El Mercado Mexican Kitchen

The food is very good and I mean that and I do not say that often The ambience and the service needs some help They needed to make it a little bit more welcoming and you want to hang out need some texture and greenery but the food is very good

Jennifer Irene

After living in Orange County for over 20 years, I cannot believe this was my first time eating at El Mercado on Marine Street right in the heart of Balboa Island. This location is prime, yet it truly feels like one of those hidden gems that mostly locals know about, which makes it even more special. The space itself is adorable and charming, tucked right into the island and surrounded by shops you can easily walk to before or after your meal. It is the kind of spot you stumble into once and then wonder how you went so long without knowing about it. The margaritas were absolutely delicious, and you can tell the mixers are made fresh. The ceviche was unreal. So good that my daughter literally drank the fresh sauce at the end. We ordered the carnitas and the carne asada, both cooked perfectly, tender, flavorful, and clearly made with care. What really stood out though were the homemade tortilla chips and tortillas. You can immediately taste the difference between store bought and freshly made. Same with the rice and beans, everything tastes fresh and intentional, like it was made from scratch just for your table. The service was excellent from start to finish. They offer a great happy hour from three to six, and Taco Tuesday runs all day, which makes this an easy repeat spot. To top it all off, the chef came out personally to greet us and surprised us with homemade churros. They were cooked to perfection, melted in your mouth, and dusted with just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon. This will absolutely be one of our new go to spots. If you are visiting Orange County, you need to add this to your list. It is one of a kind Mexican food that feels elevated, beautifully plated, and thoughtfully executed, like a Michelin level experience without the pretension. Walking distance to shopping, the bay, and all the charm Balboa Island has to offer, yet still feels like a locals secret. Highly recommend.

KOKO O

I accidentally left my credit card after paying here, and I didn’t even realize it. About an hour later, while I happened to be walking past the restaurant, one of the staff came out holding my card and said, “I was looking for you!” I was so touched by their kindness and truly grateful. We ordered a salad and a bowl. The vegetables were very fresh, and the portion size was just right for us since we don’t eat a lot. At other Mexican restaurants, I often find the food too salty, but here the flavors were well-balanced and you could really taste the ingredients. The staff was friendly, and if this place were in our neighborhood, we’d come every week.

Savannah Underwood

First time visiting Balboa Island and saw wanted to try a “hole in the wall” place. El Mercado Mexican Kitchen is delicious and super fresh. The flavors taste homemade, the portions are great, and the whole vibe feels warm and local. Definitely a new go-to for Mexican food.

Ingrid Reyes

Food was amazing!!! Service and atmosphere was perfect. Must tries are the crispy fresh made chicharon, ceviche and carnitas. We are looking forward to going back soon.

Andreola Werner-Velleryd

As a Mexican living abroad, it is so nice to find a restaurant with authentic Mexican cuisine. I had not had a Tlayuda outside of Mexico, and I was presently surprised with the crispy tortilla and juicy carne asada. My only reservation was that there was not a real spicy salsa; the salsa tatemada and macha were tasty they were just missing a bit of 🔥

El Pinga loca !

Did not had a clue where to eat for the first time being at balboa island so after wondering around and then was really looking for another place but got lost so gave this place a chance. Ordered shrimp cocktail sur n turf combo steak and shrimp taco with guacomole with pico de gallo also some sauce was really good in flour tortilla also had chips n salsa the salsa was good for not being spicy. Also the black beans and white rice was just fresh and tasted great and homemade. The margarita was good. If was not driving would ordered 2 more ! Was not enough ! Just make sure they got ur order down right ...! Is all ! N ur straight ! Its good food that shrimp cocktail is super good good with beer oh yess yess yes !

Carlos Snellenberg-Fraser

Absolutely loved this restaurant on Balboa! I had the fish tacos and the chicken tacos, both of which I found to be delicious. My friends got the burritos and found them to be really good too. This place will be one of my go-to’s when I visit next.

Shouta

The dishes were simply seasoned and very tasty. The staff was also very kind.

Lynn Maui

The chicken tortilla soup was so good & light. Loved the guac and salsa! & the a la carte chicken tacos

Naor Rozalio

loved the service, kind and hospitable the tacos real good we took the cauliflower tacos really enjoyed that the margarita is a must on saturdays

Lisa Benbow

The food is very good and I mean that and I do not say that often The ambience and the service needs some help They needed to make it a little bit more welcoming and you want to hang out need some texture and greenery but the food is very good

We stopped in just for a drink and now this will be our go to stop. The margaritas were exceptional! They had great flavor and not overwhelming of alcohol. The tortilla soup was also delicious. They were very friendly and the service was also great. We will definitely be back. Thank you Jose.

