Amazing service. Laz was great and the environment and food was really good. highly recommend the Salmon!

Nice little Mexican food spot located where HUB used to be. They don't advertise it on their menu but they have an unpublished kids menu that includes: grilled chicken with rice and refried beans, chicken strips with French fries or quesadilla (choice of cheese, chicken, or steak) with rice and beans. I really enjoyed the puerto Nuevo enchiladas and my 4 yr old loved them too! He also nearly went face down in the flan with coconut ice cream. My son loves coconut ice cream but now he also loves flan! They have a cool decor in the restaurant and it's very modern. There's a bathroom at the end and they have high chairs if you need them. Service was great and we'd come back again. read more

We had high hopes for our Mother's Day brunch at Palenque Kitchen, but unfortunately it turned into one of the worst dining experiences we've had in a long time. Our reservation was for 1:15 PM and we were seated quickly around 1:10 PM. Service started off slow, which we completely understood considering it was Mother's Day and the restaurant was packed. It took a while for the server to even get drink orders, and my mom's Patron margarita tree took about 20 minutes. When we asked about it, we were told they were waiting for other guests to finish using the tree so they could wash and reuse the glassware. Again, we tried to be understanding. About 20 more minutes passed before we were asked if we were ready to order. At that point, we honestly blamed ourselves for not flagging someone down sooner. Then the real issue began: we waited... and waited... and waited. We were checked on maybe 3 times total over the next couple of hours. Nobody ever asked if we wanted another round of drinks. We had to flag the server down just to order another beer, and even then he didn't ask if anyone else needed anything. Around 70 minutes into our wait, guacamole was brought out and we were told our food was "almost ready." About 30 minutes later, we were told it was "being plated." Our food finally arrived around 3:45 PM -- over TWO HOURS after ordering. Meanwhile, tables around us were seated, ordered, ate, paid, and left while we were still sitting there waiting. By the time our food finally came out, the restaurant was practically empty aside from a few tables. At one point, while walking back from the bathroom, the bartender told us to "have a great day," and I responded, "We haven't even been served yet." Then came the food issues: - My chilaquiles were missing the steak - My husband's steak was ordered medium rare and came out completely well done - The beans were cold - The lobster quesadilla barely had any lobster in it The server apologized and initially offered us one free dessert. Then it became three desserts. Eventually we told them dessert wasn't going to fix wasting hours of our Mother's Day on bad food and poor service, so we asked for a manager. The manager came over and honestly seemed completely unbothered. His first solution? Four desserts. When we explained that wasn't acceptable, he said he'd go "formulate" something and come back. He eventually offered to take $100 off the bill and remove the automatic gratuity. To make matters worse, reservations required a $30 deposit PER PERSON for our party of 9. Even after the discount, we still ended up paying around $40 on top of the deposit for terrible food and terrible service. I understand holidays are busy. We were patient for HOURS and gave the staff plenty of grace. But this went far beyond "busy holiday delays." Completely unacceptable experience from start to finish. Never again. read more

First time at this restaurant and we were so happy with it! The service was great, fast and friendly. I wish I remembered our waiter's name but he was so attentive. The ambiance was super cool too. Perfect for a date night, out with friends or just happy hour. The food was AMAZING. I had their Salmon Al Pastor and it was simply scrumptious! It was so soft and cooked to perfection! It was almost sweet and the skin so flavorful. It was a side of white rice with a sweet tone to it and fresh veggies. I will definitely order this again! My friend had Chicken Fajitas and they were super yummy. I also had a Watermelon Cucumber Margarita and it was simply delicious. I will also order this again! read more

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Found this place through instagram. Went there for lunch with a friend on a Saturday and it wasn't too crazy or loud. We got the margarita sampler and carne asada from the dinner menu. 10/10 would recommend! It was all so delicious. Service was fast and we got some great recommendations. read more

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We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Saturday morning. They open at 11 and a few hours later, the place was still very empty (about 3-4 parties present out of the whole restaurant). I was surprised, since the ambiance is stylish and chic and the drinks are amazing!! Parking in front is a plus, also! Food wise, unfortunately, my breakfast burrito was bland, and so were the rice and beans from my friend's tacos. Another friend who is not into spicy food said her tacos were very spicy (so be careful when you order). My burrito came with green salsa on the side and it still was missing some flavor. Next time I come I will order my friend's chilaquiles, which was very tasty and flavorful!! Drinks are made in house and are perfect. Our waiter was really nice and the food didn't take long to arrive. Great place to come for a date or a large celebration! Yes, they have brunch! read more

