I don't usually write Yelp reviews, but after an experience that was impossible to ignore, I felt the need to share what happened. I'm currently 8 months pregnant, and I had my baby shower at Benchmark on July 25, 2026. This is my first baby, and my best friend and sister spent countless hours planning the shower. They invested so much time, effort, and money to make it a special day, and we were all incredibly excited. When we arrived, the event space was extremely hot. We were informed that the air conditioning had broken the night before and were given a few fans to help. I was surprised that no one had contacted us ahead of time, especially since it was 95 degrees outside. At the very least, I expected someone to discuss alternative options or move us to another area, but that never happened. As guests began arriving, the heat only became worse. Our shower was from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and by the end, everyone was sweating and fanning themselves. It was incredibly uncomfortable and definitely put a damper on what was supposed to be such a memorable day. Another issue was that servers were constantly walking through our private event space because the restaurant's freezer was located in the back. Throughout the entire shower, staff were repeatedly coming in and out. This was never disclosed to us when we booked the event. Even with all of that, I tried to be understanding. Equipment fails, and I know unexpected situations happen. I expected that a manager would come speak with us, apologize, and try to make things right. Unfortunately, that never happened. Instead, we were given only $150 off a $2,600 bill. The food itself was delicious, but because of the extreme heat, we couldn't comfortably enjoy it or safely take leftovers home. It felt like we were sitting in an oven. After the event, my best friend contacted the manager, Pedro. It took about a week for him to respond. He acknowledged that they should have informed us about the staff traffic through our event space and admitted that he should have personally apologized for the air conditioning issue. He offered us a gift card, but we requested reimbursement of the $400 room fee instead. Since they had already deducted $150 from the bill, we asked for an additional $250, which seemed like a reasonable compromise considering the circumstances. His response was that they still had to pay the servers and cover the cost of the table linens. That explanation was extremely disappointing. We were also required to pay a 22% service charge for servers who, understandably, weren't present much because the room was so unbearably hot. This experience turned what should have been one of the happiest days of my pregnancy into a stressful and disappointing memory. While I understand that mechanical issues happen, it's how a business responds that truly matters. Unfortunately, the lack of communication before the event, the absence of management during the party, and the unwillingness to provide what we felt was a fair resolution left us feeling undervalued as customers. I hope management takes this feedback seriously so future guests don't have a similar experience. read more

We've been here a few times over the last year and absolutely love it. My husband comes every time he drives through town. The food is great, the service is amazing. Snag an outdoor table if you get a chance. read more

LOVED! This place is so cute. It is all outdoor seating and with all the plants and water features it is a really nice space. Our server was so warm and friendly. We really liked her. We ordered the following: Smoked salmon flatbread- great portion size and oh so tasty. The avocado was good different and it was just a bright, refreshing dish. We both ordered the shrimp and lobster enchiladas- yum, yum, yum. We were satisfied and full. Would def return! read more

Benchmark - Menu - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

See all

Beautiful outdoor setting, delicious food, excellent service. They rolled out some new menu items today, and I tried the Thai green curry and it was fantastic, the best curry I've ever had! Someone in our party had the hamburger, which was amazing, we had the frito misto appetizer, and it was so good we ordered another! Both the owner and the chef came around to our table to check on us. Epic experience! read more

I have been here a couple of times, but haven't written a review on it. I guess you can already tell that I like coming here. I have not been disappointed yet with any of the food we have had here. The restaurant is in a corner , most of it is open air. There is an area that is covered and it is decorated quite cute with lots of plants. Service is always great. They have a great happy hour from 4-6 pm and you can't beat the prices. My husband and I ordered a few appetizers, the calamari mixto, the Korean beef tacos, and the glazed carrots. For our main entree I went the gochugaru chicken, my husband had the spicy shrimp pasta dish not sure what it's called on the menu. I also ordered a cocktail- A Paloma which was delicious and so refreshing. My dish was good, it's a combination of sweet and spicy but not overly spicy and the chicken is very crunchy and it is served with a side of coleslaw which goes perfect with the spicy chicken. My husband enjoyed his shrimp pasta dish,it had a good amount of large shrimp. The only bad thing is that my dish came out first by the time I was done with my dish his pasta dish came out. So the timing was off on that. The were also out of a couple things on the menu, for example the olives and the dessert that we would have ordered which was the brown sugar cake. Even so we would come again. read more

