Best Mexican Restaurant

MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Avila’s El Ranchito has 13 locations throughout Orange County and has roots from Guanajuato, Mexico.

1. Avila’s El Ranchito

Multiple locations; avilaselranchito.com

Salvador Avila, who came to the U.S. from Mexico, started his first restaurant 55 years ago in Huntington Park with five picnic tables. Now it has evolved into 13 restaurants throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties run by the Avila children.

Maribel Avila Ley, co-owner of three locations, says consistency in food is guaranteed across all of them. “Customers come back time and time again because they know our staff and they are treated like family.

“My grandmother taught her kids, who have taught us … to stick to the simplicity of great food and genuinely good service. Never cut corners; treat people with respect. Mama Avila (my grandma) had it figured out.”

The matriarch’s recipes from Mexico dating back generations populate the menu items ranging from soups and carnitas to fajitas, enchiladas and more. Of course there are Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday specials as well.

Since last year, the restaurants upgraded their takeout business and outdoor dining. “We had a great time getting creative with margaritas to go,” says Avila Ley. “Our very popular party and family packs are always a hit, but now you can add margaritas.”

New specials are posted to the locations’ Instagram pages regularly.

The Mercado Margarita in Huntington Beach available on Tuesday nights is “made from ingredients from the Surf City Farmers Market right out front. It’s a great way to support locals.”

2. El Farolito

201 S. Bradford Ave., Placentia; 714-993-7880; elfarolitomex.com

Another family-run business, El Farolito was established in 1974 by the Sandoval Family and serves good old fashioned Mexican food, like combination plates, at reasonable prices.

Register food critic Brad A. Johnson has raved about the restaurant’s steak tampiqueño with grilled jalapeños and caramelized onions and the carne asada nachos in the past. All sorts of egg items are on the breakfast menu. There are lunch specials, large burritos, tostada salads and more.

Yelp reviewer Sandra L. from Orange County said the food is “so flavorful here. I don’t even like refried beans, but El Farolito makes them so good that I am a believer of refried beans now. Portions here are generous.

“My hubby and I shared a Jr’s Plate and chose chile relleno (additional $0.75) as our one-item and it comes with rice and beans. We also ordered a cup of Menudo (available weekends only). We loved everything. Every item was freshly made, wellseasoned, and priced well.”

3. El Torito

Multiple locations; eltorito.com

Larry J. Cano founded this Mexican restaurant in 1954 as an outgrowth of an Encino Tiki bar. The first O.C. location opened in Newport Beach in 1973.

Randy Sharpe, El Torito CEO & president says “it is a celebration of family, food and community and is why so many guests feel at home when they dine at El Torito. The fresh, made-from-scratch kitchen and warm hospitality from the staff makes your dining occasion something to enjoy and come back to.”

Regular patrons tend to rave about the tableside preparations, made-to-order guacamole, flame-grilled fajitas, Taco Tuesdays, the Saturday Breakfast menu with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Then there’s the extremely popular Happy Hour drink and food specials for $4, $6 and $8.

“El Torito continues to innovate and present seasonal specials throughout the year,” notes Sharpe.

“Our most recent Tacos Vampiros with cheese and jalapeños, grilled right onto the tortilla before being filled” with carne asada or chicken.