Good food and a friendly staff. It's nice to have a creative slant on Mexican dishes and not relying on a conventional Mexican menu.
Kimmie
I try to keep an open mind about restaurants attached to hotels. After all, Parcel 104 and Postrio in the Bay Area were in or attached to hotels, and they won awards. Anepalco, though, isn't of that caliber. From not understanding how to compensate for subbing out the chicken for extra poblanos in a sandwich, to mushy corn on the cob and super dry chocolate cake over dry, bubbly flan, when Anepalco failed, they failed big. On the other hand, the pork belly chicharron appetizer was delicious, as were the hefty Cubano and tamarindo margaritas. I'm ambivalent about my hangar steak: the steak was indeed medium rare as requested and its accompanients were taste, but the whole dish was oversalted. My dad's cochinita pibil was more like wet pulled pork, heavy on the pineapple and very light on the achiote and spices. I noted in my reservation that this was an anniversary dinner, yet no mention of it was made - not in the greeting, throughout service, or a cute message in chocolate on the dessert plate. 3/5 at best. Definitely not worth the drive from Pasadena. We'll go somewhere else if we absolutely must eat in OC again.
David
I booked from open table as I always do. I had asked for a romantic table for two seated next to each other like I always do. When we arrived the hostess wanted to seat us at the bar. I asked if she had read our request on our reservation. She sat us in the at a small table across from each other. Not that big of a deal but, it wasn't busy at all and she could have sat us at a different table. We loved the food and the service as always. Hopefully they read the comments on our next reservation.
Manny
The best chilaquiles and mole on the planet. Great guacamole and truly unique mixologist cocktails.
Richard E
First visit. Four "mature" people. All pleased --- except for the noise both inside and outside. For young patrons (maybe up to age 25 or 30), the noise and especially the booming music inside would be acceptable, but for us it was unacceptable, so we ate in the outside area. Outside is lesser noise level but still very high because the outside is on a major street and there is a hospital area very close, with emergency vehicles going by. And, due to fact this is a main street, the traffic noise was high -- motorcycles, loud cars, trucks.
Deanna
Hands down the best Mexican food in SoCal. Anytime I'm up in that area. I'm going. This was my third visit and I brought a friend with me who I bragged about the restaurant too. She agreed hands-down the food was fabulous! The service was excellent, and I can't wait to go back! We ordered Barbacoa Tacos, Waygu Tacos and the Appetizer Trio.
Letty
It was extremely hot outside and they were very nice and moved my party inside. They were kind and accommodating! I had my infant with me and I was very appreciative. The service was excellent.
Marcos
Anepalco is the perfect spot for a birthday or special celebration! The staff is so friendly and attentive, and the food and drinks were beyond amazing. Everything was full of flavor and beautifully presented!
cole
It is an unassuming location but the food was excellent. The vibe inside was great too. I'll be returning regularly from now on. The carnitas were insane.
Evan
Completely unexpected! Best I've ever had! Service was awesome but the food was off the hook!
Virtually never have time nor inclination to review however: Unfortunately, the overly generous and normally delicious salad was WAY overdressed to the point of globular dressing. The menu needs additional hits. Like beef without pork,and not so much raw. The margarita flights were great. Just weak in alcohol. Staff and service were lovely except when the bill came and Amex was rejected due to over extended....which was kind of funny since Amex Platinum HAS NO LIMIT, and besides, it was pd off in advance so run it a second time before you insult your guests. Just sayin'.
Sergio Camacho
I’m so happy I found this place. This is real Mexican food. I ordered the cochinita pibil bowl which is quite big and not expensive at all. I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cochinita Pibil
Courtney
Always a great time: beautiful restaurant, amazing food, and terrific service! I always enjoy coming here.
Danya Rodriguez
We traveled from Los Alamitos with high hopes of enjoying some authentic Mexican food after hearing great reviews about the restaurant. Unfortunately, our experience with the service did not meet our expectations. Upon arriving, we saw a sign that instructed us to wait to be seated. After a few minutes without any greeting, a gentleman, who seemed preoccupied with a conversation, eventually told us to go ahead and sit down.
After we were seated, we noticed that other customers who arrived later were greeted warmly, offered menus right away, and asked about drinks. This inconsistency in service left us feeling overlooked.
Ultimately, we decided to leave without trying the food. I would suggest that the restaurant focus on providing consistent hospitality to all customers, regardless of when they arrive. It’s a shame we couldn’t experience their cuisine, and I hope they can improve this aspect for future guests.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
LUIS JACINTO
My wife and I had gone to CVS and afterwards we saw them cooking outside. We decided to stop by and get a bite. My wife had a filet mignon taco. I had the chicken taco very juicy and very delicious. The atmosphere was nice with a sunset. I keep seeing the reviews about chilaquiles and hot abuelita chocolate! We will be coming back to try.
Edit: October, Sunday 27th. Wife and I just got back from having Breakfast there! Absolutely delicious, Mrs and I shared a
-Huevos Divorciados and added chicken. 5 ⭐️ -Guava french toast -Chocalate Abuelita (Traditional Mexican Hot chocolate) The service also was very well 5 🌟 will be coming back for sure!
