Puesto Los Olivos

8577 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(1781 Reviews)

Puesto Los Olivos, nestled at 8577 Irvine Center Dr in Irvine, California, offers an authentic taste of Mexican cuisine that will undoubtedly ignite your senses. The vibrant atmosphere is alive with color, warmth, and an energetic buzz, making it an ideal destination for casual dining or a festive night out with friends.

Known for its dynamic menu, Puesto impresses with a variety of delicious offerings, like their classic Chips and Salsa, featuring fire-roasted molcajete salsa served with freshly made tortilla chips. The Catering Guacamole, a creamy blend of avocado, cilantro, and onions, sets the perfect stage as a starter, allowing guests to share in its refreshing flavors while enjoying the crispy textures of tortillas. For a robust main dish, the Catering Birria Tacos are a standout, showcasing tender, braised short rib paired with jalisco salsa, diced onions, and handcrafted blue corn tortillas that will leave you craving more.

The dining experience at Puesto Los Olivos is accentuated by an attentive and friendly staff, like Juan and Peter, who make a concerted effort to ensure you’re well taken care of. One reviewer, Barf Salamandruid, emphasizes the exceptional service, recounting with gratitude how Juan's attentive nature added to his dining experience, showcasing the staff's commitment to making every guest feel comfortable.

Diners rave not just about the food but also the delightful ambiance. Many customers, including Ron Pineda and Vinutha Patil, have praised the restaurant for its lively decorations and welcoming vibe, making it a great spot for both casual meals and celebrations. While some reviewers have mentioned prices being slightly above average, they agree that the high-quality dishes and exceptional service justify the investment.

Puesto Los Olivos isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience filled with engaging flavors and complimentary service. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing Cocktail—like their noted Cadillac Margarita—or indulging in the culinary delights of the Catering Burrito Box filled to the brim with savory options, this restaurant caters to every palate. So, when you find yourself in Irvine, treat yourself to an evening at Puesto—you won't just leave with a satisfied appetite; you'll carry home vibrant memories and perhaps even a few new friends.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

10:30 AM - 9:00 PM

1781 Reviews
Barf Salamandruid

03 Sep 2025

Juan was incredibly attentive and checked on our table regularly before and after ordering. He also gave us an extra horchata because they had accidentally made an extra one- which is my absolute favorite thing on the menu. I have autism and sometimes it’s hard for me to use my verbal skills in the way neurotypical people do while ordering food, there are times like today where I had a hard time explaining myself but Juan showed no judgement was very understanding and took my order perfectly, exactly as I wanted it. I’ve been coming to this Puesto for a while now and it’s one of our favorite Mexican places.

Rafael Gonzalez

02 Sep 2025

The food was good and the Cadillac Margarita was pretty good too. The staff was friendly and attentive. Service was quick. The only criticism is that the items are priced a tad bit higher than I would expect. Charging for chips and salsa is odd to me. Regardless I would come again and I'd recommend it to others.

Ron Pineda

30 Aug 2025

We had a great lunch at Puesto. The Palomas were amazing and the short rib enchiladas absolutely delicious! Even the tortilla chips and guacamole were amazing! The service and ambiance are excellent. The only thing I didn’t like was them trying to tack on a 4% surcharge on the bill. I asked our server about it and she said they do that because of the increase in minimum wage, but it’s optional so I asked her to please take it off which she graciously did. Their prices are already very high, and they want to add another charge on top of that too??

J Li

30 Jul 2025

Nice place for a late unplanned dinner at almost 9. We got the chips and salsa, a ceviche dish, and the CDMX taco, all are really good. The rice dish is a bit too salty to our taste. Service is superb.

Brock

24 Jul 2025

The chicken pastor tacos are a great choice for happy hour. The flavor was pleasing accompanied by a beautiful presentation. Service was pleasant with a friendly staff and active energy atmosphere. If you're in need of a little escape, Puestos is your place. Thank you for the experience, and I hope to visit again. Thank you

Vinutha Patil

27 Jun 2025

We had a great experience overall! Peter took excellent care of us—he kept checking in to make sure we were doing well, which we really appreciated. There was a small mix-up with our order, but it was quickly resolved once it was double-checked. The food was delicious, the ambiance was lovely, and the margaritas were amazing—though a bit pricey for the portion size. Still, we enjoyed our time!

Brad Greene

18 Jun 2025

Great food tonight accompanied by an ever better evening crew. Chips and salsa are always a must. The new Cali bowl was delicious and the potato chips on it were a nice surprise! Although way too much corn on the bowl. The corn to bean ratio needs to be fixed. As soon as I sat at the bar I was greeted swiftly by a very attentive bar staff. Sawyer and Mark really know what they are doing and were great tonight! The servers were also wonderful and quick with bringing food out and making me feel taken care of! Thank you Ozzy and Cece, you both were great! Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening!

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