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Hacienda On The Lake in Mission Viejo

4.2 (199) 27792 Vista Del Lago, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, United States

Categories

Mexican restaurant
Restaurant

Location on the map

Mission Viejo, Orange County, California, US

Phone: +1 949-215-7313
Site: http://haciendaonthelake.net/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–12 AM
Wednesday:11 AM–10 PM
Thursday:11 AM–10 PM
Friday:11 AM–11 PM
Saturday:11 AM–11 PM
Sunday:10 AM–10 PM

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Total reviews rating 4.2

199 Reviews for Hacienda On The Lake 2024:

Review №1

2024-07-01 22:13:39

Views are to die for. But I thought the food was just OK. General Mexican food where nothing really stood out.I had some type of stewed pork. My wife had roast pork and was a bit dry. Would I go back? probably not.

Review №2

2024-04-01 18:14:13

Nestled by the water, Hacienda On The Lake offers more than just a meal; it offers an experience. True to the saying in real estate, location, location, location, this establishment proves that where you dine can elevate your dining experience to new heights. The food, a delightful array of Tex-Mex cuisine with a sophisticated twist, earns a solid three-star rating. Its tasty and satisfying, though it might not leave you astounded. However, the service steps up to fill in any gaps left by the culinary offerings, achieving a commendable four stars thanks to the attentive and friendly staff.But the real gem of Hacienda On The Lake is its unparalleled location and atmosphere. With a perfect score of five stars, the breathtaking view of the lake complements your meal, making every bite a bit more special. Its this serene backdrop that truly sets the restaurant apart, providing a feast for the eyes as much as for the taste buds. In summary, while the food is good, and the service is great, its the atmosphere and location that youll come back for. Hacienda On The Lake is a testament to the power of a beautiful setting, making it a must-visit for those who believe dining should be an experience to remember.

Review №3

2024-06-18 03:29:25

Beautiful & spacious with interesting decor and great interior design, this restaurant is a feast for the eyes. Unfortunately, the food is mediocre. Presentation is well done but flavor and quality is lacking. The tostada salad was bland, the lettuce had that ‘out of the bag’ taste and grilled chicken option was dry. The taquitos had a chewy but not crispy texture with a bland dry chicken stuffing. Beans, rice and guacamole were good. Pricing was very high for Mexican but we were willing to pay thinking we were about to be served something special. Not so.Our first red flag was when we were seated. My son asked the waiter how he was doing; no acknowledgment; just a smug look.Service in general was slow. So disappointing, it’s no wonder it was super slow for a Saturday night. This restaurant has so much potential…

Review №4

2024-02-01 02:40:04

My friends and I came here after work for a little after work tea session.We asked for a seat with a view, and the view did not disappoint one bit. I will admit, it was cold even with a heater near us, but the view made it worth suffering through the cold.The food here is on the pricier side just so youre aware. Be prepared to spend around $30 if not more per person. I spent well over that, and Id say the food wasnt as amazing as I expected but I get with places like these, youre paying more for the view and the ambiance than the food itself.For dinner, I ordered some taquitos to share with my friends and a blueberry milkshake. The taquitos were good but nothing to write home about. Theyre your average taquitos.The blueberry milkshake was honestly my favorite thing I ordered when we went. Even more so than the fried ice cream. Shocking, I know, but it was honestly the best part of my whole meal because it was a unique flavor, easy to drink, and just plain good. Dont get me wrong, the fried ice cream was good too, but the caramel and chocolate sauce was not my favorite addition. Personally, I would have loved it more if it had been coated in cinnamon and sugar, so it tastes more like a churro. But like I said, it was good, and I would eat it again, but I wish they offered a churro version. *hint, hint. Wink, wink.* And yes, before anyone comes for me, I know they have churros, but theyre just not the same as fried ice cream. Fried ice cream just hits different. IYKYK.Overall, this place is a really nice spot for an after work tea session or any casual lunch or dinner, and I would happily go back and would recommend it. Especially if you want your lunch or dinner with a beautiful view. Just maybe skip the taquitos unless theyre an absolute must-have for you. If they are, treat yourself. Otherwise, order something more unique. They have a lot of options, I just went with something that was easy to share, but on my next visit, Ill definitely be trying something different.

Review №5

2024-06-18 13:30:44

Great atmosphere to be with your family or friends.Amazing view. Good food and service.

Review №6

2024-03-08 06:49:08

We can have meals beside a beautiful lake.Ducks come to near you and ask to feed them.I ate chicken fajitas, and it was tasty.

Review №7

2023-11-16 04:14:53

There’s Mexican food and then there’s MEXICAN FOOD… Ambience, great service, delicious food, views of the lake… It has it all. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm smile and welcoming hello. After being seated, you are immediately brought delicious chips and mouthwatering salsa. Your waiter/waitress, our waiter, greats you and takes your drink order. Had a wonderful drink called the Mexican Candy my guests had the spicy margarita which they truly enjoyed. The food came out in good time and was full of flavor and packed with authentic Mexican ingredients. We had a shredded beef tostada salad, Chicken fajitas and carnitas tacos. We finished off this delicious meal with a soul warming desert of fried ice cream, flan and churro s and ice cream. Great afternoon lunch in this lovely restaurant. From the funky eclectic Mexican decor to the engaging delightful staff, this is a must eat at Mexican restaurant.

Review №8

2024-06-19 03:31:34

A beautiful serene location and excellent food. I had the lobster soft tacos which were fantastic! The chips and refried beans are clearly made in house and the margaritas are amazing. Service was a little slow on Fathers Day but it wasnt terrible.

Review №9

2024-06-10 02:39:55

6/9/2024Had reservations for a nice evening at Hacienda on the lake. We were greeted by Maria, Jose Pena and Miguel upon arrival. Kassandra was our amazing server. We started with drinks and chips with salsa. We visited with Miguel and Jose and spoke of our recent vacation. Great people. Kassandra took our entree order which was hot and tasty once delivered. The chicken enchiladas, chile rellenos, rice and beans were very good. We had two rounds of drinks with our favorite tequilla drinks. The ambiance is stellar.Highly recommended4/19/2024Finished working around the house and went to Hacienda for some fajitas and tequilla. Miguel and Courtney helped me, and I sat at the bar as I was solo. The vibe and ambiance were positive. The fajitas were well prepared and presented. The Don Julio 1942 chilled on a large ice cube was fantastic. Okay, I had two, and I feel very relaxed. I chatted with Pedro, Jack, and Mauricio, who are all excellent people and servers. The parking lot was packed as was the restaurant. Highly recommended for good food, people, and service, and of course, the ambiance on the lake is 2nd to none.4/14/2024Had a wonderful lunch/dinner at Hacienda on the lake today. Maria and Miguel greeted us, and our fantastic server was Jessica with assistance from Martine. The service was fantastic, and the food, people, and ambiance splendid. We started with drinks. Our favorite Don Julio Blanco with Topo Chico and three limes muddled with mint and mango margaritas. Oh, so good. My wife had the Mahi Mahi Tacos grilled with rice and beans, and I had the Las Brisas, which is a chile relleno and chicken enchilada with rice and beans. The food was good, and Jessica is a gem. We had a great time. Highly recommended.3/23/2024Had a wonderful lunch on the lake today at Hacienda. Maria welcomed us and is always so nice, friendly, and professional. The ambiance is quite authentic and with an amazing view of the lake. Maria took us to a very nice table on the water. Marco was our amazing server with assistance from Jaime. We started with some great tequilla creations with guacamole, salsa, and chips. The Don Julio 1942 was so tasty as I sipped it. We ordered our meals with my wife having the Caleta, and I had chicken fajitas. The food was served hot and tasty. My wifes drink, which was Don Julio Blanco with Topo Chico, three limes muddled and mint, was quite refreshing while I also had a mango margarita. We also said hello to Kassandra, Jose Pena, and Pedro.Highly recommended2/25/2024What a wonderful afternoon. My wife and I decided to head to Hacienda on the lake for lunch prior to going grocery shopping. The ambiance is refreshing and so peaceful. The beauty of the lake and boats that apparently were racing today was spectacular. While awaiting our entrees, the manager, Miguel, stopped by, and I mentioned how nice the new roofing project turned out in the outdoor eating areas. The improvement has made a huge difference in how bright and clean the outside dining area feels and looks. While waiting for our food, we also discussed the changes in the margarita mixes and tequila choices as well as their new and improved Taco Tuesday venue with new tacos that we will try in a few weeks. Miguel was so kind, and he even brought us a few samples of the new traditional margaritas, which were terrific. Truly these changes are fantastic as Hacienda now not only has the best views and ambiance in the OC but now has the best margaritas, a vast selection of quality tequilas and margaritas and food that is well presented and very tasty. Highly recommended.