See all

Came here on Sunday, June 12, 2026 at 5:00pm. Looked on yelp and they had plenty of reservations available at 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45 so I didn't think we needed a reservation. When we checked in with the hostess, she asked if we had a reservation and when we said no, she gave us some attitude. I explained that we saw there were plenty of reservations available and booked it for 5:15 on Yelp. When I told the hostess I that I booked the 5:15 reservation on Yelp, she rolled her eyes at me. The manager wasn't helpful either. When we informed them that we have decided to leave and go somewhere else, they just say ok. No apology or attempt to try and seat us. Obviously, we were more of a bother to them. Bummer, cause I heard the food was pretty good. Restaurants are part of the hospitality industry, so when they have bad hospitality, it ruins the experience. read more

Another night. No words. Get the miso salmon. You won't regret it! This place never disappoints. The daou robles wine is perfection!!! read more

See all

We had such an incredible experience at Benchmark. From the moment we sat down, our server Joseph truly stood out--so attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He gave amazing recommendations and was more than accommodating when it came to dietary restrictions, which made everyone at the table feel comfortable and taken care of. The food and drinks were honestly some of the best we've had in a long time--everything was flavorful, beautifully prepared, and memorable. It's rare to find a place that nails both the service, ambiance and the menu this well. We're already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend! read more

This place is absolutely charming. The outdoor space has an earthy, almost mystical feel like a tucked-away garden retreat. Convenient parking is a major plus. The service was attentive and the food was good . read more

See all

Great restaurant! This is such a cute little outdoor patio space. I came here with a few friends for lunch, and it did not disappoint. Our waiter Joseph gave great service, was very knowledgeable about the food and drink menus, and gifted us a small side of their artichoke fondue, which was amazing. I ordered the chicken sandwich and tasted my friend's burger. Both were delicious! I got the side of fries with my sandwich, and those were nice and crispy as well. I loved the food, service, and the entire space. If you find yourself needing a spot for lunch in Santa Ana, check this place out! read more

Benchmark - Chicken sandwich - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I live in the downtown French district and all tho it can be a rough neighborhood at times but there is a lot culture here. Enter benchmark I seen this place driving home. Well lit up patio setting so I had to return and try it. On arrival I was impressed on well it was put together. There is not a lot of decorations rather they use the trees and lights as decor which is pretty dope! Small tables and picnic tables umbrellas and tarps I mean I feel like I'm in a different setting rather than my backyard. My wife and I went on a date for her birthday and decided to try the OC Restaurant Week 3 course meal menu. We started off with the parmesan herb french fries fries with the garlic aioli which were very tasty. Great flavors!! Next course was the Ceaser salad that was fresh and had the most delightful dressing. The salad has toasted panko bread which added a crunch factor 10/10 For the main course we had the Short Rin Pasta which includes tender short rib meat with rigatoni pasta. The gravy was on point seasoned to perfection. Last but not least was my wife's favorite course the desert. The Pear almond Tart is 2nd to none I was skeptical at first but its presentation alone was impressive. The taste exquisite and decedent. The whole experience was amazing and the fact that it's in my backyard just blows my mind! Service was great as well. Great to be in Santa Ana in a restaurant with that much diversity! This place is a must try!!! 10/10 I'm definitely going back asap!!! read more

See all

I just left this beautiful restaurant. The aesthetic is just beautiful. The food even better. I had the pleasure of meeting Tiffany and she was so welcoming and nice. I will definitely be going back. I had the Korean tacos and the artichoke fondue. Chefs kiss read more

Benchmark - Articoke fondue - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

See all

I just love the vibe here. I am a big fan of outdoor dining, and they have perfected it. The food is delish and the waiters were very nice. I highly recommend this artful place. read more

