Taco Bell

It was Friday July 3rd, my husband and I decided to have an early lunch at Carmelita's before the…read moreholiday weekend descended upon Dana Point. We took our dogs to enjoy the quiet patio. We got there around 11am and plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate our three dogs. We ordered two skinny margaritas, the shrimp taquitos, chile Torreados and al pastor plate. The first to arrive is the lovely chips and salsa along with their bean dip which is a favorite of mine. The skinny margaritas were so refreshing and light especially in the summer weather. The shrimp taquitos is one of the best items on the menu, they came out piping hot and crispy. They were fried to perfection and the shredded lettuce, sauce and tomatoes gave it a dynamic flavor. We shared the al pastor plate and made ourselves tacos to enjoy. The service was quick & friendly and the food came out hot and ready to enjoy. If you're looking for Mexican food near the beach in Dana Point, Carmelitas is the place to go.

Delicious food at good prices with a updated ambiance…read more Enjoyed fish tacos and steak bowl. Really good and would go back

Inside seating

Green Chilaquiles

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Steak & Eggs

Lupe's Mexican Eatery

4.1(2k reviews)

1.2 mi

Small restaurant but the decor is inviting and immersive! Order at the counter, the service is…read moresuper friendly. I got 3 tacos, all with different meats, I found the carne asada to be the best. Rice & beans came with the tacos and I found the portion to be filling. Food came out pretty quick! I sat and ate in the restaurant, there's limited seating. But there are some tables outside too. I also saw many people come in for mobile order pick ups. I'd return here! [this review was made in connection with a Toast promotion, Lupe's Mexican Eatery did not ask me to leave this review]

TERRIBLE CS!!!! Go to Carmelitas!!!…read more They sent over half a burrito. We called and they told us they ran out of large tortillas, offered no resolution then the lady HUNG UP ON US. It was $27 for half a burrito after delivery fees and tipping. When you go to try to take out, they refuse to call names when items are ready.

Interior

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Modelo

El Zarandeado

4.7(412 reviews)

3.3 mi

Asked ChatGPT for best Aguachille in southern OC and told us about this place. It was the best…read moreaguachille, but service and everything else we ordered was amazing. A new favorite for us.

We were driving home on the 5 and we were looking for some Mexican food. El ZARANDEADO came up on…read moreour Yelp search so we gave it a try. It was Amazing. If your looking for Mexican seafood style this is the place. We tried the fried ahi tacos shrimp cocktail, and the shrimp ceviche. Each was was filled with flavor and fresh. We like it hot so we liberally added the Tapatio. Our kids kept it simple with kids menu items that are also available (chicken nuggets and burrito). The ambiance for lunch was a clean location with large TVs but space for small and large groups. The service was quick and helpful, our server Marlena was great providing insight to favored dishes.

Inside

Camarones Playa de Melaque

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Tiquio the mixologist special drink

Buena Vista Market

4.4(95 reviews)

0.3 mi

Best tacos in town! The cooks make everything fresh here. From the tacos to all the salsas. The…read moreportion sizes are amazing!! The mango Agua Fresca is also refreshing too! It's a must try. It's located in back of the supermarket but it's such a hidden gem. The workers were all so nice too! 10/10!! The place is a bit small but the food is worth trying!

4.5 stars? Come on, get real…read more The great rating led me to go in the market after we had gone to the Farmer's Market. Went to the produce section. Not one item had a price. I don't recall ever seeing produce not marked. Are you dupposed to buy without knowing how much it will cost you?

Produce and More

Vegan veggie burrito. So yummy. Weighed 1.5 lbs!

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Pastries and Grocery Items

Cali Costa

4.0(355 reviews)

0.4 mi

Cali Costa is such a great little spot! The huge outdoor patio is definitely one of my favorite…read moreparts, especially the cute little outdoor bar top. The whole place has such a chill, relaxed vibe, and I love that the patio is dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup along too! They always seem to have something fun going on Monday Night Football, Taco Tuesday specials, happy hour, Monday food specials, and even a Puppy Hour on Fridays for the dogs. How cute is that?! The food is always great, the service is wonderful, and it's just an easy, laid-back place to grab some Mexican food and a drink and hang out on the patio. Definitely a neighborhood spot worth checking out!

