Bandito Taqueria -- A Taste of Tijuana in the Heart of Santa Ana…read more If you're looking for Tijuana-style Mexican food with serious flavor, Bandito Taqueria is a spot worth checking out. From the moment you walk in, you get that authentic TJ-style taqueria feel, with the aromas of mesquite, fresh tortillas, and classic Mexican ingredients filling the room. The mesquite flavor really stands out--it gives the meats that smoky, grilled taste that makes every bite memorable. And the handmade tortillas are a game changer: warm, fresh, and the perfect foundation for the tacos and other dishes. The guacamole is fresh, creamy, and full of flavor, while the crispy seasoned chips bring a satisfying crunch and just the right amount of seasoning. Pair those with the salsa and you've got the perfect start to the meal. What also makes the experience special is the hospitality. The atmosphere feels welcoming and relaxed, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends. Located in the heart of Santa Ana, Bandito Taqueria brings a taste of Tijuana to Orange County with smoky mesquite flavors, handmade tortillas, fresh guacamole, and seriously satisfying Mexican food. 5/5 TJ-style flavor Mesquite-grilled goodness Handmade tortillas Fresh guacamole Crispy seasoned chips Great hospitality Bandito Taqueria delivers the kind of food that makes you want to come back hungry. Definitely a spot to put on your Santa Ana food list! #BanditoTaqueria #SantaAnaEats #SantaAnaFood #TijuanaStyle #TJStyle #MexicanFood #Tacos #Taqueria #TacoLovers #Mesquite #HandmadeTortillas #Guacamole #Foodie #FoodReview #EatswithEddie #OCFoodie #OrangeCountyEats #MoreReviews

Yoooooooooooooooo, great food at this spot. Tried the al pastor - so good in the burrito. And the…read moremushroom chorizo was delicious as well. Big fan of the sauce Lots of seating indoors (long tables). Quick service to get the food. Overall, it's great for large groups, especially after a night of drinking

Great tacos and quick service! The pollo and asada were both juicy and well-seasoned, with fresh…read moretoppings and salsa that had real kick. The owner was very friendly so will be back for sure.

I came here on a Friday to pick up two burritos. I ordered a Carne Asada and a chicken burrito and…read morethe total came to under $20. The burritos are packed next to grilled vegetables which made the tortilla soggy (recommendation: separate the grilled vegetables from the burrito). The burritos was packed with ingredients but very bland. My husband said his chicken burrito was fine and would give it 3 out of 5 stars, too. They also offer 3 different sauces, too. Glad we tried it.

Great churros and nutella but have had a few better in the area. Birria mulita was very good…read morealthough a bit greasy. Didnt love the chicken tacos or chicken mulita due to chicken seasoning having odd charred taste. Main ding was on customer service being terrible. Cashier seemed unwelcoming and annoyed when asking questions about menu.

I came by to get gas and next-door to the Chevron was this taco spot and I ordered the mulita which…read moreconsisted of two handmade fresh tortillas, cheese, cilantro, onion, and your choice of hot or mild sauce The service and cleanliness is exceptional. I recommend a better view of a gas station, but the energy ambience has felt here.

Great food, great music, great people and service Would…read morerecommend this spot to anyone looking for solid tacos

Best tacos in the OC, David was a great server, told us about the Taco Madness championship that…read morethe restaurant has won 3 times. Definitely would recommend.

Navarros never disappoints...whether you eat it in restaurant...take it to go or get it delivered…read moreby uber eats/postmates! Service is always great and get your order right! Birria - always a good choice but be careful if you order more than 2, serious food coma. Consume is packed with flavor and yes i admit i drink it! Taquitos - my kids love the shredded beef one's! Carne asada with anything is bomb here...one of the best carne spots around! Beans - i mention their beans because they are top 3 hands down...awesome flavor and perfect texture! This is the actual cause of my food comas! Navarros is bomb, trust my Elite status and give this place a shot...if you don't like it you're probably should stick with the other well known brands.

Ordered from here when we first arrived to the hotel after a long flight and wanted something fast…read more It arrived via door dash in under 30mins. We ordered; Apps: Chips w/Guac and salsa Entrees: Al pastor taco and Chicken Quesadilla Food was okay. Definitely hit the spot for a quick bite. I would've preferred more onions and pico. They gave us a lot of chips and a small container for salsa & guacamole. My husband liked the taco. Steer clear of the salsas if you have heartburn/indigestion as they are both pretty spicy. Enter freely they've been approved

Pastor tacos are deliciousoooo! Great service and clean restaurant! Highly recommendedread more

Came by for taco Tuesday, hadn't been in well over 6 months. I can't be absolute in saying the…read morequality of ALL meat has declined, but for the carne asada, it appeared to be the case when I went. Meat was extremely greasy, to the point I got nauseous. And the actual pieces were extremely chewy - hardly edible. I ended up throwing my tacos away. I hope this was just a one off incident.

