Christian radio talking at me and my daughters the whole time, every time. Amigo, you are driving customers away with this station and maybe that's how it should be- your mission to expand Christianity will lower your customer base and hurt your profits and allow you to pay less people. It's cool I'm sure your employees want less pay, less hours, and to listen to this all shift, every shift. And we know: the power of Christ Compels You to spread God's ideas despite what the heretics say. You're righteous, we get it. But you make amazing food, and are doing amazing things for the Mexican Community and the Vegan Community (and with that, the innocent animals of this world). Someone, somewhere down the line helped inspire the business decisions you are making right now. Maybe let this help you too. I moved to Santa Cruz the same year you opened and have been visiting 8-10 times a year since. Your menu continues to be extensive, and this last visit your cheeses weren't even as gooey as they had been (in the past the vegan cremes and cheeses were on the heavy side, but our 4 meals were all great yesterday.) We do know to order over the phone, because your line is slow, the options take a long time to explain, and the preparation is often a long process too. So we ordered ahead. Then got told we couldn't do that and would have to leave, but we had kids so you said this time was ok. After being scolded, we counted 26 seats. We took up 4 of them. Lots of available seating, and four smiling vegans in your restaurant, being cute (daughters 1 and 4) and writing 5 star reviews and spending maybe $5k there over my lifetime. Chill with the condescension, your service is slow AF sometimes. Everyone knows it and talks about it. We are seasoned and know to order ahead now. It's what we're going to do, while we continue to give you our money, while you consistently take a long time to get food to us if we order in store. Hopefully you stick around forever! Hopefully you change your horrifying radio station- but maybe God upstairs' opinion is more important than your customers. Gobbless read more

Came for dinner, and it was packed! It's walk-up service and the person taking your order brings it to your table. Seems like they do a decent takeout service. They do have high chairs for the kiddos and their restroom was clean. It has a very family-friendly dining vibe. As for the food itself, I got the Two Tamales Plate, a side of avocado and a sparkling apple cider. The tamale with the tomatillo sauce were delicious. I think the red/mole sauce was decent. It's extremely nice to go to a Mexican restaurant knowing there isn't any lard/pork infused in their dishes. I'll be back! Price: $28.21 (w/ tip) read more

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Food and service are top notch. I was in town for a conference and I returned to this awesome establishment every day.i even suggested it to others who visited. Everything is delicious, Everything! I tried different menu items each day. I haven't had Chile relleno in years, since becoming vegan, it was good. The tacos are great, I really enjoyed the tacos (I had fish and potato). I can't pronounce the dish that blew my mind (see photos) but it was so good, I will order it again. The desserts are excellent. I tried the plantains and the cheesecake, a bit pricey imo but tasted great. I understand there's a Sacramento restaurant and I'll definitely be visiting that one soon- I'm willing to drive an hour to dine here for sure. The service is second to none, perfect. They play Christian music, which is nice but not overbearing. The aesthetic is akin to a street fair or food market. All of the attention is on the food and service. The bathroom is relatively clean. You can tell the floors haven't been steamed in a while. All in all, near excellence. read more

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i'm currently eating the yummiest burrito ever!!! this restaurant just doesn't miss!!!! read more

El Cantaro - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Love this place, have only been here 3 times though. If they were open fridays and saturdays, my business would undoubtedly triple and I'm sure many other working locals feel the same way. read more

For my vegan folks, that like authentic Mexican food, this is a must go in Monterey. I'm not vegan nor vegetarian, but my friend is and I support him. We came here and there was so much variety. I wanted to give the mole a try, and so glad that I did. It was so good! A bit spicy for me, but I couldn't tell that it was vegan. The "fake chicken" had the texture of real chicken. Horchata was amazing as well. My friend had the vegan chicken burrito and loved it The only reason for four stars was that it was super cold inside. We came here for dinner, the door was wide open and there was no indication that the mole was going to be so spicy . But other than that. Will definitely come here read more

El Cantaro - Authentic Mole Negro Oaxaca Style Plate - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Food was so so good. Great organic, vegan and gluten free options!! The carne asada, chickin and meatless ground beef are all gluten free. Finished all my food in less than 5 minutes and went back to order more. The food: The corn tortilla is delicious. Also had gluten free flan. Their vegan chickin' and as so similar to the taste and texture of chicken. Beans and rice were on point. We tried the asada, chickin and ground beef less beef tacos and they were all so good and all gluten free. Guac also delicious! Nayeli was super helpful as she helped us navigate our dietary restrictions with patience! Space was clean with in and outdoor seating. Thank you and will be back again! read more

There's a reason why this spot belongs on your vegan bucket list! I highly recommend the El Cantaro burrito (add guacamole!). Eating there is nice, but it's even better to take your order to go and walk the 2 blocks down to the water. See you there! read more

Best vegan Mexican food I think we've ever had. Super authentic and everything we had was delicious!

