Came in while I waited for my son to get out off his Jiu Jitsu class at Mataderos. Sat down and quickly had a basket of chips, guacamole and salsa. I had the chile verde burrito. It was very yummy. My son ordered the chile relleno and also look just like I make them at home. With real tomatoes sauce and onions, not a sauce out of a can. Yes. I would come back Oohhh and yes definitely takes me back to the early 80's with the semi round tufted seats and juke box. Bring your cash to play your song. read more

301 Cafe - June box - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

If I could give it zero I would. Came here on the recommendation of the owner of Tony's bar and deli. What a mistake. Place was old and run down. There were five other active tables with customers and someone waiting for a takeout. Behind the counter there was one cook and one older woman serving all the tables I knew from the beginning. This was gonna be a disaster, but I stayed and gave it a try. Service was extremely slow, canned drinks were served with a glass of ice, but it took so long to get to the table that the ice was already melted in the glass and had about an inch of water in it. Chips were great salsa not so much. The food came in about 20 to 25 minutes, but not all of it at one time one order was brought out and then the other order only part of it was brought out 10 minutes later still not the rest of the meal. The food was bland and I'm being generous to say that. We decided we were done waiting, so we got up and went over to the server and told her to give us a bill that we didn't need the rest of the food. We paid the bill and left and never to return. read more

301 Cafe - Three soft shell tacos - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Hidden gem in Old Town Placentia! If you're looking for authentic mom-and-pop Mexican food, this is your spot. The restaurant was clean with plenty of old school booths and a cozy, nostalgic vibe. Service was friendly and came with a smile. We ordered the shredded beef wet burrito, chile relleno combo with beans and rice, and a shredded beef sope à la carte. Everything was delicious, especially the tender shredded beef. The chips, salsa, guacamole, and pickled veggies were a great start too. Street parking only, but definitely worth checking out! read more

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Took over an hour to get our food, service was very slow. Came here due to Tony's review, :( Not going back.

301 Café is a small, unassuming establishment located on the corner of Melrose & Santa Fe in Old Town Placentia. Seriously, if you weren't specifically looking for it, you'd probably miss it. That aside, the reviews here on Yelp drew me in. As others have mentioned, stepping thru the door is like stepping back in time. While everything is well maintained and clean, it all seem to be original ~ from the seating to the decor and right down to the floor. Since I was solo, I placed and order for pick up. My order was ready as promised when I arrived and the workers greeted me warmly and gathered my order for me. I chose the 301 House Special Combo, which comes with a tostada, a taco, a cheese enchilada, a chile relleno AND rice & beans...all for just under $16 after tax! Deal of the year!! The lady was very sweet and also added a bag of chips and salsa verde. There was SO much food! I had the relleno and the enchilada when I got home. Made with love, the authenticity shined thru! The salsa verde gives it a nice taste boost! I sampled the rice & beans and those were tasty and authentic as well. I'm saving the taco & tostada and most of the rice & beans for my daughter. All in all, it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to coming back to try some other things on their menu. read more

301 Cafe - 301Combo Special - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

I came back twice in one month time. Either I like the food or want to support the aging couple that owns this place! One thing that I find interesting is walking into 301 Café feels like stepping back in time--in a good old fashioned way. This place is decorated (intentionally and just nature of being an established place) with old-school stuff, from the vintage décor to outdated booths that instantly makes you feel like coming back to your childhood home. There's old jukebox, mental cash registers and old school frig (that is build inside a cabinet) is pretty neat! The food is good--not extraordinary, but definitely worth eating. You can taste the love and history in every bite. These are true family recipes--comforting, flavorful, and clearly cooked with care and served with heart. The waitress/server is the matriarch of the family business. They don't have menudo and Jamaica drink. :(( We ordered the usual - taco enchiladas combo, chili renello and taquitos -- all served with a spicy salsa and not so good guacamole. Several of our entrees came in old metal plates! Overall, a place where locals linger over soda, and visitors come back just to soak up the homey vibes. 301 Café isn't just a restaurant--it's a piece of the community. I can tell a lot of patrons are returning customers. read more

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I truly wish more people knew about this place! The owners are such kind, hardworking people, and you can really tell how much love they put into what they do. They're getting older, but they continue to serve their customers with so much care. The food is always delicious and consistently good every time I visit. I really hope more people support this small business because places like this deserve to be appreciated and kept around. read more

301 Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

301 Café - A Hidden Mexican Gem in Old Town Placentia Tucked away in Old Town Placentia, 301 Café is one of those unassuming spots you'd probably walk past if you didn't know better--big mistake. This family-owned gem serves up some of the most authentic, mouthwatering Mexican food I've had in a long time. The place feels like one of those old time dinner, a jukebox, cubicles in the classic red stuffed vinyl seats but the place is clean, though it feels dated it makes you feel like you're in an old town neighborhood diner about to get served LOL ( good food) The service? Absolutely legit--warm, friendly, and authentic, with the owners and their kids running the show like pros. It feels like you're being welcomed into their home (but with way better salsa). Now let's talk burritos, because... wow. Their burrito asada is my personal obsession--loaded, flavorful, and smothered in homemade salsa and cheese that tastes like it came straight out of a family recipe book. The chicken mole? Honest-to-goodness, finger-licking perfection. Do not expect the nauseatingly sweet mole sauce - this is not one of those, this is more on the savory side. My fiancé and the kids can't get enough of their carnitas burrito, which is just as generous and satisfying. Bonus points: the beers are cheap, and the food is super affordable. Pro tip--double-check their hours (I don't think they're open Mondays). Bottom line: 301 Café is a total win. We've officially found a new go-to spot whenever we're on this side of town. Highly recommend! read more

