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Local picks in Costa Mesa

Lunch spots for Mexican food

You want a midday meal that centers on authentic Mexican ingredients.

Based on 764 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Tacos La Pina image 1
Tacos La Pina image 2
Tacos La Pina image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Glass windows reveal food preparation in a clean, quiet space with handmade tortillas and fresh ingredients. Seating feels open and controlled, creating a home-like vibe in an industrial setting. The place draws a steady crowd on limited days, known for exceptionally priced, high-quality tacos.

Lunch options come with convenient walk-up access and a variety that impresses. This spot serves as a reliable choice for midday meals.

Tacos come with freshly handmade tortillas and flavorful meat like slow-roasted Al Pastor and chorizo y queso. Complimentary chips, guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo add to the experience, all at a low price with friendly service.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were phenomenal."

"I was so impressed with the delicious food at this lunch spot."

"I thought the Mexican food here was phenomenal."

Good to know

1

Tacos La Pina operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

2

Expect to arrive early as they often sell out quickly.

3

The wait time for food is about 7 minutes even when busy.

02
Mercado González Northgate Market image 1

Mexican grocery store combines vibrant decor with live mariachi music and a full bar inside. Atmosphere feels lively and festive, often with a DJ and food stations creating a chaotic yet welcoming vibe. Outdoor seating adds a quaint touch, making it a unique blend of shopping and entertainment.

Assorted lunch options and fresh bakery goods fill the market. A great bar area offers a spot to enjoy lunch or grab a drink. Prepared foods and food stands provide reliable choices for a quick meal.

Menus include enchiladas rojo, chili relleno, and mole tamales. Staples like asada and pollo tacos come with rice and beans. Fresh drinks like jamaica and cucumber lime fresca are available.

People are saying

"This grocery store has amazing prepared Mexican food and fresh items."

"I found this huge Mexican grocery store filled with tons of fresh food."

"This lunch spot is a culinary tour through Mexico and Latin America."

Good to know

1

Live music happens every weekend, enhancing the shopping experience.

2

Menudo is served only on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 AM to noon.

3

Parking can be challenging, especially on weekends.

03
Baja Fish Tacos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Wide-open layout creates a casual, friendly atmosphere with a relaxed beach-town vibe. Busy and noisy during lunchtime, it offers a big salsa bar and self-service soda machine. Known for fresh fish tacos and generous portions, it blends fast food convenience with quality Mexican flavors.

Fresh and satisfying food makes it a reliable lunch spot. Outdoor seating is available but often quiet during lunch hours.

Blackened fish and shrimp tacos stand out with fresh, flaky fish and juicy, well-seasoned shrimp. Ensenada style tacos feature lightly battered fish, crisp cabbage, and creamy sauce made from scratch daily.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and consistently excellent."

"This Mexican food is so fresh, I loved the blackened fish tacos."

"This lunch spot always has excellent, fresh food made from scratch."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during peak hours.

2

The portions are generous and satisfying.

3

The menu includes burritos, bowls, enchiladas, and vegetarian options.

04
Super A's Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with a homey neighborhood vibe and family-oriented atmosphere feels like eating in a big house. Energy stays top notch with loud, lively noise levels, especially during sports events. Offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a mammoth selection of dishes and reasonable prices.

Lunch features great specials that include soup with tacos and chili Verde burritos. Meals come very filling and suit visits after busy mornings or weekend activities.

Authentic Jalisco-style dishes like chilaquiles with house-made chorizo and beef barbacoa stand out. Weekend specials include pozole and menudo, with satisfying options like chile verde tacos and carne asada fries.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is awesome, with delicious enchiladas."

"The enchiladas here are delicious and Kid Friendly."

"This lunch spot has delicious tacos and authentic beans and rice."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers great deals on tacos, making it a popular choice.

2

Lunch specials are available daily, providing good value for money.

3

The restaurant is family-owned, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.

05
Tres Muchachos Wine Bar & Kitchen image 1

Small Mexican restaurant offers an intimate setting with a chill vibe and live DJs spinning records. Outdoor patio seating adds a relaxing atmosphere complemented by heaters when needed. The space feels modern and artful, creating a welcoming and lighthearted environment.

Lunch here involves a high price point, with meals for three exceeding $125. The food quality supports the cost, making it a notable choice for special occasions or when spending more is expected.

Pork belly tacos and ceviche tostada stand out with fresh, bold flavors. The flan offers a silky, light finish that complements the meal well.

People are saying

"I thought the food was phenomenal and awesome."

"The chimichurri hummus at this lunch spot was a star dish."

"Robert's Chimichurri & Artichoke Hummus was so good, we're still talking about it."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for special events like wine pairings.

2

Brunch is served all day, making it a flexible dining option.

3

The restaurant hosts food and wine pairing events regularly.

06
Tom's Place image 1
Fast food restaurant

Diner-style setting offers a calm, local vibe with a well-manicured patio where smoking is allowed. Menu features diverse options like burgers, wraps, and burritos served quickly with friendly staff. Prices are higher than average but portions are generous and food quality often exceeds expectations.

Lunch draws a steady crowd but the wait is never too long. The menu offers straightforward, good food that suits quick work breaks well.

Burritos come in large portions with fresh, homemade guacamole and a variety of fillings like carne asada, bacon breakfast, and hot link. Breakfast options include tasty burritos and sandwiches served with coffee.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and always fresh."

"You have to try their huge burgers; they're amazing quality."

"I loved the breakfast burritos; they were super delicious and a great portion."

Good to know

1

A burger, fries, and a drink cost $20.

2

The breakfast at Tom's Place is reasonably priced with daily deals.

