Wow what can I say? From start to finish this was an incredible experience. Our server "Ri, it's like Bri without the B" had full command of our lunch and made it such a memorable time. I wasn't even in the mood for drinks but the way she described the blackberry margarita had me two deep before my food even arrived. We went family style and got a few of her recommendations like the short rib enchilada and the pollo Serrano, but halibut tacos stole the show. We even ended up getting churros and ice cream for dessert. She made the ambiance even better by making us laugh and smile throughout the experience, overall me and the guys are definitely returning. Be sure to ask for her if you want a proper Calo dining experience. read more

This restaurant is so pretty and has great decor and ambience. The food and drinks were delicious and well presented! Our server was attentive and kept our table clear and clean. It has a large bar and indoor and covered outdoor seating. read more

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I had a great experience at Calo Restaurant. The food was fresh, flavorful, and served in generous portions. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends. I would definitely come back and highly recommend it! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Date night with someone special good was excellent we loved the chips and salsa even came with some refried beans we shared the taquitos seriously they are to die for! We also got the ribeye steak tacos so good! But my favorite was the Tres Leche cake omg. Are server was awesome always checked on us and refilled drinks and chips definitely will be going back service was spot on!!! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Tres Leche cake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Recently came to eat at Calo Kitchen and tequila for a second time. Has an amazing experience at the bar with Keegan. He was super friendly and helped us the entire meal. Watching the bar staff I was impressed with how much Keegan was doing for everyone in the bar section versus the other bar waiter Anna who seemed to ignore most of the customers after taking their drink order. The food is outstanding and they have quite an extensive tequila collection. Definitely worth visiting if you're looking for an upscale Mexican restaurant. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here on a weeknight for dinner. Made reservations. We were seated immediately outside and they had outdoor heaters on so it wasn't cold. The service was exceptional. They were very attentive, always checked in on us and filled our water glass. Food. You get big portions. First they give you chips, salsa and bean dip. Salsa was spicy good. For appetizer - we got the potato filled taquitos. I usually like my taquitos with meat, but this was good. And you get five of them. For my entree I got the Calo' Combination ( you could choose up to three entrees, I chose two - chicken enchilada and crispy beef taco also got rice and beans. This was a lot of food I should have just got one entree. It was good. I especially liked the crispy beef taco. It was a big taco and the beef was tender and flavorful. This is a nice place. I like it. read more

Calo Kitchen + Tequila is seriously so good. It gives major Javier's vibes, but at a better price point. I almost always order the Calo Combination because I love their enchiladas and tamales. They also have such a good Caesar salad, and the chips and salsa are amazing. One of my favorite parts is the complimentary hot bean dip they bring out with the chips while you wait for your food -- it is SO delicious. Honestly, I could go there just for that alone. If you're looking for a beautiful ambiance, amazing vibe, excellent service, and delicious food, you definitely have to check out Calo Kitchen. read more

Great food, great service, wonderful staff. Everyone was kind and helpful. We enjoyed the ambiance and definitely will be coming back and brining friends. read more

My Husband and I went for dinner and we were not disappointed. Dylan, was very attentive. JP surprised us with a side guacamole. Our food came hot and delicious. I hope they continue with the great services and food. Sorry JP not TJ read more

Updating my review after a mother in law birthday dinner here with a party of eight. Elizabeth took such good care of us, warm, organized, and genuinely on it. We even left behind a wallet, keys, and a phone, and she made sure everything got back to us, total lifesaver and she kept the whole night feeling seamless. Food wise, we ordered a lot and it landed. The halibut tacos were the standout for me, the shrimp fajitas were solid, and both the Casita salad and the vegetarian avocado salad were fresh and easy to share. Extra points for offering separate vegetarian beans if you ask. The kids chicken quesadilla was a win, the steak taco hit the spot, and the guacamole was the real deal, chunky avocado, bright, and freshly made. Tres leches ended the night on the perfect note. This is a great spot when you want a fun meal that works for a mixed group, especially when the service team is this dialed in. More on social media: @ratedbymaryam read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food was delicious, especially the seafood enchiladas and the beans. The drinks were also excellent. The chips were good. The salsa was bad. I prefer jar salsa; they also only had one type. It was disappointing for a place that is as good as it was otherwise. read more

