Ah nostalgia. One of my favorite hangover cures, an ETB Carnitas burrito. Careful: they are…read moremassive; and delicious. Basic tortileria, you stand in line and wait to order. Line moves very quick and that's also when you have your opportunity to grab some chips or tortillas to go. Portions here are huge and everything is authentic.

I had a very disappointing experience here because of the customer service. I ordered six tacos…read moreseparately, and the employee helping me rolled his eyes, laughed, and sarcastically repeated, "So... six tacos all the same?" I brushed it off and tried to stay polite, but the attitude continued. While waiting for my order, I noticed him talking to his coworkers in the back while looking over at me, which made me feel uncomfortable and disrespected. I eventually called him out because there was no reason to treat a paying customer that way. Everyone has stressful days, but that's not an excuse to be rude or mock customers for placing an order. The food may be good, but customer service matters just as much. I hope management addresses this because no customer should feel embarrassed or disrespected simply for ordering food.

Ivan, the owner, has changed the menu and most new items don't work. Ordered a blackened chicken…read morebreast Torta today and got a skimpy little piece of Italian bread. The onions used to be grilled and sweet but now they are nearly raw. Sorry, but the old menu was more better! There are several of my favorites I just won't order anymore. I have eaten at Taco Mesa for at least 25 years but it has really gone down hill in the last few months.

Taco Mesa is always good! I drive from (562) to go here!…read moreNever disappointed! Personally I get the nachos! I need the crunch and the salsas!

What a magnificent restaurant in the heart of Costa Mesa! Plenty of parking spot and easy to spot…read moreon 17th street! Place is super chill and open format and I opt for the outdoor seating since inside seating can get Loud with a large table. We were greeted by super upbeat staff and just felt their energy was put into the food and drinks! We had the carpaccio, the octopus ceviche (onion rings were super crisp!) and the seafood paella. My friend wanted more seasoning which the staff gave us more pepper. I like the way the paella tastes and was able to have the jumbo shrimp with the juice on the side. Overall will definitely come back again and ran into other fellow foodies there so we know this is the place to be!

Just. The. Best. Restaurant. Everrrrrr…read more The food is amazing. The wine selection is amazing. The people are amazing. I would best describe it as upscale Mexican-inspired food, with a relaxed, friendly, chill atmosphere, and super cool and eclectic decor. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I especially love the lump crab squash blossoms and the ceviche tostada. We love it here.

Went there and not sure what was taking so long but the guy taking orders at the register was…read moremolasses and the woman in front of took all day. I started to get upset about it so when the manager walked over finally to take my order since the other guy disappeared he asked me how I was and I told him I wasn't happy. He let me say my peace and never once dropped his customer service level. Kept it super high and super friendly and took care of me as I ate and was just generally a very positive person. Food was good as it usually is. Just really impressed with the customer service even with someone complaining.

Food - average, does not stand out Service- very good…read moreVery nice accommodations, however need lighting. A dark place.

Food was phenomenal! Very quick service and workers were very kind. Totally recommend this place!read more

Great atmosphere would definitely revisit again! The staff was super helpful and nice this is a…read moregreat place for some good tacos! I could smell the food a mile away it was so good!

If you haven't been here, you are missing out on life! Who would have thought going to a market…read morewould be an incredibly fun experience? Everything is clean, beautifully organized, colorful, and incredibly fun. It's almost like Disneyland of Mexican markets! We loved sampling the tacos and exploring all the different food stalls. We picked up a whole roasted chicken with warm tortillas, salsa, and beans, which made the perfect family meal. Easy, delicious, and no one had to cook. That alone deserves applause. The entire market feels like a fiesta. There is vibrant fresh produce, option of authentic food in different stalls, and churros served hot from the fryer. We also grabbed some carne asada to grill at home to keep the party going! And then there is pretty impressive collection of tequila for the tequila lovers! Mercado González is more than a market. It is a full experience for the whole family, and we will absolutely be back. Come hungry and give yourself plenty of time to explore. Salud!

