Papa Chano's

3.6 (330 reviews)

ModerateMexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Beer Bar

Open • 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Papa Chano's Photos

Papa Chano's - Single Fish Taco a la Carte (x2) - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - As you enter - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Super Burrito with asada, Super Burrito with chili verde, fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Papa Chano's - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's Popular Dishes

6 Photos34 Reviews

5 Photos19 Reviews

6 Photos16 Reviews

Papa Chano's menu photos

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PAPA CHANO'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

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Outside

5 Photos

Casual

Moderate noise

Good for kids

Good for groups

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Reviews With Photos - Papa Chano's

Jennifer N.

After adventures in Monterey all day, I was wandering the area and happened upon Papa Chanos. Wanted a quick dinner before the long drive home and noticed their vegetarian options. The place looked clean and inviting so I stopped in and got a veggie taco. It had rice, beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Nothing fancy but a good balance of ingredients and was a simple, filling option. They have a chips and salsa bar you can help yourself to, as well. Order at counter, but they do bring it out to you. Nice, affordable spot that's conveniently located to other shops and local Monterey establishments.

Jasmine M.

Loved the refillable chip and salsa bar, such a great touch for a place that is more of a fast food dining experience. I ordered the chicken tamales and they were packed with meat and not dry at all, definitely recommend those. I also got a super quesadilla that was really loaded, which I appreciated, but it got soggy pretty fast and kind of fell apart while eating. The cheese wasn't very melted and didn't hold it all together. The menu was pretty large too, so there's definitely something for everyone. It's a solid spot with generous portions and pricing and pretty good tamales.

Greg C.

Papa Chano is good. Not great. Very clean. Almost antiseptic. Can a restaurant be too clean ? Not really. When I walk into a Mex restaurant I want to be able to smell what's going on in the kitchen - to imagine how great my meal will be. Pork sizzling on the grill, tortillas on the hot hard top....you get my picture. You get none of that here. Kind of an antiseptic nothing. That may be ok for you but I might as well have been in a stationary store. The food: tried the carnitas enchiladas. Rice and beans. Asked for verde sauce. Verdic-- 3/5. Generous but not overly large portion. Not a lot of flavor. Corn tortilla was fine. Rice was almost inedible. Refried beans ok but r would have preferred black beans. Modelo Negra was of course amazing. Bottom line: will come back for other things to try because I like Med food -- silly we live in a area with lots of Hispanic people who know how to cook but the food ( what I've eaten) is too Gringo. Please let me know if you have favorites in Sand City, Seaside, Monterey.

Neikan M.

Ordered a quesadilla with Al pastor, and it was not great. The quesadilla was room temperature and it was full of sour cream. Barely any meat, and the meat was very bland. Chips and salsa bar was also sad and not good. I won't come back

Julie J.

Came in after walking around and was so pleasantly surprised by how tender the lengua tacos were. The chorizo had a lot of flavor, as did the chile verde (and heat). The horchata was also good - not too sweet, cinnamon flavor. The team working was very nice too. We came in as a large group that had some difficulties with international cards. They were patient through it all. I would definitely return!

Henry G.

Well on are road trip was feelin like some Mexican food spotted this place papa chano's in Monterey Bay ordered a asada burrito bean only homemade tortillas homemade bean also ordered 1 taco de alpastor delicious they have different heat ranges on there homemade salsa my wife order a flauta plate with rice beans she enjoyed it .nice place to try if you're ever out in Monterey Bay owners are so friendly helpful

Youssef A.

Receptively, tamales chicken. It was good but not outstanding. Service was quick. Ambiance was nice because it's spacious . Simple happy decoration inside. Of course you park on the street or in the neighboring parking and you walk here.

Robert C.

Stopped in across the street from the Apple place my family went to. I was in the mood for a fish taco, so I stopped in here. I'm glad I did! It hit the spot for sure. Convenient location minus the parking situation (I had to park a couple blocks away). Inside the place is decorated nicely, but not overdone. I ordered in Spanish, but the server at the counter didn't assume I spoke Spanish which is cool. The taco itself was great. Good batter, tasty coleslaw (no miracle whip or pickles is a plus), and the chipotle sauce was good as well. Could've been a bit spicier, but it was tasty. I also got complimentary chips and salsa as well. If you're in the area, stop by, because they have a full menu I think I would've enjoyed.

Jen D.

Nice, clean, and spacious place. Pretty quiet as we came after lunch hours. Service was fast and excellent! Portion sizes were good; prices were pretty reasonable but food was bland. Nothing great.

Mara C.

Family Owned businesses are my favorite establishments to support. I have been searching for tasty tostados like I remembered from Paso Robles and not having a lot of luck until today. I ordered the tostada with carnitas sans cheese and asked for the sour cream on the side. The food appeared quickly, and was delivered to a table for me while I got my lemonade. The portion of carnitas was very generous with nice crispy thick pieces of pork, very flavourful with beans, lettuce, green sauce and salsa with a tomato slice on top (see photo). I had a pleasant chat with Sergio the owner who shared with me the history of his restaurant. He is from Guadalajara originally and shared a restaurant with his brother in Half Moon Bay they took over from their father. Wanting to strike out on his own he moved his family to Monterey and opened Papa Chanos approximately 25 years ago. You can see Sergio waving from behind the counter. Be sure to say Hello when you come visit. I am so glad he chose to settle here, and I am looking forward to trying out the other meats one can choose from for another tasty tostada. Very reasonable prices and a nice salsa bar with home made tortilla chips. Come visit this spacious location located in downtown Monterey, and sample some of their delicious foods.

