WOW, Casa de Onda is truly a magical hidden gem! From the moment you walk in, you are instantly transported to the vibrant atmosphere of a Tulum/Cabo/Cancun vacation/vibes. The attention to detail in the aesthetics/remodel is stunning with rattan lamps and plants, super spacious seating, cute patio furniture sets, 2 bars, & lots of backdrop photo opportunities. It honestly feels like a tropical oasis. They have recently remodeled and enclosed the space, making it perfectly private and cozy while blocking the wind. Parking in the garage, and walking up the elevator, finding the place was easy! The service here is superb, friendly, and quick. Photos on social media, website, and Yelp/Google simply do NOT do this place justice! At first a little skeptical normally cute places don't have good food, or vice versa good food but not a cute place. This place definitely delivered beyond both great food, cute ambience and more! Some of the poor quality photos and negative reviews made me a little nervous but our experience was nothing like it or maybe we are all not super humans and this place really listened and valued the feedback and stepped it up. Planning a surprise 70th birthday from out of town esp the event planner that I am, finding the perfect cute place and good food fitting for the birthday girl and our large family can be extremely challenging - you normally can not have it all. We actually canceled another place in hopes that Casa de Onda would deliver and execute the specific criterias we were looking for - yummy flavorful food, great service, and cute vibes; it's always all about the vibes now! Alex, the owner, was so prompt, responsive, patient, and helpful while we planned everything with multiple emails and proposals. Even though there was a preset menu option for our group of 27, they accommodated pre-orders off their regular menu which was more impressive since our guests came all the way from the Bay Area and some are locally and we love to always try a little of everything. Alex even checked in on us personally on the day of, super sweet. Our day-of host, Dave, was friendly, hardworking, and chillax, he was organized and have read through the email communication (which most others won't). Jessica and Rachelle were sweet and hustled to get our food and drinks out incredibly fast, and Arturo the bartender was super nice and quick with the drinks at the bar when we arrived early. The food was spectacular! This is not your bland overpriced Mexican American fusion as we are big on authentic and hole in the wall mom and pop kinda food. It is incredibly flavorful and beautifully plated/presented. The Vampire Asada and Pork Belly Tacos were a huge hit! This order was perfect with barely any leftovers for a group of 27 (22 adults and 5 kids). It is always extremely hard trying not to under or over order but we preordered a minimum and ordered a tad more day of which was so perfect. We had the food scheduled to come out back to backs for my hungry family Starters: 5:30pm 3 Chips & Salsa 2 Asada Nachos 2 Gem salad 3 Burrata heirloom tomatoes 3 Shrimp ceviche 3 Elote Corn riblets Tacos: 5:45pm 9 Vampire Asada 9 Pork Belly Total x 2 each = 36 tacos Entree: 6:00pm 3 Steak and truffle fries 3 Mole braised short ribs 3 Shrimp and fried grits 7:00pm Cake & Sing Happy Birthday! Brought and cut our own cake Nice of them to have sparklers for us! 7:15pm Sing surpise Happy Birthday to our 5 year old niece! Brownie cookie and ice cream This looked hella good saw that the kids devoured this lol 7:30pm Family photo/depart Kinda regret not ordering enchiladas and desserts but still ecstatic of the overall food, drinks and experience. Our family eats quick as anticipated, we finished the event within 2.5 hours (5pm-730pm), I wished we were able to spend another 1 hour or and just hang out to enjoy the place but the elders were done lol but now know of this place, we will def be back! Additional details: They also provided cute custom menus for our orders, which helped our guests know exactly what delicious food was coming out. The drinks were beautifully presented in cute cups, with the Mexican Strawberry Mule being a crowd favorite! The patio bar was so cute too, it felt we were on vacation in Cabo/Cancun They also have patio heaters/plenty of shade and music was cool! They have plenty of TV screens for the games, and even surprised us by a screen rollout already set up by our table when we arrive just for the NBA finals as I asked in emailed if there are nearest tvs but did not expect anything. This probably was the ultimate thoughtful gesture caring that was everything! Thank you so much Alex & Casa de Onda, for taking such a wonderful, warm, inviting, and thoughtful care with your heart and soul of our mom's 70th surprise birthday and making it an unforgettable celebration for our family as if it was your own family! You deserve a thousand stars and more! read more

