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The outside seating at this place is just beautiful. If you come at a time where you can sit outside, I highly recommend it. The decor is welcoming and the fountain provides some very nice ambient noise.
In terms of food, it's difficult to go wrong here. In terms of fats, it's impossible to go right. Though, I think those sentences are probably a little redundant.
Their margaritas are not cheap but super tasty. They have the Diablo which is their 'spicy' version of the margarita and they really get it right. It's difficult to drink more than a couple of these as they are pretty sweet (as margaritas usually are) but you probably won't need more than that, anyway.
In terms of food, they hit the ball more often than they don't. I've heard complaints about the enchiladas before (apparently the sauce isn't very impressive), but the burritos and the tacos are fantastic.
They don't have Jameson, which was disappointing. Sure, it's an Irish whiskey and HDV is a Mexican restaurant, but aren't we in America?? Is this not the place where I can make vast generalizations like that and then get praised for them???
Oh wait, I'm in California. Dammit.
People thought this was:
Been here twice now and was satisfied both times! Went here on my birthday and had the Sabana Invierno....DELICIOSO! Thinly sliced beef tenderloin, grilled and covered with refried beans, salsa verde and melted manchego cheese.
The meat was tender and the flavors explode in your mouth. Everyone sampled it and decided they will order that on their next visit.
Portions are the perfect size. Speaking of perfect sizes, their house margaritas are huge! A must try is the Tamarind Magarita. The flavor is wonderful and not as "tart" as a margarita tend to be.
Another bonus is this restaurant has ample parking, beautiful grounds with fountains, grassy area for kids, fire pits, a table lined with a fire pit to keep your toes warm, and heaters...but not those eye sore standing heaters. These are decoratively hung from above.
This is a great place for family, large group or date night. Just check your bill at the end of the night because we were charged for the birthday cake they brought over and an extra margarita. After pointing it out to our waiter, he removed it from our bill with no questions.
Will definately be back.
As the name implies, Hacienda De Vega is based in a traditional hacienda structure and a huge patio with multiple sections for seating, wedding space, fountains, the works. It looks a bit like a nice piece of Old Town right off the freeway.
Now that I think about it, that applies to the food, too.
We came for lunch. The traditional chips and salsa were fine, no complaints. For an appetizer I ordered a salad, which the waiter forgot.
For my entree, surprise, I ordered the chicken with mole. Surprise! The mole was still simmering and wasn't ready to be served yet. If you plan to eat the mole here, plan to eat it after one in the afternoon.
So, I switched to plan B: order a second margarita, which, befitting the Old Town look and feel are generously sized (but not birdbath ridiculous) and go with the Enchiladas Tlaxcala (i.e., chicken with tomatillo sauce). With which I have no complaints; the sauce was mild, as advertised. The beans were good. As usual, I wasn't into the rice.
The flan was a standout, and flan is seldom praised in this town, For its sake and the atmosphere, Hacienda De Vega rounds up to three stars.
People thought this was:
A great family restaurant. I've been to many Mexican restaurants and at no other place does the food compare to Hacienda De Vega.
The scenery is nice with a big backyard to let the kids run around and play in. I love the fact they have VIP areas for private dates. Alcohol drinks here aren't to miss!
The customer service can be better and the food wait tends to take a bit long. Other than that, there isn't much to complain about for all you critics.
As we all know first impressions are the most important. I went after an online visit to the website and was not dissapointed. My expectations of authentic old style mexican flavors were met and will keep me comming back for more.
The selection of salsa and the freshness of the chips were a great start to the Pollo con Mole. The sweetness of the mole was an exact to what I have had deep south of the border and the tenderness of the chicken breast was an ideal match.
As for the sides, I could have filled up on the rice alone. That was delicious. The beans on the other hand needed a bit more flavor.
The seating was laid out well and the effort to make a cool night dinner enjoyable was taken care of by the many ceiling heaters.
A customer for life.
I'll start by saying were it not for the ambiance, I would probably only give this place 3 stars. However, there is nothing like sitting outside in a beautiful garden, enjoying a margarita, and relaxing to the sounds of a water fall. Furthermore, this place is a one of kind in Escondido.
