Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Taco Life Mexican Grill

    4.7 (97 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Taco Life Mexican Grill Takeout or Delivery

    Taco Life Mexican Grill Photos

    Business Info

    TACO LIFE MEXICAN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Taco Life Mexican Grill

    Recommended Reviews - Taco Life Mexican Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Quesabirria
    Richard F.

    Awesome food, friendly staff, and easy parking. The food quality is superb, with a lower amount of grease and salt than the average. Everything tasted so fresh. Food/Drink- 5 stars California burrito- really good and a good balance of everything Quesabirria- really flavorful without being too greasy or salty. Lengua taco- this was my favorite. The fresh tortillas, the fresh pico, and the tender lengua. This was fantastic Pastor taco- same as above, but the pastor didn't have the charred flavor of grilling it off a spit. The lengua would be my favorite Service- 5 stars Food was out quickly and servers were great. Great experience all around for the fast-casual restaurant Bottom Line Excellent neighborhood Mexican restaurant that offers really fresh food. Will add it to our list of regulars

    Frank F.

    Taco Life is a convenient little place located in the Santiago Hills community. Pulling into the parking lot can be challenging at times, at spots closest to the restaurant, so it's best to get there early or park farther away over at Pacific Ranch Market. The entrance dawns some simple colorful flags and a funny statue of a server holding a burrito. It has the atmosphere of a casual little cafe, with a few tables for outdoor dining and scattered tables; tall and regular height inside. Taco Tuesday is my favorite day to visit; street tacos are $2.50 and you have a choice of asada, carnitas or pollo. The staff is super friendly, and ordering at the counter is fast. The order came out quickly and the tacos were fresh, fragrant and loaded! Grab a fork when you get your order, because as I bit one side, the contents overflowed out the other side. The tacos were flavorful and went down quickly. On a previous visit I ordered a fish burrito and it was large and stuffed with rice beans and fish. I found it also to be delicious and it was very filling. Taco Life is a great little place for a more authentic Mexican dining experience.

    Inside dining room
    Gina C.

    Nice hidden gem the food is amazing!! I love their Horchata yummy the burrito was huge and so flavorful I loved every single bite! Marie had the 2 tacos plate she loved it too. Service is great they are very friendly too. All the decorations very nice and colorful & they have TV. There's outside dining as well. You gotta come try their food you won't be sorry .

    Cali burrito (without sour cream)
    Michael S.

    It's nice to see a that the old Chronic Taco has been replaced by another taco joint! They have a Taco Tuesday special-- $2.50 per taco with your choice of beef/chicken/pork. It's a little confusing because it's a smaller version of the regular menu tacos (4" vs 6" tortilla), which can also be ordered on Tuesday. The full size tacos can be ordered with fish/shrimp as well. I had the Cali burrito and enjoyed it thoroughly! It was bigger than expected but not overwhelmingly large. I liked that it had a creamy/tangy sauce inside (like an Ensenada style fish taco sauce). I ordered mine without sour cream, which was a good call considering the creamy sauce. To really go overboard, I also ordered one Taco Tuesday al pastor taco. It's a deal at $2.50, but it wasn't anything special. No pineapple and I would prefer onion/cilantro rather than pico de gallo on top. Overall, everything was really good, but there are so many good taco joints that it's hard to stand out. I'd be curious to see what others think. I'll likely end up here again, but more out of convenience than a burning desire.

    Cowboy
    Alan S.

    I appreciate that Taco Life Mexican Grill is family owned, and I will say the service provided during my visit was commendable. Maybe I ordered the wrong items off the menu, but I honestly didn't think the Carnitas Taco and the Birria Taco were all that and I've def had better at a number of other Mexican restaurants. Having said that, I like that you can make it a combo and add chips, guacamole and a beverage for only $4.75. Taco Life has a legit number of stellar reviews so if I'm ever back in the area, I'll have to check out something different off their menu like a torta, quesadilla, burrito, antojito, ensalada, taquito, bowl or enchilada!

    Potato Tacos
    Amber K.

    Food is great and friendly staff. I recommend you check this place out. My husband loves the potato tacos and cilli rellano burrito. I go for the veggie bowl. Great options for vegetarians.

    Inside seating
    Sarah B.

    Great Taco Tuesday spot! Tacos are $2.50 (select choices on meat). I love the Al Pastor and Carne Asada options as they are full of flavor. I am not the biggest fan of their chicken tacos but that is my personal preference. They also have great salsa, so don't forget to try that with your order! Service here is super friendly. Great little spot!

    Dining room
    Shawn B.

