If you haven't been here, you are missing out on life! Who would have thought going to a market would be an incredibly fun experience? Everything is clean, beautifully organized, colorful, and incredibly fun. It's almost like Disneyland of Mexican markets! We loved sampling the tacos and exploring all the different food stalls. We picked up a whole roasted chicken with warm tortillas, salsa, and beans, which made the perfect family meal. Easy, delicious, and no one had to cook. That alone deserves applause. The entire market feels like a fiesta. There is vibrant fresh produce, option of authentic food in different stalls, and churros served hot from the fryer. We also grabbed some carne asada to grill at home to keep the party going! And then there is pretty impressive collection of tequila for the tequila lovers! Mercado González is more than a market. It is a full experience for the whole family, and we will absolutely be back. Come hungry and give yourself plenty of time to explore. Salud! read more

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I was really hoping for a better experience. Food we tried: Tamales- Tacos - Chiva Tortas- The overall experience wasn't what i expected. service unwelcoming ambiance felt overwhelming read more

I love this place. I meet here on a weekly basis for some volunteer groups. I love the staff the environment- love the quality of the produce provided. Affordable price points - I understand this is a tough economy - HOWEVER I have heard the pricing can fluctuate between this gentrified version and other locations throughout traditionally lower socioeconomic areas - which is fine -- I get it - it's a nice flagship store - you're capitalizing on the nuances and novelty of it all- which again. Whatever -- I do however notice in the few weeks - as a regular weekly customer - the same exact items that I get have DROPPED IN QUALITY while simultaneously INCREASING IN PRICE!!! And we aren't talking about small cost of living increases - these are dabbling if not diving full fucking head first into price gouging. EG - my favorite Vanilla shake & mini churro combo that used to save me a dollar on if I buy the items individually ( I think it was $12-)15?) UP TO $17. No more mini churros. I don't even think I saw them on the menu anymore -- aka you're forced to pay for larger sizes and prices. . . Which one would think ok ... that's somewhat fine -- BUT NO. The smoothie I've been buying for over a year and a half now - ALMOST on a weekly basis - is so fucking WATERY. It's ricidiculous. It used to be so thick and cream and decadent. I've been wondering for the last month wtf is it a new employee -- has my shake been sitting here melting away the last 4-5 weeks? No. It's fresh off the blender and just thinner across the board. Such a shame. Same thing for my lovely Chicken Asado Verde Soup - WAS FUCKING AMAZING !!! And the price point was something like 32 ox for $12. I used to rant and rave with coworkers and friends that this soup is spectacular and although pricey at "$12" (for me) - I went it again over the months - and thought I want some delicious soup that taste like grandmas. I ordered it - I noticed the new slew of containers. Didn't think much. Glances at the prices - said I'll take the large - WHICH IS A NEW "family style" My $12 portion - SAME SIZE NOW - $32 (yes) THIRTY EFFING TWO DOLLARS. Call me a fat ass - but that CANNOT feed - maybe an Ethiopian or anorexic family - but for one moderately high BMI - American. Which I get everything is fucking super sized - but to see price points increase SIGNIFICANTLY - while decreasing quality - seems like a quick recipe for distaste that I hope whomever is managing the restaurant presto side of things - really advocates for the quality and fair price points that made this flag ship a store to love. I hate to bitch and moan - and I'm sure my volunteer group won't want to change our flexible situation - but I've began to notice people just bring outside food in - and have their meals with us. Which is fine - I might have to do the same - because come on - upping pricing. Lowering quality. It's like Matilda's father throwing sawdust in the engine. Be better. Anyways heed my warning - at those price points for *certain* premade items - just take your ass to Erewhon - at least I expect my ass is going to hurt when I leave. read more

This place is the Mexican market disneyland, interior is huge with bunch of food stalls, grocery, and Mexican silverware and other goodies. Parking can be tough since this place is always crowded. There are table seatings were you can eat and also TV screen and bar for drinks. I've tried the tacos, the crispy chicharron and the churros. The churros are my favorite, not too sugary and fried to perfection, hot chocolate there is bomb too. Tacos weren't the best I've had but meat was tender. Overall fun place to come with friends, would love to try margo my next visit! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The Menudo from the Birrieria La Menuderia place inside Mercado Gonzalez is so good! They always sell out before noon, so come early in the morning! They offer the rojo (red) and blanco (white) versions of Menudo. I love that it comes with a lot of meat and fresh tortillas to eat it with. There is so much flavor in the soup. They went up in price ($17.99) as of 2026, and although I think it's pretty pricey, if you're already shopping here and have a craving for menudo, I think it's worth splurging. People who work here are always super nice and friendly - I just love coming to this place for my menudo fix! read more

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Want to be transported to somewhere new, fresh, exciting and to embrace Hispanic culture? Mercado Gonzalez is that. It's not just a grocery store, it's not a place to go in and out (you could if you wanted to), it's a place to enjoy not just the produce, but everything it has to offer! Yes, it is a grocery store, but it's also a place with many food stalls with delicious foods that are made fresh throughout the day! The service is fantastic, everyone is so happy and are eager to help! The ambiance is bustling either music constantly playing and some live music on certain days! I've had their horchata, burritos from one of the stalls, a torta, and a muleta. I've also purchased some fresh guacamole and their freshly made agua frescas!, all of which were great! Some say it's ok or sub par from other places, it could be true, but it's definitely the experience that is hard to match. This isn't just a one and done place, I feel like I haven't fully experienced everything yet and plan to come back multiple times to try out all that this place has to offer! read more

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Mercado Gonzales by Northgate Market is located on the border of Santa Ana and Costa Mesa and it features many variations of Mexican food. You could get Mexico City's famous churros from El Moro Churreria. You could get mesquite grilled carne asada or steak in a taco. You could get Sinaloan sushi. You could get carnitas or enchiladas. Their agua frescas and paletas are refreshing on a hot day and their fresh baked pan dulce is awesome in the morning. The food at the restaurants isn't exactly cheap, but there's a lot of delicious things to try. While it was annoying to visit when it was viral in Winter 2023, it's presently much easier to access. If you are more cost conscious, I do get some select grocery items here. In particular, I love getting their house made tortillas, their marinated meats, and their queso blanco. I do feel like I can get good deals for some produce. Together, these ingredients make awesome, easy, affordable meal prep with minimal effort. Overall, it's like Willy Wonka created a Mexican food court. This is my type of amusement park and I love it. read more

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Never did I think I would enjoy a trip to the market!! I guess you can say it's like going to an upscale, beautiful, modern tianguis in Mexico !! Regardless of which side you walk in through, you will be in awe. There's different sections, you can say are like stores to purchase different products, from churros, aguas Frescas, tortillas, guisados, mariscos, panaderia, tacos, guacamole, salsas, paleteria, candles, candy and more plus your groceries!! They even have a restaurant section for dining but they have a dining food court to eat what you buy. They even have a big screen and fully stocked bar, great for lunch or dinner time. Got to see a soccer game during the World Cup which was a while vibe! Expect to be there at least 2 hours to get a full experience. I drove pretty far but it was definitely well worth the trip. read more

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Mercado Gonzalez has been on my list for a while and it definitely lives up to its reputation as a one-stop shop. Located inside Northgate, it offers everything from groceries and freshly made tortillas, salsas, and guacamole to desserts and hot food. The space is clean, with plenty of tables and an outdoor patio for dining. I took a lap around to check out all the options before ordering: shrimp ceviche ($12.99), an asada burrito ($11.99), asada plate ($17.99), and churros with cajeta dipping sauce ($11 + $2 for the sauce). Overall, prices felt fair and the food was decent. The highlight for me was the sliced asada - perfectly cooked and served with three corn tortillas and two sides. I was most excited for the churros, but they ended up being the biggest letdown. They were overpriced and pretty underwhelming compared to everything else. One downside is the layout as everything is pretty spread out. While the main hot food items are grouped together, items like ceviche, aguas frescas, churros, and pastries are located in different areas across the market, which makes it a bit inconvenient to grab everything in one go. read more