The drinks are what really make this place pop. The regular margaritas can range between $9 -$12, but they are well worth it. These are not those rinky dink margaritas that will cost you $6 or more at other establishments. The last time we went I got the Mango Margarita and my other half had the Mango Mojito Margarita. Both of which were really tasty and LARGE!
As someone mentioned previously, the chips and salsa are really on point. 4 different salsas for a variety of tastes.
On our last visit I got the Enchiladas de Mole. I was thrilled with my decision. The best part is they weren't loaded with cheese to add boring flavor. Dan got a chicken quesadilla, which he was also happy with.
The food is not the same as going to an El Torito or an Acapulco (Thankfully), so I would not recommend visiting if you are a looking for something comparable.
It is also pricier than other chain "Mexican" restaurants, but the portions are large (we both took home half of our food) and the margaritas are usually the reason for the bill being inflated (totally worth it though).
All and All, it's not the absolute most amazing place I've ever been to, but it's a nice escape without actually having to leave my neighborhood.
My bf's friend plays in a band that frequents this restaurant, and we have gone a couple of times. I think this place used to be someone's house that was converted into a restaurant.
Their food and drinks are amazing!! Even though it's $20, I definitely recommend getting the Sampler del Patron. The queso de Vega is mouth wateringly good as are all of the other items on the sampler plate. All of the main course items we have had were delish as well. The banuelos are yummy, as are most of the desserts I'd imagine.
They have many specialty drinks and the atmosphere is amazing. It is all outdoor seating, and they also have private casitas for a more intimate setting. There is a large pond as well as a beautiful waterfall which is absolutely beautiful as well.
People thought this was:
Beautiful, hidden, charming restaurant. If you had friends
in Mexico, this is what their patio may look like. Waterfall from roof tumbles into a pool. Drinks are fun. Their specialty is the tamarind margarita which is wonderful. Adventurous people try the diablo which has chiles in it.
The food is not up to par with the drinks. I would say a fun place to
hang out w/ friends, listen to music (wknds). Food--get the queso de vega. They have amazing desserts. The main courses are just okay.
Best ambience for sure in Escondido dining - I think even beats Stone brewery. But the food here is pretty great, altough it seems to depend on what you order....My favorites / can't go wrong menu items are: Mango Mojito Margarita, Poblano corn soup, the ceviche (sooo good), and Enchiladas Tlaxcala.....
I didn't give 5 starts just because others I've gone may not have enjoyed everything they got - but for me it really is a 5 star place
Located on the frontage road off of Centre City Parkway is a little slice of Mexico that you could easily drive right by and miss a unique Mexican dining experience. Hacienda de Vega is just this place.
We drove up in the dark and almost passed right by the 1930's adobe house located on 1.6 acres with the lavish garden in the front. You immediately feel that you are entering someone's home as you pass through the front hallway with its woodbeamed ceilings, whitewashed walls and myriad of fountains and out into a tropical garden paradise.
Most of this entire restaurant is outside surrounding lavish pools with water cascading from the roof and tropical flowers. We sat in one of the few covered areas to the side that had some small ceiling heaters which helped to keep the group comfortable on this February night.
There are also a series of more intimate casitas that you can rent for private parties for 8 - 16 people with your own firepit, couches and tables to relax around.
The food was really good. Homemade chips with 4 kinds of salsa which we spent most of the night trying to determine what they were, went great with our margaritas which come in a wide range of flavors. Appetizers ranging from Sopes to Tostadas to Quesadillas were very tasty. You must try the Quesa de Vega which is warm melted cheese served with warm flour tortillas (delicious) And very authentic Mexican entrees from octopus over rice (it sounds so much better in Spanish) to Sabana Invierno (thinly sliced beef covered in beans, hot sauce and cheese) to the more expected fajitas, burritos and enchiladas.
