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Family-owned local restaurant chain offering homestyle Mexican dishes & drinks in a casual setting.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2101 Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: (949) 642-1142
Website: https://avilaselranchito.com/costa-mesa/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
mahdieh mazloumi
We visited Avila’s El Ranchito as a group. The atmosphere was nice and the staff was friendly, but the overall experience was mixed. The service was a bit slow, which everyone in our group noticed. Here’s a quick look at what we tried:
Chimi Changa – 2/5
The flavor was okay, but it could use more cheese and beans inside for extra richness.
Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos – 5/5
Very crispy and flavorful, definitely a highlight.
Veggie Enchilada – 5/5
Fresh and tasty, especially with the veggies.
Burrito – 2/5
The wrap wasn’t great, though the filling tasted good.
Baja Bowl (Chicken) – 3/5
Chicken was flavorful, but the bowl could use better balance.
Overall, some dishes were excellent, while others were just okay. The service delay was noticeable. A decent spot if you’re nearby, but not all items meet expectations.
… moreChimi Changa – 2/5
The flavor was okay, but it could use more cheese and beans inside for extra richness.
Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos – 5/5
Very crispy and flavorful, definitely a highlight.
Veggie Enchilada – 5/5
Fresh and tasty, especially with the veggies.
Burrito – 2/5
The wrap wasn’t great, though the filling tasted good.
Baja Bowl (Chicken) – 3/5
Chicken was flavorful, but the bowl could use better balance.
Overall, some dishes were excellent, while others were just okay. The service delay was noticeable. A decent spot if you’re nearby, but not all items meet expectations.
Khaled Atallah
Avila’s El Ranchito in Costa Mesa was an amazing experience from start to finish. The second we walked in, the hospitality was top-tier. I came in with my colleagues while we were visiting from out of town, and the staff immediately made us feel genuinely welcomed.
Our server Raul was awesome, super attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of the entire night. We ended up ordering what he recommended, and honestly, it was perfect. He suggested what they’re known for and everything came out delicious.
What really made the night though was how personal and thoughtful the experience felt. Toward the end of dinner, they surprised us with a sundae just because they found out we were visiting, which was such a kind touch. We also bumped into Salvador, the owner, late night, and it really added to that warm, family vibe.
Overall, they made it feel like a home away from home. Can’t recommend this place enough, we’ll 100% be back next time we’re in town.
… moreOur server Raul was awesome, super attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of the entire night. We ended up ordering what he recommended, and honestly, it was perfect. He suggested what they’re known for and everything came out delicious.
What really made the night though was how personal and thoughtful the experience felt. Toward the end of dinner, they surprised us with a sundae just because they found out we were visiting, which was such a kind touch. We also bumped into Salvador, the owner, late night, and it really added to that warm, family vibe.
Overall, they made it feel like a home away from home. Can’t recommend this place enough, we’ll 100% be back next time we’re in town.
Kris Mockevicius
Beautiful place to get dinner. Walked in and were kindly greeted and sat right away. Dodgers game was on and they won! Blood orange margarita was awesome! My quesadilla was delicious and the rice was amazing. Can’t wait to come back and try more. I highly recommend it, great place for friends and families!
… moreSen Rock
Very nice mexican spot with fantastic food and a fun atmosphere. Our food was delivered promptly and nobody’s order was wrong! There were 10 of us and each person enjoyed their meals. Highly recommend.
… moreMoe Farshchi
Avila’s El Ranchito is one of those rare family-owned Mexican restaurants that immediately makes you feel at home the moment you walk through the door. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and filled with the kind of authentic charm that only decades of true family tradition can create. The décor, the music, and the inviting smell of fresh tortillas all work together to create an unforgettable dining experience.
What truly sets this restaurant apart is its rich history. The Avila family has been serving their homemade recipes since the 1960s, and you can taste that heritage in every dish. This is not generic or commercial Mexican food — this is real, home-style cooking passed down through generations. From their handmade tortillas to the famous Avila Soup, everything tastes fresh, authentic, and prepared with care.
