Don’t you just love it when you go to happy hour and leave feeling like you’ve just had a full dinner? And I’m not talking about stuffing yourself with fried chicken wings and stuffed potato skins. While certainly tasty, they can’t really take the place of, say, a good serving of Chile Pork Verde with fresh flour tortillas or a plate of Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna.
   
That’s what makes happy hour at Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill so much better than most. The appetizer menu is fun and creative, and the portions are generous.
   
Every appetizer on the menu is half-price from 4 to 7 p.m. every day of the week. That includes Saturday and Sunday. (General Manager Travis Miller says it’s the restaurant’s busiest time of day. That explains why.) In addition, happy hour-goers get $1 off margaritas and well drinks, $2 off the house wines and $3 off Bud Light draft, as well as discounts on other beers.
   
While most of the food is Tex-Mex-inspired, you’ll also find Cajun and other influences in many of the dishes. Take the ahi, for example, which one server says is a house favorite. It’s both Asian and Cajun: a fresh cut of tuna crusted with blackened seasonings, seared rare and drizzled with a peppercorn vinaigrette, and a spicy soy mustard and wasabi on the side. The price is regularly $10.99; slice that in half for happy hour.
   
My favorite, though, is the Chile Pork Verde. The meat is cut into chunks and slow roasted in a tomatillo sauce with Anaheim and Serrano peppers. It’s got a spicy kick to it, but it’s not going to make your eyes water. The stew comes to your table steaming hot in the skillet, topped with melted Jack and Cotija cheese, and a side of three of the freshest flour tortillas you’ll find anywhere.
   
Also a must-try: the Grilled Shrimp & Guacamole Tostada Bites. Shrimp grilled in a cilantro-pesto marinade tops a dollop of Z’Tejas’ special hand-cut guacamole (it’s probably the best this side of Baja) on a tiny round tortilla. About six of them come on a plate.
   
New on the menu this spring: Leo’s Street Tacos. Tender marinated beef tenderloin stuffs small corn tortillas. They’re served with cucumber relish, guacamole and Cotija cheese. Miller says the tacos were introduced as a limited-time special last summer and were so popular, the management decided to bring them back.
   
Of course, the margaritas are a highlight of happy hour. The signature 6th Street Frozen is an award-winner. My favorites: the Chambord ’Rita (a 6th Street served with a float of Chambord; tangy with a little bit of sweetness) and the Patron Fuzion ’Rita (a 6th Street with a float of fruit-infused Patron Tequila; like candy).


Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
3333 S. Bristol St. (in South Coast Plaza), Costa Mesa
714.979.7469
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday until 3 p.m.
ztejas.com