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This place is so cute! In the heart of old town Tustin. Open air seating, good vibes + the best service and food. Everything we ordered was so good. I forgot the names of them all but just trust me on this one! Our server brought us out their house made hot sauce that complimented every dish we ordered. Don't forget to ask for it! One was a black charred ghost pepper paste like sauce, nothing like I've ever had. So good. The best thing about all of the food was nothing was too saucy or salty. My girlfriends ordered some drinks and they loved it too. We went on a Thursday and they had a farmers market on the streets as well!
I came here with a reservation for a birthday dinner with a big group. We ordered the family menu set to share with everyone. The set menu was super filling and the food was pretty good. My favorites is the steak and salad. It was super yummy. The food did take awhile to come out but the servers checked up on us often. Overall, the food was good but a bit pricey. I would come back for special occasions and try other items on the menu next time!
Wow. Totally outstanding. We had reservations for 1:30, but traffic was really bad so it looked like our arrival time was more like 2 o'clock. We call them and give them a heads up and wondered if there was still availability. Melody was pretty transparent and said that there is a different menu between two and five ---a more limited menu. She asked if there was anyway we could get there before 2 o'clock. Long story short, she was super gracious and told the cooks that we would get there a little after two and they would make us something from the lunch menu. Isa was our waitress, and she was phenomenal! Great sense of humor, very transparent about the different menu items. I got a copal and it was fantastic! Smoky and spicy, but not too spicy. We started our late lunch with Caesar salad, Sopa Limon, Seabreem fish dish. We also got the cubano. We were so stuffed by the end of it, but everything was phenomenal. The Caesar salad was a great way to start the meal, but after a couple of bites of it once we had the other dishes, it didn't stand out as much. We probably would've ordered the same thing all over again, with the exception of the Caesar salad (although it was still good!) Sopa Limon had a very unique bone broth flavor. It was a little sweet. So amazing. Seabreem dish - the vegetables played an important part in the flavors! The fries and the aïoli for the Cubano was amazing. The Cubano was excellent, but was a big serving. We sat outdoors, but if I had to have my choice, I would prefer indoors because the ambience indoors is similar to a resort. It reminds us of a place up in the Bay Area called Luna in Campbell. Except the food here is slightly better :). Will definitely return!
Sooooo good. This place is amazing. Every detail is in order. Val was our most excellent server and she was great! Inside seating or outside seating you can't go wrong. The cocktails are great nice beer selection great wine list. I had a Willamette Pinot Noir call Coeur de Terre. My group only had small plates as we were not that hungry but the quality of all our dishes makes me want to come back for the Platos Fuertes! Definitely come give this place a chance and ask for Val.
First of all, please note the lunch menu is just 1 page and I heard the dinner menu is more expansive! I had lunch with 2 girlfriends and 3 toddlers under the age of 3... and somehow, we all survived and everything was delicious. My favorite was definitely the ceviche: it was fresh and tart and clean and full of flavor. The shrimp dish was kind of like a pizza? but it was good with the ceviche sauce. The service was excellent- our water cups were never empty, and the toddlers were given cups with lids. The ambiance is vibey and bright, and there is a full bar. I am suuuuuure it gets crazy at nighttime, but during the day (and it was Saturday!), parking was not bad and I saw lots of cars go in and out.
Chaak is at the center of charming Old Town Tustin. Between walks around this captivating area, you can relax at Chaak's patio or inside its modern dining room to enjoy its supreme Yucatecan cuisine. Cochinita Pibil: When you unwrap the banana leaves, the prize is the pork shoulder that has been smoked for 12 hours. Grab some of the insanely tender pork with the warm and supple blue corn tortillas. Add some achiote-sour orange braising juice, pickled onions and watermelon radishes. Top it with the avocado puree and salsas. Also add some black charred habanero sauce, whose fiery heat puts this dish over the top. Pulpo al Guajillo: The grilled octopus is lightly charred and crispy, and nice and meaty on the inside. The garbanzo bean puree is like the smoothest creamiest hummus. The diced chayote is similar to young potatoes with a little crunch. Crumbled red chorizo enhances the savoriness of the ingredients. And the hoja santa gremolata is a medley of green herbal flavors. Ceviche Campeche: The cubes of striped bass and octopus are delicate and soft, combined with yellow and red cherry tomatoes, onions, cilantro, scoops of avocado, avocado mousse, cucumber, watermelon radish, and leche de tigre. The zing from the lime juice and the crunch of the blue tortillas makes for a perfect bite. Tamal Colado: This is a deconstructed tamal. The masa is molded into a slender rectangular block. The consistency of the masa is like pudding, just really soft and creamy. Chile braised lamb shank is placed on the masa. Then, an herby tangle of carrot tops and sorrel leaves go on top. On either side are clumps of crunchy cucumber-mint xni pek and silky hazelnut muhammara. Parrillada Yucatan: If you are still hungry, this mixed grill plate will do the job. The prime skirt steak is exquisitely cooked, so soft, moist, and tender. The smoked sausage has a wonderful flavor and is a little spicy. Pollo pibil has a dry rub of achiote and sour orange, and it gives a nice smoky kick. Chuuk Trio: This appetizer plate features sikil p'ak (a dip of pumpkin seeds), guacamole, and salsa. Dip the tortillas and light and crispy rinds into these dips.
I had high hopes for this place when looking up places to take my mother for her birthday. Highly recommend making a reservation. Once we arrived, we were seated relatively quickly. The inside was decorated beautifully and there were plenty of tables for parties of any size. We tried many different things. The food tasted good but I personally felt that the dishes were more to the blander side. When asked if there was anything they offer for a birthday, we were just told by the staff plainly that this restaurant 'offers nothing complimentary' right in front of my family. That's fine, but on a whole atmosphere level, I won't be taking my family back here or recommending this place to my friends. There are better options close by.
Had the pleasure of dining at Chaak, and since I knew I'd be in the area that day, I decided it was best to make reservations. We arrived about 15-20 minutes early because we weren't sure how busy it would be. When we walked in, it was surprisingly slow, which was odd, the maitre d took a good minute to seat us. There were plenty of available tables, but she decided to wait until exactly 6:30, which felt a bit off. Our server also took a while, maybe another 10-15 minutes to arrive, but at least someone was pouring water in the meantime. After some time, Lyndsay came over apologizing, explaining she was busy cleaning up broken wine bottles? Once that was sorted, everything got much better. We ordered the bone-in NY steak, octopus (pulpo asado), esquites, and finally the Bombas! Everything was absolutely -- it was a fantastic experience. I can't wait to visit their sister location, which offers more modern Mexican cuisine, compared to Chaak, which is inspired by the Yucatan Peninsula. Very modern ambiance! Reservations not required but highly suggested!
Quality Mexican food. The ceviche was pretty good I like the freshness, the Caesar was whatever, tacos are decent. The highlight is their sea bream - so fresh w the sauce and goes perfectly with the carmelized onion. Also their empanada is corn and super crispy and cheesy. Great ambiance and great staff!
I ate here with a group of work colleagues. When I had Googled the location before coming I realized that I would be eating at my first Michelin star rated restaurant in the US. This in a old downtown area of Tustin where parking is limited; I had to cruise around the block a few times to find a parking place on the street. We were seated after checking in with a reservation. The restaurant is dimly-lit so I needed the light on my phone to illuminate the menu. I started out with the Higa, a gin cocktail. There were quite a few offerings to chose from but ended up getting the half chicken. That chicken had a generous spice rub on it and gave it great flavor. I was disappointed that they had very limited offerings for vegetables. My colleagues were pleased with their food and the service was good. I had never been to a Michelin starred restaurant in the US and didn't know what to expect. I was surprised when I saw how plain the restroom was. This was a four star experience for me.
I asked an OC foodie friend to recommend a good brunch spot around Santa Ana, and his answer was immediate: "Chaak Kitchen, hands down." Great call--and it's even listed in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant is beautiful, with inviting indoor/outdoor seating (a bonus since I could bring my dog). The brunch menu is somewhat limited, but there are still plenty of appealing options. We started with the empanadas, which were excellent--perfectly crisp, filled with melted Oaxaca cheese and scented with epazote, and served with a tangy habanero romesco. The ceviche campeche was equally impressive: bass and octopus with avocado and cucumber over a bed of avocado mousse, accompanied by blue corn tacos. Two of us ordered the Cubana torta with spicy fries. The roasted pork, Nueske ham, pickles, and Swiss cheese came together on a perfectly griddled roll. However, the chilaquiles rojos our friend chose were less successful--once the fried egg, crema, and avocado were gone, what remained was a plate of tortillas drenched in red sauce. Still, this Yucatán-inspired spot is a gem--and to top it off, our wonderful server was named Maya!
