Mi Casa

So check it out, I have been visiting this restaurant since I was in diapers. Over the years they've had a couple different locations but this is the original and my favorite. The owners are great people and I've enjoyed watching the evolution of the different family members run the restaurant over the past 40+ years. I remember going in this place back when grandpa ran it, then his children were always at the front counter and created such an awesome environment. Nowadays it's run by I guess you could say the grandson and a group of awesome managers that really make you feel like family. The waitresses and the bartenders and even the bus boys wave to you when you walk in the door. The food is really good, not like other Mexican restaurants in the area, it's very unique! If you've lived in Costa Mesa long enough there seems to be a cross town rivalry between MiCasa and El Matador and I think it's safe to say that you either like one or the other and to my knowledge there's not very many people that like both . I am a MiCasa person and I will eat here 2 to 3 times a month, we always like to sit in the Burro Room where the environment is lots of fun and full of really cool unique people. If this is your first time visiting this restaurant I would highly recommend the chicken fajitas, I wish they would put more onions in the fajitas and less peppers but I still order the fajitas 90% of the time. You can't go wrong with crispy shredded beef taco, the enchiladas are good and what makes this place really stand out is there guacamole, chips and cheese and the case of dip. Now let's talk about the margaritas, the margaritas are awesome and the waitress staff and the bartenders really do a good job keeping everybody happy. I wish they had a couple big TVs, the TVs that are in the burro room aren't the greatest but I heard a rumor that a remodel is coming soon. Bottom line is if you've never been to MiCasa I highly recommend you pay this place a visit. I'm not even gonna tell you about their secret salsa because I'm not sure they want me to mention it but damn it's good . I've been telling the owner for years to make a trio plate where you can get what I call the secret salsa, a little bit of queso and a little bit of their guac because again I think it's their guac and the queso that makes his place stand out from all the other Mexican restaurants in the city.

The food portions are great, with the veggie burrito being very good! The guacamole appetizer, although a gigantic portion seemed a bit over priced and was just kind of thrown at us, rather than sold to us, since the chips and salsa were just average. It is definitely a family oriented type atmosphere, nice and cozy but trying to get out of there or any service is going to take you forever, so plan for spending an extra unwanted 30 minutes just waiting around. We went right before the dinner rush with only half the restaurant occupied, yet the service was incredibly slow, it took us at least 5-10 minutes before we could ever find our server on each occasion (getting to go boxes, the check, additional napkins etc). I'd recommend ordering take out/calling ahead if you're ever short on time. Sit down will take a while.

After driving around we found this great Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach. We had the 3 item combos. It was delicious. The portions were huge. Big bowl of chips and lots of salsa. Our waitress was very nice. Prices are reasonable. The cozy interior had Christmas decorations up. My relatives visiting from Vancouver were stuffed. This is a hidden gem!

With a fresh renovation of the entire restaurant, the same quality food and service remains. A gem of a location and Shasta is on it with recommendations, attention, and a sweet soul. The entire staff we've had are kind and attentive. It's definitely worth a bit of a drive!

GREAT LOCALLY OWNED multi generational Mexican restaurant that has served Costa Mesa for 42 years! I have been eating there for 40 of those years♥️ The food and service is what they are famous for! They recently have been criticized for the remodel that was completed a week ago. Some people just can’t take change. Change is the only constant that you can’t stop. Happy people are the people that embrace change! I applaud Ryan and Shasta for striving to make the dining experience at Mi Casa exceptional!!

The dinner was delicious & the margaritas were large and they didn’t skimp on the tequila. I had the chicken shredded drunken burrito. It was delicious and not overly spicy. Portion was large enough that I only ate half & had leftovers for dinner the next evening. It was my grandson’s 11th birthday we were celebrating. After eating they brought him a large piece of ice cream cake. It was coffee flavored ice cream and he didn’t care for the coffee flavor. Maybe rethink giving coffee flavored ice cream to children.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Has alway been my favorite place since I was a kid and always will be! I grew up eating here. Many birthdays and special occasions spent here. I have now moved out of state and miss this place so much that every time I come back into town all my friends and family knows that I need to eat here my 1st and again before I leave. I also always get a back of chips and salsa to go. Their rice and beans have never changed same with the rest of their classic menu that they have had for over 50 years. This place is a legend. Even with the only sizzler tables that show the years of so many great meals, memories, and experiences for everyone that has been.

