This place has decent mexican food. Always made fresh and to order. I enjoy the jamaica and quesabirria the most. I ventured to try something new and got their mole chicken enchiladas and it was okay. I was unsure if the tortilla was corn or flour but it had a gummy texture so im assuming flour which is NOT my preference. The molé was okay, it lacked spices and could have used a bit more chocolate. I was really disappointed in the dish and wished I asked to sample the molé. Add more spices (im not saying spiciness) but probably add more roasted sesame seeds or more charred chiles because the sauce felt a little flat as I could taste all the peanuts/peanutbutter used in this molé. More layers of flavor needs to be added. Lastly, opting for shredded boil chicken would moisten the meat and i find that it soaks up the sauce much better than grilled bits of chicken. The rice could also use more flavor (add more garlic or onion or maybe a bunch of cilantro while it cooks). I think they make good food but it's obvious the flavor is adjusted for the local gringo palette But i think the quessabirria tacos are amazing and worth the value. These are authentic, great sized and full of meat. I'm surprised they don't do a double tortilla for each one which i appreciate. The consume is yummy too. I probably wouldn't try any different dish here as trying the molé last week was such waste of $20, i rather stick to tried and true plates! As for service, they are also so kind and seem to enjoy serving the customers and getting us the extra limón or salsa to us read more

Zocalo - Molé enchiladas with grilled chicke - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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It's a cute shop in IV with a good amount of seating! We came in at 1:30 and the line was long but went by quick! The staff was super friendly! They sell breakfast and lunch with a bunch of different coffee drinks and horchata, Jamaica(delicious!!!), plus Fresca! The birria taco was juicy and tender, the asada had an amazing flavor! read more

Zocalo - Jamaica - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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Checked in around 12, fairly busy but the line moved quickly and the workers were very friendly and attentive. They recommended their birria taco; I also got the carne asada taco, horchata, and salsa verde. Birria taco: extremely tender and juicy. There was enough meat to fill two tortillas. Carne asada taco: juicy and tender, well seasoned! Also enough meat to fill two tortillas. The rice and beans included in the plate were fantastic! I am usually not a fan but these were so flavorful. Horchata is a 10/10, and I appreciate how they filled it to the brim. Shoutout to the salsa verde! Lowkey the star of the show; this salsa is so much thicker and more flavorful than any other salsa verde I've had. Overall, great vibes, food, and service at Zocalos! Will definitely be back. read more

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New spot in Isla Vista!! Went in to try it out today and ended up ordering the quesobirria tacos (a special for tonight!). It was really good! Not the best birria taco I've had, but it was definitely hearty and tasty and filling, and the dipping broth it came with (consomé) was hot and comforting. My date got the chorizo burrito, which was tasty, but which he hoped had been filled with a bit more meat! It almost tasted like a simple bean and rice burrito. But it was still good. Service was good (little wait times for ordering and for food, and cashiers were very friendly), and prices a bit steep for the quantity, but overall decent place. read more

Zocalo - Quesobirria Taco - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

I stopped by for a quick burrito. Despite there only being one patron ahead of me, the wait was approximately 15 minutes. That said, the portion size was ridiculous- it was like a small newborn. I appreciated the pineapple chunks in my pastor burrito. It was definitely delicious but personally, I would have preferred a smaller portion with less beans and rice ratio - to each their own. It's definitely a good size to share. The salsas - both red and green packed a punch. Definitely a solid spot to try when you have time to enjoy. P.s. if you are over the age of a college student - prepare to feel old. Everyone around this neighborhood is between 18-22 ;) read more

There are no words to describe how great Zocalo is! Today was my first time at Zocalo and I got the chorizo burrito. The burrito was incredibly tasty and super filling, a perfect late night meal. My boyfriend got the avo and eggs bagel and equally enjoyed his dish. The customer service was fantastic. I had to jump back in line to order something else and they made sure my order was made first as I had already received my first order. Super kind folks & I really appreciated their hospitality and thoughtfulness, especially on a busy Friday night. I will be back soon! read more

Zocalo - Chorizo Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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We were visiting Santa Barbara from San Antonio Texas and all I can say is "I wish we had this place back home". I'm definitely swinging by again next time I'm in California. The place is quaint and very clean. The food is "truly authentic" Mexico City. The Chile Relleno stuffed with queso fresco was next level. The rice as good as Mama makes. read more

Zocalo - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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The food was delicious! We tried the carnitas tacos and the BBB! Out of this world amazing! Their rice and beans were delicious too! Everything was fresh and they were so nice there! read more

Love this place! This is a perfect spot to grab a quick bite to eat in isla vista for cheap! The employees are friendly and the interior is clean and has a great vibe to it! I ordered the quesa birria and it was delicious! For $14, it was such a good deal. I will definitely be back! read more

Zocalo - quesa birria to go - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

