The Best Tacos in Irvine

Taco Mesa

★★★★☆ 3.9 (979) • $$

"Can't rave about this place enough! Taco Tuesdays are my favorite day to come. I get the el pastor (pork) and fish taco. Workers are great and noticed they opened a second register to help if the line got long. Salsa bar has all the salsa, extra onions, extra cilantro, limes, lemons, and the pickled carrots. This place is the biggest location I've been to and definitely. Indoor seating. Lots of parking in the parking lot. Restrooms are clean."

Perla

★★★★☆ 4.2 (749) • $$

"We happened to be attending the Dia De Los Muertos event so it was understandably busy but we got lucky and our party of 4 got sat within 5 minutes.We ordered their chips & guacamole which was small but delicious, especially those home fried chips!Our party had the veggie fajitas, shrimp ceviche, shrimp enchiladas and a chile relleno and we were super happy with their unique flavors and freshness. We had to add sides since those are ordered separately.I had 2 of the Horchata Martins (delicious!) and we ended with their flan and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The service wasn't as attentive but we totally understood because of the event so we were very patient. Our waitress always had a smile on her face.We sat on their patio which was very family friendly.I would have given it 5 stars except for all the sides you have to order separately & they're very small portions. Even chips & salsa are extra, and again, small little salsa.But you know what? The food was so good we will be back!"

Tacomasa

★★★★★ 4.6 (618) • $$

"The food was very enjoyable and came out hot to order. Loved how the crane asada fries came out crispy. The carne asada quesadilla was a tad bit wet. The adobada quesadilla was a lot better. For the price of the fries ($15) I think it could have come with a bit more protein for the portion. The servers were cool. I think the horchata and the cucumber juice and unlimited. The cucumber juice was my favorite"

Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara

★★★★★ 4.7 (543) • $$

"I absolutely LOVE this place! From the service (they go over and beyond), to the food (authentic & flavorful), to the takeout experience, everything has been great! The location is small but has a cute patio area that they have "beautied" up. We have done catering with them, and though you can't order on their website, when you call they are more than willing to put in your order! And they are generous with their portions. Recently I had a take out order and just wanted to highlight on how well packaged and separated it was so it wasn't a soggy mess. Well done!"

Taco Mesita

★★★★☆ 4.2 (619) • $$

"OVERALL : A new gem we just discovered and are dying to go back to! Taco Mesita is a casual shop serving high quality Mexican food such as tacos, burritos, taquitos, elote, and even breakfast! They serve housemade everything and use high quality ingredients. I like that the prices are low and that it's a "fast-food" option, but so much more delicious. Def see myself coming here when I want a snack / small meal without breaking the bank! The ambiance is casual with an outdoor seating patio / ordering at the counter, but service was so friendly and helpful when we told them it was our first time. Def need to come back and try their happy hour! PARKING : This spot is located in Old Town Tustin, so parking can be limited. They do have a small parking lot though, and if you don't go during peak hours it won't be too hectic. They also have a drive thru which really helps if you don't want to worry about parking! FOOD/DRINKS :- Woodfire Steak Taco - 5 hr skirt steak cooked in puree of 5 chiles, finished on woodfire, topped with salsa macha, onion and cilantro - Al Pastor - 18 hr port shoulder finished on woodfire, cascabel adobo cactus, pineapple, tomato, red onion, cilantro Both tacos were delicious. The organic fresh made blue corn tortillas were excellent and the meats / sauces were all very flavorful! - Chips and Salsa - whipped jalapeño and smoky tomato salsasThis was so yum! The portion was huge for only $3.25 and the chips were warm, fresh, and seasoned. The salsas were unique and def housemade! Jalapeño creamy sauce did have a kick to it. The smokiness in the tomato one made it my fav!"

Taqueria HOY!

★★★★☆ 3.6 (771) • $$

"I was throwing a last minute surprise party with about 30 people so i didn't need a taco person on site but i opted to order 2 Family feasts which was plenty! They confirmed my order via email per my inquiry and somebody called me to verify my order as well. The date and time of my pick up they neatly packaged up the food in a box with the feast :-a tray of rice, beans, tortillas, 2 meats, red & green salsa , onions, cilantro, limesVery delicious and great for the price. I would highly recommend!"

