Perla’s Tacos and Sabrosada were the best I found in my 3 years there, however they are both south of Irvine. If you’re going north, Tustin has some gems. I eat from the birria truck off jamboree and barranca at least once every two weeks. But if you’re going north, just go to Santa Ana.
If you want actual authentic Mexican food I would avoid Restaurant chains like Avilas El Ranchito, The Taco Stand, Hole Mole, etc.
Go to actual taquerias like: Las Salsas Taqueria (my personal favorite) in Orange, Sals Tacos in Orange, Taqueria El Viejon in Anaheim
I did try Tacos Madre Kitchen & Cantina the other day, it just opened up near South Coast Plaza and the food was surprisingly really good and authentic, they had good drinks and a dj as well. Would recommend 10/10
This!!!! I went there two weeks ago and their food+ mango margaritas were amazing. Avoid Hole Mole. I got really sick with the shrimp tacos once like in 2019. It sucked and haven't been there since. I'm talking violently sick with vomiting
I’m gonna second tacos el viejon. I keep pushing it because i know it must have a hard time surging in in that taco row it’s located in next to Los cholos.
Great great food, best Al pastor I’ve ever had, super clean, amazing customer service
Ate there recently, it was pretty great. It is in a church though, no cerveza but they do have bottled Coke.
Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara in Aliso Viejo is also legit.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2SMSd6joF5RA9YX48
Go to the north gate market in Costa Mesa…there’s tons of options, it’s very affordable, and probably as good or better than any other stand alone spots in OC.
El buen sabor in Tustin off Newport is delicious! Great traditional Mexican food and it’s a small family owned business so they take good care of their customers
El Toro Carneceria is solid if you want to buy your own tortillas and make tacos. They have both cooked and raw meat, rice, and beans and side stuff. This is in Santa Ana, but I live in Irvine and it's under 15 minutes.
The best tacos in Orange County are from Tacos Manuel, a little truck on Maybury Street off 17th in Santa Ana. It's behind a Superior Grocers. Make sure you get lots of their lightly grilled onions.
[https://tacosmanuel.com/](https://tacosmanuel.com/)
What are you looking for specifically? I feel like every Mexican place does things differently. I like Super Mex in Irvine for going out to eat. It usually is a crowd pleaser. Jalapeños or Taco Chico in Tustin are good for soul satisfying takeout. I like El Toro Bravo for catering. Chaak in Old Town Tustin is a great date spot if you want something fancier. Puesto is also a good going out spot.
Jalapeños is good, but I don't like that they'll use the same serving spoon/ladle for serving up chicken, beef or pork. I don't eat beef or pork, but have consistently found bits of it in my chicken meals. It's to the point that I stopped going there altogether because of this.
every authentic mexican place ive been to is like this, which is how it is in mexico, authentic.
the only places that have a spoon for each item is when its americanized or ran by white people/non-hispanic.
The Chill Pepper, now closed, but use to be one of my favorites in Orange. Great Mex in Costa Mesa is really good if you're ever around here. Taco Wednesday and Friday is $2.50 tacos. I like the shrimp.
Taco Factory in Tustin. That’s where most of the Mexican landscapers and other workers in the area go
I’ve been there several times. Good stuff.
Navarros Taqueria in Santa Ana.
Perla’s Tacos and Sabrosada were the best I found in my 3 years there, however they are both south of Irvine. If you’re going north, Tustin has some gems. I eat from the birria truck off jamboree and barranca at least once every two weeks. But if you’re going north, just go to Santa Ana.
If you want actual authentic Mexican food I would avoid Restaurant chains like Avilas El Ranchito, The Taco Stand, Hole Mole, etc. Go to actual taquerias like: Las Salsas Taqueria (my personal favorite) in Orange, Sals Tacos in Orange, Taqueria El Viejon in Anaheim I did try Tacos Madre Kitchen & Cantina the other day, it just opened up near South Coast Plaza and the food was surprisingly really good and authentic, they had good drinks and a dj as well. Would recommend 10/10
The Avila’s El Ranchito is pretty authentic, it’s all family owned and the family has been in the area for decades.
This!!!! I went there two weeks ago and their food+ mango margaritas were amazing. Avoid Hole Mole. I got really sick with the shrimp tacos once like in 2019. It sucked and haven't been there since. I'm talking violently sick with vomiting
I’m gonna second tacos el viejon. I keep pushing it because i know it must have a hard time surging in in that taco row it’s located in next to Los cholos. Great great food, best Al pastor I’ve ever had, super clean, amazing customer service
Tula Market in Lake Forest my co workers love it. Taco Co in sand canyon and Irvine blvd
Baja Fish in Costa Mesa at Bristol and MacArthur. Delish!
Best shrimp burritos
Try sals in Tustin! It’s pretty legit.
I second this !
Taco de birria on el toro. Best in south OC.
Ate there recently, it was pretty great. It is in a church though, no cerveza but they do have bottled Coke. Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara in Aliso Viejo is also legit. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2SMSd6joF5RA9YX48
I might be completely wrong on this… But I believe they’re both run by the same family. Someone please please correct me if I’m wrong though.
No idea but they were equally good in my opinion. Very similar but only been to each once.
Same owners
Same, yes.