TERRIFIC! This place is a total gem! The service was very good. Our server was tentative and friendly. The food comes out one at a time, or as it is made. The vibe is earthy and outdoorsy. It's basically all patio seating. There is some shade if you want to stay out of the direct sunlight, but you will get some sun eating here. The food is amazing. I had the best French toast here! The French toast was made with the thick sliced bread. It had a firm texture when you bit into it, with a softness due to the cream. The flavor was great. I loved the cream, chocolate drizzle and syrup. I just wish there was more syrup. Other than that, this was a good French toast. The presentation was adorable. 10/10 The Quinoa + Apple Salad was a real show stopper! I didn't have any expectations for this salad. It was such a nice surprise! All of the flavors mixed together and created this wild journey of flavor! There was sweetness and savory all in one. I don't even like quinoa, and this salad blew my socks off. 10/10 My husband go the Benchmark burger and said it was alright. He said it looked better than it tasted. Ultimately just tasted like a basic burger, nothing special. The French fries were good. 7/10 read more

See all

Been here a few times and I have to admit, it's hit or miss. They have seasonal menus so, depending on what's available, it could be really good or not. Check out their menu online before going. The biggest bummer is the lack of a full bar. They do make cocktails but with sake. Some flavors are pretty good but real spirits would definitely help the rating. Most recently, the kimchi fried rice was the highlight. There was a tika chicken dish which really lacked flavor. The pretzel sticks were ok but nothing to rave about. Our server was great but didn't offer the birthday girl any celebratory dessert or even wish her happy birthday. Otherwise he was very attentive. The setting is very cute for a warm day but if it's too hot or too cold, Al fresco dining might not be ideal. read more

Came here for dinner. Easy to make a reservation online. I do miss the happy hour specials, as we came on a weekend. Service is great. Food was really good. Drinks came out quickly. Beautiful drinks. Tasted great. I love the presentation. But also top notch taste. Good quality food. The flat bread they had this time around was a miss. Didn't care for it much. But its nice that they change the menu up based on the season. Definitely recommend coming here. I love the vibes!! read more

See all

I loved the food and service! There are things I would never think to order but the way they made it and blended all the ingredients was killer. The outdoor seating was lovely. Had a great time there for dinner with my sister. read more

From the moment we sat down, the experience was great. Our server was attentive and genuinely helpful, offering thoughtful suggestions that made ordering easy. The food itself was the real star -- every dish was delicious, from the pasta, hanger steak and the burger was particularly outstanding, delivering bold flavors and a satisfying bite that validated our choices. The ambiance outdoor with lantern patio lights was perfect for a date night, or group dinner. They had a full bar and had one tv. I would recommend this restaurant for a fun & delicious meal. read more

See all

Benchmark is one of my favorite restaurants to go to, it's a beautiful restaurant and both the food and service are so incredible. I've also noticed their menu has been updated, so we ordered the new items like Thai fish curry, the pork chop, and arancini and very attentive and pleasant, we wanted to let the manager know how incredible Jack is but unfortunately the manager was already gone for the night, so Jack thank you read more

