El Matatan
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The service here was very good. Everyone was welcoming and attentive, so I definitely have nothing negative to say about the staff. Unfortunately, the food itself was a little underwhelming, especially for the price. I ordered the ribeye tacos. The tortillas were actually really good and tasted freshly made, and the green salsa was very fresh and probably one of my favorite things we tried. The ribeye itself, though, was really lacking flavor. The tacos also don't come with onions or cilantro, which I thought was a little unusual. When I asked for some, I was told, "We don't serve our tacos like that," although they did bring me onions and cilantro on the side. The tacos came with rice, beans, and guacamole, but the portions of the beans and guacamole were extremely small -- basically served in little sauce-sized cups. The beans were good, I just wish there had been more of them. We also tried the plantains, which were fresh and really good. The chicken enchiladas were decent, but again, nothing that really stood out. We also ordered the lomo saltado. It came with a good amount of beef and chicken but only two shrimp. The biggest issue was, again, the flavor. The beef tasted like it needed more seasoning or more time to marinate. The chicken had a flavor that strangely reminded me a little of Yoshinoya. Nothing tasted necessarily bad; it just felt like the meats were missing that deeper, seasoned flavor I was expecting. Their menu mentions that everything is made fresh, so maybe that has something to do with it, but overall most of the meats tasted like they hadn't been marinated or seasoned long enough. There were definitely some good things -- the fresh tortillas, green salsa, plantains, beans, and especially the service -- but for the price, I expected more flavor from the main dishes. I wouldn't say I'd never come back, because I'd be willing to try something different on the menu. But based on what we ordered this time, I'd probably look at some other options first. Not the worst meal by any means, but definitely not the best either. The food just needs more flavor.
Came here for a lunch meeting a few weeks ago for the first time. There's a convenient little parking lot right around the corner with paid parking as well as street parking. Upon arrival I wasn't greeted by staff for a few minutes and then was eventually helped out. We ordered the squash blossom quesadilla to start and then I got the short rib tacos for my meal. Both were good but the tacos were especially good and recommended by our server. Interesting vibe to the place and not somewhere I would typically go but happy with the food and our server was very nice so I enjoyed the experience.
We stopped in for a drink with an our pups earlier this week and sat on the patio. I had the most delicious tequila expresso martini and palomas. Honestly, I've never felt so welcomed into a restaurant the moment I stepped in. They were incredibly funny, engaging and wanted to make sure we were having a great time. Also, the place was perfectly set up for watching the World Cup games or just hanging out like we were on the patio. But what surprised me the most was the prices. To be a stones throw from the beach and to find affordable food and drinks of super high quality, I know that this place is going to be a super success. HIGHLY recommend stopping in and enjoying!!
Since we were in the area of Laguna Beach and are big fans already of their location in Orange , we decided to come and check out their new location. We arrived around 11:30am and we sat outside. First impression is that it has a nice big bar area and lots of seating space inside and in the patio area. We started off with some cocktails, you really can't go wrong with any of their drinks. I can't remember which ones I had. We ordered some appetizers, the ceviche mixto and the queso fundido. The ceviche mixto comes with plantain chips and is so refreshing and flavorful. I love the acidity and the spiciness of the dish. The queso fundido is served with small flour tortillas and the cheese is delicious, it's topped with some seasoned mushrooms that to me taste like meat. The waiter and the bartender were both very attentive and made us feel welcomed. The bartender even treated us to a tequila shot "on the house" and that tequila or holy water as he called it was nice and smooth! This was definitely a great lunch place for us. We will definitely be back.
Food is good. Small portions which is par for the course in Laguna. We had the potato taquitos, tacos dorado de papa, which were excellent but $14 for two pieces. We split their house specialty chicken, pollo a la brasa. . It had the smallest portions which of rice in a flat ramekin. Tortillas are extra but are homemade and very tasty. Service was solid. Many gentleman servicing the table with water, etc.
