Find Costa Mesa's best Mexican restaurants right here. Discover the city's culinary gems, featuring Chips and Salsa, Street Tacos, Nachos, and a variety of other dishes.
“Tonight was my fourth time at Que Vida. It never disappoints. VERY good food and the margaritas are amazing. They have a menu of several different ones to choose from. The el pastor tacos are the best that I've ever had and I've tried them at many many places. Chicken enchiladas are very hearty- full of meat and very delicious Not only is the food and drinks great here, but honestly the service is top notch. I always sit at the bar. Anthony and Johnie are the BEST bartenders. They are extremely friendly and personable. They also make great recommendations as well. If you haven't tried this little gem of a restaurant, it's a must!“
“My favorite Mexican restaurant!!! I used to live in the area and eat here regularly. Living in Colorado now but every time I am in SoCal this place is a must stop. Had an early dinner and mezcal margarita before heading to the airport last week. Awesome as usual!“
“I had the cajun fries and I loved them! The shrimp was flavorful and juicy. The fries were golden with a little crisp on them. If I'm ever in Costa Mesa again, I'll be back. I thoroughly enjoyed my food.Parking: There's free parking, but there aren't many spaces.“
“First thing, 1st... I forgot to take a picture of my lunch because I I just devour my meal before the thought came to mind.I just want to say, Karla, the manager on-site provides outstanding service every time we have dine-in. I love her attention to clients and making sure we are properly taken care of. She definitely makes the experience paletable.Any issues that have arise, she is quick to resolve. Portions and pricing has improved. Karla, has definitely made great improvements to the Placentia Wahoos! Keep it up and great staff and cooks.“
“Absolutely incredible! I popped it to try one of their mushroom tacos (which was delicious!) and the super friendly girl who worked there let me try the chips & guacamole and a drink on the house. Everything was delicious! I can't wait to come again and again and again!“
“Jacob provided us great service! very nice and polite with great detailed knowledge about menu, ingredients, and recipes . Ordered short rib enchiladas and all ingredients were fresh and food was very tasty. Same feedback from other people in our group for both veggie and vegetarian foods.“
“We went in with a large group and staff put tables together for us and gave us very helpful and friendly service. Food always fresh and tasty. I got the shrimp tacos for the first time and loved them. I’ll definitely be coming back especially if I have a larger group again.“
“this is probably the best taco truck I've been to in OC! Friendly service by Rodolfo and his wife always, the salsas are amazing (esp the avocado salsa), and the prices are reasonable! A hidden gem, definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area.“
“Typing with one hand because I’m eating a breakfast burrito with the other. Outstanding chicken and burritos. Found this place yesterday and it’s definitely a new favorite. Quick no frills service.like all the other reviews say the kitchen is notably clean.Edited down to 4 stars . Got the same burrito 3 more times since my initial post and all three times I was certain I accidentally ordered a chicken-less Breakfast burrito, up until the last bite where I’d fine the tiny bite of chicken.“
“Amazing birria. Bought a taco plate to share with friends as a snack. The mild salsa is very flavorful. The lime, cilantro, and onion make a huge difference in flavor, makes it feel less greasy. Every dish is made with super flavorful and tender stewed beef. The price is reasonable for a filling meal.My favorite dish is the quesabirria; your mouth will be happy but your stomach may feel sluggish if you don't eat oily (flavorful!!) food regularly.“
“I noticed immediately about 80% of capacity at 10:45am (good sign). Lots of regulars. The home made chips and salsa (red) ♥️. I had 3 chicken enchiladas rice and beans $15. The beans are amazing w/melted cheese on top. Service is great. This is a traditional Mexican restaurant family operated. People are drinking beer. Lively music on Monday morning. Lot's of cute kids at tables. Kid friendly ??. I would like more red sauce on the enchiladas. I know these independently owned restaurants are having challenging times w/inflation. Support please!Kid-friendliness: Almost every table had kids enjoying food“
