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.
“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.“
“Loved this place ! Great for a chill (and family friendly) vibe by the Santa Monica pier . The servers were super friendly (they even offer complimentary food for your dog). The portions are large and filling. The grilled fish taco (snapper) was delicious and their guacamole is fresh and chips are not too salty.I especially enjoyed the watermelon agua fresca (fresh watermelon that is not too sweet).100% recommend this spot.“
“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!“
“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!“
“The place is well located and comfortable, the food is excellent ? the attention from the waiters who, despite being very young, provide magnificent service, they are bilingual and make you feel very comfortable.. in general the staff is very attentive and friendly, I highly recommend This place has reasonable prices and the food is of very good quality. I hope to return soon.“
“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.“
“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!“
“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.“
“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.“
“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“
“I can't say enough nice things about this place. I placed a larger order and everything was SO smooth, from the actual placing of the order all the way to pickup. They even put each meal in its very own baggie, labelled with names!! It made my life sooo much easier and on top of that, everyone I spoke to was SO kind and eager to help!! I will absolutely be ordering from here again and again!!“
“The restaurant has a unique decor. It feels like a place in some island in the Pacific. The food is excellent from a chef who has traveled the world and found the best recipes from many different countries. There is a lounge/bar in the back for drinks that is convenient and very comfortable. The servers are efficient and knowledgeable about the various dishes“
“Love this place! The burritos are all great but the #3 combo (1 pork tamale, 1 cheese enchilada, rice & beans) is probably my favorite. Our waitress was amazing. I took a friend for his birthday and the waitress brought out a birthday flan for him, without me even saying anything.“
“A local favorite for Mexican American fare. This westside restaurant is tucked in on Pico Boulevard looking like a tavern from the front facade. Large windows adorn the front with an interesting upstairs view.Open for lunch thru dinner with nice late evening hours for the weekend crowd, this can also be a new drinking hole for some really decent Margarita fixes. Order a Cadillac and sometimes you may find whoever made your drink may have had quite a heavy hand.I just love how the house salsa placed with chips at every table is not made for just the gringos. The kick is how salsa should be, and the rustic thick chips really made scooping quite nice.As for their entrees, everything is traditional Mexican American. The Enchiladas are made well with seasoned stewed chicken and covered with your sauce of choosing served with rice and beans. Everything is seasoned on the lighter side, but I appreciate not getting a salt bomb like some other places.Other usual items of Tacos, Burritos, Asada Plates, and even Ceviche will be the usual standards you may know. Everything is finished well, served on hot thick plates, and hearty.If your visit is for a nice evening, do give the upstairs dining room a try. They have done a good job. There is even a 2nd bar area on the second level. Some evenings are packed and there is a reason because they have a good neighborhood following.Parking is street/meter with a small parking lot in the back alley with stacked parking.“
“Always my go to place when I'm working at our Santa Monica office. Their burritos and chicken quesadilla are very good. The owners kept their business open even during the pandemic, keeping their workers serving when mist of the nearby restaurants closed.“
“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!“
“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..“
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“We absolutely love Benny’s! They are so friendly, fast and efficient. The rotisserie chickens are excellent and such an easy dinner for the family. The nachos are delicious and the portions are very generous. They have so many options and always aim to please. Parking and indoor and outdoor seating make this such an easy and fun destination.“
“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 ?“
“Walked in trying to find a place that was playing a specific Bowl Game on TV and was greeted by the kindest, nicest man who hit us all setup and even changed the channel for us on the closest TV. Waiter was excellent, margaritas were delicious and strong and the food was great. Highly recommend the guacamole and ceviche. Was a highlight of our trip to be welcomed so warmly here!“
“Let's be honest, not many people look on yelp for a review of Pollo loco. The restaurant is what it is with a little to no variation upon locations. Having said that, I frequent this location quite a bit. I always always order with a couple modifications and they're always happy to accommodate, always do it with a smile and 100% perfect. The staff are we seem happy after work and it's a nice place to frequent. Highly recommended,“
“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!!“
“Ol school Ocean Park taco dive! My favs : tacos de pollo & The Bean N Cheese burrito ( only $8.75)! W pico de gallo inside. Looks basic inside, but its priced friendly. Apple Pay accepted :) Customizing orders is easy on their website portal. Only negative is their chicken marinade/chips are always over salted. Love the little chunti window opening for quick pick up and go online orders on without getting off my beach cruiser.“
“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 “
“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 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.“
“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!“
“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?.“
“Great place at the end of the pier on a sunny day. Not too expensive for the location, so they aren't gouging you just for being on the pier, which is refreshing. Just as refreshing as the sea air. It's quite nice.The margarita is a bit pricey but tasted on point. Nachos were great and filling for a couple. Would recommend for couples visiting the pier.“
“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.“
“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.“
“The restaurant is very nice, the staff was friendly and very helpful. It is the first time we visited this place, it caught our attention for calling itself a Mexican restaurant. The food is very good! They have a spectacular view of the area! They serve large and small groups very well. Plus it's also a bar which is a plus! The only detail was that they gave us a very uncomfortable table, well actually the place where the table was was uncomfortable. The place was not very busy so giving us another table was not a problem. On the other hand, if you like sweet drinks I can recommend the SANTA MÓNICA SUNSET margarita, it is delicious! In case you are looking for something super spicy I recommend the CLASSIC SHRIMP CEVICHE. It's a shrimp ceviche in lemon juice and very spicy serrano chili! They accompany it with very thin and fried slices of banana. They are delicious! If you visit this restaurant with your family, I recommend the CHICKEN TAQUITOS. They are chicken flautas with a red tortilla. They are delicious! We also ordered CARNE ASADA TACOS. The meat was in very large and thick pieces! The white rice tasted like it was days ago!“
“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.“
“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 “