Pros: -Wide variety of menu options ranging from breakfast to dinner. -Fresh chips and salsa to start the meal. -High-quality, thick, and buttery shrimp. Cons: -Consistency is hit-or-miss; some items lacked seasoning. -The red enchiladas felt under-prepared and used low-quality tortillas. -The quesadillas are a bit structurally weak and fall apart while eating. -Portions for the quesadilla and enchiladas felt small. Dishes: -Shrimp Quesadilla: The standout of the meal with thick, buttery shrimp, though it was a bit messy. -Shrimp Taco: A close second; light and savory with spicy mayo and crisp cabbage. -Al Pastor Taco: The meat was tender but unfortunately lacked seasoning. -Red Enchiladas: Disappointing; the chicken was unseasoned, the tortillas tasted frozen, and the portion was quite tiny. Price/Value: About $40 for the meal. The pricing is standard for the area/style, though the value varies depending on the dish since taco portions are large while others are small. Conclusion: There is definitely potential here, especially with the shrimp dishes and the nice atmosphere, but not everything is a hit. I'd return to try other items on the large menu, but I'd skip the enchiladas. read more

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This is an update to my initial review. I continued to come here a few times afterward, and I've adjusted my rating. Maybe I was just really hungry the day I left that first five-star review, but after tasting the ingredients more closely, it's really about a 3.5 or a 4. I feel like they could use a little bit higher quality ingredients to really get back to that top-tier level. read more

Found this place on maps easy to find and the food was incredible I got the chicken fajita plate full of flavor and nice presentation wish I had taken a pic. Definitely will return. Wish they would open up another near Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel area. Thank you Awesome Cooks! And the sweet girl at register tonight :) read more

Best fast food Mexican place around. Absolutely delicious. Quick and wonderful. Parking is a challenge.

Great Mex - Costa Mesa (2360 Newport Blvd) Rating: (4/5) If you're in the Costa Mesa area and craving nachos that go beyond the ordinary, Great Mex on Newport Blvd delivers a satisfying experience with a few standout features and some areas for improvement. TL;DR: Great Mex in Costa Mesa serves up solid carne asada nachos with epic layering--toppings are found under the chips, not just on top, which is a rare and welcome touch for takeout. The portion size is generous for the price, and the chips stay crisp. Only downside? The cheese blend is basic--no queso Oaxaca, cotija, or queso blanco--and the asada could use a bit more volume. Still, a satisfying 4/5 experience for nacho lovers. The Nachos: A Layered Delight Ordering the carne asada nachos to-go, I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful construction of the dish. Unlike many establishments where toppings are merely sprinkled atop a mound of chips, Great Mex takes the extra step to layer ingredients throughout. This approach ensures that every chip is coated with flavor, preventing the all-too-common scenario of flavorless chips lurking beneath the surface. The chips themselves were sturdy and held up well under the weight of the toppings, maintaining their crunch without becoming soggy. The carne asada was seasoned adequately, providing a savory and slightly smoky flavor that complemented the other ingredients. However, the portion of asada felt modest. A more generous serving would have elevated the dish, offering a more balanced ratio between meat and chips. Cheese: A Missed Opportunity One notable shortcoming was the cheese component. The nachos featured a standard melted cheese blend, which, while serviceable, lacked the depth and authenticity that could have been achieved with the inclusion of queso Oaxaca, cotija, or a rich queso blanco. These cheeses would have added a creamy texture and a more robust flavor profile, enhancing the overall experience. Portion Size and Value Great Mex offers generous portions at a reasonable price point. The serving size of the nachos was ample, making it a great option for sharing or for those with a hearty appetite. The value for money is commendable, especially considering the quality and quantity of the food provided. Final Thoughts Great Mex's carne asada nachos stand out for their thoughtful layering and generous portions. While the dish excels in construction and offers good value, it falls slightly short in the cheese department and could benefit from a more substantial serving of asada. Nonetheless, for those seeking a satisfying and well-assembled plate of nachos in Costa Mesa, Great Mex is a solid choice. Pros: Thoughtful layering of toppings ensures flavor in every bite. Generous portion size offers good value. Chips maintain crunch and integrity. Cons: Cheese lacks depth; inclusion of authentic Mexican cheeses would enhance flavor. Carne asada portion could be more generous. --- Overall Rating: 4/5 Note: This review is based on a takeout experience. Dining in may offer a different experience. read more

