I had the most incredible birthday at Descanso! From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely perfect. Our waitress, Summer, was phenomenal. She was so warm, attentive, and genuinely made us feel celebrated throughout the entire evening. Her service was beyond exceptional and she made my birthday feel so special.
A huge thank you to Chef Tania, who put on an amazing show cooking everything right in front of us. Watching the food being prepared tableside was such a fun and unique experience, and every single bite was absolutely delicious. The quality, flavor, and presentation were outstanding.
Between the incredible food, the interactive cooking experience, and the amazing hospitality from Summer and Chef Tania, this was truly one of the best birthday celebrations I’ve ever had. I can’t recommend Descanso enough and will definitely be coming back!
Daniel Chimenti
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July 01, 2026
We went for my friend’s birthday to get the plancha (basically Mexican habachi) on a Tuesday night. Which meant we had to order gf the taquero menu instead of the normal dinner menu. It comes with an appetizer (soup or salad), and then two tacos of your choice.
Everyone enjoyed their meals. The server and chef were both great.
Catherine Gasco
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May 20, 2026
Came on a Tuesday for a birthday party with the Mexican Hibachi. Apparently Tuesdays are a different menu and just tacos. Reservation was for 6pm, 10 people. We got there and seated at a table for drinks and to wait for the hibachi table to open up. Drinks were ok could use a little more variety. Then about half hour later went to the main table. Then we sat there for a little over an hour. Waitress was stalling asking for more drink orders and any appetizers. No free chips and salsa, you pay $5 for that which I think was not right due to the high prices. Every Mexican restaurant offers free chips and salsa even the cheap ones. Daughter tried elote and didn’t like it and she loves elote. Finally got the chef and “the show” wasn’t much really. Been to Benihana’s and other places and the chef would talk more and have like a story. This was just a bunch of flames. Actual food was really average. The sauces didn’t have much flavor. Hated the mayo sauce on the rice, salsa was spicy or much flavor. We had a taco guy the Saturday before for another birthday party and served Birria tacos, Birria quesadillas, and shrimp and Birria tacos. An uncle does carnitas and we get skirt steak from Francisco’s Meat Co. and grill that. So much better, flavorful and cheaper than this place. Here you’re paying for the show which is not much of a show. Need to offer more starters. Sope and the “Mexican” Cesar salad is not enough options. A piece of elote on the cob and/or beans. Won’t be coming back. Good size portions unfortunately not much flavor. Automatic 18% tip.
Ricardo Gallegos
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February 17, 2026
Manny was the name of our great waiter. He delivered the whole night. Not sure if this guy is part owner, but explained about the restaurant very well. Made wife and kids like a new type of restaurant a d it was with the food choices. Unique Mexican dishes. We all loved our food. He had great recommendations and the kids loved it. Manny was able to keep a smile on his face even after all the work my family put him through with their detailed request. Manny had an answer for everything. I noticed he did the same to other diners. Would come back again. Daughter's birthday was a success. Flames coming from the taco grill was awesome. We just had a normal table since we did not try the Seating where they cook in front of you. Worth the price. Also 🌋 tacos recommended by Manny were the best. Guacamole is a little pricy, but some of us need it. We put in reservations so we got in quick. Highly recommend call or book your visit. There was a wait for others. Lots of parking. They have valentine stuff going on since it was near the 14th. Reasonably priced kids menu and I thank you for that.
Chris M
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March 14, 2026
Vibrant Plancha Dining and Exceptional Tableside Service
Visited Descanso in Costa Mesa for a birthday celebration, taking advantage of their unique Plancha-style dining concept. The restaurant offers a refined, interactive approach to Mexican cuisine where the meal is prepared directly in front of guests. It is clearly a local favorite for special occasions, as the atmosphere is lively and festive throughout the evening.
The culinary experience was anchored by several standout dishes that exceeded expectations. The Choriqueso Verde, featuring green chorizo and a blend of three cheeses, served as an exceptional starter with deep, savory flavors. The Chile Rellenos—stuffed with squash and potatoes and complemented by Al Pastor—offered a complex flavor profile, while the addition of succulent shrimp to the Carne Asada provided a perfectly seared highlight to the main course.
Beyond the food, the service provided by the chef truly elevated the experience. The chef successfully combined expert culinary skills with a great sense of humor and engaging storytelling, making the interactive cooking process feel both personalized and professional. This level of engagement is a defining feature of the Plancha seating and makes for a very memorable dining event.
The beverage program also deserves recognition for its quality and balance. Both the Cadillac Margarita and the Hibiscus Smash were expertly crafted, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of the grilled meats and cheeses. The drink menu is well-integrated into the overall dining experience, matching the high standards set by the kitchen staff.
While the experience was largely positive, potential guests should be aware of the restaurant's high energy. Because it is a premier destination for birthdays, the noise level can become significant during peak hours, which may impact those seeking a quiet environment. Additionally, due to its popularity for celebrations, securing a reservation at the Plancha tables requires significant advance planning.
Overall, Descanso is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality Mexican food with a theatrical, interactive element. The combination of exceptional dishes like the Choriqueso and the entertaining, chef-led service makes it a top-tier destination in Costa Mesa for a celebratory night out.
