One of the many staples of Island Cuisine in Santa Cruz county! Phenomenal service, well priced…read morefood and drinks. Today I accidentally placed a pickup order at the wrong spot and with zero push back, they changed the order to the preferred location. It's service like that you don't see anymore. Aloha!

Most places don't get poke right, but the ahi Timmy bowl was fresh, delicious, and with just the…read moreright amount of spice/umami. It also came with a good portion of ahi for the price ($19). While the poke was the star, their take on the loco moco burrito was disappointing. The eggs were scrambled so we ended up preferring adding ketchup rather than the gravy over the breakfast burrito. A+ for creativity but a miss for us. There were lots of parking in the back lot and a pretty cool mural. I think they put a lot of thought to the ambiance of the place. You order and pay near the entrance and get a table number. Food came out quickly but other than that, service was minimal. Also, even though we were the first ones there at opening, the tables still had crumbs and streaks on them. Not sure why. And the entrance was locked despite the open sign lit up. We went around to another open door to ask if they were open and they said yes. They didn't realize the door was still locked.

Stopped by Tacos Periscos after a hike and this burrito hit exactly when I needed it…read more They start you off with complimentary chips that came out hot, plus a salsa bar with a good variety to choose from. I always appreciate places that let you sample different salsas before your meal. I ordered the Super Periscos burrito with chicken, and it was exactly my kind of burrito. It was packed with chicken, perfectly cheesy, and, best of all, no rice. I know that's a preference thing, but I like when the filling is actually meat and cheese instead of being loaded with rice. The pico de gallo tasted fresh and added a nice crunch, and the portion was just right without feeling overstuffed. My only small complaint is the salsa selection. There are plenty of options, but none of them really stood out as one I'd keep going back for. They were decent, just not especially memorable. That said, I'd definitely come back. If you're looking for a satisfying burrito after a hike or just want a solid meal that doesn't disappoint, this place does the job.

This is the last time I will be coming here. The main cashier had a very bad attitude yesterday. I…read morewas reading him my order of 2 items. Mind you, there was a long line. I was trying to help him out, as I'm in the hospitality business for high level profiles. He responded and told me he's an old guy, but very rude when I told him the two items and he just cut me off while I was talking . It was a chicken burrito with refried beans, no rice & carne asada fries. He also threw my receipt at me. I get it if you under pressure, but never take it out on a paying customer because you can't work well under pressure. He left a bad taste in my mouth with his bad attitude. I will not be coming back. Be kind to your customers especially i was trying to help you. Lol. The meat was overly cooked. The burrito still had rice in it. Fries were very oily. I still tipped him, even though he didn't deserve any of it. Bad service. Bad attitude.

The food was as good as I was hoping it would be…read more The Crab Cakes were well seasoned and the sauce was tasty. Zucchini sticks are always good. The cheese didn't have an overpowering salty Parmasianish taste. The batter had flavor. WAIT a few minutes before eating. They WILL be HOT and burn your mouth. Which means they were made fresh.. *Not pictured* The Clam Chowder is good. Not thick but not watery. Very peppery which I like. Had enough seasoning. Had celery in it, which I'm not a fan of but I couldn't taste it so that was nice. I wanted the Mahi Mahi to have more of a charcoal/smoke flavor, but the Mahi Mahi was firm, moist, and didn't need salt. The bacon cheeseburger was a bacon cheeseburger..pretty good from what I was told. I'd eat here again..maybe try the soups or seafood pasta dishes next time? The service was ok, didn't get to order any soda/drinks but was provided glasses of water. The food came out quickly. The bartender could be heard shaking and making mixed drinks and cocktails. I'll order one at the bar next time. We were seated at the end of the restaurant by the Manager's Office near the cashier. It's a nice view.

We went to Riva's Fish House on the Santa Cruz Wharf on May 9th and had a great experience. Our…read moreserver, Nathan B., was the standout of the night. My husband ordered the Fish and Chips and they were perfect, crispy on the outside, flaky and moist inside, easily a 10/10. I got the third‑pound cheeseburger with bacon and avocado on the side, and it was also delicious. What really made the visit memorable was the service. Right at the start, my husband let Nathan know that we both have an allium intolerance and garlic allergies. Nathan was upfront about the limitations of a small kitchen and the fact that they can't guarantee anything, which we appreciated. But he still went out of his way to check on things for us. He even came back to let my husband know the tartar sauce had yellow onion in it so he could choose something else. It was clear they were paying attention. Nathan was friendly, patient, and genuinely thoughtful. Dining out with allergies can be stressful, but he made it feel easy and comfortable. We also watched another waitress run after a family who had forgotten a sippy cup; just another example of how attentive the staff is. Overall, the food was great, but the service is what will bring us back.