Been wanting to dine here for years and finally had a reason this weekend. Our friend was visiting from Colorado and staying in Tustin and I suggested this place for dinner. Parking is minimal and maybe even a little tight. If you can find street parking, great, otherwise there's a parking lot just west of the restaurant off Santa Ana Blvd. and Mortimer St. We were able to snag one parking spot in their tiny lot. We made reservations in the morning for 6 pm for 4. Got there at 5:50 pm and we along with other parties, were waiting for a a while. I think 3 people told us they'd be right with us as they walked by. The line grew a little bit and finally someone got us seated. Benchmark is an outdoor space that's enclosed with succulents and those stringed lights you'll see in many backyards in this town. Good for dates or a small gathering to catch up, but seating is limited. Food is excellent and not like any other menu you would find in this town. We ordered the calamari to start and I wish they had more because it was so good. Also ordered the pretzels and those were good as well. I tried their jalapeno marg and it was nice. We ordered pork belly and shishito peppers for the table and it was cool. My mom makes pork butt all the time and this reminded me of her cooking a bit. For my entree I got the burger and man was that rich! That cheese was like extra, extra rich. It was a great burger and the fries were good too. For dessert my sisters ordered the chocolate cake and a butter cake. I'm not a butter cake person, but theirs was good and the chocolate cake was good too, but I was too full from the food I ate to try more than a bite of the dessert. Service, I'd say It was fine and at one point I think the owner came by to say hi and check on us and was just very friendly. We were also too busy just catching up to notice if things were missing or not delivered on time, but when we got there it got super busy so I know there was a delay with some items, but I didn't pay any mind to it. I read a review that said there was a slight leaky gas line smell and I did get a whiff of that towards the end at various times, but it didn't put a damper on the night. Definitely would come back again with friends. read more

Benchmark - Menu - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Cute spot in Downtown Santa Ana! I had been wanting to check this spot out for a while - it is all outdoors with a very cute ambiance, especially in the evening. We came on a Friday and got quite a few appetizers and drinks on happy hour. Some of our favorites included the Ahi Tuna Tostadas, Artichoke Fondue (order an extra pretzel), Fritto Misto & Feta Dip. None of us really loved our cocktails - I think wine would be the way to go next time. I'd love to come back to try some of their entrees. Until next time! read more

Benchmark - Gochujang Chicken Bites & Brie + Apple Flatbread - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

See all

We had such a great first experience at Benchmark! It was my fiancé's and I first time there, and Joseph made our visit even better with his excellent service and recommendations. The food was AMAZING -- we started with the elote bites, and the burger was seriously so good we would come back just for it! Joseph also suggested the Spritz and Blackberry Mule, and both were delicious. Thank you, Joseph, for being so attentive, friendly, and making our first visit so memorable. We'll definitely be back! read more

Benchmark is an outdoor only restaurant in Santa Ana. They describe it as coming to a "backyard." The atmosphere is very welcoming, romantic, and comfortable. There's also a small parking lot and street parking available nearby. It seems they change their menu seasonally and have specials when they don't have something on their menu. Their plates are meant for sharing family style, so this place is perfect for families and small parties. The service here is exceptionally fantastic. Our server was able to explain all the ingredients in the dishes when asked, and even went to the kitchen to clarifying anything unclear. They are very humble and accommodating. When I ordered a beer, they were very honest to share that that beer's keg is not available and even offered some samples instead - top notch thoughtful service right there. I got to try 2 dishes. The chicken parm pasta is slightly spicy, with perfectly cooked pasta noodles, and had a complex blend of cheese (including burrata as a topping). The shrimp + broccoli risotto was creamy in texture, yet very light - the flavors and texture was great. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. These were very filling for 2 people. Overall, I'd definitely come back for another meal for the food, experience, and atmosphere! read more

See all

Benchmark has a charming outdoor atmosphere. I really love to get a table under the tree. They have great drinks and food. The food is excellent aside from a couple things. The artichoke fondue is really flavorful but more of a bisque- like consistency. I also wouldn't recommend the Korean tacos. They have a thicker cut pickled radish in place of the tortillas and it just didn't work for us. I would rather have a tortilla and thin sliced pickled radish inside of the taco. The entrees were excellent and perfectly cooked. The kids meal was a good portion and my toddler loved it. The dessertswere delicious too. There was a kind gentlemen that greeted every table. Overall, it was a great experience and we will be back again. read more

See all

This hidden gem delivered an incredible night of fresh, delicious, savory food. Our waiter, Joseph, was attentive and walked us through the menu with great detail. He even remembered it was my birthday and surprised me at the end of our meal. Outstanding service and great food -- we'll definitely be back! read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Adorable space that makes you feel like you're dining in your best friend's backyard. Each dish was unique and fresh with ingredients thoughtfully paired together. The four of us each ordered a different entree, and shared 2 appetizers and were impressed by all 6 dishes. Our waiter was friendly, funny, and helpful in menu recommendations. The only drawback is the lack of liquor license which we did not know about prior to arrival. Overall, a lovely spot that we look forward to visiting again! read more

