Anepalco's Café - Orange

Stopped by today and was so excited about the food! I ordered the carne asada tacos and the tortillas were incredible. Homemade, soft, and full of corn flavor. The meat was tender and everything was well seasoned. My husband ordered carne asada enchiladas and they were really different, but so good. The green sauce was super herbaceous and fresh. We also ordered guacamole which came with tostadas. The guac had pineapple and Serranos, great touch of sweet and spicy. We have to come back to try the chilaquiles next time! Parking is very limited. Small lot in the front and small one in the back. Service was slower, but we didn't mind since everything was super fresh.

We recently got brunch with some dear friends and loved this place! Anepalco is serving updated, innovated Mexican classics like Huevos Divorciados, Tortas and fish tacos in a fresh new way. The trio appetizer of deconstructed guac served with freshly fried corn tostadas was fantastic! Their version of street corn elotes was delectable too. We ate every morsel. Drinks are nice strong and just gorgeous to look at. We all tried something different all good. Our designated driver was able to order a virgin of one of their concoctions and it was amazing too. Service was kind, helpful efficient simply excellent! Loud, bright, boisterous a lot of fun! We shall be back. Thisclose to Angel Stadium right off the 57.

We were looking for a place to meet up with out-of-town family and originally planned to go to the other location, still in Orange but after reading the reviews (thanks fellow Yelpers! , we knew that we needed a bigger spot and tried this location. Everything was plated beautifully and the staff were all very friendly and attentive. The space was open and comfortable with contemporary decor. The food was beautiful to look at and presented with care. It was a good place to spend time with family and catch up. I would be more inclined to return for drinks and appetizers rather than a meal.

Anepalco is such a great find. There 's this cool painting of a carpet leading where the artist just gave up and smushed it with strokes of white and stripes of pride as you sip your cinnamon infused coffee, refilled even before the cup has a chance to get cold. I love it. The restaurant is just cozy enough to have talking space while also holding the attention of everyone who works there without feeling 'hovered '. When asked about the choice between guac and guava French toast the guy was like French Toast all the way with the simplest facial expression. It said everything. As vegetarians the Huevos rancheros came without ham and bacon (some might call that an atrocity but I prefer my fat spreadable). That mole though.. damn. I can 't remember ever having this kind of rich molé. It was spicy in all the warmest lingers. Those fried eggs on top were perfectly done with the runniest yolk. That Chilaquiles though fluffy scrambled egg or folded omelette on a castle of equally soaked corn tortilla chips. Molé baked onto the plate. So fulfilling. It 's a little bit of a wait but so worth it. The only thing about the French toast that needs improving is maybe sauce on the side and 25% more toast. But the guava is flavorful just too sweet with small pockets of crema. But service was impeccable and all the wait staff seem like they don 't hate their jobs but they also don 't rub the status of their lives in your face.

There are two Anepalco restaurants unfortunately (and fortunately, located both in Orange, CA, which people get confused. To separate the two is this restaurant is at Main St. (aka Anepalco Mexican Restaurant Main and the other one is in the Ayres' ALO Hotel (aka Anepalco Mexican Restaurant Chapman according to their website. Another difference is that this place (Main is more of a cafe so it is a casual/family setting. I tried both Anepalcos and each of them have their own uniqueness so I recommend you visit both of them. Food is pretty much the same with a slightly different menu options. Their signature dishes are chilaquiles and guava french toast so definitely check them out. The service here is superb as the server frequently makes sure that we have everything we need and checks if are having a great time, which we did.