So why not 5 stars? The Service at this place was not good. In fact, it was pretty much non existent and we were one of only three tables in the place. From the time we walked in, there was no one to greet us (hostess stand was empty), a server finally walked by and gestured where we should sit and then we waited and waited to get a round of drinks, an appetizer, anything. Just trying to get some water for the table took three tries and I had to ask for the bill twice. But once the food was ordered, it came up quickly and the refills on the drinks were better than the original try.
I'm a sucker for old places that have charm and history and this place makes you feel that you are eating at someone's home in Mexico. Once you walk through the front doors you forget that you are steps away from the frontage road as your senses take in the beautiful scenery and the smell of delicious food hits you. Next time I visit, I want to go in the daylight so that I can see all the mysteries that this place has to offer.
People thought this was:
I went here with my family for my dad's birthday and we had a great time but good thing we weren't in a rush! Service was soooo slow!
The staff here just doesn't seem to understand how a restaurant works. We were there during non-peak hours and our waiter was still clueless-couldn't figure out drink and food orders and he was really inefficient. He didn't clear our empty beer bottles and you practically had to beg to get a drink or a refill. Not ok on a hot spring day. This kind of stuff bums me out especially when you are at such a beautiful restaurant on a gorgeous day.
This place has so much potential. The food was awesome. The fresh chips and salsa were delish and my chipotlacos (kind of a cross between tacos and enchiladas with a yummy carnitas and chipotle sauce) were tasty. They also serve micheladas which are my favorite (tons of lime juice and ice in a salt-rimmed glass then topped off with your fave Mexican beer.)
They are definitely pricey though but for such a beautiful spot in Escondido it's worth it for special occasions or a date night. Just be patient and definitely don't go if you are cranky or in a rush because then the service will really bug you. Definitely worth a try.
A place of huge contrasts.
Ambiance, drinks, chips and salsa = 4.5 stars.
Food = 0 stars.
Overall = 1.5 stars.
Ambiance: fantastic, great, superb. You'll feel like you've been transported to the most scenic part of Puerto Vallarta.
Drinks: very good. I had a virgin peach margarita (due to medical condition) and my wife had a normal peach margarita. She complained that hers didn't have enough alcohol, but they both tasted very good to me.
Food: absolutely awful. I had a chili senora. The rice was plain white, no taste at all.
My wife had a pork enchillada. Horrible. Tasted sweet! What were they thinking? Presentation: the worst I have ever seen! Literally looked like something our cats had thrown up.
Service was good and very pleasant (female, from Venezuela), but three people promised to turn on the heater and didn't do it.
Got all but $14 taken off. I would never have paid full price for this meal.
The bottom line: Go to this restaurant for the ambiance and drinks, but absolutely skip the food.
(It's unfortunate because this restaurant is about 5 minutes from our house -- so convenient.)
I can't believe tthere is such a great restaurant in Escondido. I agree with another reviewer that said "atmosphere" is the key at this restaurant. It is so relaxing, sitting out in the backyard with sound of the waterfall.
The first I went to this restaurant was for my friends birthday. There were 8 of us in the party and it took a while to serve us but was it worth it ever. We all ordered different things and everyone loved their food. This is authentic Mexican food, not at all like the chain Mexican restaurants...
All in all this is a great restaurant in Escondido, we go there whenever there is a special occasion. Have not been disappointed yet.
Meh...I wouldn't say this restaurant is terrible, but the food is just not that good for the price-tag. On the other hand, the decor is amazing. Really beautiful setup with a waterfall, paillote bar, romantic ambiance lights at night etc.
This restaurant is ideal for a date you want to take out for a couple of snacks and drinks because the food is unfortunately a bit disappointing.
So 2 stars for the food quality and the gorgeous decor makes it a 3.
This place is amazingly beautiful. I had the potato enchiladas and they were delicious. But by far the best thing is their chips and salsa. You get four different little cups of salsa with the chips. The chips are the best I've ever had at a restaurant for sure. The menu is pricier than most Mexican places and you are paying partially for the atmosphere. They have a huge grass lawn that kids use to run around and play and a pretty nice looking bar/lounge area. All in all it's worth it. Service was excellent as well. If it weren't for the annoying bachlorette party hooting and hollering at the table next to us, it would have been perfect.
