In the city of Anaheim, where nearly 50% of the population is of Mexican heritage, you can expect to see Mexican restaurants on almost every corner. There are endless options to choose from – from casual mom and pops to higher-end restaurants. Two of my favorite spots for Mexican cuisine are Tacos Los Cholos and Puesto.
Tacos Los Cholos is a relaxed spot with four locations in Orange County, the closest being in Anaheim, about a 15 drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites (This specific location is also just a few minutes away from Tierra Mia, one of our favorite coffee shops in Anaheim). The other locations are in Fullerton and Huntington Beach, with a 4th expected to open in Downtown Santa Ana soon. I've personally only visited the Anaheim location, but if you decide to enjoy a day out in Surf City, you could easily walk to the nearby Tacos Los Cholos if you're craving delicious Mexican food. Tacos Los Cholos is known for its mouth-watering meat cooked over mesquite charcoal, and premium and prime meat selections. My go to order would be the asada tacos or the mulita with asada, which is stuffed grilled tortillas with cheese and meat. As a big fan of toppings on my tacos, I greatly appreciate that they have a wide variety of salsa from mild to spicy, as well as other garnishes. To be sure, Tacos Los Cholos is a local favorite, so keep in mind that you will likely be waiting in line especially in the evenings and on the weekends.
If you are researching more upscale options, check out Puesto, located next to the Anaheim Convention Center. Offering an aesthetically pleasing and modern atmosphere, Puesto is a beautiful sit-down for a fun night out or a special occasion. At Puesto, I like to order the carnitas tacos, which are wrapped with homemade corn tortillas, as well as the refreshing aguas frescas, made in-house daily – my favorite is the watermelon. The great thing about this eatery is that if you're staying with us, it's literally a 6 minute walk back to the Alamo Inn and Suites – so take all the time you need to enjoy the moment!
For brunchy options, look up Anepalco and Country Family Cafe – both are easily overlooked in different ways, but certainly worth considering. A 5 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites, Country Family Cafe is a lowkey diner that honestly doesn't look like much from the outside. However, if you make it past the initial impression, you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by their warm service and the best chile verde in Anaheim. Attached to the ALO Hotel about a 10 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites, Anepalco can be tricky to locate. Offering a creative fusion of French-Mexican cuisine, Anepalco is a great find if you want a nicer setting to spend quality time with loved ones. The chilaquiles here are to die for, and once you're done, you'll be just a few minutes away from The Outlets at Orange, a nice space to walk off your meal and get in some shopping.