3

Parking can be a little difficult at Tom's Place.

07
Acapulco image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious Mexican restaurant with a tropical outdoor patio featuring a fireplace and live music. Upbeat cantina atmosphere blends casual, beachy interior with a family-friendly vibe. Generous margaritas and colorful patio make it a lively spot for relaxing and socializing.

Lunch offers an all you can eat buffet for $14 with handmade tortillas included. The buffet provides a great value with a variety of tasty options.

Authentic Mexican food shines with dishes like Burrito Gigante, carne asada, and steak and shrimp fajitas served sizzling. The menu also features tortilla soup, menudo with tortillas, and $3 margaritas on Mondays.

People are saying

"I found the handmade tortillas and authentic Mexican food to be great."

"The brunch staff, especially Jesus and Ale, made my daughter feel so special."

"The lunch buffet is a great value with handmade tortillas."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs daily from 3pm to 8pm with drinks starting at $4.

2

Taco Tuesday features special pricing on tacos and drinks.

3

The lunch buffet costs $14 for all-you-can-eat options.

08
Dick Church's Restaurant image 1

Diner space combines retro remodel with cozy interior and ample outdoor seating. Atmosphere stays lively with loud country music and occasional live bands. Back room features a personal bar, adding to the vintage vibe.

Casual and tasty options make it a solid choice for lunch. The spot works well for a quick, satisfying meal in a relaxed setting.

Breakfast tacos stand out with their unique flavor and lightness. Chilaquiles come highly praised for being really good and to die for, while the breakfast burrito is solid and enjoyable.

People are saying

"I thought the home-style comfort food was delicious."

"This breakfast spot has delicious avocado toast."

"The breakfast tacos here have a unique flavor and are so light."

Good to know

1

Parking can be hectic during peak hours, but there is a large free parking lot attached.

2

The diner offers a classic diner-style meal at a decent price.

3

The restaurant is family-friendly and casual.

09
El Toro Bravo Tortilleria image 1
Mexican restaurant

Large boilers produce homemade tortillas and chips in a busy, chaotic space with limited seating focused on takeout. The atmosphere feels authentically Mexican despite unsanitary conditions and a no-frills setup. Generous portions and flavorful tacos, burritos, and carnitas draw long lines.

Waiting in line during lunch is common because the spot gets pretty packed. Arriving before noon helps catch a short line and fits a quick 30-minute lunch window.

Tacos stand out with fresh tortillas and authentic carnitas that many consider the best in the area. Crunchy tortilla chips come with extremely hot salsa, completing a solid, flavorful Mexican meal.

People are saying

"The food portions here are generous and a great value."

"The carnitas here are delicious and not chewy."

"I loved the fresh tortillas and big, delicious meat tacos."

Good to know

1

El Toro Bravo Tortilleria is a take-out only place with no seating available.

2

Masa sells out quickly, so arrive in the morning for the best chance.

3

Expect long wait times during lunch hours due to high demand.

10
Rubio's Coastal Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers American Mexican seafood with a focus on fish tacos that remain fresh and delicious. Atmosphere is themed and clean, with options for dining inside, outside, or to go. The place stays quick and affordable, attracting a steady but not crowded flow of diners.

Lunch breaks often include meals here due to its location in the same plaza. Meals cost around $6.78 and can be filling enough to force finishing even tricky items like a taco.

Fish tacos stand out with freshness and generous portions, especially on Taco Tuesday. Burritos and chicken tortilla soup offer solid options, while the salsa bar stays clean and well-stocked with a notably spicy salsa.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be great and tasty."

"The Mexican food here is delicious and fresh."

"I found the tacos here to be pretty good."

Good to know

1

The restaurant maintains cleanliness and has clean bathrooms.

2

There is plenty of parking available at the restaurant.

3

Dining options include inside, outside, or to go.

11
Holé Smokes BBQ image 1

Smoke fills the air alongside the scent of barbecue, while old wood floors scattered with peanut shells create a Texas BBQ vibe. Neon beer signs and multiple TVs support a lively sports-friendly atmosphere. Seating accommodates both groups and families, with a comfortable patio adding to the space.

A new lunch menu offers good value. The meals are consistently very good.

Mexican food here blends with BBQ, featuring brisket tacos and a brisket and shrimp burrito. Taco Tuesday and Happy Hour offer affordable fish tacos and other deals.

People are saying

"The American Food here, especially the brisket, just melts in your mouth."

"This lunch spot's brisket and ribs were so tasty."

"You've got to try the shrimp taco with the Mexican Food here."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 3 to 7pm on weekdays and 3 to 6pm on weekends.

2

Taco Tuesday features special menu items and pricing.

3

Parking is generally easy to find near the restaurant.

12
Mi Casa image 1
Mexican restaurant

Old school Mexican restaurant with an open, airy layout after recent renovations. Atmosphere feels family-friendly and cozy, with a bar area showing games on large screens. Known for classic tacos and strong margaritas, it draws locals who appreciate its long-standing community presence.

Lunch specials offer large portions at a reasonable price. Meals come with good value around $33 for two people.

Taquitos stand out as a signature dish here. Warm chips and salsa come with the meal, and pitchers of margaritas add to the authentic Mexican experience.

People are saying

"I've loved their Mexican food since I was a kid; it's a favorite."

"It's so kid-friendly; we celebrated all our birthdays here for years."

"This lunch spot has huge portions and great food."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers all-day specials during happy hour with $4 bowls.

2

Happy hour features great prices on food and drinks from 4-7pm.

3

Parking can get hectic, so arrive early to find a spot.

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Costa Mesa, California

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