Avila's El Ranchito – Mexican
This vibrant family-owned sanctuary welcomes guests with the festive warmth of a sun-drenched hacienda, where the air is perfumed by simmering spices and the bright scent of hand-mashed guacamole. Long tables hum with energy as diners share overflowing platters of citrus-cured ceviche and bubbling quesadillas, finding ultimate comfort in the soul-warming steam of Mama Avila’s legendary soup. It is a place where culinary heritage meets a lively communal spirit, creating an experience that feels like both a grand celebration and a cozy homecoming.
27941, La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677 +19493499100 https://www.avilaslagunaniguel.com/0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, vegan, vegetarian, whole30, pescatarian, paleo, low-fat, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-sodium, anti-inflammatory, south-beach, gerd, dash-sodium-reduced, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, atkins, zone, volumetrics, alkaline, tlc, renal, aip, juice-cleanse, slow-carb, macrobiotic, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Appetizers
- Guacamole Fresco - $15.5: Chunky blend of ripe avocados, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, fresh lime, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Nachos Especial - $18: Choice of shredded chicken or shredded beef, topped with Salsa Ranchera, beans, melted cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Quesadilla - $15: Grande flour tortilla with a blend of cheeses. Served with guacamole and sour cream. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Avila’s Appetizer - $27: Combination of bite-size taquitos, flautas, tacos, and a quesadilla. Served with guacamole and sour cream. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ceviche - $22: Wild caught Mazatlan shrimp or White Fish marinated in lime juice with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Served with tostada shells. Dietary tags: Juice-Cleanse Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp Cocktail - $23: Shrimp, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and fresh avocado in a tomato-based Mexican style cocktail. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, Alkaline, Juice-Cleanse, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups and Salads
- Mama Avila’s Soup - $17: Chicken breast and rice soup, garnished with fresh avocado, cilantro, onions, and tomatoes. Served with tortillas. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grande Taco Salad - $19: Flour tortilla shell filled with lettuce, beans, choice of protein, pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. Dietary tags: High-Protein, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Azteca Chicken Salad - $19: Charbroiled chicken, cilantro-lime dressing, avocado, black beans, corn relish, lettuce, and tortilla crouton strips. Dietary tags: Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken Salad - $19: Seasoned grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sliced avocado. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tostada - $18: Crispy corn tortilla with beans, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. Choice of protein. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Albondigas Soup - $17: Seasoned meatballs simmered with garden fresh vegetables. Served with tortillas. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Menudo - $17: Traditional homemade beef tripe soup. Served Saturday and Sunday only. Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Carnitas - $25: Lean pork marinated in lemon and garlic. Served with rice, beans, and guacamole. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak or Chicken Picado - $25: Bite-sized chunks of steak or chicken with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp al Mojo de Ajo - $27: Large Mazatlan shrimp sauteed in garlic butter sauce. Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carne Asada - $26: Tender sliced U.S.D.A. grilled rib eye steak. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sizzling Fajitas - Chicken - $26: Grilled chicken breast and fresh vegetables on a sizzling skillet. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chile Verde - $24: Chunks of lean pork marinated in green chile salsa. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chile Colorado - $25: Strips of steak simmered in red chile salsa. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chingolingas - $20: Flaky pastry filled with chicken, served with rice, beans, guacamole, and sour cream. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Baja Bowl - $20: Choice of grilled chicken, steak, or white fish over rice and black beans with pico de gallo and avocado. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Herradura Skinny Margarita - $15.5: Herradura Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice, and Agave Nectar. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Avila’s Guava Margarita - $15.5: Herradura Silver Tequila, lime juice, Agave Nectar, and 100% Guava Nectar. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Orange Herradura Cadillac - $16: Herradura Silver Tequila, lime juice, Agave Nectar, and orange juice. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Bacardi Mojito - $15.5: Bacardi Silver Rum, fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup, and soda water. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Mexican Mule - $15.5: 100% Blue Agave Tequila, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer.
Sides
- Mexican Rice - $8: Traditional Mexican style rice. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beans - $8: Choice of frijoles frescos, black beans, or regular beans. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bag of Chips - $8: Freshly made tortilla chips. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
Restaurants near Avila's El Ranchito
- La Rana Mexican Food — Mexican
- Chronic Tacos — Mexican
- Chelas Mexican Grill — Mexican
- Taqueros Mexican Food — Mexican
- Del Taco — Mexican
- Cabo Kantina — Mexican
- Taco Surf — Mexican
- Flamingos Mexican Grill & Bar — Mexican
- Baja Fish Tacos — Mexican
- Bravo Avo — Mexican
- Taco Mesa — Mexican
- El Torito — Mexican