We stop here 2-3 times a month, and the consistency keeps bringing us back. Love their tacos, and…read moreof course the 34 oz margarita! Bottom line, when you compare it to other places around like Calo's, Sol Agave, or others, this is where you get the best value for your money... good portions, good drinks, and most importantly, consistently good food. Definitely one of our go-to spots.

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Voted best margaritas in Dana Point

The Shwack Beach Grill

4.1(1.6k reviews)

0.1 mi

Best fish tacos I have ever tasted!!…read more My family and I have been coming to this delightful establishment for years, as no matter where we go we are hard pressed to find fish tacos that measure up; the delectably moist, flavorful fish tacos and gnarly nachos keep bringing us back. Our only regret is being local to the area for two years before discovering this gem, thus wasting two years of our lives not eating their sumptuous cuisine. The service is prompt and the servers friendly. The ambience is beach shack vibe, with outdoor seating that includes high top and regular tables, and an indoor bar and seating. If you're considering eating here, do not waste another moment of your life! Order the fish tacos and gnarly nachos. You will not be disappointed!!

Another 20% price increase Warn the others…read more.. It may be new owners because they finally changed the disgusting trash receptacles.

Big Al's Bacon with Avocado and Swiss Cheese (Delicious)

Eggs Benny with bacon!

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Front side toast combo with fresh oj - great!

Young's Beach Shack

4.3(245 reviews)

1.3 mi

Young's Beach Shack is one of those places you mostly come to for the views and convenience, but…read morethe food is actually pretty solid! It's a great little spot overlooking Salt Creek Beach where you can grab some food, have a draft beer or cocktail, and just sit and watch the waves. The menu has a good variety of options, and while it's definitely not cheap, the food is good and the location is hard to beat. The poke bowl and shrimp tacos were both highlights for us. This place can get absolutely packed during peak hours, but the servers have always been friendly and the service is surprisingly quick considering how busy it gets. Overall, a great little beachside spot with good food, cold drinks, and some of the best views around. Hard to complain!

Cute middle beach spot, pay at counter and fend for your own seating. They have fresh offerings,…read moreon the pricier side so it can rack up, but good quality food. Poke bowl- fresh tuna not mercury tasting at all but has quite a bit of soy sauce at the bottom so can be a bit salty Ceviche- a decent amount (but also consider pricier price) bouncy tezture crunchy chips Fish and chips- my favorite clean and buttery fish, tasted fresh and fried well Fried apple pie - buttery nice balance

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Your view

Sol Agave

Great food and drink, and world class service. Indoor and outdoor seating is nice, very pleasant…read moreatmosphere.

Came with a very big lunch party, so 20 of us. Just one waiter…read more This is my first time here, so very impressed with the non traditional decor, it was very modern and it's quite large inside. We all ordered drinks and food same time. Drinks came first! The food took 40 minutes, so thinking it had to be good! And it was! Very fresh and clean tasting. Chips are served with salsa and refried beans super delicious! The only thing I didn't like was that the ceilings are high and not sound protected so it's very noisy and echoes. We had to yell at each other for conversation. The service was really nice and friendly. Also, it's pricey, worth it, but pricey!

Steak Calamari

Chilean Sea Bass

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Cazuela de Queso, al Pastor & Chile Colorado

Sancho’s Tacos

3.8(372 reviews)

3.0 mi

This place is really amazing in the inside. If you're in the neighborhood, you must stop and see…read moreall the beautiful pictures inside the restaurant. The food is really good. Everybody is really nice.

This place can be really good or it can be very average and just depends on I guess what the day is…read morehow everybody's feeling. Some days the food comes out nice and hot other days. It's room temperature. Sometimes pieces are very chewy sometimes even get some tender pieces today the chicken was kind of lukewarm. The Carnitas and tri-tip were warmer. The go to I think that rarely disappoints is the Carnitas taco. I'll probably be ordering this one a little more from here on out as it usually comes out hot and the meat is tender and juicy.

