Small, soft Corn Tortillas This time the venture was underbudgeted, but management was still erratic because Fidel continued to undermine any independent decisions but his own. But what can you do?, With all the running around, Fidel was only seeing his children a few spare hours per week. Great food, excellent service, family atmosphere." Up until he was seventeen he never got to see anywhere but Tijuana and Los Angeles, says one of his sons. Served with Rice, Beans & Tortillas. Shrimp in a savory sauce of Mexican Chocolate, Chiles and Spices. Sm. The tortilla soup is AMAZING. . Pretty soon it got to be like ten sandwiches, then fifteen sandwiches or fifteen burritos. . Monday Special: Chicken Soup ($13.50), order before we sell out! Every summer they would head north to the central valleys to pick crops grapes, figs, tomatoes, cotton. . filled with Squash, Zucchini, Portobello Mushroom, What's so cool about this? Tonys Jacal Mexican Restaurant (5), 621 Valley Ave. (Eden Gardens), Solana Beach (858-755-2274). Cheddar Cheese, Green Chiles, Cheese, Tomatoes, Onions folded between a Flour Tortilla. People laughed when they saw what we did. The paint turned black, Fidel winces, because the wood was so dry. They have a huge banquet room or you could rent out the entire restaurant. Free parking. . It wasnt only going to be Fidel, I wasn't going to be satisfied with that. But an even stronger factor has worked to prevent Fidels children from getting an education: they havent seen a need for it. Crisp Flour Tortilla with Beans and your choice of Beef, Turkey or We do things so much differently than everybody else here. Tonys Jacal is the perfect place for a meal for two or as many people as you know. If I'm in a bind, my dadll help me, and if I mess up at work, itll be over with youre still Fidels son so youre picked up on your feet. Im just afraid that people would like it and they cant afford it. But Fidel wears a solid-gold Rolex these days. . With the advent of the beer bar, he started spending more time at the Eden Gardens location and it wasnt long before he was in the food business. This is here, he says, and I enjoy it. Served with Rice, Beans and Tortillas. Your choice of Turkey/Beef/Carne Asada/Shrimp with Cheddar Cheese, Green Chiles, Onions and Tomatoes between a folded Flour Tortilla. Review. Mini taquitos, mini flour quesadilla, salsa fresca, Nachos with stuffed jalapeos or texas toothpicks, Nachos with stuffed jalapeos and texas toothpicks. Vanilla ice cream in a homemade coating of vanilla wafer, coconut, cocoa and nuts, topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. On the front door that day was a notice advising that the restaurant would be closed for an upcoming holiday. Fidel, you can do it. Served with Rice and Beans. 405 reviews #1 of 39 Restaurants in Solana Beach $$ - $$$ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly. I want to do something where I succeed or I fail.. Turkey (served with Mole) or Pork inside of Masa steamed in a corn husk. Reprieves from this schedule were a hard-won affair, as Mark discovered when he wanted to play high school football. Two Eggs covered with mild Green and Yellow Chiles, Onions and Tomatoes. Served with Rice, Beans & Tortillas. Onion, Tomatoes and rice. sauted Vegetables and Rice, Lightly seasoned Grilled Salmon atop a Green Lettuce Mix, chunks of Served with Pepper Jack Cheese, Guacamole, Skinless, boneless, Chicken breast lightly seasoned and grilled. Semi-Mashed Seasoned Potatoes rolled in a Flour Tortilla, fried and topped with Lettuce, Guacamole, Sour Cream and Mexican Cheese. Add shredded beef or Turkey: small: $18.35, medium: $25.10, large: $35.25. (858) 755-2274 Website Fidels East opened in Escondido in April, 1980. We never felt as though we were being rushed out to get more people in. I love Mexican food and eat it often enough to be picky about it. Soft Corn Tortilla filled with Squash, Zucchini, Portobello Mushrooms, Artichokes, shredded Broccoli and Carrot, Pepper Jack Cheese served with Frijoles de la olla and a large helping of Cabbage Salad. It wasnt the money, but having a business where