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Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Nightlife Bars Restaurants Buffets Mexican, Bars, Buffets [Edit]
1565 Adams AveCosta Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 241-0123
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 9:30 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
72 reviews for Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina
Review Highlights
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"I will definitely be back for Monday happy hour." In 16 reviews -
"The sunday brunch is just wounderful." In 7 reviews -
"The chips and salsa were so addicting." In 10 reviews
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72 reviews in English
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Review from Diana S.
Fountain Valley, CA
5/14/2012
There has been times, and there is a certain spot, well certain spots, where the servers just seat you and you can be sitting there for hours and they won't notice you. You have to get up and say, "HEY I'M HERE SERVE ME". It's okay though, we've been coming here for years. Do watch where they put you and don't let them seat you in a corner or they'll just forget you.
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Review from Mitzi H.
Costa Mesa, CA
5/15/2012
Came here to celebrate my brothers girlfriends birthday, it was a Tuesday so we were planning on going for Taco Tuesday, but there taco prices are expensive compared to other places i have been. Happy Hour was over, we got there 30 minutes to late. So the only reason we came here was because I had 2 coupons, the Buy one Entree get Another for $2.99 Coupon. Great Price! So in my party of four we all got the GIGANTE FAJITAS and the second one was $2.99. Woo hoo!!!! ***Sizzling tender pieces of marinated steak, chicken and shrimp, sauteed with fresh bell peppers and onions. Served with rice, beans, warm tortillas, sour cream and guacamole.***
If you have that coupon, Use it!!! &&& the more reason to love this place is that they except expired coupons. Bonus. When I was younger I would come here often for brunch with my family, I havent in years but the food is still DELICIOUS.
Note: They can get jammed right at the lunch hour and the parking lot can get full, so either get there before 11:30 am or after 1:00 pm and avoid the crush.
The appetizers (aperitivos) are terrific, and I've sometimes filled up just on these alone. They also give you fresh-made tortilla chips and salsa which are really delicious.
Great atmosphere, delicious food, and all at a terrific price. It can't get better than that!
Love this place! However, since it was A birthday they sing to you and give you flan, correct me if I'm wrong you guys but on the check I was charged for the FLAN, I was going to talk to the manager about this because i could have easily sang to my brothers girl friend by myself, without being charger 6 dollars. What the heck, it might not seem like a lot but i was upset because they didnt tell me we would be charged for this, i guess the rules have changed. -
Review from Nikki K.
Huntington Beach, CA
5/5/2012 1 photo
My family and I just celebrated Sicko De Mayo here. Service was AWFUL. We waited too long for our drinks - which were brought wrong- then server asked if it was ok we just drink those even though he messed them up after our second basket of oil drenched chips (gross!!!) but we were so hungry we ate them anyway - he finally brought my drink out (that I did order) and forgot the salt- then took it back for a second time! and then went back to get the kids Shirley temples and two waters- oh yes my cup comes with a free set of lips on them - hopefully minus the herpes!
Then we wait even longer for our food and oops here comes our appetizers- with our dinner - and the queso dippers he claimed were mozzarella cheese were actually a nasty nacho cheese breaded to look like mozzarella sticks.
I used to love their Sea of Cortez - the halibut was so good- yes it still tasted good but was half the size- so finally here we are with our meal- no silverware- we asked the guy who delivered our food and he never came back so we went up to the hostess to get it from her. Oh LOVELY.... she is and has been picking her nose as my son is asking her for silverware. We wondered why it was so easy to get a table on cinco de mayo.
Look who's back- Oh, hey server! - so in the time I was able to type this review on my iphone my server now graced me with the bill - I started writing this after he picked up our plates. Very disappointing. Won't be back. -
Review from Michelle M.
Huntington Beach, CA
i dig their happy hour.. even though they recently changed it and the menu is A LOT smaller.. but im not hard to satisfied when food and drinks are involved.
usually get either the 2 tacos or 3 carnitas taquitos. each $3! not bad.. they even have "premium" upgrades for $1 more, but im not sure what they are..
drinks are good for me, $4 for an 1800 margarita. not bad at all if i do say so myself.
now onto their restaurant.. ehh i wouldnt give them this high of a rating.. service is slow. REALLY SLOW.
all in all i come for the hh now especially since its EVERYDAY from 2-8. yes everyday. amazing. -
Review from Sandy V.
Right when I think things are back and happening the way it use to this place decides to get bought out and change it up on me.
