El Maguey Restaurant — Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano

I had an awful experience here today that left me questioning the basic decency and professionalism of this establishment. Whatever happened to human decency, understanding, and the idea that the customer is always right—especially when dealing with new and paying customers who clearly didn’t understand the process and received no help?

When we arrived, we stood at the “wait to be seated” sign for a long time, waiting patiently for someone to assist us, but no one ever did. We noticed other people entering through a different door and ordering at the counter, so we assumed that was how it worked—order first, then find a seat. We did just that and sat down after placing our order.

A staff member then brought our drinks and told us that if we planned to eat there, they would have to cancel our order. We explained that no one helped us when we arrived, so we thought ordering first was the correct process. They seemed to understand, but then the manager came out and immediately got defensive, claiming they don’t have a hostess to seat people—even though we literally saw a hostess seating three other tables after being told that.

The manager also insisted that when we ordered, the cashier asked us, “for here or to go?”—which never happened. There was clearly a lack of communication on their part, yet they tried to make it seem like it was our fault. We also found out there’s a price difference between takeout and dining in, but we weren’t informed of that either. We even offered to pay the difference to resolve the issue, but they refused.

Even after we said we understood the process for next time and just wanted to finish our meal, they kept coming back to argue and were consistently rude and dismissive. We tried to move past it and enjoy our food, but they wouldn’t leave us alone. At the end of the day, we were still paying customers who spent our hard-earned money there and deserved to be treated with respect.

Mistakes happen, and misunderstandings are normal, but the way they handled it—with constant harassment and zero willingness to listen or show understanding—was completely unprofessional. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone based on how they treated us. included photo found online of podium that says “please wait to be seated” - the owner then claims no hostess sits you LOL.

RESPONSE Christina, I appreciate your response, but it doesn’t reflect what actually happened.

We did wait patiently at the “wait to be seated” sign, yet no one helped us. Meanwhile, we saw multiple people get seated immediately. If there was a waitlist, why were others seated while we were ignored? After waiting with no assistance, we assumed we should order first and find a seat. Btw there were MANY open tables.

When our drinks arrived, we were suddenly told we couldn’t dine in. We explained that no one had helped us, but instead of handling it professionally, your staff kept arguing and even lied—first claiming there was no hostess (we saw one seat three tables) and then insisting we were asked “for here or to go?” when we weren’t.

If seating was truly unavailable, why not just let us finish our meal instead of constantly interrupting us? We even offered to pay the difference, but that was refused. At the end of the day, we were paying customers who were ignored, treated poorly, and harassed throughout our meal.

Your response still doesn’t explain why we were left waiting OR why we were met with rudeness instead of basic professionalism. I wouldn’t return or recommend this place. Next time be more understanding to your new customers, or atleast have more...

This was my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area, until my most recent visit when my server STOLE money from me by giving himself a hefty tip on my credit card. I highly, highly recommend checking your credit card statement after visiting here, as I found that my server, Danny, decided to add on a 43% tip for his "service."

The restaurant is divided into two sections: a sit down restaurant on one side and a to-go restaurant on the other. The main difference, aside from being waited on, is that the pricing on the menu changes between the sit down and to-go side, even though you're getting the same thing. Therefore, I recommend ordering from the to-go side of the restaurant, as you can still sit down and eat, but aren't over charged for the same items. The to-go side also gives you chips and salsa with your order, so you aren't missing out on their delicious, spicy salsa and hard, overcooked chips (they could be better). It's a $10 minimum purchase for credit cards on the to-go side. The to-go side also has a juice that's open daily (limited hours) and a small selection of ice creams by the scoop.

The guacamole was made with real chunks of avocado and looked delicious, but wasn't as flavorful as I expected. I had a half order, which was a decent amount for just under $6. However, the service was extremely inattentive, to the point that I had to go inside and find my server so that I could place my order. I'm extremely disappointed with this most recent experience as I just moved to the area and have already gone here more times than I can count. I will never dine at the sit down restaurant again and I hope the owners pay more attention to who they are hiring, as their current...

This review is long overdue. I’ve visited this restaurant multiple times, and each experience has been consistently impressive. The service is exceptional; the staff is always attentive, frequently checking in to ensure that everything is to my liking and offering helpful recommendations from their extensive menu. While chips and salsa are complimentary, the guacamole, though extra, is definitely worth the price—it’s fresh, flavorful, and a perfect complement to their slightly spicy salsa.

Every dish I’ve tried has been great, with no complaints so far. However, I would suggest skipping the Camarones à la Diabla if you’re expecting something particularly spicy, as I found it to be a bit sweeter than anticipated, though it still carries great flavor. On the other hand, the Chilaquiles are a standout; the chips retain a satisfying crispness and are not overly soggy, which I greatly appreciate. The meat is tender and well-cooked, adding to the dish’s overall quality.

Another favorite of mine is the Bistek with Ranchero sauce—absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend it with a side of sliced avocado and sour cream, though that’s my personal preference. The restaurant maintains a clean and welcoming atmosphere, with spotless restrooms and dining areas.

While it may be slightly on the pricier side, the food quality justifies the cost. Additionally, the menu offers a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions or food intolerances. The enchiladas, particularly the Enchiladas de Mole are also worth mentioning—they’re simply amazing. Overall, this is a solid choice for anyone seeking flavorful and well-prepared...