Came for a girls lunch date earlier to this weekend and this spot did not disappoint! THE SERVICE: 5/5 - Quick, friendly, accommodating, and our waiter made a real effort to engage in conversation with us. The FOOD: 4.5/5 | Drinks: 5/5 Off the appetizers, we had the pork belly bites and dirty fries! First dish came with a long hot pepper, several mini tortillas, and 2 dipping sauces. The pork was crunchy on the outside and soft+succulent on the inside. I can see myself doubling up on this appetizer the next time I come. Dirty fries were great; it came with a generous amount of pickled onions - providing a really nice contrast to the savoriness of our meal. Our waiter graciously accommodated our request to have the egg on the side. Off the entrée/taco menu, my friend ordered the Korean tacos and I got the Ensenada (fish) tacos. But you can also order the Ensenada tacos with shrimp. These were delicious, I would have loved a little more lime crema to go with the fish - but not a big deal. I got a Watermelon Margarita. I wasn't expecting it to be HUGE, but it was the perfect amount considering how much food we as a pair ordered. My friend ordered the La Toxica table side cocktail and one additional mango cocktail. Table side cocktail was a whole show and my friend really enjoyed it. We had a great lunch at Tempo Cantina. I can't wait to try more of their bar menu, maybe even at night when the restaurant is lively read more

Food no Bueno. Service was ok. I would never go back. They inside they try to do some sort of back alley graffiti and some Japanese umbrella but the place looks like it's has identity issues. read more

Tempo used to be SUCH a fun spot! The line would literally be out the door, the music was always loud, and the whole atmosphere felt different from any other restaurant in the area. It was busy, upbeat, and just a really fun place to go. We recently found out they're under new management and apparently wanted to move away from the original "Tempo vibe." Well... mission accomplished because it was DEAD. Like, literally no one there. And instead of the loud, fun music we remembered, Michelle Branch was playing LOL. We were dying. At one point they even played a song I walked down the aisle to at my wedding, which is beautiful and all... but not exactly the Tempo experience I came for The food is still the same and was good, but everything that made Tempo Tempo feels completely gone. Now it just feels like a regular, quiet restaurant, and there are already plenty of those around. It's honestly a bummer because Tempo used to have such a fun energy and was always packed. I definitely don't see that line being out the door again anytime soon if this is the new direction. read more

Tempo Cantina - Bar area/ front of the restaurant celebrating my better half's birthday (which they coincidentally had a bday sign up) - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Solid 3.8 stars! - note I've been coming here for multiple years and sadly they changed new owners and the food reflected that I do want to start off by saying the service was great, decor is the same as it was before, but docking off some stars due to the food I was used to Pork belly bites- this is my favorite item here, and when it came out today I was so surprised at how much smaller they were than before! It didn't taste as good and wasn't as juicy sadly. The sauces were still consistent but the pork belly itself was a bit lackluster from before Tinga taquitos- these used to be so juicy, the chicken inside was a bit dry and the tortilla itself was too thick. U def need to use the sauces they provide to offset the dryness Grilled Octopus- this dish was good, octopus was juicy but portion was a bit small for what it was. It also came with sweet potato fries Loaded fries- idk what I was expecting but these were just fries with buffalo chicken nuggets on top. Don't get me wrong this was decent and the buffalo chicken was tangy and juicy! Thirsty Thursday deals happen all day $7 margs and you know I had to get some. Mango was the sweetest, strawberry was not bad, guava was the best in balance of flavor in sweetness and alcohol. Overall not a bad experience but note if u haven't came here in a while, the food quality has changed sadly read more

Tempo Cantina - Tinga Taquitos - New American Near Me - Brea, California

My first time at this location and it did not disappoint! Before arriving I was concerned about parking during happy hour but all of my friends and I were able to park with ease. We were welcomed and seated quickly. Our server was the best from beginning to end. The chips and salsa were FRESH! I knew we were off to a great start. We ordered cocktails from Margaritas to Lemon Drops. We all ordered meals which were as fire as the drinks! The vibe was energetic and fun. We also did enjoy the photographer. I think we purchased about 6 frames lol and we are friends that see each other regularly ahaha but the photos were amazing and the frames top quality. This may be our new favorite location to meet up, catch up and enjoy! Thanks Tempo, we will be back for sure!! read more

