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    Rubio's Coastal Grill

    3.3 (398 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Seafood, Salad
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Rubio's Coastal Grill Photos

    RUBIO'S COASTAL GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Fish and chips 7.99 special
    Maheen K.

    I was craving Rubio's and so wanted to try their 7.99 fish and chips special along with the taco Tuesday deal. I ordered around 10:45 for a pickup at 11:45am. Unfortunately when I got there at 11:45, it was crazy. There was a huge line and people waiting for their orders. I thought since I had ordered well in advance for a set time, my order would be ready. I didn't walk out with my order until 12:15pm. A whole 30 minutes after I was supposed to pickup my order. I got two fish especial keto style(cheese) tacos. My order was sitting on their counter for a while waiting for the fish and chips to come. Pretty much everything became soggy by the time I was handed my food since one item took them a very long time. I think eating it fresh with the fish having a crunch would have been 100% better. But soggy tacos are a big no no on my end. I understand they have taco Tuesday, but this is not a new deal. They should try to manager it better. I felt bad because two men were waiting on catering orders that weren't ready. One said his pickup time was 11:40 and the other 11:45. The workers that were working the front were doing their best to get orders out quickly. I really hope they are better able to manage larger crowds on Tuesdays. This was sad all around. And the quality of the food took a hit because of it.

    My view while waiting for an app order that was supposed to be ready 15 minutes ago
    Donna B.

    I ordered something through the app and ASAP was listed as 12:08pm. I pushed it to 12:15pm. I will say that there is not a good system for pickup of app orders. I had to stand in line after waiting to be acknowledge to let them know I was waiting. I was told that they were working on it. I waited 15 minutes in store for my order to be ready. It kind of defeats the purpose of ordering through the app when attempting to be time efficient.

    Mexican street corn bowl with shrimp and mahi mahi
    Drew B.

    Rubio's Coastal Grill - Irvine Rating: (3.25/5) Stopped in around 11:40am and ordered the Mexican Street Corn Bowl with Grilled Mahi Mahi, adding extra shrimp with no other substitutions. Starting with the good -- the shrimp portion was excellent. Definitely felt like the "extra" actually meant something here, and they were cooked well. The rest of the bowl was also working in its favor. The corn blend was flavorful, the salsa verde brought brightness, the tajín added that citrusy kick, and overall the base of the bowl came together nicely. Everything outside of the protein had good harmony. Where things slipped was with the mahi mahi -- which was supposed to be the primary protein. There were only a few pieces in the entire bowl, and it honestly felt like an afterthought. For something that's the main add-on, you expect to actually notice it. On top of that, both proteins could have used a bit more seasoning to really stand out against the boldness of the rest of the ingredients. Service-wise, it was busy. The lunch rush had clearly hit hard, with only three people working the kitchen and two handling the front. There was a long table stacked with what looked like 20+ to-go orders waiting for pickup, which probably explains the 22-minute wait time from ordering to receiving the food. Not unreasonable given the rush, but definitely noticeable for a fast-casual spot. Seeing that many completed orders just sitting out did make me wonder how easy it would be for someone to walk in and grab the wrong bag. All in all, it was a decent lunch -- good flavors in the bowl itself, strong shrimp portion, but noticeably light on the mahi mahi and a bit under-seasoned where it mattered most. Final verdict: Good ingredients and solid base, but protein portion and seasoning need improvement. **3.25/5 -- not a bad option, just hoping for better protein balance next time.**

    Fish Taco Especial
    Tiffany H.

    My husband and I love Rubio's, particularly the fish tacos ! I usually order ahead on the app and it's ready by the time I get there. Our favorite salsas are mild and roasted chipotle. Food is fresh and the fried fish isn't overly oily which we prefer. This is our go to spot for a solid meal.

    Dave L.

    Tuesday Taco Special is the best deal in OC! Three verde shrimp tacos for $10.00 Hurry, this might not last.

    California 90% rice bowl

    Paying extra for the smallest portions of protein to sit on 5lbs of rice is a rip off!

    Tim T.

    Great Rubio's with excellent fish tacos - you can get a combo with mahi mahi, shrimp and another seafood - and their beans are unique, which also go great with chips. Service prompt and you have to go there and pick up the food. Spacious interior atmosphere as well.

    Fish and chips
    Kevin L.

    I saw their ad on facebook for the 7+ menu. I tried the fish and chips which is not bad, a little bit on the dry side. Service was decent, this is a counter order and someone bring food to your table but not a full service restaurant. A salsa bar is available. They also have Taco Tuesday, I may try that some other time. The 7+ menu also mentions two taco and one drinks for $7. I also would like to try that next time. Ambiance is better than authetic Mexican taco store.

    Original fish taco two taco plate

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    1 month ago

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    5 months ago

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    13 days ago

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    6 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    26 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Good food and good service! Always consistent and everyone who works here is always so nice. Shout to Fransisco for being extra friendly :)

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    Rubios G.

    Thank you, Rachael!!

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    2 years ago

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    Brad R.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    Brad R.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Brad R.

    Wow! What a great experience. We’re glad you shared, Sue! :)

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    My shrimp burrito was delicious! The ladies that work there are kind and welcoming. Great customer service

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    Rubios G.

    Thank you, Yvette!

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Thank you so much, Grace! We hope to see you back soon.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Rubio's Coastal Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rubio's Coastal Grill

    What is there taco Tuesday deal and when does it start?

    Our special on our Original Fish Taco begins at 2:30 pm and goes until closing time, at participating locations. Each Taco is $1.75, and Taco Plates are adjusted as well.

    How about some WiFi?

