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    La Fogata

    4.0 (414 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order La Fogata Takeout or Delivery

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    LA FOGATA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - La Fogata

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    Mole and steak taco
    Mallory M.

    This is a restaurant with counter ordering and sit down seating. There were low top tables inside and outside with two high tops inside. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was relatively clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We found out during our visit that Kobe Bryant was a frequent customer at this restaurant and even helped create a menu item. The food was tasty and we ate our whole meal. Not pictured in my review but the fish taco was slightly dry. I also enjoyed the mild hot sauce provided. It was a pleasant visit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bathroom is a shared bathroom with the building complex. You have to walk around the back of the building to access the bathroom.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Chicken kabob plate
    Omelina G.

    After a fun morning power-walking Balboa (because balance ), we rewarded ourselves the only appropriate way, La Fogata, another local favorite spot. My boyfriend went with the chicken kabob plate which was a solid choice. The chicken was tasty, but let's talk about that rice for a second... flavorful, fluffy, and low-key trying to steal the show. He said it was like paella but without the seafood. I, meanwhile, opted for the breakfast tacos with pico. Flavor-wise? Good. Structurally? A little chaotic. Im never a two tortilla girl but this would have been the exception. One tortilla just wasn't enough ... these tacos were living dangerously close to a full collapse. A second tortilla would've saved lives (or at least my plate). The real star for me was the green house salsa. It was fresh, bright, and absolutely addictive. I happily poured it on everything, and gratefully accepted a second serving with my to-go leftovers. Service was great... our server was incredibly attentive and very helpful. All in all, great food, great flavors, with just one suggestion to just maybe have the tacos reinforced for structural integrity. Tip: if you need to use the restroom, you will need to go around the building to the back and enter thru the 2nd door from the right.

    California grande
    Jeremy S.

    Near Corona Del Mar State Beach was this Mexican restaurant that had great food photos online. We both had the California grande burrito ($17.99) with chicken and steak. Note that I only found out that there was a card service fee charge when I looked at the receipt I got. There were many open tables at the time since we arrived for a late lunch. My friend accidentally ordered the California burrito instead of the California grande. Costing two dollars less, he offered to pay the price difference. However, the cashier was really kind enough to offer the California grande without the extra charge. The cashier was friendly and asked if we needed anything during our meal. The burrito itself tasted fine. The meats could've been more flavorful in my opinion. The price point is high but understandable considering it's in a wealthy Newport Beach neighborhood. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was rather humid inside, and there was an annoying fly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The plates had a nice blue design, and there was interesting Lakers memorabilia inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You can find parking on adjacent streets or in the little shopping plaza this restaurant is in.

    IG: happyfoodietown
    Vy D.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Found this Mexican spot that brings flavor and aesthetic to you.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had: 1. Half rotisserie chicken 2. Fajitas - steak & mahi mahi & salmon

    California Grande Burrito
    AJ H.

    My wife and I were up in Newport Beach for the weekend for a pre-Father's Day celebration and we're looking for some good Mexican food along Pacific Coast Highway. After checking out a bunch of the reviews, we came across this restaurant and had to give it a shot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself is relatively small and has about 12 tables inside and when we first arrived, there were about 18 teenagers in there being teenagers and a family party of 10 with small children. Both groups were relatively loud and obnoxious which made the restaurant feel a bit smaller as well and it was definitely a relief when both groups left halfway through our meal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Now let's talk about the food. Overall, it was pretty good. As other reviews have mentioned, the portions are generous, and the pricing is reasonable, but I wouldn't say this is the end all be all Mexican dining experience. That's a tough feat to accomplish in Southern California With so many options to choose from. I wasn't able to finish my burrito after splitting the nachos with my wife and she only finished half of her portion of the tiger shrimp bowl as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I would give the taste and quality of the food a B minus and the ambience of the restaurant AC plus.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We would potentially come back but only if it was because of close proximity, not necessarily to travel a great distance to come visit. All in all it was a decent meal.

    Conor F.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]La Fogata Mexican Restaurant in Corona Del Mar is one of those neighborhood gems that feels welcoming the second you walk in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The owner, Lida, is genuinely super sweet and makes you feel like a regular even if it's your first visit. I ordered the taco plate with carnitas and chicken, and it was seriously delicious. The carnitas were flavorful and satisfying, and the chicken was tender and well-seasoned -- simple, classic Mexican comfort food done right. Everything tasted fresh, and the portion was just the right size. And a fun extra detail: I've heard Kobe Bryant used to eat here and that it was a favorite of his -- which makes it a favorite of mine too. If you're in the area and want great tacos with warm hospitality, La Fogata is absolutely worth a stop.

    Sue R.

    You can't use the Groupon or discount cards for Taco Tuesday. Here's the recent menu, prices much higher.

    Bonnie S.

    Beachy Mexican Newport Food Vibes Yes! This exist only at La Fogata off of PCH in the Newport / Corona Del Mar area . They serving up the beachy community lots of Mexican favorites along freshly made rotisserie chicken meal options. The menu is packed with so many items that even picky eaters will find something. Along with service is great and the dining area is colorful and festive. Great vibes for eating solo or simply catching up like I did with @ningwong_personal . I also found out that Kobe Bryant's family frequents this spot often as well. If ya cruising along PCH towards Newport, definitely check them out! @lafogataoc : my favorite has to be the grilled shrimp skewers. Love

    California Burrito
    Leona W.

    Local Mexican restaurant located near the beach. Their grilled chicken is pretty good. We ordered the grilled Tiger shrimp, California burrito, shrimp and salmon tacos, grilled chicken salad. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside decor is cool and Kobe tribute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is very friendly. Each plate is around $15 pretty affordable.

    Kobe Bryant came here to eat quite often
    Jason S.

    We had lunch there last Saturday. There is a decent amount of parking available. The restaurant itself is simple and feels like home. There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. We were overwhelmed by the menu. There are so many great options. We decided on a Kobe Ball bowl which is named after the legendary Kobe Bryant who visited the restaurant quite frequently. He actually worked with the chef's to create this bowl. It is a beautiful combination of shredded rotisserie chicken, carne asada, rice and fresh vegetables. We also got the Mahi Mahi fajitas. The fish was grilled perfectly and was combined with black beans, rice and lots of grilled vegetables and tortillas. No leftovers on this plate. The chili rellano was large and in charge. We got it with steak and it was too much to eat in the best way. We also got half a rotisserie chicken and honestly the best rotisserie chicken ever. It was so tender and flavorful that we couldn't stop eating it. In fact, we each got a whole rotisserie chicken to take home. Friendly service, a great environment and amazing food will make you come back again and again.

    Chips and salsa!
    Samara G.

    Are you an LA Laker fan? Well, come check out this cool little place that Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar used to frequent. Located in the city of Newport/Corona Del Mar, in the same parking area as Mother's and CVS, is this little cozy healthy Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and there's a tribute to Kobe. Onto the food! Kobe Bowl - this was a dish that Kobe Bryant worked with the chefs to create. It has their rotisserie Chicken, steak, rice, beans, lettuce, and a little bit of pico. This dish is satisfying, filling, and bursting with flavor. We mixed it up so that it's easier to get a forkful of everything. Definitely amazing if you're wanting to sit down and eat or take it to go! The Mahi Mahi plate was amazing! The fish was seasoned beautifully and was flaky. Got it with Corn tortillas and black beans. It's definitely a worthwhile dish! The Chile Relleno with Steak - I'm used to the typical fried versions. This one hits different, but in a good way. Stuffed with vegetables cheese, and steak if you choose. There was some spice that hit so well when I bit into it. Then there was some zucchini and squash and fajita veggies it was seasoned beautifully and went so well. It was amazing! Rotisserie Chicken - This....this is where the money maker is. Sorry Costco, I love you, but this is now my favorite rotisserie chicken. As soon as that chicken hits your tongue, it's just a burst of flavor. I almost had a Shokigei no Soma moment (if you know, you know). You may think it's burnt, but nah, it's perfectly juicy inside, the flavors of the seasoning/marinade goes all the way down the chicken. I had to buy a whole one to go after devouring the half chicken. All of the salsas and guac you can tell it was made in house. They're a perfect complement to any dish here. So if you're visiting Newport, please check this place out. If anything at least for the rotisserie chicken!

    Wow, this is by far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I really didn't expect authentic Mexican food in this area but I was wrong. The chile relleno, enchilada and margarita were 10/10. Give this place a try if you're in the area you won't be disappointed. The cashiers customer service is also very friendly

    Burrito bowl

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    6 months ago

    Food was great and hospitality was phenomenal for a fast casual restaurant. The Kobe Bowl was created on behalf of Kobe Bryant; a must-try.

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    9 months ago

    The two carnitas were delicious and the customer service was excellent! This was my first time here ... and I will be back!

