can't go up any more. only fast serve that eats and deals like top notch restaurant. he uses only top quality ingredients from best tortillas to the protein choices. now where else do you get pure spinach tortillas used in tacos and enchiladas . added bonus the owner will accommodate special requests and doesn't give you hard time. been going to them for years best tacos , plates, and enchiladas. get a lot for money as well read more

I LOVE TACO MESA!! I like very simple mexican food, I'm from North Dakota and grew up with very plain things so I'm always kind of wary. So when I want mexican food I still get plain things like enchiladas, taquitos, and tacos, and all of them are EXCELLENT! best enchiladas I've ever had! Their rice is amazing too, I love the chicken in it! They also have yummy margaritas which my husband loves. read more

I like this place much better than Chipolte.. and the food is very similar. The meat seems much fresher and better, not quite as fatty as Chipolte,and all for less money read more

We found this place in the Albertson's shopping center. Its not cheap, but they do Mexican food right. They have a good selection of sauces and new specials all the time. I like their carne asada anything and its always fresh. The staff is great and its always clean. We first tried their Costa Mesa location that is very different from this location. This place is a little bigger and not as old, but the food is still great...Check this place out if you are in the neighborhood! read more

Very good food. Been there a few times and I would recommend it. They have quite a few options and I don't think I could pick a favorite yet but go give it a shot read more

Nice easy place to get dinner. Fast casual restaurant with a good menu. We have been to this location 2 times for taco Tuesday and really enjoyed it. $1.45 for tacos is a great value and they are a great size too. They have a nice salsa bar. I really like that they have aguas frescas there. read more

Came in for Taco Tuesday and was really disappointed. I remember them being so much better years ago. Hardly anyone was there yet we waited quite some time and when the tacos came the tortillas were cold. Made me wonder what we waited so long for. The shredded beef and chicken are like a paste with very little flavor. Best meats were the carnitas and chile verde but I'm not saying it's worth even coming back for. Sad. read more

Good soup and tacos. The salsa bar has a slaw that my husband loves. He gets tacos and covers his whole plate with the slaw. Breakfast tacos are my go to here. Yummy. I tried the cold pressed juice, which I get at Nektar all the time and love, and it was horrible. The ambience is chill and gives the option for inside or outside seating which is nice when I bring my son. He loves to run around by the fountain while I enjoy breakfast tacos and coffee. read more

The food was so good and the staff was incredible. Free chips and guacamole. We will for sure be back. That Lobster burrito was amazing!!!!

First this is a little funky joint for sure it's only 3 stars because if it's not Taco Tuesday then they are not cheap, but the flavor is good. read more

Been here a few times, came here this morning at 8:20 am (they open at 8) and they couldn't serve because of lack of staff. I sat outside and waited for 30 mins when the guy told me to come back, and gave it a second chance. They didn't offer anything or even an apology for waiting. No spoons for Salsa, 1, burrito took 15 mins because of lack of staff. 9:30 and I finally got my burrito. The kid in front is always nice. Lack of staffing seems to be an issue in the other reviews as well. read more

I thought tacos in Austin were good. This place did it in. Get the tacos with steak and bacon. Hot damn. My new taco spot. Too bad they don't serve any cerveza. read more

Used to be my go to 3-4 times a month Service is horrible and we tipped generously ....no more. New menu with higher prices . The Mesa burrito contained nothing like it had before : no beans no spinach no mushrooms no tomato and dry dry dry Corn tortilla dry with corn kernels and hardly anything else - lame - adios Taco Mesa read more

I wouldn't call this authentic Mexican food, but that's basically because I associate authentic Mexican food with grease, and Taco Mesa is definitely not greasy, but that doesn't mean they don't have AWESOME food. I love the Mesa Burrito, and I can get it with a whole wheat tortilla so I can still eat healthy. The staff is always very friendly as well. read more

If you like Tex-mex, then this is your place. If you are looking for Mexican, then Jalapenos is a better option. If you've traveled to Mexico, you will be disappointed with this place and especially dissatisfied with their beans. But I don't want to slam the place. As I said, if lean more towards tex-mex, then this is your joint. read more

Not impressed at all, I kinda want my money back. I am guessing that this place was great years ago. There are lots of magazine and newspaper articles on the wall saying the food is great but they are old, some over 10 years, nothing recent talking about how great the food is. I can understand why. My husband and I ordered two of their two taco plates, one carne asda and one carnitas. First the tacos were very small, and the meat was flavorless. The "carne asada", or piece of beef cooked on a hot flat surface, was fatty and flavorless. Same with the carnitas. The rice was from a box and the beans were from a can. The best part were the tortillas, they were delicious. Not a bad meal, but not great, and not worth the money. read more

Most Mexican or Tex Mex food in the area is either too heavy or fried garbage covered in salsa and gunk. Taco Mesa has great specials daily, has a great light menu (and a heavy one for you die hards) and is priced moderately. Today I has some BBQ pork tacos, rice and beans and soda for $5.95. Fresh, cheap and tasty...isn't that the whole idea of a restaurant? Also, kids eat for $0.01 on Sunday and Monday!!! read more

Wish they had these in Chicago! The food was very good, decent servings, reasonably priced and delicious (kids eat for a penny on Sundays).

