Orange County Mexican Restaurants


Congratulations! You have reached the #1 resource for information about Mexican restaurants and food in Orange County. There's a lot of information on this page but you'll find even more if you click around the site and find all the treasures it has to offer. Using the links in orange above is one good way to get started. # of restaurants reviewed so far: 240. See the list and a Google map.


HOT SEARCHES: Taco RosaGabbi'sTaleoJavier's | Taco Tuesday



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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

More Korean Tacos in OC

Taqueria el Granjenal Exterior

I've been getting plenty of traffic here at the blog over my recent mention of Korean tacos at Baja Fresh. Numerous sites have linked to it and people have been mentioning it on Facebook, Twitter, discussion boards and more. Just yesterday I got word that Taqueria el Granjenal is now also serving Korean tacos. This shouldn't have surprised me since I mentioned in my review of them over three years ago that this is a Mexican joint owned by a Korean. Reader Jonathan S., who is a fan of the prolific Mexican food scene on 19th St. in Costa Mesa, went for dinner and took some pictures and sent in his remarks:

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Now THESE are how korean tacos should be. They were honestly a great amount better than the baja kogi crap i had earlier today. yes, i had korean tacos twice today. The flavor of both the pork and steak was great where baja kogi was a little bland. They seem even more bland after eating these. They come with a type of cabbage that doesnt have a lot of flavor but you can tell theres a small amount of an asian hot sauce. My one regret is after I finished I looked in the bag and there was a small container of what ended up being a thick teriyaki type sauce but the flavor was good and it was not that strong. I wonder how that would have gone on the actual tacos. Guess I will have to go back. I also got a torta de asada which was whatever. Kim's Tacos were $1.79 each and were smaller than the normal tacos.

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I'm going to try to make it there soon myself to try these out and get some more pictures. Thanks, Jonathan. If anyone else knows of a place to get Korean tacos within the county line let me know by sending an e-mail or leaving a comment here.

Also, you can click here to read our complete coverage of Korean/Mexican fusion all at once.

UPDATE: Here's my own pictures from the early lunch I just got back from:

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches

Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches
34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite F
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 429-2612

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Having just found out about this yesterday (keep the tips coming, folks) and having my lunch plans for today change I was able to drive down to Dana Point a few hours ago and test the new Olamendi's restaurant: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches (not to be confused with Pup 'N' Taco). Look for it off the Camino las Ramblas offramp on PCH in the shopping center with A's Burgers and Jack's Surfboards right by the Dana Point Bridge (UPDATE: found out it's called Doheny Park Plaza).

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Run by the same Olamendi family who runs the Original Olamendi's in Capo Beach, Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches opened up five days ago and offers a beach-friendly Mexican menu (tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.) and several American-style sandwiches.

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I have found Nemo


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I like the fact that Olamendi's bottles their own sodas, which can be ordered along with other Olamendi's products from their gourmet foods website. Flavors are: grape, cola, hibiscus, and lemonade:

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These are in real bottles that you need a can opener to get into; none of that wimpy twist-off stuff.

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Another unique thing on their menu is ceviche tacos. Having never had one before I ordered one along with a fish taco. You can tell them what kind of toppings you want (sour cream, guacamole, etc.). Both were stuffed with as much meat and toppings that they could fit into their two corn tortillas each and the cool ceviche taco is an appropriate choice for a hot summer day.

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If I had realized they had "Nachos Libres" on their menu I might've ordered those but those will have to wait until my next visit. If you're wondering what the reference is, here's some clips from Nacho Libre, the Jack Black film:


My usual ratings icon is a Speedy Gonzales:

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And I have also used the Panchito:

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But I think for Olamendi's: Pop's Tacos and Sandwiches I will use a new icon. Therefore they earn a four lucha libre mask rating:



Click here to see the complete photo album at .

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Carl's Jr. Green Burrito Chicken Quesadilla

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I haven't tried it yet but when I was leaving lunch at another place I saw this poster for a chicken quesadilla from Green Burrito.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Baja Kogi

Welcome to everyone coming from OC Weekly, Yelp, Food Frenzy, Midtown Lunch, and more. When you're done with this entry click around to find more great info on Mexican restaurants and food in Orange County. For starters, click here for the list of over 200 restaurants we have reviewed. For those from L.A., click through to our sister blog: Los Angeles County Mexican Restaurants.

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Perhaps you couldn't make it to the Kogi BBQ truck for one of its few Orange County stops before it retreated back to L.A. County but if you're still craving Korean-prepared meat served Mexican style I was just tipped off today (thanks, Brooke) to the fact that the Baja Fresh in the Gelson's shopping center at Alton and Jeffrey in Irvine is now serving Kogi style tacos and burritos.

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Available in Spicy Chicken or Korean BBQ Steak they are served in corn tortillas with kimchi and a sesame salsa roja with beans and cilantro lime rice on the side.

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So far this is the only location that has the Kogi items. I suspect if they are popular we will soon see them at other Baja Fresh locations.

(Also, you can click here to read our complete coverage of Korean/Mexican fusion all at once. There's more than one place that has Korean tacos.)

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Chipotle Foothill Ranch


The new Chipotle opens on Friday, June 26. On that first day patrons will be able to get one free item. Maybe they'll have a huge burrito balloon like they did when the one in Lake Forest opened. And I don't know if it'll be the case this time but sometimes they have a soft opening that you can get into the day before the official opening.

More info at OC Weekly's Stick A Fork In It and OC Register's Fast Food Maven. Also, click the "chipotle" label below or the logo above for our complete Chipotle coverage.

