Best Mexican food in Santa Cruz, must try. I would suggest the el pastor burrito, their serving sizes are great and they have a good variety of beverages. read more

Tacos Morenos has been around for at least 25 years or more. I used to live and work nearby and this place is often busy with a line out the door. Small dining area but usually it is always "To-Go". I ordered a Carne asada burrito full with whole beans (not refried), cabbage, onion, cilantro, tomatoes and salsa. My burrito was accomplices with a small container of a spicy green sauce too. About $11.25. Dang, I remember when this was like $6.00. It is still a hearty burrito to satisfy your hunger. read more

Tacos Moreno - Carne asada burrito (standard pen used for scale) - Mexican Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Well it has been 25 years since we e lived in Santa Cruz but we always consider Esteban and Racos More I on Warer st. The best Mexican food NorCal has to offer - we come here at least every 2 months for our fill of quesadillas, tacos, and burritos - we eat some inside and take some home for dinner or the next days lunch. Don't forget to get some salsa to go for your next meal. We love their food, especially the Al pastor and the lengua - and we go through almost the whole bottle of salsa in the table with our meal even if we will pay for it later with heartburn lol it is so good - we were just here last weekend and I'm already dreaming of our next visit - good thing we are only 50 miles away! read more

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The food here is sooo delicious! I had a carnitas taco. It was packed with good stuff. I could barely eat the one. The chips were obviously homemade and so tasty. The guacamole was also delicious. Also, very reasonably priced. $ The ambiance is small and simple but worth it!!! read more

Tacos Moreno - Inside of restaurant and menu board. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Straight out of heaven taqueria food. The white corn tortilla tasted so fresh like it was made in house. Turns out the tortillas are delivered daily. The lengua was perfect texture unlike any I've had before - very tender. Taste of lengua was beautiful. There's only one thing I can complain about - lengua taco didn't come with tomato even though their sign says tacos come with pinto beans, cabbage, cilantro, onion, tomato & salsa. Asked for the tomatoes after and I received them. They seem to get good tomatoes. My friend said it's the second-best taqueria in town. I look forward to trying the best the next time I am in town. You must dine here (or take away if you're one of those rona fearfuls). One taco was filling. I was ravenous upon arrival and have happy hour plans and dinner plans so I won't have two. read more

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I've heard some of the other locations are better, but this one on water street isn't the best. I might give it another chance during the daytime and update my review, but for now, it's def a solid 2. I put in a to go order at 7:30 (and they do close at 8, but we got there before 8 to pick it up - and if they didn't want to take the order, they could have just let us know). We ordered carnitas and beef tacos and quesadillas, plus chips and salsa. Pretty much everything in our order was wrong. The carnitas quesadilla was missing the carnitas meat. There were no beef tacos. The chips were seriously stale. And all of the tacos are the driest tacos I've ever eaten in my life - there's like nothing on them, not even cheese which you apparently have to pay extra for. Just a crap ton of cabbage for some reason - not good. Overall, just very not very good food - dry tacos, wrong items in order, and stale chips. Ps. the stale chips were actually my favorite part of this meal if that tells you anything. read more

Tacos Moreno - Carnita taco and chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

$13+ for two regular chicken tacos. Are you out of your mind? Never going to eat here with these prices. Surprised you have business at all. read more

Average burrito at best. Cheap on the meat, no chips, and salsa out of the bottle. Cash only. El Paso read more

Been going there 40 yrs, best burritos anywhere on the Planet, I recommend the Al Pastor. It's a 5 star and very CLEAN. If you've never been there , you're in for a treat. Heck I'm going today read more

I have been a customer of this business for years. I order the same every single time. Flour taco with beans No meat for myself and 2 flour chicken tacos. Bill $30 dollars plus a tip. My order came out with quesadillas I told him that was not what I ordered and he began to argue with me. I left gave the quesadillas to a homeless person and will never return. read more

Solid burrito here! We got a carnitas burrito, a birria taco, and an al pastor taco to split. The tacos weren't anything special, but the burrito was quite good! I won't say this is the best Mexican spot I've been to around here, but not bad by any means! read more

This is a very small restaurant. It seats around 24 people. This was our first time here. The tacos were amazing, lots of meat. I only ordered one taco and it was enough for me. The chips are home made and very yummy. The corn tortillas were home made too. The service was great. They were friendly and fast. Beware they only take CASH. I will definitely come back for a burrito next time !! read more

I've been going to Morenos for well over 20 years. Still my favorite. Al pastor burrito with cheese and lots of grandmas salsa. Chips are worth paying for, but don't love the chip salsa. read more

disappointed, spend damn near 20 dollars on some tacos that had absolutely no flavor. was gave no limes and it was not even close to good, the food was not seasoned at all. waste of my money. read more

