I've been coming here for years and it's always a great experience. The servers are friendly and the ambiance is inviting with an upscale casual feel. Most importantly the food is always delicious and the margaritas are excellent. I always, always, always get the blackened calamari taco. Other favorites include the alambre taco, and the sweet corn tamalitos. You really can't go wrong (unless you skip the blackened calamari taco- seriously, do not miss that). A consistently solid choice for an enjoyable dining experience. read more

Taco Rosa - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

This is a good Mexican restaurant in the district. It's a little bit on the pricey side for a Mexican restaurant but about par for the course in this area. My son loves the tacos alhambre, which is steak with bacon. He asks for the peppers on the side because they can be hot. My wife got the fajitas and they were good. I felt like there was a bit too much sauce -- for me, good meat should stand on its own. She also thought the beans were a bit salty. I got the enchiladas. They were good but not amazing. I think they were a little bland and could have used more cheese. Service was a like slow, but overall, pretty good. read more

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Had a really satisfying lunch at Taco Rosa in Irvine this past Friday with some colleagues. The vibe was relaxed, service was quick, and everything came out fresh. I ordered the chicken taquitos and they were pretty good--crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and paired nicely with their sides. Overall, it hit the spot for a casual work lunch. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area and craving solid Mexican food! read more

Taco Rosa - Taquitos Chicken w/Mole - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

It's a nice spot but needs an upgrade (see pictures). Food is fair - nothing amazing. Chips and sauces cost - no freebies. My friend the taquitos and said they were delicious. Friendly service. read more

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We went for lunch and they were not busy but there was no host. We ended up grabbing our own menus and seating ourselves. The food took a while to come out. We ordered the beef taquitos and pozole. The beef taquitos didn't have much flavor and they were cut in half but very small pieces. The pozole was served hot and looked good but I noticed a weird mint taste. It felt like I was drinking a beef flavored mojito. We did order chips and dip and the bean dip was very very good. The jalapeno salsa was also very good. The chips were flavorful. The service was pretty slow. The restaurant was cute but not sure if we will be back. Also the menus were very old and should be updated to look nicer. read more

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Very excellent chili Rellenos, Chili toreados all our meals were excellent. The Chili Rellenos were cooked perfectly and the cheese was very good. Also the red Chili Sauce! read more

Taco Rosa - Family outing!! - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Visited this place on a Tuesday evening. The ambiance was nice and we were seated and served quickly. Service was friendly. The nachos were phenomenal! Also had the mole taquitos and green enchiladas, both of which were pretty good. Overall, decent place for Mexican. read more

Taco Rosa - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Enjoyed sitting outside on their patio for happy hour. As the chips weren't complimentary, we ordered the chile limon chips, which came with two different salsas and a bean dip. The bean dip was our favorite. We also ordered a variety of dishes to share and I especially enjoyed brie on the steak taco as the cheese was melted with a torch in front of us. The food, margaritas, and service were all good. read more

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I thoroughly enjoyed the first visit and that they were able to modify my veggie burrito to have no corn and no cheese. It was delicious and flavorful with a variety of veggies inside. Hubby got a flight of tacos a la carte to try and enjoyed his meal as well. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu on our next visit! read more

Taco Rosa - Rosa Burrito ( no corn and no cheese ), so good! - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Not sure why I had this bookmarked as a place I wanted to go. Maybe I ran across something on IG, but couldn't figure out what after reviewing the menu. The front entrance was not obvious and this should have been our first red flag. My husband and I came here with friends to try something new on a Saturday night. You'd think that Saturday at 7:30pm would be busy, but it wasn't. This should have been the second red flag. The place was quiet, with only one person at the bar and two other parties in the dining room. Our server was okay at the beginning but became very scarce throughout the rest of our meal. We ordered margaritas for the table, esquites, and entrees. We asked for chips and salsa and it was something that you had to order and wasn't complimentary. Red flag number three. The salsas were so small, you couldn't even scoop a chip in the ramekin unless you broke the chip. The largest of the dips was a bean dip. But all entrees came with beans... was this necessary? My husband pointed out that the water tasted weird. Like unclean water lines or as if the ice machine was dirty. I wasn't drinking much and maybe subconsciously this was why. The water lines/ice needs to be addressed for sure. Red flag number 4. The food? Meh. It's was okay. I got the chile relleno and added a taco. The relleno could have used more sauce, but I did enjoy that the plate came with veggies. The taco? Who the heck garnishes Mexican food with a dill frond? Red flag... I lost count. The server disappeared until we were almost done eating. Never asked if we wanted more drinks (which was okay because we didn't want any). Definitely have no intention on coming back. There are so many better options out there. Save yourself the trip and disappointment. read more

