Review El Palomar - Santa Cruz

Deloria ManyGreyHorses

My son, daughter and I had dinner at the El Palomar this evening. I had the Chicken Tortilla Soup which is absolutely delicious. The best I’ve had in the area and a larger portion size. My kids had the burrito meal and also loved it. Our waitress took our orderly quickly and was very kind. Our food also arrived soon after we ordered. We felt well taken care of by all the staff. We will be back soon and would highly recommend to all! Also, it’s such a beautiful building and atmosphere.

Richard Lee

Amazing Mexican food! Tried their Jose platter! Awesome! Tried their Carne Asada Ranchera! Awesome! And their chimichanga! Awesome! I always come here after my beach trip for lunch. Awesome ambience in the cantina. Prefer a table at the cantina. As the other side is much darker. The staff are VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL! I love their warm and fresh Tortilla chips! And the salsa! Free flowing! God I had so many bowls every time. ❤️

Elija Bandersnatch

I remember when El Palomar was the happenin place, the bee’s knees, the destination for the best Mexican food in town. With that high vaulted ceiling it was a cross between a restaurant and a Spanish cathedral. There was buzz. The place rocked. But here comes the hard part… although first I’ll say, the Camarones lit me up like a Christmas tree! They were great! And there were plenty, as if the were having a damn dance party on my plate. That being said, The rice and beans were bland and the worst offense, the second bowl of chips had a few bigger chips and the rest of the basket were crumbs. I mean what am I supposed to do with these any way? Honestly it’s kind of insulting. The waitress knows what she’s giving you is substandard. I felt like I was being punished for going though the first bowl before the mid meal mopping up phase. Ok, I get it, maybe they were running out of the nice chips, but she could have said something, or even replaced the bowl when the good stuff came out. Did they think I wouldn’t notice? Over all, the place has fallen prey to the famous location curse, a phenomenon first documented in 1920 at Marsha Mam’s beautiful emporium and eatery. They too were the favored spot, the in place to be, but they got complacent. They counted on their fame, the desirability of the location, and the reputation of their humble, but extraordinary chef (no one had ever been an executive chef back then… they would have have laughed at the hubris). Well, it’s the same here. They have customer loyalty and history, and they have atmosphere up the wazoo, but what they don’t have is passion for the product anymore. They are just dialing it in, and it shows. I’d give them three stars, but the Camarones were really good, it’s like a diamond in a cheap ring, the rest of the meal detracts from the final effect.

Shane Maze

The server disappeared for about 10 mins in the beginning which was okay I guess. The most money I have ever spent on a burrito that just has rice beans and chicken. No quac, sour cream, lettuce, cheese, cilantro or anything. A taco truck would be twice as good for 1/2 the price. The ambiance was nice I suppose.

Marisela Gutierrez

All of the staff were very attentive to us. Their food was some of the best I've ever had. The chips, dinner plates (seafood tostada, seafood cocktail, vegetable tostada, vegetable chimichanga), and flan were super satisfying!

Carlos Pineda

This place is great! The Horachata and Margaritas (strong...lol) were delicious. The customer service was great! We ordered burrito, sopes (different style but good), enchiladas, and pozole (really really good). We had 5 people and didn't way long to be seated.

Vickie Pattillo

I have not had Mexican food this favorable in a while. Service was great everyone was friendly. Had the choice of eating on patio or inside. I had the Ribeye that was sat on top of a sauce. My friend had the enchiladas dinner which had a very delicate distinct flavor. Flour and corn tortillas were fresh much not forget the guacamole!!!

Jessica Campos

Would definitely return for the food for sure. We had the carne asada ranchera plate and it was cooked really well. Well seasoned too. They have "hand made" corn tortillas, but they are pretty thin compared to traditional mexican hand made tortillas. Good none the less but they can improve on technique. Staff was friendly but the customer service experience was kind of bare minimum.

