My family really enjoyed our lunch at Playa Mesa. Delicious food (highly recommend the Birria tacos!) And our server, Josele, was terrific. He was attentive, helpful, friendly AND kind - doesn't get much better than that! read more

The food is AWESOME!! The Ceviche, The Guacamole, and the Shrimp Quesadillas--SOOO Delish! Alejandra made my to go order perfect to exactly how I wanted it for three of my sisters and our niece. Great Service! They had a courteous young man carry my order bags to my car for me. And AMBIENCE??? OMG THE PLACE IS SOOOO COOL!! Everyone has to check it out. read more

We had a great dinner at playa mesa because of our server Josele! Such a nice guy he checked in on us and made sure everything was great!

My boyfriend and I ate here last night at the bar. Our food was to die for (veggie fajitas knocked it out of the park), drinks were fantastic, ambience was gorgeous, patio for dogs and fire pit outside, Leo and Cassidy knocked it out of the park ! We will be back read more

OUTSTANDING, very happy with the service, ambient and most of ALL the delicious food. Brenda , SIMPLY THE BEST. Thankful , for had found this beautiful place. I WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!!! read more

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Excellent service and great food. Chips and salsa really fresh and good. More of a chipotle type salsa. The shrimp enchiladas are excellent. Love the crema sauce. The fish tacos very very good. House margarita very refreshing. Ended the meal with a chocolate flan. Very different and very good. Only negative is that it is very loud. The way it is built with the acoustics there is not a way to quiet it down. If you're looking for Mexican food with a flair it is an excellent choice though. read more

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I came here on "accident" today while looking for another spot lunch. We could tell from the outside it was a beautiful space and since it was Taco Tuesday, it seemed serendipitous to have ended up here. First the obvious- this place is gorgeous! Airy, open and aesthetically pleasing from every angle, the place gives high-end hotel in Mexico vibes. The food: The chips and salsa were delicious! We had two rounds before our truly amazing tacos showed up. For taco Tuesday- all tacos were $4 and $6 so that's what we ordered. I had 2 fish tacos and 1 carnitas taco. One fish taco was literally a meal on its own, so only order multiples if you're super hungry. The fish was flakey, firm and fried in a tasty golden batter, served on a hand made corn tortilla- OMG, taco heaven. The carnitas taco was delicious too. Shout out to homemade corn tortillas that really elevate the already superb taco. We were working so no drinks were ordered, just diet coke, but the cocktails here look and sound amazing. Plans to return are already underway. I highly recommend this spot for a quick lunch or dinner with a beautiful ambiance, prompt service, great price point and authentic Mexican food. read more

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Came last night for my bday dinner. Sad to say that we were unable to be seated a table because "they didn't have any available" but all the tables were available. This isn't a club so I wasn't sure if you had to pay for a table. Ended up sitting at the bar. We were attended to right after getting situated and drinks were served promptly and time given was decent for the menu. Staff was friendly. The place itself was a nice little place, staff was not an issue. Here is why I'm giving this place is getting a 2 star review. I am deeply disappointed to express my disgust what my friends and I experienced towards the rest of the night. My friend got food poisoning from the food. I personally had lot of stomach issues the rest of the night as well. Something didn't sit right but tbh, I was a little disappointed about the shrimp taco I ordered. I kinda expected battered shrimp, but I understand not every place does that. The shrimps were small, but there were about 4 in the taco. No sauce, which made the taco dry, ended up having to just pour the salsa from the chips on it to give it a little wetness read more

Playa Mesa - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Great service amazing drinks specially the Tamarindo margarita my favorite and the food yummy

Me and my bestie came for Taco Tuesday, so I can only speak to the tacos, but idk how this place has over 4 stars. The meat was extremely dry, except for the birria, which was extremely salty. The best part of the meal was the free chips and salsa at the beginning. read more