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Had our company dinner here and it went very well. I had the Pollo dish and it was so heavenly, super well seasoned and balanced. My husband had the steak and it was great as well and came out perfect temperature. Not pictured was the ceviche which was super bright and enjoyable. Service as great and our waiter was super patient with us being a large party. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Steak Tampiquena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Solid spot for date night! We went at 5:30 on a Sunday and it was absolutely dead. I bet it's more poppin for brunch and also later on weekend evenings? Chips and salsa were good, drinks were so tasty, and the enchiladas and Caesar salad were perfect. I do feel it was a bit pricey especially the drinks, but I'd recommend it for a fun night out if you want club-y vibes. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Lobster Enchiladas Puerto Nuevo and Caesar Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ambiance feels more like a vibey-bar restauraunt than a restauraunt restauraunt. They play loud music which can make it hard to converse. Overall the food was just ok, but the drinks were solid! Great service though. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Palenque Kitchen by Mezcal is a standout in Costa Mesa we went on a Friday and it delivered exactly the high-energy vibe I wanted, DJ, packed crowd, and a fun atmosphere. Beautiful space that works for date night or a night out with friends, and even with the crowd, service was on point, shoutout to Josue. "The Patron Tree" is super fun and photogenic (mini margaritas). The branzino and the steak were seriously good. Overall, great music, great vibes, and a perfect spot for a night out. read more

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Food service and ambiance are all top notch! Music was vibey. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often. Steak was melt in your mouth and buttery. Not too many great vegetarian options (see other pic) but great for everyone else! Cocktails were also delicious. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I was there last night to celebrate a friend's birthday, only the two of us. The service was mediocre, to say the least. My beer and water glasses ran dry, and I was never asked for a refill on either. The queso dip, which our waiter recommended, was grainy and tasteless. Fish tacos, two. I ate half of one, left the other. Again, not tasteful! So overall, just a mediocre experience all around. read more

We waited for over an hour for our food without a clear explanation or honest updates from the waiter. Multiple other tables got up and left because they were waiting for so long. After an hour, they told me that they could not make the dish that I had ordered (straight off the menu). They did not even offer us a discount. The food ultimately was good, but the restaurant has serious operational problems. read more

Food was AWFUL!! We started with the Cesar salad came with dark blue tortilla chips. The salad was the only meal we enjoyed. We ordered shrimp Diablo which comes with beans and rice. APPARENTLY tortillas are separate. We also ordered the chile relleno no rice no veggies no sides at all. Let me tell you about the beans, they were disgusting,. First of all they don't look like beans at all, the texture is like fluffy mash potatoes so gross. Tortillas are separate Oh! and they are paper store bought tortillas. What ever they do to the beans is not only gross but disgusting and a disgrace to beans. For being à la cart it's so not worth it at all. This place is by far crazy overpriced and way overrated. Another thing if you request salsa yes you will be charged for it, and the amount that they bring is insulting. Service was mediocre they never came around to refill our waters, I'm sure we probably would have been charged extra for that too. Ambiance is very loud and dark so if you happen to have hair in your food or bugs you wouldn't be able to see. All in all I give this place a 2 out if 10 I WOULD NEVER GO BACK NOR WOULD I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Not worth it at all. read more

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Cute place in downtown Riverside. Definitely nice to sit down and relax with family or friends. Restaurant itself is cute. The food is ok but the drinks are delicious. Very much enjoyed the margarita flight with hibiscus, watermelon, cucumber and a normal one. Highly recommend. The cheese enchilada was ok, a little too salty for my taste. My husband got the chicken enchilada and thought it was ok. Would come back for drinks and apps, but will likely pass on entrees. read more

Went for new years with their set menu. Our server Laz was excellent from the beginning, he was helpful and friendly. The salad and soup to start were delicious Also they fry their own tortilla chips in house and they're served warm. Delicious! Main dishes were salmon and steak, both were about average but not bad in any way. Our nye ticket included party favors Dj was playing awesome throwbacks mixed with modern hip hop, enjoyed it Recommend this place - lots of seating so reservations are easier than others in the area read more