    Rubio's makes money on turn over. WiFi would slow that down. Best try Starbucks for WiFi.

    View All 3 Questions

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    Javier's - Irvine Location

    Javier's

    3.3(4.1k reviews)
    5.3 mi
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    Wow, the place was super busy on a Saturday night. We had reservations at 7:30 and was seated at…read moreabout 7:45pm. One thing about Javier's is that ambiance never disappoints. They have plenty seating indoor and outdoor. We requested inside since it's been hot AF and us girlies we dressed up! We were not trying to melt while we ate. Drinks : drank it so fast I forgot to take a photo but the Tamarind Margarita is a MUST! Food: Chile verde 7/10 - was good but nothing crazy! Sauce is extra tangy. Mole poblano - 6/10 for the price I thought we would be getting more than one piece but that's our fault we didn't check other reviews of the pictures first. Although there was plenty mole on it, it was a bit dry. I'd pass on this next time. Steak fajitas - 9/10 - very juicy, tender and packed with flavor. I did wish they added more veggies to go along with it. Would definitely order again. Vibes: very poppin! Dim, good music , great for people watching! Even the restroom has an attendant like how you would see in the club restrooms. It's definitely a place to celebrate birthdays , anniversaries etc, so expect to pay $$$. Service : I saw some negative reviews about the service but we had a great experience. Staff was moving fast and even brought out some vanilla bean ice cream with 2 candles for the bday girls! Overall I would come again! Be sure to make a res in advance. Otherwise you gonna be huffin and puffin waiting as a walk in, and nobody likes to wait while they hungry!

    Our anniversary dinner turned into one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences we've…read morehad--made even worse by management afterward. My wife and I had an 8:00 PM reservation at Javier's Irvine for our anniversary. We arrived around 7:45 PM and weren't seated until approximately 8:29 PM. After waiting that long, we were placed at a high-top/bar-style table rather than being offered a booth or traditional dining table. The music was extremely loud, the restaurant was very dark, and it took around 10 minutes just to receive water. Our server never introduced himself, barely explained the menu, made no recommendations, and provided very little of the hospitality I would expect from a restaurant at this price point. Our plates arrived hot, but the food itself was cold. My entrée was $52 and didn't include rice or beans. When I asked the server whether it came with either, he simply said "no" and walked away--no offer to add them, no explanation, nothing. Our bill was $204.73 before gratuity. I don't mind paying $200+ for dinner when the food, service, and experience justify it. This felt more like a $200 quick bite than an upscale anniversary dinner. What really changed my opinion of Javier's, however, was how my complaint was handled afterward. I contacted management and was eventually told that an "investigation" supposedly did not match the details of my complaint, yet no one would explain what specifically they believed was inaccurate. I then spoke by phone with Sylvia, a manager, hoping to discuss the situation professionally and understand their findings. Instead of trying to resolve the issue or even hear me out, the call ended with her hanging up on me. That's unacceptable customer service--especially from management. I wasn't looking for an argument. I wanted someone to listen to what happened during an anniversary dinner that cost us more than $200 and explain how their investigation reached its conclusion. Restaurants have bad nights. Food can come out cold. Reservations can run behind. A server can have an off night. But how management responds when a customer raises legitimate concerns tells you much more about a business. Unfortunately, the response from management was more disappointing than the dinner itself.

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    Playa Mesa - Plato del Patron. Roasted Jidori chicken, confit spare ribs, cesina, chile toreados, pico de gallo, ceboilltas, papas bravas & refried beans

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    5.5 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. 9.5/10

    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!

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    The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

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    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$$

    10/10 Most…read moreimportantly: Oliver @ the bar made this is most memorable experience. All of the cocktails and margs we had were delicious! The hand made tortillas with salsas was such a great and unique choice! Someone finally realized that as delicious as they are, eating that many fried tortillas in one setting can't be good ...Oh! And that honey butter. Divine. Fruit margs, spicy margs, every single one of them is PERFECTION. Make sure you upgrade to Ocho blanco (trust me it will save you a hangover)... Shared the carne plate with chimichurri with asparagus and spanish rice...so flavorful and delicious. Large portion and perfectly cooked. Seabass ceviche was spot on and the plantains were next level. Music, ambience, people and vibes were just POSITIVE. New favorite Newport spot...I mean seriously, what other place has a motorized ceiling that opens at sunset hour? Take my money.

    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!

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    Birrieria La Raza - Soft Tacos.

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    4.6(265 reviews)
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    This is my go-to spot for birria pizza. These guys seriously know how to do it right!…read more They're a little far from me, but 100% worth the drive. Their birria pizza is incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and huge enough to easily feed 2-3 people with just one pizza. And the consomé? So good. Rich, flavorful, and perfect for dipping every slice. If you're a birria fan, this place is definitely worth checking out. No question, I'll keep making the drive for this one!

    Some of the best birria I have ever had! I really love the consistency of this location and the…read morefact that they take phone orders makes it even more convenient to plan ahead. The Raza box ($25) and monster box ($35) are my usual go to menu items, as they have an assortment of tacos and quesadilla. The taco is made with one corn tortilla that seems to have been dipped in consome beforehand and have a good amount of cheese and birria ratio. The quesadilla is packed with birria meat and the consome is the perfect pairing for all the items. I've seen specials occasionally on Instagram so it's worth to follow their page to get updates on their food truck status. Their location recently changed and it's in a not so convenient part of the business park, but the food is still great and their communication with customers should help with any new updates. I also recommend the green salsa, it has a slight kick and great flavor!

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    Rubio's Coastal Grill - mexican - Updated September 2026

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