Playa Mesa - Each of the taco Tuesday tacos - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Playa mesa has a beautiful ambience and set up upon walking in. The parking area is only valet, which is $4. I believe they take other options if you didn't have cash. We came in on a Friday afternoon, we had a reservation. My cousin was running late, this made no change to our seat which was nice. It honestly seemed like walk ins were seated quickly. The drinks were yummy! We ordered most of the Classico drinks: tamarindo margarita, Jamaica marg, spicy cucumber marg. Two shots of casamigos repasado (tasted super good with the orange and tajin btw. And then an espresso martini. It was my first ever espresso martini and let me say that or the shots might of been my favorite. And the food was also good. You get a basket of chips and salsa and they are refillable! Salsa was so flavorful and the chips were sooo good with the perfect amount of crisp. We also ordered aquachiles for an app. They were good, but lacked in flavor a bit for me. The spice was definitely there in the juice. I ordered Birria tacos which again was good, but the meat seemed to lack flavor even when dipping in the consume. The meat was super tender though. We ordered fried ice cream as well, my review on it may not be reputable due to the fact that I'm not a vanilla person. However, it has the perfect crisp in the chips and layering around the ice cream. It also wasn't too sweet which may be good for some people. The main reason I'm eating 4/5 is due to the flavoring of the food we ordered. There was a decent amount on their menu and the drink menu was just as long as the food. So i definitely would love to come back and try different meals. read more

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Food was good. The staff super friendly and helpful with their favorite dishes. Upper end Mexican foods (but don't have the traditional Mexican dishes you can order), not Tex/ Mex. The restaurant inside is really pretty, upbeat, overall nice. Parking is in the back, not a lot because you're sharing it with other restaurants. Dim lighting, don't keep anything in your car. There was no wait. There's also a full bar inside the middle of the restaurant. read more

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The salsa: eh, a few notches up from Tostitos salsa tbh, but loved the warm chips. Took really long to get our food order in so I had way too much time to fill up on chips. Drinks were given fast though. Music- too loud. Can't hear anyone- even next to me. Hate when restaurants do this... Chicken enchilada: holy crap it was so dry and boring. Don't even bother. This lacked flavor big time. Gave it to my friend who agreed it was a**. I'm legitimately upset they thought this was acceptable. Okay, rant over. Birria taco: good but wouldn't come back for it- 7/10 Arugula salad that comes on the entree was nice and fresh. A good addition that I really enjoyed My friend got the carne with tortillas and that was really good. Ambiance: really beautiful interior Moral of the story: learn from my experience and order something different I wanted the tres leches waffle but they never came around to ask if we wanted dessert so I gave this fantasy up lol. When the check came, we weren't even asked about dessert prior. It took so long to get it too. read more

Love this Mexican restaurant! And it's super cute inside! A plus that they have outdoor seating and they are dog friendly. I came during happy hour and it was great! They have a list of $10 margs! My favorites were the Tamarindo and Jamaica Margaritas. And we got two $4 street tacos during happy hour too. Definitely recommend the carne asada and carnitas tacos. So flavorful! They also give you complimentary chips and salsa that are fresh and tasty. For my entree I ordered their cheese enchiladas and asked for their tomatillo sauce instead of red. So so good! I also love that you get rice, beans, and arugula salad as your sides with this combo plate. Overall great service and food! I would love to come back. And they do have free parking available! You can also make a reservation in advance on Yelp! read more

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I came into Playa Mesa and had the most amazing experience with Marcos as my server. He was fast, attentive, and truly made me want to keep coming back. Marcos is the best server I have had hands down. read more

I am so impressed with Playa Mesa every time that I go here. You walk into an aesthetic, fun vibe with a beautiful bar in the center of everything. You can tell the ingredients they use are FRESH. They definitely put a unique twist on Mexican food. All the items I've tried are so good, and guess what -- you get free warm chips with salsa; they refill your chips even when you aren't done so you get a hot batch. FAVE ITEMS: - Lobster Enchiladas: omg, get this. The cream sauce they use is to die for. I figured that lobster chunks may be a hit or miss in enchiladas depending on the quality, but these were good sizes and fresh. - House Salad: good number of juicy shrimps with arugula and ricotta paired with honey mezcal dressing. Just divine! Makes for a godo balance to the enchiladas and chips you will be having. - Spicy Cucumber Margarita: tajim rim paired so well with the refreshing cucumber drink. GET THIS! SERVICE: they could be a bit better about service; it took a while for them to come by when we asked for plates and to take our order. PARKING: they only offer valet $4, no self-parking. PRICE: hmm typical for a place like this, I'd say. Prices range from $10-20. Overall, Playa Mesa is a spot that I would recommend to anyone. If you like good Mexican food, then this place is for you. read more

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Great food and wonderful service at Playa Mesa. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious, and our waiter Miguel was friendly, attentive, and made the experience feel easy and enjoyable. Looking forward to coming back! read more

I've always liked Playa Mesa, but my experience on Friday, July 25 left a bad taste. The bartender that evening was shockingly rude and dismissive, both to me and others at the bar. Instead of feeling welcomed, I felt like I was bothering them just by ordering a drink. This is not the level of service I've come to expect here, and it really took away from what should have been a great night out. I hope management addresses this, because the atmosphere and food deserve better representation. read more

