Great Mex Grill

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243

211

10 years ago

Five stars for Great Mex! I ate there five days ago and I'm still talking about my experience. I can't wait to go back. It's located right across from the Balboa Pavilion and Fun Zone on the Balboa peninsula. The vibe inside is beachy and laid back. There's a television in the corner playing sports. A self-serve salsa bar offers tantalizing fresh salsas. I recommend the green salsa- tangy, clean flavor with a hint of spice. Seating is pretty much inside only, or you can take out. You order at the counter, seat yourself, and the employees will bring your food out to the table. I wouldn't suggest bringing a large group here. The tables are quite small and it would be difficult to find seating most of the time. Taco Tuesdays and Fridays all day (as far as I saw)! They offer crispy tacos (lettuce, cheese, salsa), Mexican tacos (corn tortilla, cilantro, onion), and soft tacos (flour tortilla, lettuce, cheese, salsa). $1.25 for most varieties of tacos (pollo, al pastor, carnitas, beef, potato), and $2.25 for specialty (like seafood and mushroom). We ended up ordering 2 rounds of tacos. They're just tooooo good. The crispy potato taco (I had two) was AMAZING. The crispy shell was wrapped around the juicy potato filling, so I knew it was made fresh. The crunchy lettuce and the generous amount of cotija cheese were the icing on the cake (or taco). My mouth is watering just reminiscing about it. I also ordered a mushroom soft taco and added cheese. It came on 2 corn tortillas. They were stuffed so full with fillings I could barely fold it up to bring up to my face. The lettuce, guacamole, and pico brought a flavor-packed brightness to the salty, meaty flavors of the mushroom. I was not disappointed, to say the least. The service was friendly and upbeat. We didn't have to wait longer than 8 minutes for our food to come out, either. I've waited my whole life to find vegetarian tacos like these, so 8 minutes is no problem. It's not often that vegetarian tacos can offer that juicy, dripping, delectable dankness that is found in traditional meat tacos. You got me, Great Mex. Just take my money! read more

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Clara H.

Elite 13

292

195

516

13 years ago

Popular lunch stop, Great Mex Grill, satisfies with straight up fast food! Busy staffers are used to handling Balboa Pier's sporadic crowds, and regularly work hard to keep their small restaurant clean while making sure customer orders are efficiently taken and quickly filled. Skip the oily cheese shreds, and the food is A-OK! Especially worthy of note is Great Mex's claim to fame: the sauces and extras. Regardless of the filling choices you make, the affordable Mexican-style standards here will provide pretty much the same super salty palate base across the menu, but plenty of fun can be had in personalizing your meal's flavors to taste with Great Mex's bottomless salsa bar selection of mild to hot condiments. Located across from the high traffic Balboa Fun Zone's parking lot, finding a table at Great Mex may seem like a random game of chance. We've always managed to nab one, however, thanks to considerate folks who have either just finished their meals or were about to. When you're done with your lunches, do others a favor and avoid lingering, too, because it is more than likely someone hungry is already making a beeline for your seat! read more

Great Mex Grill - Enter Great Mex. - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Great Mex spread. It's all about the free condiments. - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Rosie H.

842

569

4886

11 years ago

Amazing breakfast burritos and salsa bar. My food was cooked as soon as I ordered, very fresh! My meal was ready in less than 10 minutes. It's better to get the food to go because the dining area is small. The salsa is all sorts of deliciousness! The place is small so you have to pay attention otherwise you'll miss the black awning. read more

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Heather N.

Elite 16

123

193

216

10 years ago

I always get the carne asada fries here and the portions are so worth the money! I find it interesting that the california burrito is smaller, yet more expensive than the carne fries. The sauces are delicious and so are the carrots. I recommend! Would come again. They also have taco tuesday deals. read more

Great Mex Grill - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Shong H.

523

667

592

17 years ago

Taco Tuesdays!!! Love this place. Shrimp tacos, AMAZING. Carne asada, ok. Cold pitcher of beers, check. Carnitas, ok. Came with a few chips to nibble on as well. LOVED their salsa bar, I can't find really good salsa bars sometimes and this place does it for me. They have more than 4 types of salsa, score! (kudo points for having hot salsa that actually hits the hot spot). Yes, the place is tiny and hard to maneuver during their busy time .. but you can always take your tacos to go and scruff it down outside or on the beach. read more

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Marco D.

Elite 16

218

150

611

11 years ago

Great food, great location & oh so tasty. The best California burrito and grilled shrimp taco I've ever had. Hands down it's perfect! Who doesn't like crispy french fries in there carne asada burrtito? If you're around Newport Beach or at any of their other locations around Newport you have to stop in. Everything on their menu is great. Wash it down with a mexican coke and you'll be a happy customer. read more

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Shaila S.

475

425

369

10 years ago

If you're a Mexican street food lover, this is the perfect place to go on Balboa peninsula. The food is fresh, flavorful, authentic, and simply delicious. I was really surprised how authentic the place. Hypes: - the hard shelll crispy tacos are the most unique i've had. It's freshly fried and wrapped around the meat. - Chips are legit. As are the variety of fresh salsas. - I love enchiladas...and these ones were amazing. Limited spice, perfect sauce, cheese baked right on top. - Taquitos - mm mm mm - delicioso! - Fresh guacamole Gripes: - I think they do themselves a dis-service by selling things like hamburgers and kids menus, given how authentic the food really is. It gave the impression that it'd be some fusion food and the delicious real mexican food we got. - Limited seating and can get cramped read more

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Mari H.