    The joke is that I've been to this same address three different times over the years, and each time I've been to a different Mexican eatery; this place has been home to three different Mexican restaurants, but I'm really hoping Taco Life Mexican Grill is here to stay--it's THAT good! I tried the Super Nachos with Al Pastor, and wow, what a feast! The plate was loaded with beans, extra cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, crisp and flavorful jalapeños, sour cream, and their special sauce. Every bite was incredible. The Al Pastor was perfectly seasoned and absolutely fantastic--hands down some of the best I've had in OC. The whole plat of nachos was generously portioned, fresh, and totally satisfying! The store was clean and inviting, with a friendly crew who knew the menu inside and out. They helped me figure out exactly what I wanted, making my first visit here a great experience. Parking is still just adequate--typical plaza planning--but that's no fault of the restaurant. Sitting inside, I enjoyed a nice view of the Chapman Avenue race track (if you drive here, you know what I mean...), and the overall ambiance was relaxed and welcoming. There's so much more on the menu that I can't wait to try. This place is a definite win, and I'll absolutely be back!

    Menu 3

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosio P.

    Ambrosio P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of William W.
    10
    101
    12

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 4
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Good food! Good people! Very satisfied! Had the California Burrito and Quesabirrria. Both were excellent!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosio P.

    Ambrosio P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan S.
    203
    408
    1620

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amber K.
    28
    19
    21

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K. G.
    0
    31
    1

    2 months ago

    Don't get the hype for this one. Food is ok but pretty bland. Service was good though. Disappointed

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosio P.

    Ambrosio P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosio P.

    Ambrosio P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Barry H.
    66
    85
    10

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sarah B.
    406
    498
    391

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shawn B.
    138
    142
    911

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tawny V.
    2177
    1299
    11628

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Matt H.
    291
    1585
    432

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan N.
    65
    14
    6

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosio P.

    Ambrosio P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah C.
    503
    121
    408

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris S.
    102
    90
    12

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lili A.
    0
    36
    28

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erika G.
    159
    44
    75

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Heidi L.
    84
    62
    101

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Syn S.
    15
    19
    4

    1 year ago

    Great neighborhood restaurant! Their quesabirria tacos are our favorite! Enchiladas red and green are great too!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace H.
    107
    44
    41

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Amazing food and fantastic service. A perfect lunch spot after a visit to Irvine Regional Park

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Quick service. My husband I ordered the queso birria tacos to go and the mango habanero sauce was delicious!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Taco Life Mexican Grill

    You might also consider

    Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen

    Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen

    3.9
    (2.8k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    We were able to get immediate seating and the service was good. The food was delicious…read more My first drink was so so. My second drink was delicious. My first drink was a blackberry coco margarita. It was good. My second drink was Mai oh Mai. That was delicious. I ordered the tacos, and I love the presentation and the taste. Delicious.

    Here I am again on my eighth visit to Gabby's. Well, once again, I find the food very very…read moreenjoyable but my problem is with the service which while good and efficient is merely perfunctory and wow do they want you out at 9 PM? Start cleaning out underneath your table pushing you out as fast as they can. The bar just closes down not even announcing a last call. And what is with those awful margaritas. I can't believe that a Michelin feathered Mexican restaurant can serve such awful margaritas. And I am not alone as I mentioned it to another Restaurant crowd and they agreed and said they were probably the worst margaritas in Orange. I don't know whether it's the mix or the amount of alcohol or what it is but they come out watery and really sour. A totally good dining experience has to encompass everything, food is only 50% of the deal the other 50% is service with a smile, and this one lacks it. Now there could be a reason for this epic shutdown at 9 PM. But I wonder what it is? Santa Monica seafood in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard has to have last orders in by 8:30 because if they are not closed out by 10 o'clock entirely, the neighbors complain that they are putting out trash and making a noise after 10 so that I understand. But it took me a year to find that out from the owners. Restaurant owners are so stuck up and anal, I know I was one. Gabbi, whom I have never seen, should spend a night or two watching her Restaurant closing up.

    Photos
    The cellar table
    The cellar table
    Gotditas al pastor
    Gotditas al pastor
    Gorditas al Pastor

    See all

    Gorditas al Pastor
    Santo Remedio

    Santo Remedio

    3.9
    (881 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Look if there's anything I know I know good Mexican food…read morewhy because I'm Mexican I eat Mexican food every day to me. I don't call it Mexican food. I just call it food cause that's what I eat for breakfast lunch and dinner so when I'm telling you that this place has some really good food trust me you want to come out and try it. Everything they have on the menu is bomb as fuck. Their drinks are bomb. The service is bomb. That's the reason I keep coming back all the way from the inland Empire to Orange to eat their food this is one of my favorite spots to come and join the rest of my family. We all come from different parts of Southern California just to eat here so if you're yelping and you're curious to know how good this place is stop it already just come in you won't be disappointed!! I do have to warn you that this is a Cantina restaurant so the music is loud but guess what? I fucking love loud music!!

    ...... if you do not like loud music, I mean loud to the point where you can't hear yourself talk,…read morethis is not the place to go. respectfully the trio can't sing. There instruments sound amazing but the singing was not it. It would do better if they did everything without speakers The music they had on aux though was great, maybe they should stick to that. Regardless, the food was amazing. I would totally go back for the food and the beans were soooo good!! Service was also nice, we did have to wave them down a couple times but regardless, very kind people. Please just fix the music situation LOL.

