Taqueria La Cabana
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
33 Reviews for Taqueria La Cabana
i really like this place!! I am really a Mexican food snob and here is a good taqueria!!
I had the chicken soft tacos and shrimp tacos-yummy! I like the fact that the salsa is actually hot-but I don't really care for the actual taste as much.
When I am in a hurry and want something good-this is the place!
awesome! background: i went to california to eat burritos (and vacation, etc, but really...burritos). in mass quantities. because everywhere i've ever lived people have said "this place has sucky burritos." these places were nyc and seattle and st. louis. so i eat some burritos in sf. im happy. then we head south and happen upon this place in santa cruz. christ on a cracker! i actually proclaimed this the best burrito i'd ever had while my girl and i were eating. we went back again the next day--i wanted to go a third time the following day as we were heading back to the bay area but was too full from tacos from another delicious nameless roadside place near watsonville. this is artichoke country so they had that option, but i didnt get a chance to try it. i had a wet (red sauce) spinach burrito the first time, and a wet (red sauce) napoles burrito the next day. long live napoles! i also got to try the a wet green burrito and a carnitas taco and a napoles taco. all delicious! and cheap! and beer provided with all the limes you could want! and plentiful (spicy) salsa and chips!
Food is usually really fresh. They are friendly and not stingy like their neighbor Taqueria Santa Cruz across the street. I dig the crazy options at this place. They have good chips and salsa and excellent menu and dont charge you to use a card. I recommend the alcachofa burrito.
Alcachofa Burrito and Veggie Nachos.
Quattro Estrellas.
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I don't get the hype about this place. Everyone in college always told me it was incredible, the best taqueria in Santa Cruz, so I had to try it.
The first time I went there I got a burrito al pastor since I'm an al pastor junkie. My pastor burrito, instead of being delicious, crispy flavorful bbq pork, tasted like rosemary. I like rosemary. I like rosemary with pork. I do not like rosemary with bbq pork with beans, rice, cheese, and cabbage in my burrito. Weirdness.
I figured I ordered the wrong thing, so the next time I went there I ordered a chicken burrito. It was served in this really strange herb tasting salsa verde and the entire thing was mushy.
Okay, so no more burritos from Cabana. A month or so ago I was on a pozole kick and wanted to give Cabana another try figuring that I was just choosing the wrong type of item. The pozole was not bad tasting it just had no flavor.
The chips are good and the ceviche nachos are middling tasty, but seriously people wake up and smell the lovely, greasy goodness of El Dandy.
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definitely one of the better california burritos i've ever had. carne asada, pinto beans, mexican rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and french fries. delicious.
my friends got soft and hard tacos, both of which looked delicious.
kinda pricey, but well worth it.
Disappointing.
Once again, a YELP hype let-down.
Saving graces: Mexican coke (two sizes, even); diverse vegetarian menu, price (we ordered too much food and walked out having paid less than 7 bucks each).
I've always believed that independent taquerias are the best place for authentic and flavorful Mexican dishes, but MAN, La Cabana just fell flat.
1. The fish tacos were AWFUL. Imagine eating canned tuna that had been left open for a couple of days in a humid house. Yeah, they kind of tasted like that. I could've handled that though, if they had thought to actually flavor the rest of the taco with something besides cardboard. Cardboard just wasn't strong enough of a flavor to mask the old fish taste. Maybe next time try using fresh cilantro, jalapeno, pico de gallo...something.
2. I ordered a corn quesadilla. A no-brainer, right? Take 2 tortillas, insert cheese, melt, serve. Evidently this was a problem here. My quesadilla consisted of two tepid tortilas, soggy and mostly uncooked (maybe they zapped it in the microwave for 10 seconds), with half melted cheddar cheese, and some nasty runny looking sour cream on top. Gross. I took two bites and that was enough.
End of the story: I walked out both hungry and nauseated at the same time.
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Really great carne asada super burrito. Very fast service. I had one bite that was strangely spicy, the rest was right on. I like how they included chips and salsa on my to go order. My friend ordered a super burrito minus a bunch of stuff [she's really picky] and they got her order right, which is always nice.
I dreamed about you last night taqueria cabana. I dreamed I had an insatiable hunger and I was eating everything I love about taqueria cabana. I think I had multiple orgasms.
1) Desembrada anything, the juiciest beef I've had in my whole life at a taqueria.