436

700

660

15 years ago

Requirements: - Within a quick walking distance of current location. - Sufficient stars to maaaybe be worth eating. - Margaritas. After a battering in the ocean, my friend and I were beat and needed a snack. Two tacos sounded like they would do the trick. So we stumble in here hoping to find some tacos and margaritas. We got one, didn't feel like beers. I went with the mushroom and the black bean. The mushroom was pretty out of control. The black bean was too, but only because there was no way this was going to be eaten as a taco. But man, this place is delicious beach food. Delicious tacos, nice guys and a perfect location, indeed, Great Mex! Must return with hubs! read more

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Bil M.

6 years ago

Best spot on the peninsula. Personal tough. Taco Tuesday and Friday. Crispy beef, shrimp, Al Pastor

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Nolan L.

4 years ago

Went in around 8pm on a Wednesday, a few people were already enjoying their meals, so there had to be some good food around. I ordered the al pastor & fish taco along with a California burrito; all of which were delicious! Forsure try one of their house mango margaritas! Don't forget to ask for their chipotle hot sauce and spicy carrots! They add the perfect touch to any of their dishes! read more

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Chris C.

Elite 19

193

903

3150

8 years ago

A tiny place packed with locals and tourists serving tasty, filling California-Mexican food just a couple blocks from the beach or from the Fun Zone/Balboa Island Ferry. Count me in. Get in line, order at the counter - they have everything from breakfast fare to burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and chile relleno. You'll get a basket of chips and you can help yourself at the salsa bar. It can be really crowded at lunch so you may want to split up and have one person grab a table while the other lines up and places your order. The tacos are nice and crispy without being greasy, the rice and beans have a ton of flavor, and their meats are moist. They'll call your name when your food is ready. You may have to wait a few minutes but it's really not that bad and it's totally worth it. Do note that you do have to pay for refills on sodas so keep that in mind if you go buck wild with the hot salsas. read more

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Bhavana D.

11 years ago

Soooo vegskeptic here! Little back story- I am awful at trying new places. I was raised a strict vegetarian from a religious Hindu family and it's almost innate for me to think and rethink eating at places. I just don't like trying new places because yelp reviews are awesome for nonvegetarians but sometimes are awful for vegetarians or don't relate at all. Esp for someone like me who has NEVER had meat in her life. Anyway, my boyfriend pushed me to TRY this tiny hole-in-the-wall, family-run establishment after we went on jet skis. I LOVE LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE Mexican food and when I saw the front I was so sad that that's where we'd be headed. He begged though and said,"can we please try it? It has good yelp reviews." So we did and really just WOW. I mean WOW. Just go. Especially if you're a vegetarian. Just go. read more

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Michael D.

249

166

6 years ago

This place use to be great but wow there asada is very dry my wife had to throw out her taco and my California burrito asada was really bad and dry old tasting asada. Its sad we use to love this place. We wont be coming back :( read more

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Rafael M.

5 years ago

Fantastic service and delicious food. We had a team building event nearby and they were able to have all the orders in separate bags in 3 boxes which made it easy to carry to my team. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The only thing is that there are only 2 spots in front of the place in case you want to easily park and takeout your food. read more

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Javier M.

5 years ago

The mahi-mahi tacos and shrimp burrito are the best!! Great place in the heart of New Port Beach

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Lexy M.

228

400

315

6 years ago

The shrimp burrito was pretty good, a tad spicy which I could do without but otherwise it was great. They don't skimp on the shrimp either which is appreciated! read more

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Jennifer F.

164

9 years ago

Great Mex is one of my favorite Mexican food places. Awesome food, no frills, relaxed vibe, great location by the beach. Food: I like to get the taco salad and add grilled shrimp:) they give nice large portions and the shrimp is flavorful and grilled to perfection. Get an order of chips too, they have a nice salsa bar where you can get as much as you want. Service: I've only had good experiences with their service. They are quick, efficient, and friendly. Seating: this is a prime concern if you are there during peak meal times because Great Mex is small and has very limited seating. You might have to wait for a table or perhaps take your food and have a picnic near the beach instead. Also, they have one unisex bathroom, FYI. I love Great Mex and it is definitely a place everyone should check out! read more

Great Mex Grill - Taco salad with grilled shrimp :) - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Indoors - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Devorah R.

381

2196

7 years ago

We came on a Friday and was surprised that they also have Taco Friday! Amazing food and staff. Got our feast on and it was less than $20.00! Sooo good! read more

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Melinda E.

7 years ago

Stopped by for a nice quick Mexican. Style breakfast and was very pleased salsas are great food very flavorful not disappointed at all. Definitely will be returning read more

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Elizabeth C.

Elite 20

112

130

6 years ago

It was great today at the beach and I was hungry. I remembered tacos here are good. I called in my phone order. There was a long line outside and line inside. I worked my way to the front of the line. I told them my name my food was ready . I paid and left. Nice people. Takeout only. read more

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Alyssa E.

3 years ago

Cold burrito, hard tortilla. Nice lady who works there but honestly just save your money, it definitely was not worth a $10 burrito

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Kristine L.

112

5 years ago

Delicious breakfast burritos. We ordered ahead of time and everything was hot and ready for us right away. Great size, delicious salsa! All around great deal! read more

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Bryan P.

