Avila's El Ranchito - Costa Mesa

4.6
2127 reviews

About

Mexican RestaurantRestaurant
Established in 1977 – Avila's El Ranchito is a Mexican Restaurant with authentic ingredients prepared in a fresh new way. "Botana Carnitas" and "Pepe's Special" are some of our original creations. Visit us today!

Location

Avila's El Ranchito - Costa Mesa
2101 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
92627, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.6
2,127 reviews
5 stars
1,601
4 stars
351
3 stars
93
2 stars
39
1 star
43

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Food Quality

Customers consistently praised the food for its authenticity, freshness, and delicious flavors, with many highlighting specific dishes like fajitas and homemade tortillas.

Service

The staff received high marks for being friendly, attentive, and accommodating, with several servers mentioned by name for their exceptional service.

Atmosphere

The restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere was frequently noted, making it a great place for family gatherings and celebrations.

Mixed Experiences

While many reviews were overwhelmingly positive, a few customers reported mixed experiences with certain dishes and service speed during busy times.
  • JJ
    Joyful
    Jan 3, 2026
    5.0
    First Visit and Geno treated me so well. Service was exceptional and Food was delicious (hard to find good, full service Mexican around here). So glad I came in today. Loved my visit and plan to return. Recommend you try this place. Parking was easy on the free parking lot. Good location.
  • JJ
    James
    Dec 24, 2025
    5.0
    Amazing food and service. Was treated like family the minute we walked in. Would highly recommend.
  • DD
    Dean Dimizas
    Dec 20, 2025
    5.0
    Excellent Mexican food. Wide variety, excellent service. Highly recommend the shrimp fajitas and shrimp campanata. Excellent guac.
  • JS
    Joshua Spinner
    Dec 14, 2025
    5.0
    Mrs Maria Avila came and introduced herself and made this experience so much better! The food was amazing the chipotle grilled chicken was best I’ve ever had! This was home cooked food with love. Our waiter hector was perfect well knowledge of everything on the menu and gave great options. We will stop here every time we’re in the area we travelled here from Bakersfield
  • MM
    mahdieh mazloumi
    Dec 1, 2025
    3.0
    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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avila's El Ranchito - Costa Mesa

Where is Avila's El Ranchito located in Costa Mesa?

Avila's El Ranchito is located at 2101 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, US.

What type of cuisine does Avila's El Ranchito serve?

Avila's El Ranchito serves authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients and unique original dishes such as 'Botana Carnitas' and 'Pepe's Special'.