Best food, best service. Ones of the best food places on 17th street. Much love Chris ;)

Great local taco spot with one of the better Taco Tuesday deals around -- 3 tacos for about $12, with a huge variety of meats and options to choose from. My personal favorites are the shrimp, steak, and Yucatec tacos. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, and the tacos actually feel unique instead of all tasting the same. They also have really good salsa, which honestly makes a big difference. The flavors pair really well with the tacos and elevate the whole meal. Service was very good, staff was friendly and attentive, and they also have a bar, which gives the place a fun, casual atmosphere to hang out and grab food and drinks. Definitely a spot worth checking out, especially on Taco Tuesday. read more

Taco Tuesday at Que Vida is a total win Everything tastes fresh and homemade--the homemade horchata is perfectly sweet and refreshing, the homemade yellow corn tortillas are soft with that authentic, just-made flavor, and the cabbage adds the perfect crisp bite to the fish & shrimp taco. Fresh ingredients done really well. Carne adds taco has a hint of melted cheese on the tortilla. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to for Taco Tuesday! read more

Que Vida Tacos - Taco Tuesday grilled fish, grilled shrimp and asada - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

BEST Birria Tacos in Newport!!! Here's why: I was in the mood for birria tacos today and I heard this place had some of the best around, so I stopped in and ordered the #9 El Tapatio. It's two birria tacos with braised short rib, Oaxaca cheese, onion and cilantro, served with lime and a bowl of consommé for dipping. First thing, the waiter brought out a complimentary chips and salsa which was a nice surprise. The chips were warm and crispy and they gave me a few different salsas to try. One had a little kick, another one was more smoky and rich. Great way to start! Then the birria tacos came out and they looked incredible. The tortillas were crisp on the outside with that nice golden color from being cooked in the broth, and they were packed with tender short rib and melted Oaxaca cheese. When you dip them into the consommé it just takes everything up another level. The broth is rich and full of flavor and you can see the herbs and seasoning floating in it. Every bite had that crispy tortilla, juicy beef and melted cheese all together. Add a squeeze of lime and it's perfect. If you're a birria taco fan, this place is definitely worth checking out. I'll be back for sure soon! read more

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Food and service are great! Free refills on the chips and salsa! I had the chicken tacos, bomb! Back in December we ordered some catering from this location and everyone loved the food, finally got to come back and try it out again! read more

I got the taco Tuesday deal which is 3 tacos for 12.50 and it was a lot of food!! The tacos are big and completely filled me up. 5/5 chicken taco- lots of flavor, not dry and great flavors 3/5 shrimp taco- there was more fried batter around the shrimp than actual shrimp. 3/5 carnitas taco- lots of fat on the meat, not dry at all but just not much flavor. 5/5 grilled pepper- soo yummy and great flavors Salsas- all were really good on the tacos and with chips!!! Definitely made my tacos better with salsa on them. The guys at the front were very welcoming, kind, and had great customer service!! read more

Que Vida Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Tried the tacos, they were good .. but they don't shine as bright as the burritos for some reason. $35?? Less than $40 and it was a lot of food for 2.5 ppl! Two taco plate with beans and rice California burrito with carne asada 1 drink Shrimp taco 4/5 Loaded! I got mine with plump, grilled shrimp and it was refreshing with the corn kernels. The seasoning wasn't as good as my fav spot in San Diego, but I'd still get it again. Veggie taco 3.5/5 Lots of diff textures in this one. I enjoyed it for a veggie taco and it was a nice, lighter option. Rice and beans 3/5 These are fine. Nothing about them screams "wow", but they do give a lot for the portion. Rice was cooked and didn't seem too al dente, while refried beans could have more smokiness to them. California burrito 4/5 It's more like a mashed potato carne asada burrito. Which isn't bad, but if my fries are fried, I want them crispy. This is loaded and flavorful, def shareable. Fried pepper they give on the side is very spicy! Horchata 3.5/5 The flavor isn't bad, I like my horchata a little thicker, but it's nice to quell the spice. Service is always friendly! The server forgot our water and so when I asked for cups, I got another refill of horchata on the house. It's a nice spot to sit in, as it is clean and decked out in holiday decor. However, I'll stick with the burritos or try an appetizer next time. read more

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Came here for brunch. The breakfast burrito was delicious minus the creama, can't have it. Anthony was great about recommending me items. Also they have a good happy hour from what he explained. Nice chill vibe and going to make it a regular place to stop by. read more

