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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of East Side Costa Mesa

Taco spots

A taco that is a substantial meal in itself rather than just a snack you have to order three of to feel full.

Based on 641 Opinions
+638
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Updated May 2026
01
Que Vida Tacos Costa Mesa image 1
Que Vida Tacos Costa Mesa image 2
Que Vida Tacos Costa Mesa image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with bar seating and outdoor tables offers an upbeat atmosphere and fresh margaritas. The space feels clean and open with comfortable seats. Regulars enjoy quality tacos and a lively vibe.

Food here stands out for its freshness and delicious flavors. Quality remains consistently top notch across dishes.

Steak, al Pastor, and carnitas tacos stand out with bold flavors and a next level corn mix. Fish, birria, and cochinita pibil tacos also offer solid options for variety.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos were some of the best I've ever had."

"I thought the tacos were some of the best I've ever had."

"The food here is super delicious and very fresh."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers three tacos for the price of two.

2

The Taco Tuesday deal costs $11.50 for three tacos.

3

Happy hour features discounted drinks and appetizers.

02
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.

Food features fresh ingredients and authentic flavors with consistently excellent quality. Mexican dishes come out quickly and maintain a high standard every time.

Shrimp tacos come juicy and well-seasoned with bursting flavor. Fish tacos feature flaky, lightly battered or grilled fish with crisp cabbage and creamy sauce. Blackened fish tacos and bowls offer fresh, tasty options with authentic flavors.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and consistently excellent."

"These fish tacos are the best I've ever eaten."

"The fish tacos here are flaky, flavorful, and fresh."

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.

03
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.

Comfort food menu offers a satisfying variety with generous portions. Owners act as chef and server, ensuring excellent service and a focus on the customer experience.

Pork belly tacos stand out with rich flavor and generous filling. Steak tacos offer a tender, satisfying bite that many find memorable.

People are saying

"I thought the food was phenomenal and awesome."

"The staff's wine knowledge and passion really impressed me."

"I thought the pork belly tacos were stuffed and delicious."

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.

04
Miguel's Jr. image 1
Mexican restaurant

Cozy Mexican restaurant with positive energy and an immaculate setting. Offers a variety of flavorful dishes including well-portioned chicken and fresh carne asada. Menu prices sometimes differ from listed prices, but the online ordering process is easy.

Food stands out for its authentic Mexican flavors and good value. The menu offers a variety of well-prepared items that keep people coming back.

Tacos come with crispy shells and generous protein portions. Options include shredded beef, chicken, and breakfast tacos with chorizo and eggs, all packed with plenty of toppings and cheese.

People are saying

"I found the food to be good, fresh, and tasty."

"The garbage burrito here is spectacular and the best option."

"The crispy tacos here are delicious and amazing."

Good to know

1

The menu prices may not match the actual prices at checkout.

2

Breakfast burritos are not served after 11am.

3

The restaurant and bathrooms are consistently clean.

05
Great Mex image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a salsa bar for fresh toppings. A big screen TV adds to the casual vibe, while limited parking encourages biking or street parking. The menu features affordable tacos and breakfast burritos with a variety of fillings.

Food offers authentic Mexican flavor with consistently fresh ingredients and high quality preparation. Dishes deliver a reliably good and delicious experience.

Tacos come super fresh with excellent salsas and include options like al pastor, chicken, carne asada, Mahi Mahi, carnitas, and shredded beef hardshell. Taco Tuesday offers $2 tacos and $2.50 beers, making it a popular event with great prices.

People are saying

"You've gotta try the shredded beef hardshell tacos for Mexican Food."

"The food here is delicious and a great staple."

"You should try the shredded beef hardshell tacos; they're on another level."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers $2 tacos and $2.50 beers.

2

Parking is limited, especially for dine-in customers.

3

Takeout wait times are usually under 15 minutes.

06
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.

Food arrives quickly and stays consistently fresh and delicious. Expect spectacular Mexican dishes with great flavor and reliable quality every time.

Tacos come huge and delicious with standout shredded beef options. Taco Tuesday features notable nachos alongside the tacos.

People are saying

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

"I loved the food here; it tasted awesome."

"I've been coming here since I was in diapers for their tacos."

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.

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.

Authentic Mexican food features Mexican meats, side dishes, and desserts served with excellent service. The atmosphere complements the food, creating a satisfying dining experience.

Baja fish tacos stand out with fresh, bold flavors. The Birria Tacos come with tender beef and a consommรฉ for dunking. Taco Tuesday offers great deals and vampire tacos that elevate the experience.

People are saying

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

"The food here tasted authentic and was made from scratch."

"The fish tacos here are delicious."

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
Tacos El Compita image 1
Taco restaurant

Food truck offers Mexican street tacos with flavorful salsas and fair prices that have barely increased over years. Atmosphere stays clean with a typical casual vibe. Customers sometimes need to confirm presence as location varies.

Food here offers freshness, flavor, and good texture with reasonable prices and generous serving sizes. The truck maintains a clean atmosphere and consistently delivers delicious meals.

Mexican street tacos feature lean, flavorful meat like carne asada, al pastor, and cecina. Friendly owners serve these with fresh salsas and keep prices stable over time.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, with great flavor and freshness."

"I found the Mexican street tacos here to be the best."

"The taco staff here is super friendly and kind."

Good to know

1

Call in advance to confirm the taco truck's location as they may not always be there.

2

An additional charge of 35% applies for using Apple Pay on certain items.

3

The owner aims to keep prices low to support customers during tough economic times.

09
Los Primos Cantina image 1
Mexican restaurant

Typical hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint with limited seating and large portions. Atmosphere includes a fresh salsa and toppings bar that adds flavor to dishes. Menu features reasonably priced items with a mix of flavorful options like breakfast burritos and carnitas tacos.

Food here is authentic Mexican and completely homemade. Dishes come at fair prices and taste consistently good to great.

Carnitas tacos come in generous portions and taste excellent. Veggie tacos are huge, cheap, and very delicious. Red sauce Brita tacos add variety to the menu.

People are saying

"The tacos here are huge, cheap, and delicious."

"I found the breakfast burritos to be to die for."

"I found the food here to be excellent and completely homemade."

Good to know

1

The prices at Los Primos Cantina are reasonable for the portion sizes.

2

There is limited seating available, so arrive early to avoid waiting.

3

The portions are very large, making it a good value for the price.

10
Hola Adios Coffeeshop image 1

Quirky, stylish decor fills a small space with lively, youthful energy and great music. Many locals gather here, creating a welcoming, chill vibe ideal for remote work with free Wi-Fi and ample seating. The atmosphere balances fun and comfort, making it a hidden gem for breakfast and coffee.

Breakfast options include biscuit sandwiches, breakfast tacos, and Irish tacos. Food pairs well with exceptional coffee and comes with attentive service.

Breakfast tacos come in several varieties including pancake tacos with sweet and savory options. They also offer breakfast burritos and Irish tacos alongside biscuit sandwiches.

People are saying

"I thought the coffee options were great and the Spanish lattes excellent."

"I found the food and coffee here to be excellent."

"You've got to try their pancake tacos."

Good to know

1

Their kitchen closes at 2pm.

2

Parking can sometimes be challenging, but street parking is available.

3

Food might require a wait if itโ€™s busy.

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East Side Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa

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