I like this place!
I've seen some of the previous reviews on this place, and I'm wondering if they've had "off-days". Because quite frankly, the past two times I've been there were great. I think this place is worthy of 5 stars if they do some quality control and tweaking with their waiters. But overall, I believe this is one of the better sit down Mexican restaurants. Hands down better than any Old Town restuarant.
My favorite is the Queso de Vega, served with tortillas and a side of guacamole. A must if you're a cheese fan. Try the poblano corn chowder, for a yummy soup. All of the entrees I've had have been pretty good. Their rice is not something to write home about, but then again not everyone can make Mexican rice like my moms! Besides you don't want to get full off rice! For dessert you must have the churros, they give you 3 dipping sauces. If your'e in the mood for a cocktail try thier Hacienda Margarita, for a spicy tamarindo version of the classic margarita.
The outdoor dinning area is exceptionally beautiful, the quintessential Mexican Hacienda setting. They usually have a live band playing latin inspired music, and the waterfall that sits in the center of the dinning area add a great touch. For those that had a bad experince I recommend you try them again.
The ambiance is definitely the number one reason to go to this restaurant. It's exceptional: charming, romantic, authentic... the best we have seen in the North County for Mexican Fare.
The entrees were good. Appetizers, chips and salsas, margaritas were excellent. Service was fine.
Looking forward to going back in the spring.
People thought this was:
This place feels like Mexico. The dining is all outside, although there is a sort of "tented" area with overhead heaters. The tables and chairs are wooden and rustic and yet comfortable.
The food is all, and I mean all, homemade. The chips are thick and crunchy and fresh and the four different types of salsas (including one which is a brilliant electric green and very delicious) are also clearly fresh and homemade. The Queso de Vega, a mixture of melted Mexican cheese, served with fresh flour tortillas and, again, fresh guacomle, is a decadent must-try.
The entrees are also all excellent (although I was disappointed that they were not serving any mole dishes during my last visit). I know that mole is a very labor-intensive dish, but I can only speculate what might have happened.
At any rate, this restaurant is a step out of the ordinary and authentic to a fault. It's not cheap, and the service could be a touch better, but overall, you are paying for absolutely fresh, all homemade, classic Mexican dishes in a very comfortable environment (you literally eat next to a small "lagoon" and waterfall).
This is an off-the-beaten path gem which is worth a trip.
People thought this was:
Overpriced for the food quality. Margarita's very good, but also on the pricey side. Casual outdoor seating.
Wow- I can honestly say I feel compelled a restaurant for the very first time on yelp.
1) It's in Escondido.
2) It's outdoor dining- you're complaining about flies? Go to Denny's.
3) It's "Old Town" style mexican food.
If you are looking for something else, you may not want to come here, but honestly, Escondido doesn't have a whole lot going for it in the fine dining department outside of chain restaurants and burrito shops. I'm not saying decent food doesn't exist.
Mostly, it's the setting. I've been there several times and didn't notice flies at all. Maybe I'm just not as fussy as the other reviewers.
People thought this was:
I'm troubled by the reviewer who found a shard of glass in their margarita- the response hardly… Read more »
Absolutely Awful. Here are my reasons why:
1. Swatting flies off of my face, and out of my food isnt exactly my idea of a fine dining experience.
2. 8 dollar drinks that taste like there is no alcohol in them - terrible.
3. BLAND FOOD - BLAND FOOD - BLAND FOOD.
4. We had three drinks each and a tasteless dinner each, and our tab came out to 83 bucks. 83 bucks for a mexican food dinner? I bet that a family of five can be fed in the heart of mexico for a week, for less than that amount (and they would be having better food).
5. Poor service. I shouldnt have to ask twice for a glass of water... and not get one.
6. The ambience is not for us. It felt like a hawaiian shirt convention for people 50+
To sum up our experience here... if you want to eat a bland, overpriced meal, with poor service, in an outdoor setting with no bug control, then give this place a shot. We will never go here ever again.
