Miguel’s Jr Expands in Orange County with it’s High-End Mexican Fast Food

Miguels Jr Chain Expands Deeper into Orange County

Miguel’s, one of the most well-known Mexican restaurants in Riverside County, has be rapidly expanding their upscale Mexican fast food concept, Miguel’s Jr. Their latest openings in Orange County include Tustin, at The Marketplace. This store opening represents a larger push into the Orange County market. Their first Miguel’s Jr was in Costa Mesa and the Orange location is opening soon.

 

I have many positive experiences with the original sit down Miguel’s in Corona and Foothill Ranch, serving home style Mexican food. Miguel’s Jr is their fast food concept, serving similar food, but in a casual fast food format. With that said, I have a hard time using “fast food” in their name. Miguel’s Jr is more high-end, both in terms of quality and service.

Miguel’s began in 1973 when owners Mike and Mary Vazquez opening up their first restaurant in Corona. The restaurant was named after Mike’s grandfather. Mary developed the dishes herself. Over 40 years later their homestyle Mexican food empire has grown to three full service restaurants and 13 Miguel Jr. fast food restaurants.

 

What makes Miguel’s awesome

Anyone who grew up or worked in the Corona Area has fond memories of dinning at Miguel’s and Miguel’s Jr. Even some of the hard core Naugles fans are (might be) willing to cross-over for a Miguel’s Jr. carne asada taco. Miguel’s Jr blows away any of the crappy Mexican fast food chains on the market (i.e. Taco Bell). The key to Miguel’s Jr success is their quality ingredients, from pasture raised beef to stone ground corn tortillas.

Items you should Try

The Famous Garbage Burrito.

This is an everything but the kitchen sink kinda burrito. It is filled with the meat of your choice of meat, including shredded chicken, shredded beef, chile verde pork or carne asada. It also it girthed out with Spanish rice, refried beans, lots of cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes.

This burrito is a brick in your stomach and you will find yourself leaning back in your chair.The top button of your pants may mysteriously let loose.

Carne Asada Street Tacos

Miguel’s is best known for their Carne Asada and for me they are best enjoyed on their street tacos. The meat is grilled and served atop a corn tortilla with onions and cilantro.

Tacquitos

The tacquitos are stuffed with shredded chicken, fried crisp and topped with fresh guac. This dish is always a winner.

Chile Verde Combo Plate

This is one of my favorite dishes to order, because it is the same pork that they serve in their restaurant. The slow simmered pork is swimming in the delicious green chile sauce. If you don’t get the Chile Verde as a plate, at least get it in a burrito.

Chicken Taco Combo Plate

For me, a taco is best served fried. The chicken tacos are amazing and the crispy shell is a perfect complement to the tender chicken. The plate comes with the same Spanish rice and cheesy refried beans. Load these tacos up at the salsa bar, I like mine spicy.

My Final Thoughts

Although Miguel’s Jr. has a drive through and offers fast service, the food is high-end. I have visited their new Tustin store three times since they opened and have yet to have a bad meal. My personal favorite, not covered in this post is the California Chili burrito. It is made with a whole chile rellono and stuffed into a burrito. Yumm!

If you haven’t visited their full-fledged restaurants, I highly encourage you do so. I have been visiting their Foothill Ranch location for years and they have the best margaritas in the area.

Miguel’s Jr Locations

Orange County

Orange - 1325 Tustin Street, Orange, CA 92867

Tustin - 2855 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782

Riverside County

Follow this link for a long list of Riverside Miguel Jr’s