Divine Mole Enchiladas: Tortilla Republic | Laguna Beach, CA

Located in the charming city of Laguna Beach and my most favorite city in Orange County, Tortilla Republic Laguna Beach offers modern Mexican cuisine that is prepared with both farm-fresh and organic (when available) produce.

The dishes here are seasonally inspired and there is also a gluten-free menu available.

I especially enjoyed the dining experience which is intimate and relaxed. Incredibly delicious Mexican food in the OC, will definitely be back for those divine Mole Enchiladas!

Complimentary Starter + Cocktails
Salsa & Chips (left): Smoky and full of flavor. So good and a favorite!
Mango Margarita (right-left): The Mango Margarita was good, however the mango and cilantro flavors were not prominent.
Spicy Pomegranate Margarita (right-right): In the mix… Corzo Silver, fresh lime juice, triple sec, pomegranate puree and fresh jalapeno. Absolutely delicious with a strong tequila flavor and kick. A favorite!

Apertivos/Appertizers
Guacamole (left): Prepared with avocado, serrano peppers, tomatoes, white onion, cilantro and lime, Tortilla Republic’s guac was fresh, light, creamy and delicious! A favorite!
Ceviche (right): Citrus marinated swordfish and shrimp with cucumber, avocado, cilantro, mango salsa, and crisp corn tortillas. The pieces of fish were large, however it wasn’t citrusy enough, it didn’t have the lightness I was looking for.

Enchiladas & Principales – Mains
Chicken Suizas & Mole Enchiladas (left): Made with Mary’s free range chicken, the chicken enchiladas melt in your mouth, and were perfectly cooked. I requested one suiza enchilada and one mole enchilada so I could try both. Although both enchiladas were outstanding, and mole enchilada was slightly better, it was the sauce that was exceptional. The mole sauce was smooth with a hint of sweetness and not too chocolaty. A favorite!
House Rice & Black Beans (bottom-right): The enchiladas came with a side of rice and black beans. Good, but nothing over the top.
Ancho Seared Salmon (top-right): Herb infused rice over a bed of cilantro citrus sauce and habanero carrot sauce. The perfectly cooked salmon that was crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside was topped with roasted poblano, onions and mango. A sweet and spicy combo with a hint of cinnamon. Overall, creative and delicious dish.

Postres/Dessert
ChocoFlan: A layer of chocolate cake with flan on top and candied fried pepitas which tasted like graham crackers. Not too sweet and just incredible. A favorite!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Tortilla Republic
COST: $$$
CUISINE: Mexican
FAVORITES: Chips & Salsa | Spicy Pomegranate Margarita | Guacamole | Chicken Mole Enchiladas | ChocoFlan
VERDICT: 4.25 / 5
It’s pretty hard to go wrong with Mexican food in California, and most places in SoCal are spot on. Tortilla Republic
is not only a romantic find in Laguna Beach, but it also serves up excellent Mexican food! The first time I dined at Tortilla Republic, I had the best Chicken Mole Enchiladas ever at Tortilla Republic, they are melt in your mouth delicious. The second time I dined here, the mole sauce was a bit thick for my liking, it still tasted good, but it wasn’t like the first time. Regardless, I loved this dish so much so it made my list of the 15 Best Things I Ate in 2016. I look forward to visiting again for dinner, but next time I would like to try their Brunch. Very highly recommended.
Food: Excellent | Drinks: Excellent | Décor: Romantic/Intimate | Service: Outstanding/Friendly | Value: Fair

LOCATION: 480 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA

What’s your favorite Mexican dish?