108

5 years ago

I mean it doesn't get much better than this. Clutch move is crispy chicken tacos and soft shell shrimp tacos. Take it from a vet. I love a block away and have had literally everything on the menu. Half price on Tuesday and Friday read more

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Kris B.

581

1296

9839

15 years ago

Every time we're in Newport, we get to Great Mex - but we take it To Go since seating is limited. Last week we placed a huge To Go order and luckily double/triple checked it before we left, because we were missing one of the dinners. They had already caught the mistake and were making the missing meal. But besides that, everything was delicious. I always get something with shrimp - this time the shrimp quesadilla which was sooo good! read more

Great Mex Grill - Great Mex, Newport Beach - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Shrimp quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Eri K.

739

819

798

15 years ago

SERIOUSLY LOVE THIS PLACE. Shrimp tacos are the bomb. Next in line are the soft tacos (carne asada). Of course, MUST GET LOTS OF SAUCE, JALAPENOS, ONIONS, CILANTRO, Etc. We ordered x2 shrimp tacos, x2 soft tacos, x1 mushroom, x1 crispy taco. Crispy taco wasn't bad, but it was ..TOO crispy. The place was filled so we took it to go, but still no big. The line wasn't too long since we went at an off time. 3pm? read more

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Mabel T.

149

190

1966

12 years ago

I dont live around the area .... But if i did.... I would have tried everything on the menu by now My first experience with the tacos and burrito .... AMazing! read more

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Ann S.

6 years ago

Never disappoints. A staple in our diets when we visit NB. We like to order the breakfast burritos as well as the shrimp burritos.

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Maria B.

321

11 years ago

I'll just start by saying, I love tacos - and I especially love tacos at Great Mex. Tacos are just $1.25 on Tuesdays and Fridays, and there are a ton of taco varieties to choose from. A few of my favorite tacos are the grilled shrimp, fish, and/or chicken. But my #1 taco pick is (super random) the mushroom taco. It's is perfect for vegetarians (which I'm not, but in case you are) and comes with a heap of guacamole, so I go into instant foodgasm whenever I eat it. The food is always delicious, and the staff is extremely friendly and quick about preparing the food (without sacrificing quality). The only downside to this place is that because it's such a hot spot for locals and tourists alike, tables are extremely hard to come by, especially if you go on a taco Tuesday, or Friday through Sunday. You might find yourself waiting a while to sit down, but the food is well worth the wait, I promise. read more

Great Mex Grill - TACOS - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Rachel R.

Elite 23

124

6 years ago

Yum! The churros are my fave beachside treat. Perfect to grab and eat hot on a sunset stroll down the boardwalk. The dark medium salsa is my fave-delish! The breakfast burritos are awesome (especially when you sun the home fries with hashbrowns). The basic marg isn't great, so I recommend upgrading to a Cadillac marg- now those are tasty! The enchiladas, burritos and tamales are solid options. If you are hungry and like Mexican, it's worth stopping by. read more

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Nick G.

6 years ago

Absolutely love this spot! Anything with shrimp is a must order (tacos, burrito, quesadilla). They have a good selection of bottled Mexican beers, and even a few beers on tap. The bean and cheese is a great and I love the bowls if you're going for something a little healthier. Ohh, and you can't forget about the breaky burritos. read more

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Chandler S.

6 years ago

10/10 fish taco!!! I got the grilled fish (a la carte) and it was absolutely delicious. Comes in corn tortilla with cabbage, pick de Gallo, and yummy crema sauce. You can get tacos a la carte or in a meal with rice and beans. We took our tacos down to eat at the beach which is only a short walk. The servers were very nice and tacos were ready quickly. Clean bathroom. No outdoor seating (at least not when we went by today) but they are continuing to serve take out orders during California's COVID-19 restrictions. Also serving alcohol to-go!! Taco Tuesday $5 margaritas. All in all, I highly recommend. read more

Great Mex Grill - Breakfast/Desayuno Menu - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Outside of restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Taco Tuesday Specials - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Inside of restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Fish Taco - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Now serving alcohol to go! - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Brenton W.

13 years ago

What more can you ask for? An amazing location - check! An abundance of mouth-watering salsa - check! Prices so cheap it feels like you're in Mexico - check! If you're in the mood for delicious, inexpensive Mexican Marvelousness than pop into Great Mex... read more

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Rhaenys T.

127

116

13 years ago

Like Derek mentioned below, this place as it seems is severely overrated. Guess people around the area have never gone to an actual Mexican restaurant. The food had no taste & it was very greasy. On top of that, this place is extremely small and inconvenient on a busy holiday (memorial day). So that's minus 1. Another -1 stars because the food wasn't spectacular. It's ok. If you want legit, actual authentic tasting Mexican food you should try elsewhere. (I.e. king taco, tacos el gavilan; la barca, el pescador). Minus another star for impersonating a Mexican restaurant...you got no taste man.... But you got to work with what you got. This was probably one of two Mexican restaurants we found around here. I personally didn't want to eat here but I guess mothers always win. Yeay! *sarcasm* read more

Great Mex Grill - See what i mean? Too small - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Uhm....? Too many ppl - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Chris G.