I don't say this lightly, especially in Orange County where fine dining Mexican spots are everywhere. I like this place better than Javier's and Red O. And that's saying something. Javier's has the vibe. Red O has the name. But flavor wise? Consistency wise? This spot clears. The crab, lobster, and shrimp enchiladas were elite. The short rib enchiladas were straight gas. Both plates hit. No drop off. No off night energy. For me, that's what separates a nice restaurant from a real one. It's not just ambiance and drinks. It's execution. Honestly, this is my new favorite fine dining Mexican restaurant in OC. When a spot makes you forget the "big names," that tells you everything. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Ahi tuna ceviche the best I've had and I've tried many - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Always a pleasure to dine at Calo kitchen. Had a fantastic time with a strong espresso martini, habanero salsa with gluten-free chips. Enjoyed our salad with the side of guacamole. Our server was super sweet, social, and super attentive to our request of being vegetarian. She ensured the chips provided to us is not fried in the same or that the chicken and other meats are fried. Hats off and a big thank you. read more

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10 starts if I could. Food was amazing. We had the birria tacos, seafood enchiladas which were filled with shrimp, crab, and lobster; and the carne asada. Beans and rice were also very flavorful. I was very impressed with the culinary effort in keeping the food authentic while beautifully presented. They comped us the birria tacos appetizer because we weren't seated on time. That was pretty cool. Decor was trendy. Super cute for date night. Waitress was welcoming and knowledgeable. Unfortunately didn't take any photos because we inhaled the food. read more

Had reservations for 12pm during the weekend on the winter holiday and were seated right away. Came back to try more tapas. We got shrimp taquitos, beef birria tacos, and the queso tacos. We also got the kids meal carne asada soft taco with rice and beans (not on the menu) and two drinks each for me and hubby. For 2 adults and 1 kid it was about $160 + tip. Ambiance is great - Its at South Coast Plaza! Service friendly. Comes with free chips and salsa :) read more

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I have gone to Calo Kitchen in Laguna Niguel multiple times and the food has been good. I was at South Coast Plaza and decided to stop by for a last minute dinner during the week. The service was not good and the food was horrific! It started by the greasy chips and a clump of pinto beans to replace the black bean dip they had none of?????? Do they really think we would not know the difference? Ordered dinner and had a quesadilla and my friend had tacos.........the tacos were greasy and my quesadilla came out wrong and it took 20 minutes to get it replaced. My friend was already done and we were waiting and waiting! How long does it take to make a quesadilla? Then for the final insult, the waiter says, oh my bad‍. Ok, but between the wait to receive a replacement, the weird cheese and no credit for my meal, we were done! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!! read more

So. Good. I ordered the chicken tostada, but was confused because it didn't list chicken in the ingredients list, and in the salad portion of the menu (where it was located) it stated adding chicken would be an additional $10. That was a bit confusing, but everything else was fantastic. read more

It was my first time here and the service was great. Our server was very nice and attentive, he asked about allergies. I don't eat pork, and he let me know the beans usually are cooked with pork, so he made sure I received beans with no pork I ordered the chicken fajitas, and the chicken was really good, very juicy. It came with rice, a little bit of guacamole, sour cream, tortillas (flour or corn), and refried beans. The beans were a bit salty, but other than that everything was good. In my opinion, it could use a side of pico de gallo or a sauce to add a little more flavor. For drinks, I wanted the Mezcal on Fuego but they were out of tamarindo, so I ordered a michelada instead and loved it, the mix was delicious, sour, and very flavorful. Overall, I loved it. The restaurant is beautiful, with a really nice design, and the fire pits inside were stunning and added so much to the vibe. read more

The food was excellent! Delicious enchiladas, not too overwhelming on the sauce so it brought out the seafood flavors. The guac was also the highlight for everyone at our table. The service was a bit slower, but I'll take that as a holiday season lunch rush and with the food we got, it was so worth it! read more

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The ambiance was superb. It was cozy and romantic but yet you could also bring your family or a nice romantic date. They have fire pits throughout, so you're warm and not hot or too cold. The temperature is just right the staff there was very friendly. We made a reservation which is recommended but it's worth it. The food was delicious. The appetizers were perfect. The main course was on point. The food was so delicious. I forgot to take photos of it but below you'll see the dessert and that was the cherry on top. I highly recommend this cozy experience.‍‍‍ read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Fried Ice Cream - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Excellent food, drinks and service. Nice vibe and ambience. A great place to celebrate a birthday.

