Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad

4.5

23 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Good for groups
Great for happy hour
Lively

Miguel's Cocina is a Mexican restaurant and cantina. One of the primary tenets of this eatery is authenticity. If it can't be ordered south of the border, it's not on Miguel's menu. The restaurant itself opened in 1982 with a few classic recipes and has been consistently growing and expanding ever since. The kitchen staff at Miguel's cocina make almost everything in the restaurant by hand from scratch, including tortillas, salsas and colorful corn chips.Popular starters, or antijidos as the are known on the menu, include the ahi tuna ceviche, carinta flautas and crispy fried calamari with a house jalapaño white sauce. Entrées are straightforward traditional dishes made with premium ingredients. Diners will find dishes like pork belly quesadillas, steak burritos and even gorditas made with griddled masa and filled with chorizos, potatoes, cilantro, onion, cotija cheese, cabbage and lime crema.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Traditional Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:30 pm
Phone number
(760) 759-1843
Website
https://www.miguels-cocina.com/
Dress code
Formal Attire

Location
5980 Avd Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Neighborhood
Carlsbad
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Ceviche$15.00
Shrimp, scallops & white fish cured in citrus juices with diced tomato, sliced avocado, onion & cilantro
Mexico City-Style Quesadilla$17.00
Fresh chile-corn tortillas, crispy pork belly, jack cheese, salsa molcajete, queso fresco, onion & cilantro
Miguel's Flatbread$12.00
Black beans, jack cheese, avocado salsa fresca & pickled jalapeños
Miguel's Nachos$14.00
Crispy corn tortilla chips with shredded beef or chicken, cheese, salsa fresca, sour cream & guacamole
Miguel's Taquitos$14.00
Crispy rolled corn tortillas with shredded chicken or beef, topped with sour cream, guacamole & salsa fresca
Calamari$15.00
Tender strips with our famous jalapeño white sauce
Empanadas Picadillo$15.00
Three empanadas stuffed with ground beef, jack cheese, roasted corn, tomatoes & chiles then topped with lime crema; served with guacamole & salsa fresca
Queso Fundido Mar Y Tierra$16.00
Sautéed Mexican shrimp, chorizo & salsa fresca in skillet of molten jack cheese; served with flour tortillas
Camarones Coctel$16.00
Flavorful Mexican shrimp, avocado, tomato, cucumber, onion & celery in spicy cocktail sauce
Miguel's Sampler$25.00
Flautas de carnitas, cheese nachos with guacamole, fried calamari, empanadas picadillo & ceviche
Tradicional Sopes$15.00
Black beans, salsa verde, queso fresco, onion, cilantro & lime crema; choice of chicken, beef or carnitas
Ceviche Loco$19.00
Octopus, ahi tuna, ceviche, mango, avocado, tajin & chamoy with flour tortilla chips
Guacamole$12.00
Ripe avocados, serrano chile, lime, onion & cilantro
Ahi Tuna Tostaditas$17.00
Avocado, mango, cucumber, red onion, cumin-cilantro vinaigrette & chipotle aioli
Flautas De Carnitas Y Queso$15.00
Carnitas, jack cheese, roasted chile in a rolled flour tortilla with guacamole, sour cream, salsa fresca & cotija cheese

Soups & Salads

Albondigas or Soup of the Day
Cup $7 Bowl $9
Ensalada de la Casa$9.00
Romaine & fresh lettuces tossed with a creamy cilantro dressing & garnished with radishes, avocados & carrots
Sesame-Seared Tuna Salad$22.00
Red onion-papaya salsita & a ginger-habanero vinaigrette
Tostada Grande$17.00
Crispy flour tortilla topped with refried beans, shredded beef or chicken, lettuce & tomato, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole & salsa fresca
Red Chile Caesar Salad$14.50
Crisp romaine tossed in our tj-style red chile caesar dressing with red pepper, avocado, tortilla strips & cotija cheese, served with cheesy garlic bread
Mexican Chopped Salad$21.00
Chopped fresh greens, red peppers, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, avocado, black beans & queso fresco tossed with creamy chipotle dressing & topped with choice of marinated chicken or skirt steak
Barb's Caesar$22.00
A variation on the classic with sonoran-spiced shrimp, tender carnitas, avocado, fresh tomatoes & mangos

Miguel's Dinners

Local Favorites

Barbacoa De Res$22.00
Slow roasted beef short rib with ancho chiles, tomatillo pico & chile de arbol salsa; served with rice, beans & choice of tortillas
Citrus Marinated Pollo Asado$20.00
Steamed white rice, grilled vegetables & tomatillo salsa
Miguel's Parillada$28.00
Marinated skirt steak, longanisa sausage, Mexican shrimp, grilled veggies, borracho beans, pickled red onions & choice of tortillas
Plato Azteca$26.00
Mexican shrimp sautéed in creamy verde sauce served on top of grilled skirt steak; served with rice, beans, guacamole & choice of tortillas
Camarones A La Diabla$24.00
Sautéed spicy Mexican shrimp in red chile sauce, queso asadero; served with rice & beans

