Orange County Scoop
Places to Eat · Restaurants

Where Orange Countyactually sits down.

From taco windows on Lincoln to chef-driven omakase in Irvine — the full range of OC dining, vetted by people who eat here every week.

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Lane 01 · Sit Down or Pick Up

Restaurants.

Sit-down, fast casual, takeout windows and everything in between. Every cuisine Orange County has to offer — from chef-driven Mexican on Center Street to quiet weeknight pho on Bolsa.

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The Taco Stand
★ Featured

The Taco Stand

Laguna Beach · $$

Delicious tacos and more

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Alibertos Jr Mexican Food
Aliso Viejo

Alibertos Jr Mexican Food

Hidden-gem Mexican spot inside a gas station; Monster Burrito and famous fish tacos; serves breakfast.

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Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Foothill Ranch
$$
Lake Forest

Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Foothill Ranch

Mexican · tacos

Each restaurant is family-owned so that we can serve you the highest quality, fresh, authentic Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. Each location also has its own specialty dishes and drink specials. Our location is known for its grande burritos and delicious margaritas.

OutdoorReservationsHappy HourVIEW →
Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Lake Forest
$$
Lake Forest

Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Lake Forest

Mexan · tacos

Founded in 1997 by Sal Avila and now owned by his daughter Nathalie Avila Ruttkay, Avila’s El Ranchito Lake Forest continues the family tradition Mamá Avila began in 1966 with recipes from Guanajuato, Mexico, right here in the heart of Lake Forest.

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Celinda's
Rancho Santa Margarita

Celinda's

Family-run Mexican restaurant known for enchiladas and margaritas.

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Charros Kitchen and Catering
Lake Forest

Charros Kitchen and Catering

Authentic Mexican kitchen for breakfast burritos, weekend menudo, and full-service event catering.

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Chuponcito
Aliso Viejo

Chuponcito

Family-owned modern Mexican kitchen; house-made horchata and chilaquiles; breakfast until 11am weekdays/12pm weekends.

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Cuca's Mexican Food
Lake Forest

Cuca's Mexican Food

Family-recipe Mexican food made fresh daily; dine-in, takeout, and catering (4.8-star rated).

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El Camaguey Market & Taqueria
$
Anaheim

El Camaguey Market & Taqueria

Mexican · Street Food

A beloved Anaheim institution serving authentic Mexican street food since 1978. Known for their carne asada burritos, al pastor tacos, and homemade salsas. The kind of place locals keep to themselves — but can't help sharing.

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Hacienda La Joya
Mission Viejo

Hacienda La Joya

Family-owned Mexican restaurant serving homestyle dishes like carnitas and menudo

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La Casita Olvera
Lake Forest

La Casita Olvera

Family-run Mexican spot known for $1 Taco Tuesdays, tableside guacamole, and a Sunday brunch buffet; calls itself "the happiest place in Foothill Ranch."

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La Fiesta Mexican Grill
Rancho Santa Margarita

La Fiesta Mexican Grill

Festive Mexican grill serving tacos, burritos, and margaritas.

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La Tia Tacos & More
Lake Forest

La Tia Tacos & More

Fast-casual Mexican joint famous for quesabirria tacos with consome; serves breakfast and dinner.

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La Tia Tacos & More
Rancho Santa Margarita

La Tia Tacos & More

Local taco shop serving street tacos and Mexican plates.

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Las Golondrinas Mexican Food
Mission Viejo

Las Golondrinas Mexican Food

Casual Mexican deli counter known for fajita tacos fish tacos and breakfast burritos

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Los Primos Mexican Food
Rancho Santa Margarita

Los Primos Mexican Food

Casual Mexican eatery serving tacos, burritos, and breakfast plates.

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Lupes Mexican Eatery
Aliso Viejo

Lupes Mexican Eatery

Char-grilled Mexican eatery; 1lb carnitas/al pastor/steak meals; open late Thu-Sat until midnight.

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Perla's Taqueria
Mission Viejo

Perla's Taqueria

Hidden-gem taqueria praised for carne asada tacos pollo mole and fresh ceviche

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Pupusas Perlita
Rancho Santa Margarita

Pupusas Perlita

Salvadoran pupuseria offering authentic pupusas and Latin comfort food.

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Rodrigo's Mexican Grill
Laguna Hills

Rodrigo's Mexican Grill

Family-friendly Mexican grill famous for fajitas, fresh chips and salsa, and coconut margaritas

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Tacos & Co.
Mission Viejo

Tacos & Co.

Family-owned counter-service spot for tacos burritos and tortas with homemade salsas

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Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara
Laguna Hills

Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara

Local gem for birria tacos, quesa tacos with consomme, and roasted salsas

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Taqueria De Anda Grill
Mission Viejo

Taqueria De Anda Grill

Casual taco grill serving birria tacos burritos and fresh horchata

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Taqueria De Anda-Grill
Lake Forest

Taqueria De Anda-Grill

Street-style tacos and burritos, open late

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Xclusive Mexican Kitchen
Mission Viejo

Xclusive Mexican Kitchen

Vibrant Mexican kitchen with live music daily breakfast molcajete and taco Tuesday

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