Tempo Cantina - Bourbon Lemon Drop - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Celebrated my sister's birthday at Tempo Cantina. Tempo took over the old taps brewery building in Birch Street. The inside of the restaurant is huge, it has a dimly, lit nightclub atmosphere-- very vibey. I previously dined at Tempo Cantina in Anaheim Hills and have always had a great experience, this location lives up to my great previous experiences. Attentive waiters, food comes out quickly, generous food portions that taste fresh and delicious! read more

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Very large and fun bar/restaurant/cantina with great ambiance and good food. The interior transports you to Mexico. Plenty of parking. Prices are on the higher side. I tried the Japanese-Mex menu and the sushi was outstanding. I would have it again anytime. Good, friendly service. read more

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Came here on a Sunday afternoon and it was nice and slow, which made for a really relaxing experience! Our server, Israel, was awesome! Super attentive, friendly, and always checking in to make sure we were taken care of. The food was really good, and the recommendations he gave us were definitely worth trying! The vibe here is energetic and fun, though the music is pretty loud, so conversations can be a little difficult at times. The women's restroom could also use a little extra attention. The only thing that caught me off guard was having to pay extra for rice and beans, but overall the prices felt fair for the experience. We'd definitely come back! read more

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Food was a 10/10 of course. Good customer service; however, not enough tostadas come with the torre mariscos & they didn't tell us about the extra charge when we asked for more. I was expecting it to be $1 or $2 dollars but it was $3 for 3 extra tostadas. Did not get a picture of the restrooms but they can use a little love. Lots of dust on the soap dispenser, mirror I still would come here again though. It's too bad cinco de mayo was on a Tuesday this year lol read more

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I had lunch plans with one of my friends at Tempo Cantina in Brea. Apparently there are 2 locations in the area. This one is NOT the one in downtown Brea. It is near Nothing Bundt Cake in a small plaza with its' own lot. Speaking from someone who went to the wrong location. Oops. I had made a reservation on Open Table, but there were plenty of tables at the time of our arrival. The atmosphere was very trendy and lively. We were seated in Paola's section and she was super friendly and helpful the whole time. My friend had the Surf and Turf Tacos ($20) with an added a side of Rice ($?) and a Diet Pepsi ($3), since they didn't have Diet Coke. I had the Bone Marrow Tacos ($20) with a Watermelon Agua Fresca ($7). We both enjoyed our meal and can see ourselves coming back. Yum! My bone marrow tacos were so delicious and fun. It had 3 bone marrows topped with asada and melted cheese. It was fun to scrap down the bone marrow and assemble my own tacos. Friendly service and delicious food. I also saw that they had a great happy hour menu, so I would have to come back for that in the future when the opportunity is available. read more

Tempo Cantina - Surf and Turf Tacos with a side of ride and Bone Marrow Tacos - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Overall, this restaurant delivered a memorable dining experience. Between the inviting ambience, top-tier service, and high‑quality food, it's the kind of place you look forward to returning to. read more

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We decided to come here for a quick small lunch as I had a work event and wanted to make sure I could make it until 8pm dinner. We love their tableside octopus and is our go to here. We usually get it and add an appetizer, today we didn't want to since I need to be able to have dinner and I don't eat much. First of they mentioned that they didn't have the normal octopus but the could make it with 8 legs that should equal, it didn't. It was smaller than the normal, fine. When she was doing the flambé, she poured the tequila and barely used the flame. She was on a rush to be done. Because of this, the octopus wasn't its usual crunch and you could taste the unconsumed liquor on it. The onion was still raw in the middle which upset my stomach. I couldn't finish eating as the onion was so raw my stomach started to feel it and I got nauseous. This was a very disappointing experience. The service was slow and nonexistent. We got our food and no utensils or plates. We asked the lady and she never brought them. We had to ask the busser for them which he kindly did. Our waitress eventually came by and ask how everything was going. I was honest and told her not great and probably the worse experience here and we were disappointed. She couldn't have cared less. We were not expecting anything but at least a simple apology but I guess that was too much. Needless to say, I don't think we will be back any time soon. We will probably try the one in downtown Brea instead. I have 2 stars as the octopus tasted ok and the tomato was good. read more

