Hula's completely saved my birthday dinner! After arriving at the restaurant I had originally…read morechosen and being told they couldn't accommodate my party, Hula's was able to seat our entire group and made it feel like my birthday was always meant to be celebrated there. The customer service was amazing from beginning to end. I wish I could remember the staff members' names, but hopefully they remember our group! Everyone was so kind and attentive. They complimented us throughout the night, took pictures for us, and truly made me feel celebrated. The drinks were great and made just right. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better birthday experience. Thank you, Hula's, for turning the night around and making my celebration so special!

Delicious food! Jerk plate is phenomenal! And so is there…read moredesserts. We got the oreo based pie with the local ice cream as the filling which had macadamia nuts in it; it was so good! And it's enough to share for 2 people. I will definitely be back for the jerk plate and the desserts! Service was good! They checked in on us. Gave us great recommendations. Maria was our server and she did such an amazing job! Made us feel welcomed. There is plenty of seats inside and some outside as well. We chose to sit inside as it gave beautiful dim romantic atmosphere.

Wanted something interesting for lunch and came to Pono. There is a parking structure nearby that…read morewe parked at since we couldn't find beach parking. Interior is huge with a large outdoors and it looks like they have live music. Near the bar area where we went was the most amount of Hawaiian Sun beverages I have ever seen, cases and cases stacked on each other. For some reason the menu was confusing and hard to figure out, I think its because it was so large and so much variety. Tuna Poke Bowl: Shoyu marinated ahi tuna, sweet onion, green onion, Hawaiian kalua pork. Comes with Pono furikake seasoned rice, seaweed salad, edamame and pickled ginger. Got this for my parents and they devoured it, it interestingly comes with their Kalua Pork which is excellent. Loco Moco: Two scoops rice, two grass-fed beef patties, two eggs your style and 'ono brown gravy served with macaroni salad and house-made Kim Chee! My wifes favorite and she loved their take on it, the beef was nice and savory and the gravy was perfect. BBQ Combo: Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Teriyaki and Kal-bi Ribs with Pono brand furikake seasoned rice, house-made kim chee, mac salad. For the kids, very upleveled hawaiian BBQ. Fried Fish Taco: I want to call this out because it was so good! The fish was tender and the breading was super crispy, I got the Kahlua Pork taco as well but liked this one a lot more.

Located about 15 minutes from UCSC, parking is limited and very hard to find. We got lucky with a…read morelot that had free parking which was only a block or so away. The interior is nicely decorated and spacious making it great for big groups. Loco moco burrito (4/5): delicious. The skin was crispy which I liked. A bit mushy but the macaroni was soft and well done. The beef was tender and flavorful. I still wonder why the tortilla was red though. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Pono Hawaiian Grill has some delicious food. The vibe is good too.

Food was fantastic! So authentic! Quick and kind service. While we were here 15 people came in…read morewithin the 20 minutes we were here. (Dinner time). The flavoring and quality of meat was perfect. The salsa on the tacos had just the right amount of kick! We're so bummed we don't live here but will absolutely be back! Free warm chips And a salsa bar Can't say enough great things about this place!

We had been coming here for years, and it was honestly one of our favorite Mexican food spots…read more Unfortunately, that changed after an experience a few months ago. I ordered an al pastor taco that came with a lot of lettuce. I ate it, and the next day I got extremely sick with what felt like the worst food poisoning I've ever experienced. It was bad enough that it honestly traumatized me from eating Mexican food altogether. And just to give you an idea of how bad the experience was--I love Mexican food, and I haven't eaten it at all since then. It took me months to even feel comfortable enough to leave this review. I really liked this place before, so I'm not saying this lightly. If you decide to go, I personally would avoid the al pastor tacos and anything that comes with their lettuce. I haven't gone back since.

4 stars for food. They just magically has everything I like, the Fish and Calamari both in one a…read moredish (never seen that before), yummy cup of clam chowder for $7, plus replace fries for a lightly coated coleslaw. Calamari here is not ring so minus one star. 5 stars for service: our great and wonderful Nicole server was fast, caring and love her customers. You can just tell by the little details she does 5stars for the epic views and check out their restroom too, a nice surprise haha (RV trailer size) Best on the pier

One of the old school players doing the mandatory seafood on the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz…read more Pretty touristy (as it should) but I also sensed a good amount of locals just out for a good time. Nothing fancy or cutting edge here. But imo these are the kind of old school seaside joints that many inland seafood places try to recreate. This is the actual model places like Red Lobster, the now defunct Fish Market and Market Broiler bases their businesses on. *food for thought* Crab Cakes ($16/4*) Served with pickled onions and remoulade right on top. At first I thought the crab cakes were too bready, like a decent amount of bread crumbs in the crab mix to bind it. The texture was very smooth and more paste-y than crab shreds in texture. So my first initial bites I was ready to start not liking the dish. But after the 3rd/4th bites I realized that it wasn't all that bad and that most crab cakes are made in this fashion more than not. Unless you go to a hella expensive resto where they can use lump meat without hezzy. The crab flavor was indeed there, and the seasoning was spot on. And the mushy texture was really helped by the pickled onions which gave each bite a brightness and crunch. I think ALL crab cakes should be served with pickled onions. Yet I hardly ever see it. Great move on their part. Grilled Halibut ($30/4*) I chose this simple prep cuz I love local fresh seafood done simply so I can appreciate the freshness of the fish. It was grilled ok over coals but did get a bit dry as halibut is so lean, kinda like grilling pork chops. I think they should baste the fish with some oil/butter while it is grilling. It keeps the fish moist during that dry method of grilling. They do offer like 8 sauces to choose from to pair with your fish. I chose a Picatta sauce that was butter, garlic , parsley, lemon and capers. And theirs was light and fresh and when poured over the grilled fish just totally absorbed into that fresh halibut. I even sensed a bit of anchovy umami in that sauce which I found very effective. Had a glass of Chardonnay with the food which was very complementary. Then finished with an Irish Coffee as I was too full to eat anything else. I should have called out for Jamesons whiskey tho, as I think I got their well version. Not as smooth as Jamesons which is usually my go-to. Still an above average seafood outing in a seaside town. Service was proper with really good timing on coursing. I hate when a course arrives when you're still in the middle of a soup or appetizer. Riva I came in not expecting much but I left more impressed than not. I would come back for another round.

AMAZING STAFF!!!!!!! The staff was as excellent as the food…read more Our server Mia and the gentlemen bussing the tables could not have been more welcoming and friendly. Thank you for such a lovely experience, the friendly atmosphere, especially on a very busy weekend. All I can say is come hungry and thirsty!!!! You will leave full and watered. Mucho Gracias (:

My family and I rented a place nearby for my dad's 72nd birthday. He loves Mexican food, so we…read moredecided to try Margaritaville in Capitola yesterday! He's usually more on the grumpy/serious side and wanted absolutely no birthday fuss, so we kept the celebration to ourselves. The food though was amazing and the views were absolutely beautiful, but the younger manager really made our night. He stopped by often to check on us, answered any and all our questions, and made us feel welcome and cared for. My dad isn't one to crack a smile easily, so seeing him smile and even chuckle while talking with the manager made the whole experience a 10/10 for me. We're already planning to come back for his birthday next year. Thank you, Margaritaville, for a memorable night!

The chimichanga was nice and crispy, got the vegetarian version. It had way too many beans and…read morejalapenos. The veggie burrito was good, just the tortilla was a bit guey. The chips salsa were great! They seem to have a lot of homeless people with carts and luggage in the eating area.

3.5 stars. Beans and rice lacked salt & flavor. Shredded chicken enchiladas and sopa were alright…read more I did enjoy the combo steak and prawn fajitas, however, very little protein. Their tortillas are fresh and chewy that was a plus. Service was slow on a Tuesday evening. They charge for salsa other than the complementary salsa roja.

Manuel's Restaurant Make it a beach day + date day! Spend…read morethe day at Seacliff State Beach, then head over to Manuel's for some authentic Mexican food, cocktails, great atmosphere, and excellent service! Family-owned, family-friendly, and definitely worth the stop. The beach was beaching... now the tacos are taco-ing! Lunch, dinner, or takeout--Manuel's is a 5-star stop!

We're visiting from the Bay Area. This was our first time at Manuel's. It will not be our last!…read more The restaurant is cute and reminds me of a Mexican restaurants I grew up going to. Beautiful decor, fresh flowers & friendly staff. The chips & salsa were fresh and delicious. The salsa had a different flavor. I'm not a chef. But it reminded me a little of adobo (maybe)? Whatever it was we all really enjoyed it. The guac was creamy and limey. Most of us got combination plates. I got the 2 items: a cheese enchilada with the carne asada taco (it's a bit of an up charge & it was definitely worth it!) the asada was so delicious! Chewy and flavorful. The enchilada sauce was perfect too. My husband's combo plate, was similar but he got 3 items, including a pork tamale. He said it was great. Other things of note: the beans were good & not runny, according to others as I don't eat beans. Rice - so good, my kid ate an entire side of it. Loved the rice. Chili verde - incredible accounting to my MIL Daily lunch specials were repriced very reasonably & there's several options.

First time being in Santa Cruz and first time trying the restaurant I'll give it out a 10 out of 10…read morefamily business customer service beautiful weather, beautiful anybody looking at reading this review y'all need to stop by Santa Cruz and go try this restaurant now bomb food by the way like crispy tacos, quesadilla special burrito nice music beautiful and eating outdoor is best thing to do out here

My Favorite Mexican in Santa Cruz! Best salsa ever and best…read moreburrito hands down! Beans and fabulous can't wait to go back

For over 40 years, Olita's has been a locally owned favorite, not only for locals but for many…read moreout-of-town patrons. I first came here as a young man, later brought my kids, and they grew up and brought their kids here. That's the kind of place Olita's has been for generations. Since the new owner took over, many things have changed despite the original promise not to change anything. Several longtime employees have left, the Tuesday/Thursday taco special was nearly eliminated, then changed to higher prices, smaller tacos, and no deviations from the 1 taco + 1 drink option. The previous option of getting 2 tacos and one drink at the special price was eliminated. When asked why, the owner said people were taking advantage. The changes have also put unnecessary stress on both staff and customers, including replacing a perfectly good POS system during the busy summer season, installing huge TVs that obscure the beautiful ocean and cliff views, replacing the matching wooden bar stools with metal stools, and much more. Last week, the owner told a family that no one under 18 was allowed to sit near the bar because of a "new California law." In fact, there is no new California law prohibiting minors from being in that area of a restaurant. Why is the owner doing this? There is also a publicly filed lawsuit involving the previous and current ownership involving claims arising from the sale of Olita's. I don't know the merits of those claims and won't speculate about them, but I mention it because it is part of the recent history surrounding the change in ownership that seems to be all about the money. The frustrating part is that Olita's already had everything dialed in. It was a smooth-running business that locals enjoyed, the staff enjoyed working there, and customers received a warm, sincere welcome. The new management has earned many negative reviews that have a common theme. The perception that the things that made Olita's a beloved local institution consistency, value, familiar food, great salsa, longtime employees and connection with regulars, are being replaced by a more transactional approach. I'm giving four stars because the staff are still great, the location is beautiful, and the views are some of the best around. But I hope the owner realizes that Olita's wasn't simply a business, it was part of the local community. A little Business 101 that might help *If it isn't broken, don't fix it. *Know your customer, especially the longtime locals who keep you going. *Protect your employees; experienced, happy employees are an asset. *Listen before you change things. *Don't nickel-and-dime your best customers. *Preserve what made the business successful in the first place. *Your regular customers are your best marketing. *Think lifetime customer value, not just today's transaction. *A business is more than its food, it's the experience, relationships, and traditions. *When you take over a successful local institution, be its steward before trying to reinvent it. From day one, professional advice from within and around Olita's has fallen on deaf and stubborn ears. But, I sincerely hope that sooner-than-later the owner takes these things to heart. I'd love nothing more than to see Olita's return to being the special place it has been for another 40 years.

After visiting here I truly believe my super power is finding the absolute best tasting food…read morebecause my mouth mind is even more blown now. The food here has the quality of a Michelin star restaurant and the staff is professional, kind and personable. The food here made me giggle like a child while I ate it, each bite taking me back to a time when food was new and exciting and not just sustenance. Even the place itself and the restaurant has so much history and the view is to die for and I can't think of anywhere else on the Santa Cruz pier more deserving of your money. PS noticed after I posted my review that this place ONLY has 3 stars??? That's distrustful and I hope my review can play a part in getting them to the 5 stars they deserve.

Come for the breakfast burritos!…read more Walk down to the point watch some surfing and an amazing view. Bring cash. Or grab a couple tables and chairs to chill out and enjoy the yummmmmy burritos.

Fresh, delicious eats by the beach…read more I ordered the Baja fish tacos. Super fresh, not fishy, loaded with crunchy shredded lettuce and pico de gallo and sauce. Great with a squirt of lime. My fiancé ordered the rockfish burrito which was massive too! Love the healthier black beans up in there. Service was pretty fast considering it was a one man show. Enjoyed this local spot!