Cali’s on Mandalay

Absolutely amazing food. Best burritos I’ve ever had. Good prices.

The taste of FRESH MEX! Right here at the beach. I will be eating here every Sunday I can. I had my concerns when I saw a breakfast sign. HOWEVER this place is full of heart, you can taste the love in every bite and the service is ok. We could have been greeted sooner. Our waiter was super cute and very enjoyable. I can’t wait to be a regular here.

Great portions and friendly service also have done interesting plates i need to try.

Cali’s on Mandalay was by far our most disappointing experience of our week-​long vacation. We were in the mood for Mexican and wanted to find that fabulous little hole in the wall place that nobody really knows about. Took the advice of these Unilocal reviews, and wish we hadn’t.
We were there on a weeknight, and including us, there were a grand total of 3 tables of patrons, so there was really no excuse for the sub-​par experience we had.
First, I had asked to substitute cheese for the guacamole and rice that came with my dinner. When it came out with rice and guac, I politely explained to the man that brought it out (not even our waitress!) that it was incorrect and told him what I had asked for. He replied, «This is the way it comes.» And looked at me as if I had asked him to go out and milk the cow to make the cheese himself. Uhm, OK. Even so, I STILL want cheese, even if I have to pay for it separately.
Secondly, the burrito my boyfriend ordered was dry as a bone. He took one bite and could barely choke it down. He asked our waitress for some enchilada sauce, and 10 minutes later, it still hadn’t arrived. I went up to the hostess area and asked the other woman (hostess? waitress?) if we could get some, and then as I was walking away, our waitress breezed by and said, «I asked him to get some, he must have forgotten!» Yeah, OK. Whoever «he» is, «he» isn’t our waitress, so it’s not really «his» job to remember, it’s YOURS! It still took another 5 minutes to get the sauce, and 15 minutes after his meal was sat in front of him, my boyfriend was finally able to try to eat it, so obviously it was stone cold. And still not very good, even with the sauce, according to him.
Our waitress seemed pretty ditzy and apparently ours wasn’t the only table that was having issues. We heard her apologize several times to the table to our right as well. Service was ridiculously slow for only having 3 tables of patrons in the entire place, and we missed the sunset because we were waiting on our check for so long.
I also take issue with any Mexican restaurant that only gives you ONE small basket of chips and salsa for free. Come on, do what everybody else does and make it bottomless! It’s not like anybody ever really has more than 2 baskets anyway!
This was the first time I’ve EVER left less than a 10% tip in my entire life. I did write on the bill WHY the tip was so low, because I felt that the staff should know that the experience was sorely lacking. So much so that the next night, our fabulous waitress at Crabby’s received a 40% tip because the place was hopping and crazy busy, and she did everything perfectly, just highlighting how bad the service really was at Cali’s.

Tucked away norther periphery of Clearwater downtown, this eatery has won over my heart — in its food, quality, and service. I went here for an UYE to great hosts and other great compadres from Unilocal.The combination of salsa (mild to SUPER hot) kept me munching on the perfectly balanced fried crisp chips. There were other dips that were great but the various salsa was easily the superstars for my initial hello to Cali’s on Mandalay. For the main course I went with their fish (grouper) tacos — I don’t know what the magic is, could be their fresh local ingredients, but if there were kings of fish tacos, these wear the crown easily. I followed these with Enchiladas (shredded baja chicken) topped with red chili sauce served on the side with rice and beans. Another home run of a dish that swings out of the ball-​park. My interlude with Cali’s ended with sweet goblet of Churro Sundae — two scoops of coconut ice cream surrounded by Cinnamon Sugar covered churro pieces with drizzled chocolate, cinnamon & raspberry sauces on top — a perfect finish.
Stepping out of Cali’s all I could think was Wow, now THAT was a GREAT meal.

First of all the chips & salsa: four colors red, white, blue and GREEN. Of course I had ordered already. The carne asada nachos. So there you have it: a large portion of four-​colored chips fully smothered in refried beans, refried beans, onions, sour cream, a pile of not so green guacamole and a bit of cheese. The steak was juicy but had zero flavor (or salt). The colorful chips were not able to handle the massive weight & liquid of the toppings and the result was a total collapse of nacho mushiness.
No music. Check. Bright lights. Check. Service was pretty good until I was offered a box. Did you look at the disgusting mess on my plate? No thanks.
I would never have gone if it was not for these 5 star Unilocal reviews. It was totally awkward and not a bit good.

Liz wasn’t kidding. The Mexican food here is phenom. Thank you Elizabeth for setting up this UYE — and of course to the owners, mgmt., and staff of Cali’s for being generous and gracious hosts. Free beer, tacos, chips and many salsas and sauces??? Yeah, that’ll do… that’ll do just fine. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. I despise refried beans… yet at Cali’s I finished mine and started eating off my wife’s plate… sooo good. Pork tacos, chicken tacos, shrimp tacos… to die for. I also have to comment on the guacamole… I think I finished a whole bowl of it… again, so fresh tasting its hard to believe.
Some places just can’t seem to give you a no/​low salt tortilla chip… Like a tablespoon of salt per chip. This place does it right… hardly any salt and the great taste of corn comes through. way to go!
It’s hard to find good Mexican food… search no more — this place is great. The servers and staff were warm and welcoming and always made sure we had enough of everything.
Way to go Cali’s…another restaurant that knows what it’s doing.
Unilocal!!!

We ate breakfast @ Cali’s every morning during our stay in Clearwater Beach. It is by far the best breakfast in that area as we have eaten at many other places. The prices are great and the food is delicious. The salsa is homemade and it is absolutely wonderful. We will certainly go back on our next visit to Clearwater Beach. Both the servers and owners are so friendly too. You can’t go wrong eating any meal there. Best Breakfast in Clearwater Beach!

This restaurant was so bad that I felt compelled to warn others. The food was lacking at best. The service was atrocious being that we were the only table seated. The chips were cold and stale. The queso fundido was a watery mess and I couldn’t bring myself to bite into the crusty, lukewarm carne asada tacos.
After asking for my bill and refusing their poor excuse for Mexican food, the «owner» was insulted that we didn’t share the sentiments of her other patrons. I was appalled by her pompousness and complete lack of customer service. This restaurant was empty and we would have been better off at Taco Bell.
Crabby Bills down the street did not disappoint!

How good are the grouper tacos at Cali’s on Mandalay?
Well, during my visit, when manager Eric and another family member stopped by to introduce themselves and ask how I found the food, I could only say this…“These tacos are the best tasting thing that have touched my lips since Amy Wilhite kissed me in high school!” Remember that first serious crush where you were smitten and it made you weak in the knees? That’s how good these grouper tacos are. :-)
I visited Cali’s back on 11÷27÷12 during their limited opening, and while hoping (but failing) to get back during regular operations to dine again, I shamefully haven’t written this review until now. But the grouper tacos I had that day were just outstanding. Incredible authentic Baja California style flavors cooked and presented perfectly, all delivered up by a local family committed to creating a great dining experience.
But I will be getting back to Cali’s on 2÷23÷13 for a Unilocal UYE (Unofficial Unilocal Event, see below… come and join us from 11am to 4pm!) so I’ll definitely be updating my review with more flavors then.
Right now, Cali’s stands at the very top of my list of ~35 Most Authentic Mexican Restaurants in North Pinellas (see below).
Amy, I don’t know where you’ve been since the early ‘70s, but if you want to find me, Cali’s is a good bet!
Atmosphere: (no weighting as Cali’s had not officially opened yet)
Service: 5
Food: 5
Value: 5

I was on a business trip in Clearwater and really wanted some mexican food.
The restaurant was pretty empty but we went at an off time. We got some queso fundido with chorizo and it was a creamy mixture and not as greasy as some other chorizo fundido I have tried.
We ordered a mini taco sampler and chicken rolled tacos (flautas). They were very fresh and tasty and came with a nice helping of guacamole.
The waitstaff was very attentive. Drinks were refilled in a timely manner. Several different people came out to make sure the food was good and our experience was to our liking.
If I ever get chance to go back to Clearwater Beach, this will be my go to place.

Upon vacationing here in Clearwater beach we all wanted to eat Mexican and stumbled up this restaurant online and decided to check it out.
The quality and taste of the food was amazing. We were blown away by the wonderful customer service and friendly staff. The queso dip blew our socks off. We returned again this morning for breakfast which was also very good.
I highly recommend eating here.