18 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants near Santa Monica

“As an Austinite spending some time in California, it was wonderful to get a taste of home. The breakfast tacos are a hit, fantastic homemade tortillas, and most importantly the salsa was perfection. The service and staff were also incredible friendly. My favorite breakfast taco is the Don’t Mess With Texas and the Trinity. The Cookie Milk Iced Coffee is great too.“

“Me encanta la comida y el servicio soy cliente desde hace 12 Años“

“Had three different tacos Brisket was awesome Other two very good But brisket!!!“

“Really tasty and great experience. I’m visiting from the U.K. and I wish we had places to eat like this!“

“I usually don't eat outside such in restaurants or bars... this was my first time to try a restaurant and it was Chili's at this location.. clean, great service and food. Thank you!“

“Food was good, ambiance was nice and service was excellent. For me, the place was too loud. If you do not mind, I can recommend the place. Just make sure you come early. They do not take reservations and the line was long.“

“Chili's Grill & Bar is one of those places that proves a simple idea executed well can still feel genuinely satisfying. It’s not trying to be overly complicated or overly refined, and that’s exactly what makes the experience work so well.

From the moment you walk in, there’s a familiar, relaxed energy in the air. The atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming, making it a comfortable spot for almost any occasion—whether it’s a casual dinner, a late-night bite, or a spontaneous meet-up with friends. It has that easygoing, welcoming vibe where you immediately know you can settle in and just enjoy the moment.

What stood out most during my visit was the consistency. The food arrived hot, fresh, and exactly as expected—but in a good way that speaks to reliability and care. The flavors were bold and satisfying, with that signature American grill style that Chili’s is known for. Everything felt well-balanced: hearty without being heavy, flavorful without being overwhelming.

The menu has a certain nostalgic charm to it. It offers comfort food classics that don’t try to reinvent the wheel, but instead focus on delivering familiar favorites in a dependable and enjoyable way. Whether it’s grilled items, burgers, or shareable appetizers, everything feels designed for enjoyment and sharing rather than formality.

One of the highlights was how well the kitchen handles timing and presentation. Even during busy hours, the dishes arrived in good order, nicely plated, and clearly prepared with attention. It’s the kind of place where you can actually relax knowing your meal will be consistent every time you visit.

The service also added a lot to the experience. The staff was friendly, efficient, and had a natural, upbeat energy that fit perfectly with the restaurant’s atmosphere. They checked in at the right moments, offered helpful suggestions, and made the whole experience feel smooth and effortless without being intrusive.

What makes Chili’s stand out is its role as a “comfort zone” restaurant. It doesn’t try to compete with high-end dining, and it doesn’t need to. Instead, it focuses on being reliable, welcoming, and consistently enjoyable. That kind of dependability is surprisingly valuable, especially when you just want a good meal without overthinking it.

By the end of the visit, what remained wasn’t just the taste of the food, but the overall feeling of ease and satisfaction. It’s the kind of place you can return to many times and always know exactly what kind of experience you’re going to get—in the best possible way.

A solid, dependable, and genuinely enjoyable dining experience. Chili’s Grill & Bar continues to do what it does best: good food, good energy, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer than planned.“

“I LOVE TACOS!!! And these are the best. The brisket taco and potatoe taco are off the charts delicious. The guac is also amazing.The staff is always super welcoming, offering ideas on what's new. I brought a friend here last week and he was blown away!! It's those brisket tacos. Don't believe me... get in and try them. You won't be disappointed“

“the staff is very friendly, service is fast, and the food is delectable!“

“Such an amazing staff and the owner is amazing himself. I moved from virginia to California and I absolutely would eat this over anything over there.“

“Stopped by recently and really enjoyed the experience.

Food was fresh, service was friendly, and everything came out quick. The place has a relaxed feel and the team made everything easy.

Always good to support hardworking local business owners doing things the right way.

#taxcap98“

“The food was good the place very clean the only thing was the parking but over all will recommend it“

“The food here was pretty good, but the prices were kind of high for a retail fast food experience from a Baja fresh. They need to lower their prices like a lot of places nowadays to match what they’re actually providing with their service and food.“

“Es mi restaurante favorito , que he probado casi todos sus platillos , pero el que más me gusta es la barbacoa de chivo 100 💯 recommendable..“

“La comida es muy rica, trato amable“

“I am a long time customer at Marina del Rey
Baja Fresh. They have best food and I
always order Shrimp UltimonBurrito with guacamole and pico de gallo (no veggies
or baja salsa) or Taco Tuesday shrimp tacos
with only onion/cilantro and side of rice.
El Torito and Baja Fresh both have best
Mexican food. The staff always treat
customers so well! They have extensive
menu too.“

“I love the burritos nachos and new drinks like the Carmel Frappuccino inspired drink by starbucks also and I what like is the cinnamon roll 😋 and I also get my soda and soft tacos but This will be my first time trying the Taco bell in Pacific Palisades? I Loved Pacific Palisades“

“Me encanta la comida y el servicio soy cliente desde hace 12 Años“