Taco Rosa

This is my new favorite restaurant. The food is amazing and the service was great. Everyone that I went with also felt the same. I was miserable stuffed when I left but it was worth every bite.

Really love the brunch here on Sunday’s. They have live mariachi playing, amazing omelettes, seafood ceviche, and the best part endless mimosas. The only thing I dislike is that sometimes there’s a long wait before you get seated but worth it.

Absolutely love their Sunday brunch buffet and I will be back just for it. It has excellent ceviche, salmon salad, enchiladas, dessert, etc.
I’ve had dinner here before and thought it was just okay. The Brunch is great though!

Showed up for Sunday brunch today, we have been here twice before with no problems, only to be turned away by the front desk girl. There were still 3 hours left. She said they were full for brunch and they won’t be able to seat us period, not even for regular menu service. We even would have come back for regular menu. I’m giving two stars for poor front desk customer service. El Torito here we come!

Food is good, Staff is friendly & attentive, they came up with good recommendations. We liked both the things that they suggested !!
Sitting was little tight, specially for party of 2, you know you not gonna get a big table on a busy day but atleast you should not be sitting like right beside the other table with not even a one hand distance .
Definitely gonna give it another shot & try other items on menu.

One visit to Taco Rosa was enough to convince me not to venture here again. I was disappointed both by the ambiance and the food.
We occupied a booth which appeared faded and the cushioning on the seat had a dark dirty shade to it.
The food was greasy and hardly had any flavor. The quality of the food offered is not worth price, which is quite pricey. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, they do not offer chips and salsa as complimentary items and we need to pay for them separately.
Though the website says that the place is open till 11:00 p. m, the staff started sweeping the floor and packing up around 9:00 p.m. while we were still eating.

This is probably the best carne asada taco I’ve had. I ordered number dos combination plate that brought the carne asada taco and a enchilada with rice and pork belly beans. It was definitely delicious especially the tamale. My boyfriend ordered the Arizona burrito and let’s just say it was gone by the time I looked up again. Service is great and definitely recommend going to this restaurant. They also serve a complimentary appetizer!

Tuesday my girlfriend and I came in for taco tuesday but Taco Tuesday starts at 3:00 so we decided to order something else from the menu. We have been here before and we were definately not disappointed. I ordered the Arizona burrito and my girlfriend ordered the Uno combination plate. The food was amazing! The flavors were great and cooked perfectly! Service was amazing as well. We got refills quickly and they even gave us a complimentary appetizer. I would recommend this place to anyone!

Have only been here for their Sunday champagne buffet brunch & I’ve always had a great time. Waiters are always friendly & the food is pretty good. I also enjoy the mariachi’s.

Came here for Sunday brunch. I made a reservation at 11:30am, and we arrived exactly at 11:30am. However, the hostess said we arrived too early, so there were no tables, unless we wanted to sit outside. That was a little annoying because I looked at the reservations list, and it turns out they never even wrote down my reservation. What was even more annoying was that there were mariachis outside, with one of them playing his trumpet right next to me. It was so loud, I could barely hear myself, let alone listen to anyone else’s conversation.
The Sunday brunch is $ 25/​person for an all-​you-​can-​eat buffet. There are a variety of Mexican dishes, tacos, an omelette /​pancake station, and a dessert table. None of the dishes looked appetizing, but I decided to try a few things here and there. Nothing stood out. My omelette was undercooked. The inside was really runny, so I couldn’t eat it.
I thought, at least the dessert table could save the day, since I love dessert. I excitedly make my way to the dessert section, to pick out a bunch of things, and was sadly disappointed. There were chocolate covered strawberries, marshmallows, churros, and some random pies. Chocolate covered strawberries are one of my favorite desserts ever. I bit into it, and the strawberries were old, and the chocolate wasn’t even hardened. The churros tasted old and stale, and the pies weren’t anything special.
Although $ 25 is inexpensive, I still felt robbed, eating here. Taco rosa is just 2 minutes away from my house, but never cared to try it during the 14 years I lived here. Now, I know why.
However I’m adding an extra star, because the staff are very friendly.

My boyfriend and I came for brunch twice already and both times we enjoyed the experience. The second time we went we were seated at the same table from our first visit.
The wait isn’t long but then again it was only two of us so I’m not sure how long the wait for groups might be.
The staff was very friendly and attentive.
The food was very good there was a large selection of different dishes as well as a woman making hand made foods involving masa out in the patio.
There’s also a good amount of dessert options.
There is live music which consists of a mariachi singing songs at different tables which was fun.

Before beginning I should probably state that we’re a same-​sex couple.
Fiancé and I came here after a long break of not eating out, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Regulars here for years, we had never visited during the day. Unfortunately it was a huge mistake and it will be our last time here.
I guess we became comfortable with ourselves? We were holding hands as we walked in and dealt with some bad attention from a few guests – we were only holding hands, the moment our server came he was uncomfortable as well. I was leaning against my fiancé in the booth and holding his arm, our server made no eye-​contact with us; was stuttering and not looking like he was enjoying having a good time. Then all the bussers and other kitchen staff began doing the same, it made me raise my eyebrow when a lot of unnecessary people began coming from the back of the house and looking at us while circling around and going back to the kitchen. I’ve worked in this business for nearly a decade so know about back-​of-​house babble.
I don’t want to be the gay guy pulling the gay card, really, our server was just heavily distant. At first we thought maybe he was new, I even spoke with him in Spanish (my native tongue) and still seemed uncomfortable. No chit-​chat, nothing about the food or menu. Even when asked about recommendations. We gave him the benefit of the doubt, until we saw him interact with two other tables and how great his service was with all of them. He was the complete opposite with all the other guests. Even his Spanish-​speaking was great with them.
This is when we immediately knew there was a problem and asked to speak with the Maitre D’ or manager of the restaurant, our server being gone still, we asked one of the bussers.
This is where it gets tricky – whoever he was Manager or Maitre D’, he came, froze, peddled back (while looking at us in the booth) and immediately turned his back when I tried to make eye-​contact with him, he went to another table instead and began a conversation with the guy there, while his back was facing us. By this time the tables were turned, we were both very uncomfortable now. We waited a little longer, he kept talking, went to the bar and never came back.
we decided to leave, I looked at the bar where the manager/​maitre D’ turned his back as soon as he saw us cross near the exit. As I tried to make eye-​contact with him again, he turned and began talking to the bartender.
We’ve experienced this type of behaviour before, and I guess it’s cool and all to you guys, I get it, but know that this felt pretty crappy on our end – no matter how many times this occurs to us, the effect is never reduced. Always the same.
The nail in the coffin was seeing the manager purposely avoid us.
I guess it’s also important to say that the Ceviche was warm and not the best, and the Chamorro we ordered (which we shared) was cold.
I’m hoping to be wrong about our experience, but the restaurant was nearly empty and everyone from brunch had left. The looks and attention we were getting were heavily unwelcoming.
This was one of our top 2 places for years, and for the first time in who knows how long we stiffed our server. No because of him, because there was no support whatsoever from anyone.
On the receipt I wrote: Uncomfortable? Incómodo?

Horrible service! My first time here we had a decent service food was good, so I decided to come back.
My second visit we had horrible service, we walk in to the bar area no one approach our table, ten min past we have to get up and see if some one noticed we were there, is obvious that the girl bartending saw us walking there, finally male bartender greeted us and dropped some sopes didnt even took our drink order and no silverware on table, my husband went up to the bar to order drinks, the margarita he ordered came out wrong at that point I was over it I cancelled my Drinks and left.
I was hoping to speak to the manager on the way out but there was no one at the front desk.

My experience at Taco Rosa in Irvine on a Saturday night was good. Can’t say Great or Terrific.
My husband and I were seated in the farthest corner to the left of the restaurant at a small table made only for chips and appetizers. Our server was nice she helped recommend what’s on the menu since we were seated in the darkest corner of the restaurant. I have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision and so as my husband but it was too dark to read so we had to use our phones to light up the menu.
The hubby order the special skirt steak tacos and I order the skirt steak fajitas. We had chips (looked almost like doritos) and a side of guacamole which was good.
Plating presentation wise I give it a A–
Food quality: B
House Margarita: C
Value/​price: B
Service: A
Interior: B (turn up the lights so we can see)
Will we be back sure, but I wouldn’t order the same food or drinks. I have one favorite Mexican restaurant and I’ve been all over the world, the name is Lindo Michoacan — that place I’d give 6 stars and an A all around for traditional Mexican food.

dont like using other restaurants but compared to Carmelitas in Laguna Niguel. Taco Rosa made Mexican food taste like it is a bit better than a take out place. The Langosta enchilada was basically bay shrimp or crawfish or something. but I took it to be lobster. nothing like this. They had two pork burrito which I ordered. but it was so mixed up with so much rice that could not tell that there was a difference in the two porks in the burrito
The décor nice with sombrero light fixtures and staff helpful and attentive.
The food is the weakness. I even decline to take the half of the burrito home or finish the seafood enchilada dish with so much white cream sauce that there was no balance in the seafood dish. On top of this. sorry but flour tortilla on the enchilada that was not roasted or heated up. tasted chewey…
Taco Rosa is basically cooking to the non Mexican palate audience in orange county.

Just happened to be in the area with my husband and his family and taco rosa caught our attention. We were not disappointed! At first glance we thought it look a touch pricey, but it was well worth it.
As soon as we were seated, we were brought a delicious little creation of meat and beans in a tiny little tortilla. Our first morsel of a delicious meal to come. The Escabeche (pickled vegetables) that paired to were crisp and fresh, complementing the rich bite perfectly.
We also had the quest fundido, which was nothing like I expected, but so much better than I was used to.
My mole enchiladas were a touch on the sweet side for me, but amazing none the less.
We had the tres leches cake (a must!) and then I ended with the goat milk café latte, which I LOVE! Something I’ve never seen before and I’m so glad I got it (=
The real highlight of our evening was our server, Gaston. So courteous and friendly, he catered to us perfectly and made us feel so welcome. Our finicky eaters left happy and full, and it’s all thanks to him!
We are very glad to have stopped by, and we will definitely be back

This review has been long over due in my drafts and finally I have the time to get to it done. I had the opportunity to come during the happy hour and can only attest to that. This place isn’t exactly like Javier’s down the 5 south, however its still one of the high-​end Mexican restaurant options we have close to my house.
The happy hour is from M-​F 2 – 6 pm and 9pm-​close. I came on the later time and enjoyed 40% off for my meal. However the 40% off rule is only on selected items so be mindful of that.
The guacamole and chips were good and I highly suggest the Blackened shrimp and calamari tacos. The ceviche de pulpo is another favorite of mine.
As far as alcoholic beverages are concerned, house margaritas and imported Latin wine are $ 5.50 and $ 3.50 for Tecate or Domestic. I went straight for the house margs because it was girl’s night and needed that extra kick; it was well worth it.
My gf mentioned that they also host champagne brunches on Sunday from 10 am– 2pm. Costing adults $ 23 and I guess for kids 10 and under $ 11. I thought that was weird considering a 12 year old isn’t an adult, but hey I guess it’s business.
Will come back soon.

Taco Rosa has reasonably priced Mexican fare that is better than anything else you are going to find in the immediate area.
Mexican food in the Marketplace area of Irvine and Tustin is… rough. Getting a serious taco is a chore and I have still to find a mole that isn’t laughable. On the Border used to be nearby, but that is hardly «Mexican». So I have to admit with their happy hour, varied menu, and all Hispanic staff I was excited to find Taco Rosa. They remain family owned and with two locations (the other near the Newport Bluffs area) they are one of the few non-​franchise options in this genre we have in central OC.
The bar is huge and largely vacant outside of rush dinner hours which is a little troubling. The service has always been spot on, without that feigned tourist style friendliness I so despise. They also offer a huge buffet on Sundays people rave about that I typically avoid because I detest buffets. The whole restaurant is large, open and airy with the clean yet artificial interior design that suburban Orange County loves so dearly.
I love Ceviche. These guys have a GREAT pair of choices in Ceviche. The Octopus Ceviche is marinated then tossed in lime with red onion, serrano, tomato, and cilantro. They do a great job making sure that the Octopus isn’t gummy, a well founded fear of mine. The Camarón Ceviche (that is Shrimp son, get it together…) is more complex with lime (and I think) orange juice with cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro, serrano and avocado. The serrano peppers give this dish a slow burn, which I loved.
Their Carne Asada Tacos are righteous, as are the Langosta Lobster Tacos. My favorite has to be the Blackened Calamari Tacos that feature Chipotle sauce, cabbage, fresh cream and Cojita. Ugh, I am hungry now.
If you are in the area and feeling Mexican, this is about all you have so partake my friend.

Been to taco rosa once before at a different location. This location had a different vibe. A little more Americanized and formal. And terrible parking because it’s next to a movie theater so plan for that!
Food, again, did not disappoint. My fiancé had the house steak tacos which he loved and I enjoyed their house salmon dish was very tasty.
Would choose the other location for the more authentic and less-​formal atmosphere but if you are closer to this location, go for it!

No esta bueno el guacamole sin sabor el queso fundido Mmmm y aparte el mesero q nos atendió dejo mucho q decear

What happened Taco Rosa? Not too long ago you had really good food and top notch service. My last two trips here left a lot to be desired. I came here recently with a group of co-​workers and ex-​coworkers so we could all catch up. They mixed up our reservations with another person because we had the same first name.
Ok, how difficult is it to simply ask and confirm the person and the number of people they had on the reservation?
I’m very good at reading body language and as soon as I saw our waiter, I could tell we were in for a long night. He was either tired and/​or having a bad day, but everything from his body language, lack of eye contact, and his voice intonation made it clear to us that he wanted to be anywhere but there. He would disappear for long periods of time (20minutes plus).
Hey, I know you’re busy, but it takes a minute or so to check up on us to see how we are doing.
We ordered an assortment of dishes: the lobster, calmari, and salmon tacos were incredibly small, the chicken fajitas came out lukewarm and were also small, and the torta that we got was a pathetic excuse for a torta (small and lacking flavor). The only dish that seemed to be one that we liked was their tostada.
Yes, I realize we are partially paying for the atmosphere, location, and nice décor, but at this price point, IF you’re going to serve such small portions, the food should be fresh, high quality, and extremely tasty. And none of that was present that night. When I’d rather be eating Mexican food at El Torito Grill, Don Joses, or La Capilla, that should tell you something (I’m not a fan of those chains and will only eat there if I have to).
I’m not sure when they switched their chips to these wanna-​be-​Doritos-​tasting chips, but they were just awful. Taco Rosa gets some things right, but in this case they are trying way too hard to be different. Get rid of those awful chips.
The mediocre food at their higher price points and bad service left a bad taste in my mouth. This place has been downgraded to a «Happy Hour» only place because there’s no real motivation for me to come back here and have lunch or dinner.