😉 Get there early and beat the crowd ✌🏽
Vegetarian options: They have a vegetarian section please refer to their menu
Good food and a friendly staff. It's nice to have a creative slant on Mexican dishes and not relying on a conventional Mexican menu.
I try to keep an open mind about restaurants attached to hotels. After all, Parcel 104 and Postrio in the Bay Area were in or attached to hotels, and they won awards. Anepalco, though, isn't of that caliber. From not understanding how to compensate for subbing out the chicken for extra poblanos in a sandwich, to mushy corn on the cob and super dry chocolate cake over dry, bubbly flan, when Anepalco failed, they failed big. On the other hand, the pork belly chicharron appetizer was delicious, as were the hefty Cubano and tamarindo margaritas. I'm ambivalent about my hangar steak: the steak was indeed medium rare as requested and its accompanients were taste, but the whole dish was oversalted. My dad's cochinita pibil was more like wet pulled pork, heavy on the pineapple and very light on the achiote and spices. I noted in my reservation that this was an anniversary dinner, yet no mention of it was made - not in the greeting, throughout service, or a cute message in chocolate on the dessert plate. 3/5 at best. Definitely not worth the drive from Pasadena. We'll go somewhere else if we absolutely must eat in OC again.
I booked from open table as I always do. I had asked for a romantic table for two seated next to each other like I always do. When we arrived the hostess wanted to seat us at the bar. I asked if she had read our request on our reservation. She sat us in the at a small table across from each other. Not that big of a deal but, it wasn't busy at all and she could have sat us at a different table. We loved the food and the service as always. Hopefully they read the comments on our next reservation.
The best chilaquiles and mole on the planet. Great guacamole and truly unique mixologist cocktails.
First visit. Four "mature" people. All pleased --- except for the noise both inside and outside. For young patrons (maybe up to age 25 or 30), the noise and especially the booming music inside would be acceptable, but for us it was unacceptable, so we ate in the outside area. Outside is lesser noise level but still very high because the outside is on a major street and there is a hospital area very close, with emergency vehicles going by. And, due to fact this is a main street, the traffic noise was high -- motorcycles, loud cars, trucks.
Hands down the best Mexican food in SoCal. Anytime I'm up in that area. I'm going. This was my third visit and I brought a friend with me who I bragged about the restaurant too. She agreed hands-down the food was fabulous! The service was excellent, and I can't wait to go back! We ordered Barbacoa Tacos, Waygu Tacos and the Appetizer Trio.
It was extremely hot outside and they were very nice and moved my party inside. They were kind and accommodating! I had my infant with me and I was very appreciative. The service was excellent.
Anepalco is the perfect spot for a birthday or special celebration! The staff is so friendly and attentive, and the food and drinks were beyond amazing. Everything was full of flavor and beautifully presented!
It is an unassuming location but the food was excellent. The vibe inside was great too. I'll be returning regularly from now on. The carnitas were insane.
Completely unexpected! Best I've ever had! Service was awesome but the food was off the hook!
Restaurantji Recommends
Virtually never have time nor inclination to review however: Unfortunately, the overly generous and normally delicious salad was WAY overdressed to the point of globular dressing. The menu needs additional hits. Like beef without pork,and not so much raw. The margarita flights were great. Just weak in alcohol. Staff and service were lovely except when the bill came and Amex was rejected due to over extended....which was kind of funny since Amex Platinum HAS NO LIMIT, and besides, it was pd off in advance so run it a second time before you insult your guests. Just sayin'.
I’m so happy I found this place. This is real Mexican food. I ordered the cochinita pibil bowl which is quite big and not expensive at all. I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cochinita Pibil
Always a great time: beautiful restaurant, amazing food, and terrific service! I always enjoy coming here.
We traveled from Los Alamitos with high hopes of enjoying some authentic Mexican food after hearing great reviews about the restaurant. Unfortunately, our experience with the service did not meet our expectations. Upon arriving, we saw a sign that instructed us to wait to be seated. After a few minutes without any greeting, a gentleman, who seemed preoccupied with a conversation, eventually told us to go ahead and sit down.
After we were seated, we noticed that other customers who arrived later were greeted warmly, offered menus right away, and asked about drinks. This inconsistency in service left us feeling overlooked.
Ultimately, we decided to leave without trying the food. I would suggest that the restaurant focus on providing consistent hospitality to all customers, regardless of when they arrive. It’s a shame we couldn’t experience their cuisine, and I hope they can improve this aspect for future guests.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
My wife and I had gone to CVS and afterwards we saw them cooking outside. We decided to stop by and get a bite. My wife had a filet mignon taco. I had the chicken taco very juicy and very delicious. The atmosphere was nice with a sunset. I keep seeing the reviews about chilaquiles and hot abuelita chocolate! We will be coming back to try.
Edit: October, Sunday 27th. Wife and I just got back from having Breakfast there! Absolutely delicious, Mrs and I shared a
-Huevos Divorciados and added chicken. 5 ⭐️
-Guava french toast
-Chocalate Abuelita (Traditional Mexican Hot chocolate)
The service also was very well 5 🌟 will be coming back for sure!
😉 Get there early and beat the crowd ✌🏽
Vegetarian options: They have a vegetarian section please refer to their menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guava French Toast, Chilaquiles Divorciados, Abuelita, Asada Tacos, Carne Asada
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