Navarro's Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.3 (525) • $$

"If we had to debate if Spain or Mexican (Southern California) had better food, I would send the chefs at Navarro's Taqueria to the cooking competition!This place is good. I don't even know how to describe it. It's a hole in the wall. But with its own security fence private parking. The food is good. Wholesome ingredients. Even the salsa bar will have you dancing!I ordered tacos, it had the right amount of grease and balanced cilantro cheese and meats. Let's face it, if you are trying to lose weight you ain't eating this and probably very picky. But if you just want to please your palate, then you are coming here. They are also fast and friendly. They can serve your food on silverware but then you are losing authenticity. I bet you that if they served their food on a fancy table, you'd be happy paying $20-30 per plate."

Tacos El Patron

★★★★☆ 3.6 (730) • $$

"This is one of our favorite local taco spots! The ordering process is simple - you order at the counter, wait for your number to be called, and then either sit down or take your food to go. My go-to is the La Birria tacos, which come with a choice of lamb or beef, paired with a flavorful consome. We also love their street tacos, which offer a variety of protein options to choose from. They also have a self service salsa and toppings bar. It's a great casual spot that keeps us coming back."

Bandito Taqueria

★★★★★ 4.7 (335) • $

"I had only tried their food truck prior to my visit. The food truck was always popping and delicious! Great friendly guys who know what they're doing! I was excited to try their actual location, and decided to take my cousin and girlfriend who were visiting from Idaho! It definitely got the seal of approval from everyone, we all tried different items and loved them all! Not a bad dish or drink amongst the four of us! I'll keep recommending this spot and keep coming back!"

Fresh Off The Boat Fish Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (342) • $$

"First time trying this restaurant. First of all the service is really good. The employees come around the tables to find out if everything is ok. However, since you order your food before you sit down people can take a table and even though you were their first. It would be fair if you can only get a table after you order. For the food we ordered the appetizer sampler which was good. Also, ordered the grilled shrimp place with cauliflower rice which was good as well. Our last dish was the seared ahi salad which was bad. There was no sear to the ahi and it was very bland. I will give it another try and hope the food we choose next time will be tastier."

Taco Chico

★★★★☆ 4.3 (328) • $$

"I'm in love with Taco Chico's loaded fries! The fries are generously loaded with juicy carne asada and aalll the delicious toppings! I especially like the cilantro cream which I don't see as an ingredient often. My husband always orders and enjoys their California burrito. It's a decent size and very filling. We've ordered take out and have also dined in. I like the presentation when dining in - Even their paper plates are nice! The restaurant is spacious with plenty of tables, very clean, and staff members are friendly. Located in a small shopping center with plenty of parking."

Tacos El Bandido Express

★★★★☆ 4.3 (284) • $

"Other than Tacos Manuel we love coming here to get our Mexican food fix - especially for the street tacos! For the quality and price this is a very affordable spot. All protein offered is charged at the same price, unlike other places. All Except for newly added "Cecina for + $1." A month ago they updated their menu and pricing. They took off some items to condense the menu. The taco pricing used to be $2 each and now it is at $2.25. Despite the increase it is still cheaper than most taco spots in this area. This is not full service restaurant but a fast/casual one. When you walk in you'll see the menu board up behind the counter. When you're ready just place it with the staff at the cashier. They'll call out your number when your order is ready. All staff have been pleasant and courteous. The wait time hasn't been bad at all. I think the longest we had ever had to wait was about 15 minutes for take-out. We never dined in before but perhaps one day for the birria ramen!Reasons we love this spot:(1) Yummy tacos are topped with guacamole! Asada & carnitas is our fav. Flavorful meats!(2) Delish handmade corn quesadilla.(3) Burrito is packed full. Generous on the protein.(4) Condiment bar where you can grab/add your own toppings! - Cucumber slices, chopped onion/cilantro, lime, super spicy red salsa, and delish creamy Jalapeno salsa (FYI - I noticed the past 2 months it is spicier than usual)Taco Gobernador is good but IMO could use one more shrimp instead of 2. The item I would avoid getting here is the Fish Taco."

Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria

★★★★★ 4.7 (234) • $$

"Got to try Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria as part of OC Restaurant week.Food: 4/5+ $35 Dinn special (guac/chips starter, Citrus Chipotle Shrimp & Slow Braised Short Rib entree, churro sundae)+ Happy hour tacos: Crispy Chicken Tender, Charred Sweet Potato+ Peppered Ribeye SteakWe opted to try the $35 dinner special with several happy hour tacos to share. Starting off, the chips and dip appetizer set up the meal, with freshly made guac and crunchy blue corn tortilla chips that perfectly paired. The chips were so good that I ended up asking the server where they were from, only to find out they were baked in house. When I ordered the tacos I was initially first skeptical about the price but quickly found out why the prices were set when our entree came out. I totally didn't expect the tacos to be THAT big, filled to the brim with condiments, garnishes, and meat. My personal favorites were the Crunchy Chicken Tender and Slow Braised Short Rib - both of them which had a modern unique twist to what you would traditionally consider for a taco. For example, the Crunchy Chicken tender had your standard lettuce garnishes but had a sweet syrup sauce that made biting into the fried chicken piece so divine. Definitely these tacos are an experience to have! (Although personally, I would want a small taco and see if maybe they can provide a sampler meal for those who maybe are unsure about committing to a giant taco.)Service: 4/5Service is quick, efficient, and friendly! It was my first time visiting and my server kindly recommended me his personal favorites not only regarding specific tacos but also which tortillas to pair them with. Seating is ample and clean with plenty of booths on the first floor, outside on the front patio, and additional seating on another level. Ambience is also terrific for a date/hang out spot with modern, fun music to boot. Although Salt & Lime shares company with other busy restaurants/bar, I didn't have any trouble with parking in the back lot. Overall, I can definitely see Salt & Lime as a great happy hour spot to catch up over drinks and music and would love to come back and try more!"

B & C Burgers

★★★★☆ 4.2 (286) • $$

"Two lovely gentlemen from B&C came out to Brea to cater a wedding I was attending. They were incredibly hospitable and efficient. The food was also excellent, definitely looking forward to trying their physical location in Placentia the next time I'm in SoCal"

Old Pumpernickel Deli

★★★★☆ 4.4 (255) • $

"We stopped off at this place during a drive back from Laguna.Delicious, fresh food from clearly a family run shop.The veggie sandwich and spicy chicken soup really hot the spot.When my husband had ordered spicy chicken soup and jalapeño chips, the person helping us recognized instantly that he loved spicy food, brought him 3 delicious freshly grilled jalapeños and a side of salsa.Definitely will stop here again in the future for a solid sandwich, good value, and great service!"

Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara

★★★★★ 4.5 (228) • $$

"Great spot for some birria tacos! Meat is tender and super flavorful. It does get pretty messy since the meat is super juicy. The consume has good flavors but I wish it had a tad bit more flavor. Also wish the taco shells were a bit crispier. The juice from the meat makes the bottom side soggy. But overall, the tacos were good. Service is great and fast!"

Tacompadre

★★★★★ 4.7 (208)

"***Final Fantasy XIV spoilers***If you are a fan of Final Fantasy 14 and made it to the Dawntrails story quests, this is for you!Like many fans of Mexican food, we mainly go for other Mexican fares like Pozole, Carne Asada, or Mole. But around July 2nd, a game I've been playing for years called "Final Fantasy 14" released a new story arc set in a place heavily based on Mexican and Peruvian culture. In one of your quest, you help 2 characters, Wuk Lamat and Koana, cook a dish called "Xibruq Pibil". This dish in the videogame is based on the real life Cochinita Pibil and I just had to try it. It's not like any other Mexican food I've heard of and there's a reason why. We're used to Northern style Mexican food while Cochinita Pibil is from the Yucatan Peninsula where the Mayans still embrace their culture.In an attempt to taste a dish that's part of my favourite online game, I ordered 6 of these tacos. I scarfed them down because they're just that good. It's pork with achiote slow cooked in banana leaves. I'm making this spot my go-to and have so far tried their burrito and tacos. It's hard finding Mexican restaurant that serves Cochinita Pibil and I'm making sure any fans of the game wanting to try out this 'Xibruq Pibil' support this family run business. They deserve more than just my praise.Whether you're a Final Fantasy 14 player or just wanting to try a new Mexican dish, Tacompadre should be on your list!"

Taqueros Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (255) • $$

"I've come here a few times now. The service is always excellent. Plenty of parking available. Outdoor and indoor sitting areas. Clean. Very Hispanic decor. I love that they always have the 2 teles playing something different. One of them always has this African safari show. The food is delicious. I have an obsession with their chips. Haven't been brave to try their salsa yet, but I may step up the chip game by trying their salsa dips. Their birria is delicious. Their tacos are fulfilling and well priced. The normal size tacos fill me up with just 2 and their Tuesday tacos fill me up with 3-4. They always have a variety of agua frescas, sodas and beer available."

Mariscos El Yaqui

★★★★☆ 4.4 (205) • $$

"I come here often with my dad and the food and service is always great. It's not difficult to get a table and the food comes out fairly quickly."

