Restaurant connected to a hotel in Santa Monica. They specialize in Mexican food here but the vibe is a more modernized/ California inspired version on Mexican food (vs. a lot of hole in the wall type taquerias you find throughout the city. The space itself feels modernized as well - it's bright and airy with seats around the bar area as well as tables throughout. The food here is fresh and beautifully presented and in terms of pricing, the menu feels more than reasonable. I came in right around opening on a Saturday and got a seat right away at the bar. it wasn't that busy so the place was very chill. I was greeted and helped by the friendliest people from the hostess to the bartender. I was reminiscing with the bartender because part of the reason I've been wanting to come here is that I actually volunteered for a charity event for years that the chef - Susan Feniger is a huge part of. I really wanted to try their jackfruit tinga tacos (which are 100% vegan for those who care). I'm personally not vegan, but I thought these were very delicious with elements that gave the dish texture and made the flavors pop. I also loved the house made pickles that came with the dish. Although it was early in the day, I had to order a michelada. And it is really delicious here! To end the meal, I also got the dessert empanada (a la mode). The cheese and guava went so well together and the vanilla ice cream just made it all that much better. I came here expecting to like this place, but left loving it. Such a great experience. Since it was earlier on a Saturday, there was plenty of metered street parking nearby. read more

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I decided to go here on a whim since my doctor at UCLA is close by and have driven past this place numerous times. This upscale Mexican restaurant has a cool modern vibe. It is quite small though, since it's located near the corner bottom floor of a business building. Food was very good. We had scallop ceviche and fish ceviche for starters. Seafood tasted fresh and clean and had great citrus flavors. Fish ceviche had a bit of a kick and spice to it, so it's not ideal for someone who has acid reflux. For entree, I had the grilled carne asada steak, and it was delicious. It was cooked just right and had great seasonings. My only callout was that it lacked salt. I also really liked that the side beans had pork in it, so it's not the typical regular beans. Service was very friendly and attentive and orders came out at a good pace. Keep in mind, this is more upscale Mexican cuisine so portions might be smaller and pricing will be higher. I will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. read more

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During the height of the pandemic, I ordered a Thanksgiving food kit from SOCALO, but even after the lockdown lifted, I hadn't stepped foot in this restaurant...until Dine LA. SOCALO had a pretty affordable Dine LA menu ($15 for lunch), so I decided it was time I visited the restaurant in person. The Baja Fish Ceviche (no shellfish!) was really tasty and refreshing. The Santa Monica Street Food Bowl is a very healthy Santa-Monican-post-yoga kind of dish, loaded with veggies, quinoa, and more veggies (I paid $7.50 extra to add chicken). The salsa verde sauce, which is the highlight of the bowl, is hidden at the bottom; make sure to mix it all together to get the full flavor. read more

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Came here for happy hour with a friend. The service was very nice, and the food was hit or miss. The chips and salsa are not free, but are delicious. The happy hour menu is mostly tacos and they were just okay. Bonus points for a dog-friendly patio, but there isn't really a view. The front patio is on the sidewalk watching cars drive by and the other patio is on the side driveway. read more

Socalo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I really enjoyed the food here! If my review was based on food alone it would be 5/5. 3/5 for a few things - first of all, it was happy hour but the host/server didn't give us a HH menu until after we ordered drinks. Then when I went to order food, the server asked how many tacos I'd like & I didn't understand, which she clarified during happy hour tacos are al La carte. She brought us a happy hour menu which changed everything that we wanted to order. I wish we would have been given one as soon as we sat down. We were seated outside and it was fine - not too loud, not too hot/cold. There are ants though - right by the tables/plants. For food I tried their baked nachos, jackfruit taco, chicken taco & carnitas taco. Everything tasted great - seriously, good flavor and everything was fresh. Loved it! I also had their summer drink (whiskey, lemon, mint) which was perfectly sour and yummy. Sad to give this place a 3/5 when the food was so good. Just need to work on service a bit. read more

Friend and I reunited after 12 years - separated by distance and life...this place provided a beautiful ambiance to catch up and make up for lost time. Our server Bryan was thoughtful and attentive. Store manager Peter was gracious and kind. The chef was amazing - the plates we devoured were small in size but overflowing with flavor and care in preparation. Will be back again! read more