First of all, the only reason I exercise in life is because I eat too much chips and salsa. (if there is such a thing as "too much") So, obviously I eat at of amazing Mexican restaurants. I stumbled upon this place a week or so ago, and am already back for more. This place is amazing. Not only is the food excellent, the service is even better. It is so refreshing nowadays to be greeted with a smile and welcomed in as if they truly were happy I was there. The seating is plenty, and overall ambiance perfect. I don't wrote a lot of reviews, but just had to for this place. It deserves more than 5 stars. I wish I lived closer, but it will be my go-to every time I am in the area. read more

Que Vida Tacos - CALI ASADA BURRITO & Chips & Salsa - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best tacos and Mexican food we've ever had! Loved every single bite! We tried a little bit of everything and it was all outstanding. The queso fundio, the chips, salsa, corn platter with the guacamole. We had the taqutios, birria tacos, the chile Reno burrito was outstanding! It was our favorite one and we added shredded beef. All of the cocktails were perfection! The service was excellent! Everyone was so nice! They even surprised us with churro flights because it was my sisters 30th birthday. The whole restaurant was so cute! Loved the overall feel of the entire place and they had outdoor seating too. We sat inside and the table of plenty big for our party of 11. Half kids half adults. It was a magical memorable evening. I would drive from Vegas weekly to devour this! read more

Que Vida Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Super good! Anthony was very friendly and made our first time here a great experience, recommending his favorites, offering chips and salsa and aqua Fresca to try! The Cali asada and birria quesadilla were both tasty. We will definitely be back soon! read more

10/10 Amazing staff working today! Very friendly welcome when we walked in and throughout till we left. There was a female and 2 gentleman working that was constantly checking in on us. The restaurant is very nice and the food was delicious. read more

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A friend introduced me to Que Vida, since she was already familiar with the HB location. Since trying it the first time, I've already been back! It's great for a quick, fast-casual lunch. Food comes out fast and hot, and everything I've tried has been excellent. While the prices might seem a little steep, I thought it was worth it. The burrito I got was around $15, however, it was so big, I got two meals out of it. The meats seem high quality too, so I'm willing to pay a little more. Definitely will be back. As a bonus, I found that you can online order through Uber Eats, and use discounts or credits you might have through the Uber app. read more

Que Vida Tacos - California Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Really good and good price. Although very chaotic at times and the college crowd comes in but I do enjoy the food and the surrounding places around it. Would come again read more

My husband and I doordashed Que Vida for dinner on a Friday night and IT WAS SOO GOOD! We were so surprised! We ended up ordering: an Al Pastor Mulita, a Chicken Quesadilla, and a Cali Asada Burrito. Everything was DELICIOUS! But the star of the show was definitely the Cali Asada Burrito. Definitely one of the better california burritos in the area. We both took a bite of it and went OMG THIS IS GOOD! A must order. We also loved the chips that came with the meal for free. They tasted so fresh and had a wonderful flavor! Truly addictive. And they came with three salsas which were also tasty. Everything was great! If I'm craving good Mexican food, I will definitely order from here again :) read more

Que Vida Tacos - CALI ASADA BURRITO - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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place we need in this area, real Mexican food with delicious handmade tortillas and salsas with a special touch of Mexican flavor, and a diverse menu to delight you again and again. The drinks are delicious, with their special touch, and the great hospitality and atmosphere created by the bartenders behind the bar is always a highlight. The hospitality of the entire staff and kitchen team is outstanding; they are always cheerful, and their culinary consistency and presentation are excellent. Congratulations read more

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I got the bowl and my fiancé got the Birria. The staff was super helpful in making decisions. Birria tacos had a hearty amount of meat and was so juicy! I got the sauce on the side for the bowl and it was still overly saucy but I am a saucy gal. Would recommend anyone else get the corn elote on the side if you do not like a lot of sauce. Would for sure come back. read more

Excellent tacos and quesadillas. Their chip and guacamole is very tasty. Service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this place. It's my new go to! read more

Had a surprise date night here a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. The energy was great in there and the food was fantastic. We can't wait to go back but it will be hard to change up our order since everything was perfect. Queso was hot and flavorful Ceviche was super fresh and tasted great with their chips Mulita was al pastor and had the perfect balance of flavors The price was also excellent read more

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Nice Lunch Visit To Que Vida Tacos, Located In Costa Mesa!! Relaxed Ambiance!! Friendly Staff!! Great Extensive Menu, Includes All Day Breakfast, Burritos, Tacos, Combo Plates, Salads & More!! Great Beverages, Sodas, Beer, Wine, Margaritas, Specialty Cocktails & Full Service Bar!! Recent Visit, Dined At The Bar Counter, Started With The Chips Salsa Flight & Guacamole, Then Baja Fish & Shrimp Taco Plate Paired With Mandarin Soda!! Great Lunch Visit!! Service Was Attentive & Courteous!! Will Return To Try The Brunch & Happy Hour Menu!! ThankU read more