This place seems to be highly recommended by people online, so we were extremely excited to try it. We came in around 8:40 p.m., and they told us they were closing soon, so we had about five minutes to put in our order. That wasn't an issue for us--we already knew what we wanted and understood we were coming in a bit late. The main issue was that our food came out undercooked. We ordered the Marisco en Arroz Negro, and some of the shrimp were undercooked--the bottoms were still transparent. We asked the server about it, and they told us, "It's usually fully cooked, but these tiger prawns can be eaten raw." But this dish is supposed to be cooked?? I didn't want to risk it tho. They did offer to remake it for us. Unfortunately, that experience kind of killed the vibe. I understand that mistakes happen, but for a dish that costs $52, you'd expect more care. Maybe it was because we came in close to closing time--I'm not sure--but overall it left a bad impression. Putting that aside and focusing on the food itself: aside from the undercooked seafood, the flavors were good. The crispy black rice was different, and I enjoyed the texture. The seafood tasted fresh. However, there were two major downsides--the dish was way too salty and extremely heavy. You can't finish it without feeling like you just drank a bunch of oil. We also ordered the castacán (pork belly taco). It was good, but overly sour. That said, I really enjoyed the tortilla--it tasted fresh and well made. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place. Maybe this was just our experience, but it felt way too expensive for what it delivered and didn't have a wow factor.
CHAAK Kitchen is one of those places you walk into and immediately know you're in for something special. The flavors are bold, layered, and so thoughtfully done. Every dish feels like it was crafted with intention. The proteins were perfectly cooked, and the sauces had that deep, savory richness you can't fake. The atmosphere is warm and modern without trying too hard, and the service was genuinely kind and attentive. You can really feel the pride in everything they bring to the table. If you're looking for food that's memorable, elevated, and still comforting, CHAAK Kitchen is absolutely worth the visit. I'd come back in a heartbeat.
25 days ago
My wife and I arrived at 11am on a Saturday with no reservations and had no issue with getting a table. There were a few other people and more arrived as it got closer to noon. The restaurant is very well designed with beautiful decorations and plants scattered throughout. The ceiling can slide open and in the evenings they move the sun shades so you can view the sky. The restaurant is noisy as you go deeper in the restaurant, particularly at dinner time so if you're looking to have a conversation the outdoor or high top seating is probably a better option. After tasting our second appetizer, we started planning our return visits to try out the brunch and dinner menus. Every dish and drink was unique in flavors, textures, tastes, and presentations. I haven't regretted trying any of the dishes, even the ones that didn't particularly appeal to me. The cocktails are creative and unique as well. We tried the La Blancha- more or less a passionfruit margarita mocktail and the Alma De Maiz which had an incredible variety of flavors. They also offer French press coffee with lunch which wasn't listed on the menu but was a strong but smooth roast of coffee. I think the ceviche has been our favorite overall dish. The shrimp hurache had perfectly cooked shrimp and a variety of toppings and sauces served in little triangle pieces. The branzino was amazing, perfectly cooked with a peppers onions and served with a spicy salsa on the side along with tortillas. We also got the cochita pibil panucho; the pork was incredibly tender and flavorful. We had way too much food for 2 people with these 4 dishes. We returned with 4 people for dinner and wished we had more people so we could try more dishes. The standout dish was the octopus, which was incredibly tender and well seasoned. We got two larger plates, the Mariano en arroz and pollo pibil. Both the seafood and the chicken were slightly overcooked, but the overall taste and presentation were still very good. read more
Girls Dinner at a cute and cozy modern Yucatán style restaurant in Old Town Tustin. My friend and I ordered the branzino and pork belly tacos. The food was delicious and the presentation was there. Our waitress was sweet & attentive. It was pretty busy was for a Tuesday night but the food came out fast. I must say, if you're trying to have an intimate conversation it probably would be a little difficult because it does get loud. It's not the restaurant's fault but the drunk work Christmas party next to us lol. This is a Michelin guide restaurant so prices are a little on the pricier side but once you try the food, it just makes sense. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area. read more