Amazing food service is great and it's loud and fun but the margaritas are in a league of their own. Oh my goodness so yummy.

This restaurant is such a vibe. I especially love their huge bar. The food and service is equally great. You can come solo, with a friend or a group. Their drinks are always good. I would highly recommend coming here. read more

JP, "T," Sam and Jess are absolutely outstanding. Every time I come in, they are professional, attentive, welcoming, and genuinely make you feel taken care of. This is the kind of service that keeps customers coming back. The food is consistently excellent. The carnitas, nachos, chicken fajitas, and chicken quesadilla are all great, with plenty of food, excellent flavor, and consistently good quality. What really stands out, though, is the service. JP, T, and Jess represent this restaurant exceptionally well. They are personable, efficient, and professional without ever making the experience feel rushed. Management should know they have three people who take real pride in what they do and make a noticeable difference in the customer experience. Great food, amazing service, and a team that deserves recognition. Five stars. read more

Had a reservation but it took 30 minutes past my reservation time to get seated, so we were off to a disappointing start. The starter chips they gave weren't great and seemed like they were the ones you could get at any grocery store. I got the caló combination with the beef enchilada and chicken taco. Beef enchilada was pretty good, the chicken taco wasn't memorable. The interior here is beautiful, but overall I wasn't impressed with the service or food read more

Five star experience from start to finish! The decor in Calo is like entering an exotic space. There are a ton of plants, unique light fixtures, textured walls and tropical wallpaper. Let's take a moment to appreciate the employees! Every employee acknowledged us when walking to the table and when walking out. There is a welcoming energy from everyone and they deliver fast results with a positive attitude. I came for a business lunch as a party of 9 at noon on a Wednesday and the service was timely. The restaurant wasn't too busy. Before our drink order, we were given 3 chip baskets with salsa and beans for each basket. They even replaced the bean dip when they saw it was low. Water cups never went dry as they refilled them constantly. I had the La Sandia watermelon margarita to start. It was tasty and easy to drink, however, there was a ton of little watermelon pulp bits that got stuck in my straw and made drinking a little frustrating. I ended up ditching the straw. I think, for this drink, they should just stick to watermelon juice with the slice as a garnish... or get wider straws. I tried the chicken taquitos (absolutely unreal with tender shredded chicken and 3 different sauces on top), the chilean seabass (thick piece of flaky and moist seabass on a bed of rice and pico de gallo. I subbed the asparagus for beans! I couldn't get enough of this dish), the churros (they're caramel-filled and come with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream! Not too sweet and coated in sugar. You can't go wrong.) flan (again, not too sweet and came with strawberry slices and whipped cream). Every single dish came out warm and was unbelievably delicious. I swear, my entire party of 9 kept gushing about how good their dish was. Not one complaint concerning the quality, ever. I wish I tried their shrimp since everyone kept going on about that in particular! Portions were large and I was able to take home half of my seabass entree. I will absolutely be back if I ever am in the area- I wish they had a happy hour here! read more

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Great service! Lots of love to Anna and Sasha. Best place to start and end an evening! read more

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Service here is so good and our servers were so attentive and kind. I tried the short rib enchiladas. Great meat, very tender and flavorful but there's just so much cheese in everything it gets difficult to eat. Beans were good and rice was yummy. The Serrano chicken was tasty and moist, but again, so. much. queso. skirt steak was very tender and i enjoyed the chips and salsa + ceviche and Mexico City quesadillas. I am very full and will be for the next 4 days.... Good food, but pretty pricey for what it is. Beautiful restaurant that is nicely decorated. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time being here and definitely made sure to make a reservation to make the process easier! I went on Mother's Day, but was able to be accommodated right away due to having a reservation. Aside from the complimentary Chips & Salsa, I ordered the Quesadilla! Stuffed with the right amount of cheese and chicken, it was tasty alongside the guacamole and sour cream. Definitely wish there were different types of hot sauce to use because I didn't realize their Habanero Sauce was an extra purchase on the side! I could've done good with just Tapatio or something. Thanks to Holly and Jonathan for being great servers! My mom is vegetarian and they made sure we had all our questions answered and attended for when ordering off the menu. There are different rice/beans made that may include non-vegetarian items so make sure to mention your allergies/dietary restrictions so they can accommodate for you! read more

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Nice, upscale Mexican restaurant. The food was good, but nothing crazy. I think it was a little pricey for what you got though. I did really like their chips & salsa! The staff were friendly. I did have a reservation, but had to wait about 15-20mins for a table to be ready. It's located in South Coast Plaza so there is a lot of mall parking. I would say this restaurant is worth trying! read more

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The black bean dip they provide with the chips while you wait for your main entrees to arrive are addicting. I had devoured it and was excited there was additional included apart of my seafood enchilada trio (crab, shrimp, lobster) with a side of Spanish rice. I have visited with a friend for a girlfriend's catchup as well as for a solo lunch and both times the service was attentive and personable. During one of the visits when they served accidentally served me with an allergen (avocado) they quickly replaced it and checked in to make sure I was okay. I appreciated other attention to patrons allergen restrictions and the fact that it was swiftly addressed. The strawberry lemonade is delightful and I have no idea how It was gone in one sip! Parking was easy to find and the restrooms were well maintained. Dining was available in the patio section along the bar area. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Service food and drinks are the best! My favorite is the blackberry margarita and the Mexico city read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Celebrated my Second birthday here! Best food and drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Celebrated my boyfriend's birthday here. It was a great experience, we made a reservation so we got seated approx 15 mins after we got there. They did let us know when we arrived they were running behind due to many prom dates there. Food was delicious. Exceeded my expectations really. The portions themselves were amazing. The overall vibe of the restaurant was cool, we got sat in the exterior the restaurant. The dim lighting was a nice experience. Will be returning. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Queso Fundido, blackberry margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We had a Juan-in-a MILLION experience with Juan as our server who made our triple celebration wonderful! The food was great but service was even better! Love this place! And thanks for accommodating our larger party with roomier seating!! Mil Gracias!! read more

Great sit down Mexican food that can accommodate a big party. Service was great and food was fresh. They make tasty margs and were accommodating to all our requests. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Calo One Item Combo chicken enchilada - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food, service and the ambience was nice. We celebrated my bonus Son''s birthday and we all had a great time, we'll definitely go back again. read more

Calo is SO delicious! Perfect example of upscale Mexican food done well. Such a beautiful restaurant and the staff is so kind. The pork & pineapple tacos are my absolute favorite, and they make some of the best margaritas! read more

Always a great time at Calo. The GM is pretty awesome, friendly and checks in on the patrons. Service is outstanding if you get Jess, Tee, Sammy, Keegan or Christian. Great tequila selection, legit fresh cocktails with fresh ingredients always. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Quick view of partial bar before the rush. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Natalie was an amazing waiter, the food was amazing. I loved the vibe here, she would be amazing as a bartender. 10/10 come again

It was a very busy and rainy night the day of our dinner. We were seated in the patio area. Our server was friendly and patient with our questions. However, the time from ordering our drinks to receiving our drinks was longer than expected. I'm assuming the bartenders were busy as they looked busy when we first entered. Chips and salsa are included with the meal, but you have to request it...and, request it we did! We probably ordered 3 rounds of chips and dip! The salsa was good and the chips matched well. It also came with a bean dip but didn't try it. My spouse liked it. We ordered: Michelada. The only beer option is Modelo. It was a tasty Michelada. Le Sandia. It was a perfect match with the chips and salsa. Mezcal en Fuego. A great second cocktail and paired well with the Camerones. Pork and pineapple tacos. The pineapple wasn't overpowering and, the pork was nicely marinated. This is a repeat per my spouse. Camarones Mojo de Ajo. If it's on the menu, I will order it. This was so good snd probably one of the better versions of this dish that I've tried! On to desserts! Our table of 7 shared the three desserts. They were gone in a flash! Churros. The flavor was good but the churros would've benefited from 30 seconds longer in the frier. The dough was a bit chewy. Flan. Not bad. Ok. It's flan. Tres Leches. This was my favorite of the desserts and could've eaten one on my own. Enjoy! Make a reservation! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Churros with whipped cream and ice cream. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California