Savvy Picks

Tacos

Eleven South Coast taco spots people keep sending each other to, from Milpas to Goleta, with what to order, what it costs and which day they're closed.

  • 11 picks
  • 19 locations
  • 3 towns
  • Updated November 3, 2026

These are the eleven places we could check on their own menus, in order of how often locals recommended them for tacos. Several of the most-recommended taco stops are trucks and stands with no menu online. They'll go on this list after we've been in person.

  1. Lilly's Taqueria

    Cheek, tongue and, on weekends, eye.

    Steamed beef cheek and tongue next to grilled adobada with pineapple. Its site says the whole menu is gluten free.

    OrderCachete (beef cheek), and an adobada with pineapple.

    TipClosed Tuesdays; 10 am to 9 pm the rest of the week at both. Ojo (eye) and tripas are Friday to Sunday only. Prices aren't posted online.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on lillystacos.com (opens in a new tab)

  2. El Sitio

    The pasilla taco.

    Four shops. Street-style tacos on two corn tortillas run $4.25 to $5.99, and the house specialty is a roasted pasilla chile stuffed with charbroiled pork, onion, mushrooms and cheese.

    OrderTaco a la Pasilla, on three corn tortillas. $14.50. Or the Taco Adobado, charbroiled marinated pork, for $4.25.

    TipOpen 8 am to 8:30 pm. De La Vina and Calle Real are closed Sundays, and Fairview closes at 3:30 on Sundays. Pickup orders by phone.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on elsitiorestaurantsb.com (opens in a new tab)

  3. Super Cucas

    Open until 10.

    Tacos come on two corn tortillas with beans, onion and cilantro; the Super adds cheese and sour cream.

    OrderSuper Taco with your choice of meat. $7.49 in Isla Vista.

    TipMicheltorena opens at 6 am and the Mesa shop at 7, both until 10 pm every day. Isla Vista runs its own menu, and the other two shops' prices may differ.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on supercucasrestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)

  4. Taqueria La Unica

    Al pastor off the spit, $3.99.

    Upper State Street. The al pastor is spit-roasted, and there's a vegetarian version made with mushrooms, cauliflower and pickled pineapple.

    OrderTaco Baja: battered fish or shrimp with cabbage slaw, mango pico and chipotle sauce. $5.95.

    TipOpen 11 am to 9 pm daily. Two quesabirria tacos with beef broth are $15.95.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on taquerialaunica.com (opens in a new tab)

  5. Maiz Picante Taqueria

    Pastor in a cheese crust.

    Al pastor is spit-roasted in a house adobo. The premium tacos add costra al pastor, with a cheese crust, and campechano with sirloin, chorizo and potatoes. Plant-based steak and pastor are on the menu too.

    OrderCostra al pastor.

    TipParking is in the back. Open 11 am to 10 pm, 9 on Sundays. Prices aren't on its site; they show when you order ahead on its ordering page.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on maizpicante.com (opens in a new tab)

  6. Corazon Cocina

    House-made tortillas in the Public Market.

    Chef Ramon Velazquez's taqueria, with tacos from a $5.95 pastor to octopus and wild shrimp.

    OrderEnsenada: beer-battered lingcod, cabbage, salsa cruda, pico de gallo and lime-mayo crema. $7.95.

    TipOpen 11 am to 9 pm daily. Carnitas are Thursdays only.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on corazoncocinasb.com (opens in a new tab)

  7. Los Agaves

    A taco bar for four, to go.

    Three restaurants, all open 11 am to 9 pm every day. The family taco bar comes with tortillas, rice, beans, chips and salsa.

    OrderAl Pastor Tacos (2), with a cheese crust and pineapple. $7 at the De La Vina bar's happy hour, weekdays 2 to 6.

    TipThe taco bar serves four: $65.95 with chicken, pastor, carnitas, rajas or grilled vegetables, $108.50 with steak. Regular menu prices are on its ordering page, not its site.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on los-agaves.com (opens in a new tab)

  8. Taqueria Cuernavaca

    Street tacos from $3.90.

    Downtown on Carrillo, with your choice of meat and a $3.99 veggie taco of potato, pasilla chile and jack cheese.

    OrderA street taco with your choice of meat. From $3.90.

    TipClosed Tuesdays. Otherwise 10 am to 8 pm. Order direct on its site for pickup or delivery.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on cuernavaca-taqueria.com (opens in a new tab)

  9. El Zarape

    You add the salsa.

    A Westside spot on San Andres. Tacos come on two tortillas with onion and cilantro, and you add your own salsa.

    OrderAdobada. $3.45 plus tax. Three tacos are $9.19.

    TipOpens early, 6 or 6:30 am (its site lists both). Weekday specials, like pozole on Thursdays.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on elzarapesantabarbara.com (opens in a new tab)

  10. Taqueria El Bajio

    Family recipes on Milpas since 1996.

    A la carte tacos on one corn tortilla, including adobada and chicharrón, plus a grilled red snapper taco.

    OrderChicharrón: pork rinds in a spicy chile verde salsa.

    TipClosed Mondays. Tuesday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday 8 to 3. Prices aren't online.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on elbajiosb.com (opens in a new tab)

  11. Taqueria Santa Barbara

    Five salsas.

    Street tacos at $3.50 on State Street, with suadero (brisket) or shrimp for a little more, and four vegetarian tacos at $3.25, nopales among them.

    OrderStreet taco with suadero. $4.75.

    TipOpen 10 am to 9 pm daily. The salsas run from tomatillo to piña.

    Checked Nov 3, 2026 on taqueriasb.com (opens in a new tab)

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