“Descanso Restaurant came highly recommended by my friends, and I'm thrilled to say it lived up to the hype! Our visit was an absolute blast from start to finish. The service was impeccable, the menu offerings were diverse and enticing, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.Here's what we indulged in:Appetizers:We started with the tantalizing combination of Chips, Salsa, and Chicharróns, setting the tone for an exciting culinary adventure.The Ceviche El Tigre was a standout, featuring Wild Caught Striped Bass, Lime, Leche de Tigre, Pomegranate, Avocado, Cucumber, Red Onion, Fresno Chile, and Blue Corn Chips.Kids Menu:For the little ones, the Quesadilla with Chicken or Steak was a hit, offering a delicious and satisfying option.Plancha Dinner Menu:We began our main course experience with either the flavorful Fideo Soup or a classic Caesar Salad.The Mexican Fried Rice stole the show, especially when paired with the creamy sauce. It was an absolute must-try!The Pork Loin Alambre was a symphony of flavors, featuring Center Cut Pork Loin with an 'Al Pastor' Marinade, Bell Peppers, Onions, Tres Quesos,Avocado Toreado Salsa, Cebollita Onions, Cilantro, and Serrano Chiles.The Ribeye Steak was cooked to perfection, served with Fingerling Potatoes, Charred Cebollita Onions, Grilled Serrano Chiles, Avocado Toreado Salsa, Morita Chile Aioli, and Cotija.To cap off the evening, we celebrated with a fiery birthday dessert of Cinnamon Sugar Chips and Vanilla Ice Cream, adding a sweet finale to our memorable dining experience.I wholeheartedly recommend Descanso Restaurant to anyone seeking a unique and delightful Mexican Teppanyaki experience. I'm already looking forward to returning for brunch and Taco Tuesday - this place is truly one of a kind!“
“Always a reliable stop for a Burrito Especial. My choice is carnitas. Being going here for 25+ years. Friendly staff. Ambiance is hole-in-wall, cheap plastic chairs and tables so no real ambiance. I get mine to go, park the car in one of the beautiful surrounding neighborhoods, enjoy the cool Newport Beach breezes and enjoy my huge burrito.“
“We liked the ambience here. From arrival to departure the service was exemplary. We would come back simply for the pleasure of our server, Josele’s company! The chips were good, the salsa was yummy. The Tamarindo and Cadillac Margaritas were outstanding. We ordered salmon tacos, carne asada tacos and chicken fajitas and all enjoyed our meals. We have been here before and will come back.“
“Love this place. Often eat here when I work in Costa Mesa. It's quaint, the crew there are super friendly, and they remember your name. I like that. The food is delicious and plentiful. I always have leftovers. Would highly recommend!!“
“It was Taco Tuesday so this restaurant had a deal for 2 tacos for $6.50. With so many different tacos, we ordered 4 orders of tacos and an order of corn quesadilla. We tried the al pastor, fish, asada, chicken (x2), carnitas, cauliflower and chorizo tacos. We ordered take out to try the food at home. Since we have never had those taco in their meat versions before, we really couldn't tell which taco was which. They were all delicious though, some more spicy than others. I didn't like the quesadilla because I am not a big fan of cheese, vegan or not, and it was stuffed with cheese. My husband and son enjoyed those though. I am impressed with all the different vegan meats used by this restaurant.“
“I recently visited Cancun Juice in Costa Mesa and let me tell you, their tortas are out of this world! Move over Northgate's torta, there's a new sheriff in town. The staff at Cancun Juice is incredibly welcoming and helpful, and the cleanliness of the place is on point. It's been 8 years since I first went there, and they haven't lost their amazing customer service skills. Oh, and don't even get me started on their aguas frescas and juices. The mango flavor is my absolute favorite. Trust me, this place is a hidden gem that'll satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more. Five stars all the way!“
“I can only speak for thr torta. Its in costa mesa so dont expect it to taste authentic mexican. But i believe their target audience is for white people that want mexican food. All good tho. Salsa roja not spicy. They also sell hamburgers. I mean service is great and its not crowded. If you want mexican food 4 stars. If you want mexican americanized food 5 stars. YT: The Nava Tribe“
“I'm a picky eater and like eating food prepared by the proprietar. No one cares more about customer experience than the owner: food quality, reasonable price and serving size, flavor, freshness, texture, and cleanliness.The owner and his wife excelled in all the above expectations and one more unexpected plus.Unlike many other taco trucks, they have barely raised prices over the past couple of years. I mentioned this while waiting for my order, and she shared that they decided to keep prices down for their customers because so many are struggling financially in this failing economy.Go out of your way if you can to support this taco truck. We need more good small businesses like this who care about their customers. And best of all, you will get amazing food !“