We had a fun time here! Happy Hour from 5-6. Themed Drinks. Good Atmosphere. And, friendly staff. We came for the Love Island watch party on Thursday. The outdoor area has plenty of TV's, a bar, high top tables, lounge chairs, and regular tables. Inside the decor is nice and on brand. Upon arrival, you get the Love Island menu, a lei and a bingo card per person, and a chance to play in their predictions. Service was quick throughout the night even though they were packed. The nachos were yummy. We added chicken and they were good. Hefty servings and easily shared between two people. The drinks are also tasty. I do wish there were more food and drink options offered with Happy Hour prices. Only some drinks are on the happy hour list and nachos are discounted. That said, 10/10 would recommend this spot for a fun date night or a girls' hangout. read more

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I'll give it three stars for the music, the set up and the drinks minus the pricing of course. Service was garbage. Burrito I got the surf and turf it was OK but they brought it to me cold and the chipotle salsa that I requested had a hair in it. Drinks were great and the second person to help us was really cool. The chick that was the original bartender was kind of pushy and then she eased up a little bit. So I would say service set aside can fluctuate but the food would've been good I'm not sure how a burrito was served cold and then lukewarm in the middle. Totally grossed me out after the salsa. Glad I saw it on the chip rather than in my mouth! Music was good so I might go back but I don't know why it just always seems like this place is often a mess. Then they added extra on my bill that they didn't bring to me I ended up just taking the burrito home. So it was like a $60 bill for two drinks and a large burrito. Super small salsa and they charge you extra for more. So it's just honestly they could do so much better but the location I guess is what gets them in but I don't know I just feel like it was lacking. It doesn't make you feel like you're at a well run establishment. read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The atmosphere was super vacation vibe, and service was super amazing. There's people checking on us constantly! The food was delicious but the truffle fries didn't rly have a lot of truffle flavor and the steak though it is on the smaller side, was soo good, perfectly medium rare and soo tender. read more

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I self sat at the bar. Bartender was a nice female. She took my order and then later a male bartender took over and offered me water. When food arrived, the food smelled and looked delicious. Food was cooked just right and moist. For me, I needed more salt for the short rib. It was not salty at all, and not saying its a bad thing but for me, I think maybe it needed more salt. I ate my entire entree and was very satisfied. The ambience was great and dining was outdoors so you got the natural air which was not too far from the ocean. You got the natural night sky that you can stare out too. They had a live band and dim lighting for the evening. I noticed they had regulars arriving and catching up with them. It gave me a good feel that staff and guests were enjoying themselves and food options were all tempting. read more

Casa De Onda - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came in on a Saturday afternoon and were surprised to find the place completely empty -- not usually a great sign, and unfortunately it matched the experience. We ordered the La Jefe margarita and the Como La Flor, and both were pretty disappointing. For the price point, we expected way better quality and flavor. The food didn't help much either -- $18 for just two street tacos with no beans or rice felt steep, especially for what you get. The chicken enchiladas came out lukewarm with a bland, forgettable sauce. A few other things rubbed us the wrong way: no complimentary chips and salsa, and they charge a fee for using a credit card, which just adds to the frustration. On the positive side, the service was good and attentive, and the music was great -- probably the highlight of the visit. Overall, not a place we'd rush back to given the prices and lackluster food. read more

