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California, United States Food Guide: 10 Mexican food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Watsonville
Best Mexican restaurants nearby. Discover the best Mexican food in Watsonville. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Mexican restaurants near you.. The south Santa Cruz County region of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley boast pristine beaches and a Mediterranean climate. Birders flock to the miles of trails around the Wetlands of Watsonville. Nearby, the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve is one of California's last undisturbed wetlands and is ideal for bird watching. An annual Birding Festival, the Strawberry Festival, a weekly farmer's market, Watsonville Plaza, and the Agricultural History Museum are sights not to be missed.
Things to do in Watsonville
10. tamale factory
Reviewed By yvonne p
We were looking for a take out place...found The Tamale Factory by mistake. But, a good mistake. All kinds of tamales (meats, vege, and sweet), burritos, chile rellenos, and menudo (on weekends).They have sit-down tables...but, it's not a real sit-down restaurant...more fast food type seating.We had the pork and chicken tamales, and a chile relleno plate (rice, beans and tortillas). All of it was good. prices were very reasonable. staff very friendly. according to their card - they cater.
9. Real Colima Restaurant
Reviewed By rosebroker
We have great Mexican restaurants in Watsonville. Every one knows the two best, Jalicos & Cilantros. The El COLIMA over the bridge in Watsonville is equal to & actually better. It is one of those hole in the wall places. Ambiance is dry & plain. Service is above average. Food is top of the charts. From breakfast to dinner, 7 days a week, it's the best authentic Mexican food in town. Filled with locals, I am starting to see families from South County coming in. The word is getting out. They have a very nice second location on E. Lake. Prices are fair, flower tortillas are HUGH! One bad comment. Parking can be an issue. You may have to park down the street. It's OK, after dinner you will need that walk. LOL
8. Carnitas Trejo
Reviewed By Tahoep
When it comes to Mexican food, I always order carnitas if possible. I've had it in tacos, burritos, on a plate and just plain carnitas with nothing else added, not even a sauce of any kind. I've ordered carnitas all up and down the West Coast from San Diego to Seattle, in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and even in New York City. I've had carnitas in nice sit-down restaurants in any number of border/near-border towns or in huge burritos in a nameless shack near the ocean in San Diego. What can I say? Trejos has the best carnitas I have ever had. It's definitely the best carnitas in California (my experience), possibly in the whole US. Trejos is always busy when I go there. Right across from them is another Mexican restaurant and there has never been a car in that second restaurant while Trejos is just busting with customers. Yes, Spanish is de rigeur here. The ladies in the back work in an incredibly tiny work area and it's fun while waiting in line to see how nimbly the rather portly ladies squeeze by one another. It's amazing how they are able to keep the orders separate.I always order the mixed carnitas to go. Believe, after a few years, it's still $6 or $7 a pound of moist, juicy, flavorful carnitas. (Who's looking at the price when there's a huge steaming container of just cooked carnitas?) My two pounds get home - over Mount Madonna at that - while still piping hot and disappear in a twinkling. Never see meat disappear so fast.This is carnitas to dream about.
7. La Buena Taqueria
Reviewed By Robert H
the seating is limited both indoor and outdoor. You have a choice of two different salsas: the mild one is with the tomatoes, the spicey is with carrots and peppers.I had the super burrito wit birria. I was given a small bag of chips. Be sure to keep the burrito in the foil or place it on a plate because the juices will come out from the botton and create a huge mess. I was very satisfied with the burrito. Maybe next time, I will try the tacos.
6. Taqueria MI Tierra
Reviewed By pilatos_007
I really enjoyed eating there, it is mouthwatering flavors in seafood, and al pastor y asada lo mejor, very refreshing drinks, a great atsmofere and excellent service, I all ways recommend it to any one.
5. Ranch Milk Mexican Grill
Reviewed By Robert H
They serve traditional Mexican tacos which are small in size.The super burrito is average. There is limited seating but basically it is a sports bar rather than a restaurant. You can buy bacon, iceberg lettuce, Mexican pastries,and milk. There are multiple TV's in the establishment.
4. El Frijolito Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Robert H
The restaurant comes in two parts,. You can enter on front side of the building for sit down dining or come to the back side and order a take out. I did the later. The menu is on the wall but no prices listed, I tried the carne asada super burrito. It came out to $5.41. The burrito is filling but it did not hit me as very tasty. There were a lot of lettuce inside as filler beside the rice and other things. It was okay but it does not encourage me to come back for more. I will go somewhere else if I want burrito. Watsonville has a lot of options.
Where to eat Asian food in Watsonville: The Best Restaurants and Bars
3. La Perla Del Pacifico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Jaimevoy
Seafood very fresh.I had the Tostadas Pulpo (octopus) $5.50, nice and tender. Squeeze some lime and dash of tapatio sauce and made a nice snack.Service was friendly, efficient. Price reasonable.Parking on the street is 1 hour free, so do watch out on timing of stay.
Most Popular Sushi food in Watsonville, California, United States
2. Jalisco Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By bbqgoodguy
Was in Watsonville, my friend wanted some Mexican food. Looked up on Trip Advisor, saw that this was rated well and had ambiance. Did not disappoint, nice old spacious building. Nothing special about the furniture and bar. Food was VERY good and fresh, service nice, quite busy on a Sunday night with what looked like mostly locals going out for a nice family dinner. Would definitely go back.
Best Japanese food near Watsonville, California, United States
1. Cilantros
Overall Ratings
4 based on 123 reviews
In the tradition of El Palomar Santa Cruz, Cilantros has set a standard in Mexican cuisine by combining authentic homemade recipes from the sunny state of Michoacan in Southern Mexico, with the unique abundance of locally grown produce and fresh caught se
Reviewed By vitahawk
We rent a beach house every year in Santa Cruz with our kids and grandkids. One treat is always the wonderful mexican food opportunities in Watsonville. This year we went to Cilantros based on a recommendation from a friend and the reviews on TA. We were all very disappointed. My wife described her burritoâs filling as âgravy and meat,â. Making her wonder if she ordered a âwet burrito,â lol. The refried beans are simply flavorless. Chile relleno and enchilada both were bland. Margaritas were good, but weak. Fresh corn tortillas were very good. Sorry Cilantros, i wanted to like it, but didnât.
