301 Cafe

301 Cafe is Placentia's oldest restaurant and still serves the same excellent, authentic Mexican dishes that late founder Maggie had on the menu for decades. The prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is that of a vintage bar and grill from the 1930s-1940s era. There is a long bar on one side of the restaurant and tables and booths on the opposite side. It's a family friendly place so no hesitations about bringing the kids along.

You might not think this place sells the best burgers in town but this place hands down has the best burgers in town. Fries were fresh and amazing too. Highly recommend the enchiladas, steak picado, wet burrito & the chile verde. Also has a sick jukebox to set the vibes. love this spot

Alva is sweet and gracious always! The food is like eating at someone's grandmother's house. Just plain ole delicious food! Before you order, she brings chips and salsa and a creamy avocado dip and your drinks. I had their Ground Beef Tacos and a Chile Rellano and my husband had the 301 special - all delicious! We have been coming here for years, but moved away 7 years ago and still come here every chance we get!! Be patient if it's busy as Alva serves every table!!

Have been coming here for forty years. Same waitress Maria and she remembers us! Chicken Mole to die for and love the pickled carrots

An old college haunt, I returned after nearly 35 years and not much had changed.
The food is still good, the beers are still cold, and the same sweet owner is still there.

A great place to hang with friends!

The aerospace industry was booming in the early '60s. My father and his friends would cash their checks at 301 Cafe to buy pitchers of beer on Payday. We families would join the party and eat dinner with them. I ate my first "restaurant" taco at here in 1964-65.

The restaurant is now 75+ years old and still going strong. The dining room and bar have the same great ambiance and the overall feel is 1950s-60s Orange County Mexican.

301 Cafe out lasted aerospace and still specializes in traditional dishes served fresh and with a smile. The bar looked ready and pitchers were served. It's probably worth a visit next payday.

Say "hi" to Maria.

Alma's food is truly the best Mexican food I have ever had. She makes everything from scratch, including her chips, salsa, guacamole and pickled carrots and jalepenos, that come with every meal. The value is unbelievable. My go to is the 301 special. It is $11 and includes a Tostada, Taco, Enchilada, Tamale or Chile Relleno, Beans and Rice! It is a lot of high quality Mexican food for a great price. Alma's beans are amazing! I don't know what she puts in them, but they have unbelievable flavor. They taste a little nutty with a very slight hint of sweetness. I call them "crack beans", because they are addictive! I really don't know how this restaurant has not been featured on countless food TV shows. The 301 Cafe is an absolute hidden gem of Orange County!

Although it's been many years since I've been here, it hasn't changed a bit. First started coming here in 1964. I loved how the salsa would make my nose run. I was not disappointed in reliving those memories.

Family owned, prices are great, food is delicious if you're into greasy Mexican food. Service can be slow mostly because it's family owned and under staffed, but they do at times hire people for busy days or times. My friend brought me here originally and I came back 10 days consecutively to try everything on the menu that looked good to me, Love this place.

Chili Verde is my favorite of all Mexican dishes if done right! I go here once a week for their Chili Verde Wet Burrito and ask them to add Sour Cream on top. They also serve everyone chips, HOT salsa, pickled carrots & a Jalapeño, and a creamy guacamole. I eat my wet chili Verde burrito with the added sour cream and creamy guacamole! The very best Chili Verde dish I've every known in my 59-years of life. Just one elderly man and one elderly woman run this Cafe. The dining atmosphere is quite run down and the men's restroom is scary. So don't go to the bathroom! Come for the best ever Chili Verde wet burrito and ask for Sour Cream on the top!
5☆ EXCELLENT!!!!!

Just like mom making us food. 👍💯. Must try it. Eva and Juan thank you.

Best ground beef tacos ever great salsa chips and guacamole

Great comfortable atmosphere, food is very good, I love the carrots/onions/jolepenos you get with your chips and salsa. Very good and authentic. Price was amazing compared to other Mexican joints in the area.

The place was GREAT! Definitely an old school Mexican restaurant. Nothing fancy with just beer and wine. Very low prices and lots of good food.

Delicious authentic and homemade Mexican food. Very reasonable prices.
Chile Verde here is spicy and super delicious. Hard shell tacos are amazing. Chicken flautas bomb.. We eat here about once a week.

First time there. My girlfriend and her boyfriend took me. She had been going there since she was a little girl she's now 60. The food was great and service was too

This is totally authentic Mexican food. Place is small but very quaint. Excellent service and the menu prices are tooo good to believe. Place is very historical you cannot go wrong if you love good homemade Mexican food. Very very casual. Only downfall is they are closed on Sundays.

It's hard to believe that this place has been around for 78 years. It's been almost 50 years since our last visit. The chili Verde burrito is still hot and delicious. Probably the best chili rellano I've had in a very long time. This is truly authentic Mexican food.

This restaurant has fantastic Mexican food at a great price.
The service is also very good.

We have been going to 301 Cafe for years! Small family owned Mexican restaurant with amazing food and old school atmosphere!! One cook, 1 waitress, but always worth the wait!! Steak picado, carne asada dinner, all their wet burritos! We've lived everything we've ever tried!! I highly recommend 301!!