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    Lilly's Tacos

    4.4 (719 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open • 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Lilly's Tacos Photos

    LILLY'S TACOS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lilly's Tacos

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    chicken tacos
    Shivangi K.

    Good price, quick and easy! Loved the toppings bar to amp it up with the salsas :) Lots of indoor seating, in a larger complex so parking is easy. Overall, smooth experience

    Tacos
    Mookie K.

    Some of the best tacos I've ever had and I've eaten thousands of tacos. I had the asada, abodaba and chicken fajitas and they were all delicious. I really liked the chicken fajitas ones the best. The salsa bar was awesome. The service was good. And the food came out really quickly. The prices were reasonable too.

    Raymond B.

    Service was pretty fast! We ordered Asada, Adobada & Lengua - Lengua was by far my favorite! All of the tacos were very delicious and flavorful. There's a small self serve bar where you can add your salsa, onions & cilantro. Always a solid staple for some tacos in Goleta!

    Meat can get dry from sitting on the grill longer than a while
    Emily C.

    A classic in and out taco place with a self-serve salsa bar yum! Easy enough parking since it's in a big plaza. Great portions for what you're paying for. Food is served quickly, because they already have some meat cooked on the grill. However, the con to this is that my meat often tends to be a bit dry from sitting out on the grill longer than needed and just getting slightly overcooked. This place is great for some quick simple tacos with the tortilla warmed to order. Help yourself to the 3 different salsas and the usual toppings.

    Brenda L.

    We were in the SB area when a local who claimed to be from the area for over 25 years said we HAD to go try Lilly's Tacos. We took that seriously and made it our dinner plans right after lol. There were 2 locations in the area, we opted for the Goleta once since it was more convenient for our plans. Upon arriving (Saturday around dinner), there was a line out the door! The line moves QUICKLY and ordering was a breeze. I only had their tacos, and tried a few of their meats: the tripe, asada, adobada, and lengua. All of the meats were packed with the flavor and the tacos weren't too soggy even after getting them for takeout / a long car ride. The tripe and asada were okay IMO, I probably wouldn't order them again since they were a bit dried out. The reeeeal star of the show to me was the lengua. SO delicious and tender! I'd go back just for the lengua. We had a large party and order and our tacos still came out probably within 10 minutes or less which was impressive. I'd definitely recommend! Lots of indoor seating and a sauce bar is available as well.

    Menu

    The tacos are so tasty!! The service was nice and quick. It gives mom and pop vibes with the tables and chairs.

    Seating area
    Vanesa R.

    Wanted to grab a bite to eat for Dinner and we were craving pizza but ended up having some of the BEST tacos we've had in this area. A server from a restaurant recommended this place and well here we go. It was a pretty big space with lots of tables and the concept is easy and fast. You order Tacos and then enjoy the Tacos. Their meat selection is great and right after you order you get them like 2 min after they call out your number. They have a small space to serve yourself salsa, radishes and cilantro and onions. Their salsas are very flavorful and they have a kick so taste before you add to your tacos. Their best meat for me was their Lengua my goodness prolly the best I've ever had. Their asada was great as well. Over all amazing tacos and when we come back to this area we def have to come back but if you're in the area I def recommend this place. Like I said their seating area is big so if you come with friends and family ya'll will sit together love that it's spacious, clean and simple concept and amazing tacos! Gracias!

    Menu 7/26/25
    Jim P.

    This is the place for tacos. It is the absolute best for Tripas and Lengua. It has a big open cafeteria-style seating and a big taco bar in the center with salsas and onions, radishes, and Limes. It's all counter service for ordering (for here or to go). If you want good TACOS, you have to try this place. Cheers

    Pork tacos and grilled onions!
    David S.

    Always love Lilly's! Ordered three pork, one chicken, and one veggie taco and some grilled onions. The grilled onions are always a favorite and I take home half of them to munch on later in the day. All for under $20. No reservations in my recommendation. Wonderful. Friendly. Clean bathrooms. Easy parking. Yum!

    2 lengua, 2 adobado
    Pete M.

    Delicious tacos! Had the lengua and adobado, 2 of each. Loaded with lots of delicious meat, overflowing with it! Salsa verde is also bomb!

    Mexican bottle of Coca Cola soda!
    Gladys E.

    The location is spacious, with plenty of seats. Staff were friendly & answered our questions. Salsa bar is well stocked. I ordered a side order of onions & chile dorado. Our tacos were good. The meat was tender and everything was fresh.

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    15 days ago

    Always good always consistent ... service is always fast and friendly ... don't sleep on the pastor tacos

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    3 months ago

    This is an amazing taco place. Very fast and the food is amazing! There is a great selection of tacos to choose from. Highly recommend!

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    4 months ago

    Great food at a reasonable price. Best Taco's out there and no waiting. Very impressed and great service.

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    4 months ago

    BOMB, excellent food. food comes very fast and isn't expensive, but very good food. It is kept clean

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    6 months ago

    Most delicious Carne Asada tacos. No sides, no chips..they just do tacos...right. Love it. Highly recommend.

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    5 months ago

    Absolutely delicious tacos. There are simple options and tasty salsa. It's cafeteria style, and the service was very quick.

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    Page 1 of 18

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    born and raised santa barbara so there are certain things you learn early…read more you drive down the 101, take that turn toward isla vista, and something shifts. air changes a little. priorities adjust. time becomes more of a suggestion and then there's freebirds the original one on embarcadero del norte sitting there like it's seen everything because it has i've walked in there wearing flip flops, still sandy, hair doing whatever the ocean decided, salt drying on my face, no shower, no plan, just following the internal signal that says burrito and that's when it works best these burritos operate differently in that state. they're bigger. warmer. more correct. like the whole system is calibrated specifically for post-surf decision making line is long. always has been. mix of people who know exactly what they're doing and people about to learn something important foil everywhere. tortillas moving fast. someone at the front making a choice that will define the next hour of their life guy behind the counter was dialed. didn't catch the name but i'm pretty sure it was barron sawyer. had that calm confidence like he's built a few thousand of these and understands the assignment at a deeper level you step up and it's muscle memory rice, beans, meat, things start stacking, someone folds it like it's a practiced skill passed down over time and then you walk out sun still out. flip flops still on. burrito in hand like a completed mission you take that first bite and everything aligns for a second this place has been around 30 years and it makes sense because it isn't trying to be anything else it already figured it out five stars if you know you know

    I used to come to freebirds all the time in highschool - nearly 15 years ago- and it was the best,…read moresuper tasty and always hit the spot. I recently returned and got exactly what I used to get and was disappointed in the lack of seasoning/flavor in general. I saw someone else comment that chipotle has more flavor and I'm inclined to agree-especially when it comes to the chicken. Service is always friendly and fast and I always want to support a local business over a national chain, but I'm sad to say I don't know if I'll be returning after spending $25 for a bland experience.

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    Lilly's Tacos - mexican - Updated September 2026

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