Puesto
Anaheim, Huntington Beach
Two new eye-popping venues for canny booze creations, tantalizing tacos
CarmelitA’s Taqueria
Dana Point
Over-the-counter tacos in made-while-you-watch blue corn tortillas
Amorcito
Costa Mesa
Michelin-noted chef Thomas Ortega’s take on fast fare featuring improbable taco salad, quesabirria tacos
Que Vida Tacos
Huntington Beach
Slick dine-in locals’ spot serving crafty margs, Sonora street dogs, and dreamy churro milkshakes
Birrieria Guadalajara
Costa Mesa
Revelatory birria appears in tacos and ramen. Don’t-miss the Titanic torta ahogada.
Casa del Sol
Tustin
Live mariachi music by top local and touring bands, festive old-school platters, good for groups
Balvina’s
Laguna Hills
Longtime Break of Dawn cook Alex Cuellar launches a menu of Puebla comfort classics—mole poblano, pozole verde, pipian rojo.
Taste Cantina
Huntington Beach
O.C. mainstay Chris Tzorin debuts an all-Mexican lineup of pork belly poppers, stacked enchiladas, and bougie tacos.
Tacos Madre
Costa Mesa
Jaunty, student-friendly joint for birria pizza, tacos with vegan and keto options
Three Roots Mexican Cocina
Santa Ana
Jazzy platings of terrific chile verde, stacked ahi tostadas, unexpected ex-Olive Garden venue
La Lucha Mexican Kitchen
Santa Ana
Neighborhood family’s luchador-themed storefront with peak tortas, tacos, weekend sopas, and guisadas
Tacos El Jefe
Stanton
Local family serves tiny plain tacos bulging with juicy meats. Generous condiment bar, super Tuesday deals.
Buenos Migos
Stanton
Rodeo 39 stop for hot chipotle chicken or birria street tacos, nachos, and ube horchata
Las Salsas Taqueria
Orange
By-the-dozen taco packs start at $18. Great salsa.
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