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We came here for OC Restaurant Week! We did not realize that this was actually La Vida Cantina before, so we were surprised to have come back. Not sure what happened here, but the service upon arriving was excellent. We got greeted by Dave and then our server was Cole. We got sat down and Cole was able to walk us through the menu. We decided on ordering the following: OC Restaurant Week Menu: We opted for the Shrimp Ceviche Avocado, Grilled Sirloin Steak and Arugula Salad, and Espresso Tres Leches. The Ceviche was ok. It only came with 3 shrimps and the tostada was pretty soft. It was stuffed with guacamole, which we ended up eating with the chips that we ordered on the side. The steak was super soft and cooked perfectly. The arugula salad was plentiful and good. We could not even finish this plate! I did not see this on the regular menu, but really liked it, so hopefully they do put it back on permanently. The cake was just alright. There was nothing too special about it. The coffee flavor was mild and the cake was a bit dry to what we prefer as a tres leches. Elote Corn Ribs: I have always seen corn ribs on my socials but never got a chance to try it, so we opted to try these. I would say nothing too special for the price. I wish it had more sauce to it. Most of the sauce was smeared over the pate, and it really just tasted like grilled corn at that point. Chips and Salsa: This is extra here. Not used to having to order chips and salsa and a mexican restaurant, but portion was good for the price. These chips were a bit on the thicker side and not as salty as I usually like. Salsa was also average without any spice/kick to it. It was very mild. Pork Belly Tacos: This was a suggestion made by Cole and it was a great one!! Thank you! We really liked these. Very different from the tacos we are used to, but it had a slight char and a lot of flavor. I especially liked the crisp from the fried onions in it, which is not something we are used to having on our tacos! We also got 2 alcohlic drinks, but I forgot to write down what those drinks were. Honestly, not very memorable and would just opt out for water! Dave and Cole really made this experience for us! We were very impressed by their effort to have genuine conversation and take care of us. They checked in on not just us, but other tables constantly. Not the biggest fan of the location, since the street to get there is so packed all the time, but parking was easy and walking to the restaurant was no trouble. I just thought it was a bit too pricey for what you are getting and sad that we probably won't get to order the Sirloin plate again. Will have to come back for Taco Tuesday to try their other items! read more

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Parking was in a garage & there were spots available without much trouble. The ambiance is fun, with a live DJ adding to the energy, and the place feels like a resort in Mexico. Service was fast and friendly throughout the visit. I had a hibiscus margarita, which was refreshing and really enjoyable. The chips and guac were a good start, and the chicken enchiladas were tasty, paired with rice and beans on the side. Overall, a lively spot with good food and a great atmosphere. read more

The place looks very much like the former La Vida but the menu appears to have gotten a nice upgrade. The girls and I decided to try it out for Cinco de Mayo and had a nice time. We enjoyed their selection of margaritas and ordered several entrees. I loved their lobster tacos and my best friend similarly loved their beef short ribs. They had a dj spinning and a lively scene so we'll likely be back again. read more

Had a fun group dinner with work colleagues on Cinco d Mayo of all days. The place is definitely a party spot if you want to eat and have a good time. Where we were it quite enough. Food and drinks were good. I had the standard margarita, which was fine. Everyone liked their food, which was a step above the standard Cal-Mex fare but not quite to where the more elevated nuevo-Mex places are. Overall, if you want good food and a fun vibe, this is an excellent choice. read more

This place is amazing! This place use to be the La Vida and we did hung out here a few times before. Now it's Casa de Onda. Anyway, my husband & I attended the Cinco de Mayo culinary adventure by Chuck Popick & Poorman KOCI Radio. We hung out at the bar since we got there early & enjoyed a couple of cocktails, Mexican Strawberry mule and La Jefa. The bartenders were so friendly and personable. We had an amazing buffet dinner that their chef presented for the event that also included desserts too. read more

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What a great surprise! On Friday night taking a walk around triangle square we noticed the new Casa De Onda. We stopped in for a spicy margarita which was fantastic. The team was super friendly and Sean our server/bartender was super friendly and knowledgeable. Since taking over the space they have done some upgrades of bamboo fence around the perimeter to give you a more private feeling. It was a nice touch. We didn't try food but, will have to go back another time to try some goodies. read more

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Been wanting to go here and I love the night vibes. Only came for a drink but I want to come back and eat and try more drinks. It's a good spot if you're on a date or with a group. The menu looked so good and can't wait to try it. My drink was yummy too. My friends ordered the guac so I snacked on that but it was late so I just needed to go home early. read more

