Came here for dinner as they actually serve margaritas with tequila. Its a rare sighting in Santa Maria. Margaritas were good flavored but not strong. Prices were fair. Food was solid. I had the flautas and was happy with the plate. The place has a great setup being in the airport so you get a great view of the planes coming and going. It also looks like this place has a cool bar. Service was standard. Noting over the top good. Definitely check this place out if your using the airport or just need a margarita with tequila but I recommend asking for a double . read more

I don't know what has happened to this place. It has been mine and my husband's favorite place for years. The last 3 visits over the last six months have been terrible. The last one being on Father's Day. When we arrived for lunch there were no other diners there. Service was on the slow side. My husband and I were sharing fajitas and there was maybe a grand total of 8 bite sized pieces of meat. We were then charged $2.50 for sharing....nothing extra was provided it was weird. 2 of my children also had problems with the food coming out with ingredients different from what was on the menu. On top of all that the food quality was different, and not in a good way. I don't think we will be back and that makes me sad. read more

Haven't Been Here In Years. We Came To A Car Show In Guadalupe, CA Yesterday And Stayed Next Door At The Radisson So Decided To Have Breakfast Here At Pepper Garcia's ..!! So It Sounds Like They're Menudo Is Supposed To Be Good But So Far I'm Not Impressed With It And I Haven't Even Had It Yet. I Asked If They Had Pata And Waitress Says No..!! That's A Red Flag Already..!! We'll See..?? My Fiancée Ordered The Travelers Express Meal Which Consists Of A Cheese Enchilada And A Beef Taco With Rice And Beans. I Ordered A Lemonade And My Fiancée A Michelada. And Of Course We Ordered A Taco Of Asada Plain For SANCHITO. read more

See all

Food is always consistently good. We have ordered a number of different dishes over the years and I can't think of a time when we have been disappointed. The service is usually good. The restaurant itself needs an update. I think the first time I came here was back in 2002 or 2003, and I'm pretty sure nothing has changed. However, we come for the food and it's good. read more

Mexican restaurant at the airport, I've done that before... I was quite surprised here, the service was good, the offerings substantial, the portions generous. We, lately take the Sunday flight to Las Vegas. So getting to the airport and getting some dinner before we depart is a good idea for us. M had ordered the fish tacos and I went with a burrito regular size plenty enough. I thought the salsa was a hit week like pre made for New York City and serving it in a 8z styrofoam to go bowl added to the lack of detail in the experience. Once the check was dropped we waited for our server to return, like 10-15 minutes. I paid out at the front desk and we moved on. This is convenient and we'll continue to enjoy, as Mexican restaurant go I was impressed with the food, portion and taste. foodguy- martin read more

Something has changed about this restaurant. Pepper Garcia's has been a family favorite restaurant for years and we went yesterday and were left so disappointment. The rice and beans seem to taste different and much less authentic. Additionally, the enchiladas were very chewy and dry with overcooked tortillas. They also are understaffing the restaurant. There was only one server with about seven tables and some random guy (maybe the manager) who didn't seem to be much help at all. We felt bad for all our server was doing with no help during a Saturday lunch rush. I am afraid I cannot recommend this restaurant anymore. read more

Stopped in for lunch several days ago. First time at this Restaurant. Ordered the 2 Chili Rellano plate with Rice and beans. My friend ordered the Quesadilla with a Chicken taco, rice and beans. Both were delicious! Service was great! Ambiance was nice. We sat in a booth by a window, which is across from the runways. read more

Service is ridiculous. I'm at the bar. They tell me I need to wait 10 mins for the bartender to get there. Why don't they find out when their rush hour is going to be. 2nd I order a shrimp cocktail, for the first time I get it in a soup cup. Etsy restaurant doesn't have water bottle read more

Pepper Garcia's - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Arturo is a considerate server, and the food is delicious! I Love the enchilada sauce and the chips and salsa. read more

Absolutely wonderful food! Excellent service, attentive. Had a family get together there tonight, and we all loved it. Best Steak fajitas ever. read more

I work nearby, I recommend the white sauce enchilada, burritos are HUGE, avoid the chicken tacos, soggy lukewarm corn tortilla, chicken is not browned seems boiled, just a little Pico de Gallo to top "tacos", very plain and unappetizing. Steak is slightly better but same lame garnishes and soggy tortilla, friendly service, quick refills on soft drinks and bottomless tortilla and salsa read more

My favorite place in town. Great atmosphere, delicious food, nice staff. Save room for the fried ice cream.....bomb

Had Reservations for 7:30 Friday. When we arrived, 7:20 pm , nobody knew about reservations. When made the reservations , no one told us , the restaurant closed up at 8:30 pm. We felt rushed the whole night. We would have moved the time up, if we knew. Plenty of food , hot , ready to go , but still rushed. Shrimp cocktails came in a soup bowl, and mostly soup , shrimp was like small chunks, with a lot of broth. As costly as a full meal. Waitress was very nice , polite , professional. It was the wife's 70 Birthday , we had friends , and a person from out of town. They were a little uncomfortable. My wife use to work for the owner , many years ago , she was shocked by the Shrimp cocktails, and not being told when she made the reservations , that the restaurant closed at 8:30. If we go back any time soon , I will ask how the Shrimp cocktail is made. Overall, waitress very nice, environment , excellent , food good except the Shrimp, and customers should informed when the reservations are made that restaurant closed at 8:30. Next time, will go to Pappy's. read more

The service and ambiance are wonderful which is why this is so disappointing to write that this is the most mid Mexican food I've ever had in California. The chimichanga was soggy and not fried properly or for long enough and there was nothing special about the taste, just very average. The salsa also feels the same way, not super tasteful, just average read more

Pepper Garcia's - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Overall the service was really good with our waitress - kind and looking in on us regularly. The food - salsa was so-so - fresh but very mild; no heat. I had the chimichanga with shredded beef - came with rice and beans - all very salty and hard to finish the meal - my wife had the tortilla salad with chicken - similar salt issue. Not sure if the chef is checking this out or if other customers are noting this as well but not saying anything. The dessert flan was the best part of the meal - very tasty! I would just suggest asking if the salt can be controlled as a "pre-order" request read more

Just a quick hop from Lompoc & Vandenberg Space Force Base...this hidden Gem is inside the Santa Maria Airport. Definitely WORTH the stop! Food is HOT & delicious! Never have had a bad meal here! Today lunchtime (Thursday) was extremely busy and only had 2 staff working the floor. Seriously the bartender/waitress was fantastic attitude and attentive. She gets 5 STAR's!! Today there was a HUGE Birthday & graduation groups. I watched the food come out hot to the tables & people smiling. No one was unhappy. Remember to tip your servers!! read more

See all

Food is marginal. Never a bartender at the bar. It would be nice to have a cocktail or beer while waiting for the only flight from SMX without having to go in the restaurant. It's not like they don't know. Geez, help a traveler out. read more

Great tasting food, very reasonable prices. I was a bit surprised that the restaurant was at the airport terminal, but it was nice to watch the planes arrive. Will come back again! read more

We heard about this restaurant from a friend and it's really a diamond in the rough. I don't think a lot of people know about it but it's definitely going to be a weekly visit. Good food overlooking the landing strip at the airport. Great prices too read more

Pepper Garcia's - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

See all

Food is always great. We took take out and it was still awesome. Everyone enjoyed their meals so much.

Wow, what a gem! This place has delicious food and a great ambiance; right at the airport. We got to see a plane take off while we are there. The bar was packed and looked pretty cool. The staff was incredibly friendly and provided excellent customer service which is not to be taken for granted these days. Will definitely be coming back in the future. read more

Pepper Garcia's - One enchilada and tamale plate. Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Absolutely the hugest rip off ever. Charged us $45 for a watery, boozless pitcher of Cadillac margaritas. No where on the menu of specialty margaritas did it list that price. Regular pitcher is $21.99. So they just served us that, which was like Lemonade and then charged us more than double. No sign of orange liquor anywhere in that pitcher. Staff is obviously greedy. No tip and won't be back. read more

Pepper Garcia's - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Had the misfortune of having to navigate this area during an air show but it ended up being much smoother than expected. Plus expected this restaurant w window seating to be packed but it wasn't! Our waitress was incredibly attentive, upbeat and even suggested a combo after our initial order saving us a few dollars, which we added to her tip! The food was very good, hot, freshly prepared and served quickly! Prices are very reasonable and there wasn't a bad thing to say at all! Margarita was great and frankly, this is a hidden gem! And the waitress name was Crystal!!!! read more

Great food had the tamale and taco and enchilada combo plate. Would recommend also they have great chips and salsa

Such fabulous chili verde burritos and Albondigas soup. Service is wonderful. I just love this place!

