Fabulous dinner (first timers) and will definitely be coming back. Our wonderful server Mauricio was attentive, observant and made the experience truly special. He recommended the ribeye tacos and halibut tacos and they did not disappoint. read more

I came to this restaurant for a friend's birthday for the first time. Everything about this restaurant is amazing from the decoration to the ambience to the energy to the amazing food and a service. Ani our server was absolutely amazing. Had a very pleasant and professional attitude gave great recommendations. And everything from the appetizers to the dishes to the dessert that she recommended was fantastic read more

I have been to Calo 20+ times since it has opened. Our visit last night was the worst experience we've ever had there, it may be one of our last. First, the service/experience has slipped severely. The quality of Calo was personable, quick, high-touch hospitality, and near constant attention. Last night the servers were forgetful, impersonal, and terribly slow. Food came out at various times when it used to come out at once. When asked for sides of sauces at the time of ordering, they didn't come out, and then took 10 more minutes to bring out sauces and sour cream. Food was cold by the time they got back to us. There was absolutely no apology or recognition of how the service was poor. When ordering the steak tacos medium rare, the steak was well-done. The fajitas plate has shrunk considerably. All food prices have gone up about 10% in the last few months and service has gone down. This was a go-to place for us, but with very poor service and food quality going down, management/ownership needs to regroup and fix this asap to not lose customers. See more recent reviews as this is a current problem. read more

Best Mexican dining in the county! Absolutely love the complimentary chips, dip and salsa verde. But the carnitas relleno & chicken enchilada verde with Mexican corn (off the cob) are the bomb! Not to mention the cilantro cucumber margaritas!! Yummmm Don't waste your time on any other Mexican restaurant! Calo's is worth going out of your way!!! read more

First time here today. Very impressed with the interior motif. Very nice and open feeling. The staff are very nice and welcoming. I ordered the seafood trio. It was very tasty and the food was very fresh. My only complaint would be that the food was over seasoned (salty). I will come back another day to see if it was just me. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Seafood Trio - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Ellie, the epitome of what a waiter should be! Attentive recommending the carnitas for a first time costumer asked if crispy or regular this young man was on multiple tables conversing great attitude and was professional as they come.. Truly made Caloʻ a breath of fresh air and with a waiter like that it just makes your food taste better. Great job! read more

Right off the bat - great food and menu options! I Was so excited to order shrimp and crab enchiladas especially because they were on/or were able to do corn tortillas, the tacos were also ordered in my group with chicken and they were quite popular and had great flavor! We originally got on the waitlist but then we were able to get a spot at the bar- the Drinks were delicious and the bartenders were nice and attentive! One observation is that the tables at the front for those waiting were quite messy Particularly there was beverages spilled all over the ground mainly just something to consider when turning over the "waiting" area. Will be back!! read more

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Always good atmosphere, food, and service. The salmon asado is my favorite dish. And have I mentioned the pineapple margarita!?! Next level. I don't drink alcohol much, but I definitely partake at Calo....because it's worth it. read more

I have been to the other location, which was a 5/5, but this location just wasn't quite the same. I will say, the halibut tacos were phenomenal! Some of the best I have had. The chips were never ending and fresh and warm. I would skip the salad and the tuna/mango thing next time. The salad came with missing avocado (although they did bring a side). read more

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Calo Kitchen + Tequila has all the vibes. Drinks specials are carefully curated because the cocktails come out sexy and tasty. And during this dinner, we had quite a few rounds. Can't go wrong with tequila as part of your brand. There were lots to choose from on their food menu. They bring out chips, salsa, and a bean dip to start. Some of us had the ribeye tacos and enchiladas for our mains. The portions were large and you can tell they were prepared thoughtfully. Everything tasted well judging by the way everyone on our table cleared our plates. The next table had a birthday and they brought out a huge fried ice cream coated in churros. My friend's son "almost" had a birthday too so we had them bring him out one. It was large enough to share among the four of us. Our server was attentive from the moment we sat down without being overbearing. The ambiance of the restaurant was quite nice. read more