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This is a charming dive that has provided maybe the cheapest bill I have paid in years. Almost baffling how they get by on that profit line. Bless them. The jukebox is wonky and filled with an interesting selection of albums. The old ice boxes are converted and still in use. There is cheap beer on tap. The salsa is spicy. The street parking is easy. The staff is not young and spry and they provide a wonderful aspect to the experience. If you want fast Mexican food with no personality, hit up your local El Torito (I'm looking at you down there, Gene C.). If you want to support a business that has been there longer than you've been alive and preserves a part of Orange County life that is virtually erased, this is your spot. Bring your patience and appetite. You will get your food when it is ready. read more

Love it here. It feels like you're transported to 1959. Smallish restaurant with a juke box and tufted banquettes...very retro. But it's the food that stands out. The burritos are huge and delicious. Rice and beans taste homemade. Complimentary chips, salsa and guacamole. Service was a little slow, but the place was packed and only two (very sweet) ladies were working. Authentic Mexican food. read more

As cute as the restaurant is, it failed from there. The server was pleasant but overwhelmed. There were a lot of regulars with priority of service. There was another server but she was really focused on to go orders and was not capable of serving multiple tables. We miss our authentic Mexi Casa of Anaheim and had high hopes for the authenticity and similar menu here at 301, but the shredded beef was dry. We joked about the dinner scene from Christmas vacation. After an hour and a half we finally left. Not because of slow eaters but slow service all the way through. It has potential but needs big improvements. read more

Small locally owned restaurant with fresh food, tasty salsa, and a great ambience! We will definitely back.

Amazing food, made to order and with love. The same family has run this place for over 75 years and they are so happy to see customers. They have perfected the hot carrots (which they gift you for free when they deliver the chips & salsa). We used to go here in the late 80s and early 90s, and it still has the best crispy chicken taco in well, anywhere. If you are hungry the 301 special comes on two plates and has a little of everything. It is a bit dark, but has a very cool retro vibe with a vintage Juke box with some classic tunes and the same neon clock that has been by the door forever. read more

301 Cafe - Interior space and Pacifico beer. - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

This place is a hidden gem You know how they say the whole in the wall places is good this place is awesome! Home cooked Mexican food... and fantastic prices! I always forget to take pictures! Next time! read more

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301 Cafe is the oldest operating restaurant in Old Town Placentia. It is an the west end of Old Town on Santf Fe Ave. Thus, its address is 301 W Santa Fe Ave. I first heard about 301 Cafe from my Friend Jerry Morris' late wife Robin. So, I had to look specifically for it, because it did not have the large banner declaring the 301 Cafe's lost history in Old Town. My previous review mentioned my food preferences, and a warning about the unassuming looking plate of veggies that are pickled any really deliver in the Scovill hotness scale. If you like hot and spicy, then make certain to eat all your veggies. As I mentioned previously, to top off your excellent and spicy meal here, go across the street to Mi Casita and get a dessert such as the loaded Chuorro or the Fried Ice Cream and augment it with a Mexican Coke with real cane sugar, not that unhealthy HFCS junk. read more

Came here because we saw a video on Instagram about it being a hidden gem (the owner of Tony's Deli posted it). I don't know what gem he found but this place is junk. After we were seated, the server took 10 minutes to say hello. No problem, as it was just her. We ordered and it took about another 10 minutes to get our drinks. AN HOUR LATER! We were still waiting for our food. Food came out, mine was wrong but I wasn't about to wait any longer. Dry shredded beef in the tacos that I wish I would have had a drink to wash it down with but after she took our order, we didn't see her again until the food was dropped. Wish we would have followed the lead of a few other tables and just walk out. After we got up to ask her for the check, it took another 10-15 minutes for her to bring it to us. read more

We love the owners and the food. Vintage place and traditional Mexican food. Lots of food choices, full plates and pitchers of beer for a great price. read more

Haven't been there in years. The food was excellent, everything we had was good. Service quite slow, with just one waitress. Considering it was Taco Tuesday, they were short handed. Or complaint is no air conditioning, considering it's the middle of July, it was quite warm. We'll go back, but only after the weather cools down. read more

burger was too plain and tasted like just the buns itself 0/10 experience not that fun

Best food. And great service. I would recommend this restaurant the best. They are very friendly.