Review №10

2024-06-22 10:42:43

Id like to preface this review with stating that it is difficult for me to give less than four stars. It generally takes terrible service or horrendous food to qualify and this place had neither.The service was, good. Nothing exceptional, and not what I would consider bad. Our server was fairly attentive. However, considering the amount of diners I would have anticipated a little more effort.The food was alright. Not particularly special and nothing really stood out. In my experience Mexican food is especially difficult to really impress. Its more about really focusing on making incredible staples like beans, salsa, and rice, as well as perfecting seasoning on the proteins.The atmosphere is great, Ive been coming to this place since it was Tortilla Flats 25+ years ago and have never really had a complaint regarding the atmosphere. It really is a lovely venue with an interesting layout.Im sure this owner is paying way more than they should in rent because of the excellent atmosphere and square footage but its just simply impossible to justify paying $24 for two flautas. The menu stated the flautas came with four and I dont consider two flautas cut in half to be four. Again, I am aware of the likely inflated overhead this establishment is dealing with but it is going to take either a marketing genius or a culinary savant to make any Mexican restaurant succeed at this location.The demographic of the area is mostly elderly and even with the fantastic ambiance, the prices simply arent warranted.

Review №11

2024-04-26 19:38:49

Not as good as tortillas flats but still is ok. Went for brunch still overpriced for the quality.

Review №12

2024-01-21 18:50:10

Nice view of Lake Mission Viejo. Restaurant was not busy, but service was painfully slow. Food was basic and not flavorful. But the biggest problem for us was lack of cleanliness in outside dining area.

Review №13

2023-03-11 01:26:49

Well, the atmosphere is great. The restaurant is clean amd nicely decorated. Plus, you cannot go wrong with the lake view.The service was fantastic. All the staff were friendly and attentive. We never had to ask for our drinks or chips to be refilled.The food was so good. I had the Chili Verde burrito and my wife had the Chile Verde plate. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals.Two friends joined us for the meal. Im not sure what they ordered but they didnt have any complaints.Definitely a must if you are in Mission Viejo.

Review №14

2024-05-28 06:17:22

Lovely view of the lake. We were very impressed by the service! They have to carry all those trays on the stairs! The food was excellent, delicious salsa. I had veggie fajitas and hubby had flautas.

Review №15

2023-11-09 04:29:48

Very good first experience. The chips and salsa were ok, salsa was pretty spicy. The enchaladas were very good, civiche was really good. They were professional, staff was friendly and helpful.

Review №16

2022-05-16 03:15:06

Discovered this restaurant during the depths of the pandemic. I had them door-dashed when the restaurants were all shut down. I had ordered the Chile Verde plate and the meat was extremely moist and the sauce was really flavorful, even for having been delivered. I thought if it was this delicious delivered, I wonder how good it would be at the restaurant? I absolutely loved all the food and was eager to try them fresh once restaurants opened up again. My husband and I finally got around to eating at the restaurant and it was even better fresh! The guacamole was freshly made and so good. The rice was perfectly seasoned and fluffy. The meat was extremely tender, moist, and well seasoned.

Review №17

2024-05-13 00:54:52

While this restaurant has a nice environment with the lake, we made the mistake of coming for Mother’s Day. When I made my reservation, I confirmed with the host that they were still serving their regular brunch menu. When we arrived this was not the case. Any brunch perks had been removed from the Mother’s Day menu and the breakfast food items were limited. The manager informed us that they were unable to make anything but what was on the menu due to time constraints. This experience was very disappointing and we would have chosen somewhere else to celebrate if we had been informed of the menu change.

Review №18

2023-08-31 04:31:27

My friend recommended Hacienda On The Lake for a casual lunch, and Im so glad she did! We chose to sit outside so we could enjoy the beautiful weather and the view of the lake.We each ordered our favorite Mexican dish to discover the flavors and quality of the cuisine together. I had the New York steak ranchero, which was tender and flavorful. My friend had the Camarones al amojo de ajo, which were perfectly cooked shrimp in a garlicky sauce.We also shared the Haciendas Enchiladas, which were organic corn tortilla filled with chicken and topped with cheese, avocado, sour cream and delicious tomatillo sauce. The burritos mojados with rice, beans and guacamole were also tasty and satisfying.For drinks, we had the house cocktail, which was a refreshing bloody marry and classic El Patron margarita. The service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to gather with friends and family.We will definitely be back to Hacienda On The Lake for all-day taco and cocktail special on Tuesday nights. So if youre looking for a casual Mexican restaurant with a great view, Hacienda On The Lake is a good option.

Review №19

2024-04-25 17:48:53

I took my mother for a Sunday lunch because we wanted to be at the Lake. The location of this restaurant is perfect!Sunday is busier due to brunch, but we were able to get seated right away and the restaurant was not at max capacity.We were offered chips and salsa as well as some waters within the first 3 minutes. I would say it took about 5-7 mins before our server came around to take our drink order - a margarita and a soda. It had been another 5 or so minutes and nothing had shown up. The server eventually made his way back a few minutes later to confirm our drink order. The soda was brought shortly after that. However about another couple of minutes later the server came over with a Stella and started pouring it in a cold glass. I let them know we asked for a margarita which he apologized and went to get. It finally arrived shortly after.The server then came back to take our food order. We waited what felt like another 25 minutes when some woman who came by just to say our food was next up to plate. More and more time kept going by. Eventually our food showed up.We both ordered the same thing. 2 item combo with rice and beans. One chicken taco and one beef enchilada. The beans probably tasted the best and were subpar. The chicken was tough but had some flavor. The rice tasted like cardboard - neither of us ate it. And the beef enchilada was bland and we both only ate half.These dishes were $23 each! I should have said something but I was enjoying time with the view and talking with my mom.We got the check and the server charged me for that beer we never ordered. I asked him to take it off.We paid and leftI dont know what happened to this place. It used to be good.They have a lot of potential with this location but the food needs to be better. I dont come here thinking oh they have great (insert food or drink). But I should.

Review №20

2022-08-10 15:14:36

The location is great, they have a big patio so you will have a lake view while you are eating.We went there for Taco Tuesday, so you need to order a beverage to get Taco Tuesday.We had Fajita as well, the portion of the Fajita was too small compared to the other Mexican restaurants.And only 3 Beers on draft, which was disappointing.

Review №21

2023-08-10 20:54:19

I have been here probably 10-15 times and every time I order something different from the menu. I have yet to find a dish that isn’t delicious.Margaritas are also very good and the view is great. Highly recommend.

Review №22

2024-05-07 03:12:06

We’ve given this place many chances and we want to love it because the location is so great. However, the food, prices, and service just aren’t there. The place is huge and they often seem overwhelmed. We went on Sunday and they weren’t even that busy but sat for 30 mins without ordering. The food is just okay but is pretty expensive for simple Mexican. Overall, there are way better options in the area. I wish this place could tighten up a bit because it has so much potential.

Review №23

2021-08-28 21:13:34

Atmosphere / Customer Service are 5 star. There were 9 people in my party and all the staff who took care of us were outstanding. So why the 4 star rating? I had the pleasure of eating at two different Mexican restaurants in three days. Hacienda on the Lake in Mission Viejo was the second. The Lake view was beautiful, the Service was great, but the food did not come close to what I have experienced in other Mexican restaurants.Chips were thick, almost felt stale - 2.0Salsa okay - 3.5Guacamole okay, portion small - 3.5Beans anemic, bland - 2.0Rice okay 3.0Carnitas - Taste 4.0, portion smallOne person had tacos and the shells were so hard he couldnt eat them.I would recommend for the Atmosphere and Service.

Review №24

2024-05-24 14:24:08

Hacienda on the Lake is a fantastic Mexican restaurant with stunning views of Lake Mission Viejo. I love their delicious enchiladas and the friendly atmosphere. Its the perfect place for a relaxing dinner with family and friends.

Review №25

2022-05-10 18:53:10

Beautiful setting - not so friendly staff the day we went - Cinco De Mayo - I have gone to what is this location for over 28 years but it has been over 6 months since I have been here . I decided to take my mom out for a Bloody Mary and myself for what else a Margarita- the bartender helped us but was not friendly that day, possibly due to him having to help us and make drinks, ok I get it . He made my moms B- Mary it was so dark and the amount of pepper on the bottom was as if he spilled the Bottle on it - ok send it back. It’s a Mexican restaurant, get a Margarita, she did and it was delicious- she was happy, now if only he he could crack a smile or just be nice. The rest of the staff was running around as if it was really busy but it wasn’t yet, it was 4:30 by the time we left - I’m sure they had a full house later that evening .As fit atmosphere it’s 100, I love it . The view of Mission Viejo lake is breath taking - you have indoor outdoor seating - they offer different levels in the restaurant, the lowest has little huts down the stairs best Lake view, then higher up were we sat, great view next to bar and restaurant, walker - wheel chair friendly, They have the big bar inside, still open air, an indoor restaurant area for parties, this place is amazing . Taco Tuesday is the best - I have to come back for this soon .You must check it out you won’t be sorry . Hopefully the bartender was just tired that day .