Great Mex - Asada Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We used them to cater (take out) for our Christmas Gathering. 12 people. The food was amazing, hot and, well assembled for transport and it stayed hot enough to serve without re-heating. Portions were large, pricing was affordable and we will definitely use Great Mex again for future parties etc. we're regulars on Taco Tuesday's but this is the first time we ordered across the menu. This is authentic delicious Mexican food whether you're popping in for a quick taco or you're feeding a crowd. Always consistent and the staff is very accommodating. read more

Christmas Eve breakfast! Pretty bomb!! Chilaquiles were spicy and so good! Will definitely be coming back read more

I want to gate keep on their awesome taco Tuesday and Friday deals. They have a variety of tacos to choose from ranging from fried to hard and soft shell tacos. They offer fish, carne, mushroom, al pastor, potatoes, chicken, etc.. The staff here is always nice and helpful. They also have daily happy hour specials that I am going to check out as well as lots of options for breakfast. read more

Perhaps other items are better on this menu .. but the shrimp ceviche was old and tasteless. I couldn't imagine why it be ok to serve a rotten avocado. I took one bite and decided to leave. Not the best vibe either read more

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Good tacos with lots of protein options. I love the al pastor and carnitas occasionally adding a chicken to mix it up. I normally order the soft tacos. Delicious salsa bar options. The roasted Chipotle always makes its' way onto my tacos. The red salsas are fantastic and pair perfectly with the fresh tortilla chips. Great Mex was one of my dad's favorite places for tacos. The original location in Balboa right by the pier. The food is the same at the Costa Mesa location and I don't have to fight the peninsula traffic. The major downside to this location is that the parking lot has tiny spaces and very few spots so parking is always a challenge. But the tacos are well worth the effort. Beer on tap and bottles available. The Balboa location has margaritas, I'm not sure about the Costa Mesa restaurant. Taco Tuesday is a big hit and the prices are very reasonable. Service is always very friendly in my experience. Cheerful register attendants take your order and give you your drinks. Find a seat and they'll bring your food to the table. Outdoor seating is available in Costa Mesa, Balboa has big windows that face the sidewalk which are open in nice weather. They offer catering services which I haven't tried but am confident would be quality considering everything else that I have had at Great Mex. Family friendly restaurants where you will see diners of ages 2 to 82. Often with several generations of families enjoying meals together. read more

Great Mex - Carnitas and al pastor tacos with chips. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This family business restaurant is the best taco place ever!! My personal favorite is the fish taco! read more

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I think they make the best chicken soup is fabulous with fresh vegetables, corn broth, nice chicken breast and avocado little cheese on it all for under $10. With chips and salsa we love it. It's a weekly treat. read more

Okay here we go!!! Swung by this place on our way out of town after visiting some of the most amazing Yelpers that I've ever met (you know who you are ;)). Anyway - super solid little taqueria! I really just wanted a breakfast burrito, cuz that's basically the only thing that anyone ever need. Tasted fantastic, but as my girl Chella pointed out, "does it come with all the meats?" And noooooo!! No they do not. Mann must choose only one protein :( Man, don't you remember when all the meat used to flow like the rivers of Babylon? Now that everything sucks, the meats only flow like the Colorado River (it's bad). I say this for you. I don't really care, cuz I'm supposed to be vegetarian, so I'm chillin' ^________^ read more

Great Mex - Breakfast Burrito. So yum!! - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hidden gem. Great people, food and ambiance. Not to big, not too expensive. Plenty of choices to tru read more

Great Mex - Couldn't even get the pic...so good. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I love the food and service here. I'm a regular on Taco Tuesdays. Crispy shredded beef tacos are my go to fav.

