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

Finally tried this spot in South Coast Plaza. It was very good. I had seafood enchiladas and they were amazing. Loved the sauce and filling. I got a Paloma one of my favorite drinks and it was delicious. Definitely a great spot if your shopping. Service was friendly and helpful when it came to making choices on the meny. Fun lively atmosphere but it was not overly loud at all. 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

I made dinner reservations for my birthday. We started with drinks and appetizers. We had many servers stop by and check on us. The service was great! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Kristopher with a K brought out my birthday ice cream read more

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

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

Ambience was ok but I thought the food was sub par. In my opinion it was like going to el Torito but everything was just double the price. Also if you are going to charge prices like you are a classy establishment then the wait staff should act accordingly. My daughter was eating her taco that we had cut up for her next to her grandma. The waiter comes over and knocks over the bottle of seltzer water onto my daughter's plate soaking her food. Now the amount of food and drink that got ruined by this waiter wasn't that much but the way they handled i thought i was at a mom and pop Mexican joint. I don't recall him ever apologizing and all he did was give my daughter a dry plate. I'm sure those of you who have been to restaurants that have $$$, you would expect a different response. I doubt i would come back here or recommend this place to anyone I know. read more

Service was beyond attentive, thoughtful, kind, and helpful right from the beginning! The option had many delicious sounding options. The chips and salsa were so yummy, they were wiped clean from the bowl by us. I ended up getting the pork and pineapple tacos, and the staff accommodated my request to have them in lettuce cups instead of tortillas-- delicious!! The setting was nice, as well. I would definitely go again. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Pork and Pineapple Tacos - served in lettuce instead of tortillas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Calo in Costa Mesa? Chef's kiss. The food slapped--in a good way. We're still thinking about that short rib enchilada and the carnitas tacos. And they don't just hit you with basic chips and salsa... no, no. They roll out a smoky bean dip that tasted like it was crafted by salsa wizards. Cocktails? Delicious, but let's be real--they're more "Instagram cute" than "strong and dangerous." Still, we sipped every drop like the classy people we pretend to be. Ambiance was vibey and perfect for our double date. Service? Immaculate. Our server refilled our chips, water, and love for humanity all night long. Parking, though... that's where the adventure begins. Park in the wrong lot and suddenly you're starring in your own episode of Survivor: Shopping Mall Edition. But once you make it, it's worth every step. 4.5 stars read more

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

First time at Calo Kitchen since my son was taking me for Sunday lunch. I appreciated the relaxing atmosphere and the black beans was one of the best I have had. The crispy beef taco was good as well. I did not care too much for the Spanish rice. However, I need to point out that the Server was attentive for the first ten minutes, and POOF, she was gone. She did not come back to check if we wanted more water, additional soft drinks, or anything else. I sat there for a good 20 minutes or longer for a container. We flagged a manager down and asked for one, he didn't come back. Eventually, I packed my food but wasted another 15 minutes for our check. THE EXPERIENCE OF POOR NEGLECTED SERVICES OVERSHADOWED THE GOOD FOOD AND DELICIOUS MARGARITA. read more

First time visitor Located in south coast plaza right across Boudin Plenty of free open parking Reservations on yelp available or walk in Dress up or dress down, very open to all appearances :) Definitely a pretty ascetically restaurant, various rooms and decor, geometric light fixtures, indoor fire pit, ambiance, large focal bar, and their cushion booths! No happy hour specials but quality of food really shows in plating and taste. Funny enough their chips salsa and bean dip very fresh addicting and tasty, and complimentary is always great! Jordan our server was friendly approachable checked up on us a few times and service overall was on point with water constantly refilled prior to being half empty and inquiring of everything is going well Ordered the blackberry margarita - pretty drink but don't it fool you, alcohol is certainly there! The michelada was playful with all the right components, both easily shareable! Shortrib enchilada was hearty with tender meat, I just thought it could use more sauce, but I think I enjoyed the black beans and rice accompanying it more The pork and pineapple tacos, set of 3 with red rice and beans, and though some of the cube pineapple was tough it had a nice balance of sweet and tart to go with the flavors of the pork. Good ratio of filling to tortilla. Very much would return to try other things. Definetly on the higher pricing but as stated seems very shareable and fun place to gather for work friends family solo and date night, can get loud so be prepare to semi shout :) read more

