Salty Horse

We stopped by and tried a few things—the Classic Cowgirl Matcha, Hawaiian Cowboy, JH Breakfast Burrito, and the Salty Red Breakfast Burrito—and everything was so good. The flavors were cozy and comforting, exactly the kind of food and drinks you want to start your day with. The JH Breakfast Burrito was the perfect classic breakfast burrito—still so flavorful and satisfying but not greasy or heavy. I also loved that they had multiple matcha and coffee options, so there’s something for everyone. The space itself is super inviting with plenty of seating, and it’s so aesthetic and thoughtfully curated, which makes it a great spot to relax and hang out. On top of that, the service was amazing—all the staff were so nice and welcoming, and we got our food and drinks within 15 minutes. I’ll definitely be coming back to get the breakfast again and try all the lunch and dinner items —it feels casual yet elevated in the best way.

i didn’t get any food, but my drink was really tasty! i saw some reviews say their drinks were too sweet, so i also ordered an extra shot and it was perfect. the girl at the register was really friendly too :) place is pretty busy, i went on a tuesday afternoon and it was still pretty full

I’ve come here twice now and wish I lived closer so I could come every day!! The staff is all so friendly and kind! I love that it’s dog friendly and they have treats by the counter. They are family owned and you can see how much love they’ve put into the location and food/drinks. Everything we’ve gotten has been delicious! The best cafe!

WEST Coast

Love this place- the atmosphere, food, all of it!! Such a you unique hidden place! The breakfast burritos are some of the best I’ve ever had! Burgers and salad are both amazing! Drinks are also phenomenal. I cannot say enough good things about this place! Highly recommended- the line to order is long (but that’s how you know it’s good). Well worth the wait!

Johnny Kim

I visited Salty Horse and ordered the burrito, which was quite good overall. The flavors were well balanced, but the portion of sauce was noticeably small, which was a bit disappointing. I also tried both the coffee and the matcha. They were decent and enjoyable, but not exceptional. Personally, I am not sure they are worth waiting in a long line for. Overall, a solid place with good food and drinks.

Meg

Had an amazing experience at Salty Horse. The service was great, employees are all so nice, and the food & drinks are amazing. The best cookie i’ve ever had was their strawberry shortcake cookie. Breakfast burritos, latte’s & matcha is amazing. Cutest atmosphere, I highly recommend. Cannot wait to go back again soon.

Daisy

The food is AMAZING!!!! I will say, if you're planning on coming here for your lunch during work hours you do need a solid 2 hours to eat here; maybe an 1 1/2 hours if youre picking up. My friends and I decided to take an extended lunch and come here around 12 PM and it was PACKED. Total wait in line time/ ordering/ getting the food brought out was a little over an hour. Not complaining about it because it is packed, jusy giving you a heads up if youre trying to go around 1 PM Mon-Fri. The food was INCREDIBLE, and the drinks were really good too! 100/ 10 would recommend!!

Monica Otero

I can confirm that the salty horse lived up to the hype! There’s no getting away from waiting in line for 30 to 45 minutes, especially if you’re going on the weekend… but if you go with a couple friends and you make the best of it, it is what it is. I recommend grabbing a menu to know exactly what you want by the time you get to the register. Waiting in line that long is def not something that I would do weekly, (If there was a way for them to figure out the line situation it would be great), but so many people want to dine there, there’s only so much that they can do. I really appreciated seeing ownership actively involved with keeping things running as swiftly as possible. They were literally bussing tables, helping people find somewhere to sit, and generally interacting in a very pleasant and uplifting manner. Once we got our food, we were able to find a spot to sit quickly. The outdoor dining engulfs you with tarps shading from the sun, and beautiful potted plants everywhere. Even though it’s a very industrial area, you feel sequestered into a calm sanctuary, and you don’t hear the noise from busy Newport Boulevard. I was able to park right in front so I didn’t have a problem with parking. I have heard a lot of people say that it is hard to park, (they do have a small parking lot just before the restaurant which isn’t so bad). I did see a lot of people getting dropped off to go wait in line, while the driner found parking. I also enjoyed all of the interesting merchandise and unique details in the decor. Once the food finally arrived, we were so pleasantly surprised at the quality of the ingredients, the presentation, & the deliciousness of everything that we ordered. We had a really great time overall! I don’t think you can get one thing that isn’t good! I’m vegan and everything that I ordered was incredible, look forward to next time. Hopefully with less of a wait time. Thank you Salty Horse, and the extra thank you to all the baristas that work so hard to pump out the drinks as fast as possible. I tipped them separately because they really were hustling, the pressure is on, and I respect people who work that hard!

