Javier’s Cantina
Crystal Cove Promenade 7832 E. Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92657
- Go – Get up and get Grubbin!
- Snob – It’s expensive for what it is. (But worth every penny)
In short, you’re a snob and you eat $50.00 tacos. But I am going back and so should you!
Look; I am all about price and taste and everyone knows the best Mexican food is the makeshift cart being pulled by an 89 Toyota pickup truck in-between a commercial building that can’t be seen by code enforcement. The last thing I want to do is pull up to a Mexican restaurant and pay $4.00 to just park my car. But Javier’s in Crystal Cove Newport beach is the exception. Sunday afternoon particularly there is a show before you even step inside. A Brand new Lamborghini Aventador and Maserati pulled up, Que the 62-year-old rich white guy, open blouse, sock-less loafers and umpa tan. By the way I had to walk about 8 minutes through the elongated parking lot because I am that cheap to pay $4 for parking; it’s not so much the $4 but the tip. Look these guys are probably getting handed $20 bills on the regular I don’t need their stink eye over my Washington’s.
Lets get on with it.
Sitting on the bluff of the famous Pacific Coast Highway sits a single level grand hacienda style restaurant with high ceilings, ceramic tile floors and an incredible view pacific ocean. I highly suggest if your party is less than 4 people to search out one of the ocean facing high top tables. Those are classified as bar seating and you can avoid a guaranteed 45 minute wait for a table. This is was our reward for not waiting. Not just a hat rack, ey Joey?
In life we come across meals of BAD, DECENT, and GOOD. But once in a while your expectations peeks its head out and to kindly excuse themselves from the table as it’s about to get a 1 ticket journey to touch the wingtips of an Mexican angel named angel who will gently brush your hair out of your face, lean in slowly, to speak harp tone whisper……………… Dis amigo is your heaven, BIENVENIDOS!!!
In non exaggerated rant of words, no matter what you order here I promise you will recognize it visually, but once you take your first bite will agree. Oh this, this I just bit; I’ve never had this before.
DRINK, DRINKY, what to order? How about a spicy hot Skinny Habanero chili margarita with rimmed salt. This flirt of a drink is salty on the outside; wet and hot on the inside, yeah I just said that. The bad news is they are about $15 a pop and this isn’t the pool at encore. But if your going out to just grab a drink this place might be worth it as its Kobe Bryant’s “supposedly” favorite restaurant as he lives a few minutes away.
Everyone knows the pregame meal is vitally important. I noticed that the chips came out very quickly, possibly within the first 50 seconds of seating. The Salsa is made in-house and is full of robust flavors that can make any chip delectable! They stir the tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper but the kicker is the strong push of garlic; which in my opinion makes this one of the best in-house restaurant
salsa I’ve ever had. The Salsa is a bit runny, but its something I am willing to live with.
On to the main event. For the 5th time in a row since I’ve discovered Javier’s I have not been able to order anything other than a meal that’s literally for two, so bring a friend! La Tablita (para dos personas) Prepare your own tacos with your choice of $44 carne asada, carnitas or natural grilled chicken at your table. Served on a wooden platter with all the condiments: arroz, refritos, jalapenos, salsa fresca, guacamole, rajas, grilled green onions and your choice of warm tortillas.
There is just not enough to say about the plate. Its served on a giant wooden platter with all the condiments freshly prepared for you. The flour tortillas are wrapped and kept warm until your ready for wrapping. The Rice is light and has just the right amount of salt and color. The Refereed beans have the cheese deeply mixed in with the dish so each bit is protein and cheese, creating a perfect sticky paste to lay down your first layer of tortilla condiments. Don’t forget to ask for your own side of shredded cheese, that’s important when creating the perfect mini taco bites. The flank steak has been marinating in butter peaking to its most soft and tender moment before caramelization on an open grill in the kitchen. Coming out on the wood plank you feel as if this meal was prepared for a king in the 1700’s. This feast is Bountiful! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
There is no sincerer love than the love of food.
–George Bernard Shaw
WANDERGRUB 
