Franco's Famous San Clemente — Restaurant in San Clemente

Just purchased a house in San Clemente area last year and am still a little new to the area so this was the first time here and we wanted margaritas so...

First time came in last night. The Drinks are decent, but the food and service is repulsive.

Some little girl who looks like she just graduated high school, almost literally threw the plate at my date so hard that everyone turned around because of the loud bang. She never even said a word like an apology so we just assumed she hates her job or her life so whatever let's keep going...when she brought the food over the tacos looked very cheap and sloppy.

The meat was dry and flavorless, the tortillas were barely warm and tasted old probably been sitting in their fridge for weeks. The meat was worse than those cheap pre cooked Mexican meats you can buy at Costco (like carnitas)

The pickled onions on top were disgusting, slimey and smelled sooo old dear lord I felt like I needed antibiotics after that food. So my intuition was correct. After eating here my stomach didn't just hurt all evening. Even all night I was waking up to go to the bathroom. Even after picking off those so called pickled onions and not eating the worst part.

Never again wow.

Horrible first and last experience.

I hope this place gets new ownership and hires capable instead of handicapped employees to service because the building is great and potential to make 2 mil easy per year. My family owns a few restaurants in the Bay area so I know a little bit about this industry.

#Warning...

Oh goodness. Why did it take us over a year to find out about this place??

First: you can either park along el Camino or parking is along Avenida De La Estrella located right above restaurant. There is a stairwell that brings you right down to it.

Be sure to go on Tuesday… taco Tuesday… where they have a phenomenal/affordable menu! Honestly the best shrimp taco I have ever had. I’m just sorry I filled up on chips.

They are only opened for lunch on the weekend.

The best part… PET FRIENDLY PATIO!!!!

Update: Doug and I have gotten to know our waitress amber. Bless her.. she waits on the whole outside and she hustles. Food and spirits all so good. Thanks Amber for always remembering 2 ice cubes and being an outstanding server.

Update 3/16/25…. This restaurant is still Crushing it!! Great staff great food, great ambience…...

Came in for Sunday brunch and Franco’s did not disappoint. We took a seat at the bar and we were able to watch 3 different NFL games. Ordered a tequila sunrise and bottomless mimosas, which they were on top of making sure the glass was full. Started with guacamole, which was all avocado, no fillers to make seem bigger, more than we could eat, the chips and salsa was very tasty. We ordered a chorizo breakfast burrito and chilaquiles both were exceptional, i actually brought half my breakfast burrito home cause it was so big, and i may have eaten a little too much chips salsa and Guac. All the food we saw come out of the kitchen looked amazing, and the owner Gabe was very engaging. We will be back. And a plus, they allow dogs...