Taco Maria - Costa Mesa

I visited this restaurant for lunch on 6/12/19. I finally made the trip to try out one of only two Michelin star restaurants in Orange County, which happened to be a taco shop. I had high expectations upon entering and immediately knew I wanted to eat on the terrace due to the stifling heat from the fire in the cooking station. I started with a Caesar salad that was good, with a crunchy and cool salad in a lemony Caesar dressing. The iced tea was also great, with lots of ice just as I like it. For the main course, I tried a pork cheek taco and a fish taco. The fish taco was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, with fresh cabbage and a refreshing bite from the citrus. However, there was a burnt taste that detracted from the overall experience. The pork taco was also nicely crisp on the outside and tender inside, but the overpowering green salsa masked the taste of the pork. The blue corn tortillas used for both tacos were disappointingly rubbery. To make matters worse, I was charged $8.00 for a small serving of tea and informed that refills were not included. Overall, the experience was a disappointment and felt like a rip-off.

This place is great. Don't expect mexican food. The pig bells are the best!

I visited this restaurant for lunch on 6/12/19. I finally made the trip to try out one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Orange County, which happened to be a taco shop. I had high expectations going in. When I arrived, I decided to sit on the patio due to the warm weather and the stifling room temperature caused by the fire in the cooking station. I ordered a Caesar salad, which was good with crisp cool lettuce in a lemony dressing, and the iced tea was also great with plenty of ice. For my main dishes, I tried the pork cheek taco and the fried fish taco. The fish taco was well-cooked with a crispy exterior and moist interior, but unfortunately, there was a burnt aftertaste. The pork taco had a nice texture and the green salsa was good, although it overpowered the flavor of the pork. The blue corn tortillas used for both tacos were disappointingly rubbery. Additionally, when I asked for a refill on the tea, I was told there are no refills and I would have to purchase another at full price, which was $8.00 for a small serving. Overall, I left feeling disappointed with the experience.

I highly recommend this restaurant - it's not your typical Mexican fare. The pork belly tacos are a must-try and absolutely delicious!