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Mexican food in Westside Costa Mesa

Made for those who demand authentic regional flavors and refuse to compromise on the quality of their daily meals.

Based on 641 Opinions
+638
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Updated May 2026
01
Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s image 1
Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s image 2
Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers authentic carnitas and traditional breakfast tacos with generous portions at reasonable prices. Small shopping center setting provides easy parking and a casual vibe. Food focuses on genuine flavors rather than trendy variations.

Authentic Mexican food stands out with excellent flavor and good value. The menu offers a lot of options near the beach, making it convenient for a quick, satisfying meal.

Carnitas stand out as authentic Mexican and super delicious, with tacos loaded with meat. The menu includes chicken enchiladas and breakfast tacos that taste homemade, all at reasonable prices.

People are saying

"I thought the carnitas were amazing and authentic Mexican."

"I thought the carnitas were authentic Mexican and super delicious."

"I thought the carnitas were authentic Mexican and super delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is located in a small shopping center where parking is usually available.

2

The location is near the beach, making it a convenient spot to grab food.

3

The prices at Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s are reasonable.

02
Birrieria Guadalajara image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with clean, comfortable interior and a calm atmosphere. It draws people who enjoy authentic birria tacos and offers plenty of indoor seating and parking. The space feels fresh and organized, making it a straightforward spot for focused dining.

Food features great quality and fresh ingredients with delicious handmade tortillas. Service is consistently fast and attentive.

Birria tacos stand out with smoking good flavor and handmade tortillas de maiz. The menu focuses heavily on birria, delivering some of the most delicious tacos around.

People are saying

"Leo gave great food recommendations and was super friendly."

"You have to try the handmade tortillas; they're incredible."

"The birria tacos and consomé here are super delicious."

Good to know

1

There is plenty of parking available, including off-street parking.

2

The consomé needs to be purchased separately.

3

The restaurant was always clean.

03
NUDAE Coffee image 1
Coffee shop

Small, well-decorated coffee shop with bright, airy, beachy vibes and both indoor and outdoor seating. Atmosphere ranges from chill and cozy to loud and crowded, with pop music creating an upbeat energy. Dog-friendly space fosters a sense of community and offers monthly pack walks.

Generous portions come with the food here. The coffee stands out as great alongside the meals.

Breakfast burritos come piping hot and cheesy with a crispy outside and are not too heavy. The sunrise burrito with cilantro sauce stands out as very tasty.

People are saying

"This cafe is my absolute favorite coffee shop."

"The food here is amazing and they have unique drinks."

"I thought the breakfast burrito was the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Nudea offers a monthly drink and food special, so there's always something new to try.

2

NUDAE Coffee has limited indoor and outdoor seating, so arrive early.

3

The café gets really busy around 9am, and tables fill up quickly.

04
La Cañada Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Bright space with classic Mexican vibes and a cozy, lively atmosphere invites casual dining. In-house mariachi band adds spontaneous music, creating memorable moments. Generous portions and reasonable prices complement fresh, standout tacos and grilled meats.

Traditional Mexican dishes come with authentic flavors and generous portions. Grilled shrimp tacos match what you'd find at sit-down restaurants, all served in a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere.

Tacos stand out with options like carnitas, grilled shrimp with shredded cabbage and chipotle sauce, and a unique hard shell taco. Fresh, complimentary tortilla chips and salsa come with reasonable prices, and the pico and salsa are light and balanced.

People are saying

"Their tacos and grilled meats are amazing."

"The food here is delicious, flavorful, and generously portioned."

"The staff here is so pleasant and welcoming."

Good to know

1

Ample free parking is available for all diners.

2

The restaurant offers generous portions at reasonable prices.

3

Complimentary tortilla chips and salsa are served with meals.

05
Mariscos El Pulpo Sports Bar & Grill image 1

Mexican restaurant with lively atmosphere and very loud conga music creates an energetic vibe. It serves fresh, flavorful seafood and juicy, large tacos at reasonable prices. The space is very clean but not family-friendly, and it tends to be quiet with few customers.

Authentic Mexican food stands out with every dish. The ingredients stay fresh and the flavors stay delicious throughout the menu.

Carne asada tacos feature juicy, huge meat that stands out. Fresh shrimp and fish tacos come with great house salsa and chili pastes. The fajita and Tostada Mixta offer authentic Mexican flavors.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is so authentic, especially the shrimp tacos."

"I found the carne asada tacos to be really good."

"The Mexican food here is so fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is very clean, including the bathroom.

2

Prices are reasonable and portions are big.

3

The restaurant is usually not very busy, making it a good option for a quiet meal.

06
El Campeon Carniceria #2 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Hole-in-the-wall carniceria and market offers authentic Mexican street tacos and homemade tortillas alongside fresh meats and produce. Small space with narrow aisles and a few tables creates a lively, local vibe. Prices stay very reasonable, and bilingual staff assist with ordering.

Food tastes incredibly fresh and authentic to Mexico. Menu features delicious Mexican dishes like tortas and tacos served with consistent quality.

Tacos come with homemade tortillas and are stacked with fresh meat, onions, and cilantro. Menudo, burritos with beans and rice, and al pastor and carnitas tacos are popular choices, served with homemade salsa and limes.

People are saying

"I thought their al pastor tacos were stellar."

"I thought their tacos were unreal good, especially the al pastor."

"The food here, especially the tacos, is fantastic."

Good to know

1

Prices average around $50 per week for protein purchases.

2

Bilingual staff are available to assist with ordering.

3

The market offers a variety of fresh meats, vegetables, and hot food by the pound.

07
Captain Mike's Fish Fry image 1
Seafood restaurant

Retro style sets a casual tone with a clean, welcoming space. The menu centers on fish and chips known for perfect frying and flavorful quality fish. Regulars appreciate quick service and standout chicken alongside classic sides.

Food stays consistent over the years with quick service, arriving in about 10 minutes. Meals do not come to the table, but the menu offers enough variety to try different items.

Fish, rice, beans, and tortillas come together for four tacos with spicy salsa. Meals include hearty beans and warm tortillas.

People are saying

"I found the fish and chips to be fantastic."

"The warm tortillas were perfect for making tacos."

"The fish food here is fried perfectly and so flavorful."

Good to know

1

Expect your food to arrive within about 10 minutes after ordering.

2

The restaurant maintains a clean environment for diners.

3

Prices are reasonable, making it a good spot for a meal.

08
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.

Food here offers great value with large portions and quality ingredients. Prices stay reasonable while delivering satisfying meals and occasional free extras for service hiccups.

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.

09
Alejandro's Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican fast food spot with a drive-thru and great portions at very fair prices. Atmosphere feels a bit run down but the food draws a steady crowd. Known for loaded burritos and flavorful tacos with generous meat servings.

Food features huge portions and great prices with consistently tasty Mexican dishes like crunchy tacos and chicken burritos.

Burritos stand out with loaded chorizo and carne asada packed full of meat. Tacos come with the right amount of toppings and include options like shredded beef and chicken. Breakfast burritos can be customized with carne asada, and carne asada fries are a notable item.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best ever."

"I found the food here to be pretty tasty."

"This Mexican Food loads up the chorizo in the burritos."

Good to know

1

The drive-thru is fast and convenient for quick meals.

2

Portion sizes are generous, providing good value for the price.

3

Prices are fair for the quality of food offered.

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Westside Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa

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