Review South Cali Cantina - Albury

I actually can’t fault this place really. The only thing I would say is that the water wasn’t cold at all. Apart from that we loved the atmosphere, the service and most importantly the food. We shared the nachos and because they were so yum we shared another bowl. They were amazing omg. Can’t wait to visit Albury again because this is where we’ll be going.😉

Good selection of imported beers and Tequila plus variety of Daiquiries and Margaritas. Menú is not too broad so it makes it easier to choose. Had a Socal Bowl and it is worth every cent. Good customer service too. Well done guys

absolutely beautiful food nice new revamped menu great place for a social gathering the chef Callum put a lot of love into his food and this place is most definitely worth a visit

My favourite place to eat in Albury. The food is amazing! I always eat their jalapeno poppers and hot wings. Their drinks are also really nice too. Give them a go, you won't regret it!

Food was delicious & it was beautifully presented. There was a mix up with an order but the staff were very lovely & quick to fix it up. We were seated in a corner with a very loud speaker & unfortunately could barely hear eachother talk, this was the only down side to a great dining experience.

definitely over priced, $20 for daiquiris that only half filled a small glass. $26 for a medium sized burger & chips. It is quite dark and a bit difficult to read the menu, music is also very loud so hard to hear your friends. Food did have good flavours, compliments to the chef.

Fantastic service, food was acceptable.

Great little hidden treasure in the heart of Albury. Chicken bites are my absolute fav! And their new Venue Manager Pat is always so welcoming. He whips up a mean cocktail too 🍹

South Cali Cantina is one of the most fresh additions to our local dining scene, and I am such a huge fan of this California meets Mexico food experience. I have eaten here so many times, but my favourite experience to date was ordering 5 options from the entree menu to share with a friend, was a full tastebud adventure. The jalapeño balls, the soft shell crab with pomegranate salad & the grilled corn options are a must-try from that menu. Wednesday nights feature the taco menu at $6 a pop, which is an awesome way to try a few different options - the pork taco & the cauliflower taco are to die for. If you're into a little heat on your palate like myself, get amongst the jalapeño infused tequila too! Decor is funky and fun, a cool soundtrack plays in the background while you enjoy the excellent food, & the staff are just as rad! Couldn't recommend this venue and it's food, vibe & people more �

The only way to experience California used to be to spend $1000 and 14 hours flying over the Pacific Ocean – until now. Thanks to Ben Blomeley, owner of The South Cali Cantina (or SoCal to the locals), it’s now a bit easier to experience a little slice of southern California in Albury. You’d be forgiven for walking past without realising. Other than some umbrella’d tables on Dean Street, the actual restaurant is hidden, as its name suggests, beneath the surface. The initial impression when one notices the black downward staircase under a single sugar skull is that you’re walking into something dark and dingy. But this isn’t the case. It’s light and spacious. The vibe is relaxed and fun. Coloured party lights overhead give the feeling of a relaxed BBQ on a balmy summer evening that continues late into the night with people sipping cold drinks, relaxing back in director chairs & talking under the stars. The rusty red, turquoise green and yellow colours of Mexico also add to the mellow feel. The walls are decorated with the Californian State Flag, wall murals and Californian actors. It’s rustic, yet fresh and comfortable. The service was flawless. Our wait-staff Ash and Emily were attentive without being invasive, friendly and fast, and were well versed in the menu. Hats off to the head chef Jeremy, as the menu was clear, with a good selection. With a dislike of incredibly spicy food, I cautiously ordered the Chilli Con Carne Sliders with the wait-staffs assurance that it wasn’t too hot – and they were right. The sliders were perfect – spicy & flavourful, without igniting the tongue. The Californian Chicken bites melted in the mouth, and the sriracha aioli added adjustable kick. Everything we ordered arrived hot, tasted delicious and was affordable with the most expensive meal at $20. The Churros with Maple Caramel Sauce was a perfect way to end the evening. Their bar is well stocked with a full range of spirits, beers (including Mexican), wine, Tequila ($8-$12) and cocktails ($17); including a Margarita that packs a punch. If you’re looking for a fancy wine bar, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re after good honest tasty food, with great service in a relaxed atmosphere then look no further. They do have a lift for those that don’t want to negotiate the steep stairs (just let them know when you book). The only downside is that you can’t book online, and they don’t state that they use organic or non-gm food, but that's just nit-picking. We had a great night. If you’re in Albury, you should definitely make some time to dine at The South Cali Cantina.

So we went back for dinner to give this one another go. To my delight the food was still great, the cocktails were excellent and the service was also much improved. I’ve changed my opinion and I will definitely go back for dinner again! Four stars. ** Nov 17 ** I like the concept and the food is good, but be prepared for a tex mex vibe. But honestly, the service sucked. None of the wait staff were over 20 years old and they were very preoccupied with each other and not so worried about the customers

This place is bossssss!! So much soul and personality in one atmosphere. Makes you feel comfortable to sit down and breathe it all in. The food is � on a scale of one to awsome and hit all Mexican taste buds. Well seasoned. Friendly staff and very reliable, made sure your table is being attended too regularly. Best tacos in town and presented with style. I Mexican and I mexiwill recommend SoCal ����

If there are nachos on the menu I usually go for it. These were the best nachos and tacos I have ever eaten. The liquid cheese was a game changer, topped with soft beef and good portioned chips.

Really liked this place. Cool vibe, friendly staff and lovely food. Would definitely recommend and go back.

Amazing! We were here for a wedding and was blown away by the absolute top quality of the food (pulled pork sliders!!), the variety, the down-to-earth awesome staff and the kitschy decor! Will definitely be back next time we're in Albury! Thankyou for an unforgettable night!