See all

Loved the ambience, the service and our food was delicious. Tasted fresh & priced well. Definitely will be returning, we now want to return & try their brunch read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Everything we ordered was delicious! We got the enchiladas suiza, kimchi fried rice, chicken skillet, and brown butter cake. LOVED every single dish! The staff was also so kind and attentive. 10/10 would come back. read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Food - burgers, chicken sandwich, a few other items. It was a good selection. I had the burger. It was ok but it felt a little rich for my liking. Like it was too fancied for my taste. I am the kind that likes my burger straight to the point. Service - depends who you get. Our waitstaff was good. Ambiance - if you sit in the front, sure. If you sit in the back, it's ok. Good vibes all around. Smaller quaint place. Verdict - good to try at least once. read more

Benchmark - Dining area - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

The food was delicious!! The service, was very good. The atmosphere was nice, although the restaurant definitely looks nicer with the lights on at sunset... read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

See all

Loved the outdoor ambiance and incredible customer service. Everything our table ordered was great . Loved their cocktail menu. I can't wait to be back. read more

Nice outside patio with shade and spacious table. Enjoyed a Sunday brunch with friendly service and good food and drinks. Ordered a mimosa with guava juice, salmon flatbread, and avocado croissant. Everything was delicious and good portions to share. Make sure to check for parking behind rests since it may be hard to find in the area. Would definitely be back ! read more

See all

Came here for Sunday brunch and it's super cute! The entire restaurant is outdoor seating only shaded with lots of trees. There are string lights all over so I imagine it'd be an adorable dinner/date night type place too. Our family ordered several dishes to share - burgers, tacos, fried chicken sandwich.. and everything was delish. Service was friendly and attentive too! read more

See all

Perfect spot for spring/summer vibes! All of their seating is outdoor/patio style and is well shaded with some fans going, which keeps things comfortable! Loved the rustic decor and backyard vibes. Do try to make a reservation if you're coming in the weekend. Did a walk in for a party of 4 at 7:00pm on a Friday and had to wait around an hour for a table to open up, but the bar makes the wait bearable. Food was great too! The shishito peppers were really tasty, with a sweet and acidic ponzu glaze that cut through the crispy pork belly really nicely. The burger was also surprisingly a highlight! Pretty massive burger that was juicy, meaty, and super rich with the meaty cheese and bacon jam. You could definitely tell that the quality is there! Drinks were quite tasty aswell! Super smooth and refreshing cocktails, all made with a spirit infused sake. They weren't too alcohol forward, which was nice for a casual dinner. Overall great vibes at Benchmark, looking forward to visiting again! read more

See all

I attended a baby shower here as a guest, and while the food was genuinely delicious, everything else unfortunately overshadowed it. The event space was unbearably hot because the A/C wasn't working, and it made it hard for everyone to enjoy the celebration. The space was also much smaller and cramped than expected and made it hard for anyone to move around ( even the waiters!) There was also an Airbnb guest ( apparently above the "event space") casually walking through our private party, which made us uncomfortable and didn't feel appropriate for a private event. It's disappointing because this was such a special occasion, and better communication and management could have made all the difference. I really hope they address these issues, because the food deserves better than the experience surrounding it. Or an even shorter version: I attended a private baby shower here, and while the food was great, the overall experience was disappointing. The room was extremely hot due to the broken A/C, and an Airbnb guest casually walked through our private event, which made everyone uncomfortable. It was a special day that deserved much better communication and management. Sadly, the negatives overshadowed what could have been a wonderful experience. read more