I'm not sure what the hype is. The ambiance is nice. Service is slow. Like we sat for 10-15 minutes before anyone said "we will be right there." The drinks are pretty. Not very strong. The food is okay. Nothing mind blowing. I wouldn't go out my way for it. I got the taco combo with a taco and an enchilada. The shrimp inside the enchilada was okay. The sauce wasn't great. The tortilla for the fish taco didn't hold up. Tortilla definitely isn't being made in the back. read more

We went to Playa Mesa for a late breakfast on Sunday morning. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated right away. We requested to sit on the front patio, which was quieter and very nice. The food and drinks were excellent! Josele was our waiter and he was great - attentive and very friendly. He knew the menu and suggested the Chilaquies ad the Chilie Verde Carnitas Benedict (a great updated to eggs benedict). Both were AMAZING. We will definitely be returning to Playa Mesa again, and if possible, request to sit in Josele' section. read more

Food was great, desserts were delicious, but our server Miguel was the highlight of our dinner at Playa Mesa! He was so warm and friendly, gave us great food and drink recommendations, and made us laugh! He charmed my mom and fiancée with his kindness, as well as my brother and his partner and made our experience amazing!! The flan was also very, very good 10/10 read more

Best wet burrito I ever had : ordered surf and turf for $23 and it come with steak on one half and shrimp on the other half . One side was wet with red sauce and the other with green sauce ...best of both worlds! Went to a food coma after . read more

Playa Mesa - Surf and turf burrito - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We came with a Party of 8, we just walked in and they accommodated us right away! I've been here so many times but never with a party this big, will be back to host a family party again for sure! The service was amazing, our server Mariana and Julio were so sweet and attentive. The restaurant is so cute, it has such a nice beach look to it! All the food we got was 10/10, will be back soon!! read more

Playa Mesa - Tacos de Pescado Taco Brunch - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food was great and Marco had amazing service and attitude. Makes me want to come back

We are always here for Margarita Monday and Taco Tuesday, and usually have Marco as our server. If you have the pleasure of him serving you, he truly is the best! So warm and personable, constantly checking in on us, refilling chips and water, etc. We always leave happy. If you don't want to go to a truck for Taco Tuesday, this is the place! Great portions for the $! read more

The atmosphere and lighting were great, Scarlet the waitress made the experience 100x better She goes above and beyond excellent customer service Scarlet personality made my Friday night read more

Playa Mesa - Scarlet best waitress and Israel best busboy - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Had to exit the Hoag procedures building due to Covid protocols while my guy had a procedure. Hence, Operation Lunch somewhere I could hangout without being annoying. Love Yelp!!! Guided me here and I don't regret it. Since a party of one; I sat at bar. Great service! The seats are sadly worn but it is easily overlooked by the excellent service, drink, and food. The queso fundido was outstanding, the salsa was a tad fruity and unsatisfying but if you ask for a cup of habanero for kick it's perfect and my à la carte chicken taco was delicious. It was a welcome distraction and when in the area will choose to come here again. read more

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Well first it was a little rainy but since I had my dog we sat outside and the staff was great drying off the seats/tables. We had a great woman that served us first,sorry I didn't know your name,and then we had Alejandro who was just as wonderful as she was. The food was spectacular...but the Flan isn't traditional and I took home a Tres Leches cake that was also a disappointment. Listen to your server they know. I didn't and I got possibly the worst desserts on the menu...the server didn't suggest either of those desserts that I had ordered SO listen to your servers. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! read more

Our service was awesome! Ask for Josele, he was great. The food is always good but the service made the night!

Playa Mesa is such a vibe! The space is airy, coastal, and perfect for a night out. We sat outside on the patio with the string lights and fire pits--super cozy and cute. I got the Camarones al Mojo and subbed the rice for veggies. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. My friend ordered the birria tacos, and they were amazing--tender, juicy, and full of flavor. We had the skinny Margarita de la Casa, which was perfectly balanced--not too sweet, just how I like it. Our server Eric was amazing--friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations without being pushy. He really made the experience even better. We finished with the flan for dessert, and it was chef's kiss--creamy, rich, and not overly sweet. Highly recommend Playa Mesa for a date night, dinner with friends, or even happy hour. Great food, strong drinks, and the service was top tier. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Scarlet is AMAZING. we love her!!! Best service of my life! Brought the energy and the food and the best drinks. CINCO DE MAYO. coming back for more!! read more