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What an incredible experience! We actually came here completely by accident and didn't realize it was already 8:30 p.m., with the restaurant closing at 9:00. As soon as we realized how late it was, I offered to leave because I never want to inconvenience a restaurant so close to closing. Thankfully, that wasn't necessary. Reuben, the owner, couldn't have been more gracious and welcoming. He made us feel like family from the moment we walked in and never once made us feel like we were a burden, even though we arrived so close to closing. That level of genuine hospitality is so rare these days, and it's something you don't forget. We just moved to The Colonnade next door, and after this experience, Taco Rosa has absolutely earned regular customers. Great food is important, but it's people like Reuben who truly make a restaurant stand out from the rest. His kindness, warmth, and genuine care for his guests are what will keep us coming back. Thank you, Reuben, for making us feel so welcome. We'll definitely be back, and we'll be recommending Taco Rosa to everyone we know! read more

Excellent for mid-afternoon stop off for some tacos and a margarita!! Relaxed laid back atmosphere. Excellent courteous service. Great Happy Hour prices!!! read more

Visited here for OC Restaurant Week and though special menu seemed very promising I was a bit disappointed. I came here on a Saturday evening and they seemed a bit understaffed as there was no one at the just stand for over 10 mins but there were many open tables available. The special menu included $10 margaritas to which I found out afterwards that it was only the house margarita that was included. This was a bit misleading and I wish they disclosed that. The food came out quickly and was plated very nicely. Flavors were fresh but the limes were a bit dry. I had ordered the chicken mole enchiladas but was served a verde enchilada instead but after not being able to flag a waiter down I just decided it was fine and the flavors were good! Lastly, there were quite a few bugs/flies in the patio which I think should be addressed. Overall, I think this place could use some improvement with service and overall customer experience s their food is pretty promising. read more

First time at taco Rosa and it was a pleasant surprise! I don't honestly know what I was expecting. However, the interior was large and roomy, the food was reasonably priced given the large portions, and they offer a variety of drinks, but of course we went with the large margaritas! The servers are all so attentive and sweet, and we saw them celebrating a birthday with a cute table-side song Great first time visit, will be back! read more

Taco Rosa - Rosa Fajita Steak - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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We've only been here a few times though each time has been getting progressively worse. We ordered the dinner for 2 with horchatas and their tacos. The Arachera meat was good, the chicken was ok as was the shrimp but the chorizo was "missing". I asked the waiter and he said they mixed it in with the onions. This felt like a rip off or that they had ran out of chorizo meat but you can tell by the pics. All we received were chorizo bits. The horchata was not bad though read more

Taco Rosa - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Honestly not too bad! The meat was seasoned really well for the tacos and I was able to ask for flour tortillas instead of corn. The rice was a bit dry but everything was pretty enjoyable regardless. They have a nice outdoor area that's perfect for bigger parties. read more

