Papi Tacos &amp; Churros

508

1788

4153

1 month ago

Papi has the best tacos. Now they are hot and there is not getting around that so I can't eat them. But my family loves them. The place is small, but very cute and comfortable. It is also kept spotless. The service there is fast and friendly. You order your food at the counter and pick it up. You can eat there, take it to go or have it delivered. They have Churros, which everyone loves, but even they are too spicy for me. So, if you need to eat mild food this is not the place for you. I can't even eat their beans. But if you like spicy you will love their entire menu. Their O.G. Plate is great and it has a lot of food for one. It has a taco, Quesataco, Mulita, Quesadilla, and Consome. Their Carne Asada which is mesquite grilled steak and chicken is also very good. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Rex C.

1056

1640

7206

27 days ago

Good customer service. No bathrooms. Outdoor seating was nice. The lady working there was very friendly. Food: the birria was really good. So was the carne asada. The aqua Fresca (watermelon) was ok. I feel like we over paid but it was good. The Salsa was great. I would definitely order Birria if went back. The cosome was great too. I would definitely come back and give them another shot. read more

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Connie L.

10

179

456

2 months ago

One of my favorite spots in Santa Monica! Really flavorful tacos and the price is right too. Only downside is the lack of bathrooms at the establishment. Service is quite quick and friendly. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating which is a plus. The tacos are super flavorful and hold their own even without salsa (a rare feat). Their birria tacos are my favorite, crisp tortilla with tender birria meat inside. The salsas are spicy and flavorful which just makes the even better. The chicken and carne asada are also delicious. read more

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Faisal K.

21

115

220

1 month ago

Coming from Northern California and the Bay Area, the first thing we did after getting off the free way was stopping at Papi tacos and churros, 1st? Incredible. The food came out and looked better than pictures could ever show, the service was quick and kind , and the vibe was incredible, friendly and fast paced, this is a must stop read more

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Yuyao L.

64

32

43

4 months ago

Crispy on the outside and bursting with soup when you bite in! Definitely get the birria. I got the OG box to try a bit of everything, and the next time i need to try their burrito too. Also tried the churros with chocolate and it tasted freshly made. For thr price I think the OG box is a great deal too, wish it was closer to home! Just thinking about it makes me crave it again. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Og box - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Churros with chocolate - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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David W.

29

51

48

4 months ago

How better to end your Third St Promenade promenading than with tacos and churros from Papi Tacos & Churros? To be honest, the items here were top tier among the variety of different foods we sampled throughout the promenade--but the pricing was significantly lower. Loved this spot, 10/10 would recommend. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Carne Asada Taco $2.75 excellent seasoning and salsa - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Churro $4 + Nutella $1. Crispy and fluffy and scrumptious. - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Julia R.

103

145

893

9 months ago

SUCH good birria here. I never knew about this spot until my friend showed me it, and I'm so glad she did! This spot specializes in Birria that they cook for 16 hours, and you can taste that it's authentic. The decor is super cute, and the staff was very kind and helped me choose what to order. I ended up ordering the Birria burrito, and every bite was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I especially liked the melted cheese in the burrito that really enhanced the flavor of it, and the sauce you dip it in that comes with it was amazing too. I highly recommend trying their Birria, but we aware it does get messy, so make sure to get tons of napkins lol. I will definitely be back and show this spot to others! read more

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Joey T.

261

1093

97

2 months ago

Solid birria spot. If you're a Teddy's Red Tacos fan this will feel familiar, and that's a good thing. The quesobirria is the move, and I love that you can get a multi-plate with a bunch of options. Service was slow though, worth knowing before you go. Also no churros when I visited and no sink to wash your hands, which felt like an oversight for a taco spot. But the food delivers. read more

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Catherine T.

46

69

153

9 months ago

Food was amazing and service was okay. They asked if we wanted avocado, but we weren't notified it was an extra charge which was a little annoying. The food came out super fast, but the churros took 25+ min to be ready. I'd recc ordering the churros earlier to avoid waiting! OG Plate -- 10/10. Everything was super tasty and the birria was so juicy! The shells had a nice soft crisp to them Churro -- 9/10. Docking one point because they took forever to come out, but they were crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. Probably one of the best churros I've ever tried! read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - OG Plate - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Menu - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Brian S.

226

133

449

4 months ago

If you're looking for a new papi to take care of your hunger, papi tacos might be the best match for you. Simple but Loaded menu, includes churros with topping/dipping options, tacos galore, burrito and mulitas. The OG burrito is a mucho size, and the barria dipping soup/sauce is really good. The tacos were solid. Overall, above average and definitely would try again. Not many tables but indoor and outdoor options. Downtown 3rd street promenade for additional fun nearby read more

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Papi Tacos & Churros - Barrie - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Taco - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Ariel T.

0

46

6

29 days ago

Almost an 1 hour for 3 tacos is insane, I even pre-order it. I'm no longer coming here. Idk why management has not looked into this. And certain cashiers seem to be not happy to work here. read more

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Chloe N.

116

79

217

11 months ago

I wanted to take my husband to papi's because i heard it's halal and i heard about the good reviews. There can be a bit of a wait since they make the food FRESH. But it's worth it. In terms of taste and value, they have the juiciest meat we have ever had in tacos, perhaps EVER. On my first bite, the meat was so juicy that the juice from the meat squirted from my mouth to my husband's hand on the table!!! The food was gone in 2 minutes. The food was so good that after we ate the tacos we lined up and ordered again, this time getting a burrito (very filling) and another queso taco to share. The only drawback is that facilities are not always the best in terms of cleanliness and bathrooms. The staff is decent, not necessarily friendly nor do they go above and beyond; nevertheless, they do do their job and make good food. If you are looking for juicy and delicious tacos that are decently priced, come here. If you need to eat halal and want amazing food as well (options can be limited sometimes), this is an excellent option! read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - OG Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Jeffery N.

1

52

114

6 months ago

This place was great! I loved the design. It really stood out from the surrounding stores in terms of design, and I really liked the open seating. Service was okay. Looking at the food, I was told to get birria, and it for sure did not disappoint at all. From the taco itself to the consume and salsa, everything has a part to play in flavor that brings everything together. To preface, birria isn't typically my favorite meat when it comes to tacos, but when done right, it really hits the spot. Eating the burrito with the hot consume and salsa combined, you're getting the tenderness from the meat, followed by the warm, flavorful combination of the salsa and consume, giving it the homey and heartwarming taste, yet very layered in flavor. The quesabirria brought it to another level, bringing in even more flavor. As for the churros, they were okay, enjoyable, but nothing stood out. Not as airy or warm as some of the better ones I've had. Also not getting that airier feel and I would like more cinnamon and sugar, rather than the dough, which again was rather dense. Overall great experience on the tacos, and would definitely go again for birria. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Quesataco with avocado - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Churros - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Jenny Z.

544

295

1713

1 year ago

These were the BESTTT carne asada quesadillas! My bf said the tacos were really good as well - they had a delicious smoky taste and the meat wasn't as tough as it usually is IYKYK. Both tacos and quesadilla had onions, guacamole, radish, and lime. I also love that they have the option of a small or large quesadilla. Their horchata paired perfectly as well! The server and staff were all SUPER SWEET especially an hour before they closed. Plenty of seating inside and outside for a group of friends. Will be back for some more!! read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Outside! - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Quesadilla and Taco carne asada with horchata - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Kassandra S.

78

257

1008

7 months ago

Came here for the delicious birra tacos! I love a good grab and go meal. They have indoor and outdoor seating I will say the birria tacos & consume don't come together in a package so you have to order separately (only downside) Aside from that, I enjoyed the great flavor! The service was fast, clean, and provided advice to what to order. Overall, this place was perfect for some good Mexican food in the Santa Monica area while shopping read more

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Ashley S.

229

88

182

6 months ago

Love this place. Alway get the OG. Gave 4 stars because it sometimes tastes like it's been sitting... like they have the boxes premade or something... But I still love it and I still order it often because it's super yummy and satisfying! read more

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Jonathan I.

41

76

221

6 months ago

Came here on a work trip. Didn't have to wait that long, even though our team of 6 ordered a bunch of things. I went with the 3 steak tacos. They're street sized, so you can probably order more than you think. The meat was really flavorful, and tortillas tasted really fresh. The churros were also really good. Nice and crispy. I would definitely visit again. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Steak tacos - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Shyna M.

0

50

59

2 months ago

I am still thinking about the food we had here. We got the OG Birria plate and it's a great size to share between 2 people if you need a quick bite while shopping and don't want to eat super heavy. The flavor was so rich and tasty. It wasn't busy inside but it was a bit of a wait to get our food. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and is in a convenient spot if you're shopping around The Promenade. read more

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Mark B.

0

1

0

21 days ago

The food here was really good. The birria is great! I really wanted to try some good birria tacos, and I was really happy with this.

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Marcela F.

4

134

165

9 months ago

Food was so tasty we were hungry and forgot to take a pic. I had the ramen noodles and they were really good. Lots of beef. You order on the counter and they will call your name. Decor is cute. You can sit outside. Only thing. Their menu is printed in a very old piece of paper. I'd suggest to print it again and laminate. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Wall decor - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Olivia P.