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Excellent food and service. We ordered everything the waiter recommended and were not disappointed. Ambiance also beautiful. read more

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I hadn't been to this restaurant since it first opened years ago. I remember liking it, but I didn't find it particularly memorable at the time. This visit completely changed my opinion. The food was amazing and reminded me of when Javier's used to be really good. My salad was fantastic, the chips and salsa were fresh, and the blackberry margarita was excellent. The service was also outstanding. Overall, I absolutely loved everything and will definitely be back soon. Totally worth it! read more

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Delicious, high quality mexican food! I appreciated that the food didn't feel too greasy or heavy, and had a healthier twist. I ordered the chicken fajitas and had no complaints. The rest of our party ordered the taquitos, crab and shrimp enchiladas, and two item combo. Everyone liked their food and the free chips & black bean dip was a huge hit. Service was ok, but we enjoyed the lively atmosphere! We were there celebrating a milestone birthday, but unfortunately the waiter didn't acknowledge it or bring anything to celebrate. Overall a positive experience and would probably come back if we were in the area! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Chicken Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

My husband and I have been coming to Calo since the day they opened, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review. This spot is a local favorite for us because the quality of both the food and the service has remained consistently excellent over the years. We've tried many different dishes from their menu and have honestly enjoyed every single one. Their carnitas are fantastic and a must order. On top of the food, they have an impressive cocktail selection. We always enjoy their margaritas and their selection of mezcal cocktails. It is such a reliable, high-quality spot, and we look forward to many more meals here! read more

Not sure what happened, guess shrinkflation happened. Ordered trio plate: beef enchilada, crispy taco, chicken taco. Been here many times but it's been a while. Was really surprised to see the food come out and how small the food was even though the price increased Check out pic, put the fork for size comparison. The fact the taco is the same size as the enchilada read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Enjoyed a light lunch here on Sunday. We enjoyed the Strawberry Jalapeno and Grilled Pineapple & Chile margaritas to start along with their complimentary warm chips, salsa and bean dip. The chips were light and salty and slightly addicting. For the entree, we split the seafood trio which is a shrimp and crab green enchilada, a soft shrimp taco and a shrimp and lobster chile relleno. We were so hungry we didn't get a picture of the enchilada. All the items were balanced but we liked the enchilada the best. The chile relleno pepper was very spicy which we were surprised about. There was ample seafood in the items. It was great to split the entree, as it would be a lot for one person. The service by the bartender was friendly and attentive. We enjoyed lunch and will be back. Only suggestion is to consider a Happy Hour during the week. read more

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They say you get what you pay for and I certainly did tonight (2/27/26). Although it may be on the expensive side, every penny is worth it at this restaurant. Not only were the short rib enchiladas and the steak fajitas absolutely incredible, the service is where the five stars come in. Our server, Joshua, was top notch. This man could easily work at a Michelin restaurant. Don't even get me started on Noah. I have never in my 40 years of dining out been treated with such respect, graciousness, and amazing hospitality. I'm not one to leave long reviews and the five stars are what count but I'll say that the margaritas are amazing no matter which one you order and I've never had a dish that didn't exceed my expectations. But this review is all about the service so be ready to be blown away from the minute, you walk in the door! Kudos to Joshua, Noah, and and especially management because these men obviously are treated well or they love what they do. Make note - this is not my first time eating here and every time I've been extremely satisfied! A true treat and a total gem of Laguna Niguel! read more

