Insider Pages Reviews for Taleo Mexican Grill

5 Stars: Fantastic Mole, Warm Rice Salad, and Guacamole (by rjrev)

rjrev — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Not the usual Mexican food laden with heavy cheese on everything. Great enchilladas with red mole and warm rice salad. And, the best burger in town too!

5 Stars: Mexican like you've never had! (by BestAmyEver)

BestAmyEver — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Taleo has a unique spin on Mexican food? the food feels really clean and bright. Sometimes, when you go for Mexican food (at least the Americanized version) it can feel really heavy, stick to your bones, etc. Not at all the case with Taleo. And they have this veggie mixture that is served as one of the sides...can't recall the name, but I could eat a vat of it. SO GOOD. And the carnitas. And the ahi appetizer. I could go on. It's one of my favorites.

5 Stars: Outstanding and Amazing! Best quality and taste in town!!! (by lagunasurfer8)

lagunasurfer8 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

We frequent this very authentic and clean eatery. It combines the tastes of the south with a twist of passion and excitement. You can't miss and you will be back. We love the carnitas and the chocolate cake for dessert. The chips and salsa are some of the best in the west! Make sure to get a few Margs! Homeade and tasty. 10 stars for us on this place...viva Taleo!

4 Stars: Great authentic mexican food (by Juliet M.)

Juliet M. — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:28:00 GMT

We have been to this restaurant a couple of times and really enjoy the food. It is different from most chains who serve boring, bland dishes. Taleo has a variety of innovative choices on their menu in addition to the staples. The only thing we did not care for was the service. Our server did not come to our table for the first 10 minutes. The complimentary chips and salsa were not automatically brought to our table. We had to ask for them and it took 15 minutes and a second request for them to come out. Our food also took a long time to come out.

5 Stars: Taleo Is the Best in Irvine/Newport Beach!! (by HeatherWine)

HeatherWine — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Taleo is my favorite place to eat (and drink)! Friendly waiters and bartenders, awesome food, great margaritas, and a fantastic wine list! There are so many GREAT dishes to choose from! The halibut with the strawberry/mango salsa is to die for! The Ensalada Taleo is so light, and fresh, with blueberries and choice of salmon, steak, or chicken is delicious! The turkey tamales are so yummy, and such a deal-- too bad they are only offered on a seasonal basis. The carnitas and guacomole rock. It is not your ordinary mexican food place; it is an upscale restaurant with fabulous food, friendly people & employees and definitely worth the few extra bucks! You have to try it! A friend purchased their Fiesta Pack for a party- a ton a food, a gallon of those awesome margaritas only for $100. Sign up on the Taleo Website, and you will receive discounts and news about special events. See you there for happy hour!

3 Stars: Why Bother (by modelcitizen)

modelcitizen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Mexican food is not about $20-$30 plates of Carne Asada, and expensive ambiance. It is about affordable food that tastes great in any setting. A large majority of the great mexican food places are non-descript places any do not advertise. This is the Coto De Caza version of Mexican food, not authentic Mexican food. Try a place in Santa Ana or Orange. Or you can try Los Reyes Carnitas in Orange. I really find it odd that no places in Santa Ana, Orange or Anaheim made the top list. This place sure did not.

4 Stars: Authentic (by Cheryl P.)

Cheryl P. — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:11:00 GMT

When I visited my sister in California, she couldn't wait to take me to Taleo. We had a wonderful meal! Food was fresh and well seasoned. Plenty of things for people (like me) who like it hot! Wish we had this in Ohio. Definitely plan to go back!

2 Stars: Good food; over-priced (by Dulcena)

Dulcena — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

i'm Mexican and I know authentic Mexican food and how much it costs to make it.

the food was good but way over priced for the small portions they serve.

this is an average restaurant but i guess if you don't have time to go to Santa Ana, this is the closest you'll get to real Mexican food.

5 Stars: great mexican! (by rw002)

rw002 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT

My wife and I love Taleo for upscale mexican. And when we don't feel like leaving home we can even order delivery from LiveOnTheGo. Highly recommend!

5 Stars: Wonderful Carnitas (by Mindy M.)

Mindy M. — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:51:00 GMT

This is a hip Mexican restaurant that has outstanding food. I usually order the carnitas and they are fantastic. The margaritas are very good as well. The service is good and the atmosphere happy.

1 Stars: Critters in my carnitas (well, under my carnitas) (by LagunaGal)

LagunaGal — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I used to love this place...until I went there last night and found a dead critter underneath my carnitas. I was almost through eating it, and moved the last piece over a bit...there it was, staring me (as much as a squashed cockroch can stare) right in the face...I pretty much freaked out.

Worse, they didn't even bother to give me or my boyfriend a free dinner! They just cleared the plate, said "it's hard to keep a restaurant clean...you should see what it's like in the kitchen" and then came back and said "sorry about that" as if it was no big deal.

That did it for me...no more Taleo (and maybe off of restaurants for a while).

5 Stars: Best Mexican in Newport Coast area. (by ssharkson)

ssharkson — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We had a visiting friend from Australia who wanted to have some good mexican food. We used this website to find a restaurant and chose Taleo from the reviews. It lived up to the writings. The service was outstanding and friendly. We took our two young boys; one whom ordered a meal which he found too spicy. It was replaced with no fuss and no charge. They wanted an extra scoop of ice-cream for their dessert and again, no fuss and no charge. As for the Margaritas and the Canitas; both outstanding. It was the best pork I had ever tasted. My only recommendation is to not fill up on the tortilla chips and salsa before your meal because the servings are very generous. Great value and easily a five star rating.

