Inka Mama's Restaurant — Restaurant in Aliso Viejo

Third time at Inka Mama's in the cities of Foothill Ranch, San Clemente, and just recently Aliso Viejo. All three places were excellent (knowledgable, friendly, and professional staff), the decor/ambiance, and finally THE FOOD. The prices are well worth it. I know nothing about Peruvian food except through friends and acquaintances -who tell me that this is the real deal. This is what I typically order: Appetitzer -Ceviche: C'mon... It's Peruvian Food. I typically judge a Peruvian restaurant by its Ceviche, just as I judge a Thai Food Restaurant by its Pad Thai... It's a fresh marinated fish in a hot chili-lime juice. There are thinly sliced red onions and chopped cilantro. It comes with 2 slices of potatoes and 1 slice of sweet potato. It is on the spicy side; which has the tendency to open up the appetite for the main dish.$12.95 -Seafood Paiaya... This is my #1 go to! It is infused fried seasoned rice mixed in with seafood that was sauteed in garlic: baby squid, mussels, fish, and shrimp. Be warned: This is not on their "To Go" menus and at the Foothill Ranch and San Clemente restaurants it's not on their in house menus. It's hidden like "animal style" is to In & Out. Just ask for it, they'll know. Paiaya Pronounced "Pie-A-yah". Also if you wanna see what it looks like just Google Image it. $15.95 -Macho Fish... Is Pan fried fish fillet that has chopped shrimp and calamari cooked in a spicy garlic and chili sauce. It's served with rice and potatoes. They'll offer a brown rice option for those that want to eat cleaner but in Peru it's traditionally served on white rice. $14.95

There it is....

I can't let people experience this situation, don't come to this restaurant, my wife and I arrived at around 2:20 pm. We saw the list but we had the intention of eating a ceviche each, with the heat that made we felt that we would feel good, when I saw the list I realized that the price of the ceviche was $ 19 which made me doubt, said halibut. We decided on one only, we did not wait more than 5 minutes, and they served it, just seeing it with that outer texture of the fish of the sandy type, told us that it was overcooked, I mean, it had time to have been prepared, the waiter asked me if we were satisfied without That my wife ate 40%, I told her it was very bad, she told me that she changed it and it bothered me more, as originally a Peruvian I know when it is not worth it I told her that I would pay it and that she better leave, she was upset and threatened to call me to the police. funny, in the end I told her if she was going to charge me for the bad food she said no and I left. conclusion do not waste your time and money in this place, better is the one in...

Looking for something different but not that extreme. Give this family owned place a try. I’ve been coming here for nearly 20 years. Is it authentic Peruvian food? I wouldn't know but it is really good and all seems freshly prepared. My favorite is the Chicken/Pollo Aijaco. Such delicious garlic sauce. They have a great take on calamari. There are many different types of dishes. Large portions. Very friendly staff.

I see serval reviews knocking restaurants for orders though Door Dash, Uber Eats, and other food delivery services. It might help to know these services are often not something the restaurants seek. Restaurants are happy to do take out. Yet the food delivery services are a different matter. They can cut into restaurant profits, restaurants have no control over quality of handling, and restaurants are often forced into using food delivery. Talk to a restaurant owner and you will come away with a very different perspective than you thought the food delivery...