Came here last night for margarita monday and found out that the 1/2 off appetizers for happy hour are long gone. Now the happy hour deals are $2.99 for verious items like 2 tacos etc. Granted that isnt bad but I sure do miss my 1/2 off chicken nachos.
Apparently the place got bought out by Chase/Wells Fargo and are changing things up big time. The server that I have known and come to love for 7 years will be tossed back and placed on the bottom of the totem pole "everyone is starting over" sad face.
Well we shall see how things go but by the looks of it its not going to be good.Listed in: Costa Mesa Adventures
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/22/2012
The Acapulco that I have known and loved 6 years ago is BACK.
I have been coming here since 2006 and… Read more »
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Review from Christopher B.
Huntington Beach, CA
I felt like Tom Hanks in Cast Away after my last visit. They sat me and I waited... and waited, and waited. I had to physically get back up and ask for service after 10 minutes. The salsa tasted like it has ghost chili's in it (I usually tolerate spicy stuff well and I was choking). Then I had to get up again after 10 minutes of no water or salsa. My Tortilla Soup was delivered half empty/ full.
The entrees were slow, the service was mediocre, and after over two decades of going to Acapulco's, I am convinced that their business has significantly gone downhill. -
Review from Valerie D.
Anaheim, CA
4/3/2012
Ummm..one word to describe it all.... BUMMER
My boyfriend and I decided to come here on a Monday which was $2.50 House Margaritas.
Chips and Salsa / Waters came out as soon as we sat down, I was really surprised.
HOWEVER...
10 minutes later our drinks come and mine doesn't have a straw. Waitress says she'll return really quick with one. 5 minutes later.. nothing.. so I ask another worker for a straw (this drink was frothy with a wide lip, just in case you're wondering why I'm mentioning this)
after we ordered the food came out at a decent time, tasted OK but way overpriced for what it is.
I think the waitress knew we were kind of unhappy because her demeanor changed very quickly and seemed a bit short with us all the time.
I'm sure other ACAPULCO's are fine.. but..not worth the effort to find out :/ -
Review from Elaine C.
Fountain Valley, CA
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went here on a Sunday late lunch, around 2pm. There wasn't much customers so you would think service will be quick, we were so wrong. It took a long time for our food to come out and our soda glasses were never refilled. We actually had to ask for soda and salsa refills. Food was mediocre, I will stick to El Torito next time.
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Review from KC O.
Sunset Beach, CA
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Acapulco has a pretty awesome brunch. Bottomless mimosas, never-ending food at the trough and plenty of fat people waddling around for seconds...again. KC suggests HALF.
In fact, HALF should be in the back of all of our minds. HALF isn't just for you fat losers, it's for the rich and powerful too. Here is a list of idiots that weren't thinking HALF:
* Kobe Bryant
* Deion Sanders
* Tiger Woods
* Howard Stern
* Rupert Murdoch
* Michael Jordan
* Harrison Ford
* Paul McCartney
KC hopes you remember this public service announcement as you proceed to get more food at Acapulco. -
Review from D J.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/14/2012
We went to Acapulco for the first time the other day around 4:45pm on the weekend. We planned on ordering 4 meals, to go. When we got there, the hostess took our orders, and then disappeared for about 15 minutes seating other people and doing various tasks before ever putting our order into the computer so it could start getting cooked! (In defense of the hostess, it seemed like they were incredibly short staffed- they had her running around doing everyone's jobs, to the point that people began sitting around in the waiting area because there was nobody manning the front of the place to seat people!
While we were sitting there waiting for our food, I noticed dirty dish rags and cleaning supplies sitting in plain sight of the lounge area. That's a huge no-no
After a decent wait, the hostess bagged up our food and brought it over to us. The salsa container was overflowing and spilled all over the bag, and 2 of the containers with our food were completely broken on the bottom and leaked food onto the other orders. We couldn't even lift one of the orders out of the container because of how broken the container is. A piece of plastic ended up in my husband's food as a result!!
In addition, we received a bean and cheese burrito instead of the Big Beef burrito we ordered, and the grilled veggies for the veggie fajitas were VERY disappointing. When you order stir fry for fajitas, you expect peppers and onions, at a bare minimum. These veggies were a clusterf*ck of thin sliced carrots, green beans, mushrooms, spinach, cilantro, grilled corn, and a few misc. peppers. No onions! I've never had such a weird combination of fajita veggies at a Mexican place.
