Playa Mesa

Mexican restaurant · Costa Mesa

Playa Mesa

Mexican restaurant · Costa Mesa

1

428 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

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Highlights

Homestyle Mexican food, weekend brunch, happy hours & great service  

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428 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Get directions

playamesa.com
@playamesa

$10–20 · Menu

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428 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Get directions

+1 949 287 5292
playamesa.com
@playamesa

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 15, 2025

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Where to Drink Margaritas in Orange County for MargaritaCon | Eater

"The coastal influence at this Mexican spot in Costa Mesa is clear from both its name and the menu, with many of its entrees featuring shrimp, salmon, white fish, or some sort of fruit of the sea. The restaurant might be best known for its lineup of takes on the margarita, including the the Spicy Mangosita. With jalapeño-infused Astral Tequila Blanco, mango cordial, and lime, it’s an easy sipper and a great way to wind down after a long day. Grab a patio seat out front to feel those ocean breezes blowing in from the Balboa Peninsula." - Robert Spuhler

https://www.eater.com/ad/maps/orange-county-bars-participating-in-margaritacon
View Postcard for Playa Mesa

Emily Cervantes

Google
The food was incredible! I got the carnitas taco plate and the food was delicious I am very picky with my beans but these were so tasty. I also got the tamarindo, sandía and candy shot. All were delicious but the candy shot has a predominant jalapeño taste that wasn’t my favorite but if you love jalapeño it is right up your alley! I would recommend you try it out!! My coworkers and I will be coming back to celebrate their anniversary :)!

Michelle Cho

Google
Beautiful!!! It was our (my mom, my younger brother, and me) first time here. We came here for Tuesday Brunch around 11 am, just when the place opened and it’s been a nice atmosphere with people slowly trickling in for lunch. It was our pleasant surprise to discover it was also Taco Tuesday today! Chips and salsa are provided as you decide on what to eat We asked our waiter what the best dishes would be and we got the following: *small guacamole ($8 because of Happy Hour, originally ~$13) - not needed unless you’re Crazy for guacamole *ceviche campechano - a wonderful appetizer, supposedly better than the ceviche de pescado *fajita steak - good for sharing with family *four tacos ($4 each because of happy hour, you can choose between flour or corn tortillas) - two fish tacos (flour) and two birria tacos (corn) We got to take leftovers home. Thank you for an outstanding meal and service!!! God bless you all. I appreciate the variety of foods, presentation, and intentionality of it all.

Amber Monroee

Google
Not only is the food 5 stars ⭐️JOSELE provided my group with THE BEST SERVICE EVER! We drove all the way from Hollywood and it was worth every minute of traffic, we will definitely be returning soon! Thank you all greatly! ❤️

Michelle Talaski-Knobloch

Google
We went on a Friday afternoon, there was tuns of open seats, we sat on the patio and the seats were so comfy. Tortilla chips and salsa were delicious and the fried fish tacos were the best I had in America and the rice and beans were sooooo good! Great service!

william webb

Google
Wonderful restaurant, great vibe, great food, great staff. The food is high quality and delicious, without being overly refined. Definitely a step above the average Mexican restaurant. Highly recommend any Al Pastor item on the menu, especially the fajita. Genuinely the best Al pastor I have had outside of Mexico. Make sure to get the corn tortillas, they are perfection. Highly recommend and would visit again.

Shahram Mehraban

Google
Nice Mexican restaurant on the 17th street in the middle of Costa Mesa. Can’t believe that this is the first time after so many years. We sat in the outside patio which was nice and warm and we had our puppy with us. I got the Al pastor plate. It was very tasty and came with beans and pickled onions and raw onions. It tasted great but didn’t seem a lot of food. I had a bit taste of my wife’s carnitas plate that tasted good. Service was on the slow side but our server was great. Will definitely come back again.

Lord Van Cannon

Google
Parking is a nightmare. Be aware of that first. Moving on... Upon walking in we were greeted immediately. Staff is very attentive and helpful. Our waiter was very professional, outgoing and all around made the dining experience better. However.... That's what it was. The dining experience from the ambience, seating and decor was great! And they've got a lot of really amazing tequila options. Largest I've seen in the area. However my food wasn't that great and I couldn't even finish it. Rice was over cooked and under cooked... some were hard some too soft. The cheese in the enchiladas weren't even melted... and the beans had zero flavor. I've heard from other people the food isn't consistent here... and now I believe them. Is there a different chef on different days and times? That's probably it. The bathroom was clean. Entire place was clean and well presented. Would it go back here? Probably not on my own. If someone else said "we're going here" I'd probably go. But I'm not going to go on my own out of my way. If you enjoy tequila check this place out though for sure. HUGE selection.