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David D.

2094

21048

2 years ago

I spent many a day on this street, eating at all the different restaurants, and this has always been one of my favorites. Their burritos are definitely a double handed burrito. Takes two hands to hold one, they are so big. And they don't crimp on the fillings. They are completely stuffed to the max with meat and salsa.and cheese. And I really love their wet burrito. Extra flavorful and soo good. The enchilada plates are wonderful too read more

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Siouxe D.

Elite 26

106

3 years ago

Service was great and food was excellent! I love bean and cheese burritos and their refried beans might be the best I ever had! My burrito was less than 7 bucks and about as big as my forearm. Really cool mural on an entire wall of the restaurant. Highly recommend and we would definitely eat there again! read more

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Cyber B.

4 years ago

I will give this joint 4 stars. Ambiance - nothing fancy but lots of seating space Wait time- we ate lunch, so around 12, no wait time Service - is excellent, very helpful and friendly staff. Food - tasty food, we ordered vegetarian. Just a piece of advice, the beans that come with vegetarian are whole boiled beans and are not very tasty and flavorful. These are not refried beans. Refried beans only come with other dishes. In all I loved this joint. read more

Papa Chano's - Nachos and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Vegetarian - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Gandalf T.

2 years ago

Carne asada was so good . The right cheese too! Chips and salsa bar included was great as well .

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Jenny T.

Elite 26

838

816

2682

8 years ago

After a few hours at the Aquarium, we wanted to get something quick to eat so that we could go to our next destination. We saw this place and decided to try this place out. We ordered the Carne Asada Fries ($9.99). The plate was pretty big and had enough to satisfy two people. If we were still hungry, we could always go to the chips and salsa bar to get some more chips. The carne asada fries weren't bad at all, but I've had better ones down in San Diego. I also bit into a couple of the chewy tendons in the carne asada, so I had to spit them out and put them off to the side. Personally, I wasn't a fan of either of the salsas, but I was okay with the pico de gallo. I just felt like I could still taste the sourness from the tomato in the salsa, which is not what I prefer. I do appreciate that they have limes out on the salsa bar though. Overall, it's a decent place if you're just looking for a quick bite. It definitely seems like one of the places where you will just see in passing and go into because you need something to eat, but maybe not as a destination. read more

Papa Chano's - Salsa Bar - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Carne Asada Fries - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Edward M.

3 years ago

I got my order to go. Reasonably quick and decent pricing. The super burrito is sized like any other one out there. Chips were kinda bland and the horchata seemed like a normal drink mix. It was pretty sugary but I didn't really sense any cinnamon or rice. The lengua super burrito may have given me a sour stomach for about a day or two. I still have lingering effects as I'm writing this (4 days after eating)... Pretty average taste, nothing too special or crazy either, but if you're looking for a no fuss type of place. It's fine enough. I'd go to Baldemiro's in Seaside/Sand City. read more

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Robert G.

4 years ago

This place sucked. We gave it a try based on other's reviews saying, "we stop here every time we visit Monterey", or other things to that effect. It was just terrible. No redeemable qualities. If you like Mexican food and eat it frequently Do Not come here; you will be disappointed. Stale, cold chips sitting under a useless heat lamp, flavorless food and overpriced as heck. read more

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Beth C.

110

164

3 years ago

Food is average. The carnitas are my go to at any place and this restaurant missed the mark. The beans were not to my favorite . I like a whipped refried bean, the beans were very watery. My boyfriends street tacos were good and priced correctly. Rice I can't eat so I didn't try it. No salsa on the Togo order either. read more

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Cristal F.

Elite 26

119

251

6 years ago

Burrito was overall good. Meat was a little over cooked. Salsa was not hot at all and was sad they had no garnish to go as there is no dining in. Lime, carrots, jalapeños and radish would've sealed the deal along with the salsa being actually spicy. The gentleman at the cashier was friendly and professional. I was also appreciative to call it in prior to arriving. read more

Papa Chano's - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Jumbo Burrito- Asada - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Kenneth P.

1 year ago

very good food and service. ordered the jumbo steak burrito......very good! endless chips and homemade salsa a bonus. highly recommend

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Van C.

Elite 26

140

292

824

6 years ago

If you want some cheap, decent and filling Mexican food? go here. Now... for the reason of 3 stars. Upon walking in the first thing I noticed is it is very outdated, kind of dirty feeling and just very blah inside. Metal chairs attached to the floor... yeah that kinda thing. And for the area? doesn't really make sense. Moving on. Customer service. Outstanding. From the moment I ordered to the moment I wanted more cheese and asked about other menu items. They answered me without hesitation. Showing knowledge of their menu. And ended up actually bringing the cheese to my table. I ordered a chili relleno, chicken enchilada and chips. The Chili relleno was pretty good. They leave some seeds in there as well so it's a bit spicy ( I like it! ) but just a heads up for anyone else who orders this. The chicken enchilada was good. The issue is that the chicken is VERY tasteless. Hardly any seasoning if any at all. This needs to be worked on. Chips are fresh. Made in house. Overall the food is just basic quick Mexican food that's better then Taco Bell. The place needs some remodeling and the food needs a little bit of change in my opinion. But overall I'd return if I was around and felt the needs for Mexican food. And I didn't want to go to Taco Bell. Decor: A little older and dirty feeling. Needs to be updated. Customer service: Absolutely amazing. Food: Average. Bathrooms: Clean. No issues. read more

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Sarah V.

Elite 24

113

140

615

4 years ago

This place brings back so many memories. Sadly the sand city location closed. The food is good-I would not call it authentic Mexican food. The service is excellent. The nachos and the giant super quesadilla are delicious!!! read more

Papa Chano's - Nachos with carne asada - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Lisa R.

211

334

5 years ago

Amazing authentic Mexican food! Salsa bar makes everything taste so good. Ingredients are so fresh & serve is fast, highly recommend the specials shrimp taco, tamales & Asada burrito read more

Papa Chano's - Shrimp Taco a la Carte - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Chelsea A.

Elite 25

330

5 years ago

Satisfied with the lunch choice a friend and I made while traveling through Monterey. This location wasn't too busy around lunchtime so the service was really fast. We ordered for takeout and walked to a nearby park to eat. I really appreciated that they included chips with the salsas! I had the veggie burrito and was happy with the portion size. read more

Papa Chano's - Vegetarian Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Larry D.

2 years ago

I ordered a chile verde super burrito that when I received the beans were undercooked and I was having a hard time finding much meat would definitely not reorder. read more

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Katie C.

165

108

4 years ago

Love this family run Mexican restaurant. The staff are always really friendly, I absolutely love their Horchata! I usually get a burrito and it's always delicious. I am a regular here. read more

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Kevin O.

3 years ago

Need to even out the bad reviews hence why I'm writing this. From a fellow Hispanic, this place is good for quick Mexican food. People are complaining about the prices. It's in Monterey... a wealthy town... prices match the area. I'm in town for work, when I went in it was all white people that don't speak the language. In the 10 minutes I was there 2 people complained about messed up orders. One lady ate the all the food, complained, and got her money back. The guy at the counter spoke Spanish. Make it clear what you want and your order will be fine. I said it in Spanish so my order was as I ordered. Only reason I didn't do 5 stars is because I ordered the Super Burrito. Wasn't super at all in my opinion. It was pretty regular sized to me read more

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Joni O.

2 years ago

I ordered the cheese enchilada plate. The enchilada sauce was straight tomato sauce. No Chile. No flavor at all. Beans were decent. Rice didn't have much flavor. I am not a picky eater but these are the worse enchiladas I have ever had. They had to have put the wrong sauce on, right? Anyway, the one positive is the green salsa is really good. read more

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Don J.

4 years ago

My wife and I enjoyed both the fajita burrito and the chili relleno burrito. They are very tasty, large size and economically priced. Good service, easy access, clean and a great restaurant! read more

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Leo P.

2 years ago

Decent customer service, and nice welcoming employees. The food was not good at all. The food wasn't seasoned well, tasted stale, and I do not recommend eating here. The restaurant was empty and its atmosphere was underwhelming. read more

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Rick M.

Elite 24

172

3 years ago

I have friends, born and raised in LA, that way NorCal doesn't have good Mexican food. That proximity to Mexico has a correlated impact on how good the food is. Papa Chano's is a strike against that hypothesis. Thank you for being open late! (for Carmel standards anyways) read more

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Pooja K.

Elite 22

135

102

5 years ago

This restaurant is on a very cute street! We initially had some issues ordering the food as the staff did not understand English and we did not speak their language. But we were able to convey some customized order (like no tortilla in burrito, instead make it bowl, non fried but grilled fish in taco). The person our order was patient and tried his best to converse. But if you know only English it might be hard. The service was very quick. They got are dishes fast and was hot. We loved the food! It was sumptuous and tasty. Definitely recommend for Mexican food lovers. read more

Papa Chano's - Single Fish Taco a la Carta - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Super Burrito in a bowl - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Papa Chano's - Vegetarian Taco - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Stefano F.

2 years ago

This is mine and my Daughter's go to place when we want a burrito. Best burrito in town and their pico de gallo is fresh and delicious. Very friendly service and quick too. read more

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Alice H.

277

4 years ago

I got the vegetarian toastada and my boyfriend got two shrimp tacos! Such deliciously fresh food and fabulously fast service!

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Levi M.

4 years ago

Great experience, great prices, and kind customer service. The staff is always going out of their way to make sure you are having a pleasant experience read more

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Shirley W.

Elite 25

425

454

1181

7 years ago

Average taco shop, with decently flavored meat. Open and airy dining hall, with Spanish shopping channel playing on the TV. Self serve chips and salsa bar that could use a bit more TLC, it is reasonably well kept and clean. read more

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Mark W.