I visited here on a rainy night and it was an intimate and visually appealing restaurant. Even though there were barely any people inside (though my guess is because it was a Tuesday night and it was raining), the music and visuals made me feel excited to eat here. My enchiladas with the shrimp was cooked to perfection and the beans and rice were also good but nothing outstanding. They serve chips and salsa and honestly those were some of the best I've had at a Mexican restaurant. I think my friend got some Al Pastor dish and he really liked it too. I think it is on the pricier side for what is served but the service was friendly; I would definitely come back here. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Enchiladas Mazatlan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time visitor. Great vibe, friendly and welcoming staff. Sat at the bar, and our bartender, Josue, treated us like family. Will definitely come back for his service and mixology skills, as his recommendations were perfect and drinks were delish! Guacamole was fresh, and food was good. Hubby had the octopus and almost cried tears of joy! I had the appetizer tacos and we shared the poblano Cesar. Tacos were ok. Not bad, just not my flavor profile. Salad was fresh, light and bright, and would definitely do that as an entree with a protein. Overall, highly recommend! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Palenque is such a beautiful spot. The ambiance is stunning and you can tell they put a lot of thought into the design. As soon as we sat down they greeted us with water and chips and salsa. The chips are homemade and really good. I ordered the cheese enchiladas and overall everything tasted great. My only small caveat was that I wish the dish came out hotter temperature wise. One other minor thing was when we were waiting for the check the music got very loud and I couldn't hear the person sitting right next to me. I am not sure if it was accidentally turned up. That said, overall it was a good experience and I would definitely come back. read more

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Came here on Mother's Day and our server was Jose. He was so so nice, kind, patient, apologetic cause the food took a bit long to come out but his service, kindness, and patience made it acceptable and made the overall experience 5 stars! He also had a genuine smile the entire time. A+ service! read more

The service was great! Wednesday night after work we had dinner and cocktails. The spicy margarita was super tasty! The food was good. read more

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Service, was A+. You definitely leave wanting to try more dishes, will be back soon. The roasted salsa and chips also great to enjoy with a drink while you wait for your food. read more

Palenque Kitchen - The best octopus I have had. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best Margaritas in the city! Came here for drinks bartender let us know they freshly squeeze their mixers....made all the difference in the world. Good date spot, will be back to try the food. read more

I came in on a Saturday morning, it was pretty slow but as the place started getting busier the bartender was still the only "server" on. He was super attentive and really really nice, no complaints about him, it just seemed like a lot of work for one person, although he handled it pretty well! I got the Brioche French Toast and added bacon, it was so good! I asked for coffee, got cream and sugar, it was a pretty decent cup of coffee ! The place is very lively looking, every room had a different vibe, nonetheless pretty! Will definitely be back for Lunch and maybe Dinner another time! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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My friend and I passed by for "lunch" around 5 pm Saturday. We were greeted warmly and attended by Hannah and Brittany throughout our visit. The inside is trendy and well put together. The bathrooms are also clean and have amazing lighting! I'm sure this place gets pretty packed later throughout the night, but since it was a bit slow, we were consistently checked up on, which I really appreciate. They have smaller tables for two, longer tables for big parties, and of course the bar area. My friend ordered shrimp aguachiles and I got the palenque salad, both of which were super good. We decided to share the patron tower as well (definitely something worth sharing). I look forward to coming back to see how the vibes are at night! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Patron tower + palenque salad w/steak - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Staff was very friendly! The whole place is such a vibe, and the drinks were delicious. Great atmosphere to hang out, whether you're catching up with friends or just looking for a good spot in the area. Definitely a place to try! read more

The atmosphere here was amazing and the food was delicious! Our waiter Laz was very polite and provided excellent service! Definitely recommend! 100/10! read more

