Shouts out to Ratana Bowden, the owner such a sweet and hospitable young lady! She greeted me and…read moremy daughter with open arms. She sat down with us and talked me through some of their specials and about the restaurants history, we happened to stop by on their 14th anniversary! The ambiance is homey, warm and a perfect spot to sit down and dine. Now on to the food, we started with the shrimp rolls and the chicken potstickers. They both held a crispy exterior and a juicy interior and paired well with the sweet chili and soy vinaigrette sauce respectfully and washed that all down with a cold creamy and refreshing Thai iced tea. We then were presented the Grilled Beef salad which was my personal favorite, the beef was seared to perfection, tender and the citrusy, sweet vinaigrette it was tossed in along side the vegetables and herbs gave my tastebuds a memorable experience. The next up the old fashioned Pad Thai, now my ONLY gripe with Pad Thai Is how sweet it can be, what I learned today is the OLD FASHION way is the same ingredients minus the sweetness....ill never order pad Thai the same. It's exactly what my taste buds crave when thinking pad thai...top tier! The Chicken Satay was the perfect combination of smoky and juicy and paired well with the peanut sauce. The tangerine chicken was juicy, tender, crispy and tossed with the sauce that was bright, tangy, sweet with the perfect amount of sour. Whole meal and experience was a 100/10. If you're in the Santa Cruz area and looking for a good sit down home style meal different from the carnival food stop by here! It's a 10 minute drive from the boardwalk.

Had dinner here with my son…read more.. Pros- we were seated pretty fast. There's a parking lot, shared, but still a big lot. They didn't skimp on shrimp for the Phad Thai, 6 decent sized shrimp in the dish. Service was fine. Cons- food was ok. Curry was one color, sauce and ingredients... normally there's carrots in yellow curry, so it's not one dimension, not here. Yellow curry was, yellow! Taste wise, it was the best dish, but I missed the carrots. The grilled beef salad had extremely overcooked beef in it, that was a bummer. Will try other Thai places in Santa Cruz... don't believe we will come back.

Great parking , super friendly staff and delectable dishes. Pleasant ambiance. We shall return …read more We had the ... Bhindi Masala Chicken Tikka Masala Lamb Vindalo Garlic Naan

Four of us, all adults, visited Royal Taj India Cuisine in July, 2024, arriving as the first…read morecustomers at opening for their lunch buffet. Everyone in our group had a connection to Nepal and to a lesser extent India, whether through having been born there or having lived or traveled there extensively. By the time we finished, most of the restaurant was full, including with families. We were pleased to find an Indian buffet in Santa Cruz, and found many of our favorites on the buffet, including chicken tandoori, meat and veggie curries, basmati rice, daal (lentils), naan (bread), pakora (deep-fried fritters), raita (yogurt), salad, chutneys, and more. However, we all agreed that, while there was a good variety of food on the buffet and it was of acceptable taste, some of the curries were bland and watery, lacking the depth and complexity of spices usually found in Indian food. We wondered if the spiciness had been toned down for presumed American tastes? Some other reviewers also mentioned that the buffet included chai (warm sweet spiced milk tea); I'm disappointed to have missed this personal favorite! I forgot how much we paid for the buffet, but it seemed reasonable for the Santa Cruz area. The restaurant was bright, with a mix of tables (with white tablecloths) and booths. We didn't see too much of the staff, but they were helpful when called. The bathroom could use more attention. Parking was sufficient, easy to access, and free. The restaurant offers catering. We would return when next in Santa Cruz.

The food hit the spot. I had the chicken Parmesan on a bed of rigatoni noodles and marinara. It was…read moredelicious. The service was very friendly. I was seated right away. I thought it was going to be a wait because the place was packed. The table service was very friendly and always timely. She checked backed on me more than just taking the initial order. Since the place was packed it was pretty loud inside. You could still hear the piano music in the background. Next time I am back in town, I will definitely recommend Lillian's for a dinner for the team I work with. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did.

We typically pick up dinner from Lilian's in Santa Cruz once a week, and it's consistently a top…read morechoice. While dining in is enjoyable, my kids adore their Alfredo and marinara, making takeout a regular part of our routine. The food quality remains reliably excellent, portions are generous, and everything is usually ready when we arrive. Service has always been friendly and straightforward, even for quick pickups. Having a dependable local spot like Liliana's makes dinner effortless, especially when the kids are happy with their pasta. It's definitely a go-to for our regular Santa Cruz dinner outings.

This place is perfect!…read more One of my favorite dinner spots in Santa Cruz. The kimchi veggie pancake, hot stone bibimbap, beef bulgogi, and terra beer all make for an amazing meal. The service is quick and efficient, the atmosphere is minimalist but really cozy. Can't wait to go back :)

Went in today and were the only people in the restaurant sadly, because these people deserve…read morebusiness!! The sweetest older couple took care of my boyfriend and I and made some of the most delicious food! I got the kimchi soup, and my boyfriend got the kimchi fried rice with chicken and korean fried chicken. The kimchi soup was one of the best i've had but was a little spicy so keep that in mind, i personally didn't mind! It had so many delicious add ins like pork, rice cakes, and glass noodle!! Kimchi fried rice as was rated 9/10 by my boyfriend! He wishes it had a little more chicken, but other than that it was delicious. The kfc was one of the best we've ever had! So crispy and the sauce was sweet with a little bit of heat! The sauce was seriously delish, like we were blown away! If you're in the area, pay them a visit and enjoy their warm attitudes and clean restaurant!

We Ordered 2 large Brisket meals . Sides: Potato salad,…read moreMac-n-cheese and baked beans. The brisket was very tasty and juicy. All the sides complimented the meat so well. The service was excellent. As patrons finished their meals, and left.the tables were cleaned quickly and ready for the next guests to sit down.

Came here on a last-minute whim, and was surprised how great Mission St. BBQ is. Not surprised…read morebecause of anything I read, or the actual restaurant, but it's usually hard to find great, authentic barbecue... This place is great and authentic! We ordered the three meat combo and got ribs, brisket, and barbecue chicken with potato salad, mac & cheese, and cornbread. Well, I was going on about how tender and delicious the ribs were, my wife could not get over how flavorful and tender the brisket was. It had a great bark, perfect smoky flavor, and the right amount of moisture and fat. If you want to dip it in some of their barbecue sauce, you can, but honestly, it's not necessary at all. And to me, that's some of the best authentic barbecue... Not needing to slather it in unnecessary sauces lets you enjoy the flavor and tenderness of the meat. The barbecue chicken was also really moist and delicious, although it would be hard to top that brisket and those ribs As for sides, the mac and cheese looked more like macaroni salad, but it was really good and cheesy without going overboard. A white cheddar or similar cheese. The potato salad was also good. but expect a brown potato salad maybe with a little bit of vinegar rather than a traditional creamy potato salad. The cornbread was crispy from the skillet, but moist, with a subtle hint of sweetness and the perfect crunch. They also have great blues music playing in the background, and a fantastic selection of beers, ales, and ciders on tap. If you're craving great barbecue in Santa Cruz or surrounding areas, definitely give Mission St. BBQ a visit. We were so happy we did, and this will be one of our new go-tos anytime we're in town.

I went in with a friend for lunch on a Sunday. We were prepared for a long wait, but were seated…read moreright away! We chose to sit at the bar. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but it has an intimate, cozy feel. I ordered the lunch bento box with the ebi tempura roll and the yam tempura roll, which also comes with soup, salad, and rice. Miso soup was amazing, and the salad dressing was so yummy. Different than most sushi spots, but super tasty. The rolls were perfection, brought out fresh and the tempura was crispy. I will definitely be back!

My expectations were exceeded by this place. The service is stellar, the place is clean and tidy,…read morethe portions are good, and the positive atmosphere elicits a sense of peace which allows you to experience the flavor of the dishes. The Eternal Sunshine and Golden Gate were recommended by a lovely young server. After just one bite of each, I can say I appreciated the suggestions. Definitely a must in Santa Cruz! Thanks guys!

One of my favorites in Santa Cruz. The Thali lunch platters are a great mix of items for a good…read moreprice. I enjoy the berry dressing on the salad and ending our meals with the kheer. Our favorites on the menu include mango lassi, lamb Malabar, chicken jalfrezy, and the butter chicken. The staff is friendly and so kind. Casual sit down restaurant.

LOOK. I was hungry (*'o'*) And I licked every plate clean (…read moreT - T) Every single dish tasted fresh, paired INTENTIONALLY with fragrant chutneys and curry sauces. THE SPICY MANGORITA had bits of pepper in it -- YKNOW SO ITS ACTUALLY SPICY sorry guys, i love spicy. The salad was so good, i went and bought a can of beetroots. don't ask me any questions. I am going to bring all my friends here. beach side indian dishes, with some great music playing. my heart is full and my belly is fuller.