Sherry

Everyone in my life and on TikTok has been saying salty horse this, salty horse that. I finally had to shut the little voice in my head up so I went at around 11 on a Tuesday and there was no line out the door! Good sign #1. For drinks, we were hoping to try the Yuzu lavender matcha but they just changed out their seasonal drinks so we got the new Berries & cream matcha and Apple grove matcha, both 8/10, good sign #2. But the FOOD. Oh my gosh. Somebody was taking a photo of my Sunrise sammie when I left it to go find another table because it's just stacked so high and so pretty to look at. Good sign #3. And the Salty red breakfast burrito had all the components to make it a perfect breakfast burrito—fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy hash browns, and addicting red salsa. Good sign #4. So does Salty Horse live up to the hype? I say hells yah ;D Thanks for reading! ^-^

Dee Wood

If you're anywhere near Costa Mesa you need to head over to Salty Horse. I was very impressed by how smooth everything went especially for only being open a month or so. Hubby had the Waffle and Chicken lunch and I stole a bite. The best chicken tender I ever tasted!! Yum I ordered the Smokey and the Bandit Burger with its smash burger, bacon fig and onion jam with the truffle fries and side salad. The Mango vinaigrette was to die for and the homemade house Ranch was so good I asked if they had a bottle to go? (Hopefully coming soon!) The smoothies were amazing...go for the Blueberry Pie, never had a smoothie like it. Fabulous. I cannot wait to go back. A few dished passed our table and I cant wait to try them all. Give it a shot, I cant imagine being disappointed. Do give a little time when you arrive during busy hours. Be patient, its all worth the wait! Servers were great too..knew their stuff and super friendly. (Ask for Nick) And..hubby wanted a cool hat!

John Cochran

Disregarding the usual caveat about avoiding restaurants during opening week, our party of three decided to try Salty Horse for a Saturday morning breakfast. After a brief wait in line, we ordered at the counter, took a number, and found a table. Counter service was warm and professional. We sampled the cinnamon roll (excellent—moist, not overly sweet), avocado toast, pancakes, and andouille sausage with eggs. Plating was clean and artful; whoever is running the back of house clearly has an eye for detail. The ingredients were top quality: produce at peak ripeness, lively microgreens, sausage that wasn’t greasy, and eggs with some of the richest, honey-like yolks I’ve ever tasted. And about those sunny-side-up eggs: the perfectly crisp, lacy edges and just-set yolks created the ideal bite when paired with a piece of sausage. Heaven! Drinks were spot-on as well. Overall, a solid experience—highly recommended.

Ashley B

We stopped by and tried a few things—the Classic Cowgirl Matcha, Hawaiian Cowboy, JH Breakfast Burrito, and the Salty Red Breakfast Burrito—and everything was so good. The flavors were cozy and comforting, exactly the kind of food and drinks you want to start your day with. The JH Breakfast Burrito was the perfect classic breakfast burrito—still so flavorful and satisfying but not greasy or heavy. I also loved that they had multiple matcha and coffee options, so there’s something for everyone. The space itself is super inviting with plenty of seating, and it’s so aesthetic and thoughtfully curated, which makes it a great spot to relax and hang out. On top of that, the service was amazing—all the staff were so nice and welcoming, and we got our food and drinks within 15 minutes. I’ll definitely be coming back to get the breakfast again and try all the lunch and dinner items —it feels casual yet elevated in the best way.

Geneva Stanley

i didn’t get any food, but my drink was really tasty! i saw some reviews say their drinks were too sweet, so i also ordered an extra shot and it was perfect. the girl at the register was really friendly too :) place is pretty busy, i went on a tuesday afternoon and it was still pretty full

Carey Gross

I’ve come here twice now and wish I lived closer so I could come every day!! The staff is all so friendly and kind! I love that it’s dog friendly and they have treats by the counter. They are family owned and you can see how much love they’ve put into the location and food/drinks. Everything we’ve gotten has been delicious! The best cafe!