I'll be taking a very extended break from You Mercado after today, because today was my breaking…read morepoint. I've been shopping at this location for about a year and have been a customer of Northgate Markets for several years. Unfortunately, my experiences at this location have become increasingly disappointing. I've encountered raw chicken left on the shelf two or more days past its expiration date, fresh fruit and salsa still being sold after their use-by dates, and produce that was visibly rotten and infested with bugs. These aren't minor issues when it comes to a grocery store--they're basic food-safety and quality concerns. And then there's the customer service. Today, there wasn't a friendly employee in sight, and the customers weren't much better. I'd especially like to thank the grumpy woman on the scooter who apparently tried to run me down three separate times. I assume you were having a bad day, but judging by the atmosphere in this store, it seems like everyone is having a bad day, every day. No one smiles. No one acknowledges customers. No one seems remotely interested in providing even basic courtesy. I understand that people have bad days--I really do--but when the entire experience consistently feels cold, hostile, and unwelcoming, it becomes a pattern rather than an isolated bad day. The cashier couldn't be bothered to say hello back or even make the slightest attempt at being friendly, and the young man bagging my groceries was just as dismissive. I've spent years shopping with Northgate Markets, which makes this especially disappointing. Customers shouldn't walk into a store and feel like they're an inconvenience for simply being there. Today was the final straw for me. There are plenty of other places willing to take my money while treating me--and other customers--with basic courtesy and respect.

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!

Open on Tuesdays from 8am-2pm at The Hood Kitchen, we came here for lunch and quickly understood…read morewhy this place is so popular. They focus on fresh, from-scratch tacos and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. Of course we had to try the tacos, but the breakfast burrito is also a must (available until sold out). We also tried their house-made chips & guacamole, churros, and aguas frescas. Everything we ordered felt well-balanced and flavorful. A spot worth checking out!

Tacos La Piña is a family-run Mexican taqueria serving handmade tacos from scratch with…read moremulti-generational recipes. Every bite is packed with tradition, flavor, and freshness. We tried: Al Pastor Taco - premium pork shoulder marinated 12 hours in 24 ingredients, slow-roasted on the trompo Carne Asada Taco - tender, juicy grilled chunks of steak Chorizo y Queso Taco - bold, savory, spicy + hearty perfection Taco de Queso - Monterey & Oaxaca Cheeses House-Made Chips with their signature seasoning + fresh guacamole Melon Agua Fresca - made daily with organic cantaloupe + agave (no refined sugar!) Open Tues & Thurs, 11-2PM (pro tip: come early, they sell out FAST!)

do not sleep on the taco borrachos, they were absolutely flavorful and the shredded beef were…read more*chef's kiss*. love the ambiance of the restaurant, super chill. many options for seating, either at the bar, indoors, or outdoors on the patio. you can even choose from tableside service or order and sit down. love that chips and salsa are comp, which should always be the case for mexican restaurants, even if it is built into the menu pricing elsewhere. the salsa bar is one of the best i've ever seen with plenty of spice options to choose from- my personal fave is the avo salsa. let's not forget the drinks- the strongest margarita i've had in a long while and i regret not sharing it because after having one i was basically done for- lol. i love that cc is located in a shopping plaza that provides ample of parking- now that was during the weekday, not sure how it is during the weekend but i can see it being crazy during summer weekends. can't say it's "affordable" but it was certainly a great drinks and even greater food.

Walked to this cute restaurant for dinner. The server at the counter was pleasant and greeted us…read morein. He said open seating everywhere including patio where we would order at the counter, get a number, and delivery to the table. Or full service in a certain section. We opted to sit in the patio area so we ordered at the counter. We received free chips with our order and they have a salsa bar with a few sauces plus limes. Our orders did not take long. My fish tacos meal with a draft beer and tip was about $34. My favorite were the tacos. Fish was tasty and seasoned well. Nice crunch and sauces. Chips were good. Rice and black beans could use more flavor. The patio was nice and we able to watch sports on a big screen. We all enjoyed our dinners and time there.

Best tacos in town. Damn the fish taco is tasty the Birria pizza is an event. Give it try if you…read morehaven't.

This place came up on a collection to follow of best tacos in Orange County.. We are working our…read moreway through the entire collection.. this did not disappoint! Home made shells are a big draw for me. Tried a few things.. Carnitas taco was the winner with the green sauce they give you on the side.. The Carne Asada taco was a close second place and that is great on its own but if you add the red sauce they give you on the side it takes it to a new level. Fish taco came in 3rd place but not by much. Very good, lightly fried and crispy... better than most. Order the chips and salsa.. that is sooo worth it... They have fresh Iced Tea which is nice as most places just go the easy route with powdered tea from A soda machine.. this is much nicer than that. Parking in front or in back.. just be aware of signs and don't park in apartments behind restaurant. Highly recommended place to try.