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Beware if you are coming with a large party that your expectations may not be met. We were told and confirmed we'd be given a large table that was connected so we could all sit together prior to the event. When the day comes they gave our table to another group that booked the event AFTER us and split our group into two separate tables. Wouldn't recommend for large parties. Shrimp & Crab Enchiladas- 5/5: This dish was so good. The sauce on top was delicious. I'm not a fan of beans, but this one was actually good. The size of the enchiladas was a decent amount with the fillings. Rib Eye Taco- 4/5: Could use some sauce on the side to pair with the meat and cheese. It was pretty good. La Sandia- 5/5: This drink was so good. Definitely recommend. Grilled Pineapple and Chile Margarita- 3/5: Tastes exactly like the name implies. Nothing special. read more

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

First time here and I will 100% come back!!! The ambiance was so cute - it was dark they had fire lighting!! Very nice. The service was great - our waiter checked on us so many times!! It wasn't over whelming it made me feel like VIP! The food was TO DIE FOR!!! everything was so delicious! Very well seasoned-- even down to something basic as a salad. The chefs know what they're doing!! :-) definitely coming back and bringing friends read more

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We walked in on Valentine's Day after every restaurant was packed and booked. Season 52 was reservation only, so we walked into Calo Kitchen and to our surprise the manager was extremely kind and made room and added a table in one of their private rooms for my Fiance and I and my 3 year old toddler. Food was delicious, we had the shrimp taquitos and I had the fajita salad with shrimp as an add on. My daughter had steak, which was a bit over cooked and hard for her but overall good. Service was good. Thank you again to the manager to attended us and went above and beyond on such a busy and special day. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Fajita Salad added shrimp - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Beautiful decor, great drinks and excellent wait staff. Prices were high for the food offered, but overall a good time.

The place was really nice but I would've liked to be seated on a place that I could see more. The drinks were good and strong and I liked that they would bring chips and beans. The servers where nice and attentive to what we asked and made sure you weren't allergic to anything or had dietary restrictions. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Pork and Pineapple Tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Austin our server was fantastic! 5 for service! Ambience is cool. Indoor and outdoor seating. Parking lot is decent size and alternate parking when crowded. Chips salsa and bean dip is delish. Watermelon salad with HUGE shrimp added was delish. Beef tacos served fajita style was good too. Cool spot. Food was barely a 4 for me though. Nothing extra special but good flavor. read more

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I have gone twice before shows at the Segerstrom Theatre. Reservation is recommended but we were able to squeeze in at the bar one time and had great service by the bartender. Service is always fun and professional, and we got to our plays in plenty of time. Just a short walk over the bridge. Their Cadillac Margaritas are the best in town and reasonably priced. They serve chips, salsa, and frijoles negros. The food is delicious and beautifully presented. Had the filet mignon with an enchilada and taquito. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Filet mignon, enchilada, taquito, and frijoles. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great spot to celebrate an anniversary. My honeybun made reservations. We came on a Wednesday. It was busy. I love the vibe and decor. The background music was great as well. The food.... fabuloso! I like that our waiter was very knowlegeable about vegan options, attentive and polite. Love this location. read more

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Came here for a late V-day dinner. I want to highlight that they asked about any allergies before I even ordered. I have a mild shellfish allergy, but they took it very seriously and made sure there was no cross contamination while cooking, which I let them know what more than enough as I have to actually eat the shellfish for a reaction. Also, when they brought the food out, they again mentioned that the allergy was kept in mind. The food is always good, I am lucky that they had a fish ceviche as it's one of my favorite foods. The mango pieces give it a sweetness and they are generous with the avocado pieces in there as well. I also ordered the vegetarian enchiladas to give them a taste, and they were good for sure, but I think the star of the show was the short rib enchiladas, the crispy onions on top just make it so much nicer. I always ask for outside seating as they have fires on, and it feels like a better vibe compared to spindle. I also think it is quieter outside which is more my vibe. read more

