Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Let the aroma of freshly baked tortillas guide you from Milpas Street and the Funk Zone to the waterfront, downtown State Street, and beyond as you home in on Santa Barbara's top tacos, superior salsas made from scratch, and other addictively delicious hand-crafted concoctions.

622 N Milpas St
Santa Barbara, CA

If you know anything about Santa Barbara Mexican food, it’s safe to say you’ve probably heard of La Super-Rica Taqueria, the late Julia Child’s favorite local taco shop. A humble cement shack with a bright blue exterior, La Super Rica has attracted media attention over the decades for its celebrity clientele and terrific tacos. The widespread popularity does have its downside in the almost constant line wrapping around the corner from where this shanty stands. It has remained an iconic figure of Milpas taquerias throughout the years, however, so it’s safe to say it’s worth the wait.

217 Anacapa St
Santa Barbara, CA

Situated in the Funk Zone, which is a top destination for local wine and beer tastings, Mony’s Mexican Food is reason alone to hit the creative neighborhood. Get there by noon, and don’t be afraid to wait in line. Not only is it more than worth the wait, but the line moves quickly. The self-serve salsa bar is arguably one of the best in town due to the variety of choices and unique, fresh flavors such as pistachio.

532 State St
Santa Barbara, CA

Yona Redz is a relative newcomer that has earned a cult following for their crunchy, hard shell tacos dipped into a special red sauce. They come in beef and cheese versions, and you can wash down the messy goodness with a refreshing Michelada.

310 Chapala St
Santa Barbara, CA

The central Downtown State Street retail and entertainment district is peppered with taco-centric delights, both on the main drag and off-the-beaten-path, including the legendary Lilly’s Taqueria. Meat lovers beware—there are abundant, exotic choices in store if you are willing to comply! Think cabeza, cachete, lengua, labio, and ojo tacos—or beef head, cheek, tongue, lip, and eye. Tamer options such as chicken and veggie are available for less adventurous palates. There is nearly always a line out the door given Lilly’s is a scrumptious option that won’t break the bank.

1213 State St
Santa Barbara, CA

Taqueria Santa Barbara is another family-owned, locally operated spot that really gets our mouths watering when we think of their fresh salsa, homemade corn tortillas, and perfectly seasoned meats. Their simply delicious street tacos are only $2.50 each with 10 protein styles to choose from. Vegetarians aren’t left out of the party—there are potato, corn, and mushroom varieties on the menu, too.

600 N Milpas St
Santa Barbara, CA

The ”secret” is out when it comes to Los Agaves, and it’s easy to see why—the success of the original Milpas restaurant inspired the subsequent opening of De La Vina Street and Goleta locations. On Milpas, a cheery interior with Spanish tile tables greets eager customers lining up to order from the tantalizing menu best known for its seafood dishes. Beyond the sea, standout tacos include Costra Al Pastor featuring a cheese crust with marinated pork, pineapple, and chipotle sauce and the Taco Azteca with steak, rajas, elote, Monterey jack cheese, and jalapeño dressing.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California, United States

300 days of sunshine, 365 days of tacos in Santa Barbara.