2) Pork chile verde, huge chunks of tender, slowly cooked pork with the right amount of fat content combined with chiles that marinated in all that goodness allowing the natural taste of the pork to reveal itself in a subtle way throughout these chiles.
3) Salmon tacos, nice slightly seasoned fresh cubes of tender juicy salmon chunks.
4) Chicken Enchiladas de Mole, this was the finisher of my dream, I could imagine 3 chicken enchilads covered with thick sweet and savory mole sauce topped with some sour cream. The mole is oozing into the beans and rice to my glee. This dish alone, would get this taqueria 5 stars from me. I think at the height of my stressfulness at ucsc I would take a hiatus from all my papers, lab reports, scientific articles and perch myself in front of a plate of the chicken enchiladas de mole and indulge myself to a world of pure delicious joy.
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All I can say is that their artichoke and shrimp (together in one) burritos got me through college.
One star off b/c they've started cutting corners as they get more popular...used to be able to share a burrito with a friend...no longer (pun)
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The only problem I have with this place is that I end up walking out of it entirely too full and have trouble breathing for the rest of the day. It's a race to get home after a la cabana outing because a side effect of eating here is a vegetative and, indeed coma-like state. This is due to the fact that I can never order just one freaking thing. No, a torta just isn't enough, I can't just get a burrito. I HAVE to get a crunchy taco, with a burrito or an enchilada with ceviche. Their menu is just too much for me. Not to mention they have a wide array of meats and vegetables to fill up your favorites. Try the cactus, you'll love it.
Although I love that they do it, it seems like they mock me in there by giving me some tasty chips and hot salsa with my meal. I mean c'mon guys. I'm already ordering enough for a small family, do you really have to throw a wrench in my digestive track? That's cheating. How am I ever going to finish my ceviche (side note: one of my friend's got ceviche one time and it was warm. She couldn't hang with warm ceviche. I make no judgment calls on the temperature; I am merely trying to educate the masses) and rice and beans when you keep feeding me more chips? Meanies
The service here is speedy and hassle free. Should you decide to eat there, they bring your food out to the table. There is a large jug of water that stays full and large cups (props on the large cups). The only thing I don't like is the damn TV in there. It is really distracting to have a TV in a place of eating because everyone inevitably is drawn to it. It's like car accidents and the hills, everyone hates them but we just can't stop watching! Other than that this place is priced right, tastes right and feels right. Good luck once it gets through your digestive track; you'll need it.
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I was feeling too lazy to cook for myself and thought, "What would be good delivery?" I looked on Yelp and I looked on Google for delivery in Santa Cruz and none of the options available seemed very appetizing to me. I don't know how I ended up at this listing on Yelp, but boy, am I happy I did.
I didn't even realize that this was the closest taqueria to my house. I would pass it often, but never really felt compelled to go in. What a mistake that was. I wish I had come here sooner.
My super burrito was so delicious. The lettuce was a little bit of a surprise. I would rather have shredded cabbage instead, but it didn't put me off so much that I couldn't finish my burrito. I had a pastor burrito, no beans, extra rice. Note that the size of their super burrito is about the size of regular burritos at some other places. I was okay with that though, since I wasn't that hungry. It was plenty enough for me. I just wish that when I ordered extra rice there would be a bit more than I received. I love Spanish rice.
There were so many options and I can't wait to come back and try more.
UPDATE:
So, I'm really weird and went back here for dinner on the same day. I had two carnitas enchiladas with mole sauce and a Guayaba/Guava Jarritos. I absolutely LOVE the rice. I am not really used to mole sauce, but it was tasty. I think I'll stick to enchilada sauce though, because mole sauce is on the sweet side and I'm more of a spicy/savory person.
My friend ordered a burrito. If you're going to order a burrito, don't get it to go. Hers was bigger than mine. I was jealous.
Also, I forgot to add, I think I'm addicted to their chips. I don't know why, but they are so tasty.
UPDATE 11/11/07:
I've never seen desebrada (shredded meat) offered on a menu before, so I opted to try it and I loved it. It really is on my top choices of carne to order with my burrito.
I tried their Pozole and while the pork was SO tender and delicious, I felt like the broth part was a little lacking in flavor. It was a bit too bland for my taste. Still good, just not the greatest.
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I should preface this review by saying that I only eat burritos at taquerias. Why drive a toyota when you can drive a lexus?
