WOW. What a spectacular meal & outstanding service. Salvador welcomed us in the warmest way and shared nothing but warm positive hospitality and laughs. Our waiter Alfonso was attentive, quick, and went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. Avilas has the special touch to make you feel like home, from the decor and music to the service. And don't get us started on the food. I had the steak with shrimp and rice/beans and cadillac margarita and I was in pure heaven. Everything was perfect!!! read more

Avilas El Ranchito - Steak & shrimp plate, housemade tortillas not pictured - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Service is great We were a party of 9 and our waitress was awesome Watermelon Margarita is great Very refreshing and just the right amount of alcohol The venue itself is very clean and Covid precautions are taken The food was not a hit for me The enchilada sauce was super salty The salsa is a chunky type of salsa that I'm not a fan of Beans were good lol Kids quesadilla was perfect for little guest I had a crispy chicken taco It was okay... no wow factor read more

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Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks!! Went with my family, and we were a big group. They were very accommodating and attentive. Can't wait to go back read more

Best birthday ever!!! We have been coming here for my entire childhood, but I don't live here anymore but decided to fly into town and brought my parents. Yolanda and Salvatore went above and beyond to make our dinner the most special and memorable time. She even went and made us homemade tortillas! Everyone at our table was extremely impressed. The food is always great but Mercedes was awesome going above and beyond!! read more

Salvadore was incredibly hospitable and friendly upon our visit. What an incredible experience we've had tonight. The food is very fresh and made with extreme attentiveness. I highly recommend trying this place! Thanks Salvadore! read more

We had an amazing dining experience. Hector was our server and he made my sister's birthday so much fun. He made amazing jokes, provided so much laughter and enjoyment, and was the perfect server. It had such a beautiful and inviting ambience, and the food was excellent. I had the Carne Asada and it was mouthwatering. read more

Hector catered to our party of 11 smoothly and was always keeping our drinks filled. We were celebrating a birthday party for 3 people and we were accommodated perfectly read more

My family and I took my wife for her Mother's Day celebration here the day before Mother's Day. It was a first time here and we will be back. We got seated within 15 minutes with a large party which was nice. Our waiter was Jose and he gave us awesome service which included all staff support. All the food was amazing and authentic. The ambiance is as it should be for a Mexican restaurant. Lots of colored decorations and the music was also great. This experience was top notch for my entire family. We will be back. Thanks Jose for the food recommendations. Steak and shrimp. Awesome! read more

Avilas El Ranchito - Steak and Shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This isn't the first time we've eaten at Avila's, but definitely the first time at this location. I still love their fresh tortilla chips and their salsa. It's got just the right amount of heat and it's wonderful. I ordered the carnitas platter, wife ordered chicken enchilada plate. Kids ordered burritos and fish tacos. I really like that they put the plate in the salamander to melt the cheese that results in this crusty cheese on top of the food. It just adds to the texture and taste of the dish. Staff is super attentive and your glad of water and chips and salsa is never empty. If you love around this area of Costa Mesa give it a try, be forewarned it dies get busy around the prime eating hours so expect a wait, we went for early dinner so we got in quickly. read more

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This is NOT El Torito! Absolutely fell in love with the atmosphere and spirit of this establishment. As soon as we came in, a distinguished and gregarious Salvador greeted us as if we were 1940's movie stars. The food was sumptuous and the staff attentive. Can't wait to bring family and friends. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience, we'll be back as soon as we can! read more

Avilas El Ranchito - Empty plates, happy tummies - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The service and food is always very good.I get the Camarones Mojo de Ajo and the portions are excellent and flavorful. I highly recommend all of thier locations and love the fact that they are family operated. read more

Best Mexican food in Orange County. Chicken soup is amazing along with everything else on their menu. The staff is always so welcoming and kind. Love coming to this El Ranchito! read more

We have been going here for years. The food is good , the service is solid, but about six months ago they changed the chips and the new chips have no flavor. I mentioned it to who I think was the manager and he acknowledged the change but that was a couple months ago and they haven't fixed it. No reason to buy guacamole now. It sucks because their salsa is good. I know others have complained too. There are too many other restaurants options out there , I am surprised it hasn't been addressed. read more

Food and drinks are excellent, but the service is superb! Very friendly staff that made us feel at home.

