Anepalco has been a fixture in Orange for quite a while, but this was my first visit since they refreshed the space. The added greenery and updated aesthetic give it a different feel now. For a moment, you forget you're sitting in Orange County. It feels more like a restaurant you'd stumble across in Mexico City than one tucked along Main Street. The premium tacos are the kind of thing that make conversation stop for a minute. Rich, deeply flavored meats piled onto a tortilla with beans, salsa, and cilantro. Messy and satisfying. The green sauce chilaquiles are outstanding. Bright, tangy, and packed with flavor, topped with eggs that turn the whole thing into something greater than the sum of its parts. The guava French toast is pure excess in the best possible way. Sweet, sticky, indulgent, and completely worth ordering. The only disappointment was the Café de Olla. It never quite found the warmth, spice, or depth that makes the drink special. Still, this is a kitchen that knows what it's doing. Come hungry, expect to spend a little money, and leave with no regrets. read more

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Had a late brunch & yap with the girls. Perfect place to do so. The ambiance is airy and fresh with the tall windows and hanging plants. Food was delicious. For the most part everyone enjoyed their entrees, but there were some mixed ratings. One thing we did agree on was the guava french toast, it was BOMB. The service was a bit slow, but it was during a busy hour. The waiter forgot a couple of our requests so we had reorder. Definitely was satisfied, but wouldn't personally recommend going out of your way to try it. Only if you're local and looking for a new place to try. read more

Anepalco - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Had a great experience here. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the environment and atmosphere was relaxing and tropical. We had a party of four and had a reservation but honestly would have been okay just as a walk-in which happened on a Friday night. The table shared a pitcher of margaritas, the elotes, as well as the queso dip- in addition to table chips and salsas. I personally had the waygu ribeye tacos which were layered on homemade tortillas everything with this meal was excellent. If you're wanting really good high-end Mexican food that has a fancy flare that doesn't lose it's delicious flavors I would definitely suggest to try this place read more

How did I stay in this hotel for almost a week and not lnow that this delicious food was downstairs on the first floor??? There I was searching Yelp for dinner options and this place came up and the photos made my mouth water and I could not believe it was downstairs. Yes the food is as delicious as the photos and now every time we come here I will have to eat here. The food and the flavors...chef's kiss. We had calamari and the chips and salsa to start with but I regret not ordering the guacamole after seeing the photos. The calamari was so good and I think I may have gotten too full on those items because by the time my lamb came I couldn't eat it. But the sauce and garbanzo that came with it was so delicious, I added my chips to it and packed it up. The service was friendly and I wish I had known about them sooner because I want to try their french toast and I might just have to go back tomorrow for brunch. read more

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Haven't been to Anepalcos in a few years and decided to give it a try. From what i remembered, the portions were great and the flavor was amazing! Well atleast the flavor is still there . Portions are a lot smaller now and was a little disappointed, especially for the price. I did try the coffee de olla and that was amazing! Service was great, not too many people and during the week so we had amazing service and a lot of suggestions from our server . The restaurant is a lot bigger than the one on Main Street and I'm glad they kept the guava and horchata French toast at this location. But very bright , very roomy and they play all the jams over the speakers, it was a great ambiance for sure! I had the chilaquiles divorciados and i loved that they came in a bowl and had the option for chicken tinga in them as well!! read more

Anepalco - Chilaquiles Divorciados - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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Our first time here, and we were really impressed from the moment we walked in. The ambiance is warm and inviting we were greeted right away by the host and seated promptly. Our server, Cilicia, truly made the experience exceptional attentive, friendly, and on top of everything from taking our orders to checking in throughout the meal and even carefully packaging our food to go. The food was amazing and definitely lived up to expectations. Everything is made fresh, and you can really taste the difference. The music was on point too and really set the mood. For a restaurant with a 3.9-star rating, it honestly exceeded our expectations. It ended up being a perfect spot to celebrate Mother's Day dinner, and we'll definitely be coming back. read more