Miguel's Signature Fajitas

Sautéed with bell pepper, onion, tomato & mushrooms; Served sizzling with guacamole, salsa fresca, rice, beans & warm tortillas

Chicken$21.00
Citrus marinated chicken breast
Skirt Steak$25.00
Marinated classic fajita cut
Fajitas Supremo$27.00
Skirt steak & chicken topped with two signature bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with jack cheese & rajas
Portobello Mushroom$21.00
Herb marinated
Shrimp$25.00
Mexican shrimp with sonoran spice
Pork Adobada$21.00
Citrus-achiote marinated roasted pork
Combination$27.00
Choose Any Three: Skirt Steak, Chicken, Shrimp, Pork Adobada, Portobello Mushroom

Enchiladas & Burritos

Served with rice & beans

Shrimp Burrito$24.00
Shrimp sautéed with salsa fresca, in a flour tortilla, topped with jalapeño white sauce & avocado
Vegetable Enchiladas$17.00
Two corn tortillas filled with roasted mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, onion & cheese, topped with salsa verde & avocado slices
Chimichanga$18.00
Crispy fried burrito filled with shredded beef or chicken, topped with enchilada sauce, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce & salsa fresca
Enchiladas Rancheras$17.00
House-made spicy ground beef with onions & cheese, topped with a rich tomato ranchera sauce, avocado & sour cream
Pollo Asado Burrito$19.00
Marinated grilled chicken breast sautéed with salsa fresca & rolled into a flour tortilla, topped with enchilada sauce, jalapeño white sauce, guacamole & cheese
Enchiladas Suizas$18.00
Shredded chicken rolled into corn tortillas & topped with sour cream, cheese & tangy verde sauce
Black Bean & Corn Enchiladas$18.00
Sweet potatoes, roasted green chile, jack cheese & ranchera sauce
Miguel's Trio Burritos$24.00
Three mini burritos with Miguel’s signature sauces; carnitas with verde, carne asada with enchilada & shrimp with jalapeño white sauce
Surf & Turf Burrito$25.00
Skirt steak, shrimp, salsa, french fries, served wet with cheese & topped with sour cream & guacamole in an epic 1 lb burrito
Carne Asada Burrito$23.00
Marinated skirt steak, salsa fresca, lettuce & cheese rolled into a flour tortilla, topped with enchilada sauce & guacamole

Combinations

Served with rice & beans

El Numero Uno$17.00
Taco (chicken, beef or fish) & Cheese Enchilada
La Baja$19.00
Shrimp Enchilada & Carne Asada Taco
El Marco$17.00
Two Enchiladas (chicken, beef or cheese)
Los Dos$17.00
Two Tacos (chicken, beef or carnitas)
El Junior$18.00
Carne Asada Taco & Chile Relleno
La Combinacion Del Jefe$24.00
Marinated & grilled steak, chicken enchilada & green chile-cheese tamale; served with guacamole

House Plates

Camarones Jalisco$26.00
Shrimp stuffed with monterey jack cheese & rajas, wrapped in bacon, topped with jalapeño white sauce; served with rice & beans
Poblano Chile Relleno$22.00
Stuffed with ground beef, cheese & potato over a spicy chile-tomato sauce; served with rice & beans
Chile Verde$20.00
Tender roasted pork cooked with tangy chile verde sauce & topped with pickled onions; served with warm tortillas, rice & beans
Carne Asada$24.00
Grilled marinated skirt steak, served with guacamole, warm tortillas, rice & beans
Miguel's Torta$19.00
Choice of skirt steak, pollo asado or calamari steak on a telera roll with avocado, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, & chipotle mayo; served with rice & beans
Shrimp Quesadilla$24.00
Chipotle flour tortilla with melted cheese & shrimp sautéed with garlic, fresh lime, salsa fresca & chile flakes; served with guacamole, sour cream & pico de gallo
Caldo 7 Mares$24.00
Mexican shrimp, calamari, mussels, swordfish, clams, scallops, octopus, corn & chayote in a chile-tomato broth
Carnitas$20.00
Tender marinated pork with salsa fresca, sliced onion & avocado; served with warm tortillas, rice & beans
Miguel's Tamales$18.00
One hand-made pork & one hand-made green chile-cheese tamale with our sauces & cheese; served with rice & beans
Birria De Res$21.00
A traditional Mexican beef stew with guajillo chiles & spices; served with rice, beans & tortillas
Chicken Milanesa$20.00
Panko-cotija breaded & fried; served with borracho beans, sautéed house veggies & chipotle cream sauce
Miguel's 1/2 Pound Cantina Cheeseburger$17.00
Bacon, guacamole, pepper jack cheese & spicy chile mayo; served with french fries

