La Rondalla Restaurant and Cantina

I must say the drinks are great, but the food I was very disappointed. I grew up around the corner and recall this place as one of the best Hispanic food they need to get better cooks. I ordered a taco with rice and beans got it a hr+ later and it fell apart and it had a weird red sauce like spaghetti… I hope they get it together in the kitchen…

Was looking forward to a margarita and some nachos but after waiting for 15 minutes and not even a «I’ll be with you in a minute» from any of the 3 waitresses I simply left. And our wasn’t even busy! The place had better service when it was a dive.

La Rondalla is one of my favorite bars in the Mission. As mentioned in many reviews, their Margaritas are STRONG and they are very well-​priced. I almost always get the frozen Mango Margarita which is absolutely delicious and is all too easy to drink too much of. Their classic Margarita is also delicious and very refreshing. A pitcher of any of their Margaritas is the way to go if you have 3 or more people, since it is close to the same price as getting 3 separate drinks and the pitchers are BIG. I have been known to split one with one other person and this can definitely be done if you want to have a FUN night.
In terms of the food, I have only eaten a full meal here once. I ordered the Chili Colorado which was pretty good and service was very fast. It was a lot of food but it really hit the spot. Is it he best Mexican food I have ever had? No, but it was very tasty and hearty. Whenever I come, we almost always get the chips and salsa which is addictive. Their salsa is great and it really pairs well with their drinks.
We love coming here on Friday night when the Mariachi band is live. They come in at prime drinking time so it is truly a unique bar experience. The staff here has always been really friendly and competent. If you are in the Mission, I highly recommend La Rondalla. Sometimes the crowd can get a bit… interesting but at the very least, it is a community place.

Can I give like 4.5? Cuz I like this place but it’s not like a 5 star spot. I mean its great for what it is. For the little bit of food I’ve gotten here I really like it. Quality. Personally I’m more of a vibes person when I eat out or go out. And here is a great vibe. Love it. ended up here this time with friends without even realizing it. Sitting here watching the warriors game now and I’m on edge. Please please please let’s win

Not sure when other reviewers were here, but we were there Friday night and the food was sub-​par. The margaritas were TERRIBLE! There was a strong smell of mop/​cleaning products.
The service was ok. We should have waited for the crowded places near by.

WORST DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD!
We came here because we were in the mission and figured this place has to have somewhat decent Mexican food. We sat down, look over the menu and I asked the waitress if their burritos are any good. She replied: «oh yeah they are really good”(big lie). So I got a burrito and my fiancé got a combo plate.
Once my burrito arrived, it was wrapped in foil so I unwrapped it and I couldn’t hold it because it was falling apart (whoever wrapped the burrito needs to reconsider their life choices). I addressed my concerned so she took it back and rewrapped it. I got my burrito again and it was wrapped slightly better, anyhow, I was half way into my burrito and it bit into a big piece of bone yes BONE! At that point I stopped eating it and told the waitress, she gave me the check and charged me for the burrito. I spoke with the manager and sorted it out, I can’t believe I had to pay for anything after almost chipping a tooth.
I will never come here again!

I’ve been coming here for a while now and this is my second Unilocal for La Rondalla – a great place with great service and is very clean :)
Chris and Christina never fail with their fantastic bartending services; there is a new bartender named Juan – great and friendly guy who went above and beyond the call of duty the last time I went there… Thank you Juan!
This place is MUST and I look forward to going back.

Awesome incredible margarita drinks I cannot believe I made it out of here alive thank you for taking us. I had a killer blended blueberry margarita missing is Wi-​Fi

Food was okay but the service was INCREDIBLY slow even when there were many open tables around us. We waited forever for everything: drinks, appetizers, main plates, and finally the bill. The plates were delivered and the waitress asked if we needed tortillas. We said yes but she never came back after that. Even when we asked for a to-​go box, it felt like 30 mins before she came back. The watered down margaritas were $ 14 each! Food was okay. But was it worth it? No.

