Captain Keno's Restaurant

I'm rating this a 5 for so many reasons. It was a dive bar and I absolutely loved it. Dirty. Loud. Dark. Retro. The cheapest food I've seen since Vegas in the 90s. Iconic place. $1.99 shrimp cocktail. 11.99 ribs. Say what? Decent too. Nice bartender. Cashier was nice....and very very busy.
Really saddened to hear it's closing. I'm sure a drive through Starbucks will go in it's place 0r more.condos 🙄. Either way I'm just glad I got to ✅ this off my bucket list. Almost wish I hadn't since I'll now know what I'm missing when it's gone. 😭
PS kids did complain about the smell of smoke so if you're sensitive to that... beware.
PSS CASH ONLY. But they do offer ATM.

THE BEST AFFORDABLE RESTAURANT AROUND. I’ve been coming here for many years and no matter the economic issues happening in the world they have always been here for a wonderful meal that doesn’t break the bank. It could use an update but if that is at the cost of the same feel it has now I would rather them
Stay as is.

Only discovered this “dive bar” a few years ago. The food and drink prices probably haven’t changed in 50 years. I bought a chicken fried steak dinner for less than $5.00. A $20 bill can buy a round of drinks for our table of five. Unfortunately, this little Encinitas landmark will be closing down soon🥲

Had a fun time going here on vacation with my family to this classic bar for pre dinner drinks. Such an amazing retro treasure with friendly folks. Wish it would stay but glad we were able to experience it.

The best bar in Encinitas hands down. Very comfy dive bar feel to it. Alas it will be closing mid 2024. Highly recommend you check it out before it does. Very fairly priced drinks. It's cash only, so prepare ahead of time and tip generously. My go to bar anytime I'm in town!

Keep in mind for good or bad ( I love a great dive bar) it's the middle of the 70's in there and they haven't cleaned the chandeliers or updated since then! However that's part of the charm! Prices are from the 70's!! We paid 12 bucks for 2 beers and a vodka shot!! Unreal! We are dinner for 10 bucks! So fun! Thanks captain keno!
We love u

Man gonna miss this place! A homeless dude told me about it many years ago because he said rot 10 bucks you can stuff yourself and its true. Food is pretty good too. The baked potato is good! Go before June 27th 2024 as it closes then forever.

Am sorry we don't live in Encinitas or I'd be eating here every day until they close. Great food, great service, amazing prices. CASH ONLY!!!

Just heard the sad news that this gem is closing down. I cannot stress enough how amazing it is that their prices are that low in a prime area of Encinitas, it was like taking a trip back to 2010. Thank you for looking out for the common man! We're going to be worse off without you.

So tragic that this place is getting torn down to make way for condos in the next couple months.
This place is a true gem. A place that doesn’t exist for profits but instead for making people happy. The prices are UNBELIEVABLY affordable and the food is comforting and nostalgic, not to mention quite tasty. Your will not get more bang for your buck at any other bar or restaurant, period. Staff and bartenders are really friendly and the whole place is like a window into the past. I can only imagine how many beautiful memories were made here. Worth every minute and every penny you spend. You will soon be gone but not soon forgotten Keno’s!!!!

Place has amazing prices I was shocked the food came incredibly fast and the place had a cool vibe

If you like cheap drinks, this is the spot for you! I don’t know where else you can get a mixed drink for $4. Check it out before it’s gone forever.

An amazing time capsule from the 1970s with nearly 1970s prices! $4 well drinks, poured like a double. Cheap food, including $2.99 spaghetti with hot dog bun garlic bread. It's an experience like no other!

Unfortunately it is going to be bulldozed in June 2024, so visit before it's gone!!!

Also, they no longer serve breakfast. Food starts at 4pm.

Truly wonderful go back in time experience! Prices and atmosphere are yours for taking! Capt Keno is generally always in the house! A wonderful person deserving of his establishment and loyal to his friends. We love you! Thank you 😊 for hosting such an honest and delightful life time of generosity!!!

Wasn't sure what to expect from the website. We were staying nearby and thought we'd give it a try. It is a restaurant/ bar. There are 3 main areas, one where you order and can sit. Then there's a room with a large table in the centre and booths around the sides, then there's a bar area. The bar area has booths and tables. It is frequented by mainly regulars, but we were made to feel welcome. You order your food as you walk in, then find a table. The waitress finds you and brings your food to you. We had clam chowder, then I had pork chops with jacket potato and salad. My husband had ribs with fries. The food is very tasty. Far better than we were expecting. It was that good that we went back the night after for dinner. The prices are really good too. It is cash only, but there is an ATM inside. We went for breakfast the next morning, but they only started serving food at 4 pm. Wish we had longer in the area as we would have loved to have stayed and had a session with the locals.

What a gem! This place is a dive bar, which I find those are really best! Good comfort food in casual atmosphere. Happy hour is 6 a.m. to 12a.m. so basically all day. Unbelieveable prices! Like spaghetti dinner is $2.99. When I first saw that I thought that must be an old sign. Actually the sign that says Captain Kenos is missing but you can find it on Google.Really good portions on food. 3 pork chops come with the pork chop dinner. They also have ribs, not sure what day and I think I saw prime rib on the week end. Also great for kiddies they have a pac man machine and the one with the crane where you can win stuffed animals. Even if you lose the bartender will still give you a prize! Super friendly staff. They dont have a waitress but the lady who takes the food orders will bring your food to you. Yes, the place is dated, maybe 1950? But its very clean and well kept up. I really liked it here. Its soo comfortable. I dont know who Captain Keno is but theres a picture of a fireman captain on the wall. Im guessing thats him. This place is totally awesome and the prices are great for Del Mar. Restrooms were spotless. I really cant say enough great things about this place. I liked it soo much I went 2 days in a row! The only con is its a bit of a drive from San Diego and traffic doesnt help but its a lovely place to stop for dinner and drinks after you leave the beach

This is a classic Encinitas place. This place should be a landmark. Very affordable food and you get a lot of what you pay for. They have a restaurant and a bar here. Everybody's very friendly. I highly recommend this place. There is a good amount of parking but it gets filled up easily. Come on and! They usually start serving food around 5:00 p.m.

This place is in a 70's time warp as far as prices and value. A true dive bar with a cast of characters from 20 y/o's to 80y/o's. Check it out soon because it will disappear this coming June.

GO TO THIS PLACE IMMEDIATELY. It’s like someone bought a Magic Time Machine from the mob, didn’t change anything about the furniture, but added fried chicken to everything and hung Christmas lights all over and then put awesome tacky bar stuff all over half of it. The fried chicken was great.

Great and fun place. The staff is really cool. So sav they're closing at the end of June. Visit Keno's before it closes!