Wow! What an amazing experience I had here today. It's the day before my birthday, and I wasn't having the best day, but Flaco and Omar really turned my frown upside down. The moment my mother and I walked in, Flaco sat us immediately and provided us with menus and water. We ordered the surf & turf tacos and the Pulpo. Everything was flavorful. Presentation was on point. The food came out quickly and delivered hot. The cocktails were excellent and well balanced. I've been a bartender and in the industry for 19 years now, and I have never been blown out the water by the service, ambiance, and experience until today. Thank you Flaco & Omar for cheering me up, and truly making my birthday eve memorable.
Amazing experience at El Matatan! Everything was delicious, from the food to the cocktails. The octopus was absolutely incredible--perfectly cooked, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The drinks were also amazing and made the whole experience even better. A special thank you to Rene and Flaco for the excellent service! They were so welcoming, attentive, and made sure we had a great time throughout the entire dinner. You can really tell they care about their guests and the experience they provide. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. Definitely a place I would recommend and come back to!
If you're in the Laguna area and craving Mexican food with a vibe, definitely check out El Matatan! The food is amazing, it feels like a home-cooked meal at the in-laws', served with an ocean breeze and crazy energy. Omar and Flacco's energy brought us in for the first time, and we've been coming back ever since just to say hi. They truly make you feel like family! Come say hi, then stay for the food and vibes!
Food was delicious, had the oxtail stew. Service was great and attentive. It was a quiet ambiance. Would come here again
Saw this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night. We were a group of 9 and I was able to call the day before and block a table. Crazy parking as usual in Laguna beach but finally reached El Matatan and our table was all set up by Omar and Alfredo and Rene. I had mentioned that we had some vegetarians in the group and Omar/Rene gave us all the options (and they have a few). Great drinks - the La Diabla, La Roma and passion fruit martini were all excellent. Had guac, hummus and squash flower enchiladas for apps- tasty but quantity was small. For mains the vegetarians had baby corn tacos, al pastor (it's oyster mushrooms) and mole enchilada. The rest of us had short rib tacos, rib eye tacos, El Matatan burger and chicken Saltado. Everything was great, though I'd skip the burger next time. They only have a gluten free churro as dessert which wasn't too good . Around 10, live music starts which gives the place an even better vibe! All the servers (esp Rene) were excellent and answered our questions (multiple times!) and accommodated all our requests. Will be back for sure to try their biggest espresso machine!
We've been looking forward to Matatan's new Newport location, and it was worth the wait. The new spot takes everything we already loved about the food and hospitality and elevates it even more with an incredible beachside setting. A special thank you to Oscar, the owner, for making us feel so welcome. As always, the ambiance, food, and service were outstanding and never disappoint. We're excited to be back again soon!
This is a new restaurant in Laguna Beach and it did not disappoint. We were greeted by Omar, one of the owners and we picked a table on the patio since we had our puppy with us. I found out later that dogs are allowed inside the restaurant as well but we like to watch people and dogs walk by as we dine. Water was brought out and drink orders were taken. I chose a pineapple daiquiri mocktail and later had a La Diablita mocktail. Both of the mocktails were delicious and the price was fair. My husband had a passion star martini, which he said was very tart but tasty. For an appetizer, we had the ceviche. It had fish, shrimp and octopus along with onions, peppers and plantain chips. We were treated with a variety of sauces and homemade tortilla chips to try. For an entree, I ordered the half portion of the grilled Bronzino which came with rice and beans and my husband had the grilled octopus that came with potatoes and spinach. My Bronzino was cooked to perfection. It was delicate, flakey and moist with a nice light marinade on it. The octopus was tender and delicious. My husband would have preferred that it be grilled just a little bit longer but he ate the whole thing so it must have been pretty tasty as well. We were treated with a light dessert that consisted of a cinnamon churro with a strawberry glaze and homemade whipped cream. We thoroughly enjoyed talking to the owners, Omar and Flacco and hope that more people give the restaurant a try... you won't be disappointed.