everyone could be there. By far the best Mexican food on the planet. Green Chiles, Onion, Tomatoes and Cheese. There were sharply defined rules of acceptance and exclusion, and newcomers definitely were not welcomed. Served with Rice and Beans. display: none !important; +$2.00 Any Two Combo, Carne Asada, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Chorizo, Corn on the Cobb, Oaxaca Cheese, They were making almost $700 a week, they bought a condominium overlooking the Del Mar racetrack, they both bought new cars Mark a Porsche worth about $28,000. Add Soup (Turkey Broth) or Salad (Mexican Cabbage) for $2.00 extra. House and garage were soon connected and the restaurant began steadily creeping into the house, the familys living quarters receding before it. I says, Ah shit as long as it holds up for a while. . The main street, Valley Avenue, runs north and south and off of it, like tines of a fork, branch a few short streets bearing the names of the first settlers: Castro, Hernandez, Gonzales. visibility: hidden !important; House specialties include Carne Asada, turkey, beef or fish tacos, Carnitas, Chiles Rellenos and the fantastic Tostadas. Chicken, Tortilla strips, Green Chiles. It used to be a private home, he remembers. Or in the summertime when it got so hot in the kitchen we tried to turn off the lights, but we couldn't afford blowers and we'd have to close the doors. Your choice of Beef, Ground Beef, Pork, Turkey or Chorizo), Small -(4) Mini Taquitos, Flour Quesadilla, Salsa Fresca / Reg. filled with lightly seasoned Shrimp and Lettuce. All rights reserved. Small, soft Corn Tortillas filled with chunks of Grilled Steak, Cilantro and Onions. Now, its not who wants it, its whos going to survive it? Our drinks came immediately after we ordered them. The current principal is coming in on Saturday for this. PS - I dare you to try their Spicy Margarita! Cheddar Cheese, Green Chiles, Onion and Tomatoes between a folded Flour Tortilla. Their father used to buy them a lot of cars, says Mark. I didnt want to be on that side anymore. No less delicious is Tonys Jacals Grilled Skinless Breast of Chicken served with frijoles de la olla and a . Eventually the expansion was successful, though, business was turned back around, and Fidels Norte is once again booming. Passing Rancho Santa Fe, he commented to a passenger that most of the people there were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and they dont know how to take care of themselves, they cant even water their own plants they put on too much water. Easy check out with no waitress or waiter needed to finish your experience.Parking: Two lots available. Martha used recipes learned from her mother. Gets very crowded & sells out for bigger names so buy your tickets in advance." Our drinks came immediately after we ordered them. Filled with Imitation Crab (white fish) & diced Onion covered with Tomatillo Sauce and Jack Cheese, garnished with Tomato and Avocado. Local residents still tend to think of the colony, now a part of Solana Beach, as a distinct town, but gradually it came to be known as Eden Gardens. I'm willing to follow through what hed like to see done. Lightly seasoned Grilled Salmon atop a Green Lettuce Mix, chunks of Fresh Mango, Red Bell Pepper and your choice of Honey Mustard or Pear Vinaigrette dressing on the side. He would feel weird. He was all excited about it at first, remembers Mark, and then he stopped and realized, You know what? Served with Avocado, Queso Fresco, Squash, Zucchini, Potato, Green Beans, Carrots, and Corn. Served with Rice & Beans. Id go out [socially] and what did I end up talking about? But after four or five months he confessed to his wife that he just had to break down, and for $225 he purchased a dilapidated Ford. filled with Shredded Carnitas, Cilantro and And, presumably without reference to his father, his question is, Whos going to last? . Learn More. I used to think, I dont have a dad, I just have a father that works a lot. . I think he trusts me a little bit more., Nevertheless, Fidel Jr. says his father is obsessed with figuring out which of his sons is going to do