SOL Mexican Cocina - Newport Beach

SOL Mexican Cocina - Newport Beach reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. I

   Ian

   El Paso3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We made a reservation for outdoors, when we got there they only had inside seating available. Our glassware was filthy with fingerprints and water stains all over. No menus were provided for us until we asked for them. It took us over an hour from sitting down to get our food which was warm at most. Half the food order was incorrect. Extremely poor experience, I tried talking with the manager on duty and there was no ownership to the issues but rather excuses. His solution was a coupons for a free appetizer.
   

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2. P

   Patty VIP

   Orange County19 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   This was our first visit to Sol, and we don’t plan on going back. The only good thing was our server, Ryan - he was great. We had a 6:15 reservation and waited about 20 minutes to get sat. We requested outdoors and were sat in the bar. The skinny margaritas were sour and not tasty. The food was also bland. We got the chicken fajitas, the shrimp tacos and steak tacos. The steak was mostly gristle. The shrimp was rubbery. I really wanted to like this restaurant but it was not worth the 45 minute drive or the cost.
   

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3. J

   JoAnn

   Orange County3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Had a reservation, had to wait 35+ mins outside in sun. No valet parking available, full. Mothers Day. Got a table in bar, asked for booth. 15 mins at table, no menu, silverware, or waiter. Someone then dropped off a container of water, no ice in it, no glasses. Bartender gave us glasses finally. Chips dropped off but no menu or silverware yet. Half hour later waiter said he could take our order BUT there will be at least a 45 minute wait for our food and they were all out of chicken entrees. Will never go back there. Suggestion, learn from a real organized restaurant….Javiers in New
   

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4. P

   Paul

   Orange County7 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   The food was ok and the view was nice of the boats docked in the harbor. However, it was a poor experience on Mother's Day. The restaurant overbooked reservations for the entire day. There were lines outside and inside waiting to be seated. We had a 2:45 PM reservation and were seated at 3;30 PM. We reserved "outside seating". We were seated inside. We could barely squeeze past all the tables jammed in with groups of 8 to 18 (my count). The noise level was very high. After being seated for 10 minutes we were greeted by a friendly waiter. We ordered guacamole, chips, salsa and margaritas to start. The guacamole came fairly quickly in about 10 minutes, but no chips to dip in it, no salsa and no drinks for another 15 minutes. The drinks and the appetizers were great when they all finally arrived. My entree was great, my son's was great, but wouldn't you know on Mother's Day, his mom's meal (Chili Relleno) was not. The kitchen was overwhelmed and they sent it out only partially cooked. She could barely cut the chili pepper with a knife. I think this restaurant would be just fine on any weekday, just not on Holidays.
   

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5. A

   Alex VIP

   Orange County1 review

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Took my mom here for Mother's Day. It was an ok experience. Food was good but service was sub-par. Perhaps because it was Mother's Day but it took about 30 minutes for our waiter to come back to get our order. Finished the chips and salsa before they even came back to take our order. Only to find out the items we wanted to order were sold out. So we had to figure out what else you get. Probably doesn't help we also got seated next to the kitchen entry where it was very busy with staff going in and out with orders. Water ran out halfway through the meal but couldn't find our server. Finally got water when a manager checked in with the table. Overall.. ok experience but service was less than ideal.
   

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6. J

   Jeffrey VIP

   Orange County3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   We've always been a fan of Sol, but this last visit I think has moved Sol Cocina to the bottom shelf for us. We had an early reservation on Mother's Day & as we were about to sit down the hostess was quick to remind us that we had a 90-min limit for our party of 4. That would normally be fine, but it ended up taking 25-min just to get us our water. Since it was an early reservation there were still open tables so it wasn't as though they were just packed. The list of frustrations just started growing from there... 1. Our server asked if we wanted guacamole, which we said we would. A food runner arrived & put a small bowl of bland guacamole on the table. Minutes later the table next to us was having their guacamole made fresh table side with all the ingredients. When we asked why the difference we were told "that's a separate guacamole order...the table side is $1 more." WTF. 2. It took 3 separate requests to finally get a second basket of chips for our party of 4. 3. They completely got my order wrong bringing me carne asada instead of carnitas tacos. 4. On the final bill they still had a charge for my original tacos, as well as the correction of the wrong order...double billed. 5. It took 2 additional requests to finally get an Ala carte taco that was ordered. We've been going to Sol for at least a decade, hosted large private & corporate parties there, but with each visit it seems they care less and less about the customer experience.
   

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7. B

   Bill

   Orange County3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our third visit and we may not be back. What was described as a “large” taco on the menu was about the size of a typical street taco. My son ordered three carne asada tacos and they came out with nothing on them. It wasn’t very crowded but we had to wait 15 minutes for guacamole. They provide bottles of water on the table and we had to ask for refills. When you order a burrito, they will ask if you want it wet - add $3.50. Do want cheese - add $3.00 more. You learn this after you get the bill. A $21 Burrito becomes a $27.50 burrito. Slow service and the waiter always seemed to be rushing. Much better on previous visits.
   

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8. C

   Christian

   Central Coast1 review

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Overall we really like this place. The atmosphere and location are great. Last night wasn't the best visit. Our reservation was for 545 they didn't get us in until about 605, the table was crowded with all the stuff on it, menus, chips, appetizer plates etc. The service was great server was nice efficient and honest. The food was okay, my wife got the ceviche and it was basically a pico de gallo with some fish mixed in. The chips were under fries and soggy. I got the goat cheese enchiladas and although they were a tasty meal they were lukewarm. Kids had chicken tacos and they were adequate. Overall just an ok experience.
   

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9. L

   Laura

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   Took my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day to eat here with the family. It took a while for us to get our drinks and some of them were still Missing. Then we order appetizers and that took a while we got maybe one person got their refill and once we got our food, we were already to fall from the chips and salsa. We got we like the place it must have been just because it was Mother’s Day, but it did not leave a good Taste in my mouth to wanna go back anytime soon because of the service.
   

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10. W

    Wendy

    Los Angeles1 review

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Service was great waitress was friendly professional food was okay mango margarita was good enjoyed the ambiance of the place
    

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