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March 2025 Food ~ Delicious! The chips, salsa & bean dip is so good. Service ~ Awesome.. our server was happy, friendly & knowledgeable. Ambiance ~ We had a booth across from the bar so that was fun to be in the bar but the comfort of a booth, it was also in an enclave so we could have good conversation and not to much noise. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Potato Taquitos.. very good :) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Some of the reviews from so-called "Elite" Yelpers are honestly hard to take seriously. This place is miles better than Javier's, no comparison. And for those who don't know, Carmelita's is actually owned by the same family. That said, the menus and vibes are completely different. I've been here three times now and tried something new each visit. The halibut tacos? Incredible. The Taquitos en Tres Salsas appetizer? Also amazing. Margaritas? Spot on. And the service? Consistent. Yes, this location happens to be in a mall, just like their other spots in Laguna Niguel and El Segundo, but don't let that fool you. The food, drinks, and experience speak for themselves. read more

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

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Food: not bad at all, and good for mall vibes, for sure. It's cute and reminds me of Javier's or Carmelita's. The table salsa, beans and chips are a nice touch that I always appreciate. I came with my family and everyone liked their meals and had 0 complaint. The food was just not... "wow" for me, especially being in SoCal, and definitely in OC. The customer service and ambiance are all great. Probably won't be back?? because South Coast has soooooo many good food places. Pro tip: Calo has its own entrance, so parking is somewhat easier than if it was deep inside the mall. Pro tip: the Serrano peppers are SERIOUSLY spicy, and I LOVE spice. Like, LOVE. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Chips & Salsa Bean - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time coming to this restaurant and it was a great experience. We didn't try any of their appetizers this time, but we hope to try them during our next visit. They provide you chips and salsa to start off with a side of refried beans, all delicious. We ordered a spicy margarita and a blueberry margarita both well-made. As for our food choices, we went with recommendations provided by our great waiter. Both the shrimp and meat were delicious! The restaurant itself is beautiful inside, lots of tables and not too loud where you can't speak to one another. Definitely look forward to coming here again and trying more of their wonderful food . read more

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Came with a group of friends last night and had a really great time. Caló is located in South Coast Plaza, but has an entrance outside of the mall so you can park right in front (drive past claim jumpers and it'll be on your right hand side). They also get very busy so make sure to get a reservation or use the wait list feature, especially if you've got a larger group. The restaurant is gorgeous, I loved the vibe and appreciated the indoor and outdoor seating options. I've been to their other location in Laguna Nigel and this one is much bigger and has a better look and feel IMO. Service is great here too, from the hosts to our wait staff, everyone is was kind and accommodating. I especially appreciated how conscious they were about allergies and making sure people were ok with everything we ordered. On the food front - everything was very good. The chips and salsa are excellent, the guacamole was delicious, and the chicken tacos I ordered were solid. The beans they served are also very good, I think the vegetarian pinto beans are a bit better than the black beans, but I enjoy them both. I also ordered a margarita and that was solid. Everything is a bit pricey, but overall worth it. This is a great restaurant for date night or a special occasion with friends, you're definitely coming for the vibes, and staying for the food and drinks. I look forward to coming back soon! read more

My wife and I went to Calo twice within a two week period. Our server was Alejandro for the first visit and Kaia on the second. They were terrific at their job. Both were kind courteous and helpful during our respective visits. They represent the business extremely well. The food was well prepared and tasteful, as were the Margaritas on each of our visits. The restaurant was clean comfortable and well appointed. Great place to grab some Mexican cuisine, and have a good time. read more