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My birthday was Tuesday and my husband already asked a few times if I'd like to go out for dinner. I had a bit of a busy week already so I really didn't have time to think about what I wanted. Later that day we found out that one of my kids had an event to attend at 7 in Ladera Ranch, so we decided to get dressed, drop him off, and eat somewhere close. Nothing in that area sounded real good at that time but we remembered Calo Kitchen + Tequila was recommended by a server at another restaurant, and the Laguna Niguel location wasnt too far down Crown Valley. We were seated right away. My first impression was loving the ambiance. Its elegant without being over the top. I felt comfortable in trendy jeans and heels but could've easily dressed up too. Two servers introduced themselves, one was a helper. I like that we knew if we needed something and couldn't reach one, we could look for the other. We were promptly served waters and chips with salsa and black bean dip. I ordered a spicy mango cocktail and my husband got a sprite. My cocktail was absolutely delicious and I had fun eating the tamarindo candy on the straw. I hate when I over eat so I opted for the taquitos appetizer for my meal. Kristen our server suggested it and it worked out perfectly. There were five chicken taquitos made with street tacos size tortillas. They had a layer of green salsa on top as we as some type of aioli. I personally would've enjoyed them more without the aioli but it was not a deal breaker. My husband ordered La Tampiquena and enjoyed his meal. After dinner I was given a little ice cream sundae with a candle (I specifically asked not to be sang to). I dont know what brand of vanilla ice cream that was but it was delicious! Kristen was extremely professional, helpful, and very personable which is exactly what I hope for in any restaurant. Her personality was kinda fun too, and I totally appreciate that! read more

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A very chic and well designed establishment. Everything was clean and the service was amazing. Our server Alyssa was attentive; and the manager Jose stopped by the table to ensure everything was up to expectations. The menu was extensive along with their tequila offerings. Food options had so much to choose from; but since we stopped in before a workout. We went light. Would definitely come back! read more

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Good was great the drinks were good our server Noah was excellent But the hostess was no where to be found we were up there waiting no one greeting us just casual looks from the bar tenders we didn't get a hostess to come help us until we asked TWICE for one ridiculous read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Chips salsa beans - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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First time here and it's a Definitely come back place. From the food to the service Please do ask For MAURICIO when you come here the best of the waiters!!!! Such great energy and explained everything into detail and always with a smile on his face. The drinks to die for if you are a Mezcal lover please do get the Mezcal en fuego talk about a drink !! Fajitas súper delicious and for kids the burritos were a hit. Ambiance super nice toooo !! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Mezcal en Fuego - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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They have great food with good service & fair price. If you are an IPA drinker, they don't have a good selection, but everything else is great. read more

Service is generally good, and we get together here at the bar every few weeks with the boys. Good selection of tequila and cocktails. Food is good too. Got the chicken fajitas this time, and the chicken was a little dry. Ribeye skillet tacos are always a good option but pretty fatty. The interior is pretty and the crowd is always decent. Also great to take your family for a sit down dinner in there back where they have cute fireplaces. Overall great option for south OC. One thing that was weird was that we asked our bartender to split our bill by 2/3, 1/3, and they eventually got it wrong, which was strange because this should be easy math. Recommended and will keep coming back. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Chicken Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

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Everything about Calo is outstanding! The restaurant itself is adorable with the most professional yet very friendly staff! The service was impeccable. We both ordered the Chicken Tostada. All of the ingredients were super fresh, chilled properly and the chicken was so delicious, tender and flavorful. The salsa was really good too! I'd give everything here a 10/10. We can't wait to eat here again!! read more

Kurt took care of me when i came in for a quick cocktail at the end of a long day of work. he was so genuine & even though it was just a drink i could tell he cared that i had a good experience. Andres the bartender made me a delicious grey goose tamarindo sour. staff is so friendly & works together seamlessly. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - tamarindo sour w vodka, delish. - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Decided to try something new, and was pleasantly surprised! The restaurant had a very warm ambiance with welcoming staff for a mid week happy hour gathering. Service was appropriate in terms of coming to check on us regularly and accommodating. Food was also good, decent portions (especially with unlimited chips and salsa and beans which is a Nice touch) read more

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We honestly feel like the food and the service has gotten so much better since they opened. We enjoyed a great table out on the patio last night very dog friendly. The food was spectacular and the grilled pineapple margarita with jalapeño was divine exactly what I wanted for Saturday night Short rib, enchiladas so good . Of course they're fresh guacamole with chips and salsa and bean dip are just divine. It's almost like a meal on its own. Ton of parking . However, you really must make a reservation. We were there 6 o'clock. The place was packed. Thank God we had a reservation so I really recommend you make a reservation. If you wanna be seated immediately they do have a very nice bar as well. read more