Review №26

2024-04-23 20:29:11

Had Mothers bday here. Awesome place! Alex the owner is a respectful man with a great staff behind him. Food, service and atmosphere was all perfect. The shrimp al Mojo de ajo were to die for. I need that recipe Alex! 5stars!

Review №27

2024-04-12 03:04:19

Friend and I ordered salads. Both of our Salads were placide and showed it to the server. Waitress agreed but another server came and argued that it is not. Even found Avacado skin in the salad. Then Miguel the manager came and said if we complain about food he stop serving us and we have to leave. He escort us out because we complain out the food. How rude and unprofessional.This place keep changing managers and no wonder it is not crowded with customers.

Review №28

2024-06-03 07:59:08

Way overpriced and some of the worst Mexican food Ive had. Better off going somewhere else or just go next door. Ive tried Hacienda multiple times thinking maybe it was just bad luck.It just simply is not good.

Review №29

2022-05-08 22:05:47

This is the place to go if you want a nice view and atmosphere. Dined here recently with a group for the Mothers Day brunch 2022. Some of the meal entrees we enjoyed were Carnitas and Spinach and Mushroom omelette. The food and service was good on this busy Sunday early afternoon. My entree with a glass of Champagne came to $29, pre tax & tip.

Review №30

2021-07-02 19:05:56

Very nice place, great view to the lake, but the food needs a little more flavor more seasoning, spice. To be Mexican food needs to have the authentic taste that you want more.It also needs a little music outside in the balconies, something new that people like myself love to hear. Good vibes and happy people.

Review №31

2018-10-07 20:02:12

We came for Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm. The brunch dishes are generous and delicious, they come accompanied with two complementary champagne glasses. My parents absolutely loved it. The view is gorgeous. Definitely a Sunday OC must. Abel was GREAT!

Review №32

2023-03-19 23:20:31

Food was really good! I had the Hacienda Tacos and I was afraid that two tacos wouldn’t be enough, but it was very filling. I had the watermelon Margarita to drink and I would highly recommend it!

Review №33

2024-02-18 10:21:21

The Hacienda is the type of restaurant you return to whenever youre hungry. We started with chips and salsa. The salsa was full of flavor with a hint of spice, but when coupled with the Guacamole Dip, youll think your entree arrived too early. Its that good! I ordered Burritos Mojados Chili Verde which comes with rice, beans and guacamole. Generous chucks of pork, seasoned just right to pull out all the flavors of the plate. My wife ordered Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. Sauteed with white wine and garlic butter sauce, the prawns were prepared to perfection. Every bite was tender, full of flavors that escape your pallet when dining elsewhere. Great food! Excellent service! Relaxing atmosphere! Hacienda On The Lake, I look forward to many more dining opportunities!

Review №34

2022-04-16 05:10:08

What a great view to be right on the lake. Food was great and staff was friendly, not pushy and took care of us very well. Food was great.

Review №35

2024-03-21 20:20:07

Food was great and large portion size. If you are hungry good place to come to. Prices match the food quality and portion size.

Review №36

2023-09-04 02:31:35

Great food, ambience, service and the view of the Lake Mission Viejo, request for the 3rd lower level!

Review №37

2023-05-10 03:41:33

Music is too loud on Taco Tuesday.Love our service & food but dont plan on having a convo or having more than one drink. Youll leave because you cant stand the ringing in your ears.

Review №38

2024-03-31 01:58:22

Always a delight to enjoy the view of the lake here along with great chips and salsa. The meals are good and the service is always attentive.

Review №39

2021-05-02 14:20:39

Great atmosphere, delicious food, excellent service! Beautiful views of the lake. Festive and romantic, perfect for any event!

Review №40

2024-03-06 21:39:14

Lovely waterfront dining (Mission Viejo Lake). Nice place for a wedding reception except if its a large group some people may need to be seated outdoors while others are seated inside.

Review №41

2019-02-19 19:23:08

This is a great place for Mexican cuisine on the Mission Viejo lake. A lot of options are available on the menu. Plus you can customize any dish as you may need. The staff is very friendly and ready to accommodate special requests. They know their menu very well and offer suggestions and or customizations for your selection. The lake view is great. Also the ambience of the restaurant adds to it. Great for groups to hangout. Parking can be a bit tricky during busy hours.

Review №42

2024-02-18 07:04:05

What a great restaurant. The service is spot on and the restaurant is clean. The food was delicious and the drinks were perfect. Ill be back for sure.

Review №43

2024-04-03 01:23:35

Food was awsome server marrisio was great.beautiful place.

Review №44

2024-02-26 07:45:31

Food was edible, order was wrong no flavor at all to the tacos. Place was not busy at all and service was poor. To bad this place has such potential but not under current conditions.

Review №45

2023-11-19 03:57:02

First time here and last time here! Food was so bad and so overpriced. Just basic fajitas for $30.00 hardly and veggies and steak was like shoe leather. Guacamole $17 for basically 1 avacado and it was flavorless. If not for the lake view it would have been unbearable. The mens bathroom was disgusting with flies all over the place and smell. What a mistake come here.

Review №46

2021-08-11 16:33:33

I was being nice 3 months ago since we moved here. Great building, awful food and staff! We have spent thousands here since the restaurant is close, and has a nice bar for the Dodger game. But, when Miguel wants to go home, the place shuts down?! Hours are til 10p. Not true! Miguel will close at 8p and make you feel like you shoulda left at already..Menu says fruit with kids breakfast. Check this pic out?! Waitress says they dont have fruit so gave old orange wedges from bar.DO NOT WALK IN HERE!!!! THEY NEED TO CLOSE OR CHANGE OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT STAT!My previous niceness I take back:Get the chicken mole enchilada! Pricey place though...Nice wait staff!

Review №47

2023-12-27 17:07:03

It was nice, great service, but the food was too spicy. Even the cheese enchiladas were so hot everyone at our table said they couldnt finish them.

Review №48

2024-05-06 02:10:47

GREAT Mexican restaurant with views directly on Lake Mission Viejo. The food is fresh, and the staff and service are friendly, fast and professional. This restaurant is also deceivingly large, with plenty of seating, and the free parking lot is also large with usually plenty of available parking. There are also some great little shops nearby, including a wine shop with Happy Hour tasting daily, also on the lake.

Review №49

2023-12-03 05:12:09

Yes, it was busy in the lower patio... but we also paid FULL PRICE for our dinner which came nearly AN HOUR after we ordered. When the food finally arrived, it was luke warm. If the restaurant doesnt care about a small party of 4, then the managment shoudlnt have accepted our reservation. In addition, the spicy ceviche was not tasty at all and the staff should tell the guest that they do not recommend it. My napkin was also dirty. I worked in restaurants with cloth napkins for many years and I would have noticed the dirty napkin while I was wrapping it around the silverware. I want the restaurant to stay in business because it is a staple business on Lake Mission Viejo. But, their business practices, customer service, and management need to improve. Sadly, I will not return.

Review №50

2023-10-21 12:08:57

How anyone could eat here and give this place a good review is beyond me. To be honest I am not sure how this place is still in business. The food and drinks are BAD. Objectively. Watered down margaritas that just taste like store bought sweet and sour. Refried beans are tomato soup level of thin and no beans left. We had fajitas and a taco plate and this might pass for Mexican food if you live in Wyoming or somewhere nowhere near authentic versions but here in southern CA this is (quality wise) the worst sit down Mexican restaurant I have ever been to. I think the lake seating is carrying the business.

Review №51

2023-08-06 04:16:24

Courtney was an amazing server and it made the experience extra nice. The restaurant is beautiful and the views on the water are even more so. Salmon on the lake salad with cilantro pepino dressing was delicious. Only thing was that the food was a little bit of a wait….

Review №52

2023-11-11 03:25:33

Lovely table near the water. Good food. The stairs are the only issue

Review №53

2023-12-17 20:36:05

Worst Mexican food ever! Weve eaten in many Mexican restaurants through the years. First red flag was no one in the place around 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday. Food came fast which told me it was probably microwaved. Husband ordered chili verde burrito in which there was no chili verde and stuffed with carnitas which were very dry and which he did not order. My tostada salad had no beans. Called waiter over where he argued with me that yes there were beans in there after I moved everything around and saw none. He brought over a side of refried beans which were runny and appeared to be whipped up. Called the manager over who had been walking around with his phone to his ear. We told him the dinner was unacceptable and he said well that is how we do it here, if you dont like it then dont come back! We said dont worry this was our first visit here and it will be our last. Also very expensive, but I guess you are paying for the lake view.

