El Jardin Restaurant
| Address: | 655 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA |
| Phone: | +1 831-477-9384 |
| Site: | eljardinrestaurant.net |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 13
A
A Private User
My New Favorite Resturant in SC: Ive driven by many times and never had a chance to stop in. Last Saturday, I finally did and I was SO GLAD I did so! We were a party of 3 on a Saturday night. We had an exceptional experience, and I am very picky, so that alone was worth celebrating! Parking was easy in lot behind the building. Walked in and the bar was nice, lively and fun. Ambience in this resturant is cheerful and happy! Like coming to a Mexican friends house. We were greeted right away by a very nice hostess and were able to sit down immediately at a table near the wood-burning fireplace which was great on a cold night. Extensive menu of good Mexican choices, and we all found something we wanted. It wasnt your typical generic Mexican- lots of interesting choices. Freshly made chips come with 3 different salsas to try which was so much fun. For dinner, I chose the special shrimp tacos which were excellent (grilled shrimp, fresh cabbage slaw, fresh tortillas). One person ordered Chilles Rellano and was VERY happy with the dish. The other ordered Mole and LOVED it. A pitcher of Margaritas was only $20 and actually included tequila (which in some restaurants they really skimp on) :-) Ok, the reasons I really loved this restaurant: CLEAN- including the bathroom, which says so much to me (!). NICE Decor- kind of modern Mexican- cosy and fun. OPEN KITCHEN- which I love. NICE staff- including the owner who was around a lot, chatted with us and made us feel so much at home. FRESH food, prepared with quality ingredients and artfully presented. FOOD- very good, reasonable and fresh. Great for a family, a couple, or girlfriends having a fun dinner. Im bringing friends next week and cant wait! Try it- youll love it!
D.
D. Grady
Awfully slow service. Two waitresses, one bartender, and the manager(?) all ignored our table and served two other tables that came in after us. This was despite the fact we had our menus down and were actively trying to catch their attention because we were ready for drinks and an app the moment we sat down. Not sure how they managed to overlook us for so long since there were four employees in the front and yet only five tables in total counting the ones that came in after us. In fact, the two tables that were there before us had already been served and one was taking care of their bill. None of the staff were busy, any one of them could have started our order. Just no excuse really. The fellow who finally took our order for some reason assumed we wanted the nachos with our meal even though they were on the app menu and not the dinner menu. So we had to wait extra long for them even after we were finally able to order. Always ask what the customer wants, never just assume. The special margarita was just a mix of alcohols/other that didnt work together, the nachos nothing to write home about, but at least the fajitas were not bad. Still, not enough to make up for the poor service.
CA
Carlos Loreto
Hoy Sabado fui a cenar a las 6 aprox. Se tardaron 40 minutos en servirnos, la soda ,el agua de horchata y el agua natural sabian a cloro. Pienso que las hacen con agua directa de la llave, esta era la quinta ves que ibamos y yo creo que fue la ultima, la botellita de salsa tapatio estaba sin el taponcito interior y se fue toda la salsa sobre mi comida,, nos querian sentar en unas mesitas que parecen de kindergarten yo no les doy ni una estrella se come mejor en una taqueria, gracias por nada. O y el precio no corresponde a la calidad de su platillos
A
A Private User
I absolutely LOVE this place! The food is unique and traditional at the same time. Mary takes a great deal of care with her recipes. Nicole always makes sure I get exactly what I want, even if its not on the menu. So I love Marys chile rellano (sp?), but with black beans and then a little shredded lettuce with Marys unusual salsa fresca made with cabbage instead of the rice. MMMMmmmmMMMm! So great. Nicole always says, "I know how you want it!" And she does! There are 8 El Jardins not because its a chain, but because Mary and George open them for family members across California. They are organic economic developers. The owners and their kids work hard to present great food in a friendly atmosphere. I suspect that in the beginning the service might have been awkward, as we all are at the beginnings of things. But the food is just fabulous, and the neighborhood is thrilled to have them here. Susan
MI
Mind Lube
The atmosphere is nice. Happy hour Sunday afternoon was peaceful. I was intimidated by the "class" of the place because I only had a few bucks for lunch. $7 happy hour nachos with meat and a beer was more than satisfactory for lunch and the food is on point. The chips and salsa they bring came with fresh slaw, fresh salsa and hot bean dip with cheese and sour cream. The actual nachos I ordered came beautifully plated on a triangular plate heaping with chips and cheese, all white meat chicken, sour cream and guacamole. All in a bed of beans. Delicious.
DA
Daniel Kane
This place is somewhere between a classic Mexican place and a nice restaurant. Meaning that when you walk in and look around it looks like a cantina and a "fancier than a taqueria" restaurant, the food options reflect that as well. But then you look at the prices, the food get delivered, and it seems like they are taking themselves a little to seriously. The food is good but not quite worth what they charge, especially for the portions. I would go back but its not my first choice.
BR
Brad Baker
Not your run of the mill Mexican food restaurant. Nice flavors. A little different in a good way. I liked it a lot. A must try if youve never been. The sauces are light, fresh and complex. Not at all spicy hot but spicy flavorful. I like hot/heat to my spices. This is still good.
ST
STAR Luna
This place sucks and made me ill with their shrimp cocktail. I work close by and went here for lunch several time and they always got my order wrong. Its not the waitress its the cook that is miserable and would always mess everything up! Will never go back again.
DA
damian matthews
Dont eat here. Weve gone 3 times. 1st time was fine. 2nd and 3rd times someone in our party got food poisoning. And the 3rd time my wife had a terrible allergic reaction to gluten despite the waiters assurity that the food did not have wheat in it. Dont risk it!
SU
susan avinger
Ambiance and staff were very welcoming. The menu is an interesting mix of Mexican cuisine. Sauces were outstanding. Our server Meghan was knowledgeable about ingredients, friendly, and gave us excellent service. We will definitely return!
LO
Lorna B
Food is good when you get what you ordered. If theyre real busy, or its the good cooks day off, not so much. Great chips chips, salsa and bean dip as you wait for your entrees . . . a long time. Sometimes they come out at the same time.
JA
James Hennessee
Service is always great, staff is very knowledgeable, and the Premium Margaritas are delicious. Plus, they are never that crowded, so theres never a wait for a table. And they have Happy hour mimosas!
MI
Michelle Bell
Please respect your neighbors! Your workers yell outside as they leave, and you hang up when the phone rings at closing, when your neighbors just want respect and sleep!
