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    Tito's La Especial

    3.9 (334 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Tito's La Especial Takeout or Delivery

    Tito's La Especial Photos

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    TITO'S LA ESPECIAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Tacos Al vapor
    Emily U.

    Came to Tito's La Especial, my old reliable, and as always, it did not disappoint. The food is consistently amazing--the carne de res tacos just melt in your mouth, and the salsa is chef's kiss, perfectly complementing every bite. Truly some of my favorite tacos around. It may seem like a hole-in-the-wall, but that's part of the charm--this place is a hidden gem. I love it so much and always leave satisfied. If you're a taco lover, this is a must-visit--hands down a 10/10 every time.

    Catherine V.

    We saw good reviews for crunchy tacos here so decided to try it out. We ordered two with shredded beef and one with potatoes. We also tried the Tostada Especial and a taco El vapor with shredded beef that they claim is their specialty. The crispy tacos were indeed crunchy, but they were hard crunchy. Not enjoyable. The shredded beef was ok, with average seasoning. Nothing to rave about. Potatoes in the potato taco were also barely seasoned. The tacos el vapor were soft but with a scant amount of filling only...rather disappointing. Lastly the tostada was like more of the hard tacos. We love venturing to holes-in-the wall and were hoping this would be a hidden gem. But our meal was uninspiringly mediocre and this place ended up being just a blip in our adventure to be forgotten.

    Back entrance
    Lala J.

    Tried the menudo was really good lots of meat. And also had a taco Al vapor. Taco was ok. Service is fast and friendly. Somewhat busy Sunday morning.they have alot of parking in the back. Clean restaurant will come back to try something else

    Tacos de vapor
    Andrew R.

    Delicious tacos de vapor! Their beans are fire as well! Beans are the hero here. Service is great. The ambience is your regular taqueria setting. Simple but you're not there for the aesthetics! If you want bomb tacos and even better beans go to Tito's!

    Shredded beef taco Al vapor
    Erica Z.

    If your looking for really good steamed tacos this is the place. The steamed tacos are so good, hot and fresh. The nachos were also amazing, I ordered mine with no beans. The cashier was very friendly and patient. The food was fast and hot. The restaurant was pretty quiet and calm. I will definitely be back for more when I am back in the area!!

    Combo #3 Tacos Al Vapor y Tostada Original ($13.20)
    Michael T.

    Mexican food is my favorite and I've eaten a lot of it. One thing I've never gotten to experience is Tacos al Vapor. I was actually not even aware of their existence until I was in OC and made to go to Tito's La Especial (not to be confused with the other more famous Tito's). Located on the corner of 17th and Ross, Tito's La Especial is tough to miss. They have a parking lot in the back but it can be a tight fit. We came through the rear and the order counter is just ahead. The menu has all your favorites but the reason to come here is the Tacos Al Vapor, so I got a couple of those and a tostada. You'll pick your food up at the order counter. The food was awesome. Tacos Al Vapor are steamed so it's like eating a mini tamale. Unique, filling and delicious. Another standout was their beans. I would have loved to have taken a can or six of those home. They tasted homemade. You also get tasty marinated carrots on the side but I couldn't finish them because I was already full. If you're looking for amazing atmosphere or incredible service, this isn't it. Tito's La Especial is a great place for no frills Mexican food with an item you won't find at many other places. If I'm ever in the area again I'd certainly return. Recommended!

    Shredded beef tacos Al vapor combo plate
    Vanessa G.

    If you are looking for a hole in the wall with tacos Al vapor (steamed tacos) look no further. Tito's is old school and you see same faces working there from 25+ years ago. Super nice guys, always working hard. They have a small menu, their Al vapor tacos being the star. They offer shredded beef, potato, or bean tacos. All are so good. They come with a double corn tortilla. I like getting the combo plate because I LOVE their beans! They are refried and fried again!!!! Yum! I also like their hard shell shredded beef tacos. Don't forget to ask for extra pickled carrots, they are delicious. I don't visit Tito's too often because it gets expensive. I think tacos are priced at over $3 each. Despite the prices, it's still a must for me when I'm craving either hard shell tacos or tacos Al vapor. Try it!

