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Chiva Torta

4.2 (149 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Chiva Torta Photos

CHIVA TORTA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Chiva Torta

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Picture of cold drinks available .
Em B.

Best TACOS DORADOS in the Heart of Santa Ana. Service is great but long line just waiting for food. It was worth the wait. It's outdoor so if it's hot - it's hot! I ate in my car. I wanted Al PASTOR but they ran out so ended up with Carne Asada! Still YUMMY! My co-worker introduced me to tacos dorados in 2017 when Chiva Torta was still at North Gate on 4th Street and I've been hooked ever since. They moved to 5th St/Spurgeon St. and I also moved to another city so I was afraid to go for years because I do not like SA streets/parking. However, I found out that the parking across the street is free with limited time and it was just quick crossing the street so here I am. Don't waste time and risk your car over street parking. Just park in the structure across the street and you're good to go. Just watch your time limit/parking instruction when you enter the parking structure. Remember to ask for a little plastic bag to pack all the side condiments (onions, cilantro, pico de callo, pickled jalapenos, limes, raddish, green sauce, red sauce. HOT SAUCE - make sure you ask for them because they don't put it out. Two types - one spicy and other super spicy. Be careful of what you ask for because it'll burn your bootie. PICKLED ONIONS - drooling here. You can ask for them even if it's to-go. The girls at my previous job/office usually order 10-20 tacos darados at lunch among a few of us and got everything for to-go back to the office. We picked them up of course. Go early when they open or the line is ALWAYS long. 15-20-30 minutes wait at least! Yep! I'm coming back!

Maisune E.

the amount of times i have made the drive out just to get the tacos and go home is not even funny. when i think of santa ana, i think of this truck and i get very happy. the meat is just so tender and yummy, you'll inhale these and if you can normally eat 2-3 tacos you'll be eating 5+ just because they're good not even because you're hungry.

Jericalla
Yvette S.

It's been 10 YEARS since I last reviewed Chiva Torta! I'm still a regular and they are very much still a 5-star worthy spot. The food truck was previously located at 514 N Spurgeon Street in Santa Ana right across the Northgate. Since all of the construction for the OC Streetcar, the food truck has now moved about a block or two over to French and Fifth Street. If you ask me, this is a much better spot because the parking structure is right next to it and you get an hour grace period, which is plenty of time to order and eat. Their popular items are the torta ahogada and tacos dorados de papa con carne. They hit the spot EVERY TIME. I've never once had a visit where it didn't come out right, so their consistency is unmatched. I love eating very spicy food, so I ask for my torta to be BIEN ahogada...pretty much dip it in that bucket of chile not once, but twice. It's crazy spicy but it's delicious. You can order your torta as a "media" which means half the spiciness. The torta ahogada comes with refried beans on the bread, carnitas, and topped with pickled onions. I ask for extra beans and onions because they're so good. The tacos dorados de papa con carne are also a must try but you might feel overly full if you want to try both the torta and tacos. I usually split a torta ahogada with my husband and we each order two tacos dorados on the side for us. These are also spicy but not nearly as much as the torta. If you want to finish off strong with something sweet, their jericalla is perfect. It's a custard dessert that helps cool your mouth from the spiciness. Lunch hours and weekend mornings are very busy for this place (it's a great hangover cure) so expect a bit of a wait. Since it's a food truck, there is obviously nowhere to sit. Near the parking structure, there are a few high-cement areas where you can sit and enjoy your food. My husband and I take our folding chairs and we set up next to the truck to eat our food once it's ready. At some point, they started taking card payments, but it's back to cash only. I don't mind this bit, because there is a Chase and a School's First nearby. Chiva Torta has many regular customers, and they're still thriving years later. They really are the s*** and you won't have a better torta ahogada anywhere else in California.

Potato tacos? More like fried tortilla.
Gaby R.

We've been coming here for years and it's as close as you can get to the delicious tortas ahogadas from Mexico. They can be pretty stingy with the salsa and today we ordered some tacos and we got basically fried tortillas with cabbage, they ended up in the trash... super disappointing! Today's visit was definitely a one star visit but the other times it has been good. Increase your prices if you have to, don't lower the quality of the food you're serving...

Sarah B.