Taco Rosa - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here for OC Restaurant Week. The place is clean and I love the rose mural on the wall. We were greeted by friendly staff who did an excellent job throughout. We were offered chips and salsa with a variety of dips to start. We also ordered a strawberry margarita and a coconut margarita. They have a 25$ deal for lunch that gets you a starter soup and an entree. We got the pozole and chicken soup to start, then a Rosa combo (one shredded beef taco and a cheese enchilada) and two tacos (al pastor and steak) for our entrees. Strawberry Margarita- It was sweet with a tangy zing at the end. They made it with a good amount if alcohol which is very much appreciated. Coconut Margarita- This is the perfect vacation drink! It was sweet and mild and you feel the alcohol kick in at the end. Chips and Salsa- I love how crisp their chips are and they have a smoky spice blend dusted on them. The salsa is fresh with a nice charred flavor. They also offer a bean dip and creamy avocado dip that has a nice kick to it. I enjoyed the variety! Pozole Rojo- It was perfect for the chilly day we were having. The caldo is bursting with flavor and the pork pieces were tender. The cabbage and crunchy radish gave it extra texture. Chicken Soup- This was comforting with a kick! There was a generous amount of chicken pieces. The zucchini and roasted corn made it extra hearty. Rosa Combo- It came with a shredded beef taco, cheese enchilada, rice and beans. The shredded beef was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The enchilada had a generous amount of gooey cheese. Rice and beans were a great side. Al Pastor and Steak Taco- The al pastor taco was bursting with pineapple flavor! It was a lovely combination of sweet and savory. The meat was cooked to perfection. The steak taco was nice and smoky. Meat was juicy and filling. Great meal overall! read more

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Wow, Taco Rosa always hits the spot! This place has my favorite version of Queso Fundido - the cheese pull is amazing, it's packed with flavors and texture thanks to the sausage, peppers, and onions, and they even have an incredible presentation tableside where they light it on fire and cook it. This is a must order for me! The Taquiza for Two was such a great way to try a variety of what Taco Rosa has to offer. Would definitely recommend this if the two of you are feeling hungry and want a variety of choices. Not only was it beautiful to look at, the steak, chicken, and shrimp were also very well prepared. What a feast and we appreciated the generous portions! Service was super friendly and the ambiance is casual. Definitely looking forward to visiting again! read more

Taco Rosa - Taquiza for Two - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

We ordered takeout for a party, and the food was absolutely delicious. We got al pastor, beef, and chicken for the tacos, plus enchiladas, taquitos, churros, rice, and beans. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. I'll definitely come back! read more

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I've driven past this spot so many times and finally got to try it. My friend and I came for Taco Tuesday and it was a pretty big menu to choose from. I got a combo plate which included the enchiladas and a steak taco, and was a really good price. I was obsessed with the green jalapeño salsa that comes out with the chips! It was super unique and so fresh. I also tried a blackened shrimp taco which I would totally order again! I enjoyed sitting at their outdoor patio, where service was very good! read more

Taco Rosa - Blackened shrimp taco - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Unfortunately, this place has really gone downhill since my last visit a couple years ago... It starts with the parking lot which is a total cluster thanks to the hundreds of new apartments built a few yards away. Then upon arriving, the doorperson had no knowledge of the reservation I made for six people just several hours earlier. Our waitress seemed irritated from the moment we were sat, despite the fact that our party was friendly and polite, and her service was curt and inattentive. In fact, she disappeared after our entrees were served and never returned. Thankfully the busboy was able to get our desserts and eventually the check. When I asked where she went, he said she was "busy with another table". (I now regret that we tipped her far more than she deserved). But the worst offense was the overall cleanliness and condition of the restaurant. The menus were absolutely filthy - all of them. The doors, handles, tables, chairs were banged-up with scratches and peeling paint, the floors were dirty and there was visible wear and tear basically everywhere. The less said about the bathrooms the better... The only bright spot was that the food was actually good and was presented well on the plate. But at these prices, which were high, that is just not good enough reason for me to ever come back. This place used to be nice - not anymore. Was there a change in ownership that I'm not aware of...? Not sure when the county board of health was here last, but they are certainly in for a surprise next time they pay a visit. read more

Taco Rosa was good, but the prices were NOT good. We walked out with a $90 bill for guacamole, a salad with a side of corn and beans, and three chicken tacos with a side of rice. Yes, you read that right--ninety dollars. I've been to local hole-in-the-wall spots that deliver amazing food at a fraction of the cost. The servers were very nice and attentive, which I appreciated, but the prices? Beyond me. This isn't Javier's quality, yet they're charging like it's a Michelin-starred experience. The food was decent, but at these prices, I'd rather find a spot that doesn't leave me questioning my life choices. read more