    Alberto D.

    Siempre bueno. Los burritos de carne asada y los tacos están con madre. No es un lugar elegante, pero la comida habla por sí sola. El salsón rojo pica bien sabroso. Llevo años viniendo y no falla. Los muchachos que atienden son rápidos y buena onda.

    There was so delicious. Definitely coming back again tacos
    Miguel D.

    I have tried tacos, Al vapor but they were good but the way Tito does it. They are so freaking delicious so happy that I found this place. Definitely coming back really good prices. The service is beyond helpful gracias

    Daniel C.

    Definite 10/10. Recently had combination #4. Comes with 2 tacos al vapor and also a tostada and sope. Also with refried beans, rice , and pickled carrots. Perhaps I came at the perfect time, just before the lunch rush. But everything tasted so fresh and made to order. Surprisingly the best thing for me aside from the bomb tacos al vapor were the beans. Those beans were glistening with lard. Love the hot sauce it comes with too. If I'm back in the area, going to be hard pressed to eat something else. Be warned though - it's a lot of food and if you finish it, will be left in a food coma all day long.

    tacos al vapor, tacos dorados, sopes
    Scarlett S.

    my husband and i love coming here for the tacos al vapor and tacos dorados! we occasionally order sopes if we're feeling extra hungry. service is friendly and fast.

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Best tacos in Santa ana been coming here for 12 years & still great ! Very nice workers come support a local family owned restaurant

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    8 months ago

    Delicious tacos the taco plate was absolutely fabulous, reasonable prices , and a very clean.

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    11 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Amazing. Literally crave it so often, it's definitely a must! You won't regret it! And don't forget to add their sauce

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    Page 1 of 9

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    Rosa Madera

    Rosa Madera

    4.0(1.3k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Stepping through the doors feels like entering an absolute hidden gem. In a world where genuine…read morehospitality can feel increasingly rare, the entire team here goes above and beyond. From the moment you sit down, the staff treats you with a level of warmth and attentiveness that immediately puts you at ease--you can genuinely tell they are happy to see you and appreciate your patronage. The dining room itself is stunning, featuring an elegant, home-welcoming atmosphere down to every last detail. The carefully curated lighting, comfortable chairs and tables, and the beautiful pictures lining the walls create an exceptionally warm and inviting environment. While I initially expected the standard chips and salsa, I was pleasantly surprised by the complimentary snack of crispy "cartwheels" drizzled with a tangy, flavorful hot sauce that hits all the right notes. As for the main event, the food is remarkably authentic and rich in flavor. I ordered the fish tacos accompanied by white rice, but the real star of the show--to my absolute shock--was the side of pinto beans. They are so incredible that I am literally planning a trip back this weekend just to order another side of them. If you think I'm exaggerating about a side of beans, you simply have to try them for yourself. Huge kudos to the cook and the entire staff for delivering next-level hospitality and an unforgettable meal. This place is a breath of fresh air, and I will definitely be back!

    I'm going to start off by the ambience, I loved the mariachi, my party and I were really enjoying…read morethat part and the aesthetic look of the place is beautiful. The food was average I wasn't wowed but it wasn't terrible. What gives the place my rate (definitely had more potential on receiving a 4 star) was that we pretty much got told to wrap it up by the manager. My husband had payed the tab and we were sitting enjoying our time celebrating my mother's 50th birthday and suddenly the manager came and said if we can leave bc there was more party's waiting. I completely understand BUT we had called ahead of time to get the times that are the busiest so we were sure to be seated before it gets busy and have an enjoyable dinner. Now we made sure to arrive early and organized ourselves to be able to avoid the wait, etc. Our tab was $400 not including the tip and we got told to leave by the manager. My party and I literally LOL and said really?!?! After she left, so we all got up and left. This act of the manager shows that what they cared most about was $$$$ versus customer service and truly caring about customers enjoying their time. I left out that she had said "I noticed you payed your tab already". Clearly she thought "payed tab we got what we needed now leave". This was our experience dining at Rosa Madera, most likely won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Rosa Madera - Bar area

    Bar area

    Rosa Madera - Birria Chimichangas (Los Favoritos).