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I've been wanting to check out the Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market. I'm able to take my family to explore it. Today's weather is fantastic, with a clear sky and perfect conditions. When we arrived, there was a large parking lot, but it was so crowded that we had to wait approximately 30 minutes to find a space. This location features an international market, bakeries, colorful food stalls, and live music. My in-laws are more excited than I am since they purchased a large quantity of bread and other goods. A fantastic place to spend hours eating delicious meals. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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Stopped by to gather groceries and picked up freshly made tamales, fresh guacamole, fresh chips, fresh tortillas. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Fresh WARM tortillas from the market. These also serve as a blanket warmer on the car ride home. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food - where does one start? Lots of it would be a fair statement. Mexican food for sure! Inside is like a Mexican food Disneyland! You have a bunch of choices of raw food stuff, cook food stuff, deserts, breads, a restaurant and even a bar! At times, there is also music! Have that margarita or the bottled coke! This place is a grocery and football, all wrapped in one delicious Mexicali DIisney magic! It's fairly clean, naturally festive and good s election! You can get meats from willing butchers that can help you get that backyard bbq or your taco spread! Service ain't bad either. You godda visit this place at least once or 5 times! Just be patient as parking can be a challenge! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - The store - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Oh dios mio! What did I just experience, it felt like a SUPER duper SuperMarket. The sheer size of the grocery store was staggering. It really needs its own category because I have never seen a grocery store like this. There were a ton of stalls scattered throughout making fresh items like a salsa/guacamole bar, ceviche bar, augua fresca bar,, 20 bajillion diff kinds of fresh tortillas, carnitas tacos, fresh churros with ice cream, a bakery, sushi bar, regular alcohol bar and more. Everything was incredibly hot and fresh. They had everything needed that I could've lived there in solitude for the rest of my life. Lol. read more

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Always a pleasure shopping and eating at this market! Picking up warm tortillas fresh off the press! Fresh chips! Browsing the food court to decide what to eat for lunch! The ceviche bar, so many options! The meat department, large selection! My go to is picking up 3-4 lbs of skirt steak with their amazing Asada marinate! Makes the best Asada (stove top or BBQ). Lots of fresh veggies and fruits. Nice selection of fresh chillies. Great selection of inhouse made salsas and guacamole. It's so hard not to become that kid in the candy store here and buy it out. Eating in the food court first helps, some. After several years of shopping at Mercado, I discovered their meats ate provided by Harris Ranch! Talk about quality meats! After packing up the groceries in the car, I always go back for one last stop. El Moro. Warm and fresh Churrosa. So good! Pairs very well with the largecarrage of hot chocolates or some of their yummy dipping sauces! read more

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Finally made my way here after saying countless times how I should check it out and it did not disappoint! I wasn't really sure what to expect, so I went in with zero expectations. I went on a Friday night and it was VERY lively! There was a band playing by the bar and it was packed! People were drinking, dancing, hanging out. All of this is happening in a supermarket! Lots of food vendors to check out and all of it looked delicious! I don't remember the names of the places my friend and I ordered food from, but I had a chile relleno burrita, seafood cocktail, and pozole. I've never really had chile relleno, so I decided to just go for it and try something different even though there were other options that were more my preference. It was alright. Good thing it was only $5. The seafood cocktail was delicious! They did not skimp on the seafood and everything in it tasted so fresh. Pozole wasn't terrible, but just like my burrita, it was a bit on the bland side. Maybe my palate skews too heavily towards salty, but I felt like a little salt here and there would've really improved the flavors in everything we ordered. Overall the quality/freshness was there! Regarding the market part, nothing special. Maybe a little more selection than your typical Northgate, especially in the liquor department. Their wall of tequila was impressive. I will definitely be back again to try the other foods! In fact, I may just come all the way out here to do grocery shopping from time to time. I saw a guy doing some shopping with a cocktail in his cart and I want to live that life. Bro definitely had the right idea. read more

