Plan your Mexican food adventure in Santa Monica with our picks. Indulge in the city's top-notch Chips and Salsa, Carne Asada Tacos, California Burrito, and other delicious dishes.
“listen: its west LA, there are a *TON* of options... but none of them are as good as this. start with the chilaquiles -- they are *chef's kiss* incredible. and anything else you order will be impeccably seasoned, full of authentic flavor, and fresh. everything is “
“Socalo is consistently great. Everyone I introduce it to ends up returning on their own. Everything is great here, the food especially of course (the menu is innovative with kind of a classic base and the ingredients are very high end). Somehow though, they manage to keep the prices reasonable. The staff is really nice, the design and atmosphere are beautiful both during the day and the evening. I love that it's an all day restaurant so you can even grab a meal or a snack during in-between hours. This place is kind of a sleeper favorite and because it seems to be under the radar a bit, getting a reservation is always easy. I truly love this place.“
“I saw this place and thought it had a nice view from the street over to the ocean so I figured I would eat there. I honestly thought it would be a tourist trap type restaurant because of the location, however, it turned out to be amazing food. I ordered iced tea, which had a lovely and fresh taste to it, not like it came out of the can. Guacamole fresh salsa is fresh, and I ordered fried snapper fish tacos were excellent. The rice was also good, being very flick as opposed to just plain tasting rice. I was pleasantly surprised at the service was excellent. I would highly recommend this restaurant.“
“Sol Agave is a solid choice for lunch. It wasn’t super busy on a Sunday at 1pm. The covered patio was heated and comfortable even though it was chilly and windy. We tried the charred romaine salad which was just ok. The chips and salsa and guacamole were delicious. I also really liked the Camerones Al Gusto. Our vegan tacos could have been more flavorful, maybe with the addition of a nut based “crema” or something to give a little more flavor. Surprisingly dessert was one of my favorite parts of the meal. The butter cake is a MUST order menu item. Sol Agave is worth a try!“
“My first time in Santa Monica. My friend searched Mexican food spots in the area and we chose this one. Ordered for pickup and it was ready in a good amount of time. My food was hot, fresh, and flavorful. I got the OG Burrito with Birria and churros. So so good! Highly recommend you stop here and enjoy the other options as well. Customer service was great, too.“
“I enjoyed this place very much. The food was amazing, the portion was enough for two meals, and the customer service was great! There’s not a lot of seating, which is fine because it was just me. I will definitely be back! Oh, and the quac sauce and spicy red sauce served with the chips was the bomb! I put it on my burrito and it made it even better! Definitely recommend!“
“Walked by so many times and it's always busy. Finally checked it out Saturday for an early dinner. We made a reservation, since it seems they are always busy. Although there were some vacant tables for walk-ins when we arrived. So many 'fun' margaritas on the menu and I had the completely satisfying skinny-marg with zero guilt. My BF had a classic and liked it enough to have a second one. For food we went with:Classic Esquitos (Mexican corn cut off the cob, with spice, cheese and just loads of flavor). Rainbow Carrots were delish. There were roasted carrots, pureed carrots and diced marinated raw carrots. Absolutely ordering these next time. Fish Tacos. Best thing was each taco had a nice size piece of fish, not just fish scraps. It was a bit too salty but an extra squeeze of lime offset the salt. Carne Asada Plate. Salt at first bite was so overwhelming we had to ask if there was something wrong. The staff was more than helpful, offering to remake it with no added salt or take it off the bill and let us order something else. Ultimately we decided to let them remake it with no added salt, they did tell us the steak was pre-marinated. It tasted significantly better without extra seasoning. Service was 11/10 both servers went above and beyond to make sure we were pleased with our dinner. Next time I'm definitely getting one of their specialty margaritas and nachos!“
“I love this place, i come here everytime i’m in SM. I always order sweet and sour tacos, they’re delicious, i like them so much that i made all my friends try it.i tried cocktails and mocktails as well and they’re delicious,The only thing i was really upset about was how filthy the restrooms were.I think it is very mandatory to keep that space as clean as possible, after i went to wash my hands i was literally so grossed out that i didn’t really want to eat anymore.“
“Came here on a recommendation and was not disappointed. The tacos are simple but every ingredient is delicious. The chicken was some of the best Mexican I've ever had and it went perfectly with the soft tacos and guac. Bonus points for being right next to the Santa Monica Pier which made for an amazing, sunset-lit dinner on the beach.“
“You will end up paying a bit higher than other places but let me tell you: worth it, the food is really good and delicious and prepare with care, I have never been disappointed. Service good too up to the task. It's pretty fast and busy during lunch time. Always good music going on inside“
“This is a family owned restaurant & has been in Santa Monica for a million years. Their food is delicious. Service is fast. If you're looking for something fancy, this isn't it. But if you're looking for yummy Mexican food that's affordable & served promptly, this is your spot. My favorite is the chimichangas!“
