La Especial Norte — Restaurant in Encinitas

We’ve supported this restaurant for 15 years, but after last Sunday, we will never return.

My wife and I have been loyal customers for over a decade, introducing countless family and friends to this place and always recommending it as our go-to for Mexican food. We’ve built relationships with the staff and genuinely enjoyed coming here—until our last visit.

My wife suffers from chronic migraines and has a fully vetted service dog approved by her neurologist. This dog alerts her before a migraine hits so she can take medication in time. When the owner saw my wife with her service dog outside the restaurant, she was immediately rude and dismissive, saying, “We don’t allow dogs.” We calmly explained that this was a service animal, and pointing to her sign indicating service animals were allowed, but she looked at us with a condescending smirk, laughed and walked away.

I even went inside to show this lady documentation from my wife’s doctor confirming the legitimacy of her service dog. Instead of apologizing or correcting the situation, the owner brushed me off then came back outside and demanding my wife—who was holding the dog in her arms and had not even entered the restaurant—to put the dog on the ground. Her tone was condescending and disrespectful.

This level of ignorance and unprofessionalism is shocking, especially from a business we’ve supported for so long. When I reminded the owner that service animals are protected under federal and California ADA law, her response was, “I don’t care, this is my business.”

That was the last straw. We will never spend another dollar here, and it’s heartbreaking after so many years of loyalty. To the owner: You are not above the law. Educate yourself on ADA requirements before you find yourself facing serious legal...

This review is 30 years overdue. Why? Because I didn't want to make La Especial Norte more popular than it already is. I didn't want to wreck the SoCal beach neighborhood vibe that seems to be built into the kitschy decor. But I find myself leaving the area, so this review is one of the last things I need to wrap up. I will miss the soups, especially the tortilla soup pictured below. In recent years the soup has been served warm so I ask to have it hot. I add 2 spoons of salsa, and that elevates it to the best tortilla soup I've ever had - apologies to my wife who has tried to replicate it. Seafood dishes are wonderful, especially the fish tacos. Pictured below as well is the enchilada platter. The beef enchilada has shredded beef and not the ground beef so many other restaurants use. I always ask for extra cabbage slaw. This is the only Mexican restaurant I have been to that serves it. In fact, I think it's better to substitute the cabbage for the rice on any platter. Also, avoid the sour cream and ask for red sauce instead. Skip the margaritas and other mixed drinks, I don't see the value. Instead get a Corona or better yet a Modelo Negro. This isn't fancy food. It is basic food done really well. The portion to price ratio is fantastic. The proof is the number of families who jam into the place every weekend night. If you're wearing shorts, sweatshirt, and flip flops you'll fit right in. For a restaurant to be so popular for so long is pretty much all you need to know. Get off the 5, enjoy a slower trip on the 101, and stop in Leucadia for some authentic Mexican soups and...

I haven't been to this place in many, many years. I moved 4 years ago, but was back in Cali visiting my mom, son, daughter in law, and friends. The prices have sky rocketed $15-20 per dish. You get one small basket of chips for 4 people, and the chips at the bottom were all broken. If you want more chips it's $2.00 extra. It didn't matter if you are eating alone or with 4 people the basket of chips was the same size. Black beans $1.00 extra. They said they use the same size shrimp for all dishes. We got 3 different dishes of shrimp and they were all different sizes the shrimp. You ask the waitress and she says I am just following the rules. The service was so slow. You had to ask for refills. The food was ok not the best. There are so many other Mexican restaurant that is better food, and doesn't care if you want another basket of chips. The total bill for 4 people was over $80.00. My mom talked to the manager when we left because as we were walking out this table had one person sitting there and there chips was piled high for one. They told us if there is 1-2 people you get less chips. 3-4 you get a full basket. That was not true. Very disappointing,, and I will not go back. They changed their policy a few months the waitress said..The manager said we should have asked for him and not just taken the waitress word for the new rule. What?!?!...