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Casa De Onda is the old La Vida Cantina. It probably has much of the same owners since not a lot has changed. It has been years since we've been here but we finally did since we were in the area. We ordered chicken quesadillas and ceviche as starters. Both were pretty good especially the ceviche. The bartenders were also nice. The prices were slightly above the norm here but that's what we get for sitting under a palapa I guess. When the bill came, they add a 4% charge fee. I went ahead and took that off the tip since I didn't order a charge fee and you should do the same. read more

Casa De Onda - Complimentary Chips & Salsa in the outdoor bar area. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The food is great and the service is fantantic...come and try this new place... Good place to relax and eat... read more

Casa De Onda - Pork Belly Benedict. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I was so excited to try this restaurant since it got a new menu and was rebranded under a new name. Unfortunately the experience fell flat. The food was mediocre and over priced, the ambiance was loud even on a week night. And they don't offer chips and salsa complimentary with your meal which to me is a staple at any good Mexican restaurant. Our server was nice but we did have to flag them down multiple times to place orders and get the check. I will not be returning. read more

Very aesthetic brunch spot in triangle square. They also have a live DJ in evenings and in some afternoons I believe. We came on Saturday around 11:30. It was not very busy and we got to choose our seat. We sat outside on this beautiful warm February day. Our waiter Mike was super friendly and attentive. We got the chips and salsa, breakfast burrito, pollo benedict, egg and asada tostada, ceviche, pork belly benedict and churro brioche. The breakfast burrito was made well with crunchy tater tots and a not too greasy flavorful chorizo with plenty of scrambled egg, would for sure get this again! The pollo benedict came with a crispy chicken on a biscuit, it was flavorful and pretty well executed. The pork belly benedict lacked some flavor and was a little disappointing. The asada tostada was not only excellent but had such a massive serving of protein it was at least 2 meals. The ceviche was fresh and delicious. The salsa is going to be my biggest complaint. It was sort of bland and did not have much of a kick. I also wish they gave little individual salsas with the breakfast burritos. We also got drinks! The Cantarito and Mango Fuego. Both made perfectly and not just full of sugar. I will say it was mild on the alcohol so if you're looking for a buzz it's not happening with these drinks. Now let's talk dessert, the churro brioche. Well OMG all I really have to see is please get this! It was made so perfectly and and had such a great flavor combo. It was also a generous portion for a table to share. I think this is a great place for a girls group, it is not only beautiful, they have a great variety of drinks and good food and take reservations. read more

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The mo'jitos mo problems is a great fruity drink for someone that doesn't like to taste alcohol. It's sweet and tart, leaning very lemonade and hides the alcohol very well. PSA is it very sweet read more

Casa De Onda - Mo'jitos Mo Problems - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Unfortunately, we were not fans of the new restaurant that took over La Vida. First of all, the happy hour was not happy prices. It's $9 for a Margarita? Are you kidding me? And the appetizers, certain ones, were only $3 off. And they are pricey. We all left paying too much for not eating THAT much. Also, it was kinda sad to see the place so empty, especially for a taco Tuesday. Maybe cause there are no taco Tuesday deals! The location looks the same as La Vida with a small update on the decor. It's a very Jamaican, tropical vibe, and they were playing that type of music. Very upbeat. I did like the music personally, but someone in my group commented it needs to be more "today" and popular. It was more of an electronic club atmosphere. But I enjoyed it. The waiter was super nice, he didn't mention the tip was already added until someone on my team asked. So I did end up overtipping but that's fine. He was nice dude. We will likely not return for happy hour here. read more

I have to revise my previous recommendation. The owner of this place is hands-on and fantastic and if you don't get tacos, everything else on the menu is actually really really good. I would definitely suggest checking it out if you get a chance and they have so many days with entertainment that you can't go wrong during the day or night.. read more