We came here to celebrate my husbands 40th birthday. I left speechless. All nine of us did from start to finish dinner for 3 hours was nothing short of spectacular, our server Scott was so incredible! Our pre-fix menu came out to $75 per person not including extras like drinks, tips etc. We started off with empanadas that were to die for, and then ceviche with chips bursting with flavor. You know that so much time is taken into each dish. We can't wait to come back here to celebrate another event. I feel like you def get more bang for your buck by coming with a large party. You can sample more food and just enjoy family style the wonders of Yucatán food. Love the aesthetics inside, comfortable seating and they offer valet parking but you can park on the side streets. Just warning you ahead of time... you will have a good time, you will laugh so hard that you force the table of 4 in front of you to move but hey.. that just means everyone gets accommodated enjoy it to the fullest, it's so worth it. read more
2 months ago
One of the best Bib Gourmands I've ever had. Service was great and fast. Ambiance was authentic Mexican and intimate. Got the Parillada Yucatán. Was essentially a meat plate with tortillas. 10/10 read more
27 days ago
8 months ago
We came here to have a late Friendsgiving/early Christmas get together. Made reservations thru opentable, easy check in, we were seated right away. All the staffs were great, very welcoming. The place is nice, very modern,clean. Our server Spencer was the best, he knew the whole entire menu and explained every detailed about each entree, we took all his recommendations, he was the best. Everything that we ordered was top notch amazing. We ordered the octopus, esquites, empanada for appetizers. got the mariscos and bone in NY as mains; for dessert we got the banana cotta and chocolate mousse. Amazing experience, will def come back and try the branzino- as recommended! Thank you Spencer for the experience! read more
3 months ago
This place was absolutely incredible! My family and I came for my mom's birthday and our waitress Maya was so sweet! We ordered the corn, ceviche, steak, empanadas, and literally so much more but it all was a 10/10! read more
excellent Mexican restaurant. Seriously like, Javier's and similar weak ass joins like Ola, Puesta, Sol etc..need to take note of several things Even though I'm a fan of the Javier peeps, and my fellow Baja Californian natives..but Javier's could never do a ceviche like the one here at Chaak. It's definitely one of their best dishes, if not the BEST. Ceviche Campeche: 10/10 Castacan (pork belly tacos) 8/10 Bone-In New York: 9/10 Their two salsas are also fantastic. Love them The service and hospitality definitely deserve that Michelle recognition. They were all excellent and super accommodating. Tbh, I had been here before 2 or 3 times but perhaps hadnt ordered the right things to my liking or caught them on an off night. Totally plausible since I went once during the pandemic when it was just outside, and the other time just went for like a quick casual lunch with my dog. But regardless, I feel there have been major improvements. Can't wait to try their Sunday brunch soon. The ambiance and decor inside is super bitchin btw. To this day haven't gotten the chance to eat inside but will make sure to do so next time. read more
1 year ago
First off, that Copal mezcal cocktail? Whew. Refreshing enough to revive your soul, smoky enough to make you question your life choices--in the best way possible. And don't even get me started on the almejas al vapor. Those clams come swimming in this magical green broth that defies description. Herbal, coastal, rich... honestly, it's one of those "don't ask, just order it" situations. Chaak is the type of place that makes you wonder why you ever settled for mediocre Mexican food in your life. Just come ready to be humbled--and maybe a little tipsy. read more
3 months ago
We had a reservation for Easter brunch and were seated promptly. We ordered family-style for the table, and everything we tried was delicious. There were a couple of dishes we were hoping to try, but they weren't available on the brunch menu. The service was friendly and we had a nice time. There's street parking across the street which was easy enough early on Sunday. read more
8 days ago
This place makes it feel like you are transported back to Mexico because of the decor and open aired ceiling. Our server was great and helped us choose the right amount of food so we didn't over do it. We had the grilled octopus, bone marrow and corn, chayote, Branzino fish, and cheese enchiladas. The bone marrow corn was my favorite. Super tasty. The grilled octopus was slightly spicy, but had a good flavor. read more
