EXCELLENT FOOD! Good service, very friendly and knowledgeable and takes the time to explain everything about the menu and help you to select the best option for you. Ambiance is stunning I love the design and location. This place is a must! read more

Wow, wow, wow! Chaak never ceases to amaze me. I've dined here multiple times with various friend groups and it's always a hit! If you want seafood they have amazing clams. If you want rice dish, they have an amazing dark rice paired with shrimp and other amazing flavors. If you're vegetarian, they have a tamal made from squash! All of that just to say, try this place. It's on my monthly rotations. Service from ordering, clearing plates, changing utensils mid meal in preparation for the next course, all of it was smooth and relaxing. The vibe is lively, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are all a hit! Make a reservation so then you won't have to wait too long because this place is catching on a lot of people's radar! read more

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I heard about this restaurant from a friend who mentioned that it was really good and the fact that they're on the Michelin bib gourmand. So, I made a dinner reservation for my partners birthday. We ordered ceviche, grilled octopus, tamale and the chicken. Every dish was so good and my favorite was the tamale and my partner's favorite was the octopus. The only critique I had was probably the chicken's sauce that was on the side. It was a sweet and tangy sauce with a kick. I only had to use alittle bit of the sauce with the chicken but I wished I had a more savory sauce than a sweet sauce. Other than that, everything was delicious. For drinks, I got the pineapple mocktail drink and my partner got an old fashion and they were both good too. Our waitress timed our meals out and it was all so filling with leftover chicken. I'm definitely coming back and trying the other dishes. read more

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This is my 2nd time here, and it didn't live up to the first time, I'm sorry to say. The atmosphere inside was very nice, but also very loud! I brought friends here from out-of-state. They appeared to like everything, but maybe they were too polite to say anything. The food was good, but SO overpriced...and tiny portions! The service left a lot to be desired. We were very slow to get our drinks, and when we got the food, it was only for 2 of us, and the other 2 had to wait awhile to get theirs! That is not right! You deliver all the food for all 4 of us at once. I had raved about this place 3 years ago when I was there, but I will not be back a 3rd time. I know of tons of other great ethnic restaurants at a fraction of the cost of this one. read more

If you're looking for TexMex, keep looking. This was the most delicious authentic Veracruzano food that I have ever had. Go with somebody who appreciates food and good service and a really great cocktail and enjoy the evening. My friend and I ordered and shared four small plates and were full by the end. Make sure you taste everything and have those delicious flavorful bites and if there are more people at your table, make sure everybody has enough of each bite. This restaurant is an Orange County delight that has been completely missed by the masses. I know that's bittersweet, but we were grateful to be able to get in on a very busy night and have a lovely table. kudos to the chef and her team - I will find a way to come back. PS - Gabbi's is the sister restaurant and also delicious while presenting more traditional/SoCal 'Mexican' fare. They are VERY DIFFERENT flavor profiles. read more

this place has been on my bucket list for a year now and it blew my mind away! the flavors were rlly rich, but not overpowering at the same time. we ordered the ceviche campeche, chakut platter, smoked chicken salad, salbute pato ahumado, castacan, cochinita pibil main, tamal colado, bombas, capirotada. i went with a group of 6 ppl and we finished everything clean. it was pretty loud so we couldn't hear much but the interior was vibey and staff were on top of it with helping us. parking was easy to find nearby read more

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If you're considering eating here, DO IT. The restaurant has a nice bar area, and has a nice cozy feel to it. We got the caesar salad, the empanadas, pork belly tacos, hiramasa crudo and the cochinita pibil. Everything was delicious, including the cocktails! Ryan was our server and he was fantastic. read more

Overall beautiful ambiance, and good service! We came for Sunday brunch, and the inside was pretty dead. The food was hit or miss. The appetizers we got were amazing, and maybe next time we might stick to those. The empanadas are a must order, and the ceviche was quite good. Another hit was the Huevos Motulenos, which were super flavorful, and balanced. The other dishes we ordered missed the mark a bit. The chilaquiles rojos were good, but they were pretty sweet. The huevos ahogadas were drowned in so much sauce it felt like they should be atop pasta, pretty sweet, spicy, but still good flavor regardless. The sopa de lima was not good. Please don't order it. All 5 of us tried it and all 5 of us hated it. It was weirdly sweet, and lacking lime flavor? Overall, good restaurant, but a little inconsistent! read more

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I came here for lunch with a party of 6 and we all enjoyed the Yucatán seafood and cozy, open ambiance. Our waitress was informative about the menu and cautious about the allergens we mentioned to her. Shoutout to whoever was in charge of the music! It was good vibes the entire time we ate at this restaurant. Apparently the menu changes in the evening? I'll definitely visit again to try their dinner. read more

