Mexican spirits shine bright at El Mercado Modern Cuisine. PHOTO COURTESY OF OUTSHINE PR
From traditional to inventive, new or family-run for generations, Orange County’s top Mexican restaurants are bringing the heat.
Enchiladas de camarones from Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen GABBI’S MEXICAN KITCHEN PHOTO BY MAX MILLA
Avila’s El Ranchito
Each of Avila’s El Ranchito’s 12 restaurants in Orange County—and the original L.A. location—is operated by a member of the Avila family, making for one of the most well-known chains of Mexican eateries in Southern California. Since opening its first location in Huntington Park in 1966, Avila’s El Ranchito has been serving authentic Mexican recipes brought from Guanajuato, Mexico, by founders Margarita and Salvador Avila. A warm, familiar atmosphere is guaranteed, as many employees have been working for the family for decades. Don’t miss Mamá Avila’s famous chicken soup and Avila’s slow-cooked carnitas—or the Huntington Beach location’s new brunch items, like the Buenos Dias tacos and the El Jefe bloody mary. avilaselranchito.com
El Torito’s cilantro cucumber skinny margarita MARGARITA PHOTO COURTESY OF EL TORITO
Descanso
Imagine strolling through a quaint town in Mexico, where you’re sure to find a street-side taco stand that captivates your senses with fresh and tasty meats grilled before you. Concept creator Rob Arellano brings this vision to life in Costa Mesa with modern taqueria Descanso, a full-service restaurant embodying the flavor and charm of these beloved street stands. Blending tradition with modernity, dishes like tacos, quesadillas and alambres are made with ingredients cooked in front of guests on a traditional plancha. Try new menu items like citrus-marinated shrimp or chile-seasoned red snapper, or come for an authentic taco stand experience on Taquero Tuesdays. 714.486.3798, descansorestaurant.com
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen in Orange has an old-world, hacienda-style ambiance. GABBI’S MEXICAN KITCHEN PHOTO BY MAX MILLA
El Mercado Modern Cuisine
Santa Ana’s trendy El Mercado Modern Cuisine elevates traditional Mexican staples into simple, elegant dishes using modern techniques. Founded by Jose Cerrudo and chef Fernando Franco in 2016, the restaurant earned acclaim from the Michelin Guide in 2020 as a “culinary microcosm of the distinctive regions of Mexico.” Equal emphasis is placed on its cocktails, which employ specialty Mexican spirits like mezcal and tequila and authentic ingredients, such as chamoy and maracuya. The chic, romantic setting channels the founders’ grandmother’s house and is half alfresco—a perfect setting for sampling new spring dishes like pulpo a la plancha—octopus marinated in Oaxaca chile and Chulavista Reposado tequila. 714.338.2446, mercadomodern.com
El Torito
With over 30 restaurants across California—including in Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Hills and Anaheim—El Torito is one of Orange County’s most popular Mexican restaurant brands. Best known for flavorful slow-cooked meals, warm ambiance and exquisite tableside preparations of made-to-order guacamole and sizzling fajitas, El Torito has been creating memorable dining experiences since 1954. Its restaurants also offer plenty of occasions to enjoy its popular staples, with regular happy hours, breakfast and brunch menus, plus Taco Tuesday. New on the menu are fajitas with ancho chile-marinated sirloin steak, chicken breast and sauteed shrimp—plus a cilantro cucumber skinny margarita. eltorito.com
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen
By fusing modern gastronomy with indigenous and regional Mexican recipes, executive chef Gabbi Patrick aims to preserve Mexico’s rich culinary history at her namesake eatery. The old-world, hacienda-style ambiance of the restaurant—founded in 2006—is the perfect setting in which to enjoy dishes made with ingredients sourced from local farms and Patrick’s travels throughout Mexico. You can also dine in the romantic underground cellar, with seating for up to 12 guests. Don’t miss the tacos, skirt steak, enchiladas or churros, offered in both classic and chocolate varieties. Then, wash it all down with favorite cocktails like the spicy jalapeno-pepino margarita or grapefruit-flavored La Paloma. 714.633.3038, gabbismexicankitchen.com