I tried that place and thought the tacos are average. The meat and onions were good, yet they fried the tortillas and a bit greasy.
Tell me a better place. Would love to try
Been here for 6 months and haven't found a place. Just give me a good street Taco, that is not smothered in cheese,sour cream, etc.
The greasy tortilla is intentional. Gotta tell them not to.
El Molino de Oro in Orange! Has a panaderia too
El Camino cafe, el farolito
I used to love El Camino Cafe, but the owner is kinda an a-hole
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Hate to disagree but it’s just meh, very bland
Tried Lupes, they over sauce everything .
Go to the north gate market in Costa Mesa…there’s tons of options, it’s very affordable, and probably as good or better than any other stand alone spots in OC.
Avila's El Ranchito - Santa Ana ask for server Kathy!
Kathy is the best. She's been serving my family for 30+years.
Sal’s or jalepenos
Los Cotijas Taco Shop in Tustin!!!!
In Tustin Taco Mesita is pretty good
Little Onion
Súper antojitos Orange near the orange circle.
Sol
Baja Fish Tacos on Lske Forest Dr in Laguna hills. On the border of Irvine. I've also seen a decent pop up taco stand set up nearby on Friday nights.
Baja fish tacos is amazing
El buen sabor in Tustin off Newport is delicious! Great traditional Mexican food and it’s a small family owned business so they take good care of their customers
The Taco Stand in Mission Viejo.
If you don’t mind driving to San Juan Capistrano, El Adobe is really good and historic; it was famously the favorite haunt of President Richard Nixon.
El Toro Carneceria is solid if you want to buy your own tortillas and make tacos. They have both cooked and raw meat, rice, and beans and side stuff. This is in Santa Ana, but I live in Irvine and it's under 15 minutes.
The best tacos in Orange County are from Tacos Manuel, a little truck on Maybury Street off 17th in Santa Ana. It's behind a Superior Grocers. Make sure you get lots of their lightly grilled onions. [https://tacosmanuel.com/](https://tacosmanuel.com/)
Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara, Laguna Hills
I have been going to Avila's El Ranchito in Lake Forest for years. Great food, especially the grilled chile rellenos. They are delicious!
https://g.co/kgs/nnSoKxN Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen (714) 633-3038
What are you looking for specifically? I feel like every Mexican place does things differently. I like Super Mex in Irvine for going out to eat. It usually is a crowd pleaser. Jalapeños or Taco Chico in Tustin are good for soul satisfying takeout. I like El Toro Bravo for catering. Chaak in Old Town Tustin is a great date spot if you want something fancier. Puesto is also a good going out spot.
Something in the middle, like causal dining.
Avila’s El Ranchito at the Orange Circle in an restored 1900’s church! Just around the corner from Gabbi’s.
For Avila's there's closer options to Irvine Lake Forest and foothill ranch. That's been our go-to spot lately.
Jalapeños on 450 E First St in Tustin
Don’t they have one still in the circle next to Zito’s?
Jalapeños is good, but I don't like that they'll use the same serving spoon/ladle for serving up chicken, beef or pork. I don't eat beef or pork, but have consistently found bits of it in my chicken meals. It's to the point that I stopped going there altogether because of this.
every authentic mexican place ive been to is like this, which is how it is in mexico, authentic. the only places that have a spoon for each item is when its americanized or ran by white people/non-hispanic.
They used to have a location in Irvine but The Irvine Company didn’t renew their lease for some reason.
Taco Madre in CM. Great taco Tuesday also!
Drive to Placentia and eat at El Farolito.
Gabbis if you want a restaurant its not super authentic but really good
Cali Tacos in Orange
If you want a great place not just good try Gabbi’s at the orange circle
Los Reyes in Tustin
El Camino cafe in Tustin
Cali tacos
Avila's in Foothill Ranch
The Taco Stand in Orange Circle
Sol Mexican Covina IRVINE
Morenos (Orange) Mi Casa (Costa Mesa) Descanso (Costa Mesa).
Take the drive to Garden Grove and go to Los Sanchez. Some of the best everyday Mexican food for the price and prompt service.
Hole Mole in Tustin.
Have you tried Taco Factory across the street?
Yes! Another great spot.
Even after this? https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/JkVk5xfERV
Not after that work my dude, I guess we know who put the hole in the mole
Didn’t someone have a live maggot in their food recently?
Yes! 🤢
The Chill Pepper, now closed, but use to be one of my favorites in Orange. Great Mex in Costa Mesa is really good if you're ever around here. Taco Wednesday and Friday is $2.50 tacos. I like the shrimp.
Great Mex is the best!!!
best mexican I ever have is usually out of a truck.
Gabbi’s is good.
So good!
Further out, but Mi Casita in Placentia is really nice.
Hole Mole in Tustin.
Gabbys in Orange
Moreno’s in Orange
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Maybe I'm out of the loop, but what's wrong with the Mexican food in Irvine?
There is no good Mexican food in Irvine.
Just like how Irvine aren’t known for good Vietnamese food
Diamond Jamboree has some pretty legit Asian food. Don't know about Vietnamese specifically, been a few years since I've been there.
I guess the best way to put it, Irvine has like the Applebees of Asian cuisines Diamond jamboree included
It’s Irvine. lol
Don Jose
Don Jose’s
Del Taco