El Palomar Restaurant
| Address: | 1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA |
| Phone: | +1 831-425-7575 |
| Site: | elpalomarsantacruz.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 10AM–10:30PM 10AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
CA
Carrie Anderson
My family set up last minute reservations for 20 people (!!!) for my 60th surprise party the day after a huge family wedding in near by Felton. I was blown away with the first encounter with our efficient waitress, who greeted me by saying "Happy Birthday, Carrie" she knew my name! That "little thing" showed me she was invested in our group, not just doing her job. I loved that our long table was separated from the main area of tables by a half wall. My sisters where even allowed to decorate in advance with banners and a TOO BIG hanging "60th" sign.. lol. The experience is one I wont forget, and the service & food where outstanding! This place even allowed my sister to bring in a cupcake from the wedding the day before, as my birthday cake! Our waitress brought it out with a pretty pink flaming candle and I felt blessed beyond measure. Too many restaurants do not allow hanging things on their walls like my banner decorations, or for you to bring in your own food of any kind, like my cup cake..that type of extra ordinary kindness and welcoming is what caused me to give this Mexican restaurant a 5 STAR RATING. I dont think Ive ever given a 5 STAR RATING before. Their was not one complaint, not one dissatisfied person at our table of 19- all the way down to my grand niece who just turned 2!! THAT MY FRIENDS IS A PLACE WE WILL GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO RETURN TOO IN OUR FUTURE! Although were currently living in Vacaville for my husband job, our "homebase" is near San Diego. In fact next to Mt Palomar, and the Palomar Observatory at the peek of Mt! A great way for me top recall your restaurants name! Very fitting. We will return to this restaurant when we travel to the bay area in the future. Until then it will be highly recommended to friends & family that come to the Santa Cruz area! Thank you to the whole staff, management and Owners of El Palomar Restaurant!! My 60th birthday will long be remembered for my friends and family but also for the venue, food & outstanding service. God Bless.
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A Private User
I went to a birthday dinner at El Palomar. Right off the bat, the service was rude and not what is expected for a party worth a $500 order. Two of the dishes had long black hair in them and when we refused to pay for the dishes they threatened to call the cops. We settled on half off, but food garnished with hair isnt worth a cent. I will never eat there again. There is a difference between an accidental hair in a complemented dish and being so stingy that you deny all responsibility for inedible food. I thought I would always eat at the restaurant as there has never been a bad experience, but after tonight, everything as changed. There is no excuse for the way they handled the hair. I would give this restaurant 0 stars if possible because there are many more problems beyond this including the atmosphere of the building.
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A Private User
Met another couple for a Monday night meal. Were told that they were setting our table. An hour later and having been told several times by the hostess that we were about to be seated we were still in the bar. At the hour mark on our wait, we decided it would be a good idea to leave. It is hard to explain how this sort of thing can happen. Inexcusable. They seemed reasonably busy but there were still open tables. Whatever the issue, please dont tell patrons "were setting youre table now" when it isnt true. Ive eaten here in the past and it was reasonably good but apparently the comments about service irregularities arent imagined. I cant think of a compelling reason to go back.
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Paul Muehlenbeck
This is a revoew of the BAR area. The restaurant is separated entirely (kitchen, pos, etc). Pretty mediocre burritos, but tacos looked good. SC has always been a bit odd with Mexican food. Carne Asada burrito came with meat, refried beans, cabbage, and barely any Pico. Really sloppy burrito with pretty basic ingredients. Tacos and Quesadillas looked at least appetizing, and the scallop taco almost looked great! Drinks were drinks. Wouldnt order and Old Fashioned here, but I WOULD be tempted for a Margarita. If youre not a burrito snob. This place is probably just fine. Kids can be in the bar area, so its nice if youre having some drinks with young ones around.
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Chip Chapin
As others have pointed out, there are actually several places to eat in here and it can be confusing. This review is mostly directed at the sit-down restaurant. Food here is great. The decor is pleasant Spanish Colonial, which I like. But between the tile floors, bare walls and high ceiling, noise in this place really carries (true of the taco bar as well). Ive been here a couple of times and the noise factor is big enough that I can just barely tolerate it. Otherwise it would be great. The restaurant itself is pricey, though there is a cheaper sort of "food court" inside the same building.
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A Private User
Ive eaten at the El Palomar several times in the ten years that Ive lived in Santa Cruz. Most of the time it was good food, great ambience I love the high ceiling in the main dining room. The last time I went there, my friend ordered the "award winning prawn burrito". The "prawns" in the burrito were salad shrimp I kid you not. We complained and were told "this is the way we serve it." Well then serve it differently. Prawns are large. Prawns require two bites to eat each one, not three of them in one bite. A shrimp is not a prawn. Call it a shrimp burrito if you make it with tiny shrimp.
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Rob Miller
For being in an active vacation town, the restaurant wasnt busy at all, but it had plenty of seating so that likely contributed to the lack of a wait. The food came fast and was perfectly prepared. Be very aware, the servings are HUGE! Had I realized the portions were so big, I wouldnt have ordered an appetizer, which was also HUGE. It could easily have been a meal by itself. Thankfully all the food was delicious, but I still couldnt finish it all. I work in Santa Cruz four times a year, and this restaurant will be a regular stop on every visit from now on.
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Natalie Fenn
Good food, terrible service. I was amazed at how Bad a restaurant can be run when they have such great food. The food was amazing but part of our order got messed up and they told us that if we were to correct it we would have to pay more. The server didnt pay much attention to our table. Granted she was one of two servers that were on staff there was only five tables that needed attending. Not sure if the food was good enough for me to ever come back to deal with the terrible service.
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De SC
The locals love to visit El Palomar. Friendly staff greet you with tasty foods. Beach Volleyball and dolphins usually take up the viewing attentions, but lately the excitement of new roadway construction that might ease the tourist traffic congestion of those getting stuck in the sand to the east and the harbor dredging have created more reasons to come down for lunch or dinner. If youre just walking the beach i highly suggest popping in to the mirrored bar to whet your appetite! ~De
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Jim Barcelona
This interior of the main dining hall is really lovely to look at. Solid wood beams that are just as solid as your chair - everything is done up in a Spanish colonial style that makes you feel further south than you actually are. The enchiladas here are my "go to" dish whenever I am in Santa Cruz. This place though feels like two establishments. One for fine dining and another area that feels like something from the song from Margaritaville. Stick with the fine dining area.
