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Palapa

3.0 (604 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Palapa Photos

PALAPA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Palapa

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Reviews With Photos

Birria Nachos  Drink: agua Fresca de Jamaica
Josie F.

Hello Fullerton Community. Let me tell you about the gem in Mexican food in Fullerton! You don't have to search far for good quality made fresh Mexican food. I went out for dinner with my mother and sister to Palapas restaurant it did not disappoint. We got a plate of Birria Nachos and two Carne asada sopes with a side of rice and beans. The owner was in last night and she gave us consomé on the house and for dessert she gave us a slice of their delicious creamy flan. We also ordered a plate of churros because you can't end the night at a Mexican restaurant without trying their best desserts. Can't wait to try the breakfast menu, see you soon Palapas.

Alfie E.

Dropped by on a whim (with the help of Yelp locator) and was interested in the birria ramen, which was something that I wanted to try at foodie fests but didn't get a chance to. The restaurant is modern but cozy. The music is loud which makes it a fun casual place to take your friends and family. Service takes place at the counter and they take your order to your table if you decide to eat in. The day was beautiful so I chose to eat outside at the covered patio. The ramen was hella good! It came out in a Tapatio ramen bowl but hacked the stock with the consomme and the birria. My order even came with a queso birria so I can try the meat in a taco form. It is also delicious so so ordering the queso birria tacos on their own is a good choice. After ordering a gobenador taco and eating both tacos, I was very full. It is a lot of food! Because the ramen is sold in the ramen cup, they don't have a lid or a container with a lid so be forewarn if you want to bring the soup home. They can provide a foil to seal the top then a small bag to secure it in. Ramen was good the next day as the flavors intensified. Overall, I had a good first visit.

Inside
Andrea B.

Went for a quick bite on taco Tuesday ($1.90) each taco. It was nice and clean inside and we were greeted and seated quickly by the woman in the front. She was the only server there but it also wasn't very busy, only one other person there. She was very attentive, and took our order right away. So that was very nice. The food took about 15 minutes to come out, between my girlfriend and I we ordered 3 tacos al pastor, 2 asada and 3 carnitas, so 4 tacos each. Flavor wise they were "meh" , I was actually kind of disappointed . They were actually kind of small and they were street tacos with "hand made" tortillas but the tortillas weren't doubled so it made the tacos feel even smaller. The salsa had no spiciness only the red had any kick to it. The Agua de horchata was very good and sweet , great flavor. It was $4 for a regular size cup. So overall it was just an okay place to go eat, definitely could do better and I probably won't be going again anytime soon. Sorry Palapas.

Menu
Lucy S.

Got together with the girls for a much needed Sunday Brunch and it did not disappoint...well for the most part. We arrived at 11am and waited about 20 min or so not bad considering it was a Sunday and it was pretty busy. The place itself is not very big in fact its pretty small so minus the 1 star for that. There is plenty of parking in an adjacent parking lot and it's free.We were seated in their patio area which is also not very big , it was shaded but unfortunately it was a hot day and it was toasty. Servers were attentive, efficient and personable. Everyone enjoyed their food and portions are a decent size. We shared the mimosa flight and they were just ok for me not very strong but I guess it is just a miimosa lol-next time I'll try a drink drink ;) overall a fun brunch and I would recommend to come check them out!!

Asada tacos
Johnnie C.

3 1/2 stars. I came here for Taco Tuesday $1.75 each. Great deal and good sized tacos. Good tasting the food was a bit cold though when I got home. They had a salsa bar, with four or more red and green salsas. They charged a .50 cents fee to use a credit card Quick and easy ordering and clean space. They have other specials for burritos, etc. I will return

Bland carnitas, laughably tiny portions of beans and rice.
Brian F.