Walked in on a Friday night and had no wait time - we were pleasantly surprised. The staff was all super friendly, Marlene was our waitress and she was great! The decor in the restaurant was really nice and the place had a great vibe. We were between a few dinner items and Marlene helped us decide and she did not steer us wrong- we both loved our dishes!! I got the lobster and shrimp enchiladas- the sauce was delicious, spicy and light and did not leave me feeling heavy. My husband got the Chile verde and he said it was the best he's ever had! The presentation of our food was also well executed and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. They also had an extensive list of cocktails that we did not get to try but are excited to go back and give those a try next time too! read more

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

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Good drinks, food, ambiance and service. Conveniently located in South Coast Plaza! A nice mix of some of the pretty OC restaurant but all put together! They have a beautiful bar area and more than one seating area. Rich textures and friendly staff! I had a pineapple margarita and it has crushed pineapple inside with tajin rim. read more

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

My third time here and it was even better. The margaritas are yummy. The shredded beef hard shell taco was so good! read more

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This restaurant is located at one of the entrance to southcoast. Parking is in front and valet parking is available as well. Went here on a date so my date already made reservations ahead of time. However when we arrived, I didn't see anyone waiting so I don't think the wait would be very long even without a reservation. I really like the vibe of the restaurant. We went for dinner and was seated in a booth. Lots of room to move around. It didn't feel cramped at all even though there were several large parties around. Our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable not only about the menu but also drinks as well. I don't really drink alcoholic drinks but my date and the waiter had an extensive conversation about which drinks to pair with what dish, which I find interesting. I had the salmon and it was very filling! No complaints about the food at all. I would love to come back here for brunch to see how the restaurant is during the day! I enjoyed my experience here. read more

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

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My friend and I had an incredible experience. We only came here because the place is extremely well decorated and we wanted desert in s beautiful place. The customer service is one of the best customer service I have experienced. Everyone was so outstanding and proactive at providing excellence. It was us 2 and since we were just doing dessert they asked if it was okay to seat us at the bar. We didn't have a problem at all. The manager actually cleaned the spots for us (2 guest were leaving as we approached the host area). Immediately we were served complimentary chips/salsa/beans and water. The salsa was so fresh and delicious. Jessica was helping us at first, then Damian (I hope I got his name right) took over. We actually got nachos snd the best tres leches cake I ever had. This place is a vibe and incredible. MUST EXPERIENCE!!!! read more

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Great ambiance and fast service, solid place for a fancy date night. My fiancé and I had a reservation at 6 PM on a Friday. Interior is dark and romantic, plenty of table and bar seating. Our server got started with chips and salsa, always a plus for Mexican restaurant. For drinks we got the old fashion and calo margarita. for food we got the ahi ceviche, shrimp and crab enchilada, and camarones with spicy sauce. Service is attentive and fast, food and drinks came within 20 minutes. Calo marg was strong but liked how it wasn't too sweet. Ahi ceviche (8/10)-fresh and good portion for $23, wish it came with more chips since it only came with three plantain chips Shrimp and crab enchilada (7/10)-wasn't the best enchilada but solid, nothing bad to say Camarones (9/10)-juicy shrimp, red sauce was perfectly spicy, came with side of tortilla, rice, and beans, but pricy for $48 but the best dish we ordered. Overall a bit pricy but would come back for the shrimp! read more

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

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Yeah I loved this experience. My partner was enjoying boy's night, but since we had Christmas shopping to do, I decided to tag along for the errands and then treating myself to dinner as well. I sat at the gorgeous bar. Everything here is gorgeous. The bartenders were incredibly kind and helped me make a meal for myself because I wasn't necessarily too hungry but did want a bite! The food is delicious, and I enjoyed my time there so much that I took my parents as well a few weeks later! My mother loved it as well, taking home food for the road! I'd come back for a nice chill night anytime, and they always tried their best to clean things up quickly to have us. By the way, my mum killed for the salsa (her favorite snack) and they were served with free chips and beans! read more

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Isa was an amazing server....she made sure that everything was perfect. The food...the drinks...the ambience was great. We had a big party and it was great. read more

Service was excellent. Food was good and came out in an average time. I would come here again.

