A handful of closures hit the Orange County dining landscape at the end of April.<\/p>\n
While independent eateries often face the biggest hurdles in the dining arena, legacy chains, especially those tied to aging shopping centers or longterm leases, are continuing to see closures in Orange County, despite having a decent gains in early 2026<\/a> across the nation.<\/p>\n Here are three notable closures, two chain spots and one independent venue, to prune from your dining list.<\/p>\n Hungry? Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County. Subscribe here<\/a>. After more than 43 years on Bristol Street, just off the 55 and 73 freeways, Acapulco closed its doors for good. The longtime Costa Mesa outpost served its final dish on Sunday, April 19.<\/p>\n A sign taped to the entrance thanked diners for decades of support, noting, \u201cWe appreciate your loyalty and thank you for your support throughout the last 43 years.\u201d<\/p>\n ALSO READ: The Crab Cooker is closing after more than 30 years in Tustin<\/a><\/p>\n Its closure also marks the end of Acapulco\u2019s presence in Orange County. The California-Mexican fare chain, which got its start in Pasadena back in 1960, once grew to more than 30 locations at its peak. Today, remaining restaurants are listed in Glendale and Long Beach per the company\u2019s website. The brand is currently owned by the Xperience Restaurant Group, which operates sister concepts like El Torito.<\/p>\n What might replace the Bristol Street space remains unclear; inquiries to the parent company went unanswered.<\/p>\n El Torito, Tustin<\/p>\n Another departure hits the Enderle Center in Tustin.<\/p>\n El Torito closed its doors on Sunday, April 26 after decades in business, marking yet another shift for the longtime retail complex. (The Crab Cooker is slated to close at the end of May<\/a>.) While the Mexi-Cali chain has seen its fair share of closures in recent years, the Tustin location\u2019s fate is tied, in part, to the Enderle Center\u2019s upcoming multimillion-dollar renovation.<\/p>\n
\nAcapulco, Costa Mesa<\/p>\n