4 years ago

In downtown Monterey 10am, hands down Papa Chano's has the best cheap eats. Don't ever change!

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Jeremy P.

2 years ago

Came in for a breakfast burrito and it did not disappoint. Counter service was very friendly, and the food came out quickly.

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Christina M.

275

204

208

7 years ago

The food is ok it's not the worst but not the best. I ordered chicken enchiladas and the red sauce was not abundant but somewhat dry. I am from Colorado and lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico and I am definitely use to New Mexican food and chili and was not use to California style Mexican food. I definitely miss New Mexico red chili read more

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Charles T.

109

4 years ago

Went for lunch after leaving the aquarium. Same great food like it was when I was in high-school 20 years ago. Kind of questioning why they insist on cash only, even after the pandemic. Staff was nice and food came quick. read more

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Theresa P.

5 years ago

We were here for Breakfast between Christmas & New Years. I ordered a breakfast burrito. Right off the bat, my burrito was cold and I tasted nothing but salsa. I got half way through and could not finish the rest. The burrito was tasteless and bland. My husband ordered a bacon & egg breakfast with beans & papitas. The bacon was raw and the entire plate was cold. For such a beautiful town, this was a horrible breakfast experience. read more

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shonte d.

4 years ago

I arrived in Monterey late Thursday night and was starving. I had a taste for some enchiladas. This place was one of the few places open. I got my enchiladas and it was so so good. It came out fast so I was concerned it would taste well or have enough flavor but it definitely got the spot. I would go again. read more

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Lupita L.

3 years ago

Was here for work and tried al pastor, chicken and shrimp tacos. Nothing was tasty or savory, bad food, tough tortillas, bad chips, do not eat here. read more

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Steve F.

4 years ago

This place has some excellent Mexican food, reasonably priced for the area, and with decent portions. Wait times are not bad.

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Pam C.

3 years ago

We tried the shrimp and fish tacos. Delicious, shrimp was crunchy and fish was flavorful. Tortillas did not get soggy, since we took it to go. Dressing was nice and spicy. Short visit, yet felt welcomed by staff. read more

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Dru M.

4 years ago

I have been a customer here for 20 years and I would recommend it to anyone! Not only is there Al Pastor the best in the Peninsula, the customer service, and kindness of the people who work there is a incredible. My brother and I just ate there tonight and I would come back for their customer service alone. read more

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Glenn R.

4 years ago

I ordered takeout in the restaurant and they said that it would take 5 minutes but we ended up waiting there for over an hour. Also, the carne asada nachos that we ordered showed up as a shrimp quesadilla-ish thing (?). Waste of $40 and would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

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Cindy L.

4 years ago

Doesn't look good when you pass by it, but you are totally missing out!!! Everything is soo good!!! You need to try the tilapia tacos. They are the best!!! read more

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Paulie S.

Elite 20

140

302

6 years ago

Spending the weekend in Monterey with C. I had the wet burrito with beef, was not disappointed. I am no connoisseur of Mexican food but I know what I like and I liked eating here. The flavors and textures, to me, were spot on, the prices are expected ( it is California) and their salsas are flavorful and spicy as they should be. Going back this morning for their Breakfast Burrito. read more

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N A.

4 years ago

Ordered fish and shrimp taco - stomach didn't feel so good and ended up throwing up a lot . The food also wasn't good at all!

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Page 2 of 9

462 Alvarado St
Monterey, CA 93940
Directions
(831) 747-2007
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.papachanostaqueria.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Papa Chano's open?

Papa Chano's opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Papa Chano's close?

Papa Chano's closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Papa Chano's closes at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 10:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri-Sat 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Papa Chano's take credit cards?

Yes, Papa Chano's takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Papa Chano's have catering options?

No, Papa Chano's does not have catering options.

Does Papa Chano's have a drive thru?

No, Papa Chano's does not have a drive thru.

Does Papa Chano's serve alcohol?

Yes, Papa Chano's serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Papa Chano's allow dogs?

No, Papa Chano's does not allow dogs.

Does Papa Chano's have TVs?

Yes, Papa Chano's has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Papa Chano's have bike parking?

Yes, Papa Chano's has bike parking.

Does Papa Chano's have outdoor seating?

No, Papa Chano's does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Papa Chano's have parking?

Yes, Papa Chano's has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Papa Chano's allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Papa Chano's allows outdoor smoking.

Does Papa Chano's have free WiFi?

No, Papa Chano's does not have free WiFi.

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Classic Pils - always good

Dust Bowl Brewing Tap Depot

Every Monterey Trip Starts Here…read more I've been making the drive from San Francisco to Monterey for years, and this has become my traditional first stop before heading into town. Instead of rushing straight to Cannery Row or 17-Mile Drive, I like to slow down, grab a pint, relax for an hour, and then continue the trip. It honestly puts me in vacation mode. If you're an IPA lover, Dust Bowl Brewing Tap Depot is paradise. California has hundreds of craft breweries, and I've visited quite a few over the years. In my opinion, Dust Bowl deserves to be mentioned among the better IPA breweries in the state. What impresses me most isn't just that their beers are bitter. A lot of breweries chase high IBU numbers and end up producing beers that are simply harsh. Dust Bowl understands balance. Their stronger draft IPAs are incredibly layered. One sip starts with bright citrus, then shifts into tropical fruit, grapefruit, pine, resin, floral hops, and sometimes even hints of stone fruit. As the beer slowly warms up, the aroma and flavor continue to evolve. It's almost like drinking a well-crafted fruit blend--except everything comes naturally from the hops. That's what makes great West Coast IPA so enjoyable. Whenever they have one of their high-alcohol, high-IBU specialty IPAs on draft, I order it without hesitation. Those beers alone are worth stopping for. Honestly, if you're serious about IPA, don't just order one pint. Try several different drafts. You'll understand why people keep coming back. The nice surprise is that the rest of their beer lineup is also excellent. Whether you enjoy lagers, pale ales, porters, stouts, or seasonal releases, everything I've tried has been well made and consistently enjoyable. Another thing I appreciate is that this place never feels like a tourist trap. Considering you're in Monterey, the prices are very fair. The beer quality easily justifies what you pay, and the portions are generous. It's simply honest craft beer served by people who clearly care about what they're brewing. The food isn't trying to be fine dining, and that's perfectly okay. It's good, straightforward brewery food that pairs well with beer. Burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and snacks are exactly what I want while enjoying a couple of pints. The staff has always been friendly every time I've visited. Even when they're busy, they're welcoming, patient, and happy to answer questions or recommend beers if you're unsure what to order. Great service always makes good beer taste even better. For me, Dust Bowl Brewing has become part of every Monterey trip. If you love craft beer, especially West Coast IPA, this place shouldn't just be on your list--it should be one of your destinations. There are plenty of breweries in California. There are plenty of places to drink beer. But if you're an IPA enthusiast like I am, Dust Bowl Brewing is one of those places that reminds you why California became one of the world's great craft beer capitals. Every trip to Monterey starts here. And I can't imagine starting it anywhere else.

Peach, Love, and Hazy. It's probably only been twice so far but I think I'm guilty of picking up a…read moresix-pack of this whenever I drive by. Big parking lot, nice open bar with plenty of place to sit, chill, and hang out on a nice sunny day. Servers are great and kind. Now that the weather is warming up, I might make a trip out to replay this experience and pick up Revival ice cream nearby to bring back home.

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Post No Bills Craft Beer House

My go-to spot for drinks! I'm usually in here to study for school with a nice beer…read more A good variety of beer to choose from and their listing updates very frequently. If you don't want anything from tap and/or want a beer to go for home, they have a refrigerated section that you can choose from. They have food vendors almost every day of the week. They also host trivia every Wednesday. A majority of the festivals and events that happen in Seaside & Sand City, Post No Bills is usually at the center of it all!!

in town to visit friends and get a new tattoo. Post No Bills Craft Beer House is a must for me. Add…read moreto that sunshine and blue skies and you cannot lose. I had a flight of four tasty brews. And here is the rundown- *Passion Fruit, Other Fruit, 5.8% ABV 10/10, Delicious! *Faction Red-Red Ale, 5.8% ABV 8/10, Slightly bitter upon first sip but smoother as you drink more. *Lager from Occidental 4.2% 10/10 Super light and fresh and refreshing. Also, fun! *Funky Foeder Cherry Sour Ale from Russian River. 7% ABV If you are not a sour fan you may not like this one. But I personally loved it! Next I enjoyed a half serve of Hazed and Confused IPA Hazy out of Paso Robles. 6% ABV. 10/10 Delicious. Originally I was hoping to find Socks and Sandals from Humble Sea but the server said they have a hard time keeping that in stock and recommended this one. 100% reminded me of that flavor. Plenty of cans to choose from and a food truck showing up as I was leaving. Loads of parking here too. Highly recommend having a DD or of course NOT driving after coming here. I suggest a walk around the neighborhood and enjoying all the murals. Enjoy life and drink good beer. Cheers! SYOY!

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Pliney The Elder

$5 offf growler fills every Thursday!

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Peter B's

Happy Hour Review Only (particularly for watching a sports game). I was in the area and found this…read moreplace while searching for a happy hour that had lots of tv screens to watch the World Cup game (US vs Bosnia and Herzegovina). We lined up right when they opened and got a booth table (there are tons of tvs at almost every angle so most, if not all the seats have a view). The food wasn't anything special but I was super impressed at the prices and variety offered during happy hour. It's getting harder and harder to find a restaurant that has a decently priced happy hour that doesn't just have $10 truffle fries as their "happy hour." We ordered a bunch of the food items but the Wings were my favorite (4 wings with celery, carrots for $5), while the Eggplant Bites were my least favorite. I love eggplant but this was way too sweet and all the different flavors were quite weird.

We've enjoyed Peter B's so many times in the past and decided it would be fun to return now that…read moreit's been brightened up and modernized. The place was not busy which is always a plus. Sadly we sat and sat, waiting for someone to even ask us what we'd like to drink but it never happened. As we headed for the door, the apparent server appeared, perplexed that we had been unwilling to wait fifteen minutes for his assistance. We've loved this place for years and felt sorry that the evening hadn't turned out as planned. Clearly the upgrades didn't involve service.