So disappointed. We ate here back in December and the food was amazing. Best carnitas I have ever had. The prices were fair as well. We revisited today and the entire experience has changed. First, they changed from fast-casual to full dining. Which is fine. The staff are all attentive and friendly. Great service. However, they have a new chef (since January) who changed the menu entirely. The prices more than doubled. The portions shrank a lot. The salsa bar is gone. The carnitas were bland- worse than store-bought packaged. Beans and rice are inexpensive, yet there was maybe 2-3 spoonfuls on our taco combo plate. Ridiculous. The huevos rancheros was basically just 2 eggs and a crisp tortilla with some sauce. Barely any beans. The chicken & waffles had the tiniest of portion of dried out fried chicken. It was a small piece sliced and stacked to look larger. The prices are just too high for what you get. $20 for huevos rancheros that was literally a snack size. They actually have the nerve to charge $18 for 3 pancakes! Honestly, I hate being this harsh. I prefer to praise restaurants, but the experience was so bad I have to warn others. We were so excited to have found a delicious restaurant, and now thanks to these changes we won't be back.

Traditional margarita for Valentine's Day.
Jacki O.

The food is soooo good. I had the Carne Asada platter and my boyfriend had enchiladas both were delicious . The salsa is served warm and sooo yummy! The chips are super fresh and also served warm. They seem to have drink specials most of the week. I definitely recommend this place for quick service and great food!

Senia O.

You need to come here Upon walking in imely got greeted which is awesome I did get a sample of their horchata. It's pretty much seat yourself and pick up your order when they call your number We got the carne asada fries I got the video quesadilla and the Cali burrito tamarindo and two horchatas and let me tell you it is on point Please come here I don't advertise for anyone for free . however , when I walked in , it wasn't as busy as I thought but when we left it did give a little bit busier definitely have to hit this place up when you're craving some Birria anything. I will be back

Kendra A.

Service was quick and food was fresh. Good selection of salsas. Food was pretty good, big portions. Sat inside and vibed to the music with happy food dances. Birria pizza Birria fries

Tres Leches Cake
Sarah D.

TWO RESTAURANTS UNDER ONE ROOF! Looking for a lively, nice brunch spot... QUE HUEVOS is the spot! With coffees, mimosas, micheladas to start off the morning... to their sweet and savory dishes! Palapas Tacos resumes their normal hours after brunch! My favorite is their fries and burritos. Their hot salsa also packs a lot of heat, which I love! With newly renovated decor and ambience, seating indoor and outdoor is equally nice. Service is quick and their staff is very welcoming. Definitely give QUE HUEVOS/PALAPAS TACOS a try!

Torta cubana
Summer V.

It's a cutie little restaurant with both in door and outdoor seating. The food is really good i definitely recommend the pozole it's a good size portion. They are also very quick and nice.

They serve breakfast too
Verito V.

Food was great environment. Was okay. I was honestly expecting a little bit more from all of the advertisement on all social media. But I will recommend it food. It is good, they have good portions parking. Is a little bit hard to find Selection was not a whole lot of variety.

al pastor & carne asada street tacos.
Michelle H.

Was drawn in by their banners advertising their daily deals. I happened to stop in on a Monday in which they have all you can eat tacos. They serve them in plates of 5 and I had 2 plates. tried their carne asada, chicken, and al pastor. The flavors were good and have a fair serving per taco. I tried their green mild and hot salsas, I preferred the mild one. The al pastor and asada had some chewy fatty bits but it didn't bother me too much. I did get pretty full around taco 7 tho. I left full and satisfied. I came in around 2pm, so the restaurant was pretty empty. However, the place was clean and the staff were friendly. It wasn't too quiet or loud, they had TV's playing different channels and had a radio playing some good music. I would definitely come back and try something new.

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2 years ago

We tried the weekend Que Huevos brunch menu today and it did not disappoint! Birria tacos were amazing!! We will be going back!

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3 years ago

Excellent food. Excellent service and the staff have always been very friendly. I love the variety off food it has always been excellent.

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Page 4 of 16

Palapa Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Palapa

Do they take apple pay?

Yes

Is the birria ramen made with goat or beef?

beef

Do they charge extra for using a card?

