A nearly $1 million remodel of Super Mex in Huntington Beach is the setting for Qué Vida Tacos, a restaurant specializing in regional Mexican dishes with “elevated counter service,” says its owner.

The specialty is regional tacos of Mexico, prepared from scratch with tortillas handmade from yellow corn sourced from Oaxaca. Meats are cooked on a wood fire grill with mesquite, except the al pastor, which is cooked on a trompo. Chips and salsas are made in house daily.

“We wanted to pick all the powerhouse regions of Mexico. So, cochinita pibil of the Yucatán, carnitas of Michoacán, the birria of Jalisco,” owner Bryan Bradford said. “We’re able to really focus on the authentic flavor profiles of each region and the traditional cooking methods of those areas to bring the most authenticity to each specific taco.”

Traditional meats include carne asada, carnitas and al pastor. Seafood items include crispy beer-battered red snapper or jumbo shrimp tacos.

The restaurant, which opened Dec. 7, offers wine, beer and cocktails and has been expanding its menu by chef Renato Mora, formerly of the Yard House — brunch is coming in March.

A counter service model makes it more affordable, Bradford said, with full-size tacos averaging $4 and a house margarita at $7.50.

Customers order at the front counter and servers will bring out food and drinks. However, the bar area offers full-service.

Bradford, a restaurant industry veteran who worked as general manager with The Winery restaurants, renovated the space with Hatch Design Group. It’s just under 3,000 square feet with interior seating for 55, plus 10 at the bar, and a patio of 500 square feet with another 25 seats.

He had originally planned to open in Newport Beach, but when that didn’t work out he instead found the former Super Mex space in Huntington Beach.

“Our slogan is ‘Your local taco shop, pero poquito más bonito,’ which means your local taco shop, but we’re a little bit more beautiful,” Bradford said.

Find it: 19684 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, 714-274-9955, quevidatacos.com.

Open: 10 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Monday.

Related Articles