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    El Habanero

    4.1 (582 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
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    El Habanero Photos

    EL HABANERO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - El Habanero

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    Gabe P.

    I happen to be in the area and seen this Mexican spot. didn't think much of it just by driving by but glad I stopped in the food was delicious and portions are big.

    Menu
    Roselia G.

    Very good Mexican restaurant. They serve beer, and other bottled drinks, along with an amazing salsa bar! The Carne Asada is sliced up with grilled jalepeno's and onions. The carnitas is soft and moist, with plenty of fatty pieces. They do take credit cards, but do not take Apple Pay. You can walk in, or call to place an order. Although they do not delivery, and do not take payment over the phone. There's also no option to order online. They are old-school, and those are at many times the best!

    Pozole verde with toppings
    Diana R.

    My coworkers have been here many times, but it was my first time here at El Habanero. This place is a no-frills hole in the wall family run type of restaurant. Warning, there's no air-conditioning so beware when dining in when it's super hot. I was dying from the heat and I shouldn't have ordered pozole verde soup. Actually, I'm glad I did because the soup was good. I was anticipating shredded chicken breast because that's the only way I've had it before. Instead, it came with one chicken drumstick. My co-workers ordered chili relleno plate with rice and beans, chicken soft tacos plate, and California burrito. They all enjoyed their food. The one thing that provided me some relief from the hot stuffy restaurant was the refreshing Chia, cucumber, and lime drink. My coworkers recommended it and I'm glad I ordered one and I finished all of it. It was so refreshing and thirst quenching. It's a regular place on our lunch rotation with my co-workers. I'll bring my family next time. The service was just OK. Despite the fewer number of customers dining in, the staff was not as attentive. We had to get up a couple times to go ask for basic things that we needed.

    Menudo
    Tony J.

    Overall, this place is great. I came for the Menudo and the taste is always stellar. Small little cozy environment. The workers are always very nice. Just had an unpleasant experience when I last went, and I don't want to necessarily blame this establishment because it could've been a one off and which I'm hoping for. I really enjoyed the Menudo so if you're looking for some Menudo, this is your spot.

    Gabriel V.

    The only thing this place has going for it is the salsa bar. If I'm ordering a 9 dollar bean and cheese burrito, I would expect it to be bigger than something from a fast food joint. This is compared against the veggie burrito. And to add insult to injury, there is hardly any beans in the burrito.

    Salsa Bar
    Thomas T.

    Very delicious Mexican food. Highly recommend coming here. Food and service was all on point. I got some Al Pastor Tacos and a Carne Asada Quesadilla. Both were super flavorful, filling, and cooked perfectly. Didn't go wrong with these choices. Girlfriend also got some tacos and she loved them. I like their salsa bar as well. They had 6 or 7 different salsas available for you to choose from. Fresh limes, onions and cilantro too. The lady working here was very nice and gave great service. She didn't speak English but it's ok. They know what you want!

    Tacos

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    8 months ago

    This place has decent food. I'd say it's in the middle of the pack as far as Mexican food.

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    5 months ago

    Great authentic Mexican food with large portions. Breakfast and lunch are both good, served all day. Micheladas hit the spot every time too.

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    10 months ago

    Service was good, had the fish tacos that were excellent. Menudo was really good. Bathroom was clean and music was jamming.

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    1 year ago

    Service is abysmal. Cashier seems absolutely miserable and she makes sure you know it. One and done.

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    3 months ago

    genuinely couldn't pay me to eat here again, and i think the AC was out too because it was uncomfortably hot in there

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    Page 1 of 15

    El Habanero Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Habanero

    Does this restaurant offer Taco Tuesday deals? If so, which types will be discounted and what are the prices for each? Thank you and see you soon.?

    They don't have taco tuesdays, as far as I know.

    Do they have vegetarian/vegan options? I worry the beans & rice have meat/broth. Thanks!!

    Yes we have some vegetarian option, and we have beans, no rice.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Utopia European Caffe - Avocado Toast with Fries & Orange Juice at Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    Utopia European Caffe

    4.5(2.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    •$$
    Romantic vibe
    Vegan friendly

    Came back to the restaurant and had above 5 star experience. Staff were super kind and food was so…read morefresh and so delicious. We came on a Sunday afternoon and there was a line to order but still very easy to find a place to sit. The manager, Ellie, was working the register and she was absolutely sweet and above and beyond friendly. We got: ~ Chicken Alfredo pasta ~ still my favorite chicken Alfredo pasta! Tastes more savory and cheesy than other Alfredo's I've had. It comes with cheesy garlic bread which is delicious. Highly recommend ~ American breakfast ~ very beautifully played and comes with a great variety of food ~ Matcha latte ~ Mango pastry ~ hard chocolate exterior with mango crème and a jelly/jam filling. Would highly recommend this, tasted like fresh mangos and so delicious

    Pretty cute cafe spot in the District! I've been eying this place for a while because it's cute…read more The ambiance is truly great - very cute place to catch up with a friend. ITEMS I TRIED: - Santa Ana Omelette: pretty decent though I didn't love the sausage portion of it. The potatoes were nice and crisp. It comes with a good portion of avocado as well. Really loved the melted cheese that brought everything together. - Latte: with oat milk, loved the latte art! Pretty standard drink. PARKING: decent parking around the District though can get busy. SERVICE: thought it would be slow because they seemed overwhelmed and short staffed. However, food and drinks came out very fast. PRICE: decently priced, it was about $6.50 for the latte and $16 for the omelette. Overall, I was not blown away by the food, though it is decent. However, the ambiance is really cute and it's a great place to catch up and vibe with a friend.

    Photos
    Utopia European Caffe - Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    Utopia European Caffe - French Breakfast at Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    French Breakfast at Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    Utopia European Caffe - Our famous Utopian Latte at Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

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    Our famous Utopian Latte at Utopia Euro Caffe at The District in Tustin

    Poached Kitchen

    Poached Kitchen

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    3.9 mi•Westpark
    •$$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Locally sourced ingredients

    Poached Kitchen is a place we go 3-5 times per week. The…read moreservice is always excellent with lots of employees who really care about the guests and the quality of their food and satisfaction. The ambiance - at times it is very busy like for breakfast on the weekends but they have their process well-organized and it goes very quickly even when crowded. We recently started coming for lunch - they have a lunch menu and are open until 2pm. I am known on YELP for providing critical but hopefully helpful comments. Here are mine for this week. CHICKEN SANDWICH - made just the way a real chicken sandwich should be made with fried chicken and cole slaw. The chicken is too thick and makes the sandwich very hard to eat. I know that the size of the chicken reflects the generosity of Poached Kitchen but in this case the ease of eating the sandwich needs to take precedent. and the cole slaw should be a vinegar-based slaw not a mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is too creamy and thick. The slaw needs to be less gooey and sticky to compliment the chicken. Good place to go where they're mastered this is R+D Kitchen in Newport Fashion Island....you can also get this same item prepared exactly the same way at Banderas in Corona del Mar - same master chef. And the fries need to be cooked in Tallow. Tru Foods does this and they set the standard for healthy food. SOURCING - you need to tell people where your eggs come from - in some places I've seen Vital Farms which is good Pasture Raised Eggs but that is not confirmed on your menu. Also for sourcing you mention Brant Farms on your menu for beef (it's spelled Brandt) but Brandt does not advertise grass-fed and finished beef and your menu is silent on this subject. Again you need to be specific about your sourcing. You can say "grass-fed and finished beef when available" to cover sourcing problems but you need to start sourcing from a pasture-raised beef supplier not a ranch that uses lots of mealy-mouthed words in their description of what they do. There are plenty of local California sources for grass-fed and finished beef including Diamond Ranch who operates BuyRanchDirect so you could take delivery in southern California. Hope the comments are helpful.

    Expect a wait on a weekend brunch time! Portions are good for 1-2 meals and prices are fair. The…read morefirst woman who took my order was kind. The waiters that served us at our actual table were not very friendly. I got the breakfast burrito with avocado instead of meat. Fortunately, this didn't add an extra charge (around $18 total). It was a good burrito but nothing really stood out. The tortilla was fresh and a good mix of firm but not too crispy and still chewy. The eggs were cooked enough with nothing too soft or runny, which is just how I like them. There was plenty of potato (maybe a little too much at points?) and they were fair with the avocado. The salsas added some kick but weren't too flavorful. I had heard a lot of good things about this place but wouldn't necessarily recommend it or be back, unfortunately

    Photos
    Poached Kitchen
    Poached Kitchen
    Poached Kitchen

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    NEP Cafe - Steak Frites

    NEP Cafe

    4.5(2.2k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    •$$
    Takes reservations
    Locally owned & operated

    NEP Cafe is an exquisite take on Vietnamese fusion cuisine. We tried the steak frites and the 15 oz…read moreribeye, and both were amazing in their own right. The standout for me was definitely the 15 oz ribeye. The flavors were beautifully infused throughout the steak, and the fish sauce was absolutely on point. It added such a unique depth without overpowering the dish. The texture was incredible as well: tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The steak frites were also delicious and definitely worth trying. To top it all off, our server was incredibly kind and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. Overall, NEP Cafe is a great spot if you're looking for Vietnamese fusion with bold, creative flavors. The ribeye alone is worth coming back for!

    I came here with a high school friend on a Saturday morning and were quickly seated (made a…read morereservation beforehand). I had been here once before for dinner but never for brunch, so it was nice to see how the beautiful interior changes with the sunlight. We ordered two dishes to share, the beef belly bowl and the shrimp garlic noodles, alongside the wild berry matcha and the strawberry yogurt matcha. I really enjoyed the contrast in greasiness from the meat and the sharpness of the complementing veggies in the beef belly bowl, and though the shrimp garlic noodles were a bit heavy from the oil, the flavor was very robust and delicious. I also really liked how they had more unique matcha flavors that were also not too sweet and very yummy as well. I love how they come with oat milk already, perfect for my lactose intolerant tummy. Overall, I'd love to come back again and try new dishes and matcha flavors. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    NEP Cafe - 5 Spice Roasted Chicken

    5 Spice Roasted Chicken

    NEP Cafe - Salmon Garlic Noodles

    Salmon Garlic Noodles

    NEP Cafe - Salted Egg Yolk Pasta with Shrimp

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    Salted Egg Yolk Pasta with Shrimp

    Toast Kitchen & Bakery - Ube French Toast

    Toast Kitchen & Bakery

    3.9(712 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$

    Super cute breakfast spot! Came here on a weekday for some noms - place had a good crowd but we…read morewere sat quickly. It's a cute restaurant - clean and airy. We got a smattering of food - there were a bunch of delicious options, which makes it difficult when you're indecisive like me. Breakfast burger - this was amazing. There's a cool Japanese "tornado" egg on it, which is really nice, texture-wise. Much better than just slapping an over-easy on top. Flavor was great. Bacon was great. This was one of my favorites. Tuna melt - I love tuna melts so I'll always order if I find one on a menu. This one was good. Like actual prepared tuna with kewpie. Definitely elevated from your typical diner fare. Also came with a side of sweet pickles - great to cut through the richness. Pork belly bowl - this is for you rice bowl lovers. Nice cuts of pork belly with a sesame sauce, delicious stewed kimchi, and Japanese style potato salad. Better than your typical bowls that just slap a bunch of things on top of rice. There's nice thought going into this dish and the stewed kimchi really packs that extra punch. Apple burrata salad - nice and light. With everything else we ordered being hearty, the salad offered a nice way to cut through the richness. Creamy burrata on apple slices with tomatoes. Bright flavors with the silkiness of the cheese to bind it all together. Truffle tots - get the tots. Top tier. Fresh, airy, and crispy. Get the truffle oil. Croissants - how many places actually make their croissants in-house nowadays? We got a few to go and devoured them later in the day. Flakey exterior with soft buttery goodness inside. Legit stuff. Delicious baked goods, booze, and good food. Solid spot for some good comfort food.

    This place was INCREDIBLE! The food was absolutely amazing, and I already can't wait to go back and…read moretry more from the menu. Everything was delicious, and the service was great too! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone. 10/10 and already looking forward to my next visit!

    Photos
    Toast Kitchen & Bakery - Inside

    Inside

    Toast Kitchen & Bakery - Ube French Toast

    Ube French Toast

    Toast Kitchen & Bakery - Smash Burger - plain for the kid but still SO GOOD.

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    Smash Burger - plain for the kid but still SO GOOD.

    Santa Ana Brunch Club - Hot N' Crispy Chicken Sando.