Review №54

2024-03-30 02:27:35

Mauricio Rosales Was the best waiter ever! Great service, and had a wonderful humor, Me and my boyfriend had the best time!

Review №55

2022-06-15 04:44:00

Thought it started off okay. We were a group of three and relatively of darker skin (were hispanic). We had a nice attendant at first, which got switched to another. She was also nice, but the server, didnt get her name, didnt give us napkins until we asked after we finished eating and even then gave us what seemed like paper towels from the bathroom (two of us had gone to the bathroom earlier. For comparison, one of our group members noticed she gave another large group of (lighter skinned/seemingly white) adolescents at the table right next to us normal napkins right when they got served and was very attentive to other tables (including the one above). We were going to brush it off, but at looking at the bill, she failed to mention the details of the Taco Tuesday combo (drinks were not a part of it, but charged separate) and charged us a large tip, essentially 8% (7.75%) for basically discrimantory and neglecting service :/ without asking us about it. We had to wait a long while to get our bill too...Hoping it was just that blonde server; we were seated outside right by a large plant, which blocked our view of the lake/scenery as well, so couldnt enjoy that.Another tip: the paper plates didnt help immerse ourselves into the experience.

Review №56

2022-02-08 06:14:25

Lovely lake view, good food, friendly service. Its a gigantic restaurant, so I hope they can fill it up like the old days.

Review №57

2024-05-09 20:30:53

Avoid.Zero love in the food. Margs are fine, but hey it’s on the lake!

Review №58

2023-03-27 06:16:32

So we went out for a long drive late at night and it was raining heavily and that’s when we went there last month for a cup of coffee. The duty manager was really nice and he didn’t charge us for the coffee even though we insisted that he charge us for it but he said he was not going to charge us and apart from that he also said that we should come back on Tuesday as that’s Taco Tuesday. Now we eat Halal but the way he said and took care of us the entire time when we just ordered a cup of coffee really touched our heart and we were like yes, we’ll come, & try the fish and shrimp taco if you have one in your menu or we’ll try something else from the menu that’s fish/shrimp, vegetables. And we’ll also try the delicious dessert. Anyways don’t know much about their food but their behaviour is top notch not only the manager’s but also all of their staff members. And that’s enough to make me feel like going & trying something from there soon.

Review №59

2019-06-05 14:43:36

We came here last night for taco Tuesday. Horrible service, horrible food, horrible management, beautiful view but we asked to sit outside close to the lake and was told we were not allowed because it was for full menu only... then my aunt went and asked if we can sit down there because we were visiting from Texas and were told no because it’s 21 and under only... my aunt asked to for them to sing happy birthday because it was my mom and I birthday and they refused... we went down to the bottom to see the view and it was full of kids and families eating tacos!!! Why would they lie like that... it was $180 tab and we will never go back sorry...

Review №60

2023-10-24 03:56:57

This place is a layup for atmosphere… on the lake and is great for many occasions. Have been here many times growing up over the years as we lived on the lake. Unfortunately every time im there lately it has going out of business vibes(once again). Extremely inflated prices (25 for a margarita, 17 pretty side scoop appetizer of guacamole! Overplayed and done at every Mexican restaurant btw). Wouldn’t complain but coming from this industry it’s 20% over market and usually means the owners and managers are out of touch. Or just too ignorant to know any better. Has a lot of potential as to why I gave 3 stars but needs a revamp or can just keep being the dead on the water, sleep wannabe Mexican spot on LMV. Know you demographic people! You’re not Costa/Newport and if you were you have to provide a way better experience and higher quality food. Train your waiting and bar staff correctly and use higher quality ingredients with your drinks. Until then pump the brakes cause you’re not doing it right.

Review №61

2023-09-10 17:55:19

Service was good at the bar but food was not good and prices were very high for the food. the chicken taquitos were just boiled chicken and no flavor. We keep hoping it would be good because of the great location with lake view but won’t be coming back.

Review №62

2018-08-01 00:19:23

The food is nothing special and the prices are way to high. I mean $4 for a soft drink? Really?!? If youre willing to pay over inflated prices for a view of the lake then this is your place. If you want better tasting food for much less then go elsewhere.

Review №63

2021-07-31 17:01:50

My girlfriend and her friend didn’t like the margs. We asked for new ones twice. The manager said we were banned from the restaurant. See my full review on Yelp. Food is mediocre at best. Overpriced and awful management.

Review №64

2022-04-10 01:25:53

Excellent service and an amazing view of the lake. This is one of our favorites.

Review №65

2024-03-05 21:54:35

Always consistent. First time having breakfast at Hacienda and was not disappointed. :)

Review №66

2021-03-03 05:05:27

Excellent service. Excellent fish tacos. Great ambience. Sat outside by the lake before Sunset. Highly recommended.

Review №67

2022-08-02 00:30:36

5 stars for great location and drinks hate to say food was bland I would consider coming back just to hang out

Review №68

2019-07-01 06:29:16

They have a wonderful Champagne Brunch on Sundays. Be sure to go down to the outdoor seating to catch fabulous views of Mission Viejo Lake.

Review №69

2023-02-06 19:22:02

This place has an mazing lake view. We want to thanked the great service we had this past Saturday. We were celebrating my moms birthday and the amazing waitress did an outstanding job serving all of us and we want to say he is our favorite waitress for now on. The Food, service, and place is a 5star ⭐️

Review №70

2023-08-29 15:52:47

Food was fantastic, service professional and efficient. Love sitting by the lake 😎

Review №71

2023-05-25 03:19:06

Now that Abel & Nick run the bar, its awesome!New photo: 4.24.23GO NOW TO HAPPY HOUR!!!!

Review №72

2023-05-06 16:46:34

Beautiful view of lake with ducks and boats going past. Most tables are next to the railing with unobstructed views. Food is very good but not gourmet. We go often for special occasions.

Review №73

2022-05-29 16:14:50

Celebrated a special occasion with Sunday Champagne Brunch. Our 1st experience was great. Relaxing view of the lake, tasty food and our waitress was friendly and attentive. At 10:30am, when we arrived, there was plenty of tables and were seated right away. We would definitely return to repeat this brunch experience for a future special occasion.

Review №74

2023-07-06 20:33:36

Excellent quality food. Beautiful view of Lake Mission Viejo. Yet, very pricey. With tax and tip it was $32 for two tacos, rice, beans, and a soda during lunch hour.

Review №75

2022-07-26 05:33:41

We went there as part of an anniversary party. The food was delicious, we had about 75 people in our party & the staff was exceptional awesome & did an excellent job keeping chips, salsa & drinks filled, as well as soon as you were done with your food, they were there to pick up your plate. Id give them 100 stars if it were available. If it wasnt like a 2 1/2 hour drive to get there, Id go back in a heart beat. If your close to them GO VISIT THEM.

Review №76

2019-05-15 01:18:46

Fantastic! The food was great, the prices reasonable, and awesome views!!! I will definitely be coming back!!!

Review №77

2021-10-28 03:37:22

We were a group of 15 with reservations. We all were directed to our area facing the beautiful lake. The staff was on point with all our orders and the service was fast and very friendly. My dinner was absolutely divine and there was plenty of it. The cheesecake was amazing. Light, fluffy and not heavy on a full tummy. Thank you Hacienda on the Lake for making a memorable time for us even better.

Review №78

2021-12-11 03:19:19

The place has great views of the lake especially if your seating near the lake. Good atmosphere. Had dinner with a few friends. Our server was awesome and friendly checked in on us throughout our stay. I dont think a tortilla soup should cost $15.00 thought I was ordering a cup/side of it but based on my bill it was more like an additional meal. Especially since the tacos I ordered were a couple bucks more than the soup. Like I said a tad bit more than I would spend for soup. Overall the service was great but the food was ok and a bit overpriced. In my personal opinion not sure if I would come for the food again. Reason for the 4 stars is for the service provided during our visit.

Review №79

2023-02-10 01:04:20

We celebrated birthday there. The menu for celebration was small but the service was on top of things. I didn’t even see when they were refilling my glass. Great location. I was not a big fan of the food though.

Review №80

2024-01-01 01:27:02

Food used to be good. Now we come only for the atmosphere on the lake.

Review №81

2024-04-07 12:50:37

Little disappointed on the food quality. Service is excellent though.

