TACO TUESDAY, ALL DAY! - Served from open to close.
Street tacos (Two for $5)
Cali Costa Margarita ($6)
House Tequila Shots ($6)
Mexican Bottle/Draft ($5)
Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=FwB3_ilSjDIxX-ZsxxyHTQ&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ
I mention that Taco Tuesday is served ALL DAY because I've been to places that start Taco Tuesday at noon or as late as 4:30pm... 'But if you're going to offer it that late in the day, just call it "Happy Hour" or "Half-day Taco Tuesday"?
Personally, I've never been a huge Taco Tuesday kind've guy but my good friend, VH, always sends me the weekly text, "Happy Taco Tuesday", along with a photo of a taco and margarita. So, I thought I'd play along and see what I could find from one of our local eateries.
I've been seeing Cali Costa pop up regularly on my yelp* feed and thought, it would be a great one to start my taco eating excursion on... 'And glad I did! I arrived just before 11am as the restaurant was going through the last details preparing to open for the day. (M-F; 11am-9pm) I had just finished another n'ucken f'uts, early morning 2am shift and was looking forward to trying this new, popular, Dana Point restaurant.
First thing I noticed was the fun, open air vibe Cali Costa has; great colors, decor and not the drab, cookie cutter, standard commercial type restaurant. I thought, this is "fun" and refreshing from your average dining spot. Cool.
As I walked in, I was greeted by Josh; owner/operator. He was behind the bar prepping the register and station for opening. As mentioned earlier, I arrived before the 11am opening time. Josh told me the kitchen was not yet ready to receive orders and it would be about 15 minutes. Perfect; great time to snap off a few photos and take a look around the very cool, chill restaurant.
The more I looked around the place, the more I liked it! As I walked around taking pictures of the baby grand piano in the front bar area to the spacious patio dining area, I was also greeted by another gentleman, Steven. He introduced himself as the "Resident Greeter," and Josh's father; great guy. At the time, Steven was installing a housing for an outdoor, television projector for game day. (i.e. - Sunday Football)
I finally grabbed a seat at a bar stool on the outdoor patio, opposite the open air bar that was shared with the inside area. When I say this place is open and airy, it really is.
Josh mentioned again that the kitchen was almost ready. I reassured him that I was in no rush and was just enjoying the chill restaurant spot. Plus it was nice to sit down and take a moment after busting my okole all morning @ work. However, in the meantime, I'll enjoy these complimentary chips and salsa. I generally do not drink this early in the day but as the ol' saying goes, "What the hell?!"
Round 1 (Carnitas & shrimp tacos)
Round 2 (Steak & al pastor tacos)
I was heading over to my friend, BG's place just around the corner afterward. She was going to meet me for lunch but had a 11:30am conference call; so I took her an order to go... Two each of every taco on the Taco Tuesday menu. (They're street tacos; not very large.)
Steak x2
Carnitas x2
Chicken x2
Al pastor x2
Fish x2
Shrimp x2
Veggi x2
Black bean x2
So, as I waited for my to-go order... Okay, just one more margarita.
Word to the wise; do not drop your to-go order of yummy tacos... 'Twice! After a few choice, colorful words to myself about how graceful I am; what I ended up with was an AMAZING taco salad with EVERYTHING on it. - Dropped not tossed. (Less any actual real salad; romaine, spring mix, baby spinach, etc.) When delivering the bag o' tacos to BG, I told her it was an off-menu item, the "Twice Dropped Taco Tuesday Tortilla Salad", and then quickly retreated to my car and left.
Despite the failed battle against gravity with the taco salad, it was a good day. Just say that shortly after arriving home, it was time for a siesta. It wasn't a planned nap, took my shoes off, sat down on the living room sofa... 'Next thing I discover is me waking up a couple hours later.
Support your local businesses, especially when they are as cool and chill like this one; Cali Costa for the win! A big mahalo to Bruddah Josh & Steven for the welcoming vibes and aloha! At times, I find places in South OC that have a tinge of pretentiousness, stuffed shirts with a good dose of uptightness that taint the overall experience... This is NOT that place.
As we say in Hawai'i, "E Komo mai!" - "Welcome; come inside!" A phrase you hear & see often on the aina. It's a greeting that generally is given when inviting someone into your home. Bruddah, it felt exactly like that... 'No shortage of Aloha here.
I wish Cali Costa all the best in becoming one of THE top spots to go for good family fun, ono kine grinds or a place to cruise with friends and simply talk story.
A hui hou!
Bruddah DJ
Food: 5
Ambiance: 5+
Service: 5+
Value: 5
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