Anepalco - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

You know when you get a group of people together and you're laughing and talking and having a good time, but as soon as the food comes out you're dead silent because it's so good you can't talk? Yeah. That's my experience of Anepalco. A group of us got together for a team dinner, we enjoyed margs, guacamole, and queso fundido. All great...but as soon as our dishes came out we were so focused on our delicious meals we hardly spoke! It just goes to show you how wonderful the food is. Here's a quick overview: Margs: good, a tiny bit sour but in a good way Guac: fresh and creamy, a tiny bit of spice Queso Fundido: the gold standard of cheese-pull goals Enchiladas Divorciadas: so good, I'm glad they didn't have a prenup. But srsly, I couldn't decide which enchilada I liked better, the lobster was buttery soft and full of flavor and the steak was tender and well seasoned. The side of rice and beans looked unimpressive but don't sleep on it! The white rice was fluffy and perfectly cooked and the refried beans were creamy and full of flavor. Definitely an awesome dish. read more

Anepalco - Enchiladas Divorciadas with a marg, beans, and rice - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

The food was decent; however, overpriced and too harsh on my sensitive stomach. I special ordered, but still managed to have a horrible reaction. The service and ambiance were great; yet we were overcharged for a drink. Overall, it was a nice family outing but I will think twice if visiting again. read more

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Drinks were delish but oh man the food. Ew! So disappointing. Such a HUGE disappointment. I ordered the enchiladas divorciadas and they were so bad. Awful. The "filet mignon" tastes like frozen meat with a horrible after taste. The other one was so fishy. Sadly to say I was too disappointed to say anything as we were a big group ando I jus wanted to go home and eat. The coquito drink was great. read more

What a beautiful restaurant with some picture perfect food! We ordered the huevos divorciados, guava french toast, and their classic palomas. Really great flavors all around and our server was incredibly sweet and attentive too. read more

Anepalco - Huevos divorciados - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

I came into town for work and was looking for a solid meal close to my hotel. Anepalco looked solid so I decided to give it a try. I got the mole enchiladas because they seemed pretty unique. They were tasty and very filling but I'm not sure I'd order them again. The service was great and the food came out very quickly. The restaurant was very pretty and well kept. read more

Anepalco - Mole Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Beautifully curated dishes, and the staff is demonstrably proud of their cuisine. Try the Wagyu tacos and the margarita flight made from homemade agua frescas. Tortillas and chips made fresh have a unique ombré from different corn colors. The breakfast menu is has a whole unique variety of flavors including guava French toast. read more

This place got even better than its previous 5 star authentic Mexican food rating. I would their Chilaquiles a 6 stars out of 5 stars if possible. Seriously BEST CHILAQUILES in town. The new pozole trio is also a big hit. The outstanding service was friendly, caring and very helpful. The staff clears dirty plates very fast. The restaurant is warm, bright, vibrant with fun Mexican music in the background. It's a fun place to relax and have an award winning margarita with fresh juices. This is our favorite Mexican restaurant in the area read more

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Our service was excellent. The ambiance gives a lovely Mexican vibe. The food was mixed for me because in my mind I expected it to taste one way than it actually did. We will return to Anepalco and try other food items from the menu. The mango cheesecake and coffee were delicious and I will definitely be ordering it again. read more

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The star of the show here is definitely their premium tacos. They are hands down the best my wife and I have ever had. The flavors and quality are on a completely different level. Honestly, after eating here, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to go back to regular taqueria tacos again! They completely ruin all other tacos for you in the best way possible. We dine and ordered take-out on several occasions, for us service has been great. ​Beyond the incredible food, the venue itself is fantastic. It's a cozy spot that is exceptionally clean and bright. The decor is cute and creates a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere for a meal. Front parking is a hit or miss, that would only be the downside. ​Whether you're a local or just passing through, its worth checking this place out. read more

Anepalco's chilaquiles have been one of my favorite dishes for over fifteen years. Over the years, the restaurant has expanded to make upscale Mexican food. They make good mole and cochinita pibil; however, I can't say that my favorite dish is still the same. At one point anepalco's was a cafe; however, their model is now more upscale with dishes costing $20+. It's fine, but it's also not the same place. If coming for breakfast, it's nice to get breakfast and a trio of mimosas. I'll probably come again to have my chilaquiles, but I'll ask for extra salsa macha for that boost of flavor that I remember read more

