youll enjoy it. Be sure to make if you plan to have dinner in the restaurant. We showed up without reservations and was told it would be an hour and forty-five minutes. But there was immediate seating in the lounge 👍

Review №189

2023-05-16 13:29:30

First time here, and it was amazing. The food was unbelievable, and the vibes were great.

Review №190

2022-07-11 20:32:04

This place has good food at a decent price. Expect to wait on the weekends but it is worth it. Overall nice place for a date night or just catching up with some friends.

Review №191

2019-08-23 15:01:58

We love the food, service & vibe of South of Nicks. This was our first time here but we will be back.The chicken tortilla soup was excellent...amazing flavor without being too salty. The salad & guacamole were great as well. Large portions.

Review №192

2019-09-29 18:17:42

Gone two or three times summer 2019. This place is busy, and theres a good reason. The food stands out. Its not merely pretty good Mexican food. Its really elevated cuisine. The service is top shelf; and speaking of top shelf, this restaurant lists several clever cocktails on the drinks menu, and the ones Ive tried have delivered. My suggestion? Try some of the drinks and menu items boasting various peppers.

Review №193

2020-02-03 08:14:42

Excellent Mexican fusion. Great ambiance for a reasonable price.For the location and type of service you will have to pay significantly more elsewhere in this area.Good selection of drinks. Pitchers are fairly good deal also. Menu has lots to choose from. All prepared very well.Service was also excellent.

Review №194

2023-09-24 14:26:23

You have to get the butter cake

Review №195

2022-10-04 14:19:29

First time here and was not let down. Perfect Service, delicious food, amazing cocktails and great atmosphere. Will definitely be back.

Review №196

2022-07-04 03:20:46

Best Mexican food I’ve ever eaten!! Brenden was fantastic, not annoying but always there when we needed him. Definitely come eat here if you get the chance!

Review №197

2022-04-24 21:34:39

Always great, from the staff, the food, the drinks and overall vibe. We had the short rib tacos (comes w/ 3 small tacos and beans) and the Enchiladas Divorciadas (comes with two different and delicious enchiladas). Excellent flavors all around!Update: The Ranchero beef is the bomb!

Review №198

2021-03-21 17:43:31

My Wife and I had very well prepared, beautifully served gourmet Mexican inspired dinner. Staff was responsive and courteous, and the decor was over the top. We had an amazing evening, and look forward to more visits.

Review №199

2018-01-31 04:39:25

We have enjoyed a number of meals here.The food is always good and caringly prepared. The service has always been thoughtful and friendly. Staff is very well trained regardless of position. The efforts are much appreciated. They also acknowledge that you are a retuning guest.It seems to happen spontaneously. They recognize you. Its a nice touch.