Friendly good food and great margaritas. Still 7 years later, living on the east coast, Mi Casa is my all-time favorite Mexican Restaurant in the country! Taco Tuesday is a perfect excuse to go have a great margarita and chips while enjoying a fun room full of laughter and smiles! Weather in the bar area, where the friendly staff is always quick to help, or at a table with family and friends sharing a great plate of chips and cheese! The go to is always Mi Casa in Costa Mesa!

Where do I start? This place has been an institution for me growing up. After baseball games, must-have when visiting home from college, to now living right down the street and hanging out in the burro room once a week. It's all gone. Mi Casa was the perfect quick beer after work kinda vibe. It was cozy and dark, had cheesy beer signs from the 90's and an unforgettable staff (at least that's the same). It's now brighter than the sky outside and the noise caused from removing the walls, wood and carpet is unbearable. Removing the wall that separated the restaurant from the Burro Room feels like the worst of it. But I can't stop asking why. What was the point. If the ownership and menu are the same then what was the point of the remodel. I fully agree they could've used an update, but why so sterile? The food is still amazing, but we're in SoCal. Good Mexican food on every corner. I'm sad to say that after a lifetime of memories, we probably won't be coming back as often. What's scares me is I don't think we'll be the only ones...

Mi Casa is our favorite Mexican restaurant. The food is always spot on. We especially love the enchiladas, and the chips and queso are a must every time. It's our go-to spot for Mexican comfort food. Lexi is our favorite waitress. She's kind, attentive, and makes us feel like regulars. We always ask for her when we come in. Highly recommend if you want great food and genuinely great service.

I went to Mi Casa about 20 years ago with an old friend and the food was delicious back then. Last week I took my brother and sister in law to eat there, and the food was absolutely awful! I was shocked! Even the salsa that they put on the table for the chips was nothing more than canned tomato sauce . The only thing that was good were the chips, but even they had very little or no salt.

We have been going to Mi Casa since they opened! This place has always offered fabulous tacos, enchiladas, beans and margaritas and the people there have, over the years been consistently friendly, welcoming and treated us like family. Their recent remodel brightens up the place and makes it feel more friendly! We love the big burro photo in the Burro Room, so creative and fun to look at! All the changes give it a more contemporary, upbeat atmosphere! Shasta is amazing and knows our orders by heart and Ryan always has a friendly hello and stops by our table to chat! We love to go on Fridays to celebrate the weekend! There is no better Mexican restaurant anywhere. The locals are always there soaking up the magic!! Our grown children also go regularly to carry on our family tradition!

Newly remodeled! And not for the better in my opinion. Before, the ambiance was semi quiet and quaint...now....its all open and VERY LOUD. So loud that it takes away from the experience of eating there. I'm not sure the generous portions and good tasting food is enough to go back and leave with a mild case of tinnitus. The wait staff are fine, nothing special. They hustle and do their best. Nice too!

Great Mexican restaurant that has been there forever. Right next door to Sidecar doughnuts. Decent prices and great bar happy hour. Friendly service and vintage Mexican ambiance. Tons of cheese on the tacos!

There is something very odd about the spice that seems to be added to all of the dishes. I cant quite put my finger on it. Nothing ive tasted in any other mexican place. Almost tastes middle eastern. Nothing like pre remodel Mi Casa.

I have been a weekly regular at Mi Casa for over 10 years, first visiting the restaurant almost 40 years ago. In its commit to provide a remarkable dining experience and stay relevant to the current culture, Mi Casa recently completed a dynamic remodel/refresh. And although I miss elements of the past, I celebrate the new, clean and fresh approach they took with the redesign, and appreciate the time and investment they made to keep this beloved institution around for another 53 years!

The portions here were pretty big which i loved. They also had a chips buffet? You serve yourself as many bowls of chips as your heart desires and grab any of the 4 different salsa they have. There was also limes and jalapenos at the buffet which was nice. We came here the Saturday before fathers day and got sat down surprisingly quick. I had the albondiga soup, with a squirt of lime it was good.

Been coming here for a few years and love the new upgrade to the restaurant. New design is nice and the food, typically the Drunken Burrito is always awesome. The server we had this time Dana was great and look forward to coming here again..

I've been going here for 40 years. We went here during college. LOVE the big crunchy chicken tacos - delicious. Margaritas are great. Total old school Mexican restaurant vibes. Our sever was attentive. I knocked it down to 4 star - I tried a chili relleno this time, very thick batter and not a lot of pepper. BUT lots of melty cheese.

The food portions are great, with the veggie burrito being very good! The guacamole appetizer, although a gigantic portion seemed a bit over priced and was just kind of thrown at us, rather than sold to us, since the chips and salsa were just average. It is definitely a family oriented type atmosphere, nice and cozy but trying to get out of there or any service is going to take you forever, so plan for spending an extra unwanted 30 minutes just waiting around. We went right before the dinner rush with only half the restaurant occupied, yet the service was incredibly slow, it took us at least 5-10 minutes before we could ever find our server on each occasion (getting to go boxes, the check, additional napkins etc). I'd recommend ordering take out/calling ahead if you're ever short on time. Sit down will take a while..

If you're looking for a consistently amazing dining experience, Mi Casa has been my go-to for over 15 years, and it never disappoints. The food is always top-notch, and the service is just as stellar. If you're a cheese lover, this place is a dream come true! For those who enjoy shredded beef tacos or chili verde enchiladas, you're in for a treat--these are my personal favorites, though you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Their happy hour is fantastic, and Taco Tuesday is always a hit. I highly recommend stopping by the bar to enjoy a margarita and taco, especially if you get the chance to chat with Brianna and Juan in the Burro Room. They're hands down the best bartenders ever! Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, Mi Casa is always worth a visit.

New design and same lovely staff! Food tastes better than ever and we love our favorite server Lexi who is still there. Happy to see a fresh new look to bring in new customers! You know what they say adapt to change is always a positive outlook! Congrats mi casa we will always be a customer new design or old.

Place is a local legend, I've been coming here Since I was 12. Staff is super friendly and food is good Just like I was a kid! Definitely a must if you're around town!

I've been coming here since before I could walk. There's no better cantina Mexican in the area. The remodel has given it some needed life and energy, but the vibe remains the same - solid neighborhood hangout. Lexi and Jackie are the best in town.

Such a fun place. Friendly service and happy hour menu is the bomb! Go early as the seating in the Burro Room (back bar area) fills up quick

GREAT LOCALLY OWNED MEXICAN FOOD!!! Newly remodeled, to enhance your dining experience. My family has been going here since the 70's, because we love the staff and the food. I think the negative reviews about the remodel are people that can't handle change! They haven't figured out if you embrace change, you are a much happier person

The vibe sucks! The new interior is like a hospital Mi Casa lost it's authentic mexican restaurant ambiance

I love Mi Casa and the recent refresh/remodel has been an awesome improvement to a long-time standard in Costa Mesa! They have ripped out the old carpeting, they have new tables and chairs, and they have updated the lighting. Even with the fresh look, Mi Casa still retains its old school charm that we all love. Come check out the new Mi Casa. This place never disappoints.

Been coming here for years and loving the refreshed look. So surprised to see so many disappointed 'regulars' venting on here who are not supporting a modern version of our favorite place. Same delicious food, same amazing staff, and a bright new look is welcoming. Mi Casa added many modern touches to their restaurant while also paying homage to the place we grew to love. Look around at the photos, the host stand countertops, and the other small details that represent a thoughtful approach to this transformation. A business you love will lose business with bad reviews. Is the lack of carpet and walls really reason enough to complain? Change is hard but you too will adjust. Have another margarita and chill out! Cheers MiCasa! None of us look like we did 20 years ago. Your remodel looks great.

Mi Casa is hands down my favorite Mexican Restaurant! I've been coming for over 10 years. They just completed a renovation and I have to say I love the refresh. Ryan thoughtfully kept some original classics while giving the space a more open feel. Shasta is the Best server I've ever encountered. She truly anticipates my needs. My glass is never empty. She's memorized my order which rotates between a few options. So much that she'll ask "don't you want a chile verde enchilada with your order." Juan the bartender makes the best drinks. Anywho, If you haven't experienced Mi Casa you should try it. You won't be sorry. Taco Tuesday, Sunday Funday, Happy Hour or anytime is the best time to experience Mi Casa!

Came here at about 9pm on a Saturday. Our party of 4 was sat right away. I got the shrimp tacos which were good. Server Jackie was nice.

This really does pain me to say this. Since the remodel I have been twice just so I can give a fair review. I really don't like the new look, I think people of Costa Mesa/Newport really value restaurants that have been a consistent in the community. It doesn't even feel the same anymore unfortunately. Prior we would go at least once a month. Their is new staff I don't recognize, thank God for some of the original staff that are carrying the costumer service aspect. The food is the same and I really appreciate that they didn't change the menu, but it really doesn't feel like the same place I have been going to as a kid. I wish they just did a mild update and left it the way it was. Don't fix what's not broken. Will probably go back cause it's comfort food but probably not as often.

I really don't get why some people in the comments are acting like the remodel means the restaurant has changed entirely. Just because they've put money into making the space nicer doesn't mean they've lost touch with what makes it great. I appreciate them investing in the place I love and making it a more enjoyable experience. Honestly, if anything, the atmosphere has only improved, and they've kept the authenticity of their amazing food. As someone with both Mexican and Puerto Rican roots, I can definitely say they're still nailing it, and I really appreciate that. Big shoutout to Lex and Emilia for always taking care of us and being the best!

We came here last night for dinner. First of all what a cute quaint place! Love the location. The wait was nothing. Maybe waited 10 minutes to get a table. The place was pretty full yet the service was amazing! The waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food runners were friendly too. Once seated drink orders were taken and brought to the table quickly. The food was delicious! Brought to the table quickly and it was nice and hot. I highly recommend this restaurant. I can't wait to go back there again soon.

Mi Casa has been a family favorite for a long time. We make sure to come every Monday for classic cantina style Mexican food served by people who care. Lexi and Jackie are the best servers and the new remodel really opened the place up and brought it to life. We will continue to make this our Monday night haunt for years to come!

How often can you say that you sat in the same spot, on your birthday, that the President of the United States sat? We have been going to this restaurant for many decades, and it has changed very little in that time. The food is wonderful, and is a perfect example of what wonderful southern California Mexican food can be. Yes, they update the prices here and there, And there is the usual swap out a various staffers, but the service and ambience continue to be exemplary. This is a family, favorite, and will likely continue to be for many years to come.

Rewriting and downgrading to 3 stars from 5 (ambiance 1, food 4). Wow, what happened to Mi Casa?? We've been coming here for 30 years, back when Barrie was seating people, and after having lunch here today, we were so stunned that we paused on the way out and almost said something to the manager (he seemed super nice btw). **GUYS** people go to dinner at a restaurant for 2 things- the food and the vibe/ambience (how the place makes you feel), and you screwed with both of the things that made you popular for over 50 years? Your remodel stripped out the super inviting and cozy, dark wood, kitschy old-school Mexican vibe and throw-back bar that made us want to order a second round of margaritas, and turned it into a bright white, open, sterile, noisy, generic restaurant with largely blank walls that's a stylistically and visually confusing mess. Then there's this big white wall separating the right side, which is now..man, this makes me sad.. it turned into a big open space with cheap tables that looks like a cafeteria. On to the food. Not sure what changed with the cheese enchiladas; the sauce picked up a slightly odd taste. The chili relleno was great; maybe a touch better than before. Seems like they also tried to upgrade the quality of the food too, and we appreciate what you are doing- Really. The problem is, Mi Casa is known for its unique taste. On the upside, the chips and tortillas seem fresher, and a big 5 stars to the new staff; the service was exceptional. In the end, we left feeling super sad that we lost something special (and without having any margaritas; Mi Casa no longer feels like a place we want to hang out at, and we didn't seem to be the only people that looked confused). I'm a change agent and love it when something gets better, but this seems like an epic fail. We'll come back once more in a couple of months just to be sure, but for the first time in 30 years, we left without wanting to come back again :( :(

Mi Casa is the best! The food and service are exceptional and the new remodel was very well done -- Opened up and modernized the overall feel and aesthetic in a positive way. Shasta, Brianna, Lexi and the entire Mi Casa team take such great care of our family and we absolutely love all things Mi Casa!

I could not agree with Matt L.'s review more. When Mi Casa did their previous remodel, a few years ago, and made it lighter, it took me awhile to get used to the brighter room, which I eventually did. I hoped beyond hope that this remodel would not do exactly what happened. The comfy, cozy booths were gone and the cafeteria looking tables, with the bright lights and walls with all the cool Mexican decorations replaced with weird paintings completely changed the feeling that Mi Casa was known for. I'm not sure that even the younger generations are happy with how bright the bar is. Sometimes it's nice to have a darker room, to wind down in and enjoy a drink. The food is still fabulous, as well as the service and the floor, minus the carpet, was a good choice. But ...Sadly, I don't get that same comforting feeling that I used to get before the remodel. Pls dim the lights in the bar and see how people react. Thanks for reading this!

I've been a regular customer of Mi Casa for over 40 years. The food and drinks are great, however that's not why we drive from southern OC weekly. We came for the atmosphere and ambiance. Unfortunately that's been lost with the recent remodel. We were in last week and everything was bright and extremely loud and noisy. We couldn't hear our friends talk from across the table. I'm not sure when or if we'll be back.

I want to start by saying I absolutely loved the food here and the old school, Mexican restaurant vibe. It's the way it used to be done all the time and it's hard to find now from the free, amazing, bottomless chips and salsa to a great selection of margaritas, even blended! If you remember, you remember. Bring an appetite, the portions are huge and make for great leftovers. It took quite a while for somebody to greet us and seat us, and even though the service was slow, our waiter was amazing and we were patient because we could tell they were understaffed. I had a cheese enchilada combination and my son had the two chicken enchiladas combination. Both were fantastic. If you haven't been, you should go for sure, and I will definitely be back.

Food is classic Mexican , cheesy , delicious , and a sure thing for take out or dine in . Margaritas are as good as they get . A classic !

When you crave good authentic Mexican food, you definitely need to visit Mi Casa in Costa Mesa. Oh my goodness I wanted to order everything in the menu, but I went ahead with what seems to be the speciality of the place, the shredded beef crunchy taco, full of shredded beef, lettuce and tons of cheese. I also ordered the chicken enchilada with the green sauce, they didn't skimp on the filling. Comes with rice and beans. At the bar area all you can eat chips and salsa bar with mild, hot to very spicy. The service is was ver nice. They are welcoming, quick and very pleasant. We sat at the bar area and was very comfortable. they have TVs all around with different sports playing. I like that they had half booth's and high tops and single tables as well.

Let's talk about landmark restaurants in Orange County and you have to mention Mi Casa. A long and interesting history of this restaurant is shared among thousands of patrons over the years. I think I had two, maybe three birthdays here. It's a very special place to a lot of people. The decor is the same as it was when I was a kid. Red leather, brown carpeting, and wood tables and chairs. The menu is simple. The food is excellent. What makes this place so special is the amount of food you get for the price. When so many places are offering less and less in food value, Mi Casa's gives you more, and more. All the meals are sharable. For example, I shared a taco combo. They understood. They split it up. Two separate plates for the tacos. One plate for beans and one separate plate for fried vegetables. Incredible amount of food for $18. My chicken taco had at least a half pound of cheese on it. In the market, they sell that much cheese for $7.00 Enjoy, you are now at Mi Casa. Share your food or make two meals out of it. I almost forgot, our server called me "honey," and I loved every minute of it. I called her "Sweetie," and she called me "Honey." I felt like royalty.

The service and food were amazing! We were lucky to have an amazing waitress named Dana. She was so sweet and prompt! We enjoyed a carne asada burrito and Baja fish tacos. The food was so tasty, truly best Cali-mex deliciousness!! Thanks Dana for taking great care of us, we can't wait to come back.

The food has always been fantastic but we were so disappointed they no longer sell Chile Colorado. We have been able to order off menu for years and this has been a favorite for many years. Unfortunately we won't be back. Adios Mi Casa.

Ordered on Door Dash for delivery. This is what I ordered: Mi Casa Cal-Mex Cantina (Costa Mesa) 1× Three Item Combo (OLO) Rice Refried Beans Cheese Enchilada Chile Relleno Spinach Enchilada $18.95 2× Utensils 50.00 1× Dr. Pepper $3.95 1× Add Guacamole $1.95 1× Carne Asada Dinner Beef Taco Refried Beans Medium Rare Rice 524.95 2× Tortillas Flour Tortillas $2.90 1× Rootbeer $3.95 Subtotal Delivery Fee Service Fee © Estimated Tax © Dasher Tip Total $56.65 This food came hot and was delicious. The cheese enchiladas were my favorite! The relleno a la cart was good too. The rice and refried beans came covered in cheese (yum)! The spinach enchilada a la cart was just okay. The flavor was off in my opinion. The guacamole was fresh and tasty!

Mi Casa holds a special place in my heart. My boyfriend and I love spending time in the Burro Room every Tuesday--and sometimes on Saturdays--where Shasta always takes such great care of us. She's incredibly kind, attentive, and always goes the extra mile to make sure we have everything we need. Juan, who's usually behind the bar, is also a delight whenever he takes care of us. The food here is consistently amazing--easily a 10/10. Their Taco Tuesday deal is unbeatable, and the fish tacos are my absolute favorite! The steak fajitas are also incredible. If you're looking for a great local spot with delicious food and drinks, Mi Casa is the place to be!

We love Mi Casa! The food & atmosphere is amazing. We've been going here for 10+ years. The fajitas & beef taco's are a staple here at the restaurant. And, we get excellent service. Shasta is the best waitress. She is awesome & attentive to her customers. It's our favorite Mexican restaurant!!

Amazing food and prices. Great service! Ask for the salsa verde and habanero salsa! Tons of food

Awesome dining and food experience 20 years now or more The whole menu is great selection and tasty Sincerely Dana F

Mi Casa's Taco Tuesday is awesome! Love sitting in the bar and enjoying some tacos and margs! They have the self serving chips and salsa which is helpful when you just need more and need it now! Staff is kind and helpful with questions. Also highly recommend the chips and queso as it is delicious!

At the bar is where it's at when you are hungry and can't wait for a table. Came in on a Saturday and it was surprisingly busy like Taco Tuesday. Sat at the bar and 3 margaritas later...hunger strikes! I always go for the taco combo. It's crispy and loaded with cheese. Never disappoints! Bartenders always happy to refill your margarita when it gets dangerously low. Because no one should be without a fresh margarita on hand. Busy but head to the bar area for seating. Plus you get to scoop your own chips and pour your own salsa.

This place is a vibe. Doesn't get more local traditional than this. We love the rice, beans, tacos, and chips. It's a working man's restaurant. Feels like family- not hipster. Prices have gone up but what else is new. It's $15-20 per plate but we usually split.

I love the vibe of this place - very old school. It's classic American style Mexican food at it's best! We ended up in the bar area behind the main dining area called "The Burro Room" where we were greeted by the bartender, Briana, who is one of the best. Her joyful demeanor made this a fun time. I ordered the "Tacos de Huevos" from the lunch/breakfast menu and they were wonderful. We will be returning soon!

The enchiladas ranchera plate is not what it used to be. Now it's just average. Very disappointing.

I was in the mood for carnitas so I ordered the carnitas brisket. Unfortunately what I got was a very dry slab. I knew what I expected, as I've eaten carnitas before. But this was not appetizing. I ate it because I was hungry. The veggies on top were good but it did not help the carnitas. A lemon would have been more helpful. Thank God for the rice and beans. Those were tasty. I don't recommend this dish. The hostess was very nice. But the place itself could use a good cleaning.