Review №82

2022-06-04 14:14:33

I used to go here alot on the 90s for their Taco Tuesday event where they had a DJ and a lot of fun. I was glad to see it still here. The view of the lake is spectacular and the food is really good and so is the service. My only complaint is that it is a little overpriced. Though I can imagine the land rent must be high being on a premium spot on the lake.

Review №83

2022-06-09 21:15:59

Attended a baby shower here last weekend. What a beautiful venue. With an immediate view of Lake Mission View its an ideal space. They had a sit down meal with 3 choices. I had the chicken option which had a chipotle cream sauce and it was delicious. House salad with a delicious what tasted homemade ranch type dressing.They also offered steak fajitas and carnitas fajitas which people were raving about. Service was quick and friendly. I am definitely going to come back here for dinner sometime. The bottom outdoor deck looks like a great spot to hang out as well.

Review №84

2022-08-18 19:08:21

**The worst experience ever**Will will never think that any place will do what I am about to tell you.I booked with them a table for my wife’s surprise birthday, but the real surprise was not the birthday but that they kicked us out 😁Can you imagine that since we arrived the stuff was very rude, no one is smiling. They treat the customers in a way that no will ever accept or understand. There main focus is that you order and be out the restaurant in 2 hours even the restaurant was pretty empty. They told us you have to be out at 7 (arrived at 6) and when I responded that no one told me this weird policy they told us to leave.Do your self a favor and don’t go to this place

Review №85

2019-07-09 04:09:23

Went here a long time ago and it had really gone downhill but now its perfect. Excellent food excellent atmosphere the service could have been a little better but oh brother that view

Review №86

2020-08-24 01:44:28

We have been regulars for years. Great food, great service, great views.

Review №87

2022-03-13 06:33:59

The servers, food and ambiance has consistently been amazing. Unfortunately, the manager(s) dont appear to value their employees. We witnessed a manager loudly berating one their employees on the lower patio in front of everyone on a busy Saturday evening. Weve always wondered why there is so much turnover with employees there. We now understand why. As regular customers, we sincerely hope that upper management can look into and correct this serious issue

Review №88

2022-03-07 03:55:57

Had a business dinner at the great place in Mission Viejo on the lake. The view was great and service top-notch.

Review №89

2022-10-12 01:32:43

Super great food and unbeatable view/ location. We always can get a table because this restaurant is so big. We got engaged on a boat on the lake 32 years ago so it tends to be a favorite place to reminisce at.

Review №90

2021-06-05 03:30:13

Stopped here today for lunch with 2 friends. First time for all of us. We were very happy with our food, I had the crispy beef taco and cheese enchilada with the rice and beans. Excellent! I really loved the beans. One friend had the steak fajitas and was very pleased and the other friend had the 2 crispy tacos (1 chicken and 1 beef) with the rice and beans. We all loved the salsa! Very flavorful. I had iced tea, one had water and one had the margarita! He let us have a taste. It was one of the best! Our server, Jose was delightful! And the view was ... well just gorgeous.

Review №91

2022-12-07 20:51:35

Excellent crispy tacos!! Try the churros with Raspberry sauce & whip cream!! Heavenly!!

Review №92

2023-12-20 15:50:07

Is most expensive cleanse my wife and I ever bought..... I dont know how this place has stayed open. Theyre gonna have to do better than this.....

Review №93

2019-01-29 21:39:10

Parking, view, seating, food, and service was all great. Will go back again.

Review №94

2021-06-22 19:39:27

First and foremost, I typically do not write reviews. In this case; however, I want to send a special thank you to our waiter Ortega. Ortega made our overall experience celebrating my daughters high school graduation not only pleasant, but memorable as well. We were seated in a perfect location on the patio, overlooking the beautiful lake. The food and drinks were delicious, and generally speaking, reasonably priced. The staff was helpful and gracious. We will certainly be back!

Review №95

2022-05-04 06:55:39

Food is getting better but some staff needs to be taught the basics.. cocktail napkin under the cocktail. Let the customer be seated before the server is asking for a drink order.The bar area is small send the entertainment people out side. A Mexican restaurant has an guitar player who sings Cat Stevens and Dylan??? Loud and off key how about nice music, good food and drinks

Review №96

2016-10-08 22:44:42

My lady friend and I had dinner here last Saturday night. We both were impressed with the service and the food. Drinks, as usual, were great. Fantastic view. I have been coming here for years and years from when the location was under different ownership. The recent upgrades to the facility are well thought out and a very nice touch. Give it a try. I think youll enjoy your visit. The best part was that there werent any screaming, uncontrolled kids anywhere around to make youre dining experience miserable!!!

Review №97

2019-12-05 02:38:14

Great service. That was the first thing I noticed here. They greeted is at the door and we were never in need of anything without anyone right there attending to us. All the staff was very friendly and helpful with everything.Great food. Down to the salsa with the chips, the food was great quality. I got the Mole Rojo and was very pleased with the amount of food and the flavor of the mole. My wife got cheese enchiladas. Best enchilada sauce weve ever had!

Review №98

2019-09-07 23:26:42

Meh .... food colors are pale, like a dead fish on the shore. Felt like my dish was prepared from frozen food. View is great, service good

Review №99

2022-03-22 15:08:51

This place has a great view and decent food. The menu is extensive and the wait staff was cordial. We had a terrible experience with the manager who literally kicked us out of our table after an 70 minutes because he said he needed the table for another party. We ended up having to stand in the corner to finish our drinks. It was pretty bad. We would try this place again and just hope that another manager is on shift.

Review №100

2022-03-13 03:58:51

I called and made a reservation for 530pm around 3 oclock. This is a very big restaurant they have alot of space. The view is fantastic giving you a full veix of the lake . The food was absolutely amazing. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor. The prices were very reasonable. Every staff member seemed bright and vibrant, very knowledgeable, super helpful. Hacienda is my new spot for authentic Mexican food.

Review №101

2021-04-10 17:26:18

The service was great, the restaurant had a phenomenal vibe, but the food was bland and over priced. This place is perfect for locals with money and no taste buds. I cant imagine someone going out of their way to eat at this place. The prices are reasonable IF this restaurant was located at the beach, but its located on a lake. What sense does it make to charge 5$ for a kids chocolate milk and 4$ for a kids apple juice and kids fountain drink!? Honestly, the money doesnt matter if the food was good, but it wasnt. The chicken had zero flavor and zero color. The kids fries were soft, pale and were just seasoned with salt. The carnitas tacos were soaked in grease and some sort of juice; making my tacos soggy. The salsa tasted more like tomato paste and had no kick. This place is great simply because of the environment, the excellent staff and the maragritas! But if youre looking for good food, then this is not the place to go; unless you just dont know any better about good flavor.

Review №102

2022-10-27 17:28:47

Such a great little find. Went for lunch wasnt busy at all got the best seat on the porch in front of the lake and has a chicken quesadilla that was super tasty. Chips were warm and the salsa was delicious. Will be back again!

Review №103

2021-10-16 19:18:29

Well, first off lets just say the food, the ambiance, the wait staff, EVERYTHING was great. What really made the day though, was the surroundings, as I said, the complete ambiance. We had a table next to one of the doors, and with open doors surrounding the outer edge of of restaurant, you feel as though youre on the water. Combine that with the palms all around, the great food, the only thing that could have made it better is maybe if this were a restaurant on a ship.Chose the Lobster dinner, and again it didnt disappoint. Ill not only reccomend this restaurant, but definitely return.

Review №104

2022-03-31 04:20:34

Although its close to my home and the view is magnificent, the food is sorta good. Im a huge fan of warm chips which they have, but Im utterly disappointed by their lack of spice. Their salsa is mediocre. Every week I go Ill ask for spicy salsa, today I was given Chulula (hot sauce) in a plastic to go container. Last week they actually made some nice spicy salsa and I was beyond grateful. The margaritas are lovely, the carnitas, chicken mole, fajitas are nice portions and good. If youre a spicy food lover know that this place wont have the spicy foods that some of us love, but the view, ambiance, and margaritas will not disappoint.

Review №105

2022-05-18 03:39:24

We do love the ambiance and you can’t beat that view of the lake. And yes you would expect it to be pricey but some of the items on the menu are really just so-so. And when you are wishing that much it’s kinda a bummer that it isn’t fantastic every time. Their margs are really expensive so probably best to just stick to one.

Review №106

2018-01-04 19:54:38

I decided to give this place a three for two reasons, one good and the other not so good.First reason: The location. The fact that its on the lake and has a nice view really helps this place. Try sitting outside so you can have view of the lake.Second reason: Overpriced. The cost per plate is not justified by taste but rather by the location. I dont ever agree with this, I think anytime you price your food on the market high end it should be delicious and gourmet regardless of the place or setting. Javiers does a great job at this because they are consistent and they provided a great overall experience.I would recommend this place for a margarita and chips and salsa by the lake, but not my first option for dining.