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Okay this is a unique restaurant. Firstly let's start with all the positives because this place does have a lot of good. Location: Its location is amazing. It's walking distance from The Block. It's located at a hotel but has its own separate entrance. So it doesn't feel like you're going to a hotel restaurant. Food: The food is absolutely amazing. So many flavors and truly amazing ingredients. Design: Okay inside looks so cozy and wonderful. Truly a relaxing restaurant and I loved it. The outside patio was also very nice but was not used when we were there. Chairs: Honestly these things surprised me in a great way. They are big and very comfortable. They creat a very relaxed feel to this restaurant. Now the not so good. Tables: The tables are very small. Especially if you're a group of two. When you receive a plate for your enchiladas, a separate plate for your rice and beans, a bowl for chips, another plate with salsas, another bowl for guacamole, and a tiny space for drinks. It gets extremely tight and hard to manage it all. Also these tables are made with a giant stand in the middle. Meaning you won't be able to comfortably sit in the chairs and be close enough to the table. So you will need to pull a plate into your lap, hold the plate, or heavily lean to ensure you can fit properly. Overall this table was the most annoying part of the entire setup. The outside tables looked to not be the same and looked like normal tables. The tables are also very close to each other so if someone backs their chair up too far, you will not be able to get up from your chair. Personally I think they need to space out the tables more and get new tables that don't restrict your movement as much. Overall, I would go back but I would make sure to avoid those tables if I return. read more

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We stopped by Anepalco for a relaxing lunch before heading to OC for some afternoon activities, and it was such a great choice! We started with the appetizer sampler, which included ceviche, street corn, and avocado guacamole, all fresh and flavorful. The presentation and ambiance were a step above your typical Mexican restaurant, creating a more elevated dining experience. For our main dishes, we had the vegan taco and the steak taco, both served on handmade tortillas made with both yellow corn and purple corn flour. Not only were they visually appealing, but the flavor and texture of the tortillas really stood out and enhanced the dishes. The cocktails were just as impressive, beautifully presented with unique, refreshing flavors and good kick from alcohol. Even the kids' menu was a hit! The grilled ham sandwich and cheese quesadilla were both tasty. We will definitely be coming back to try more of the menu. Anepalco takes traditional Mexican flavors and elevates them with creativity, quality ingredients, and great presentation. The only issue was to find a parking space if you come during a hot season, since they are sharing parking spaces with the hotel guests. read more

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In Orange today, stopped by here for a quick lunch. We sat on the patio. It was a sunny warm day. Perfect for the patio. I ordered the Fish Tacos. They were really good. Probably the best I've had recently. The make the tortillas to order and the fish was lightly fried. It was very moist. The toppings were also perfect. My wife got the Tacos Dorados. They were food, but a little dry. However the salsa and avocado mousse they came in was so tasty! Overall a very good find! The server was very sweet. We will be back. read more

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Such a good hole in the wall place. Great service and amazing food. Very reasonable. Only complaint is they don't have beers but amazing food! read more

Anepalco - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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First time checking out this Anepalco location! I have to say, I love the ambience here more than their other spot. The greenery and beautiful bar create such a great interior, though their limited hours (open late morning) are worth noting. Parking was a little confusing. The lot is shared with a couple of hotels and signs say "pay before you leave" with a daily rate. However, when I asked the hotel, they said dining guests don't need to pay - so just a heads up for first-timers. Now for the food ~ absolutely delicious! Our table ordered the Green Chilaquiles with chicken (the favorite), Huevos Divorciados, and Chilaquiles Divorciados. Everything was beautifully presented, portions were generous for the price and the flavors were excellent. The Guava French Toast wasn't quite as good as I remembered, but still solid. Service was friendly, although a bit scattered at first. Once we were seated, we were well taken care of with waters constantly refilled & finished dining in under an hour. Overall, this place has a lot of potential. The vibes, the service, and the bar are all on point. If they added craft coffee/espresso drinks to their brunch menu, it would take things to the next level. Parking could also be clarified better for new visitors (but I also may have missed this somewhere). That said, it's a great spot and I'd come back! read more