You can’t go wrong with the tacos at Puesto PHOTO BY ANNE WATSON
Gracias Madre
Born out of a love for Mother Earth, Gracias Madre’s traditional Mexican cuisine is made entirely from scratch using local, organic and all plant-based ingredients. Stylish locations with heated patios in West Hollywood and Newport Beach serve dishes like grilled street corn, mole and mushroom tamales, and burrito bowls—plus a weekend brunch, happy hour and Taco Tuesday menu. The agave family of plants is the exclusive source of the spirits, and beverage director Maxwell Reis creates masterful tequila and mezcal cocktails using diffuser-free agave spirits from independent producers and small-batch distillers in Mexico. Try a premium flight or a signature cocktail, as well as mocktails, soft beverages, vegan wines, ciders and other inventive drink options. 949.386.8100, graciasmadre.co
Javier’s
With locations in Irvine and Newport Beach—as well as in L.A., Los Cabos, Las Vegas and La Jolla—Javier’s offers elevated Mexican cuisine in an uberchic atmosphere. The first location opened in Laguna Beach in 1995, and in 2008, the brand relocated that outpost to the Crystal Cove Promenade. Sit in the main dining room, on the patio, in a private room or at the bar—where you’ll be surrounded by one of the largest collections of high-end tequila on the West Coast. The highest-quality seafood, beef, pork and chicken go into its authentic recipes, brought by the cooking staff’s families from different regions of Mexico. Pair dishes with handshaken margaritas, rare tequilas, cocktails, and an impressive list of beers and fine wines. javiers-cantina.com
La Sirena Grill
Named after the downtown Laguna Beach street where the first location opened in 1999—Mermaid, or “Sirena” in Spanish—these family-owned and -operated Mex-ECO eateries are known for their fresh, environmentally conscious food. From using reclaimed wood in the rustic dining rooms to sourcing responsible ingredients, preserving the planet, minimizing waste and maximizing sustainability are top priorities. The three casual, welcoming locations in Irvine and Laguna Beach serve high-quality dishes with the speed of a fast-food eatery, creating their own brand of fresh, healthy, contemporary Mexican. Enjoy organic tacos, burritos and fajitas—or take them to go, in earth-friendly takeout packaging. lasirenagrill.com
Playa Mesa
Inspired by the flavors of coastal Baja and mainland Mexico, the menu at this Costa Mesa favorite is drawn from the chef’s travels. The vibrant retreat with a south-of-the-border feel utilizes cooking methods passed down through generations and fresh ingredients—including tortillas handmade daily. Voted best margarita by Yelp, cocktails employ freshly squeezed juices, and the bar also boasts Mexican lagers, over 50 bottles of premium agave spirits, and handpicked Spanish wines. In addition to weekend brunch, spring brings new seafood offerings like surf and turf and lobster enchiladas, and spritzes such as the Yass Queen and Champagne Mami. 949.287.5292, playamesa.com
Playa Mesa has a vibrant, south-of-the-border feel. PHOTO COURTESY OF PLAYA MESA
Puesto
Founded by first-generation Mexican Americans, this homegrown California brand serves treasured family recipes passed down through generations at nine festive locations—including Irvine, Huntington Beach and Anaheim. Known for filet mignon, Baja fish tacos and inventive margaritas, Puesto’s spring menu will include modern twists on classic dishes like a mushroom enchilada and ceviche verde—made with local fish, cucumber, serrano, radish, avocado and Japanese peanuts. Pair them with new spring additions to the additive-free tequila cocktail menu, including the coffee-flavored Carajillo, a frozen version of the popular Puesto Perfect, a coconut margarita and a classic mojito. eatpuesto.com
SOL Mexican Cocina’s Bumble Bee Sting Margarita PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Red O