Review №107

2021-08-18 03:11:34

Great location. Beautiful day and view of the lake. Seafood Enchiladas were served with white rice with butter sauce and black beans. So good I didnt have any left over. House Margarita was good.

Review №108

2022-01-30 22:51:59

If you dont like your Mexican food spicy, this is the place for you. If you want a lake view in an attractive building with a multilevel patio, theyve got you covered. If you want a pleasant staff that checks on you, youre in the right place.Wish the food had more spice but maybe thats just me.

Review №109

2019-02-25 08:30:06

Beautiful place with a view. Awesome service. Delicious food and large portions!

Review №110

2021-10-24 04:46:51

This restaurant was a nice place to dine pre-pandemic. The food was good, the staff was friendly and the ambiance - especially the location on the water, was stellar. The only recognizable feature during our recent visit was the location and architecture.The hostess was unentusiastic and cold. The servers were rude and unresponsive. Our food was abysmal. Even the chips and salsa were awful; we were served chip fragments that were days old and salsa that was watered down.Its a shame that the current ownership of this restaurant has so little regard for the quality of the staff, service or cuisine. This Mission Viejo classic is off our go-to list.

Review №111

2020-09-03 00:37:05

Salsa & chips really good! Margarita good but too small... Carne Asada steak is tough BUT flavor is wonderful! Great atmosphere on the lake. Chili Relleno perfect!! Wonderful to dine out & enjoy during these Covid times...great seating with plenty of space!!

Review №112

2022-03-13 23:03:45

Great place. Food was great. Although we ordered dessert and the waitress Jessica forgot to put in our order in, she later brought it out and said my fault. We paid and tipped and as we were leaving she asked us to pay for the dessert, stopped us on our way out. So rude and unprofessional. The mistake was on here yet she charged us for it.

Review №113

2019-09-01 16:45:20

It was really great! We had a large group and they sat us out by the lake and it was lovely. I thought is was going to be too hot but it turned out perfect. They even accommodated my son in law who has food allergies, gluten and dairy. Large portions.

Review №114

2022-03-02 19:23:08

A group of 14 of us reserved a table for Sat. night at 5 PM. We called 3 times prior to confirm this reservation and were assured each time we could pay with individual checks. When we arrived we found that the manager Miquel Martinez cancelled the reservation! Supposedly, the staff should have asked for a deposit for a party greater than 10, which they never did. However, when we arrived this huge restaurant was fairly empty since it was so early. So, we sat anyway and were told by Miguel that there would be no separate checks. His manner was so hostile to our group. I then asked him to take one group picture of us. I did not ask for several pictures. He refused to take the picture. He stood right by the table and watched me scramble to find a waiter to take the picture. It was extremely upsetting to be treated in such a rude and discourteous manner by the management.

Review №115

2021-08-14 15:37:18

Food was great, as well as service. The only problem I had was that our large party of 25 was removed from the lake side deck to inside by the kitchen due to a service animal. So if you have a service animal do not plan on sitting outside but rather right next to the kitchen. 🤔

Review №116

2021-03-19 22:15:56

Went for dinner around sunset, and had a great time. Nice decor, and the view of the lake was beautiful! The servers that helped us were all very nice, and the food went great alongside the house margaritas we had. Would return!

Review №117

2021-06-03 02:47:21

Im giving a 3 because of the ambiance. The food on the other hand gets a 1 star. Its overpriced. The crispy shredded beef taco was awful. The beef was dry and chewy. The taco shell was stale and difficult to chew. But it sure was nice sitting on the patio on the lake!

Review №118

2019-01-18 20:37:18

Serious DisappointmentI had not been here in a long time. Back when it was Tortilla Flats.The place was dead for a weekend. I was shocked.The price was crazy considering the quality of food.So the quality is average. I have had better at hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurants.Salmon was so so. I will not be coming back to this place. Too bad, it used to be a very excellent place and very happening. I remember when there were wait lines to get in to eat.Ohh and when we walked out, 3 of the hostesses were at the front and said not a word. Odd to not hear Thank you, come again anything ...The view of the lake is great though.

Review №119

2021-02-06 05:20:34

We have been here a few times and have always had a good experience. The location is really nice with great views of the lake from all outside terraces. And how about friendly and fast service...yup they deliver in both areas every time! So why 4 stars vs 5?? The food is good, but is doesnt blow you away like authentic Mexican food. Im definitely spoiled because my wife is from Mexico. Lets just say I have experienced some amazing Mexican food over the last 20 years both at home and while visiting different regions in Mexico. That said we will continue to come back as they are better than average for SOCAL.

Review №120

2021-12-07 05:03:59

We didnt want left over turkey so we took our family that was visiting from out of state and we had a great time. Our server, Jose, was awesome! And our food was delicious! We sat right by the lake which was an added treat. We loved it! Thank you...

Review №121

2022-03-12 22:10:07

Weve been going to this place since 1988 when it was called Tortilla Flats. Food has always been great, the service fantastic and the views of Lake Mission Viejo unmatchedSunday brunch and taco Tuesday are excellent. Highly recommend Hacienda On The Lake

Review №122

2021-11-10 00:30:45

Wonderful lunch at Hacienda on the Lake today. Everything from start to finish great. Parking easy, host who greeted us welcoming. Our table had a lovely view of the Lake. Server Irving did a wonderful job. Lunch delicious (Brisas Relleno and Chicken Enchilada). And the Margaritas….

Review №123

2022-07-11 01:20:31

Spinach enchilada was good - but fish tacos not recommended- tortilla was very hard taste like it was fried and price for didn’t match the menu price - definitely not making 28$ - even street tacos a better. My friends had fajitas- they like it . Not coming back! !!!

Review №124

2021-01-31 20:34:17

We went for Sunday brunch and were seated with a beautiful view of the lake! Champagne was delicious and we enjoyed our meals! I had the mushroom and spinach omelette and my husband has the machaca con huevos. The chips and salsa were amazing as well! We will definitely be going back!

Review №125

2023-04-23 23:45:22

Very good place and food.But very noisy

Review №126

2022-06-28 05:52:16

Only go to the restaurant if you want to stay hungry! Waited for about 30 mins, no one came to take our orders, or even bring any water. The waiters would pass by us, and even after calling them out, still nothing happened. The restaurant was not particularly busy either, so not sure what the issue was. Anyways, I will not bring my business to this establishment anymore, and will discourage my friends from doing so as well!

Review №127

2016-06-18 02:51:12

Service was very nice and the view spectacular. Great salsa and chips were decent. Tasty well margaritas as well. Sadly they crash and burn with their food prep which was bland and unimpressive. Stay away from the tostada: youd be better off at Taco Bell. Very pricey overall and too reliant on the ambience with far too little attention to their cuisine.

Review №128

2021-02-19 23:10:51

Great view of the lake and staff very friendly food is authentic

Review №129

2021-09-19 00:59:51

Nice casual dining on a lake! Food is tasty and the service is excellent. Make a reservation for a table overlooking lake mission Viejo, even order drinks and see your reflection in the sky! Nice bar cantina too. Super

Review №130

2021-11-02 17:38:29

Always a good time at Hacienda On The Lake. The place is huge with so many rooms and two patio levels that overlook Lake Mission Viejo. The food isnt the best Mexican food Ive ever had, thats not to say is not good, but the atmosphere and prices make up for it. The food is delicious and Im sure to continue coming here for a good time.

Review №131

2024-01-31 00:57:05

Wondeful view but food wasnt so good

Review №132

2022-08-25 15:00:16

Great staff, beautiful view. Food is pretty good so far, havent eaten many dishes here, but the ones Ive had are pretty authentic for SoCal Mexican food, and satisfy the comfort food cravings

Review №133

2021-05-05 01:49:29

The location is excellent, but $46 for tacos inferior to Del Taco and two watery Margaritas is silly. We came because there was a long line at Taco Mesa, where the food is vastly superior, and the prices reasonable. Our mistake, not to be repeated. I remember Tortilla Flats having better food.

Review №134

2020-09-20 01:44:08

This place has changed a lot! The food was amazing tonight! I had the carne asada taco and mole enchilada combo and it was very yummy! The taco was very different to other tacos it had an organic gluten free tortilla !The setting is always beautiful with an amazing lake view!

Review №135

2022-01-25 06:59:46

Edit: I am updating my review on the food and adding a star. Last time I went I really enjoyed the dishes I ordered: chicken tortilla soup and Chile relleno. I’ll continue to give it more shots :)Go for the view and drinks, not the food. In our area with so many great Mexican food restaurants, the food here is overpriced and subpar. I ordered the steak fajitas, which was overcooked in too much oil and had a vegetable oil taste. However, I would come back here for happy hour for margaritas, chips & salsa, and of course the relaxing view on the lake.

