La Especial Norte
La Especial Norte
with chorizo or ortega peppers, served with tortillas
crisp flour tortilla with cheese only
with cheese and salsa fresca
corn chips sprinkled with beans cheese, guacamole and sour cream
whatever we can think of, we'll use our most popular menu items, any leftover from last night such as iquitos, tostadas, quesadillas etc, etc.)
cheese only
meat and cheese only
cheese and salsa fresca
shrimp and cheese only
(a meal in itself) quesadilla filled with beans, cheese, salsa fresca, avocado, cilantro and topped with sour cream and your choice of heel chicken or pork
shrimp, octopus, oysters, scallops, ceviche, etc
our own mexico city style soup, rice, avocado, tomato, onions and cilantro. a cure for a common cold. a small will put you in the mood. a large will get you where you want
with this one if your sick you get well, if you are half dead it will bring you back to life, you don't need tortillas because they're in it
this smokey hot flavored soup comes somewhere in mexico. very different from the others very me/or (best). chicken stocks. with chicken in it if you can find it. we grill carrots, onions, fresh garlic in olive oil. we also include garbanzo beans, avocados and chipotle chiles this soup is for serious people only!
an oldie but goodie among us. like the birds and the bees. made with carrots and the meat balls, the oregano and the rest
very mexicano style. chicken with bone and lots of veggies. by having one of this you'll get closer to heaven while being down on earth
another tribute of the versatility of chicken soups. the newest about this soup is now you can get pork pozole. its red chicken broth. hominy. radishes, onions, cabbage. oregano and?
(mexican style) try this authentic style caldo. lots of veggies chunks of cubed beef and rice served on the side
cooked to order 100% meatless not a chines soup. ask tor napkins you'll need them. relleno style egg plant in a special red soup with veggies
at last we have it, #1 during the depression days, back again for the same reason. fresh cooked pinto beans and mexican rice does it
add up another 20 to pour life by having a large bowl: of our special cooked black beans to make it 100% better we're including whole wheat tortillas, onions and avocados
our "newest" from the slate of michoacan favorite caldo among the gringos in the rev-olution era. beef or chicken
this one is creamy style soup. lopped with sour cream. comes from michoacan our home state
poncho villa s favorite dish, his own recipe. this one makes you a heifer lover!
a mexican style seafood soup includes fish. shrimp, octopus. scallops, green mussel, cherry stone and crab legs
fish, shrimp and octupos soup
fish soup with vegetables
shrimp soup with vegetables
cooked steak with onions. tomatoes & bell peppers
chicken enchiladas in a green creamy sauce
3 enchiladas with rice and beans
sliced mushrooms. onions, bell peppers and tomatoes
our own special way!
chicken breast with mil own sauce
chicken prepared western style, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers
grilled chicken breast served our way
stewed chicken in a savory sauce of chocolate
thin breaded steak or chicken breast & avocado slices
pork chunks sauteed in green or red sauce
grilled steak with cactus
grilled steak served in our own sauce
grilled steak & one cheese enchilada
steak and shrimp grilled with mushrooms
strips of beef or chicken, baby cactus a special sauce on sizzling hot stone bowl
a combination of steak. chicken and shrimp
roasted chunks of pork served with beans. guacamole & salsa fresca
a big plate of carnitas, another of beans a third with all the trimmings and all the tortillas you need to make your own tacos
steak, chorizo, potatoes, onion and chicken
steak, chicken phis vegetables
three tacos served with beans
two enchiladas served with rice & beans
served with rice & beans
served with rice & beans
two tacos served with rice & beans
shrimp ranchero style
shrimp grilled with garlic & butter
deep fried breaded shrimp
spicy sauteed shrimp in red sauce
shrimp with bacon, seasoned & deep fried
a variety of shrimp
sauteed shrimp with mushrooms
half of a pineapple served with shrimp, scallops, cheese and pineapple chunks
fresh red snapper in green sauce
fresh red snapper in red sauce
fresh red snapper ranchero style
veracruz style grilled fish fillet
fish fillet grilled in garlic
fish fillet devil's spicy style
fish fillet with garlic and mushrooms
fish fillet with shrimp and scallops topped with cheese
sarved with rice, beans and tortillas
1/2 dozen fresh oyster cilled over iced and lemon wedges
oyster, shrimp and fish ceviche, octopus shrimp and scallops served with chips
california chile stuffed with jack cheese
huarache shaped corn path topped will came asada, guacamole & sour cream
carne asada, chicken or ham
shredded beef (each) weekends only!
beef or chicken
beef or chicken
beef? or chicken
ranchero, beller, enchilada or green (each)
homemade sweet mexican custard
crisp flour tortilla chips fried with cinnamon sugar and maple syrup
free refills
free refills
sangria, fresa, tamarind, naranja, sidral or mineral water
no refills
(16 oz.) no refills
no refills
A tiny flag sticking out of their namesake plate.
Beef Milanesa
Mole Enchilada and Chile Relleno
a red bench in front of a store
Bacon Wrap Chiles
Taco and enchilada como plate
We were told we'll get 5 glasses feom the pitcher. All ice and tumbler glasses.
Fish fillet grilled in garlic and butter
Spicy margarita w/tajin and jalapeño
Tortilla Soup
Homemade Flan
interior
Real Recognize Real
Skinny margarita
Sopa Tarasca
Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo
La. Especial Norte Mexican Food Encinitas, CA
Chile Relleno & Tostada
Strawberry Margarita
interior
Menu
Matthew J.
