La Isla Cevicheria — Restaurant in Temecula

My wife and I stumbled upon this place when we were actually considering another place close by in the Vail historic center, located in the Redhawk Shopping Center --- and are we glad we did! I should start by saying this place does not have a website (they need to get one), and it is located in what I would term a mini-food court, but that is really doing it an injustice. There are 4 eateries and they share a common indoor and outdoor eating area (when it says that they are not open for dine-in, also misleading, as you do have these two areas to sit don and eat). My wife ordered the Catch of the Day fish taco, which happened to be Sea Bass, while I ordered the Shrimp Burrito with the Chipotle sour cream. We also ordered the Chips and Guacamole as a starter. The chips appear to be home made and are thin. However,, the guacamole was the star! It is plentiful, and chunky and they throw in a few diced tomatoes, onion, and I believe some type of chili pepper -- not spicy but tasty. It was, without question, the best guacamole I have ever had -- restaurant or home made! My only suggestion is that they also serve some salsa with the chips (they have a chips and salsa option, but it is separate from the chips and guac). On to the main attractions: Let's start with the portion size; my wife's taco was really nice sized and she said that they gave her enough fish to easily make 3 tacos out of. More importantly, she said it was delicious. My burrito was almost laughably huge (I could barely hold it together with both hands it was stuffed with so many delicious shrimp). But I wasn't laughing once I took a bite into it. It was more like I was creating a new language filled with "Mmmmm's" and "Oh my God's", and other mumbling superlatives that I could muster in between bites. And, just as with the guacamole, I think this might have been the best burrito I have ever had.

Let me say this --- I am a native Southern Californian who has grown up with some pretty darn good Mexican food, from the streets of L.A., to the fish taco shores of San Diego. And I have had some really great Mexican food over the years. So, when I say that I these might be the best I have ever had, it is a pretty quantified statement. But, don't take it from me. Head on down and try it. It is located on Highway 79 South (aka Temecula Parkway) in the same center that has Wal-Mart and Kohl's (and across the street from Home Depot). Walk into the small little history center area and head mid-way to the food complex. Go now --- and you can...

The ULTIMATE BEST, most fresh and authentic ceviche you'll find this side of the border! It is located inside the Cookhouse at Vail Headquarters, and they're open late! What brings me back time after time is Monica's customer-focused approach, and her and the whole family's kindness and sincerity. They've been working towards opening this location since they were at the Temecula Farmer's Markets! They're literally always smiling and happy and this is reflected in the high quality of their food. You feel good eating here!! And that is so rare.

We initially only tried their deliciousssss Aguas Frescas (the cucumber is the most amazing ever, sorry Dad!)-- but when we tried the ceviches, we were hooked! My family is from Baja, and I grew up learning how to make fresh Ceviche on the beach after my dad would catch the fish. It has been years since I enjoyed that same ultra-fresh ceviche taste! The halibut ceviche is our fave, but the shrimp is great, too! It's bursting with flavor.

They also have LOBSTER BURRITOS now!

Tips: It's located in Vail HQ, just behind the Wolf Store Adobe coffee and ice cream shop. Park in the Kohl's/Famous Footwear parking lots and walk straight back past the wooden tower. Vail CookHouse is on the right side right in the center. They don't serve alcohol, but there's a bar called The Daisy next door. Seating is somewhat communal, reminds me of foodhalls you'd find in Portland, Santa Monica, or LA which are popping up around So Cal like the FoodLab in Riverside.

But Cookhouse at Vail has something you cannot find in any of those places! It is AUTHENTIC, built easy on the environment, much of the materials used to build the tables and counters are reclaimed, except for the kitchens themselves which look SPOTLESS and each vendor is equipped with new technology POS systems. Vail HQ was a major restoration effort of the old Wolf Store which was also one of the first post offices in the area.

There IS outdoor seating and plenty of places to walk and explore this historic location.

They serve the ceviches in very sturdy reusable plastic containers,too!

Everything about La Isla Cevicheria is done right!!! My parents just love it when I bring them some ceviche and I can't...

Man, was pretty disappointed after trying this place out. There were so many great reviews, I was excited to try out the food!

I got grilled fish tacos and a shrimp taco, my wife got ceviche. We shared chips with guacamole and salsa.

I was to start with the only high point of our experience - the ceviche was pretty tasty.

As for the taste of everything else.... not impressed.

As much I hate to admit this - the fish (and the shrimp taco) were inedible. The seasoning of the grilled shrimp and fish was lacking, severely lacking. The tacos were covered in mounds of lettuce, slathered in sour cream, and included grilled fajita-mix veggies.... bell pepper on a fish taco...? The aroma coming off of these tacos was harsh - not fishy like I'd anticipate a seafood taco to be, but strong and similar to canned pet food.. It was honestly the only fish taco I've never been able to finish - and trust me, I was HUNGRY - this was truly upsetting.

Since I was unable to eat the 3 fish tacos I had bought for myself and the 1 shrimp taco, I decided to just snack on the chips, salsa, and guac... which also were not satisying.

The chips were overly salty - placed on a tray without a plate underneath them (I was very turned off by this - imagine, the trays that get sat next to the trash cans in fast food joints - my chips were laying on that same type of carrying tray.) The salsa - by far the most disappointing salsa I've ever had - complete waste of money (as was the rest of the food, aside from the ceviche) The Guac - flavorless, no lime? No garlic?

I hate being so crass, as the young gentleman who helped us (and potentially plating the food?) seemed like a sweet guy - but wow, I can honestly say I've never thrown away so much food in one sitting before. I felt pretty crummy about it, to be truthful.

2/5 stars - Pros: Interesting location, nice people working there, good ceviche.

Cons: The fish tacos, shrimp tacos, guacamole, and salsa were inedible and a...