Taco Plates

Served with rice & beans

Los Tres Amigos$24.00
Chicken Mole Taco, Pork Belly Taco & Ensenada-Style Shrimp Taco
Longanisa Tacos$18.00
Grilled Spanish chorizo, borracho beans, queso fresco, arbol chile sauce, onions & cilantro on blue corn tortillas
Carne Asada Tacos$20.00
Marinated skirt steak with guacamole, shredded lettuce, salsa fresca & cotija cheese in two corn tortillas
Pork Belly Tacos$20.00
Chopped cilantro, onions, chile de arbol sauce & cotija cheese
Tacos Al Carbon$23.00
Grilled marinated skirt steak wrapped in made to order fresh flour tortillas with pasilla salsa & queso fresco
Chicken Mole Tacos$18.00
Pulled chicken, house-made mole, queso fresco, pickled red onion & cilantro
Classic Fish Tacos$18.00
Batter-fried white fish fillets with red cabbage, shredded cheese, salsa fresca & ranch dressing in two corn tortillas
Grilled Swordfish Tacos$20.00
Sonoran-spiced swordfish fillets with red cabbage, shredded cheese, salsa fresca & ranch dressing in two warm corn tortillas
Tacos Norteno$19.00
Marinated & blackened chicken with griddled jack cheese, cilantro slaw, avocado, cotija cheese & onions
Ensenada-Style Shrimp Tacos$20.00
Mexican beer battered shrimp with lime crema, green cabbage, salsa fresca & cotija cheese
Crispy Ahi Tuna Tacos$20.00
Seared ahi tuna with chipotle red pepper slaw topped with fresh avocado & sweet-spicy lime vinaigrette
Adobada Tacos$19.00
Tender pork adobada, grilled pineapple, avocado-tomatillo sauce, chopped onion & cilantro
Baja Style Tacos De Pulpo$19.00
Chargrilled octopus, green cabbage, creamy arbol salsa, mango pico de gallo & cotija cheese on blue corn tortillas

What 23 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.3Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Miguel's Cocina in Carlsbad offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious Mexican food" and a "casual atmosphere." Guests rave about the "excellent service" from attentive staff, creating memorable occasions. Enjoy their complimentary queso with salsa and chips, and don't miss the Mango Margaritas. Conveniently located, it's a "great place" for gatherings.

23 Reviews

k
kirk
San Diego
256 reviews
4.0
256 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Enjoyed our lunch - with inflation (wage, CoGs, etc.) paying $25 each for lunch w no alcohol is seemingly the new norm.
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K
Kathy
San Diego
133 reviews
vip
5.0
133 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our server was phenomenal. She brought everything we asked for right away. Our order was done as requested. Our server kept our waters filled without being asked.
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N
Nancy
San Diego
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great time for a birthday celebration- we got there early and our booth was actually ready- the service was friendly & helpful. They have a very good selection of menu choices and everyone loved what they ordered. We all had a fantastic time and will be back!
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A
Angie
San Diego
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The bartender doesn't know how to make a regular Margarita but spicy watermelon is yummy. L9ve there cheese sauce but our chix fajitas , chix was tough veggies we're over salted as was the enchilada sauce on my cheese enchilada. And my husband loves lots of sauce but even he said it was too much ugh
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C
Crystal
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our waiter Katherine was amazing. I the food was delicious and the service was excellent!
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B
Barbara
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Mini family reunion and Mary, our server, could not have been better! She was attentive, efficient, patient and absolutely the sweetest with our large group. Thank you Miguel's Carlsbad for the wonderful family time!
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R
Rick
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The best Mexican food anywhere! Including Mexico.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on August 9, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We were seqtwdbin the very back of the restaurant and although our table was clean, others were still loaded with dishes and the floor was filthy. Food was fine, certainly nothing great. I ordered a shredded chicken taco and was surprised that it was a soft taco. I don't know if hard shells are an option as I was not asked. My son ordered a plain chicken quesadilla- only cheese and chicken (kids 🙄). It came full of salsa. When we requested another, it did not arrive until the rest of us had finished eating. Odd, since our initial order was out extremely fast. We ordered a quesadilla a la carte, a taco a la carte, a one item plate and fajitas. Bill was $90. Not a deal, but not outrageous. Overall it was just ok. We will not be returning.
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J
Jean
San Francisco
16 reviews
vip
1.0
16 reviews
Dined on August 7, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
The food ranged from unedible to mediocre. Service was OK.
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M
Mary Anne
San Diego
35 reviews
vip
4.0
35 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
My friends and I love to meet here because the food and drinks are good and the prices are a good value. It’s convenient because it’s right off the freeway and I meet friends from OC here. I’ve never had an issue before but today seemed to be an especially hard day for a server named Autumn. My friend arrived before me at 11:00 and the restaurant was not busy but the server/hostess acknowledged her and said she’d be right with her and by the time I got there 5 minutes later my friend was still standing alone in front of the restaurant still waiting. Finally Autumn comes back, barely acknowledges us, asks if we have a reservation, I said I did, please let OpenTable know I kept it and without answering me proceeded to seat us… ok. Bad day for her. Whatever . The seat we were in was too bright for my friend so we asked if we could move to another table. Not a problem, or so we thought. Chips, salsa , water were brought to our table and we sat there, and sat there, and sat there, and I watched Autumn walk by us more than several times not once making eye contact. 30 minutes, I finally said rather loudly, “HELLO. ARE YOU ARE WAITRESS?” She didn’t come to the table but she replied back loudly, “ Me? No. But I’ll go get her.” We were only four tables away from the original table we were seated at!! Finally, 5 minutes later Katrina, our waitress comes over and is very apologetic . Turns out she’s also the bartender and no one (including Autumn) bothered to tell her we were seated in her section. She was very nice, apologized for any misunderstanding, did not throw Autumn under the table like she could have, and was very accommodating all in all. The manager, Brian, served us our food and had overheard how we were rudely ignored by Autumn and he, too apologized. Please don’t think me to be entitled, I don’t expect to be treated like royalty but when I do go to a restaurant and pay for a service I do not expect to be ignored. Autumn, please do better.
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FAQs