“The only reason why I go here is because the foods pretty good and it's close to my home the service could be a little bit better The girl didn't speak English at the register so she couldn't take our order which makes no sense to get someone whos not bi Language And then another time I went there and I tried to order and the guy was on the phone for about 8 minutes which was really rude so i had to waite for his Conversation to be over with his personal friend but like I said I'll go back there food's good But service could be betterParking: The parking lot is really small and it's A bit difficult to find a parking“
“Service was nice but pretty slow... music was pretty loud can barely hear people Talk. The food was good ver flavorful! I definitely do recommend. My one thing is none of the waitresses had their hair fully up... serving food is think it would be required for them to put their hair up.“
“My first time at this restaurant and it won't be my last. The noon time buffet was very good and reasonably priced. I had birria for the first time and loved it. The restaurant is roomy, large outdoor patio and service was excellent.“
“This is a great place to eat. A small family owned restaurant, with amazing food, wonderful staff, and a great selection. The restaurant has some seating in the small dining area, but more of a take out place than a sit down restaurant. The time from order to food in hand was very fast. Everything was cooked to order, amd the food was hot and delicious.The staff were friendly, made great recommendations, and made us feel welcomed. The prices are on point for this type of restaurant, and we feel like we recieved a good value for the money we spent.If you are in the area, this is definitely a place to try out!“
“Absolutely the best Mexican food ever! 30+ years as a connoisseur. Completely authentic! A tortilleria that makes homemade tortillas & chips too! You can see the in their large boilers. The salsas are outstanding. It’s takeaway- expect a line that moves fast. Our favorite is the Chicken Dinner w rice beans tortillas and salsa. Muy Bueno!Parking: Parking available and many walk. I’ve never had a parking issue but maybe dinner or rush lunch hourWheelchair accessibility: Easy access with one level“
“This is small place in stripmall. Many of the booths had torn cushions. The menu was not very clear about which selections were combos including rice and beans. The service was very good. The salsa was excellent. Spicy good but not too hot. I had two chicken tacos with rice and beans for $11.95. Food was great. The chips they served were homemade and warm when received. I did not like or understand the menu. Spanish speakers might have better understood. I would eat there again. Really good food. My wife had the Cslifornia burrito for $9 and loved it. It was huge.“
“I stopped in for lunch. Best Mexican food I've had in a long time!! Authentic, delicious, amazing staff. I'm from the east coast, can't wait to eat here again when I visit. Stopped back for dinner (because i enjoyed it so much) before I went back east. Had 2 shredded beef Tacos. Another awesome meal. Wonderful experience. ?“
“I recently tried Pepes, and although they don't have a taco Tuesday special, I ordered some fish and shrimp tacos for the family and it was fabulous. Will definitely be going back. If you're a fish, shrimp/taco fan you got to give it a try. very hearty tacos and quality food. John.“
“This place is a home type atmosphere they surve quickly with a smile, you are definitely treated like family. The food is home cooked mexican food. This place has been around a long time for a good reason, good food, good service, and reasonably priced. They were really busy when we were there and still got waited on in a reasonable amount of time. I was told that their drinks especially the margaritas were really tasty but a little pricey. I bet by the second one the price doesn't really matter.Over all a great place.“
“As a white guy, I appreciated how nice the bartender was and the locals. I went to a competitor just down the street and vibe was horrible and the prices weren't updated (33%)) hike). Had a beer, walked and came here. Fair prices, Good portion on the 7 mares. Great house salsa and chili pastes. They even had my favorite habenero hot sauce. Would definitely go back. MUCHOS GRACIAS MUCHACHOS ET MUCHACHAS!“