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We were looking for a nice quiet Mexican restaurant and it actually wasn't that but I must say the staff was more than happy to try it solve the problem. They gave us a beautiful little alcove. But the staff and the food was excellent. It's not the least expensive place to go, but the food was very good and they made you feel like King's while you're there. The chips and salsa was exceptional. I tried the seafood was excellent. My wife tried the fajitas. She was very happy. If you're looking for a place that has a nice bar as well. Looks like a good choice. We will certainly be going again. read more

The good - our server, Robert, was great. The food was good, not amazing especially for the price. A side of guacamole, which was small and I'm sure was made from one avocado was $17! Asked for a side of hot sauce, they charged $3.50! An Arnold Palmer - half iced tea/half lemonade- in a small glass was $6!! Lunch for three without alcohol was $125! I don't mind paying that if the food was amazing, but it wasn't... read more

Dined in tonight with our party of 6. We had Kurt as our waiter, he was lovely. Started with some really delicious margaritas and guacamole. We all loved the spicy beans and salsa they serve with the chips. All the entrees we had were beautiful, everyone loved what they ordered. The short rib enchiladas were amazing! We were too full for dessert, we'll have to save room next time. Kurt did an amazing job! read more

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I'm a Laguna Niguel local and bought my home just down the street a few years ago, so I've been coming to Caló Kitchen for years and absolutely love it here. The food, t ambience and service is always exceptional, but I have to give a very special shoutout to Aunnie. This was my first time having her take care of us, and she was absolutely wonderful! She went out of her way to make our evening special, and her warm, friendly hospitality made all the difference. She was so attentive, thoughtful, genuinely kind, and an absolute pleasure to be around. You can tell when someone truly cares about their guests, and Aunnie really does. I've been here countless times, but she made this visit especially memorable. Such a lovely personality and fantastic service from start to finish! Caló Kitchen is so lucky to have her, and I'll definitely be asking for Aunnie next time. Can't wait to come back and thank you Calo kitchen for another great experience! read more

I know I am "late" to the review party here for this establishment but with so many good quality Mexican food options in our area from small mom and pop places to higher end restaurants, it takes a while to get to them all. But I finally made it. The ONLY reason this is not a 5 star review is how they handle the seating process. From what we experienced, we put our name in for a party of 2. We were told the wait was 20 minutes and we were the only people waiting outside. Yet parties of 2 or more kept arriving and checking in, briefly waited and would get seated. We'd check back with the hostess and our wait time would slightly increase. Ended up we waited over 45 minutes. What I later learned was there is an online system you can put your name on ahead of time and then check in once you arrive??? That somehow puts you ahead of customers who walk up? In any case, we were just about to leave when our name was called and the only two reasons this place gets 4 stars is the FANTASTIC food and our server JADA! From the moment Jada came to greet us, her warm and gracious demeanor began to soften my mood. She got our drink order started and brought chips and salsa with warm black bean dip right away. I got a Grilled Pineapple & Chile Mocktail Margarita and my husband had a Modelo. She knew the menu very well and gave us both excellent recommendations. She didn't hover and yet did not neglect us. She just knew exactly when to appear. Her smile and ability to respond to our needs exceeded our expectations. The food then matched her energy as well. Both our dishes came out hot and with ample portion sizes. I chose the appetizer, Beef Queso Tacos with the consume. I had originally not wanted the consume, and Jada said I really needed to give it a try as it added so much to the Birria tacos experience . She was ABSOLUTELY right! Because of her, my dinner was amazing. There were 6 tacos and they were filling, plus after my drink and plenty of chips prior, I could not eat all of them so I had a nice lunch the next day with my left overs. My husband enjoyed the Short Rib Enchiladas. It was some of the most flavorful and moist enchiladas he has ever had. The crispy onions that topped it were a nice touch but a little too much for our liking. The Veracruz white rice and black beans with the short rib sauce blended nicely together. It was also very filling so he too had yummy left overs. The space is beautifully designed and our seats almost gave us a "vacationfeel so had we not had the unpleasant seating experience to start the night off, this would have definitely been a 5 star dinner for us. read more