Elite 15

292

680

12 years ago

Great mex... Well they definitely got the name right to coincide with their food, because it's most certainly some Great Mexican food. The best I've ever had?? Not quite but damm good. I first discovered this place years back and would come here every time I made my way to balboa. Today was no different, my parents and I enjoyed a nice early morning walk on the beach and were in need of something scrumptious after our walk. We each ordered something different, today I decided in the California burrito (carne asada, fries, cheese and sour cream) a crispy chicken taco and a pineapple jarrito! I normally order the fajita burrito or the shrimp burrito but I wanted to try something new today. They give you a complimentary basket of chips to go along with the self serve salsa bar. There are a good amount of salsas to satisfy even the most devout Mexican food "eater." Lol The food came out all looking great, my moms sampler plate (2 crispy tacos, cheese enchilada, beans and rice) looked much better than mine. Lol! I dug into my burrito and it was decent. The taco was quite good, nice and crispy, and the chips were light and crispy also. This is a great place to eat at for the area. It usually has a crowd so do be prepared to wait. In the end this is a place I will continue to frequent, but I think I'll be sticking to my usually items! read more

Great Mex Grill - The line out the door - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Mom n pops in line - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Interior menu - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Behind the counter - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Chips - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Piña - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Zeus trying to get inside to eat too! - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Interior decorations - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great Mex Grill - Sampler plate - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Taylor M.

272

101

8 years ago

The service is spot on, that's my one biggg note i wanted to put our there. My party of 4 all of California burritos and they were very good! We're from Vegas and we will definitely be returning when we visit! read more

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Janelle Y.

12 years ago

My boyfriend and I were craving Mexican food after the whale watch we went on and found that this place was right around the counter. It's very small inside and there were a lot of people in line. We both ordered the same thing: the fajita burrito which was good. It also comes with a side of guacamole and a nice helping of tortilla chips (which were very good) The fajita burrito has a red enchilada sauce on top which made it pretty good! There was a little side bar with a some extra toppings (onions, jalapeños, etc) and a variety of salsas. All in all, it was pretty good the prices are great. I would recommend giving it a try! I will definitely be going back and try something else! read more

Great Mex Grill - The fajita burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Maribel C.

8 years ago

Excellent! 5 stars! My family and I have been visiting Great Mex Restaurant for many years. This place rocks! This is where the locals come. Food is delicious and very inexpensive for the location and they have the friendliest service. They offer chips and salsa with your purchase. They have a variety of salsas to chose from. They also serve alcohol (beer) and are open for breakfast! Great Mex...muy delicioso! read more

Great Mex Grill - California Burritos, to die for! - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Cici C.

7 years ago

Can I say that being in California for over 6 days this has been the BEST Mexican food I've had? It's an amazing and clean taqueria restaurant with such a nice ambience. The workers are sweet and clearly love working here. The food is JUST SO GOOD and cheap. They also have breakfast options! Next Costa Mesa trip I will eat here daily. read more

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Page 5 of 19

703 E Balboa Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92661
Directions
(949) 675-0808
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.greatmexgrill.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Great Mex Grill open?

Great Mex Grill opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Great Mex Grill close?

Great Mex Grill closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Great Mex Grill take credit cards?

Yes, Great Mex Grill takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Great Mex Grill have catering options?

Yes, Great Mex Grill does have catering options.

Does Great Mex Grill have a drive thru?

No, Great Mex Grill does not have a drive thru.

Does Great Mex Grill serve alcohol?

Yes, Great Mex Grill serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Great Mex Grill allow dogs?

Yes, Great Mex Grill allows dogs.

Does Great Mex Grill have TVs?

Yes, Great Mex Grill has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Great Mex Grill have bike parking?

Yes, Great Mex Grill has bike parking.

Does Great Mex Grill have outdoor seating?

Yes, Great Mex Grill has outdoor seating options.

Does Great Mex Grill have parking?

Yes, Great Mex Grill has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Great Mex Grill have free WiFi?

No, Great Mex Grill does not have free WiFi.

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Great Mex Grill Reviews in Other Languages

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The Dock

We recently went to the dock for my mom's birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience!…read more First off, Debra was on phone duty, and she was incredibly helpful as we navigated flight delays and changes to the schedule. She was able to accommodate us despite many complications on our end, so we are really grateful and really appreciative of Debra! In terms of food, we loved the pork chop and the halibut. The risotto and the potatoes that came with each of these went so well with the meats. They also have an extensive wine list, and the service was really great. The view is so hard to capture via photos, so I tried to do my best here. At night it can get a little cold, so they have heat lamps above some of the tables on the edge so you don't get too cold.

Went here for a dinner date on a Friday night and boy was it busy. Luckily, we had reservations…read moresince this place is quite small and intimate. The crowd was mostly an older one but rowdy nonetheless having a great time with their cocktails. It was super dark inside but it certainly projected a romantic vibe. The cocktails were super delicious and I particularly liked the Endless Summer but it was a pretty penny since it was served with Clase Azul tequila. What we ate: Roasted Beet Terrine - while not visually appealing as a terrine (looked like cube of glob), it was delicious nonetheless, and what you would expect out out of roasted beet salad. Octopus Carpaccio - This was a visually pretty yet tasty dish. Surprisingly, not too chewy since it was carefully sliced thin as a carpaccio would be. Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast - I really enjoyed this dish and was very comforting while not being too heavy. Spiced NZ Rack of Lamb - I believe this is a signature dish and was great without being gamey. Overall, really solid dishes and I was pleasantly surprised. The waitstaff was also great.

Certified Angus Beef Filet Mignon

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2018 Opus One

Shorebird

4.3

(1.1k reviews)

1.7 mi

Great evening at The Shorebird! Huge place with plenty of indoor and patio seating with beautiful…read morebay views. SERVICE: Excellent service. Our server was super attentive and put up with our nonsense ;) She provided great suggestions for food and drinks! FOOD: As you can see, we ate a lot of different things. Our favs? Balboa roll, Salmon Mignon, and those crispy potatoes!! Great place for a group dinner or a nice date night!

