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El Palomar - Santa Cruz

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1336 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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(831) 425-7575
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El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
El Palomar - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
Reviews
( 5 )
( 4 )
( 4 )
( 0 )
( 1 )

Best

Great Place!! When I go out to eat, I expect to pay a lot for my meal. I also expect to get a lot of food for that money. I'm a bit of a foodie and only want the best. Well, this ...

Worst

This used to be a reliable place for good, inexpensive food. The last time I went there, though, the food was disgusting (I had the same experience with the chile verde as anoth...

Great Place!! 8/22/2011

Great Place!! When I go out to eat, I expect to pay a lot for my meal. I also expect to get a lot of food for that money. I'm a bit of a foodie and only want the best. Well, this place did deliver a great meal that I really enjoyed, only the portion was so small that I left feeling hungry still. The price wasn't worth the meal. However, the ambiance is very nice. more
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El Palomar is Fun & Tasty 6/16/2009

Palomar is so much fun. The bar is great at night and I love their chips and salsa. Their vegetarian burrito is delicious as well. Very good service and a great atmosphere! more
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Great place to eat 1/7/2009

I have been to both the restraunt and the taco bar. Depending on your desire to have a sit down dinner or a cheaper quicker meal, you have both options right next to each other. I like the taco bar, it's quick, easy, lots of options, the food is made fresh right in front of you, and all of the employees are great. There is a bar in each side of the restraunt as well, and both are quick and have great bartenders. more
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Beautiful :D 12/4/2008

This is a really good place to go for family gatherings or for friends coming into town :D I promise the place is more on the upscale side so you wont be dissapointed. Remember! You get what you pay for so eat here! :D more
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Mexican food in a beautiful, historic setting 10/13/2007

We took the whole family to El Palomar. The verdict? Gorgeous building, expensive, but enjoyable. I would like to go back here when they have Mariachis (though it would be very loud in this setting!) We had tacos and sopes, with rice (good) and beans (average). The corn tortillas were very good, as was the sangria. The tacos were fine and the sopes a little less than average. Kids menu available. They have an extensive seafood selection in addition to the usual tacos, enchiladas, etc. They have a full bar adjacent as well as a more informal "taco bar." The sangria was tasty, and we especiallly enjoyed the chocolate cinnamon ice cream and strawberry sorbet from the Santa Cruz "Marianne's." Will have to hunt that place down! more
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Yuck is all I can say. 8/12/2007

This used to be a reliable place for good, inexpensive food. The last time I went there, though, the food was disgusting (I had the same experience with the chile verde as another reviewer -- it was all fat and gristle), and the place was actually dirty! The bathroom was filthy. The main dining room has all the atmosphere of a college dining hall, and always has. But the food used to make up for that. It doesn't now. Pros: It used to be good, and is in an interesting building. Cons: Poor quality food, sloppy service, dirty premises, noisy rooms. more
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The Best Mexican Food We've Ever Eaten Anywhere 4/2/2007

This was--by far--the best Mexican food my husband and I have ever eaten anywhere, including Mexico, and every major city in America. The green sauce is TO DIE FOR, and the Flan is better than you will ever eat again. You will not be dissapointed by the food, the decor, or the family atmosphere of the restaurant and staff. Pros: Green Sauce, Seafood, Flan, Decor, Staff Cons: Not One more
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Tasty mexican! 9/11/2006

This place is great! The ceviche was the best I have ever had. Margaritas are good, too. Very enjoyable! more
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A very average and forgettable dining experience 7/25/2006

3 words -- store bought chips. That says it all. Any Mexican restaurant that serve Tostitos knock-offs already has 2 strikes against it. Food was unexceptional, marguerites were okay, and wait staff was responsive. Difficult to maintain a conversation in cavernous dining room. If you are looking for a quality Mexican food experience, keep looking... Pros: Location Cons: Uninteresting food and seating more
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So overrated....and so over it. 5/19/2005

The first time I went to El Palomar, it was a nice dining experience. Food and service were good, but both have gone downhill....in a serious way. The last couple of times I went, grissly(sp?) beef in the sopas and colorado beef and the Chile verde was more fat than pork - blech! So disappointing since there aren't many sit down mex restaurants in SC. I'd go for a margarita or two but avoid the food at all costs. Pros: Location, good mtg spot, margaritas Cons: Poor food quality, Wait is too long, Servers need training more
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Best Margarita's & Taco Bar 1/20/2005

I highly recommend the margarit's. I prefer the Guava Margarita w/ Hornitos. Pros: Great Food, Great Margarita's, Nice Atmosphere Cons: , Crowded in summer more
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You will always go back! 2/27/2003

We have been to several Mexican restaurants in all of San Jose and "NOT ONE" compares to the food at EL PALOMAR. The flavors are great and if you have grown up eating this kind of food as I have, since a young boy, then you are in for a treat and will always go back for more. Growing up in the East Side of San Jose since the late 60's, I've tried just about all they have to offer and El Palomar beats them all. So do yourself a favor and you will always savor this place. Try the Sopas, there like nothing you have ever had!!! Ola... Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Great Bar Cons: N/A, N/A, N/A more
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my favorite place in santa cruz 2/17/2003

Since moving from Santa Cruz, this is the place I miss the most! I keep trying to find a place in LA that can even come close to Palomar, but I have had no luck. The daily seafood specials are amazing, the portions are huge (so a dinner is also your lunch the next day), the bar is awesome, and the atmosphere is great. However, you can frequently wait a couple of hours for a table on Friday or Saturday nights. The attached taco bar is great for happy hour and lunch. Super prices and great food. Everything is so fresh here. Pros: fresh ingredients, great seafood Cons: long wait on weekends, no reservations more
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Great Mexican Food 6/25/2002

El Palomar has THE best Mexican food in Santa Cruz. Nothing else even comes close. They served cabbage in their tacos and burritos before it was trendy. Yet, sometimes their culinary abilities are overshadowed by their bartending skills. These are also hands down the best 'ritas in town. It doesn't matter if you order a basic rocks and salt or a fruity sweet blended concoction. You won't be disappointed. Pros: great food, better margaritas, good service Cons: parking problematic more
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Menu for El Palomar - Santa Cruz


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Owner Message

  • * Handmade Award Winning Unique Mexican Cuisine
    * Under Same Ownership
    * Please Visit Our Website for More Information. * Full Bars - Catering
    * Banquet Facilities
    * Fresh Seafood
    * Lively Cantina
    * Handmade Corn Tortillas
    * Taco Bar

Editorial

  • In Short
    Restaurant and bar packs in weekend crowds for specialty margaritas and homemade Michoacan recipes passed down from the Espinoza family. Start off with standard appetizers like...

  • 1/4/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ; Service 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ; Service 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM ; Open Until 1:00 AM
  • Payments: Discover, Visa, American Express, Master Card
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