Vaca brings the vibrant flavors of Spain from Barcelona to Andalucía to the Basque Country, all to the heart of Orange County and Los Angeles.
What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant? VACA has a lively, electric atmosphere with a Spanish steakhouse feel and energetic crowd, great for celebrations, cocktails, and nights out. Guests praise the fun vibe, excellent cocktails and an impressive wine list, but also note high noise levels and tightly spaced tables at times.
Yes, Vaca restaurant in Costa Mesa validates parking in the nearby parking structure. Guests can either use valet parking or self-park in the structure. If self-parking, you'll need to bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation… more
VACA - Updated April 2026 - 6682 Photos & 2012 Reviews - Yelp
Vaca frita is a Cuban recipe of cooked shredded beef marinated in juicy citrus, then fried with onions until nice and crispy. This dish tastes just like my favorite local Latin cafe with great Cuban food.
Learn how to make authentic Cuban vaca frita: tender beef simmered, smashed, marinated, and fried until irresistibly crisp and juicy.
A flavorful beef mixture is cooked and then pan-fried to crispy, sizzling perfection in this Cuban vaca frita dish.
Vaca frita translates to “fried cow”. This delicious dish originated from Cuba. The idea is you soften the meat by boiling it low and slow until you can shred it with two forks. You then marinate and pan fry it to perfection.
Vaca Frita is a classic Cuban dish that translates to “fried cow.” Despite its simple name, this dish is a flavorful and aromatic staple of Cuban cuisine, celebrated for its crispy texture and spicy, savory flavor.