Socalo - Soup, wings, shrimp, steak - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We came here for a lunch break with my friend for DINELA. The menu was limited, for DineLA of course, but the food was delicious. The ceviche is a MUST try. It was so flavorful- I hate seafood but the waitress convinced me to get this and it was above my expectations! It didn't have that fish musty flavor and had the right amount of lime. I would say maybe they could use less salt as it was so salty but still good. The chicken tacos dorados were pretty good. The cheese was different than what I'm normally used to. My friend did not like the flavor but I did enjoy it. The cabbage was delicious and the pickled red onion as well. I wish it was paired with a hot spicy salsa or at least offered. I'm assuming due to the area (Santa Monica) hot salsa is not a popular request. The service was not the best as no one came to check in but I guess it was a slow afternoon. Overall definitely give it a try! read more

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For many years we used to go to border Grill restaurant in Santa Monica. That was one of our favorite restaurants so we did not know that they opened up this restaurant after they close the other one I happen to be in the area so we stop by to check it out And we were very impressed with the menu selection the variety of food the quality of food and the service was fantastic. The cocktails were not as good as border grill but everything else was as good if not better will be definitely going back to check the rest of the menu. The area is much better than the border grill plenty of parking and the place is even bigger and nicer. read more

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As you can see from the owners comment the horrible hospitality and lack of care towards their customers flows from the owner down to management and down to the floor staff. Peter I cannot post videos here and you know that. But the audacity to leave the comment you left. The video shows your staff walking extremely fast and not looking in front of her and colliding into my leg. That's what it shows. My back was turned to her she was being negligent and not looking where she was going. Your rude comment rather than being apologetic for your staff hurting my post OPP leg is just itching for a law suit. read more

Socalo is a good Mexican stop for groups. For appetizers, get the Pato's Spinach Queso Dip - say yes to chips dipped in manchego cheese and cilantro, and salsa fresca! The Vampiro Steak & Steak tacos (set of 3) are a winner and I want to come back to try the Jackfruit Tinga Tacos. Most items are organic with antibiotic-free meats and they have decent options for gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Heads up there is an additional 2% charge added onto every bill. The staff are incredibly helpful and there's a complimentary parking lot next door in the Gateway Hotel. read more

We have got to make reservations next time, especially on the weekends. They seem to have a table for walk ins and bar top seating. Food The vampiro tacos were delicious! Recommend these. It's comforting and tasty at the same time! I would pass on the carne asada tacos, it was pretty bland. The guacamole dip was good and love how the chips were warm. It makes a huge difference! The service was quick! The host could be friendlier as we walked in, she barely acknowledged us as she stood behind the bar doing something, and pointed to a table in a tersely manner. The server was good though. I love how they have outdoor seating in these strange times. The inside has plenty of bar/high top seating. read more

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Wanted to try this spot out for awhile and why not for Happy Hour. However, will gladly pass on this if I had to go back again. Service: A little odd when first entering based on the non-verbal cues from the lady at the front. Bartender was nice and overall service was average. Food: OAXACAN OLD FASHIONED = Pretty good. SOCALO Burger = Extremely salty with too much brioche bun when you bite, would not order again. AGUACHILE FLAUTAS = Comes cold and hard pass PATO'S SPINACH QUESO DIP = Pass, too watery GOBERNADOR TACO = The most average item tried Mushroom Dobladita = Average but too greasy when biting Ambience: Clean overall, nothing major pop-out. read more

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Socalo was fantastic! I know, I know I only gave it four stars. Simply because the ambience is not as cozy and inviting as I was hoping. That said, the service was great. The food was great. Love having food that I don't have to season at all because it's already spot on!! And Taco Tuesday!!...... Wow!!! Prices are so reasonable it really enhances the experience!! I'll definitely be back... maybe next Tuesday. read more

We held our pre-wedding reception at SOCALO and we had an amazing time. Extremely kind and attentive staff, with a very private and accommodating room they hosted us in. We hadn't eaten here before, but our whole group was so impressed with the entrees, strong drinks, generous ceviche, and excellent guava/cheese empanadas! Would recommend to anybody celebrating a special event! Many thanks to the team, already looking forward to coming back read more

Socalo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Great lunch deals, great service. For lunch until 4pm, you order at the counter and find your own seat. Lunch is a great deal: got the taco bowl ($11) and the side squash calabacitas ($2.50). Squash was a bit salty Free parking in the lot. Think it's 90 mins read more

Socalo - Taco Bowl - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Great taco Tuesday and happy hour. Inexpensive, quick, consistent and delicious. How do they do it! Lol Love the layout and bar, great Mexican wine. Awesome staff and free 90 min parking. No complaints ever. read more

