Restaurant Spotlight: Aurora’s Taqueria

By Jonathan Volzke
3416 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point 949.496.1401
BEST KNOWN FOR: 99-cent Taco Tuesday
MOST POPULAR ITEM: Burritos
Aurora’s Taqueria has a touch of authenticity not always found in the Mexican restaurants that dot South Orange County. That’s probably because it was established before many of them and is attached to Dana Point’s only Mexican grocery store. The restaurant features a walk-up window from the outside and seating along Coast Highway, but what it doesn’t have in decorative frills, it makes up for in good food at great prices. Manager Arlene Ferrufino says the restaurant’s burritos are a favorite, but customers-most of whom restaurant employees know by name-also go for the ceviche tostada ($3.45), torta cubana ($5.95) and meat nachos ($5.95). Aurora’s also has family-styled meals that serve four to six people and large and small trays of everything from fajitas to burritos. And even though the warm temperatures now continue to make those outdoor seats attractive, Aurora’s has added a couple of tables inside, along with a television, to provide some refuge when the weather turns, too. Another nice touch: Aurora’s offers a free meal (up to $10) on your birthday.
PRICE RANGE: $1.50 – $8.95
PAYMENT: Cash, credit
RESERVATIONS: Not Necessary
HOURS: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. M-F