LOVE -Authentic tacos -Good chicken -Flavor MEH -No fish or shrimp options Es bueno. read more

I was introduced to this awesome place by a family member, years ago. You will not be disappointed, small eating area, but I also like it that way.. simply a hidden gem of wonderful Mexican deliciousness. Customer Service is on point, friendly and efficient. read more

The B. E. S. T. Al Pastor Burrito on this P. L. A. N. E. T Go to the location on WATER Street in Santa Cruz not the one off of 41st Ave. It's cash only but don't worry they have an ATM machine inside read more

Food is absolutely delicious. The corn quesadillas with jack, whole pintos, cabbage, cilantro & tomatoes are to die for. The corn tortilla is heated with a little corn oil while melting the jack, so it is just the right crispiness. It is served folded like a taco. Salsa is smoky, spicy, and flavorful - served in squeeze bottles so you can put salsa on every bite. It is a small restaurant and I like to eat my quesadillas inside or in the car so they don't get soggy on the ride home. Serious yum. Must not miss. read more

We have been going to tacos moreno for years. I know everything has gotten expensive the last few years that is fine. After a few recent trips Instead of an al pastor burrito it was filled mostly with beans . We didn't ask for a bean burrito. They used to be so good but now for about 12 dollars you don't get much unless you want a " bean "burrito . I don't think they are worth going to anymore. Used to be a 5 star now , maybe overpriced 2 star. 2 burritos and 2 beers about 40.00. Not worth it . Too bad read more

Tacos something I always love and something you really can't ever have too much of especially when the flavors are there like they are here! Walking in I instantly grabbed a lime Jarritos as those are one of my favorites and in no time at all after that I was presented with my taco and quesadilla. So the quesadillas here aren't your standard ones it's like a quesadilla with a taco inside as there are two tortillas one on the outside is all that cheese goodness wile the one in the middle is like a taco with meat cabbage salsa as well as some beans that were a bit extra but defiantly the right add in and you can't forget about the carne asada it was super yummy for what it was but the chicken taco I ordered as well was really where it was at. My chicken taco was super flavorful packed with chicken salsa and veggies it really was very good one of the better ones I've had recently even more so with some of their yummy salsa over the top of it to set it all right! Overall super yummy tacos and different but yummy quesadillas you really can't go wrong coming here so just do it already! read more

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I know Tacos Moreno on Water St. in Santa Cruz has many fans, but I've never had a great burrito or other dish there. We've gone there because it's convenient, but that is just being way too lazy, given how many really good tacos and burritos there are in Santa Cruz. Last night my burrito was somewhere between cool and lukewarm, indicating that the beans and carnitas had been sitting around on the counter a long time. Keeping food hot (or refrigerating it) is how you prevent food poisoning and that had not been practiced here. The tortilla was cold and hard. The beans were boring. read more

The most amazing crispy corn tortillas, tender chicken and heaps of deliciousness....beast quesedillas in mid town.

It's been over 10 years since I've been here, but I regularly crave and miss their burritos. I first got hooked on the vegetarian burrito when I was going to UC Santa Cruz and they had a location on campus. Quite frankly, I've never had another burrito quite like theirs. Their salsa is a thing of beauty, their tortillas perfect in texture and flavor, and all the flavors within the burrito meld together in perfect harmony. I vividly remember their perfect burrito and am torturing myself dreaming of it now. I live about 350 miles away now and have been sorely tempted to find an excuse to visit Santa Cruz just to get this burrito. I'll find a way someday. Until then, please give this place your business so they'll be open when I'm up there again. read more

Food was bland, lukewarm, over priced, and little fella at the register was rude. Could've overlooked the attitude if the food was great, but you can't act like a dummy while also selling lame food. There are much better options in Santa Cruz for Mexican food. read more

Went in to buy a burrito and Clark that help me had just told the customer before me that each burrito and taco came with two little cups of chili. So when gave me my order he gave me one little cup of chili and when asked for another one he was rude and pointed at a single that u could barely read and said it was extra. Will never go back or recommend any one to there restaurant... read more

Usually LOVE the lengua burrito, but today is was TOUGH! So disappointing! $41.24 for 3 not so good burritos. I won't need to return for a long time. read more

I've been a loyal customer at Tacos Morenos (Water St.) since the mid 90's. Good food, but no longer a decent value. Sadly the last few times I've come in, their Supreme Burritos are about 1/2 the size. They are mostly all tortilla now. Definitely not worth $13 a pop. read more

Ordered two supreme burritos, one chile verde and one pastor. One of them had no meat!