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Their lunch menu is great, I ordered the ceviche with a side of soup, they only had chicken tortilla as an option, and the meal was under $20 and was delicious. The chicken in the soup was my favorite part, but the soup itself was delicious, next time I might just get the soup as an entree. The ceviche came with some fresh tortilla chips and was fresh. We went for lunch and had a table ready for us before we even finished paying, which was amazing. The service was amazing, friendly and plates were out of the way once they were done being used, our water was never low. Would highly recommend for lunch. read more

I really wanted to like Socalo, but unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. The food presentation was mediocre at best, the flavor was completely underwhelming, and the prices were shockingly high for what was served. Honestly, I get a far better burrito from my usual street taco spot for a fraction of the cost -- and with way more flavor. Definitely not worth it. read more

Socalo - This is what's on the menu - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Came here for happy hour on a weekday. Word to the wise, make a reservation. They have bar seating and outdoor seating but if you want a table, make a reservation. The happy hour menu has good prices and is extensive. I got the nachos and a drink. The drink was weak, you could hardly taste the alcohol. The nachos were fine too. Nothing special and the steak was chewy. Tldr weak drinks and subpar tasting Mexican food Good service and nice atmosphere. Good potential in the menu but not great execution. read more

Susan wouldn't be happy to hear this but the place isn't like her other restaurants at all after the chips and salsa it went down hill good thing the beer was decent read more

The tacos were really good! We tried a few of them: fish, Barbacoa, brisket, steak, chicken, carnitas. All were yummy but I'd say my faves were brisket and chicken. Service was fast and friendly. Easy garage parking free when you dine in the restaurant. Would definitely recommend! read more

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I have no idea why it's taken me so long to leave a review for this wonderful place. Maybe I subconsciously want to gate keep it? Ha. Well if you're in the Santa Monica area and want an upscale Mexican meal, this is the spot. Seriously, don't look elsewhere. Yes, its father out from the promenade than some would like but I promise it's worth the short drive. FREE Parking is located beneath hotel that's attached to the restaurant. If you get there before dinner (4pm, I think) you order at the bar and choose your seat. Dinner has service and they have a great happy hour going from 4-6pm. All their food is deliciously crafted and the service is just amazing. They have plenty of outdoor dinning (heaters available) if you come with your pooch. This is my usual spot so I'm gonna rattle off what I think you should try. Shrimp ceviche is fresh and flavorful. Chips and salsa, freshly made chips and 3 salsas that range from mild to spicy, delish. Sometimes available, corn tamales, moist and addictive. Chicken Dorados Tacos, don't question it, just get it. The classic Carne Asada Tacos, perfectly cooked meat and scrumptious toppings. I always get desert here. It's must. I've had the brownie sundae which is quite large so you will need to share. And recently I tried their strawberry tres leches cakes. This wasn't even on the menu but the server suggested it and I was like, say less sir! Bring on the tres leches. Lactose intolerance be damned. If tres leches is your cup of tea then I urge you to ask your server about it because it will not disappoint. You won't regret coming to this place, I promise you. read more

Socalo - Brownie Sundae - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Great food and great value. The attention to detail stands out. The service and ambiance are a perfect match for the menu. Consistently well prepared food! Great food, service and ambiance. I ate there 3 days in a row. (Staying the hotel) I ordered different items each day. Be sure to ask questions about the menu. The servers and manager know and the menu Back and forth... read more

SO DISAPPOINTING We arrived approximately 15 minutes early for our 7PM reservation and were asked to wait in the bar and enjoy a cocktail by the host (whose appearance resembled that of an unmade bed). That was the best part of this dining experience. Watching several other couples arrive and being seated immediately was a bit annoying, but we were finally seated at approximately 7:25PM (next to the front door). We placed our orders and waited. And waited. Finally, 20 minutes later our server informed us that that she was trying to get our quesadilla moving but she was sure we would understand that "the priority was the large party seated in the private room in the back". Actually, I would think that since my money and time are just as valuable, that not only would my table but ANY table in the restaurant be treated as a "priority". Finally, after another 10 minutes our server returned and stated that "the kitchen lost count on the branzino's and that we would have to order something else since the party in the private dining room had used all the branzino". After all, we were in NO WAY a valued patron, much less a "priority". We were seated for 40 minutes, and were served NOTHING but water, a glass of wine, and a cocktail. We got up and left. We planned this dinner at Socalo to celebrate our 33rd anniversary. I realize that these are the last days of Socalo, since it is closing this month. Perhaps Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger should consider closing the doors on their remaining restaurants if they feel that what we experienced is the correct way to run a business. read more