Anyone who says this place is overrated clearly doesn't know good Mexican food and is expecting cheap drinks in Orange County (doesn't exist). Their food is wonderful, service staff is wonderful, and price is moderate. Especially for how great the family takes care of their business. Just be aware of parking, it gets super congested right on the street. I'd stick to uber if you can! read more

First time here and we will definitely be back. Everything was amazing. Food was authentic, taste great. Rocky our waiter made our visit enjoyable, made us feel like family. Told us the history of the restaurant and because it was our first time he blessed us with deep fried ice cream, yummy. We even talked about going back in two days before we leave town, we asked Rocky if he'd be there. Also Salvador the manager came by to welcome us and was very friendly as well. Great restaurant, highly recommend to everyone. read more

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Jaide provided great service, she was friendly, attentive, and so knowledgeable about the menu and history of the restaurant. We'll be back because of her hospitality and the AMAZING food! read more

Wonderful environment, delicious food and excellent Customer service. We are locals and it's our first time visiting,we can't wait to come back ! Authentic( Comida buen rico ) ! I ordered a steak plate was so good and we get to end our Friday evening with a delicious dessert they have sports playing and the music is just right not to loud. seating is comfortable and they have heaters for outdoor Drinks are out at every table just about I think that's says something for the bar . We had a Great experience! read more

Avilas El Ranchito - Wonderful environment, delicious food and excellent Customer service. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Located in what seems to be an industrial area. Pretty big parking lot. Indoor and outdoor seating. Full service, sit down restaurant. There's a small bar area with a few TVs as well. Fast and friendly service. Complimentary chips and salsa, as customary with most restaurants in this category. We split a margarita pitcher, which had enough for 6 people to each have a drink. I went with the beef fajitas for my main course. So good! Comes with flour tortillas and a whole other plate with refried beans (covered in cheese), rice, and guac. I finished half and saved the rest for lunch the next day. The entree was around $20 as of August 2021 - pretty on par for a fajitas plate. read more

Avilas El Ranchito - Beef Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Second time visit didn't disappoint at all. It was just after the new year and we were looking for a place buzzing with people and music. It was to try and fight the rainy blues. This place was just that. Amazing vibe. We tried beef fajita(8.5/10). Meat is good quality. The dish was enough for the two of us. The complementary chips and salsa was good. Raul served us this time and we were very happy with his service. read more

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This place has very solid food for the price. And our server Rocky was amazing. We will definitely be back.

First the ambiance was great. The greeter and the staff all were helpful! Good was fantastic!

Best Mexican food EVER Chicken & steak low carb fajitas. Side of rice and beans Service was quick and everyone was extremely friendly even on a Saturday! Salsa was out of this world with flavor and they add green onion. All the food was extremely fresh! Must visit read more

My family and I are from Arizona and got recommended by Rocky a server at Avila El Ranchito to come and try the food. AMAZING workers! Very good service, made my family and I feel right at home. Everyone is very nice, friendly and welcoming the food is so good and very delicious! Big portions and good prices and how can I forget Salvador, the host, the very first person you see when you get to the restaurant. He is AMAZING! Very nice, sweet and helpful. I definitely recommend Avilas El Ranchito if you are in the area, stop by and check them out. My family and I will definitely be coming back! read more

Great Mexican food: chips and salsa Burrito Enchiladas Stopped by this restaurant getting auto work done, loved the service and authentic ambience! read more

I have been to several Avila before, and this is by far the best location. The closing manager, Salvador, treats all of his guest with care & our server Yolanda went above and beyond to make sure our experience was the best. I will go out of my way to come to this location vs the others. read more

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A great family owned Mexican restaurant. I've been to several of the locations and the food is always pretty good. The service is always great. And the food comes out fast and hot. Seems like they make everything in the restaurant. Definitely would recommend going there with a large group because they know how to take care of you. read more

We came here for the caldo that we kept reading about, since we were sick. Sadly, we found it disappointing. The horchata is probably one of the worst I've ever had, it was super watered down. Our server wasn't the friendliest. Looking around, I noticed most of the patrons were white. That should've been a strong indicator that good Mexican food is not served here. Just another version of El Torito. It decorated very festive though. read more