I have been going her for 3 years and can't say enough great things about it! The food is the most healthy Mexican you'll every find. The salmon tacos are to die for! I get them every time. read more

This place gets worse by the month. Cold food, long waits. The food is tasty but the service turns me off completely. Overall, shittier than it used to be. read more

I don't get it. I've given this place 3 tries, and they're out. Overpriced & no free chips. Huh? Jalapenos and Albertacos, both super close, are WAY better. read more

I like the carne asada buritos. We order and take it home. I try not to be too complicated, as it seems to get messed up easily. I havent had anything I do not like. One time though I did order a breakfast burrito and it had eggshells in it. BUT aside from that they have great food. read more

Taco Mesa has a few items that I go back for time and time again. For breakfast, their made-to-order burritos are second to none. For lunch and dinner, I highly recommend their unique blackened chicken taco or really unique "taco alambre" (spicy). mm-mm good! read more

Great service. I mean great. And the food was pretty damn good too. My fish tacos were breaded, which isn't my favorite method of preparation, but very tasty considering. And my gf's quesadilla was just bomb. Will definitely come back. read more

Been to three different locations (Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, and this one-Ladera Ranch). All are pretty much the same. This place could either be three or four stars depending on what your into. The items are on the healthier side and can sometimes be hit or miss for me. If you just want the standard greasy Mexican food, then head a little further south on Marguerite to Albertacos. Yes, they can be slow like other reviewers have mentioned, but this isn't your typical Mexican food. The items are prepared with much love by the hard working chefs in the back. Just take a seat on the side and actually watch them one day. You'll feel like a chump if you didn't at least leave a quarter in the tip jar. Menu and items have stayed pretty consistent over the years (Been going to Taco Mesa for the past 14 years, starting with the Costa Mesa location) with the exception of the shrimp tacos. They used to be bigger prawns, but they've shrunk now and aren't quite as awesome as before...but still okay. I would still recommend sticking with the tacos (chicken, shrimp, etc.) or their seafood specials (They never seem to disappoint). So while your waiting, enjoy the outside seating, munch on a few hot carrots, and watch the little kids of Ladera climb on the walls despite the signs telling them not to. read more

Fantastic Taco Tuesday rocks!!!! Unbelievable quality and very tasty. You have to try the carnitas and pastor tacos.

Lucky to get the right order...3 people had to go back. It took 35 minutes to make 2 tacos. They forgot my rice and beans. The kid working with his Irish hat and thick raybans isn't to friendly or polite to customers. Horrible Baka tacos the steak was alright but for a premium price. Also 13 bucks for two tacos and a drink are you kidding me. That should be the best two tacos I've ever had. Cool atmosphere inside but that about all they've got going for them. read more

Love the veggie tostado. Very tasty, healthy and filling. Always make things cheery with a margarita.

I came here in a pinch with my three young boys and the workers could not bring my food to me. Or pack it up in a To go bag so I could easily carry it to our table. Needless to say I was very very disappointed in the service and attitude that my family was an inconvenience for this establishment. The food was subpar. The chicken on my salad was extremely dry and some of the lettuce brown/red. My kids meals were ok. Nothing special. read more

Best dish in my opinion is their Blackened Chicken Quesedilla

Veggie tacos...nuff said. Fresh, delicious, and you can make 1 taco into 2 cuz they're chock full of stuff and served on 2 tortillas. Great chips, salsa and guacamole too. What more do you need? Now I'm hungry. read more

Best Mexican food around. Great taco salads!!! Cool atmosphere. My friends and I just discovered this place and have been here 4 times now. I recommend the steak salad. read more

Oh my goodness! Best taco I've ever had! I was a bit skeptical of the food being a counter service restaurant, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. The service was fast and friendly. My "best of the west" chicken taco was literally the most epic Mexican dish I've ever eaten. My husband also loved his carne asada burrito. Don't take my word for it... try Taco Mesa out for yourself! A+++ read more

Food was good as usual but service today was terrible. I asked 3 times for one of the condiments to be filled and the kitchen staff yelled at each other and just as I was walking out the door they finally refilled the item. Was not happy with the service and expected more from this restaurant! Seriously get your act together! read more

Terrible, terrible food. Chips were stale, guacamole tasted fake, stuffed jalepenos had cold cream cheese inside- yuck!!!! I've been to other locations and liked my food but this was some of the worst Mexican food I've ever had. read more

Amazing service and even better food. Best tacos that I have ever had and for a great price.

I fell in love with the food and service from Taco Mesa since the first time I tasted the food and experienced the amazing service. So I was very excited to take a client to Ladera Ranch location. I ordered the Enchiladas Oaxacenas. The cashier asked me if I wanted rice and beans for $2.00 extra dollars. I said yes. I was very hungry and I love the food here. When they called my name I go up to the counter and I look down at my enchiladas and tell the cashier I ordered rice and beans and he just laughs in my face as if attempting to ridicule me. He proceeds to say I asked you if you wanted rice and beans and you said no. I told him I had said yes and he was chuckling and made it seem like I was trying to pull a fast one as if I was trying to get something for free. I was more than glad to pay for any of the amazing food here but after receiving really bad service I will never return to this location. read more

Very good food here, especially the grilled salmon tacos with mango salsa! Great spot for a meal out on the patio on a nice day.

This review is for taco Tuesday only. Took my boys in here around 5 and they ordered 3 tacos each. Well they ended up having to pile all the meat into 1 taco and it was still smaller than a Baja fresh taco. The meat had been sitting around for awhile also. Waste of time and money for taco Tuesday. read more

Ordered 3 soft carne soft tacos. They barely had any meat inside, with a few scattered onions on top. Nothing else, no cilantro, no sauce, nothing. I tried to put some salsa on it but it was so watered down that when I bit into the taco, all of the water ran out the back. read more