👋 😋

This restaurant review is is part of the WOM App. Download it for Free and discover restaurants you’ll freakin’ love!

Orange County - Calaca Mamas Cantina restaurant
5.4

Calaca Mamas Cantina

  • Orange County
  • $$
  • Mexican
  • Casual
  • Food
    great
  • Vibe
    great
  • Perks
    great

Food: Dismal flavors, small menu

Take one bite of the Birria Beef Tacos or the extensive Taco Meal at Calaca Mamas Cantina and you'll quickly realize what it means to be underwhelmed. The menu lacks innovation and the food is frequently deemed bland. Even the once promising Carnitas plate seems to lose its charm with freshness described as fishy or stale. The variety on offer is disappointing with a small, repetitive selection.

  • Okay Taste

    Food ranges from delicious to underwhelming, with inconsistent experiences.

  • Low Quality

    Food described as fishy, bland, soggy, or tasting stale.

Top 3 dishes at Calaca Mamas Cantina

  1. 1

    Birria Beef Tacos 🏆

    Most reviewers loved the flavorful and satisfying birria beef tacos.

    Birria Beef Tacos dish
  2. 2

    Taco Meal

    Great big portions; really tasty; very delicious; overall highly recommended.

    Taco Meal dish
  3. 3

    Carnitas Plate

    Carnitas were tender inside, crispy outside; one of the best ever.

    Carnitas Plate dish

Vibe: Cacophonous, uncomfortable setting

As if tasteless food wasn't enough, the ambiance is disrupted by overly bright lighting and loud music, feels cramped. And don't let the Instagrammable setup fool you, the buzz here is severely lacking. Perhaps, the only saving grace could be the extensive drink menu with exceptional cocktails.

  • Great Drinks

    Extensive drink menu, exceptional cocktails, and professional bartender service.

  • Okay For Dates

    Ambiance and cleanliness appreciated, though not specific to dating.

  • Bad Ambiance

    Ambiance disrupted by overly bright lighting and loud music, feels cramped.

Perks: Confusing parking, cold bar

The service perks at the Cantina are a mixed bag. While the staff is friendly, the parking can be dauntingly confusing and limited. Outdoor seating, especially at the bar, can induce shrivels of cold in winter. Not to mention, the undercooked steak tacos for kids is an unfortunate encounter. Yet, ease of reservations and diet-friendly options add points in their column.

  • Easy To Reserve

    Easy online reservations and flexibility with seating times praised.

  • Okay Service

    Staff was friendly and good, food quality varied, and ambiance nice.

  • Hard To Park

    Parking is confusing, limited, and at times expensive without validation.