The Music City House Nashville

This place really does check many boxes!! Never seeking perfection but locally we long for these things…. friendly service, great food, well beyond a "cafe" or coffee shop, and truly one of a kind drink menu! The elevated dinner menu served at 5pm is so good and the ambiance is a 10! Be prepared for long lines but the food and drinks comes out reasonably quick considering. Loved that it’s kid and dog friendly! Hear they have beer & wine coming soon too! Casual service but everyone was so kind and on it. We loved meeting friends and family here a few times opening weekend. *sunrise Sammie JH Burrito w/bacon (Crispy tots, yum) Cowgirl Chicken Sandwich so good! Fried or grilled. The Poke Bowl salty caramel cold brew… FML so good PS Seed Oil Free!! And plenty of gluten free or sensitive options from what we saw. No GF breads (yet!)

Albert Gonzales Jr

First of all, the place looks amazing! Very cool design and decor. It looks like the owners really care about the aesthetic. As for the service…wonderful! I couldn’t tell who the manager was because everyone acted with such joy and passion. I tried the burger and it was delicious. The coffee was also very good. I also couldn’t resist the cookie at the counter, and that was also delicious. So glad this place is so close to my work. Cant wait to go back!

Food was delicious and beautiful as was the atmosphere! I got the poke bowl and a smoothie. Smoothie was well worth the price but I do with that the poke bowl had a bit more fish. Otherwise it was seasoned perfectly. Can definitely get very busy and parking is a little hard to find so plan accordingly.

We went to Salty Horse in Costa Mesa after church with a big group of friends and were greeted by a line that at first looked intimidating and made us wonder if it would be worth the wait, but it moved faster than expected which was a great surprise and set a positive tone. The exterior has a cool barn style look and once inside it feels thoughtfully designed with a relaxed welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay and chill. We decided to sample a variety of dishes so we could really get a feel for the menu. The Sunrise Sammy turned out to be a solid breakfast sandwich with good crunch on the toast and flavorful eggs and sauce. The JH burrito stood out a bit more with a nice chipotle aioli and crispy hash browns tucked inside that added a satisfying texture and extra flavor. The California burrito was the one dish that missed the mark for us since the steak needed more seasoning or a sauce to help bring it to life and it ended up tasting a bit bland. We also ordered the chicken tender which honestly felt like too much and was nothing special. The batter seemed to have bits of bacon mixed in but the overall flavor was flat and it really needed ketchup just to add some taste since it mostly came across like plain bread. The sweet dishes were where Salty Horse really shined. The Campfire French toast became an instant table favorite with perfectly crisp edges, a smooth chocolate mousse, and a sprinkle of graham cracker dust that gave every bite a rich s’mores flavor without being overly sweet. My personal highlight was the Ube waffles with fried chicken. The chicken was moist and tender with a flavorful batter that had a hint of something savory like furikake while the ube waffles were light and fluffy and paired beautifully with the chicken. I recommend adding a little extra salt and a drizzle of syrup to bring out all the flavors even more as it needs it. We also tried a few drinks to round things out. The Strawberry Plains matcha was bright and sweet and probably the best of the drinks we ordered. The Classic Cowgirl vanilla matcha had a nice flavor but tasted a little watered down even though I ordered it with coconut milk which I appreciated seeing on the menu. The Green Lasso smoothie made a big impression when it came to the table because it was such a vibrant color and it tasted refreshing with a light sweet plant flavor that felt healthy and balanced. Service throughout the visit was excellent. The staff was attentive without being overbearing and we even got to meet the owner who was warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the restaurant. It is easy to see that a lot of thought went into the small details of the menu and the space. Overall Salty Horse is a fun new brunch and coffee spot that mostly lives up to the social media buzz. It offers a mix of hearty breakfast staples and creative sweet dishes in a setting that feels both stylish and comfortabl but also nothing that made me feel like I have to come back again or crave.

Super fun and festive place! It was super packed but our food came out pretty fast. It is a little on the pricier side. Would go back again to try more of their house choice items! However, was pretty disappointed in the poke bowl as while eating I did find a piece of plastic in there. Flavor and presentation was awesome though!

