Salty Horse — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

We went to Salty Horse in Costa Mesa after church with a big group of friends and were greeted by a line that at first looked intimidating and made us wonder if it would be worth the wait, but it moved faster than expected which was a great surprise and set a positive tone. The exterior has a cool barn style look and once inside it feels thoughtfully designed with a relaxed welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay and chill.

We decided to sample a variety of dishes so we could really get a feel for the menu. The Sunrise Sammy turned out to be a solid breakfast sandwich with good crunch on the toast and flavorful eggs and sauce. The JH burrito stood out a bit more with a nice chipotle aioli and crispy hash browns tucked inside that added a satisfying texture and extra flavor. The California burrito was the one dish that missed the mark for us since the steak needed more seasoning or a sauce to help bring it to life and it ended up tasting a bit bland. We also ordered the chicken tender which honestly felt like too much and was nothing special. The batter seemed to have bits of bacon mixed in but the overall flavor was flat and it really needed ketchup just to add some taste since it mostly came across like plain bread.

The sweet dishes were where Salty Horse really shined. The Campfire French toast became an instant table favorite with perfectly crisp edges, a smooth chocolate mousse, and a sprinkle of graham cracker dust that gave every bite a rich s’mores flavor without being overly sweet. My personal highlight was the Ube waffles with fried chicken. The chicken was moist and tender with a flavorful batter that had a hint of something savory like furikake while the ube waffles were light and fluffy and paired beautifully with the chicken. I recommend adding a little extra salt and a drizzle of syrup to bring out all the flavors even more as it needs it.

We also tried a few drinks to round things out. The Strawberry Plains matcha was bright and sweet and probably the best of the drinks we ordered. The Classic Cowgirl vanilla matcha had a nice flavor but tasted a little watered down even though I ordered it with coconut milk which I appreciated seeing on the menu. The Green Lasso smoothie made a big impression when it came to the table because it was such a vibrant color and it tasted refreshing with a light sweet plant flavor that felt healthy and balanced.

Service throughout the visit was excellent. The staff was attentive without being overbearing and we even got to meet the owner who was warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the restaurant. It is easy to see that a lot of thought went into the small details of the menu and the space. Overall Salty Horse is a fun new brunch and coffee spot that mostly lives up to the social media buzz. It offers a mix of hearty breakfast staples and creative sweet dishes in a setting that feels both stylish and comfortabl but also nothing that made me feel like I have to come back...

If the line is wrapped around the outdoor seating area, expect at least an hour and 15 minute wait. I also wouldn’t recommend showing up right when they open, since it seems like it takes some time for things to get going.

I went on Sunday morning and arrived at 8:10, just 10 minutes after opening. The line was already wrapped around the building, but I decided to wait since I’d heard great things about the food. The line outside didn’t move for about 20 minutes, and it took me roughly 35 minutes just to reach the door. Once inside, there was another long line that took another 35 minutes. In total, I waited just over an hour before ordering, from 8:10 until around 9:15.

The food came out quickly after ordering, but the overall flow of service seemed unprepared for the crowd. There were only two people making coffee and one person taking orders, and there wasn’t much sense of urgency behind the counter. For a brand-new spot that heavily promoted its opening, I would have expected more staff and hustle to handle the rush.

I ordered a vanilla iced latte with whole milk, extra sweet. The flavor was good, but the cup was very small (felt less than 8 ounces) and not filled to the top, which was disappointing for the price.

I also ordered two burritos to-go — the Al Pastor and the bacon. The burritos themselves were tasty, though very heavy on eggs and light on meat. Unfortunately, when I got home, I realized none of the sauces listed on the menu were included, which took away from the experience.

In total, I didn’t leave until 9:45 — meaning I spent an hour and a half there for breakfast burritos and coffee. I was really excited to try this place, but they definitely have some kinks to work out with staffing, organization, and attention to detail. I’ll give them another try in the future once they’ve had time to smooth things out, but for now it was a frustrating first visit.

My...

As a long time resident of this neighborhood and a professor who deeply values the ways local businesses can enliven a community, I write this review with both appreciation and concern.

First, the positive: I have dined at your establishment twice, and the food is exceptional. Clearly, your culinary team brings talent, creativity, and care to their work. Unfortunately, that same care has not yet extended to how your business interacts with its surroundings.

Since your opening, our once quiet street has faced considerable disruption. Delivery trucks regularly idle in front of residential driveways, patrons double park and even block fire hydrants, and the growing line of customers now spills directly into the street. These patterns pose safety risks and compromise the well being of the neighborhood. I urge you to take steps through signage, online communication, or simple crowd guidance to encourage your customers to queue responsibly.

Inside, the service experience also warrants attention. While energetic, the staff at times appear more focused on social exchange and self presentation than on attentive service. A stronger sense of professionalism would match the high quality of your food.

I fully recognize that rapid success brings growing pains. However, as a business rooted in a residential area, it is essential that this growth be accompanied by civic mindfulness. A designated host or manager to oversee line management and parking awareness could go a long way in restoring goodwill and balance between your establishment and the community that surrounds it.

Respectfully,

A concerned neighbor and...