208

700

1279

1 year ago

The food here is really good! I had the birria and the chicken, and both were incredible. OG Plate: 10/10 I got this with birria and it was perfect. It gets soggy fast, so I wouldn't recommend taking it to go. Burrito: 11/10 So filling and so much great flavor! Birria ramen: 8/10 Burris and consome are good but the noodles aren't ramen. I wouldn't recommend this dish over the others. The salsas are both spicy but flavorful if you want spice. Would recommend coming here! read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - OG Plate and Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Ramen - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Samra S.

0

49

6

5 months ago

Delicious food and excellent service. Hands down, their chicken taco is the best I've ever had. Their birria is out of this world, smoky flavor and not too rich. Def on top of my list for tacos! read more

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Victor T.

0

3

2

2 months ago

Esmeralda was great helper in helping us decide what to order. So we ordered 2 burritos asada 5 birria tacos and 3 crunchy tacos and for dessert 3 orders of churros with strawberries ice cream. Everything was delicious. read more

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Denise C.

0

56

15

3 months ago

Was amazing! Was looking for a hole in the wall type taco place and this did not disappoint. My son got the OG box because he wanted to try a few things and loved it all. I got two quesatacos one chicken and one beef and both were delicious. Did not disappoint. If you love tacos this is a must. read more

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Jeanne P.

87

251

1163

11 months ago

Waited around 25 minutes for my order, which was a little unusually slow for a fast-casual taco restaurant. Since I waited that long, I thought the food would be piping hot and fresh, but it was room temperature and underwhelming. There was no apology for the wait either. I didn't get warned about the $2.50 avocado surcharge, and the total came out to $30. It was too expensive for the experience I got. I would avoid this place. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Churros $4 - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Oscar M.

0

20

12

2 months ago

Love this place. Loved the food and the price is on point for the area and how good it is. Definitely recommend it read more

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Nora G.

387

62

43

1 year ago

All I can say is WOW! The birria is supreme, the consome is so rich and flavorful. I love the OG plate because I get to try a little bit of everything. Great service, wonderful vibes near the beach. read more

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Jarrell W.

0

14

4

3 months ago

Do not waste your time eating at this place that ever charges n lies about serving size extremely rude and disrespectful and have you waiting for an hour for your food read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Do not waste your time eating at this place - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Jessica N.

85

251

302

2 years ago

Don't think just go! My daughter and I shared the OG plate, it was just enough for us but these tacos were so good I wanted more. The taco Papi absolutely knows what he is doing, being from Texas this is hard for me to admit but the green salsa was the best salsa I've had in my entire life. Please let me know when I can buy a jar of it bc it's the best. I think about it every time I put salsa on my food. The churros were also a great add on. Nice environment, clean spot and friendly staff. 10/10 recommend. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Plate added cheese - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Katrina C.

147

436

889

2 years ago

Sadly, this restaurant was underwhelming. It is highly priced for mediocre food. The quesatacos were significantly small. They were okay. They took care of the craving I was having, but it wasn't remarkable. The consomé was piping hot & I burned my tongue. That was on me for not waiting for my food to cool though. Honestly, I'll doubt I'll be back. Nothing personal, I've had better elsewhere. read more

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Grace C.

1

73

191

2 years ago

The birria is the way to go, no question. The carne asada was fine but pales next to the birria. I would have gotten more tacos but wanted to save room for churros, which were perfectly fried and chewy on the inside. It's a casual spot to drift in and out but there isn't a restroom. The cashier was very friendly. If there was one critique, it would be speed of service. There was only one person cooking and it seemed they would only make one order at a time instead of scanning the orders and make all of the same type of items at once (more efficient). Would definitely go back and give them another shot. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Norris taco and carne asada mulita - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - Interior mural - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Amy P.

8

117

210

1 year ago

The good - flavorful freshness tacos. - great prices and portions for Santa Monica area. - both inside and outside seating always clean and pets friendly. The bad - no restroom available and that's why I gave them 3 stars,you just can't fully enjoy the experience with the full bladder and dirty hands! read more

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Pamela L.

Elite 14

485

189

460

10 months ago

I got 8 tacos and it did not come with any salsa. When I asked for salsa they gave me two tiny containers. And when I asked for more because I got EIGHT tacos it was going to be extra. The tacos badly needed it too because the asada was dry. For spending 31 dollars and dry tacos. I would not be back read more

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Grace R.

0

3

1

4 months ago

The place is small, and the tacos don't look anything like the advertisement. You can barely find the cheese, and they're very small. There are only a few tables, and even people waiting for their to-go orders are sitting down because there's not much space. We waited a long time for our food. When we finally saw how small the tacos were, we considered ordering more but that would have meant waiting all over again for them to prepare it. Instead, we decided to just go back to our regular taco place. read more

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Zan L.