Wahoo's Fish Tacos

★★★★☆ 3.7 (241) • $

"Food was great. Service was great also. Restaurant was clean. Staff friendly . We had of party of 4 and we all got our food at the same time"

Tomy's Hamburgers

★★★★☆ 3.5 (264) • $

"I pass by this place many times and see an advertisement a hamburger for only $1.99. With today's inflation I think how can a $1.99 hamburger be good? I was very pleasantly surprised by my experience here . The food itself was delicious! The cheeseburger was a nice size, and everything seemed fresh. They didn't skimp on anything, and I had plenty of toppings. The fresh were fresh, crunchy, and had a nice seasoning.I went through the drive thru and was immediately greeted by a staff member to take my order outside. She was friendly and helpful. Good food and great prices , I'm definitely be back to support this place ."

Birrieria Guadalajara

★★★★☆ 4.4 (166) • $$

"Super quiet inside on a weeknight, so if you're looking for some comforting birria-based meals for lunch or dinner, this is your spot!Birria was very savory and drenched with that beautiful, tasty consomme. The chunks of shredded meat goes so well with just onions and cilantro, but they also provide some sauces that add a bit of kick. Kinda messy but worth it.Interior was clean enough for a fast food place. The ladies behind the counter were patient in answering our many questions.Parking lot was small but pretty much empty; it wasn't busy at the restaurant, so I'm sure that helped. The area itself is slightly janky, and we saw transients walk by or plop right next to the front door, so be cautious of your belongings and surroundings."

Tacos Manuel

★★★★☆ 4.3 (169) • $$

"Me and my boyfriend love going to this place! It started with a location in Fullerton but after a new ownership and change of name, the quality was never the same. When we found they are located here in Anaheim, we were so happy!Their pricing have always been inexpensive and their quality is superb. They are not cheap about the amount of meat on their dishes and even with inflation it wasn't too bad. Got the three tacos, a burrito, and a large carnitas quesadilla for under $25. And you could ask for all variety of meat parts in the quesadilla, which would mix in the fatty part to give it some flavor.It's a typical taqueria place and their ambiance is very intimate and cozy. Their service is fast. Customer service is ok so don't expect top notch customer service. They sometimes have workers that speak English and when they don't the staff speaks broken English, which gives them credibility on quality as well in my point of view"

Tacos TJ Style

★★★★☆ 3.9 (201) • $

"Solid middle of the pack place. I personally like it more than other places because of the tj style taste. However the meat could use a little more flavor and the tortillas, although handmade, could use a pinch of flavor too. I always get the mulita and tacos de asada. I tried adobada but didn't like how sweet it was. Decent option and orange salsa is the better of the two."

Tacos Cancun

★★★★☆ 3.9 (188) • $

"Great authentic food, perfect spot to sit and enjoy the sun. We got the chorizo, egg and potato burrito, a fish taco, an asada burrito added egg, and the chicken enchiladas. Their salsa is really good, too! It's a nice pit stop for food if you enjoy real Mexican food. Service was awesome. To drink they sell waters, sodas, etc. the burritos are fat, filling and good."

Great Bites

★★★★★ 4.7 (123) • $$

"The service was really good we came in with a pretty big group and they were really accommodating to our group. The shop was a little small but we made due. I got the pot roast sandwich and it was so good. The fries were crunchy and every thing was good quality. I had a really good experience. Would definitely go again"

Teddy's Red Tacos - Anaheim

★★★★☆ 4 (164)

"First time coming to Teddy's Red tacos. The Birria was amazing, great flavor, good quality! There is a good amount of seating inside. We had the vampiro, plain tacos, birria ramen and micheladas! The service was great, the guy was super patient and informative. Service was fast and food was fresh."

Los Consomes

★★★★☆ 4.4 (129) • $$

"Damn good!My family and I wanted Thai bbq takeout for the 4th of July. We were going to have that for later. So in the meantime we needed a Scooby snack :p The Mexican spot next to Thai bbq was closed for the holiday. So I started calling around because my mom needed her carne asada tacos! Called around and I remember I had Los consomes on my list and they were open YAY. I ordered two carne asada street tacos, a queso birria ,a queso asada taco and chips and salsa. I was raised in Cerritos so I know Artesia very well and made my way over from Thai bbq. Walked in, nice clean little mom and pop. Seems like the guy was the chef and cashier. I didn't realize there was a little bell to let them know you're there so I stood around for a good minute til I pressed it lol. For safety, I'd say they should have something that makes a noise when you first walk in. Anyhow, he came out, rung me up and food was packed and ready. Got home and tore into the bag. The chips definitely tasted made to order. Extremely fresh! The salsa was sooooo good. He asked if I wanted the hot sauce and of course I did. Even my mom indulged and she usually can't do spicy. It was a perfect amount of spice. She said her tacos were the softest, not soggy tacos she ever had. The meat was perfect and plentiful. The queso tacos were simple and delicious. No dried out tortillas here! The Birria was nice and soft. Their meat was perfectly cooked. Not tough or a crazy chew to it. My mom said the chips were addicting. We were full just off our tacos and some chips. I needed a nap LOL. They have a nice straightforward menu. Not a million things, just enough options to keep you interested for multiple visits. Great service from a hardworking family I bet. I can't wait to go back and try their soups, even with this summer heat I wish them much success:)"

Tacos La Pina

★★★★★ 4.8 (104) • $$

"The best under the radar Taco spot in Newport Beach/Costa Mesa! It's located at a shared kitchen space with ample parking which is a great combination because after ordering, you're able to look at all of the other incredible food options in the building including Pie's, Lucie's Kitchen and more! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu but my favorite is the mushroom taco, chips and guacamole and Agua Frescas!"

Navarros Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (137) • $$

"The birria tacos here are out of this world! Tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth, wrapped in perfectly crispy tortilla shells. Pair them with the fresh, sweet watermelon agua fresca, and you've got a match made in foodie heaven! Love the salsa bar as well! Great options for every kind of palette."

The Taco Boss

★★★★☆ 4.1 (136) • $$

"This restaurant is cute and clean. There are three tables and a little bar seating area with a couple seats. The woman taking our order was sweet. We ordered two asada tortas, two orders of potato tacos and five asada tacos. Our food was brought out and it was fresh. Everything tasted amazing! We were waiting for our second order of potato tacos and decided to check the receipt and it wasn't charged lol. It ended up being fine because we got full from our food anyways, so it worked out in our favor. The portions are a fair size so I'd say it's well worth the prices here. The agua frescas were made nice too :)We'd definitely come back if we're in OC and craving tacos!"

Fatima’s Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (120) • $$

"I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while and finally got the chance to today. We had the birria crunch wrap, beef, tacos, and chicken tender burger. The food was made fresh and was very tasty. The waitress kept asking us what else we would like if we needed anything and kept putting up with all of us asking for different salsas. She was so attentive and I really love restaurants that take care of their customers and that's what I look for when I go into a restaurant. The portions are very generous and definitely can be shared!"

Birrieria Guadalajara

★★★★☆ 3.7 (144) • $$

"3 tacos dorados with consomé is my pick to try the flavorful Birria. The restaurants offers 3 types of salsa start and stay with the mild if you don't like too much spice. The consomé has a hint of spiciness so don't overdo it. My pick is the red salsa which is pretty hot. Very friendly and fast service. They made sure we had all our toppings for our tacos. Chill ambiance with great music vibes."

California Fish Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (76) • $$

"The newest location had a grand opening event to try out their dishes. I hadn't ever had their appetizers, so I went with the poke and it was really good. Perfectly spicy with a delicious green sauce. You get to pick the rice type, or greens if you prefer. I love that they offer Stubborn soda here. It's probably the best quality soda out there that actually tastes good. I already knew I wanted their fish & chips, but I also wanted to try the calamari. Luckily they have a combo order that lets you have both! The rosemary-zucchini was ok, and even though I love both, I guess I don't really care for the two together. My man was surprised that they had Catfish, so he had to get it. He ordered the corn & brussel sprouts as sides and they were both phenomenal! I really wanted to try the new sweet potato fries, but they weren't available. Hope to get them next time though!"

Tacos El Catrin

★★★★★ 4.5 (67) • $

"Best OC taco truck hands down, a true hidden gem. Tacos El Catrin has been really consistent with their quality of food and service. My favorite is the Al pastor, Cabeza, carne asada, and tripa.The Al pastor taco is super flavorful, ask for a side of pineapple on the taco. A must get.The cabeza taco is tender and rich, melts right in your mouth. The carne asada taco is really beefy with a good bite to it. My favorite is the tripa taco. I always get the tripa here because not many places serve good tripa. Tip: Ask them to make the tripa extra crispy, you won't regret it.Tacos El Catrin is a true hidden gem. I've been trying to explore new taco spots, but I always come back to Tacos El Catrin.Bonus Tip: they do accept both cash and card, but cash is king(hint: cheaper)."