Review №136

2022-10-09 18:39:23

The view is great. The food is not that good and neither are the margaritas. Overpriced and we were rushed out. The restaurant closes at 11 and they were rushing us out at 945.

Review №137

2021-12-19 02:58:44

Absolutely beautiful restaurant with amazing food and *drinks*! Recommend the Organic Guava Margaritas 😉 staff looks happy to work there and customers are always looking happy to be there too! My favorite place to take friends and family out to eat when they are in the neighborhood

Review №138

2018-05-28 04:50:39

A lot of issues from the start:● We got there around 9pm and wanted the patio outside. The waiter stated that because it was cold they were closed.● I tried the tortilla soup and it was blah,● Then, they got my order wrong.I wanted steak fajitas and they got me a steak plate with layers of steaks.● Finally, my wife was eating and noticed a light colored either blond or light colored long hair in her mouth as she was eating.- The manager just offered a round of margaritas and a kind of Im sorry and thank you... We did not accepted the offer and left and said it would be the last time going there, unfortunately.Only good thing was the lake view.

Review №139

2019-05-13 03:04:41

Been here many times, my go to place to clients to lunch. $$$ but the view is priceless when you can get a table outside. Food is middle of the road, some dishes are well worth the money, The more simple dishes are over priced... but if you want a nice dining experience this is a good place to go. Almost forgot relative quite so you can have a normal conversation.

Review №140

2019-01-18 22:02:44

I went to the Hacienda for lunch with a large group. They were prepared for us, and the service was very good. I really liked my Lunch burrito which was quite large for lunch proportions. It wasnt as spicy as I expected, but there was plenty of salsa on the table, so I could make it spicier if I chose. Over all, I enjoyed the meal, and would recommend this restaurant.

Review №141

2019-08-25 06:00:27

Love the service, but really wish they hadnt raised the price on Taco Tuesday. Also miss being able to sit outside, closer to the lake when having taco Tuesday during lunch. The view and general atmosphere of the lakeside dining played a major reason for attending Taco Tuesday lunches. Restrictive dining is a large factor in us not being a weekly customer.

Review №142

2023-09-30 23:55:05

Amazing mole verde! Exceptional service. Atmosphere is calm and relaxed. Great for fellowship!

Review №143

2021-07-14 13:49:37

Amazing lake view, a calm location to eat and hangout.

Review №144

2018-12-07 07:46:35

I was hear for Taco Tuesday. What a beautiful place to enjoy tacos and a view of Mission Viejo lake. There are chips and salsa. I will say that the guacamole was not the best. It tasted “watered down”. This however did not take away from the beautiful location and inexpensive night out. Even though it is inexpensive it is your choice to have cheap tacos or full menu items. So I give this place a five star review. The waitress made a mistake on the checks and she quickly resolved the issue. Thank you.

Review №145

2022-09-02 15:47:15

The food was good the location and view was great.We asked about a big dish including few items but they said they can’t serve it and bring our food in a separate dishes which is fine but it wasn’t as good as the big dish.

Review №146

2021-07-28 08:53:17

We had a delightful dinner & evening with our kids and grandkids. With a reservation, we were seated at great lakeside table. Service was fast and food was good. The only disappointment was that they had run out of pico de gallo. Were looking forward to going back very soon.

Review №147

2018-08-22 22:04:40

Views great. Service great. Salsa and chips tasty. Chicken in tostada tasted old and bland. Other lunch dishes were enjoyed by my girlfriends. Shrimp enchiladas and beef flutes were good. Overall nice lunch.

Review №148

2021-06-01 01:52:52

This is always a good choice. Will it be the best food ever, no but it will always be good, the view and atmosphere good, the employees good just always understaffed. Overall you should never be disappointed whether looking for brunch, dinner, or drinks everything here is good. Ill continue to be a customer.

Review №149

2023-12-18 19:36:55

Fairly nice atmosphere great. Drinks waaaaay expensive.

Review №150

2023-09-27 18:38:56

I sang there with my band and the feedback was very positive. Good food, good service and Good Music!

Review №151

2021-09-08 03:30:23

What happened to Happy Hour?? What happened to appetizer specials?? We were happy to come back and support our local business but not too happy for the lack of hospitality from the lack of menu specials. Feeling gloomy... 😞😞😞Will come back when the menus more inviting.....

Review №152

2022-05-20 03:43:19

Very nice service, great view but the food is 2nd rate at best.The meat in the carne asada burrito was tough and impossible to chew. Sent it back for a taco and tamale and again the beef in both was tough and dry.

Review №153

2022-03-27 04:06:41

I have had lake access for years but just tried Hacienda for the first time and was very impressed. We had a large party but the service was good and the food was great! The view is one of a kind, even when the sun goes down and the lights shine on the lake.

Review №154

2021-06-07 06:27:37

This restaurant has a very good ambience. Food is good. (Taste can be better). I felt the portion size is smaller compared to the cost of the dishes.Overall rating :Ambience - 4.5 starFood - 3.5 star.Cost - expensive ($$$)

Review №155

2023-02-08 19:06:57

Okay Mexican food but an incredible waterfront location. Multiple levels outside all overlooking the lake. Great place for events and a big bar for fun.

Review №156

2019-04-15 03:31:04

The beans didnt taste like beans, they were very pale in color and just didnt taste good to me, the white jack cheese tasted very strange, I had to pick it out of my food, the guacamole tasted like medicine. No one at my table liked their food. The three stars are for the chips, salsa, and the service, that was great.

Review №157

2022-06-20 04:12:46

I love this restaurant. Beautiful restaurant, great views, we went for Fathers day and the good was delicious. Server was really on point. See you next time!

Review №158

2018-05-23 17:48:20

I used to frequent this location when it was Tortilla Flats. First time in years for Mother’s Day brunch. The food was blah, but the service and the view of Mission Viejo lake make up for it. Worth trying on a regular day to give the food a second chance...

Review №159

2023-04-08 03:50:59

Good food!Good service!Price is too high for what you get!Beautiful view of lake Mission Viejo!

Review №160

2021-08-14 19:43:42

Very bad bad hostI reserved a table for my brother birthday and they didnt let us in just for two of our guest to be late, they told us, they want to charge us just for stay more than two hours. They want to charge us for bring cake.Hacienda wasnt like that before and the owner keep saying i wont let you guys in unless all of guest are here.It was too bad in front of my guest.

Review №161

2021-05-19 02:00:34

Worst greasy fried tacos ever for Taco Tuesday. Very little chicken, mostly greasy shells. The potato tacos had a little bit of mashed potatoes. The standard menu is overpriced both food and drinks. The only saving grace is the view and the service is friendly.

Review №162

2021-08-16 02:48:00

Amazing food. Beautiful ambiance. We went in the afternoon and thought the view was awesome. I would think that its very romantic late evenings. Would recommend the restaurant to friends and family.

Review №163

2022-09-09 03:26:10

I dont know anyone who comes here for the food (except taco tuesdays). salsa is poor, margaritas are awful, entrees are average, etcgreat, large patio overlooking lake mission viejo though.

Review №164

2019-06-18 01:47:55

The food was delicious, the service was friendly and fast. Im going to be a regular here.

Review №165

2023-10-04 20:10:08

Great restaurant and wonderful staff! Plus, its very delicious food!

Review №166

2023-05-12 00:46:48

Decent food. They doubled the price for the special Cinco de mayo menu. $30 burrito. Music was too loud to talk at all.

Review №167

2020-09-22 02:58:07

Monday night late in late September, we are newbies to Mission Viejo life. Both dishes my husband and I had were great! Good drinks, good service, lakeside! Awesome! Life is good. Everyone had masks on!

Review №168

2022-05-03 06:59:59

Quality service, quality food, & a lovely location right on the lake. the watermelon margaritas were incredible too! I’ll definitely be returning asap

Review №169

2020-10-11 02:30:36

Tonight was our first time coming to this restaurant, best time ever! Great customer service, great food, and great views! Our server Gerardo made this night perfect, because of him we will definitely be coming back! Thank you!

Review №170

2020-10-04 22:55:09

Birthday brunch for my daughter food had no flavor they forgot my plate mushroom and spinach omelet it was swimming in grease only one mushroom tasteless potatoes looked greasy. Nice place servers tried their best but definitely need a new cook

Review №171

2021-07-25 13:59:49

Took my mom to lunch and had a great experience! Service was super (wish i got the servers name, she rocked!) And the food and ambiance were superb too.

