These people take their salsa seriously!Came here with family and was blown away by how delicious the food was. My two tests for Mexican food are the chips and salsa and the tacos. El Matador meets---nay, exceeds---on both counts! Their Spanish rice also has flavor which is unusual for most Mexican joints. Their regular salsa is substantially hotter than other restaurants and their hot salsa...WOW. Great meals, great service, great food.
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I had high hopes and wanted to like it, really I did. I thought they served truly authentic Mexican food but once I see American/Cheddar cheese I'm already thinking, eh, Americanized or TexMex inspired. The chips and salsa were very good. The mariachi music and decor created a nice ambience. I ordered the Chile relleno and crunchy ground beef taco combination plate w/rice, beans, guacamole. The Guacamole was passable but the avocados didn't have that buttery feel, more watery and it lacked added flavors. The rice was gravel-like and needed more cooking. The taste was fair. The beans were the best thing on the plate, tasted authentic, like my Tia makes en el rancho un a clay pot and fried w lard. Sadly I couldn't eat much of them because they were stuck under a heavy blanket of cheese. I'm a cheese lover for sure but this was just over the top. When the plate came I was like where's my Chile relleno?...buried under a mound of yellow and white cheese. No reason to do that because that's what The chile is stuffed with...cheese! It was small and didn't have much flavor, no ranchero sauce either. The crunchy ground beef taco was edible but not yummy. I'm sad to say but I would not return nor would I recommend to a friend.
As a long term existing restaurant, practically landmark status in Costa Mesa, it was OK overall, but I was expecting more.My dining experience started with a strawberry daiquiri, as I had not had one in years, and house chips and salsa. The was no discernable taste of rum in the drink, but that wasn't terribly important on this visit as I didn't order it to get tipsy. The chips were good and the salsa had the perfect amount of spiciness that would appeal to nearly all palates.Upon recommendation (the menu labeled it a staff pick), I ordered the pork carnitas plate. The presentation was nice and perhaps that prematurely inflated my expectations. The rice had good flavor and the beans were rich to the taste and topped with a generous portion of melted cheese. The carnitas, however, was unimpressive as compared to what I've eaten at other places. The meat was bland and tasted as though it needed a salt rub before cooking. Likewise, at a different restaurant where this dish is a customer favorite (for comparison), they cook the carnitas with citrus that adds to the flavor while creating a caramelized crispy coating to the exterior of the cooked meat that is served. In comparison, in both depth of flavor and texture, this carnitas plate was not special in any way. I would not recommend it as I'm sure other items are probably better. Disappointing as compared to expectations, but by no means a terrible dining experience.
This is one of the few remaining unpretentious local places that is serving plentiful plates of good food, friendly service in a homey atmosphere. With comfy booths in one room, the other has tables for bigger groups and a bar (boasting of over 400 tequilas). Endless chips and just a touch spicy salsa, wide range of Mexican dishes (carnitas, camarones, or the plentiful cheese crisp along with expected fare), soups, salads and flan for dessert. Enjoy the convivial setting and a hearty meal here!
I would give this place 5 stars if it didn't take so long to get our food. We were there on Sunday night the wait for the table was only 20 minutes but the wait for the food was probably 40 minutes after we ordered (they did warn us at least). Food was excellent though! Service was good as well. Would def recommend eating here if you are in the area and have time to spare!
Really like this place. Burritos chips and salsa.. for kids there burger and fries is actually amazingIts really good.. there is so much more.
I’ve been coming here for many many years, and it’s always good ??Today I had albondigas soup (yummy broth) and the deluxe tostada ?
While billed as a Mexican they do not know how to make a Chimichunga. Apparently they think beans should be the main filler. We had a group of 9 and they sat us in the made over garage area outside. There was a space heater but it was still cold. I saw that all the locals seat inside. The server forgot some of the orders and drink refills. They aren't overpriced for the area but there are better places to go.
Very busy on a Saturday at 8pm, but drinks at the bar made the wait for a table bearable. (You can order full menu at the bar.) Big layout. The ribs did fall off the bone as advertised. Two sides were good too.
Very popular place, crowded and noisy on a Friday night dinner with the daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Thanks so much to Santi for the friendly, professional attentive service! Also the older gentleman who bussed our table was quick with chips and salsa and also very attentive to our needs. We asked Santi for a plate of beans and rice for the granddaughter as soon as we sat down and he brought it in a minute or two. He took our order right away which also arrived in just minutes, everything delicious with huge portions. Will heading back to El matador soon!