Got same day Friday reservations for a girl's night. Parking was easy and free in the adjacent hotel's underground garage, although i'm sure you can also easily find street parking. We sat outside and there were plenty of heat lamps. The waitress was super nice and even offered all 6 off us separate check in the end, which is unheard of (she split the shared items too!). My drink was delicious and not too sweet- the passion fruit margarita. I share the queso which contained spinach and was pretty good. I also had the confit duck special with pumpkin mole, it was crispy but maybe a little too crispy. It came with a side of kabocha squash, unfortunately the squash was mixed with caramelized onions which were not listed on the menu-- a plus for some, but I had to pick it out. It is a big pet peeve of mine when ingredients are listed inconsistently-- for example one of the fish ceviches listed onions which I expect in this dish, however the scallop ceviche listed a ton of ingredients but not the onions. I'm glad I asked before ordering. Overall, I would eat here again. read more

This was a great place to come for a quick dinner. Had sharing plates and the scallop aguachile crudo was so delicious it brought a smile to my face. It felt like a fresh edible ocean was in my mouth! Please get this dish for those who like seafood it was amazing. My husband liked his steak and shrimp tacos called Vampiro Shrimp and Steak tacos. The steak and shrimp was a nice combination. I fell in love with the roasted ancho chile shrimp with the bread. It was so delicious- highly recommend you order it! I also went there on another day upon checking out of the Gateway hotel and had a lovely lunch outside! Service was great and it was such a nice cute set up outdoors. They didn't have Horchata but the guy behind the bar mentioned they had Aqua Fresca in pineapple or cantaloupe. I had the cantaloupe and glad I did - so refreshing and hit the spot delicious. I also ordered jackfruit tinga tacos and so happy the person behind the bar that took my order mentioned they were tiny. I ordered two since I also ordered the Esquites. Both were so delicious. The kale in the tacos was so good and crispy and it paired great with the pickled onions and radish. The Esquites was such a generous portion but I ate all of it since I didn't have any breakfast that day. Heading back to NY on Amtrak and I tell you I am going to miss Socalo. Hope to visit Cali and Socalo again within the next few months. read more

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A superb experience! Everything from the location (near the beach), the atmosphere, service and the fresh and delicious farm to table dishes! We ordered a bunch of appetizers including tortilla soup, ceviche and fried shrimp. For our main course we ordered pork tomahawk and ribeye steak! My daughters made sure to save some room for dessert! My husband and I also ordered some cocktails and wine flights. We want to come back here for a date night some time! read more

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Hard pass. Will not ever be back. Pictures say everything that needs to be said. The bean and cheese burrito presented made us wonder if we had gotten a child's portion. Presented on parchment with 3 slices of radish and a sad (and likely sick) scallion. Less than 1/5" thick, 4-5 bites big. Innards a thin schmear of beans and sprinkle of cheese. $9.95. No Salsa on the side. We were in shock and had to laugh. In the end, they may have done me a favor - as the "aftermath" of the consumption was unforgettable to say the least. read more

Socalo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Have been here twice. Excellent food. I've had the carne asada tacos, as well as the steak & shrimp ones. Highly recommend. Guac is well made and the chips very warm, seemingly made in-house. Kind service quite slow tbh. Chill ambiance, family-friendly. And free underground parking! read more

Came in on a Saturday night. Not too busy. Service was friendly and attentive. We ordered their spicy margaritas and enjoyed them. Then we had the scallop credo appetizer. Quite tasty. I had steak and shrimp tacos. Hubby had the steak entree with tortilla. Taco portion was pretty small for the price. Fine but nothing special. Decor is kind of industrial and not warm at all. Overall, we liked it but not really a memorable upscale Mexican dining experience. read more

This is a lovely restaurant and the food is great. Hubs had the pork tomahawk and I had the steak and shrimp tacos. The tomahawk was so flavorful with a delightful salad and sweet applesauce. The tacos were delicious too. The chips and guacamole is perfectly made and so was the crispy shrimp appetizer. Definitely will be back Service was very good too and they make sure you're enjoying your meal. Very lovely atmosphere read more