Tri tip burrito - close up

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Chips and Salsa

Carlos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

3.7(712 reviews)

0.5 mi

We came to celebrate a birthday and the Molcajete for two was perfect. For $45 you get shrimp,…read morebeef, chicken, nopales, chorizo, cheese and grilled veggies. (And all the sides: rice, beans, tortillas, guacamole, pico., sour cream.) The shrimp were plump and tender. The nopales were tender but firm and NOT slimy, like some people cook them. We stirred the chicken and beef into the juices and veggies waiting at the bottom of the bowl and they were full of flavor and tender. The cheese was a nice crumbly cheese, full of all the flavors. It was delicious and we could not finish the abundance of food. Staff were friendly, always filling chips and making sure we were doing well. On an unusually hot day, it was nice they had A/C running.

Wonderful food, service & Ambiance !!!! Always can count on…read moreCarlos To serve the best food ever in Dana Point

Carnitas

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Drinks!

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15 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Barajas C.

6 months ago

I had an amazing experience at Taco Bell, and I have to give a huge shoutout to the manager, Gyselle! She truly went above and beyond for us. You can tell she actually cares about customers and takes pride in her work. The service was fast, everything came out fresh, and she made sure our order was perfect. It's rare to come across someone who puts in that extra effort, but Gyselle definitely does. She made the whole experience feel welcoming and smooth, and honestly turned a regular fast food stop into a great one. Because of her, we'll definitely be coming back. Taco Bell needs more managers like Gyselle! read more

Luke S.

9 years ago

This is the only Taco Bell in the world that closes before I even wake up for the night. Taco Bell is suppose to be open until 1 am. This closes at 10 pm. What happened to your brand consistency. You advertise late, but I don't have tacos and want nacho fries. On the other hand, the staff is the bomb, and I'd def get with the cute manager. read more

Anthony E.

7 years ago

I Am Fuming. This is not an establishment I would ever return to unless for some reason I wanted to get POINted at?? And get called SAUce??? Yeah. Fire sauce from a less than fire restaurant. Go elsewhere, especially if you want to enjoy any semblance of happiness. 1/5 bc I can't put 0/5 read more

Mardee C.

2 years ago

Employee used key to open locked bathroom while young girl was using it and physically pulled her (a minor) out of the restroom because she "looked gay" then physically and verbally assaulted her. Establishment has done nothing so far. This employee and this location is not safe! read more

Roger A.

9 years ago

Came in with bald head, left with an afro. That's how long I waited before being told they're short staffed and that it's going to be a 15 minute wait before they take my order... You can interview and hire someone in that amount of time... But Taco Bell is worth the wait read more

Scott F.

16 years ago

You know what you get. The food is decent and not that expensive. By no means is this great Mexican food but if you are in need of a quick bite to eat its a good place to go. read more

Eric F.

13 years ago

I like burritos. Green burritos, red burritos, 7 layer burritos....as long as they don't mess it up by putting too much sour cream on. Average Taco Bell. read more

Brandon R.

103

6 years ago

If I could give a half star I would. They didn't have anything on the menu, go to another Taco Bell they might have more. Not coming back to this one read more

Jillian M.

2 years ago

Horrible service from the big girl. Needs to stop eating the Taco Bell food and opt for salads. Maybe she'll be in a better mood

Hailey B.

10 years ago

Not only is the this location dirty, they totally rip you off with the chips. Really 5 chips. Why put them in the deal.

Bobby F.

3 years ago

Check the next place. Don't order from this place unless you want to wait until your grey

James V.

10 years ago

It smells really bad in here like a sewer employees are really rude and disrespectful.

Aly S.

8 years ago

Slowest Taco Bell ever. They say they close at 10pm, but they actually close at 9:40.

Santos J.

6 years ago

The manager i think her name is Denys is rude and she sucks they neeed to replace her

Shelly M.

15 years ago

Gross. I found a dead bug in my nacho cheese.

Taco Bell - hotdogs - Updated October 2026

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We used to come here all the times but forgot about them for a while. Stopped by tonight for a…read morequick bite. I got the Coastal Trio with the original fish taco, a shrimp taco, and a mahi mahi taco with the flour tortilla instead of corn tortilla but I still didn't eat them, just ate the protein only. LoL Hubby had the salmon taco and the original fish taco and he thought they were good. Food was good and great service, as usual. All the guys are nice, especially the manager, who has been there for a while. He's very good with customers.

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