Found the best little Latin spot in Laguna! The staff is so genuinely welcoming and nice, which makes ordering at the counter feel great. I loved it so much the first time that I brought my mom back with me, and we both had such a good time. The food is so good and flavorful, and the drinks are amazing too. Will definitely be a regular when I make my trips out there!
2 months ago
1 month ago
12 days ago
Had an amazing dinner at El Matatán in Laguna Beach. The food was delicious and I loved the Latin twist, with flavors and dishes inspired by different parts of Latin America. I had the watermelon martini and the short rib taco plate, and everything was full of flavor. The rice and black beans were a great combination. I tried their salsas they were delicious and authentic. Some were mild and others spicy, but all were packed with flavor. The menu has a huge selection, from breakfast, lunch and dinner to soups, sandwiches, appetizers, entrées and customizable drinks. I also thought the prices were very reasonable for the quality and variety. The service was great from the moment I arrived. I was greeted right away, offered a drink, and everyone was friendly and very knowledgeable. Overall, I had such a great experience and will definitely be coming back to try more of the menu! read more
2 days ago
The service here was very good. Everyone was welcoming and attentive, so I definitely have nothing negative to say about the staff. Unfortunately, the food itself was a little underwhelming, especially for the price. I ordered the ribeye tacos. The tortillas were actually really good and tasted freshly made, and the green salsa was very fresh and probably one of my favorite things we tried. The ribeye itself, though, was really lacking flavor. The tacos also don't come with onions or cilantro, which I thought was a little unusual. When I asked for some, I was told, "We don't serve our tacos like that," although they did bring me onions and cilantro on the side. The tacos came with rice, beans, and guacamole, but the portions of the beans and guacamole were extremely small -- basically served in little sauce-sized cups. The beans were good, I just wish there had been more of them. We also tried the plantains, which were fresh and really good. The chicken enchiladas were decent, but again, nothing that really stood out. We also ordered the lomo saltado. It came with a good amount of beef and chicken but only two shrimp. The biggest issue was, again, the flavor. The beef tasted like it needed more seasoning or more time to marinate. The chicken had a flavor that strangely reminded me a little of Yoshinoya. Nothing tasted necessarily bad; it just felt like the meats were missing that deeper, seasoned flavor I was expecting. Their menu mentions that everything is made fresh, so maybe that has something to do with it, but overall most of the meats tasted like they hadn't been marinated or seasoned long enough. There were definitely some good things -- the fresh tortillas, green salsa, plantains, beans, and especially the service -- but for the price, I expected more flavor from the main dishes. I wouldn't say I'd never come back, because I'd be willing to try something different on the menu. But based on what we ordered this time, I'd probably look at some other options first. Not the worst meal by any means, but definitely not the best either. The food just needs more flavor. read more
1 month ago
Came here for a lunch meeting a few weeks ago for the first time. There's a convenient little parking lot right around the corner with paid parking as well as street parking. Upon arrival I wasn't greeted by staff for a few minutes and then was eventually helped out. We ordered the squash blossom quesadilla to start and then I got the short rib tacos for my meal. Both were good but the tacos were especially good and recommended by our server. Interesting vibe to the place and not somewhere I would typically go but happy with the food and our server was very nice so I enjoyed the experience. read more
We stopped in for a drink with an our pups earlier this week and sat on the patio. I had the most delicious tequila expresso martini and palomas. Honestly, I've never felt so welcomed into a restaurant the moment I stepped in. They were incredibly funny, engaging and wanted to make sure we were having a great time. Also, the place was perfectly set up for watching the World Cup games or just hanging out like we were on the patio. But what surprised me the most was the prices. To be a stones throw from the beach and to find affordable food and drinks of super high quality, I know that this place is going to be a super success. HIGHLY recommend stopping in and enjoying!! read more
