I love this place. Everything. The food, the friendly staff, the atmosphere! I love getting the house salad and a chile verde plate!
Peggy H.
Food was good. Margaritas were great company I was with was wonderful. First time I've been to the restaurant and the service was good as also I did not like their guacamole. It tasted like it was premade and runny.
Annie T.
Manuel's is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Santa Cruz area. The food is so good that I crave it! Considering how there is always a line of customers out the door (even on a Monday) and the dining area is always packed, Manuel's servers and chefs are quick! And get this: the service is always attentive, friendly, and fast! I've eaten here twice, and loved it both times. I would come here again and again. Only heads up is that the prices are a little steep for my blood. For my daughter and I, we ordered 2 meals: a combo plate and the Monday special that comes with salad and dessert. The portions were huge, and everything was tasty. We also enjoyed 2 baskets of complimentary chips and salsa. We didn't order anything else, including drinks, and the bill was $60+tip. As long as you're ok with the price tag, Manuel's is the place to go for good Mexican food with an upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere.
Grant And Leila K.
We had a wonderful experience here!! We came in on a Friday night with no reservation but were treated very kindly and immediately put in a waitlist which was only about 10 minutes! We got to sit at the bar in the meantime and they kept the chips and salsa coming! When we were seated we had an excellent server who took our drink and food orders quickly! we both got combo plates and they were SO GOOD! we cant recommend this place enough! the food was so authentic - amazing rice and beans and enchilada sauce!!! the vibes were great with the decor and music! We will definitely be back!!
Rob Ryan
Excellent food. It's a bit on the pricey side. Took advantage of the lunch specials. Make reservations if you want to eat here during dinner hours. Usually crazy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aztec Luna
Always Great food but always hard to find parking. Only problem I had was with the male hostess 3/23/24 Told him my name for pick and said ok he'll check while the food was already done. After watching seat three families and not telling the bar employee for my order after 15 minutes standing at the entrance inside I decided to ask myself and soon realized my order was there the whole time. Great restaurant I just don't think their employees are very smart, I told the hostess to try and do his job better that I get better service in Mexico and he needs to step up his game and I wasn't leaving a tip because he forgot about me even though I was standing right in front of him and staring at him the whole time, maybe hire some local Aptos people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Brannon S.
Sadest review I've ever written. I've come here since my late teens in the mid 90s. Truly my favorite food. In all of Santa Cruz County. Blocks from my house. But maybe it's that I just got food to go and didn't stay and have drinks. I don't know when the prices exponentially increased. But I can no longer recommend this place to friends or customers of my business when in town. $33 for carne asada tacos. I love them. I really do. $12.50 for gaucamole, maybe maybe not. But it's just sad. Maybe I should be mad and national and state leadership for the prices. But sadly I don't feel so gutted for money at other places. Wonderful staff. Great tasting food. But sadly I think maybe for the richest and out of town tourists at this point. I guess it will just be a memory that I have to remember better times.
Bradley C.
Go there late on a stormy night trust me! Love this place great food!!! Thanks for the years of delicious nights out.
KC C
With four stars, I had high hopes for this place, but it is decent at best.Parking was kind of a nightmare; I had to drive around in circles until I realized I would just have to park down the street and walk over. It’s not the worst, but it wasn’t the easiest. Upon arrival, it was packed….like so crowded you are literally sitting corner to corner with others. We thought about going elsewhere bc we just didn’t want to be THAT close to others. That actually almost happened as they said they did not see our name on the reservation list, but I told them I KNOW I made the reservation bc online, it says to call a week before your desired date; I didn’t just make that up. They hustled and bustled, and finally got us a seat.Three entrees, one guoc and four margaritas later, we were hit with a $120 bill pre tip. I mean that’s not expensive, but for a meal that was just OK at best, I would’ve taken my coins elsewhere.Overall, the place was meh. I am giving them three stars bc Jesus was a great waiter. Although he messed up our order, he fixed it, and fast. Food is out in about 5-7 minutes, and I get the idea that they don’t want you lingering. We came in thinking we’d have a few drinks, hang, eat, drink some more, but we were in and out in about 45 minutes.Likely won’t return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
KC C.