Stopped in for happy hour on a Friday in July and it was pretty quiet at 3pm. It's unfortunate…read morehappy hour is only at the inside bar, when there's such beautiful patio and view, even when it's empty, since the bar is so dark. But it's still a beautiful restaurant. The lemon Caesar salad was extremely delicious. The dressing was perfect and not overly dressed and it was a good portion for happy hour. Their sushi was also very fresh, tasty and beautifully prepared. We also ordered their espresso martinis - their presentation is beautiful but this is the second time I've gotten them here and they are just kinda of stale tasting both times. It's like the espresso is old or burnt. Eh. Will have to get a different cocktail next time. Overall a good spot.

Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...

Tin's Dressed Oysters

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Malibu Farm Lido

Alexis was so lovely. She gave me and my sister such great service and made our night even better…read more Love this place!

Food was very delicious and atmosphere beautiful and coastal. Our server Alexis 10/10read more

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Beach Ball

Thursday nights are pretty lively!…read more Pool tables are always occupied as usual. People are going nuts with the touch tunes. Drinks are still reasonably priced.

Sunday Funday riding bikes in HB and we had to stop at our usual for fun drinks and enjoy the…read moresunset. The service is always great. This time I tried an Espresso Martini because I saw another patron drinking one and they recommended it. So glad I did, it was so good I had to have a second! Always a great time here, highly recommend.

Famous 6am Bloody Mary's!

Best place in Newport Beach to play pool

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Dory Deli

Beachfront vibes, amazing food, and dog friendly what more could you ask for?…read more Dory Deli has so much going for you. The location right on the water is unbeatable, and the service is impressively fast you're never waiting long before you're enjoying your meal with a great view. The buffalo cauliflower is an absolute must-order. It's one of those dishes that keeps you coming back, and it never disappoints. The chicken and waffles are a total hit too fun, satisfying combo that hits every time. On my last visit I decided to step outside my usual order and tried the beef bowl and wow, I was pleasantly surprised. It completely exceeded my expectations and has officially earned a spot as a new regular order for me. Don't sleep on it! Oh, and if you're a dog parent bring your pup! Dory Deli is dog friendly, which makes it even more of a perfect spot for a casual, laid-back meal by the water.

Decent burritos, pretty cool atmosphere!…read more What I got: Sweatpants burrito: made with steak eggs onions and habanero jack cheese Boardwalk burrito: hash browns, eggs, bacon, avocado and American cheese Downside is this place was not busy at all and it took a better part of 20mins to get these 2 items.. the bar had a lot of good options so if that's your thing you'll at least have time for a drink while you wait it out

Craft cocktails with a side of ocean breeze!

Open-air dining, bar seating and large tables for groups!

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Wellness Bowl with ahi

Zinqué

Definitely one of my new favorite brunch spots - made it into my top 5 (in terms of food and…read morelocation, at least)! Love the casual vibe of this place. It's waterfront and can be accessed via the boardwalk (it's behind the street-side shops). Parking can be tough and very expensive - you'll likely have to park in the structure and walk over. Make sure to take your ticket with you for validation. Seating is available inside and outside on their covered patio. Plenty of space for parties of all sizes. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to make a same-day reservation for a Sunday afternoon. They had plenty of open seating even when we got there. Tables were very dirty. They have a lot of work to do - it seems like months if not years of food, dust, and salty moist air mixed together and collected in the creases in the tables, on the walls, etc.. It's like a sticky gross residue that never gets completely clean. Many people like to dress nice in the area but honestly I would hate to wear something nice here out of fear it would get dirty. We also required new plates as ours had old food stuck to them. Service was not great. Our waiter was somewhat attentive but not nice - the poor guy seemed miserable like he hated his job and did not want to be there. Despite the restaurant being full, he wouldn't come by often when we actually needed something - he even disappeared towards the end and a new waiter had to help us. Food is delicious. Besides the location, their saving grace. We tried the sandwiches and yummy! Fries were also delicious with the spicy mayo. Love the different options they have, overall. They also had some great looking food on the brunch and drinks section of the menu. You can scan the QR code at the table to see pictures of each menu item. Overall was good and we'll be back every once in a while because we love Lido. Will try sitting inside in hopes the tables are decent. Really hope management makes some improvements though!

We went around 9-10pm and the host gave us a table with napkins and utensils but no plate, so…read morealright maybe they forgot. I usually come for the steak fries since the fries are good. However, today's service was so bad to the point that I been waving my hands and making eye contact to order for 15-20 minutes. And they were actually ignore us. Maybe we didn't dress decent enough for them to serve us since we were in our regular jean and tshirt. So I have to actually speak up and call them to order. So when we get to order, it was 10:20pm already. After the foods are brought out, we had a decent dinner together and they are about to close. So one of the server brought out the check for us to pay and we decided to pay with exact amount with cash and leave tip in cash also. One of the server genuinely SMIRKED at us while counting the money. Like he looked at us and SMIRKED. He probably has a bad day or a busy day but still, it's a Tuesday. So instead of a nice dinner and a good nap, we had a really bad close of the day because of service at Zinque. So if you want food at night, you can come to Zinque but don't expect too much for the services recently, since it was SO MUCH BETTER back then until today.