Chaak Kitchen is an upscale Mexican eatery with a Yucatán-inspired menu. This spot is located right in the heart of Old Town Tustin. To get here, street parking will most likely be your best bet and there is a good amount of it around the area. Reservations are also recommended so make sure to plan accordingly. Inside, they have a good amount of seating with a gorgeous interior paired alongside a lively atmosphere and ambiance. For their menu, they have a selection of different small dishes and entrees to choose from. I stopped by for dinner with a group of homies and we opted to go family style. We ended up ordering the Esquites, Empanadas, Pollo Pibil, Cochinita Pibil, Salbute Pato Ahumado, Marisco En Arroz Negro, and the Pulpo Al Guajillo. Overall, everything we had tasted delicious and the presentation for every dish was absolutely stunning. All of the staff here are very friendly and accommodating. This is a great spot for an upscale date or a nice meal with homies. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here. There is a reason why spot has over 1,000+ positive reviews! read more
What a great spot! We had already finished an early dinner but the menu and drinks looked great so we decided to check it out. Glad we did because it was a vibe! We didn't make reservations so there was a 40 min wait. Fortunately we weren't hungry so we didn't mind waiting. We sat on the couches in front and admired the decor. They also offered if we wanted to order drinks first while we waited for a seat at the bar. Their margaritas were Yums! It's a Yucatán style restaurant and the flavors were very unique. The Carne crudo (beef tartare) reminded me of a peppery soy sauce taste. I looked up the ingredients, and found out that porcini -black garlic is pretty much a bunch of spices. It's a flavor I haven't tried, and it's deliciously mixed with crispy taro chips and tortilla chips. Try it! We also ordered the bone marrow esquites. The corn was very sweet and perfectly blended together. The bone marrow had very little marrow but it paired well with everything. It was busy on a Friday so it's best to make a reservation. I definitely recommend this place, check it out! read more
15 days ago
What great food and atmosphere. The food is a fusion and really good. I like sitting at the bar when i come here ,and the bartenders are great and make some amazing cocktails. We ordered a bunch of food, tapas style to try it all. Portions can be a little on the smaller side, but where the lack in quantity , then make up for with flavor and quality. I have been here 2 times and would come back for sure. Parking is on the street, there are some lots but they are "reserved" and you might get towed. Its worth checking out and believe they have a recommendation from michelin. read more
Love this little gem in Tustin. Fine dining right in the heart of old Tustin. Our server was fanatic, good and drinks were phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and try the octopus, the esquites, and the cocktails! Make reservations to ensure you don't have a wait. read more
Stumbled across this great place while out for a walk while visiting my son and DIL. It has a wonderful atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. The service is top shelf and very helpful and friendly servers help navigate a great menu. The spicy Margarita was one of the best I have ever had . We also had the beef tartare which was outstanding. I like it with an egg but it was still very good. I will be back. read more
11 months ago
Such a good spot for a unique take on mexican food. This spot is perfect for groups and you can share everything family style that way you get to taste everything. The meats were cooked perfectly and they were so delicious. I really enjoyed their drink menu and especially enjoyed the margarita options they had. Our waitress was very attentive and they continued to grab empty plates and refill drinks throughout our meal. I would love to go back and try the branzino! read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
Chaak Kitchen was an outstanding dining experience from start to finish. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Every dish exceeded my expectations--the flavors were vibrant, well-balanced, and beautifully spiced. Each course showcased incredible attention to detail, and my palate thoroughly enjoyed every bite. It's clear that great care goes into both the food and the overall guest experience. I highly recommend Chaak to anyone looking for exceptional Mexican cuisine and memorable hospitality. read more
2 months ago
Mexican food is an aphrodisiac which excites the passion for living. It courts, seduces, ravishes, then cherishes all five senses -- Richard Condon, The Mexican Stove: What To Put On It and In It, 1973 Somehow my Chaak review has disappeared...my photos used to be featured too. Very weird. Anyway, Chaak in my mind is the best restaurant in OC. So it gets one of the first 2025 reviews from me. Been here multiple times including ordering takeout during the COVID years. Prefer the table for 5-6 at the corner window. Best items to order: Ceviche, Charred Octopus, Duck Salbutes, Smoked Pork, the meat plate, basque cheesecake...oh, also the charred carrots when in season. Cocktails and wine list are interesting. Corkage I think is up to $30. Service is usually very friendly. The ambiance is cool yet OC. It's nice when the food opens up in the summer. A huge missed opportunity for them not having live music or staying open later. Especially with the strong drink program. Highly recommended :-) read more
