Best Mexican: Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen | Orange, CA

Out of all the Mexican restaurants I dined at in Orange County, Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen was overall the best culinary experience.
Executive Chef Gabbi Patrick brings you Mexican dishes that are modern, yet authentic.
I especially loved exposed brick wall and upscale bar area adorned with colorful and traditional straight from Mexico.

Great ambience in a rustic old building, Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen is one restaurant not to be missed.

Cocktails:
Guava Margarita (left): Succulent, smooth and so delicious. One of my favorite margarita flavors that is so hard to find. Loved the colorful goblets.
House Margarita (right): Strong, smooth, also very delicious.


Appetizers:
Complimentary Chips & Salsa: The salsa was extremely flavorful despite not being spicy.

Seasonal Guacamole & Chips: The guacamole was fresh, but lacked lime and cilantro which I prefer. The pomegranate seeds added some crunch to the guacamole which was a nice touch.

Esquites (Grilled Corn): I was blown away by the grilled corn which was easily my favorite dish of the night. The corn consisted of red onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice all in a buttery chipotle-crema sauce with cotija cheese. Along the side of the bowl were spicy Mexican spices which added depths of flavor. Additionally, the corn had all three elements of sweet, spicy and creamy. This will probably go down as one of the best things I ate in 2016.



Entrees:
Enchiladas de Camarones (Shrimp Enchiladas): The shrimp enchiladas were to die for. They were smothered in a creamy poblano sauce and stuffed with spinach, shrimp, and cheese. Each bite of the shrimp was soft, buttery and melted in my mouth. It was as though I was eating little pillowy bites of gnocchi.
Frijoles Negros (Rice & Black Beans): The black beans to the side tasted slightly different than what I’m used to and a little watery for my liking. The black beans were just okay for me.
Mole Coloradito (Chicken Mole): Stuffed chicken with oaxaca cheese. The chicken itself was mouth-watering, but the mole sauce on top took the chicken to a whole new level. The flavors in the mole sauce were complex... sightly sweet, slightly spicy and slightly chocolate-y. This dish was also served with warm corn tortillas and came with 3 sides as follows:
Kale: A side of kale which was buttery and crunchy and was easily the best kale I ever had.
Plaintain Empanada: Slightly sweet in flavor. Yummy.
White Rice: Last side. Buttery and delicious.


Coffee & Dessert:
Coffee: I was impressed the way my coffee arrived, in a French Press, and all for just $2.50. The coffee was hot and robust in flavor. You really can’t beat the cost and the flavor.
Churros: A dessert made in-house and one that comes highly recommended at Gabbi’s. The churros arrived pipping hot and were crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside. To the side were two warm sauces… a chocolate sauce and a caramel sauce. Between the two sauces, I preferred my churro with the warm caramel sauce. Beyond delicious!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
COST: $$
CUISINE: Mexican
FAVORITES: Chips & Salsa | Guava Margarita | House Margarita | Grilled Corn | Shrimp Enchiladas | Churros
VERDICT: 4.5 / 5 
Gabbi's is easily one of my favorite new Mexican restaurants. The food here is modern, authentic, and delicious. Apart from the guacamole disappointment, all the other dishes are on par, especially the Grilled Corn and Shrimp Enchiladas. The margaritas are solid and there are plenty of margarita flavors to choose from that aren't even on the menu. The prices at Gabbi’s are slightly higher for the area (Orange township), but you’re paying for the ambiance and food. Although the atmosphere is on the noisy side, there is an element of romance. Overall, absolutely incredible meal that didn't leave me feeling grossly full. I highly recommend Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen and recommend making reservations ahead of time as this popular restaurant quickly gets packed.
Food: Outstanding | Drinks: Outstanding | Décor: Trendy/Romantic | Service: Friendly/Attentive | Value: Good for ambiance

LOCATION
141 S Glassell St., Orange, CA
(Old Town Orange)

What's your favorite Mexican place in Orange County?