277

1035

4006

2 years ago

Wow, these are some seriously delicious tacos and burritos. As someone who grew up in San Diego and moved LA five years ago i still find it very hard to find Mexican food that tastes as good as back home but I would say that Papi's is a LA spot that is definitely worth visiting. Everything that we tried was honestly surprisingly good and the churros were also fairly good as well. I have had better churros recently so would say that their savory items are the main reason to visit. It can get quite busy depending on the time of day, but usually your order is made very quickly. The portion sizes are large and hearty too. We chose to do takeout for our meal so I cannot speak to in person dining. Pricing is fair and I definitely was not hungry after finishing my meal. Since it was our first time we chose to do a few different items. We ordered the OG Burrito and the OG Plate because they both seem to be the most popular items ordered. The burrito was honestly terrific and the birria inside was juicy and very flavorful. I especially liked the coating on the tortilla and the ratio of ingredients inside it was exactly what I expected. The OG Plate was also very good and I especially liked the street sized versions of all the different items that they offer. I would highly recommend and I plan to be back in the future to try more items. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Churros with dulce de leche - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Papi Tacos & Churros - OG Burrito w/ Birria - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Sonia G.

5

22

51

10 months ago

Quick service, hot food. Ordering O.G. Plate; Taco, quesataco, mulita, quesadilla and consomé (taco dip) says for 1 but was enough for two as a snack. Jamaica drink was delish! Street seating on a warm day. read more

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Aaron P.

0

2

3

7 months ago

My quesabirrias were so good the consommé needed a moment of silence. I mean the quesabirria was terrible -- if you hate happiness. Honestly, I came to Papi expecting a normal SoCal taco truck experience, not a full-blown emotional meltdown. The quesabirria was so good it made me rethink every life choice that led me to eat lesser tacos before this. The consommé? Basically a warm hug for my soul. Eat. Here. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Sign - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Tobias B.

0

94

86

6 months ago

The positive...the OG birria burrito is absolutely amazing! Incredible flavors! One of my favorite burritos in LA. HOWEVER...the service is extremely slow. Allow 15-20mins for your order. I've never experienced a shorter wait time. Also the same burrito is $4 more on Door Dash and Uber Eats. It's $13 in the store, but $17 for delivery + fees + tips turns into a $25 burrito. I know when I use Door Dash & Uber Eats it is more expensive, but this is the highest difference in price I have come across when using the app. read more

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Michele R.

0

143

159

10 months ago

Pretty decent churros, and for $5. The rest of their menu looked good and the prices were great, only came by for dessert because they didn't have any vegetarian options. read more

Papi Tacos & Churros - Homemade Churros - Tacos Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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More info about Papi Tacos & Churros

313 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Directions
(424) 238-5029
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.papitacoschurros.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Papi Tacos & Churros open?

Papi Tacos & Churros opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Papi Tacos & Churros close?

Papi Tacos & Churros closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Papi Tacos & Churros take credit cards?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have catering options?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros does have catering options.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have a drive thru?

No, Papi Tacos & Churros does not have a drive thru.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros serve alcohol?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros serves alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Papi Tacos & Churros allow dogs?

No, Papi Tacos & Churros does not allow dogs.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have TVs?

No, Papi Tacos & Churros does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have bike parking?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros has bike parking.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have outdoor seating?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros has outdoor seating options.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have parking?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros has parking options. Garage Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Papi Tacos & Churros wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Papi Tacos & Churros is wheelchair accessible.

Does Papi Tacos & Churros have free WiFi?

No, Papi Tacos & Churros does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Authentic Birria Cooked on Wood, Smoked Pollo Asado, and Homemade Churros.

History

Established in 2019.

Santa Monica location - September 2021. Papi's story originates from the love of sharing our family's authentic street food with the people of our lives. Word-of-mouth spread nationwide about the unforgettable taste we serve. Food brings people together, and great food makes lasting memories. At Papi Tacos & Churros, we are thrilled to share with you and your loved ones an experience you'll never forget.

More Info

Health Score

Papi Tacos & Churros Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
1 Review

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Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken

I was craving a burrito, had never been to this place, and had it delivered…read more The burrito was SOOOO good AND it was massive. Every ingredient in there was perfect. I was worried I was going to get something small for the price but you get a huge portion for what you pay for. This is the kind of burrito where youre saving some for lunch for the next day. I also got a churro (which is something I never get) and it was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will absolutely be ordering from here again

Stopped in around 10:45 on a whim. I was driving through Santa Monica, got hungry, saw the sign and…read moreswung around the block. They'd been open maybe an hour and there was one other person there picking up an order. First time here. The guy at the counter was very friendly, asked if I knew what I wanted, and I told him no and asked what's popular. He recommended three tacos so I went with that. He never asked about tortillas so they came out on corn. I'm not the biggest fan of corn tortillas, but after I sat down, I looked at the soda cup, and saw "handmade corn AND flour tortillas." Would've gone flour if I'd known that was even an option. My bad for not asking, but also a great opportunity to let a new customer know it's an option. Food came out fast. Three tacos, chips, a couple sides of salsa. All the meat was cold. Not fridge cold, but noticeably below room temperature. I'm sitting five feet from the kitchen in a place that opened 30 minutes ago. How is that even possible? The non-beef tacos were seasoned well, both of them, that part was fine. The beef was where it fell apart. Every single bite had pieces I literally couldn't chew through, and I kept pulling chunks out of my mouth. After my second bite I just stopped going back for more. For over $4 a taco, that quality is atrocious. Very fast if you need something quick to eat. First and last time for me.

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Front counter & ordering kiosk

Tu Madre - Santa Monica

Festive and fun with great food and drinks. Love that they have a delicious selection of vegan and…read morevegetarian options. Can't wait to go back!

Authentic Mexican fare with a fun festive environment to enjoy a meal with friends. We were a small…read moregroup but able to get a reservation for an oitaide table without to far in advance notice. I was glad that we were able to try a few diffeeent menu items on my 1st visit. We shared the table guacamole which was very good. The 26oz Grande Margarita seemed like much more than that and we drank all night from the pitcher. I loved that their ingredients was pretty unique. The Squash Blossom taco was my favorite. We sat outside undet a covered patio with lovely landscaping. Like being in abuelas back yard. The was also seating in the front of the restaurant as well as bar seating and dining room tables. The service was very good and it was an enjoyable evening.

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(154 reviews)

0.5 mi

Their 'Hongo' mushroom tacos are a vegetarian/vegan's DREAM TACO! And meat-lovers go crazy for them…read morealso! Generously topped with onions, cilantro, guacamole, and red salsa on a corn tortilla, wrapped in a cute triangle shape. The head chef and cofounder of Tacos 1986, Jorge "Joy" Alvarez-Tostado, decided at age 12 to become a chef because the girl he loved wanted to marry a chef. Muchos gracias, Maria! A variety of high quality mushrooms are soaked in a salsa macha vinaigrette, turning them into the most magical mushroom experience of your life.

It was ok... I did order 2 combos and got a half side order…read moreof rice and 3 sides of beans! The carne asada was dry, overcooked for sure. The tortillas were not the business, not my taste in tortillas. $30 with tip, it was edible

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La Purépecha Cocína Mexicana

I've had their carne asada breakfast burrito, their carne asada fries and chicken burrito mojado…read more(green sauce) - all of it delicious!

If I could give this place zero stars I would. We got the California burrito with carnitas, a…read moreburrito mojado and a steak quesadilla and they were all disgusting. We literally threw it all away. The carnitas was so tough you couldn't chew it. The chicken in the mojado burrito was dry chunks of flavorless baked chicken. And the rice was so overcooked it was impossible to tell the difference between it and the refried beans. The supposed mole sauce was canned red enchilada sauce. And the cheese in the quesadillas tasted like bad Swiss cheese. They should be ashamed of themselves you could find better Mexican food in Ohio

Restroom for Customers

Fish taco

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Tacos Por Favor

Been coming here a ton. Totally reasonable prices. I've had the mahi mahi burrito, shrimp burrito…read more they've got great veggies in there. I've also had both as a breakfast burrito too which are similar and come with potatoes and eggs. I really like their green salsa, red is a little spicy. I actually like the bag of chips, keeps me portion controlled. Nice size menu. I had the huarache the other day, I enjoyed it, but not as much as the burrito and some other places I've had huarache at. Big venue, order at counter and sit. People behind the counter have been super friendly as is the woman who hands out the food.

So classic, such a constant neighborhood food hub in the area…read more One of my first creative jobs (at $75 a day) was in a commercial production and motion design studio in a Frank Gehry loft on nearby 12th street. The work was tedious, the people often annoying, but the learning real. And I would duck out to grab a burrito at TPF at lunch because the walk there and back was almost meditative. TPF speaks to an earlier version of Santa Monica, before Silicon Beach happened. When Dogtown was still in transition, the commercial and industrial spaces still plentiful, and the creativity flowed. I usually get a chicken burrito. It's great. The space hasn't changed. And is never crowded. But you see people popping in, and you can tell that maybe they were having a slow day at home, and that a little homestyle Mexican comfort food is part of their ritual. Their salsas are incredible and I've never tasted similar ones elsewhere. If you're looking for a simple, satisfying, no-frills Mexican experience, this is it.

Taco Pastor $4 and Taco Asada $4.15

Menu

Burrito Bowl

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El Primo Tacos

Let your nose lead the way! This place has a couple of basic plastic tables for standing,…read moreotherwise you can also take to go. They take cash or zelle (for transactions at least $10). $2/taco I got chicken, al pastor, and chorizo, all delish although the chicken was slightly dry.