2 months ago
If you like Mexican food, but are searching for something a little different... Chaak is the spot for you. ::Food:: Chuuk Trio / Hiramasa Crudo / Parrillada Yucatan / Bombas Chuuk Trio: Next level chips and salsa. You get "spicy" guac, red salsa, and sikil pa' k which is like a pumpkin seed hummus-ish. The chips are a combo of homemade blue corn tortilla chips, chicharrones, taro root mini tostadas. Overall 5/5 Hiramasa Crudo: Maybe the best thing I ate here. There is so much going on at once that I cannot even describe what I ate. The fish is fresh, the apple is total wildcard that works perfectly with the dish and everything else is just a vessel to the greatness. Use the chips from the trio to make small bites even better. Overall 5/5 Parrillada Yucatan: Sausage, Chicken, Steak + homemade corn tortillas. The star of this was the chicken for me. It was nicely smoked giving it some depth of flavor. The steak was pretty standard for me, nothing too special. The sausage was unlike anything I've ever tasted. The flavors were unique and potent. Overall it was just okay imo 3.5/5 Bombas: Beignets meet Churros. They were good and a nice way to end the meal. They are served with some dark chocolate and dulce de leche to add some sweetness. 4/5 ::Service / Restaurant:: Issa, our server, was great. She was super attentive, gave recommendations, and was constantly checking on us. You will never run out of water here as they are always stopping by to refill glasses nonstop. The decor inside is very nice and fits the Mayan / Yucatan theme nicely! ::Notes:: Overall it was a very pleasant experience. Some of the flavors were not my cup of tea, but that's okay because at least I tried them! read more
6 months ago
10 months ago
Do yourself a favor and bring your friends here to share some delicious bites. We came for Saturday brunch (had a reservation, but honestly didn't need one). The interior is bright, airy, and spacious--you won't feel like you're bothering your neighbors, so go ahead and invite that loud friend. There's also a lovely patio if you prefer dining outdoors. Service was friendly and attentive, and food came out right on time. While waiting for my friends, I ordered the **orange margarita**--because orange juice counts as a brunch drink, right? It was the perfect start. If you love cheese, don't miss the **empanada**. It's stuffed with cheesy goodness and perfectly fried--comfort in hand-pie form. The **Cochinita Pibil Torta** was juicy, tender pork shoulder with deep, savory flavor. Don't skip the side salad--it's surprisingly good and ties the dish together. The **Pollo Pibil Panucho**was thoughtfully executed with well balanced, vibrant flavors. The **Alemejas al Vapor** (little neck clams) were tender and came in a beautifully herbaceous broth. The garlic focaccia was ideal for soaking up every drop. And for dessert, the **beignets**--note that these aren't the pillowy New Orleans kind from Café du Monde. They're more like cake doughnuts, so if that's your vibe, you'll love them. I'll definitely be back--there are way too many tempting options left to try on that brunch menu. read more
On August 16, we joined our Canadian and local family members for dinner at Chaak. It was my first time dining there. The atmosphere is beautiful, open and airy but also can be very loud when trying to have conversations. We ordered a number of dishes to share and all of them were good but I didn't find them to be outstanding. The grilled quail was a bit overcooked but had good flavor, the Hiram's Crudo and grilled corn and bone marrow were both excellent dishes. I ordered a grapefruit margarita which was quite tasty. Our server, whose name we unfortunately did not get, was knowledgeable and friendly. read more
New favorite spot! Such a cute feel at Chaak in Downtown Tustin, authentic Mexican food with the most amazing Cochinita Pibil, fresh ceviche, and warm homemade tortillas that taste like comfort. Hands down the best drinks, too. Loved the cozy decor and downtown vibe. Highly recommend to make reservations. The staff was super knowledgeable and was able to easily tell us about the popular menu picks. If you're in Tustin stop by and try this well deserved Michelin Star restaurant! read more
Chaak is a gorgeous, open air Mexican fusion restaurant in downtown Tustin. Their menu is very meat-forward with good variety. The dip trio was great to start and is great for sharing. The attention to detail was really impressive; every dip was really good (especially the guac) and the chips were literally three kinds of tortilla chips. The hiramasa crudo was good and citrusy, but the highlight was literally the chaak Cesar salad. Get the salad! After that, the lamb merguez huarache was good, the empanadas were decent but a lottt of just cheese. The castacan pork belly tacos were kind of insane; incredibly flavorful and so well done! For a main, the cochinita pibil was solid. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
My visit to Chaak Kitchen was great. The last time I dined there, I sat by the bar, and the bartender was very friendly. The indoor seating was comfortable and inviting. We ordered the ceviche as an appetizer, and it was delicious. The seafood was very fresh, and the spice level was just right. The lamb dish was a bit spicy for my taste, but it was still very delicious. Overall, the food was delicious and the service was excellent read more
Tried to get reservations at Gabbi's (their sister restaurant Orange), but they couldn't accommodate us and suggested we try here. Came here on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy. The host and hostesses at the front were very nice and friendly! Our waiter Ryan was awesome and very patient with us as we didn't know what to order. He was very knowledgeable about all the dishes! Service was amazing too! We got drinks to start, the Orange Margarita and Copal (Ryan's great recommendation). The Orange Margarita was good. My husband REALLY liked the Copal. We ordered a bunch of stuff... Chuuk trio - chips and salsa - it was served w/ three different "dips". Guacamole, salsa and sikil pak (pumpkin seed). The best was the guacamole! Carne Crudo - beef tartare - it was served with chips. It was pretty good. I had a nibble as my kids gobbled the rest up. Pulpo Al Guajillo- grilled octopus - had a nice char/smokey flavor. The octopus was good too! It wasn't chewy either which was great! Esquites - grilled corn w/bone marrow - this was very tasty! With the marrow mixed into the grilled corn, it gave a different flavor! Castacan - pork belly tacos - something in there was pretty spicy for my kids. The pork belly was also a bit salty too. Cochinita Pibil - smoked pork shoulder was big enough to share with another person. The pork was soft and tender. The tortilla that it comes with...sadly I don't know what "fresh" tortillas taste like...I'm not sure if this was the case, but it wasn't the American style type of tortillas that I'm used to buying from the stores. Overall, delicious drinks! Amazing service! Great food! I'd recommend checking this place out! read more
More info about Chaak Kitchen
215 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
Directions
(657) 699-3019
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http://www.chaakkitchen.com
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Ask the Community - Chaak Kitchen
What is the noise level? Is it possible to have a conversation with several people at a table?
The noise level is moderate...you can have a conversation with your table.
Is there valet?
No. This is at the Old Town Tustin area. There are a lot of restaurants and shops in the area.
Is the brunch menu similar to dinner menu?
brunch has breakfast options and lunch plates. Menus are on the website too!
To make a reservation - they ask for you to put your credit card info online to book. Will it charge anything on the card?
No, they won't charge unless you're a no show. They said you can cancel up to 5 minutes before your reservation time and they still won't charge you. They just want a heads up so they're not saving your table for nothing.
Are you able to order food to go?
Only certain dishes are able to be made Togo. A lot of the menu is plated for service and not everything can be made Togo since it might take away from the integrity of the dish.
What's the corkage fee? Thanks
It was $20 last time I was in. I'd check it again when they reopen because a lot of restaurants have been upping these types of charges.
Can you accommodate a party of 8-10 outdoors?
Yes! I'd call the restaurant and ask to speak to a manager though so you could make a pre set menu
On a Sunday, may we order from any menu, or must we order from the menus available for the hours designated for "lunch," "afternoon," &/or "dinner"? I would like to have a dinner menu item for lunch. Thanks!
I am sure that they don't have some of the dinner items available at certain times, hence the different menu. I know there are some items that are available on both menus. If you want a dinner item, that is in the dinner menu, my suggestion is to…
Is this a family friendly restaurant and do they have a kids menu?
This is a small plate Yucatán themed restaurant that is good for kids who are open minded. No chicken nuggets on menu. Otherwise, leave the kids at home and enjoy a nice night out with very good food & drinks.
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57 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Chaak Kitchen - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026
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