Since we were in the area of Laguna Beach and are big fans already of their location in Orange , we decided to come and check out their new location. We arrived around 11:30am and we sat outside. First impression is that it has a nice big bar area and lots of seating space inside and in the patio area. We started off with some cocktails, you really can't go wrong with any of their drinks. I can't remember which ones I had. We ordered some appetizers, the ceviche mixto and the queso fundido. The ceviche mixto comes with plantain chips and is so refreshing and flavorful. I love the acidity and the spiciness of the dish. The queso fundido is served with small flour tortillas and the cheese is delicious, it's topped with some seasoned mushrooms that to me taste like meat. The waiter and the bartender were both very attentive and made us feel welcomed. The bartender even treated us to a tequila shot "on the house" and that tequila or holy water as he called it was nice and smooth! This was definitely a great lunch place for us. We will definitely be back. read more
2 months ago
Food is good. Small portions which is par for the course in Laguna. We had the potato taquitos, tacos dorado de papa, which were excellent but $14 for two pieces. We split their house specialty chicken, pollo a la brasa. . It had the smallest portions which of rice in a flat ramekin. Tortillas are extra but are homemade and very tasty. Service was solid. Many gentleman servicing the table with water, etc. read more
3 days ago
Wow! What an amazing experience I had here today. It's the day before my birthday, and I wasn't having the best day, but Flaco and Omar really turned my frown upside down. The moment my mother and I walked in, Flaco sat us immediately and provided us with menus and water. We ordered the surf & turf tacos and the Pulpo. Everything was flavorful. Presentation was on point. The food came out quickly and delivered hot. The cocktails were excellent and well balanced. I've been a bartender and in the industry for 19 years now, and I have never been blown out the water by the service, ambiance, and experience until today. Thank you Flaco & Omar for cheering me up, and truly making my birthday eve memorable. read more
22 days ago
Amazing experience at El Matatan! Everything was delicious, from the food to the cocktails. The octopus was absolutely incredible--perfectly cooked, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The drinks were also amazing and made the whole experience even better. A special thank you to Rene and Flaco for the excellent service! They were so welcoming, attentive, and made sure we had a great time throughout the entire dinner. You can really tell they care about their guests and the experience they provide. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. Definitely a place I would recommend and come back to! read more
6 days ago
If you're in the Laguna area and craving Mexican food with a vibe, definitely check out El Matatan! The food is amazing, it feels like a home-cooked meal at the in-laws', served with an ocean breeze and crazy energy. Omar and Flacco's energy brought us in for the first time, and we've been coming back ever since just to say hi. They truly make you feel like family! Come say hi, then stay for the food and vibes! read more
1 month ago
Food was delicious, had the oxtail stew. Service was great and attentive. It was a quiet ambiance. Would come here again read more
20 days ago
2 months ago
Saw this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night. We were a group of 9 and I was able to call the day before and block a table. Crazy parking as usual in Laguna beach but finally reached El Matatan and our table was all set up by Omar and Alfredo and Rene. I had mentioned that we had some vegetarians in the group and Omar/Rene gave us all the options (and they have a few). Great drinks - the La Diabla, La Roma and passion fruit martini were all excellent. Had guac, hummus and squash flower enchiladas for apps- tasty but quantity was small. For mains the vegetarians had baby corn tacos, al pastor (it's oyster mushrooms) and mole enchilada. The rest of us had short rib tacos, rib eye tacos, El Matatan burger and chicken Saltado. Everything was great, though I'd skip the burger next time. They only have a gluten free churro as dessert which wasn't too good . Around 10, live music starts which gives the place an even better vibe! All the servers (esp Rene) were excellent and answered our questions (multiple times!) and accommodated all our requests. Will be back for sure to try their biggest espresso machine! read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
We've been looking forward to Matatan's new Newport location, and it was worth the wait. The new spot takes everything we already loved about the food and hospitality and elevates it even more with an incredible beachside setting. A special thank you to Oscar, the owner, for making us feel so welcome. As always, the ambiance, food, and service were outstanding and never disappoint. We're excited to be back again soon! read more
Business owner information
Matatan G.
