Delicious shrimp, pastor, and carne asada tacos. Loved how crispy the shrimp were and the homemade tortillas. A tad spicy. Glad we stopped here on our drive! Parking for 5 cars but I think it’s technically for the market.
MV
Michael Vann
Mar 23, 2026
5.0
Legit delicious. Great flavors with a fun range of different styles of tacos. Treat it like Pokémon and try to catch them all. Not a fan of their guacamole but everything else is excellent.
ZM
Zoe McDonald
Mar 23, 2026
5.0
The fish tacos were great!
AM
Adam McWilliams
Mar 7, 2026
5.0
These are hands down the best carnitas tacos in Santa Cruz. No question. I don’t want to hear any debate. The carnitas were crackly/crispy on the outside and soft/tender on the inside. The quality here is leagues above everything else in Santa Cruz. This place is better than pretty much anything you will find in the South Bay as well which is saying a lot.
The Real Taco is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Does The Real Taco offer delivery and in-store pickup services?
Yes, The Real Taco offers both in-store pickup and delivery services.
What types of food does The Real Taco serve?
The Real Taco serves Mexican cuisine including tacos, burritos, and Mexican tortas, and offers vegetarian options as well.
Where is The Real Taco located?
The Real Taco is located at 1204 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA.
How can I view the menu or place an order online from The Real Taco?
You can view the menu and place an order online at https://therealtacosantacruz.com/menu.
What is the price range of The Real Taco?
The Real Taco has a price range classified as TWO, indicating moderate pricing.
Is The Real Taco open for takeout and what are the takeout hours?
Yes, The Real Taco is open for takeout Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It is closed for takeout on Tuesdays.
What nearby restaurants could I visit along with The Real Taco?
You could visit nearby restaurants such as Copal, a Mexican restaurant and wine bar, Primal Santa Cruz, and Sabieng Thai Cuisine for Asian flavors.
Are there any nearby beaches close to The Real Taco to visit before or after your meal?
Yes, Pescadero State Beach is nearby, offering a relaxing spot to enjoy before or after dining at The Real Taco.
What nearby services and amenities are close to The Real Taco that customers might find useful?
Nearby services include Western Union for money transfers, Mission Dry Cleaners for laundry and alterations, and 505 A Spa for massage and beauty treatments.
Brand Certified Facts from The Real Taco
This information is certified by The Real Taco and published from the brand's official system of record. Data is distributed through an enterprise-grade knowledge management platform. Learn more about our data sources
Certified April 26, 2026Yext Knowledge Graph
Address
Categories
Geo coordinates
Legal business name
Hours of operation
Phone number
Official website
Syndication Network
Approved business data is pushed to 100+ publishers, including: