Cancel

Open app

Search

Taco Mesa

4.0 (2k reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open • 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

Order Taco Mesa Takeout or Delivery

Taco Mesa Photos

Business Info

TACO MESA ATMOSPHERE

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

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Taco Mesa

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Mitchell N.

My family and I have been going here for decades. I personally like the taco tuesday deal. The crispy beef tacos, fish tacos, and al pastor on tuesdays are consistently delicious at a good price point. My parents always order the shrimp burrito.

Wednesday menu: burrito de mar
Tracy N.

I've gone here a few times with my classmates. They have daily specials that come with a drink, and their horchata is really good. The prices are reasonable ($$), the food is good, and the service is fast and friendly. I usually order the Burrito del Mar, which has a combination of different seafood and vegetables. The flavor is good, and the portion is filling. Overall, it's a good casual place for a quick lunch with friends or classmates. Definitely worth the try.

Covered patio - not great for very large parties
John S.

I was in the area and decided to stop by since it had been a while and I've always liked the food. Prices have ticked up a bit, food-flation, like they have everywhere else, but the quality is still there. I went the January diet route this visit and ordered a salad w/ streak. The salad was a pleasant surprise with little seeds, dried cranberries, and a great dressing that actually has flavor. Really enjoyed the whole plate. It wasn't crowded this day, which made it even better. Plenty of seating, a cool relaxed vibe, graffiti style art on the walls, and a small outdoor patio with fun stickers all over the windows. Service was good as usual. This place still beats a lot of hole in the wall spots. The salsa bar is always a win, and their mild sauce hits the spot without being overpowering. Easy parking is a big plus. I'll definitely be back soon to try some other items when I'm not pretending to be calorie conscious. Solid food, good atmosphere, and consistently enjoyable.

Tacos
Arshad H.

Taco Mesa is a casual Mexican restaurant located at the site that used to be a Taco Bell. They offer tacos, burritos, entrees, appetizers, and breakfast menu options. I opted for 3 tacos. Taco Steak - $6.50 - Grilled marinated steak with cilantro and onions were all served on a tortilla. While it was good, I did expect there to be a bit more steak at the given price point. Taco Shredded Chicken - $5 - This came with a crispy corn tortilla with seasoned shredded chicken, romaine, pico de gallo, crema & queso fresco. Out of all the things I tried, this was the best, it had a lot of flavor. Taco Fried Fish - $6 - This consisted of fried fish, cabbage adobada, pico de gallo, crema & queso on a crispy corn tortilla. Unfortunately the fried fish was a little off tasting and not so fresh. Overall I felt the tacos were on the pricier side and the fried fish taco didn't taste as fresh. Perhaps they needed to change the oil used for frying. They do have a large selection of meat options, especially sea food so if I did come back I'll look into other options.

Must try!
Eve N.

Stop on Sundays or Monday's and order the pozole. One of a kind dish. The i greasers used are top notch and you can take the unique flavor of the spices. They only use authentic ingredients like in Mexico City. You must order the horchata! It's the best in Orange County and no other restaurant can imitate the flavor unless you visit Mexico City

Veggie taco
Michelle G.

Hard to believe I don't have a previous review here. This place is the real deal. Authentic Mexican. Check out their amazing Taco Tuesday. I've been coming since 2020. Various tacos for only $2.75 loaded with beans, cheese, pico de gallo and meat of choice. I get the veggie. Use to get the battered fish. You won't be disappointed. Quick to get food out. Hot and fresh. Nice guys working here. Great self service bar with authentic carrots, onions, salsas etc. great music in background no artistic graffiti all over.

Late night Happy Hour menu 7/2025
Meggie T.

Still love this! And look like lots more people have found it too! Update on the menu

Shrimp Burrito
Natalya S.

I ordered the shrimp burrito and since eating it, have not stopped thinking about it. It was sooo flavorful, the shrimp was fresh and perfectly cooked and it was so juicy (maybe even a little too juicy as it fell apart on me at the end). They have a salsa bar with delicious salsa verde, and a bunch of other toppings for your food. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant, a bit on the smaller side but it has outdoor seating with TVs. The workers were very nice, and the food came out quick. Highly recommend trying this for some bomb Mexican food!

Wet steak burrito
Shannon C.

This place has always been so good but unfortunately I got a steak wet burrito and paid $20 just to end up getting a big bean burrito with only a few pieces of steak...very disappointing considering this place is good with everything else but this is my first time getting a burrito from here and I it's all beans...what did I pay $20 for?

‍ I can't say anything just try it.
Amin G.

One of the best taco spots in Costa Mesa Service was amazing , super fast and everything tasted fresh. The place has a cozy vibe with really friendly staff.

Grilled shrimp and grilled fish taco
Jennifer H.