Tucked away in old town Placentia you'll find 301 cafe. Everything is made in house with authentic Mexican flavors. It feels like you're taken back in time with traditional style restaurant atmosphere, a jukebox and the prices. We ordered 4 entrees that totaled only $64. Extremely kind service. read more

301 Cafe - Enchilada & taco plate - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Such an interesting place! The oldest restaurant in Placentia is how it's billed. The outside literally looks like nothing and when you walk in you see that it doesn't really have much atmosphere. There were cute little plastic pigs at every table, scary looking dolls behind the bar and an old-fashioned jukebox. It's very dark and was quite warm and stuffy. The waitress was a cute little older Hispanic lady who was the only waitress and although the place is not very big, there were plenty of people there so she was working hard. She was slow to come over to ask for our drink order and even slower to bring them to us but it was fine because she was very sweet and, again, she was the only waitress. She brought us some warm chips, salsa, and a very watery guacamole, type of dip. We were super impressed with the prices...so reasonable in this day and age! We both got the special; a taco, tostada, cheese enchilada, rice beans, and either a chili rellano or tamale. We both got the tamale and I have to say the food was delicious! The only thing I didn't care for was the rice, otherwise everything was great and the whole plate was only $14.00! Although the place doesn't have a lot of atmosphere and it's clearly old, the food and prices make up for it, and we will definitely be back! read more

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Great service. The mom & pop feel of this restaurant is very relaxing. Food was amazing. read more

301 Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

The food here was amazing!! We were the first ones here and the service was amazing. The restaurant is truly pet friendly and was a great experience for my family and I. The chili relleno was 10/10 the best dish I had. The torta and enchiladas were a close second. This is a nostalgic restaurant that I will definitely be telling my friends to come try. read more

301 Cafe - Old school working juke box! - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Home cooking family restaurant. Friendly service somewhat on the slow side 60's vibe homey interior with great jukebox. read more

Nice and dark with a good jukebox. The jukebox has oldies and Mexican music. The food is inexpensive and great for the price. I liked my enchiladas. read more

This is the first time we have been here and we will be coming back. The staff was very welcoming, service was amazing not to mention the food. Wow, the food was so delicious! Very comfortable inside. Wish we would have found this place a long time ago!! read more

Real good place . Food was great!! Service was excellent! Handmade tortillas was so delicious.

Best mexican food in the area my dad has been bringing me their food since I was a little girl. The owners are so sweet and welcoming and always give me extra salsa. 10/10 recommend. The ambiance reminds me of childhood. read more

301 Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Everything is good love there hard shell tacos and Enchiladas chicken and they play music service is good and the drinks are great yummy

Pop in to 301 Cafe when you want some delicious food that is served in a way that makes you remember your abuela bringing food to la familia. Their food is delicious and inexpensive. Understand that it is not a fast food experience though so visit when you aren't in a hurry. Relax and enjoy. They offer chips, salsa, creamy avocado sauce, and delicious pickled carrots, onions, & jalapeños upon sitting down. Their 301 special is HUGE yet somehow still remarkably inexpensive- you will take home leftovers if you order it! The tacos, Chiles rellanos, tamales, and carnitas are quite tasty. read more

This place amazing. I'm gonna start off with the chips and guacamole just delicious !! I order the chile verde burrito let me just say one of thee best burritos I've had. My wifey order the carne asada nacho and we're just as good. The servers are super sweet. It's like walking into grandma kitchen with all your tias. Will be back to try out the rest of the menu. It's a small old style cafe. Love the little vibes read more

OMG!! The food here is definitely authentic and so so delicious. We had a chile verde burrito and carne asada nachos. Man oh man.. talk about good. Will definitely be coming back to try some of the other food. Service was great! 5 Stars hands down all the way around. Hidden gem! read more

homestyle comfort food i ordered a chili verde wet burrito to go. delish ambiance and service were very chill, i went at about 5:15pm on a weekday read more

The food is delicious. The host is delicious. The real deal is the 301 special! You get a taco, tostada, chile relleno with rice and beans for $14. My family loved it too! read more

If you want a home cooked meal this is the place. It's owners are the cooks and servers so you have to be patient with your service. They offer you chips, salsa, jalapeños and guacamole. The lemons a is freshly made and the food is amazing. Wet burritos omg, taquitos omg, tortas omg everything is amazing you'll go back weekly just like we do The atmosphere is calm and you feel it. read more

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Food 3.5 out of 5 Service 2.1 out of 5 Ambiance 2.7 out of 5 booths can be awkward to sit and while trying to lean forward. This place like every other place in old town, have their niche. This place lacks service but they have some of the cheapest prices, if not the cheapest priced meals. 2 combos with 2 drinks will run you about $30 where you'll be lucky to get out of Q Tortas for that price because you won't! read more

Always have great, authentic Mexican dishes. Maybe a little slow when busy, but well worth it. The prices are good too. Love the enchiladas and the taquitos! read more

This place is SO GOOD!! As old school as it gets, but perfect. The food is great! The owners are so nice. I hope it stays in business forever. The beans, rice, salsa, enchiladas and hard shell tacos are my fave!! read more

Best mexican food for the price in OC. Cold beer too! It's a throwback to the 1960's decor.