La Super-Rica Taqueria

This little place is great. The menu with specials is on a chalkboard at the order window. Food is really tasty and as in earlier comments, Julia Child was crazy about the place. It's funky and pretty small.If you don't want to be standing in line for lengths of time... I recommend going at off hours. more

Tuesday is my favorite day @ LA Super Rica - that's the day Sopas are the especial of the day.... YUM and double yum... All food is a la carte - so when you order from the regular menu - think family style and get several dishes so you can try a little bit of everything. Fabulous marinated pork ! Don't be surprised - Super Rica doesn't serve chips - but they make a killer guacamole and the hand made tortillas are perfect for dipping. more

After hearing and reading about how great the food is, I decided to try it out. I am from San Diego and I have eaten at many taco stands rom Tijuana to Mexicali, Mexico. I can truly say that La Super-Rica taqueria's food is nothing special and definitely not worth the long wait nor the price. However, I am envious of whoever the owner is. He has hyped up his taco shop resulting in many (majority caucasion) people believing that his tacos are made of gold. He maintains this illusion by intentionally creating long lines (frequently takes breaks whiile taking orders or takes orders very slowly). Check it out if you don't believe me. Yes, the older guy who was taking the orders, just walks away from the window for 5 minutes. I saw him at the back of the kitchen hanging out. The line grew longer and he returned. Nice trick...It obviously works. \r Also, with the amount of business that this taco shop makes, they should purchase some better chairs and tables or at least clean the one's they have. Another illusion. \r Playing ""hard to get"" really works. Also, they do not take credit cards or atm cards only cash (hmmmm..). \r In my opinion, La super Rica Taqueria is no better than most taco stands. Save your money and time and go to a real taco shop.....just look for one where there are a lot of hispanics eating there. I bet you that it will be better food than this place. Cons: long lines and overpriced more

Just wait in line, it always moves quickly. Like everybody says the Super- Rica Special is great. But don't worry - just look at the board, find anything with the ingredients you like and go for it, you'll love it. I've been eating here for decades and never been disappointed; you won't be either. more

I have finally found this place again! Went here with a couple of friends a few years ago, and was completely blown away! The food here is outstanding. Not your typical mexican. Thought it might be from a different part of the country or something. Whatever it was, we all left very happy and very full. Was totally shocked to hear about all the negative reviews. Funny, those are probably the same people who would call Tito's tacos in L.A. horrible too! I say, go try it for yourself. It's got to tell you something when there's a line outside the door! Pros: the food. Cons: it's too far from L.A. more

First of all after reading a few reviews, these people are completely WHACKED.\r \r This is the best Mexican food ever. I've traveled extensively throughout Mexico, even one trip trying to find the best Tamales in Mexico. I believe the owners are from Spain and add their own flair to the dishes. So its not traditional Mexican. If Julia Childs thought this was an amazing place I would agree.\r \r Enjoy more

After reading the reviews and eating there I have only one thing to say. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This place doesn?t even come close to being decent Mexican food. I don?t know if Santa Barbarans just don?t know what Mexican food is or if these reviews were all written by the company owners. Yes the line was out the door but not because there were so many people but because they are so slow. We had 6 orders in front of us and it took 45 minutes to fill them. That?s not including the 30 minutes we waited outside behind the same 6 orders. I?m not some nut that has to have everything hot as fire and spiced till you choke but the food was the blandest tasteless garbage I have eaten. We tried 4 different dishes and they were all bad. I really couldn?t believe it. Even the salsa was tasteless and I?m not sure how they did that. BUY A SPICERACK. Now I know some of you reading this think ?this guy must be the Taco-Bell type.? Well you?re wrong. I know TB, Tex-Mex and I know Authentic. I?m a guero married to a Mexican and I can cook better Mexican food that that place any day and I?m not even that great of a cook. Don?t believe the hype. more

Every mexican-food-loving local knows about La Super Rica. They boast hand-made tortillas piled high with... more

Every mexican-food-loving local knows about La Super Rica. They boast hand-made tortillas piled high with grilled meats and veggies smothered with ... more

My husband and I stood in line for 20 minutes at the recommendation of my co-worker on this stand having the best mexican food ever - NOT the case at all! We have had better tacos and quesadillas at Chevy's and El Pollo Loco. The steak tacos were unseasoned, and without any toppings - just some grilled steak thrown on a tortilla served on a Dixie paper plate. The quesadillas were also boringingly bland. Julia Childs has no idea about mexican food and locals in Santa Barbara are definitely missing out if they believe this is as good as it gets. Save your time and money and go elsewehere for a good mexican dish..this place is not it. Cons: seating is limited, food is bland, long lines, overpriced menu more

