Join us for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch or our weekday happy hour specials. Since El Palomar's opening in 1983, Jose and Amelia Espinoza have been serving Santa Cruz unique and fresh Mexican cuisine inspired by authentic family recipes. Our commitment to excellence has continuously earned El Palomar the award of "Best Mexican Restaurant in Santa Cruz." El Palomar boasts a full bar with an extensive, hand-picked tequila selection. Join us every Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm for happy hour specials on our house margaritas and 100% agave margaritas. You can also enjoy our beer on tap. We also feature a Taco Bar for those on the go, as well as banquet and catering services to bring the experience to any event or location.
Come see us at our Taco Bar! The hours of operation are:
Wednesday & Thursday: 11:30 am - 8:30 pm
Friday: 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 9:30 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 8:30 pm
Taco bar closed Monday & Tuesday
Explore offerings from El Palomar on 1336 Pacific Ave in Santa Cruz, with popular botanas, sopas y ensaladas, del mar, and favoritos de la casa available at this location.
All Day Menu
45 items
Botanas
Guacamole
$10.00 - $15.00
Quesadilla de Johann
$16.00
Flour tortilla filled with jack and cheddar cheese. Served with sour cream, guacamole and salsa fresca.
Taquitos
$17.00
Crispy corn tortillas filled with shredded chipotle chicken or shredded beef. Served with sour cream and guacamole.
Rollos
$22.00
Crispy flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken or garden vegetables, whole beans, bell peppers, onion and cheese. Served with sour cream and guacamole.
Plato de Mariscos
$24.00
Shrimp and octopus marinated in citrus juices. With fresh fish ceviche - Market Price
Coctel de Mariscos
$24.00
Prawns or octopus and shrimp served in a chilled tomato broth with diced avocado, cucumber, green onion and cilantro. With fresh fish ceviche - Market Price
Nachos
$19.00
Tortilla chips topped with refried beans, cheese, salsa fresca, sour cream and guacamole.
Sopas Y Ensaladas
House Salad
$14.00
Organic mixed greens topped with sliced tomato and cucumber with shredded carrot and red cabbage.
Sopa de Tortilla
$20.00
Shredded chicken, chopped onion and cilantro in a spiced chicken broth with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado and queso fresco. Served with tortillas.
Pozole
$21.00
Simmered bone-in pork and hominy in a New Mexico chile broth. Topped with shredded cabbage, diced cilantro, onion and salsa fresca. Served with tortillas.
Ensalada de Pollo
$23.00
Organic mixed baby greens, topped with grilled chicken sautéed in a tomatillo salsa, whole beans and sliced avocado.
Baby Greens Salad
$19.00
Organic mixed baby greens, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese tossed in a citrus vinaigrette. Topped with crispy chipotle tortilla strips and fresh sliced apple.
Ensalada de Mariscos
$24.00
Organic mixed baby greens salad topped with citrus marinated shrimp and octopus. With fresh fish ceviche - Market Price
Seared Ahi Salad
$31.00
Seasoned filet of ahi tuna with a miso glaze on organic mixed baby greens, tossed in a wasabi vinaigrette. Topped with roasted red bell pepper, sliced cucumber and avocado.
Del Mar
Entrees served with rice & beans or house salad
Jose's Special
Charbroiled snapper, skirt steak, prawns and octopus & shrimp ceviche. Served with tortillas. Market price
Camarones a la Diabla
$28.00
Prawns sautéed in a spicy guajillo salsa with sliced onion and fresh jalapeno. Served with tortillas.
Huachinango
$27.00
Charbroiled snapper topped with a sautéed tomatillo or guajillo salsa served with guacamole and sour cream. Served with tortillas.
Camarones a la Michoacana
$28.00
Prawns and fresh garden vegetables in a sautéed tomatillo salsa. Served with tortillas.
Tostada de Mariscos
$25.00
Crispy corn tortilla topped with refried beans, citrus-marinated shrimp and octopus, shredded cabbage and guacamole. With fresh fish ceviche - Market Price
Burrito de Camarones
$25.00
Flour tortilla filled with sautéed shrimp, whole beans, salsa fresca and cheese. Topped with tomatillo salsa.
Enchiladas de Camarones
$27.00
Corn tortillas filled with sautéed shrimp. Topped with red enchilada sauce, cheese, Linda’s cabbage, sour cream and guacamole.
Favoritos De La Casa
Entrees served with rice & beans or house salad
Sopes
$23.00
Handmade corn tortillas puffed into soft shells filled with refried beans, your choice of shredded chicken, shredded beef or guacamole. Topped with shredded cabbage, salsa fresca and sour cream.