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Sol Cocina

Found out recently about a restaurant that will be opening up in Newport Beach I think right near the 3Thirty3 Waterfront restaurant on PCH in about a month. It's going to be called Sol Cocina (not Sol Cucina). Their PR people sent me some pictures of the food they will have and I'll be adding more information shortly about their menu, their chef, when they're going to open, etc.

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Here is their initial press release:

SOL COCINA

Vibrant Baja cuisine in a contemporary setting infused with old world charm.
Newport Beach, Calif. (June 4, 2009)—Introducing SOL Cocina, a new restaurant and bar opening in mid July that will bring the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Baja California Coast to Newport Beach. Led by Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, a 2009 James Beard Foundation Book Award Nominee, SOL features innovative Baja-inspired cuisine in a modern setting that infuses old world Mexican charm with urban comforts.

SOL's menu offers signature regional recipes along with Schneider's own Baja-inspired creations, resulting in the perfect combination of authenticity and ingenuity. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including Pacific fish, American Wagyu beef, Heirloom pork and locally raised vegetables, Schneider has created an exciting menu filled with signature antojitos (small plates) and Baja-style street tacos—prepared in an exhibition kitchen surrounded by counter seating to give guests a genuine feel of eating at a taco stand on the Baja Coast— along with innovative entrees and desserts that are uniquely Baja.

"Our menu reflects the way we really like to eat in Southern California and Baja— simple, fresh food that's full of flavor and a focus on our beautiful Pacific seafood," explains Schneider. "Baja cooking is much lighter than traditional Mexican food—we love cooking on the wood grill, we make our own salsas and sauces every day with local fruits and vegetables, and we make your food fresh in front of you. That's Baja."

Mouthwatering creations are sure to please even the most discerning palates—from Rainbow Guacamole made with buttery avocado and a selection of fresh fruit, nuts, cheeses and chilies; and Pibil-Roasted Fresh Fish on a Banana Leaf is made San Felipe-style and topped with a tequila lime cilantro beurre blanc and pineapple-jicama salsa; to Kurobuta Carnitas Tacos made with shredded pork, chiccharones, avocado, onion, cilantro and tomatillo sauce; and Lemon-Garlic Mezcal Chicken Tacos topped with avocado sauce, onion and cilantro.

SOL's décor, created by acclaimed restaurant designer Thomas Schoos, features a modern interpretation of the traditional Baja coast that's as innovative as it is welcoming. Inspired by the laid back Baja California beach vibe, the 170-seat restaurant features rich textures, natural elements, seductive lighting and sophisticated touches. Plush leather chairs, wrought iron accents, antique bronze lanterns and distressed wooden doors bring a rustic feeling, while modern design elements—like steel and lucite cocktail tables filled with colorful Mexican trinkets—create a contemporary sensibility.

SOL Cocina's expansive bar is sure to be a local hot spot, featuring a full-service bar with over 50 varieties of tequilas housed in a three-foot double-tiered tower at each end of the bar, each framing a vintage mirror with a hand-forged nail frame, while a central fireplace gives off a warm, soft glow to create the feeling of sitting around a friend's backyard fire pit. The bar's 'outdoors brought indoors' elements seamlessly blend traditional indoor and outdoor materials throughout to create a warm, inviting, relaxed ambience that will easily appeal to the laid back luxe Newport Beach community.

Located on the Balboa marina, boaters can dock just steps from SOL's outdoor patio, making it easy to enjoy the restaurant's signature Baja cuisine and cocktails after a day out at sea. Located at 251 East Coast Highway in Newport Beach, SOL will be open for lunch and dinner daily from 11am to 11pm, with the bar open until 2am. For more information, please visit www.solcocina.com.

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Father's Day

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday and people are looking for places to take their fathers to eat. So far, the Matador Cantina in Fullerton is the only one that has let me know about a Father's Day special


It's Father's Day this Sunday (June 21st) and where better to celebrate dear ol' Dad than Matador Cantina with our Father's Day Brunch! Served from 9am-2pm, the menu includes fresh made-to-order favorites from our specialty Matador Omelet, made with three eggs, peppers, onions, tomatoes, chorizo and cheese topped with salsa fresca, Omelet de Marisco, with eggs, shrimp, crab, red peppers and cheese topped with green sauce to traditional dishes including Eggs Benedicto, Chorizo & Eggs, Pancakes, French Toast and more! It's also a great opportunity to indulge in our decadent dessert menu, which includes Enchiladas de Chocolate, Pastel de Zanahoria and Mud Pie Dulce de Leche. Plus, all Dad's will receive a special gift! The experience will be as memorable as it is delicious. Click here to confirm your reservation now!



If anybody knows about any other deals leave a comment here or e-mail me at reviews@ocmexfood.com.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Taco Rosa June 2009 Specials

(Greetings to all the people coming from Nancy Luna's Fast Food Maven blog on the OC Register site. After you're done reading this entry click around the site for plenty of information about Mexican food and restaurants in Orange County. There's links all over to help you out.)

Taco Rosa
2632 San Miguel Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 720-0980

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Taco Rosa #2
On the Irvine side of
The Tustin Marketplace
13792 Jamboree Rd, Suite 42
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 505-6080
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Normally I would've posted something like this much earlier in the month, but better late than never, I suppose. Here are pictures of the special items both Taco Rosa locations have for the month of June:

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One thing they have started to do recently is serving a little teaser of soup (seen in photo above in the little blue-rimmed glass) with your customary complimentary bocadillo (appetizer). They don't do it all the time but I'm starting to see it more often. I had a chicken soup one time and a spinach soup another time.

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Costillas de Puerco (Pork Ribs)


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Pork Medallions with Pineapple, Eggplant and Jicama


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Arroz con Leche en Naranja (Rice Pudding served in Oranges)

Click here to see the unedited photo album (13 photos) at .

Click here to read our complete, extensive coverage of Taco Rosa.

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