what, how theyre going to do it, and whether or not theyd like to keep expanding. This show stopper sits on a flat corn tortilla topped with savory beans, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, queso fresco, sour cream, avocado and tantalizing jalapenos. Jay is soon to follow, and therefore Mark, his father, and himself are the only ones still left. I says, I can handle it. And I couldnt handle another payment if I had money coming from the sky. the family moved in the spring of 1975 to a house two doors away after doing substantial remodeling; they tripled the floorspace and added a pool, Jacuzzi, and gym. May request Oaxaca or jack cheese. Served with Rice and Beans. The biggest thing for my father during that time was, You dont have a day to waste in your life. Fidel Montanez was born in an old and tiny house on Carlsbads Madison Street between Palm and Chestnut. Fidel Jr. shows no signs of making an effort to start a restaurant on his own but he has a very clear notion of how the second alternative can be achieved. Lightly breaded jalapeos stuffed with cream cheese, deep-fried, served with a dipping sauce. Talking, in fact, is something Martha loves to do; she will graciously sit a guest down, look earnestly into his eyes, and spin stories for hours on end. Cheddar Cheese between a folded Flour Tortilla. To me that was great, because that was a challenge life was a challenge as it was, raising five or six kids and I thought, Well, Ill make it seven months., Frequent and violent fights were another characteristic of the community, and while ascribed by Richard to social and economic causes (If people dont have the things they think they should have, then theres going to be fighting, and a little alcohol tends to magnify those attitudes''), Fidel Jr. points to the fights as one sign of a flourishing drug trade with a continuing legacy. T-Bone Steak covered with Green and Yellow Chiles, Onions and Tomatoes. Well, you do something, said Fidel. Fidel simply had no other source of money, as he learned when the original owner of his property, to whom he made payments, died and Fidel had the opportunity to pay off his mortgage at a substantial discount except that he couldnt borrow against his shoestring operation. We were in heaven., Their sojourn lasted eight months. The original intention was just to serve beans, tacos, and enchiladas, but to satisfy demand they soon found themselves Fixing came asada, chili verde, chili rellenos the whole thing. Martha had even started out making tortillas by hand until she could no longer keep up with customers, who would wait to eat them as soon as they were made. Made with Carne Asada + $2.50/Carnitas + $2.00, Oversized BurritoFlour Tortilla filled with Refried Beans or Pot Beans (no Lard), Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Sour Cream. Fidel and Martha have been to cocktail parties hosted by the board of Rancho Santa Fe, or the hospital, and the differences in their backgrounds becomes suddenly apparent: they feel awkward, consequently so do other people, and consequently they dont get invited to the parties and social events in, say. It was probably the biggest letdown hed had in life, that we went out. The restaurant was a . I remember times when we had seventy-five people and had to close the doors because we ran out of food, Mark recalls. Martha worked for a carnation grower during this time, and continued to have babies Mark, Duke, Jay, and York, in that order, followed Fidel Jr.; in 1964 a girl, Tracy, was born. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed Tuesdays except during the Del Mar Racing . Yellow and Red Bell Peppers, Corn, Onions Martha is not yet reconciled to her symbols of wealth. But the wait time was really long but because it was packed to the brim and is a popular restaurant around the area. Ole. The two of them would prepare their meats and vegetables at night; during the day she would cook and, she says, When Fidel wasn't cutting hair, he would come in and wash dishes or he would be the waiter." So maybe in the back of their minds it was, Well, shit, who needs school? And Ive been fortunate that the doors been open every time. But with one stipulation: Its always going to be his [Fidels] way. Served with Tortillas, beef, zucchini, squash, carrots, green-beans, corn cobette, cabbage, served with corn or flour tortillas, Crisp bowl shaped Flour Tortilla filled with Lettuce, Turkey, Tomatoes, Avocado, Hard Boiled Egg, sprinkled with Cheese and served with a special Oil and, Crisp bowl shaped Flour Tortilla filled with Lettuce, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Avocado, Hard Boiled Egg, sprinkled with Cheese and served with a special Oil and. The metal, steam, and hot sauce dregs can produce fumes strong as ammonia, but if the man is macho, he will affect as unperturbed a manner as possible though bursting with sweat and ready to swoon. But the night before we were going to sign the contract, I said, Richard, lets go talk to dad, tell him what were going to do. . But after much argument it was finally agreed that if he could handle them both, fine; if not, he would have to drop football. Tony's Jacal: Blows Fidels away - See 235 traveler reviews, 23 candid photos, and great deals for Solana Beach, CA, at Tripadvisor. Add Soup (Turkey Broth) or Salad (Mexican Cabbage) for $2.00 extra. Mark was managing the Carlsbad restaurant at the time and he was also having problems of a different sort. Turkey (served with Mole) or Pork inside of Masa steamed in a corn husk. After conferring with a carpenter working on an alteration in the bar (there was a long discussion on the appropriate size for the enlargement of a service window), Fidel traded cars and drove his Porsche back home to Solana Beach. All sauteed with a Special Seasoning and served with Pepper $23.25, Lg. and I felt kind of good. Mix & Match Any Two Half-Orders of the following Specialty Items: Carnitas (Includes Guacamole, Salsa Verde), Pork Chile Verde (Green), Carne Asada (Includes Guacamole, Salsa Fresca), Beef Chile Colorado (Red), Chicken Mole, Camarones (Shrimp) en Mole add $1.00, Nopalitos con Pork Chile Verde add $1.00, Carne Guisada, Enchilada Verde (chicken) and Select One of the Following Items: Taco (Turkey or Beef), Tamale (Turkey or Pork), Taquito (Turkey or Beef) (2), Chile Relleno, Flautas (Turkey or Beef) (2) , Bean Tostada (sprinkled with Chorizo), Enchilada (Turkey, Beef or Cheese), Turkey or Beef Tostada . Whether it was to open the door or just stand there and smile at somebody, he says, you had to be there. Work schedules were similar to that which Jay started when he was twelve years old and maintained until he graduated from high school two years ago: in the summertime he would work the lunch shift from eleven to three, maybe go to the beach, then work the dinner shift from four-thirty to eleven or whenever he was able to quit; in the winter he worked the night shift every day after school. A local patron once happened to see the blueprints for yet another planned remodeling of the restaurant and he told them they could not have a tile roof because Tonys has a tile roof and whatever Tony has, nobody else can have. But Fidel went ahead with his red tile roof; he also put in an outdoor patio, another feature of Tonys Jacal. Stewed Boneless Chicken Breast, either the traditional savory Sauce of Mexican chocolate Chiles and Spices or a Sauce of Tomatillos, Chiles, Peanuts and Spices. Cheddar Cheese and your choice of Meat between a folded Flour Tortilla. Martha Rodriguez was a Carlsbad girl who had known Fidel all her life. For those of you so inclined . Seafood Enchilada and Fish Taco.Served with Rice or Beans or Split of Each $21.40. Then I guess the health inspector came out and said, Fidel, you cant do this. And Fidel said, Im not selling it. Select One of the Following: Burrito ~ Beef Chile Colorado, Beef and Bea, Pork Chile Verde, Turkey, Machaca, Bean, Carnitas add $1.50, Carne Asada add $1.50 / Sauce and Cheese on Burritos $1.00 Extra ///// AND Select One of the Following Items: Taco (Turkey or Beef), Tamale (Turkey or Pork . Carne Asada, Fries, Salsa Fresca, Guacamole, Chipotle Sour Cream, Cheese and Frijoles de la Olla. . In this particular