Wow I'm surprised by the negative reviews and the only reason I'm dropping a star is because of the high prices... let's be honest you can get amazing mexican food for cheaper in OC but this restaurant has the beauty. 5/5 just for the scenic location alone. Unfortunately usually when I go, families will bring small loud children and that's definitely no fault to the restaurant but it does take away from the peaceful tranquility of sitting outside. I've had some wonderful margaritas here although they don't exactly compare to San Antonio margs they are some of the best I can think of for OC. All the food I've had here was pretty yummy. It's not exactly the authentic stuff but it still taste very fresh and with each plate looking like art. The chips and salsa is addicting. I definitely will keep coming back to this true gem.
Sarah V.
We were staying at the campground nearby and thought our family of 6 would give this place a try. Where to start? Service - bad, food - mediocre at best, pricing - outrageous! Portions were small, even the chips that they bring to the table are in the smallest bowls I've ever seen for a Mexican restaurant. We came during happy hour and the waitress didn't even tell us that it was happy hour - the price of a margarita during happy hour is $12 and it is small! Our bill was well over $100 and we barely got anything. All restaurants including this one need to stop price gouging their customers. We come to the area a lot and will never come back here - I'm not sure all these high rated reviews are even real because no one in their right mind would pay these prices for food this disappointing! Save your money and go somewhere else or better yet cook it yourself!
Justin M.
Wonderful ambience and really good food. The skirt steak with jalapeño garlic butter is a must!
Bret Ziegler
Ok, the locale and atmosphere is awesome, service is average, and food disappointing. Nice, up to date, clean place but the location is so unique and beautiful. I think the staff was short handed or too distracted to keep my $4 soft drink full. Guacamole is tasty and salsa makes a good one-two punch with the chips before the entrée. Very disappointed with the shrimp tacos. They were over sautéed in flavorless oil and dropped into a single unimpressive tortilla then shredded lettuce tossed in... that's it! No seasoning, or sauce or anything to make it worth smiling about. We had punch it up with the salsa to make it worth the $20+ Ended up leaving one of the three tacos alone, at least my dogs will eagerly enjoy the pricy treat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Cheyenne P.
We finally tried this place out. Cool atmosphere but food is not good. We were given utensils wrapped in napkins and when we unwrapped it, there was old dried rice stuck on the fork. Gross. Chips and salsa were not good. The server was nice but she didn't come often enough to refill our drinks or check up on us. The albondigas soup was lacking lime or something. The cilantro rice and refried beans were lacking in flavor, and they served the side of shrimp with Jalapenos when we asked for no spice at all. One person in our party liked the Monterey enchiladas but that was it. We will not be back.
Denise S.
Discovered this little hidden gem after living in Orange County, my entire life. My sister introduced me as she recalled going there with the racing team she worked for. My goodness, this is a place where you need to go at night. It's it's an enchanting, peaceful yet lively ambience. The service is great and you can tell the employees are delighted to work there. They are happy and provide you with attentive service. You are surrounded by incredible gardens, unique artwork, and a definite cultural vibe. The food is good. Not great or fantastic but good. It's the atmosphere and the setting that makes this place feel like you want to live there. I feel the food could be a bit more flavorful, especially with the Mexican culinary talent in this world. The only way that I can describe the food is that it is good. Nothing stood out as spectacular but then again, I am completely biased as my dad had a Mexican restaurant that was extremely popular so nothing will ever compare. Restaurants come close, but don't quite hit the Mark. This restaurant did not come close, but it was definitely worthy of completing the whole meal and definitely worth going back for the atmosphere alone, I recommend going there at night when they have all the lights on and it's incomplete darkness. Great place to take a date. Just remember if you're going to have some of the delicious cocktails that they serve you do not want to be driving have a designated driver, because the location is tucked away in the canyon, but not too far from reality. I don't have any pictures to post because I was too in awe of everything.