Jul 14, 2024
Surprisingly authentic, with just that right mix of Michoacán y Southern California, translated, of course, to La Especial Norte.Went with a mixture of gringo y Mexicano, delivered as a Cheese Quesadilla and Camerones al Mojo de Ajo, both of which were excellent. This stretch of the highway hits differently each and err'tyme, and if in the mood for Mexican food that's both Leucadian and Mexican, you need look no further...
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kristina v.
Aug 31, 2024
I was looking for a restaurant for the first time my directions landed me in the parking lot for this building. I sat in my car for less than 5minutes trying to figure out where it was when the SECURITY of the parking lot walks over stands outside my car repeatedly asking if I am eating at their restaurant! Annoyed and feeling already disrespected I told him to quit worrying about it, as I was already about to leave. Another women comes over and starts yelling at me threatening me to have me towed and call the police taking photos of my license plates before I had said anything else or even got out I was trying to figure out where the restaurant was I was actually going hidden around the corner. Maps had directed me there! Causing a huge scene and both of them teaming up harassing me screaming "this is private property!"I share how I had just pulled up and she accused me of being there for a while which was absolutely not true. It was literally less than 5mins. To assume that I wasn't eating there and come over and start harassing me before I could share what I was doing is absolutely RIDICULOUS! There were many open spots and wasn't like people were waiting for the spot.I get it people have bad days but this was a sick joke. No I would never recommend coming here to anyone or bother actually trying them. They need to calm down and stop harassing people without knowing what's going on and stop projecting their fears onto others! Life goes on! This deserved a review for those who aren't fully aware as I was and have maps direct you into there lot, be prepared!
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Toni A.
Jun 5, 2024
Stopped by after work to grab some pork pozole. Pozole is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat, and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chili peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes.I've since I moved down to San Diego about eight years ago and found this spot. This is the only place I go for Pozole in north county. It's flavorful and a decent price! It also comes with the side of chips. Yum! I usually ONLY get that... But this time I decided to add a chicken quesadilla! But that was a mistake!The chicken quesadilla was just a big breast of chicken, slightly shredded and thrown into a tortilla. The chicken had sinuous pieces and a bone so needless to say, it was not enjoyable. I'll stick with my usual next time! But as far as the staff they are very sweet and accommodating! The decor is colorful and inviting! This restaurant is along the 101 so parking can be tricky as their lot is very small and most of the time we have to find street parking but it's worth it if you want some Mexican food after you hit the beach.
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Peter I.
Jan 17, 2024
Good solid spot. Gets crazy and service is a flag down for a napkin.... But maybe it's just that everyone wants to go out. Pretty main room. Big booths and hardly ever a big wait. Even parking which is rare here, but nice and free. Skinny margaritas had basically no booze. Shame, but there went the 5th star. For $11, put some tequila in can taste. Oh well. Main attraction is the array of soups and carnitas. Huge chunks of pork. Debs enchilada verde very tasty. Carnitas make it a 4.5. Try it and see. Go shots. Not skinny.
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Sherri M.
May 31, 2024
My aunt lives nearby and comes here often. Very welcoming family establishment, they greeted my aunt warmly and knew her favorite table. I love a place that treats their regulars well.Great Mexican comfort food. Fun, casual decor and quick, friendly service. Food is solid, portions are gigantic. Soups (many varieties) are definitely the standout and they alone are worth a visit. Even a small soup is filling enough to be a meal on its own. I gobbled up my Mexican chicken soup and ended up taking half my steak quesadilla (also yummy) home.
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Karen W.
Feb 18, 2024
La Especial Norte is our go-to place in North County for Mexican food. We love it and drove up from San Diego for lunch.The combination plate of chile rellano and cheese enchiladas were delicious as usual. I ordered the Huachinango con Hongos (Fish with Mushrooms) and was really looking forward to trying it. What a disappointment. The dish was filled with at least 3 teaspoons of chopped garlic which totally overwhelmed the dish. The fish was over salted and the mushrooms came out of a can. I've had other fish dishes here and they have all been delicious. On the plus side the rice and beans were delicious as usual.The wait staff were pleasant and the private parking lot is a definite plus.
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Vicki C.
Dec 1, 2023
Locals know that La Especial Norte cooks up a storm in Encinitas. You really can not go wrong at this family owned restaurant that serves up hot and delicious meals at a very fair price point.From the minute I walk through the door until I roll out with leftovers in hand I feel happy and satisfied. Maybe it is the eclectic decor which consists of a cultural items, pops of vivid color and textures galore. Or it could be the giant plates of delicious comfort food?The friendly servers who treat me like a guest in their kitchen are knowlegeable and efficient. They bring chips and salsa and do not nickel and dime you for chips and salsa.The margaritas are the weakest link here. 7up with lime and some tequila is not going to float my boat. QAfter numerous attempts to make the margarita work I have decided to order it neat on my next visit.I highly recommend La Especial Norte for some down to earth Mexican food that will fill up the family and not leave you broke.
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Alex H.
Aug 6, 2024
Amazing. Ordered 3 soups and loved. Nice hostess/server let me have a margarita will I waited. Lots of music fun place can't wait to go back. Tortillas could've been a little fresher but overall delicious.
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Nikki C.
Aug 5, 2024
Parked, walked over to some grass to let my dog pee, with my vehicle and partner in sight. A woman ran over, yelling, "You can't park here." I explained I was going to eat there, and she replied, "OK THEN I WILL WAIT RIGHT HERE." I politely asked if that was necessary. She yelled that no dogs were allowed, which I already knew. (My car monitors the temperature, and I leave the A/C running.) I told her my dog wouldn't come inside, but she yelled again, "I'll wait right here." I left. Never again. 0/10 don't recommend.
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Que B.
Jul 19, 2024
This pozole is the BEST EVER!! Add hot tortillas,the garnishes , I'm drooling just thinking about it!
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