Whenever anyone tells me that they found the best taco spot in LA, I always laugh because in my…read moremind I knew I already found the best tacos you could find in the city. However, El Primo has recently HUMBLED me. I have to give credit where credit is due and El Primo managed to slide in my number 1 spot for best tacos in LA - I am truly impressed. Of course, I always opt for carne asada and the meat here is just so tender and flavorful especially when paired with their salsa which has the perfect amount of spice and flavor. As a major pineapple fan, I understand it's more traditional to add that with al pastor but I add it onto my carne asada tacos and it is so yummy. Their pineapple is freshly cut right in front of you and is my favorite aspect of this vendor as I know not all vendors have it. Lastly, let's be clear that not all horchata is created equally but El Primo has superior horchata. The amount of milkiness and cinnamon is absolute perfection as I've had some watery horchatas in the past, so make sure you grab yourself a horchata while you're here. As someone who lives in the valley, despite recently discovering this spot a few weeks ago I find myself driving out to Venice a lot lately just for these tacos because they are just THAT GOOD and also very cheap. Just make sure you bring cash or have Zelle and enjoy the food here because it is phenomenal.

Burrito - AMAZING!! Get this!!

Efficient assembly line

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Tacos Tuzo

Convenient location by Santa Monica Pier but that is about it…read more Tacos were dry and while not bad per say, also nothing special and can find better food for much better prices. Came here with native Mexicans who said that the birria did not taste authentic at all. Overpriced, certainly for the quality of food but guess you are paying for the location. Charged $17 for 3 birria tacos. No signage of the pricing on the truck so unsure if this is consistent. They have stools and a small floating bar if you want to grab a quick bite by the truck. Seems that most of the rave reviews were from the years prior, perhaps quality or pricing has changed.

I was happy to find this food truck, which makes authentic Mexican tacos at very reasonable prices…read more I had the mulita al carnita, which is usually served on a plate, but they were kind enough to wrap in up in foil so I could eat it while walking. Freshly made tortillas with cheese, meat and salsa toppings. I was very happy with my food selection. I only wish I'd had a bigger appetite to sample more of their dishes. They are friendly and centrally located in Santa Monica, not too far from Santa Monica Boulevard. Well worth a stop if you're in the area.

This bad hombre needs his Asada & Pollo Tacos! Mmm

Order it all bruh

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The current/main menu. Sometimes there's specials too (like the lamb tacos).

Blue Plate Taco

Came here with my family to grab a quick bite and we ended up loving this place ! The hostess was…read moreso nice and so was the server (Kelly) I believe that was his name. The food was also really good ! I just wish they had more side options and bigger portions for the prices but other than that it was very enjoyable. I also loved how they had the flags from other countries hanging (because of the World Cup) and tv's for people to watch sports . Loved the place ! It was a very nice vibe and ambience.

The food was good, but unfortunately the service was not…read more I asked the waitress what she recommended that wasn't fried or didn't contain meat, and she told me everything was fried. After looking at the menu myself, I found there were actually plenty of options. I ordered a quesadilla, and it was excellent. I also ordered a cocktail that tasted good, but I couldn't taste any alcohol in it. The manager came over, and when I mentioned it, his response was, "I can make you another one, but it would be the same." There was no effort to make things right or ensure I was happy with my experience. Good food can only go so far when the service and management don't seem to care about customer satisfaction. Unfortunately, they've lost a couple of good customers.

Our view!

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SaMo’s Oaxaca

Oh man never expected such a lovely find on the westside. I had low expectations on my walk over,…read morebut upon stepping inside and seeing how much time they put into everything they cook, I was excited. I got the clasico with extra veggies. You do need the salsa to spice it up and they offered us a mild salsa and a spicier one. I went with the more mild one which handed a perfect tiny kick and some extra punch per bite. It was all so delicious; I wanted to hold off reviewing till I could try a few more items, but I'm not in the area enough for that hahaha. But 100% give this place a try! Oaxacan food without having to drive further east? Honestly amazing ahahah!

We absolutely LOVE, love, love this place!…read more My husband and I get the Cargado Burrito and it is the 2nd best burrito I have ever had (El Abajeno's being the first fave) but this place almost ties for first. The Birria tacos are also outstanding. We have eaten here about three times now. The only thing we didn't care for was the guacamole. But otherwise, incredible.

Unassuming front of the restaurant.

Interior

Quesa Biria

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Tocaya Modern Mexican

Family really likes this spot. 2 of us are pescatarians so we like the veggie and fish options…read morehere. We really like the squash blossom tacos and kid especially loves the cauliflower. We both recommend the fish tacos and burritos. Flavorful sauces for them. Short order counter but they do have a seating bar (no bartender) and sell alcohol.