The food was very authentic and flavorful. Will definitely stop by again. Location is great not far from the Aquarium and Canary Row .

10/10 vegan food, i can't wait to come back! the steak and chicken are so flavorful and delicious. they have a tasty horchata (soy based) too. i got the combo plate and it was a great way to try multiple things! service was super friendly and fast. read more

I've never had vegan Mexican food and this was absolutely delicious. The corn tortilla melted in my mouth. The chikin was so good!! I'm so tired of the typical fajita and this was a breath of fresh air. Such a cute little place felt like I was visiting a friends home and eating delicious yummy food. It's a must try! Service was very fast and they were very generous with our 3 year olds needs. Thank you - we will be back read more

Unfortunately, after visiting a few more times, this place seems a bit disorganized. I have had orders given to me as to go when I asked to eat in, and to go orders given to me cold even though the order was placed in person. The last straw was eating a rancid taquito where I seriously worried I was going to get sick. The hours are also weird. read more

If I could give 6 stars I would! We came here on a Sunday afternoon. Parking is limited but we were able to snag one in the small lot in front of the restaurant. Once we walked in, we were surprised with how vegan many options there were! We got a variety of dishes including a wet burrito, tacos, soup, and flan. Each dish was delicious with its own unique flavor profile! We loved it with the flan being my personal favorite. This spot is definitely a vegan's dream. We will definitely be back! read more

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Small, quaint, unassuming restaurant with some of the best vegan Mexican food I've ever had! The vegan chicken they use is phenomenal. Their mole sauce is so flavorful. Really every thing was perfectly seasoned and not overly salted or oily. Can't wait to go back and try more! read more

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My friend recommended this place. We came 50 min before they closed. They ran into my friend that recommended this place. I ordered Combo #3 and hubby ordered Combo # 1 They were both yummy! The only photo taken was my husband's Combo # 1 plate. I was too hungry to take a photo. Everything tasted clean and well executed. For being vegan I was surprised the vegan meats didn't have that vegan meat taste and scent. All was so good. Every time I come to Monterey, this will be a spot I will always eat at. read more

El Cantaro - Combo # 1. The mole tamale was very delish. They make their rice and beans right. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

First time trying vegan Mexican and I enjoyed it! Ordered a steak burrito with a spinach wrap and a nopales taco with a hibiscus aqua fresca. The mild sauce had a nice kick and more on the spicier side. Place is no frills and walking distance to the aquarium. Staff also nice and service is fast. A nice new food experience from the norm. read more

El Cantaro - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Decided on this place for its good review. Not good, expensive $5+ per taco. 1 lime per 3 tacos, no sauce provided on the side.

Restaurant is scheduled to open at 11. Door was barricaded by chairs and cleaning supplies. Other folks waiting knocked to see when they would open and staff did not respond. Didn't say "please wait" or explain. I waited quietly until 11:15 but door was still barricaded. Imagine if folks had ordered takeout. Apparently good food does not make up for bad service and operations. read more

Great spot near the monterey Aquarium. They have maybe 8-10 parking spots or you can find street parking as well. Awesome menu with tons of vegan options. I ordered the Enchiladas and it was delicious... slightly salty but otherwise it is perfect for me. Every time i come here, it is always clean. You order at the counter and then, grab a seat. Wait time is about 15 min, food is always fresh! read more

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I ordered the cactus burrito. I liked it! I wish there was more cactus in the burrito, though. The service was great! There was a lot of people here since this place is popular. read more

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El Cantaro is fantastic Mexican food--vegan or not. It tastes great--plus it leaves me feeling lighter and less stuffed than meaty greasy burritos. I lived in the neighborhood and had my eye on El Cantaro while they were building it out. I went there maybe 3 days after they opened. It was so yummy and friendly that I went there often. It's been a while since I lived there. Then I recently went back. Looks like they got a little fancier with the digital menu screens and some different art on the walls, but the menu looks mostly the same. I'm not sure I've ever had anything else besides the El Cantaro Burrito--it's that good. I think this might be the first place I've ever had Mexican hot chocolate. I'm kinda particular about hot chocolate, so I got it to-go because I wasn't sure what it was all about; I didn't want them to be offended if I dumped it. I LOVED IT! and I bought it again and again. I've also started making hot chocolate at home with cinnamon almost every time. Jamaica (Hibiscus "tea" [hibiscus punch]) is also great! Clean bathrooms. Just a couple free parking spots, but more metered parking on the street. If you choose to give a thumbs-up or not, I hope you found my review helpful! read more