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Malibu Farm Lido

Alexis was so lovely. She gave me and my sister such great service and made our night even better…read more Love this place!

Food was very delicious and atmosphere beautiful and coastal. Our server Alexis 10/10read more

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Nick's Newport Beach

This became our third Nick's Store and I gotta say, it's probably my favorite! Our Patio table was…read moreperfect during our sunny Wednesday afternoon visit and the bar area looks really nice. Inside, some of the seating in the back looks a little dark, but it's probably comfortable. We visit Nick's on Lake in Pasadena and they have flatbread that we don't see at Nick's on 2nd in Long Beach. This Newport Beach location has Sushi Rolls, so we tried a couple and they were delicious. Great shared item for 2-4 people, and maybe even a meal for some. They had a Corn Chowder that was absolutely delicious! We also had the Deviled Eggs and were split... I loved them but my wife was not at all happy because they were mustard forward. So I got 3 of the 4! Service, from Bria, was exceptional. She was super lovely to acknowledge my birthday and I had a super tasty chocolate cake. It was rich, moist! I probably shouldn't have finished it, but it was TOO good! 100% recommend this location and will try to return when we are in the area.

The food was absolutely delicious! I got a special of a 4oz filet, tomato bisque soup…read more& a small kale salad. Estefani was the best server ever!! Will request her next time. The vibe was fun.

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Little Billy's

Locally owned & operated

Kid friendly

My favorite place ever I go here every week after yoga and Billy is the absolute sweetest!read more

Everything hit the right notes, from the friendly service, the cute but unpretentious atmosphere…read more(no instagram-y neon signs or faux floral walls), and most importantly, the delicious food. We came here for a late brunch, and the girl taking our order offered us a free cinnamon rolled oats pancake since it was our first time and we were debating the pancake choices. When I asked for extra salsa, another girl brought it immediately with a cheerful smile (in LA, I would get a dead-eyed Gen Z stare followed by a sigh that the additional tablespoon of salsa would be a $4 charge). We had the breakfast burrito (massive, could've just split this) and the 2+2+2 with buttermilk pancakes (fluffy bites of heaven). I loved the cinnamon pancake too, but suggest this as a table share vs a standalone meal unless you have a major sweet tooth. Total including coffee was just over $50. Just go - you'll leave with a very full belly but can burn it off hiking at crystal cove!

Breakfast Near Me| Little Billy's Cafe in Newport Beach

Cafe | Little Billy's Cafe in Newport Beach

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Little Billy's Cafe in Newport Beach

Lighthouse

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This is the view from our table on the patio

Shorebird

Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...

Tin's Dressed Oysters

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Tomato & Avocado Omelette

Rusty Pelican

Eric was fantastic. He gave great service at the bar. All the food recommendations were excellent…read more Truly a beautiful restaurant. If we lived in town we'd be regulars.

Erik was amazing. if I could poach him to work at my restaurant I would in a heartbeat. greets to…read morethe chefs they made top class food for us all. aces in my book.

Salmon and asparagus beautiful presentation and delicious

Upstairs hot spot

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Cheers to 28!!

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

I'm so happy that my girlfriend recommended this place. I have to say the food and the drinks were…read moregreat . I had the watermelon martini it was delicious. The service by Angelina was absolutely amazing. She was awesome ..! and the atmosphere was annual occasion. Clean bathrooms with big mirrors to take some cute pics.

I was looking forward to a nice dinner at the bar while I was in Newport Beach for work, but…read moreunfortunately my experience was very disappointing. As someone with a gluten sensitivity, I asked questions about the menu and trusted that my meal would be safe. Instead, I ended up having a gluten reaction after eating here, which completely ruined the rest of my evening. If you advertise gluten-friendly options, staff should be properly trained on cross-contamination and ingredient awareness. The atmosphere and location are great, but none of that matters if diners with dietary restrictions can't eat safely. I hope the restaurant takes food allergies and gluten sensitivities more seriously in the future.

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

76 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Jacob W.

2 years ago

Great Mex at the Newport Beach location is a true hidden gem nestled right across from the Fun Zone. As a local favorite, it's a must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic Mexican cuisine at any time of the day. From hearty breakfast options to satisfying lunch specials and delectable dinner plates, Great Mex has something for everyone. The flavors are bold, the portions generous, and the service is always top-notch. Whether you're indulging in their mouthwatering tacos, savoring their flavorful burritos, or enjoying their refreshing margaritas, every bite and sip is a delight. Without a doubt, Great Mex stands out as the best Mexican food joint on the Balboa Peninsula. Five stars all around!!! read more

Justin R.

10 years ago

Checked out this place because of the great Yelp reviews and was not disappointed. You could tell right away the ingredients were fresh and everything is made in house. We are only in town for a few days but when we come back to Newport, this will for sure be a place we come to again. Note: there is not a ton of seating and the cashier was telling us about how some days it can be so busy there is a line out the door. So grab a table if you can, but be prepared to take it to go. (Just head down to the beach) read more

Brandon M.

5 years ago

I had to stop by real quick & drop a long-overdue review to my friends at great mex... one of our fav spots to hang around during game nights or just to grab a bite before hitting the road. We love the mix plate, it got all in it, including shrimps, steak, chicken plus you add guac to it, wow, you'll be all set. Thank you guys for the excellent food & service you guys provide. We'll stop by later on today! read more

J L.