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Monterey's Original Craft Brewery

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Brewing at Peter B's

Alfredo's Cantina

Well it's been a few months and i was there on a Friday, got sat at the bar next to a local and…read moreregular. I was treated well at the beginning as I slowed my drinking while waiting for a friend who got caught in an accident south of San Jose on the101 the bartender got hostile when I stopped ordering drinks while waiting for a friend. I ended up leaving after being threatened to be removed because I was taking up a seat that was needed! So I've never been back. We've now spent the last year in Monterey with six coworkers working 6 10 hours days drinking after work and spending the time with in walking distance at a hotel that walking distance. I do not recommend the hot headed bartender asking people to leave! Fuck that place.

A long time dive bar in the heart of downtown Monterey. There a lot of regulars here during the…read moreday and it is super lively at night with locals and tourists alike. Service at the bar is general pretty good during the day but be patient in the evening and on weekends. No food at this location but drink up. Close to downtown Monterey and hotels. Come see where the action is in Monterey.

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High noon

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Don't take shrooms and look in the mirror.

Melville Tavern

4.1

(553 reviews)

0.1 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

Great customer service, nice ambiance and good was fresh and hot. Made to order just how we like.read more

I got the Bacon Burger and it was really good! I would return again…read more Service was very nice and the ambiance was good

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The Crown and Anchor

Three of us stopped by here on 3/8/26 during a road trip…read more It's everything one would expect out of a British-themed pub. It had good beer, character, and friendly bartenders. It reminded me of a couple of Irish pubs in and around Bedford and Boston, Massachusetts.

We came here when in town for the aquarium (of course!) and found a quaint, authentic-feeling…read morerestaurant on the nondescript basement level of a building you would probably just walk by. Yet the ambiance, service, and food are very good! I love the various aspects of the decor, as well. Other than parking challenges on a busy night in the downtown, we were lucky to get a table for 5 relatively quickly, as this place isn't that large, with some additional bar seating, and it seems very popular. 5:30 was a great time, as we watched the waiting line grow longer after we were seated. Our server, Michael J., did a great job of greeting us, providing menus, and taking initial drink orders while we decided what to try. We decided to try BBQ honey wings, fried artichoke hearts, and onion rings for appetizers. The main courses were two orders of kids' cheese pizza and tater tots, a small dinner salad, a cup of New England-style clam chowder, and a NY Steak sandwich. The food came in a reasonable time, with appetizers and salad first, then the rest. The apps were good, but the onion rings were a bit greasy. The honey wings were well-liked, as well as the artichoke hearts, which, strangely, were not oily like the onion rings. Yummy! The cheese pizzas paired with tater tots were certainly different, but the pizza was more like a reheated frozen pizza. The tots were okay. The NY Steak sandwich was good as well, with a side of steak fries - obviously! Overall, we enjoyed the meal and would definitely consider dining here in the future when in town.

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Inside restaurant

Honey BBQ wings. Yummy!

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New York Steak sandwich.

La Casa Del Sazon - Monterey

They absolutely live up to their name! This is definitely the house of season. We ordered a wet…read morechimichanga with red and green sauce, and an agua de horchata. The food was seasoned to perfection, shout out to the chefs cause WOW! Absolutely incredible. 15/10, the horchata is also 15/10.. Good music, friendly service, clean environment, and delicious food. We came from Sacramento and will definitely be back next time we're in Monterey.

The service was slow and our drinks were left unfilled. The food was ok, it was not hot and it…read morelacked a lot of seasoning. The pricing was not accurate on the menu. We had to show the menu to the server after we received the bill due to getting additional charges that were not published on their menu. I definitely think they're over priced for what they offer, and the quality of the food is not worth spending the money again.

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Our new Tostada Monarca!

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Arrechero steak (wimpy sauce) and AL pastor tacos (nippy verde).

O'Callaghans

4.7

(146 reviews)

4.1 mi

This place is awesome. The food is great. The service is good. The owner is so professional and…read moreaccommodating. And they've added music on many nights which is a plus.

This place earned its regulars largely because of one person: Daniel behind the bar. He was…read moreattentive without hovering, remembered what you drank, and made the best Irish coffee I've had anywhere. On my birthday he went out of his way to make it special. He organized a night with live music and even bought a cake out of his own pocket. That's not in any job description. That's just who he is. I came back recently looking forward to seeing him and learned he'd been let go. I'm genuinely sad about it. The drinks are still good, but a bar is more than its menu, and Daniel was a big part of why this one felt like a place worth returning to. Wishing him the best wherever he lands. I do love Caesar though, big ups bruh.

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Classic Irish Coffee - fabulous with sips already taken before taking this photo - SLAINTE! (October, 2025)

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the C restaurant + bar

Located inside the Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, the C Restaurant is fabulous. We had…read morebreakfast here the morning of our last day in Monterey, this breakfast was a great farewell. The restaurant itself is relatively upscale for a hotel but has a warm vibe. The Belgian waffle is a must- it's decadent, the berries are fresh and the whipped cream is cloud-like and sweet. The American breakfast was hearty and filling. The bacon was perfectly chewy, salty and cooked. The Yukon potatoes were crispy and had a good level of spice. The eggs were super fluffy as well. The sourdough was warm and the butter was creamy. Our server was extremely kind and was ON IT when it came to refills and making good conversation, super kind and made sure to check on us consistently.