My friend and I came here late at night and we wish we came a bit earlier because a lot of the restaurants closed down already even though Yelp said it was open until 10. We weren't picky though and fortunately there were still options open! There's a bunch of food stalls located in the supermarket, with plenty of tables around to sit. They even had LIVE music and a bar! We went with a tamale meal from one of the stalls, which came with two tamales of your choice, rice, and beans. I got the pork tamales with red salsa and they weren't too dry and had a kick to it. They were sooo good and I was able to save half of it for lunch another day because they were pretty big. We also got churros at a different stall. We were so shocked at how long the churros were and they fry and dip them right in front of you. They were soo good especially when they were warm. I would love to come back a little earlier so I could try some of the other foods! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - churros - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Freshly made corn tortillas! Great staff, lively place and background music as if you're waking streets of Mexico! read more

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Quesabirria Taco ($4.99) - Quesabirria is one of my favorite foods and this taco is a perfect reason why. The beef was so tender and juicy and paired so well with the rich, spicy, and flavorful consomé. They didn't skimp on the cheese and the tortilla was very crispy. Highly recommend! Taco Al Pastor ($2.99) - They nailed the spices and flavors of the pork, which paired so well with the pineapple. I need to try their carne asada and suadero next time! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here to pick up three kinds of salsa for our Super Bowl party... and clearly that plan did not work. I was pleasantly surprised to find several empty parking spots, coming earlier definitely helps. And let's be real, there's no way you can come here just for salsa. I ended up grabbing two kinds of ceviche, some delicious tamales, and then somehow kept discovering more things I "needed." Lol. This place is seriously the Costco of Northgate. They have everything. From prepared foods to fresh items, it's easy to lose track of time because every section pulls you in. On top of that, every staff member I encountered was friendly, helpful, always a great vibe! And don't even get me started on the fresh churros, and their agua fresca section? Come on. If you haven't been to Mercado Gonzalez Northgate, you're seriously missing out. This place is an experience, not just a grocery run! read more

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I've never been to Northgate Market before but was told this was the best of the best so figured I had to try this location! And wow I was so impressed, I had such a great time. So many different food stalls, lots of samples, live music with a band.. overall just very good vibes! Churros-- AMAZINGGGGG. Crisp outside, fluffy inside, perfectly sweet, sugar not falling everywhere. Need to buy more next time!!! Tacos-- REALLY GOOD! We got lengua, cabeza, asada, al pastor and suadero. I think I paid around $30. All good all around. Perfectly moist and well seasoned, nothing was chewy, nothing was burnt. I feel like my taco standards have been dropping because of disappointing places but wow this one brought be back to reality like HEY good places still exist and every bite can actually be amazing. They also had a salsa bar and the red salsa + habanero salsa (the one in the squeeze bottle) combo is soooo good my goodness I wish I could bottle it and take it home. I was just copying what I saw other people do and yeah!! It's really good! The habanero by itself doesn't have that much flavor, but the spicy kick at the end is nice. It doesn't hit you right away but comes after like an aftertaste. So blend it with the red salsa which has a nice flavor and BAMMM a spicier flavorful red salsa, win win. Tamales-- 6 for $20 mix and match!! I bought this and had it the day after (steamed at home) and all were really good! The savory ones were nice and moist, meat wasn't dry, filling was saucy, and not too bland (or too salty). My personal ranking would be chicken (green sauce), beef (red sauce), then jalapeno cheddar (no filling, wish it had more cheese). The sweet corn one wasn't actually as sweet as I expected like a mild sweet. The strawberry was sweeter than corn and was a nice bite after the savory ones. Aguachiles-- $14 for a small + chips. I actually went to the mariscos stand wanting ceviche but saw they had these and could not resist after a sample!!!! They have lots of ceviche that I'll have to come back next time for, but the aguachiles were soooo flavorful, had a spicy kick, for me a bolder flavor than ceviche which is more lime forward. Definitely getting large next time. I finished the small sooo quickly. Horchata-- $6 for a small. Lots of different flavor options but I just went with my go to horchata. Super smooth, rice and cinnamon flavor... I liked it a lot! No complaints and was a nice dessert after everything else!! read more