Visited this restaurant and was politely surprised by the welcoming and friendly service the lady…read moreat the counter gave us. Unfortunately, we just had a horrible experience at Special Noodle and we're looking for another place with good reviews to go. That is when we found Yan Flower and very happy we did. Our food was delicious and the service was excellent which made the visit / order completely worth it. Sometimes food isn't the only thing that is important, for me service is everything.

I was going to give the place 4 stars because it is exactly what it is, no pretense. The tables are…read morechipped, the place looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1980s. The people are nice and the food is inexpensive. But the quality of the cooking is plebian at best. I had the Hunan chicken lunch. The rice was mushy and the chicken was cooked to the point that it was tough to chew. The veg on the plate was plain steamed broccoli. It reminded me of the kind of place I loved in college, cheap 'Jewish style' Chinese food. I might go back for the funky ambience and nice, hardworking people, but I won't expect much from the food.

The food, service and value are all exceptional! This is our go to Sushi restaurant when in Santa…read moreCruz! We always order the UCSC roll when we are there. We have never had a bad experience here.

1 Star - Poor Service, Language Barriers, and Ridiculous Extra Charges!…read more Very disappointing experience at Sushi Totoro in Santa Cruz! The service was terrible. We had to ask several times for the same simple things, and getting basic service was frustrating. Communication was another major problem. The staff members assisting us appeared to be have difficulty communicating, making it challenging to get our requests understood. Management should ensure someone is available who can communicate effectively with customers. To make matters worse, they nickel-and-dime customers for extras, even something as simple as a glass of ice! Our bill came to $59.48, and the receipt included an additional $1.50 charge labeled "Custom Item." Customers shouldn't have to repeatedly ask for service or struggle to communicate basic requests, especially when they're paying restaurant prices. Poor service, communication problems, and unnecessary extra charges. I won't be returning anytime soon! - Response to Sushi Totoro Remarks - I'm extremely disappointed by your response to my review. Rather than addressing legitimate customer service concerns, you've chosen to turn this into an issue of racism and discrimination. Let me clarify exactly what I've experienced. I've been a customer at Sushi Totoro numerous times, and this is not an isolated incident. On multiple visits, I've encountered the same frustrating pattern of service. When asking for simple things like water, ice, utensils, or other basic necessities, employees often just stare at you without saying a word, then turn around and walk away. No acknowledgment, no explanation, no attempt to help. This isn't about someone speaking perfect English. It's about basic communication and common courtesy. If an employee doesn't understand a request, they can simply ask for clarification or find someone who can assist. Instead, customers are left wondering whether their requests were even understood, forcing them to ask repeatedly. I have no problem with anyone's ethnicity, nationality, or cultural background. My criticism concerns the service I've repeatedly experienced at your restaurant. I also raised concerns about additional charges, which your response completely ignored. What I find particularly disappointing is that management would rather suggest a customer is racist than acknowledge the possibility that improvements in customer service might be needed. Respect is a two-way street. Your employees deserve dignity and respect, and so do your customers. I've given Sushi Totoro numerous opportunities because I wanted to support your restaurant. Unfortunately, the same service problems have continued. I stand by my review and hope you'll focus on improving the customer experience rather than attacking the credibility of customers who provide negative feedback.

WoW they feed u a lot of food! And most of it's very tasty,…read moresome things unfortunately average (shrimp ravioli) :o best oyster in a while. LOOK HOW BIG AND JUICY THEY R!!!!! the views were incredible! boat, bird, water points docked only for super high price tag LOL, but for the view i kinda get it. chairs felt a bit claustrophobic on the back patio hehe they were kind enough to give me FREE CAKE!

I used to come here a lot with my parents and the last time I visited with a group, not only was…read morethe service not that good, but they charged me 20% gratuity and and operational fee. Why is it that expensive now! Food came out burnt or dry, communication about the menu items lacked detail, and although the place was busy, everyone didn't even seem to be enjoying their time dining. Pretty setting , terrible food and customer service (phone person). The phone person said there was no wait when I called in, and upon arriving , mind you only 10 mins later all of a sudden the wait went from 0 to 45 mins wait for my party size. Smh