Yes there's a 1 dollar charge.

Do they still have all you can eat tacos? If they do, how does it work now that you're not able to dine in?

yes 2 hr time limit

Heard they have birria ramen anyone try it yet?

Yes I really liked it. This was before Covid. The sopa was really flavorful

View All 6 Questions

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Rialto Cafe

Rialto Cafe

3.8
(1.4k reviews)
0.1 mi
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Located in Downtown Fullerton with convenient access to nearby public parking, which makes visiting…read morepretty easy. The restaurant itself is small and cozy with a comfortable atmosphere, but seating is limited. It can get busy during peak hours, so waiting is expected. There are also outdoor tables along the street that you can use when the weather is nice. Prices and portion sizes are reasonable, making it a good option for a casual breakfast or brunch. They were out of cold brew during my visit, so I ordered an iced coffee instead, but it was served a bit lukewarm, which was slightly disappointing. The omelet and Cobb salad were both flavorful and well prepared. The staff were friendly and provided good service. Overall, a cozy breakfast spot with solid food and a welcoming atmosphere.

We ordered the strawberry Nutella crepe and the breakfast panini. Overall, the food quality was…read morereally good, although I do think it's a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The crepe was definitely my favorite! the combination of fresh strawberries and Nutella was delicious, and it really hit the spot. The breakfast panini was also tasty, and I would happily come back for both items. The service was fast and efficient, and the staff stayed attentive throughout our visit, making sure we had everything we needed. One thing I really loved about this cafe was the atmosphere. There are plenty of seating areas, making it a great place to hang out or catch up with friends. The overall vibe is cozy and inviting, which makes me want to keep coming back.

Photos
Inside
Inside
Breakfast Panini with Breakfast Potatoes
Breakfast Panini with Breakfast Potatoes
Waiting outside

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Waiting outside
Early Bird

Early Bird

3.9
(3.3k reviews)
1.9 mi
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ALWAYS great food & service!…read more We come here semi-regularly and are never disappointed. From the fact that you can check in on Yelp prior to your arrival to avoid a long wait to how amazing their homemade juice mimosa flight is, the experience at Early Bird is always top notch. Every employee there genuinely seems to enjoy their job and are always really attentive, kind and on top of their game. I don't think we've ever had an order messed up or item forgotten in all the times we've gone. Food is always so good as well! We love the rancho Benedict with carnitas and avocado mash. They've even done it on sliced tomato for me instead of an English muffin upon request. We also enjoy the biscuits and gravy. The Elvis waffle with bacon and banana is to die for as is the Brioche French toast. The Real Deal Holyfield Steak & Eggs is the way to go if you're craving something extra hearty. Coffee is piping hot and regularly refilled and OJ is fresh squeezed as well. If you're feeling adventurous, check out their specials board at the front for something cool and unique.

I've been here several times in the past back when I was really into Benedicts, and this place made…read moresome delicious ones. The pork belly Bennie used to be my go-to every time. But now that I've kind of moved on from my Bennie phase, I found myself staring at the menu wondering what to order instead. After going back and forth for a while, I decided on the Serrano Chicken Sandwich - and it ended up being a great choice according to our server. It had a really nice spicy kick, and I especially loved the crunchy onions that added extra texture to every bite. I picked the mixed greens salad as my side, though the dressing made it a little too sour for my taste so I couldn't finish it. My boyfriend, who's a big omelette person, ordered the veggie omelette. It was decent, though I do wish they offered more than just 4 omelette options on the menu. Overall, still a good brunch spot with good food and a nice atmosphere.