“Wow, what a find this place was! Tucked away hiding in a supermarket and unassuming, dining here felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem. I decided to put their menu to the test by comparing the asada and chicken tacos, and boy, did they deliver. Each bite was packed with flavor, bringing back fond memories of my go-to taco truck in LA, minus the long drive. That alone had me sold, but I couldn’t resist going for the asada burrito next, loaded up with everything, including that perfectly melty Jack cheese.Seriously, if you’re on the fence about trying this place, just go for it. The food is downright delicious, and it’s got that authentic vibe you’d be hard-pressed to find just anywhere. And the cherry on top? A mariachi band playing in the background on a Friday night. It felt like a mini-vacation, a little escape filled with great tunes and even better food.I’m definitely coming back, and soon. This spot is the real deal for anyone craving that perfect blend of mouthwatering food and a chill, festive atmosphere. Don’t just take my word for it—try it out and let the flavors speak for themselves!“
“Food: 3.75. In the area and still had a craving for a tamale. This is a small place with a few tables and chairs outside. I ordered a pork tamale. She asked if I wanted red sauce. She said it was hot so I said no. I sat outside and my food was brought out to me. My pork tamale came with a few chips and some red salsa. That salsa was hot. Tamale was bad and good. Bad because it was so small for $3 compared to the other tamale I just ate nearby. Good because I like the flavor of the filling and masa more than the other place. The filling was small in comparison to the other place. Service was very good. Ambiance is more of a carryout place. Service: 4.5 Ambiance: 3 Value: 3.25“
“This is one of my favorite places to go for some authentic mexican in Costa Mesa. My favorite thing is their tacos al vapor (which I feel like is usually super hard to come by) with their tamarindo and end it with fresas con crema. Service is solid and their salsa bar even more so. Love this place!Vegetarian options: They have nopales, papas and tofu options on some plates.Parking: Parking lot with multiple spots shared with other local companies“
“The meat is absolutely delicious! Order some tacos de birria & sopes de carnitas. They stuff it with meat. Homemade tortillas?? Their salsas are good, not that spicy though. It is a pretty small location, it is also a store! There are so many good Mexican products. The employees are very nice & patient.“
“NOT just a bakery! Yes, they have amazing Mexican treats and cakes .... but, If you want REAL Mexican food.... Like the stuff they made back home, come here.AND! They have breakfast....and it's the best in town. Regular customer since 2011 ?ALSO the women that run this place are amazingly nice ?“
“This is a good place to bring someone who is new to the area. I feel that if you live near this restaurant, as I do, that there are other places that are better for tacos, honestly. That being said, their presentation and food is very good,“
“You step out of a strip mall in Costa Mesa and step into a little town somewhere in Mexico. You don’t even have to fly or go to the airport to lose yourself in an authentic Mexican joint full of flavors of Mexico and music and atmosphere unique to this magical country.We decided to visit this place on a Friday night after basketball practice and the place was pretty packed with a few empty tables. There is a live DJ that is blasting Mexican music very loudly and also have karaoke going on TV which the patrons get involved every 10 minutes or so from their tables.Menu is expansive. A little on the pricy side but hey you are next to Newport Beach and a mile from the water so it is to be expected. I ordered their shrimp burrito and my son ordered the #3 which is a grilled shrimp special. He devoured every bit of his plate that was accompanied by rice and beans and salad and tortilla. My burrito was the size of Newport pier. It was very full and wet. The flavour was just ok but I was a bit disappointed and had to add quite bit of salsa and habanero sauce to kick it up but managed to only eat half of it. Service is great and our waitress was very attentive to our needs.“
“Food was great. As far as the ambiance and service, Parking is unique so I recommend to order ahead through website because there is not many places to sit and wait for your food to be made for 10-20 mins. Can be very expensive if you want to add simple things like sour cream or cheese. The taste of the food makes up for the price.“
“This place has been around for a long time, and there's good reason why, when most fast food restaurants go out of business in a few years. I first ate here almost 20 years ago when I lived in the area. I left many years ago but whenever I am in the area, I still make it a point to go have their chicken burrito. It is that awesome. The burrito consists of just shredded chicken with sauce wrapped in tortilla. No rice, beans or anything else. That's what makes it so unique, and honestly, the best tasting burrito I've ever had. Highly recommended for Mexican food lovers.“
