Location: Isla Vista
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Top 10 Mexican food in Isla Vista, California, United States
Best Mexican restaurants nearby. Discover the best Mexican food in Isla Vista. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Mexican restaurants near you.. Isla Vista is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Barbara County, California in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 23,096. The majority of residents are college students at nearby University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB, located to the east of the community) or at Santa Barbara City College. The beachside community lies on a flat plateau about 30 feet (9 m) in elevation, separated from the beach by a bluff.
Things to do in Isla Vista
10. Domingo's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By dianamna
Old fashioned interior, nice and welcoming staff, generous portions, comfort food for breakfast. The Mexican omelet was delicious and so was the breakfast burrito. Their Cobb salad also was great.
9. Chili's Grill & Bar
Overall Ratings
3 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Chris_Jacobs43
For some reason, chilis changed their menu and beer selections. We used to go there frequently, but no longer. Firestone beer is a local favorite, but the kegs are slightly more expensive, so we can only assume discontinuing it is some sort of bad management cost saving measure. They lost a couple of regular customers. Also the food menu changes are not good and frankly odd.
8. Pepe's Mexican Food
Overall Ratings
4 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Forrest B
Pepe Delgado's is an old-town long term establishment. The restaurant is large and the outside patio is very nice in the summer months. They run a buffet some evenings with classical Mexican dishes, although my favorite is pork carnitas. Service can be a bit slow, portions are large. For me, high points are the smothered Probrecito Burrito and the Enchiladas Del Mar--Full bar and large enough for a large wedding party. Food is good, but not inspired.
7. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Overall Ratings
3 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 245mattw
Maybe they were having an off day, but it felt like the staff (mostly college kids) were going out of their way to make customers feel uncomfortable. Went a little overboard in the friendly department.
6. Pollofino's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Licensed and Insured Family Owned and Operated 30 Years of Experience
Reviewed By janiee11
This little hole-in-the-wall makes good salads and chicken/beef BBQ. We like it for the fresh romaine lettuce and generous chicken on the tostada. Their shrimp is also fresh tasting. They have a small salsa bar that makes it easy to suit your taste. This is a place that you will think about and crave their food.
5. Vicentas Mexican Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By flehto
Anticipated a better experience than what I received...panko coated beef burrito was bland and the beef was like cardboard. Awkward "chips and salsa" "free" appetizer...the bean dip jar looked like grey waste. My spicy Margarita tasted good but the menu description said it had a spicy salty rim and mine was missing. Street corn appetizer was best thing I ordered. My wife's beef tips entree was disappointing...once again a little bland and lacking focus. Would rather go to Los Agaves.
4. Rosarito
Reviewed By zantif
Don't get one here! They're large, but don't taste good at all. I got bacon on mine, and you could tell it had been out for a while.
Most Popular American food in Isla Vista, California, United States
3. Super Cuca's Taqueria 3
Reviewed By Jamey W
Good food at reasonable prices adjacent to Woodstock's Pizza slightly off the beaten path in Isla Vista
2. El Sitio
Reviewed By Robin S
El Sitio's burritos are so generously sized that you'll want to share with a friend. Very tasty, too. Very informal place with counter service.
Best Seafood food near Isla Vista, California, United States
1. Los Agaves Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By debo-ro
Quick review:Pros:Service is quick, fast, efficientFree chips and salsaSoda water available for free at the soft drink dispenserCons:My family did not enjoy it!Chicken is not grilled fresh, but just heated upNarrative:Each time we walked by, this place was PACKED!The delicious looking plates of food looked awesome. There is an abundance of outdoor seating (but heat lamps were not on and it was chilly)I was dying to try this place.Husband got nachos, daughters got crispy tacos (dripping in oil because entire taco deep fried, not just the shell) and a carnitas tostada. The tostada was some soft taco shells on the bottom, and dripping in sauce. There was a ton of wet lettuce. I'm not sure what she was expecting, but it was far too wet and sloppy for her taste.I got the Tostada Salad - beans are not refried, but more the whole light beans. There was a ton of guacamole on it. Overall, it was pretty sloppy. Luckily they put the dressing on the side - it was more like a sweet sauce which I did not use.The black beans are served in adorable little tostada shells. Really, I wanted to like it, but it was only "meh". It was $60 for a family of 4, with no drinks - just water.
Where to eat Bar food in Isla Vista: The Best Restaurants and Bars
