50 Best Mexican Restaurants in Santa Ana

“If you are a real food lover looking for chefs to fall in love with, I beg you to stop and eat here at least once in your lifetime.

And let me warn you, this place is anything but a restaurant! But man, magic is hidden here, and you must enter to find it!

Lola Gaspar is a dark, small bar in a hidden area of downtown Santa Ana. For those of us who aren't familiar with the area, finding it requires a few brave steps and lost missteps.

Once you enter, tell them you’re a first-timer. Go straight to the bar and ask them to make you a cocktail. Then, just stand there and watch a beautiful piece of art shape and form right before your eyes! Oh, and plan accordingly so you don’t end up driving. Believe me, you’ll thank me later.

The first time, I accidentally found this place while looking for another bar. As soon as we walked in, the bartender said, "This is my favorite song, so we all get a shot," and they handed us shots. And as you can probably guess, we never left to find the other bar.

And this whole time, I thought it couldn’t get any better, that the amazing cocktails and great company were all I could ask for until I ordered food one night. And I found myself falling madly in love!

The Pastrami tacos are out of this world. Honestly, everything they make is extraordinary.

I always go back chasing the dishes I had ordered prior to that time, only to face a whole new menu and more dishes to fall in love with. I don't understand how they can be so creative. I mean, each plate they bring is as beautiful as a piece of art and tastes like bites of heaven.

They have indoor and outdoor tables, and I've heard on certain days that they barbeque in the outdoor area and serve it right there on tortillas, but I haven't had a chance to experience it yet.

A little note: The plates are smaller than the usual restaurant serving sizes, so it might seem a bit pricey but they are so worth it. If you have the money I say order everything on the menu. Don’t panic! The menu is short ?“

“nice cozy place was live music“

“Attention all Final Fantasy 14 fans: This place serves the Xibruq Pibil from the Dawntrails story quests! Its real name is Cochinita Pibil and it's great. You can experience what Koana & Wuk Lamat had here! Taco Tuesdays are $2.50/taco.

Parking: You pay by phone or app“

“La gente es muy agradable y la comida es muy buena. Me gusta comer los tacos y pichangas.“

“Nice place to enjoy some food and drinks… Loved it’s ambiance and service.“

“Very good place and customer service, better than other places. When we arrived they offered us lemon water and took our order quickly.

There was a mistake in our order but the don fixed it quickly. Very delicious by the way, we ordered 3 cakes. Without a doubt a very good place.“

“Best food ever. They make the best beans and the best guacamole.“

“Best TJ tacos in OC! Their adobada and mushroom tacos are delicious! Their carne asada has a great Smokey flavor. And their agua fresca are legit. I highly recommend this place!“

“Esta reseña no le hace justicia a la calidad de la comida, la calidez de la gente, el sabor mexicano que se siente en cada uno de sus platillos. Sin duda, es una joya en Santa Ana la cual vale todita la espera. Ángela es muy atenta y amable. Gracias por hacer de mi primera vez en las brisas, una gran experiencia.“

“Fast, friendly service! Delicious food!!“

“Second time come here they always have a table reserved and ready to go for me and my family. Food reminds me of back home. Can’t say enough about this place and their Service. Highly recommended.

Parking: No issues whatsoever

Kid-friendliness: Some of our kids were running around and they didn’t mind. Still was respectful, but like the fact that they let families come and interact.“

“Esta muy rica la comida la recomiendo lo único que tardan mucho tiempo en servirte y se les olvida lo que les encargas no te lo llevan y pues no te preguntan si necesitas algo más“

“Great food excellent service“

“Man the food here was great. I ordered #4 combo which comes with two tacos al vapor, a sope, and a tostada. The one that surprised me the most was the beans. It was very delicious. All of that for 17 bucks. Less than a combo at fast food places. The thing they don’t offer are drinks though so I recommend bringing your own water.“

“First time trying a torta ahogada and it did not disappoint! My hands smelled like tomato for the next couple of hours but it was so worth it. Spice levels were great, and the onions were delicious. The bread soaked up the soup perfectly.

This place is cash only and there’s space to eat along the truck (standing), but no tables.“

“Authentic flavor of mexico ….
Its a small restaurant but the atmosphere is awesome… we visit this place in a Friday afternoon and we enjoy the romantic music live …. Food is delicious… we try the a few plates … mi favorite dessert was the leche con pan and the plantinos“

“It's the first time we came to this restaurant and we loved it, it's 3 minutes from South Coast Plaza Mall, the food is delicious, the fish taco is full of flavor, as are the mole and molcajete, and the customer service is super good, excellent atmosphere with a DJ on weekends. this week my new favorite place

Vegetarian options: Pumpkin tacos, poblano rajas, mushrooms,“

“Been with these guys since it was just the owner with a grill outside the indoor swapmeet next door and across the street. They always serve ur food hot & are pretty quick with orders even when it gets busy. And it's busy for a reason! Expect abouta ~ 15-20 min wait for y4 food during peak hours. Gotta love the unlimited beans tho! Super professional rlly good people & they always improving“

“This is a hole in the wall dont be fooled by hoe it looks. Belive me when I tell you the tortas are out of this universe. I been voming herr for 12ys only thing they have changed is there bread but I get mine with Asada lite lettuce because they put alot of it. There birria tacos are good, get the torta best torta ive tasted and I have tasted alot. Also the price is very reasonable. Opened 24/7“

“The one on Ross and 17th is very skimpy on portion ordered a tostada especial hardly any beans meat and toppings also ordered a torta de Lomo was mostly bread thin layers of ingredients went to the Harbor Blvd location the week prior and food is way better on Harbor than location on 17th Street location.“

“We loved the decorations, it really felt like you were south of the border. Great food and service and all the staff was really friendly.“

“Food is bomb highly recommend it.“

“Small cozy family-owned restaurant with insane flavorful foodCame here by accident. Store is nice and cozy, super clean. Owners are a wife and a husband. Ordered Caldo de Res, the beef is super tender.What’s more amazing is their taco. It’s only 99 cents all day on Tuesday and 6-9pm any other day. Every taco serves flaming hot. The cabeza is juicy, full of collagen and MEATY, unlike other over fatty cabeza cut. Owners are super friendly.Hidden gem here, would definitely come back again.“

“Stopped by this place to find a bite to eat . It’s inside this cafeteria with a lot of food vendors - but this was the only vegan spot we found . The service was great ! We ordered a burrito with jackfruit asada . The jackfruit didn’t have much flavor but it was an okay burrito . ? giving it more stars for service and the sauce was good ?“

“The burritos they’re small but very good“

“Bet tacos in Santa Ana. And the Yellow Salsa is bomb!!!“

“Cops called on homeless man with hunting knife out and drinking outside on patio. Not their fault but they did keep customers safe and ask he leave prior to. Food was good. Bathrooms were in horrible shape. Not any drink, napkin and Swiss stations available.“

“OUT OF BUSINESS???!

Was in the area and saw a sign that said out of business over the hours! So surprised this place had the best food and drinks. Ive been going here for almost a decade and it has been home to so many wonderful memories. I really hope it's not true but when we looks through the windows the restaurant was cleared out ?“

“Chile Rellenos were delicious with great service.“

“THey have great food. Friendly staff Quick service and a clean pleasant eating environment.“

“Found this place by looking for a Colimas (went to one in Oceanside). This place was great! Our new fave. Very clean, attentive servers. I have food sensitivities and ordered food more plain. Accommodated me in such a nice and friendly way. Brought all of the sides for the table without us asking. Salsa, sour cream, limes. Chips were thick and crunchy. We had Chile relleno, tacos, shrimp quesadillas, carne asada burrito (wet), Jamaica, horchata. Everything delicious!“

“Checked out this place and fell in love with it. The ambience is so chill and welcoming. My favorite dish from the dinner menu is the stuffed green chilaquiles and the enchiladas ? definitely coming every time I get the chance. Thank you management for the great service!“

“If you’re looking for real authentic Mexican food here is the hole in the wall. Delicious Popusas. The birria Tacos with Hand Made tortillas hits the spot! Blessed to have places like this open and sharing our culture foods to others. Come try this place!“

“tacos lengua. I live .01 ml from this joint. first time. will return. uber clean. I am a sushi/sanitation expert with 30 yrs in the field. these folk get an A+“

“Fantastic n authentic Mexican food restaurant with awesome combination meals , soups, burritos, enchiladas, omelettes, iced of hot coffee so tasty n delicious , and a great husband n wife are the owners who are committed to excellent service n quality food.“

“First, the people who work there are professional and friendly. The place was very clean and had a lot of open space.

I got a chile relleno burrito. My only disappointment is that it had one small chile among everything else in the burrito. I got a combo and enjoyed my guacamole and chips, though there were parts of the guacamole that were the dark brown that indicates that it was exposed to air. But, it was real, homemade guac, not prepackaged gross nonsense.

All in all, I recommend this spot and would return if I was in the area and hungry.“

“This place is delicious and everyone is so friendly.“

“Al Pastor tacos are hands down the best. Came out piping hot, steam and all....flavor was perfect and the 3 homemade salsas they have are bomb. Jalapeno, red and some orange one. So dang good. Don't pass them up... I'll be having these on a weekly basis for sure.“

“I've been here plenty of times. It's a great place to celebrate birthdays or other celebrations. The ambiance of the courtyard is beautiful- there lots of plants around with mariachi music playing. The servers are also very attentive! They will keep your champagne glasses full so I'd highly suggest ordering an uber or assigning a DD haha. The food is good and filling. There is a Taco bar, a buffet of chilaquiles, rice, beans, fajitas, pasta, etc. with menudo and pozole and lots of fruit. The food taste is not at the top of the top but it is 3.5-4/5 stars good. I highly recommend reserving a table ahead of time.“

“Everything we have had so far is amazing. I love their rice and beans, which I can tell are not canned like many other places. The hand-made tortillas are bomb. Their caldos are great; My favorite is the caldo de res. Also, the staff is always great, very friendly and helpful. By far one of my favorite food places.“

“Chilaquiles y abuelita latte“

“Con todo respeto. Suben precio de tacos (no hay problema) y ahora no ofrecen rabanos. Que clase de taqueria es. Cuando Era una lonchera enseguida del billar ricos tacos, buen servicio. Y rabanos Pasa el tiempo, Y ahora que paso?“

“Karaoke Thursday!!! Everyone there is so friendly and accommodating. I celebrated my birthday there and had the best time! Oh and we played trivia too and my team won!“

“Love this place. Delicious and authentic tacos, sipes, burritos etc... Reminds me of the taco stands in Mexico with homemade tortillas.“

“Food was amazing, service was great, and the atmosphere felt just right, food was hot and very tasty, only downside is that there's no images on the menu, so you can't really tell what you're ordering, other than that, amazing Mexican Comfort food “

“Hands down one of my favorite birria places! My favorite is the birria pizza! It’s so delicious! I’ve also tried a few other things but I usually come here when I am very hungry! I will keep coming to this place as they are always nice and best part is they accept zelle“