Super cute spot right off the beach. We also got a view of the colorful houses from our table. We…read morechose outdoor seating where our table was close to a lil pond and ducks were swimming up to us! We also saw someone stand-up-paddleboarding in there as we were eating! Happy hour is M-F 3:30-5:30pm but I heard they may be discontinuing it soon :( We got the Happy Hour Cucumber Margarita + Chicken Taco Combo, Lagunitas IPA Draft Beer + Shrimp Taco, Calamari, and Loaded Nachos. Happy hour plating size is smaller than the full menu size but the amount of food was perfect for my group of 3. They gave a generous amount of chicken+shrimp on the tacos so we put the extra meat on the nachos! The shrimps are grilled with a smoky charred flavor and the chicken is so juicy and flavorful, almost having a curry/tumeric taste. So delish. Staff is super nice and our waiter was super helpful. Vibes are immaculate and I'm sure food would hit even better after a warm summer swim!

Higher prices but the portions arent terribly small at least. The clam chowder was pretty standard…read more(nothing crazy but nothing to complain about). The steak tacos were pricey for the amount you get but the meat was good. The enchiladas were probably the most worth and were tasty though the beans weren't particularly good. The chips may be pricey but they are unlimited which is nice. My friend had the margarita and said it was just ok which is probably a little disappointing if thats what youre coming for. Service was solid though and The outdoor seating facing the beach is really nice and they do have heat lamps since it can get chilly. Parking in downtown Capitola is a little crowded (and most of it is paid parking) so you'll prolly need to do a short walk. All in all, you're paying more for the ambiance and service but the food isn't terrible and it was overall still a nice experience

A delicious choice for every occasion. I've been coming here for over 20 years and love it. The…read moremain restaurant, with its deep booths and beautiful high painted ceilings, is a lovely destination for fancy dinners. The bar is a great date spot, and the taco bar (?) in the dar back is perfect for a quick bite or drink with a buddy. Their chips and salsa are next level. I love coming here for lunch when I work in downtown Santa Cruz.

3.5 stars. We were looking for a spot to eat after doing a hike at Henry Cowell and found this…read moreplace tucked away on the main street. After not being able to get in at a few other spots, this place didn't have a wait time. Let me get this out of the way first. Service was *excellent.* The interior of the restaurant almost looked like an old church with its arched ceilings and tiled floors. It lent to a very old Mexican Pueblo Town Vibe inside. The outdoor patio (after seeing it) almost made me wish we sat outside after seeing how bright it was out there. It was very dark inside compared to how it was in the patio area. So why the 3.5 stars? The food. Coming from East Side San Jose where Mexican food is plentiful and done well, I can't say that this place came close. The chicken inside the taquitos were so dry inside that I kept wondering if it was shredded chicken that sat out for a long period of time because the juice was sucked out of it. Now let's move onto the beans. I love me some refried beans and these tasted bland. I was so disappointed. The rice was good however I've had better. As for the Asado Rollos which were described to us as a chimichanga that is sliced up, I was also left wanting for more. Taste wise it was lacking. It had all the fillings in there but after having one slice, I was done. There was one thing that was the star of the show here. It was the complimentary chips and salsa which was refilled several times by the staff. These were addicting and probably could have just had these on their own.

Manuel's is unsuspecting from the outside, but inside is a home to great flavors and friendly…read morestaff. We were in the area for a car meet and stepped away for lunch and Manuel's popped up as an option. We originally were planning to take the food to go, but switched to eating in house instead. The staff was quick to update our order and have us seated with chips. Their salsa was no joke - it's great for people who love spice. I opted for their half burrito with beef and that was enough to keep me full. A friend in the group opted for their full burrito and had regrets after, only because it was much bigger than they anticipated... but now they had a nice dinner. Overall, Manuel's is worth stopping by if you're in the area and got a craving for Mexican food.

First time visiting Manuel's. The atmosphere is cosy and welcoming. My mom and I were seated right…read moreaway at a nice table by the window, though my mom felt it was too cramped. The service was amazing. I had the daily special, which included a salad, tea or coffee, and ice cream. The potions were too big for me to finish, but overall it was delicious. The mole especially was excellent.

Everytime im in santa cruz i always have to stop here! Its so good and price is also good! Very…read morefalvorful and i love spicy!!! I always get the 2 taco combo with rice and beans! Delicious!!! Service is always nice

Las Palmas is hands-down one of the best spots for authentic Mexican food in Santa Cruz! The tacos…read moreare fresh, flavorful, and packed with quality ingredients. The carnitas taco is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the fish tacos are perfectly seasoned with a crisp finish. Their salsa bar is a dream; so many options to customize your meal, and everything tastes homemade. The vibe is casual and welcoming, perfect for grabbing a quick bite or hanging out with friends. Service is fast and friendly, even during busy hours. Prices are super reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. Pro tip: don't skip the super burrito. It's huge and absolutely delicious! If you're in Santa Cruz and craving authentic Mexican flavors, Las Palmas Taco Bar is a must-visit. Great food, great value, and a local favorite for a reason!

Andrew was very efficient and attentive to our needs. Great service and quality of food was great.read more

Drinks and food are amazing ! Staff is efficient and sweet. Bradley and Jesus are a great…read moreattribution to the staff team. They do well when over worked and understaffed during taco Tuesday and Thursday . I'm a regular for a reason, great vibes and food. lobster tacos and the avocado cream FIREEEEEE. Bomb. Com