Michelin rated, warm and intimate setting, top tier quality Mexican food cooked to absolute perfection, scrumptious mezcal cocktails, impeccable attention to detail and service?! Yes please! They even brought me a blanket when it got chilly! Superb ??
Chris Roberts
I really enjoyed everything. I’ve been to many restaurants in Mexico. The food is very authentic with a Michelin star quality twist. The pork belly and fish tacos I recommend. The cornbread is also good. I have been to a few Michelin star restaurants in the area. This beat out a few other Michelin star restaurants. The service was also very good. Everyone was very attentive. The chef came out and greeted a customer too. I would recommend coming here for a unique experience.
Bonnie Cuthbert
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been lucky enough to go several times and it's always a pleasure. The menu changes more now than it used to, but there are a few classic staples: the smoked fish taco and the mole (hasn't been there for my last couple visits). They've had a rotating tostada the last few visits and they're pretty amazing. And they usually start you off with an off menu snack or amuse bouche.Lately I've been in love with their tocino. My last meal had an incredible corn bread, a cod dish, and a Panna cotta.The wine pairings are great - they have fun, interesting wines and they give great recommendations. For non-drinkers, their agua Fresca is absolutely delicious. They used to end the meal with an amazing atole (I want it in my life all the time).
Kyle Thompson
It's easy to understand why Chef Carlos Salgado has accumulated so many culinary accolades and why Taco Maria is Michelin rated. He does it right, blending, culture and taste with artistry.The food, the service and wine pairing for each course of the Prix Fixe was exceptional. Treat yourself to a dinner at Taco Maria and you'll thank yourself for the experience.
Christina Tsai
Wait for two months to try out one star michelin restaurant but very disappointed.I don't know why my dishes didn't look like the one post on Google Maps. Test very simple.
Brock Lewis
Wow! I am blown away at the dinner I had at Taco Maria. Everything from the food to service was exceptional. Here is a breakdown of the food:1st Course: Callo GratinadoThis was a dish unlike anything I've ever had. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the squid ink breadcrumbs were the perfect touch.2nd Course: PescadillaThis was my top dish of the night! The smoked albacore was insanely delicious, I wanted to order more of this taco. The blue corn tortilla was perfectly crisp yet chewy. The accompanying salsa added to the overall smokiness of the taco.3rd Course: Gallina PintadaThis was a course I wasn't sure about when I ordered it. I have never had Guinea hen before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The meat was perfectly cooked and the star of the dish was the sauce. It was one of the best sauces I've ever had. In addition to the plate they bring your fresh blue corn tortillas, cilantro, avocado, and chili oil to build tacos out of it which I did!4th Course: Cremoso de CitricosThe dessert I chose was the panna cotta. I've never had a panna cotta so light and refreshing. It wasn't heavy and thick like other panna cottas I've had it was more like a whipped topping. A fantastic way to end the meal.Other notable experiences were getting to sit at the counter to have a close up view of the food being prepared. Lucky for us Chef Carlos Salgado was in the house. It was an honor to watch him at work meticulously checking every single dish that went out. It's no wonder why Taco Maria earned a Michelin star and is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Southern California!
Vegetarian options: They are very flexible with the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions.
Parking: Plenty of spots
Anna Kaledina
Excellent service, super tasty cuisine with Mexican-fusion mix.The only minus it’s a small place for 3 tables, so they use the terrace and keep it open what's makes it too cold inside During an hour of dinner, I completely froze without taking off my jacket, so dress warmly for this place.
