Cal Mex Cantina — Restaurant in Redondo Beach

This place is very beautiful right on the pier, with ocean view. The food was good but spicy for my taste. Now, the reason for the 1 star for service is for the server. The server was friendly but when I asked for a box to go for a big portion of chilaquiles that I had gotten, he shamed me for wanting to take them home, saying, "I could" or "you can try to eat more because chiaquiles don't taste good when reheated, come on, you've had chilaguiles before right?" . I informed him I've had them in the past, yes, but that the portion was big and felt bad not eating it but I was full. I also stated that they were spicy for my taste. He then went on to say that they're not spicy and asked me what "kind of latina" i was because he knew I was latina but not sure from where, perhaps like guatemalan or something. I stated that I was actually Costa Rican and so he went on to say that his sister dates a costa rican and he himself, dated two honduran girlfriends in the past and they didn't eat spice. He then went on to ask me what I was up to at the beach and I said I was getting an oil change for my car on the other side of town and on my way home decided to stop by the ocean and decided to eat. He then went on to say, oh and you came to the ocean in your pajamas? I stated that my pants were not pajamas (they're like fuzzy purple sorta soft comfortable pants). So he said, they looked like something Prince, would wear, I said Prince? he said yeah, you know that purple rain guy? I laughed out of unease at the comments and went on to tell him that I actually got them at a yoga festival. He then went on to say, oh I hope you know I'm just teasing you, I hope you don't tell on me. I felt sooooooo uncomfortable but tried to not let it get to me in the moment. When I got to my car I called my bf and told him what I experienced and he said, that's horrible to call the restaurant and let them know. I did and the manager on duty Sandra answered my call and told her that I didn't want him to get in trouble but for future reference somebody might not take his comments lightly and can really cross the lines with somebody else. I personally just don't know what made him feel like he could just make those comments casually only because I was friendly/ polite enough to hold a...

I have been here the first time it's awful service my drink my Margarita was half filled no straw given after I asked one was throwing on the table as well the server said I should sit by the bar where a single man was sitting the whole restaurant was empty only few people and I wanted to sit close to the beach he said then I should sit close to the entrance I told him I don't like to sit there and I went over to the beach viri. I have ordered Chile Guero & Shrimp and French fries additional no napkins given I had to take it myself from the neighbor table and the waiter didn't give me a knife and a fork I had to find it myself. Also by the menu should be served with a tortilla I didn't get the Tortillas only with french fries the portion was ridiculous it looked like cutt chips 5 pieces the French fries this was it and was cold. I asked the waiter where is my tortilla he didon't bring it the Shrimp taste old or was burned and everything was cold will never ever go back. Also I ordered a water didn't get it either. When I was done with eating it took half hour until he came back I was close to leave and he then said when I paid do you wanna have another drink I said no and told him about the horrible experience he didn't excuse I told him I just wanna leave by the exit I told it to another person he only said see you next time mam I told him there will be no next time this is ridiculous and really bad customer service save you a headache and eat...

The restaurant itself is beautiful in its sleek modern style and the atmosphere is upscale yet comfortable and as conducive to relaxing with friends as it is to enjoying a fun date night. And the food.... Ooooooh the food! The chips and salsa were delicious and the spices in the tacos POP, with flavors that are BOLD and BRIGHT! I went with my friends (we call our quest for the perfect taco the Taco Tuesday Tour) and while the wait time on both service and food was uncomfortably long, every employee we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Overall a lovely experience- I fully intend to bring my husband back to try new tacos and drinks with me some time since he loves spicy, flavorful food.

Summed up: the food is spectacular (as are the margaritas!), the quality and portions are great, and the staff is lovely, but the wait time is substantial so don't go when you're already starving. The food, while on the pricey side, is both delicious and in substantial enough portions to be worth the price- and nothing was so spicy that my inner gringa had to tap out on anything, though everything from the salsa to the tacos were right at the edge of my spice tolerance. Go for a Taco Tuesday to try them out (the tacos are each $6-8 and margaritas start at $8 and stay in the reasonable zone even with add-ons like a shot of melon liquor in the frozen margarita) and give them a chance! They've definitely won me over with such a...