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Tempo is one of our favorite places to dine the atmosphere is so delightful full of happiness the food is out of this world good tantalizing your pallet!!! We always go back to the Bone Marrow Tacos !!! The guacamole is the freshest anywhere I had the chicken enchiladas with Mole OH my word the best the best Servers are very attentive and service is fast ! I like the numerous big screen I'm a sports fanatic ! Oh and the BAR ! Is a definite YES ! Every drink you can possibly think of and more !!! I had an agua Fresca it was delicious ! Pricing was very affordable And don't forget the home made churros !! read more

Arriving on a Sunday morning for brunch, it felt like we had stepped into the leftovers of a nightclub: graffiti-covered tables, neon lighting, dark walls, skull art, and pops of vegetation; all giving the space a distinct after-hours vibe. THE FOOD. - Tortilla Chips & Salsa (Complimentary). Crunchy tortilla chips with delicious house made salsa. It was served on a wooden chopping board, understanding that certain shareable foods shouldn't be held back by bowl boundaries. - Crispy Birria Eggs. The birria had that unmistakeable slow-braised depth; rich and savory. - Pork Belly Benedict. Pork belly with chile verde hollandaise sauce gave this dish smoky, salty, and tangy richness. - Asada Chilaquiles. Don't expect a whole plate of chilaquiles with chopped up carne asada on top! Both are served as separate sides on the plate. Aside from that, the carne asada was juicy, tender and charred nicely. And isn't that all that matters? THE DRINKS. - Mango Fresca. Light, refreshing, and naturally sweet with a bit of tropical brightness. Plot twist, it didn't taste like mango. *shrugs* - Michelada. Bold, spicy, and tangy with a good umami kick. This makes drinking beer in the morning acceptable. :) - Coffee. Straightforward, hot, and caffeinated. THE PARKING. We got there just as the restaurant opened, so parking was easy (and free). THE VERDICT. Delicious bites, good drinks, and a scene that's anything but subtle. It would be interesting to experience this place at night where things seem to really pick up! read more

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Great drinks and great service from Grecia and Vanessa! Carnitas plate has delicious meat coming off the bone. Will be back soon! read more

Tempo Cantina - margarita flight and mimosa towers - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Grecia is such an amazing server! Food was good came out on time and had such a great experience

Great service, food and drinks!! Everything came out fast, the drinks were good and I def recommend the tinga taquitos!! The ambiance was fine, just a little empty read more

Tempo Cantina - Lemon drop and cosmopolitan - New American Near Me - Brea, California

So this is Mr Tempo, but rebranded I guess. The restaurant was okay, exactly the same as Mr tempo from years back, all the same decor and signage and it was all dusty, they clearly don't wipe down or dust anything, but nonetheless the vibes are there perfect for an outing with friends and family. The service was good.. staff is friendly and checked on us a good amount of times. Food was really good it is definitely in the pricer side, even 3 tacos is gonna put you at $25.. and when asked for extra of something like more sauce or more crackers we were charged! Normally when i ask for these items at 99% of restaurants Im not charged so i was shocked to see my $3 for each side.. and i wasn't even told it was an extra charge.. They do come around to take photos, which we do buy every time but when we got home we saw the photos/frame are smaller from years past! For the same price at $20 years past 5x7 this year 4x6! read more

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My wife and I would always go have dinner at tempo and suddenly the customer service went down the toilet. Our last time there was the last straw. That night When we got there there was a line so we patiently waited no big deal. Then we were called in by the host and she told us that we only had an hour or so to eat that there's a time limit. I said WTH? I told myself I m going to stay here as long as I need to enjoy my dinner. I was going to just walk out then and there but gave it a chance. I asked the waitress about the time limit they have and she said it's true just enjoy your dinner, she also stated that she going to get fired soon anyways. Wow bringing up dirty laundry to customers is not correct. The food was good but the drama left a bad taste in my mouth. I then decided to never come back...to much drama here ..management and customer service is out of control. That's probably why they closed the Downey and San Diego locations. There's toooo many great places to eat nowadays. Buh-Bye. read more

