Taqueria La Unica — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

We were hungry looking for a quick tasty fix on the way home and decided to check this place out since we have been eating at Los Agaves before who owns this Taqueria as well. After seeing the owner behind the counter, we did not want to look bad leaving after my wife got disgusted seeing "Head" on the menu. She picked the Veggie Al Pastor, 2 tacos with mushrooms etc., and I chose the Tacos SB. It took about 15 minutes to get both orders and mine was served on a cheap metal tray covered with paper and 2 tiny tacos on top. The tacos were so small, that the grilled Anaheim Chile covered both while they had left all seeds inside. I could not even detect the meat that was hiding underneath cheese. The slice of avocado was so tiny, that my wife said that they must be really greedy with putting each single item on the tacos. We were both just laughing and my wife said that she'll quit eating Mexican food after this awful experience! Her's was even worse because she could not even figure out if there were really 2 different mushrooms on her 2 very small tacos because everything was mixed into some undetectable brown sauce and the cauliflower was hard as a rock or better said raw while the pineapple was not pickled, sliced very thin together with 2 super skinny slices of avocado. Lots of grilled slimy onions on half of the plate since they are cheap. She ended up eating my green chiles after digging out all the seeds which took a while. The salsa bar only had one super spicy running salsa that looked like it came out of a jar, looking more like diluted ketchup with a few dots of something, no cilantro etc. in it at all. The pico de gallo hat cactus in it and tasted awful. We tried to figure out what was so special about this restaurant but could not make friends with the food we ate. The hunger pushed it in and we were still hungry when leaving. I told my wife that I was looking forward to my 30 grams protein shake waiting for me at home. We paid $13.95 & $8.95 which is way too overpriced for the amount of food we got! It did not even taste good! I was given a metal fork & knife cutting some of the paper underneath both tacos and my wife decided to ask for a real plate like she had so I would not eat paper together with the skinny tacos. Eating food from some metal tray is not healthy at all, especially when cutting on it with a sharp knife...While driving home, we were glad to have some snacks in the car to hold us over! Don't waste your money at this place! It's...

5 Stars – Truly Unique and Beyond Delicious!

Taqueria La Unica is hands-down my favorite spot in Santa Barbara for tacos and an all-around amazing dining experience. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with friendly staff and amazing service that makes you feel right at home. LALO, our server, was fantastic—prompt, professional, and made the experience even better!

The Tacos Unica are an absolute must-try! At $13.95 for two tacos and a drink, they’re worth every penny. If you visit on Taco Tuesday, you’ll be thrilled with their $2.95 tacos! The flavors are truly unique, with tender, flavorful meats, perfectly grilled onions, and a taste that sets them apart from anywhere else. Pair that with their craft beer on tap, which is always fresh and crisp, and you’ve got the perfect meal.

The ambiance is just as amazing as the food. Whether you’re enjoying the fire pit outside with your dog (yes, they’re dog-friendly!) or relaxing in their large indoor or outdoor dining areas, it’s a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The chairs and tables are nice, the view is great, and the music adds a fun vibe to the atmosphere.

Practicality is another bonus—there’s a large parking lot, it’s conveniently located near shopping, and the space is always clean, with staff constantly tidying up. Plus, no awkward “we don’t have change for cash” spiel here!

Whether you’re dining solo, bringing your pup, or out with friends, Taqueria La Unica is a gem. Amazing food, great service, and an all-around welcoming experience make this place a true Santa Barbara treasure....

I drove back home from the LA area and got to the Taqueria a few minutes before 9pm yesterday parked my car right in front of the entrance and was about to walk in and a young man tells me their closed in all fairness I saw them putting chairs up on top of the tables. I'm standing in the doorway because the double doors are open and I was like can I get a couple of tacos towards the cook's as I'm looking at them mind you it's not even 9pm yet when they close. The young man responds sorry Sir. I humbled my self even though I was hungry and tired and I have watched a couple of videos from this Taqueria and I was excited to eat here because it is not far from my home. I usually go to the #WestSideSuperCucas since I moved from the Bay Bay Area in 2017 who Deserves my business and money and have been Respectful and Professional at times plus they give large portions I got there a little before closing and they were friendly and replied Como No when I asked to order. Anyhow Peace and Blessings I will choose to go where I and my Family have for years instead of this new pop up taqueria. In Closing you can go to a new job, a new place to eat, a new store, new place, new church and you might not remember what you bought or ate or what was said exactly but you will Always remember how you were...