Every successful taco restaurant has a story.

At Sal's Tacos a la Mexicana, that story begins with a taco truck and ends with a Santa Ana restaurant that has built a strong following for tacos, mulitas, burritos and other Mexican favorites.

Yelp currently shows Sal's Tacos a la Mexicana at 4.5 stars with more than 600 reviews, making it one of Santa Ana's highly rated Mexican restaurants.

FROM A TACO TRUCK TO SANTA ANA

The business traces its roots back to a taco truck started by Chino.

The concept eventually made its way into Orange County, where Sal's developed its own identity around straightforward Mexican food, generous portions and grilled meats.

It is a familiar Southern California restaurant story: start small, build a following and let the food do the advertising.

THE MULITA DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT

Travel Santa Ana specifically identifies the mulita as a must-try at Sal's.

For anyone unfamiliar with the dish, think of it as a cross between a taco and a quesadilla, with meat, cheese and tortillas coming together into one very satisfying bite.

It is exactly the kind of dish that works at a casual neighborhood Mexican restaurant.

THE TACOS

The menu covers the classics, including tacos, al pastor, carne asada and other grilled meats.

Sal's also emphasizes USDA Prime beef for its steak preparations, giving the restaurant a somewhat different angle from the typical neighborhood taco shop.

The focus remains simple: quality meat, fresh toppings and traditional preparation.

COME HUNGRY

Sal's is not a restaurant built around tiny portions.

The menu includes burritos, quesadillas, tortas, nachos and other substantial Mexican comfort foods, with customers frequently mentioning the generous portions.

That makes it a particularly easy choice for a casual lunch or dinner when nobody at the table is interested in leaving hungry.

THE DRINKS MATTER TOO

Mexican food and aguas frescas belong together.

Sal's offers horchata and other drinks that help balance the heavier dishes and add another traditional element to the meal.

The restaurant also positions itself as a casual place where diners can eat, relax and stay awhile.

NORTH TUSTIN AVENUE

The restaurant sits on North Tustin Avenue in Santa Ana, putting it within easy reach of surrounding Orange County communities.

That makes Sal's more than a destination for Santa Ana locals.

It has become a stop for diners throughout the area looking for tacos and Mexican comfort food.

THE SOCALEAT TAKE

For anyone searching for Mexican food in Santa Ana, Sal's Tacos a la Mexicana offers the kind of experience that makes a neighborhood restaurant worth knowing.

The story began with a taco truck.

The menu remains straightforward.

And the mulita may be the dish that convinces you to come back.

VISIT SAL'S TACOS A LA MEXICANA

Sal's Tacos a la Mexicana
2431 N. Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 983-0327

Sal's Tacos a la Mexicana official website

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