Sophie Choe

Food was delicious and beautiful as was the atmosphere! I got the poke bowl and a smoothie. Smoothie was well worth the price but I do with that the poke bowl had a bit more fish. Otherwise it was seasoned perfectly. Can definitely get very busy and parking is a little hard to find so plan accordingly.

Mitchell Neller

We went to Salty Horse in Costa Mesa after church with a big group of friends and were greeted by a line that at first looked intimidating and made us wonder if it would be worth the wait, but it moved faster than expected which was a great surprise and set a positive tone. The exterior has a cool barn style look and once inside it feels thoughtfully designed with a relaxed welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay and chill. We decided to sample a variety of dishes so we could really get a feel for the menu. The Sunrise Sammy turned out to be a solid breakfast sandwich with good crunch on the toast and flavorful eggs and sauce. The JH burrito stood out a bit more with a nice chipotle aioli and crispy hash browns tucked inside that added a satisfying texture and extra flavor. The California burrito was the one dish that missed the mark for us since the steak needed more seasoning or a sauce to help bring it to life and it ended up tasting a bit bland. We also ordered the chicken tender which honestly felt like too much and was nothing special. The batter seemed to have bits of bacon mixed in but the overall flavor was flat and it really needed ketchup just to add some taste since it mostly came across like plain bread. The sweet dishes were where Salty Horse really shined. The Campfire French toast became an instant table favorite with perfectly crisp edges, a smooth chocolate mousse, and a sprinkle of graham cracker dust that gave every bite a rich s’mores flavor without being overly sweet. My personal highlight was the Ube waffles with fried chicken. The chicken was moist and tender with a flavorful batter that had a hint of something savory like furikake while the ube waffles were light and fluffy and paired beautifully with the chicken. I recommend adding a little extra salt and a drizzle of syrup to bring out all the flavors even more as it needs it. We also tried a few drinks to round things out. The Strawberry Plains matcha was bright and sweet and probably the best of the drinks we ordered. The Classic Cowgirl vanilla matcha had a nice flavor but tasted a little watered down even though I ordered it with coconut milk which I appreciated seeing on the menu. The Green Lasso smoothie made a big impression when it came to the table because it was such a vibrant color and it tasted refreshing with a light sweet plant flavor that felt healthy and balanced. Service throughout the visit was excellent. The staff was attentive without being overbearing and we even got to meet the owner who was warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the restaurant. It is easy to see that a lot of thought went into the small details of the menu and the space. Overall Salty Horse is a fun new brunch and coffee spot that mostly lives up to the social media buzz. It offers a mix of hearty breakfast staples and creative sweet dishes in a setting that feels both stylish and comfortabl but also nothing that made me feel like I have to come back again or crave.

Maddie Nguyen

Super fun and festive place! It was super packed but our food came out pretty fast. It is a little on the pricier side. Would go back again to try more of their house choice items! However, was pretty disappointed in the poke bowl as while eating I did find a piece of plastic in there. Flavor and presentation was awesome though!

First time here. We ordered the steak frites (overcooked, boiled then grilled maybe?), fried chicken sandwich (was small like one tender), and strawberries & burrata (there was little burrata smeared on what tasted like stale bread & the strawberry jam was overpowering. The truffle fries were delicious! Maybe it was an off day for Salty Horse. Willing to give them another try when they get their wine & beer license.

Jeni Bliatout

First time here. We ordered the steak frites (overcooked, boiled then grilled maybe?), fried chicken sandwich (was small like one tender), and strawberries & burrata (there was little burrata smeared on what tasted like stale bread & the strawberry jam was overpowering. The truffle fries were delicious! Maybe it was an off day for Salty Horse. Willing to give them another try when they get their wine & beer license.

the aesthetic in this place is really nice, beautiful shop and tons of outdoor seating - but unfortunately the food and drinks miss the mark severely. the avocado toast was extremely unseasoned and lacked any flavor, not even an avocado flavor. the hawaiian honey latte had that burnt espresso taste that overpowered the entire drink. they had run out of regular milk too which was a bummer as well as the rain made it so that only two tables were available so everyone was scrambling for a table. for the wait, price, and huge line out the door - i wish i could have said the experience was worth it. for the cost i just wish the foods & drinks were better since it is such a pretty cafe. the barista were super friendly though!