Oh we loved everything we ate from this restaurant. Seriously, their guacamole was out of this world! How do they make it so smooth and creamy! One of the best Mexican restaurants, for sure! Our waitress was so sweet and kind. We loved everything about this restaurant! We will definitely go back!!

Taco Tuesday...$5 tacos and drinks have happy hour pricing. A sunny but cool day in February on Balboa Island and I was looking for an early dinner as an EST refugee. Lovely open space near the bridge in the afternoon sunshine so took a chance. Had delicious grilled shrimp tacos with not fancy but very tasty rice and beans washed down with a mescal cocktail that did not hurt my feelings. Honest food, friendly service in a central location. I'd definitely return! BTW pricing on the menu is reasonable on the other days too.

The Food Tonight was delicious So Fresh and Authentic! At the table we had Chips Guacamole/Salsa Chicken tacos, carnitas tacos and carne asada tacos w Beans and rice ….. SO GOOD great service very heart felt effort to please.

Delicious food and lovely staff! We had the breakfast tacos and they were amazing. Happy to have a place on Balboa with lots of seating and great atmosphere. Don't listen to the grumpy entitled 1 star reviews hating on the QR code menu

Incredible drinks (we got a passion fruit margarita and Michelada) and delicious food. Wonderful service too - Banessa was great! Bookmarking this spot for every time we’re on Balboa Island 🌮

Danielle Cole

We rode our bikes to lunch here today and we had the Carnitas tacos and the surf and turf tacos. Delicious!!! So much meat in the tacos.

kim cartwright

The Food Tonight was delicious So Fresh and Authentic! At the table we had Chips Guacamole/Salsa Chicken tacos, carnitas tacos and carne asada tacos w Beans and rice ….. SO GOOD great service very heart felt effort to please.

Christine Pak

Oh we loved everything we ate from this restaurant. Seriously, their guacamole was out of this world! How do they make it so smooth and creamy! One of the best Mexican restaurants, for sure! Our waitress was so sweet and kind. We loved everything about this restaurant! We will definitely go back!!

Nancy Chan

Taco Tuesday...$5 tacos and drinks have happy hour pricing. A sunny but cool day in February on Balboa Island and I was looking for an early dinner as an EST refugee. Lovely open space near the bridge in the afternoon sunshine so took a chance. Had delicious grilled shrimp tacos with not fancy but very tasty rice and beans washed down with a mescal cocktail that did not hurt my feelings. Honest food, friendly service in a central location. I'd definitely return! BTW pricing on the menu is reasonable on the other days too.

Mya Smith

We stopped in just for a drink and now this will be our go to stop. The margaritas were exceptional! They had great flavor and not overwhelming of alcohol. The tortilla soup was also delicious. They were very friendly and the service was also great. We will definitely be back. Thank you Jose.

Chantel Wiles

We ate here twice while on vacation. Both times the food was great! The ceviche was a little pricey for what you get but honestly the flavor was so good it’s something I’ll be thinking about often 😅 The carne asada was flavorful and tender. The burritos were good size and everything tasted fresh. The guacamole was really fresh as well and had great flavor. It’s a super cute atmosphere. I really hope everyone gets out and supports this relatively new restaurant.

emjones9719

Delicious food and lovely staff! We had the breakfast tacos and they were amazing. Happy to have a place on Balboa with lots of seating and great atmosphere. Don't listen to the grumpy entitled 1 star reviews hating on the QR code menu

Pretty good little spot! No free chips and salsa, but maybe we’re just too used to that in the south. We ordered chips and guac and split the shrimp tacos, which were delicious! Service could have been a little better - our waters went dry for most of the evening and we had to ask for a refill. Cute little spot though!

Caroline Cochran

Pretty good little spot! No free chips and salsa, but maybe we’re just too used to that in the south. We ordered chips and guac and split the shrimp tacos, which were delicious! Service could have been a little better - our waters went dry for most of the evening and we had to ask for a refill. Cute little spot though!

We are residents here on Balboa Island and tried this place recently. Sorry to say, but going here was the biggest waste of time and money we’ve experienced in a long time. They actually had the nerve to charge us for the chips and salsa, and don’t even have proper menus. Both my wife and I had burritos that were absolutely bland and had zero flavor to them. We kept adding their salsa to them but nothing helped. My son had the tacos and was also unhappy with his food as well. We ended up paying $80 for (2) burritos, (2) tacos, and (3) drinks. What a shame as we were so looking forward to place opening, but sorry the food is just plain gross!👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

Made reservation via Yelp. Was on time and they did not honor it. Said to wait- but all tables just sat down- no way it would take less than an hour.

Alena Klimava

Made reservation via Yelp. Was on time and they did not honor it. Said to wait- but all tables just sat down- no way it would take less than an hour.