Constance Lynn

Went to dinner here for my birthday on Friday 11/17 (party of 4). We got there about 8pm, and were seated originally at a table that was gonna he too small for all the food we wanted. The manager overheard us talking about wanting a big booth, and several minutes later came over, told us “come with me, we have a bigger table for you”. He had staff clean it quickly (people were just leaving), and get us in there. Excellent time there! Great food, drinks, and an amazing server! Our server even took my phone to take a picture of the giant mural I liked. Thank you for helping make my birthday so wonderful!

Kimberli E. Greenwood

I enjoyed the atmosphere inside and out�My food was very delicious and satisfying� Not sure why anyone would put jalapeños in a margarita and I don't care, but thanks to Herradura (A Dear 27 year old Friend of mine�) the meal was not a total wash�

Ashly Arsenic

The first time I've ever had to ask if the seafood was frozen or microwaved. You're so close to the ocean, why does the relleno del mar taste off? I've gone here for years and loved it, but the quality of seafood is just poor. Also, I was charged for an 18% required tip because I had four children under 5 with me and all of them ate off the adult plates with the four adults there. I wouldn't have minded paying a decent tip if I was even able to eat with my family, but I was stuck waiting for a different plate to be made to go. Four plates and the four drinks at $228? Wow. I think we paid for the name and not the food we used to love. I'll be enjoying my seafood more inland, where I know they buy fresh and it's waaay more affordable...

Mariella Romero

This place is delicious. Had the red snapper taco; it began with a handmade tortilla, refried beans, sauteed red snapper, finely chopped cabbage and a green salsa. their chips and salsa to perfection. I even had their pozole. AMAZING! great pieces of pork and bone with marrow, homey and their fine cut cabbage. Comes with tortillas. I couldn't distinguish the flour from the corn, both so soft and delicious.

Carolyn Cornaggia

Service was great!!! They were unexpectedly very busy and my server was still very attentive to our table. The food was outstanding My 6 year old was like this is the best burrito ever mama!!!

Craig Leach

Authentic, fast, good food. I'd recommend it for someone who wants good Mexican food at a decent price. Employees are friendly.

Rebecca Hanson

There is no better Mexican food in our area. Everything is perfectly fresh and yummy. The service can't be beat and the staff is so easy on the eyes.� I could not recommend this restaurant more highly.

Emanuel F. Barros

Excellent food, amazing people and an awesome family oriented establishment! Love this place! �

Jessy Ann

we drive every 2 years from Montreal canad to santa cruz... and eating at your restaurant is on our To do LIst.... we love the place and the food!!!

Javier Magallon Jr

Great food, great service , the atmosphere is great, sat in patio , they have TV's outside, very nice

Lorenzo John Mares

It was Sunday afternoon. No wait. Large booth for the five of us. The waitress, Sarah, was very friendly and hospitable. The food was excellent! Chips and salsa with water were immediately served to the table. Fairly decent portions of food, not too much such in the case of most Mexican Restaurants. Nice ambience for both family and couples. An average size bar setting for those who want to relax and unwind with some wine. Plenty of spirits to choose. If and when I'm in town, a sure stop for Mexican.

Toby Gray

Our go to spot for Mexican food downtown. Everything is good. Great service. Excellent bar �

Deborah Claire

This review is based almost purely on the delicious chips and salsa! To die for. I was only in for a drink but got the free chips and salsa which I asked the bartender about. The owner makes the salsa himself each morning. Will be coming back soon for a full meal! Service was good too.

William Charles Jeffries III

Best carne asada I've had almost anywhere. So tender and juicy. Perfect wrapped in house made corn tortillas. Friggen' yummy nomz!

Carolyn George

It's beautiful and naturally lite and a fun place for lunch the food was delicious!

Alex Sobreyra

Had dinner with my wife food was good. I had Joe's dinner plate and it was screaming good.

Steven Shaw

I was waiting for my girlfriend to have dinner with her and I finally got to try that El Camino Real Don Julio Tequila it was good but it's not worth $55 my God but I finally did get to try to El Camino Real cool on me