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I am back for a third week in a row! Jailyn, is the hostess with the mostest! Raul and Juan are such great bartenders! Just met the new manager Eric. Super nice. This place is so awesome and tbe food is delicious! read more

The paella here is amazing. It takes exactly like a paella from Spain. If you want to transport to Europe come here for a fun date night and or family or friends dinner read more

We visited this place for dinner. Ordered pork belly tacos, salmon with potatoes, steak and dessert service was amazing the restaurant is clean and cozy welcoming read more

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I used to see this place while passing by the aesthetic old tustin neighborhood and decided to try it out, but it doesn't live up to its reputation. You can reserve ahead online and on weekdays or early weekend hours, there's free 2 hr street parking on the lot. But the lanes are pretty busy so I'd plan accordingly. They have a huge space but it's neither arranged nor managed well. They have too many 4 seat options that are always empty and they're holding for some reservation so if you're a party of 2 it's just the bar and high tops, both of which are not well insulated from the outside and if it's cold like it was when we went, then good luck getting through. We asked the server if there was any other seat since the booths were all empty and it was freezing and he said it's just the bar and high tops and we can leave if we wish to. Which was incredibly weird way of addressing a question. We sat at the corner end of the bar and the only saving grace is the bar staff. They're really nice and knowledgeable, the previous server had to do double takes on every dish or item we were asking about. At the bar, we tried two of their signature beverages and called for the trio chips/dip, enchiladas (only vegetarian entrée), beets, chicken tamal, n the chocolate mousse. My fav was the light,dark, slightly bitter sweet dessert, my partner liked the enchiladas. Having had authentic sikil pak and Yucatan food from the province, this really falls short of what it advertises. L Drinks were alright, we also got the desert egg nog drink and that shot was really bad and way too eggy not in a good way. That and the overall bad seating situation make for a mid experience which is pretty steep. Would not recommend read more

Chaak Kitchen is close to authentic and the flavors hit the mark. The service was excellent, staff were attentive and made the experience easy and enjoyable. Definitely a solid spot if you're craving good food in Tustin. read more

Found this place on the Michelin Guide website and decided to give it a try for my brother in laws birthday. Made a reservation online, but when we walked in, our table wasn't ready.... I was a little disappointed since the reservation was a bit late in the night and I was HUNGRY. Looking around the restaurant while we waited, the place seemed to very well up kept. The place was pretty noisy and busy (hence why we had to wait still). The staff was very sweet and apologetic for the wait but we're good at communicating that we would be seated soon. Since the design of the restaurant was pretty nice and the fact that I found it on the Michelin Guide, I worried that the food portions wouldn't be as big.... I was very hungry! We finally got seated and the staff was quick to bring us water and get started on explaining the menu. We go the agua chiles for appetizers and I believe some salsa to taste. The Agua Chiles was white fish and raw. Never had raw fish in agua Chiles, usually cooks in the lime a lot longer. But it was very lemony and spicy. But spicy In a good way. I still think about it.... My sister in law has a severe nut allergy and the staff was great at double checking menu items for her. I ordered the the cheese enchiladas and they came out hot and fresh! The cheese was fresh and gooey and the sauce went so well with the entire meal. read more

Chaak Kitchen - Cheese enchiladas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Food and service were exceptional. Our server, Maya, was super attentive and helpful with recommendations. We ordered the ceviche, empanadas, pork belly taco and Cochinita Pibil - way too much food for 2 people. All were good but if I did a do-over, I would skip the empanadas and pork belly tacos and it would have been just right. read more

A bit on the pricey side ... but tasty and good. The star of the show was definitely the whole branzino ... yummy! Indoor and outdoor seating with full bar. Could use a few more servers ... as our waiter seemed to disappear at many times that we needed something. read more

Chaak Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Solid spot. Food, cocktails and service has always been good. They lose a star simply because of price. It's crazy expensive. I prefer El Matatan in Orange over this place 100 times out of 100 times. Very similar food, but considerably less. But it's a good place. If you can afford it, you'll love it. read more

This is my first time here. Initially called to make a reservation for 6 but was asked not only my credit card info, but also the CVV number. I was uncomfortable giving away that info and they informed me they wouldn't be able to take the reservation without it. I tried the OpenTable app as well, but the indoor seating option were blocked off which I knew were available when I called. So we decided to just do a walk in figuring it won't be that busy on a Thursday evening. We were wrong, they were pretty full. After about 30 minutes, we were seated outside. Luckily, they had heat lamps. The food and service were both pretty good. Would probably visit again. read more

