Javier's used to be the best Mexican restaurant outside of Mexico. Not any more. The flavors have become increasingly bland and the quality of food increasingly inconsistent. I used to come here... More >
Javier's used to be the best Mexican restaurant outside of Mexico. Not any more. The flavors have become increasingly bland and the quality of food increasingly inconsistent. I used to come here and pay $25 for seafood enchiladas and feel like I was ripping Javier's off because the food was so good. When the food was that good the prices were justified. The last few times I have been here the quality and taste of the food has fallen off a cliff and it just isn't worth it anymore. If Javier's wants to serve merely good food rather than great food, I can get good food elsewhere at half the price. Also the service here is extremely unimpressive. The employees tend to spend more time standing around and socializing with each other than serving customers. Last few times I have been there the place has been empty and I have had to wait forever to order, for drinks, for the bill etc. As a point of contrast I just ate at Canaletto at Fashion Island and the service was off the charts excellent. Made the service I received at Javier's seem extraordinarily amateurish in comparison. I do not like to write negative reviews but hopefully Javier will read this review and realize that he needs to fix his ship before it sinks further.
Pros: Food USED to be great
Cons: Price, service
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at best. Food "Was" excellent. Now it is AWFUL, service is AWFUL, attitudes are AWFUL. Javier, I was one of your best customers. We ate at your place in LB several times a month. Now this is... More >
at best. Food "Was" excellent. Now it is AWFUL, service is AWFUL, attitudes are AWFUL. Javier, I was one of your best customers. We ate at your place in LB several times a month. Now this is just a bad nightclub with sucky food like a night club. Wanna drink? Better bring your own cuz you won't get one there, not even from the bartender. What were you thinking Javier? Wake up and get back to what you do best, cook! Get your staff to have good attitudes! And have your wonderful wife make chocolate bread pudding.
Pros: Only when in Laguna Beach
Cons: No longer a good place to eat. Food is average at
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I hope this Javier's go out of business. They had a great location with people looking to check out. Javier's staff is the rudest, most unprofessional group I have ever experienced. I will never... More >
I hope this Javier's go out of business. They had a great location with people looking to check out. Javier's staff is the rudest, most unprofessional group I have ever experienced. I will never spend money in Javier's again. See what happens when a restraunt treats people like crap...They don't come back
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I went to Javier's for lunch after reading reviews of it. I had the Lomo Azteca which consisted of pork medallions dressed in a flavorful, creamy chipotle sauce. The sauce was fabulous. However, it... More >
I went to Javier's for lunch after reading reviews of it. I had the Lomo Azteca which consisted of pork medallions dressed in a flavorful, creamy chipotle sauce. The sauce was fabulous. However, it seemed that the pork was cooked separately and the sauce poured on top, rather than the pork being cooked IN the sauce. While tasty, I believe it would have been better to cook the meat in the sauce so that the flavors could integrate more fully.
The beans and rice that accompanied the entree were lighter than what you typically get at a Mexican restaurant. They had a nice flavor and texture and didn't make you feel weighed down afterward. I also enjoyed the light and cripsy homemade tortilla chips accompanied by a cool, thick guacamole and a pleasant margarita.
The atmosphere was lively and festive, with several large parties. A large bar area offers ample room for seeing and being seen while you wait for a table. I was warned that this was a bit of a "pick up" joint, and I can see how it got that reputation. However, if you time your arrival with your reservation so that you don't linger in the bar area, you should be okay. Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing, in which case, come early and put some socks in your bra.
Pros: food, location, ambiance
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i made a reservation 2 months in advance for a company christmas party of 18ppl. I called to confirm the day before, they called me to confirm the morning of...and when we arrived on time for our... More >
i made a reservation 2 months in advance for a company christmas party of 18ppl. I called to confirm the day before, they called me to confirm the morning of...and when we arrived on time for our reservation we were treated as a inconvenience and we were told that there was a party "just finishing up" at our table. so all 18 of us stood around and waited. After 15 minutes we asked if they could at least bring us chips n salsa, drinks, or maybe some appetizers. 30 minutes later we still had nothing and the party wasn't leaving. Javiers lost a lot of money that day. we ended up leaving, called Taco Rosa (NB) and arrived there with appetizers waiting on an open table for us! they were great!
Dont waste your time!!!! how is javiers still in business????
Pros: none
Cons: they treat customers as an inconvenience
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I Love Javier's in Crystal Cove!!! The atmosphere, the people, the staff and especially the food. If you want to come have a relaxing lunch during the week, with a view(breath taking on a clear... More >
I Love Javier's in Crystal Cove!!! The atmosphere, the people, the staff and especially the food. If you want to come have a relaxing lunch during the week, with a view(breath taking on a clear sunny day), you should come here. It is a little more busy during the weekend, but what do you expect. It is a happenin' place.
Their Pollo Asado is healthy and delicious. It comes with a chile stuffed with cheese, guacamole and And when you order a Margarita, order the Organic Margarita it a little more expensive than a regular margarita, but well worth it. Come enjoy great food and hang out with friends. I RECOMMEND IT!
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This is the Javier's that moved to Crystal Cove. No longer a Laguna Beach hot spot. Do check out the new location, though, if you want to ... More >
This is the Javier's that moved to Crystal Cove. No longer a Laguna Beach hot spot. Do check out the new location, though, if you want to ...
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Where do I begin? I have been to this place quite a few times and tonight was the last straw, let me tell you! My friend had told me about a visit she had here one night in the Summer. She was... More >
Where do I begin? I have been to this place quite a few times and tonight was the last straw, let me tell you! My friend had told me about a visit she had here one night in the Summer. She was sitting at the main bar with a friend. Her friend had ordered a cocktail and she had ordered water. My fiend is caucasian but happens to speak a little Spanish unbeknownst to the two hispanic men tending bar. Well, it just so happens that she overheard one of the bartenders telling the other bartender that he wished this stupid b**ch would get the f**k away from his bar since she wasn't ordering any liquor. My friend surprised the bartender my telling him that she understood what he had said and obviously she let him know how she felt. That was just the icing on the cake.
Three weeks ago another friend of mine wanted to have her birthday party here and had called to make a reservation for the outdoor patio. When we arrived this evening they decided to put us in the main restaurant because they stated that they didn't want to walk around the table. Keep in mind this is a Tuesday night and I've seen parties larger than ours out on that same patio! So three of us arrived before the birthday girl and we wanted to lay a few decorations on the table and some gifts, they told us NO! We needed to wait until some more guests arrived. So much for us surprising our friend with a beautiful, party like atmospere! So, I went to my favorite bartender who is at the back bar to order a drink since we can't even sit at a table that we've had reserved for like 3 weeks! When we FINALLY get to sit down I decided to go back to my favorite bartender for another drink so did a couple of friends.
Pros: Gorgeous place
Cons: Horrible management
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This is my favorite place in Laguna for Mexican food. The atmosphere is amazing and the service is second to none. Not to mention the view... More >
This is my favorite place in Laguna for Mexican food. The atmosphere is amazing and the service is second to none. Not to mention the view...
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Called for a reservation a week and a half in advance. We were told we must be done with our dinner within an hour and a half. Made the reservation anyways. Tried to confirm the reservation the... More >
Called for a reservation a week and a half in advance. We were told we must be done with our dinner within an hour and a half. Made the reservation anyways. Tried to confirm the reservation the day of, but they lost our reservation. I would give them no star, but at least one must be given in order to submit this review. I will never try this place.
Cons: Bad Service
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