My friends and I came to this restaurant on Wednesday night, first time in Albury. We saw that this place was busy so we thought it was going to be really good. When we arrived, we were seated by a lovely staff member, really friendly and took our drink orders straight away. After a little while our drinks arrived and food order was taken. Again the staff were really friendly. Food took quite a while to come out, we understand as it was busy but once we all got our food we were really disappointed. My nachos were really average, the cheese over cooked, the chips were hard and almost tasted stale. The meatballs were dry, weird flavours too. The calamari was was cold, and soggy, not crispy. Not very appetizing at all. Once we asked for the bill the staff could clearly see that we left a load of food but didn't even ask us how our meal was. Again I know it was busy but staff should always follow up. Such a shame, as it's a nice little restaurant with a great vibe.

Great Cali mex food, fish tacos, smashed it. Cocktails ok, Pacifico on the menu sealed it for me. More buzz than most places in the area, worth a visit if you like a different and more tasty take on Mex/Tex/Cali food

We just had a massive family dinner 15 ppl had starters prepaid water and wine on the table ready. Service qas prompt. Food was great and everyone had a really good time. Thanks to the Kitchen and Wait staff job well done. Only downer we didnt get our 2 serves of sweet potato fries.....maybe on my next visit. ��

Loved everything about it . Great flavours , service but most of all the Best Classic margaritas . �. If hubby loved it then it must be good. He's a big critic. 10 out of 10 . Thanks .

The food was amazing! The cheeseburger in mine and my husbands opinion was the best burger we have ever had!( we have a quite a few) keep up the yummy fresh flavors! Definitely got return customers:)

Such great food!! So much flavour. Perfect punch of spice. Great service. And amazing quick service too! Good work guys �

Booked a table for my 8 year old daughters birthday, it was her choice and she was really excited about going somewhere new. The kids and myself loved the decor when we arrived we were excited for the night. After having our order taken and 45 mins later no meal, I asked our waitress how much longer it would be as the kids were getting restless and was told 5 mins more. Waited, Waited 1 hour has passed and it seems everyone else is getting meals around us including the table behind that have now had entree and main. Who would have thought a few tacos would take so long. I approach the waitress again to be told I will check and again she comes to the table 5 mins. Again we wait it is nearly 1hr 15min when another waitress passes and I flag her asking the same question, my kids are upset, disappointed, starving and nearly falling asleep. They come back with a bowl of chips to tide us over and we are told another 5 mins. Then another waitress bring another tables order to our table and for a spilt second I thought we were going to eat, but alas another error. When the food eventually arrives more like 10 mins later again the kids are to tired to eat, we all rush it down and leave totally disappointed and for my daughter a massive birthday fail, she didnt even get to have desert she wanted. On leaving they were very apologetic and comped the drinks explaining they were a chef down but really they were only tacos and seriously we were the only table with kids in the whole restaurant and since they had a kids menu I assume that they are welcome here, Something is def wrong with the process, takes away from the fact the food was good

This place was awesome. Not something we thought we'd find in little Albury. Wed taco night was fun & yum!

Amazing food, great price, and the best service and friendliest staff in town. I kid you not. 👍🏼👍🏼

Wow what can i say...someone told us to head here for great food pitty they left out the fact you would have to wait an 1hr for a bowl of chips & 2 soft tortillas each & there was only 2 of us at the table. After waiting an hr with a now crying, tired, irritable baby my partner goes down stairs to ask where & when will our food be ready to his surprise they ask him would he like to be seated to which he said no i want to know where our food is (the ppl beside us came after us & got their entrée, main & left before we got anything) so now where told it will be 5mins so we wait another 10mins, at which time the waitress bring our food out & spills the sauce from my partners food over my clothes & down my leg at which point we got no apologies for the late food or spilling the food over me instead i got told how to eat the food. Lets just say i did not enjoy my food at all now & just wanted to go home. There maybe many restaurants in Albury but you really need to be a cut above the rest for ppl to come back & we won't be back. Unfortunately it only takes one bad experiences for someone to tell one person for them to tell five others.

Food is delicious and reasonably priced -good serving sizes. The wine however is ridiculously priced - example, the Wyndham estate Shiraz is $10.95 a bottle at dans and south cali are charging $38 per bottle!!! I don't mind paying more but really $38!?!?

Service was good, Atmosphere was great, food was AMAZING! New favourite restaurant in Albury by far! Wednesday night taco night is a must!

What a hidden gem this place is! I wish i lived here so we could come all the time .awesome crew too .

First time I had been in tonight not only loved the atmosphere the food was nice service was spot on and enjoyed the all around experience will be back again

Wow! Totally blown away by this place. The atmosphere is so relaxing and we felt very welcomed tonight whilst dining with our three young children. Cauliflower tacos are amazing. Can't wait to come back and try some more delicious food. Thanks guys!

Good friendly staff, great burgers, nachos were just ok. Will return.

Sensational! Seriously the best food I've had in Albury for a long long time! Can't wait to come back �

Always love it at SoCal but dissapointed as that the sweet potato fries have been taken off the menu � also the pork buns? Some delicious favourites gone already

Delicious food. Good wine although over priced. Frendly helpful staff. Yummmm

Seriously... The food is amazing! Loved it! Best burrito I have ever had! Cocktails are awesome :) Cant wait to head beck in, great prices and the vibe and staff are awesome! Well done guys, massive thumbs up all round. South Cali Cantina #brilliant

Love the food here. Always fresh and yummy. The staff so friendly and Obliging. Can't wait to go back there.

Just had a great meal tonight, loved the fresh take on Mexican food , great service and nice atmosphere