FILIBERTO'S - ENCINITAS, CA

FILIBERTO'S

476 S COAST HWY 101

ENCINITAS, CA 92024

760-753-9515

HOURS:  Daily 8AM - 11PM

https://www.yelp.com/biz/filibertos-mexican-food-encinitas-6

https://www.instagram.com/filibertos92024/?hl=en

Kind of shocked when we went to our favorite Crunchy Taco spot in Encinitas (Raul's) to find out that they were not serving Crunchy Tacos.  Decided to go right next door and try the Filiberto's Crunchy Shredded Beef Taco.  I got two Tacos for around $3.50 which was a good deal.  The Tacos were good but nowhere nearly as good as Raul's.  I liked the flavor of the Shredded Beef.

FILIBERTO'S CRUNCHY SHREDDED BEEF TACO

FILIBERTO'S IN ENCINITAS, CA

FILIBERTO'S MENU

SHREDDED BEEF AND CHICKEN TACOS

SHREDDED BEEF AND CHICKEN TACOS

DINNER AT HOME

Another Taco Tuesday at Casa de Santos.  We made up Shredded Beef and Chicken Tacos that were so good.  Best Tacos on the Island if you ask me.  Entire family loves these Tacos!

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS

TOPPED WITH HOMEMADE PICO DE GALLO AND COTIJA CHEESE

TACO TUESDAY ON THE LANAI 

HAWAII'S BEST CRUNCHY BEEF TACO

OUR TACO MONSTER

TACO TUESDAY AT CASA DE SANTOS

 TACO TUESDAY

DINNER AT HOME

I LOVE good Shredded Beef Crunchy Tacos and there is no better place that makes them in Honolulu then my house.  Our Shredded Beef takes hours to make so we freeze some so we can enjoy tacos when we get the urge.  Then we serve it up with fresh made Salsa and Pico de Gallo.  One of my favorite meals of all time!

TACO TUESDAY AT HOME

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS

TACO TUESDAY ON OUR LANAI

FRESH PICO DE GALLO AND HOMEMADE SALSA FOR THE TACOS

CINCO DE MAYO AT CASA DE SANTOS

CINCO DE MAYO AT CASA DE SANTOS

DINNER AT HOME

Last year we had a great Cinco de Mayo party with around ten friends coming over for Fish, Steak, Shredded Beef and Chicken Tacos.  We had Margaritas, lots of beer and a really good time.  This year because of COVID-19 we downsized to just Shredded Beef and Shrimp Tempura Tacos for just the three of us.  A very mellow celebration but the tacos were amazing!

CINCO DE MAYO AT CASA DE SANTOS

SHREDDED BEEF TACO

SHRIMP TEMPURA TACO

TACO NIGHT

TACO NIGHT

DINNER AT HOME

Another great Taco Night at Casa de Santos.  Just cannot get enough of our homemade Shredded Beef Tacos.  These are the bomb!

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS

BREAKFAST MACHACA TACOS

BREAKFAST AT HOME

Shredded Beef, Eggs, Bell Pepper, Onion and Jalapeno's made up some pretty darn good Breakfast Tacos and Casa de Santos.  Fresh Salsa, Cilantro and Pico de Gallo really kick up the flavor of these tacos.  Wow..these really hit the spot!

BREAKFAST MACHACA TACOS

REALLY GOOD BREAKFAST TACOS

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS - CINCO DE MAYO AT HOME

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS

CINCO DE MAYO DINNER AT HOME

Cooked up some Shredded Beef Tacos for Cinco De Mayo.  Actually cooked the beef the day before as it took about four hours on the stove.  Used a Chuck Roast and added Stewed Tomatoes, Onion and a bunch of spices to kick up the flavor of the beef.  We cook the Corn Tortillas in just about a 1/4" of oil and flip it in half before it gets too hard.  I like a nice crunchy taco shell.  Top the Shredded Beef with some good hot sauce, lettuce, cheese and Pico.  

COOKED CHUCK ROAST FOR FOUR HOURS IN STEWED TOMATOES AND SPICES

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS - ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEALS AT HOME!

SHREDDED BEEF TACO - CRISPY STYLE

CORN TORTILLA, SHREDDED BEEF, HOT SAUCE LETTUCE, CHEESE AND PICO DE GALLO

SHREDDED BEEF TACO IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN GROUND BEEF

HAWAII'S BEST TACOS - MADE AT HOME

HAWAII'S BEST TACOS

DONE AT HOME 

I am done looking for good Tacos in Hawaii.  This time we made our own and invited around 10 people over for Taco Night.  Dozens and dozens of tacos were consumed.  One guest finished 11 by the evenings end.  Two people finished 8 Tacos each.  Our Tacos are made with slowly cooked Shredded Chicken and Beef that takes hours to prepare and cook.  We use a variety of chili's and spices to create flavorful meats that fill our tacos with flavor.  Our tacos have a freshly fried corn tortilla shells that adds a nice crunch.  Add our homemade salsas and you have some really good tacos.  Also made Carne Asada Street Tacos that take me back to my days hanging out in Tijuana and Rosarito Mexico.