Best place for Friday tacos and beer. Tuesday as well but Friday is funday and beer is yummy on a Friday

The Fajita Burrito with Asada Steak was decent. It's pretty huge. It's served wet, enchilada style. The guacamole is excellent. The salsa is good but I feel it was better pre-covid. The chips are nice and homemade. read more

I ordered the Kearny Asada burrito. When she rang it up on the screen it's at beef. I asked her if it was steak or if it was more like a ground beef. She said it was steak. I got the burrito and it literally tasted like hamburger meat. I like steak burritos. I will definitely not be coming back here. read more

I could have sworn I've written a review for this location before, but guess not! I always order their California Burritos through the app for pick up. The burritos are pretty big and filling. They have perfectly seasoned carne asada, and a flavorful guac that adds to the taste. Fries are not soggy in the burrito as well. The service is quick and by the time I drive there my food has been made, waiting for me to pick it up. Parking lot outside is pretty small. It's basically a small plaza in the residential area so a lot of people just walk here and pick up their orders. Warning: Horchata is NOT good. Very grainy, watery, and no flavor at all. Do not buy it. read more

I want to give huge shout out to Great-Mex on Newport Blvd. They are always fantastic with taco Tues and Friday but Friday they did me a solid. I ordered online for pickup and accidentally ordered for the wrong store. They had me call the Long Beach store to cancel and swiftly filled my order. No additional payment. Great customer service. THANK YOU Great Mex. If you haven't tried them, give them a shot. read more

Good and inexpensive mexican cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Waves of folks coming in for a great meal. Parking lot is a but small tho. read more

Great Mex - Carne Asada Wet Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Don't walk away from this place, RUN. Quality of food is absolutely lacking. My wife couldn't even eat a few bites of chicken tacos. They were drier than the Sahara desert. They even served them colder then Antarctica. I ordered a shrimp burrito that was rotten. We ordered the kids quesadillas and they even BURNT the quesadillas. Only my oldest son was able to finish half of his carne asada burrito. THANKFULLY they did refund us for this HORRIBLE food that they served. Clearly great mex has gone to the dumps. I would recommend looking else where for quality Mexican food because this is a far cry from anything authentic. read more

Honestly I've been coming to great mex for ten plus years. They have multiple locations and this is not the usual location for me.. but I moved and will be frequenting this one a lot more now. I'm obsessed with their tacos and salsa. They have a salsa bar by the way where you load up on whatever salsa you want they have mild, hot, and a green and they also have onion and cilantro and limes there.. I love the hard shell tacos on taco Tuesday but I checked out their breakfast menu and need to stop in for that! They are usually busy on a Tuesday but they pump it out quickly. Super friendly staff and clean spot. Parking at this location can be tricky but there is street parking. Enjoy! read more

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Love Great Mex! Balboa Peninsula is a favorite of all the Junior Lifeguards! I hit the Newport Blvd store monthly due to proximity. My 92 year old dad loves the chile rellenos. Says they're the best he's ever had. My wife's favorites are the mushroom tacos and the potato tacos. I hit the fish tacos hard, good flavor. REALLY miss the Mesa Verde store. My adult family loved the patio dining area for casual sunset birthday dinners. Salsas very good. Keep trying to better Great Mex, but this place hits the spot! read more

Stopped here to enjoy breakfast burritos on the beach before my flight. Very good!! Burritos are smaller than most other but very filling and I still couldn't finish it, so it was perfect size really. They have a lots of salsa options as well , I only tried the salsa verde but it was very good! Highly recommend this place for your breakfast burrito cravings ! read more

Great Mex - Breakfast burritos!! - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I absolutely love this place. I come with my cousin frequently. Cheap beer and great food. The prices are on par with costs in Orange County. And the staff remembers you - it's the small things like that that make me a return customer. I've always been greeted and spoken to like a friend since I've gone so often. It's a wonderful part of my weekend routine. The california burrito is LEGIT and their chorizo and potato burrito is just as bomb. And.. again, cheap beer on taco tuesday. Lets goooo! read more

