Taco Mesa

Recommends

Elias F.

Joined 1 year ago

Carnitas!!!. This place is cheap and they have really good carnitas. They used to have birria, but I have been told they don't anymore. It's a good place to eat, but the parking is sometimes difficult to find.

Recommends

theliterati

Joined 5 years ago

Good Yucatan-Style Mexican Food, Friendly Staff. My friend and I were famished after an early morning walk on the beach, and an hour of shopping @ Ikea. We wanted something quick, but not fast food quick, so she recommended Taco Mesa. She warned me that not to be put off by the fact that it was a converted Taco Bell, and assured me that the food was good and flavorful.

We ordered two tacos each - two each of carne asada, and carnitas pibil (roasted pork in red sauce) - for just over $8. The tacos are served in the small, palm-sized corn tacos (two per taco) and virtually stuffed with meat, diced onions and cilantro. They were filling without being too heavy, and went along nicely with the cold Bohemia we picked up at a nearby store.

The place was a bit crowded, but we were in and out relatively quickly, and were served by gracious employees who were pleasant in spite of the crowds. Definitely recommended.

Doesn't Recommend

quesadilla

Joined 5 years ago

Gourmet mexican fusion at gourmet prices with no service and no ambiance. No frills, gourmet style mexican fusion. The food is decent/good so long as you know that it isnt authentic style mexican food you're going for, it's sort of a fusion like you might find at Kantina. The prices are comparable to Kantina but there is no service, no ambience and you eat on an uneven concrete patio on uneven tables. If you're going to spend this kind of money on Mexican food spend a little more and go to El Ranchito or Kantina. At Kantina you have the same style Mexican fusion with smoking hot wait staff, great drinks, hot customers, good views and ambience. I'd pass up the concrete fushion with a view of the DMV and no service for Mexican fushion near the bay.

Recommends

cocotheslug

Joined 8 years ago

Over Rated ... but great salads!. Don't here looking for authentic mexican food. It's a little over rated. But, WOW ... the salads are huge and cheap. ~Try Jugos Acapulcos down the street for an authentica experiencia~

Recommends

suznf

Joined 7 years ago

Gourmet Mexican food, fast food prices!. Ok. This is not taco bell. This is upscale, gourmet mexican food in a fast food building. No drive through. No great views. No beautiful dining room or free chips. Paper plates and a serve yourself salsa bar. A patio view of the DMV and McDonalds. Small parking lot and uneven patio. BUT...the BEST GOURMET MEXICAN FOOD you will get anywhere!!! You cant go wrong with anything you order. I am particularly fond of their nachos and salads. We buy the tamales by the dozen for Christmas dinner. EVERYTHING is wonderful. But check it out for yourself, press reviews and menus are available at taco mesa dot net.

Bring a relaxed attitude and be prepared for great food and plenty of it. This is one of the most casual restaurants you will find. Flip flops and shorts, uniforms and suits....all in the same place at lunch time. This is seriously one of the best dining bargains in the OC--IMHO.

Doesn't Recommend

mtbbofa

Joined 7 years ago

Eat here if you don't know how Mexican food taste. Food was NOT CHEAP nor was it good. I paid $20.00 for two burritos and two regular drinks.

Recommends

tachcom

Joined 8 years ago

didn't like. From order till I got my food was about 20 minutes, Taco shell was burnt and there was some fish in the chicken taco, myself not being a seafood person was shocked.

Recommends

nutritnguy

Joined 9 years ago

The Best. Taco Mesa rivals the best Mexican Food In Southern Ca. The food is a cross between traditional mexican food and trendy culinary gourmet. Blackened Fish, Calimari, Chicken, Salmon, Shrimp, Crab....the menu rivals most restuarants charging twice as much. For Value, Uniqueness, gourmet taste...Taco Mesa is way under-rated. The lobster Bisque is to die for.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Gourmet taco stand blends authentic Mexican cuisine with fast-food service.. The Scene
Once a deserted Taco Bell, this gussied-up taco stand transports its loyal following to Mexico. Fresh fruit adorns the wall behind the cashier and half a dozen tables are scattered on the patio. No matter what the hour, a long line of suits, hungry families and college kids stretches out the door.

The Food
Taco Mesa's inventive specials and traditional favorites are made with super-fresh ingredients and without a trace of lard. Crunchy carnitas and crispy chicken and fish tacos with cotija cheese go far beyond the usual taco-stand caliber. Artery-clogging taquitos and greasy quesadillas oozing with pepper jack and cheddar cheeses are satisfying standards. But tender fish tamales can be overpowered by rich butter sauce and pineapple salsa. The salsa bar features hot, mild and colorful salsas, as well as pickled vegetables and slaw.

Recommends

townlaw

Joined 10 years ago

Good value!. There are several Taco Mesa's in Orange County. The food is pretty good, and it is a little different than the ordinary Mexican food...so it is a welcomed change at times.