With four stars, I had high hopes for this place, but it is decent at best. Parking was kind of a nightmare; I had to drive around in circles until I realized I would just have to park down the street and walk over. It's not the worst, but it wasn't the easiest. Upon arrival, it was packed....like so crowded you are literally sitting corner to corner with others. We thought about going elsewhere bc we just didn't want to be THAT close to others. That actually almost happened as they said they did not see our name on the reservation list, but I told them I KNOW I made the reservation bc online, it says to call a week before your desired date; I didn't just make that up. They hustled and bustled, and finally got us a seat. Three entrees, one guoc and four margaritas later, we were hit with a $120 bill pre tip. I mean that's not expensive, but for a meal that was just OK at best, I would've taken my coins elsewhere. Overall, the place was meh. I am giving them three stars bc Jesus was a great waiter. Although he messed up our order, he fixed it, and fast. Food is out in about 5-7 minutes, and I get the idea that they don't want you lingering. We came in thinking we'd have a few drinks, hang, eat, drink some more, but we were in and out in about 45 minutes. Likely won't return.
Very basic Mexican food. Good service but we thought it was very generic food. Ok atmosphere.
Russ L.
Great amigos! Best enchiladas & margaritas to boot. Service is always excellent even on a busy night.
Carter L.
$42 for a "pitcher" of margaritas. Rip off. This holds 3 cups of margarita and is 1L in volume. Ask for the real pitcher if you come here and don't let them say "we are out of the other one" because it's a lot bigger. Food was a 12/10 as always. Chicken burrito is amazing. Guacamole and salsa are fire! Don't fall for the pitcher price, it's literally the exact same for one as it is for a pitcher and singles are made better.
Keato T.
this place is an aptos institution. i've never once been disappointed. the staff is as wonderful as the food, and the margaritas will knock your socks off.
Gary Byrne
Great food and an amazing staff that make you feel at home.
I love this place. Everything. The food, the friendly staff, the atmosphere! I love getting the house salad and a chile verde plate!
Food was good. Margaritas were great company I was with was wonderful. First time I've been to the restaurant and the service was good as also I did not like their guacamole. It tasted like it was premade and runny.
Manuel's is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Santa Cruz area. The food is so good that I crave it! Considering how there is always a line of customers out the door (even on a Monday) and the dining area is always packed, Manuel's servers and chefs are quick! And get this: the service is always attentive, friendly, and fast! I've eaten here twice, and loved it both times. I would come here again and again. Only heads up is that the prices are a little steep for my blood. For my daughter and I, we ordered 2 meals: a combo plate and the Monday special that comes with salad and dessert. The portions were huge, and everything was tasty. We also enjoyed 2 baskets of complimentary chips and salsa. We didn't order anything else, including drinks, and the bill was $60+tip. As long as you're ok with the price tag, Manuel's is the place to go for good Mexican food with an upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere.
We had a wonderful experience here!! We came in on a Friday night with no reservation but were treated very kindly and immediately put in a waitlist which was only about 10 minutes! We got to sit at the bar in the meantime and they kept the chips and salsa coming! When we were seated we had an excellent server who took our drink and food orders quickly! we both got combo plates and they were SO GOOD! we cant recommend this place enough! the food was so authentic - amazing rice and beans and enchilada sauce!!! the vibes were great with the decor and music! We will definitely be back!!