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - La Fogata

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    El Cholo

    El Cholo

    4.1
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    And we are back! We deviated from our green corn tamales and added nachos and taquitos. Yummy…read moreaddition. Andrea was our server and she was great! The vibe is nice. Lots of locals. Today I noticed some of the pictures have a QR code. Didn't scan them but curious as they probably tell the history of the photo. Also appreciate the parking lot in the back.

    *** 2nd time reviewing. I don't know what happened to my original review. The pics are here but…read moreYelp asked me to review. It's not in my drafts or reviews so I find it quite interesting that it vanished. *** We had a large party of 20. The people we were with have been here before and this was my first time. The restaurant was flexible as our dinner time kept changing based on our sons' tournament time. They happily were able to accommodate us with seating outside in their large patio. Considering we were a big party, they managed to take care of us. They had waters and chips and salsa for us while we ordered cocktails. Took a while to get them but understandable since we ordered many margaritas. I ordered the side Caesar but I found it to be overdressed. Next time I would order the dressing on the side. I shared the Sonora Nachos with beef and another order of nachos with chicken. Both nachos were good and cheesy. Loaded and hits the spot. My margarita was good. I wish it was more tart though. They gave us little bags of something sweet inside. I don't know what it was but it was pretty good. Like a chewy pecan flavored flat candy.

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    Inside bar area
    Inside bar area
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    Sea food fajitas the are so delicious.

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    Sea food fajitas the are so delicious.
    Avila's El Ranchito

    Avila's El Ranchito

    3.4
    (619 reviews)
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    This was my first time visiting this Avila's location and I really enjoyed my experience…read more I attended a private event in their back room, so the food was served buffet style rather than from their regular menu. We had salad, salsas, rice, beans, and several different taco meat options. Everything was so tasty! They also offered a few different margarita options, which were great. The service was excellent throughout the event, from the cocktail service to the food service. Everyone was very attentive and welcoming. I also loved the private space in the back with its own bar. It's a great setup for a private party or gathering, and I'll definitely keep this location in mind for future events!

    Great location for people watching, restaurants across the street are all bomb- bamboo bistro and…read moreSugarfish are a destination and now I'll never wonder what kind of fun is going on here I'm not privy to. Refillable chips at the ready and lots of servers around, so if you need anything somebody will get it for you. The food is fine just fine. Quesadilla eggcellente was a nice surprise. It's almost like eating a breakfast burrito minus the additional starch like rice or potatoes. And the cheese enchiladas are exactly what you'd get at any other reputable Mexican places and trust it's not going to fail you. The guac was also just fine. But the price point suggests something more.. I blame the rent. It's a hot spot and I'm sure the competition is fierce.

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    Porch dining area.
    Porch dining area.
    Pepe 's Steak with onions but instead of rice and beans, I opted for the grilled veggies. Fantastico!
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    Building across they street! Nice tribute

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    Playa Mesa

    Playa Mesa

    4.4
    (3.5k reviews)
    3.1 mi
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    Late review but I felt like I should leave this here just in case people are wondering cause if…read morethey closed down cause of the food quality. -- Came back to Playa Mesa for my friend's birthday. The chips and salsa were really good. The aguachile had a nice spicy flavor that made it stand out. The queso fundido was SO good super cheesy, and paired with the handmade tortillas it was one of my favorites. We also ordered the calamari and I was surprised by how good it was. Everyone ordered different rounds of cocktails throughout the night and honestly, not one missed. Service was a little slow, but it was a busy Friday night, so that's somewhat expected. I've been here before and the grilled octopus tacos and carne asada burrito were just as good as I remembered them. They also made the birthday celebration really cute. They sang happy birthday, brought out a small ice cream, and gave my friend a big mariachi hat. Good food, great drinks, and still consistent as I remembered it. So long Playa Mesa.

    Playa Mesa has a great atmosphere with beautiful aesthetics. In the evening, the open windows…read morecreate a nice breeze, though they do let a few flies in. The hostess was friendly, and our server was funny and kind. He was a little less attentive as it got busier, but the staff worked well as a team, so we never had to wait for refills or anything we needed. Parking in the back can be a little tight. The birria tacos were packed with flavor, and I loved the inside-out cheese crust. My husband's fajitas were flavorful, although the chicken was a little overdone. The guacamole was excellent, especially with the pepita seeds adding great texture. Overall, we enjoyed the flavorful food, service, and atmosphere. We'd definitely come back!

    Photos
    East Side Sunset
    East Side Sunset
    The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!
    The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!
    Lovely interior...