Fun night out a remodeled long time restaurant on Valencia. Carnitas were the bomb and so was the guac! On point passion fruit blended margarita bc sometimes you just have to. The fajitas were plentiful did were sans the grilling plate (lame) they were still tasty. Only downside was the live music could have used a few less trumpets.

This spot is a hit or miss sometimes it’s good other times the service is absolutely garbage! The margaritas are the only reason I go to this place the food is ok but nothing to rave about I get the same thing every time cuz I don’t want to try anything else =/

DANGER!!! Okay if you come in here get ready to get WASTED! The margaritas are super strong. Don’t let the taste full you! Trust me you will get drunk! I love coming here for happy hour. The margaritas are super cheap and come with a punch Haha.
MUST TRY! You guys have to try the Hennychata it is super delicious. The mangonadas are super good as well. The classic margaritas are good and strong. I love the chicken quesadilla here. With chips and guacamole. But my all time favorite is the micheladas!!! Ahhh super good!
Not to mention the LIVE MARIACHIS!!! I fall in love all the time when I go in there. Please you guys come check it out. I love the people here and Luna and Betty are awesome!

Had a horrible experience before come back because the micheladas are the bomb! Yesterday we celebrate my birthday with my friends (including me 3 people), we order a pitcher of margaritas a platter and 2 micheladas we ask for the bill. I mean we must had looked drunk/​stupid or something that the waiter Janet decided to included Automatic gratuity!!! I mean we are drinking but I can see this isn’t right… which has me thinking how many people have gotten play by this shady practice (I understand when is a large party but come on 3 people)!!! I always leave tip 20% but this was just so beyond dissapointing when I ask the waiter she looked shock that I notice and offer right away to take it off… how sad I will never be back… please beware!

Update your Unilocal information. This place closes at 2AM on Saturdays not 3AM. Went here to eat late night at 2AM and they were closed. Really inconvenient.

Great place to stop in for a tequila, amazing guacamole and mariachis. Very friendly staff too.

It was a serendipitous moment. We were strolling down Mission and heard the strains of a full mariachi band– trumpets, guitars and singers. The service was warm, the margaritas strong and the nachos fresh. I couldn’t have asked for a more magical end to my night. All the best and I look forward to coming back here again in the future!

Excellent place for large parties, as the staff is very friendly and helpful. We brought our own birthday cake for dessert and they promptly provided candles and plates. No pretentious cake cutting fees. :)
Food was adequate. I’d stay away from the carnitas though. Bone-​in carnitas? No thank you, never again.

It was a perfect quick dinner.
Except for one thing.
No mariachis.
Sigh.
But, going in so early (5-​ish), I had a feeling they wouldn’t be around yet. I was just hoping…
The skinny…
I hadn’t been here since they remodeled & reopened. That was over a year ago. My memories of the original are fabulous. My group of friends escorted me here a few times specifically to get late night dinner (after 2am). The mariachi band, the all-​year Christmas lights, & the appropriately greasy food all made me very happy. La Rondalla, pre-​reopening, was always a good time.
Remember, this is AMEX, American Mexican. That’s just totally fine w me. I’m not snobby about authentic Mexican fare… I’m not from San Diego, after all. My meals here have always been fresh & tasty. Service has always been nice & attentive. And after my visit last night, I see that has not changed.
We started w 2 appetizers, w the full intent of ordering carne asada fajitas to share as our entrée. I chose the 2 apps from the happy hour menu because, well, we could, & because I wasn’t very hungry. I knew the apps would fill me up & my man would have the fajitas all to himself. But that’s not what happened.
What happened was the 2 happy hour apps were enough food for both of us. The portions are huge. When it came time to order his entrée, my man decided he was good & didn’t need it. The usually small served in-​a-​cup refritos con queso is a whole plate serving here. We couldn’t even finish it. The quesadilla de pollo was delicious. Tender chicken, cheesy, flavorful, greasy goodness. With chips & salsa, this was a good meal for 2.
The owner came over twice to make sure we were taken care of. And we were; our server was sweet & efficient.
My virgin Pina Colada was ginormous. A meal in itself.
The only thing I missed were the mariachis.
4 stars.