“This place is reasonably clean. Food is good. I did enjoy eating here at some point until employees kept walking by everytime while I was chewing with my mouth full asking me if everything was alright lol. I mean I guess they have good manners and are friendly, but I just wanted to enjoy my food unbothered XD. Now the restrooms, when I last went there, is locked so it is a hassel too.For a fast food chain restaurant it is decent.“
“Exceeded my expectations by far! we were greeted by the owner Betsy. She was so welcoming and pleasant to speak to.Their portions here are very generous compared to the price (pictures dont do it justice) and they also make a very good “healthier for you” margarita .I highly recommend.“
“Got the one enchlada combo along with some chips and salsa. The amount of chips we received left something to be desired but always love the mushroom enchilada with green sauce!Vegetarian options: Mushroom, veggies, and tofu are all protein options.Dietary restrictions: The green sauce doesn't have any dairy in it and neither does the brown rice. Spicy white beans are vegan.“
“Awesome place for quesabirria tacos! Dip into the consome (beef broth) also! They also have tasty tamales and delicious horchatas! The quesabirria tacos are so bomb!!! Super tasty, I love them!! They really load it up with meat!! Very moist, well seasoned meat with plenty of spices! Also cheese and toppings. The dipping sauce is so flavorful. Don't forget to have their hot sauces because they are so good and give the meals a nice flavorful spice kick. One yellow sauce has peanuts and is their signature sauce. This is a ghost kitchen concept at the Hooded Kitchen in Costa Mesa which is where you normally order and pick up however they do have some tables outside which are so cute. This is a family owned place and they are the sweetest!! If you're looking for the best quesabirria tacos, come here!“
“Honestly the first Mexican restaurant that actually tastes like Mexican food. I love tacos de birria and I try from different restaurants but this one surprised me and actually tasted good. The rice and beans fully Mexican taste. Would definitely keep going back. Also the margs.. soo good!“
“A cozy dining room with beautiful decor. The server was hospitable and professional. We ordered two steak dinners, and they were both delicious. They offer chips and salsa as an appetizer. The salsa was perfect! It had the right amount of spice and tasted as if they made it fresh that day. Definitely make time to dine at this restaurant.“
“I have eaten at this El Pollo Loco for decades, and it has always been great. Wilson, Reyna, Silvia, Tina, Juan...they have an outstanding staff that cares about the customer experience. The bone-in chicken, the burritos, the special item (birria/carnitas/...), the tostadas, the salads, the sides, and the chicken tortillas soup are all consistently fresh, hot (well, not the salads), and delicious.“
“Surprisingly good. This is a "hole in the wall" resturant where you go for great food at a low price, not the ambience. I was very surprised at the high quality food. We order the family special and choose the 2 lbs of fajita style chicken. I definitely will return to Fresca's Mexican Grill. Good salsa bar also, something that is harder to find since COVID. I stopped going to a major chain that refused to bring back their salsa bar.“
“Manager is so good that when he sees you walk through the door he knows exactly what to tell the cook to start making. Now that's a manager!!!If something is not to your liking he takes care of it.Parking: Depending on the time of day is whether it is extremely easy or a little difficult to park.“
“Holé Molé Ding Dong ?They do food right. If you want you can even go over to Holé Smokes across the way. Great welcoming staff. Can't recommend anything enough cause it all is good. Stop by. Order up. Don't forget the peppers. Enjoy. Repeat.“
“Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and customer service was amazing. Omar took my order and never once made me feel like I was a bother for coming in right before closing. I felt bad about coming in so close to closing, but had to get my fix of Miguel’s Jr. after a long day at work.Thank you Omar and Miguel’s Jr. for a great customer experience!“
“Atmosphere is casual and bright, with kind and attentive staff. Although the fountain diet I received tasted a little sour, I thought the tacos I ordered were delicious! Very reasonably priced too, especially with the fresh, complimentary tortilla chips and salsa. The hard shell was unlike any I had eaten before, and also tasted fresh. The shredded beef wasn’t too salty or greasy, and the lettuce soaked up the rest. The grilled shrimp taco was similar to what you’d get at other, non-fast food restaurants, which was good enough for me. Comes with shredded cabbage and chipotle sauce. I don’t eat cilantro, so I didn’t eat pico or much of the complimentary salsa and guacamole. Again, not too heavy or salty. Definitely a place worth returning too when I’m craving tacos!“