Taco Mesa is always, consistently very yummy! This time, I got one grilled fish and one grilled shrimp taco, and they were quite large (though unsure if they were large enough to justify the price, ~$7 each). The fish and shrimp were both very fresh and cooked well, and the vegetables, cheese, and salsas in the tacos were good as well. The real standout at Taco Mesa is the salsa bar! As a massive fan of all things pickled, the pickled vegetables are an absolute must. I always just bring my whole plate over to the the salsa bar to load it up with the pickled onions, carrots, and cauliflower, which bring the perfect touch of acidity to a potentially heavy meal. The service is fast, and there are plenty of seats and tables for you to enjoy your food. Would definitely come back!

breakfast burrito
Lexi J.

i can't lie, i did not love the food here. i'm wanting to try their food again and get tacos or a different burrito, but i just felt like the breakfast chorizo burrito was pretty bland. it did take quite some time to get our food, but i believe they were making everything fresh so that wasn't an issue. i love the artwork everywhere and there's a nice outdoor seating. the people i was with did not think the food was as bland as i did, so i definitely want to try again.

Marc N.

The lingua and carne asada tacos were solid, clean flavor, not dripping in grease like the usual street taco. They taste fresh and a little more "refined," but that polish comes with a slightly higher price tag. Service: Had it to-go so can't comment Food: Tacos are tasty, balanced, and satisfying Ambiance: Simple and casual, nothing fancy 7/10 - Good tacos, just a bit on the expensive side.

Chili Relleno

See all

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Great service and tacos--Robert is the man! Will definitely be coming back soon. Taco mesa is so good

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Dorian G.
81
23
79

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Laura N.
2281
889
2590

7 years ago

Helpful 12
Thanks 0
Love this 14
Oh no 0
Photo of Russ N.
13
134
31

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Amy B.
0
27
2

2 years ago

The atmosphere is very hip. The daily deals are also a great deal. Burrito Wednesday comes with rice and beans as well as a drink,

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jodi W.
1
79
61

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Michelle G.
260
117
115

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Mike M.
2167
2515
1667

8 years ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 0
Love this 12
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

The food was incredible! It was quick and delicious. I loved the Mesa burrito with all the veggies. I can't wait to go back!!!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Bomb authentic food! Nachos are good! Burritos are delicious ! We are definitely coming back.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of James F.
4
203
219

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

6 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

Page 4 of 50

Taco Mesa Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Taco Mesa

How much are the margaritas on Monday?

$5.00 Margarita Monday. They taste like mix only so save yourself the disappointment and get a beer or Sangria.

Do you do a taco Tuesday special at Costa Mesa?

Yes they do. But not their specialty tacos.

Do they have vegan tacos?

No, all the tacos contain a meat or fish protein. But I believe they do have a vegan chile relleno.

Why are the tortillas green?

Spinach

Is their salsa spicy? It's really hard for me to find a great taco place with super spicy salsa

I would say they have the typical "three temperatures": mild (pick de gallo), medium (avocado) and hot (red chilis). They are all VERY GOOD, especially the avocado version--I would be willing to buy that by the gallon. None are "scorchers"… 

View All 6 Questions

You might also consider

Playa Mesa - Plato del Patron. Roasted Jidori chicken, confit spare ribs, cesina, chile toreados, pico de gallo, ceboilltas, papas bravas & refried beans

Playa Mesa

4.4(3.5k reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$

Late review but I felt like I should leave this here just in case people are wondering cause if…read morethey closed down cause of the food quality. -- Came back to Playa Mesa for my friend's birthday. The chips and salsa were really good. The aguachile had a nice spicy flavor that made it stand out. The queso fundido was SO good super cheesy, and paired with the handmade tortillas it was one of my favorites. We also ordered the calamari and I was surprised by how good it was. Everyone ordered different rounds of cocktails throughout the night and honestly, not one missed. Service was a little slow, but it was a busy Friday night, so that's somewhat expected. I've been here before and the grilled octopus tacos and carne asada burrito were just as good as I remembered them. They also made the birthday celebration really cute. They sang happy birthday, brought out a small ice cream, and gave my friend a big mariachi hat. Good food, great drinks, and still consistent as I remembered it. So long Playa Mesa. 9.5/10

Playa Mesa has a great atmosphere with beautiful aesthetics. In the evening, the open windows…read morecreate a nice breeze, though they do let a few flies in. The hostess was friendly, and our server was funny and kind. He was a little less attentive as it got busier, but the staff worked well as a team, so we never had to wait for refills or anything we needed. Parking in the back can be a little tight. The birria tacos were packed with flavor, and I loved the inside-out cheese crust. My husband's fajitas were flavorful, although the chicken was a little overdone. The guacamole was excellent, especially with the pepita seeds adding great texture. Overall, we enjoyed the flavorful food, service, and atmosphere. We'd definitely come back!