THE SANTOS FAMILY TACO
SHREDDED BEEF OR CHICKEN

SHREDDED CHICKEN TAQUITOS

SHREDDED CHICKEN TAQUITOS FILLED WITH
SLOW COOKED, MARINATED CHICKEN

SHREDDED CHICKEN AND BEEF TACOS
WITH HOME MADE MEXICAN RICE AND BEANS

CARNE ASADA STREET TACOS

BEER MARGARITAS WERE A BIG HIT

EL MARIACHI II MEXICAN RESTAURANT

EL MARIACHI II 

AIEA, HAWAII 

Enjoyed some really good Mexican food at El Mariachi II in Aiea.  Was pleasantly surprised how good the food was here.  This is now on my list as one of the better Mexican restaurants in Hawaii and I cannot wait to return.  I tried the 3 taco platter with beans and rice.  I chose Carne Asada, Shredded Beef and Chicken.  All were really good.

CARNE ASADA TACO WITH BEANS AND RICE

CLEAN AND BRIGHT WITH GREAT SERVICE

FRESH CHIPS WERE STILL WARM AND THE
SALSA WAS MILD BUT GOOD

ONE SHREDDED BEEF AND ONE CHICKEN TACO

RANCHO CHICO MEXICAN RESTAURANT - COLVILLE, WASHINGTON

RANCHO CHICO

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

COLVILLE, WASHINGTON

Never would have thought that you can get GREAT Mexican food 90 minutes north of Spokane and 60 miles from the Canadian Border.  After arriving in Colville around 5:30 pm, we found that most everything was closed in Colville on Sunday.  Rancho Chico was basically the only place open.  We entered to find the place filled with locals enjoying a relaxed Sunday dinner on a beautiful 90 degree day.  I was amazed to find a really extensive menu of traditional Mexican dishes and dozens of specialties.  I went with a Combination Plate for $10.95.  My plate included a Chicken Enchilada, Shredded Beef Taco and Pork Tostada served with a huge portion of beans and rice.  I loved everything on the plate and was very impressed with the Pork Tostada.  The large pieces of Pork were tender and delicious.  This is really good Mexican Food and the newest Taste of Hawaii Favorite!

RANCHO CHICO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

THE MAIN STREET IN COLVILLE ON SUNDAY NIGHT

BEAUTIFUL MURALS ON WALLS AND COMFORTABLE ATMOSPHERE

GREAT CHIPS AND SALSA

COMPLIMENTARY CABBAGE DIP FOR CHIPS

MY FRIENDS DINNER.  DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT HE LOVED IT

COMBINATION PLATE WITH ENCHILADA, TACO AND TOSTADA

SHREDDED BEEF TACO

CHICKEN ENCHILADA

COMPLIMENTARY DESSERT

JOSE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

JOSE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

HONOLULU, HAWAII

You can search this blog and see that I reviewed Jose's in 2008 and 2009.  Both good reviews.  This blog is no different.  I was craving tacos again after attending church on a Sunday.  As usual, we go back and forth on where to go and come to the conclusion that there are no good taco joints in Hawaii.  Most of the time we end up at Jose's and end up pretty happy.  Jose's is more of a sit down restaurant.  By no means a taco joint.  It has a small bar area and lots of comfortable booths and tables.  While I notice the place is lightly staffed with sometimes the bartender attending to all the tables, there has never been a long wait for food, the food is always hot and the service is really good.  My only complaint about Jose's is the prices.  As a former restaurant owner who understands food costs and overhead, I know that Jose's is doing what they have to do to make a profit and keep the doors open.  The first basket of chips and salsa is complimentary at Jose's.  $2.50 for each thereafter.  I gave away chips and salsa for free at my Cantina and if I did it again, I would charge after the first basket too.  Chips are warm and served with a really good salsa with just a hint of heat.  I always go for the 3 Tacos Ala Carte ($11.95).  I tried the Shredded Beef and Chicken.  Both were excellent.  Still one of my favorite tacos in Hawaii.  The Combination Plate with two selections is ($15.95).  My wife tried (1) Chicken Enchilada and (1) Shredded Beef Enchilada with Rice and Beans.  She loved the Chicken Enchilada that was covered in melting cheese, but did not care for the Red Sauce on the Shredded Beef Enchilada.  I tried both and preferred the Chicken for the same sauce reason.  My daughter loved her Kids Bean Burrito ($6.70).  She devoured the thing and said it was awesome.  Jose's rates high on my list of the Best Hawaii Mexican Restaurants.
Click links below for more posts on Jose's Mexican Restaurant;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/01/joses-mexican-restaurant-and-cantina.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2012/04/joses-mexican-restaurant-kaimuki.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2009/09/joses-mexican-restaurant.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2008/03/joses-mexican-restaurant.html

JOSE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

GREAT CHIPS N' SALSA

3 TACOS ALA CARTE

(1) CHICKEN AND (1) BEEF ENCHILADA W/RICE AND BEANS

KIDS BEAN BURRITO WITH CHEESY TORTILLA CHIPS