THE PLACE Mi Casa, 296 E....

THE PLACE

Mi Casa, 296 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa

THE JUDGE

Deepa Bharath, public safety and courts reporter

THE MEAL

A lunch combo with a bean taco and cheese enchilada served with

beans and rice.

THE SPEED

The place is bustling at lunch time and seems to have a wide

variety of customers, from people in formal business attire to

couples and small families. But service is quick and efficient. I was

seated within seconds and waiting on my table was a plate of crisp,

warm tortilla chips and a bowl of spicy -- and I mean spicy -- salsa.

Fortunately, the server brought my Diet Coke before my tongue went

numb from the hot, yet very tasty salsa that I ate in a hurry. The

meal arrived in about five minutes as I crunched through a quarter of

my plate of chips. Thankfully, I hadn’t filled up on the appetizer

yet.

I wasn’t sorry. My combo meal featured a crisp taco, succulent

shredded lettuce and a generous helping of beans smothered under

layers of melted cheese. The enchilada sauce was flavorful and I

couldn’t get through all of it despite my best effort.

THE SERVICE

My server made me feel welcome. She was friendly and helpful. She

helped me choose a vegetarian meal and was patient despite the noon

rush as I mulled over the choices. I didn’t feel pressured to order

right away. I also noticed she knew and paid special attention to the

restaurant’s loyal clientele.

THE VERDICT

Mi Casa has the best of everything rolled into one when it comes

to a working lunch.

It is economical. My entire meal, including tip, worked out to

about $14. It was a more than filling meal. Be prepared to ask for a

box.

The menu offers a range of options, from the staple tacos,

burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas to the more unusual meals, such

as the Chili Size, which is a hamburger patty topped with Mi Casa’s

chili -- cheese and onions on the side, served with tortillas. And

there’s the Gringo Burger with cheese, Ortega chili and guacamole,

served with fries.

The place feels warm and familiar even to a first-timer. The decor

is simple yet elegant, complete with wooden rails and paneling. At

the same time it emanates the charm and the authority of a restaurant

that has served the community for 30 years.

The restaurant’s owners weren’t joking when they inscribed “Mi

casa es su casa” on their front door. The sentiment feels very real.