Great place! We were camping nearby with our dogs so I was looking for pet friendly locations to quick bite to eat. This place came up with five stars so I just had to try it. I called and asked if the patio was open and if there would be enough space for us to come on a Saturday night, the girl that worked there was so sweet. She actually put a reserved sign on the table for us even though they don't take reservations. You order at the counter, so it looks kind of like nothing, but the food is great. Great quality and quantity for the prices.definitely would go back when we are camping again read more

Was in the area and craving Mexican food. The restaurant was the closest one open at the time. Staff greeted us and were friendly. We got the Quesabirria and carne asada torta. Both were delicious. Recommend if in the area. read more

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I tried the BBB bagel and hands down the best bagel I have tried in Isla Vista. I wish Zocalos had more hype! The bagel was perfect and the birria melted in your mouth. The green salsa and consome paired perfectly with the bagel. Will be ordering this bagel again. The employees are also so sweet and fast service! Favorite restaurant in IV! read more

Zocalo - BBB - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

The quesabirria is genuinely one of the best things I've put in my mouth and u can quote me. I'm not from here but I genuinely could consider moving here for this spot. Do not sleep on it. Staff is friendly and nice, welcoming atmosphere, not a single bad thing I could say about this spot. Go try it right now. read more

Great and friendly service with amazing food. Quesabirria is da bomb!!! Jaime the server rocks!! Will def come back! read more

Delicious quesabirria and salsa! Friendly, quick and gracious service. Clean, comfy, and chill tunes. read more

The food is delicious. The tacoquesobirria is super delicious. The service is great. I really recommend this place.

Ya'll, this place was just .... CHEF'S KISS My boyfriend and I got the BBB and it was definitely something new for us but every bite was flavorful and enjoyable. The consome with the red sauce is a MUST. The customer service was amazing. The woman and gentleman working on 7/14 were so sweet and even asked how the food was after. The vibes here were immaculate. They have a water stand if you need any as well as some loteria cards to have fun with :) 10/10 recommend. OH and make sure ya'll try the flans, they are such a good treat afterwards read more

Zocalo - Flan - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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The Birria tacos are very good! Been back twice and enjoyed them! My husband liked the quesadilla with asada.

Super friendly staff, great food and fun ambiance. I had the quesabirria tacos and the mazapán latte! Definitely recommend, make the trip it's a must try! read more

Zocalo - Quesabirria tacos and the mazapán latte - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

Wow, amazing food and mole enchiladas! I'm coming back for seconds, thirds, and might cater my wedding.

Came in for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Very clean restaurant and spacious. Friendly staff and greeted us as we walked in. We enjoyed the food here and will be returning to try different food items. We ordered chilaquiles rojos, verdes, 2 different bagel sandwiches, regular coffee, iced horchata cafe de olla. All of the food was very tasty, season well and a good portion. Don't remember the prices but it was with every dollar. The iced cafe de olla with horchata was perfect! I would recommend anyone in the IV / SB area to stop by. read more

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Tasty! Free chips and guacamole is great too xD I recommend the torta! It's one of the best Mexican food in iv :) read more

Came for brunch with my friend. Ordering was straightforward and service was quick. The restaurant was very clean and comfortable, as it wasn't super busy at the time. I would definitely recommend if you are craving Mexican food. The Quesebirria was very flavorful and the crunch and cheese pull was yummy. The broth on the side pairs well. There was a a lot of oil which was the only thing I personally didn't like. Other than that would recommend!! read more

Zocalo - Quesabirria - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

Food was amazing! We came from the valley for a work trip and this place did not disappoint. Very authentic, good flavor, and the salsas were good! The service was good. All very polite and helpful. Also, the drinks and coffee all around a must try! The ambiance is chill and relaxing Gracias por la comida! read more

Excellente !! Everything we've tried is awesome, I loved both our meals I come every time I'm in the area , this a family owned business, they are so nice and helpful and there food is maddd delicious.. I only come for breakfast every day when I'm here that's how good it is.. hope they have much success and community support this is a great place read more

I love this place! I was really impressed. I got the chips & guacamole, mango mint iced tea, quesabirria, and the al pastor tacos plate. Everything was great, the prices were extremely reasonable and much better than other Mexican restaurants in the area -- plus the quality was definitely better too. The chips were thin, hot and fresh. The guac and the salsa roja were a perfect pairing with them. The salsa had great flavor, I loved it! The mango mint iced tea was nice and refreshing, not too sweet. I wish there was more mint flavor, it was subtle. The quesabirria were huge and extremely flavorful! And the al pastor was plentiful in the tacos, well seasoned, and extremely tender. The rice and beans were also good. The owner was also really friendly and everything was made fresh. Overall, I definitely am going to come back and try other things. They have a big breakfast selection and a lot of other drinks, I hope they'll continue to add more fruit beverages! I'm really rooting for this place to stick around. It's so close to me so I'll definitely be back. read more

Hands down the BEST food in IV. I found this place a few years ago and I still make the drive back to IV just for their burritos. 10/10 and the staff is so kind! Spend your money here over any other spot in IV. The lattes are bomb too!! read more

Great authentic food, good prices, and cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Glad Zocalo is in IV with some good food.