C Restaurant at The Clement -- Great Hotel, Mixed Bag at the Table…read more The Clement is a fantastic hotel. Full stop. But C Restaurant didn't quite live up to the address. Let's start with the wins: the service was genuinely excellent -- attentive, warm, professional. The Old Fashioned was well-crafted, and major props to the bar program for stocking Nochino. That's a detail that signals someone behind the bar actually cares. The food, though? It missed. The fish was overcooked and the presentation felt like an afterthought. For a restaurant at this price point and in this setting, I expected more -- both on the plate and on the plate. You can forgive a lot in a restaurant when everything else sings. But the food is the whole point, and this one didn't deliver. Worth a drink at the bar. Skip dinner and eat somewhere else in Monterey.

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Chocolate

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The Clement Monterey ~ The Intercontinental Monterey

Sandbar & Grill

Come for the food, hope to get Laurene as your server!…read more We ordered the Crab Louie, fish and chips, sand dabs, and calamari steak. All of the food was excellent but what made the meal was the service. Not sure of the spelling so apologies but Laurene was great with our kids. Helpful with any requests and genuinely the best server I think I've ever had in my life. She knows how to make a customer feel appreciated while not taking herself too seriously. We'll definitely be back the next time we are passing through! Thank you for making our lunch a memorable experience.

Seriously old school. But I was kind of looking for that, as I wanted a taste of old Monterey,…read morenothing crazy bougie or hip. Building is on a wharf, just slightly above the water. Right in the marina where dozens of boats are parked. Window views of the marina are easy to be had, just one big long room really. Old school traits: the crowd on a weekday lunch was 80% seniors, most seemed local as I can tell by their banter. The rest of the peeps were regulars who seemed to have a routine. The menu is seriously basic seafood town ie chowders, louie salads, seafood that can be griddled, fried or sauteed. Solid cooks that can execute clean plates. And the clincher old school trait Sandbar had, was a bowl by the entrance/exit they gave away free match boxes with their logo. I haven't seen that in decades! It hit home for me cuz I used to collect restaurant/bar matchbooks in my younger years. So crazy to run into them again as they are no longer normalized. Glass Sauvignon Blanc ($10/5*) Perfectly chilled, fruity without being sweet, great balance. Went great with bites of the seafood throughout the meal. Clam Chowder ($8/cup/4*) Solid. Creamy and thick but not excessively stodgy. Good clams and potato ratio. But very herb-y, as in dry herbs cooked into the soup. Great with the sliced sourdough given upon seating. Calamari Appetizer ($14/3.5*) For some reason I thought this was going to be deep fried breaded calamari, the cut tubes along with a few tentacles. But this was thick, bite-sized squares cut from a big calamari steak. It was breaded in fresh bread crumbs and lightly fried, so no significant crispness. Just a mild and soft breaded exterior. I had to salt it and dip it in either tartar or cocktail sauce. It was fine but I was just looking for something more flavorful and crisp. I still enjoyed it, just threw me for a loop. Lunch Sand Dabs ($23/4*) I was torn cuz I wanted to try their special of the day which was a Halibut dish with a Tomatillo Butter Sauce; but I also wanted something very basic and local. It doesn't get any more Monterey than local sand dabs, which is like a small flounder that is mild and delicate. I also overheard multiple tables around me order it, so I simply couldn't dismiss the local's consensus. I did like that it was super plain where the fish fillets were allowed to shine. But after the first initial few bites, I was just wishing there were something else to elevate the fish, like a butter sauce or wine/parsley sauce. It did have a side of tartar sauce, which theirs is good with big hunks of capers and celery. But I just thought a warm sauce of some sort would have soaked into the fish nicely. Served with brown rice pilaf that had good flavor but was a bit too al dente for me, crunchy rice isn't my jam. But I took some of the fish home, and I made a quick 30 second garlic lemon butter sauce that indeed went well with delicate fish. So I was able to get some serious satisfaction after all. Irish Coffee ($15/5*) It was a cool and grey day, so I opted on this for dessert. Theirs is as old school as it gets, so it was perfect. Great way to end a meal, belly happy, sipping a well made coffee cocktail whilst watching the boats float on by. As a passing tourist, Sandbar did me just fine. They gave me the flavors and charm of Monterey without being around a ton of other tourist. More off the beaten path which is how I like to roll.

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Hot chocolate with a view.

Sobremesa

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Views of the harbor come free with every meal

Stokes Adobe

Truly enjoyed this place. It was a great experience…read more Well done. Service is outstanding.