I found this chain a few years ago and loved it because they have one of the only gluten-free…read moreburrito options that I've ever had (maybe the only place that I've had that offers them) and it was really good on top of that! So every time I come to visit LA I check out Tocaya again and at a different location. This time I tried the Wilshire Boulevard restaurant in Santa Monica. It was good. I would still definitely go back. The Customerservice in this location was fine, it wasn't outstanding like I had at the two other stores I was at. There's nothing to complain about-- it's just that the other two restaurants had people that were super excited and curious and engaged customers in conversation. I'm not a super extrovert so that was always nice. I realize that the person ringing us up probably was not an extrovert like the others had been so I understand, but it was just something I noticed.

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Layla Bagels & Coffee

A spot worth checking out! Parking is actually not bad, I'd say you can find a spot within 2…read moreblocks. The best part of this place is the SERVICE AND EFFICIENCY. The line to order goes by super quick, and you get your food and drink super fast too. Theres a few indoor seating and some outdoor patio tables. The turnover of tables is pretty quick. I got the bacon egg and cheese because I wanted something warm. I loved the fluffy egg and the spicy aioli sauce.

Laila's is a cool little bagel and coffee shop in Santa Monica. The staff was friendly, despite…read morebeing incredibly busy, and worked hard to keep orders moving efficiently. They offer a few seasonal specialty drinks, including the Carrot Cake Latte, which was absolutely delicious--it really tasted like drinking a slice of carrot cake. The bagels are freshly baked with a great variety to choose from, and you can actually smell the bread baking in the back when you walk in. The blueberry bagel with blueberry compote was outstanding and one of our favorites. We ordered a large spread of bagels, heirloom tomatoes, vegetables, and accompaniments for a pre-wedding "getting ready" brunch with the bride and bridal party. Everything was beautifully packaged and ready for pickup on time, complete with utensils, napkins, and everything we needed to serve and enjoy the meal. The food was fresh, flavorful, and perfect for our special occasion. We'd definitely order from Laila's again when we're in Santa Monica.

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Milo and Olive

Im a big Italian food lover and the pasta was great! Literally to almost perfection!…read more The quality of the food was amazing, you can tell they take passion in making sure all the food is made with fresh produce. We were seated in the outside patio and the environment was warming. Plants, fresh, breeze, old school pizza machines. Such a good vibe.

This review is based on a Saturday visit dining at their backyard patio. Why is that important? One…read moreof the main reasons I am taking some points off this experience is the setup. They have metal tables and chairs with loud speakers blasting music that echoes throughout the space. Add in loud crowds and kids dropping utensils, and it makes the whole environment pretty unpleasant. As for the food, we ordered the garlic knots, a croissant, the hanger steak, the peach and hot honey pizza, and the wood-fired vanilla bean pound cake for dessert. We covered a good amount of their key items. The main takeaway is that while everything is cooked well, but the dishes really lack flavor. I dine out to get flavors that are not easily made at home, and unfortunately, I did not find them here. The food lacks depth, and frankly, it needs salt to make it stand out. The pizza dough is actually really well prepped, easily as good as Pizzeria Sei, which is the best pizza place in LA, period. But again, it just lacks flavor. Also, as a small side note, there is a 4% employee health insurance surcharge added to the final bill. I probably just missed it listed on the menu somewhere, but oh well. Overall, it is a decent place, but I would not go out of my way to come back here.

Brioche Breakfast Sandwich

Open kitchen

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Artichokes

Bread Head

Family-owned & operated

Established in 2024

After paying $24 for a veggie sandwich at Gjusta, I have new found appreciation for the team at…read moreBread Head. Their mozzarella sandwich is a masterpiece with Fresh Ovoline Mozzarella, Avocado, Alfalfa Sprouts, Pickled Red Onion and a delicious Za'atar Spread. What makes it stand out as one of the best sandwiches in LA is the bread. They make their own focaccia several times a day and it is divine. Probably the only other place that can dare to match their creations is La Zucca at the Beverly Hills Cheese Store. Some of our other favorites is the tuna sandwich. Service is always on point and the sandwich travels well for consuming it at home. There isn't a ton of space to sit, but there is some counter style seating. Tip: Their menu is limited by choice. Check their Daily specials (Sandwich of the Day) for inspiration. They have 3 kids sandwiches (all are meat based). Tip: The biggest challenge is parking, sometimes metered parking is available. Otherwise, park for free in neighborhood streets away from Montana. It's a pleasant walk.