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I've been here a few times and each time has been great! For one the staff here have always been super friendly/welcoming! They will be happy to provide you with recommendations and I have had good service everytime. I've had tacos here every time and they have been super delicious. Each time the food came out fast and was super fresh and delicious. I really love their Baja fish taco and the steak taco La Norteña. I feel like their tacos are better and more affordable than some more expensive restaurants. I haven't tried any of their other items but I am sure they're just as delicious! read more

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Such a great lunch spot! We just had lunch at Que Vida and it was such a pleasant experience. I ordered two asada tacos, and they were incredible. The tortillas were handmade, with cheese melted on before the asada, toppings, and salsa were added. My coworker ordered the two-item combo with an asada taco and chicken enchiladas. You get free chips and salsa with your meal, and not just one salsa but three delicious ones. All three were amazing. The food was incredible, and the vibes were even better. The two ladies who helped us order were so sweet and friendly. We ended up chatting about matcha, and they gave us a few menu recommendations to try. I wish I had gotten their names because they made our experience so enjoyable. The restaurant also has free Wi-Fi, which was helpful since we had to get some work done while we ate. read more

Que Vida Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

5 stars all around! Anthony was very accommodating, recommended his favorites and what was popular and also offered fresh chips and salsa. Their birria is fantastic, flavourful with a warm finish. My wife had the California burrito, and enjoyed every last bite. The ambience is great, nothing you would expect from the outside. A fabulous dessert was the horchata and pineapple aqua fresca, try them together for an interesting twist! We will definitely be coming back, and ask for Anthony for great service with a smile. read more

I came here for the first time and had the carnitas burrito. The carnitas were cooked to perfection! The burrito was a good portion and not greasy at all. This place is officially now one of my favorite local Mexican restaurants and I will plan be back! read more

Saw the high rating on Yelp and figured I'd give Que Vida Tacos a try. Most of their tacos are $5-$5.75 each - kind of pricey for a street taco, so I had high expectations. I ordered the Dos Tacos Combo, which came with rice and beans. I love al pastor but the meat was quite dry. At least it was much better than the shrimp taco. I chose to have the shrimps grilled instead of fried and all I could taste was the grill. I could not taste the shrimp at all. Plus there were only two tiny shrimps in the taco, along with a generous dollop of chipotle crema. Extremely disappointing. My husband got the La Playa burrito with shrimp and fish. Unfortunately the batter on both was thick and made for an unsatisfying experience. The only reason I gave three stars is because service was good. There are better options for Mexican out there for less money. read more

Que Vida Tacos - Al pastor taco - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The tacos were excellent! My favorites were the carnitas and the asada. My husband ordered the salmon salad, which was also good but pretty pricey. They did give a generous portion of salmon though. He said he would have preferred the salad with the asada, but we both agreed that the cilantro lime salad dressing was quite delicious. read more

Que Vida Tacos - #3 Al Pastor Taco and #2 Carnitas Taco - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Que Vida Tacos is a small Mexican restaurant with locations in Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, and this one in Costa Mesa. There is plenty of parking in the plaza. When you arrive, you can order at the counter and they'll bring the food to your table or you can sit at the bar counter for full service. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have a happy hour (Monday through Friday 3pm-6pm) which includes $8 margaritas and other discounted foods. #1 LA NORTEÑA ($5.75) - this was the carne asada taco and it was flavorful. Out of the tacos we ordered this was our favorite. #2 TARASCANS ($5.50) - this was the carnitas and there was a good portion of it. Unfortunately out of the tacos we ordered this was our least favorite. #3 LA CAPITAL ($5.50) - this was the al pastor and this was pretty standard. #5 BAJA CALIFORNIA ($5.75) - this was the fish taco and I liked the crispy exterior. This was good but I liked the #1 more. CALI ASADA BURRITO ($13.95) - we were able to split the burrito in half and they came out in two separately wrapped halves. The flavor was good but we thought it was too small, especially for the price. 3.5/5 For drinks we ordered the que caliente ($9.50) and the que tropical ($11.50). The caliente was spicy but not too much, and the tropical was sweet from the pineapple. Getting these two drinks were a good contrast with each other and we really liked both. As we looked through the menu there were a lot of other dishes we wanted to try. Their happy hour also has really good deals which means we'll have to come back another time. read more