Maria Langgle
Tucked away in Trabuco canyon is a really cool restaurant! Day or evening, it has a great atmosphere. Recomend dining outside, there is plenty of space and a cool waterfountain.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
erick armeson
Love this spot. Awesome everything!Parking: Dirt parking. If a large group is there. Bit challenging to find parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
bluseman
I ordered a spicy shrimp salad which I got quickly and was an ample size. there were plenty of shrimp and the salad dressing was tasty but I was disappointed in the minimal amount of vegetables. There were chips and salsa included, and I'm not sure if I paid extra for them but I enjoyed eating them as a snack later on. The salsa tasted handmade.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tony G
Seems very trendy. Had a reservation and still took about 15 minutes to be seated. Took another 20 minutes before I stopped a waitress to take our drink order and was asked if our waitress had been by our table, to which I replied no. This waitress proceeded to ask 2 others working if they were taking our table, to which they both replied no. She took our table as an extra as she was already working her assigned area. Food was very good for this area as authentic Mexican food is hard to find in South orange County. The portion sizes were resonable, and our particular waitress was very nice while some of the others did their best to avoid eye contact so as not to be bothered. I think most discrepancies could be fixed if they highered at least 1 more waitress for their dinner ours as it was obvious they were either short handed or just unwilling to help each other out to even get drinks ordered. Team work makes the dream work here. Personal feelings between staff need to be left at the door...03/07/24.
First time here and truly enjoyed the food and outdoor area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Chicken Taquitos, Ground Beef Enchiladas, Sizzling Fajitas, Chili Renejo & Cheese Enchilada w Black Bean & Mexican Rice, Fried Ice Cream
Bobby P
I do not write negative reviews usually, since we drove from South Bay. But this place had un-attentive service as no one bothered to even ask or provide water 20 mins after we were seated and food was so bland and tasteless, possibly the worst Mexican food I ate in SoCal. I didn't want to waste it. Not sure how this place has 4.5 stars? I guess the people who reviewed this place never ate Mexican food in LA county.Location is nice, that's about it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Barb B.
Went here twice - the first time it was a Wednesday and just okay... two days later, on a Friday, it was DELICIOUS! I guess the chef was different? Idk Either way, it was a vast improvement - 3 stars the first time & 5 stars on Friday.... So a 4 star review, on average.
Asays
The location is beautiful (outside seating). The food isn't great IMO. Much better places for Mexican Cuisine.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Doug C.
Food was better than expected after reading some of the reviews, in fact it was excellent. Service was very good and I had at least 3 different servers come to our table. Ambiance was absolutely perfect out on the patio. My favorite go to in the canyons of OC
Wow I'm surprised by the negative reviews and the only reason I'm dropping a star is because of the high prices... let's be honest you can get amazing mexican food for cheaper in OC but this restaurant has the beauty. 5/5 just for the scenic location alone. Unfortunately usually when I go, families will bring small loud children and that's definitely no fault to the restaurant but it does take away from the peaceful tranquility of sitting outside. I've had some wonderful margaritas here although they don't exactly compare to San Antonio margs they are some of the best I can think of for OC. All the food I've had here was pretty yummy. It's not exactly the authentic stuff but it still taste very fresh and with each plate looking like art. The chips and salsa is addicting. I definitely will keep coming back to this true gem.
We were staying at the campground nearby and thought our family of 6 would give this place a try. Where to start? Service - bad, food - mediocre at best, pricing - outrageous! Portions were small, even the chips that they bring to the table are in the smallest bowls I've ever seen for a Mexican restaurant. We came during happy hour and the waitress didn't even tell us that it was happy hour - the price of a margarita during happy hour is $12 and it is small! Our bill was well over $100 and we barely got anything. All restaurants including this one need to stop price gouging their customers. We come to the area a lot and will never come back here - I'm not sure all these high rated reviews are even real because no one in their right mind would pay these prices for food this disappointing! Save your money and go somewhere else or better yet cook it yourself!
Wonderful ambience and really good food. The skirt steak with jalapeño garlic butter is a must!
Ok, the locale and atmosphere is awesome, service is average, and food disappointing. Nice, up to date, clean place but the location is so unique and beautiful. I think the staff was short handed or too distracted to keep my $4 soft drink full. Guacamole is tasty and salsa makes a good one-two punch with the chips before the entrée. Very disappointed with the shrimp tacos. They were over sautéed in flavorless oil and dropped into a single unimpressive tortilla then shredded lettuce tossed in... that's it! No seasoning, or sauce or anything to make it worth smiling about. We had punch it up with the salsa to make it worth the $20+ Ended up leaving one of the three tacos alone, at least my dogs will eagerly enjoy the pricy treat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
We finally tried this place out. Cool atmosphere but food is not good. We were given utensils wrapped in napkins and when we unwrapped it, there was old dried rice stuck on the fork. Gross. Chips and salsa were not good. The server was nice but she didn't come often enough to refill our drinks or check up on us. The albondigas soup was lacking lime or something. The cilantro rice and refried beans were lacking in flavor, and they served the side of shrimp with Jalapenos when we asked for no spice at all. One person in our party liked the Monterey enchiladas but that was it. We will not be back.