Saman

Google
Disappointing Experience at Playa – Not Worth the Hype We were on the hunt for a solid Mexican restaurant for lunch in Costa Mesa, and Playa caught our eye with its decent amount of reviews on Yelp. So, we thought, why not give it a try? Unfortunately, we left wondering how it got those stars in the first place. First Impressions: Upon arriving, we were greeted by a valet service, which felt unnecessary given the size of the parking lot. It just seemed like an extra step when there was plenty of space to park on our own. But hey, that’s not a dealbreaker—what came next, however, was. The Food: We started with chips and salsa, which, I’ll admit, was the high point of the meal. The salsa was flavorful and fresh, giving us hope for the rest of the dishes. But sadly, that was the only highlight. Shrimp & Octopus Ceviche – This dish was a cold disappointment, literally. It tasted like it had been frozen, and when I brought this up to the staff, they casually confirmed it wasn't fresh and had been kept in the fridge. Yikes. The texture was icy, and we could feel it under our teeth. Serving ceviche like this is a huge red flag. Birria Tacos – These were just okay. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. The meat inside was fine, but the dish lacked that "wow" factor you'd expect from a place that promises authentic Mexican flavors. Grilled Shrimp – Once again, not fresh. It tasted like it had been reheated, lacking any real flavor or tenderness. It was a forgettable, uninspired dish. Carne Asada Tacos – Easily the worst item we ordered. The meat tasted funny, wasn’t fresh, and was served cold. It was borderline inedible. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this dish had been sitting around for a while before it hit our table. Service: Our server, Alejandra, was friendly and attentive, and after witnessing our dissatisfaction with the ceviche and carne asada, she didn’t charge us for those items. I appreciated her gesture, but it didn’t make up for the poor quality of the food. The only item we paid for was the Birria Tacos, which, at that point, felt like a minor consolation. Overall: This place is seriously overrated. The fresh, vibrant flavors we were hoping for were nowhere to be found. Don't be fooled by the stars or glowing reviews. The food was not fresh, and frankly, some dishes were downright bad. If you’re looking for a great Mexican dining experience in Costa Mesa, keep looking—Playa is not it.

Sonia M.

Yelp
Love the food and drinks . I love coming here with my husband on a date night . It's very chill . Great service
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Rangie T.

Yelp
My second visit to Playa Mesa and still a pleasant dining experience. If I was a local resident of this area, Playa Mesa would be my regular go to restaurant for really good scratch recipe Mexican food. Every item we ordered was delicious. This time around I ordered their Lobster & shrimp Burrito which is prepared as a wet burrito with a delicious red sauce, crema, and lots of melty cheese. Our server Alexandra, is the best. All around great service by her and the food runners were all super nice and willing to help. Without a doubt, if I'm craving Mexican food and don't mind making the drive, I'm coming to Playa Mesa.
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Katie E.

Yelp
Location, decor and vibe was cool, enjoyed that part. The food was very bland...we were disappointed. The salsa was sweet, not very good and the tacos and enchiladas lacked flavor and seasoning. The staff was helpful and attentive but likely wouldn't return due to the food not being good. Also, likely need to valet every time too.
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Out And Abou T.

Yelp
Came here for lunch with the family. The seating is absolutely wonderful with the cool coastal breeze coming in on a warm day, it creates an absolute serene lunch experience. Immediately chips and salsa and water were brought to the table. Our server was quite attentive and very responsive. Couple of us ordered the short rib enchiladas, which were delicious but a bit salty. Other dishes included the one taco lunch special, which was also good but salty.
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Dave L.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this place for a few reasons: The service was excellent! The staff was so friendly and attentive. The interior of the restaurant was open and inviting. The chips and salsa were fantastic. The food came quickly and was good. We ordered Fajitas and enchiladas. I wish the fajitas came out hot and sizzling but were good, not excellent. The enchiladas were good, not excellent. Parking seems to be Valet only, which is not fair when the restaurant is slow. They had only one handicap spot. Overall, a good time. I recommend this place.
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Myla M.