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I went back to this original location this week with mom. We were on a small time crunch but the restaurant was not busy. Mom and I ordered the only two omelets and coffee. The coffee was just brewed and we waited patiently. The food came in hot in decorative large plate. The masterpiece was beautiful. Mom ordered the vegie omelet and I can see that the mushrooms were looking thick and the Oaxaca cheese seem yummy. Mom loved it. I ordered the Nortena Omelet. OH, snap! That was one of the best omelets I've had in a minute. It was not the typical breakfast. The short rib barbacoa was bomb. The texture of the meat was spicy where the meat melted on your lengua. YUM. The salad had a little sweetness. Not what I expected but good. The sourdough slices of bread were toasted just right to scoop up the egg with bbq. We will go back. note; I miss the artwork on the white walls... read more

I haven't been here in years, so I was so excited to come back! Service was great. The waitress serving us was down to earth and made us such delicious drinks. Food was top notch. The calamari with that sauce was unforgettable. I couldn't get over it. Enchiladas were rich in flavor, I almost fell into a coma. First time having a chipotle ahi tuna salad mix. The layout is great here. The only complaint I have is when I came here years ago, they offered the chilaquiles for dinner, this time they said the chef took it off the menu. Big mistake! Best thing they offer is their chilaquiles! I love chilaquiles, and their version is quite different, yet amazing! Why can't they offer the best dish they have on their menu? read more

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We had such an incredible experience at Anepalco! From the moment we walked in, the entire staff made us feel so welcomed and taken care of. A special shoutout to Cinthia, whose service was absolutely outstanding--she was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was perfect for us. The food was beyond amazing--every dish was full of flavor, beautifully presented, and clearly made with so much care. You can really taste the quality and creativity in every bite. Overall, the combination of exceptional service and unforgettable food made this a standout dining experience for us. We loved it so much that we're already planning to come back tomorrow for brunch! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable meal in Los Angeles my two kids and husband loved it! read more

My group and I came on Mother's Day (Sunday) and we loved our experience! We had reservations for 10:30am for an outside table. We were sat right away and our table was very shady so the sun was not an issue. I ordered the chile relleno which came with corn, cheese, steak, and shrimp inside. It was delicious but I thought it was a small portion compared to everyone else's. My sister got the steak sandwich which she loved. My mom got the chilaquiles divorciados which I did have a bite of, they were very flavorful. We also got both the guava French toast and horchata French toast to all share. There were a few very tiny things I was disappointed about. The first thing was they ran out of brunch menus and the other thing was the parking was confusing. One of us did pay for parking before the restaurant told us that paying for parking was only needed for overnight parking which is not stated on the sign. read more

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I usually only love giving 5 star reviews but this time the food and value left something to be desired. Service was excellent and we appreciate the staff and their work. The mole enchilada : solid, lovely sauce, beans could have had more flavor. Chilequiles: less than ideal, eggs were a rubbery disc and chips soggy yet somehow dry. Sauce was nice but guacamole did not seem fresh, maybe frozen?. We had a party of 7 and service again was smooth and accommodating. French toast;: both flavors were nice but portions too small. Food being just ok would have been balanced out by good value, maybe something like chips and salsa being free or a potato side being part of brunch dishes would have made us feel better about the choice. read more

Amazing contemporary artisanal cuisine with great service and atmosphere for a cozy dining experience.

