We’re big fans of Matador Cantina in Fullerton. It hits all of the marks for a great Mexican restaurant: ambiance, delicious food, and memorable drinks. With a great atmosphere coming from what could be the oldest building in historic downtown Fullerton, Matador features a warmly lit dining area, a lounge featuring century-old brick walls, intimate booths, and the longest bar in the city at 55 feet in length.
The menu, created by Executive Chef David Dennis, is a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine. We recommend the chile relleno with chicken, Oaxaca cheese, cream cheese, and green chiles stuffed in a tortilla-crusted poblano chile, served with a roasted tomatillo avocado salsa, rice and beans ($13); everyone’s favorite chorizo ravioli, with chipotle cream sauce and served with a small Caesar salad ($14) and of course the tacos de carne asada, carnitas o pollo, choice of two carne asada, carnitas or chicken tacos (soft or hard shell) with chopped lettuce, pico de gallo and cotija cheese ($11).
Matador also offers some of the best handcrafted cocktails in the area. Favorites on the menu include the irresistible and spicy Jalapeno Martini, Mango Dulce, and its signature Matador Margarita. All cocktails use only the finest liquors, fresh squeezed fruits, and house-made fusions. Mixoligist Ricky Yarnell keeps things fresh by creating seasonal cocktail menus.
Save room for dessert. Matador offers delicious chocolate enchiladas; a cookie fundido, chocolate cookie topped with a scoop of dolce de leche ice cream with fried cinnamon-sprinkled flour tortillas; and Chef Dennis’ family century old carrot cake recipe and through the holidays, an equally delicious pumpkin cake.
Matador Cantina is open for lunch, dinner, brunch and late night. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday; and weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Happy Hour is offered 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 111 North Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton. 714.871.8226.
90th Anniversary? Wow!
von Hemert Interiors is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a sale through Sunday, Nov. 7 at its Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa locations. All home furnishing are reduced 25 to 50%, including Stickley furniture. Stop by the store and let the savings and designers inspire you! Choose from bedroom and dining room furniture, leather and upholstery sofas and sectionals, art, accessories and more.
Top furniture manufacturers include Baker, Century, Councill, Hancock & Moore, Theodore Alexander, Hickory Chair, Hickory White, Sligh, Italian Imports and much more! The entire collection can be viewed here.
345 N. Coast Hwy in Laguna Beach. 949.494.6551. 1595 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. 949.642.2050.
The Latest from greer's oc
Lunch & Learn at Zov’s Bistro Focuses on Brain Health
Zov’s Bistro will host a Lunch & Learn in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter, bringing the community together for an educational conversation centered on brain health and healthy aging.
Titled Healthy Living for Your Brain &…
Dry January, Done Right at Khan Saab
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen is raising the bar this Dry January with a curated lineup of zero-proof mocktails that deliver the same balance, depth, and creativity as classic cocktails, without the alcohol.
Grounded in the restaurant’s 100 percent halal…
Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa
Strickland’s Ice Cream of Costa Mesa is celebrating a major milestone. The Ohio-born ice cream institution marks 90 years of business while also celebrating two successful years serving Orange County.
Founded in 1936 in Akron, Ohio, Strickland’s Ice Cream is…
THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Segerstrom Center for the Arts, have announced that THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, will play Segerstrom Hall from Jan. 27 to Feb.…
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 01.11.26 – Lunch & Learn at Zov’s Bistro Focuses on Brain Health
- 01.11.26 – Dry January, Done Right at Khan Saab
- 01.08.26 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa
- 01.08.26 – THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
- 01.04.26 – THE DAILY HEALING Presents Healing House Lido
- 01.04.26 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 12.30.25 – Mastro’s Ocean Club Irvine Toasts the New Year With Zero-Proof Style
- 12.26.25 – Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel Bring Immersive Play to Irvine Spectrum Center
- 12.22.25 – A Thoughtful Holiday Gift for OC Locals
- 12.21.25 – A Coastal Take on Christmas at Huntington Holiday House
- 12.18.25 – Katsuya Century City Debuts Festive Holiday Menu for December Dining
- 12.15.25 – Cozy Earth Is a Holiday Gifting Favorite in Corona del Mar
- 12.12.25 – il Girasole Turns Thanksgiving Into a Day of Giving Back
- 12.09.25 – Holiday Lights Boat Cruise Aboard Pendry Newport Beach’s Private Yacht
- 12.09.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at CasaDami on the Waterfront
- 12.06.25 – Pete’s Christmas Vacation Returns to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 12.03.25 – Wrap Yourself in Luxury at Oats Cashmere’s Annual Event
- 12.02.25 – French Florist Opens New Boutique in Mission Viejo
- 12.01.25 – Holiday Cheer at North Italia
- 12.01.25 – Coastal Holiday Magic at Paséa
More Daily Doses
- 01.08.26 – FACE FOUNDRIÉ Makes Its Southern California Debut in Newport Beach
- 01.07.26 – Earlybird Flies Into The LAB With One-Pound Burritos
- 01.07.26 – Newport Beach Restaurant Week Returns Jan. 15–25
- 01.04.26 – Parlor Doughnuts Opens 100th Location in Huntington Beach
- 12.21.25 – Phantom: A Perfect Gift Idea
- 12.18.25 – Celebrate the Season at Pendry Newport Beach
- 12.18.25 – Inside Poppy’s, Anaheim’s New Go-To for California Cuisine
- 12.14.25 – Fire & Lights Festival Returns to Newport Dunes
- 12.11.25 – Butcher’s House Marks Four Years With New Fromage Menu
- 12.09.25 – Manolo Blahnik Opens First West Coast Boutique at South Coast Plaza
- 12.09.25 – ClubSport Debuts New High-End Recovery Amenities in Time for the Holiday Season
- 12.04.25 – Festive Holiday Dining at Paseo, Céntrico and Naples in the Downtown Disney District
- 12.03.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at Discovery Cube Orange County
- 12.02.25 – Chef Charbel Hayek to Open ILYA in San Clemente
- 12.01.25 – Family Holiday Celebration This Saturday at The District
- 11.27.25 – QUA Brings Contemporary Chinese Cuisine to Fountain Valley
- 11.25.25 – Holiday Packages to Help You Look and Feel Your Best
- 11.23.25 – Winter Fest OC Returns November 28 With Expanded Experiences
- 11.21.25 – Wellness That Works: Vida by VTL Boutique Spas + Wellness
- 11.17.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