Miguel was an amazing server! Always checked up on us often. 20/10 reccomend Miguel as a server

We stopped in for Taco Tuesday and were glad we did. Scarlet was so friendly and welcoming. There's almost too many choices! We settled on street tacos, sliders and tostadas. All were delicious and huge! Their chips and salsa were spot on. And the claim their margaritas are the best in the OC is no joke. Fresh juice makes a big difference. We're definitely coming back soon! Cheers!!! To Scarlet she's the number #1 read more

Playa Mesa is adorable! Felt like I was back in Cancun, with beautiful, relaxing, fun tropic decor, in an open space. We arrived slightly after opening and the place filled up so quickly. Parking is valet only, FYI, so be patient and kind to the valet folks. Our server was nice, but kinda slow... 20 minutes is far too long to get us coffee, but she was nice. Our friends come regularly and their fave server was an fellow whom recognized them and came to check on us frequently. He helped bring us items, which made the experience so much better. I believe his name was Joselay, give him a raise! Maybe even a title bump, he should be a server trainer and train the others on quality service. Food was good. The steak and shrimp fajitas were okay. Flavor was good, but I think the steak sat under the heat lamp for too long and became super chewy. I kinda forced myself to finish it. My friend got the carne asada and said her steak was runbery as well, and it's normally not like that. She said it's usually more tender. We all shared the lobster tacos which were yum. Also shared the Norris tacos which were bomb! Super gooood. Hubby got the breakfast burrito which was ginormous and legit. Chips and salsa were good. The churros and cafe olla with ice cream is fire. Treat yourself! Again, cute place. I definitely wanna come back, for dinner and try more dishes and drinks, for sure. Joselay says they have a good taco Tuesday, I think I see a visit on a Tuesday, in the near future. Hopefully I can up the 4 stars to 5. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner. Sat on the patio with badly ripped cushions and stained pillows. This patio needs a major cleanup and update. Food was decent, some dishes were better than others. Chicken taquitos were pretty tasty but quite greasy and steak and shrimp fajita was flavorful. Unfortunately, ceviche was not good. It was mushy and powdery as if the fish was boiled. Margaritas were refreshing. Service was adequate. Our waitress was nice and cordial but also very busy waiting on other tables so she wasn't as attentive. Price is reasonable. read more

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I thought Playa Mesa couldn't get better, but I was proved wrong! My favorite waiter, Alejandro, always makes it such a fun experience- really great service and my faaaavorite cocktails in all of Costa Mesa. My carne asada plato tonight was so delicious and perfectly prepared. Even when I don't interact with Alejandro, this staff is filled with such kind and knowledgeable people. read more

5 stars! Josele was the best server ever and made my night. Great food and even better service! Can't wait to come back

Underwhelmed... I was super excited to try Playa Mesa after reading great reviews but I have to say I am severely underwhelmed and honestly pretty disappointed with my meal. Parking: 0/5 Valet parking only!! This was very frustrating, there is a huge lot and the valet parked our car in the third open space which I could have easily done myself.. especially with COVID I really don't want someone else in my car touching my things. Maybe valet could be optional, but to make it required is enough to not make me return. Quality of Food: 2/5 Mexican food is my absolute favorite, so I feel pretty confident in saying I know good Mexican food when I have it. We received complimentary chips and salsa when we sat down, chips were great, salsa was below average on taste.. very plain, comparable to a jarred medium salsa you would buy at a grocery store. As for entrees, I ordered two different shrimp tacos, they were served with rice and beans. I question if the tortilla was straight from a Mission or Guerrero corn tortilla bag.. because they sure tasted like they were.. The refried beans tasted like the ones straight out of a can and the rice... like Uncle Bens microwaveable pouches... and what's even worse was the meal was $21 ($17 for two tacos +$2 per shrimp taco) Ambience: 2/5 When we were seated it must have been the wrapping up of the brunch crowd, the restaurant was extremely loud and there was a barking dog in a stroller next to us.. inside the restaurant (near the patio, but still inside the restaurant). Very nice lighting throughout the restaurant, cute and decorative seating throughout, and insta-worthy bar area. Service: 4/5 It was busy, which I am very understanding about but we did wait about 10-15 minutes after our meal for our check. Sorry to say I would not recommend after my experience.. I'm ready to try some other Mexican restaurants around! read more

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Best waiter Josele Great service Fun grea conversations positive guy. amazing food We will be back read more

jooose is the man. checked on us multiple times. food was delicious. liked the watermelon marg and the michilada