Casa De Onda - 2 BoringAF Carne Asada "street tacos". - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Everytime I'm in oc I always love to eat at casa de Onda! Great place to sit with friends and enjoy a nice dinner! The drinks, food and atmosphere are all great! Always have good music playing. Usually order the chips & salsa, lobster quesadilla, surf & the burrito with habanero salsa, and to drink the all nighter watermelon drink! So so good and look forward to coming back again read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Today we went to celebrate Mother's Day at Casa de Onda and I'm happy with the service my family and I received. Initially we were sat at a table where we got direct sunlight and well, it got hot real quick. I asked if we were able to move and the staff made it happen. Our waiter Michael was attentive and highly professional. To celebrate with us I took my baby dog and Michael was kind to bring her a cup of cold fresh water, it was a small gesture but I thought that was really kind of him. Our food was great! Everything was brought out to us in a timely manner. My family and I will definitely be back! read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I loved my experience here, as soon as we walked in the owner walked us to our table and then found an even better table for us for pictures since it was my birthday dinner. You can tell he is very sweet and grateful. My server was absolutely amazing I forgot her name but she brought me a free dessert with sparkler lights on top. She actually brought me another sparkler because the first one went out before I could take pictures. It's those little things that matter a lot, and they made my birthday experience worth it and amazing. The food was pretty good, I mostly went for the vibe but the drinks were amazing, it's a little expensive but if you're looking for a good vibe and music then this is the place!! read more

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Great taste of tacos & enchiladas. A bit weird with extra fees. Clean place & on point service. A bit spicy but worth what I paid for. read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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what A Great experience I just had, From walking in with a warm greeting and a sincere smile, first time here and they helped me get all set up, called my other Vet for me and got all the pertinent information. No wait time either, now im registered here and Dr Leslie is quite amazing! read more

Casa De Onda - My Benny is so Happy - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The food was amazing. The service was excellent. The ambiance was great!!!!!! The atmosphere and people were very welcoming.

Really great food, the burger was very unique and delicious we also loved the environment. Server was great. Drinks were ok in my opinion. read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Last time I was here there was a party with belly dancers, a DJ, a violinist, major vibes. The food is good, drinks are poppin, service is always good. There's TV's at the bar to watch the game, they'll change the channel for you too. read more

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Beautiful Mexican restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and nightlife. The food was very good. The Street corn riblets are delicious and the Carne Asada was also very good. Highly recommend. read more

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Came from Vegas after a couple years and was so excited to see what was new around Costa Mesa / Newport. I was looking for a place with good food and a spot to wrap up my work day. Being from Vegas the bar is set pretty high when I'm looking for a location that makes me feel my money is well spent. Good Mexican-American fusion food is hard to come by. This spot definitely delivered. The renovation of the location is absolutely stunning it feels like a resort restaurant I almost forgot I was in the shopping center. The staff is very attentive and welcoming I was working remotely and I wasn't rushed out or bothered as I took my time to enjoy a gorgeous day. They made sure I was comfortable and checked on me continuously. The menu has great selections and so many unique flavor combinations from appetizers to complete entrees. The ceviche and corn ribblets were perfect snacks and the lobster tacos were delicious and very well portioned. I had such a good time I brought friends back with me the following night and was stunned when I saw the location transform into the perfect spot for a night out. Live DJ sets, space to dance, great vibes. This was perfect for a group of girls some hungry and some just wanting to have a good time. The service while they had nearly every seat in the house full was nothing short of fantastic. Spending the evening trying their different cocktails was time and money well spent. This will be a staple in my future visits. read more

Overall would rate this place a 3.8/5 stars. It was easy to make reservations in advance on OpenTable. Promptly seated and greeted by the host upon arrival. The service was excellent, and our waitress was very helpful and accommodating. Overall, the ambience has improved from the past ownership having really appreciated the plants, new lighting as well as the new layout. Ordered the all nighter drink, and the tropic spark which were delicious. Started with the Elotes that were super easy to eat and well seasoned. Also ordered the nachos, which were a great deal since they were so large. I would definitely order the nachos again, especially with a crowd. Ordered the enchiladas, but had to return due to not being able to eat them. When I asked the waitress, she was very understanding and even took them off our bill since we were unable to eat them. Would definitely recommend this place to friends and family. read more

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The smoked short ribbed was so good! I love the ambiance it reminds me of Tulum. The service was great our waiter was so sweet and recommended the ceviche and the salad. read more

