FIDEL'S, Solana Beach - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Menu

Appetizers

La Pachanga (chicken or beef)

Favorites consisting of: flautas, mini tacos, 1 quesadilla, mini chimichanga, surrounding a bed of refried beans. Served with sour cream, guacamole and salsa fresca

$20.95

Nachos

Chips and cheese on a bed of refried beans, topped with tomatoes, onions and jalapeños. Served with sour cream and guacamole

$15.55

With Chicken or Beef

$19.65

Guacamole Dip

Chips and cheese served with guacamole

$16.35

Bean Dip

Chips and cheese on a bed of refried beans

$11.75

With Chorizo

$12.35

Chips & Cheese

Chips topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese

$9.55

Cheese Crisp

$9.15

With Tomato and Green Onions

$9.75

Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

No

Unsure

Details

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PRICE RANGE

$14.00 – $35.00

CUISINES

Mexican, Southwestern

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.0

339 reviews

Excellent

145

Very good

106

Average

54

Poor

16

Terrible

18

James

Austin418 contributions

Great Traditional Mexican Restaurant

Mar 2020 • none

I've been here a few times and should have written a review a long time ago. This is one of those restaurants you're likely to find out about from word of mouth because it's highly unlikely you'll pass by. A friend of mine years ago was talking about this place and it's pretty much my "go-to" for Mexican food. It reminds me of the style of a Mexican restaurant I used to go to when I was young. It's nice but not overly fancy or pretentious. These days, I see so many "high end" Mexican restaurants opening and I always thought one of the great things of going to a Mexican restaurant was good value for the food. Fidel's fortunately does keep that tradition. There always seems to be plenty of parking out front even though when it go inside the restaurant is moderately full. I've always eaten in the dining area but there seems to be a separate bar area I think for evenings and weekends. I've never had to wait for a table and the staff are always very friendly. Like any traditional Mexican restaurant, within seconds of sitting, they bring out a hot fresh basket of chips with hot sauce. It's a hot sauce rather than salsa which is a bit different, but don't let it fool you... it's nice and spicy. On this visit, I wanted to try the Queso Fundido, a melted cheese fondue with chorizo. It's served with pinto beans, salsa and choice of tortillas (we had flour). I've had queso fundido at other restaurants and I'll have to say it wasn't very good here. Far too greasy and it was just melted cheese rather than cheese dip. We had a little bit of it and the cheese is nice, but it was just too greasy of a dish and it was hard to get the cheese on anything because it was so stringy instead of being more like a fondue or dip. For a meal, I settled for the two chicken taco combination. The meal itself is quite large and is served on a hot plate with refried beans and rice. The tacos are generous in size and the chicken meat was incredible! Big chunks of chicken breast meat filled the taco shell which was perfectly crispy. The refried beans are exceptional. Traditionally cooked and not too salty like so many other places. As of late, there are just too many "fancy" Mexican restaurants opening up where, in my opinion, you are just wasting your money when you can get as good of food, if not better, here at Fidel's for significantly less. And here at Fidel's, you'll get traditional Mexican food... well, American Mexican food :) Pretty good value, very good food and great service. I definitely recommend.

Written March 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sammtastic

Sammamish68 contributions

Good Food

Jan 2020 • family

Our food came with flavorful salsa and warmed chips. My carne asada burrito was good, not overly flavorful. My cadillac margarita was average. For such a large number of servers, the wait staff was inattentive. It took a long time to place our drink order, receive our bill, and have our bill picked back up. We were seated in a small side room of booths, with overhead lights that flickered throughout our meal and loud banging on the other side of the wall. We walked by the patio on the way out and it looked like a lovely place to dine with a group. I would return, just after trying other options.

Written January 5, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thomas S

79 contributions

The Best Mexican Restaurant I've Eaten At

Nov 2019 • none

The food and building is very authentic! You walk into the building, and it is a series of stairs and turns to various rooms with tables... it's a great look! Our server was very helpful as he gave us his recommendations, and brought us some cactus to try. I would recommend the chicken fajitas. I will go back during my next trip!

Written January 12, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amber L

Minneapolis178 contributions

The worst experience ever !

Mar 2022 • none

This was by far the worst Mexican food we have eaten, not to mention the rude staff and terrible service. Fajitas come to the table SIZZLING every time I have had them, this comes to the table on a plate lukewarm, where are the peppers and onions, none to be found just large chunks of meat with no flavor. The fajita burrito was worse, nothing but chicken inside and dried out at that, no flavor no sauce inside, nothing. To add to all this, staff are clearly not happy with their jobs and rude. I guess since there are limited restaurants in the area, people come here. Then there are the prices that are some of the highest we have ever seen. Then a twenty minute wait just for the server to bring the check. A complete waste of our hard earned money. I highly recommend driving further away for something much better.