Photos
Pork belly Benedict, Frank Floyd Benedict, Nitro Iced Coffee, & Strawberry Mimosa
Pork belly Benedict, Frank Floyd Benedict, Nitro Iced Coffee, & Strawberry Mimosa
Duck confit hash, frank floyd benedict, the dutch waffle
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Pork Eggs Benedict + Chilaquiles
Fullerton Brew Co

Fullerton Brew Co

3.9
(570 reviews)
0.1 mi
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My friends and I visited this restaurant for the first time, and surprisingly, there was no wait on…read morea Friday night. They have a good selection of American food, and I ordered chicken risotto ($24) from the "favorites" section of the menu. Portion sizes here are good, and we were very full after dinner. Service here was basic, and we got everything we needed. Friday night is also a peak time at Downtown Fullerton, so it was hard to find parking spot. However, the ambience here was relaxed. While the chicken risotto was pricy, I enjoyed the mixed flavors and large portion size. The flavor came from the caper-parmesan beurre blanc sauce. It's a slightly creamy butter sauce with mild sweetness and added flavor from white wine. The capers added a very welcome tangy and savory seasoning to the sauce; they're one of my favorite garnishes. The flavors from the breaded chicken and risotto weren't too strong. However, I would've liked the dish more with if they put less parmesan because I enjoyed the flavor from the beurre blanc sauce the most.

Sundays brunch are popular here! Came on a Sunday brunch…read moretime, was in a mood for steak and eggs. The steak is pretty large , it comes with eggs any way you want and either potatoes or hash browns. I prefer the hash browns there perfectly Crunchy. My bf ordered the chicken salad.. I preferred mine. The service was ok, I feel like they could have visited more often, but the food made up for it!

Photos
Fullerton Brew Co
Belgian Waffle Combo
Belgian Waffle Combo
Creme Brulee. $9.00.

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Creme Brulee. $9.00.
The Classic Cafe

The Classic Cafe

4.6
(436 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Wheelchair accessible

The best cafe ever! The owner is incredibly sweet and welcoming. The atmosphere is lovely, and the…read moredrinks were absolutely delicious (10/10). The perfect place to get some studying done, or chill with friends. Outdoor seating is stunning as well! We will be returning many more times in the future!!

I saw this place on someone's Instagram and thought I'd try it out. It looks like a house from the…read morefront. Because there was a parking spot in the front, I parked there. However, I recommend parking in their parking lot, in the back. That way, you get a view of the garden before you place your order. It's still nice in the front, very welcoming. You walk through the gate, up the stairs, and through the front door. It's nicely air conditioned inside. Indoor seating looks like someone's dining room. The counter is near the back, on the left hand side. I grabbed a menu to take a look before I ordered. Food items listed on one side of the menu, and so many drink options on the other side. Little overwhelming. Too many choices. Coffee and non-coffee drinks. Although they offer paninis and avocado toast, I ordered a regular spicy pork cupbap ($15) and Dubai chocolate latte, iced ($7.75), paid at the counter, and received a pager. When the pager started buzzing, I went inside to pickup my order. My drink was basically a dessert in a cup. Absolutely delicious. So many wonderful ingredients on top. The spicy pork cupbap is spicy. I mixed it all up like I would any bibimbap. It consisted of white rice, glass noodles, red cabbage, pork, and a perfectly fried egg on top. Delicious. They offer a large size, but regular is more than enough. I decided to sit outside, in the back, to get the full garden experience. Although Fullerton is a little warm in June, the garden is absolutely wonderful. It's like sitting in someone's backyard, but on steroids. You shouldn't have trouble finding a spot to sit. There are so many tables and chairs, all over the place, around every corner: In the main garden, in the garden in front, on both sides of the cafe, on both porches, the one in the back and smaller one in front. It's a garden of Eden, with a large, fruitful lemon tree standing in the center. Green plants and trees all over the place, flowering plants and succulents. There's a large gazebo and umbrellas to shade you from the sun. Fun, whimsical displays throughout the garden, including bird houses, curated displays, and miniature communities. Service was welcoming and efficient. I highly recommend this cafe if you're looking for a nice outdoor garden to eat, drink, and hang out.

Photos
Entrance
Entrance
The Classic Cafe
The Classic Cafe

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Palapa - mexican - Updated June 2026

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