Stopped for a mimosa after a 5k. When we saw the food being served, we decided to order. So glad we did! Chilaquiles Divorciados with steak were fantastic! read more

Anepalco - Chilaquiles Divorciados with a side of carne asada. - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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3.5 I asked my friend and colleague who was visiting from Tokyo what he wanted to eat and he said Mexican food, and this was near his hotel so it worked out great. I realize that I've been here, but 10 years ago. Here's my updated review. Ambiance: We sat outside since the weather was warm. The tables and chairs seemed pretty basic, especially for the price of the food. Server: super cool, easy going, even with a language barrier and lots of questions. He was the only server for the outside area and there were 5 tables, and he didn't skip a beat. Food: - 4/5 I ordered the guacamole appetizer to share. Taste was excellent, but kinda a small serving for the price. The Serrano peppers, pineapple and cilantro weren't mixed in, so you could adjust the volume / level to your taste. The avocados were nice and creamy and the Serrano slices were just the right thickness. Served with 6 crisp tostadas to break up, they held up without crumbling so that was great. - 3/5 wagyu ribeye tacos. The amount of meat to tortilla / beans, etc. was pretty unsatisfying. It felt more like a bean taco with meat in it. The Wagyu was tender but lots of the pieces had large chunks of fat - I felt they could've portioned the fat / meat better. Tortillas were soft with a nice bite and held up well picking up. My buddy had the enchilada Rojas and was sweating profusely from the spice. I think it's because he's got a Japanese flavor palette. He did say this was the best Mexican food he's had in the US, so kudos for that. Overall, good spot, but not amazing to me. The modern take is great, it's just a bit underwhelming. read more

Anepalco - Wagyu ribeye tacos - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Very good setting, great food and drinks, the service was also very good I highly recommend

Service, food and drinks were incredible. We love coming here for dinner before shows at house of blues since it's so close. We ordered the Caesar salad, tacos, mole enchiladas, guac, and fish of the day. Everything was excellent! read more

Fantastic Mexican cuisine, fresh ingredients all around, and very friendly service. I had the carnitas tatemadas and the roasted meat was so tasty. Will definitely return. read more

Green Chilaquiles this place has the best tasting green chilaquiles ever! So tasty and delicious! The service that Cynthia provided for my parents and I was tremendously professional, and at the same time caring. I love the bucket chairs, but I needed a booster to sit on because they were too low. but overall, the ambience was perfect. read more

Anepalco - Green Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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EXCELLENT!!!! Everything is EXCELLENT! I was impressed with The ice tea, Agua Fresca, chips and salsa. Then the meals came, took it to another level! Chilaquiles with red and green sauce, delicious. Chili relleno was huge! Filled with shrimp, tri tip, corn and cheese. Very tasty. Aguachilles was out of this world! A little spicy, which was perfect for me. Cynthia and the host ( didn't get her name) were very nice and personable! This is my new favorite restaurant!! I'll see you soon!!! read more

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A friend recommended this spot for their chilaquiles, so my husband and I decided to give it a try -- and we're so glad we did! We were seated right away, and even though the space is small, it felt cozy and comfortable. I loved the interior and all the greenery; it really added to the vibe. I ordered the 3 leches toast, and my husband got the steak chilaquiles -- both were absolutely delicious. Definitely a new favorite brunch spot! read more

Anepalco - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Everything was delicious. Cinthya was our server and she was very knowledgeable about the amazing food cocktails and even on the dessert she mentioned it was the mango cheesecake . Suggest to lower the music out on the patio because it's so nice outside and the street traffic is enough noise read more

Anepalco - Chilaquiles Divorciados and a classic margarita - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Service 10/10 Cynthia was amazing and so pleasant. The food was so delicious that we are definitely coming back to enjoy some more food CHECK THEM OUT SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE read more

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I highly recommend the tripa tacos and wagyu burritos! The chips are made in-house and have a lovely unique crunch to them- also a must!

Absolutely amazing. Throws Javier's out of the water. My first time eating here. Will definitely be back. The seafood platter, calamari, lobster enchiladas all the cocktails. Out of this world!! 10/10. Highly recommend. Will be your new go to high end Mexican spot. read more

Anepalco - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

It's a cute place but that's it. We went there for Sunday brunch and had the French toast and chilaquiles. The toast is not well cooked and not fluffy, I could make a better toast at home. The chilaquiles is a big disappointment, the chips were super soggy, crushed and pressed into a plate shape. The sauce is not good either, glad we didn't order more dishes and would not come back. read more