Written March 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MARIO A

Camp Verde48 contributions

Great salsa not so good mexican food

Mar 2021 • family

Salsa at this place was great but the food is very pricey and does not reflect the quality. Chimichunga was very oily and not flavorful. My wife had a chicken burrito and it was the same, no flavor what so ever. There are much better Mexican restaurants than this. So far the worst meal we have had in San Diego on this trip to Solana.

Written March 16, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MHecox

Sacramento185 contributions

Worth the $$

Oct 2023 • family

Opted for Fidel’s because it was within walking distance of where we were staying. For 3 of us: dinner plates (plus 1 Margarita) & tip was just over $100. Being from Northern CA, we knew eating out anywhere in this region was going to be costly. BUT, we were blown away by the flavor and cook of our meals. My husband had Chile Verde; done in a way we’ve never seen before - so delicious and fresh. Also had the carnitas; came in large chunks of meat with sliced onion and cilantro - perfect. Awesome flour tortillas. Our Server and all other Staff were extremely friendly and food was served rather quickly (we went for a “late” dinner at about 7:30pm).

Written October 3, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bonnie A

McFarland28 contributions

Fun place for a Crowd

Jan 2020 • none

Great food, atmosphere and service at Fidels. We were there on a Friday night with a group of 9 people. We were seated right away in our preferred location, received excellent food and service while having a chance to talk and catchup. Will go back.

Written January 25, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thebabycoach

60 contributions

Disappointed

Dec 2021 • couples

We did not find this restaurant as advertised or reviewed here. So disappointed. I sent two attempts at a margarita back, the first too sweet, the replacement too bitter. That should have been a clue. I ordered the Chile Verde and there is no Verde in it. It appears to be a handful of pulled pork in a bowl with stewed tomatoes and a couple of green peppers slices spooned over it. No green chilies! I was too embarrassed for Fidel to return that too. Be warned.

Written December 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lifeisonetrip

Las Vegas375 contributions

Could be better!

Aug 2021 • none

Had dinner with family recently. It was a weekday evening, very busy inside and outside. Food could have been hotter and the chicken in all dishes we ordered, was dry and flavorless. Service was marginal, no one was very pleasant. It should be noted that we have dined here previously.

Written August 24, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael O

San Diego181 contributions

Extreme disappointment

Jan 2024 • family

Over the years we have been here is several times and it was good. This last time it was not good at all outside of the chips and salsa. My wife ordered a margarita and when we saw it looked like it was almost clear. Not only was it lacking the color of a good margarita, it was lacking flavor as well. Neither my wife or could eat more than a few bites of our food. She ordered a Chile relleno and the cheese was not melted/cooked on the inside. Sent it back, and it came back burned. I had the pork Chile Colorado, and it just wasn't for me. To top it off it was way over priced, the reviewer who said it was only $$ is way off on the pricing. Sadly we won't be going back for another meal.

Written January 15, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Computernana

West Bloomfield Township447 contributions

Food is still excellent

Jan 2022 • family

I have been coming to Fidel’s on and off over the years since 1990. I am a Michigander who comes to San Diego occasionally. When my daughter first took me to Fidel’s in 1990 I ordered the chimichanga. It was excellent. Last night I took my adult grandchildren to Fidel’s and again ordered the chimichanga. It was still excellent. My grandchildren ordered different types of tacos. We had a very nice experience. Our server was efficient But could have been a little more pleasant. He seem to give more attention to other tables and checked on their orders. He never checked on our order.

Written January 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lovestraveling2016

San Diego54 contributions

Food so so, prices high, poor service

Feb 2024 • family

Had heard this was a good Mexican restaurant near the high school. So the family, (nine of us) went for dinner. We were all very disappointed. The food was so so, several people said their dinner wasn’t even warm. Mixups were made after being ordered for 3 of us. ( wrong order, side of guacamole forgotten- waiter apologized asked if I still wanted it, I said yes. Never did get it). Took 10-15 min after requesting refills on beverages.

Written February 26, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John S

Saint Clair606 contributions

Very good, definitely recommend

Apr 2023 • family

I'd give it a 4.5 if I could. It was really a good place. The 4 of us all got different dishes and they were all good and good sizes. Nobody left hungry. The bill for a family of 4 with 3 alcoholic drinks was just about $100.

Written April 12, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Max P

Los Angeles210 contributions

Love this place!

Jan 2023 • none

We have been coming to Fidel's for at least 15 years! Reliably tasty Mexican food with very efficient service. The margaritas, tortilla soup and salsa are outstanding. You will not be disappointed if you select the Mexican standards, tacos/enchiladas/chile rellanos!

Written February 24, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bobby31225

Bullhead City1922 contributions

Good food!!

Jun 2021 • none

Lived in the area till I was 20 and moved to Arizona. After all these years I had never been to this place. When I was younger always went to the other restaurants just around the corner. Had a trip back in June and my friends took me there for lunch. I had the pork tostada and it was very good! Lots of meat, good service and nice atmosphere. I would go back!

Written July 7, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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