“This place is such a gem. The owners are the friendliest people I’ve ever met, and they have had this spot for more than 30 years, can you imagine their level of professionalism and love for what they are doing. As for the food, I’ve never had such juicy and flavorful beef and chicken, and the tacos are enormous, I don’t think I could eat more than 2 when normally I need 3-4. Curious to try other items on the menu, will definitely be coming back whenever I’m in the area.“
“Favorite dishes: Lomo Saltado-juicy well marinated beef, perfectly blistered tomatoes and onions, easily one of the best I've had in LA Waygu Crunchers-ideal happy hour bite, reminiscent of Nobu. Well priced and packed with flavor Spanish Octopus -tender and citrusy, it's hard to execute the perfect char without overcooking the octopus and it becoming rubbery. This was our tables favorite dish, it was hard to not order 3 more. It was that good Favorite cocktails: Happy hour Paloma- strong, well made cocktail with real grapefruit juice instead of soda Spicy margarita- this one is no joke, jalapeño infused and super fresh tasting Smoke show- a mezcal lovers dream Service: Reza, the owner, greeted us with impeccable hospitality when he stopped by the table to introduce himself. From the get go, he made our party feel right at home. Our server Kayla was super well versed when it came to menu recommendations and our busser was on top of his game keeping our table clear and our waters full. Ambiance: beautiful space, resort type vibes with a great playlist. We sat in the back patio/lounge area on a cold, windy evening and the heaters kept us nice and toasty. Overall highly recommend whether you're looking for the perfect low key date night spot or an after work happy hour, this place has the vibes on lock!“
“It's like a clean version of all the Mexican restaurants in Venice. I'm always scared there was live animals under the table but not here!! Service was kind and attentive. It's pretty inside with little twinkle lights everywhere. The food was really good. We judge a Mexican restaurant by their refried beans. These were just right. I had a tostada and the BigMan had chile rellenos. He said they were done just the way he likes them. No drinks as I overserved myself the night before. Good, thick chips.“
“This venue shares space with a Panda Express. There are a few tables and a counter with high stools. The plates and cutlery are lightweight plastic. The service was rapid and friendly. The food was good but not memorable. We did not try the baked goods, which were attractive..“
“I often visit 3 locations.This one (@Lincoln/east of 10 Fwy) and the one in Sherman Oaks ( 405/@Dickens ) are the best! Both have great..fresh chicken and is tender, never, dry or tough as in the third one [A] rice freshily cooked as are the beans, great fresh salsas and chopped cilantro . All their Staff happy and treat you nicely,they're also helpful with offering many new choices, btw always clean locations.“
“1) Thought "I haven't eaten. I should eat." 2) Turned my head, happened to see this truck parked across the street.3) Walked over, ordered my first ever Shrimp cocktail.4) Had one of my best LA food truck experiences, great food, good people, generous portion - highly recommended!“
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“We discovered this gem by accident. Took the wrong exit after flying in from Chicago. We were hungry, so we just decided to find almost anything to eat. The cute outdoor patio got our attention. We ordered a burrito (al pastor), tacos (barbacoa), and 2 taco bowl (1 chicken, 1 veggie). Every dish was flavorful and tasted fresh. The serve was also top notch. If I am ever back in this area, I will definitely plan to stop by.“
“So good! We were headed to the pier and decided to try Tacos Por Favor. So glad we did! The food is delicious, great service, cute place with plenty of seating. I loved the rice and beans so much I got 32oz of each to go! Also recommend the huevos rancheros ?“
“Food was good very good authentic west coast Mexican. Definitely a tourist stop and not a small atmosphere gem but closer to commercial restaurant. Nothing fancy and beware they charge $9 to park otherwise it's a roll of dice on the metered street parking.“
“i love having a vegan taqueria for plant based tacos and burritos. the "queso" is so rich and everything is seasoned go perfection. so blessed to have this place accessible to me. ordered from here as a housewarming gift for me & my roommates, ordering again as my lunch at work. try this place out if u haven't already!“
“I've been eating here for over 40 years and it hasn't changed a bit. I don't eat fish. Cant stand it. Their fried fish taco was the greatest thing I've ever put in my mouth. Yeah I was hungry at the time, still......I don't eat fish, except for La Playita fried fish taco.“
“Excellent Mexican Chili Cheese fries!!! Nothing but the Best!! Fresh Guacamole with a large side of Chips and Freshly made Hot Salsa!! Group going to Campos Famous Burritos!! It's been a staple in the City of Santa Monica. The Absolute Best Turkey hard shell Tacos!! We drive all the way from Montebello to Santa Monica for the Turkey Tacos. Let me tell you, It Is Worth the Drive once you bite into one of them!!! The owners Hermanos Moises and Sarah are the Best!! 50+yrs Campos in Santa Monica!! It is a Must have!! God Bless their Beautiful family!!Vegetarian options: Bean and Cheese Burrito. All veggie Burritos. The Famous Avocado Burrito, Bean, Rice and Cheese Burritos. Cheese Enchiladas, Rice and Chips, Caldo de Vegetables. Egg and Veggies Burritos. And so much More!!“
“Maria Sol is a cool, hip, waterfront restaurant with delicious Baja fish tacos, chicken quesadillas, and an array of amazing Mexican food. When we entered the restaurant, we loved the entire vibe. The weather was beautiful, a perfect day to eat outside on the patio overlooking the ocean. Due to the cool breeze we opted to dine inside. The hostess, server, and entire staff were wonderful, and made our dining experience fantastic. We ordered during lunch hours. The food was served fast, freshly prepared, we could barely take photos of our plate, we were so hungry. This restaurant was a winner for us, and we could not have been more happier.“