Sophisticated, made-from-scratch Mexican served in a beautiful, resort-style setting is what sets apart Red O—which boasts locations in Santa Monica, La Jolla and Newport Beach’s Fashion Island. The Newport restaurant is designed to transport patrons to a tropical paradise, with seating options in the atrium, pavilion and tequila garden. Enjoy elevated Mexican favorites as well as prime steak and seafood made with local and sustainable ingredients. Adjacent to the main dining room is a stylish bar—which features live entertainment and serves top-notch tequilas, specialty cocktails and a selection of wines late into the evening. Brunch and a Tequila Thursday event highlighting rotating brands are also offered. 949.718.0300, redorestaurant.com
SOL Mexican Cocina
SOL strives to share the fresh, simple coastal cooking of Baja—as well as the wonderfully relaxing feeling the area inspires. Outposts in Denver, Scottsdale, Playa Vista, Newport Beach and a new Irvine branch serve healthy coastal Mexican cuisine with over 100 types of tequila and mezcals in a lively atmosphere. Original local art, open bar areas and fire pits, and warm service enhance the popular menus, which are changed biannually and include vegan and gluten-friendly options. Pair specialty tacos with beer-battered cauliflower, garlic ribeye, wild fish or duck leg with inventively flavored margaritas, such as cucumber jalapeno, pineapple serrano or blackberry ginger. solcocina.com
South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar
Established in 2008, Nick’s Restaurants wants you to have an exceptional dining experience in all eight of its California locations—including the South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar locations in Laguna Beach and San Clemente. Start with a traditional soup or taquitos, then sample the variety of upscale tacos or mains like chipotle-dusted Chilean sea bass or seafood enchiladas. Wash them down with a variety of specialty tequila and mezcal cocktails, like the Spicy Avocado or Smokey Pineapple, as well as sipping tequilas, tequila flights and wines. Save room for the churros with drizzled chocolate, cajeta and vanilla ice cream to end the night on a sweet note. nicksrestaurants.com
Taco María
At chef and owner Carlos Salgado’s Michelin-starred Costa Mesa restaurant he opened in 2013, tortillas are made daily with heirloom corn sourced directly from Mexico. Born in Orange to parents from two different states of Mexico who ran restaurants, Salgado’s food is an expression of his exposure to both Mexican regionalism and Mexican Americanism. Served in an elegant dining room, with woodwork Salgado built himself, is a prix fixe four-course progression of dishes with bold flavors. Don’t miss the mole he’s refined over the last 10 years—and is currently serving with confit duck leg and his handmade blue corn tortillas. 714.538.8444, tacomaria.com
Taco Rosa
Artisan water and non-GMO corn star in menu items at this authentic, socially conscious Mexican brand—which has locations in Newport Beach and Irvine. Spices and flavors passed down from ancestors are fused with modern techniques, responsible seafood, greens from local sustainable farmers and humanely raised meats to create dishes that honor a variety of regions throughout Mexico. Pair elevated tacos, burritos and enchiladas with handcrafted margaritas made with house sweet and sour, pressed citrus juices and organic agave nectar. A breakfast menu with huevos rancheros and chilaquiles is also on offer. tacorosa.com
Urbana celebrates Dia de los Muertos every day. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Urbana
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated year-round at Urbana, a colorful restaurant and hub of Mexican gastronomy in the Anaheim Packing House. Raised between Orange County and Michoacan—“the belly” of Mexico—restaurateur Javier Cuadra’s love of street food influenced the eclectic menu. Handmade tortillas, gourmet tacos, mole enchiladas and red snapper ceviche are some of chef Ernie Alvarado’s popular dishes—best enjoyed with handcrafted cocktails in the beautiful candlelit dining room. For spring, try the ahi ceviche tartare with a spicy margarita or the Don Juan featuring tequila blanco, cucumber, pineapple, fresh citrus and chile con limon. 714.502.0255, urbanaanaheim.com
Photography by:
