Taco Maria Carlos Salgado The OC Mix at South Coast Collection Taco Maria

Taco Maria Awards

Chef/owner Carlos Salgado serves up artistic Chicano cuisine in a cozy Costa Mesa setting.
Openings: Dinner Tues.-Sat.

Features

Taco Maria, Costa Mesa, CA


Taco Maria Restaurant Review:



About the restaurant: This small, unassuming restaurant, located in Costa Mesa's hip OC Mix at South Coast Collection, has a humble interior and breezy outdoor patio. The environment sets the stage for chef/owner Carlos Salgado to put forth a display of seasonal Chicano/Mexican cuisine that challenges and excites.

Food & Drinks: Dinner fare comes in the form of a constantly rotating menu, in which the typical tropes of heavy cheese and sauce-covered everything are eschewed in favor of genuine regional flavors. It's a common sight to see Salgado bent at the counter, meticulously putting the finishing touches on dishes. Starters might include aguachile (scallop crudo, persian cucumber, serrano, lime, watermelon jam). Move on to confit Muscovy duck leg, fig mole with almonds and benne seed; Prime hanger steak with grilled onions and bone marrow vinaigrette; or local black cod a la Veracruzana. For dessert, you might find red corn & burnt strawberry tamal with Tahitian vanilla cream. Hungry workers can stop by during lunch and choose from perpetually changing à la carte items, including tacos featuring handmade tortillas and fillings such as local black cod with charred scallion aïoli, cabbage and grapes. Beer and wine are available.