For better restaurant suggestions, allow location access to see nearby places first.
Mexican restaurant in Big Bear Lake, California
What should I order at Sonora Cantina?
What to order
-
🥇
Fajitas (Shrimp, Chicken, and Steak)
Frequently praised for large portions, excellent flavor, and especially the shrimp, with caramelized onions and peppers highlighted as divine. Multiple reviewers noted the fajitas as outstanding and great for sharing.
-
🥈
Chips and Salsa
Mentioned multiple times as amazing and delicious, including the standard salsa roja and a super spicy red salsa. Reviewers appreciate the freshness and quality, making it a great starter.
-
🥉
Margaritas
Highly recommended for being large, strong, tasty, and well-made. Variants like mango margarita, house margarita, skinny margarita, and the Paloma were specifically noted for their quality and flavor.
-
4
Carnitas
Called the best carnitas ever by a reviewer, highlighting the authenticity and excellent taste of the dish.
-
5
Tacos
Tasty and recommended, with mention of a happy hour taco sampler and specifically chicken tacos, though some found the chicken tacos a little plain.
-
6
Sombrero Tostada
Surprisingly large and well-executed taco salad type dish, praised for its pleasant surprise and good execution.
-
7
Combo Burrito with Red Sauce
Noted for extremely flavorful and tender chicken, accompanied by beans, rice, and cheese, making it a satisfying meal choice.
-
8
Michelada
Mentioned as probably the best michelada tasted, recommended alongside the food.
-
9
Appetizer Sampler
Recommended for its generous size, suitable for sharing among multiple people and a good choice to mix things up.
Details
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM to 10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM to 10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
About Sonora Cantina
Festive Mexican eatery serving breakfast, tortas & classic entrees in a colorful space.
Amenities
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Frequently asked
What is Sonora Cantina known for?
Sonora Cantina is especially known for its margaritas, which reviewers describe as large, strong, and well made, along with chips and salsa that are frequently called excellent. It also stands out for Mexican specialties like chili relleno, shrimp fajitas, and generous entree portions.
What dishes are most recommended at Sonora Cantina?
Reviewers most often highlight the chili relleno, shrimp fajitas, combo burrito with red sauce, tacos, and the sombrero tostada. Chips and salsa also come up repeatedly, and several people mention the albondiga soup as a favorite.
What is the atmosphere like at Sonora Cantina?
The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and colorful, with indoor and outdoor seating that feels welcoming and comfortable. It works well for groups, families, and solo diners, and reviewers note that it has a lively Big Bear feel with fast service even when busy.
Is Sonora Cantina good value, and what is the price range?
The price range is $20 to $30, and reviewers often say the portions are large and the price is fair for the amount of food and drink you get. Happy hour is also mentioned positively, especially for tacos and margaritas.
What should I know before visiting Sonora Cantina at peak times?
Service is often described as fast and attentive, but several reviews note that it can get very busy, especially around dinner and happy hour. Outdoor seating is available, though one reviewer mentioned road noise outside, so indoor seating may be better if you want a quieter meal.
Is parking available at Sonora Cantina?
Yes. Free parking lot, Free street parking, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Does Sonora Cantina have vegetarian options?
Yes, Sonora Cantina offers vegetarian options.
Is Sonora Cantina kid-friendly?
Yes, Sonora Cantina is good for kids.