La Super Rica has to rank as one of the worst dining and eating places i have ever been to in my life. My wife and i thought the food was horrible very little to eat expensive and just plain awful. i had read for years about this being the worlds greatest tacos and we were both extremely disappointed in the whole deal. you got to be kidding. best tacos. the people in santa barbara dont know s--t from shinola when it comes to tacos. i would recommend if you travel up that street is to go to jack in the box for two tacos for 99 cents and you will save a lot of money and have better tacos. this place is horrible. if i were to give it a rating i would even give it a star i would use the little dog symbol to show its a dog. drive by this place and go elsewhere. Cons: plenty dont go more

I think because this place give the feel for a genuine taco stand you'd find in Mexico. Not exactly the same but in some ways. I am Not going to knock the food, it was good, but not worth the price (well it is high priced Santa Barbara) and the selection is not great. Although the rice on the other hand was quite possibly the worst I've ever had. I got two small tacos as did my girlfriend for a grand total of 15 bucks. The tacos are very small and unsatisfying. I believe people in the area don't know good taco stands when there aren't many around to compare. I'd stick to the sit down restaurants and steer clear of this place. Pros: Good Meat, Beer Selection Cons: Overpriced, No complimentary sides (ie, rice, beans), Selection more

Let me start by saying I had high expectations based on all the hype i've heard about this place. It consists of a dirty shack and a small area filled with filthy plasic furniture. The eating area is covered with a blue plasic tarp and is crammed with tables. Profuse knowlage of obstacle courses is required to locate a table. Many people excuse the environment with the excuse that the food is good. I ordered chicken tacos. It was perhaps the greasiest food i've ever had. The tortillas were limp from their fat saturation and the chicken was tough and overcooked and despite the six dollar or so price it could not have been bigger than a saucer. I was very dissapointed. more

Alright...the food IS tasty, fresh & authentic. But some people here are way too effervecent in their praise. In terms of California standards, it is above average but doesn't hold a candle to the Taco Meccas in Los Angeles like Loteria Grill, or Tacomiendo. In terms of Mexico standards, it is average AT BEST. A couple of notes: (1) Presentation is terrible even for Taqueria standards. (2) No attention to textures (the Rajas Taco is limp & gooey) (3) The flavors are simple & undeveloped (did not use Aged Cheese) (4) The salsas were way off (The Green salsa had way too much ground coriander) (5) Yes the food is authentic, but it is from Sinaloa which in the Mexican Culinary world is like having the Central Valley represent California Cuisine. (6) Finally, La Super Rica would have ABSOLUTELY NO chance of surving in my native Mexico City. Pros: Varied Taco Fillings, Fresh, Mostly Tasty Cons: Run Down Shack, Poor Presentation more

This is a Santa Barbara landmark, praised by Julia Childs and me! The food is wholesome and tasty. Another review complains about the price. For the $13 they spent, this is a really great deal in Santa Barbara. This place does not use canned items unless it cannot be made from scratch. Try that at any ""taco stand"" in Santa Barbara - you'll pay more than the great $13! Remember, even though this is in an area that appears low-rent, there are very few low-rent areas in Santa Barbara, and all restaurant food is therefore expensive. Pros: Fresh Food, Authentic, Julia Child loves it! more

I tried this after seeing it on Best of Citysearch. I couldn't find this restaurant initially. They don't have a board visible even if you are in front of it. But it is difficult to miss the people waiting outside in a line. You have to wait in line, place your order, wait for a table, and get your food. They don't provide water. Bring your own or purchase a drink or bottled water. Menu is different from most other mexican restaurants, all priced around $3-4. They have about 4 good vegetarian choices. The food was excellent, but there were flies in the dining area. Tortillas were made fresh to order. Food is just enough and cheap. No leftovers to throw away. Pros: Good food, Just enough food, Inexpensive Cons: Flies, Line to order/enter, No service more

This place is the best ever. It takes at least 3 times before it grows on you, for some it's the first time. If you don't agree, then go to taco bell. This place rules the world. I haven't seen Mexican food this good even in Mexico. Remember, this is a taco joint, not formal dining. Pros: worth the wait Cons: long line more

This place is way overated. Not enough food for the price and what you do get is not all that good. more

We were told by locals this is the place to try - we did so and were not disappointed. The food is very fresh, you can watch the cooks prepare your meal from scratch. The taste and quality shows. The prices are very reasonable given the quality of their offerings. We suggest you gather several friends and order a variety of tacos - don't forget the great beans! The only thing we missed here is tortilla chips, otherwise this place would be the perfect 10. Try them, we think you'll be glad you did. Pros: Quality, Variety, Cost Cons: Can Get Crowded more

Tried this place a couple of weeks ago when in town for the Santana concert at the SB Bowl. The food was authentic, tasty AND reasonably priced. Yes, there is a line usually we are told, and now we know why! Suggest trying various taco items and the beans should not be missed as they are different than what you normally see at Mexican restaurants - they are not refried (smashed) and topped with bright orange cheese! Here they do what they call ""ranch style"" and the results are terrific. If you love great Mexican food, and have time to wait for it, this is one of the best places around for this type of fare. No doubt about it! Pros: FRESH FOOD, Tasty Food, Reasonable prices Cons: CROWD more