Came here for lunch to meet up with a friend. The colors are vibrant and colorful. There were a lot of tables available and not busy, which was great because we didn't have to wait. There was a pretty nice lady and the food was good. I only got some tacos. It was my birthday and they brought out this amazing dessert. It was the most delicious thing I had in awhile. It was a churro car with ice cream and sauces. Might come back one day for the dessert hahah read more

Tempo Cantina - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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Went to have a drink turned into few drinks with a friend. Great fun, festive with great vibe. Services are friendly and great from staff. I had their foods from their other location and it was wonderful and delish. But this is just drinks for us. We had a great time here. read more

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We had a friend recommend this restaurant and we had such a delicious and satisfying lunch meal. Our friend said to eat the octopus. It was cooked perfectly and delicious!! We also had the chorizo queso fondido. It too was flavorful. I am a guacamole snob. This was great with extra lime flavor. We ended the meal with churros and ice cream. A wonderful sundae. Our server was highly attentive. Ambiance is casual dining. The decor led me to think that at night the place is hopping. read more

Service was good. Ambience is very floral, eclectic, but low lighting. The menu has super small font, difficult to read with lighting. It wasn't edited, several grammatical and spelling errors. Food wasn't terrible, yet it wasn't as good as I was hoping for since the place has been around for so long. It isn't a traditional Mexican menu, not what I was expecting; lots of fusion options and sauces and items that I am particularly fond of, however someone with a different palate may be. The chips and walk came with things on it. I think they were chunks of cheese, but I'm not sure what kind and they were not very good. It was very bland no salt. read more

Tempo Cantina - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Our server Grecia was amazing!! She was so sweet, kind, and helpful. She was very prompt and always checked on us and made sure we were ok. We really appreciated her!! The atmosphere and food was very good! Will come back and recommend. Thank you Grecia!! read more

Tempo Cantina - New American Near Me - Brea, California

The food was great! My friends and I was satisfied with our orders. Our drinks were just as good. I ordered a agua chili sushi and wow it was very delicious . read more

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* Who: partner & I * What: post-concert dinner * When: late Friday night * Why: randomly chosen due late hours/nearby home * Space/Decor: parking is shared with other stores in a small plaza but no issues parking when we went. The inside is spacious, modern via decor, with plenty of seating available; there's also a patio area. The color scheme is on the darker side, with the walls being covered with graffiti art & neon signs, & the bar area has TVs. * Service: standard. We were seated immediately. The waitress was nice & knowledgeable about the menu. Given how empty it was (granted this was like 11pm) with like 4-5 other couples, service could've been a little quicker or attentive. They also had a staff member going around offering to take photos. * Food: good with decent flavor. Given how late it was, we more so snacked. We ordered fries, ceviche, the pork belly appetizer, & tacos (unable to recall which type). The fries were crispy, the ceviche was pretty fresh, the pork belly was fatty/yum though a little dry, & the tacos were ok. * Final Thoughts: a cute, chic Mexican restaurant with decent food/portions & price, that's styled/decorated like many semi-new places where it creates a vibe & can be photo friendly, especially at night. * Final Grade: B+ or 8/10 read more

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Super good food and great hospitality all the way around. The pork chop and salmon were excellent, and even the hamburger was filling and hit the spot. I'm giving this place a solid 100%. I'll definitely be back -- if you're in Brea, come on down and check it out! read more

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Not sure why it took me so long to check this place out. Glad I finally made it in. Walking in was a delight. Big, open and beautiful atmosphere. I was greeted warmly and enjoyed the conversation with my server. The menu is incredible but I had to try the chilaquiles. No brunch is complete without a refreshing drink so I ordered the Pogu. Best brunch I've had in a while. After looking over the dinner menu I'll be returning to try a few more things that caught my eye. read more

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Super cute trendy mexican spot. They have a variety of food options as well as a bar! Our bartender was funny, fast and friendly! We stopped by for a quick drink and I ordered a Shirley Temple which was good! My mom ordered the Guayaba blended margarita and it was super tasty!! Definitely recommend that one. I hope to be back soon to give the food a try! read more