It was a perfect quick dinner.
Except for one thing.
No mariachis.
But, going in so early (5-​ish), I had a feeling they wouldn’t be around yet. I was just hoping.
The skinny…
I hadn’t been here since they remodeled & reopened. That was over a year ago. My memories of the original are fabulous. My group of friends escorted me here a few times specifically to get late night dinner (after 2am). The mariachi band, the all-​year Christmas lights, & the appropriately greasy food all made me very happy. La Rondalla, pre-​reopening, was always a good time.
Remember, this is AMEX, American Mexican. And that’s totally fine w me. I’m not snobby about authentic Mexican fare… I’m not from San Diego, after all. My meals here have always been fresh & tasty. Service has always been nice & attentive. And after my visit last night, I see that has not changed.
We started w 2 appetizers, w the full intent of ordering carne asada fajitas to share as our entrée. I chose the 2 apps from the happy hour menu because, well, we could, & because I wasn’t very hungry. I knew the apps would fill me up & my man would have the fajitas all to himself. But that’s not what happened.
What happened was the 2 happy hour apps were enough food for both of us. The portions are huge. When it came time to order his entrée, my man decided he was good & didn’t need it. The usually small served in-​a-​cup refritos con queso is a whole plate serving here. We couldn’t even finish it. The quesadilla de pollo was delicious. Tender chicken, cheesy, flavorful, greasy goodness. With chips & salsa, this was a good meal for 2.
The owner came over twice to make sure we were taken care of. And we were; our server was sweet & efficient.
My virgin Pina Colada was ginormous. A meal in itself.
The only thing I missed were the mariachis.
4 stars.

Service is superb. Friendly and to the point. Just ordered tacos and… Wow! Major plus is Negra Modelo on tap :-)))

Food, cocktails, dessert and service all were a disappointment, especially given the cost. The only redeeming factor is the ambiance.

I haven’t been here since they reopened but the food is just as good as it was 40 years ago. We were going somewhere else tonight but they were closed so we dropped by and I’m so glad we did. The negative ratings kept me from coming back.
I don’t care much for the mariachi but my steak was on point so I managed to tune them out. If you come, make sure you order the La Rondalla Asado Special. OMG. There was only one other place that I would order steak from and this is the second. I definitely recommend it.
I’m happy & full now but had to make sure I gave them their 5 stars before I go to sleep tonight: o)
Almost forgot, don’t click the link for the menu to the right, go to their website for the full menu. I was looking on my phone and almost didn’t go because the menu to the right is not the full menu,

It was not worth going, 2 dllrs extra for more chips chile verde salty, milanesa chewy guacamole left over yesterday… had gone from 94 to closing in 2007 … hoping it was worth waiting for the remodeling but except for the drinks not going back Sorry but no thank you.