Yelp
We just left here than an hour and 20 minutes ago... We were here for a work outing... I'm a part of a team that some reside in Los Angeles and some reside in Costa Mesa so because there's more of them in Costa Mesa we are always having to drive to Costa Mesa... I have not been to this restaurant before I don't really go to Orange County very much... But this restaurant was really interesting. I loved the open bar area so like everything kind of revolves around the bar there's some amazing seating outdoors to get the cool breeze. The food was delicious. I had the Al Pastor store plate. My other coworkers had the steak and shrimp fajitas. My manager had the Carne Asada burrito. We a few appetizers is my favorite was the aguachilie. The servers were very attentive and took care of us very well. I had to drive to LA so I had a two drink maximum starting at the beginning of the night and then another one a little bit later so the last hour and a half there was no drinking and I felt bad because had this been somewhere where I could Uber to I would've had a few more drinks the drinks were delicious, but there was not a lot. I could do about that. I'm not paying $200 for an Uber home from Costa Mesa... But this place was pretty fire!
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Margaret M.

Yelp
August 2025 This restaurant was quite nice, super friendly & welcoming. Which began with the parking attendant, he was so polite. The food was delicious, the chips were perfectly crunchy, the salsa was so so. We got the guacamole appetizer, really fresh and flavorful. I ordered the carnitas tacos with rice/beans and I loved every bite. They did not skimp on the meat! My friend got the steak salad and it looked really fresh and also good portions on the steak, she really liked it. I had an espresso martini, which I throughly enjoyed :) I will definitely go back.
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Kaia H.

Yelp
Tried out this cute Mexican spot in Costa Mesa and had a good time. It was not crowded and the service was super friendly and attentive. The food was yummy and priced well which made it even better. I would definitely come back for a casual lunch or dinner. The outdoor seating is really cute and the drinks were so good last time I went.
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Zoe R.

Yelp
Omg this best for top-tier!! They had valet which was cheap, we love that! We only waited for like 10mins for walk-in for 3 people, and it was a Saturday Night! We ordered the shrimp and steak fajitas, it was delicious and the presentation was fantastic! The cocktail were to die for, I had mango marg. mocktail mmm! And for dessert don't forget to try their Flan! They did seem like the servers had too big of a sections, there was only like 2 servers and so many bussers and bartenders. The inside was so pretty and but the booths' seats needs to be replaced.
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Jen C.

Yelp
Delicious! Met a friend for lunch. The place was clean. Everyone was very nice especially our server, his name was Josele R. Very attentive but not overbearing. We both had the new drink they were promoting, the "strawberry dreams forever". It was really good. We had the calamari appetizer and both had the birria tacos. It was my first time here and I can't wait to come back. Found it via Yelp looking for a place in the area.
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Andrew L.

Yelp
I tried Playa Mesa Today and really enjoyed my experience. The ambiance inside is very nice with a unique decor. Our server was extremely friendly and checked up on us frequently. The menu has a wide selection of Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, burritos, and combo plates. Their chicken enchiladas taste delicious. I just wish that the chicken was more seasoned. I also wish that the restaurant offered chile rellenos. Overall, Playa Mesa is an excellent restaurant
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Simon K.

Yelp
Happy hour until 6pm with food and drink specials. The Tamarindo Margarita was way better than the House Margarita. The chips are homemade. The salsa is made from scratch. The guacamole and the queso are great. The Camarones al mojo de ajo shrimp was boring. It comes with a lot of vegetables and plain rice. They provide tortillas but what's the point. In that car is rather have fajitas. The Carnitas entree was great.
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Garrett O.

Yelp
My wife and I love coming to Playa Mesa, especially during their generous happy hour from 3 to 6pm. The happy hour menu is one of the biggest we've seen with tons of great food and drink options. Everything we've tried has been delicious. On our most recent visit, we were lucky to have Josele R. as our server and he absolutely made our experience. He went above and beyond with his service and hospitality. It honestly felt like we were guests in his home. Warm, welcoming, attentive, and just top-tier service all around. One of the best parts is that it's never too busy if you come right at 3pm, which makes for a really chill and relaxing meal before the dinner rush. We're regulars here for a reason. Great food, even better service, and always a great vibe. Can't wait to come back again soon!
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Lucy O.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant! However, the food and service were not the best. Everything I ordered unfortunately lacked flavor and was not very authentic. I felt that their aguachiles were overly cooked and they were too tough. I also ordered the carne asada plate, and again, no flavor. I would put some salsa on top of my carne asada because it was so bland. Even their chips lacked flavor and were too greasy. I ordered the coco mesa drink and it was alright. I would've preferred for it to have more of a coconut milk flavor. It would've also been nice for the carne asada plate to have some guacamole included, especially since the dishes were overpriced, imo. The service was not great. I had ordered my aguachiles as an appetizer, and then the waiter never came to check back in to ask what I was going to order for my main dish. I had to wave over another server to take my order. They only offer valet service, which is $5. What I did like was how beautiful the restaurant was, although, for some reason the lights kept flickering on and off. I wasn't sure if they were doing that on purpose or not.
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Hunter C.

Yelp
Visited Playa Mesa in Costa Mesa on a Wednesday around 7pm. Valet is $5 (your only clear option if you're driving directly to the location), or you can walk - though where you're supposed to park otherwise is unclear. We were seated right away and chose the bar. Ambiance was cute, and service was fine - nothing stood out, but nothing to complain about either. They start you off with free chips and salsa, which was a nice plus nowadays. We both ordered the Pollo Asada Tacos, which come with rice and beans. The tortillas were good, but that's about where the excitement ended. The rest of the plate felt flat and underwhelming - not bad, just... not worth remembering. Personally wouldn't return or recommend unless you're just going for drinks and the vibe.
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Dr. Amelia H.

Yelp
Delicious Mexican food! Friendly and attentive service. So patient didn't feel rushed. Came for some comfort food after a really stressful night and left with full tummies and warm vibes. Our waitress continued to check on us and was so caring throughout the night
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Kevin L.

Yelp
Service was excellent, Miguel bien chingon! Didn't even have to ask, told us what was popular and his recommendation. Food was very good! Great taste and portions were sizable. The environment is also very nice!
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Shell S.

Yelp
We used to be regulars at Playa Mesa and I always got the carne asada burrito and loved it! We returned after a while and quality of food was not the same. The burrito was not bad but not as good as before. A lot more rice and bean ratio and not a lot of flavor. The steak was cut very small and not as much as before. It used to be much more steak and larger pieces with less of the rice and beans. They also got my order wrong but we ended up eating it to avoid wasting the food despite our nice server's offer to take it back. The side arugula salad barely had any dressing and it was old/wilted. Overall not our favorite visit to Playa Mesa. Service was great.
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Tiffany G.

Yelp
Randomly found Playa Mesa on Yelp and decided to stop by after doing some Birthday Kayaking for a friend. I was a little annoyed with the service. It took 30 minutes to place our order and that's only because we decided to wave someone over and have them ask for our waitress. At the end we also had to do the same thing when it came to the check. Heads up - you can only split the check between two cards. When the waitress told us, she couldn't even give us a minute, she just walked away and once again we were left waiting. The food is not bad. I don't know if I would call it authentic Mexican food but they use quality ingredients which I appreciate. I ordered the Enchiladas Suiza con Pollo. I asked for extra sauce inside my enchiladas. They were tasty but I would probably order something else next time. We also ordered guacamole for the table. It was a small portion but I want to say that was my favorite part of the meal. The Spicy Cucumber Margarita was delicious. I do want to mention they have margarita flights. They are a good size and if you feel like drinking you might as well just order the flight. I think the price difference from ordering a single margarita was $8. I'd also like to add that they were nice enough to bring out a Mexican Candy Shot in honor of my friend's birthday. That was really sweet since we only casually mentioned her birthday when we first got seated. She loved it and felt extra special so thank you for that! The ambiance of this restaurant is super cute and the parking situation is super easy. Parking is valet only but for only $5 why not.
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Sage S.

Yelp
Ambiance was so cute. Loved the decor and the vibe of the place. Parking was no issue with a big lot. It said valet but there were no valet attendants so the parking was free. I got the Jamaica Margarita which was tasty and for food got the short rib enchiladas which were a good size potion. Service was nice. Would reccomend to anyone looking for a more upscale Mexican restaurant
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Sepideh S.

Yelp
Came here for brunch on a Sunday. We were a group of 3 and ordered few beers, Micheladas, and margarita flights. Interestingly the cucumber one was the worst and didn't taste like cucumbers at all, more like a fake syrup. On the other hand, the Tamarind and watermelon were good. I ordered the octopus and it tasted good but I wish it had a sauce or some sort of potatoes to eat it with
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Denys P.

Yelp
This place is such a vibe! If you're into bold flavors and a little spice, you're in for a treat -- I was literally sweating (in the best way possible). The service was super friendly and on point, and they even had a non-alcoholic michelada that totally hit the spot. But the real surprise? The fried ice cream. I wasn't expecting much, but wow -- crunchy, creamy, sweet, and just delicious. Definitely one of those "you have to try it" desserts. Playa Mesa nailed it -- fun atmosphere, amazing food, and great people. I'll be back for sure!
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Sydney N.

Yelp
Came here to eat with a group of friends and the wait wasn't too long. The valet parking was $5 which made our experience dining here much easier. Since we came on a Friday night, it was pretty busy but it took them a while to get our orders in. Other than that, our server was very attentive and frequently checked up on us. We got an order of their fried calamari and I 10/10 recommend, it was so yummy. I also ordered their steak fajita which was delicious, along with their margarita flight (original, sandia, and spicy cucumber). The drinks were amazing but the spicy cucumber does has a pretty strong kick in it. Overall, I would come back here again due to their ambiance and vibes.

Kristin V.

Yelp
Leo was fabulous! He was so on point with his service. Super customer focus and made amazing drinks. The food was great, especially the fajitas and I love the ambience. Such a great vibe. Highly recommend.!
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Jackie A.

Yelp
Clean, nice restaurant Tacos gobernador & Guayaba mezcal cocktail were excellent. We'll be back
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Zara A.

Yelp
Great spot for BOTTOMLESS mimosas especially when celebrating a birthday!! They had options to choose from like GUAVA, ORANGE, PINEAPPLE, MANGO, TAMARIND, CRANBERRY, and STRAWBERRY!! Bottomless champagne and a juice was $22 which is hard to beat (although extra juice is an add on). We liked strawberry and tamarind. Honestly what made the experience was our server JOSELE !! He was so nice and welcoming and made the experience feel homey and special. We were a large and loud party and he handled us so kindly and patiently which I really appreciated! I got a chorizo burrito which was not my favorite although I loved the pickled sides. It tasted too lean and simple for what I was craving. Although I didn't love the food, the service and bottomless made the experience for me!
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Kristina V.

Yelp
Happy Hour is a must! The prices are awesome and everything we tried was really good. The calamari appetizer was delicious, and the guac and salsa were seriously addicting. The fish tacos were just okay, but all the other tacos were packed with flavor. Our server was super friendly and even brought out a special dessert for a birthday we were celebrating! Parking is valet and not too pricey -- otherwise, you're looking at a bit of a walk to get there.
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Daniel R.

Yelp
Date went spectacular, the drinks were amazing and delicious, the staff treated us like family. The place was a little dim but perfect for the ambiance and mood.
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Erica A.

Yelp
I have been here in the past and really enjoyed their food and their regular menu! Food and drinks are always so good however this weekend we tried their Easter buffet, first time ever trying their buffet option & it was underwhelming! Food was decent but the place preferred other options for brunch, or truthfully el torito brunch buffet can't be beat.. will definitely return to playa mesa but only for the regular menu! Service was quick and friendly. When we arrived around 10 AM Easter Sunday they weren't busy yet.
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Amy N.

Yelp
It's been years since I have eaten here and drinks are still good but the food is blah and especially for the price. It's also very loud in here so if you want to talk to the person/people you came with this is not the place. You also need to valet since there's no parking what so ever. The valet wait time was a while as well.
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sophie d.

Yelp
I've come here for happy hour & taco tuesday a handful of times it's become a habit. Their esquites is to die for it's amazing!! I've tried plenty of items off of the happy hour menu, and I have not been disappointed once. The menu is priced well, and the margaritas on happy hour are $10, such a great deal. The bartenders Edgar and Rachelle are the best, they are attentive and kind. There's lots of seating and the place is super cute, love it!
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Patience M.

Yelp
The food was good, definitely needed some salt and their salsas just weren't very spicy but I am not even taking off any points for that. We were in for a Sunday brunch and in the middle of our service they let our waiter go because it was slow. We were still drinking and eating but they brought the check and did not even have another waiter introduced to us. We had to flag someone down to get Togo boxes. Just left a bad taste in my mouth. I wish we had a better experience because I've been here before and remember it being good. Not sure if I'll be returning.
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Michael S.

Yelp
This restaurant gives me similar vibes as Palmilla Cocina in Newport, but for a better price. Took my mom here for dinner and she loved the whole experience. She honestly felt like she was in Cabo with all the nice Latin inspired decor. Thank you for making it a pleasant night for us! We started with the shrimp ceviches as appetizers. The shrimp was meaty and the crisp of the chip was crunchy. 5/5. As for the entrees, we ordered the fish tacos and the chicken enchiladas. The chicken enchiladas is freakin delicious. I enjoyed eating the brown rice and the beans it came with. Very savory and flavorful. 5/5. It was a lot of food so we had it for togo. The fish tacos were good, but not crazy good to talk about. Just glad it was crispy then soggy. 4/5. We also ordered the jalapeño margarita and the Paloma Mesa cocktail. Both tasted good; barely taste the alcohol which can be dangerous lol. The bill wasn't too bad. I feel like it was worth it. Will come back again!
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Annie Y.

Yelp
They do valet parking, but you can park on the other side for free. There is plenty of seating inside with a bar as well. They provide salsa and chips as well. I ordered the Enchilada Suiza con Pollo. The enchiladas were good, but the chicken was a bit dry. It does come with salad and Spanish rice & beans. Overall, great vibes in the place and good food. Recommendation(s): - Enchilada Suiza con Pollo Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - If you don't want to do valet parking, park on the other side - Restrooms available
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Karissa C.

Yelp
We reserved a spot on a Saturday at 11am. Came here and waited for the whole party of 5 to arrive to be seated. They gave us chips and salsa which was really good. The server was nice and they occasionally came over to refill the chips (3-4 bowls). The service was a bit slow in refilling the water. --We sat down at 11:30ish. The food came at 1pm-- We came during restaurant week so not sure if it was especially busy but a 1.5hr wait for the food is kinda ridiculous. The chips made it slightly better and held us down for a while but still. I got the eggs benedict on the brunch menu which was super delicious. I think the food is great but seriously that was the longest brunch I've ever had.
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Flor P.

Yelp
Went to Playa Mesa to celebrate a birthday. The place is beautiful, well-lit, clean, and featuring a great ambiance with classic Mexican and Spanish music playing in the background. Went on a Saturday morning, not overly crowded. Parking is spacious and offers valet for $5. Our waiter, Scarlett, was amazing. There was a small issue with the kitchen bringing out our appetizers after our main dishes, but Scarlett immediately apologized and offered solutions. While it initially took her a little while to take our orders, she was very attentive overall and had a great, positive attitude. Our group ordered the chilaquiles rojos, pozole, breakfast sandwiches, and the steak and eggs plate. The pozole was my favorite, though every dish was packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. They offer bottomless mimosas and really good drinks. I myself had their michelada and the mix was very tasteful. I was really impressed with the food quality. I would definitely come back, not to mention, the prices were very affordable!
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Tatiana M.

Yelp
Came for OC Restaurant week and it was awesome! The deal was $25 and I had: *Hamachi crudo sliced sushi grade hamachi, pineapple & lime citrus marinade, avocados, petit micro greens, caramelized pineapple, sliced radish and chile oil. *Grilled salmon tacos: citrus slaw, pico de gallo, morita sauce, pickled fresno peppers. served with rice & beans And the churros - FRESHLY MADE, and are served with a cafe de olla syrup... while the syrup was good, I'm more of a dulce de leche or ice cream person hehe. We also made it during happy hr so we got rally good Margaritas for $12. I definitely recommend!
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Matt G.

Yelp
Great casual/nicer spot for some Mexican in Costa Mesa! Waiter was nice but we really wish he would have spaced out our food. We ordered apps and food all at once and had it all at our table at the same time.... And it was a small table... Recommendacione: - tortilla soup - warms the soul - carne asado tacos - only 2 but they were full of meat :P - guac - good and at any good Mexican spot you need to get it. But I've had better Overall, go here with friends or fam! Fills up so make a reservation!
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James L.

Yelp
Playa Mesa is a lively Mexican spot with a great atmosphere and a beautiful bar. I came here for my birthday with a large group, and they accommodated us really well -- perfect place to celebrate something special. The vibes were fun, the drinks were solid, and the tacos tasted authentic and fresh. Always a good time and a good date option too! Bonus: valet parking is only $5 on weekends, which made things easy. Definitely a go-to for good food, drinks, and a fun night out.

Whitni A.

Yelp
Refer to my previous post about the sever asking about his tip... food is good guac is good Jamaica margarita is really good
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Kathy K.

Yelp
Great service, very attentive, delicious food, handmade corn tortillas on point. Spicy Mangosita was a great cocktail and not outrageously priced. Prices reasonable.
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Christina G.

Yelp
Great location. (Check) Beautiful inside. (Check) Fantastic cocktails. (check) Amazing table service (check) Good food. (Check) It's big n ample indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend a reservation on a weekend. This place can get very busy. The margarita says is the best in California. And it was very good. The chips and salsa doesn't ever stop coming out haha! So be careful not to fill up on those or you will miss out of some good food. Go and enjoy!
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Clayton M.

Yelp
Carne asada plate went crazy. Best thing we had no doubt. Chicken enchiladas were also in the top tier. I'd get it again. We tried the margarita flight just for fun. The watermelon one was suuuuuper good. The house was also classic. Good marg if that's your thing. Service was friendly & helpful! Threw in a free marg on the house for our table. And it was on Halloween weekend so all of the servers were dressed as Luigi. Wa-ha! It's got a great vibe in there. Pretty loud and buzzin'. Dim lighting. Fun spot for a fun date. The noise makes it a little hard to have a more intimate convo I suppose. But definitely fun in there, with sports on the tvs too.
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Alexandra O.

Yelp
The restaurant is buzzing when you come in! It's on the louder side and very lively! The room has cute decor up for cinco de Mayo, including a photo backdrop! So cute! The food was amazing and so was the service! We would definitely come back again next time we're in town!
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Vicky C.

Yelp
Firstly the restaurant had a nice vibe, they had the windows opened so I felt a nice breeze. Everyone at my table really enjoyed their food. The spicy cucumber margarita was refreshing and I also enjoyed my margarita flight. I had the birria tacos which are very meaty and delicious! I thought there would be bottomless mimosas on Friday but it's only available on sat-sun, we asked our waiter if he could make an exception for 3 people but he said the manager had said NO! I was a bit bummed by that but whatever. The customer service was ok, could've been better. The waiter seemed a little irritated and couldn't accommodate any of our requests. 20% gratuity added for a table of 7
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Pernell M.

Yelp
Marcos our server was great! He was personable, knowledgeable about the food and drinks, and just overall a fun guy with our group. His enthusiasm oozed in our conversation with him. The shrimp agauchile was incredible! Loved the octopus appetizer dish for the way ir was prepared and the seasoning! Th short rib enchiladas was awesome. The chef's kiss was the apple bread pudding! Definitely enjoyed it and would go back again for another birthday celebration!
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Xenia A.

Yelp
This trendy place had fast service and pretty decent food. They give you chips and salsa to start which I always appreciate. My partner had the fish taco plate and he enjoyed it as it had good portions and filled him up. I got the seafood burrito but wished I could actually taste the lobster. Not much seafood flavor but still yummy. I also got the lychee cocktail and was my fave part aside from the salsa and chips. I was kinda shocked we had to pay for parking even tho it wasn't packed or anything. But it was only $5. You could have it valeted or u hold the keys yourself, which we did. Either way, yummy spot if you are in the area

Rachel S.

Yelp
If you're looking for some tasty white fish Ceviche, this is a great spot. And if you're looking for a place to be taken advantage of when it comes to parking, then this is truly the spot for you! Here's what will happen when you try to park at Playa Mesa: 1. Pull up to a $5 Valet sign, say no to Valet, and be directed by a Playa Mesa employee to the shared "free lot". 2. Park at "free lot" and be threatened to be towed. Essentially, you have to pay $5 for valet parking or be towed ($hundreds). They make it $5 so it's "not so bad", but end of the day it should be free parking with no risk of towing... Note: server forgot to put in the meal someone at the table ordered, brought everyone else's food out, lied about forgetting, and then said "where's your food?" while laughing. Food came about 8 min later.
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Jill S.

Yelp
This place has such great food and atmosphere. Really beautifully decorated and the servers are so friendly and kind. We went for Taco Tuesday a couple times and the tacos are delicious and margaritas are super tasty. Alejandra and Mariana are so friendly and such amazing servers. Highly recommend dining at this beautiful restaurant.