Honestly, the best tortas ahogadas in Santa Ana. I have tried multiple other places, but nothing compares. I can handle a lot of spice, but I get medium & it's perfect. Still pretty spicy but not unbearable. You can always ask for/add more spicy salsa or mild salsa to adjust it to your preference. The tacos dorados are good as well. My kids like their chorizo tacos & green salsa. It's also more affordable than some of the other food trucks with tortas ahogadas & they move quickly. It does get crowded on weekends, so be prepared to wait 30+ minutes sometimes, but well worth it.

Torta Ahogada
Efrain H.

I was passing back on my way back to Escondido and im glad I stopped. The food and service was really something most other food trucks can only strive for. I had the much recommended Torta Ahogada and would myself recommend it to anyone who will listen. Due to time constraints and COVID I had to order it to go and build it myself. The concept seem simple enough, a Carnitas Torta dipped (or bathed) in a kind of salsa. This placed helped me see the hype behind this Guadalajara speciality, with crispy carnitas, flavorful salsa, fresh veggies and pickled onions to cut down the heaviness and spice. I also had some agua de Horchata that helped me survive after putting a little too much sauce on the torta. Being my first time ordering a torta ahogada i was a little worried i would choke up the line or mess up somehow, but the staff was friendly and helpful in guiding me to one of my favorite culinary experiences of 2021. If you've been wanting to try a torta ahogada makes sure to try this place out.

a close up of a hot dog
Camila R.

I'll never get tired of this place and their tortas. I recommend getting their tacos dorados as well. I've been coming to this place for years now and never disappoints.

Media with two tacos

Best tortas. Takes me back to Guadalajara. They never disappoint always satisfies the craving.

Tacos dorados de papa con pollo!

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14 days ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Tacos dorados were amazing with hot red sauce with the cabbage onions and carnitas on top

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9 months ago

Horrible food and horrible service. The owner and the staff don't know what they are doing. Don't come here!

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

Always has the great quality n customer service. Every time I'm in town I make sure I stop by.

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Best tacos dorados in town. So flavorful and great quality ingredients. Everything is good on the menu

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

One word: FIRE! I've tried the tacos dorados con carne and the tortas ahogadas and they were both A1. This place never disappoints!

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Food is always great even though prices are going a little high. Love their tortas and crispy tacos.

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

They never answer they're phone to place a phone order like some of is want to have your food for lunch and can't wait that long!!

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Ask the Community - Chiva Torta

Alex are yall still in the same spot or a resturant now? Im the black girl that use to always come well I'm back and i need a torta lol ive been coming to you since 2008?

Where are you guys located now?

Hi, we are at 514 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana Ca 92701

Where are you guys?

514 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana Ca 92701

Where are you guys located now with the construction going on in the street?

Hi, we will be behind Northgate market instead of the front!

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Rosa Madera

Rosa Madera

4.0
(1.2k reviews)
2.5 mi
$$

I came here for lunch, Miles and Nadia recommended the Birria chimichanga because I was asking them…read moreabout a really good place that makes them, they said there's are the best, so I ordered it and ohhhhhhhhhhh man they both were right, Sooooo BOMB!!!, Nadia was telling me about the dip sauce, which is consome the juice of the pot that is used to cook the shredded Birria , and the juice is adding flavor to the beef, the last place I ordered a Chimichanga put asada in it and it's not the same at all!!, I would recommend this place to any of my friends and family, also thr place is big inside once you walk in. Levi Romo