Taco Rosa - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Taco Rosa is SO AMAZING!! The food is absolutely spectacular and the service is wonderful. The waiters are very nice to us and it creates a very Mexican atmosphere. I love it here! Highly recommend for everyone. By the way, if ur a man, watch out cause the men's bathroom sink is pretty powerful. Love it here! read more

I was so disappointed. The meat in my tacos was terrible. No flavor and tough. Our server was very dismissive and not very helpful. I saw previous reviews but thought it couldn't be that bad and it was. So disappointed. Chips and guacamole were pretty good. They added a bunch of parsley or something to guacamole which was unnecessary. read more

All the food and drinks are the best. There Caddillac Margaritas are the best in all of orange county read more

They happy hour appetizers and margaritas are excellent. I will definitely give it several more visits. read more

The food here is good. The service is quick. Every one was helpful and were knowledgeable about the menu. The interior dining area is decorated with a Spanish Style flair providing a great ambiance for dining. I will be coming back for sure. read more

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Eh, in a town full of Mexican food, Taco Rosa is just okay? The potato and chicken tacos were nice and crispy but nothing spectacular. The rice and beans had pretty decent flavor. My favorite dish was the ceviche tostaditas so my verdict is this place is probably a good spot for happy hour deals but not as great for a full meal, I don't think it's a good value. Service was excellent though! read more

The fajitas was so delicious so tender perfect can't complain. This was our first time here. Definitely will be going back read more

Taco Rosa - Fajitas Steak - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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I've dined at Taco Rosa a few times, and it's always been a good time. The atmosphere is great, and the food and drinks are tasty. Self-described as "Contemporary Mexico City cuisine." Taco Rosa offers some delicious variations of familiar Mexican fare. My recent orders have been tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. They were all delicious, and the preparation with fresh ingredients and presentation made them look appetizing. The quesadillas were filled with more than just cheese and protein, which was a nice touch and something different. Although not complimentary, the crispy chili limon chips came with three dipping sauces, offering a variety of flavors. I enjoyed the smooth bean and red salsa dips, but my least favorite was the third one, a jalapeño salsa. We paid $6 for the chips and salsa, and they provided two sets for our table and refills on chips. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. During the day, you can see the details of Mexican decor and well-built furniture. In the evening, the mood is dark and cozy. The staff was good, and our server was attentive, checked on us regularly, and refilled any needed water and sodas. Our food also came out promptly and hot. My only concern is the prices, as with most dine-in restaurants of late. Although the food and vibes are good, my budget won't let me dine here often. We reserve visits for special occasions or a dining splurge. read more

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My best friend and I came in for happy hour and got some drinks and split the guac, esquite, and chicken taquitos and WE BOTH got severe food poisoning afterwards that night. Avoid this place at all costs not worth it! read more

We stopped into TR after looking on Yelp! for Mexican restaurants in the area, on a weekend afternoon. It was quiet and had a handful of customers on their patio when we arrived. Upon entering we were greeted and seated within minutes; patio or indoor dining. We opted for indoor. It's nicely decorated with a romantic woody ambiance inside, I thought it was very relaxing. They have booths and tables, plenty of seating. We had a nice server who was attentive and kept our glasses full. Ordered the Rosa Combo: adobado enchilada, steak taco (chicken also an option), w/ a sweet & spicy tamilita, and rice & beans. Also ordered Carnitas plate w/ rice & beans Kids meals: bean & cheese and fries/ rice beans (two side options to choose from) The food was in our opinion VERY good! It was spicy, savory, the tortillas were good (green) and their beans were very flavorful. The chips & salsa/ bean trio served at the beginning were very good as well. Chips & salsa are a deal breaker for my family & everyone approved! Really great food, good parking, nice environment and good service. You can't go wrong. It was $100 for 4 of us which is normal for sit down establishments now days. We were pleased & would return-yay Yelp! read more

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I like to say for years we have been visiting Tacos Rosa we love the food exquisite they are very approachable with any special request we have love the margaritas but most we love the professional service Thank you ! read more

