For down-home Mexican chow in OC, Super Antojitos is right on target. Really good meats–pastor, carnitas, carne asada, and barbacoa–plus posole and menudo on weekends.
Beans are creamy and lardy, and dishes like camarones rancheros and pasilla chiles rellenos are outstanding.
El Farolito is another top choice, a no-frills family-run place with an emphasis on Mexican classics.
Other good options nearby: Q Tortas and El Taco Sabroso Grill (for the tasty beef stew).
El Gallo Giro is another local chain with good food, especially carnitas and al pastor. Tortillas are made in-house, and the aguas frescas bar offers horchata, tamarindo, platano, sandia (watermelon) and more.
In San Juan Capistrano, check out Ricardo’s.
Super Antojitos [South OC]
1702 N. Bristol St. #D, Santa Ana
714-835-3619
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Super Antojitos [South OC]
2731 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana
714-540-7385
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Super Antojitos [South OC]
2307 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana
714-445-0076
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Super Antojitos [South OC]
1130 W. Warner Ave., Santa Ana
714-662-2035
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Super Antojitos Restaurant [South OC]
2510 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana
714-957-0994
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Super Antojitos [South OC]
341 E. 1st St., Tustin
714-832-2252
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Super Antojitos [South OC]
2949 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa
714-437-1824
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Super Antojitos Mexicanos [East LA-ish]
7518 E. Slauson Ave., City of Commerce
323-728-4944
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Super Antojitos Mexicanos [East San Fernando Valley]
809 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank
818-845-0922
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El Farolito [North OC]
201 S. Bradford Ave., Placentia
714-993-7880
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El Farolito Jr [South OC]
1339 N. East St., Anaheim
714-533-6032
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El Farolito [Koreatown]
2737 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
323-731-4329
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Q-Tortas [North OC]
220 S. Bradford Ave., Placentia
714-993-3270
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El Taco Sabroso Grill [North OC]
214 W. Santa Fe Ave., Placentia
714-524-6716
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El Taco Sabroso [Inland of LA]
1945 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra
562-691-2144
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El Gallo Giro [South OC]
1442 S. Bristol St. #B, Santa Ana
714-549-2011
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El Gallo Giro [Central San Fernando Valley]
315 San Fernando Mission Blvd., San Fernando
818-361-9570
http://www.gallogiro.com
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El Gallo Giro [East LA-ish]
7148 Pacific Blvd., Huntington Park
323-585-4433
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El Gallo Giro [Central San Fernando Valley]
8309 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City
818-891-5533
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El Gallo Giro [South LA]
3180 E. Imperial Hwy., Lynwood
310-609-1901
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Ricardo’s Place [South OC]
32082 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
949-493-4941
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