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Mercado Gonzalez is like stepping straight into Mexico City -- but with higher prices. The moment you walk in, it feels vibrant and authentic. The market is huge and packed with traditional Mexican food plus beautiful handmade items like pottery, copper pots, jewelry, and clothing. You can easily spend a good amount of time just browsing. We bought a pound of carnitas and that was absolutely amazing -- tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. We also ordered a large watermelon agua fresca, which was a little too sweet for my taste, and some jalapeño guacamole to go. Even with the sweetness of the drink, everything felt fresh and high quality. Overall, Mercado Gonzalez is a fantastic place to gather for lunch or dinner, and it's just as great if you're stopping in to do a little grocery shopping. It truly feels like a cultural experience, not just a market. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Decided to go down here after a college basketball game (Vandguard College). Never knew about this place, everything was word of mouth. Supposedly this is a market experience to go to. To eat, drink and dance. We were overwhelmed with all the food that this market place had to offer. Tacos, burritos, seafood, and snacks! Had high energy shopping vibes. Loud latin music and delicious food. There is so many things to buy here in Northgate Costa Mesa!. This is the mother of all Northgate supermarkets. Things you buy in Mexico is all here. Panchos and shoes, you name it!! Overall, reminds me of a big swapmeet. Parking can be tight, pending what time you go. Place gets really busy. They open early but close at 11pm. Costa Mesas secret spot! Awesome place! read more

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First impressions: this place is HUGE and has so many food and drink options you'd be spoiled for choice! On some nights there is even live music. The vendors are all super nice and some will give you samples if you ask The Noms: I ordered the fish and shrimp tacos because I was craving some seafood options... the fish was crisp and perfectly seasoned and the shrimp was tender and juicy and not overcooked. The portions were large and generous and I was easily full and satisfied. The sauces were tangy, spicy and delicious. In Conclusion: 10/10 recommend. Perfect for group outings since there's plenty of options for everyone. There is a lot of seating and you can even buy a bunch of different items to eat family style. 10/10 recommend read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Shrimp taco - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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What a fun and entertaining discovery! Thanks to some of my Yelp friends' positive reviews and my personal collection of places to check out, this happened to pop up based on its distance from me while we were driving. There's so much to see: the various appetizing eateries; the flower shop (in which the cut bouquets were more expensive than I'd expected); the tortillas & chips; the bakery cases; the gift shops; the attractive meat display; the large produce department; as well as their aisles similar to other grocery stores... and with festive music playing! My eyes grew wide with excitement, wanting to look at everything! I can't rate any of the eateries, as we didn't order any food during this first visit -- other than a pack of still-warm flour tortillas (after being given a generous sample, which was freshly made, nice-&-hot, and soooo soft & fluffy! The store was clean, well-organized, and bright and welcoming. Looking forward to returning. read more

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Mercado Gonzalez Northgate in Costa Mesa is such a great concept. I love all the food court options , there's something for everyone, and everything feels fresh and well thought out. The music, the vibes, and the overall energy make it a fun place to hang out, not just eat. The fresh juices are so good, the churros are a must, and the ceviche bar is a standout. My only complaint is that there's only one location. We need one of these in the Valley ASAP. I'd be there all the time if that happened. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