This is the best taqueria on the westside. There is such a good variety that it is hard to not find something that you like. If you want a calorie overload, I would recommend ordering the burrito "wet" with mole sauce.
This is also one of the rare taquerias that offer great veggie options like the mushroom or cactus burrito.
I also like the furniture. Solid wood tables and chairs that are not really that comfortable but they are charming.
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I think they do a really good job here. I remember when they opened back in winter 2002/2003 and I've been coming since. I often just get some tacos or a burrito here. They ones I really enjoy are the more uncommon varieties like salmon, shredded beef, cactus, spinach. One thing to keep in mind here is that on weekdays a big line forms right around noon. I think it's a favorite lunch spot for a lot of people working in the area. If you can remember to go a little early (like 11:30am) you'll get your food in like 5 min.
Have you ever eaten CACTUS? No? Why the heck not? La Cabana will serve you cactus (a.k.a. "nopales") and they will serve you up RIGHT. It has this great texture that resembles something halfway between seeweed and mushrooms, (minus the mushyness) and cut into cubelike strips. The taste is almost pickled, but also with a tasty grilled flavor. If you're a vegetarian (and I mean, come on, this is Santa Cruz, so that's pretty likely), investigating this new food group will pay off doubly as a meat replacement.
Also, the artichoke nachos are godlike.
+5 points for creative menuing. I am so sick of simple rice/beans/salsa!
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I think I've tried just about every Mexican food place in SC County, and this is by far the best. Granted, I usually just stick to the same dish, but I still prefer Taqueria La Cabana over the others. They have a decent sized menu and the service is really quick. While you're waiting you can watch novelas on tv. How much more could you ask for, really? Good food, low prices, overly dramatic acting on tv.. A+
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Did you see that post below mine of driving a Lexus instead of a Toyota? I get what he's tryin to say, but a Lexus and Toyota for the most part use the same engine and chasis; a Toyota costs less than it's equivalent in the Lexus brand.
Nonetheless Taquerfuckinria La Cabana has awesome AWESOME crispy tacos. Every god dam time i'm in Santa Cruz i'm afraid to try other places, this place is perfect. Shrimp tacos dude, SHRIMP TACOS DUDE! Dam.
Who doesn't like the challenge of eating crispy/hard shell tacos whilst juices of all kind dribble down to your elbow.
Oh yea, Mexican Coke in the bottle. In two sizes biotch.
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I had a very excellent torta al pastor here...I ate it while driving to San Francisco up Hwy 1 and almost got in an accident because of its messy delicious goodness.
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This place is amazing!
I definitely suggest the chicken mole enchilladas, as well as the veggie burritos. I have been to many taquerias in Santa Cruz and there is no question that this place outshines the others.
The folks who work at Cabana are great and although sometimes there's a line, it usually moves quickly.
Damn excellent food, served up quick.
Oh, how many sunday afternoons I've stumbled in here and been rejuvinated by a giant Nopales burrito.
I've tried pretty much every vegetarian item on the menu, and they are all delicious. The salsa is excellent but they never give you enough, but by the time you want more your food is there and soon you'll be stuffed. The Enchilada sauce is spicy and awesome, and they use it on Wet burritos too. The only time I skip on the Horchata is when I'm getting Negra Modelo instead.
They are a little more expensive than some of the lower-quality taquerias in town, but it's always worth it.
The best part is the surly staff. There's this one guy that works there that I don't think I've ever seen smile. Still, he's always very helpful any time I need anything, and something about this makes him amusing to me anyway.
If you've never had Nopales before, get it on something. The mushroom and artichoke burritos are interesting too.
We were outside this place pondering whether to go in or not after we got rejected by the people at O'Mei (see my review of that later). Some homeless dude sitting outside the door was like "they're good, they've got the best burritos on the west side." hey, if some homeless dude is gonna recommend it, why not.
Let's just say it was the best enchiladas I've ever had in my life. I want to wrap myself in a giant tortilla and bathe in their sweet mole (say MOE-LAY) sauce, picking up lettuce and grains of rice as I roll in paradise.
When we walked out the homeless dude asked me for change so he could "get some lettuce or cheese or something." I gave him 51 cents and thanked him, because it truly was a delicious taqueria.