Great food Great ambiance Service was great and friendly Food was Mexican authentic food read more

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Yelp exists for businesses like Zócalo! Not only is it Latinx owned, but Jaime recently graduated from UCSB with the dream of being an entrepreneur by opening up his own business. Sure enough, with the help of his namesake father (Jaime Sr.), he succeeded. What an amazing family bond! Zócalo is in the 'heart' of Isla Vista (like the Zócalo Plaza in central Mexico City) and serves homemade Mexican-American cuisine. I appreciate that EVERYTHING is homemade and local/organic versus out of a can. They also serve up vegan and vegetarian menu options. This quaint cafe has an espresso machine and tea (including the flashy blue butterfly pea powder latte), but also classic breakfast items like a breakfast burrito, bagel sandwiches, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and enchiladas con huevos. If you're looking for just a quick pastry, they serve the basics but also Mexican conchas and wedding cookies! I was in love with my UCSB Bagel which has their homemade chipotle cream cheese with bacon, eggs and cheese. It was packed with flavor, yet not overly spicy, and hit the spot. I'm excited to simply order a toasted bagel with the other homemade cream cheese of cilantro jalapeño! The interior has recycled chairs, Mexican papel cortado/banners and lotería cards for decor. They have free wifi but also indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating. I will definitely return to try their Mexican specialties. Gracias to both Jaimes! read more

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Nice to now have a fun breakfast spot right there in the heart of Isla Vista. Congratulations to owners/cooks/hosts Jaime and Jaime on keeping things authentic, fresh and delicious. Third time's a charm as we've had quality breakfast time here, nice and early as they open at 7:30 am. Their UCSB Bagel, Zocalo Tacos, and Huevos Rancheros have been ideal to start the day, and both burritos, The Choriqueso and Protein Burritos have been good-to-go . . . and they all paired nicely with either their iced teas and iced Horchata Latte. Plenty of street parking in the area, just look out for the many biking and skateboarding students. read more

There are very few places in IV that I would strongly recommend and this is one of them! First of all, the staff are always so friendly, smiling, and willing to help with whatever you need. When you walk in, the vibe is immaculate. The music is great, the people are friendly, and the decorations make the place. I ordered the taco plate with carne asada and the meat was so tender and tasty. The rice and beans were also very good. The green salsa is also my favorite. Will definitely be making this place one of my regular spots. read more

The quesabirria is my absolute fav. I order take out from here weekly and the food is always delicious. My absolute favorite spot in Isla vista !! read more

The Quesabirria is incredible. Served super hot so although you want to take a big bite because it looks so good, let it cool down a bit before diving in. The corn quesadillas have a nice cheesy crust on the outside and are stuffed with birria, cheese, cilantro and onions and served with a consommé. You will need some napkins as they are a bit messy, but so worth it as they are sooo good! Delicious! read more

Chile Relleno burrito was soo good. I was even on the full side and wanting a lighter fare... still gobbled that thing down in under ten minutes. Highly recommend. The place is clean. Order at the counter and eat at a handful of small tables, at a counter to people watch outside or outdoor seating. Bigger groups take it to go and hit the nearby park. read more

The service here is great. I think I definitely would have came here more when I went to UCSB. They make everything fresh so it takes a little bit longer than usual. The ambiance in here is very well decorated with items from Mexico. The burritos here look pretty big. They have a coffee and breakfast menu in addition to the normal menu. read more

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Super good Horchata latte and bagel ! Friendly staff too. The place is decorated cute with many tables to sit at. read more

Zocalo - The UCSB Bage - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

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Everything here is fresh, and nothing comes from a can! Taking a first bite, I feel nostalgic, thinking of my grandma's cooking. Even though I get homesick at college, I find comfort in this food, feeling at home. My favorite items are the quesadilla with carnitas and the enchiladas suizas. Their rice has to be the best I've ever tasted, as well as their beans. Their salsa verde is sooo bomb, they make it fresh every morning!! 100/10 Also the staff is super sweet and the place is so cute, it's in the perfect place too, near Blenders and IV bike shop. read more

Zocalo - Quesadilla with carnitas, rice, salsa verde, and Sidral Mundet to drink - Mexican Near Me - Isla Vista, California

This place has the BEST torta I have had hands down, definitely need to try their whole menu. The cashier was super nice to us & overall great service! read more

I always test a Mexican restaurant by ordering a carne asada burrito. Low quality beef is what I'm testing for. 3/4th of the time I won't return to the restaurant as they fail that test. Zocalo passed with flying colors. I ate 1/2 of the carne asada burrito (they kindly made it custom) and I had the second half for dinner. I don't live in the area, but the next time I'm in the area I'll definitely go there again. Also, the two gentlemen who were working there were very kind. I own two restaurants and wanted to learn more about their t-shirt sales. They kindly shared their data with me which was super helpful. read more