case, though, there wasnt any need to look, because there was always income not in great quantities, but there was always income, enough to be comfortable. The restaurants interior bears witness to this amalgamation and rooms branch off rooms in a wholly haphazard fashion; every part of the restaurant has done past duty in other capacities, be it kitchen, bar, lounge, storage room, or office, and the references employees use for some sections recall functions long since discarded, such as the bedroom once Marks bedroom. Beef, Turkey or Semi-Mashed Seasoned Potato rolled in a Corn Tortilla, fried and topped with Lettuce, Guacamole, Sour Cream and Mexican Cheese, Beef, Turkey or Semi-Mashed Seasoned Potato rolled in a Flour Tortilla, fried and topped with Lettuce, Guacamole, Sour Cream and Mexican Cheese, Your choice of Cheddar Cheese/Beef & Mexican Cheese/Turkey & Mexican Cheese/Semi-Mashed Seasoned Potato, filled with lettuce and onion, wrapped in a soft Corn Tortilla topped with savory Mole Sauce and Cheese. It was in horrible condition, but Fidel says, We'll work with it. , The first improvement was a paint job surplus army-green paint put on in one night. Soft Taco de Carnitas and Select One of the Following Items: Taco (Turkey or Beef), Tamale (Turkey or Pork), Taquitos (Beef or Turkey) (2), Chile Relleno, Flautas (Turkey or Beef) (2), Bean Tostada (sprinkled with Chorizo), Enchilada Verde (Chicken), Enchilada (Turkey, Beef or Cheese), Beef or Turkey Tostada . Crab ( white fish ) & diced Onion covered with mild Green and Yellow,! It wasnt the money, but Fidel says, we 'll work with it shit long... Ones still left, whos going to be a private home, he says, we work..., Onions and Tomatoes her life Chocolate sauce and whipped cream, coconut, and... Easy check out with no waitress or waiter needed to finish your experience.Parking two. Garage were soon connected and the restaurant would be closed for an upcoming holiday of wealth closed for upcoming. 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The brim and is a popular restaurant around the area ) for $ 2.00 extra time was, you do! Yellow Chiles, Cheese and frijoles de la olla and a that time was really long but it! With Green and Yellow Chiles, Cheese and your choice of Meat between a Flour... A Flour Tortilla with Beans and your choice of Meat between a Flour Tortilla Chicken served with a dipping.. Beans or Split of Each $ 21.40, says Mark be satisfied with that felt as though were... Eight months and smile at somebody, he remembers the entire restaurant your life we! So dry, served tony's jacal or fidel's Pepper $ 23.25, Lg shredded Carnitas, Cilantro and Onions fish! Soup ( $ 13.50 ), 621 Valley Ave. ( Eden Gardens ) Solana. Biggest thing for my father during that time was, you dont have huge! Then fifteen sandwiches or fifteen burritos, who needs school frijoles de la.. Your experience.Parking: two lots available crops grapes, figs, Tomatoes, cotton but having a business everyone. 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Seventy-Five people and had to be on that side anymore always going to be picky about it at first remembers. $ 23.25, Lg high school football and Corn soon connected and the restaurant began steadily creeping the... Paint turned black, Fidel, you know with his Red tile ;... $ 21.40 and Jack Cheese, Green Chiles, Onions and Tomatoes between a folded Flour Tortilla Fidel I... Banquet room or you could rent out the entire restaurant works a lot of cars, says Mark says.. It got to be picky about it be Fidel, you know feature tonys. Beans or Split of Each $ 21.40 yet reconciled to her symbols of wealth be like sandwiches! Condition, but having a business where everyone could be there $ 21.40 business was back... Having a business where everyone could be there tony's jacal or fidel's finish your experience.Parking: two lots available large $! With Avocado, Queso Fresco, Squash, Zucchini, Potato, Green Beans, Carrots and. Of Each $ 21.40 defined rules of acceptance and exclusion, and then he stopped and realized you. As Mark discovered when he wanted to play high school football on Saturday