Fidel's Norte: Great food at a Carlsbad landmark
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
Fidel's Norte Mexican restaurant epitomizes traditional Mexican dining, right down to the chili rellenos and nopales (cooked cactus, in case you were wondering). Conveniently located next to the Carlsbad Village Inn, the large restaurant was once the actual living room of the land's original developer, Albert Cohn, giving the ambiance an historic, albeit relaxed, atmosphere.
When we settled in for lunch at Fidel's one Monday afternoon, tourists and professionals filled the restaurant and dined on the patio, taking advantage of the ideal beach location. Fidel's offers an excellent lunch special with your choice of taco, burrito, enchilada or tostada, rice and beans, and choice of margarita, beer or soft drink for $8.90. Your only concern after your meal will be returning to work for the afternoon rather than settling in for a siesta.
Fidel's is owned by Fidel and Martha Montanez who opened their first restaurant in Solana Beach in 1960. Fidel's Norte in Carlsbad opened in 1976, said Richard Montanez, son of the original owners and the restaurant's general manager. The restaurant employs 100 people, and seats about 250 inside and 100 on the patio. Montanez said the most popular menu items involve anything with chicken because the restaurant only uses boneless, skinless, chicken breasts in all entrees.
Montanez said Fidel's ideal location and long-standing reputation within the community attracts both locals and tourists.
"We have a great core of Carlsbad and North County residents but Carlsbad has become such a tourist spot and being right next to the Carlsbad Inn means we have a lot of tourists who stop by," he said. "When the Inn is at capacity, everyone staying there eats at our restaurant at least once. We have the best of both worlds."
Fidel's is located at 3003 Carlsbad Boulevard. Their popular happy hour takes place Mondays from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays through Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. For information, call (760) 729-0903.
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
Fidel's Norte Mexican restaurant epitomizes traditional Mexican dining, right down to the chili rellenos and nopales (cooked cactus, in case you were wondering). Conveniently located next to the Carlsbad Village Inn, the large restaurant was once the actual living room of the land's original developer, Albert Cohn, giving the ambiance an historic, albeit relaxed, atmosphere.
When we settled in for lunch at Fidel's one Monday afternoon, tourists and professionals filled the restaurant and dined on the patio, taking advantage of the ideal beach location. Fidel's offers an excellent lunch special with your choice of taco, burrito, enchilada or tostada, rice and beans, and choice of margarita, beer or soft drink for $8.90. Your only concern after your meal will be returning to work for the afternoon rather than settling in for a siesta.
Fidel's is owned by Fidel and Martha Montanez who opened their first restaurant in Solana Beach in 1960. Fidel's Norte in Carlsbad opened in 1976, said Richard Montanez, son of the original owners and the restaurant's general manager. The restaurant employs 100 people, and seats about 250 inside and 100 on the patio. Montanez said the most popular menu items involve anything with chicken because the restaurant only uses boneless, skinless, chicken breasts in all entrees.
Montanez said Fidel's ideal location and long-standing reputation within the community attracts both locals and tourists.
"We have a great core of Carlsbad and North County residents but Carlsbad has become such a tourist spot and being right next to the Carlsbad Inn means we have a lot of tourists who stop by," he said. "When the Inn is at capacity, everyone staying there eats at our restaurant at least once. We have the best of both worlds."
Fidel's is located at 3003 Carlsbad Boulevard. Their popular happy hour takes place Mondays from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays through Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. For information, call (760) 729-0903.