Location: Orange
Top Restaurants in Orange
Most Popular Mexican food in Orange, California, United States
Find out what Mexican restaurants to try in Orange. Orange is a city located in Orange County, California. It is approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) north of the county seat, Santa Ana. Orange is unusual in this region because many of the homes in its Old Town District were built prior to 1920. While many other cities in the region demolished such houses in the 1960s, Orange decided to preserve them. The small city of Villa Park is surrounded by the city of Orange. The population was 139,812 as of 2014.
Things to do in Orange
10. The Chili Pepper
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By corley218
I started eating here over 30 years ago. The owner, George, and the staff have been here that long as well. Not many places keep their staff for decades!The food is always great. On Saturdays and Sundays, they add champagne to their brunch menu. It's pretty inside as well!It's a great spot for lunch, dinner and we've even hosted birthday parties in the back room.I highly recommend the Chili Pepper!
9. El Torito
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By megitooo1992
Usually, I am pretty understanding when service is slow in a medium-size restaurant. This was one of my worst dining experience. Our server, Stephanie, took forever to come greet us. Then she took our order without writing it down, brought us the wrong thing. We waited 10+ minutes for our drinks. W also asked for a non-spicy version of salsa. She forgot to bring it. We never got water. Then, after not writing our order down, she messed it up (of course). That led us to have to wait extra time. I specifically asked for non-spicy options because it makes me sick, and I don't enjoy it; she told me not to buy the tacos then. Then when I ordered my next thing, she did not advise me that it is also hot even though a second ago, I told her I don't eat any spicy. She was really fast in bringing the food to the table with males nearby, probably assuming they will tip her more as they had a lot ordered (it appeared that way). You know... I am usually a 20+% type of a tipper but this server did not deserve any of this... With the wrong order, no water, long wait, and not checking on our table, that really turned this experience into a horrible one.
8. El Calamar
Reviewed By DawnStarr
I happened to spot El Calamar while driving to a business meeting in Santa Ana. Being a native of San Diego and seafood/fish lover, I stopped in. I was greeted with two delicious salsas-unique smooth, spicy green and chunky tomato. They have a large section of authentic Mexican dishes with an emphasis on seafood and fish. I love the fish with garlic sauce (pescado al mojo de ajo), which can be ordered either as a whole fish or filet. I have had both. I have found the service to be friendly and adequate. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food; week-day lunch specials are a real bargain. Certain times are quite loud with roving musicians (sometimes more than one at a time) or at karaoke, but it can also be a real slice of Mexican culture. Futbol (soccer) and soap operas (telenovelas) are prominently displayed on the large televisions.
7. Anepalco
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Farah W
This place was so good. The waiter and staff were so friendly. The food was so flavorful. If you're the type that likes a savory lunch with well developed flavors- tomato, chipotle, lemon juice, roasted golden potatoes, a generous portion of duck breast, and velvety runny egg yolks- all for $12- you need this restaurant in your life. I was just passing through LA on a road trip and really hit the jackpot. There's nothing like this in San Francisco. A creative menu with authentic barrio soul. My husband got some beautiful handmade corn tortillas colored red from delicious herbs and spices in the dough. No bland hollandaise sauce here. Get ready for flavor.
6. Avila's Ranchito
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Vitamin_Sea2008
I had always said, half jokingly, that it's impossible to get bad Mexican food in SoCal. Until we had dinner at Avila's.There's absolutely nothing positive about that meal, other than the interesting venue, which was misleading.Everything in entrees was old, reheated (microwaved), and full of onion even where it didn't belong. Chips were store bought and stale, salsa watery and of course consisting of mostly onions, margaritas sickeningly sweet. People who work there are nice but they obviously follow money-saving instructions from the top.Should've known better than to go to a chain. Don't be misled by their fancy locations and venues. Bad Mexican food IS possible in SoCal afterall.