    Photos
    The place
    The place
    Chips and salsa
    Chips and salsa
    Cafe de olla

    See all

    Cafe de olla
    Avila's El Ranchito

    Avila's El Ranchito

    3.8
    (865 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    Came here for lunch with my coworkers. Probably the best work-related meal I've had ever. I ordered…read morethe shrimp enchiladas and it was so good. The beans did not taste watered down, and the enchiladas themselves were flavorful. I always worry about shrimp overpowering the sides of a dish but it tasted great. The rice was also really filling. We had a reservation and they seated us at a pretty big table, which I liked. The servers were very timely, kind, and knowledgeable about each dish on the menu and the rotating specials. The inside of the restaurant was HUGE. I'm pretty sure it was built inside of a church. I really liked the stained glass and elevated seating areas nearby, it reminded me of the Old Spaghetti Factory layout in Fullerton. Overall, I had a very positive experience. I had to get a Diet Coke and of course, it was crisp to my expectations. A little heads-up, unlike the Costa Mesa location, they do not have horchata. Nevertheless, I'd come here again to try their burritos, tostadas, and salads!

    Avila's is good for your basic Mexican meal at a price. It is not good enough. Although I often…read moreenjoy my Camorones à la Diablo. Which, admittedly is a more expensive dish on the menu. But once again one has this perfunctory service, that is service that is merely to get through a night and not to enhance a dining experience. So many restaurants now seem to have the same problem, that is servers who just want to get through the evening and get it over with. The service industry has really taken a dive since my day. I don't get it. Don't they get paid more than they used to just a year or two ago. Anyway, I do enjoy the Camerones. But, the dreadful flan that I was served. This is such a basic desert and very easy to make, but one can overcook the egg proteins easily and the whole thing is grainy, scrambled and not pleasant to eat. Basically it should be cooked in a Bain Marie. Probably a lost art. Avila's has several locations and one may differ from another. The one I ate at is in Orange.

    Photos
    Avila's El Ranchito
    Out of the Avila's locations; Orange does the Grande Taco Salad best!!
    Out of the Avila's locations; Orange does the Grande Taco Salad best!!
    The bar

    See all

    The bar
    El Molino de Oro

    El Molino de Oro

    4.0
    (443 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    El Molino de Oro's carnitas burrito is a solid, no-frills winner that hits the spot for authentic…read moreOrange County Mexican food. The carnitas themselves are the star--tender, juicy pork that's been slow-cooked to perfection with that signature crispy edge on some pieces, delivering rich, savory flavor without being overly greasy. It's seasoned just right, with a nice balance of porky goodness and subtle spices that let the meat shine. Wrapped in a large, fresh flour tortilla (they make their own in-house, which always helps), it's stuffed generously with the classics: fluffy Mexican rice, creamy refried or whole beans (depending on your preference, but both work great), chopped onions, cilantro, and a solid dose of salsa. I went with their green salsa for a bright, tangy kick that cuts through the richness perfectly, plus a dollop of sour cream and cheese for that creamy melt. No skimping on portions here--it's hearty and filling, easily a meal that satisfies for hours. At around $10 (give or take, based on current pricing), it's a great value in the area. The burrito holds together well without falling apart mid-bite, and the overall balance of textures--tender meat, soft rice/beans, crisp onions--makes every mouthful enjoyable. If you're in the mood for classic carnitas done right in a casual, bakery-taqueria spot with great salsas and a friendly vibe, this one's definitely worth grabbing. I'd rate it 4.5 out of 5--only docking half a point because it's not reinventing the wheel, but it's executing the traditional style exceptionally well. Highly recommend if you're near 728 N Tustin St in Orange! Pair it with an horchata, yum

    Quality has come down in the past years. Service was friendly, clean and responsive. Food had a…read morehigher quality taste and preparation. Now they sometimes answer a question, look at you like you are wasting their time, give you the wrong information or input the wrong request. Their method of delivery of food lacks organization. A simple item can take over half an hour to deliver but someone else that arrived after (who ordered a bigger and more complex item) will get their food beforehand. Several times people have to ask to correct their order once prepared and given. Things go missing or are not the right order. The food quality does not seem to be consistent. Sometimes it feels cold and not as fresh like in years past. The ingredients used feel like they come from a can. Less ingredients and smaller item size has been noticeable for tortas and tacos. Some people will get more of an ingredient than others. The size of other items ordered varies. You can order same as your companion and get something that looks and tastes different. The hand made tortillas you could buy still taste somewhat similar. The bakery side still seems to hold up to tradition and taste. The cleanliness of the place has also changed. It is a bit less kept. The sitting area can get filled up quickly by a single person or groups during peak times.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Cakes  pastry
    Cakes pastry
    Storefront

    See all

    Storefront

    Taco Life Mexican Grill - mexican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...