    Birria Chimichangas (Los Favoritos).

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    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Ceviche Mixto

    Casa Ramos Restaurant

    4.6(288 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    This place has really good food! My family stopped on by after going to the Discovery Cube and it…read morewas a hit ! The staff is very friendly and inviting. I had the duo chicken and steak fajitas and it was pretty good. They do give free salsa and chips, the salsa has a slight kick to it and then they offered a spicy one which was good too. This restaurant was well maintained and had all the classic old school Spanish songs playing. They have ice cream with bunuelos chips and some chocolate syrup that was pretty good! We don't live in the area but wouldn't mind stopping by again.

    Honestly, I have no idea how this restaurant has nearly 5 stars…read more We arrived around 6 PM with a party of 6 adults and 3 toddlers, and we didn't receive our food until almost 8 PM. To make matters worse, one of our meals was completely forgotten. The service was extremely slow throughout the entire visit. Every time we needed something, whether it was a refill, an update, or assistance, the wait felt excessive. The restaurant may have potential because the food itself was flavorful, but it seemed like they were either understaffed or unprepared for the number of customers they had. Another disappointment was the drink selection. We were told they don't have a liquor license, so hard alcohol isn't available. Their sodas were canned, and when we asked for juice for the kids, they told us they were completely out. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is on the smaller side and felt more like a converted house than a traditional restaurant, complete with a fireplace and television in the dining area. The food had good flavor, which is the only reason I'm giving more than one star. Unfortunately, the long wait times, missing meal, lack of drink options, and poor service made the overall experience disappointing.

    Photos
    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Inside New location Main Place Mall

    Inside New location Main Place Mall

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Pork Belly Tacos

    Pork Belly Tacos

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    Restaurante Las Cazuelas - Pupusas

    Restaurante Las Cazuelas

    4.2(153 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I used to LOVE coming to this place... until I realized their customer service seriously sucked…read more First off, the food is honestly a little on the salty side, but I kept coming back because I liked the place. Then this happened. I brought my family here for dinner, and when we were closing out the check, the server failed to mention that gratuity was automatically added for a party of 6. I didn't realize it until I was about to sign and saw that I was about to leave ANOTHER tip on top of the automatic gratuity. I was like, oh HELL NO, I'm not tipping $80+ So I asked the server to refund the entire transaction and rerun the payment correctly. She told me she couldn't do that, but said she could refund the extra tip instead. I said okay, trusting that she knew what she was doing. We left. Fast forward about 4-6 months later. I come back with different family members, and the MANAGER comes over and tells me I have an outstanding balance of around $150. At first I genuinely thought he was joking. Nope. Apparently, when the server was supposed to refund the extra tip, she accidentally refunded the ENTIRE BILL and kept the tip. ‍ Now explain to me HOW that was my problem?! I specifically told her I wanted the entire transaction refunded so we could start over, and SHE chose to handle it differently. That was THEIR mistake, not mine. And the worst part? Instead of pulling me aside privately and explaining what happened, the manager brought this up IN FRONT OF THE FAMILY I WAS WITH. So now I'm sitting there being told I owe $150+ in front of my guests because of an error THEIR employee made months earlier. Talk about embarrassing. Thank God I'm in a position where I could afford to pay it, so I paid the outstanding amount AND my new bill that day -- over $300 out of pocket -- just to resolve the whole situation. I paid everything they said I owed for both visits, and I have never gone back since. And I WILL NEVER go back. Between the salty-ass food and the customer service, I'll take my money somewhere else. Just sharing my TRUE experience because I think customers deserve to know what happened.

    Las Cazuelas was okay -- not bad, not amazing, just somewhere in the middle. The food had good…read moreflavor, but it didn't really stand out the way I expected. Service was good, fast & friendly. The restaurant itself is clean and comfortable, and the prices are fair for what you get. I can see why people like it, but for me, it was more of a "good if you're nearby and hungry" kind of spot rather than a place I'd go out of my way for.

    Photos
    Restaurante Las Cazuelas
    Restaurante Las Cazuelas - Chips and salsa.

    Chips and salsa.

    Restaurante Las Cazuelas

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    Tito's La Especial - mexican - Updated September 2026

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