CHAAK KITCHEN - Tustin, California

Antonina P.

Absolutely loved this place! Every dish we tried was full of flavor, fresh, and beautifully presented — but the real standout was the branzino. Perfectly cooked with a crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat — it was one of the best fish dishes I’ve had in a long time. Highly recommend it if you’re visiting! The staff was attentive, and the cocktails were great too. Will definitely be coming back!

Chris V.

This was my first time experiencing Mexican cuisine with Yucatán roots, and CHAAK Kitchen delivered a flavorful and upscale take on it. The atmosphere had a refined, intimate vibe that paired well with the dishes.

The enchiladas were a standout—definitely a must-try—with a satisfying cheese pull and bold, layered flavors. I tried the smoked chicken as well; while it was a bit dry for my preference, the seasoning was on point and made it enjoyable overall.

The drinks were creative and had an elevated twist on traditional cocktails, adding to the high-end feel of the meal. Our server was very friendly, though there were a couple of small hiccups—he needed a reminder about a salad for one of our guests and forgot my wife’s glass of wine (which was left off the bill, so we didn’t bring it up).

CHAAK is a cozy spot, so I’d recommend keeping group sizes under 8 unless you call ahead—they likely can accommodate with notice. One of the coolest features was the retractable roof, addin

Bob L.

This Michelin bib gourmand restaurant should get a star at some point. The Yucatan peninsula inspired food is near perfect. The cocktails are well thought out and inspired without being trendy. The atmosphere is nice and friendly, but not pristine. Better than 90% of the places out there, yes. Perfect? Not yet.

Libby M.

Amazing upscale Mexican style food. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. We let the server order for us which includes the ceviche (delicious), the clams (so amazing), the pork (chefs kiss) and some other sides. Truly excellent food and service!
The atmosphere is fun, casual enough to wear what you want but also charming with lights and a huge open wall to a heated patio.
I highly recommend trying this place!

PJ

The service started with the front male at the door. Not welcoming. He looked at us like we either didn’t dress the vibe or we weren’t about to handle the prices. That’s the look we received from the guy. We were seated at the bar because he said that was all that was available. Which was fine by us. The server was pleasant. He went over the menu and was to serve us. Everyone at the bar was keeping it moving and seemed all professional. Nice corner spot. The lighting was perfect for the place. The seating area I actually prefer the bar. Not really a private spot. More for a social event or get together.

Andrew C.

Real good and fresh food.
Upscale twist on Mexican cuisine with real friendly staff.
Not a big menu but it does have great flavor combinations on each dish.
Highly recommend the pork entree as that was the highlight of the meal.
Dining room is pleasant with a view into the heart of the restaurant, the kitchen.

Rebekah D.

Good Friday dinner spot!

Food: Hiramasa Crudo 4/5. Flavorful, slightly too much acidity. Could be dialed back just a smidge.
Tamal colado 4/5. Seasonal item so wanted to give it a try good but missing that extra umph in an exceptional flavoring.
Topoxte 5/5 cocktail!

Cool vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. Large bar area. You can make a reservation at the bar so not only first come first serve.
Kylie and Rahul were great bartenders! Providing recommendations even in the area.

Parking is limited in the area.

Jackie F.

A lovely, Michelin recognized spot. The waiter recommended picking one dish from each section of the menu and sharing with the table, and that was a great idea. I didn't really enjoy that the bone marrow was rare and mixed with a bowl of corn. Overall it was a good meal, but there was nothing i would hurry to go back for.