Excellent food. It's a bit on the pricey side. Took advantage of the lunch specials. Make reservations if you want to eat here during dinner hours. Usually crazy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always Great food but always hard to find parking. Only problem I had was with the male hostess 3/23/24 Told him my name for pick and said ok he'll check while the food was already done. After watching seat three families and not telling the bar employee for my order after 15 minutes standing at the entrance inside I decided to ask myself and soon realized my order was there the whole time. Great restaurant I just don't think their employees are very smart, I told the hostess to try and do his job better that I get better service in Mexico and he needs to step up his game and I wasn't leaving a tip because he forgot about me even though I was standing right in front of him and staring at him the whole time, maybe hire some local Aptos people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Sadest review I've ever written. I've come here since my late teens in the mid 90s. Truly my favorite food. In all of Santa Cruz County. Blocks from my house. But maybe it's that I just got food to go and didn't stay and have drinks. I don't know when the prices exponentially increased. But I can no longer recommend this place to friends or customers of my business when in town. $33 for carne asada tacos. I love them. I really do. $12.50 for gaucamole, maybe maybe not. But it's just sad. Maybe I should be mad and national and state leadership for the prices. But sadly I don't feel so gutted for money at other places. Wonderful staff. Great tasting food. But sadly I think maybe for the richest and out of town tourists at this point. I guess it will just be a memory that I have to remember better times.
Go there late on a stormy night trust me! Love this place great food!!! Thanks for the years of delicious nights out.
With four stars, I had high hopes for this place, but it is decent at best.Parking was kind of a nightmare; I had to drive around in circles until I realized I would just have to park down the street and walk over. It’s not the worst, but it wasn’t the easiest. Upon arrival, it was packed….like so crowded you are literally sitting corner to corner with others. We thought about going elsewhere bc we just didn’t want to be THAT close to others. That actually almost happened as they said they did not see our name on the reservation list, but I told them I KNOW I made the reservation bc online, it says to call a week before your desired date; I didn’t just make that up. They hustled and bustled, and finally got us a seat.Three entrees, one guoc and four margaritas later, we were hit with a $120 bill pre tip. I mean that’s not expensive, but for a meal that was just OK at best, I would’ve taken my coins elsewhere.Overall, the place was meh. I am giving them three stars bc Jesus was a great waiter. Although he messed up our order, he fixed it, and fast. Food is out in about 5-7 minutes, and I get the idea that they don’t want you lingering. We came in thinking we’d have a few drinks, hang, eat, drink some more, but we were in and out in about 45 minutes.Likely won’t return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
With four stars, I had high hopes for this place, but it is decent at best. Parking was kind of a nightmare; I had to drive around in circles until I realized I would just have to park down the street and walk over. It's not the worst, but it wasn't the easiest. Upon arrival, it was packed....like so crowded you are literally sitting corner to corner with others. We thought about going elsewhere bc we just didn't want to be THAT close to others. That actually almost happened as they said they did not see our name on the reservation list, but I told them I KNOW I made the reservation bc online, it says to call a week before your desired date; I didn't just make that up. They hustled and bustled, and finally got us a seat. Three entrees, one guoc and four margaritas later, we were hit with a $120 bill pre tip. I mean that's not expensive, but for a meal that was just OK at best, I would've taken my coins elsewhere. Overall, the place was meh. I am giving them three stars bc Jesus was a great waiter. Although he messed up our order, he fixed it, and fast. Food is out in about 5-7 minutes, and I get the idea that they don't want you lingering. We came in thinking we'd have a few drinks, hang, eat, drink some more, but we were in and out in about 45 minutes. Likely won't return.
Restaurantji Recommends
Very basic Mexican food. Good service but we thought it was very generic food. Ok atmosphere.
Great amigos! Best enchiladas & margaritas to boot. Service is always excellent even on a busy night.
$42 for a "pitcher" of margaritas. Rip off. This holds 3 cups of margarita and is 1L in volume. Ask for the real pitcher if you come here and don't let them say "we are out of the other one" because it's a lot bigger. Food was a 12/10 as always. Chicken burrito is amazing. Guacamole and salsa are fire! Don't fall for the pitcher price, it's literally the exact same for one as it is for a pitcher and singles are made better.
this place is an aptos institution. i've never once been disappointed. the staff is as wonderful as the food, and the margaritas will knock your socks off.
Great food and an amazing staff that make you feel at home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5