Restaurant week! Another in the books. Casa De Onda used to be called Vida. I am unsure if it's new owners but they did mention that they will have a focus on food awhile still providing night life vibes on weekends. I was not a big fan of the appetizers they were alright but go along with some drinks. The tacos I believe were the best part, the meat was not dry and had a lot of flavor. The reason why not a lower rating is because they had really great customer service. We were able to chat with the manager about new food places. They had a new server, Cole, he was great. Cole was able to walk us through the menu and gave us some options on what to eat that were budget friendly. Great job team! read more

The food was mid and room temperature, but it wasn't served warm, which was disappointing. The service also wasn't great and could have been more attentive. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but there are definitely areas that could be improved. Unfortunately, we won't be coming back. read more

I have to write this review because Alex the owner saved our New Years eve night experience! My girlfriend and I and a few friends booked a table through a host called "house of lumma" for a VIP bottle experience. When we arrived we saw a line out front. Naturally we thought there would be 2 lines. One for tickets and one for vip tables. Apparently it was just one line for everyone. When we asked the host of house of lumma, he proceeded to become aggressive and angry with our concerns. He then yelled that we "need to get to back of the line and if we dont like it we can GTFO!" I was in shock of how he spoke specifically to my girlfriend and I kept my cool since I never experienced that and did not want to cause a scene just like the host did. As we proceed to enter, we are taken to our table that already had a party of 5 people sitting. We realized they double booked the table that we specifically asked for since they all had numbers on a map that was texted to us. Furious my girlfriend and I found Alex the owner of Casa De Onda. He immediately was apologetic and wanted to resolve the issue. I was on the verge of wanting to just to leave and call it a night. Alex completely turned our night around. He got a table that was plenty of room for our party of 6 and brought us a bottle and drinks comped by him. It really shows how much he genuinely cares about his service and restaurant reputation. As any owner of a business should! I thank him so much for making our NYE experience a much more positive one than how it started out. He brought us food and even surprised us with THE most amazing tequila that I will post a photo. It truly made me want to come back to his restaurant and support this establishment! I will absolutely be back and I wanted to personally thank Alex again before we left. His servers who were also so kind and attentive to the unfortunate debacle from the host "house of lumma" - informed me that He was busy but I will 100000% back and will always support this place! The food, the drinks, the vibe and location of the restaurant were also truly incredible. The place has multiple bars as well that is alot of fun for the night outs. You wont regret visiting Casa De Onda if you are looking for exceptional cuisine and a night to remember. Thank you Alex and your staff again. read more

Casa De Onda - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Dhamar is the absolute best bartender, she is so sweet and will always brighten up your day!!! 10/10 recommend Casa de Onda!

Cole was INCREDIBLE! We came here for my thirtieth birthday and he was AMAZING. So fun and I had a lot of annoying requests and he handled them like a champ! Go Cole! Four for you Glen Cole Cole! read more

We were invited to a birthday celebration at this restaurant. The food was good but they were not fast in replenishing the chafing dishes and people were scraping what was leftover. Also, the place was popping. read more

Service: Sergio was our server and he was very attentive! Food and drinks came out timely and he was always around if we needed anything. Food: We ordered the smoked chicken wings and tomato burrata salad. Both were delicious! You also get chips and salsa for the table; my favorite salsa was the green one - mainly because it was the most mild lol The Smoked Short Rib was very tender. We also had the Shrimp Enchiladas which may look like a small portion but it's not; the shrimp inside are very meaty! My sister ordered the Steak Frites and the steak was cooked to PERFECTION! Ambiance: The music and fire pits both created a beachy, on-vacation feel. Whoever was in charge of the playlist definitely had my approval; upbeat enough that you wanted to sway and dance while also being low enough that you didn't have to strain to talk to your party. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place. Good for groups but especially great if you want a cute date night spot!! read more

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Beautifully exotic atmosphere, my friend & I wanted a quick bite & drink that ended up turning into an incredible experience thanks to our server Ash!! Delicious!! read more

Casa De Onda - Ranch water, modelo especial - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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