Beyond the familiar fare, it’s the overlooked options that are best at El Toro Bravo, like barbacoa (barbeque beef) and birria (stewed goat). There’s also cueritos (fried pork rinds) and buche (pork stomach) to round out the pig-oriented options. But whatever you choose, know that the tacos are huge, pushing the usual one-handed, two-bite meal closer to a sandwich-sized plate of meat. It’s almost an unnatural upsizing, but it only makes the tacos that much better of a bargain. (El Toro Bravo does stuff its meats into burritos, too, but the tacos win out for the usual reasons: price and ease of eating.)

EL TORO BRAVO TORTILLERIA 745 W 19TH ST | COSTA MESA 92627 | 949.631.4464 | OPEN EVERY DAY, CALL FOR HOURS | FOOD FOR TWO $8-15 | CASH ONLY

Tags: costa mesa, dinner, el toro bravo, lunch, mexican