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First of all, it appears there are two restaurants with the same name on the same street. I called and made a reservation at the location across from the Brea Mall because I was meeting my nephew and his wife there. When we arrived, the hostess did not have our reservation and acted as though the restaurant was very busy and that seating us would be difficult. However, there were several open tables. That should have been my first indication that this experience was not going to go well. Our server was a young Black gentleman with a cool Hispanic name (unfortunately, I can't remember it). I asked him about the only rosé on the menu and specifically asked whether it was dry. He said it was, but it definitely was not. I sent it back. We ordered an appetizer to share while the rest of our party drove from the other Tempo location to the correct one. Once they arrived, they ordered drinks, and the appetizer was brought out. After that, approximately 40 minutes passed and our waiter still had not returned to take our food order. It seemed as though he assumed we were only there for an appetizer. Our waiter was in the general area, and I tried several times to get his attention without success. I eventually had to stand up and wave my hand like a crazy person just to get him to come over. He finally took our order. The food was served relatively quickly after that. I asked the waiter for a knife, but he never brought it. Another staff member came by, and I asked again, but my son immediately needed the knife. Ultimately, I had to practically go to the kitchen myself to ask for one. My son loves sparkling water and ordered several. The bottles were about the size of a Dixie cup. I asked if they had Perrier or another larger option, and the waiter said the only sparkling water they carried was the one he had already served us, which he referred to as the "Mexican one." It was Schweppes. I told him I wasn't aware that Schweppes was a Mexican brand. Overall, the service was subpar, the food was average, and the overall vibe and atmosphere were nothing special, especially considering the prices. The restaurant felt overpriced for the experience we received. This was a one-and-done for me and my family. Looking back, I probably should have known from the beginning, when the hostess seemed confused about seating us despite having a reservation in an almost empty dining room, that this was not going to be a positive experience. read more

Still four stars out of respect for Mr. Tempo. But, this recent time we came to Tempo it was a bit disappointing. Been here several times (despite the distance from the casa). We've also been to King and Queen down in San Diego as well as the Anaheim Hills location before it closed. We also know what we loved about all. Was missing this last time. Service was still solid, but the food and vibe were different. The interior was "Kalaveras"-like if you're familiar with that joint. The food took a step down for whatever reason. I don't know if the expansive menu and fusion thing watered down the whole thing. The surf and turf tacos were nowhere near Tempo quality. Same with the Ensenada style fish tacos. Diet coke came served in a plastic lidded cup. The tacos weren't bad. Just not at the level of past visits. We came on a Sunday and it was pretty low population inside. Again, Mr. Tempo has our loyalty. Maybe it was just a day when things weren't humming. read more

Tempo Cantina - Table full - New American Near Me - Brea, California

I just love the vibe at Tempo! It's got a hipster kind of vibe, crossed with sugar schools and reminiscent of a nightclub lol The bright colors and skulls are fun. The music was nice too, and it wasn't too loud. I also enjoy the booths- they are comfortable! The food was alright. It didn't blow my socks off or anything, but it was edible. I ordered Fresh Berry Salad with salmon. The salmon was very dry. The salad was lackluster. I won't order that again. I did like the rice and beans. Those tasted good and were filing. I like the guacamole; it is very fresh tasting. I don't like the spice on the chips though. I can't handle anything spicy and even that little sprinkle was too much for me lol My husband got the surf and turf burrito and struggled to eat it, because of how it was cut lol The inside of the burrito kept falling out lol He said the burrito tasted okay, but he was a little disappointed with the messiness of trying to eat it. Service was really good. We got our drinks and food very fast. Our server came by and checked on us often. My drink was always full. Great service. 10/10 read more

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Tempo Cantina has a great vibe, but Vanessa and her team are what really make this place special! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with so much energy. Vanessa was super enthusiastic and welcoming throughout our entire meal. It's rare to find an operating team that is this consistently accommodating and friendly from start to finish. The food was excellent, but the hospitality is what truly stands out. It makes such a difference when the staff clearly loves what they do. I will definitely be coming back here again soon. P.s. Vanessa, looking forward to that hot sauce on my next visit :) read more