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    Lovely interior...
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.5 mi
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    Called in a last minute order about 15 minutes before the kitchen closed; ordered the filet mignon…read moretacos, the filet quesadilla, sides of refried beans and Spanish rice, the churros, and the flan for dessert. I appreciated that the quesadilla was super cheesy, it was a great size too and was perfect as an entree with the beans and rice. I was very happy with the flavor of the beans, you could tell they were cooked with a lot of love! The tacos were delicious as well, the roasted salsa was slightly smoky with a good jalapeño flavor, the meat was tender, and the tortillas had a great chew. The churros are not to be underestimated- they were thick and fluffy, and the dipping sauces were perfect accompaniments. The flan was the super star of the whole night for me- genuinely the most perfect, custardy, unctuous flan I've ever had. The vanilla bean specks throughout gave it such flavor, there wasn't a ton of syrup but it honestly did not need it. There is absolutely nothing that could have improved that flan. Will definitely come back, hopefully dine in and try a few drinks!

    We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday, but the experience was a massive disappointment…read morefrom start to finish. Despite booking a 5:45 PM reservation and specifically requesting a nice table for the occasion, we were seated at a terrible spot. The service was shockingly slow throughout the night. We constantly had to flag down our waitress just to get basic attention, and to top it off, my order was completely missed. We would have loved to get dessert to salvage the evening, but we simply couldn't risk waiting another hour just to get served. They did absolutely nothing to acknowledge my husband's birthday, making what should have been a special night completely forgettable for all the wrong reasons. We will never be back, nor will I ever recommend this place to anyone.

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    Bar and dining room
    Bar and dining room
    Ceviche Tres Maneras
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    Inside decor
    Great Mex Grill

    Great Mex Grill

    4.3
    (756 reviews)
    1.6 mi
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    My wife and I loved this place! Came on a Friday and got the taco Friday special (Also on…read moreTuesday!). The mahi mahi was especially good! We also saw some dude try to get a drink for what may have been his minor girlfriend. And the manager on duty shut it down HARD. Kudos to you! But seriously, the tacos were so good! Thanks!

    It was my first night staying in Newport Beach and I was looking for some dinner. To be honest, I…read morewasn't feeling most of the places I encountered - however a family friend said they had tried Great Mex and had good things to say. Mexican sounded good, so I decided to check it out. Great Mex is located right on the main strip on the Balboa Peninsula. It's very much a hole-in-the-wall space - with a super simple/casual set up. The space isn't large - you order your food at the counter and then there are a few tables where you can sit. I was lucky that the place was empty when I arrived - shortly after I sat to eat a bunch of people came and filled the tables. They have a good variety of Mexican dishes - nothing too outrageous, mostly things familiar to the American palate. I decided to get the two taco combo dish and chose al pastor as my protein. The tacos were super tasty - generously filled with two being enough if you're hungry but not starving. The dish came with rice and refried beans which were also good. They carry Mexican Coke, so I got one of those to finish the meal off. Service was great - they were super friendly and the food was ready relatively quickly. They also went above and beyond - two people in my party got fountain beverages but they noticed they were too watered down and were quick to replace the syrup and provide us new beverages. Overall, I had a good meal at Great Mex - definitely a standout on Balboa Peninsula.

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    Dinning Area
    Chihuahua Cerveza

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    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.5 mi
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    Walked to this cute restaurant for dinner. The server at the counter was pleasant and greeted us…read morein. He said open seating everywhere including patio where we would order at the counter, get a number, and delivery to the table. Or full service in a certain section. We opted to sit in the patio area so we ordered at the counter. We received free chips with our order and they have a salsa bar with a few sauces plus limes. Our orders did not take long. My fish tacos meal with a draft beer and tip was about $34. My favorite were the tacos. Fish was tasty and seasoned well. Nice crunch and sauces. Chips were good. Rice and black beans could use more flavor. The patio was nice and we able to watch sports on a big screen. We all enjoyed our dinners and time there.

    Had dinner and drinks at Chihuahua and the outdoor dining is dog friendly, breezy and lively. The…read moreservers were super chill and accommodating. They asked if we wanted to split our bill per person from the moment we ordered, which was convenient. The Big Bowl was really refreshing and had good ratio of veggies and rice and lots of protein. The 4 salsas they offer with chips are all great. Though the chips were super hard/crunchy type and felt like it could impale you if you bit it wrong. The burrito was massive and easily shared between two people. Also had the Pina Loca with reposado instead of mezcal and it was terrribleee! Nice place for a quick stop by Newport!

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    The BIG Chihuahua Burrito for two
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    La Fogata - mexican - Updated August 2026

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