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (760) 759-1843.

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad is rated 4.5 stars by 23 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad

5980 Avd Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Carlsbad
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Traditional Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Formal Attire
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Website
https://www.miguels-cocina.com/
Phone number
(760) 759-1843

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Starters

Ceviche$15.00

Mexico City-Style Quesadilla$17.00

Miguel's Flatbread$12.00

Miguel's Nachos$14.00

Miguel's Taquitos$14.00

Calamari$15.00

Empanadas Picadillo$15.00

Queso Fundido Mar Y Tierra$16.00

Camarones Coctel$16.00

Miguel's Sampler$25.00

Tradicional Sopes$15.00

Ceviche Loco$19.00

Guacamole$12.00

Ahi Tuna Tostaditas$17.00

Flautas De Carnitas Y Queso$15.00

Soups & Salads

Albondigas or Soup of the Day

Ensalada de la Casa$9.00

Sesame-Seared Tuna Salad$22.00

Tostada Grande$17.00

Red Chile Caesar Salad$14.50

Mexican Chopped Salad$21.00

Barb's Caesar$22.00

Miguel's Dinners

Barbacoa De Res$22.00

Citrus Marinated Pollo Asado$20.00

Miguel's Parillada$28.00

Plato Azteca$26.00

Camarones A La Diabla$24.00

Miguel's Signature Fajitas

Chicken$21.00

Skirt Steak$25.00

Fajitas Supremo$27.00

Portobello Mushroom$21.00

Shrimp$25.00

Pork Adobada$21.00

Combination$27.00

Enchiladas & Burritos

Shrimp Burrito$24.00

Vegetable Enchiladas$17.00

Chimichanga$18.00

Enchiladas Rancheras$17.00

Pollo Asado Burrito$19.00

Enchiladas Suizas$18.00

Black Bean & Corn Enchiladas$18.00

Miguel's Trio Burritos$24.00

Surf & Turf Burrito$25.00

Carne Asada Burrito$23.00

Combinations

El Numero Uno$17.00

La Baja$19.00

El Marco$17.00

Los Dos$17.00

El Junior$18.00

La Combinacion Del Jefe$24.00

House Plates

Camarones Jalisco$26.00

Poblano Chile Relleno$22.00

Chile Verde$20.00

Carne Asada$24.00

Miguel's Torta$19.00

Shrimp Quesadilla$24.00

Caldo 7 Mares$24.00

Carnitas$20.00

Miguel's Tamales$18.00

Birria De Res$21.00

Chicken Milanesa$20.00

Miguel's 1/2 Pound Cantina Cheeseburger$17.00

Taco Plates

Los Tres Amigos$24.00

Longanisa Tacos$18.00

Carne Asada Tacos$20.00

Pork Belly Tacos$20.00

Tacos Al Carbon$23.00