San Clemente Mexican-American Bar & Grill

San Clemente Mexican-American Bar & Grill Review

Signs you're in the local surfer hangout: a real Volkswagen van, balanced atop a pole at the entrance, with life-size, loony caricatures (including Elvis) spilling out of the windows; dozens of broken surfboards affixed to the ceiling, and photos of the sport's early years adorning the walls. Fresh seafood, sandwiches, and such Tex-Mex standards as burritos and nachos make up the menu, which you can enjoy at inside tables or picnic tables on a terrace. Owner Mike McGinnis is famous for making a blistering hot sauce and for being a super source of information about the area.