Guadalajara Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Temecula

Been here twice and I don't know why everybody likes it. Never had any food that would make me come back here, even if it came within a half hour. Took our drink order in a timely manner, then turned it in. Then came for food order, turned it in. About 25 minutes passes we're all drinkng water. Some of the drinks are arriving, another 10 minutes and the rest of the drinks show up... except one, mine. 10 minutes more and food starts coming. Another tray of food 15 minutes later. Another 10 minutes everyone has food and drink except me. Waitress comes and asks how's everything? I respond, I'm still waiting on my drink, kids pipe in about my lack of food. I tell her don't worry about the food, I'm full from chips, and just the cocktail please. She tells me it's on the house, I wasn't even going to pay for it at this time or the food. She brings the drink and apologized profusely. I said it happens and don't worry about the food. A minute later here comes 2 lukewarm enchiladas with bean and rice. After 5 bites I'm asking for a box to reheat and repair at home. Then the kicker! We went there for a cousins 8th birthday (his request) and they mentioned that the wait staff doesn't do a group happy Birthday with the Sombrero but our Waitress could. He orders just ice cream, she comes back and says sorry they're out of ice cream. Would he like deep fried ice cream? I'm thinking what part of this doesn't jive? Well pre-made or not it wasn't in stock!!! The parents aren't sure about him wanting flan but bring it on. Yep not available either and some BS about suppy chain. I spout up the 3 markets within a mile of this hole! Poor girl is damn near in tears apologizing. I will...

We were in Temecula shopping, near noon, so my wife & I decided to stop in for lunch, at Guadalajara Mexican Grill & Cantina.

It was super warm outside-95 degrees, so it felt so good to come in those air-conditioned doors, where we were greeted by the hostess.

It took awhile, for our server to appear, so we had time to take in this new-to-us Mexican restaurant. Bright colors decorate the walls, giving off a nice vibe, inside. It's a large restaurant, with many booths spread throughout this sizable space. Nearly all were filled, so it was super busy, while we were here.

Right in the center of the restaurant, is a small, but nice Bar Area, accented with red lights above, & blue lights, casting a blueish tinge around the bar.

Once our server arrived, she greeted us & took our food & beverage orders. I ordered the Steak Picado, & my wife ordered the Shredded Beef Taquitos Meal-comes with rice & beans.

The flavor of my steak strips, drenched in a tomato-based sauce, with onions & bell pepper chunks, plus large pieces of 🍅, combined to make a tasty dish. Large dollops of guacamole & sour cream, topping all these ingredients, inside a soft fresh corn tortilla, elevated the Steak Picado even more.

My wife liked her Shredded Beef Taquitos Meal, & she polished off her refried beans, with aid from the tortilla chips they'd brought us.

There are several Mexican restaurants I like better, but nonetheless, we enjoyed...

I heard this place was popular, so we took advantage of being in the area, and got in just before 5 p.m.. It was already filling up quick! Luckily we got seated right away and within a few minutes we had our drinks, chips, salsa, and the extra guacamole we ordered. The guacamole was a little on the spicy side, but we all enjoyed it. Salsa was a little on the mild side, and really good too. We ended up ordering the flautas, steak fajitas, and cilantro-lime salad with grilled chicken. Everything was great. I liked the flavor of the steak fajitas. It was a little over cooked and tough, but not by much. The grilled veggies on the fajitas were excellent, especially the mushrooms and onion. The fajitas were enjoyed by our two kids, even though they were already pretty stuffed from all the chips and guacamole. The fajitas looked cooked to perfection, and came with a good serving of rice and beans that tasted really good. And the cilantro-lime salad was very refreshing. The chicken on the salad was cooked nicely. I do think it could have used more lime in the dressing, as you could hardly taste any lime. Overall, and excellent meal. The mariachis playing Baby Shark to our two year old was a great highlight. By the time we left the place was packed. We will definitely go back, but we'll definitely be sure to get...