We were at another place a few spots down in this little shopping center and were hungry. My girlfriend loves Mexican food and I've driven by this place a several times and it always catches my eye. The menu on their website is excellent and has pictures of almost every item including both food and drinks. The front of the restaurant looks very cool, especially at night, so we decided to give it a try. The parking lot out front was full but we were fortunate to grab a spot earlier in the day. They apparently have parking in the rear also. We walked in a bit past 5:30pm on a Sunday evening and were a little concerned at first because the place was empty except for one table. The reviews were good and we were having dinner earlier than most so we proceeded. The inside of the restaurant looks as nice and trendy as the outside. The big bar is kind of the focus with some neon signs around and the whole restaurant is lit by a great variety of different fixtures. The lighting is on the dim side and gives the place a great lounge type vibe. There was some Mexican music playing that was almost a little too loud but not quite. Our server Hever greeted us who was very friendly and gave great service all night. We asked if they had chips and salsa and they came right out along with some extra salt which we requested. The chips were great and the salsa was very flavorful and was a generous size. I ordered the Sandia Pepino cocktail which was excellent. It was perfectly balanced, the chile rim was great, and I loved the garnish with a round scoop of watermelon pinned between a long cucumber slice. My girlfriend just had a diet coke but it was kind of cool that they serve a Mexican Diet Coke bottle with a glass of ice. The bottle is a little on the small side and your tab might add up quick if you order several. Next came the entrees. She had the Tacos De Papa and the plate looked nice. She enjoyed them but there was a little too much cabbage piled on top. I had the Enchiladas Mazatlan which almost looked like lasagna at first because the layer of cheese on top was so thick. However I really enjoyed the thick layer of cheese and there was a generous amount of shrimp, some in almost every bite. The arugula salad on top was something I had never seen before. I pushed most of it off to the side and had it after the enchiladas. It surprisingly worked, was very good and light and was a nice way to finish off a dish that was a little heavy from the all cheese. We really enjoyed our meal here and would definitely return again. read more

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We ordered a variety of dishes and left wondering how this place has 4 stars. * Pulpo: Crispy (yes, fried), but not enjoyable. The Brussels sprouts it came with were the best part. * Branzino: Just a plain fish dish served with beans and rice. Nothing memorable. * Puerto Nuevo Lobster Enchiladas: Underwhelming and bland. * Beef & Shrimp Combo Fajitas: Apparently two shrimp qualifies as a "combo." Disappointing. * Refried Beans: Across the board, they were runny and watery. Why? On top of that, the presentation was poor. Looking back at Yelp photos, I thought maybe people just weren't great at photographing, but no, nothing came out looking appetizing or picture-worthy in person either. Overall, the food was uninspired and not worth the hype. At least now we know we don't need to come back. read more

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I came here with some friends while I was in Costa Mesa. I'm not super familiar with the area, so naturally I read the reviews. And it didn't disappoint! It was pretty hot outside, so we sat indoors in the air conditioning. The inside is kind of a vibe. I feel like it's a great evening spot. But we went around 2 when they were slower. I ordered the tuna tiradito which was delicious. The pickled onions on top of the tuna sashimi were the best part. Our server said that it was his favorite dish on the menu too. I'd definitely come back, maybe later in the evening to try other dishes. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Tuna Tiradito - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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First time checking this place out and WOW. Not sure how this spot isn't packed on a Friday night, because Palenque is hitting all the right notes. Literally and figuratively. Let's break it down: Delicious food - I had the veggie tacos and honestly, I wish I took a photo before I devoured them, but they didn't stand a chance. Flavorful, and super satisfying. Great ambiance - Trendy with the kind of lighting and vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. No cover - In this economy? That alone is a win. Plenty of parking - A rare gem in OC nightlife. Fabulous service - Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Music on point - I couldn't stop moving, even mid-bite. Every beat felt like it was synced with my soul . TheDJ knew what they were doing. This place is perfect for a chill dinner that turns into dancing, and it deserves way more attention. If you're looking for a new weekend go-to with great vibes, great music and even better food, Palenque is where it's at. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Crispy Beef Tacos Dorados- replaced beef with sautéed veggies for vegetarian version - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We loved everything about Palenque! Let's start with the ambience of the ambience was great. The music was great. The food was amazing. I had the scallops and hubby had the shrimp and it was simply delicious with some of the best salsa and chips in the area. read more

Laz made my margarita so good and he was very nice answering all our questions for us being here for the first time. The food was great i loved the barbracoa bowl the meat so soft and my boyfriend got the fish tacos and he loved absolutely them. definitely coming here for the night life next! read more

