Great Mex

this place can't be beat on taco tuesdays. the place gets packed and rightfully so. their tacos are authentic, especially like the shrimp tacos (even if they cost $2 as opposed to one) Pros: $1 tacos/$1 drafts Cons: the line more

We eat here all the time. They have the best crispy chicken tacos, bean & cheese burritos, chimichangas,... more

We eat here all the time. They have the best crispy chicken tacos, bean & cheese burritos, chimichangas, steak quesadillas and veggies quesadillas... more

There are so many great things to say about this place. I've been eating on the peninsula for over 15 years and here for 5 years. The food is amazing, authentic, cooked in front of you and the service is quick and friendly. As you walk in your senses are immediately engaged as you can smell and aroma of delicious carne asada, pollo, carnitas, peppers and onions cooking, you can hear the sizzle. Then you're greeted with a friendly holla, how may I help you. If you are a connoisseur of good salsa they have a homemade salsa bar with at least 4 fresh salsas daily. I, along with many locals find myself here a couple times a week. Once for taco Tuesday and once for my other favorite the steak fajita salad. If you're in the area and looking for good, authentic Mexican food that isn?t cookie cutter, I highly recommend it! Pros: Great food and great service Cons: Always busy and crowded on taco tuesday...go early! more

In my opinion this isnt the best Mexican food in Newport. I wont name the place but the one in Costa Mesa with the stickers all over it makes you want to pass this one up and drive the extra 20 minutes. I agree with the other people about the staff. Generally not the friendliest. So coupled that with the ""bland"" food you really have no reason to go there. There are so many other options. Id rather save my stomach the dissapointment. Pros: They pay the owner rent I guess. Cons: Service and food doesnt offer anything special. more

In all the times I've gone to Great Mex, I've always been impressed with the entire experience. The tacos are fantastic, the service is quick and extremely attentive (I've watched a server--Roman, I think is his name--notice someone taking their last swig of beer from across the room and bring out the next a second later...it's definitely a Great place to go regularly as it just gets better and better. There's always hustle and bustle, and it's fun to people watch while you're eating. Just be ready to have someone save a table while you're waiting in line. Great food always brings a crowd! Pros: inexpensive, fast, good food, great area, great service. Cons: so many people know about it that the tables are always full. more

I have been living in Balboa for years and have never found anything good about this place other than the fact that its ""there"". Not worth driving from out of town to and is sort of the last option when you are in town. I think the only reason why its there is because its somewhat cheaper than the other options like the Shore House or BJ's. Id rather grab a slice from Pizza Petes or drive for mexican food up to Da Kine or better yet up to Taco Mesa. There is no redeeming quality to their food really. Really sad because the area for years was ""quality"" and now its left with something simple like this. Pros: Its just there. Cons: Flavorless Mexican Food. more

not to say the previous rater did not have a bad experience. i was not there...i do not know. in my opinion maybe the personel could have told the rater to eat elsewhere in a nicer manner ...me personally ...i would rather be told rudely to leave and avoid my child being ill than to be treated nicely and have them mess up what i was telling them and have my child end up sick. but thats just me. Pros: great food great price Cons: non so far more

I have spent quite a bit of time in Balboa and have watched restaurants come and go. It is surprising that this place has stayed here for so long. I would have to say that it is because of the lack of choices for decent mexican food in the area and possibly because its inexpensive. I have eaten there a few times and was never that satisfied but after this weekend I am choosing to never go back. When I ordered food for the family I asked for the manager to take special care when preparing one dish as my son is highly allergic to dairy and eggs. I simply asked for them to handle the food with hands that havent touched cheese. After the second time explaining the sensitivity (the first he couldnt understand) he told me extremely rudely to ""go somewhere else"". I asked if he was joking and he said ""no, go away - I wont help you"". One would think I was asking him in a condescending manner or with a weird tone, but I wasn't. I was asking what I ask a million places. I even told the guy taking the order that I have come in before and my neighbors go there as well. To that he asked for me to ""get out of here"". Anyone reading would also assume this was maybe a bad day for the guy but as I have ben there a couple times before I have always felt a weird attitude even when I am simply ordering a meal off the menu without questions or instructions. So in the end if you want OK mexican food that comes with/without attitude go for it. Ill drive a bit further for a better place that can help me. Pros: Semi inexpensive Cons: Attitude from staff more