East Beach Tacos — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Small, easy to miss stand with tiny parking lot connected to a batting cage business. All Covid precautions were in placeQuite busy for a rainy weekday afternoon. Famous for their tacos, the menu includes burgers, salads, fish and chips, and ceviche. Choose from ten different types of tacos. The deal everyone was ordering was the choice of three tacos called the Triple Play. Wife and I both decided to jump on this. Our six tacos were-three grilled shrimp, the band mi taco, the grilled fish, and the ahi poke taco. The poke taco was served in a fried wonton shell and was really tasty if a bit spicy for me with the wasabi aioli. Fish was fresh and flavorful. Very unique and wish I had more. The shrimp tacos were also very well done and the shrimp tasted fresh. Banh mi taco used pulled pork which had a bit of a kick too it but on this day was a little tough. The fresh crisp veggies with the hoisin aioli added a distinctive flavor. I’d try again on a different day. The grilled fish was our least favorite. The fish portion seemed small and it was over cooked. The fresh made tasty pico de gallo added flavor but was juicy enough to shorten the life of the tortilla, causing it to fall apart. Additionally, we ordered chips and pick and loved every bite. A darn good meal for the price and I’d go again without hesitation. Add on-time & opportunity put us here a second time this week. Bit better experience. Chose ceviche starter that while IMO not traditional(I think fish precooked not actually “cooked” using the citrus acid) it was delicious. Wife did triple play of three shrimp tacos and loved every bite. I changed it up with two carne asada tacos-served on my preferred flour tortillas-and another ahi poke taco. This time left off wasabi aioli and asked for lime vinegarette from the fish taco. Perfect for me and tasty. The beef tacos came with a slap of guacamole and really complimented the meat. Never know, we could...

Disappointing Experience at East Beach Tacos

I don’t understand the hype around this place. East Beach Tacos is severely overrated. The location itself is inconvenient, with a small parking lot shared with a batting cage, which made finding a spot frustrating.

We specifically stopped here on our way home to try shrimp tacos, since we missed out on them during our visit to Morro Bay. Santa Barbara seemed like a good bet for great tacos, and with all the high ratings, we had high expectations. Unfortunately, this place was a huge letdown.

First, the place was super busy, which we wouldn’t have minded if their system was efficient. But it wasn’t. Orders were being prepared and left sitting in the pickup window while the cashier (and only the cashier) called out names. Why not have the person putting out the food use the microphone to speed things up? The result: food sitting out and getting cold while we waited unnecessarily.

When we finally got our food, the shrimp tacos were incredibly disappointing. The shrimp were tiny, and there weren’t enough of them in each taco. While the vegetables were fresh, the tacos felt bare and underwhelming. The carne asada taco was okay—better than the shrimp—but still not amazing. Even the chips were mediocre.

Overall, the experience wasn’t worth the 40-minute delay in our trip home. We should’ve skipped this place altogether and stuck with our local spot, Fish Taco Express, which serves way better shrimp tacos.

I can’t recommend East Beach Tacos at all. Overrated, inefficient, and disappointing food. Save your time and money and go...

If you’re in Santa Barbara and craving delicious tacos, East Beach Tacos is a must-visit! This little taco stand might be small, but it’s packed with big flavors and a menu full of tasty options. Just be prepared to wait—because it’s that popular! On my visit, it took about 25 minutes to order, but trust me, it was totally worth it.

One of the best things about East Beach Tacos is the variety. Whether you love seafood, chicken, beef, or even vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone. They even have a kids’ menu, making it a great stop for families.

I ordered the Triple Combo, which includes three different tacos: grilled shrimp, spicy tempura, and raw ahi poke. Each one was packed with flavor and freshness. The grilled shrimp was juicy and seasoned just right, the spicy tempura had a crispy crunch with a nice kick, and the raw ahi poke was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If you love street tacos, this is the perfect place to try!

Along with my tacos, I couldn’t resist ordering their homemade chips and guacamole—and I’m so glad I did! The chips were crispy and fresh, and the guacamole was flavorful, and perfectly balanced. It’s the perfect side to snack on.

Overall, East Beach Tacos is a fantastic spot for a casual and delicious meal. Yes, it’s busy, but that just means it’s a...