Taxco Nazo, the self-proclaimed “pioneers of the fish taco,” officially opened its second Orange County location on Saturday, Jan. 24. After teasing the expansion in early December, the new eatery is serving fans in Santa Ana, taking over the site formerly occupied by Miguel’s Jr.
Ideal for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, the new spot covers both with drive-through and indoor dining options.
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The menu stays true to the Ensenada-style roots that first put the chain on the culinary map, like the fish tacos featuring hot, crispy fish or shrimp, cabbage, onions, tomatoes and crema. Beyond its Neptunian tacos, other fare includes a taco dorado, chicken and asada tacos, burritos (fish, chicken, al pastor, bean and cheese), tortas, campechana, Mexican sodas, agua frescas, horchata, rice, beans and more.
Taco Nazo employee Angel Dolmos serves tacos to lunch-hour patrons at the restaurant’s new Santa Ana location on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Luis Martinez ponders the menu at newly opened Taco Nazo in Santa Ana on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ceviche is prepared at the new Taco Nazo restaurant in Santa Ana on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Taco Nazo employee Estefany Garcia works the counter at the restaurant’s newest location in Santa Ana on
Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Santa Ana is the newest location for Taco Nazo restaurant that features fish tacos. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Taco Nazo employee Angel Dolmos serves tacos to lunch-hour patrons at the restaurant’s new Santa Ana location on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Taco Nazo story began in 1978 as a family-run food truck launched by the late Gilberto and Maria Romero. The duo is widely credited with helping turn the fish taco into a Southern California staple, a status cemented, in part, by the late Los Angeles Times critic Jonathan Gold, who named the tacos among his favorites.
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The business remains a family affair to this day. Jesse Romero, son of the founders, now oversees the Orange County locations, which include the Santa Ana site and the existing spot in La Habra at 121 S. Beach Blvd.
If you aren’t in Orange County, you can still find Taco Nazo in Bellflower, La Puente, South El Monte and Walnut.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., open seven days a week.
Find it: 1766 E McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, 657-232-1021, taconazo.com