Carnitas La Villa — Restaurant in Newport Beach

I live a block or two away and this WAS always the best place to go and get Mexican food, I have referred more people than I can count to this spot. Within the last year this place has really gone downhill. The food is bland and the salsas suck. I don’t know what happened, but this place sucks now… it’s really disappointing because it used yo be so amazing. Note all of the good reviews are from over a year ago. I’m bummed because this place was amazing, can’t say I’ll go back anytime soon. I went 3 times in the last couple months to make sure it wasn’t a fluke…. It wasn’t. Where is the old crew that worked in the kitchen?! They were rad and made the best food! The current staff is friendly, which is why they didn’t get 1 star. I won’t be back, so many other great...

I was disappointed with my visit to this restaurant, I've been here before (pre-pandemic) and had enjoyed my meal. I ordered the same item, a carnitas burrito. But this time, there was hardly any carnitas meat in the burrito and tones of beans and both had absolutely no flavor what so ever. I had to add salt just for some flavor. The service was lacking as well, I had to ask for salsa none offered or brought with my order. I was not offered a cup or limes for my beer but other customers were provided with those items 🤔. Anyway 🙄 with all the traffic I had to endure to get to this place and then coupled with the disappointment of the meal and service will cause me to consider other carnitas/ Mexican food...

True gem of relatively affordable food, hiding along the roadside before you fall into all the tourist trap stuff further down the peninsula. We had burritos filled with melty meat, beans, and cheese in tasty tortillas, tacos that didn't skimp on the fillings, washed down with cool horchata. And of course the chips and salsa, a staple - devoured in minutes, but they're generous enough that you'll have plenty of salsa left over to dollop it on the rest of your food, and you'll want to. Somewhat protected by being a little inaccessible - recommend parking across the street in front of West Marine and...