My family and I came to visit Monterey Bay for Mother's Day weekend and it was a nice and relaxing…read moredinner. We booked Stokes Adobe for table of 8 (including two small toddlers) They brought out little coloring paper & crayons which was super nice of them. We were seated in a private area which was nice since our two small toddlers like to walk around and it's less distraction. We did family style and ordered a bit of everything! Crispy potatoes: Love the carbs! The potatoes were crispy and delicious. The lemon truffle crema sauce was so yummy! Oysters: Definitely order half shell oysters! They were delicious! Hamachi: This was okay, nothing special to be honest sinc Mussels: This one was also delicious as well. It was made with white wine and tomato broth with butter, shallot, garlic. Beets salad: You can't go wrong with ordering a beet salad! The honey vinaigrette was delicious! Santa Cruz King Salmon: This dish was simple but tasty. The Meyer lemon sauce went well with the salmon. 12oz Pork chop: The meat was soft and easy to bite into. The cauliflower puree was delicious! Snake River American Wagyu: I thought the steak was okay. It was a bit too rare for me personally but my husband liked it! Brussels sprouts: Yummmm! Love the crispy Brussels sprouts. Overall service was great and the food was good. The only downside of the night was not getting the duck liver mousse toast. Not sure why the order went through when we mentioned in the beginning but hope to try it next time we're in town.

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Inside, you can choose different rooms to sit in

Crispy potatoes

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Duck terrine

Bistro Moulin

This was our first time dining at Bistro Moulin, and it completely exceeded our expectations. From…read morethe moment we were seated, the service was exceptional, our server was extremely kind, informative, and attentive, checking on us several times and offering a detailed explanation of the menu and specials, which we really appreciated. The food was outstanding. My husband and I were scraping our plates by the end of the meal. Everything was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, but the standout for us was the lamb chop lollipops with yogurt sauce, they were absolutely delightful, tender, and incredibly well balanced. I cannot overstate how flavorful and fresh the food tasted. The ambience added to the experience, with a warm, cozy atmosphere that truly makes this place feel like a cute gem in Monterey. We would absolutely recommend Bistro Moulin and are already looking forward to returning. This is a place we will be visiting again very soon.

We were really looking forward to our meal, but unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. The…read moremussels had a strong, unpleasant odor that concerned us. I felt bad about sending them back and was apologetic when we brought it to the owner's attention. He was responsive, explained that it was the natural smell of the sea, and kindly showed us the invoice proving they were purchased that day. He also offered to check with the vendor. While we appreciated his efforts, the smell was off-putting enough that we decided to order something else. We tried the lamb lollipop special instead. For $42, the portion was quite small--just five thin, uneven pieces--and the lamb was overcooked and overly salty. When we gently mentioned this to our server, she responded with an eye roll, which was disappointing. We genuinely dislike leaving negative feedback, especially for small independent restaurants, but the overall experience left us quite disappointed. Hoping they can improve these items, as the restaurant has potential.

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Inside

Seafood Risotto

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22 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Kameron T.

16 years ago

STOP! read this! I ate at this place for lunch. I had the carnitas burrito, it tasted very odd & off for carnitas. Afterwards I became deathly ill with food born illness. I contacted the owner danny to share my experience to prevent others from becoming sick like I had. He was not concerned with my 24 hours of sickness what so ever. He said everybody gets sick from their food now & then & that he just got a call from a similar complaint earlier that morning. I told him I will not be returning. He said "Sorry for you, looks like taco bell for you. we have plenty of walk-ins." :(. if i could give lower than 1 star i would. proceed with caution read more

Arnold M.

8 years ago

I visit Monterey around once a month and I visit Papa Chano's Every. Single. Time. Veggie burrito and unlimited chips/salsa for $9?? Big menu, lots of tasty options. I can't imagine how anyone could decry the food as "tasteless" when there's literally a bar of salsas and hot sauces and limes and pico if you want to adjust the (already stellar) flavor. Very comfortable and pleasant inside; I for one appreciate a restaurant that puts the food first and leaves the neo-modern industrial chic interior designing for chains. There's a Chi***le about three blocks away if you're looking for bland and basic mock Mexican. read more

Sara M.

12 years ago

I love going here after bar hopping, you get a lot for the money and quite filling. The people who work here are usually so friendly too. Me and my friends will go here and sometimes order one dish and split it, so yummy! I recommend the nachos, there are lots of toppings they put on the nacho chips and you can always get more chips for free at the bar and get more nachos for your money. Their Pico da Gallo tastes so good. read more

Lucy B.

13 years ago

Huge burritos, priced fairly for Monterey, nice location. On the downside, the food can sometimes come out on the cold side, and the drinks are overpriced, and it's a cash only place. This is a small chain, so it has a little of that feel, but you won't have any really bad surprises, but that goes for the upside as well. read more

Cara F.

17 years ago

Great food family owned and operated that always makes it better because they take pride in their product. The guy at the front is the son and has an aborable smile and is fast and has never messed up an order. read more

Caroline C.

1 year ago

Amazing!!! The food was great and I ordered the Enchilada Plate with salsa verde. The service was quick and fast. The food tasted authentic and was delicious. I recommend eating here. read more

NthanielL N.

5 years ago

Had the asada burrito, it was pretty good, nothing special. The al pastor tacos were great, the best part were the couple of older gentlemen providing service, the owners? read more

John T.

10 years ago

Love this place the food is fresh and delicious! I go there every week and have never had a bad experience I am working my way thru the menu but the Tacos are the BEST! read more