Excellent service like always Delicious food Great ambiance Marlene was really helpful and efficient read more

OK, I admit...I was driving around trying to find something from dinner...being from out of town and not knowing the area. Drove past hundreds of Mexican places and for some reason ended up at a mall eating here?? Now to be fair I stopped short of having dinner. I started with some chips, a drink..a tasty Margaritas of course and I ordered the mushroom quesadilla as an app, maybe for dinner but thought I would try it...with some guacamole ! I will say, hands down this was the worst quesadilla that I have ever had! Actually it was not a quesadilla it was an order of a poorly made Empanadas which is not really a Mexican thing and is fine but it's a big difference! Looking over the menu all that I saw were overpriced dishes that after that, I had very little faith in! My take, this is a poor version of Mexican food at an over-priced chain Restaurant in a mall environment...I guess I get what I get but the frustrating part is I drove by 100 places that would have cringed at what I was served! Have some pride in your product...there was nothing to be proud of with this dish! Would not stop here again! Side Note: I always find it interesting that when the staff knows the food is bad they NEVER ask you how the meal was! They know, they just don't want to hear the feed-back! KT read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Like Mexican Pierogies? - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here for the first time at the end of June to celebrate a birthday, at the recommendation of family who had been here a few times and raved about it. They were right! From the moment we checked in and left, the staff was great. Everyone was friendly and professional. Per my request when I made the reservation, they placed us at a quieter table (not in the main dining room with the wraparound bar but in one of the cozier, more intimate side rooms). This was awesome because we don't like having to shout to be heard. Decor is fun and resort-like, reminiscent of another upscale Mexican place in OC. Since we were in one of the side rooms however the lighting was a little dimmer than the main room so you may need to use your phone light to read the menu. Our server was Holland and she took great care of us! She checked in on us the appropriate amount and answered all our questions patiently. She brought out two portions of chips and salsa since we had a larger group of six, and she brought out another round when she noticed our first round was going quickly. I got a grilled pineapple and chile margarita and wow it was delicious! Not too sweet and just the right amount of heat. Will order again. For food, I got the carnitas which was cooked perfectly and very filling. I also had some of my brother-in-law's short rib tacos and that short rib was so tender and flavorful! I also tried a bite of my mom's short rib enchilada which was also great. Honestly, everything looked and tasted amazing. Since we were celebrating a birthday, Holland brought out a little sweet treat on the house with a candle which was a nice touch. When it came time to ask for boxes (since we had quite a few leftovers), we asked for a box for the chips and salsa. Holland did us one better and actually packed us a fresh batch to take home! Top notch customer service right there. Location is South Coast Plaza near one of the entrances inside the mall; it's between Claim Jumper and Seasons 52, on the Bristol Street side. Definitely make a reservation if you can, because this place was packed on a Saturday evening, for good reason. Overall, I'm excited to come back and celebrate my birthday here soon. Thanks, Calo! read more

Ambiance: great set up in the patio and bar seats were perfect when you have to wait for your table. Food: Fantastic margaritas (one the best ones I've had), and the Tamarind Sour (must try, will order again when I visit Calo) is a great alternative to a classic margaritas Service: Service is good, bartenders work fast and not the chatty kind and left us along with our drinks and food. Really amazing black bean dip, flavorful and paired well with the thin chips, best price in town, only $2. read more

Wow! I'm so impressed with this place. We came here to have a couple of drinks while we waited for our table at Din Tai Fung. So glad we did. We sat at the bar and we were lucky to be served by Damien. What superb hospitality/ service. He was so friendly, attentive and gave great suggestions and so informative on the different Tequilas. We had such a great time. The drinks were phenomenal and were accompanied by chips, salsa and a bean dip that was very flavorful. Next time I'm visiting, we will come back and have dinner. I highly recommend this place. read more

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Very nice spot in south coast plaza with amazing food, great ambiance, and incredible service. First time at this location (usually go to the Laguna Niguel location) and will definitely be back! I'm a picky eater, but they have lots of options here. They also bring out chips and salsa with a bean dip, which is a nice touch! Their servers are amazing - always polite and constantly checking in on tables. Would highly recommend! read more