10 years ago

As locals, my husband and I go to Great Mex at least once a week. The food is consistently good, the service is both friendly and efficient, and the salsa bar, extensive. I love the fish tacos, and my husband loves the steak fajitas. If you see a line out the door, don't be discouraged b/c it moves quickly and the food is well worth the wait. Hugo, Moises, and the rest of the crew are terrific! read more

Daniel G.

9 years ago

Love it here in such a nice location right in the heart of balboa and next to the balboa pier off main street. They have the best tacos and of course have the taco tuesday specials. Very fun atmosphere and positive vibes in this place. I have also gone to the Costa Mesa location multiple times and it is equally as great. Stop in for some of the best mexican food in town for a great price. read more

Andrew J.

10 years ago

Great spot for taco tuesday/ friday, or any meal in general! Personal favorite is shrimp tacos! Try the breakfast as well! They have a killer breakfast burrito! Add their salsa to everything. It's not hot but has great flavor! Seating can be tough on busy nights but for the most part you get a spot pretty quick. read more

Tomy G.

14 years ago

TINY place .. The night we went.. there was no A/C and it was wayyyy too hot in there. The service is only ok.. quality ok.. cheapy tacos. Fun little vibe if you are feeling super casual. Fried chicken tacos were my favorite. I'd be weary about eating the fish there? Great dollar tacos on Friday & Tuesdays? read more

Luciano M.

7 years ago

I wish I could give this place a half star! Hugo is a dick and Veronica can suck it! Horrible customer service. Don't worry I'll tell absolutely everyone to avoid this spot. Couldn't be worse. Oh actually it can, I want to this place to turn into a Starbucks! Fuck you Great Mex. Great Mex Never!!! read more

Michele S.

11 years ago

One of my favorite local restaurants we eat at weekly. Our guests that come to visit us we take them here and they love the food too. You can call in your food order and by the time we get their its done. Chips and salsa are also given with your meal. Love love love this restaurant. read more

Carson S.

9 years ago

Very good. I came here for lunch and it was great. The service was amazing and so was the food. They took our order and we got our food in a very short amount of time. The food that we got was delicious. I got a burrito and it had quality ingredients. You should come to Great Mex. read more

Steve K.

14 years ago

If you like fish tacos, try the grilled Maha Mahi taco. It is one of my all time favorites. The fish is fresh and the sauce has a nice kick to it. It is a small place and can get crowded but it is always worth it. $1 beers and great deals on Tuesdays and Fridays. read more

Paul S.

105

122

7 years ago

I have know idea how you guys cook (season) your food but my first impression of a simple carne asada burrito was poor with no flavor. I think their chips and salsa had more taste. $2 for a soda and then .$50 for a refuel. Not coming back. Yuck. read more

Bobby L.

9 years ago

Love this place! The owner Mr. Wilhelm is the most compassionate individual I have ever met. The chicken taco salad is bomb. Such a generic name for great Mexican food. Service is very friendly. This place is good for a quick bite or take-outs. read more

Alex K.

108

6 years ago

This is a great place to grab some tacos on the go, across from the ferry, close to the water. It is very small, so it's always been a place I grab and go and eat at home or at the beach. The food feels very homemade, great tacos. read more

Jessie S.

12 years ago

Taco Tuesday!!!! If you have a big family, and you want to feed them great food really cheaply, than this is you place! Big value for a small, small, small price! I could just eat their guac, and chips for a complete meal! read more

Jose A.

11 years ago

Really good authentic Mexican food. I work in the area and have been going here for years. The carne sada is always very good. My kids love the tacos. I love the price. This place is cheap, especially for Newport Beach. read more

Mohammad H.

11 years ago

If you're not familiar with "tasting" sized portions, you'll be surprised to see how small the portions are. The taste and presentation of each dish was very good, but if you're used to eating a lot, this may disappoint. read more

Hali M.

15 years ago

I love this little restaurant. Generous portion. Friendly staff and customers. They offer dollar taco on Tue and Fri. Yes, Friday, from they open to close. You will leave with a happy tummy. Meter parking on the street. read more

George J.

11 years ago

Great Mex has some of the best, authentic Mexican food in Newport Beach. It's very casual....but, the food is great. They have $1.25 tacos on Tuesdays and Fridays. It's always crowded....but on those days, it's packed! read more

Luke H.

16 years ago

taco tuesdays can't be beat. $1 tacos and $1 drafts??? the place is packed but it's still worth it. love the authentic corn tacos, although my favorite is the shrimp with the chipotle cream (worth the extra dollar) read more

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Great Mex Grill - mexican - Updated August 2026

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We loved Sancho's Tacos so much while visiting Newport Beach that we ate there three days in a row!…read more The first visit was for breakfast in the restaurant, and breakfast burritos did not disappoint. The next two were takeout trips to enjoy at the beach. On our first stop, I ordered the chicken tacos, one of my daughters had the shrimp tacos, and my other daughter got the beef burrito. Everything was outstanding. The burrito was especially impressive, and everyone loved their meal. The real star of the show for me was the chips and salsa. The chips are an easy 5 stars. They were perfectly crunchy, fresh, and tasted homemade. The salsa was authentic, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I enjoyed them so much that I went back another day just to order a large bag of chips and salsa for the beach. If you love great homemade tortilla chips, this place will not disappoint. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was hip and welcoming, and the staff was friendly during every visit. I make it a point to try tacos wherever I travel, and Sancho's definitely ranks among my favorites. Great food, nice people, and a great overall experience. Highly recommend Sancho's Tacos to anyone visiting Newport Beach!