Our friends who have gone there have always enjoyed it, which is why we gave it a shot. The food was decent once we were able to clean up the to-go nightmare they handed us, but honestly, the service was so terrible I don't think we will ever go there again unless it's a last resort. -
Review from Marla G.
Lake Forest, CA
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bad, Bad service everytime we go here. What's with the management? Can't they have consistant good service?
Food was okay. Our appetizer came out after our most of our food was delivered.
My mexican ceasar salad was good.
Waited too long to get the check and settle it.
We'll probably go back sometime. -
Review from Jeremy T.
Costa Mesa, CA
11/10/2011
HAPPY HOUR REVIEW.
Have eaten at this restaurant many times over the years. The food is OK but that is not why I am rating them at 4 stars it is because during the summer my wife and I go here for the Happy Hour! The Happy Hours is from 4 to 7 PM!
The bar is big and the prices during happy hour are awesome. We like Tuesday nights because we have a favorite waitress that is so sweet and always makes sure we have plenty to eat and drink her name is Alethia. They have plenty of TV's with sporting events going on.
The happy hour snacks that they serve are fresh vegetables with house dressing dip, chips, salsa, and bean/cheese dip my favorite! it is a bit small but by the time I leave I am stuffed so I guess it does the trick.
They offer specials on food during this time we usually get the $1 tacos they are great and you can get hard or soft shell.
The drinks are reasonably priced they wont break your bank as long as you stick to the well drinks. Plenty of parking.
Costa Mesa does not have a ton of places with good happy hours close to home so I recommend Acapulco -
Review from Mel L.
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
HAPPY HOUR REVIEW:
the ochre yellow color of the walls combined with the aqua blue are really festive colors that can evoke feelings of perhaps being in a town like Acapulco or Cancun or Cozumel. the music was blasting and graduation celebrations were all around. everyone was having a great time. in the center of the restaurant appears to be a ginormous skylight graced with burlap fabric filtering the light from the beaming sun ahead.
BUFFALO WINGS: super high in caloric content, but not so super high in the taste arena. a little bit too greasy and too salty.
BONELESS CHICKEN TENDERS: supposed to be a lot less in calories than the buffalo wings. but it's breaded & fried? go figure, rite? they were rather tasty, but still a bit salty again.
HAPPY HOUR $1 TACOS: the shredded beef was no bueno. a little bit bland and lacked flavor. adding salsa didn't really help.
LIBATIONS:
the mango margarita (under $5) was pretty yummy. but coconut pineapple margarita was even yummier. both hardly contained any alcohol.
IN RETROSPECT:
Acapulco provides a good atmosphere for good laughs, slightly weak drinks, and decent food. The bar is a pretty happening area, and the patio w/ the colored bulb lights might look like a cool place for a warm summer evening.
HAPPY HOUR:
Monday - Friday 3-7pm -
Review from Christina T.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/20/2011
I used to love this place. It's within walking distance of home, the food is good, the bartender is friendly, and the price is right. I would've given this place a 4, were it not for the cockroach that skittered across the bar during the last happy hour I attended there. It appeared to live under the cash register on the bar. I pointed it out to the bartender and he said he would take care of it, but he did nothing. The critter stared at me the whole time I finished my margarita. Maybe I'm being too picky, or too bug-phobic, but it was a deal breaker. No cockroaches where my food goes, thank you.
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Review from Danielle C.
Orange, CA
5/8/2011
one word.... Carnitas. The food is great all around but it's rare to find a place that knows what they're doin when it comes to this.
Many of you are aware this place is closely affiliated with Don Jose's. Pretty much the same place- variations in the menu though. The thing is I grew up going to both cause we had one of each close to home & I can't ever remember it being this great or i'd have been back by now. No doubt. It's very good Mexican food.
Went here last week for dinner, it was after 9pm so the service was spotty but the food made up for it & quite honestly I don't like a server circling to much.
I had the Carnitas Fajitas w/a cheese enchilada. Awesome. The carnitas was perfect. Moist, flavorful, melt in your mouth. Truly, some of the better I've had, especially for a chain restaurant & I make a point to eat carnitas @ most Mexican restaurants. My bf had the burrito gigante (carnitas) & he liked it very much. I washed it down w/a cadillac on the rocks which weren't bad.
everything was enjoyable...no complaints. -
Review from Ally H.
6/30/2011
VERY horrible service at lunch or dinner, don't waste your time. Been here a few times. Their lunch is supposed to be "pronto" but there is nothing pronto about it.
We sat in the cantina section for happy hour on a weekday. When they brought out the food, we never received plate settings or napkins. We thought they were going to go back to get some, but no they never returned. Even when we asked for some, it took them a while before they returned with the plates/cutlery. Our food was cold by then. We asked for more salsa for our party of 10. We only got 2 little bowls of salsa at one end of the table. To top of it off, it was horrible service when the restaurant was not even busy. AND food was ok, not authentic enough.
Don't waste your time, money. There are far better mexican restaurants in this neck of hte wood. -
Review from BJ L.
5/20/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I really can't think of a better all-around Mexican restaurant. From their Taco Tuesday and Margarita Monday deals, to the incredibly affordable and all-you-can-eat (and drink!) Sunday brunch buffet, this Acapulco location in particular delivers on all fronts.
Being a brunch semi-regular, I like that they change it up every now and then with random things. Case in point - Birria! When a run-of-the-mill chain like Acapulco allows their chefs to serve a good birria, you know you're in for a treat.
The al pastor is also a brunch must, but it can run out and is usually replaced by their inferior (but still delicious) carnitas - so get it while it's hot!
Mrs. L and I were here with some friends recently and sat on the patio. Mimosas, food, and great service was about $35. What. A. Deal. -
Review from Maly S.
Newport Beach, CA
5/4/2011
A long time ago, my sister and I ate at Acapulco and HATED it!!! the sauce was just disgusting!!! fast forward 10-15 years later and here I am again, but very wary of eating anything with their red sauce. After a beautiful day at the beach and eating tacos at Sanchos, then Wahoos, we thought..why stop the wild taco train ride...so we got some $1 tacos during Monday happy hour and they were delicious!!! freshly pressed and cooked tortillas! very cool! I tried the carnitas and they were YUMMY!!! I tried the picadillo beef for my first time and it was good, spicy (which i like), but not my first choice. Next time I'll go easy on the cotijo cheese, that stuff ruined the flavor of my taco with it's salty funky flavor.
$2.50 house margaritas are a good deal! it's 2.75 for the flavored ones. I tried the midori melon and it was too sour and I could barely finish it. My friend ordered mango and that was good. I got the strawberry next and it was good! my friend got the coconut pinapple margarita as well and said it tasted more like pineapple.
we got 2 orders of free chips..the first was ok. the 2nd was fresh, warm and crispy! Now I know what they are supposed to taste like.
I will definitely be back for Monday happy hour!!! amazing prices and yummy drinks and tacos!
I'm still scared to try anything with red sauce. This is how I felt about Yoshinoya for the longest time too....took me 10 years to eat at that place again...oh and Don Jose....not a fan, still haven't been back since 15 years ago. -
Review from Will M.
11/21/2010 4 photos
Ay, ay, ya, yi...drenched from the gray skies
El feo cielo dumps rain on my eyes
I want to escape here but too wet to try....
Had lunch here with a friend. It was 1 PM in a mostly empty restaurant. When it's that empty, I often think about walking out and going somewhere livelier and crowded. But it was raining gatos y perros, so we stayed.
The decor is bright, and the building is airy, with a Mexican props and a bamboo lined ceiling. There are live plants in the atrium middle. We got seated in a window booth with a nice view of people getting pelted by the rains. Bathrooms are clean. Overall, it was comfortable, warm and dry inside.
It took awhile for the chips and salsa to arrive. When it did, it was warm and tasty. Salsa was good, not too watery. They have an interesting mixed drink menu, though I had a Pepsi. My friend ordered the Mango Gold Margarita which not only has the tequila, but add a shot of Grand Marnier table side for an extra kick in the butt. After ordering, it took about 15 minutes for the food to arrive
We opted to share their big Mucho Macho appetizer platter ($13). It had chicken taquitos, shrimp quesadillas, buffalo tenders with dressing, and cheesy quesadillas. It was pretty good but we only ate half so we'd have an appetite for the entrees. No doubt the sour cream, chiles, and extra fat made this better tasting than the entrees.
I had the 2 item combo with shredded beef tamale and shredded beef taco ($9.00) with rice and beans. My friend had the shrimp enchiladas, veggies, rice and beans ($13) which I sampled. Both were good, though not the best I've had. I like the masa in the tamale a little softer. The taco shell tasted pre made, but the beef was tender and not grisly. The tamale was topped with corn bits and had some heat. Presentation was nice (see photos).
Pepsi refills were kind of slow, as was removal of dirty plates. Service was spotty, the waiter would disappear for stretches of time. Overall, not a bad Mexican place, not a great one. We find out that the time to go is Happy Hour when a lot of prices fall like someone borracho (hick!). -
Review from Jessica H.
Huntington Beach, CA
11/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I was none too impressed with this place. I actually work at a mexican restaurant, so I might be a tad bit biased. I guess take everything I say with a grain of salt.
The one thing I liked about this place was there chips and salsa. Tasty and addictive. From there, it went downhill.
The waiter came to our table pretty much the second we sat down and asked if we were ready. No, sir, we are not. Couple more minutes perhaps? We seem next 10-15 minutes later. This was at 1 pm, it was pretty slow.
I ordered the "fast lunch" combination with a crispy chicken taco and carnitas enchilada. The taco, to my dismay, was made with one of those premade shells... not the deep fried. Ugh! I ate it, though, just wasn't too pleased. The chicken was well seasoned though, despite feeling as though I had been transported to Taco Bell rather than a $9 per meal restaurant. The enchilada didn't fare much better with me. My first bite was nearly impossible considering the tortilla didn't seem to be fully cooked, but rather rubbery. Argh. Again, the meat was tasty, just not the tortilla.
Over all, I wasn't impressed and yes, "MEHHH I've experienced MUCH better, thank you." -
Review from Steve T.
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love mexican food. I've been to a lot of bad mexican restaurants and this is NOT one of them. I like their affordable pricing and entre selections. The food quality is very good. I always come back for more.
Check for your local coupons because you can get a lot of great mexican food for cheap. -
Review from Andy N.
9/1/2010 1 photo
I'd get coupons sent to my house for this place and I don't know anyone that has eaten here besides my sister. This is another El Torito. I can't believe they don't have a taco Tuesday here. That was so disappointing when I was here last night.
The food itself was just okay. The chips and salsa were so addicting. I think that just made me overly full for the rest of the meal. My gf also ordered the queso beef dip for the chips and that just made things worst for my stomach. As for the meal I ordered the Carne asada special medium rare. The refried beans that came along with it was flavorless, the carne asada was just okay, the sauce that came with it helped the rice. I would've been fine with just the chips and dip for dinner. The deep fried ice cream was way too much for me. That was a sign of trouble for me in the restroom later that night. Not a big fan of these restaurants. I enjoyed the service but likely won't be eating at Acapulco for a long long time. -
Review from Chris H.
Costa Mesa, CA
11/26/2011
POOR MANAGEMENT!!!
My girlfriend and I ate here yesterday for her 21st. Food and drinks were good, but unfortunately I was charged an extra $32! They reversed the transaction, however it's going to take a few days to post to my account. I'm a college student and that $32 is a lot to me. Especially during these times. The manager handled my problem poorly. We asked for the district and corporate office number. The manager tried to deter us by coming up with lame excuses on why she couldn't give us the number. One excuse was, "I'm not allowed to give that info." (Illegal). Then she said she didn't have the numbers available. I got fed up and went there in person. Sure enough the phone numbers were readily available on the restaurant's business card. So I left with the business card, 2 coupons, and broke. She failed as a manager to handle a simple problem at her level and now this has to be taken higher. -
Review from Laura S.
Orange County, CA
12/10/2008
This review is about Sunday Brunch only. It's awesome. They refill drinks at a fast and steady pace. There is a taco bar and a omelette maker. There is also a salad bar, fruit bar, and various breakfast items. I think they have menudo too.
But the frequent pouring here is what really makes this 4 stars. I've gotten so ridiculously intoxicated here before. One time, our waiter decided to start drinking with us. He was getting wasted too! But, the next time we came in, he was gone. When we asked what happened to him, they said they had to fire him because he was drinking with the guests. OOPS :-/Listed in: Breakfast, Sunday Brunch
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Review from Jennifer D.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2009
Significant other cheated on you and took the last of your $?
Craving something ice cold & yummy on a hot SoCal day?
Stepped in dog shit while heading to work late?
Recovering from Sunday Funday?
Plain ol' case of the Mondays?!
Two words: Margarita (f*ckin') Mondays!
There's nothing pleasant about Mondays except for this little gem.
$2.50 for their regular full size margarita. (extra .25 for flavors - try Mango!)
Service may be slow, so order a few while you're at it. Once you get your delicious treats, you'll soon forget about all your worries. Be there on Monday and I'm sure you'll find me in the corner booth. :) -
Review from Bryan L.
San Diego, CA
8/1/2011
Ate here for lunch on a Saturday. It was really empty. Not impressed by the Mexican food here. Tacos had ok shredded meat, but looked and tasted equal to or worse than Taco Bell crunchy tacos. Beans and rice weren't very warm and the tamale was cold and dry. The guacamole, while made on the spot, was chunky and had little flavor. Service was epically slow
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Review from Jason R.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/22/2011
One word... Rodents! at least I hope it was a mouse because the thought of an insect that big might make me vomit. But seriously, I was in there tonight with my sister and girlfriend and it's in my neighborhood, so I've been before, great chips n salsa, good happy hour, cheap diarrhetic food that hits the spot...
But tonight, sitting in the corner table my sister jumped up when something ran from under the table and around the corner. My girlfriend saw it too. They were both really freaked out. The manager came and was nice at first but then ignored us because he thought we were scamming a free meal. The tab was $33. Hardly worth an embarrassing scam.
Just saying. Don't be surprised if next time you're there, it turns into that scene from the muppets take manhattan, where the rats come out of everywhere. But seriously, once again, my internet enthusiasts... There is a reason the coupons are basically giving food away.... -
Review from Christina N.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/29/2009
So I've only been here once, I met up some friends after work to have dinner and drinks. Good location, pretty much close by everything. The restaurant was clean and actually pretty busy for a wednesday night. Definitely served us chips and salsa. Also opted for the fresh table side guacamole. The waiter wasn't very friendly, well, he wasn't mean either, just didn't really seem into, but he did look pretty tired.
Table Side Guacamole - This was actually good and made very well, the only unfortunate part was that the menu says it's offered with warm chips .... my chips weren't warm, shame on them.
Shrimp Fajitas - This dish was decent. It was cooked with a jalapeno garlic butter with spices, but personally to me it was a bit bland, nothing really exciting, you can tell the shrimp was previously frozen. Cooked with bell peppers, served with pico de gallo, flour/corn tortillas, refried beans, and guacamole.
Quesadilla de Camarones - This was actually pretty good, but it tasted deep fried, and you can't really go wrong there =X. Shrimp, cream cheese, pineapple mango relish, smoked jalapeno tartar sauce in a crispy chipotle tortilla served with rice and veggies. This came out steaming hott and crispy, the cheese was melted perfectly and I thought the flavors complimented this dish very well, doesn't come naked, there's rice and veggies, this will definitely fill you up.
Shrimp Enchiladas - This was actually my dish, sauteed shrimp with a corn relish,topped with a tomatillo sauce and melted monterey jack cheese, as well as a cilantro sour cream, served with rice and veggies as well. This was good, I really liked the tomatillo and cilantro sour cream topping this enchilada. The filling was decent, and the portions were good. Sauteed fresh veggies, did not taste fresh.
Carnitas - This dish was pretty dry, decently flavored. Supposedly tenderly roasted simmered in garlic, fresh oranges, lemon, & cilantro. Served with rice, guacamole, refried beans, salsa, and warm tortillas, corn/flour. Disappointed with this dish.
Drinks were decently priced, but now I definitely wanna come here for there margarita mondays, what 2.50 a regular full size margarita, and if you wanted some flavoring added, it's only a quarter more.
Overall, I probably would come back here again. -
Review from Sabrina I.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/27/2008
Really good fajitas. They have now replaced former favorite El Torito (which has gone downhill in quality lately).
The shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas were really flavorful and the platter was huge. We split it because it's a bit pricey ($17.50 I think). The flour tortillas that came with were nice and thin so they weren't overly filling and you could actually taste the meat and veggies instead of the tortillas.
Salsa was really hot and the tableside guacamole appetizer is great!
If you go late at night, they seat you in the bar area and the loud drunk talk from other tables can be annoying.
I think I now know way more about the fake blond with pencil thin eyebrows than even her future husband does. And I know all about his family too. The kicker was that every sentence she shouted was prefaced by "I shouldn't talk shit, but..."
um, yeah. so shut it.Listed in: Orange County Overview
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Review from Archibald P.
Atlantic City, NJ
10/12/2010 2 photos
Meh. I have reviewed some really great Mexican food spots. Then some mediocre and not-so-great ones. Not sure why this place is ranked so high, but I think the meat, salsa's, sauces, and entrees tasted better even at Don Jose's... and that doesn't say a lot.
Unfortunately, Acapulco is just middle of the road for me when it comes to taste, quality, and selection. Service was good.
Walked in with a friend I hadn't seen for a while and he suggested we go here to catch up, have a couple beers, and two entrees. He had a coupon that offered "buy one entree, get the second entree for $2.99" and so I felt pretty good walking in the place.
We asked to sit outside and after about 6 or 7 minutes our server came out to greet us and so did the waters and chips & salsa... could've been quicker, but whatever... we continued.
I ordered one of their special combos (see picture)... I think it was the Tres Mucho Macho plate, or something of the sorts... it had a cheese enchilada, a couple crunchy chicken taquitos, rice, beans, and a chimichanga... I know... I'm such a pig...
I also ordered 2 Negra Modelos, which the server brought out with a lime (the first time) and a cold pint glass on the side (nice).
All in all, the food didn't really sink home with me. Especially when there was a $2.99 coupon involved and it still came out to over $40 minus the tip. I would've rather spent my money at The Matador in Fullerton, got great service, beer or a shot of tequila, and excellent-grade food for half the cost... especially during Happy Hour or during one of their bottomless champagne brunches...
Still tipped the server his 21% but I won't be back unless my friend is buying... and even then... I dunno.
Pros: place is clean to the naked eye and set up nicely - nice courtyard and patio. -
Review from Jackie F.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
4/12/2010
Pro: Much better than the other Acapulco in Costa Mesa, quick service, clean bathroom, good carnitas.
Con: the alcoves...what am i, in bruge?
Second try with buddies in Costa Mesa - see if this Acapulco is better than that lame excuse of a restaurant by the 73 and 55 ramp. I have to say this place is much better. The food wasn't overcooked and dry, chips came out pretty quick, and manager seems friendly enough.
Still have to ask for water and our waiter didn't ask me if I wanted corn or flour tortilla. But I can live with that.
I know this is isn't real Mexican food, but I can deal with it. :) -
Review from Bonnie L.
San Diego, CA
8/25/2008
Oh my GOOOOOOD I love Acapulco!! I came here for the Sunday Brunch Buffet, and holy crap it was awesome!!!! Here are my top 5 reasons why.
5. Really great service. Our waiter gladly refilled our champagne glasses (yup, champagne is included like we're in Vegas!) numerous times. He also walked around and talked to all the customers as if we were in a Mexican resort. Man now that would be awesome, if we could somehow get a Mexican resort in Vegas...
4. Papaya in the fruit bar! Papaya!
3. Unlimited beans. Ummmm need I say more? I probably ate about a pound of beans yesterday. I loooooove beans, but my boyfriend doesn't necessarily love me when I'm loving up on some beans.
2. Made-to-order taco bar!!
1. Made-to-order omelet bar!! I freaking love huevos con chorizo (eggs and Mexican sausage) and to have it mixed with peppers, cheese, jalapenos, mushrooms and ham was delicious! And since it wasn't super crowded, the omelet man was making these freaking enormous creations... they took up entire plates!
Things to note:
-Drinks are not included (save from the agua de jamaica--which was kinda good-- and horchata and OJ). But champagne is!!
-Go for the made-to-order bars FIRST. Food is better there than the enchilada/beans/sausage/bacon bar.
-Save room for dessert!! The churros are bomb.
Total cost: $15.00 per brunch buffet. A teeny bit overpriced. Like I would say the $15 probably covers things like guacamole, chorizo, bacon, champagne. So if you don't eat those things, you will not feel like your money was well-spent. But if you do... like me... then it is! -
Review from alex t.
5/14/2009
1st time here and BOY is it amamamazing. There's a list of all the possible margaritas you could think of....peach, mango, strawberry, original flavored, etc. I'm going to ask them to make me a peach mango the next time I go, since its my favorite combination of flavors.
The food is mediocre. I would definitely have to say however that this place has awesome deals for margarita Monday and if you have time, stop by on Sunday for brunch as well! The brunch menu is awesome and definitely within budget!
Service was slow, but our waiter was awesome and funny when he visited us. *uppies!*
ALSO you can find the Starbucks crew here on Monday nights. Holla!!! -
Review from Mik Z.
Atlanta, GA
4/5/2010
Happy birthday to me!!!! Ok, so I would normally give this place a 3 (service isn't great, no one seems that knowledgeable), but with Margarita Mondays and a free entree for my birthday, it deserves a 4!
If you go to the Acapulco website and sign up for the mailing list, you will be sent a coupon for a free entree for your birthday (not a buy one get one...no purchase necessary!!). Then, if you use the coupon during Margarita Mondays, you can split a huge entree (anything you want) with someone, and grab a few tacos for a buck, or a half priced appetizer. And margaritas, of course (they don't skimp!!).
So, 4 margaritas, chicken fajitas, loads of chips and salsa, and two chicken tacos later...our bill was only $13!!
The best part is that the coupon is valid for a while after the actual birthday date, so you don't have to spend your actual birthday at Acapulco.
Dear Acapulco, you made my birthday week fun. I especially appreciated the cheap cheap cheap margaritas. -
Review from Thomas C.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/17/2009
As the rating says, I am, indeed, a fan, but by no means for the service. The food, without a doubt, is amazing. I am a vegetarian, so my options are limited (especially with Mexican restaurants that put lard into their beans), but I always have something delicious to eat (usually the Grande Nachos or a burrito, both minus the meat) here. The last time I went, I decided to be a little rebellious and ask for their guacamole in lieu of my meat. My wish was granted, and it saved our party a few bucks.
Now, on to the service. I don't remember the last time I've actually been happy with their service. They are slow to greet/take drink orders, and just have a general latency about them. Just as something to note, we usually get the crummiest service when seated on the left side of the restaurant. -
Review from Hope P.
Redondo Beach, CA
2/3/2009
Meh. Meh.
This place was ok, the buffet is what we had the food looked like a cross of American Mexican and real Mexican. I had 2 cheese enchilada the were ok like something I get out of my tv dinner box small and dry. I had corn husk corn cake and it was ok I did not finish it, I also had some flan (sp) it was good like custard. I give it 2 stars because it was not that great and the waiter did not come by often enough to fill our drinks and I had to order a sprite because my water tasted like soap. -
Review from Josh S.
5/4/2007
This is a tough one. I'd agree with the response below that the service sucks. I'm not sure if its just a generalization of Mexican restaurants where maybe its a more laid back attitude and they'll get to you when they get to you and if they screw up, then they'll try again but this place gets 1 star for service.
The food on the other hand is very good. I used to be a huge fan of Chevys (mainly for the fresh tortillas and chips) but now that its extinct in the OC and I live close to this one, it has become a decent substitute. You know what sucks though, they used to have a FREE happy hour. All kinds of grub would be out there for free PLUS half off apps, etc. You couldn't beat it. But now they do this lame ass taco bar and over charge for crappy little tacos and the free stuff is GONE. BRING IT BACK!
The menu is deep, the fajitas are good, the a la carte items are good, but the service will most likely annoy you. At least the chips guy is usually on the ball and keeps the basket full. -
Review from Erica B.
Union City, CA
2/27/2007
I eat here about once a year when I'm travelling in Costa Mesa for work. I've never been here with less than 8 other people, and never without pitchers of margaritas.
Those caveats notwithstanding, I've never had an issue with an incorrect order. The parking situation is excellent, and the atmosphere is always festive (thought that may have more to do with the margaritas than the restaurant itself...)
Try the Carne Asada Tostada... its delish! -
Review from Shareen S.
Boston, MA
5/27/2009
Has some of the most tasty mexican food I have ever had, and for the price? It doesn't get much better.
Recommended: los dos enchiladas de queso, y Maragarita Mondays!
Also, on Sunday, they have brunch which is a buffet style. Sometimes their buffet lacks variety however.
But, if you're in the mood for some of the best mexcican cuisine ever...it's here. -
Review from Meredith W.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/10/2008
I'm a total hypocrite because I bagged on Chiplotle yesterday, only to eat at Acapulco the same day.
Rode bikes with my friend here last night. . .
Acapulco is aight.. but a bit too expensive for the quality of food. We decided to go because we had a coupon... buy one entree get the second for $2.99. After drinks we still ended up spending 30 bucks each.
I got the chicken and shrimp fajitas... the chicken was sort of like that spongy fake chicken, it tasted OK... the texture was just a little strange. The shrimp tasted fresh, and was cooked well, but my fajitas weren't even sizzling when the guy brought them out.
The service was good, but it did take forever to get our food on a night when the Restaurant was more than half empty.
Not a place Id choose to go to : (
