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    Socal Cantina

    3.5 (89 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Socal Cantina Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    SOCAL CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Smoke Fashion & Baby Cannon
    Sylvia C.

    Stopped in for a drink with my husband last week while in town. The ambiance was lively (sat at the bar), the bartender was friendly and the service was fast. We didn't have any food, but our drinks were strong and good!

    burrito
    Delia S.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. I must admit--I didn't have high expectations. Like Tuscaloosa needs yet another tex/mex restaurant. But I was downtown and needed dinner and there was no wait. The crunch wrap supreme (which is just an elevated Taco Bell dish of the same name) was one of THE best dishes I've had this year so far. It was perfectly seasoned and grilled. I'd come back just for the wrap. The chips and salsa were actually fresh and not canned, which can be a problem around here. The only caveat was that I think for a college town restaurant, this place is a little expensive. It's prices aren't as competitive as comparable restaurants.

    Queso

    Tried this place for the first time. It was okay. I ordered the fries which were seasoned well and the queso. The queso wasn't my favorite. My friend got the tacos and said they were okay! We mainly came for the drinks and let me tell you they had a nice heavy hand with the margs!! Our bartender was nice along with the rest of the staff

    Look at second to last girls face. That's exactly how we all feel. We had a reservation for 7 and got seated at 7:20 and then moved to a different table. We just got water after asking three times and it's 8:07. Service is sh*t. Might get up and leave because we can't even get our margs.

    Sean P.

    Good tacos a little expensive for what you get but great flavor. Carne asada fries were very good service was quick even on cinco with waitress being very friendly and accommodating.

    Scott S.

    Love this place! As I travel often Mexican is always a go to, but this place sets itself apart with the flavors of the food! The restaurant is very tastefully done with a great vibe. The food itself is simply wonderful, very bright and vibrant flavors, even the presentation itself is colorful. We had the nachos and several different offerings of tacos and were very impressed. Every visit has always been met with smiles and great service as well. It's a great spot for Tuscaloosa.

    The Trifecta

    I love the ambiance inside of SoCal. It makes me feel like I've stepped out of Tuscaloosa for a little bit. Our waitress was very nice. The drinks were good and we got the trifecta. It took a while for the food to come out though, which is the only reason Im not giving this 5 stars. The queso is good for Alabama Mexican food

    We shared the Trifecta with guacamole, queso, Esquites and salsa (complimentary). Great appetizer paired with margaritas! Would come again!

    4/5 stars because the service was slow but it was a busy Saturday night. Great ambiance and attentive servers, just delays in kitchen.

    Front of restaurant by the main bar
    Julia K.

    The Awkward Italian drink was so fresh and absolutely delicious! The pairing of it with the spicy food was perfect! I had the Hermosa Beach tacos. The flavors were outstanding. I added their delicious hot sauce. I also purchased a bottle for home! The wait staff was kind and very helpful. Wonderful environment and the music was fun but not intrusive! Definitely on the list of have to's when I'm in Tuscaloosa!!

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 months ago

    Fresh ingredients in drinks and food. Average atmosphere, friendly and decent service. We've been several times and overall enjoy it.

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    10 months ago

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    4 months ago

    they kicked me and my party out at 11 on a Thursday because they claimed they were closed but the website says 12am

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Leo H.

    Leo H.

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    1 year ago

    Only get stars cause the workers are nice, very much school cafeteria food. VERY GREASY (white people Mexican)

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food. Great service! Although we just walked up at 7pm on a Friday, the place seems to have an endless amount of seating.

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    4 years ago

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    Sazon Jarocho

    Sazon Jarocho

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    This food is the real thing!! It will make you happy!!…read more Forget the combos and all same food that is served at every Mexican restaurant. This place is special. You could miss this place it's so small but it's packed with amazing flavors and hand made everything. The first time I had the tacos with beans and rice and the wife ordered the chimichanga. There is a small area to add your own salsa, cream, cheese, and whatever else you want. The chimichanga has big flavors with the seasoning, peppers, and cheese. It's so good! My tacos were fresh and hand made. Sooo gooood!! We couldn't wait to come back. Two days later. I pick up dinner to go. The wife had to get the chimichanga again and I went for the Cubano sandwich. I have never had a sandwich like it before. Spicy chicken, grilled sliced ham, grilled hotdog, jalapeño, onion, avocado, tomato, and lettuce. Spectacular. Loved it. I'm so full I haven't tasted the tamale yet but apparently they sell out pretty quick! Eat here! Forget the watered down usual Mexican restaurant. This place is a diamond in the rough!