Thank you so much for your review, Alexis! We’re so glad you were…
This is a new restaurant in Laguna Beach and it did not disappoint. We were greeted by Omar, one of the owners and we picked a table on the patio since we had our puppy with us. I found out later that dogs are allowed inside the restaurant as well but we like to watch people and dogs walk by as we dine. Water was brought out and drink orders were taken. I chose a pineapple daiquiri mocktail and later had a La Diablita mocktail. Both of the mocktails were delicious and the price was fair. My husband had a passion star martini, which he said was very tart but tasty. For an appetizer, we had the ceviche. It had fish, shrimp and octopus along with onions, peppers and plantain chips. We were treated with a variety of sauces and homemade tortilla chips to try. For an entree, I ordered the half portion of the grilled Bronzino which came with rice and beans and my husband had the grilled octopus that came with potatoes and spinach. My Bronzino was cooked to perfection. It was delicate, flakey and moist with a nice light marinade on it. The octopus was tender and delicious. My husband would have preferred that it be grilled just a little bit longer but he ate the whole thing so it must have been pretty tasty as well. We were treated with a light dessert that consisted of a cinnamon churro with a strawberry glaze and homemade whipped cream. We thoroughly enjoyed talking to the owners, Omar and Flacco and hope that more people give the restaurant a try... you won't be disappointed. read more
1 month ago
Found the best little Latin spot in Laguna! The staff is so genuinely welcoming and nice, which makes ordering at the counter feel great. I loved it so much the first time that I brought my mom back with me, and we both had such a good time. The food is so good and flavorful, and the drinks are amazing too. Will definitely be a regular when I make my trips out there! read more
2 months ago
Great food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere. The restaurant is modern, clean, and has a welcoming vibe. Everything we ordered was fresh and flavorful, and the staff was friendly and attentive. We'll definitely be back! read more
12 days ago
12 days ago
2 months ago
22 days ago
2 months ago
What a great addition to the downtown area, I am quite impressed with the variety of foods and flavors on the menu. From the chilaquiles, to the pozole, the ceviche, and the mole, everything is so delicious! Omar makes one the best margaritas I've ever had! This place is a must!!!! read more
2 months ago
If you're looking for incredible Latin food in Laguna Beach, this place is a must-visit. Everything is made fresh, and you can truly taste the quality in every dish. The cocktails are consistently delicious and surprisingly well-priced compared to many other restaurants in Laguna. My favorite place to sit is at the bar. Omar and Flaco make the experience even better with their great service, friendly personalities, and fun banter. They create such a welcoming atmosphere that you'll want to come back again and again. Highly recommend checking this spot out, you won't be disappointed! read more
8 days ago
2 months ago
1 month ago
3 months ago
Visiting from Phoenix and stumbled upon this gem looking for some good food and a place to watch a World Cup game. Can't say enough good things! The food was amazing! My Cuban Sandwich was superb and my husband had the Chicken Mole Chilaquiles which was also amazing. Drinks were fabulous as well. I had the La Diabla because I love Mezcal and this drink did not disappoint. Bonus...the La Diabla presentation is literally on fire! My husband had the Picchu and a margarita which were also tasty and beautifully presented. Staff was all super friendly and welcoming. Loved the ambiance and style/vibe of the place. If we lived closer we would frequent this place a lot! read more
2 months ago
10 days ago
2 months ago
Food was just amazing. Service was so great and so fun! This is my first time in the city and this restaurant made the experience of my WHOLE ENTIRE STAY memorable. The staff strives to make the food and service the best experience you will have in LAGUNA BEACH. Highly recommend try the corazon roto. So good. 100/10. Coming again. Flako and omar no more flowers please. read more
1 month ago
Have never given a review before but had to for this place! Food is amazing! Service is excellent! Drinks are cheap! Atmosphere is warm. Not sure what else you can ask for in Laguna Beach. read more
2 months ago
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More info about El Matatan
237 Ocean Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Directions
(949) 715-8385
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http://www.elmatatanoc.com
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