Review №172

2022-06-14 06:30:06

The soothing, calm views of Lake Mission Viejo cannot be beat for a tranquility. Come for a stiff drink and a good meal after a hard day at the office. While the prices are pretty spendy, the cheerful, attentive service and serenity of the lapping water so near the terraced patios make Hacienda a reflection of the glorious relaxation that awaits in Mexico. Carefully crafted, their ceviche and camarones mojo de ajo are reflections of the graceful Mexican tradition after which the place gains its name. Be prepared to drop a c-note on a good dinner or hearty lunch, but there are few treats quite as fine as the reward of coming to Hacienda to relax after a job well done.

Review №173

2018-06-05 21:28:38

Taco Tuesday was good but they increased the orive from$1 to $1.50 per Taco. Thats a really bad raise in price. On top of that they force you to order drinks with the tacos, and there are suddenly no free refills. Then dont do Taco Tuesday if you clearly feel that bad about your customers.I went to Taco Tuesday often and then take clients and family there on other days. This way I want to avoid it since they clearly are more about money than keeping clients happy.

Review №174

2023-07-09 20:55:13

Food was decent but overpiced. Service was great and the staff were very friendly.

Review №175

2021-10-16 00:20:58

Oh my! Not original Mexican food...I ordered the enchilada plate and got a plate of something + cheese...lots of cheese. The chips were not original and they were all broken like that from the bottom of the bag.The location deserves 1-star

Review №176

2021-12-22 21:41:47

Great lakeside dinning room with outdoor seating, salmon with shrimp stuffing, variety of house cocktails are all good for memorable lunch or dinner experience near to the lake.

Review №177

2020-08-27 02:04:00

Great place to eat during Covid, lots of outdoor tables terraced along the shore of Lake Mission Viejo. Reasonably priced good quality food (entrees $20 -$30), chips and salsa, margaritas... The classic Mexican restaurant experience.

Review №178

2020-07-06 21:15:48

Great food. Great views. And the staff made the family feel very safe with their social distancing protocols. Thanks, Hacienda, for making Fathers Day a fun experience.

Review №179

2019-08-09 20:46:07

Walked in, got treated like an inconvenience by the hostess for interrupting her conversation about her date with a coworker, walked out before being seated. Bad impression bad attitude. Unfortunate because I heard the food is good, but with that type of morale in the staffing I won’t be patronizing this business. Hospitality is key in our industry guys!

Review №180

2021-04-19 18:37:31

Great brunch on The Lake. Service impeccable, food very good, and mimosas were a refreshingly perfect touch to a delightful brunch at Hacienda on the Lake. Will return at first opportunity.

Review №181

2019-05-12 15:18:59

This place wasnt even as nice as El Torito....we sat in the bar. It wasnt busy on a Saturday, first sign! We had awful service and never got a straight answer to our question about the tequila! What brand of premium tequila? Been there, done that, never going back. I should say that the food wasnt as heavy like other Mexican restaurants. The best part was my picture outside with the burro sculpture!! Lol

Review №182

2018-08-23 22:18:17

Beautiful views and friendly staff. My wife and I had a great time. The food was really pretty good, not the best, but good food. The price of the menu is kind of expensive, but it really is a nice place.

Review №183

2021-05-25 05:20:00

Hacienda on the lake.. Is a hidden gem youre transport to Mexico with the authentic Mexican flavor of the sweet smelling aroma of all the different choices of meals to choose from and along with cold beverages of youre choices.. extremely delicious!!Ps Romantic sunset view of lake

Review №184

2020-12-28 20:39:14

Really good food and great service!! My family and I would be coming back!

Review №185

2018-04-01 03:59:16

My food was ok, but for the price & service, Id rather go to Javiers . We asked for pico de gallio 4 times & i got up three times to ask for it. My food was cold by the time we got it. Our waiter was very busy, and when we mentioned how long it took, he pointed to my wifes plate and said no charge. That was fair. But the check included my wifes plate and when i asked, the waiter said oh, no charge for the pico de gallo.

Review №186

2022-01-02 05:22:09

Wonderful view! Wonderful staff. Wonderful food. Pretty good prices. I eat here quite often and day or night it was enjoyable.

Review №187

2019-04-21 04:15:44

We had a party here tonight and the waiters were absolutely fabulous! Food was great too! Thanks so much for making our friends birthday a great celebration! You rock! 4/20/19

Review №188

2020-11-13 19:46:38

The food is phenomenal and the view is amazing. Miguel is so sweet and our service was prompt and efficient. I would give more stars if I could, and I will defiantly be back!

Review №189

2021-06-19 20:25:33

The tortilla soup was bland. It took an hour to get served two tacos and a bowl of soup. Maybe pandemic hangover staffing problems. The lake view is nice.

Review №190

2018-08-26 21:01:17

If I could give negative stars I would. I ordered combo taco with flour tortilla and enchilada meal- the enchilada was ok at best. The “carne asada” taco was literally inedible. I was genuinely surprised they served it... it was 2 corn tortillas topped in cubes of COLD completely seasonless steak (that’s it) .... definitely nothing even remotely close to carne asada. I sent it back of course and asked for a shredded beef taco in a flour tortilla - 10 minutes later I was presented with a greasy shredded beef taco with cold cheese all over it with lettuce, on a corn tortilla 🤦🏼‍♂️ my daughter’s salmon was over cooked and the shrimp were cold and greasy. My boyfriend’s carnitas plate was also incredibly over cooked - and in spite of it being so greasy, it was cold and hard. Disgusting. All the veggies seemed like frozen vegetable medley that’s microwaved and the rice seemed like minute rice and was loaded with waaaaay too much butter. On top of all of the food being gross, when we complained to Alex, the manager he went from being apologetic to defensive. I said “it’s not your fault, but I really think you should check the kitchen and what’s being served” - he responded “well we have been serving a lot of food and no one has complained” wow. The only helpful person was the young woman hostess who was so apologetic and kind. This place is awful. Don’t waste your time / money.

Review №191

2021-02-08 20:49:07

Always get great service - big place with lots of good seating/ booths / views of the lake. Portions are good and food is tasty. Order up on the drinks versus the house tequila, etc.

Review №192

2022-09-07 03:55:31

Very scenic, lots of seating, food was fabulous!

Review №193

2018-07-28 06:15:12

We went for a margarita and not dinner. We were able to sit on a veranda near the “lake” and were able to avoid the raucous party in the bar, for which I was very grateful! The drink was so-so. The service was non-existent once we got the drinks.

Review №194

2022-09-02 02:49:05

One of my all time favorite places to go. Been coming here since it opened. Great food, hospitality and amazing views.

Review №195

2023-07-29 04:23:33

This place has great margaritas and an excellent atmosphere. Definitely worth the visit.

Review №196

2016-07-18 04:03:19

By far the worst restaurant experience I have ever had was at this place. Dont go here unless you want mediocre food, at best, and lousy service. We went here for our 2 year olds birthday dinner and right when we walked in and were seated it took 30 minutes to get a waiter. And when we finally got a waiter, the next thing we did was order our 2 year olds food so he could get it right away. An hour and 45 minutes later, they finally brought his food. And by the way, he was the last one served when they finally brought it. Anyway, when we complained, THEY TOOK HIS FOOD AWAY!!! Never in my life have I seen a restaurant take the food away from a 2 year old b/c they screwed up and they did not like the customer complaining. And that was only the beginning.The other food that was brought out also took an 1:45 and when it came out it was either wrong or luke warm. We expected the restaurant to stand behind their product and apologize extensively but instead they said their computer was down and they were slammed and we will just take the food away. They made no effort to make it right or the customer happy. Instead of comping the dinner and standing by their product they instead, after pulling it out of them, will only give 50% off. In no way were we ever going to pay a dime for this crummy food and lousy service. The manager Henry was extremely poor handling this situation along with being down right rude and if this guy is a manager, then America is in trouble with a person like that in a position of authority. Jenny Segura the owner needs to take a long hard look at who she has working there b/c I can tell you, unfortunately, this is no Tortilla Flats.

Review №197

2022-06-14 04:07:09

Friendly staff and excellent service.Our food was great with plenty of selection. The MV Lake view is fantastic.

Review №198

2019-06-09 00:29:41

Horrible! First they took forever to bring our food! And second I payed almost 30 dollars for a Al mojo de ajo plate that was Disgusting! The shrimp had no type of flavor what so ever! It also taste like Fossett water! Very disappointed!

Review №199

2019-07-07 17:35:57

Food was good, not great but good. Given chips and salsa while we waited for our food. Salsa was like tomato paste. No spice at all, bland too! I forgot my childs Diaper Bag. I called the next day hoping I could pick it up and was told they didnt find it. Hmm ok then