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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Guide to East Side Costa Mesa

Taco and Mexican food spots

You know exactly what a real taco should taste like, and you aren't willing to settle for anything less than the authentic standard.

Based on 850 Opinions
+847
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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.

Tacos here stand out with al Pastor, birria, and carnitas options that taste very fresh and flavorful. The breakfast burrito and Birria Fries offer solid variety and value, making it a solid spot for Mexican food.

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 found the breakfast burrito to be muy bueno."

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

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.

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.

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."

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

"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.

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

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."

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

"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.

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.

Shredded beef tacos and breakfast tacos de chorizo and eggs stand out with rich flavors. The garbage burrito offers a generous portion and bold taste, while salsas add a fresh kick to beans and rice.

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."

"I enjoyed the great tasting breakfast burrito and garbage burrito."

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
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.

Street tacos feature carne asada, al pastor, and cecina with meat that is not fatty or cheap tasting. Flavorful salsas and horchata complement the menu, and prices remain stable over time.

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.

06
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 burritos stand out with flavorful carnitas and a tasty blend of ingredients. Pastries and the espresso complement the Mexican-inspired breakfast offerings well.

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 plan to return for the great coffee and amazing breakfast burritos."

"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.

07
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.

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.

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."

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

"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.

08
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.

Tacos stand out with carnitas, shredded beef hardshell, and fish tacos all offering distinct flavors. The salsa bar and guacamole add fresh, tasty options, while breakfast burritos like the Machaca shine for morning meals.

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."

"I found the breakfast burritos to be the best."

"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.

09
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 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.

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

"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.

10
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.

Breakfast burritos stand out with generous portions and fresh ingredients. The salsa and toppings bar adds vibrant flavor to dishes like carnitas tacos and birria wet burritos, all served with friendly service and authentic taste.

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."

"The salsa and toppings bar adds delicious flavor."

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.

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East Side Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa

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