I searched extensively for a well rated restaurant near Del Mar that serves Mexican food at a reasonable price. Tony's Jacal was able to seat us immediately and the ambience was interesting. The establishment was clean and the service very attentive.

I didn't enjoy the chips and salsa brought to the table, it was a bit too spicy and bitter for my taste, but no big deal. My margarita was very nice and they didn't short me on the alcohol (I upgraded to a premium grade). One drink was enough to make me glad I wasn't driving. And I think the upcharge was brought the cost up to the $10-12 range per drink.

For my entrée I ordered a combo platter with 4 small sized items, a beef taco (hard fried shell was kind of greasy and tough, I didn't finish it), a chili relleno (strange soft fried patty, the dough on the outside was a little soft/tasted of cooking grease but the inside was pretty good. I ate the whole thing but I wouldn't order it again). A turkey tamale (thick breading around turkey filling, took one bite and didn't finish it). And a cheese enchilada (this was fine, though I did have to search for it under the lake of enchilada sauce). I liked the Mexican rice, it was light and fluffier than I often find in Mexican restaurants, but the beans were nothing special, I didn't eat them. I give my meal a 2.5/5 because although I didn't really enjoy it greatly there was enough there to keep me from leaving hungry. The margarita helped.

My husband had the carna asada tacos. They were ok with the salsa fresca, fresh taste but a bit bland. He gave them 3.5/5.

One thing I like is you don't have to wait on the bill, you can just go to the cashier and pay by table number. Two entrees in the $15 dollar range and two drinks wound up costing $64 including tip. Overall 3/5.