Mexican
Café El Cholo
840 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, CA, 90631
562-691-4618
It’s combo-plate heaven at this venerable local chain that started in Los Angeles in 1927…
Website: http://www.elcholo.com
Neighborhood: La Habra
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico
31441 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
949-709-7600
This lakefront sprawler offers top-notch Cal-Mex fare from the culinary vision of owner Clemente Heredia Jr. and the kitchen of exec chef Jose Colin…
Website: http://www.carmelitaskitchen.com
Neighborhood: Rancho Santa Margarita
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico
217 Broadway, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949-715-7829
This is the boutique version of Rancho Santa Margarita’s sprawling shop, but both offer top-notch Cal-Mex fare from the culinary vision of owner Clemente Heredia Jr., a third generation operator…
Website: http://www.carmelitaskitchen.com
Neighborhood: Laguna Beach
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Coyote Grill
31621 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949-499-4033
A great scenic stop on your weekend drive down Coast Highway, Coyote Grill is a Mexican-American diner with a million-dollar view…
Website: http://www.coyotegrill.tv
Neighborhood: Laguna Beach, Waterfront
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
El Adobe de Capistrano
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675
949-493-1163
This restaurant will always be known as Nixon’s favorite. No surprises here, just steaks, combo plates, friendly service, and a charming setting…
Website: http://www.eladobedecapistrano.com
Neighborhood: San Juan Capistrano
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
El Cholo
5465 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA, 92604
949-451-0044
A spiffy suburban outpost of this combo-plate chain that started in L.A. in 1923…
Website: http://www.elcholo.com
Neighborhood: Irvine
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
El Farolito
201 S. Bradford Ave., Placentia, CA, 92870
714-993-7880
Often packed tighter than a taquito, this is Old Town’s go-to favorite for traditional border fare, served fast and friendly…
Neighborhood: Placentia
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
El Mercado Modern Cuisine
301 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana
714-338-2446
Danny Godinez’s refined encore to his two Anepalco’s Cafes is unlike any Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana.
Website: http://mercadomodern.com
Neighborhood: Santa Ana
Category: Mexican
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen
141 S. Glassell St., Orange, CA, 92866
714-633-3038
From gorditas al pastor (masa cakes with kurobuta pork belly and pineapple-onion relish) to a Mayan tart made with chocolate truffles and served with salted dulce de leche ice cream…
Website: http://www.gabbipatrick.com
Neighborhood: Orange
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Javier’s Cantina & Grill
536 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA, 92618
949-872-2101
Sipping margaritas made with premium tequilas and fresh lime juice, and dining on steaks or seafood amid the glamorous resort-style decor…
Website: http://www.javiers-cantina.com
Neighborhood: Irvine
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Javier’s Cantina & Grill
Crystal Cove Promenade, 7832 E. Coast Highway, Newport Coast, CA, 92660
949-494-1239
Sipping margaritas made with premium tequilas and fresh lime juice, and dining on steaks or seafood amid the resort-style decor is like a little trip to Baja…
Website: http://www.javiers-cantina.com
Neighborhood: Newport Coast
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Las Brisas
361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949-497-5434
Equal parts history, view, and food, Las Brisas (The Breezes) endures as a coastal landmark locals can’t resist for showing off the best view in Laguna Beach…
Website: http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
Neighborhood: Laguna Beach, Waterfront
Category: Mexican, Restaurants, Seafood
Sol Cocina
251 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA, 92663
949-675-9800
Fresh, spunky flavors of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula lure the coastal crowd to this bayside cantina that flaunts a slick remake by restaurant designer Thomas Schoos…
Website: http://www.solcocina.com
Neighborhood: Newport Beach, Waterfront
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
South of Nick’s
110 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA, 92672
949-481-4545
From the festive boxes of Chiclets at the reception station to scores of fine-sipping tequilas at the roomy bar…
Website: http://www.southofnicks.com
Neighborhood: San Clemente
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Taco Maria
3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
714-538-8444
Every dish is a marvel of deeply considered modern Cal-Mex cuisine from chef-owner and O.C native Carlos Salgado…
Website: http://tacomaria.com/
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa, Orange County, South Coast Metro
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Taco Rosa
Tustin Marketplace, 13792 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA, 92670
714-505-6080
With agave-sweetened margaritas, daily agua frescas, a tortillera, and house-made churros, these flagships of the Taco Mesa chain take fresh Mex to the max…
Website: http://www.tacorosa.com
Neighborhood: Irvine
Category: Mexican, Restaurants
Taco Rosa
2632 San Miguel Road, Newport Coast, CA, 92660
949-720-0980
With agave-sweetened margaritas, a tortillera, and house-made churros, these flagships of the Taco Mesa chain take fresh Mex to the max…
Website: http://www.tacorosa.com
Neighborhood: Newport Coast
Category: Mexican, Restaurants