What can I say? Cafe de olla, churros, tacos and then go shop for groceries after? It's great! I enjoyed the experience and food options. Definitely try the churros! When we arrived, there were a lot of people. Thankfully the patio was open. Lots of seats! They had music playing as well. Really cute read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Fun place to explore! Saw so many unique items! It's hustling and bustling! The layout was confusing. Food stalls scattered throughout the market. If you shopping for veggies, you gotta maneuver around people who were waiting for their food. Food places, you had to pay there. Not like you could take everything and pay at once. I had to use my card a few times. No wonder there wasn't so many registers. Even the bread/sweet bread, you pay separately. I mostly went to just look. It is pretty amazing, but to everyday shop, maybe not. I was expecting market on one side and food court on the other. Oh well! read more

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Mercado Gonzalez is truly one of the most unique and special food destinations in the OC and SoCal entirely. From the moment you walk in, it feels less like a grocery store and more like a vibrant mercado you'd find in Mexico that's full of color, energy, and incredible aromas everywhere you turn. The food is outstanding. Every "puesto" (vendor) offers something special, and everything we tried so far was fresh and flavorful. The tortillas, salsas, prepared foods, pan dulce--absolutely next level. Some of our favorites are the rajas con crema, the green chicken pozole, their tamales, their cócteles and ceviches, their made-to-order guac, their just made tortillas, and their the aguas frescas. I would highly recommend these if you're there. You can really taste the quality in every bite. It's the kind of place where you want to try everything and already plan your next visit while you're still eating, we do! Another huge plus is you can get adult beverages at their bar and even sip on your drink while you shop/eat/enjoy a sports game on their big TVs...what?! Amazing! Beyond the food, the atmosphere is what really sets Mercado Gonzalez apart. It's lively, welcoming, and beautifully done, making it a great spot whether you're grabbing a quick bite or spending time exploring with family and friends. We've brought most of our family members here and they all love it! We love the live music and have even brought our five year old to some of the FREE classes/cooking lessons they have for kids on Saturday mornings (pan dulce decorating- so cool!) This place celebrates culture, tradition, family, and amazing food all under one roof. If I have to sum it up, I would say Mercado Gonzalez isn't just a place to eat, it's really an experience. A true gem in SoCal and a must-visit for anyone who loves incredible Mexican food and a one-of-a-kind setting that takes you straight to what mercados in Mexico are like. Highly recommend! read more

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I'm typically not a one visit then review kind of guy. But... This place just freaking blew me away. Been wanting to visit for a while but it's not really geo-friendly for us. That said, we bit the proverbial tortilla chip and made the trek. Immediately upon entry, wifey told me I looked like a little kid on Christmas morning. Eyes wide open. Nostrils flaring. Ears raised like a service dog protecting its owner. I was so freaking blown away by the sights, smells and sounds I almost $hit myself!!! An absolute extraordinarily crazy sensory experience that you have to see, hear, smell, etc., to believe. Food options are ridiculously abundant, beverage options are aplenty and attached to it all is a grocery option that pretty much carries anything and everything... Think fresh tamales, tacos, churros, puerco, even Mexican sushi! (Not sure what that $hit is but I'm throwing my hat in the ring next visit). My only complaint, (if you want to call it one), would be that it is so freaking crowded and because of the crowds, you'll get your daily number of steps in when, and if, you finally find a parking spot. Then again... our bad for going early afternoon on a Saturday, mid lunch rush. Next visit will be weekday, just the wifey and I, along with a couple of Modelos, during the non lunch rush. Just. A. Blast. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Tastiest chips ever - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I'm so glad I was able to visit this place and Simeon some amazing food! So much stuff to choose from. Shop for fresh food or any of the vendors selling meals. This place is amazing. I wish I had more time to try the Mole. They sold several different kinds. I love it! A must stop if you are visiting Orange County! read more