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I had a great dinner here recently with my friends while we were in Santa Monica. If you make reservations, they make a hand drawn name card for your table. I thought it was a nice touch! Going with a large group is great cause you can share a bit of everything family style. These were the dishes that stood out to me. Scallop Crudo - 8/10 Generous portions of scallops with lots of fresh ingredients & lime juice zest makes a great appetizer for sharing. Seasonal menu item, get it while it's available! Rainbow Carrots - 7/10 This was a seasonal menu item that featured steamed root vegetables with a tasty creamy sauce for dipping. DIY Pan Seared Branzino Fish Tacos - 10/10 The fish was fried & seasoned perfectly. Be sure to ask for extra tortillas. I ate the entire fish clean. & even ate it with tortilla chips. Pork Tomahawk - 9/10 Tender, juicy & cooked really well. It was my first time having a pork tomahawk & I wasn't disappointed. The staff were lovely, the food was amazing & the vibes was great with good company! I'd definitely come here again with a date. read more

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The food is absolutely delectable. A modern twist to authentic Mexican food. Fresh ingredients with excellent taste, one of my favorite spots to go to. The service is so fast that I'm amazed. Calm ambiance and never crowded when I go during the weekdays. The cocktails are also a must-try! read more

Socalo - Steak mulita - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Really busy here for lunch. You order at the counter first & then find a seat. I'm staying nearby as I have surgery tomorrow so it's not a fun trip but we're making the best out of it. The jackfruit Tinga tacos had so much flavor! They were delicious & I'm not vegan. The rice & beans were average. I wasn't given salsa so had to ask for it. I asked for spicy & boy was it! I think he brought me a habanero salsa that was tasty. Portions are smaller than most places but you can't beat the lunch special prices for this area. I would definitely return when in the area. read more

Socalo - Jackfruit Tinga Tacos (2) - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Good, yummy food reasonably priced The during lunch & dinner service is friendly and attentive. Off meal hours you order at the front desk, no waiters. But the food is the attraction. Another plus they have parking in the hotel. read more

Tasty food and great service! We stopped here on our way to Santa Monica pier and unlike the restaurants closer to the pier, Socalos food was super tasty, reasonably priced, and very good service. We sat outside and had plenty of space with our 2 dogs. The waiter also brought them water before we even asked. Food was super tasty. Honestly the only thing we did not like was the bbq chips. Other than that, will definitely be back here if I'm in the area read more

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Socalo is freaking amazing! It's hidden in plain sight and you have to walk through a hotel from the parking lot to get there, but don't let that deter you. The ingredients are quality and that really comes through in all the food. I've come for restaurant week, happy hour, lunch and brunch and it's all amazing. Lunch, especially is a steal here. The salsas are standout and there are so many taco options that are a lot of fun. read more

i've been to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, and I've savored the most amazing seafood tacos, but this restaurant trumps that experience! My husband ordered the Carne Asada and I ordered the fish tacos and my daughter had a quesadilla. Everything was cooked perfection. It is so fresh it taste like they had caught the fish right out of the ocean. Our server was so kind and pleasant, and really understand that toddlers don't particularly like tacos Thank you for the best lunch!!! read more

Counter Service Only. You order, pay and then the staff will lead you to your table. I recommend reading the menu ahead of time, since there are a lot of good options. There is only one line and if you don't know what you want before you reach the counter, other folks behind you in line may get cranky. Weekday Lunch specials are a good deal for $9.95 and add $2 for a soda or ice tea. However,I ordered the Socalo Burrito/ chicken which comes with a beautiful salad, approximately $14. My chicken burrito had 2 chicken bones within the first 2 bites. My friend ordered the shishito peppers and a bowl of tortilla soup. She enjoyed the shishito peppers, but the soup was a bit salty. I didn't taste it. The food presentation is beautiful. The service, not so much. The soup and shishito peppers came out within minutes! My burrito took another 15 minutes. I told my friend to eat and not wait for me, thank goodness. We both just ordered ice water, and I asked for refills twice before getting my glass refilled. Granted it was lunch time, but the server acknowledged that I wanted water twice! We both wanted to order the trio of sorbets but when we looked at the line to ORDER.... we decided to leave. Shame. I guess I could of ordered the sorbets when we placed our lunch order, but ..... I am giving 4 stars total because the service and that this is no longer a Full Service restaurant. I almost want to give them 3.5 stars, but .... read more

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Just a warning! This restaurant will ask for your card "to open a tab". I obliged thinking nothing of it. However, two days later, I see an $100 pending charge from Socalo and a posted charge of my bill. I dined at this restaurant on a Friday and it is Wednesday of the following week, and the charge has yet to be removed. They say it's a new policy and if you use a debit card, it can take much longer. I do not believe this is fair. The food is good and drinks, enjoyable. But I spent $30 and don't feel being short of $100 without being told this is their policy is fair. Advice: use Credit so charge can easily be removed. Please fix this, because this is an otherwise great establishment. read more

Socalo - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California