The food was pretty lackluster in my opinion, the chicken really stringy and bland and everything kind of blurred together into an unremarkable mush. Not the best Mexican I've had by any stretch.
Also stay away if you or your child has a peanut allergy - there is peanut butter mixed into the Enchilada sauce (red sauce) and it is not noted on the menu.
Sheri Nottingham
Standard Mexican-American food, nothing special. The service was friendly and over-the-top excellent, though with every customer.
Cesar Castillo
We visit the beaches in Aptos quite a bit and stumbled apon this restaurant while on our way back to Stockton, it was late and there wasn't anything open so we decided to give it a try and oh my I'm so glad we did. The food here is delicious! My 9 year old is extremely picky, there isn't much he will eat especially if it's from somewhere new. We told him the food was really good and he would like it so after some time he tried it, let me tell you my son was dancing while he was chewing lol. He kept saying how good the food was and when he went back to school that Monday he even wrote about it in a writing assignment 🤣 We visited again July 9 but this time we placed an order over the phone for pick up so we could eat dinner on the beach, our order was ready by the time we got to the restaurant and the taste and quality was the same as we remembered. We have actually considered making the 2 hour drive just for dinner because we crave the food
Adam Lee Davenport
Amazing!
Doug Bragdon
Manuel's has classic big plates with melted cheese, if no al pastor. Good service, sometimes the restaurant is a bit musty. The seafood tostada $28 July 2025 is pictured.
Erik Garcia
Absolutely love this sit down Mexican restaurant amazing food great lunch specials good portions and the best service I have experienced in Santa Cruz in a while. Highly recommend the Chicken Chimichanga lunch special.
Dwight Lynn, CSP, LUTCF
The Crab & Shrimp Tostada is the best thing on the menu IMO. Their margaritas are perhaps the best in the county. It's one of our favorites and we'll never stop going there.
Heather Bailey
my absolute favorite Mexican food ever! I love this place, but good luck getting in it's slammed all the time! My favorite dish is the #4
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shivam Patel
Portions are used
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherly Coronado
Every time we're in town we come to Manuel's for their Top Shelf margaritas. Or better yet, we've planned our California trips around Manuel's to sip on these decadent libations. It doesn't hurt that the staff is stellar and the food is yummy.
This is a great local place with fantastic margaritas. It's a little pricey, but the quality is fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Boomerdagoat23
I love your number 11
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco
Amir Ahmed Asif
A bit upscale than everyday Mexicsnnpalces but worth the money. The service is super fast! It is the shortest ever someone took an order for burrito and tostada and came back in 5 minutes. Food was good. The portion size is satisfactory.
Indoor has three sections. The ambiance has three types: well-lit front, medium-lit middle and dark back tables. Each table has a candle and some flowers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tony Moraros
I recently enjoyed an authentic Mexican dinner at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant in Aptos, California, and it was absolutely delightful. The food was delicious and truly hit the spot. I had the chicken taco, cheese enchilada, and tamale combination plate, which included tasty rice and yummy beans. The plate was served piping hot, making it perfect comfort food on a chilly day or any day you’re craving a super meal.
The service was top-notch, the best I’ve experienced in a simple Mexican restaurant. Manuel’s has been an Aptos local secret since 1965, family-owned and operated, and it shows in the quality of both the food and the service. I highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience!
The food was pretty lackluster in my opinion, the chicken really stringy and bland and everything kind of blurred together into an unremarkable mush. Not the best Mexican I've had by any stretch.
Also stay away if you or your child has a peanut allergy - there is peanut butter mixed into the Enchilada sauce (red sauce) and it is not noted on the menu.
Standard Mexican-American food, nothing special. The service was friendly and over-the-top excellent, though with every customer.
We visit the beaches in Aptos quite a bit and stumbled apon this restaurant while on our way back to Stockton, it was late and there wasn't anything open so we decided to give it a try and oh my I'm so glad we did. The food here is delicious! My 9 year old is extremely picky, there isn't much he will eat especially if it's from somewhere new. We told him the food was really good and he would like it so after some time he tried it, let me tell you my son was dancing while he was chewing lol. He kept saying how good the food was and when he went back to school that Monday he even wrote about it in a writing assignment 🤣 We visited again July 9 but this time we placed an order over the phone for pick up so we could eat dinner on the beach, our order was ready by the time we got to the restaurant and the taste and quality was the same as we remembered. We have actually considered making the 2 hour drive just for dinner because we crave the food
Amazing!
Manuel's has classic big plates with melted cheese, if no al pastor. Good service, sometimes the restaurant is a bit musty. The seafood tostada $28 July 2025 is pictured.
Absolutely love this sit down Mexican restaurant amazing food great lunch specials good portions and the best service I have experienced in Santa Cruz in a while. Highly recommend the Chicken Chimichanga lunch special.
The Crab & Shrimp Tostada is the best thing on the menu IMO. Their margaritas are perhaps the best in the county. It's one of our favorites and we'll never stop going there.
my absolute favorite Mexican food ever! I love this place, but good luck getting in it's slammed all the time! My favorite dish is the #4
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Portions are used
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every time we're in town we come to Manuel's for their Top Shelf margaritas. Or better yet, we've planned our California trips around Manuel's to sip on these decadent libations. It doesn't hurt that the staff is stellar and the food is yummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Enchiladas Combination Plate
Restaurantji Recommends
This is a great local place with fantastic margaritas. It's a little pricey, but the quality is fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love your number 11
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco
A bit upscale than everyday Mexicsnnpalces but worth the money.
The service is super fast! It is the shortest ever someone took an order for burrito and tostada and came back in 5 minutes.
Food was good. The portion size is satisfactory.
Indoor has three sections. The ambiance has three types: well-lit front, medium-lit middle and dark back tables. Each table has a candle and some flowers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently enjoyed an authentic Mexican dinner at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant in Aptos, California, and it was absolutely delightful. The food was delicious and truly hit the spot. I had the chicken taco, cheese enchilada, and tamale combination plate, which included tasty rice and yummy beans. The plate was served piping hot, making it perfect comfort food on a chilly day or any day you’re craving a super meal.
The service was top-notch, the best I’ve experienced in a simple Mexican restaurant. Manuel’s has been an Aptos local secret since 1965, family-owned and operated, and it shows in the quality of both the food and the service. I highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Enchiladas Combination Plate, Taco, Chips
They treat everyone like a family member, with love and respect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Snapper Its the Friday Special, Chips & Salsa to Go, Chips, Chile Verde Burritos, Chile Colorado, Taco Salad
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