Really enjoyed my experience here! The fries topped with flavorful al pastor pork, melted cheese,…read moreand fresh guacamole were delicious. The service was friendly and attentive, and everything came out quickly. I loved the variety of salsas and especially the grilled onions. The jamaica was fabulous, and the horchata was also really good just a touch sweet for my personal taste. The staff was very helpful with recommendations for first-time visitors, and I love that they offer more than tacos, including pizza, wings, desserts, and halal options. The arroz con leche was one of my favorites. I could have it every day! The restaurant is also kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Overall, a welcoming atmosphere, great food, and excellent service. I'll definitely be back!

Very lovely cashier, very good service and the food is a 10. Highly recommend my children loved it.read more

Found this gem randomly while in the area…read more Glad I did as the tacos and chorreadas was fire!! Unlike common taqueria shops tacos. Give them a shot you won't be disappointed. Also the owner was super dope, great service. I'll be back!

Met Miguel today (Miguel is awesome) and let him know it was our first time.... He recommended a…read morefew different items but what really stood out was his welcoming energy and positivity. We got 4 chuleta tacos, they were absolutely perfect. Let's talk about the taco.... Tortilla was perfect, soft yet crunchy and had flavor. Meat, seasoned and marinated well, cooked perfectly with a good char slight crunch and still soft, never tasted a hint of burnt. Toppings were chopped well, with the right cuts where it made sense when you ate it. Spice level was perfect mellow. THEIR AVOCADO SAUCE WAS TOP TIER. I'll be back for more tacos as a regular. This is not a paid review. If you read this far just go try it, it's just dang good in every aspect. Last thing, they won best taco this year 2026.

I've driven by this little spot quite a few times but never had the chance to stop. I finally did…read moretoday, and I'm glad I checked it out! I ordered everything to go and went with their Tijuana-style tacos--dos tacos de lengua con todo and dos tacos de carne asada con todo--along with green and red salsa and some limes. If you know lengua, you know it needs to be cleaned and cooked a very specific way, and they definitely got that part right. The lengua was cooked well and had a good texture. For my personal taste, though, it was just missing a little salt. Other than that, the food was good. It's a cute, small spot with some outdoor seating. They also have aguas frescas like horchata, pan dulce, and coffee, so there's a little bit of everything. Overall, a nice little neighborhood taqueria to pull up to when you're craving some Tijuana-style tacos.

Taqueria El Gordito is one of my go-to late-night taco spots, especially after work--and it never…read moremisses. They're open until 3am, which already puts them in a clutch category. This is the kind of place you rely on when you need something solid, fast, and satisfying. My usual order is the asada or cabeza tacos--and they don't hold back. The tacos are big, flavorful, and consistently good every time. Every now and then I switch it up with the chile relleno burrito, which is also worth it. Everything I've had here hits. The salsa selection is solid too. They don't have it laid out anymore, but you can just ask at the counter--and they'll take care of you. They've always been cool about giving extra when needed. They've also got a good variety of drinks to go with it. I usually take my food to-go, but the outdoor patio is there if you want to sit and eat. Service is friendly, quick, and consistent--another reason I keep coming back. If you're looking for a reliable late-night taco spot that delivers on flavor and portion, this is it.

Been coming for a few times a year forever…read more Cash only. Thats the only con really. So just remember to bring cash. Though there is an atm machine in case. Bathrooms are available, clean. Usually they have a security . Food is consistent good. Always busy. Though it's not super long to wait .

I really enjoy the pastor, asada, and carnitas tacos. I recently tried the cabeza tacos and it was…read moretasty. The lengua is good and the buche is ok. Tacos come out steaming hot and meat is tender and flavorful! Horchata is always good. The tortas and burritos are great but I think they need to work on wrapping it better. The torta often falls apart and burritos aren't wrapped well enough. Enchiladas are good and the nachos are good. Fish tacos were not good because the sauce was just sour cream and the fish was crispy but not seasoned so the whole taco tasted bland. However, everything else tasted great and is decently priced! There's a self serve salsa bar with green and red sauce, onions and cilantro, and pickled carrots. Service is good they're friendly and food comes out quick. There is plenty of parking and seating inside and outside. The tacos are the stars here.