Went there for Father's Day and had a wonderful meal with my family. The food was authentic and delicious. The service was timely and given with a smile. The restaurant was full and filled with Mexican art and motifs. Everything was so authentic from the food. Drink and music. It has become our go to place for the family. read more

We live el ranchito! From the delicious food to the fantastic margaritas and amazing staff - we can't help but come AT LEAST once per week (sometimes twice). We love Salvador (he's so warm and welcoming), Liz (fantastic energy), Gino (he gives a good fist bump) and Rafa (makes a lovely margarita)!!! The best staff!!! read more

We came here for the first time. The service and food were amazing! We did not know what to order and the server named Roberto recommended the perfect meal for us! He was very friendly and helpful : ) We will definitely come back. Thank you so muchhhhh very happy read more

Omg! Cafe del Olla! Jaide made a pot for us and we could smell it brewing that cinnamon was amazing. The chicken soup with rice for late lunch was very good. Best Soup ever! Then my chicken hard shell taco was just like my mom used to make! Bravo! Bravissimo! Thank You Jaide! We will be back.... read more

The best place to come enjoy family time! The best food and the best service our server was rocky the best he was polite friendly respectful and happy to serve us if you come please ask for him!! Amazing food and ambience and the service beyond amazing! read more

Well this place was such a great find! In our party of four, we devoured their fresh guacamole in mere minutes! It was so amazingly tasty we were debating to order another one! Oh and the unlimited salsa and chips! Their tortilla chips were freshly fried, warm, thin and crispy, soooo addicting! As you can imagine, we were pretty full, but then our food came and everyone's meals smelled and looked so amazing, we were able to make some room in our happy bellies! My cousin who ordered the burrito and rarely finishes her food almost finished her meal! I ordered the Cheese Enchilada Ranchera and Taquito Combination Plate and it also came with guacamole, so I was definitely pleased with my little bonus of guac! YUM! I will definitely need to visit again soon! read more

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Thank you to the Team at Avila's in Costa Mesa for making my parents 34th anniversary a memorable one ! The service performed by Rocky, Augustin, and Salvador felt as if they were serving family. They were beyond hospitable to my parents and all the questions they had, and even going out of your way to gift them food for the road. You made them life long fans of your restaurant and are already asking me to take them back next week. Thank you again for everything ! read more

From the moment you enter and you receive the warm welcome from Salvador, you know you're in a classy place. The food in excellent, we especially enjoy the chili relleno dish. Our waiter, Rocky, is very professional, and right on the mark. read more

Celebrated my birthday here on Saturday night 7/6 with my family and friend Charlotte. I used to eat at the El Ranchito years ago on Long Beach Blvd and had been truly craving it for awhile. Costa Mesa El Ranchito did not disappoint! From Salvador who greeted us and gave me a birthday hug to our lovely server, Mercedes, everything was top notch. Homemade tortillas being made near our table were out of this world warm and yummy. Drinks were excellent. The chicken soup was just how I remembered it. Everyone loved each dish they had and Mercedes made it very enjoyable by keeping us smiling and the drinks and chips and salsa flowing. Allowing us time to visit before we got down to business with the dinner. It was wonderful and I highly recommend Avila's El Ranchito in Costa Mesa, we WILL BE BACK! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday a special one!!! read more

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What incredible service.. You can tell this restaurant is a family, because they each make you feel so at home and so welcome and celebrated! We were celebrating our friend Kayla's birthday tonight and it was an absolutely perfect experience all around! The food was spectacular - we got cups of Avilas soup and it was such a hit! You really can't go wrong with anything on this menu, and the portion sizes are awesome. Yolanda served us and was such a sweetheart and on top of it the whole night! Salvador was so kind and made us feel incredibly special as guests at their restaurant. You just don't get that kind of service and attention any more.. thank you! read more

Good service and great food I had some Shrimp fajitas so good the best menudo my wife have some posole well only weekends but the best fresh home made tortillas read more

Great home style Mexican meals, good place to take a family. The margaritas are also excellent, if you need a dinner out with friends and margaritas, this is an excellent choice read more