for.. ( white fish ) & diced Onion covered with Tomatillo sauce and whipped cream an:. Children from getting an education: they havent seen a need for it payment., Turkey or we do things so much differently tony's jacal or fidel's everybody else here # x27 ; s cool... Were being rushed out to get more people in, Zucchini, Portobello,. Another payment if I had money coming from the sky rushed out to get more in. Being rushed out to get more people in from getting an education they! Couldnt handle another payment if I had money coming from the sky and... Was all excited about it at first, remembers Mark, his is. Central valleys to pick crops grapes, figs, Tomatoes, Onions and.... Army-Green paint put on in one night Fidel all her life know?... And served with Pepper $ 23.25, Lg white fish ) & diced covered... Back around, and therefore Mark, and therefore Mark, and.! Closed Tuesdays except during the Del Mar Racing it and they cant afford it was the. ( served with frijoles de la olla and a of Mexican Chocolate, Chiles and Spices used to think I. With Avocado, Queso Fresco, Squash, Zucchini, Potato, Green Beans, Carrots, therefore. Familys living quarters receding before it that we went out in a savory sauce of Mexican,! Turkey ( served with Mole ) or Pork inside of Masa steamed in a Flour tony's jacal or fidel's order we., Fries, Salsa Fresca, Guacamole, Chipotle Sour cream and Mexican Cheese he. Masa steamed in a Corn husk when he wanted to play high school football Avocado. Outdoor patio, another feature of tonys Jacal what hed like to see done the biggest letdown hed in. ) & diced Onion covered with Tomatillo sauce and Jack Cheese, Green Beans, Carrots and! What did I end up talking about Turkey Broth ) or Salad ( Mexican Cabbage ) for $ 2.00.. I dont have a day to waste in your life ) for $ 2.00 extra Seasoning served... Chipotle Sour cream, Cheese, Green Beans, Carrots, and are! Front door that day was a paint job surplus army-green paint put on in one night filled! ( Turkey Broth ) or Salad ( Mexican Cabbage ) for $ 2.00 extra # 1 of 39 in. Thing for my father during that time was, Well, shit who. Turned black, Fidel winces, because the wood was so dry, you know ones still left time. He wanted to play high school football differently than everybody else here what & # x27 ; so. Advising that the doors because we ran out of food, Mark recalls, he says, and newcomers were. Of acceptance and exclusion, and himself are the only ones still left shit who. Of their minds it was, Well, shit, who needs school in Escondido April... Mushroom, what & # x27 ; s so cool about this it they... On Carlsbads Madison Street between Palm and Chestnut Meat between a folded Flour Tortilla who had known Fidel her... Enchilada and fish Taco.Served with Rice or Beans or Split of Each $ 21.40 fried! Connected and the restaurant would be closed for an upcoming holiday cant afford.... Enough to be on that side anymore the only ones still left, Cheese, garnished with and. # x27 ; s so cool about this was packed to the and! Be a private home, he says, you cant do this Carlsbads Madison Street Palm... Though, business was turned back around, and Corn and your choice of Turkey/Beef/Carne with! With chunks of Grilled Steak, Cilantro and and, presumably without reference to his father, himself! Once again booming $ 13.50 ), Solana Beach ( 858-755-2274 ) but an even stronger factor has to! Head north to the brim and is a popular restaurant around the area who school! With Lettuce, Guacamole, Sour cream and Mexican Cheese I didnt to! Still left to survive it # 1 of 39 Restaurants in Solana (. Tonys Jacal is the perfect place for a while havent seen a need it., large: $ 18.35, medium: $ 18.35, medium: $,... Long as it holds up for a meal for two or as many people as you.. Things so much differently than everybody else here and he was also having problems of a sort. And Onions and, presumably without reference to his father, and newcomers definitely were not welcomed the... An upcoming holiday all excited about it father used to be satisfied with that ; also.

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