Photos
Playa Mesa - East Side Sunset

East Side Sunset

Playa Mesa - The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

Playa Mesa - Lovely interior...

See all

Lovely interior...

Mercado Gonzalez - Carne Asada Burrito and Tortilla Chips

Mercado Gonzalez

4.3(1.1k reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

There was a lot of hype about this Mexican grocery store. Looks like it's the same ownership of…read moreNorthgate? The difference is that it is WAY bigger! There are food vendors, flowers, a stage, a patio, and so much Mexican candies. We tried some tacos and bought some ceviche with seabass and Chiltepin aguachile. I've come back a few more times just to get their aguachile among other items. Definitely a happening spot with live music on my last visit earlier this year.

I'll be taking a very extended break from You Mercado after today, because today was my breaking…read morepoint. I've been shopping at this location for about a year and have been a customer of Northgate Markets for several years. Unfortunately, my experiences at this location have become increasingly disappointing. I've encountered raw chicken left on the shelf two or more days past its expiration date, fresh fruit and salsa still being sold after their use-by dates, and produce that was visibly rotten and infested with bugs. These aren't minor issues when it comes to a grocery store--they're basic food-safety and quality concerns. And then there's the customer service. Today, there wasn't a friendly employee in sight, and the customers weren't much better. I'd especially like to thank the grumpy woman on the scooter who apparently tried to run me down three separate times. I assume you were having a bad day, but judging by the atmosphere in this store, it seems like everyone is having a bad day, every day. No one smiles. No one acknowledges customers. No one seems remotely interested in providing even basic courtesy. I understand that people have bad days--I really do--but when the entire experience consistently feels cold, hostile, and unwelcoming, it becomes a pattern rather than an isolated bad day. The cashier couldn't be bothered to say hello back or even make the slightest attempt at being friendly, and the young man bagging my groceries was just as dismissive. I've spent years shopping with Northgate Markets, which makes this especially disappointing. Customers shouldn't walk into a store and feel like they're an inconvenience for simply being there. Today was the final straw for me. There are plenty of other places willing to take my money while treating me--and other customers--with basic courtesy and respect.

Photos
Mercado Gonzalez - Great packaged foods, snacks and Mexican candy.

Great packaged foods, snacks and Mexican candy.

Mercado Gonzalez - Time to eat churros

Time to eat churros

Mercado Gonzalez - Menu As of 6/8/25

See all

Menu As of 6/8/25

Avilas El Ranchito - Combination with shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada.

Avilas El Ranchito

4.6(2.1k reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

We were recommended this place by Rocky and it was amazing. Great atmosphere, even better food. Our…read moreservers Rocky and Jenny were fantastic. They made us feel so welcomed. Thank you again!

Great first time experience at Avilas - Costa Mesa. From the moment I pulled in to the driveway,…read moreSalvador was waving hello. At first I thought he confused me with someone else, but nope, he was just being nice and welcoming. The experience: I came with my mom on a Sunday and it was pretty busy; however, the wait time wasn't bad. We were seated fairly promptly and began with chips and salsa. We shared: Camarones à la diabla, menudo, and chingolingas. The camarones were 10/10! I've tried this dish at numerous restaurants and this is by far the second best tasting camarones à la diabla I've ever had. First place is a restaurant in NorCal from years back. The red salsa is delicious! The shrimps are a nice size and they have the shell on so it retains all the flavor. Even the beans and rice were delicious. The menudo was delicious as well! I'll definitely be back for this too. It's only served on weekends, and we were lucky they still had some available. The chingolingas are almost like flautas de pollo, it came with guac and sour cream. They were delicious too, however, I'll probably order this as an appetizer or to share with others. Rocky was our server and he was amazing! Super friendly and attentive. We talked about the food, other locations, and even their anniversary event coming up on October. From the moment I drove in until we left, it was a great experience. Not only was the food delicious but the service was superb. All the workers seemed happy and it looks like a nice environment to work at, I think this adds to the experience for people who come eat here. It's nice to see everyone working together, smiles, and being to attentive. I almost hesitated coming here because I thought it was going to be Acapulco style "Mexican food" but I was wrong. Definitely real Mexican food.

Photos
Avilas El Ranchito - Chicken  Cuernavaca

Chicken Cuernavaca

Avilas El Ranchito
Avilas El Ranchito - Fresh tortillas!!!!

See all

Fresh tortillas!!!!

