Following delightful visits to Nick’s in Long Beach and Laguna Beach, our culinary journey led us south to San Clemente, and the aptly named South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar. Joined by friends on a beautiful Sunday morning, we discovered this gem nestled in a charming Spanish-style building near Avenida Del Mar, perfectly positioned adjacent to the vibrant Sunday morning Farmer’s Market. South of Nick’s opened its doors at 10 a.m., and we were ready and waiting, eager to experience their Mexican-inspired offerings.
South of Nick's San Clemente Restaurant Exterior
Stepping inside South of Nick’s, we were immediately captivated by the restaurant’s inviting ambiance. The interior boasts high, beamed ceilings and a spacious layout. We walked through the stylish bar area towards our table in the expansive main dining room, noticing the various inviting dining spaces that South of Nick’s provides.
South of Nick's Bar Area in San Clemente
South of Nick's Dining Area with Booths
South of Nick's Restaurant Interior Decor
Despite our early arrival, South of Nick’s quickly filled with patrons, a testament to its popularity as a San Clemente dining destination.
South of Nick's Restaurant Filling Up with Customers
For weekend brunch lovers, South of Nick’s offers a tempting selection of breakfast dishes until 3 p.m. The menu features enticing options like the Breakfast Burrito, Omar’s Skillet, and Huevos Rancheros, each promising a flavorful start to the day. While browsing the extensive menu, we were treated to a generous serving of freshly made tortilla chips accompanied by a trio of house-made salsas. Ranging from medium to “really hot,” these salsas certainly awakened our palates – the “really hot” definitely lived up to its name! After several refills and a delightful calorie indulgence, we managed to regain sensation in our taste buds and finally placed our orders.
South of Nick's Tortilla Chips and Salsa Trio
Driven by our appetites, we began with the Queso Fundido appetizer. This rich and flavorful dish featured a melted blend of jack and Oaxaca cheeses, roasted onion, poblano pepper, and savory pork chile verde. Served with warm, house-made flour tortillas, the Queso Fundido was an instant hit, earning unanimous “Wow”s around the table. It was undeniably spectacular and quite substantial, yet we were just getting started.
Delicious Queso Fundido at South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen
For their main courses, both Tracy and Mary opted for Omar’s Skillet, a hearty and shareable breakfast creation. Tracy enjoyed it so much that she took leftovers home for dinner, proving its generous portion size and lasting appeal.
Omar's Skillet Breakfast Dish at South of Nick's
Close up of Omar's Skillet Ingredients
Breaking from the breakfast theme, I chose the Short Rib Tacos from the main menu. These delectable tacos featured slow-braised short ribs, complemented by green tomatillo salsa, cilantro, white onions, picante salsa, avocado, radish, lime, and a side of refried beans. They were, in a word, fantastic. Kim selected the Enchilada combination, served with Spanish rice and refried beans. She had a choice of cheese, chicken, vegetable, chipotle chicken, or pork mole for her enchilada filling.
Short Rib Tacos at South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen
As we left, happily full, we passed by the bustling open kitchen, the source of our delightful meal and potential weight gain.
South of Nick's Open Kitchen Area
Chefs Preparing Food in South of Nick's Kitchen
We also noticed an impressive bottle of tequila, a Patron Lalique, priced at $450 per shot. While seemingly extravagant, a quick online search revealed that a 750ml bottle can retail for nearly $7,000. Fortunately, South of Nick’s offers a wide range of tequilas and margaritas at more accessible prices, alongside a full bar. Although it was too early for drinks on this occasion, we definitely plan to return for lunch or dinner to explore their beverage offerings.
Patron Lalique Tequila Bottle Display at South of Nick's
With so many tempting dishes on the menu, another visit to South of Nick’s is certainly in our future. This marked our third Nick’s restaurant experience, and they consistently impress with their innovative menus and exceptional, attentive staff. We’re also excited about the recent opening of Nick’s new Pasadena location, Nick’s on South Lake, and look forward to trying it soon.
South of Nick's Dining Tables and Ambiance
MaiTaiTom Rating – 4.6 out of 5 maitais
South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar
110 North El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone: 949.481.4545
Hours: Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Parking: Street
Website: http://nicksrestaurants.com/south-of-nicks/