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Hola! On your marks! Get set! Calo!! This place is a hoot. I got a tamarindo sour and my girlfriend got a pineapple margarita. After one drink, she had to physically restrain me from getting up on a table to dance and sing "did you know that there's a tunnel under ocean boulevard". I'll tell you why. The server Nick, suggested the burrito- with one tweak- steak. Yup, that's right. You heard me right. It was so good, my girlfriend was worried I'd get targeted by a three lettered dark money government agency because I basically broke through the matrix. The flavor of the steak quite literally realigned my chakras. Nick, served us the time we were here prior. He's truly an excellent server, my girlfriend and I have a collective work history of 30 years in the restaurant industry. We're not unc though. and as the kids say... clock it- he was standing on business or something. Aura. Really though, this place is great vibes, great food and portions, great drinks. Did I mention complimentary chips, salsa and eans...We'll be back! read more

It's been three years since I first discovered this charming restaurant and I still never get tired of it. My girlfriend and I come here often since it's close to home, usually stopping by every Tuesday after work. We always sit at the bar, it's where all the action is! The staff is consistently pleasant, and honestly, everything on the menu is solid. Three years later, the Tamarindo Sour is still my go-to cocktail. This time we ordered the veggie tacos and ahi ceviche. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Calo's over Javier's any day. The flavors and prices here just can't be beat. Fight me! read more

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The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous with classy decorations and a high end feel. They have a large amount of indoor seating with some huge comfortable booths along with a large outdoor seating area. Went for a weekday lunch at noon and had no issue getting a table. The service was friendly and attentive, our waters and iced tea were filled or replaced frequently during our meal. We got the camarones with the mojo de ajo sauce, burrito(chicken), and a tostada. The shrimp were massive and well done, but the dish did feel on the pricey side. Everyone gets chips, salsa, and a bean dip. I'm a huge fan of the bean dip and our table went through the dip in just a few minutes read more

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Aiden was amazing. From the moment we arrived he took fantastic care of us. We are first timers. We are going to be regulars! Aiden thanks for being all in!! read more

Went for a date night with our little guy the other day- the interior was really cool! Chips were fresh and hot with good salsa & bean dip. I got the chile verde & my husband got the short rib enchiladas. My dish was very good, I liked the rice a lot and the chile verde was really filling. It was a little salty for my taste but chile verde usually is. My husband said his enchiladas were maybe the best he's had! I'd say it's overpriced for Mexican, but it has good atmosphere and we had really good service. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Chile Verde, Short Rib Enchiladas in the background & a side of chicken - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

Wanted to have a girls lunch, so came here to give it a try! The place is so cute and has a long bar right as you walk in. They have a ton of outside patio seating, which is where we got seated. They were quick to give us waters and some chips, salsa, and beans. I am not usually a chips and beans fan, but these were so good! They brought out a couple rounds for us and were very attentive to our table. For my main plate, I ended up getting the Al Pastor Tacos. This came with rice, guac, and 3 tacos. The tacos were like soft tacos, but slightly fried? Not sure how to describe it was I honestly wasn't the biggest fan. They were super greasy and dripping as I was trying to eat it. I felt like it was just average for the price. Overall, I think the service here was good, the amibiance was great, but the food could have been better. Maybe I just stop by and get some drinks and chips and salsa next time! read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Al Pastor Taco Plate - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California

My partner and I have been going here on and off for the last four years, and this place never disappoints with their food, atmosphere, and especially the service for our most recent visit. We took my parents here for the first time, and our server Aunnie was absolutely incredible; she was attentive, helpful with food suggestions, and had good chemistry with my parents and made sure they had a good experience. read more

This place is amazing! The service was great and the food is all so fresh and the tastes incredible. The drinks were a standout as well. I can't wait to go back. Loved the vibe of the entire place. And with the food and drinks being next level, this place will be getting added to the rotation. read more

Caló Kitchen + Tequila - Pollo Serrano - Mexican Near Me - Laguna Niguel, California