Discovered this little hidden gem after living in Orange County, my entire life. My sister introduced me as she recalled going there with the racing team she worked for. My goodness, this is a place where you need to go at night. It's it's an enchanting, peaceful yet lively ambience. The service is great and you can tell the employees are delighted to work there. They are happy and provide you with attentive service. You are surrounded by incredible gardens, unique artwork, and a definite cultural vibe. The food is good. Not great or fantastic but good. It's the atmosphere and the setting that makes this place feel like you want to live there. I feel the food could be a bit more flavorful, especially with the Mexican culinary talent in this world. The only way that I can describe the food is that it is good. Nothing stood out as spectacular but then again, I am completely biased as my dad had a Mexican restaurant that was extremely popular so nothing will ever compare. Restaurants come close, but don't quite hit the Mark. This restaurant did not come close, but it was definitely worthy of completing the whole meal and definitely worth going back for the atmosphere alone, I recommend going there at night when they have all the lights on and it's incomplete darkness. Great place to take a date. Just remember if you're going to have some of the delicious cocktails that they serve you do not want to be driving have a designated driver, because the location is tucked away in the canyon, but not too far from reality. I don't have any pictures to post because I was too in awe of everything.
Tucked away in Trabuco canyon is a really cool restaurant! Day or evening, it has a great atmosphere. Recomend dining outside, there is plenty of space and a cool waterfountain.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Love this spot. Awesome everything!Parking: Dirt parking. If a large group is there. Bit challenging to find parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
I ordered a spicy shrimp salad which I got quickly and was an ample size. there were plenty of shrimp and the salad dressing was tasty but I was disappointed in the minimal amount of vegetables. There were chips and salsa included, and I'm not sure if I paid extra for them but I enjoyed eating them as a snack later on. The salsa tasted handmade.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Seems very trendy. Had a reservation and still took about 15 minutes to be seated. Took another 20 minutes before I stopped a waitress to take our drink order and was asked if our waitress had been by our table, to which I replied no. This waitress proceeded to ask 2 others working if they were taking our table, to which they both replied no. She took our table as an extra as she was already working her assigned area. Food was very good for this area as authentic Mexican food is hard to find in South orange County. The portion sizes were resonable, and our particular waitress was very nice while some of the others did their best to avoid eye contact so as not to be bothered. I think most discrepancies could be fixed if they highered at least 1 more waitress for their dinner ours as it was obvious they were either short handed or just unwilling to help each other out to even get drinks ordered. Team work makes the dream work here. Personal feelings between staff need to be left at the door...03/07/24.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Restaurantji Recommends
First time here and truly enjoyed the food and outdoor area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Chicken Taquitos, Ground Beef Enchiladas, Sizzling Fajitas, Chili Renejo & Cheese Enchilada w Black Bean & Mexican Rice, Fried Ice Cream
I do not write negative reviews usually, since we drove from South Bay. But this place had un-attentive service as no one bothered to even ask or provide water 20 mins after we were seated and food was so bland and tasteless, possibly the worst Mexican food I ate in SoCal. I didn't want to waste it. Not sure how this place has 4.5 stars? I guess the people who reviewed this place never ate Mexican food in LA county.Location is nice, that's about it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Went here twice - the first time it was a Wednesday and just okay... two days later, on a Friday, it was DELICIOUS! I guess the chef was different? Idk Either way, it was a vast improvement - 3 stars the first time & 5 stars on Friday.... So a 4 star review, on average.
The location is beautiful (outside seating). The food isn't great IMO. Much better places for Mexican Cuisine.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food was better than expected after reading some of the reviews, in fact it was excellent. Service was very good and I had at least 3 different servers come to our table. Ambiance was absolutely perfect out on the patio. My favorite go to in the canyons of OC