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Tempo Cantina in Brea off Imperial Hwy . HAS GOT YOU !!! Delicioso gourmet creative dishes you will not find anywhere else . Senior Jorge Cueva has overcame many obstacles in his past and with the heart of a lion he will continue to do so... This is the fifth establishment that I have attended from San Diego, to my very first experience in Santa Monica still one of my favorites he finally put one right next to me in Oxnard... And apparently according to the incredible cordial staff Cindy our server !!!! Elise the manager and also can ALWAYS be seen multi tasking as server as well ... in they're DYNAMIC ART CART , w Tasty quac , shrimp tacos This "Tempo Urban Cafe " is one of the best . as well as Gracia who got a kick out of my grandaughters . LOOK 4ward2 coming back !!! Gracias hermanas and hermano's _=christopher & familia read more

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Came here for taco Tuesday and loved the al pastor taco! They even had happy hour all day until 6pm on Tuesday which was awesome! Lots of different deals on food and drinks, which was exactly what we were looking for! Our server was so sweet. Definitely loved the vibe on the inside as well. read more

Tempo Cantina - Taco Tuesday - New American Near Me - Brea, California

I can't speak for dinner but we came for Sunday brunch for a birthday. Food is mid. Nothing special. We ordered: 1. Nutella pancakes - super basic. A few pieces of strawberry and banana. Nutella spread on top of the 3 stack pancakes. The pancakes were too spongey. The steak knife could barely cut through them. I'm not exaggerating. It should not be that difficult to cut a pancake. But there was nothing fantastic about this $14 dish. 2. Nachos with asada. Very basic, the asada didn't taste freshly cooked. Not worth $20. 3. The chips and guac - we had to pay to have more chips because they didn't give us enough chips for the chips and guac. Make that make sense. 4. Tres leches pancakes -- looked more fun than the Nutella but it was way too milky. For the cost to eat out these days, the food needs to be worth it. I wouldn't come here again for brunch and I wouldn't recommend to anyone for brunch. They need to have better options on the menu as well because we came at 1pm and it was still the breakfast menu and we thought it was going to be a lunch menu. The good that I can speak on was our waitress was nice. read more

I went here with some friends for dinner. We were seated inside, and it was so loud, so we asked to be moved, and they moved us to the patio. It was so much better. There was a birthday celebration going on out there, but it was still quieter than inside. We ordered a gardez margarita, michelada, and some sort of mule( I forgot the name). Highly recommend the gardez margarita. It's my go-to at this restaurant. My friends liked the michelada while the mule was sooooo strong ... all we could taste was the alcohol. No to the mule. For food .... We ordered chips with salsa and guacamole. Guacamole was a little too salty. I felt it needed more lime. We also ordered the Korean bbq tacos, bone marrow tacos, and grilled octopus. Omg all these were delish. All flavorful. The Korean bbq meat was tender. I love bone marrow so these were delish! I could eat these by themselves without putting them in the tortillas that came with them. The grilled octopus was soooo good. It was tender. I love octopus so anytime it's on the menu I will order it. It was a fun night with good food. I highly recommend patio seating if you want to hear what is being said. Inside I feel you would have to yell at each other to converse. It is also dark inside. read more

Tempo Cantina - Drinks - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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As we arrived, we were quickly seated, despite the restaurant being somewhat busy. Our waiter, though I regret I didn't catch his name, was a young man with a slim build and a charming smile. On this occasion, he was serving near the back of the restaurant, wearing a red baseball cap. We started with a blended strawberry margarita, which was wonderfully refreshing and perfectly balanced--not overly sweet. We also ordered a non-alcoholic drink for variety. For our meal, I chose the Birria queso fondido, while we also enjoyed some chicharrones and later added the quesabirria with fries. Overall, the service was exceptional, and our waiter had a delightful sense of humor. I've visited this establishment before, but in its Downey location. read more

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First time trying Tempo Cantina and never knew it was here. This is what I would call a Mexican Japanese fusion restaurant since they offer both Mexican fare and sushi. Hostess and server were very friendly. They no longer offer lunch menu options but they do have a happy hour menu with some good choices. I ordered the Los 3 animales tacos from the happy hour menu with chicken Tinga, asada and Korean pork belly. A nice sampler plate for a first timer. All were delicious! You do have to pay for some chips and salsa. My friend ordered the three enchilada plate also from the happy hour menu which she said was very good. We will definitely be back for more! read more

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I've been there in multiple occasions for brunch and the food is amazing and service is always great! read more