5. Taco Adobe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By SimeyTravels
Thank goodness for Yelp! We were starving following our stint at Chapman Crafted Beer down the street, and needed something close, with a good menu, and decently-priced. Taco Adobe to the rescue! We pulled up right before sunset, and there were a few people hanging out on the sidewalk. I was afraid there'd be a long wait for a table (it was getting darker and colder), but when we walked in, we were given a table right away. The restaurant definitely is much bigger on the inside than you'd expect!We were given menus and the night's specials were shared with us right away, and as our waitress went off to grab our drinks (iced tea for me, Pepsi for him), a pile of chips and a bowl of salsa appeared in front of us.Side note - the chips and salsa were very good. The drinks were essentially tubs of liquid for your face. The iced tea seemed to have a natural sweetness that I enjoyed.My dinner that night was the Red Snapper tacos plate, which came with rice and beans. My husband ordered the carnitas burrito with guacamole.Both plates came out relatively quickly, and everything was piping hot and fresh. The snapper tacos were flavorful, though I did end up knocking off a lot of the cabbage and diced tomatoes to get to the fish. The rice and beans were equally flavorful, and the plate left me feeling full and happy (and sleepy...but that could have been the beer...)My husband's plate didn't have the "pretty" factor, but he put a hurtin' on the burrito itself, and - in between bites - told me over and over that the food was expertly seasoned and delicious.We'd definitely go back for a sober meal the next time we're in the area (and thanks to our Lyft driver, we know that there's a couple of really cute streets in the neighborhood a street away!)
Most Popular American food in Orange, California, United States
4. Taco Mesa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By LakePanorama
Located in a shopping center across from In-N-Out, Taco Mesa has quality food--non GMO--including fresh ingredients like guacamole for a tasty appetizer. But their margaritas are tied for the best I've ever had, and are reasonably priced. Not fancy ambience--just good, quality Mexican food. Great salsa bar. The staff are very friendly, and on Friday nights expect a line to order. One of the few restaurants I ever give an "Excellent" to.
3. Anepalco's Cafe at Ayres Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 141 reviews
Welcome to Anepalco's Cafe. We are a Mexican-French Fussion Restaurant. We offer you a great variety in our menu. From our Signature Dish The Chilaquiles, to French-Style Omelettes and Lunch Crepes for brunch, to Serrano Beurre Blanc Tilapia, Costillas al
Reviewed By arturofranz
My wife and I joined our friends Ofelia and Bill for a late breakfast brunch. I have been following Anepalco's for several years and have become acquainted with Maestro Chef & Owner, Daniel Godinez. If you are looking for something unique, Daniel has created some very interesting breakfast dishes, an upscale break from the traditional Mexican dishes.Brunch starter, a Bloody Maria, a variation of the Mary type with Tequila instead. My favorite breakfast dish is the "Huevos Divorciados" or Divorced Eggs. Sounds better in Spanish. It's hard to order anything else, but Chilaquiles, a layer of sauteed cut tortillas, (remenescent of a stack of hots cakes) is a good alternative. Ofelia added 2 yemas (egg yolks) to top it off. Back to my Divorced Eggs! Bright red and green. If you think about it, they are really not divorced, Juntos pero Separados (Together but Separate). Absolutely delicious! Two egg doused in a green "azteca" sauce and the other in a translucent red chili sauce, each egg shimmering and simmering over a tortilla. This dish is not spicy for those who are hesitant. Whether you are separated, divorcing, divorced, married, single or just friends, the Huevos Divorciados is an excellent breakfast dish, only found at Anepalcos!
Where to eat Barbecue food in Orange: The Best Restaurants and Bars
2. Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 326 reviews
GABBI PATRICK is dedicated to integrating moderngastronomy with the indigenous and traditional recipes of Mexicancuisine. In her pursuit of preserving the rich culinary heritage ofMexico, Gabbi has adopted an eco-gastronomic approach in herinterpretation
Reviewed By Jeanette C
This restaurant was recommend by a good friend. I lived in Mexico City and traveled quite a bit around Mexico so I am a bit of a picky eater when it comes to Mexican food. The food was very authentic and unique, and the selection was good enough to please everyone. The service was quite good and the pricing was mid-range for food and drinks. The location is nice.
1. El Calamar
Reviewed By DawnStarr
I happened to spot El Calamar while driving to a business meeting in Santa Ana. Being a native of San Diego and seafood/fish lover, I stopped in. I was greeted with two delicious salsas-unique smooth, spicy green and chunky tomato. They have a large section of authentic Mexican dishes with an emphasis on seafood and fish. I love the fish with garlic sauce (pescado al mojo de ajo), which can be ordered either as a whole fish or filet. I have had both. I have found the service to be friendly and adequate. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food; week-day lunch specials are a real bargain. Certain times are quite loud with roving musicians (sometimes more than one at a time) or at karaoke, but it can also be a real slice of Mexican culture. Futbol (soccer) and soap operas (telenovelas) are prominently displayed on the large televisions.