People thought this was:
This restaurant looks like a bit of Old Town San Diego was transported to Escondido. There are a waterfall, lighted trees and heat lamps around charming patio furniture. Unfortunately the food is typical to any chain, supposedly -Mexican restaurant, and possibly worse. I really did enjoy my Hacienda Margarita though. It was infused with a juice, probably jamaica ,and garnished with jicama. It was delicious, but not strong at all. I ordered the Tequila Shrimp, where were lacking flavor and on a bed of saturated white rice, served wtih tortillas. The other dishes at our table looked like heavy and generally backed with excessive cheese covering them. Several items on the menu were questionably Mexican. I did like the chips they brought out with several dipping sauces. All in all, a great atmosphere, but stick to chips and salsa.
I tried this place again last night 6/9/08, and boy was I disappointed. The food is really gringo in a bad way. How bad? El Torrito's food is tastier . . . so sad.
The pulpos was on a poorly cooked bed of rice and covered with a bland red sauce. It tasted, whatever. It didn't come with anything else, not even a tortilla. Something as simple as chicken enchiladas was hard to find under an inch of cheese and tasted, whatever. No black beans offered either.
Another huge disappointment was the margaritas. Where's the tequila? We paid $9 each for big ass glasses of fruit juice.
Until they find a great chef from Mexico City or Guadalajara and let him completely change the menu and kitchen, I ain't coming back.
I really wanted to find a reason to go here because the ambiance is wonderful and the old adobe house is super cool. But I just can't. Sorry, Hacienda De Vega. 2 stars for mostly ambiance and a cool house.
Original Review -------------------------------------------------- --
With dishes like Pulpos a la Vizcalna you'd think they served authentic Mexican dishes and could possibly be numero uno! But alas, the food I got was not authentic, and you'd be hard pressed to find any Spanish speaking customers there as a matter of choice. For that reason and a few others it's definitely NOT among the best Mexican restaurants in SD County. But I'm pretty sure I'll go back . . .
The service gets it done but smiles and friendliness seem constrained under the weight of thick plates and a lovely pond obstacle the servers must circum-ambulate.
The mango salad was good but not great. It was just mixed greens with a few small cubes of mango . . . didn't notice the tortilla chips it was supposed to come with.
The Pollo con Mole was, eh. It would've been better if the chicken breast wasn't tough and dry. In Mexico the breast is pounded flat and seasoned so it's tender like veal, this one wasn't. And the mole had too much cacao which overpowered the chili peppers . . . it was sooo sweet it might have tasted better over crepes or ice cream, haha.
The Filete de Vega was perfectly cooked and very good. But it's just a filet mignon with chili sauce on top . . . not sure if it qualifies for authentic Mexican food.
I'm pretty sure I'll go back because I want to discover a truly great Mexican dish there and praise them for it. And although the outdoor ambiance is muy romantic and there's plenty of parking, the food should always come first. So 3 stars for now.
People thought this was:
Great food, great drinks, and great patio!!! 4 stars because it took a while for the food to come out and when it came out I could tell it had been sitting under the hot plate for a while....
This is one of Jessi and my favorite places to eat. We go about once a month. The atmosphere is wonderful. It has changed a lot over the years. The first time we went there was just the waterfall and a few tables. It has really come into its own. We have taken almost all of our visitors there because we love the ambiance so much.
The food is always fantastic and the fishbowl style margaritas are intoxicating. I recommend the Hacienda Margarita. It has chili powder around the rim, which is a nice change from the normal salt.
The service is slow and relaxed. This is NOT a restaurant you go to if you have somewhere to be shortly afterwards. It is the kind of place that you go when dinner is going to be your evening. That is why we usually take out-of-town visitors. There is no rush and you can sit and chit-chat. We usually do not go when it is too busy, mostly for lunches or dinner during the week. Regardless of the time it is usually at least an hour and a half meal and that is if you hurry.
So to sum up...eat here when you have the time. Don't stress about whether your waiter or waitress is coming over all the time. Just enjoy the atmosphere and the company of good friends!