Our server JANET ORTEGA. Some friends and I are having a get together that we haven’t had for a while. Drinks and food came pretty quick. Came in at 6pm on a Thursday. Throughout the night we kept getting looked at by the servers/​workers. Kept to our business and just tried to enjoy our time. When it reached 9pm, we felt rush by Janet to pay. We switched tables because we couldn’t hear the music that we paid for since the kitchen music was so loud that it interrupted the music that was playing from the store. Again, we let it go and just moved to a different seat since it was a slow night. The check was then given to us without request. We felt so rushed that we made sure the time of closure of the restaurant. It was about 9:45PM and the server said about an hour or so. I then checked Unilocal and it said midnight!
After that she came around and ask us if we needed anything. At this point we were so fed up with her rushing us that we said no. She then, had the audacity to tell us that we needed to pay because she needs to leave. If you’re a server, you automatically transfer that check to another server to accommodate the customers. We had our fair share in serving experience and never in our shifts have we told the customer that we had to be off the clock and told them to pay. She was very impatient and very demanding when it came to our check. I have never experienced a sever telling me that they needed to leave work and rushed us to pay. When it comes to tipping, we are very courteous and tip very well because as a server, you always pay it forward. I’ve came here multiple times with friends telling them how nice this place is. But after tonight, they’ve lost 6 customers. Please be have more patience to your customers and be more friendly. Never have I been rushed, lied to, and treated with no respect at a food place. Worst hospitality I’ve experienced. If you want a little get together and catching up with friends, do not go here because they only want in and out customers. NEVER have I felt so rushed.

I am disappointed that the place is going downhill. First the noise level is so high you can’t carry on a conversation. Second the staff seems lackluster and the service is slow even when it is almost empty. Takes forever to get seated and then to place your order. When the food comes there are errors in the orders. Finally the food is pretty mediocre.
Damn this used to be my go to place before they closed and remodeled.

It is a venerable institution: I first ate at La Rondalla almost 40 years ago, but I hadn’t eaten there in decades, certainly not since it reopened in ⁵⁄₂₀₁₄ after being closed for years. Apparently it’s still run by the same family. In the face of rampant demographic change in the Mission, I wish I could say it was fabulous, but…
Lunch ca. 1pm on a Saturday, main room full so our foursome was seated in the back overflow room; fine with us, as we mostly wanted to talk. Initially quiet, then deafeningly loud music for a brief time, then (before we complained) quiet again, then deafeningly loud music again just before we left, no explanation. Service similarly haphazard (at best): various staff members came to our table now and then, never with any clarity as to who was responsible for what. Ordering was slow, the waitress had trouble understanding what we wanted (presumably a language issue), and the food we received was not quite what we ordered (though close). Food as per old-​timey Mexican restaurant, generally fine but nothing great; my birria was soup rather than stew, just ok, and many better tacos nearby. Reasonably cheap for the gentrified neighborhood: lunch without alcohol ca. $ 13 each. I’m genuinely happy they’re surviving, but I doubt I’ll go back.

Came in for margaritas with my mom. The ladies that work here are the sweetest, amazing service. Happy Hour prices are great, $ 5 for a margarita and its strong

Omfg the drinks here are amazing!!! We had the hennychata and the chavela (sp?) and the habanero margarita… I think we’ll come back to try the rest… Go in on an empty stomach here, the food was delicious too… Or was it? I was too drunk on the delicious drinks to care…
One gripe, the menudo didn’t have enough tripe… Still delicious but a bit brothy…

The place & Svc was okay! The taquitos could have been better! The pitcher of margarita was nice & strong!!! Just sooo happy to be back in Cali to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Smooches

So, we’ve come by here twice now. My review is primarily based on the first brunch, but the live Mariachi music from the second evening visit was equally fantastic.
On to our brunch! The two of us ordered the following:
–Huevos Divorciados: Two fried eggs topped with pork chile verde and pork chile colorado
–Birria: Barbecued goat in rich home-​made soup served with rice on the side and complimented with onions, cilantro and lemon
–Mango Margaritas
I really enjoyed my Huevos Divorciados because the dish was a spot-​on replica of the red/​green/​Christmas concept used in New Mexico to to flavor food. Foods there referred to with the «Christmas» lingo have both red and green, as did this pork & egg dish. My other half’s barbecued goat soup also tasted sublimely excellent.
Our margaritas were superb in their own right, inhabited inside of glasses with cactus-​shaped handles. I’m tempted to try their Hennychata — a take on a Horchata — during a future visit.
Extremely helpful service here. Delicious all around. Much praise for La Rondalla!