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1555 Adams Ave #103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
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I had the most incredible birthday at Descanso! From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely perfect. Our waitress, Summer, was phenomenal. She was so warm, attentive, and genuinely made us feel celebrated throughout the entire evening. Her service was beyond exceptional and she made my birthday feel so special. A huge thank you to Chef Tania, who put on an amazing show cooking everything right in front of us. Watching the food being prepared tableside was such a fun and unique experience, and every single bite was absolutely delicious. The quality, flavor, and presentation were outstanding. Between the incredible food, the interactive cooking experience, and the amazing hospitality from Summer and Chef Tania, this was truly one of the best birthday celebrations I’ve ever had. I can’t recommend Descanso enough and will definitely be coming back!
We went for my friend’s birthday to get the plancha (basically Mexican habachi) on a Tuesday night. Which meant we had to order gf the taquero menu instead of the normal dinner menu. It comes with an appetizer (soup or salad), and then two tacos of your choice. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The server and chef were both great.
Came on a Tuesday for a birthday party with the Mexican Hibachi. Apparently Tuesdays are a different menu and just tacos. Reservation was for 6pm, 10 people. We got there and seated at a table for drinks and to wait for the hibachi table to open up. Drinks were ok could use a little more variety. Then about half hour later went to the main table. Then we sat there for a little over an hour. Waitress was stalling asking for more drink orders and any appetizers. No free chips and salsa, you pay $5 for that which I think was not right due to the high prices. Every Mexican restaurant offers free chips and salsa even the cheap ones. Daughter tried elote and didn’t like it and she loves elote. Finally got the chef and “the show” wasn’t much really. Been to Benihana’s and other places and the chef would talk more and have like a story. This was just a bunch of flames. Actual food was really average. The sauces didn’t have much flavor. Hated the mayo sauce on the rice, salsa was spicy or much flavor. We had a taco guy the Saturday before for another birthday party and served Birria tacos, Birria quesadillas, and shrimp and Birria tacos. An uncle does carnitas and we get skirt steak from Francisco’s Meat Co. and grill that. So much better, flavorful and cheaper than this place. Here you’re paying for the show which is not much of a show. Need to offer more starters. Sope and the “Mexican” Cesar salad is not enough options. A piece of elote on the cob and/or beans. Won’t be coming back. Good size portions unfortunately not much flavor. Automatic 18% tip.
Manny was the name of our great waiter. He delivered the whole night. Not sure if this guy is part owner, but explained about the restaurant very well. Made wife and kids like a new type of restaurant a d it was with the food choices. Unique Mexican dishes. We all loved our food. He had great recommendations and the kids loved it. Manny was able to keep a smile on his face even after all the work my family put him through with their detailed request. Manny had an answer for everything. I noticed he did the same to other diners. Would come back again. Daughter's birthday was a success. Flames coming from the taco grill was awesome. We just had a normal table since we did not try the Seating where they cook in front of you. Worth the price. Also 🌋 tacos recommended by Manny were the best. Guacamole is a little pricy, but some of us need it. We put in reservations so we got in quick. Highly recommend call or book your visit. There was a wait for others. Lots of parking. They have valentine stuff going on since it was near the 14th. Reasonably priced kids menu and I thank you for that.
Vibrant Plancha Dining and Exceptional Tableside Service Visited Descanso in Costa Mesa for a birthday celebration, taking advantage of their unique Plancha-style dining concept. The restaurant offers a refined, interactive approach to Mexican cuisine where the meal is prepared directly in front of guests. It is clearly a local favorite for special occasions, as the atmosphere is lively and festive throughout the evening. The culinary experience was anchored by several standout dishes that exceeded expectations. The Choriqueso Verde, featuring green chorizo and a blend of three cheeses, served as an exceptional starter with deep, savory flavors. The Chile Rellenos—stuffed with squash and potatoes and complemented by Al Pastor—offered a complex flavor profile, while the addition of succulent shrimp to the Carne Asada provided a perfectly seared highlight to the main course. Beyond the food, the service provided by the chef truly elevated the experience. The chef successfully combined expert culinary skills with a great sense of humor and engaging storytelling, making the interactive cooking process feel both personalized and professional. This level of engagement is a defining feature of the Plancha seating and makes for a very memorable dining event. The beverage program also deserves recognition for its quality and balance. Both the Cadillac Margarita and the Hibiscus Smash were expertly crafted, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of the grilled meats and cheeses. The drink menu is well-integrated into the overall dining experience, matching the high standards set by the kitchen staff. While the experience was largely positive, potential guests should be aware of the restaurant's high energy. Because it is a premier destination for birthdays, the noise level can become significant during peak hours, which may impact those seeking a quiet environment. Additionally, due to its popularity for celebrations, securing a reservation at the Plancha tables requires significant advance planning. Overall, Descanso is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality Mexican food with a theatrical, interactive element. The combination of exceptional dishes like the Choriqueso and the entertaining, chef-led service makes it a top-tier destination in Costa Mesa for a celebratory night out.