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Good food. I highly recommend the empanadas. The salsas are very unique Nice ambiance with open ceiling read more

Food lacks flavor and service was slow. Odd flavor combinations that don't work and gentrified dishes. Price doesn't match flavor and wouldn't recommend for special occasions. read more

The indoor decorations are great and has a very cultural but modern vibe to it. My wife and I ordered the caesar salad, empanadas, and the sausage huarache. I highly recommend the empanadas! read more

Came here for my anniversary. My husband and I ordered the duck, pork belly tacos, esquites, and then the tarte de Mamey for dessert. The duck was my favorite. It had a good balance of flavors and the duck was super tender and juicy! Thinking about it now makes me want more. The pork belly was crispy but a little too sour for my taste. I wouldn't say it was super sour, I just wish it had a stronger savory component. The esquites were a huge punch of flavor in a good and bad way. Alone, they definitely needed a couple sips of water in between since th e flavor was so strong. But I loved complementing the other dishes with it. Lately, the tart. It was very light and kind of underwhelming. I'm not sure what mamey is but the server compared it to papaya. I loved my experience here, but it might not be something that I come back to. read more

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We stopped by for lunch while car shopping and were seated promptly. David was our server, and he was attentive, professional, and customer friendly. We started with a couple of tequilla drinks with chips and guacamole. My wife ordered the chicken tacos, and I had the steak and potatoes. Both meals were good and the drinks fantastic. The ambiance is positive and bright in downtown Tustin. Recommended. read more

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this place is so cute! the bar was a great place to have dinner. food was beyond delicious.

First and foremost, let me compliment our server/bartender Angel for stellar service, knowledge, and conversation. He immediately understood our vague descriptions of we wanted to eat and drink and made excellent recommendations. The Ceviche was savory and uniquely creamy with dollops of avocado mousse and the Huarache with Sausage and Serrano Peppers both hit the spot. Of course, the simple and clearly fresh ingredients in our classic and spicy Margarita's complimented the choices perfectly. We were there mid-afternoon when the menu is limited so we're looking forward to going back at night when candles illuminate the tables and a few corners of the walls. read more

Chaak Kitchen - Huarache with spicy sausage and peppers - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

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We came here for lunch on Christmas Eve. We arrived on time and were seated immediately. The restaurant has a very inviting atmosphere and cozy vibe with a bit of Christmas decorations. We ordered the bone marrow, grilled octopus, clams, duck taco, martini, and Bloody Mary. Everything was great, but a little bit too acidic for my taste. Overall it was good and would recommended this place. There was plenty of parking on the street, but I came on Xmas Eve right when it opened so it might be different on a regular day. read more

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This place just became my favorite in the City of Tustin. The food is outstanding, the service is exceptional and the entire place has a great vibe. If you go there for dinner, you need to order the branzino. Best fish I've ever had and it goes great with just about any side dish. Absolute gem of a place in the heart of Tustin. read more

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Came here on a Saturday for dinner. Got the Ceviche Campeche ($21), Pulpo Al Guajillo ($24), and empanadas ($16 + $4 for an extra empanada) to share with our friends. I also got the Cochinita Pibil ($42). The ceviche was yummy with good pieces of fish and octopus in it. It came with huge tortilla chips. The pulpo (grilled octopus) was pretty tender, and the garbanzo puree/chayote added a unique twist to it. The end of the octopus was overburnt/salty though. The empanadas were the most disappointing. The Oaxaca cheese didn't taste as good as the cheese as I've had in Mexico, and tasted slightly off. The empanadas would have been better with some meat inside instead of just cheese. The habanero-romesco salsa was pretty good and wasn't too spicy. My fave dish of the night was the cochinita (pork shoulder). It was so tender and juicy! It came with a generous amount of warm/fresh tortillas. I tried my boyfriend's Pollo Pibil dish, which was pretty good. The chicken was not super tender or super dry, and the sauce was tasty. The roti with the dish wasn't good. Overall, it was a solid meal, although most of the dishes were on the salty side. Note: they added a $13.59 kitchen fee for our party of 7. The inside of the restaurant is classy and great for a night out with friends! read more

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My boyfriend and I were so excited to try a new place for the new year! But honestly, it sucked... the waitress was very bland, didn't make us feel excited to be there. We also tip based on how the service was, and I must say it was definitely more of a 10-15% tip. I felt like giving the host a bigger tip because she made us feel more welcome than our own server did. I decided to give them two stars because of her. The best part of our night was the Caesar salad. The waitress had recommended their "leftover New Year special," which was a "high-end pork." Definitely was not high-end. She also said the chef recommended getting it medium, which is precisely what we did, but half of the pork was closer to rare. It's safe to say that we will not be going back due to the lack of hospitality and food quality. read more

