El Jard

Born of a desire to keep Fallbrook diners in Fallbrook, El Jardín has been a popular local dining spot for 29 years. The Fedorchak Family, Joe and Penny and Ray and Charlene, have been graciously serving their clientele at the same location since 1976. The name originated from a “name the restaurant” contest. Seventeen people were convinced that the restaurant looked like an “El Jardín,” (Spanish for “The Garden”) and it’s been called that ever since.

The longevity of the establishment has been a factor in fostering the many close friendships that exist between the Fedorchak Family and their customers. “We have developed deep and long-lasting friendships with our customers and have gotten to see the growth of several generations,” said Penny as she cradled a customer’s child in her arms. “It is our customers who have made us and we thank the community for their loyalty.”

When my own family gathers with out-of-town relatives we usually do it at El Jardín. At these reunions, the staff willingly shoves tables together to accommodate twelve to fifteen people. It’s a bit crowded, but that’s part of the charm. The menu selection is so extensive that everyone usually orders a favorite. The food is so good that I always end up ordering a large portion, ignoring the “Not as Hungry” menu where for $7.29 I could have a choice of one menu item served with beans and rice.

The Mexican artwork adorning the colorful shelves was either purchased in Mexico by the Fedorchaks or given to them as gifts. Penny pointed out an entire shelf of Mexican pottery that had been gifts from customers who have become friends. Children love to examine the miniature collection of clay jars and pots, which has been purposely placed on a lower shelf at about the eye level of a seven-year-old.

The fare is Mexican with a California twist. Chef Joel is from Veracruz, Mexico, and he and the Fedorchaks have developed all of their own recipes. El Jardín is dedicated to serving healthy food and uses only soybean oil in food preparation.

The food is consistently excellent and the staff is consistently friendly. The cheerful attitude trickles down from the owners to the staff to the diners.

A fresh variation of the traditional Mexican fare is the “Enchiladas Del Mar.” Two corn tortillas are stuffed with a blend of mild whitefish and snow crab and drenched in tomatillo sauce, melted cheese and sour cream. The $10 dish has a hint of sweetness and is served with beans and rice. The extraordinary refried beans are surprisingly light.

For “postres” (dessert), try the “Fried Ice Cream,” which is fried vanilla ice cream served in a tortilla shell, then drizzled with honey or chocolate and topped with whipped cream. The adventurous may add a splash of Bailey’s Irish Crème or Kahlua for an extra punch, but the decadent dessert can stand on its own.

If you haven’t been to El Jardín in a while, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this friendly restaurant where you’ll find excellent Mexican fare served in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

El Jardín is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with champagne brunch served until 2:00 p.m. The restaurant is located at 1581 S. Mission Road. Please call (760) 728-4556 for further information.