About Playa Mesa
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Nice Mexican restaurant on the 17th street in the middle of Costa Mesa. Can’t believe that this is the first time after so many years. We sat in the outside patio which was nice and warm and we had our puppy with us. I got the Al pastor plate. It was very tasty and came with beans and pickled onions and raw onions. It tasted great but didn’t seem a lot of food. I had a bit taste of my wife’s carnitas plate that tasted good. Service was on the slow side but our server was great. Will definitely come back again.
Disappointing Experience at Playa – Not Worth the Hype We were on the hunt for a solid Mexican restaurant for lunch in Costa Mesa, and Playa caught our eye with its decent amount of reviews on Yelp. So, we thought, why not give it a try? Unfortunately, we left wondering how it got those stars in the first place. First Impressions: Upon arriving, we were greeted by a valet service, which felt unnecessary given the size of the parking lot. It just seemed like an extra step when there was plenty of space to park on our own. But hey, that’s not a dealbreaker—what came next, however, was. The Food: We started with chips and salsa, which, I’ll admit, was the high point of the meal. The salsa was flavorful and fresh, giving us hope for the rest of the dishes. But sadly, that was the only highlight. Shrimp & Octopus Ceviche – This dish was a cold disappointment, literally. It tasted like it had been frozen, and when I brought this up to the staff, they casually confirmed it wasn't fresh and had been kept in the fridge. Yikes. The texture was icy, and we could feel it under our teeth. Serving ceviche like this is a huge red flag. Birria Tacos – These were just okay. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. The meat inside was fine, but the dish lacked that "wow" factor you'd expect from a place that promises authentic Mexican flavors. Grilled Shrimp – Once again, not fresh. It tasted like it had been reheated, lacking any real flavor or tenderness. It was a forgettable, uninspired dish. Carne Asada Tacos – Easily the worst item we ordered. The meat tasted funny, wasn’t fresh, and was served cold. It was borderline inedible. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this dish had been sitting around for a while before it hit our table. Service: Our server, Alejandra, was friendly and attentive, and after witnessing our dissatisfaction with the ceviche and carne asada, she didn’t charge us for those items. I appreciated her gesture, but it didn’t make up for the poor quality of the food. The only item we paid for was the Birria Tacos, which, at that point, felt like a minor consolation. Overall: This place is seriously overrated. The fresh, vibrant flavors we were hoping for were nowhere to be found. Don't be fooled by the stars or glowing reviews. The food was not fresh, and frankly, some dishes were downright bad. If you’re looking for a great Mexican dining experience in Costa Mesa, keep looking—Playa is not it.
Excellent restaurant! Great vibe and not busy when we went unlike other overrated spots nearby!!! Pretty family friendly too. Drinks were super quick and really good too. Food is really great as well, highly recommend this place!!!
Miguel was very kind and attentive to me and I also ate be best buñuelos of my life. Yes the marigold is edible and the flavor combination is sooo good
The food, ambiance and service was excellent! Our server Scarlet was absolutely amazing! So sweet, attentive and made our experience exceptional. We will be back and only want her!!