Enchiladas Verdes
$23.00
Corn tortillas filled with grilled chicken. Topped with green tomatillo sauce, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
Pollo con Mole
$24.00
Grilled chicken with sweet and spicy mole sauce. Served with tortillas.
Tacos de Carne Asada
$25.00
Handmade corn tortillas filled with skirt steak, tomatillo salsa, diced cilantro and onion.
Enchiladas Caseras
$21.00
Corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken or shredded beef. Topped with red enchilada sauce, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca and sour cream.
Chimichanga
$25.00
Crispy flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, whole beans, bell peppers, onion and cheese. Topped with salsa ranchera, sour cream and guacamole
Chile Verde or Chile Colorado
$22.00
Simmered pork in a tomatillo sauce or guajillo sauce. Served with tortillas.
Rib-Eye
Marinated rib-eye steak charbroiled to desired temperature served on tomatillo salsa with guacamole. Served with tortillas. Market price.
Carne Asada Ranchera
Charbroiled strips of skirt steak served with salsa ranchera, Linda’s cabbage, cheese, and sliced avocado. Served with tortillas. Market price.
Enchiladas Especiales
$23.00
Corn tortillas filled with grilled chicken. Topped with red enchilada sauce, cheese, Linda’s cabbage, guacamole and sour cream.
Fajitas
Choose meat
Served sizzling with sautéed bell peppers, onion and ranchera salsa, guacamole, sour cream and salsa fresca. Served with tortillas.
Vegetarianos
Entrees served with rice & beans or house salad
Burrito
$19.00
Flour tortilla filled with refried beans, rice and cheese. Topped with guacamole and salsa fresca.
Enchiladas
$20.00
Corn tortillas filled with cheese. Topped with green tomatillo salsa, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca and sour cream.
Chimichanga
$23.00
Crispy flour tortilla filled with sauteed zucchini, jalapeño, whole beans, bell peppers, onion and cheese. Topped with salsa ranchera, sour cream and guacamole.
Tostada
$20.00
Crispy corn tortilla topped with refried beans, cheese, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca, sour cream and guacamole.
Burrito Michoacano
$21.00
Flour tortilla filled with sautéed garden vegetables, whole beans and cheese topped with salsa ranchera.
Chile Relleno
$20.00
Anaheim chile filled with jack cheese, egg battered and lightly fried. Topped with stewed onions and tomatoes, garnished with chopped cilantro and onions.
Combo Plate
Served with rice & beans or salad
House filling choices
$23.00
Choose two items: Taco, tostada, enchilada, sope or chile relleno : With shredded chicken, shredded beef, beans & cheese or guacamole
Upgrade your filling choices:
With grilled chicken, shrimp, or snapper. Ask your server for pricing
A La Carte
House filling choices: With shredded chicken, shredded beef, beans & cheese or guacamole
Sope / Tostada
$11.00
Enchilada
$11.00
Taco
$10.00
Burrito
$15.00
Upgrade your filling choices:
With grilled steak, shrimp or snapper
Ask your server for pricing
Kids Menu
10 items
Food
Nachos
Beans & Cheese
*Not servd with rice and beans*
Burrito
Filled with beans and cheese
Quesadilla
Jack & cheddar cheese filled flour tortilla
Taquitos
Rolled crispy corn tortillas filled with your choice of shredded beef or chicken, served with sour cream & shredded cheese
Taco
Soft or crispy corn tortilla with lettuce, cheese, sour cream and your choice of shredded beef or chicken
Enchilada
Choice of shredded chicken or cheese
Fajita Strips
Grilled strips of chicken breast or carne asada
Upgrade your filling!