The food quality is consistently outstanding. Their enchiladas with the red sauce are packed with flavor, the carne asada is tender and perfectly seasoned, and even the chips and salsa — served the second you sit down — show the attention to detail that defines the entire menu. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of soup, seafood, breakfast plates, or classic Mexican entrées, every item tastes like it was made in a family kitchen.
Another highlight of Avila’s El Ranchito is the service. The owner and all the staff treat you like family. They are incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely care about giving every guest a great experience. You can always feel the positive energy — from the warm greetings to the quick, friendly service. It’s the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back year after year.
Overall, Avila’s El Ranchito is more than just a restaurant — it’s a piece of local history and a true Southern California favorite. If you want high-quality, authentic Mexican food served with heart and tradition, this is the place to go. Highly recommended.
… moreWhat truly sets this restaurant apart is its rich history. The Avila family has been serving their homemade recipes since the 1960s, and you can taste that heritage in every dish. This is not generic or commercial Mexican food — this is real, home-style cooking passed down through generations. From their handmade tortillas to the famous Avila Soup, everything tastes fresh, authentic, and prepared with care.
The food quality is consistently outstanding. Their enchiladas with the red sauce are packed with flavor, the carne asada is tender and perfectly seasoned, and even the chips and salsa — served the second you sit down — show the attention to detail that defines the entire menu. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of soup, seafood, breakfast plates, or classic Mexican entrées, every item tastes like it was made in a family kitchen.
Another highlight of Avila’s El Ranchito is the service. The owner and all the staff treat you like family. They are incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely care about giving every guest a great experience. You can always feel the positive energy — from the warm greetings to the quick, friendly service. It’s the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back year after year.
Overall, Avila’s El Ranchito is more than just a restaurant — it’s a piece of local history and a true Southern California favorite. If you want high-quality, authentic Mexican food served with heart and tradition, this is the place to go. Highly recommended.
Sierrah Halley
Such a great spot! The food was delicious, the place was clean and inviting. The staff is super friendly. The food is handmade and beautiful. Jaida was super sweet by recommending some of her favorite dishes, which we ordered and loved. Oh and the fried ice cream is worth saving some room!
… moreScott Reinholt
Well, that didn’t last long…. And in a good way (as you can see )! I got the chicken burrito with the guacamole. The flavors were all there as any fantastic Mexican dish would have. The salsa is what really got me though!!! Just the right amount of heat and freshness with chips that were crisp and begging to be dipped, then torn apart. Overall the restaurant is great and recommend you give it a try when you are in Costa Mesa, it at one of their other locations in the area.
… moreDave Newman
About 40 years ago I lived in Costa Mesa and this El Ranchito was a weekly experience. Great food, great ambiance. Last week my wife and I stopped by the restaurant and found it is still the best Mexican food ever. Please consider opening a store in Brea, CA so we can eat there too. Thanks for great food and great memories!
… moreSusana Murillo
First time back after many years and I was pleasantly surprised with the level of service received. You just don’t see this kind us superb service anymore from the waiters or the hosts everything was wonderful! Thank you to all the staff and the owner for reminding us what excellent customer service looks like! We will now be back many more times for sure!
… moreJ Cesar
Its pretty good food, simple and authentic just the way is supposed to be, they make their own flour tortillas, there’s literally a lady makin them fresh, the orchata is very unique and not overly sweet like other places so thats good, salsa is perfect for the area but if you ask for them to make it a little more spicy they will fix it for you, i just didnt like that they didn’t have Menudo, that kinda upset me but Rocky our server turned it around for us, he gave us top quality service, very professional and his recommendations were on point, also the fried icecream was delicious.. so will definitely come back. Before i forget, this was sunday it was very busy and we got sat right away and the food came out quick. Thats a big plus for us.
… more