    We went to eat supper here and let me tell you. No other Mexican place matters here in Tuscaloosa…read more This is as authentic as it gets folks. The owners barely speak English. The food is so good. We at their tacos, tamales and tostadas. All of it was simply the best.

    Photos
    Caldo de res, muy bueno para el clima frío
    Caldo de res, muy bueno para el clima frío
    Enchiladas verdes de pollo para llevar,  con arroz y frijoles
    Enchiladas verdes de pollo para llevar, con arroz y frijoles
    Tamale

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    Tamale
    The Venue

    The Venue

    4.2
    (12 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    The place its self is actually a nice little venue. It has free games to keep you entertained like…read morean arcade game, cornhole, and basketball. However Rama Jama's might have been one of the worst experiences I've ever had with food quality. I genuinely can't imagine how someone would look at that hotdog and serve it to a customer. It wasn't even burnt from a grill I'm pretty sure this hotdog was being boiled since they opened. On top of that it cost 19 dollars for a black hotdog, a burger, and a side of fries (that don't come with the meal you have to pay extra). They also charge 3 dollars for water throughout the whole venue. All in all, make sure you eat and drink before you come.

    This was my first time going to the Venue and it actually is a very nice area. I believe as I first…read morewalked in I saw a few stores. I did not get the chance to visit the stores, but I definitely will come back and visit soon. I came to the Venue for the Margarita Festival. It is a decent sized area that has nice seating and a small stage. The parking area is somewhat small, but luckily we were able to park next door and walk over. I will say for this hot summer day, I wish the Venue would've offered a few additional things: They didn't have enough shading. The only shad I noticed was under awnings and from the trees. I noticed that some of the picnic tables and chairs had umbrellas, but not all of them. Also I didn't see any misting areas and/or watering areas. They could do like they do at the ALABAMA games and have a huge cooler with the cheap cups and offer free water during events. Especially since this was an outside festival, water was definitely needed as I also didn't see where you could purchase water. Nonetheless, the Venue is a nice spot for events. I will have to look at their site to become more acquainted and see if they have any other events here.

    Photos
    The Venue
    Peanut Butter Cup from Finny's Pub
    Peanut Butter Cup from Finny's Pub
    Margarita

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    Margarita
    Urban Bar & Kitchen

    Urban Bar & Kitchen

    4.5
    (275 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    If you know downtown Tuscaloosa, you know getting into Urban Bar & Kitchen usually requires…read morepatience--and a willingness to stand around waiting for the doors to open. But spring break week flipped the script in the best way possible. Tonight, my wife and I met up with some good friends for a pre-retirement dinner, and with the college crowd scattered to the beaches, downtown felt like it belonged to us "seasoned locals" again. No lines, no crowds--just a quick call ahead and we were seated within minutes. That alone felt like a win. We started things off with the fried green tomatoes--a true Southern delicacy and, let's be honest, acid reflux's favorite dance partner. Worth it? Absolutely. These were hot, crispy, and full of flavor. The kind of dish that would make Grandma nod in approval. No shortcuts, just done right. For the entrée, I went with the UBK Pasta--blackened chicken, sausage, and shrimp tossed with corkscrew pasta probably crafted in a cast iron skillet. It came out hot and packed with flavor, carrying just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming the dish. Exactly how I like it. My wife stuck with a proven winner: the shrimp & grits. She's had it before, and once again, it delivered. Consistency matters, and this dish continues to hit the mark every time. Now, not everything was quite as smooth. Our waitress wasn't exactly channeling that warm Southern hospitality you hope for. Let's just say she wasn't "Miss Dolly" serving smiles with a side of charm. The service leaned a bit on the impatient side--subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints that our time at the table was up, including clearing drinks before we were even finished. At one point I joked about going to the restroom but worried I might come back to find my chair gone. Still, when the food is this good, it carries the experience. Urban Bar & Kitchen continues to deliver where it matters most--on the plate. The atmosphere was relaxed thanks to spring break timing, the food was as strong as ever, and the company made it even better. As for the service... maybe she was just ready for her own spring break reunion. Happens to the best of us. Final takeaway: Go for the food--it's consistently excellent. And if you can catch a quieter night like this one, even better.

    Whole wing dinner, sweet potato fries, cheese grits, I had coleslaw. Fried crab claws for an…read moreappetizer. Absolutely awesome, best wings in town, crispy, juicy, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Such an awesome meal, not cheap but worth every penny. Service was great, place is really nice and super clean and organized.

    Photos
    Urban Bar & Kitchen
    Black bean sandwich
    Black bean sandwich
    Grouper Sandwich with sweet potatoes fries

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    Grouper Sandwich with sweet potatoes fries

    Socal Cantina - tacos - Updated June 2026

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