It's easy to get hypnotized by the ambiance of this place with the patio and waterfall outside. The food is over-priced and unremarkable. This place wants SO BAD to be upscale - see, e.g., their failed attempt at private VIP booths for sporting events. Service is very poor - last time I was there the wait staff gathered around an outdoor TV to watch a soccer game. With all the negative feedback on this place, the owners are simply stubborn, cavlier, and/or pompous for sticking with their losing formula. Scale back the attitude (a lot), make the menu more appealing, run some fun promotions, and the place will be packed. I would go back to drink a beer or two on a sunny day, but that's it.
Food is so/so the Atmosphere is Awesome. Very romantic. Fun place to sit around there fire ring and have a few beers or margaritas. Free chips and salsa in the evenings. The only thing good I've had here is the melted cheese appitizer they bring with tortillas. The other stuff isn't bad just not that good for the price. Have a bite somewhere else and come here for a few drinks. Great place to bring out of town guests for a wonderful magical atmosphere.
This is not your typical mexican restaurant; it's more of a ranchero-style dining experience. Most of the time the weather is nice enough to sit out on their large patio, next to a nice pond and waterfall; if not there's some space inside the adobe. Has a nice old-fashioned feel to it, like you've stepped out of Escondido and into a country inn in Mexico.
I've enjoyed all the dinners I've had here; the chips and salsa and Margaritas are fine (any place should be able to do that), the entrees are more elegant than your usual taco-and-enchilada place.
Afterwards, I suggest making out in the parking lot. Worked fine for us.
People thought this was:
The atmosphere is what would probably get you the most cause of its tropical/backyard look. The margaritas were fantastic! Great place to bring someone for their first date or just to bring their dates in general or hell bring your girls there for your girls night out! However, the meal there, I believe seemed over priced. Its good, but its just too of a small serving for that big of a prize ;( Been there only once, but cant wait to go back again.
People thought this was:
The service is very slow and amateurish. The food is decent, but overpriced. The mixed drinks need to have alcohol in them. The ambiance is excellent.
We went to Hacienda De Vega based on a review in the Penny Saver. I was skeptical at first, but was blown away by the atmosphere of this restaurant and then the food!
We were celebrating my brothers birthday and Fathers day, so we had a good size group, and was immediately sat (it was 4pm on a Sunday).
The meal starts off with real good corn chips, and 4 kinds of salsa. A bit of something for every ones tastes.
The Margaritas were good, their specialty Tamarinda(sp?) one was a hit at our table.
I personally had their Garlic Infused Mahi-Mahi, and couldn't get enough of it. It was prepared perfectly, and was shared around the table by everyone.
Everyone also loved the Mole' sauce.
I have been going to Casa De Pico since it practically opened, and this seems like a better place, and more accessible for those in North County. I wish their location was closer to me, so I could take dates and family here again.
Even if we aren't in the area, drive to Hacienda for a meal. You won't regret it. We had a wonderful afternoon.
People thought this was:
Hmmm. There's a lot to love about Hacienda De Vega, so let's start there.
It's the kind of place where, when you pull into the parking lot for the first time, you think the person bringing you there must have made a mistake. It literally looks like NOTHING from the outside - I didn't even see a sign.
Looking warily at my lunch companion, I followed him through a little foyer-thing and into a gorgeous courtyard. I mean, WAY gorgeous - fountain, sunshine, plants, cool chairs, the whole works. It felt like we had left Escondido and ended up in Baja somewhere. We grabbed a seat next to the fountain and I immediately decided I didn't want to go back to the office for the afternoon.
Friendly service. Very good food, though the menu felt a little limited to me. He had some kind of enchiladas that came with rice and beans, I had a delicious chicken quesadilla (not greasy at all) with rice and beans, we shared a tiny guacamole appetizer, the obligatory tortilla chips came to us with four different kinds of WONDERFUL salsa, my iced tea turned out to be Paradise tea which I totally LOVE, and my friend's Coke was refilled any time it got below half.
Now for the not so great part. Enchiladas, rice, beans. Chicken quesadilla, rice, beans. TINY guacamole appetizer. Coke. Iced tea.
