50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Trabuco Canyon

“Came Up To Work In The Area Today To Repair Some Horse Trailers And I Was Told By A Local Resident James Lacono Megan Coltrane And A Couple Of Others. What an Amazing Place. The atmosphere was incredible the outside seating area look very relaxing. It was busy when I was there so I chose to sit inside nice tables lots of TVs. The staff was amazing and the owner was a very nice lady. I apologize. I forgot her name but she thanked me and it was just a great time. I will definitely be back.“

“Wonderful food and great service!“

“Welp! As the owner, I have to say it’s a sweet lil spot with great food on the weekends and a perfect spot to pick up anything you need during the week. A great getaway from the madness downtown and a place to reflect and be grateful.“

“The food is delicious and the staff is always friendly and attentive! My go to order is the chicken burrito but their homemade tortilla chips are also a star of the show. I have recommended this place to friends and family in the area and now they’re fans as well.“

“Oh. My. God!!!! Bomb!!!! I order chips & guacamole, asada taco & pollo asado burrito. The minute I tried the chips i knew. The tacos was sooo good. Next time im going to get an asada burrito. The chicken was good but the asada was where it’s at. The salsas were very tasty! I’m glad I tried a variety of them. I think my favorite was the creamy cilantro. My only regret is not ordering a single flour tortilla on the side so I can take it home & add some butter & I should’ve gotten the churros. Next time for sure!“

“They catered our monthly event we call "Together" at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills last night and all of their food was fabulous! I wish I had known about them for my upcoming Fiesta event in May at my mobile home park. Well I know who will be catering it next year: TB!!!😋🥰😃“

“Calo K's ceviche is delicious.“

“Absolute S tier Mexican restaurant that family owned and operated. The chips and salsa are made in house, and the bean dip is absolutely amazing. The Carmelita combination is the best value, and allows you to try so many different items which are all delicious. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere is amazing overseeing the lake.“

“great place to eat. service was great“

“A wonderful evening at Todos Santos with my wife. We were greeted by Daniel the owner and chef extraordinare who took us to a very nice table in the outside patio. We started off with drinks which were made by one of our favorite bartenders Jaime! The other bartender of choice is Francisco who had the day off. Kenya was our waiter and was superb, very personable and professional. We each ordered the appetizer salad which were so good. We spoke with Daniel about the fresh fish and decided on the Sea Bass for my wife and I ordered the Salmon and lobster plate. These two dishes were amazing upon presentation and even tastier than they looked lol. I must say since we began dining at Todos Santos from when Daniel took over this place has blossomed this restaurant into the best Mexican cuisine in Orange County. With multiple awards to his credit Daniel has new menu items that he creates regularly and now opens after hours on Tuesdays and Fridays with a DJ and dance floor. On Saturday and Sunday the restaurant serves breakfast from 10 am to 2 pm and the dishes are delicious. Make a reservation and ask for Daniel. Let him know George sent you. Great place, great food and amazing people! Highly recommended“

“On a warm day with a slight breeze the outdoor seating is the way to go! Indoor can get a bit noisy.

That aside, the food was excellent and I'm definitely going back to try some of the other items on the menu. The blackened salmon taco is a definite repeat.

You have to order at a counter and the food is brought out to your numbered table - they do bus the tables after you are done. There is no continuing table service - you get your own sauces, water, cutlery...“

“Great service and very clean“

“The salsa bar is unmatched. Our food was very fresh and served to us. My taco was stuffed with so many flavors that the one with chips and salsa was enough for me. My husband enjoyed his Blackened Citrus shrimp bowl with mango salsa (no longer available at Rubio's). This is our new favorite place for fresh, fast Mexican food. They also have a rewards program, so be sure to sign up on the app.“

“Besides the Delicious food the customer service is great! The restaurant is very nice and clean! I definitely recommend flamingos if you are looking for a great place to eat out with your love ones 👍👍👍👍👍“

“Taco Tuesday was the bomb!! 💣 😋 🙌 We had crispy chicken and shredded beef... The service was sweet and friendly ❤️ 🕊 🌮 I will definitely be coming back again! The margarita 🍹 was tasty abd strong. Very happy Franco's! Thank you! 🙏“

“What yummy delicious juicy chicken!“

“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!!!!“

“They catered our monthly event we call "Together" at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills last night and all of their food was fabulous! I wish I had known about them for my upcoming Fiesta event in May at my mobile home park. Well I know who will be catering it next year: TB!!!😋🥰😃“

“Love it. Will be next Tuesday“

“My go-to taqueria in south OC. A plethora of homemade salsas, personal bags of chips go with every meal. They often have eacabeche carrots and limes that you just have to ask for, but no extra charge. All of the employees are warm and inviting and very helpful. I LOVE PERLAS!!!!!!! Ps get the chicken mole soft tacos on taco Tuesday, you will not regret it!!!!“

“The Chile Relleno Burrito!!! Oh and Horchata!!!“

“This place is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. The food is superior to any Mexican restaurant around. The owners are incredible and so kind to the customers. Staff is always on it and working hard. They’re so sweet to my kids. The enchiladas Del Mar and chicken tortilla soup are INCREDIBLE! My husband recently declared that we need to have a set recurring Morena’s night from now on because it’s just so good! Can’t wait to go back! We always leave incredibly full and happy 🙂“