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If god were to go to a taqueria to get some tacos, this would be the place. I have yet to try anything else on the menu besides their incredible selection of tacos, but ohh man...they are to die for. The Chicharon is probably the least healthy, but the most delicious. The tacos are topped with a delicious sauce of onions cilantro and what I believe to be love. Their specialty salmon tacos are pretty damn good too, as well as the carne asada, chicken, and carnitas. They also have a wide selection of vegetarian options which make it very Santa Cruz friendly. They seem to specialize in a variety of Mexican-Santa Cruz fusion fish dishes, and if they are anything like the salmon taco, they are worth it. Top the meal off with a horchata, and you are set. Prices for the tacos are only $1.79, and the salmon specialty ones are about $2.25. Bon Apetite.
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So I have a freind that used to rant and rave about this place so the first time I went there I ordered a carne asada burrito but it was more like a veggie burrito because of the lack of meat. The second and last time I went there was last week when I ordered a plate dinner. The beans that came with the plate were rotten. YES, rotten. They were the foulest beans I had ever eaten in my life. I actually went to the server and quietly told him. I was trying to help them save face but he just looked at me and said. "ok". I'm not one to exspect some amazing cutomer service especially from a crappy place but he did not do anything to fix the situation. The other 4 people I was a t dinner with agreed with me about the nasty ass beans. If I could give these guys a negative star I would. "Nunca mas" People who actually like this place don't have any idea what good mexican food is. It just goes to show you when mexican resturants don't make food for mexicans, people just get used to lower standards.
One of the better taquerias in Santa Cruz. In terms of Vegetarian options, it has the most. Also, most of the meats are tasty but sometimes can be a little on the dry side. This place still does not beat Los Pinos in terms of their carnitas :). Furthermore, some of their items have too much rice/sour cream / 'guacamole.' Also, the cabbage does not make the burrito taste any better. They're also usually too greasy.
One of my favorite new taqueria's on mission street. The shrimp super burrito is so fresh and tasty. I think it's the best taqueria on the west side.
the octopus and shrimp ceviche is good. i could eat ceviche all day. enough to get mercury poisoning...or iodine poisoning. i finished a plate of it by myself. ashamed? no. well, kinda.....nevermind, i'm not.
as if the shrimp/octopus cheviche dip wasn't enough, i'm such a chorizo whore that i HAVE to have a piece of it if it's in the building. the chorizo was so spicy, that it had a faint smell of spicy and i didn't even put hot sauce on it. i was eating it halfway and i wanted to cry because it was too spicy for me, although i have to go back to get it with a burrito or something. my stomach was warm after ten minutes eating the chorizo taco. yeah. it's gonna hurt coming out.
1/5/07: i had to take back two stars because my burrito was dry. the cheese wasn't even melted. i like melted cheeses in my burrito..i also don't like lettuce in my burrito. i couldve said, "minus lettuce," but i didn't know. the crab enchilada wouldve tasted better if there was the red sauce on it instead of the green sauce. wah wah wah.
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This place offers great chioces for vegetarians. They serve up burritos de nopales, artichoke heart, y spinach. Or you can get the plain ol super vegetarian they serve everywhere else. You should get the nopales though. Seriously.
I just drove through Davenport a couple weeks ago and noticed that they closed their restaurant there. Shame on us for letting that happen. That was always such a great place to go after spending an afternoon on those windy beaches.
This place has the best burritos on the westside fo sho.
The super burritos are the best in town. Planet fresh is close and I like their variety, but La Cabana just has them beat on taste. I recommend the shredded beef. Friends of mine rave about the veggie.
Ok. This place is ok. That's all. It was clean and the service was quick. However the food I had, a veggie burrito, was nothing special.
I love this place so much, but it's such a big portion :D their soup is gooooood
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It's so good, it just might kill you.
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i'm gonna make more excuses to go to santa cruz more often just so i can come here to eat.
lets see... the last time i went i had the cheese enchiladas, the pozole, lengua tacos, a carne asada burrito, and some of rhea j.'s ceviche nachos. it was all delicious. they make the best enchiladas i've ever had. i wanna go back just for the enchiladas but i need to make an excuse first so i dont look like a fatass. the pozole was good too, but ask for no cabbage in it because it makes the texture weird. the burrito was good, nothing too spectacular though. mmm what else? oh the tacos were hella meaty. i had to scoop up the lengua from my plate. yes...
does anyone want to go to sc? i need to buy gas for my car. :D
best taqueria in santa cruz, in my opinion. they opened a new place in soquel too to replace the Davenport one... and guess what, it is even better.
the salmon burrito rocks!
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