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This place was ok. It was definitely healthy. The soup I got was on the bland side with little bit of spice. I wasn't feeling well so this hit the spot. I also got a sopa with vegan chicken. I enjoyed this! The tortilla was fluffy & the toppings were balanced & not toooverwhelming. I felt very healthy eating this meal haha. read more

El Cantaro - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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We visited here from Orange County. My family's first time to the area. This restaurant is so good and tastes legit! If we come back to Monterey Bay, we'll absolutely come back. My son had the El Cantaro burrito with steak, my other son had the chilaquiles and my husband had their grilled pineapple veggie burrito. I had their steak asada street tacos and a bowl of their pozole. All of it was 10/10!! So good with authentic flavor! read more

El Cantaro - Pozole - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Back again! So tasty! I had the two tacos and enchilada with red sauce. It was grub. The line out the door and reviews say all you need to know! It was hopping! Cool vibe good art. El Cantaro! Andale pues! read more

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Came here because my wife is vegetarian and gluten free. Got tacos ( potato, mushroom & cactus), all were good. The potato was the star. Definitely coming back here next time I'm in Monterey read more

The potato tacos at @elcantarovegan are my favorite! This place is a must when we are in Monterey. Everything we've had here, the combo plates, quesadillas, burritos, etc. are delicious! (instagram: jax.vegan.eats) read more

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We found this place browsing Yelp. I saw the menu and it looked very appealing. They have very good vegan Mexican food. We were a party of 6 and there was a big variety of different dishes. All of them sounded very delicious. So, we decided on a chile relleno plate, wet steak burrito, mushroom quesadilla, and a regular cheese quesadilla. And my dish was that tlayudas oaxaqueñas. Everyone said that their food was very good. The salsa and the spices were on point. I really liked their seasoning. Nobody had any left Overs. Proof that there was no complaints at all. Just to describe my dish since I didn't Even know what tlayudas were. There was a big crunchy tortilla. It was no tostada because they are fried. The tortilla was topped with black blended beans, red cabbage, pico de gallo, and green salsa. With some fresh avocado. It was so delicious. I am already thinking what am I taking for next Time I visit. A huarache sounds good. Highly recommend. It is very convenient. Walking distance from the Monterrey bay aquarium. Your order at The counter, the menu is on top of the counter and there is plenty to choose from. read more

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First time here at El Cantaro and it blew my expectations away! We got a combo with two tacos with 'steak' and a spinach enchilada, as well as a chile relleno. So tasty and filling! The staff are nice and took less than 10 minutes to make our order. It's so great to have a vegan restaurant on the peninsula and one that won't break the bank! We'll be coming back for sure. read more

Good tasting food along with pleasant and professional service (Jasmine) at a reasonable price. Ambiance is good as long as the background music stays at low volume. read more