“La Fiesta is a quentacential Mexican Restaurant, family owned & Operated, with the best chefs, recipes, daily fresh roasted salsa and best beans around So. Cal. The staff is the best at customer service & very friendly. You will love this place for the whole family!“

“If I could give 10 stars they would get it! I rarely go online to write a review, and if I do it’s because I had a horrible experience. I wrote a positive review maybe twice in my life here’s my third. Start with the cashier, I really can’t say I ever had anyone serve me with a better attitude than the guy who helped me and I say right by the register and he kept that amazing attitude with all customers. At first I had 3 chicken tacos from the taco Tuesday deal (which I might say isn’t cheap, but quality costs) which were surprisingly good because I don’t love shredded chicken. The chicken was so good I decided to get an asada one as well just to make sure they really are as good as it seems. They crushed it, asada taco came to over 7$ after taxes and it glad to say I’ll be happy to pay that price anytime anywhere to get that same taco!“

“Man are these guys and gals on their game. Hustling around cleaning tables, clearing plates refilling the salsa bar and taking care of their customers. Fast service when ordering and the food came out great. They’re just fish tacos but they are delicious. Especially for a chain. I’d love a little local joint nearby, but for convenience and quality you can’t beat the location.“

“Love going to Morena‘s for lunch and brunch. The food is as good as any I’ve had in Southern California and the service is better than most places. Prices are acceptable. If you want a real experience go for brunch the staff is so friendly and warm. It’s hard to come away with a bad experience“

“BEST brunch in town! The employees are so friendly. The cocktails are delish! It’s our favorite weekend tradition.“

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

“Great service!!! Keep up the good work“

“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 “

“Where do I start with this place! Great food, great service, and amazing welcoming staff. Their lobster burrito was different to my palate but very delighting. Creamy delicious creative food. I’ve been to many places to eat and have never sent a review, but Taco Mesa hit it on the head for more. Fun Mexican food that makes you feel good about what you’re eating due to the healthy fresh food! Will definitely be back very soon.“

“The food was hot and freshly prepared, the service was friendly and attentive. They offer a daily special - burrito with a choice of chicken or shredded beef, served with a side of rice, beans, and chips. I did question the extra rice and beans, assuming they were included both inside the burrito and on the side. I wasn’t expecting it to be so veggie-filled (grilled onions, peppers etc) , which actually turned out to be a nice surprise. The burrito itself was on the smaller side and packed more vegetables than protein, but the flavors were still good. The salsa bar was incredible, offering a variety of flavors, although they were a bit mild, probably to cater to the local community’s taste. Overall, a solid spot worth returning to, especially to try the tacos next time!“

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

“Awesome. Colorful. Quick. Clean. A+++.“

“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!“

“Excellent service and excellent prices - can't remember the last time I paid less than $9 for a full lunch. And it wasn't even Taco Tuesday. Also the server remembered my name even after I left 90 min later. They even threw in some free tortilla chips After I have been sitting for a while working. So fantastic all around. Thanks!“

“Este burrito estaba espectacular 😋🌯. La carne tenía un sabor increíble, bien sazonada y súper tierna. Se nota que lo preparan con cariño. ¡De verdad, uno de los mejores burritos que he probado! 🔥 This burrito was amazing! The meat was juicy and full of flavor — every bite was perfect. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out! 🌯🔥 Thank you“

“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.“

“We found this place a couple of years ago, and it has become our favorite spot. Ernesto and his son Saul and the sweet ladies wait staff are always pleasant and efficient, and the food is absolutely amazing! We haven’t had any dish which hasn’t been primo quality and exudes freshness. We discovered the quesadillas a while back with hand made corn tortillas. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! This isn’t a snooty place, it’s come as you are and be comfortable.“

“First time here. We came on a busy Friday evening with a party of 5 plus two 2 year olds. Arrived just ahead of the crowds (around 5:15) so we were seated right away. Still, the restaurant was full. Despite this, the service was fast. Drink orders were taken right away, chips and salsa brought tk thr table directly, and orders taken just after the arrival of our drink orders. The food was very good, as were the margaritas.“

“Good food, friendly service, good size portions.“

“The best lunch tostada ever! Filled with a large helping of chicken which was cooked in a wonderful sauce. with refried beans in the bottom of the eatable tostada bowl. A huge helping of both sour cream and the most delicious guacamole. Beautifully presented with super service., great chips and salsa, Lovely ambiance. Came home "stuffed".“

“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.“

“El Pollo Loco on Greenfield in Laguna Niguel is one of the best locations in our area. Isabel is the manager and we must say that we've had nothing but a wonderful experience with her, every time we've come here. One time, we were shorted during our drive-through order and we called her, and she immediately took care of it and then some! This evening we were back again and she was so kind to tell us all about their specials and to give us a coupon. She is so professional, courteous, and welcoming! If you want a good Apollo experience come to the Greenfield location, ask for Isabel, you won't be disappointed!!“

“Food is great and the service is super friendly nice place sit relax and have a good meal with friends“

“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!“

“The new Smoky Oaxacan Shrimp 🍤 Bowl 🍲 is one their best creations. How can you beat rice and beans, Shrimp, guacamole, tortilla strips, and chipotle sauce. Probably a lot of sodium so you may want to get it to go and save some for later.“

“Muy deliciosa la comida lugar limpio buen servidor si lo recomiendo“

“Santa Ana tacos closer to home in So.OC.. Never disappoints“