This is a very good restaurant but I don't think they are open at this time. I've tried to call many times only to get no answer. They should at least leave a voice message so people know what they're doing if they are offering take out, or no service at all. read more

We loved our food! We just happened upon this restaurant and it did not disappoint. The cheese enchilada was great. And my husband really liked the chicken sandwich. read more

Food was good. But must be hard to find help in Santa Maria because it takes forever to get your check. And nobody came by for drink refills or anything. You see the waitress once to take drink order and bring your food. That's it. read more

Portions are large, but food is bland. Servers are nice. Took order last minute, but took a long time for them to bring out the to go order even though it was ordered ahead. read more

The food is very good. I had the Twin Engine combination with A beef enchilada and chicken taco. The beef in the enchilada was tremendous. My wife had a shrimp dish she enjoyed a lot. We brought our own bottle of wine which is a nice option. The decor is dated but it's at the Santa Maria airport, so acceptable. Generous portions. read more

We love Pepper Garcia's, especially for their Fajitas. They come to the table sizzling, with whatever meat you choose and lots of grilled veggies. They are the best that we have found in Santa Maria. The service is great! We'd recommend them to anyone. read more

I love going here. The proportions HUGE and well worth the price, in my opinion. Though personally could be a tad spicier, but that's just a me thing read more

So happy that they have all you can eat menudo on sundays again. Service is always great! Feels like your are family when you are here. Great food great prices. Santa maria hidden gem. read more

Not recommend!!! Went for all you can eat and for 3 people came out to $62 (2 TaP waters and 1 beer) That would be fine but the fact that they never refilled ANY of the food and we paid $60 for luke warm food that half of it was already gone. When we told the lady she said well sorry it was busy today... Which just is annoying seeing as it has nothing to do with crappy food still being served. Never offered to take any percent or anything off. Will not be going back and will let family and friends know how horrible the quality of food was. Very disappointed in this restaurant! read more

Burritos are massive, I mean as big as my face massive. Service kinda sucks unless you get the right waitress/waiter!

The portions are large, price is good. I just did not like their chilaquiles. They just took chips piled on salsa and cheese. It tasted like nachos. True chilaquiles they cook the tortilla pieces in the sauce, and this was no sauce just straight up chips with salsa on them. The cheese is the shredded cheese not the traditional Cojita crumbled cheese. If you want to cook Mexican food... Learn the recipes read more

Pepper Garcia's - Horrible chilaquiles all this is chips with salsa eggs and fake cheese - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

This is my third time at this Mexican restaurant and it is ok. Went for the buffet on Wednesday night and it was an ok experience but I wished I ordered the regular dinner meal from the regular instead of the buffet. One thing bothered me there were no lights above the food stand and hardly can see the food. On my last visit I got the asada wet burrito and and that is my favorite. I like the chips but not the salsa served with it, it tasted like it is made in NY city jarred salsa they just added to it chopped green onions, not so yummy! read more

Pepper Garcia's - Asada wet burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Pepper Garcia's never disappoints!! I've had the best chili relleno there! It's right around the corner from our house and when I'm just too tired to cook dinner ends up being our go to!! Their tacos and enchiladas never disappoint!! read more

Very close to the airport and Raddison hotel. The portion sizes are HUGE and very filling. If you order even the small burrito, you might have to share with another person. My silverware was a little dirty, but everything else was clean. The service was okay, but not exceptional. Just an average restaurant. read more

The food was great and the service was great as well. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends and family. Looking forward to coming back and trying more yummy food. read more

See all