Welcome to La Cocina de Ricardo
At La Cocina de Ricardo, we embrace authentic Mexican cuisine in a charming, family-owned atmosphere. Founded in Lake Forest, CA, this delightful eatery invites diners to explore a vibrant menu that boasts traditional favorites like huevos rancheros, pozole, and the unique guarachon—a feast of flavors served on a hefty tortilla. Our commitment to quality and freshness has earned us loyal customers who rave about our generous portions and warm service. Whether you opt for a casual lunch or a festive dinner, you’ll find a welcoming space perfect for families and friends. Experience the heart of Mexico, right in your neighborhood.
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23532 El Toro Rd Ste 11 Lake Forest, CA 92630 United States Hotline: (949) 586-1477
Welcome to La Cocina de Ricardo: a vibrant gem nestled in a bustling strip mall at 23532 El Toro Rd Ste 11, Lake Forest, CA. This family-owned establishment has been delighting diners with its authentic Mexican cuisine for years. From its colorful decor to the tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen, La Cocina de Ricardo offers more than just a meal—it's a culinary fiesta that beckons you to enjoy a taste of Mexico right here in Southern California.
What Sets La Cocina de Ricardo Apart?
- Authentic Cuisine: Dive into a menu brimming with traditional Mexican dishes that celebrate the rich flavors and vibrant ingredients of the culture. Each recipe has been lovingly crafted, ensuring that your taste buds dance with delight.
- Must-Try Dishes: Start your day with their scrumptious Huevos Rancheros, featuring perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs on corn tortillas topped with rich ranchero sauce. For lunch or dinner, don’t miss the Guarachon, an epic dish piled high with savory goodness—a true fiesta on a plate!
- Family Atmosphere: A warm and inviting ambiance greets you at every visit. The staff here are known for their attentive service, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Customers often rave about the friendly team that makes you feel at home.
- Great for Groups: With ample space for gatherings and a hearty catering service available, La Cocina de Ricardo is perfect for celebrations, happy hours, or a casual lunch with friends or family.
- Convenient Services: Enjoy the convenience of outdoor seating, delivery, and takeout, making it easy to enjoy your favorite dishes wherever you are.
Customer Favorites: The raving reviews speak volumes about the quality and taste at La Cocina de Ricardo. From the rich Caldo 7 Mares for seafood lovers to the savory Pozole, the menu caters to a range of tastes. Regulars like Rebekah W. have come to cherish their Caldo de Res, while adventurous eaters might gravitate toward the Aguachile, noted for its refreshing zest that tantalizes the palate.
With a variety of breakfast specials and crave-worthy appetizers, including their famous Ceviche de Pescado and delicious Choriqueso, your dining experience is bound to be enjoyable and fulfilling. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, allowing the fresh ingredients to shine through.
Join the Fiesta! La Cocina de Ricardo isn't just a restaurant; it's a community hub where flavors come alive, and every meal feels like a celebration. Whether you're craving a comforting soup, vibrant tacos, or colorful enchiladas, you'll find a culinary delight to savor.
So gather your family and friends, make a reservation, or simply drop by for a meal that promises authenticity and flavor. With a full bar, happy hour specials, and a welcoming atmosphere, La Cocina de Ricardo is ready to serve you a slice of Mexico.
Contact: For inquiries or to place an order, call (949) 586-1477. Come by, eat well, and experience why La Cocina de Ricardo is an essential stop for lovers of Mexican cuisine.
Awesome food, great service, very clean, and decorated nice!!! This place is as good as it gets!!! You will be hard pressed to find better, a must try!!! Highly recommend
Happy taco Tuesday! This is a great place to have tacos, authentic, Mexican food. A margarita perhaps too. But today taking just taking the food to go. Family asked if I'm going bring tacos home, so this is my location to swing by. I called in the order in advance and the tacos are generously prepared quickly, waiting for me. In my opinion, the shredded beef tacos are delicious. Generous with the sauces and chips. In addition, It's a great price as well. So when I feel like going to an authentic Mexican restaurant, this is one of my top choices, especially on taco Tuesday when I can't beat the price.
Been coming since they were in San Clemente in the 1990s. Best Caldo de Res I've found! Their salsa and chips are also authentic and flavorful! Wonderful family owned and operated business!
Mario and their whole staff are amazing!!! Super attentive and so so sooooooo welcoming. You can order a new dish every time and they never disappoint! They have pozole 7 days a week which I LOVE and am obsessed with. So delicious! Their margaritas are awesome too! Order the Juana!
It's been a while since I dined here. I remember how good the chips & salsa were and this time was the same - delish. Restaurant wasn't crowded, plenty of tables available in the front and back room. The server took our drink order quickly and service was great the whole time. We had the albondiga soup, the pulpo and a sope dish. Everything was really yummy and fresh. Portion size was perfect, we brought home a good amount of the pulpo. Great frijoles, that's always my way to know if a place is legit!
Service is always friendly here. Ambiance is standard for food genre. Food is delicious. Only down side this visit was margaritas were very sweet and felt like had zero tequila. Other than that, La Cocina is a hit!
What a delightful treat!! A super cute mom and pop Mexican restaurant. The servers were very nice and helpful. The chips and salsa were fantastic - and they kept them coming! For dinner, they had a variety of yummy looking options. I ended up try the guarachon and it was AAAAMAZING!!! I devoted my plate because it was epic. It's essentially a large flat tortilla smothered in beans with a whole bunch of goodies piled high. It was like a salad on top of the fat tortilla. I'm already wanting to eat another one because it truly was to die for. The quality of the food in the dish shone through. Absolutely insane!!
Came here with some coworkers for lunch on a weekday, was not busy and we were seated immediately. Loved the inside and the ambiance, the decor make you feel like you walked into an authentic restaurant in Mexico! They have a few big TVs inside that had the soccer games playing. I heard it gets very busy and lively during the weekends, especially when there is a sporting event being broadcasted. We ordered the pozole, which is a traditional Mexican hominy with meat and garnished with shredded lettuce, cabbage, chili peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, salsa, and limes. It tasted extremely healthy and hearty. All the staff were extremely friendly and there is definitely a family feel to dining here.
La Cocina De Ricardo recently introduced me to a new favorite dish: the guarachon! I had never heard of it before, but let me tell you, it was a revelation. This dish is essentially a fiesta on a plate, served on a giant corn tortilla. It was piled high with tender, savory chicken, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, onions, salsa and a symphony of other delicious ingredients. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors and textures. The portion size was incredibly generous - the guarachon is definitely a shareable plate, or a two-meal deal! The quality of the ingredients shone through - everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The restaurant itself is small, but very colorful , a great mexican vibe. I ordered my food to go and the server was helpful and nice. If you're looking for a unique and delicious Mexican dish, I highly recommend trying the guarachon at La Cocina De Ricardo. You won't be disappointed! Just be prepared for a food fiesta!
Tasty authentic Mexican food in an unsuspecting strip mall in Lake Forest. Mole was great but the chilaquiles was a bit too salty for me. I'm a bit sensitive to salty food so I'm sure it's really for other folks. Fun decor like a fancy Mexican restaurant. I'm coming back for the mole!