I was really excited to find a vegan place to eat at, but unfortunately the service was terrible. Our order included a dessert, which I didn't say to delay bringing (I wanted it right away with the order, as it was for my son, who didn't like the other menu items), and they didn't ask. It didn't come with the food, so I assumed they'd assumed I wanted it at the end, and were waiting to make it. I shared my soup with my son (I wanted to try both the soup and the enchiladas), and he ended up enjoying it well enough, so fine...I gave him my soup, and waited for the dessert. But... then I noticed they had actually fried the bananas already, and the plate of them was just sitting up next to the cashier at the counter. It sat...and sat... and sat... and I began thinking, "That better not be for my dessert!" because I don't want bananas that were fried twenty minutes ago and have been sitting exposed and getting cold next to the cashier, and all the guests coming in to pay for food at the cashier. The cashier was out at the tables talking for a very long time with two older ladies, and didn't return to the cashier station for at least 10-15 minutes. I had even walked up to look at the plate of bananas (confirming they were what I thought they were, and hoping they weren't mine), and the cashier didn't bother to notice me. So I went and sat back down, waiting for her to stop chatting with the ladies. Finally, she returned, and I went up to ask about the dessert that hadn't come with our food. She said they were waiting to deliver it last, but will make it now. I said, "Oh, so those aren't my bananas sitting there?" She said yes, they are, but they will re-fry them to warm them back up again now. I expressed my concern that those bananas had been sitting there already fried for over 20 minutes, and that I didn't want those ones, but new ones. She just flatly said again, don't worry, we will RE-fry them for you. I said I don't want you to re-fry cold old bananas that have been sitting out already pre-fried this long, and that double-frying would make them oilier too; I want freshly made ones. Instead of remaking it for me, she just rudely handed me a refund receipt without saying anything else. I didn't ask for a refund -- I wanted the dessert made right -- not double-fried limp bananas that had been exposed so long because they made a mistake and fried them too soon. If they're going to wait to deliver the dessert to later, they should also wait to MAKE the dessert until then. Why the heck would they fry my bananas right away, only to sit them on the counter for a very long time? Bad timing, and bad service. And she was so rude about it.... I wasn't the bad guy there, but the way she handed me that refund receipt that I didn't ask for, and without a word, no smile, no apology, no offer to remake the dessert... I will NOT be back. This is an example of losing customers because of a bad employee. You've lost three customers, as my non-vegan family who came with me won't be back either (my husband only ate here because I chose it for dinner... you see, often your vegan customers bring you non-vegan customers too by default). Our son is also vegan, and he's who I ordered the fried bananas for, so he didn't even get to try it. I thought my soup and enchiladas were good, but given the terrible service, we just won't be back. My husband was also pretty upset at us trying this place because he would've much rather gone to El Torito (being non-vegan), it was his favorite choice--and so the fact that me and my son didn't enjoy our vegan experience here, it was a waste of dinner. Our options there are extremely limited, but at least we always have fun and have never had a bad experience at El Torito. read more

Best Mexican food we've had in a long time. It was incredibly authentic and flavorful. And it's vegan?! Say what?! Would have never guessed! Crispy potato tacos - fried to perfection without feeling heavy, the toppings were Chile relleno plate was perfectly portioned. Mole sauce was chocolatey, rich and spicy. Beans, rice, and corn tortillas were standard sides for the main dishes were traditionally prepared and delicious. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. You can watch your dish being prepared in front of you which was fun, and then chef was appreciative of our compliments on our meals. We really wanted dessert, but there was no way we could have squeezed in any more food. Excellent all-around experience. read more

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so good i cried get the cactus burrito and strawberry cheesecake i would eat here every day if i could

This was really good food! I will say that they could use more spices/ seasonings in my opinion. But the portion sizes were great and the food was good overall. There is a very small parking lot in front of it. read more

El Cantaro - Empanadas - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Service was great ! Food was delicious. Accommodated the allergies in our party. So happy to have found this little spot on our adventure.

Combo #2 beef tacos , green sauce with spinach enchiladas, pinto beans, rice. It was all very tasty, the menu is vast and has a kids menu. Inside was very warm. Value was decent for the area. Food is served quite fast. read more

On a road trip to Big Sur, I stopped here both on the way there and back. That's how good it is, and so rare to find a fully vegan Mexican spot that hits these flavors. On my first visit, I got the combo with an enchilada (red sauce), potato taco, and chik'n taco. It was a good portion size and I ate the whole thing. Love their rice and beans. The red sauce is on point. On the way back, I focused on tacos, getting the asada tacos (a special) and a fish taco. The asada tacos were soooooo good. The vegan meat had a great texture. I did ask for a side of salsa for a little more heat. The fish taco wasn't my favorite, but it did have the seafood vibe. The worst thing about this place is that they're closed on Saturdays and that's when I usually find myself in Monterey. If you catch them open on another day, don't hesitate to go. read more

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OMG their food is so good! I am in town for a few days and was excited to go to an all vegan Mexican restaurant. The first day I got a pineapple and black bean burrito and it was so delicious. The next day I got the tofu veggie burrito and I loved it so much that the third day I got the exact same thing. I would eat here all the time if I lived here. The counter staff is super friendly and helpful and my food was ready quickly, even at prime lunchtime. Highly recommend! read more

My sister stumbled upon this restaurant. She raved to me how delicious it was knowing that I'm vegetarian. We were in the area so we wanted to come here. We shared the nachos. It was so delicious. They asked if we wanted jalapeños, so I said on the side. I like pickled jalapeños so I assumed that's what it was, but these joints were fresh! read more

El Cantaro - Napkin holder - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Great service and even better food! I took my meat-eating boyfriend and even he was thoroughly impressed. The food tastes authentic and delicious, I was so happy to find a spot where I could get real Mexican flavors without the meat! read more

El Cantaro - Taquitos Plate - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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