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I kept hearing people rant and rave about Que Vida in HB so thought I'd check out their newest location in Costa Mesa. Service was friend and helpful and the spot is spacious and cute. My hubby and I both got the dos tacos plates and the berries tacos. The shrimp taco was decent, not a huge fan of the asada because I prefer my meat cut smaller. My husband got a fish and asada and said his were just OK - not worth the price. The rice and beans came out cold...like too cold to enjoy. They serve a roasted pepper on their plates that's seasoned and delicious - one of the things i liked best. The birria tacos were definitely the standout. They were super delicious and big. All in all, I might come back for a Taco Tuesday or happy hour but not somewhere that I'll be aching to go back to soon. read more

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I ordered the breakfast burrito sub Asada for the chorizo. It had barely any egg, was loaded with potato and there were 3 chunks of steak that were pure fat or gristle that I legally had to spit out. I won't be going back. Also, apparently someone had called out so maybe they're were short handed, but the people in front of me gave up and left after standing for a while waiting to be acknowledged. read more

Que Vida Tacos - Carne asada was pure fat and gristle. - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The ambience in this restaurant is very welcoming, their staff is always incredibly friendly which is among the reasons, besides their authentic food, that I continue to return here. I recommend them to everyone, absolutely worth the try. read more

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Small little Mexican food spot located in a strip mall on 17th street. Easy to find and plenty of parking. The staff was extremely friendly too! I saw they had great reviews, but I was still pleasantly surprised by how tasty their food! I ordered their #9 "El Tapatio" Birria tacos (comes with 2 tacos and consomé dip) and really enjoyed the delicious flavor of the tender meat...and it wasn't salty like most birria I've tried at other establishments. We also tried the house margarita and Agua Fresca margarita. Both were very good, perfect amount of tequila, and priced really well ($10-$11). read more

Que Vida Tacos - Agua Fresca Margarita and House Margarita - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The brunch is a must try at Que Vida! French toast is so tasty and covered in fresh fruit. Breakfast burritos are massive and great quality read more

Que Vida Tacos - Churro french toast - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My husband and I stopped here for dinner last Saturday evening. When we got there we were the only ones there. The place is big and has plenty of seating. They also have great customer service. My husband ordered the crispy taco combo plate . Which comes with two crispy tacos and rice and black beans. One taco was beef and the other was chicken tinga. My husband really enjoyed the chicken tinga one. I ordered the chile relleno plate and the chile was massive! I also like the fact that they use chile Pasilla and not Anaheim green chile. I was able to share my food with my husband because it was a lot. I also tried one of their special margaritas, I believe it was at happy hour price . It was pretty good. I also ordered some chips and salsa which comes with three different salsas. One chunky green, chunky red and the third one is more like red sauce. That was my only complaint, that none of them had a kick. I was looking for something spicy and it lacked it. Hopefully they can make a spicy salsa in the future for those who like spicy stuff. Overall it's a great Mexican food place. I would definitely be back. read more

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I have been going to different Mexican restaurants in search of what would become my "go to." I can happily say, the search is over. Their food AND drinks are absolutely amazing! The bartender, Vanessa, can whip up one helluva cocktail and conversation. And the food is delicious and the portions are solid. All in all, well worth the price. I can't wait to work my way through their entire menu! read more

First time visiting and I will definitely be back! Food was delicious and service was fantastic!

Best service, all around great team! Food is amazing & best margaritas in OC! wish I could give them higher than 5 stars

I just stopped in at que vida for the first time. I had to grab a cake next door so thought I would grab some tacos. I haven't even tried the tacos yet but I'm already leaving a review purely based on the service.... It was phenomenal. I dealt with a man named Anthony. He was amazing. As a local restaurant owner myself, he is a total asset to this place ! Friendly, knowledgeable, and totally accommodating. Like I said, I haven't tried the food yet, but I would come back just because of the amazing service that was provided read more

Had the Tacos Dorados combo plate. One each of chicken and shredded beef. Delicious! Mí Esposa had the chicken Taquitos and she loved 'em. Friendly staff too! Will be back soon. read more

I came here to meet friends and showed up and there's no barstools ok it's fine but I'm sorta not feeling being squished at a bar top .. so the party next to me , interjected themselves in my conversation and started bullying me over my comment on no bar seating , then these 2 girls at table next to us are harrassing my boyfriend and said " feel sorry for you " I wasn't even talking to this table but clearly it appeared this girl at the table worked here or knows everyone. Nonetheless it was rude to have other patrons bully a guest and then the staff go along with it.. Unprofessional on every level read more

We have tried Que Vida both on door dash and in person. Delicious! We have saddled up to the bar twice for delicious food and great service. Get the cold mesquite corn on anything or on the side. Yummy! See you all soon! read more

Que Vida Tacos - Cocktail hour!! - Tacos Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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