Healthy, plant-based, eaters can order the veg burrito, hold the cheese and sour. What's missing? Chili's‼. Ask them to add jalapeño peppers to make this Om nom nom chompsky pop. They have green hot sauce too! Just request it. read more

Good place to get a quick bite to eat. Quesadillas are really good here. Service is usually fast and friendly. Heads up cash only at this location. Pretty laid back spot. read more

It hurts me to write this because this place holds many good memories from our college days but damn it, they don't make their food like they used to. I held off reviewing until I was consistently disappointed over the last several years' worth of visits. This latest time I had the regular pastor burrito and, again, like previous visits, the meat was dried out like jerky-I kid you not-and tastes and chewed like week-old meat your mom forgot in the back of the fridge but decided to nuke it and serve to you bc she was in a pissed off mood. Like do they even give a crap that they're putting desiccated room-temp "meat" in their burritos? And then they laugh as they take your $7 and change for a burrito that isn't good enough to be on the Taco Bell dollar menu. The one star is for nicely shredded cabbage-not for the bland whole pinto beans that your ten year old sister could boil if she wanted to eat the most boring beans in the world. And how about their salsa in the squeeze bottle? Bland AF. Guy working the register was as charming as the food-what is wrong with this place? You want good Mexican food in Santa Cruz? Go to Los Pericos. To die for salsa bar and hot fresh free chips-not to mention savory, reasonably priced food. read more

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Hands down BEST carne asada burritos!! My husband used to go to their UC Santa Cruz location in undergrad but we've been frequenting this location since they closed the UC one. AMAZING!!! We drive the 2 hours JUST for their burritos House made spicy sauce is out of this world - I would buy containers to bring home after just to have a little slice of Tacos Moreno in the East Bay. Don't ever change!! Love this place read more

Tacos Moreno - Mexican Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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It is NOT easy to find a vegetarian Mexican food.. no judgement but I don't always want pumpkin seeds in my burrito. I will order veggie corn quesadillas from Tacos Moreno until my final days. Don't be fooled. The tacos are wrapped in foil but they should be wrapped in gold. From how the tortilla is crispy and soft at the same time to the always crunchy cabbage to the cheesy goodness hiding at the bottom: YUM. I haven't even talked about the salsa. The crux of the Tacos Moreno experience. So good. Layer it on that taco get some chips, consume all your food in 2-3 minutes. SUPPORT LOCAL BIZ! TIP! REVIEW! Keep Santa Cruz businesses goin' read more

My favorite spot in Santa Cruz. Both locations are consistently good and quick. They are practicing social distancing and enforcing masks be worn. Corn quesadillas are always the go too! Enjoy read more

Incredible carnitas. Have only had the quesadilla but I got the one with beans and I feel like it's one of the best quesadillas I've ever had. It also helps that they have my favorite chile de Arbol tomatillo hot sauce here. Prices are good and the service was great and prompt. Really happy I finally tried this spot. read more

Well I'm Mexican, from Mexico, IN Mexico, I never seen cabbage on a taco, it would be great if they posted or explain that your MEXICAN taco would come with cabbage instead of onion and cilantro, not sure what this was about, great location and very clean, oh yeah also, THERE IS FUCKING CABBAGE ON YOUR TACO!!! read more

Don't trust the low star reviews; I went through many of them and they are mostly either non-mexicans, lack a palate, or are just foolishly picky and entitled. The most IMPORTANT thing that I can about this place: They are authentic mexicans, meaning they don't cook with that much salt and fat which to the over-fatt'ed and over-salted American palates means "no flavor". Not hating on the other mexican food places, they are good too, but this place is legit in the way most people accustomed to mexican food places catering to the American palate will not understand (or be able to taste). They cook the way they did before the United States and Mexico became the fattest nations in the world. They use cabbage and boiled pinto beans. They grill flour tortillas and steam their corn tortillas. But they are still tasty! I love the chicken and carne asada tacos and burritos. Their salsa is really tasty and fresh. I take off one star cause they are a little pricey and yea you will bite into some cartilage here and there; realness means consistency sometimes suffers. But whatever, they are honest and no frills. read more

Ordered a supreme lengua burrito and was left wanting more. Absolutely delicious! Try a bite with their hot sauce. Adds great heat and flavor. Would come again when I'm back in town. read more

I feel bad about giving them a bad review in April 2023. They have been good since. I've been going there for 14 years. I love their salsa. They are my go-to place for birria and al pastor, though I go to Taqueria Vallarta for fish tacos. read more

I've been eating there since the 80's all their food is delicious, I almost always get a super burrito or two corn quesadillas. Their salsa is over the top!! read more