We normally eat at the Huntington Beach location as we frequent HB. We were in Newport last weekend…read moreand ate here for lunch since we discovered Chihuahua had closed down in the same lot. Got the surf and turf burrito to share with my husband and also a side of chips and salsa. Seemed a bit expensive at $30 for one burrito and some chips but it was tasty as usual.

La Fogata

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(412 reviews)

Very good food, we got tacos and a burrito and both were great. Restaurant was nice and clean and…read moreservice was good

Ordered two steak quesadillas and received plain cheese quesadillas with no steak. When I pointed…read moreit out, the worker just handed me steak on the side instead of fixing the mistake. I asked if he could remake them correctly and he flat-out refused. When I asked for his name, he said he "doesn't have one." Lazy, rude service and zero accountability. Completely unacceptable.

Tacos Cancun

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I took my family to the beach from on a random Wednesday. I thought it was a great day to go When…read morewe go to the side of town it's hard to find good Hispanic food unless we go more to LA county. However we went to check out Tacos Cancun just being open mind. We stop by , I never got the name of the lady who greeted us and took our order :/ but she has blonde hair. But she greeted my whole family & complemented my kids every time she came out . It was a nice warm comfort environment. The food was really good me and wife and my kids loved it , THE HOMEMADE HORCHATA WAS GOOOD !! however the only thing I didn't enjoy and it's just maybe me but . As a Hispanic myself ,When I order a bean and cheese burrito, I like the beans refried and mushy that's how most beans and cheese burritos are . When I got the burrito it came with whole beans and cheese . Other than that I would come back . A Nice lunch by the ocean front and next to the pier . I mean who can beat that ?

We ate Every. Last. Bite. Shrimp tacos, fish tacos (combo #9) and ceviche were so yummy!! Service…read morewas great. Recommend!!

La Laguna Mex Grill

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Great al pastor tacos , family owned and everybody is so nice! Highly recommend if youre in the…read morearea. They got breakfast and lunch and dinner. Love to try different things here.

Stopped in here on my way to visit my Dad, and wow -- this little corner spot off Newport Blvd/55…read moredelivered. Costa Mesa/N NB is a battlefield of restaurants, so standing out isn't easy... but these folks are hitting all cylinders. It's semi-hidden behind a big Verizon switch box in a tiny strip mall. classic underdog story. 1st Star: Service - driendly, welcoming, the kind of guy who makes you feel like you're a regular even when you're not. Huge win. 2nd Star: Menu Variety + Prices: Shockingly big menu for a small shop, and everything's priced like they actually want you to come back. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert -- it's all there. 3rd Star: Free Chips & Salsa (Yes, Even A La Carte): If heaven has a waiting room, they're serving chips and salsa. Automatic bonus points. 4th Star: Mexican Food "All Boxes Checked". Me = Beef Crispy Taco (VG) & Sope (Good) but they also have burritos, bowls, plates, enchiladas, chilaquiles -- classics plus some fun extras. Everything looked fresh, clean, and made with pride. 5th Star: Local Vibes: You can feel this is locally owned. And honestly, it felt good skipping the Jack in the Box across the street and supporting a spot where the owners are clearly putting their heart into it. Already planning my next round. The birria bowl was calling my name, and blackened seafood salad looked intriguing. I'm definitely coming back.

Carnitas La Villa

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Best kept secret in Newport for quality Mexican food! But why is it a secret?! This place should…read morehave a line around the door! My favorite here is the Pork Verde! Delicious! However, I love the enchiladas and wet burritos too. For authentic Mexican Food this is the place to be.

Super Panga

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(348 reviews)

Came in on a Saturday at sunset for the first time. Counter service style, and you take your number…read moreto a table so food can be brought out. Service was pretty friendly and patient despite the chaos in there. The place was packed, but we were fortunate enough to get a table asap. Food came out super fast too. We ordered the nachos with asada and street corn for $24. It was a fun & lively spot for ocean views and to watch the game. Overall, it's a great spot for fast service and good vibes!

Super casual, order at counter, fun to people watch at bar top spots on the boardwalk, seems…read moretouristy but DELICIOUS tacos, calamari and drinks. Win-win! It can get busy and that's rough for small staff so be nice We loved the chicken and al pastor tacos. The calamari "fries" with the green sauce were a surprise hit - we ordered seconds.

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We opted to visit Newport Beach on a weekend, which is something we normally don't do. We are…read morefeeling a little nostalgic since living in the area and one of our favorite go to was getting TK burgers and eating it on the beach. Today we placed an online order and then walked across the parking lot to get our meal. We opted for the single cheeseburger, a side of fries and a Coke. The Coke was OK. It had a little off taste to the mix. Not quite sure what it was, but probably wouldn't order it again. Cheeseburger they are perfection. I don't understand why you would eat at a larger hamburger chain style restaurant when you can get a local burger. If that makes sense. Service is super friendly when we arrived. Now parking can be a little tough obviously with the beach proximity and the other shops and restaurants. There is a few public parking lots across the street closer to the crab cooker. But the burger was freshly prepared. It was a good portion and we love the bun and all the toppings and it just really brought back some great memories. We are still local but just haven't been into TK in a while. Ironically, I had a party several years ago and I hired their food truck, which was incredible.

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Pizza was tasty and made in a quick amount of time. The sitting area was clean and the guys who…read moreworked there were friendly with great customer service. We will definitely be coming back!

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