Escondido Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar — Restaurant in Freehold Township

I took my gf and her family here for a casual birthday meal for her mother’s birthday. None of us enjoyed our food...food that came out after quite a wait, some of it incorrect and not at the same time. My gf and I eat auto immune paleo diets, which, if you’re not familiar, is one of the strictest, most joyless dietary regimens around so we aren’t very picky eaters and delight in eating Mexican cuisine for special occasions. So for us to be so disappointed in the food is a substantial occurrence. My food had almost no seasoning, even salt, there was no meat on the nachos, and then we realized there was no guacamole, the cheese on the fajita dish didn’t seem right and I make better yucca fries at home. Our server was good and the ketchup that came w the yucca fries was the highlight for me personally. My gf and I usually eat at authentic Mexican restaurants so maybe we’re a little spoiled but, to be honest, I’ve had tastier food at Taco Bell where the food at least has some seasoning and flavors. I’ve never had to ask for salt and pepper to season a fajita in my life. I expected better from such a well rated restaurant, and my girlfriends family expected better having been residents of freehold for more than 60 years. Based upon our meal, everyone in our party, consisting of members of multiple generations and tastes, was turned off to the idea of returning there. It wasn’t disgusting, it was just a meal that was supposed to be celebratory that sunk into something wholly disappointing. I don’t write a lot of reviews and don’t like to be negative if it’s a single meal that fell short but this was comprehensively subpar and wouldn’t want anyone else expecting a flavorful meal to be waste...

Thought this place was very very good all around, solid 4 stars all around.

Food was amazing, had Blackened Mahi and Al Pastor tacos and Chicken Floutas. The Floutas were absolutely amazing, the cream cheese and the jelly were both awesome. The Al Pastor tacos were very very good and the sauce was perfect. Had a couple tough pieces of pork that interrupted my enjoyment, but it happens. The Mahi, while I understand is blackened, just tasted a bit on the dryer side. I ALWYS enjoy a good blackened fish, but maybe it was just a one off experience here. I would absolutely go back and even try them again. We had the Prickly Pear Margarita and was kind of disappointed there was no salt, as advertised. Desert was Oreo Fried Ice Cream and it was the perfect desert for the visit, HIGHLY recommended!

Service I gave 4 stars because while I wasn't busy at all when we got there (just before 5pm), the wait staff still seemed like they were too busy and we had to ask a few times for just a glass of water.

Atmosphere was nice where we sat, but it was in the bar area to the left of the hostess and the baseball game was too loud, and I could care less about what's on TV while I'm trying to eat. Also was distracted by the number of other people had their cellphone lights on because they couldn't see the menus. I didn't think it was that dark, but not every table has its own light, so it was distracting.

Overall, I'd absolutely go back and ask to be seated elsewhere and probably love the experience even more! Price with appetizers, drinks, meals, and desserts was...

Before the new design/menu, loved this place so much and went there at least twice a month with my family. After they changed the menu we did not visit this place for about three years but recently went back for mother’s day because my mom had always loved this place.

We were seated right away and our server was great. She and I have known each other for a long time but did not talk much in high school, but she was very friendly and talked to my family like we were old friends. We got our food fast and it seemed to be very good for everyone in my family.

The old menu had a dish called El Pollo Loco which gave me violent food poisoning twice. I figured with the new management and upgrades that I’d try ordering chicken again this time, as they may have made changes to the way it is cooked. Pollo Loco seems to have been removed from the menu, so i ordered a chicken enchilada. It tasted delicious but I was once again struck with stomach cramps and a headache later. The first few times I can forgive as I had ordered it as first meal of the day right after the restaurant had opened and maybe the ovens were not properly heated yet. But the most recent time, we went for a late lunch at around 3 pm so there should’ve been no excuses as to why it was not cooked properly. I would not recommend ordering chicken from this place for...