Santa Cruz Guide
Taqueria Vallarta (Pacific Ave)  Hot PDF Print Email
Taqueria Vallarta (Pacific Ave)
Address: 1101 Pacific Ave Ste A
City: Santa Cruz
Zip: 95060
Phone Number: (831) 471-2655
Map URL: View Map
Web Site: http://taqueriavallartarestaurant.com/
Type of Establishment: Quick Bites
Cuisine: South of the Border
Hours of Operation: 9:00AM-12:00AM
Price Range: $-$$



Member reviews

Average member rating from: 4 member(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
4.2
Service
4.5
Atmosphere
3.8
Quality of food
4.5
Helpful staff
4.0
Total experience
4.3
 

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

The best carnitas in the northern part of the stat, 02/04/10 at 9:46 AM

Written by NativeCalGal   -  View all my reviews  - #1 Reviewer
Overall rating (weighted)
3.4
Service
4.0
Atmosphere
2.0
Quality of food
4.0
Helpful staff
3.0
Total experience
4.0
Folks, it's a TAQUERIA. It is not a proper restaurant, it's basically Mexican fast food. If you go to a taqueria expecting "atmosphere", you are kidding yourself. You go there to get great, inexpensive food made from Abuela's family recipes and you go to get in and out quickly. (That being said, the downtown Santa Cruz location has made an attempt to be attractive and modern)

Taqueria Vallarta has the best carnitas just about anywhere. They are lean, moist (with that little crispiness on the surface if you get an end piece) and taste like they were cooked with just a little bay leaf. The chicken has been stewing in its own stock with just enough savory flavors to make it a little rich--it falls apart, too. The chile verde has a great sauce and the al pastor ( BBQ pork shreds) is to die for--earthy flavor. The carne asada leaves something to be desired, though. Just bland and a bit tough, not nicely char-grilled. I am not a fan of sesos, lengua or tripitas, so I cannot comment there, but I hear lots of people ordering them. Many of the patrons are Latinos, which tells me the food is acceptable Mexican fare.

All the meats are available (or vegetarian versions) for burritos, tacos, nachos, enchiladas, tortas or tostadas. They have whole pinto, refried pinto or whole black beans. There is a small salsa bar --try the marinated carrots! They also have horchata, tamarindo and will make freshly juiced orange and carrot juices for you. Beer is available. Great for a quick bite or for take out.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Jake
A Treat, 07/26/09 at 3:48 PM

Written by Jake   -  View all my reviews  - Top 50 Reviewer
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Service
5.0
Atmosphere
4.0
Quality of food
5.0
Helpful staff
5.0
Total experience
5.0
When we give ratings out to various restaurants, we sometimes judge them unfairly. To the point, we say cheaper food is worse quality without taking into account its price. A five dollar decent burrito might be perfect for someone cruising for a quick bite to eat, but all wrong for a family out for atmosphere and fine cuisine. So, more to the point:

Taqueria Vallarta is just right if you're in the former category. The food's cheap, lightning fast, and the atmosphere is fine if you're in and out or just sitting for a bite and then moving on. Don't come looking for finer foods, just keep it simple and you can't go wrong.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

fishodarryl
Approved, 07/16/09 at 3:00 PM

Written by fishodarryl   -  View all my reviews  - Top 50 Reviewer
Overall rating (weighted)
4.4
Service
4.0
Atmosphere
5.0
Quality of food
5.0
Helpful staff
4.0
Total experience
4.0
I recently discovered Vallarta's winner dishes. Trying to get full? Have a beans, rice, salsa fresca burrito with a big horchata drink on the side. Awesome, simple flavor that'll sit very nicely in the tummy to hold you over til dinner. Vegetarians'll like the heavy load of beans they scoop on there. Protein! My new staple, though, is a fish taco, vege taco combo. It's not actually a menu combo, but they go perfectly together. I've had them 3 times in the last week. Amazing!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

mike
Good quick food, 06/17/08 at 11:00 AM

Written by mike   -  View all my reviews  - Top 10 Reviewer
Overall rating (weighted)
4.2
Service
5.0
Atmosphere
4.0
Quality of food
4.0
Helpful staff
4.0
Total experience
4.0
After ordering your food, don't be surprised to get it before you get a chance to even sit down! It's good, tasty Mexican food. Try the carrot juice!
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