FORTY BUCKS. Yup, I did say FORTY BUCKS. Before the tip.
So do I want to go back to Hacienda De Vega - absolutely. But not before payday.
People thought this was:
OVERPRICED! Geez. I went here for lunch this past weekend and dropped $80 for a party of 4 people: one entree each, no appetizer, no (alc)drinks. Crazy! Plus, the food was just "meh". The beans were more like bean soup and the rice had canned peas in it. Ick! The $14 burritos are about 1/3 the size of the ones the *berto's taco shops all over the county normally sell for $4. They dress their under-trained waitstaff up in black slacks & white button-down shirt like it's some high-class steak joint and charge you top dollar for run of the mill mexi. The atmosphere is great, with the adobe building and fountains, and there's a nice grassy lawn out back for the kids to run around, but I don't care, I will not be going back unless someone else is paying the bill!
People thought this was:
The atmosphere is great with the patio seating and the waterfall. The mole is to die for!
People thought this was:
I came here last night with my family for my dad's birthday dinner.
I guess I should 'fess up in advance--I'm currently in an anti-Mexican food funk. So, my review is automatically biased.
regardless, I am still giving the Hacienda 4 stars. really the reason for that is the atmosphere.
the low slung, traditional adobe building is gorgeous. we were there well after dark so i couldn't get the best look at the details but it looked amazing. the all-outdoor seating wrapped around a large pond/fountain/waterfall. they had heat lamps out, but we were on the far edge of the patio so were a little on the cold side.
our waiter was kind and attentive. i thought i had read here that the mojitos were good--alas, i should have ordered a margarita instead. everyone was happy with their meals--i had the tequila shrimp, which was good, but unexciting.
it is WAY out of the way, off of a strange frontage road well into Escondido. but, if youre a mexican aficionado and want to take someone somewhere special, i would definitely recommend it.
People thought this was:
What a find. Hacienda de Vega is a true gem in Escondido. The place in a non glamorous location, but it has as much charm as any restaurant in La Jolla.
Hacienda de Vega is a gourmet Mexican restaurant tucked away in Escondido's south end. The food is muy excellente, each dish is exquisite and the complimentary corn chips come with four varieties of super yummy salsa. And I have to say the drinks are superb -- seriously they have THE BEST margaritas. They are only rivaled by Las Brisas, but their margaritas are gigantic and they come in a variety of flavors, like mango and melon. Plus, they have a killer mojito.
But do you really want to know why this place is getting five stars? Well, I'll tell you. Hacienda de Vega has a large outside patio where most the patrons sit, and the tables center around a large pond and waterfall . And there are a bunch of twinkly lights that come on when the sun sets. Oh, and did I mention there is als a bar with a fire place outside?
Like I said ,the place is real find. It is a very romantic setting, but my friends and I find it is nice place to go and have drink, score some free chips and commiserate. The drinks run about 10 bucks but man, it is worth it.
People thought this was:
I love the tamarindo margaritas. The food is excellent and the setting and ambience are romantic. Prepare for a leisurely evening, because neither you, or the staff with rush. We had to wait a while for a table, but there is a nice seating area off the bar where chips and salsa are served while you wait.
Great place for an intimate dinner. :)
People thought this was:
A great place to go for drinks and appetizers. Beautiful patio seating, but the rest of the food's kind of over-priced and not that good. Stick to the drinks and the app's.
Took some friends there for dinner once and we went there again. Liked it both times. Good food. Kinda slow service. It's a good thing to go when you can relax and you aren't in a hurry. Really good margeritas. Cool atmsophere. Nice date place, family place. Really pretty outdoor patio seating. I didn't notice any flies. I was there in the dark though. One odd thing is the lighting outside is so dim we could barely see the menu to order! It's mostly the atmosphere that makes the place. Would be fun to take out of town guests to. The food is different and we liked what we ordered.
People thought this was:
I'll make it short and sweet.
Great location, good food but definitely agree that the service is subpar and slow.
Neighborhood: Escondido
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Escondido
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Escondido
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Escondido
Category: Mexican
Poway, CA
Category: Mexican
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