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My husband and I came here for a date day and we had such a fun experience. From the beers to the delicious food to shopping for salsa makings to churros for the kids after school. We enjoyed tacos and taquitos and chile rellano and quesadillas. With a variety of salsa options. Everyone was very helpful and very well staffed. All the workers here looked happy to be at work. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Modelo negra - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I finally went to eat here. Well, I got it to-go cuz it was the only time I was free during my break. I got the different chicharrones and I'm glad I got a sampler because I couldn't even finish the small pieces I asked for. It was very filling. The employee was so helpful and I appreciated it. I added guac and pico de gallo that they sell in containers and it was so fresh. I also had to buy their freshly made tortillas. Oh my gosh, it was yummy. read more

I felt like a kid in a candy store here. They have all of the Mexican goods that your heart could desire. From freshly baked breads, to fresh cut meats, to freshly made tortillas and chicharron, to dinnerware and bushels of dried chilis. They even have musical acts performing and special events. Keep an eye out for samples being given out. We were able to try a mini birria taco with amazing flavors. My favorite part were the food stands where we were so tempted by each vendor but ultimately landed on a torta ahogada from Chiva Torta and a fresh paleta from La Nena. Both were soooo delicious and the carnitas in the torta just hit the spot. It was tempting to hit up the famous El Moro Churrería from CDMX but I'll have to save it for next time. I do have to note that it was very bustling and packed on the weekend so it might be overwhelming to do your standard grocery shop at that time. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Torta Ahogada with two potato tacos dorados topped with carnitas. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing place. Always love coming here! The food is 10/10 and there's always so many options. I've been here multiple times and every trip food wise is better and better. The grocery side of El Mercado is always impressive with a variety of items and things that you miss from Mexico! This trip we went with the ceviche bar and grabbed a couple of Togo containers with tostadas. Went to the taco spot off course the line was long but the Al Pastor tacos were great. Aguas Frescas always 10/10. And this trip we had the paletas and those were delicious as well. The icecream guy was also super nice and friendly! Was here for our cousins birthday and the guys at the bar ended up singing happy birthday to my cousin to make the trip extra special! Micheladas also hit the spot today! Love the live music always, you just need to be prepared for the people (always busy) and the parking which is awful - but if patient worth the trip! read more

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This place was a sight to experience and we took a lot of time to take what we could in an afternoon. We walked in from the north side and immediately saw the churro stand that was full with people in line. Knowing that would be our last stop, we walked deeper into the market and looked around at all this place had to offer. Anything you wanted from Mexico was now at your fingertips. My partner decided to start at the ceviche part, where you could get shrimp cocktails and ceviche of various types. She got two of them, with one being full of avocados. The other was a regular ceviche While she was in line, someone close was giving samples of carne asada tacos with a red sauce, and it was pretty damn good. I knew after trying that that I was going to get a couple of tacos from here. I went to find the spot and ordered two carne asada and dressed them up. They were really good, and the salsa was spicy but great to handle. I came back to check up on my partner, and she was still going on strong with her cocktail, also dipping into her ceviches that came with tostadas. I left because I discovered a spot where they made tamales. It was a little early for them, but gave two a shot. One was the jalapeno cheese and the beef. I liked the cheese one more, but they were a little too soft for me. I think I needed to let it sit and cool down. Otherwise, they were fantastic. We then left to get her an agua fresca, because they had a spot for that sort of thing too. She tried the cucumber mint and enjoyed that with her love of a torta. We went back to where I got the tacos from, and she got one for herself. It was a little messy, but she said that she really enjoyed all the fixins that were put into it. I went to another spot that made plates of food and also burritos. I took my to go, but they had a lot of cooked chicken, and also grilled meat right in front of you. They had a ranchera-style meat, and that's the one I enjoyed at home. Their rice and beans were pretty good, and I used the same green salsa from the other place to pour in. Before we left, I went to go get four churros to take home and enjoy. They were the best I have had since I came back from Spain. It was really cool seeing them made right in front of you, and then getting to enjoy them not long after they were made. In all honesty, everything was affordable. There was so much we could have brought back with us, but we know that there are stores closer to home that carry the same items made every day. It's a really cool place that has two bars inside and plenty of places to sit and eat. Its also well kept, clean, and everyone is nice that works there. Definitely an impressive market. read more