Talk about the Yucatán experience! Well presented dishes of delicious authentic portions. Service was so nice. Thank you Val. Love the outdoor and indoor sitting. Enjoining our meals listening to beats of native indigenous contemporary vocals and music read more

This is my husband and I'd favorite restaurant in Tustin! We came for Valentines Day and sat at the bar, and had a wonderful experience as always! We had the pork belly tacos & the smoked duck tacos with the homemade hot sauce (we are obsessed with this! It adds so much smoke & extra flavor!) For drinks we had the Mexican Zinfandel & the Copal Mezcal Cocktail and both were delicious! We appreciated the attentiveness of our server and the quality customer service from Raul, the bar manager. We valued the time he spent with us while managing several other customers simultaneously. We highly recommend this restaurant & are grateful for our friends who gifted us a gift card to enjoy our valentines date here! read more

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Excellent Indian curries and dosas. Love their authentic Indian spices & taste. Will definitely be back soon read more

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Such a delicious experience. Went with a group of friends and we actually ordered more than half the menu! Our waitress was great at explaining the unique Yucatán menu and provided us her recommendations. Some of my favorite standout dishes- shrimp with black rice, clams with green chorizo and grilled bread. And of course the branzino with fresh Housemade tortillas. Perfect spot to hang out with friends or for date night. Enjoy! read more

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This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Orange County. Our meal was fantastic from start to finish. Service was great without being overbearing. Each dish was unique but the pork belly tacos were the star of the show. By far the best taco I've ever had. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Love the natural lighting inside the restaurant during lunch time; it really makes you feel good... unlike other restaurants where you're more "trapped" inside? The food was on point. My fav was the chorizo taco looking thing in my picture... completely forgot its name lol but it was not nearly as salty as I expected. Also enjoyed the grilled fish. The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was not salty at all. Though I would've preferred if there weren't any bones inside. Parking was a pain during lunch time though... I'll be back for dinner sometime and update my review read more

Chaak Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Amazing food truly different. The food here is amazingly prepared and presented. Everything from the cocktails to the desserts is curated to make it as beautifully presented as it is deliciously tasteful. I enjoy this restaurant except that the design of the restaurant unfortunately makes it very very loud so I recommend earplugs, but seriously it is a delicious feast for the eyes as well as your palette. read more

Dinner reservations for 4 at 7:30. Parking is limited on the streets, but it's still accessible. Friendly staff and service was great. Ambiance : the decor was warm and inviting space was a bit small. We ordered : *Tartar : 4/5 Delicious perfect for sharing and had a bit of a bite to it. * Caesar salad : 4/5 - fresh has the perfect sauce ratio * Octopus ceviche : 5/5 - smaller plate, chunky pieces had a nice spice to it. * New year steak with potatos : 5/5 - order medium rare it was smoky and cooked to perfection and the potatoes had a nice seasoning perfect to share * Fish - 5/5 - seasoning was wonderful it was so delicious would def order again Overall, the food service and ambiance was wonderful would definitely be back read more

Chaak Kitchen - Fish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

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This was an amazing dining experience. The atmosphere is beautiful with a view to the sky. The service is on point and the food was incredible. They also have fabulously creative cocktails. This is a special restaurant for sure read more

The food here was amazing for the most part, but what was really lacking in our visit was the experience. We came here for a date night on a Friday night, and got here a little early so decided to order a drink (orange margarita) at the bar while we waited for our table. The drink was brought out once we were seated but it was a house margarita so I asked them to remake it. When the new drink was delivered, it honestly tasted like a house margarita that they just threw a dried orange into. We also got a spicy margarita, which was almost overwhelming spicy as I could hardly taste anything aside from the spice. Don't really recommend getting drinks here. We also had to wait like 10 minutes to get any water and I had to ask. Even chilis brings out water when you're seated. The time it took to bring each plate out sort of also took awhile. I appreciated that they waited until you finished one dish to bring out another, but between our 2nd and 3rd dish we probably waited 10 minutes. The food is where our experience improved. The ceviche was very flavorful, although a tad too salty and lime forward for my taste. The pieces were also too large in my opinion as it was hard to fit everything in one bite so sometimes I ended up with a bite of just cucumber and tomato with no fish. The lamb huarache was the standout dish to me. The flavor combination of smoky, a little spicy, and a hint of sweetness was the perfect balance to the richness of the lamb. The steak was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were unexpectedly delicious as someone who doesn't typically gravitate towards them. Overall, I'd still come back to see if maybe our experience was a one off it wasn't quite up to par for what I'd expect at this price point, but I'm looking forward to exploring more of the menu. read more

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