Tandjtraveling
We are generally underwhelmed by the food in OC but this place absolutely delivers and is most definitely worthy of its Michelin Star. Hands down, the best food we have had in Orange County, Taco Maria had been on my radar since I'd heard Jonathan Gold describe their tortillas in mouth watering detail. At times, we would try to get a reservation, unsuccessfully. We finally made it in for a belated anniversary celebration last September. We had a corner table on the patio and appreciated that staff wore masks and that BLM was written in the window. They wished us a happy anniversary and brought us some rose bubbles to celebrate, a thoughtful touch that goes a long way. The Manager / Sommelier gave us the rundown on the wine list and shared our affinity for boutique wines. He recommended a favorite bottle of his to accompany the meal nicely and we were pleased. It was a Rhone Valley Syrah that perfectly complimented without overpowering, despite our initial apprehension. We started with the Aguachile, which was light and refreshing. Our entree consisted of the Chuleta de Puerco (Pork Chop) and Arrachera (Wagyu Hanger steak), and as perfect and delicious as they were, they were really a vehicle for those mouth watering blue corn tortillas. On the side we had, Nopalitos (marinated cactus), Curtidos (burnt jalapeño, carrot and red onion) and Aguacate Tatemado (charred avocado w/ toasted cumin, hazelnut oil and grey salt...WOW!). The meal was divine. We were too full for dessert and nothing really spoke to us on the menu, which made that decision easy. The service was impeccable...until it wasn't. There seemed to be a shift change and service fell off substantially. I debated dropping a star for this but the food was just too good that I decided to stick with five. I do hope they improve upon this, as one would expect more from a Michelin Star restaurant. Regardless, we will definitely be back and are looking forward to the return of the tasting menu.
Vy Dinh
[1 Michelin Star] Tacos Tuesday is on point, follow me!Highlights of the menu:1. Aguachile: MX bay scallop crudo, persian cucumber, jalapeno, pink guava, lime2. Camarones a la diabla: blackened prawns, chile morita, black lime crema3. Chuleta de porco: grilled Kurobuta pork, bacon chorizo, gold dust peach, marigold4. Aguacate tatemado: charred avocado, toasted cumin, hazelnut oil5. Raspado de Melon: frozen Weiser Farms melon, Straus yoghurt mousse, anise hyssop, blueberryDrinks:6. Iced mango-ceylon tea7. Margarita clasicaSuch a great ambience and vibe for this spot with industrial design and candle lighting. This spot has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. I love how simple and modern this place is. Such a cute spot!The food here is incredibly good!! I fall in love at first bite with both the shrimp and scallop dishes. Such a great balance to pick these 2 dishes to have together as appertizers! The drinks are so good and once again, I have to say that I love both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones. So good!! Worth the 1 star Michelin earned.The best of the flavor and presentation. Everything was on point! I love how pretty all the dishes are decorated with edible flowers. I think I need to come back just to order 2 of the deserts. The best I have had in the last month so far.
Yoshitaka Katayama
Taco Maria. Santa Maria. This place is heavenly. Where do I start. The location is quaint and unassuming elegant but nothing about it is ordinary. Even the caesar salad is Amazing. I mean it is extraordinary. The cheese on it is so good. The agua fresca I had with it was a perfect pairing. The service was top notch, everything about the place is great. We are so lucky to have this restaurant in OC.
Amazing flavorful cuisine. This is fine dining, and it's delicious. Staff is courteous and attentive. I can't wait to go back and try more items. One of the best meals I have ever had.
Curiosity65858002116
An excellent experience even after Covid. Food and drinks are always surprising but astonishing. With friends, working dinner in small committee… it is a must go.
Sepand Rouzbehani
We ordered the aguachile and shrimp as appetizers, pork for our entree, and the postre for dessert. Everything was so so good. Come and try the aguachile if you want to keep it light, phenomenal dish. The balance between the sour lime juice and the guava jam/purée was incredible. Staff were extremely friendly and were happy to have conversations with us. Will definitely be coming back!
Kevin Chen
Food was great, had the scallops, mushrooms, striped bass, and grilled avocado. Striped bass was game changing, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked bass. Blue corn tortilla was the highlight of it all and brought all the main dishes together. The waiter changed a few times during our dinner, but the other two waitresses were incredibly nice.
Lissa Newton
Capturing the heart of Mexican cuisine with a very inventive and personal approach, it's easy to see why Taco Maria has earned a Michelin star and its many accolades. Chef Salgado creates inspiring and exciting dishes, plated simply yet elegantly. His staff is patient and knowledgeable, welcoming but not overbearing. The restaurant is small, with most tables seated on the patio, and tables are somewhat close together. If you're cold, the staff will offer you a cozy Mexican blanket to wrap around yourself while you dine. If you're lucky enough to snag one of the tables inside, you are treated to an open kitchen where you can view where some of the magic happens. But, the real treat is in the food itself. Make sure to book early, as it's nearly impossible to get a table on short notice.
Michelin rated, warm and intimate setting, top tier quality Mexican food cooked to absolute perfection, scrumptious mezcal cocktails, impeccable attention to detail and service?! Yes please! They even brought me a blanket when it got chilly! Superb ??
I really enjoyed everything. I’ve been to many restaurants in Mexico. The food is very authentic with a Michelin star quality twist. The pork belly and fish tacos I recommend. The cornbread is also good. I have been to a few Michelin star restaurants in the area. This beat out a few other Michelin star restaurants. The service was also very good. Everyone was very attentive. The chef came out and greeted a customer too. I would recommend coming here for a unique experience.
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been lucky enough to go several times and it's always a pleasure. The menu changes more now than it used to, but there are a few classic staples: the smoked fish taco and the mole (hasn't been there for my last couple visits). They've had a rotating tostada the last few visits and they're pretty amazing. And they usually start you off with an off menu snack or amuse bouche.Lately I've been in love with their tocino. My last meal had an incredible corn bread, a cod dish, and a Panna cotta.The wine pairings are great - they have fun, interesting wines and they give great recommendations. For non-drinkers, their agua Fresca is absolutely delicious. They used to end the meal with an amazing atole (I want it in my life all the time).
It's easy to understand why Chef Carlos Salgado has accumulated so many culinary accolades and why Taco Maria is Michelin rated. He does it right, blending, culture and taste with artistry.The food, the service and wine pairing for each course of the Prix Fixe was exceptional. Treat yourself to a dinner at Taco Maria and you'll thank yourself for the experience.
Wait for two months to try out one star michelin restaurant but very disappointed.I don't know why my dishes didn't look like the one post on Google Maps. Test very simple.
Wow! I am blown away at the dinner I had at Taco Maria. Everything from the food to service was exceptional. Here is a breakdown of the food:1st Course: Callo GratinadoThis was a dish unlike anything I've ever had. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the squid ink breadcrumbs were the perfect touch.2nd Course: PescadillaThis was my top dish of the night! The smoked albacore was insanely delicious, I wanted to order more of this taco. The blue corn tortilla was perfectly crisp yet chewy. The accompanying salsa added to the overall smokiness of the taco.3rd Course: Gallina PintadaThis was a course I wasn't sure about when I ordered it. I have never had Guinea hen before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The meat was perfectly cooked and the star of the dish was the sauce. It was one of the best sauces I've ever had. In addition to the plate they bring your fresh blue corn tortillas, cilantro, avocado, and chili oil to build tacos out of it which I did!4th Course: Cremoso de CitricosThe dessert I chose was the panna cotta. I've never had a panna cotta so light and refreshing. It wasn't heavy and thick like other panna cottas I've had it was more like a whipped topping. A fantastic way to end the meal.Other notable experiences were getting to sit at the counter to have a close up view of the food being prepared. Lucky for us Chef Carlos Salgado was in the house. It was an honor to watch him at work meticulously checking every single dish that went out. It's no wonder why Taco Maria earned a Michelin star and is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Southern California!
Vegetarian options: They are very flexible with the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions.
Parking: Plenty of spots
Excellent service, super tasty cuisine with Mexican-fusion mix.The only minus it’s a small place for 3 tables, so they use the terrace and keep it open what's makes it too cold inside During an hour of dinner, I completely froze without taking off my jacket, so dress warmly for this place.