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I'm already a fan of Northgate Markets in general. So the Northgate Mercado Gonzales was like a wonderland for me. You have all the goods that you could get at a usual Northgate Market, but this location is huge and contains a Latino centric food hall offering up all types of different foods. There's even a bar where you can order adult beverages next to an area with plenty of seating. The folks in the market area and at the food stalls and bar were all super friendly. And I'm not sure if it's only on Fridays, one Friday a month or what, but there was live music during my visit. I actually was able to visit on this past Halloween (2025). I've been wanting to visit this market/food hall for a long time and got the chance when I was in the area for a concert nearby. Because it was on the holiday, the mariachi band and some folks working there were festive and in costume, which made the vibe extra festive and fun. Deciding on what I wanted to eat was a little overwhelming. There was latin-style sushi, tacos, burritos, mariscos, tortas, tamales, caldos...pretty much almost anything you can think of and across many different stalls. I don't have enough experience here to say that if you want the best you ever had of anything, this is the place, but I will say everything smelled and looked really good and I really enjoyed my meal. If nothing else, this place does feel like one of those places where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I ended up getting a torta from one of the stalls and beer from the bar. Because game 6 of the World Series was on, the seats were scarce. I ended up sitting at the fountain so I can watch the game (it was in the later innings and it was tense). Just a wonderful place and a memorable experience. Plenty of parking too because this market anchors a pretty sizeable strip mall. read more

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I LOVE it here! It is like Disneyland to me!! There is everything, and it is SO clean and well organized. The meat, produce, tortillas, flowers, prepared food and churros are all fabulous! GO!! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Chicken tacos - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Essentially an amazing market experience from Northgate where you get essentially a food hall experience & a great all in one place for all your Mexican food needs! From Chilaquiles, Churros, Tortas, Ceviche, Panaderia,(Bakery/Pastries), Tacos, Tamales, & also this place really great for groceries as well. I really love the White Corn (Maiz Blanco) tortillas that just seem to pair well with everything. While I'm sure theres even more amazing restaurants around in Santa Ana & Anaheim, the ambiance & vibes were amazing & it was so cool to see so many food stores/booths all in one place. A lot of the grocery shoppers & employees were super helpful with recommendations & that always makes for a great community. Definitely will come back to try some of the speciality food stores! read more

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I loved this place so much for what it is. Basically a giant Mexican market and a modern food hall and a grocery store. There's also a bunch of falls, boutiques, bakeries, taco stands, full bar, restaurants, full groceries, all in one big space. You can easily spend a few hours here on your first visit. Walk around with a drink, grab some tacos or ceviche or whatever, fresh tortillas, and then finish with some churros from El Moro or something from the bakery. Possibilities are endlesssss Tables and seats can get a little busy during peak times and it does get a little loud but if you circle a few times or head to the outdoor area you'll get one eventually. Overall, just super fun to go and bring friends/family and make a fun event out of it. read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Norgate Mercado is not your typical supermarket. If you're expecting a regular grocery store, think again--in the best way possible. This place feels just like the mercados in Mexico: a lively, small-flea-market style setup where you can find all kinds of freshly made foods, aguas frescas, juices made right in front of you, and so many authentic options that bring you back to true Mexican market culture. Everything is made from scratch, and you can really taste the difference. Even the groceries look amazingly fresh--not like items that have been sitting in a refrigerator forever. On top of that, the service is great, and the whole atmosphere is fun and welcoming. And honestly, one of the best parts? They have a bar! You can grab a drink, enjoy some music, and they even have live performances at times. It's a whole experience, not just a shopping trip. I highly recommend this place. So far, it's the only store I've been to that truly feels like this, and it was absolutely worth the 2-hour drive to try it out. Totally worth it--I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Mercado Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California