This has been a staple taco Tuesday location for my boyfriend and I. We order take out often, it's affordable and the quality is great. I love the green salsa and pickled carrots at the salsa bar. My favorite taco is the fried fish taco on flour. Service is quick and easy, and the restaurant is a little tight for seating - but they do have a small patio to get away from the ordering crowd. I highly recommend this place. read more

Great Mex - Crispy Taco - shredded beef & chicken. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've been loving this place for ages but something felt different today. New owners? I won't judge on one visit, but the salsa bar was gone and they give you a couple small containers with your meal. The people seemed very nice. I think the fried fish taco used to be a piece of battered white fish. its still fish, but chopped into small bits. I'll definitely go back to try some other favorites but the food seemed different. I'm miss the loud Latin Trap music too! read more

Always good, always quick! Been coming since they opened. What else can I say, I need 85 words! read more

Great Mex - So good! - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Costa Mesa on Wilson is always so efficient ! Great food great service. Horrible parking ugh.

Tonight I ordered from my favorite local., but tonight the food was the best I've ever had. Fantastic. Food was great before but now it's at next level. read more

Ordered a shrimp tostada that came with no shrimp. Ordered a shrimp burrito as well and when got home and opened it, it was fish. Went back to see if they could correct my order and received attitude. read more

Great Mex - The shrimp tostada with almost no shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've been here twice now since visiting out in CM and this place just keeps falling short. I got the potato tacos and the first time they were really bland, no flavor was put into them. The second time they were better, had salsa in them and it tasted like a good taco, however I think the cheese was bad or sat out to long cause it wasn't agreeing with my stomach later (and yes I took a lactaid pill to solve that problem).. but it didn't help. PSA: they aren't following protocol, the sign says must wear mask to come in and multiple ppl inside walked in and ordered without one. I get it they want the business but if we all have to follow the rules, don't let these other ppl be the exception. read more

Great Mex - Potato Crispy Taco - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The regular menu here is good Mexican food, but the breakfast burritos are a MUST TRY. The Chorizo and the Machaca breakfast burritos are the best Mexican style breakfast I can walk to in my neighborhood. read more

Still the best Mexican food around. This little place. The salt air. The beach crowd. The cold beer. The great food. It does not get better than this and that's why over 20 years after the first time I set foot in here this place is still packed. The shrimp burrito is still the best anywhere! read more

Not terrible, but nothing to write home about. The meat wasn't my favorite, didn't taste like it was good quality. I tried one carnitas taco, one carne asada taco, and one fish taco. The carne asada was the best of the three but still nothing special. The carnitas had a weird flavor to it that I didn't like and the fish was the worst one. The salsas were great though, the spicy salsa was my favorite. Had a great kick to it and the chips were good too. read more

Great tacos and great prices. Excellent servuce. Always very nice workers and all seem very welcoming!

Always good taco at anytime I Usually get carne asada mexican tacos on Taco Tuesday Two tortilla with meat and cilantro and onion read more

Great Mex is a nice restaurant nestled on the corner of Wilson and Newport Blvd or located at the end of a residential road in East Side Costa Mesa. It's a neighborhood favorite of mine I can walk to and recommend to family and friends. The food is delicious and I would like to note the salsa is good. From the menu, there are plenty of fresh items to choose from and I have tried a lot of different items from their menu. Ya, I go through phases but there is so much to choose from! Sometimes, we like to just sit down, order for dine-in, enjoy the atmosphere and, the employees who work there are friendly people who make a customer feel welcome. Also it is good to know dogs are welcome at the tables outside of the restaurant/service animals because sometimes we bring our 4.5 pound Chihuahua. In addition, I cannot wait until my brother visits because I want to take him there. The fact they use zucchini in some of their recipes is alluring. The next time you have a craving or are interested in Mexican food, try the wonderful Great Mex restaurants - I hear there are three locations in Orange County. Thank you read more

I've never been greeted here with anything less than a big smile. The Staff are always friendly and the food does not disappoint. Taco Tuesdays get a bit crowded but, they handle it proper - no extra long waits or crazy long lines. My kids love the crispy ground beef tacos, My wife loves their tamales, and I'm a big fan of the California burrito - sooo good. read more