“The food and ambience was excellent. We had a reservation for a seat. We had a good view of the TV for the Super Bowl. The menu had a lot of yummy options making it difficult to make a choice. That is the best problem to have. We enjoyed our time immensely.“
“Our first time here. Clean eating good Mexican food. The Tacos de asada were delish, chips and salsa were bomb. We also got a Quesadilla and asada bowl. The date horchata was good. We enjoyed our meal. Friendly service, clean establishment. It's a nice and cozy modern spot , not to mention you can purchase merch from the notorious Machete -Danny Trejo since it's his place?.“
“Ruben's is a solid, reliable taco truck in this area. Whether it's past midnight or it's pouring rain or incredibly windy, I can always rely on Ruben's being there. I think where Ruben's really shines are the non-standard menu items that you wouldn't normally find at a taco stand. For example, I often get their California Burrito because everything is made fresh-to-order, so it's great to have some incredibly crispy fries with every bite. I've also started getting their Wet Burrito too--that thing is massive and comes with a nice heaping of enchilada sauce. Both burritos come with chips and salsa too, which is a nice touch. Lastly, their Fish Tacos and Shrimp Tacos definitely deserve some recognition. I think they are some of the best you can get in LA for the price, and they come with very generous portions. The staff have always been very nice there, and they have some folding tables and chairs setup but it's mostly a take-out crowd at Ruben's. Go check out Ruben's!“
“The food was amazing love the corn in a cup first time I try it and it's was worth it,also I try there tamales and was very Delicious, I'll give it the corner and the cup and tamales are ten out of ten I will really would love to buy another one on my next “
“We've gone to this place for decades, and its quality has never diminished. There's something about the beans that is unique and tasty. We think it's a mix of refritos and kidney beans, but it's also the seasoning. I love their veggie burrito, which comes with their fantastic guacamole inside, but even the basic bean and cheese burrito is supremely satisfying. The fish tacos or fish burrito is a mainstay for me here, but years ago -- before I stopped eating beef -- I found the carne asada to be savory and delicious. Don't forget to get a side of the mole rojo! Once in a while, they forget to give us all the food we ordered. They are fine making up for it (no refunds), but when you've already gotten home with an incomplete order, it's a hassle. My recommendation: Quickly check you've got everything you ordered before leaving with your takeout order. The other alternative is to eat in-house, which is no-frills but perfectly comfortable, especially at the sidewalk tables outside.“
“As a Mexican, I can vouch for the authenticity of the food served at this place. The salsa was spot-on, bringing back memories of home. The service was both friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between aesthetic and cozy, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. I would definitely return for more delicious Mexican food. Highly recommended!“
“The food it's good, needs better service though there was a short guy and he wasn't nice when he took my order, at least smile or somethin' you know, I asked him, what's good in here? And he is like, he doesn't know. Looks nice, I took some pics.“
“We have been coming here for over a decade. It is a "must visit" on Main Street - Santa Monica. The food has always been fantastic. That said, there has been a recent change in ownership & the food has jumped to another level. Also there is now a Happy Hour that is extremely HAPPY ;) That said, the reason we will never stop visiting Lula Cocina Mexicana is the Wait Staff. They are friendly, giving, and downright joyous. Come for the food - stay for the ambience & the Margaritas! Oh, and the 100 plus Tequilas.“
“First time at this location. It is very clean and organized, the OCD in me was very pleased! The hot foods/ salad bar looked really good. This is one of the smaller stores but it seemed very spacious to me!One of the things I came for was the chantilly berry cake but they didn't have it. I got a slice of cheesecake instead. Parking is spacious. I used self check out which went smoothly. There were cashiers at the other registers and it seemed like it was pretty fast.“
“Great selection of tequila. Average prices and portion sizes. Nothing out of the ordinary considering they're right across from the pier. Carne asada nachos were yummy with a nice little kick to it. I think it was the cheese. Drinks were good and our server was always checking on us. Would go again. One star off because the music was a little loud and makes it hard to enjoy the scenery.“
“I have eaten a lot of Mexican food in my 60 plus years. I ordered the bean and cheese burrito, I can’t say enough how good this burrito was..9/10. Then I ordered a crispy taco with shredded beef. That was even better. Fantastic meat and flavor. My son had an amazing breakfast burrito. Two drinks and the total cost of $33. That was super cheap by todays standards I’ll be going back!!!! Love this food. Read sone reviews that said the service was rude and slow. My guy was super cool and the food came in 7 or 8 minutes on a busy Xmas weekend. If this place were in my neighborhood I would live there.“
“I wish I knew what made their carnitas so special -- I'm convinced they're made by some sort of god. I have never had them this good. Exceptional food and attentive service. I have been to the 3rd street location as well and it is just as good. I dream about your food!“