29 Best Mexican Restaurants in Lake Forest

“Steak quesadilla was extremely chewy and greasy so I sent it back and still got charged for it. Took 30 minutes to receive check and 15 minutes to get credit card back when it was not even that busy“

“Our Women's Group meets there monthly and we always have fabulous service and the food is delicious!! They bring out the entire staff to sing, dance & play instruments for Birthday's and gift framed photos. Fun, family atmosphere!!!!“

“There was 7 of us in town for a conference and we stumbled upon Hole in the Wall Burger! Burger was delicious the service outstanding and special sauce of the chart’s. Next time I’m in the area I’ll definitely be stopping by and have a burger!“

“My hangout, healthy choices and some items under $5 while earning points ���“

“Best Mexican food in Lake Forest. The price and portions are awesome, too much food you might say. Taco Tuesday specials are a hit. Mexican Coca-Cola available along with Aguas frescas options. The owner is very friendly and polite. Definitely a hole-in-the-wall treasure in Lake Forest. Give them a “

“Always enjoy eating here, been a customer for 18+ years. For us it is worth the hour drive.“

“Forgot how flavorful the food is here. It has been a little while since visiting Wahoo's since my go-to is not a fish taco.
I had the Bonzai Burrito with Asada Beef. It comes with marinated veggies, which adds a unique flavor to the entire burrito.
The salads are also good and quite large.
There wasn't a long line and our order was taken quickly, we did wait a while for the food service but it arrived hot and as ordered.
The atmosphere is lifted with decorations that are unique and festive.
Prices are very affordable and coupons or online discounts are often available. Parking lot is small but there seems to be space near by.“

“Only place in San Diego county I feel like you can get a proper breakfast burrito. Ten out of ten.“

“Avila's Restaurant is reopened with newer aesthetics and an artistic flare.
The food is very flavorful. There was an assortment of taquitos, flautas and mini burritos to try, plus fresh guacamole, always a good choice. The buffet style arrangement also had iced tea and horacha, which I had heretofore not tasted and it was incredibly delicious.
The family-run restaurant has a personal flare and a faithful commitment. It has been a local favorite for decades and now it's got a fresh start.“

“Excellent and creative food. I love the Oceanside taco with octopus and shrimp. Also they have a cilantro cream sauce that is amazing! I often buy many burritos for my customers and they always package them up nicely in a box making them easy to carry into offices and job sites.“

“I had a wonderful experience at Cafe Rio Modern in Lake Forest. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcome with their warm smiles and genuine kindness. Everyone was incredibly polite, patient, and happy to answer questions about the menu, which made the whole experience even better.

One thing that really stood out was that they offered us a sample before we ordered. It was a thoughtful touch that helped us choose our meal with confidence, and it showed how much they care about their customers.

The food was absolutely delicious. Every bite tasted fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. What I loved most was that it didn’t feel like typical fast casual food—it honestly tasted like a homemade meal, cooked with care and quality ingredients. The portions were generous, and everything was served fresh.

The restaurant was also clean, comfortable, and had a pleasant atmosphere that made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal.

If you’re looking for friendly service and food that tastes like it’s made at home, I highly recommend Cafe Rio Modern. I’ll definitely be coming back and look forward to trying more items on the menu. Thank you to the entire team for such a great dining experience!“

“This Mexican restaurant in Lake Forest, California is truly a hidden gem. From the moment you walk in, you immediately feel welcomed and appreciated. The owner is always cheerful, kind, and genuinely attentive to his customers. He greets people with a smile, checks in to make sure everything is going well, and makes you feel like more than just another table. It’s rare to see that level of dedication and warmth, and it really makes a difference.

The restaurant itself is well kept and organized, and you can tell that the owner takes pride in maintaining everything in order. The atmosphere feels inviting, comfortable, and family-friendly — the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed.

One of the things I love most is the incredible variety of dishes and desserts they offer. There is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re craving traditional Mexican flavors or something a little different, the menu has plenty of options. The food is flavorful, well prepared, and consistently satisfying. And the desserts are a wonderful way to end the meal — it’s hard to choose just one!

I absolutely love coming to this place. Between the amazing service, the friendly and attentive owner, the wide selection of delicious food, and the welcoming atmosphere, it’s always a great experience. I always leave happy and looking forward to my next visit.