We have eaten at Taco Rosa a couple times. It's very middle. The food is on the greasy side. Yes, even for Mexican food. They do cut corners on the extras, such as no complimentary chips and salsa and no guacamole with my burrito. To be fair I did ask for a little and the server brought me a little guacamole. Also, I got served a margarita with no lime...not sure if this was a mistake or more corner cutting. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here. The margarita was good. The service was good not great. There really are much better options in SC for me to choose from. read more

My sister treated our family to dinner here for my birthday, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food turned out to be. With a group of 7 adults and 2 kids, we opted for 2 orders of the Taquiza for Two, featuring skirt steak, chicken breast, tiger shrimp, rice, beans, tortillas, and an array of flavorful salsas and sauces. It exceeded our expectations in taste and portion size. While we also tried the chicken fajitas, which were tasty, they seemed quite similar to the chicken breast in the Taquiza. We rounded out our meal with the taquitos appetizer, which were enjoyable, especially for the kids. Of course they had to bring out 10 people to sing a happy birthday song along with a cup of ice cream and a candle :) Overall, the attentive customer service and pleasant ambiance added to our dining experience. read more

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We were regularly at Taco Rosa - almost weekly. We enjoyed the food and most waiters were nice. Until yesterday, an older waiter rudely questioned if we sat ourselves when another waiter asked us to do so. When we told him that, he decided to pick on our dog, who was seated quietly on a chair, which we had been doing every time for months now. The same waiter served us in the past with no problems. We could have put the dog on the floor had he asked nicely, but he continued to talk rudely. We lost our favorite restaurant because of one waiter who refused to be polite. read more

Came here for OC Restaurant week with the family and was pleasantly surprised with the food. For some reason I've never tried Taco Rosa even though it's been around for as long as I can remember. Our prefixed meal started off with their chili lime chips and salsas and bean dip. I loved that the chips were flavored as I've never seen that at Mexican restaurant before. The salsas were good and the bean dip was but I wish they had a classic sort of pico or blended red salsa as those are my favorite. I tried the carna asada burrito for my meal and it was huge. The meat was good and the burrito had great flavor. Was easily two meals. My boyfriend had the Mexico City enchiladas as well as my mom and they both said it was delicious and had good flavor. My dad got the chicken and fish taco. The fish taco was good but could've used a bit more flavor on top. We ended with the dessert platter which was yummy but I was so full I only picked at it. My brother really liked the chocolate dipped churro and their flan was better than most I've had. We also got the classic margarita which was good, pretty standard. Service was alright, a bit slow and not super receptive of our needs. Had to ask for a water refill at the end of the meal because they never came back tk check on us. But they were busy so it was hard for the servers to be attentive. read more

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Excellent food, reasonable prices good margaritas very clean very authentic ambience great relaxation a plus atmosphere plus

Taco Rosa's ambiance ~ STARS 4/5 there is plenty of natural light and romantic spaces to sit with a date or by yourself; the open concept could cause one to feel cold on a chilly Southern California day even with the outdoor heaters but there is space to sit in doors Service ~ STARS 4/5 my favorite server is the head bartender (darn, I forgot his name); the server at our table was kind and quick to help us with our order; one visit I had was a little awkward because the person clearing our plates was not able to recognize appropriate boundaries and was very flirtatious (he hasn't been flirtatious since) Food ~ STARS 3/5 there are many Mexican restaurants in Southern California that offer much better choices with flavor with Mexican food than what Taco Rosa provides. I've eaten the tacos, the chips with bean dip (yummy), the fajitas, quesadillas with chicken, pozole: delicious item (pork), and the flan, which is in the image that I've included. read more

Taco Rosa - Flan: thick as cheese cake and missing the consistency of flan, which is very smooth and creamy with a sweet, in milky flavor. STARS ~ 2/5 ~ - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

I'm so surprised about their low rating! Taco Rosa is part of the chain along with Taco Mesa (love their location in Orange!) We love this chain and are frequent customers. Their chips and salsa are some of our favorites, always super fresh and tasty. Their food is good quality, great portions, and made fresh to order. This location offers indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. The staff is friendly and attentive. Parking is easy as they are located in the Tustin Marketplace. I'd recommend stopping in for yourself! read more

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