4 Stars: Good for students (by David L.)

David L. — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:13:00 GMT

I used to like coming here after club meetings at UCIrvine. I have some fond memories of this place, and they usually give students discounts (at least they should...) Prices were more than fair, and occasionally they gave extra chips and other food.

4 Stars: Delicious (by Christopher D.)

Christopher D. — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:57:00 GMT

One of the better mexican eats in Irvine. My expectations were pretty low but they surpassed them with a certain elegance. The food was worth the price.

4 Stars: Tired of the chain restaurants in Irvine? try Taleos (by topsparky88)

topsparky88 — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT

If you're in the Jamboree & Michelson area and want to try something different Taleos is a great place for Cal-Mex cuisine.

5 Stars: Everything on the menu is GREAT (by heyluncie)

heyluncie — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I work in the complex where Taleo's is located. I eat there AT LEAST once a week.....sometimes more often...... and I never get tired of it. The food is outstanding. Sometimes the service can be a little slow if you are there during a really busy time, but the food is worth the wait. Guac & salsa - awesome. Carnitas - incredible. Pescado del dia - fabuloso. Try their unique Caesar Salad with chicken. I've never had anything that wasn't good at Taleo's

5 Stars: I would drive MILES for their unique chicken tortilla soup (by acrumley)

acrumley — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This is an excellent upscale mexican grill. The prices are comparable to El Torito Grill, but the food is far more authentic and you can tell it is prepared with care. I can still taste the savory chicken tortilla soup--it was AMAZING!

I have seen other reviews on the service. I have been here twice and was not disappointed, but this is a newer, independent restaurant and I have had bad experiences at newer, independent restaurants before. Their menu demonstrates a clear dedication to excellence, and I have no doubt that they will mature into a fine dining establishment free of the problems other reviewers have experienced. Give them a chance, especially if you have out-of-state visitors who do not have the luxury of fine Mexican food in their home state!

5 Stars: Best High End Mexican Food in Souther California! (by mblount)

mblount — Wed, 17 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I can't say enough wonderful things about this restaurant! The food, the staff, the service is by far some of the best in Orange County. My husband and I eat out every meal and we have tried almost every hole in the wall to high end mexican restaurant in Orange County and we come back to Taleo at least twice a week sometimes more.
Carnitas that are unlike any other you will eat, Delicious! Pork ribs are fall off the bone lip smackin good! If you are a Mole fan theirs is some of the best around! Save room for the Tres Leches or the Flan, it's a toss up as to which one is the best. Coming from Texas where Mexican is done right, Taleo definitely knows how to make awesome mexican cuisine.

1 Stars: having a bad day (by lexusry)

lexusry — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

when ask for a table next to a heat lamp,they seated us away from it.when asking for extra salsa,we got it in 18 minutes when our chips are oput.ask for a refill on drinks,we got it in 23 minutes and sometime they forgot about it.food was serve and then they walk away.guess what was missing?silverware and napkins .i went up to the host and ask for it because if it take that long for our drinks,imagine waiting for silverware. about my main course,they serve me lfet over .we are know what left over food taste like.

5 Stars: Taleo is Amazing! (by beachboy888)

beachboy888 — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

All we can say is this was an absolute homerun! It is the best of all worlds! Excellent service, amazing food choices and flavors...best home made margs ever and the desserts are out of this world! Great family style environment that welcomed our children with etch-a-sketch and crayons...it is our new favorite hang out! You have to go!!!

2 Stars: Not worth it (by scona1964)

scona1964 — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

We went to Taleo the other night. After being told that the wait was only 15 minutes, we didn't get seated for about 45 or so. When we did get seated, it took forever for a waitress to come by, then forever to get our drinks, and then forever for her to come back and take our orders for our food. Then they finally came back with our food, after an even longer wait. Even she said, "i don't know where your drink is", and then later, "I don't know where your food is". And when we finally got the food, it wasn't even really that great or worth the price, but then maybe with such horrible service, we were a little bitter about it (but then after waiting for so long to get it, we were starved).

5 Stars: Great High quality food (by mwjameslds)

mwjameslds — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

You may think that fine dining and Mexican food don't go together, but Taleo's will prove you wrong. The have an excellent menu. The most delicious Carnitas you can find and some creamy baked flan that is to die for!

5 Stars: The Best Mex (by lemonlaw)

lemonlaw — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Awesome. If you want high quality mexican food and not just the usual rice and beans, this is your place. I am a loyal customer of other local joints, but this will be my new "ace in the hole".

5 Stars: What an amazing restaurant (by mrdonschaefer)

mrdonschaefer — Sat, 28 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I went to the movie theatre and after wathcing a movie I walked next door and had the most pleasant surprise...amazing authentic mexican food with exceptional service and first class decor... what a combo!!!

5 Stars: yum! (by kallano)

kallano — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This place is one of a kind! Being nearly a weekly guest, I try to indulge into a different dish every time and so far, none have been a disappointment. The mole enchilada is a must have marriage of my favorites- enchiladas, chocolate and spiciness! For a more classic dish, the carne asada is great coupled with Casta beer. The movie theater next door makes it perfect for an easy going movie and dinner

5 Stars: Awesome Food (by mrmarrero)

mrmarrero — Sun, 24 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The food was awesome. Service was great allways watching out for you. The resturant has great look. The food you order comes very fast and everything taste great. Their desserts melt in your mouth. First rate resturant.