Rustic, traditional Mexican & taco restaurant with an ocean-view terrace, open since 1979.
Cindy Pealstrom
We had the place to ourselves for our early dinner and I have no idea why! The place is fantastic from the food to the views and everything in between! We were greeted right away with a genuine smile and welcome, sat outside on a gorgeous afternoon and were immediately offered drinks. The Skinny Margarita’s were perfect, light and refreshing without all the sweetness! We ordered the Taquito’s appetizer and they came out quickly, hot, super crispy and loaded with tender beef. Our two combination plates came out shortly after and were piping hot. I’ve never had such thick, rich enchilada sauce, packed with flavor and absolutely delicious! The crispy taco was fried fresh to order and oh so crispy, chocked full of the most tender pork. I got too full too fast so had to take the delicious rice home for later! Definitely a 5 star experience all around!
… moreAkshay Bharti
El Charito Mexican Restaurant, conveniently located on US-1, is a great stop if you’re looking for satisfying Mexican food with friendly service. The location itself makes it easy to access, whether you’re passing through or planning a casual meal, and the welcoming atmosphere sets a positive tone right from the start.
The food overall was quite good and clearly prepared with care. The flavors were authentic and comforting, making it a solid choice for anyone craving classic Mexican dishes. One highlight worth mentioning is their red sauce. While it had a rich depth and bold character, I personally found it a little on the bitter side. That said, taste is subjective, and others may appreciate its strong, robust flavor profile. Aside from that, the dishes were enjoyable and well presented.
What truly stood out during the visit was the service. The staff was courteous, attentive, and genuinely warm, which made the dining experience even better. Orders were taken promptly, questions were answered patiently, and the overall hospitality made us feel welcome and relaxed throughout the meal.
In summary, El Charito is a dependable spot on US-1 for good Mexican food paired with excellent service. While the red sauce may not suit every palate, the quality of the food, combined with the friendly and professional staff, makes it a place worth visiting again.
… moreRonnie Tow
Place was dead on a January Saturday at 5pm, but the food and service were great! Not a lot of restaurant choices in San Simeon, so this is a recommended stop!
… moreKaren Rosenthal
Really surprised by the mixed reviews, we loved this place. The ambiance is warm and friendly, casual and relaxed, and our server was lovely. The views are gorgeous! The food is not super fancy but it all tastes great. Especially dessert!! I would recommend this place, especially because they’re not a lot of other Mexican restaurants in the vicinity.
… moreCharlotte Thorpe-Mathias
It was very quiet at lunchtime today but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm of the staff. They were friendly and attentive and the food was fantastic.
… moreAlicia Torres B.
This place is nice, that’s all. The food is NOT MEXICAN AT ALL, it’s not authentic. The rice was undercooked. I ordered an enchilada, a tamale, and a tostada. The enchilada tasted bad; the chili seemed canned. The tamale was hard and dry, as if it had been frozen. Don’t stop at this place unless you can’t tell the difference between fresh Mexican food and frozen, processed food. The staff is friendly.
… moreLynnann – Sid’s Mum
From reading other reviews; people are apparently difficult to please?
My husband and I were here in 2015 and thought it was great. Now 2024, I was very grateful I and my sidekick pup could visit again. It’s even nicer.
Sat at the gorgeous outdoor patio and enjoyed a lovely meal and a glass of wine listening to waves crash along the coast. What’s not to love?!?
Solid pollo fajitas. Overall, it was a very enjoyable afternoon!
… moreArianna Hammer
The building was very clean but very quiet. The service was fast for only 3 employees. And the food was INCREDIBLE!! I got the Chicken Fuentas, and not only was the size big but very good! Fully cooked, not raw or charred. The bathroom was very clean and the server was very kind. I would definitely say they had a good amount of food. The options was scarce but traditional meals. The ice cream, OH MY GOSH, they hand make it, and it is totally worth the price! The meals were all about $20.00 each, but you get a lot of food for the price. I would definitely return.
… moredaren green
A quiet little restaurant in the heart of San Simeon which serves authentic and pretty good Mexican food. A classic Mexican menu with the upgraded cocktail list to go with the usual margaritas and beer. Great views of the ocean and if you time it right you might get a great sunset in as well. We were staying at the hotel next door and stopped by here to eat and we were delighted. Old school authentic Mexican food. You can’t beat it.
… moreDavid D
The food here was generally ok. Serving portions were on the small side, in particular, everybody in my family complained about the beans, both black and refried. My lady said the green sauce was sour, without any heat. And l pretty much abandoned the rice, as it was tasteless. So they may have forgotten to prepare it last night? Otherwise okay, but nothing special. I won’t rush back….
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