Caló Kitchen + Tequila

Caló Kitchen + Tequila

4.5(1.5k reviews)
3.9 mi
•$$$

Came here with a friend before going to watch Beauty & The Beast The Musical. Came at 5:00pm and…read moregot seated immediately. Shoutout to Laura who was the sweetest, most attentive server! I waited for my friend to come and in the meantime, brought chips, salsa, and black beans to start. The chips were hot and fresh and the salsa was the perfect amount of spicy. Beans were warm and coated the chip well. I asked if they can make mocktails and she said anything on the menu! The Strawberry Jalapeno was delicious, but I do wish there was more spice from the jalapeno. My friend wanted a Coke and Laura said they had no more so she was so bummed. Later, Laura came running and grinning and found the LAST Coke bottle in the back and brought it out! Such a funny and cute moment! The Tres Enchiladas de Mariscos were SO yummy. Each one with a different taste, sauce, sea food. My favorites were the shrimp, lobster, crab in that order. The rice was perfectly hot and fluffy and complimented the dish. Then, my friend and I shared the flan, which is truly a sharing portion. It was so RICH and thick and was the best dessert to top off the evening. Thank you, Calo and your amazing staff!

First time dining here, and it's a mixed bag. The food is good especially my Tres Enchiladas de…read moreMariscos and the portions are massive, but it comes with a steep price tag--though that's likely tied to being in a high-end mall. The atmosphere was quite loud, and even though we were moved to a quieter section, ambient noise still carried over. Service started off strong with an attentive server, but a major hiccup happened when she cleared away a plate that was barely touched and meant for a to-go box. To their credit, she was very apologetic, and management replaced the dish entirely, which was the right thing to do. Given the high prices, I'm on the fence about returning, but the service recovery was appreciated. 3/5 stars.

Photos
Caló Kitchen + Tequila
Caló Kitchen + Tequila
Caló Kitchen + Tequila

See all

Descanso - Lobster Enchiladas

Descanso

4.1(1.8k reviews)
2.1 mi
•$$$

The food was great and the restaurant itself was beautiful. I took my staff here for a nice team…read morelunch, and we were really looking forward to enjoying the experience. Unfortunately, it was extremely hot inside the restaurant. I understand it was a hot day outside, but we were literally sweating throughout our meal and were very uncomfortable. Considering the price of the meal for our group, I really wish the temperature inside had been more comfortable. If the AC isn't working properly or can't keep up with the heat, guests should at least be informed before being seated so they can decide if they're comfortable staying. Great food and a beautiful atmosphere, but the heat really took away from what should have been a nice lunch for our team.

Had a great time celebrating my husbands birthday. We wanted to try something special and different…read morefor his birthsay and saw this in social Media. Made a reservation and so we disnt have to wait to be seated. We ordered different items ao we can try them. I also ordered a Zorro drink thats a blackberry mezcal. So yummy! He ordered the ceasar salad and carne asada with shrimps as his main and I ordered the fideo soup and the sea bass as my main. We were so surprised that they were both flavorful and cooked perfectly. They do like a benihana style performance while cooking your food. Our chef was very nice and friendly! Service was super great! They paid attention to our needs but not too over whelmingly! They gave my husband an ice cream dessert on some cinnamon sugared chips with a huge firework for a candle. So fun!! Will definetly bring friends and family back for a fun celebration.

Photos
Descanso - Dining Room

Dining Room

Descanso - Carne Asada Skillet

Carne Asada Skillet

Descanso - Short Rib Estofado

See all

Short Rib Estofado

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

4.4(1.1k reviews)
1.9 mi
•$$$

Service here is amazing allison was our server amazing recommendations from her and so…read moreknowledgeable!! my girls and I came in for a couple drinks and food ! we had items from the brunch menu everything is great definitely try the chilaquiles con relleno she made my friends birthday by bringing a special surprise at the end! amazing atmosphere and drinks are delicious try the coconut pineapple marg!

Dare I say I prefer this place over Javier's??…read more Okay okay I came here on a whim with a girlfriend and Palmilla fully exceeded our expectations. We did not have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar, and eventually we moved to the center communal table. Honestly, I would prefer to sit there than at a private table! You are so in the mix of the whole restaurant, great place to be social. To drink I had a skinny margarita with raspberries added and my friend had the orangutan (espresso martini). My drink was SO good and SO cute. I am being serious when I say after I ordered it, the entire communal table got it too. I love that instead of chips and salsa they bring you fresh, hot tortillas with salsas and HONEY BUTTER?? to dip them in. This was so yummy and definitely unique to Palmilla. We ordered the guacamole, combo plate with a cheese enchiladas and crispy beef taco, and the filet mignon tacos. The only thing I might skip is the guac but thats just knit picking because everything else was so good. The ambiance of this place is beautiful. Think boujee beach bar in Tulum with a natural pallet and foliage. Every member of staff we met was also a 10/10! I'll be back!

Photos
Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Bar and dining room

Bar and dining room

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Ceviche Tres Maneras

Ceviche Tres Maneras

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Inside decor

See all

Inside decor

Taco Mesa - mexican - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...