Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches

Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches 34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite F Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 429-2612 No online directory listings available yet for this restaurant. Official Site

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Having just found out about this yesterday (keep the tips coming, folks) and having my lunch plans for today change I was able to drive down to Dana Point a few hours ago and test the new Olamendi's restaurant: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches (not to be confused with Pup 'N' Taco). Look for it off the Camino las Ramblas offramp on PCH in the shopping center with A's Burgers and Jack's Surfboards right by the Dana Point Bridge (UPDATE: found out it's called Doheny Park Plaza).

Run by the same Olamendi family who runs the Original Olamendi's in Capo Beach, Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches opened up five days ago and offers a beach-friendly Mexican menu (tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.) and several American-style sandwiches.

I have found Nemo

I like the fact that Olamendi's bottles their own sodas, which can be ordered along with other Olamendi's products from their gourmet foods website. Flavors are: grape, cola, hibiscus, and lemonade:

These are in real bottles that you need a can opener to get into; none of that wimpy twist-off stuff.

Another unique thing on their menu is ceviche tacos. Having never had one before I ordered one along with a fish taco. You can tell them what kind of toppings you want (sour cream, guacamole, etc.). Both were stuffed with as much meat and toppings that they could fit into their two corn tortillas each and the cool ceviche taco is an appropriate choice for a hot summer day.

If I had realized they had "Nachos Libres" on their menu I might've ordered those but those will have to wait until my next visit. If you're wondering what the reference is, here's some clips from Nacho Libre, the Jack Black film:

My usual ratings icon is a Speedy Gonzales:



And I have also used the Panchito:



But I think for Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches I will use a new icon. Therefore they earn a four lucha libre mask rating:



Click here to see the complete photo album at .

Original Olamendi's - Review #1

Date of Visit: January 13, 2007

Original Olamendi's 34660 Pacific Coast Hwy Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 (949) 661-1005 Listing on Yahoo! Local Listing on Ask.com's Citysearch Official Site

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Due to being in the middle of another horrendous backlog again of reviews to write I am just going to post the Olamendi's photos for now and add my remarks on the place as my schedule allows. Not only is Olamendi's a feast for the mouth but for the eyes as well. Managers John and Gloria Olamendi Haney kindly allowed me to take pictures of their family-run restaurant which has been a favorite for 33 years now of both Republican politicians (Richard Nixon being the most famous; his last visit was about a month before he died) and Hollywood celebrities and the Dana Point locals. Many from all three categories are featured in the numerous photos adorning the walls

Some of the celebrities spotted at Olamendi's include:

• Anthony Edwards
• Kevin Bacon
• Courteney Cox
• David Arquette
• Oscar de la Renta
• Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora

The childrens' part of the menu at Olamendi's is called "Christian's Speedy Gonzalez Menu." Most readers of this blog will recognize how appropriate that is. The dishes on the childrens' menu are named after other Olamendi grandchildren.

From out front the restaurant looks small but it really opens up as you head towards the back.

Olamendi's has three other spinoff restaurants run by various family members; all locations are in the South County coastal area and may be covered here later.

At Olamendi's every day is Day of the Dead

"Shark fin" guacamole

I was having a hard time deciding between all the different breakfast entrees that they had that looked so good so at Gloria's suggestion I got a half-and-half plate with Huevos a la Mexicana and the Huevos Olamendi (scrambled eggs with chorizo):

What I especially liked about the chorizo was that it was perhaps the least greasy chorizo I've ever had and with just the right amount of spiciness. I took some of each entree, stuffed them into my tortillas and made some of my own custom ultimate breakfast burritos.

I also got a bowl of Huevos a la Tia Lucha, a sort of breakfast soup with a poached egg swimming a red sauce with avocados, peppers, sour cream, and pimento olives.

Olamendi's earns a four and a half Speedy Gonzales rating:



Here are some more shots of the interior: