Reviews for El Matador in Costa Mesa, CA
Tacos Al carbon were delicious, rice and beans: amazing! Margaritas can be a little stronger.
Over all experience it was ok. We got a great welcome. Our table was ready so we got there at a great time. The salsa and chips... they give you to start is delicious. I'm currently 5 months pregnant so I has to order my margarita virgin and it was yummy. Wegot steak, chicken and shrimp fajitas and they were great. The sides however for being a Mexican restaurant they felt storebought. The rice was dry, I hardly got beans and what I did get was dry. The service started to go down from there when it cameto the kids food. I completely understand a Mexican restaurant don't order American but kids are learning to eat too. Read more
We love this place! Food is always good and service is very good. We like having hot and mild salsa too. They did a good job... trying to accommodate my needing an enchilada minus the tortilla. I miss the flavor, just can't eat wheat or corn. Read more
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 ricealso has flavor which is unusual for most Mexican joints. Their regular salsa is substantially hotter than other restaurants andtheir hot salsa...WOW. Great meals, great service, great food. Read more
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 nodiscernable taste of rum in the drink, but that wasn't terribly important on this visit as I didn't order it to get tipsy. Thechips 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 prematurelyinflated my expectations. The rice had good flavor and the beans were rich to the taste and topped with a generous portionof melted cheese. The carnitas, however, was unimpressive as compared to what I've eaten at other places. The meat was blandand tasted as though it needed a salt rub before cooking. Likewise, at a different restaurant where this dish is a customerfavorite (for comparison), they cook the carnitas with citrus that adds to the flavor while creating a caramelized crispycoating to the exterior of the cooked meat that is served. In comparison, in both depth of flavor and texture, this carnitasplate was not special in any way. I would not recommend it as I'm sure other items are probably better. Disappointing ascompared to expectations, but by no means a terrible dining experience. Read more
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 wasexcellent though! Service was good as well. Would def recommend eating here if you are in the area and have time to spare! Read more
I love taking my family and friends here! Fun childhood memories of moments I'd be in awe, gazing at their 'lollipop tree'.... Friendly Hostess and super nice staff were attentive during the busy dinner rush, felt like old times. Authentic Mexican foodmenu keeps me coming back, but my favorite is their crunchy Tacos,????!! If ever down by Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, swing bythis restaurant. Off street meter parking, and one handicap parking spot to accommodate outdoor patio dining. Read more
If you get the right things, the food is decent. This is definitely not traditional Mexican food. It is very Americanized which... isn't necessarily a bad thing if that's what you're looking for. Although the salsa was kind of spicy and that was very good.Just ask for extra if you're looking for that and add it to your meal and you should be good! Read more