    Santa Ana Brunch Club

    4.5(522 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$

    Santa Ana Brunch Club: A Breakfast Revelation…read more For one, I have never really been a brunch or breakfast person. Breakfast has always felt somewhat predictable to me eggs, pancakes, French toast, maybe some potatoes and even the higher-end brunch establishments, while they may use more refined ingredients, sometimes only manage to give the classics a slight edge over your run-of-the-mill breakfast joint. Then I experienced Santa Ana Brunch Club. When I say this was the best breakfast I have ever had, that is honestly an understatement. And yes, that comes with one very important disclaimer: no seafood* I'm allergic. Everything was phenomenal. And I mean everything. Most restaurants treat eggs like a supporting character a side dish, a filler, something added to make the plate appear more substantial. Santa Ana Brunch Club clearly sees them differently. The scrambled eggs were impossibly fluffy, beautifully seasoned, and carried an original flavor profile that was immediately distinguishable from any other eggs I've encountered. They weren't there to fill space; they were part of the composition. Now, what did I order? Bubbies Fried Chicken n Pancakes substituted with French toast. And this French toast... It looked like something pulled directly from the pages of a culinary magazine or lifted from a beautifully produced food television show. It was almost so visually perfect that I felt like I shouldn't touch it. But once I did, the presentation became secondary because the flavor was even more impressive. I have never considered myself a French toast person. Most of the time, it simply isn't executed properly, so I've always gravitated toward pancakes because, well... it's pretty difficult to completely mess up a pancake. Santa Ana Brunch Club changed that. This was easily the best French toast I have ever encountered. Rich without becoming heavy. Sweet without crossing into excessive sweetness. Every component seemed intentionally placed, creating that rare balance that can only happen when someone truly understands the craft of cooking. There was a progression to every bite texture, sweetness, richness, warmth and somehow it continued getting better as I worked my way through the plate. Then came the fried chicken. That perfectly seasoned, beautifully crisp exterior brought exactly what the French toast needed: crunch, salt, and savory depth. It created a contrast that pulled the entire dish together. The result was essentially an elevated interpretation of the chicken and waffle concept, except this felt like it had been taken into an entirely different culinary universe. This wasn't simply breakfast. It was a redefinition of breakfast. The kind of dish that makes you reconsider an entire category of food you thought you already understood. And then there were the drinks. The Berry Bloom is one of those drinks that makes you stop after the first sip and think, why isn't this bottled and sold everywhere? It's an incredibly well-balanced spritz bright, refreshing, fruit-forward without becoming overly sweet, and composed in a way that makes it feel effortless. This is something I could genuinely see becoming a nationwide bottled sensation. The White Rum Vanilla Bean Latte takes a completely different approach. Instead of burying the coffee underneath syrups, sugar, and a mountain of additives, it allows the actual coffee to remain the star. The vanilla bean and rum notes complement rather than overpower, creating a latte that feels intentional rather than disguised. That, more than anything, seems to define Santa Ana Brunch Club. Intentionality. Nothing felt like filler. Nothing felt like an afterthought. The eggs mattered. The texture mattered. The sweetness mattered. The contrast between savory and sweet mattered. Even the drinks felt composed with the same philosophy as the food. I doordashed not being a breakfast person. I m wondering if I had simply been eating breakfast at the wrong places. Santa Ana Brunch Club didn't just serve me breakfast it redefined what breakfast could be. Whenever I think of brunch or breakfast from this point forward, this is the place I'm going to think about.

    The wait wasn't too bad for such a small establishment, the food was really good, and all the…read moreworkers (even the chef) were really nice. With it being a small place, one thing that stood out was that our food came out late. We were told it was because there was a large order placed when our order was placed. That was fine. No big deal but not too long after we finished eating and paid for our food, we were being rushed off so that the table could be used for the next guest. We understood but my thought was now we are being rushed when our food came out pretty late. I thought they forgot about us. But it wasn't an issue. We gathered our things and left. We completely understood and they were really polite about letting us know it was time to leave. Another thing I would like to see done, when they are able, is a makeover for the restroom. I was hesitant, not because of the looks but because there is only one bathroom and I couldn't figure out if the door was locked or not Once you go, if you visit before the knob is changed, you'll understand what I mean. Overall, I'd go back. It was good and the people there were really cool.

    Photos
    Santa Ana Brunch Club - Inside casual dining

    Inside casual dining

    Santa Ana Brunch Club - Smoked Brisket Poutine Scramble

    Smoked Brisket Poutine Scramble

    Santa Ana Brunch Club - Drip coffee

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    Drip coffee

    El Habanero - mexican - Updated October 2026

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