
5

"A casual Mexican spot with Orange County roots that opened on September 17 at the Apollo Landing project, it targets the nearby office crowd and sits next to Shake Shack, Philz Coffee, Tender Greens and Randy’s Donuts. Backed by the Heredita family — operators of four Carmelita’s locations dating to 1962 — this outpost takes a more overt Mexican‑American approach than the rancho‑style cooking found a few miles north, leaning on prime grilled skirt steak, spicy camarones and crispy chicken flautas served in heaping portions with housemade tortillas. The camarones were an early hit, though the skirt steak’s seasoning was critiqued as a bit heavy‑handed with salt (the kitchen may have adjusted this after preview dinners). Prices for most non‑steak dishes sit in the teens to mid‑twenties, the fare is straightforward and generally satisfying, and the kitchen is led by Sergio Cortez; the restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m." - Matthew Kang