I truly hope to return again very soon — this is definitely one of my favorite spots in Lake Forest!“

“This is just a little hole in the wall Mexican joint. One time I had Taco, Beans, and Rice and another time I had Taquitos, Beans and Rice. Both times were good. The food isn’t expensive, it is a perfect place for a quick Breakfast or lunch.“

“Honestly one of the best tacos I've had in the OC so far. Ordered food from here several times, and I have never been disappointed. I appreciate their ample variety of meats to choose from, along with having a self serve toppings bar. This place always has professional customer service, and is very fast in fulfilling their orders. Genuinely wish they'd open a location in Irvine, we need some good taco trucks over there.“

“Caren works very efficiently and is a great asset to the company. I hope she is truly valued for her hard work. She promotes the food as if it were her own business, which shows her dedication and pride in what she does. Both she and the cook are very fast and stay focused on their tasks. Excellent service overall.“

“Love this restaurant. Been coming here for years. The food is reliably good. I really enjoy the breakfast: huevos rancheros with papitas! They make fresh corn tortillas in the restaurant and the service is always friendly. It's a mom and pop place so expect quality over thrills. The dining room is always clean and welcoming.“

“So I came here for the first time with 2 friends that come on a regular basis. We all ordered 2 crispy tacos. Well,1 taco was the crispy taco shell, and the other taco shell looked like one of the fast food places taco shells. Other than that, it was pretty good.“

“Great experience at El Pollo Loco! The chicken was fresh, juicy, perfectly seasoned, and had a delicious fire-grilled flavor. The sides were tasty, portions were generous, and everything was served quickly. The restaurant was clean and the staff was friendly and efficient. A great option when you want something flavorful and satisfying without feeling like typical fast food. Definitely coming back!“

“Our first time at a Wahoo's.
We were greeted by a nice gentleman named Freddy who helped translate the menu in spanish for my parents and explained everything throughly. The food was really fresh and his service was top notch! Thank you cooks and Freddy, my picky parents left very happy! ?“

“Great people, environment drinks etc, highly recommend“

“Love this El Pollo Loco near my work. I’ve been coming herea lot for over two years since my job moved into the area, and the food is consistently good every single time. The manager and staff are always friendly, welcoming, and on top of things. Reliable spot with great service.“

“Hello, more fantastic food now“

“Best place yet in California to eat other than grandma carmen's“

“For the store being close to the corporate office…they weren’t super fast :/. Which is surprising because as a former employee of 5 years, they were always on our a$$ to get the time down and have fast service. I actually timed it and they took almost 5 minutes. Which is considered bad back when I was a manager. Sooooo double standards?? Anyways onto the real review. Food was hot and crispy. The guy forgot to give me my drink which I waited for.“

“I've been here a few times and always have a good experience, but today was exceptional! They were out of chicken when I arrived, so I had to wait a few minutes. Zack was amazing—he offered chips, guac, and a soda while I waited and apologized multiple times. Very polite and respectful, The whole team was friendly, and even the cook apologized. Great service—I’ll definitely keep coming back“

“Del Taco, is quickly becoming my favorite fast food chain for when I have Taco cravings. This location is one of the best in Lake Forest, with a 24-hour drive through and all-day breakfast. They treat me fair and friendly every time too, and also is a nice quiet place for dinner. Favorite entrees include the chicken quesadilla, the steak quesadilla taco, and the bean and cheese burrito with green chili.

Vegetarian options: Limited vegetarian options including bean burritos, salads, and nachos. However, most are made in the same kitchen as meat-based items.

Parking: Handicap spots at the store front, and part of a general shopping center that is rarely busy, so it's easy to find parking.

Wheelchair accessibility: Two entrances with single manual doors. Wheelchair accessible counter but the soda fountain is not wheelchair accessible.“

“While our bean and cheese burritos were substantial, it was hard to taste either the green sauce or any cheese. It seemed more like a tortilla full of beans. So, not really up to standards or expectations. The ice tea was very good and the speed of service was also good.“

“wanted to give a quick shoutout to Daniel- he’s always on top of things even when its super busy and always goes the extra mile to make sure my order is correct and that I have enough sauces etc… may seem trivial but it really does make a big difference! 🙏🙏“

“Such an amazing time here at the LIVE MAS CAFE GRAND OPENING! The kids loved it, we loved it, the workers and managers where all so nice! Everybody was viking and having a good time. The drinks are really good. I got the vanilla latte blended! Can't wait to try all the drinks!“