Extremely well-designed space, menu and cocktails. Our excellent server, Andres, was delightful, responsive and kind. Food was delicious and fresh, the cremas and sauces are spot on especially the aioli on the fish taco and the queso blanco on the corn 👌🏼 And get this, $5 HH cocktails. Pretty sure we found our new spot 👀
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Ensenada Fish Tacos
Outstanding. Very unique menu with fantastic tacos. Not your normal Tex-Mex restaurant. Try all the tacos and special margaritas. It's not an inexpensive stop, but it is worth every penny.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Salsa Sampler
As a California native. I have yet to find a good fish taco in the last two years in Texas.
I give this place a 10 out of 10
The fish tacos were perfect, The Homeade tortillas Phenomenal , Fish was fresh and cooked to perfection ,the cabbage was fresh And pico de gallo was wonderful.
Cold Pacifico for myself and a two too Mango for my wife and daughter. Perfect mix
We were served quickly , and the food was served hot and definitely on point
I highly recommend this great establishment here in San Marcos
We will be returning regularly
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Fish Tacos 2
Local Love: We just tried the newly opened El Balcon in San Marcos. It used to be Elevate pre-Covid, but then it shut down during the pandemic. It is a cute and cozy rooftop space with indoor/outdoor seating. Elevate was definitely more of a bar, but El Balcon is the perfect combination of full service bar and great elevated Mexican cuisine - the corn tortillas are legit. Support Local and go check it out!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
I’d been dying to trying this place and finally made it out for their happy hour… soo good!!! The drinks were phenomenal and food was incredible. The flautas and carne asada taco truly tasted authentic. Excited to come and try the rest of their menu! Perfect for any occasion. Brunch lunch and dinner, the atmosphere was great
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Salsa Sampler
We don’t go out to eat that much, but we ate here twice in 5 days!- once for lunch and once for dinner, and they were both fantastic. Seriously some of the best and most elevated Mexican food (and flavors) we have had in a long time. The drinks were as pretty as they were enjoyable, and the food was SO SO GOOD! The decor and ambience (and view!) were unique and cool, and the service was very attentive yet laid back. We will absolutely be back- many MANY times!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
LONG REVIEW: As a San Diegan, I could quickly tell the California/Baja vibe the restaurant encompasses. Balcón offers authentic Californian and Baja style food. Great change to the TexMex often seen in the area. We will be back!
Overall pros and cons:
-Pros: Food was tasty, fresh, & authentic to the Mexican food in Southern CA. Drinks were overall good. Service was excellent! Vibes and ambience were great!
-Cons: Pricing was comparable to big cities, high for the area (took off a star for that). They ran out of churro donuts.
Our table tasted the following food options:
1. Salsa sampler: 3 salsas offered. Pico, red, & green. All good and fresh (green was our favorite)
2. Carne asada fries: tasty and similar to SD carne asada fries
3. Flautas: 4 came in the order and were very good. Guac with the flautas was delicious and fresh
4. California burrito: sooo good! The tortilla was delicious. Authentic to SD California burritos
5. Carne asada quesadilla: handmade corn tortilla. Very good but on the smaller side
6. Ensenada fish tacos: very flavorful with handmade tortillas. Definitely tasted like Baja style fish tacos
We had the following drinks:
1. Ma’Coco Classico: very strong margarita!
2. Spicy watermelon mint: very fresh with a little kick
3. Oaxacan passion: very good
4. Two to mango: pretty sweet
5. El dude: delish! Continued order at our table
6. Berry nice: “not berry good” according to the person who ordered it. It was extremely sweet
7. Cool as a cucumber: good and refreshing
8. Paloma: fan favorite among our table
9. Hibiscus ranch water: refreshing
10. Carajillo: delicious to end the night. Would’ve paired great with the churro donuts if they hadn’t ran out
As a Californian who visits San Marcos, balcón is a refreshing taste of home and I look forward to coming back!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Fantastic meal - not Tex Mex but more Baja. Andres was wonderful and accommodated by bizarre requests. Bring with the corn tortillas or chips is particularly good. Get the salsa sampler
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Salsa Sampler
Do not sleep on this restaurant! Amazing food service and the cocktails are so yummy! Ceviche was fresh, and the Baja Fish Tacos took me back to San Felipe Mexico! You will be surprised with the gorgeous view and breeze. Feels like you are on the patio of a gorgeous Mexico resort! Great selection and prices. Easy and simple menu with delicious fresh ingredients! I’m hooked!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Two to Mango
A tad small, yet, inviting atmosphere. Great wait staff. Certainly has the potential- ordered the house guacamole, elote & house margarita. Good flavor! Entrees: carne asada plate, enmoladas & flautas. - Rice could be better. Churro donut must try. Yumm.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