We are generally underwhelmed by the food in OC but this place absolutely delivers and is most definitely worthy of its Michelin Star. Hands down, the best food we have had in Orange County, Taco Maria had been on my radar since I'd heard Jonathan Gold describe their tortillas in mouth watering detail. At times, we would try to get a reservation, unsuccessfully. We finally made it in for a belated anniversary celebration last September. We had a corner table on the patio and appreciated that staff wore masks and that BLM was written in the window. They wished us a happy anniversary and brought us some rose bubbles to celebrate, a thoughtful touch that goes a long way. The Manager / Sommelier gave us the rundown on the wine list and shared our affinity for boutique wines. He recommended a favorite bottle of his to accompany the meal nicely and we were pleased. It was a Rhone Valley Syrah that perfectly complimented without overpowering, despite our initial apprehension. We started with the Aguachile, which was light and refreshing. Our entree consisted of the Chuleta de Puerco (Pork Chop) and Arrachera (Wagyu Hanger steak), and as perfect and delicious as they were, they were really a vehicle for those mouth watering blue corn tortillas. On the side we had, Nopalitos (marinated cactus), Curtidos (burnt jalapeño, carrot and red onion) and Aguacate Tatemado (charred avocado w/ toasted cumin, hazelnut oil and grey salt...WOW!). The meal was divine. We were too full for dessert and nothing really spoke to us on the menu, which made that decision easy. The service was impeccable...until it wasn't. There seemed to be a shift change and service fell off substantially. I debated dropping a star for this but the food was just too good that I decided to stick with five. I do hope they improve upon this, as one would expect more from a Michelin Star restaurant. Regardless, we will definitely be back and are looking forward to the return of the tasting menu.
[1 Michelin Star] Tacos Tuesday is on point, follow me!Highlights of the menu:1. Aguachile: MX bay scallop crudo, persian cucumber, jalapeno, pink guava, lime2. Camarones a la diabla: blackened prawns, chile morita, black lime crema3. Chuleta de porco: grilled Kurobuta pork, bacon chorizo, gold dust peach, marigold4. Aguacate tatemado: charred avocado, toasted cumin, hazelnut oil5. Raspado de Melon: frozen Weiser Farms melon, Straus yoghurt mousse, anise hyssop, blueberryDrinks:6. Iced mango-ceylon tea7. Margarita clasicaSuch a great ambience and vibe for this spot with industrial design and candle lighting. This spot has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. I love how simple and modern this place is. Such a cute spot!The food here is incredibly good!! I fall in love at first bite with both the shrimp and scallop dishes. Such a great balance to pick these 2 dishes to have together as appertizers! The drinks are so good and once again, I have to say that I love both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones. So good!! Worth the 1 star Michelin earned.The best of the flavor and presentation. Everything was on point! I love how pretty all the dishes are decorated with edible flowers. I think I need to come back just to order 2 of the deserts. The best I have had in the last month so far.
Taco Maria. Santa Maria. This place is heavenly. Where do I start. The location is quaint and unassuming elegant but nothing about it is ordinary. Even the caesar salad is Amazing. I mean it is extraordinary. The cheese on it is so good. The agua fresca I had with it was a perfect pairing. The service was top notch, everything about the place is great. We are so lucky to have this restaurant in OC.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing flavorful cuisine. This is fine dining, and it's delicious. Staff is courteous and attentive. I can't wait to go back and try more items. One of the best meals I have ever had.
An excellent experience even after Covid. Food and drinks are always surprising but astonishing. With friends, working dinner in small committee… it is a must go.
We ordered the aguachile and shrimp as appetizers, pork for our entree, and the postre for dessert. Everything was so so good. Come and try the aguachile if you want to keep it light, phenomenal dish. The balance between the sour lime juice and the guava jam/purée was incredible. Staff were extremely friendly and were happy to have conversations with us. Will definitely be coming back!
Food was great, had the scallops, mushrooms, striped bass, and grilled avocado. Striped bass was game changing, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked bass. Blue corn tortilla was the highlight of it all and brought all the main dishes together. The waiter changed a few times during our dinner, but the other two waitresses were incredibly nice.
Capturing the heart of Mexican cuisine with a very inventive and personal approach, it's easy to see why Taco Maria has earned a Michelin star and its many accolades. Chef Salgado creates inspiring and exciting dishes, plated simply yet elegantly. His staff is patient and knowledgeable, welcoming but not overbearing. The restaurant is small, with most tables seated on the patio, and tables are somewhat close together. If you're cold, the staff will offer you a cozy Mexican blanket to wrap around yourself while you dine. If you're lucky enough to snag one of the tables inside, you are treated to an open kitchen where you can view where some of the magic happens. But, the real treat is in the food itself. Make sure to book early, as it's nearly impossible to get a table on short notice.
Loading...