My girlfriend and I went to this sandwich shop last week and it was great. I got the BLT with…read moreturkey added and she got the veggie wrap in a sandwich form. We liked it so much that we made a plan to come back next week. So we went to today and I ordered a BLT with turkey added, no problem. My girlfriend asked for the veggie wrap in a sandwich form and the guy at the register said "we don't do modifications". My girlfriend responded by saying they were able to do it last time so could you check. He looked fairly new and had trouble putting in my order in the register since I modified it by adding turkey. So he went to the back and just asked, do we do modifications? To which the guy in the back said no. She's vegan and that's all she can have off the menu so she ended up not getting anything and she was bummed since she really liked the sandwich they made last time. So we won't be coming back here and this place gets one star based on the customer service. It's a sandwich shop, if it's an extra charge to put a veggie wrap into a sandwich no problem. But the hard NO when it was made last time is PRETTY LAME for a sandwich shop not being able to make a veggie sandwich.

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Santa Monica Seafood Market & Cafe - Santa Monica

This seafood restaurant is part of a seafood market, with a cozy dining area that includes a few…read moretables and plenty of seats along the oyster bar. It was my first time here, and I'm so glad I discovered this place! The seafood was incredibly fresh, and we honestly enjoyed every dish we ordered. The highlight for me was definitely the oysters -- they were so good that I had to order a second round . Another standout was the steamed mussels in white wine and garlic sauce. The mussels were huge, juicy, and packed with flavor. I was also very impressed by the miso black cod. It came with mushrooms in a rich miso sauce that paired perfectly with rice. Everything tasted comforting and well-balanced. Our server was also very thoughtful and friendly. He split the clam chowder into four smaller portions for our group, which made it much easier to share. One thing to note: the seafood market opens early, but the restaurant itself opens at 11 AM. And if you end up loving the fish from your meal, you can actually buy the same fresh marinated fish directly from the market to take home. Such a cool concept!

I really wanted to like this place and give it 5 stars as I love really fresh seafood and was…read morelooking forward to stopping here after driving down from Solvang. After this first experience, this place is about a solid three stars for me. I may come back again if in Santa Monica... I am still a bit under the weather and drove here because I wanted some kind of seafood soup. They offer three different kinds of soups which I appreciated! There is NE clam chowder, Manhattan clam chowder and a fish chowder. Since I dont always see fish chowder on the menu, I ordered a small bowl. I wanted a larger bowl and a place to sit down and eat it but the place was packed for lunch and I didnt feel like grabbing a spot at their bar as I needed to get back on the road, so just went with the small (and I am glad I did - read on to see why). They have a funny system here because you only order their menu items from a cashier in the back, but then take a number if you want fresh seafood. I wanted to try their Hawaiian style poke and cashier had me go and grab a number. I grabbed a number and it wasn't busy so I was served immediately. For a 1/4 lb of Hawaiian poke, it was about $9.50. Whats also strange is that I grabbed my soup (did not pay for it in the back), and my Hawaiian poke and then paid up front. Everything came close to $20. I sat in my car, (which thank goodness, this seafood market has its own parking lot, so that was greatly appreciated), and dug into my soup. Unfortunately, the soup was pretty bland and needed a bit more salt. But, I will say that the ingredients used in the fish chowder were all very fresh, and fish wasnt overcooked, but it needed to be seasoned more. Hawaiian poke was great, excellent taste. Overall, a so so experience, I would have liked better scenery to eat my food being I was very close to the beach and wished I had a more seasoned fish chowder. I could be convinced to come back and give it a second try, but I think I might prefer to visit Malibu Seafood which isnt too far from here and has great ocean views.

Fish and chips for my birthday lunch

Inside

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Trio of Tacos to kick off 2025!!

Amai Coffee

Love their espresso tonic drink…read more And this is coming from someone who makes their espresso at home almost daily Good stuff

We got the matcha einspanner, banana matcha, and mango sticky rice matcha. Service was fast and…read morethere's a good amount of seating inside for studyung. - Matcha einspanner: standard, good amount of sweetness - Banana matcha: banana flavor was a but too artificial for our liking Mango sticky rice matcha: subtle mango flavor and good amount of sweetness (we liked this one the most)

Matcha einspanner ($7), turon banana ($7), matcha cookie

IG: happyfoodietown

Pastry display

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Yajing F.

3

28

36

3 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of trying Papi's Tacos and Churros, and I must say that I was blown away by the tenderness and flavor of their birria beef. The meat was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth, and the spices used in the preparation were perfectly balanced, adding just the right amount of heat and depth of flavor. In addition to the amazing birria beef, Papi's Tacos and Churros also has an impressive selection of other menu items to choose from, including a variety of tacos, burritos, and churros that are all equally delicious. The portions were generous, and the ingredients were fresh and flavorful. What really sets Papi's Tacos and Churros apart, however, is the warm and friendly atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff was welcoming and attentive, and the decor was bright and inviting, creating a truly enjoyable dining experience. Overall, I would highly recommend Papi's Tacos and Churros to anyone looking for delicious Mexican cuisine that is both flavorful and tender. Their birria beef in particular is not to be missed, and I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu items in the future. read more

Sami S.