Though they ran out of Chicken Soup at 9:30 at night, I had to switch to the Barria or (Goat) Soup. It was good and something I had not had for quite a long time. The Service was great and the staff was very pleasant. It was very busy and the acoustics in the restaurant though increased the noise level. So it seemed a little loud at times, so try earplugs…
Not as simple a place as it was 7 years ago, but the food is good if not better. No cucarachas anymore, that we could see anyway…
Highly Reccomended!!!

Service was better than the food, but man do they aim to please here. Pitchers of margaritas were tasty and strong (classic and mango were good). We were always well supplied with chips and salsa (their garlic salsa is pretty addicting, as well as the guac), and our food came out pretty quick. We got a personal serenade by the mariachi band that made us fall in love with this place. While the actual food was okay, we’d come back in a heartbeat for a quick, fun bite when all those other trendy joints are quoting a two hour wait time.

A Mexican bar with food. Yup.
That being said, the service sucks and the ambiance is loud (live music on the weekends), but the food is decent.
I ordered the chicken mole enchiladas with a side of refried beans and rice. The mole was right on, and I ate up every last bite of the dish! The refried beans and rice, quite average.
The service, however, was nonexistent with too few servers in a fully packed house. Flagging down crazed servers is not my ideal end to an otherwise good meal. Three stars for the food, but unfortunately, two stars for the service and ambiance.

La Rondalla is less of a Mexican joint and more of a bar. .50 wing Wednesday, IPAs on tap, Cops on the tube… it’s not your pappy’s cantina.
But I can dig it. Bartenders are cool, food is cheap, and the habanero wings are spicy. What more could you want?

We’d ogled glass-​encased menus in all the spots that sprang up since our last visit then poked our heads into some of the more interesting looking hot spots. Despite Burning Man supposedly calling half the City away, the places that looked good were still packed and the places not packed weren’t calling to me. Finally, «how about La Rondalla?»
La Rondalla, formerly of year-​round-​Christmas-​lights fame, was shuttered for seven years then opened anew in May to what appears to be (at least on Unilocal) a whole lotta hate. Sorry fellow Unilocalers, but what’s to hate about a strolling, 5-​person mariachi band? Perhaps I’m trading in nostalgia but I rather liked it.
Is it the best Mexican food in the area? Not by a long shot but neither was the original La Rondalla. It’s Mexican-​American food and if that conjures up images of iceberg lettuce and shredded cheddar atop much of your food then you’re imagining correctly. To paraphrase what a professional food-​writer penned, it’s the Mex-​American equivalent of the ubiquitous Ital-​American red-​sauce joint. It’s old school Mexican-​American food and understanding that when you walk in will put you in the right mindset for dining here.
It’s also not the cheapest Mexican food in the area (2 dinners + 2 Margaritas + tax = $ 47). Still, that makes it cheaper by half than 90% of the other places in a two block radius north or south on Valencia. And they’re open ’til 2:30 a.m. The live music, the boozy margaritas, the late nights… this could (again) be the place.
Gone is the darkly lit, dirty charm of La Rondalla circa 2007 but one can hardly say they gentrified the place. It’s still got a funk factor to it that leaves me baffled as to whether the place was actually improved upon during its closure. Some bright paint was slapped on, the space was reconfigured, and gone are the booths, but whether it was «improved» is debatable.
The menu is voluminous. Start with the ample margaritas (Classic, on the rocks, $ 8) available in a mind-​boggling variety of flavors and presentations.
A Taco Salad ($ 2 extra for Carne Asada instead of ground beef) was solid though the carne asada was not amongst the best. Consumed amidst a sea of guacamole, pinto beans, cheddar, and iceberg though, it was good enough.
My dining companion seemed to enjoy her Carnitas Platter and departed with enough leftovers for round two of the same meal.
The Mission has changed mightily in the past 7 years. Here’s hoping that booze, late night dining, and live music will help La Rondalla, the sequel, have as lengthy a run as the original.