The relleno is very salty. The branzino fish is not fresh. The accompanying salad is also very sour. Best thing on the table is the complimentary chips and salsa. The table next to us also did not enjoy their meal. We could not finish our plates and left. So dissapointed as we drove out of way to eat here because the place is beautiful. The host and waiters were very nice and took care of us. Food is very bad :( read more

I made a reservation online and arrived on time. There weren't many customers dining, so I'm guessing I was there during off-peak hours (6 PM). My only request was to have a booth so my wife and I could celebrate our anniversary comfortably. Apparently, my request was too much, and they sat us right in the middle of the room, even though the restaurant was empty. I asked the hostess if we could be moved, but I was denied because the booths are reserved for parties of four--even though I also had a reservation. I understand that, but they could have accommodated us since there wasn't anyone there at that hour. We ended up just saying okay and letting it be. The food was okay--not outstanding in any way, just average. The beans were overly blended, almost like a paste, and lacked flavor. My wife initially thought they were mashed potatoes. Aside from that, you'll pay a slightly premium price for all menu items, and at the end of the day, it wasn't worth it to me. Just a little side note also, I don't think they do anything for anniversaries because they didn't mention anything or do anything special even though it was mentioned on the reservation details. read more

My wife and I decided to try Palenque for the first time. Excellent meal! Our server, Laz, was friendly and professional without being overbearing! My wife enjoyed her Fajitas and I enjoyed the ceviche and my chicken enchiladas! We will be back ! Thank you, Laz. read more

Bella was the best server , checked In frequently, refilled our waters , made sure we had all that we needed to ensure our time here was one to remember, First time here too actually , I'd recommend the carnitas , pollo chipotle's and margarita samplers ! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Was looking forward to checking this place out, but our group was left disappointed. Patron margarita tower looked super cool on social media, but for what you get, and how much you pay, it's a total joke. $60 for four mini margaritas pretty much. For food we ordered the guacamole which was good, and two quesadillas. While the quesadillas were good, they were overpriced for what you pay, and no sides are included. Took forever for our tower to come out. Probably waited 20 minutes for drinks, and the place seemed pretty dead for a Saturday night. I'm okay with paying premium prices for premium food, and drinks, but the quality doesn't match the prices at this place. In addition, the size of the salsa they hand out is laughable. You're better off going to other Mexican Restaurants in Newport that are a lot better in my opinion. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Tower - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place was pretty dead on a Thursday night. Ambiance was nice and bartender/server was good. Food came out semi slow for not being busy. The drinks and food were meh. Not bad but not great either. Don't think I'd return. read more

What a complete disaster of a Valentine's Day dinner. We chose this place after seeing it on Instagram, thinking it would be the perfect spot to celebrate both my wife's birthday and Valentine's Day with our group of 15. Unfortunately, it turned into one of the worst dining experiences we've ever had. We arrived on time for our 7:00 PM reservation and checked in at the front, but then we were left standing outside waiting for over 30 minutes with zero communication. No host checked on us, no updates, no apology--nothing. We were literally just standing there wondering what was going on. For a reservation that large, you would expect at least some level of organization or acknowledgment. When we were finally seated, things didn't improve. It took another 45 minutes just for half of the table to receive the drinks we ordered. By this point it was close to 9:00 PM, everyone was frustrated, hungry, and the mood for what was supposed to be a celebratory evening was completely ruined. Service was extremely disorganized, and it felt like there was no system in place. Our server even told us she didn't normally work there and had been called in by the owner just to help that night, which honestly explained a lot. It clearly seemed like the restaurant was understaffed and completely unprepared for a busy holiday like Valentine's Day. We also heard the owner was apparently in the kitchen cooking, which might sound admirable, but it felt more like a sign that the operation was overwhelmed. After waiting far too long with no real progress, we decided to leave and went to a restaurant next door, which thankfully was able to accommodate all 15 of us without an issue. That alone showed the difference in organization and readiness. We also weren't the only unhappy customers. At least four other parties that we saw ended up walking out as well, many of them visibly upset and complaining about the wait and lack of service. Overall, this experience was incredibly disappointing, especially since it was meant to be a special night for my wife. Between the long wait, lack of communication, slow service, and clear lack of preparation, this place completely missed the mark. Sadly, this was a "never again" experience for us. read more