$7.00
Carne asada OR chicken breast + $2.50
Shredded chicken OR shredded beef + $2.00
Drinks
Nino Tropical
Blended strawberry smoothie
Kid size drinks
Milk, chocolate milk, lemonade, juice, sodas, Shirley Temple, Roy Rogers OR Horchata
64 oz Aluminum Tray. 3oz is recommended portion per taco
Carne Asada Steak
$195.00
Grilled Chicken Breast
$125.00
Shredded Chicken
$125.00
Chile Verde (Pork)
$125.00
Chile Colorado (Pork)
$125.00
Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables
$105.00
Side Dishes
Spanish Rice
$60.00
64 oz Aluminum Tray
Refried Beans
$60.00
64 oz Aluminum Tray
Whole Pinto Beans
$60.00
64 oz Aluminum Tray
Mixed Green Salad
$65.00
64 oz Aluminum Tray
Flour Tortillas
$15.00
Per Dozen
Handmade Corn Tortillas
$18.00
Per Dozen
Guacamole
$36.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Sour Cream
$25.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Shredded Cheese
$20.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Green Tomatillo Salsa
$28.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Linda’s Special Cabbage
$26.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Salsa Fresca
$32.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Table Salsa
$22.00
By the Quart - 32 oz
Appetizers/Party Platters
QUESADILLA
$40.00 - $56.00
Pizza style – 16 pieces. 2 large flour tortillas filled with jack and cheddar cheeses; topped with tomatillo salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
NACHOS
$42.00 - $60.00
A 13” plate topped with chips, beans, jack & cheddar cheeses, salsa fresca, sour cream and guacamole.
MINI TOSTADAS
$75.00 - $92.00
20 Per Tray. A miniature crispy corn tortilla topped with beans, cabbage, sour cream, and your choice of filling.
ROLLOS
$84.00 - $94.00
35 Pieces Per Tray. A golden flour tortilla filled with your choice of garden vegetables, carne asada or charbroiled chicken, whole beans, cheese, bell peppers and onions; deep-fried and cut into finger size pieces.
STREET TACOS
$96.00 - $108.00
24 Per Tray. Small corn tortillas filled with choice of meat. Topped with tomatillo salsa, chopped onion and cilantro.
CHICKEN SKEWERS
$90.00
25 Pieces Per Tray. Grilled chicken skewers topped with a homemade chipotle-barbeque glaze.
CARNITAS SLIDERS
$76.00
18 Pieces Per Tray. Tender simmered pork in a tangy barbeque sauce served on slider rolls with marinated cabbage.
TAQUITOS
$88.00 - $92.00
50 Pieces Per Tray. Crispy corn tortillas filled with choice of meat. Served with sour cream, guacamole and tomatillo salsa.
Dessert
HOMEMADE FLAN
$80.00
Serves 14-16 slices. A traditional Mexican caramel custard dessert served with whipped cream on top, Delicious!
Drinks
18 items
Margaritas
House
$13.00 - $52.00
Milagro 100% Agave Blanco Tequila, triple sec, sweet-n-sour, lime juice
Top Shelf
$15.00 - $60.00
Pa' Todos Blanco Tequila, triple sec, sweet-n-sour, lime juice
Skinny
$16.00 - $64.00
ArteNOM Blanco Tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice
Gran
$17.00 - $68.00
ArteNOM Blanco Tequila, Patron Citronage, fresh lime juice, Grand Marnier
Panama Pacific Rum, mint, fresh lime juice, soda water, simple syrup
Frequently Asked Questions About El Palomar
Is your taco bar open?
YES! Join us at our Taco Bar Wednesday, Thursday, & Sunday from 11:30 am - 8:30 pm, and Friday & Saturday from 11:30 am - 9:30 pm.
Does El Palomar accept reservations?
Yes, El Palomar accepts reservations to accommodate your dining plans.
What types of pickup and delivery services does El Palomar offer?
El Palomar offers in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery services.
What are the regular hours of operation for El Palomar?
El Palomar is open daily with specific hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 am - 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am - 9:30 pm, Sunday 11:00 am - 8:30 pm. It is closed on certain holidays.
What type of cuisine does El Palomar specialize in?
El Palomar specializes in unique and fresh Mexican cuisine inspired by authentic family recipes and has been a Santa Cruz favorite since 1983.
Is there a bar and what drinks can I expect at El Palomar?
Yes, El Palomar has a full bar with an extensive hand-picked tequila selection, house margaritas, 100% agave margaritas, craft beers, and other cocktails.
Does El Palomar offer happy hour specials?
Yes, happy hour specials are available Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on house margaritas, 100% agave margaritas, and beer on tap.
What meal options are served at El Palomar?
El Palomar serves lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and has a weekday happy hour. They also offer a Taco Bar for quick meals.
Where is El Palomar located?
El Palomar is located at 1336 Pacific Ave, Downtown Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
What nearby places can I visit before or after dining at El Palomar?
Nearby places include Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting and Starbucks for coffee, Palomar Ballroom Santa Cruz and Avila Dance Instruction for dance activities, and Marini’s Candies for desserts.
Is there convenient parking or public transit near El Palomar for customers?
While specific parking details are not listed, El Palomar is located in Downtown Santa Cruz near popular spots like Starbucks and Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting, which are accessible by public transit and within walking distance for local visitors.
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