Rosa Madera caught hubby's eye on The Internets, just like the last two restaurants that I…read morereviewed. He's 0 for 3 right now, and I'm HIGHLY skeptical about the foodie influencers that rate these restaurants so highly. It's my birthday this week, but life happens so we celebrated early with the whole family here at Rosa Madera. We could've easily chosen a better and more familiar spot, but I wasn't paying and it was worth a try (I guess). Upon entering, my oldest son said the decor is tacky. The overhead lights were on so it didn't look all romantic like on the socials. Hella roses, skulls, huge murals, drift wood, tiki lounge lamps, Clase Azul bottles on the wall, an Our Lady of Guadalupe at the hostess stand... Decor wasn't cohesive and was a mix of romantic, goth, pirate, tropical bungalow and coastal beach house. My older two mentioned that the playlist had a really good mix, and I distinctly remember walking to our table with La Chona playing. We went in on a Thursday afternoon, so the restaurant was not to capacity, probably 1/4 of a way occupied. We were seated quickly, and our server greeted us just as promptly with two servings of duritos, one plain and one with Valentina. We ordered our drinks and an app: Modelo, Jamaica Margarita, Cucumber Agua Fresca, Dr. Peppers, and waters, and Los Favoritos that had chicken tinga taquitos, birria chimichangas, and al pastor nachos. Drinks came out quickly and were presented nicely. The Jamaica margarita came rimmed with chamoy and Tajin and was garnished with rose petals and a lime slice. The Cucumber Agua Fresca was served in a traditional jarritos and was refreshing. Hubby took a few sips of his Modelo, then ordered an Horchata. I thought he ordered another beer, but he explained that Modelos are only good ice cold, so he didn't want the rest of his beer. Los Favoritos was served to our table, and the food looked great. Our favorite was the chicken tinga taquitos. The birria chimichangas were too cheesy for my liking, and my daughter mentioned that the middles were on the cold side. The chips for the nachos were good and crispy and held up to all the toppings. The al pastor, though, had a flavor that I couldn't appreciate, and soon as I said that out loud hubby and my oldest son chimed in and said the same thing. A red salsa and some crema were served with our app, with the red salsa having a nice flavor and a little kick to it. The twins both ordered the Ranchera A La Plancha, hubby had the Tacos de Papa, my daughter had the Mushroom Quesadilla Ahogadas, my oldest son chose the Ultimate Breakfast Burrito, and I decided on the Chilaquiles Rojas with steak. The twins quickly pushed aside all the food items they don't like, which basically left just the meat and the tortillas. My oldest son said the burrito was more cheese than anything and only took a few bites before pushing his plate aside. Hubby only ate half of his tacos. I think they gave me the mole instead of the salsa rojos because the sauce was undeniably sweet. The steak that came with, half of it was fatty. My daughter's mushroom quesadilla was almost pure cheese with tiny slivers of mushroom. We took a lot of the food home, but I doubt anyone is gonna eat it. My older two said 2/5 and the twins said 3/5. Parking is a shared lot amongst other businesses and the restrooms are bright and clean. There were two big parties to the left of us, with one table disputing the bill. That same table celebrated a birthday where they brought a dessert with a sparkler and a communal sombrero.

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Bar area
Bar area
Birria Chimichangas (Los Favoritos).
Birria Chimichangas (Los Favoritos).
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Casa Ramos Restaurant

Casa Ramos Restaurant

4.6
(285 reviews)
1.7 mi
$$

Honestly, I have no idea how this restaurant has nearly 5 stars…read more We arrived around 6 PM with a party of 6 adults and 3 toddlers, and we didn't receive our food until almost 8 PM. To make matters worse, one of our meals was completely forgotten. The service was extremely slow throughout the entire visit. Every time we needed something, whether it was a refill, an update, or assistance, the wait felt excessive. The restaurant may have potential because the food itself was flavorful, but it seemed like they were either understaffed or unprepared for the number of customers they had. Another disappointment was the drink selection. We were told they don't have a liquor license, so hard alcohol isn't available. Their sodas were canned, and when we asked for juice for the kids, they told us they were completely out. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is on the smaller side and felt more like a converted house than a traditional restaurant, complete with a fireplace and television in the dining area. The food had good flavor, which is the only reason I'm giving more than one star. Unfortunately, the long wait times, missing meal, lack of drink options, and poor service made the overall experience disappointing.

We recently relocated from Garden Grove to the Santa Ana/Fountain Valley area and have been on the…read morehunt for a Mexican restaurant to fill the void left by our beloved spot in Los Alamitos. Thanks to Restaurant Week, we stumbled upon this gem, and we are so grateful. The hospitality alone would earn five stars. But then came the food. The tacos? Absolutely exceptional. The steak was tender and flavorful in a way that reminded me of eating throughout Mexico, you could actually taste the meat. A light, gentle pickle of vegetables on top, minimal cheese, nothing heavy or greasy. These are not the American-style tacos drowning in a pound of melted cheese. These are the real thing. The beans were lovely, the rice was solid, and my passion fruit winearita drink was genuinely a treat. Restaurant Week gave us the perfect low-pressure reason to try somewhere new, and we walked out with a new favorite. We'll be back for lunch. We'll be back for dinner. And yes, Taco Tuesday, we'll absolutely be back for that.

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Indoor seating
Indoor seating
Pork Belly Tacos
Pork Belly Tacos
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Sabroso! Mexican Kitchen

Sabroso! Mexican Kitchen

4.3
(4.3k reviews)
3.6 mi
$$
Happy hour specials
Catering service

First time trying Sabroso since the remodel, and it has a nice vibe to it! Huge bar area and feels…read moremore modern. They also have a patio area as well. Food is just as delicious as before! Some recommendations is the carne asada nachos! The tortillas are super good, really enjoyed the garlic shrimp plate, and of course had to make tacos out of them with their delicious tortillas! The carne asada plate was good as well! They also have happy hour and specials!

We had a party of 15. They were very accommodating with the seating. Service started out okay…read more Waiter was very informative about the food. He took our orders on his computer order system. But then he came back and said it didn't register so needed to redo some of our orders. He then told us his shift was ending and another girl would be taking over service of our tables. Then the food started coming out. Some plates we didn't even order. Some plates were extra plates of what we ordered. Tortillas came with the plates and I ordered corn tortillas, but they gave me flour. I asked for corn and returned the flour. The server said he has to charge me for it. I asked why? I didn't get what I ordered. I shouldn't have to pay extra for something I'm supposed to get, but didn't. He initially didn't understand, but finally got it. Food was good. One person's carne asada was burnt and tough, but others said what they ordered was good. Glass of wine was a bit skimpy for the price. Then the bill came. We triple checked the bill to make sure we weren't charged for anything we didn't order since there were so many plates that came out that we didn't order. Turned out a plate of chile verde was on the bill that we didn't order. Had our new server take it off the bill, but the automatic 18% gratuity didn't change. It was based off the original total because she took off the cost of the extra charge as a discount not a deleted item. The bill was finally cleared, but it should not have been so much work for us to make sure the bill was correct. In the end, consensus was the food was good, but the service was dysfunctional, between the multiple mis-orders and multiple requests for napkins, utensils, tortillas, and chips and the questions about the bill. Maybe okay for smaller groups or if you do go with a larger group, ask to do separate bills.

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Sabroso! Mexican Kitchen
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Mar y Tierra Molcajetes
We carry one of the best tequila, Fortaleza

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Navarro's Taqueria

Navarro's Taqueria

4.3
(574 reviews)
1.6 mi
$$

I came here with my coworkers for lunch and so glad that we did. I'm disappointed that I have not…read morebeen here sooner! There is a decent size parking lot for Navarro's. It is next to a gas station. It looks like a pretty popular place during the lunch hour. It's a smaller place inside, but they do have an outdoor patio. We were able to find a small table, not too far from the front counter. Ordering at the front was easy. The staff was friendly and quick. We could see the cook grilling up the meats as we placed our order. There were at least five different salsas to choose from as well as cucumbers and a chili oil at the self-serve salsa bar. I noticed a customer in front of us ordered a kids plate which included two street tacos and rice and beans. That's what I ended up ordering with Carne Asada and chorizo. There were four or five proteins to choose from for the kids plate. I loved the grilled meats with the char flavor. It was delicious! Everything was well seasoned. I wish I would've ordered a third or maybe even a fourth taco because it was that good! I will definitely come back many times and it's going to be on our lunch rotation for sure.

I ordered the BK breakfast burrito through Postmates since I was at work and really feeling a…read morebreakfast burrito. So I tried this out. I'm glad I did. The burrito was solid sized, I was definitely full after eating it. Great seasoned potato wedges inside, tasty egg, and plenty of bacon and sausage. Only thing with the bacon and sausage was that the bacon was actually bacon bits. I'm pretty sure they are pre bagged bacon bits, judging by the extreme salty taste...they overpowered the sausage inside so all I was really getting was bacon bits. There was supposed to be chipotle mayo inside as well, but I don't think mine had it. Or it was also overpowered by the bacon bits. Burrito was grilled on both sides and wrapped up nicely. By the time I got it, it was still super hot. The green and red salsas are also delicious.

Photos
Menu
Menu
Chicken Enchiladas
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Chiva Torta - mexican - Updated July 2026

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