El Mercado Mexican Kitchen — Restaurant in Newport Beach

Did not had a clue where to eat for the first time being at balboa island so after wondering around and then was really looking for another place but got lost so gave this place a chance. Ordered shrimp cocktail sur n turf combo steak and shrimp taco with guacomole with pico de gallo also some sauce was really good in flour tortilla also had chips n salsa the salsa was good for not being spicy. Also the black beans and white rice was just fresh and tasted great and homemade. The margarita was good. If was not driving would ordered 2 more ! Was not enough ! Just make sure they got ur order down right ...! Is all ! N ur straight ! Its good food that shrimp cocktail is super good good with beer oh...

I accidentally left my credit card after paying here, and I didn’t even realize it. About an hour later, while I happened to be walking past the restaurant, one of the staff came out holding my card and said, “I was looking for you!” I was so touched by their kindness and truly grateful.

We ordered a salad and a bowl. The vegetables were very fresh, and the portion size was just right for us since we don’t eat a lot. At other Mexican restaurants, I often find the food too salty, but here the flavors were well-balanced and you could really taste the ingredients. The staff was friendly, and if this place were in our neighborhood, we’d...

We are residents here on Balboa Island and tried this place recently. Sorry to say, but going here was the biggest waste of time and money we’ve experienced in a long time. They actually had the nerve to charge us for the chips and salsa, and don’t even have proper menus. Both my wife and I had burritos that were absolutely bland and had zero flavor to them. We kept adding their salsa to them but nothing helped. My son had the tacos and was also unhappy with his food as well. We ended up paying $80 for (2) burritos, (2) tacos, and (3) drinks. What a shame as we were so looking forward to place opening, but sorry the food is just plain...