Mony's Mexican Food — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

I have lived in San Diego my whole life, lived in Santa Barbara almost 2 years. And this is this place is in my top 3 for favorite taco shops, that includes street tacos I have had in numerous towns in Mexico. This place has the best carne asada in my opinion. Its nice and juicy and flavorful, mixed with the onion/cilantro blend, then add just a little bit of their avocado salsa and habanero salsa and a couple drops of lime....im telling you just try it. I recently tried their fish taco and was pleasantly surprised to find out that is is grilled and not battered like most places. No matter what type of taco you order you pretty get two tacos worth of meat or fish or chicken...i use the meat that falls out to make nachos with the chips they give you for free. I have had their carnitas once, but where I come from carnitas is a big deal....so I will say their carnitas is not nearly as good as some that I have had...its still really good, but it's nothing like their carne asada.

The head (cabeza) taco is SOOOOO good. It's like the super tender part of a steak. Just try it! It sounds scary but I am telling you, its fuego family. $2 tacos all day, everyday! They also do nachos, burritos, and tortas for $10 bucks but they are massive.

Salsa bar is the best in town and probably best one until you get to San Diego. They have peanut arbol sauce,...

A tiny family run place off the beaten path in the Funk Zone, they're a well cited staple for amazing tacos in SB. The tacos are street tacos, which is the only thing you should look at (maybe they have other things, I've never looked). They include interesting and innovative tacos (one with spicy peanut sauce on it), and everything tastes fresh. There's basically no indoor seeting, it's just a door with a small sign into a 2 table room with a counter. When they're open, they have tables in the side walk out front too.

If their hours were more consistent they'd be 5 stars, but it's basically impossible to go here because they're only open for lunch on some days, and might randomly be closed even then. They recently were able to put in a food truck in front of Test Pilot and Paradise Springs Winery, which is just down from their store front, so now they actually have consistent availability. That makes them a full 5...

What a great choice for lunch. This little restaurant only has seating outside on the street (oh to be in California with no rain!). You queue on the street, then enter a smallish area to order, take a seat and wait for plates of deliciousness to arrive.

The menu is really interesting and flexible: you choose your meat (type and cooking style), then how you want it presented: taco, burrito, quesadillas, etc. They then serve your selection with some homemade salsas and nacho chips.

We chose tacos with a selection of fillings:

Carne Asada (Roasted meat) Pollo En Molle (Chicken with mole) Rajas Con Queso (Vegetables with cheese) Chorizo Pescado (Fish)

Every one was freshly prepared and delicious - we loved them all, but the Chorizo, for me, was outstanding. The salsas were also excellent. All served with a smile. We loved it!

Also posted to my food blog on Instagram...