MoustSue

the aesthetic in this place is really nice, beautiful shop and tons of outdoor seating - but unfortunately the food and drinks miss the mark severely. the avocado toast was extremely unseasoned and lacked any flavor, not even an avocado flavor. the hawaiian honey latte had that burnt espresso taste that overpowered the entire drink. they had run out of regular milk too which was a bummer as well as the rain made it so that only two tables were available so everyone was scrambling for a table. for the wait, price, and huge line out the door - i wish i could have said the experience was worth it. for the cost i just wish the foods & drinks were better since it is such a pretty cafe. the barista were super friendly though!

Salty Horse is close enough to walk to, which I love, and the food is pretty good. First time I had the burrito and it hit the spot. Second time I tried the steak and eggs and that was good too. The issue both times has been the person up front taking orders. She came across pretty dry and not very welcoming, and it set the vibe for the entire visit. She actually was so dry, she made me feel uncomfortable. There was even a point where I asked if she substituted chorizo for bacon and she bluntly said, ya I just said that. The first encounter I gave it a pass since it was probably a busy opening week and a long day, but the second time was the same damn attitude, I consider myself a pretty polite and friendly person so to be treated that way is off putting. You line up, give your order, take a number, and they bring the food out. Drinks are different since you have to listen for your name, which we didn't know, so our drinks just sat there until we finally asked halfway through eating. I'm not expecting them to roll out the red carpet, but a little friendliness goes a long way, especially from the first person you interact with. The food is pretty good and the spot has potential, just hoping the vibe at the front improves. I think this is my 2nd 1 star review out of over 100 reviews I’ve written. How people make you feel really goes a long way.

Salty Horse definitely lived up to the name… but not in a good way. The female cashier taking our order spent our interaction chatting and laughing with her coworker instead of paying attention to the order. When she finally repeated our order, she sounded annoyed, like it was a chore to do her job. Honestly, I’ve never felt so uncomfortable just trying to order food and drinks As for the food itself, the nachos were meh (barely any toppings), the Cali burrito was completely bland, and the matcha was way too sweet, and tasted more like a dessert syrup than an actual drink Super unimpressed overall. Might give it one more shot, but if I’m craving a burrito or a matcha, Juliette’s or Hola Adios are MUCHHH better options for both quality and service

Bea Kissinger

Salty Horse is close enough to walk to, which I love, and the food is pretty good. First time I had the burrito and it hit the spot. Second time I tried the steak and eggs and that was good too. The issue both times has been the person up front taking orders. She came across pretty dry and not very welcoming, and it set the vibe for the entire visit. She actually was so dry, she made me feel uncomfortable. There was even a point where I asked if she substituted chorizo for bacon and she bluntly said, ya I just said that. The first encounter I gave it a pass since it was probably a busy opening week and a long day, but the second time was the same damn attitude, I consider myself a pretty polite and friendly person so to be treated that way is off putting. You line up, give your order, take a number, and they bring the food out. Drinks are different since you have to listen for your name, which we didn't know, so our drinks just sat there until we finally asked halfway through eating. I'm not expecting them to roll out the red carpet, but a little friendliness goes a long way, especially from the first person you interact with. The food is pretty good and the spot has potential, just hoping the vibe at the front improves. I think this is my 2nd 1 star review out of over 100 reviews I’ve written. How people make you feel really goes a long way.

Alessandra Palacios

Salty Horse definitely lived up to the name… but not in a good way. The female cashier taking our order spent our interaction chatting and laughing with her coworker instead of paying attention to the order. When she finally repeated our order, she sounded annoyed, like it was a chore to do her job. Honestly, I’ve never felt so uncomfortable just trying to order food and drinks As for the food itself, the nachos were meh (barely any toppings), the Cali burrito was completely bland, and the matcha was way too sweet, and tasted more like a dessert syrup than an actual drink Super unimpressed overall. Might give it one more shot, but if I’m craving a burrito or a matcha, Juliette’s or Hola Adios are MUCHHH better options for both quality and service