Reservation for 2 to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. Drinks are great, service started out good. However, everything went bad after receiving our drinks. Flatbread order took around 15 minutes. We were told that another server picked it up. 1 salad came out, 2nd salad took another 10 minutes. Entre order 2 burgers. 1 came out and the 2nd was never delivered. Needless to say that was it for us. We were told that once again another server took the burger. I did not eat, as I came to ear with my husband. Manager came out to speak to us. My husband asked to speak to him in private since we had a few couples seating on either side of us. Unacceptable service. Manager said we didn't owe anything. Wow, absolutely dissatisfied and humiliated as we truly believe the server did this intentionally. I do not recommend this place at all. Improve your service and replace your servers. Meg N. read more

Benchmark Misses the Mark I had dinner at Benchmark in Santa Ana tonight with a group of friends and left feeling disappointed, not because of the food itself, but because of how a service issue was handled. Before ordering, I specifically asked our server, Blake, about the chicken mole dish on the menu. He said it was a bone-in half chicken, which sounded like a substantial entrée and was one of the reasons I ordered it. I generally appreciate restaurants that serve portions large enough to have leftovers, and with a workday ahead of me, the prospect of having leftovers for lunch the next day was definitely part of my thinking. Knowing I wouldn't have to worry about packing or buying lunch made the dish more appealing and factored into my decision. When the plate arrived, however, it was only a quarter chicken consisting of a breast and part of a wing, nowhere near what I had been led to expect. When I brought this to Blake's attention, he acknowledged the misunderstanding and seemed somewhat apologetic. Shortly afterward, however, another member of the wait staff, Tiffany, came by and said that the menu had changed and that the dish used to be a half chicken but no longer is. She asked whether I liked the food, and I told her that it tasted good, but that I had ordered it based on the description I had been given: a half chicken. What struck me was that whether I enjoyed the flavor of the dish had nothing to do with the concern I was raising. My issue wasn't that the food tasted bad. In fact, it was quite good. The issue was that I had been given inaccurate information that directly influenced my order. Once Tiffany confirmed that the dish was no longer a half chicken, I expected at least some acknowledgment that I had been misinformed, along with an appropriate attempt to make the situation right. Instead, after hearing my explanation, she simply walked away. What bothered me most was what happened next: nothing. Once it was clear that I had relied on incorrect information from the restaurant's staff when making my decision, there was no meaningful apology, no offer to bring me more chicken, provide a side, comp a dessert, or otherwise make up for the mistake. There wasn't even a simple acknowledgment that my dining experience had been affected. I was simply told that the menu had changed and left with the impression that my concern didn't matter. I was out with friends and didn't want to make a scene or turn the evening into an uncomfortable confrontation, so I let it go. But I left feeling misled and cheated. If a restaurant's staff provides inaccurate information about a dish and that information influences a guest's order, I would expect some effort to correct the situation once the mistake is recognized. A sincere apology would have been a good start. Instead, the response amounted to an explanation and then moving on, as though the issue had somehow resolved itself. To be clear, the chicken itself was good. The issue was never the food. The issue was the complete lack of service recovery after the restaurant acknowledged that I had been given incorrect information. Mistakes happen in every restaurant. What separates great hospitality from mediocre hospitality is how those mistakes are handled. Benchmark had an opportunity to show that it values its guests and takes ownership when things go wrong. Instead, I was left feeling dismissed, misled, and cheated. Unfortunately, that's what I'll remember most about the experience. read more

Joe and Blake were awesome. Me and my family have been coming here for years and everyone is always super nice. The Foods amazing I love the new menu the pork chop is delicious but my favorite dish will always be split between the burger and the brown butter cake read more

My son and I dropped by during happy hour and our server Joseph gave the best recommendations! He took his time to explain the menu, popular dishes and best dessert to order. He showed us the brunch menu and we will definitely be back to try it! The outdoor setting is beautiful and cozy. read more

Benchmark - Asparagus fondue and pretzel, benchmark burger- medium, and chicken bites AMAZING - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Visited here to try the food as I'm considering hosting a rehearsal dinner at this restaurant. The ambiance is very cute, I felt like I was at a beach. Service was fast and friendly. The food was pretty good - the only thing I didn't really like was how far the bathroom was from the dining area and there wasn't enough signage to direct me to the bathroom read more

See all