El Palomar — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

This review is based on my first visit during which I had the Mole; it is a chicken mole plate which comes with a side of rice and beans and corn tortillas. I also ordered a side of chips with guacamole. Overall I enjoyed the meal but I want to offer some details that can help inform your next visit:

The chips are so-so. Their chips did not taste very fresh, I doubt they make fresh chips daily. I recommend they revisit their approach to the chips. The guacamole was simple but good. We ordered the small and it was just that, small. Lol. I suggest you get the larger serving if you plan on sharing. The house salsa is also pretty simple but tastes good. It is not spicy so if you’re not used to spicy you will probably like it a lot. On the other hand, if you’re used to spicy you might be a little bit underwhelmed but I must say the flavors are quite good. The tortillas were good, not the best, but above average compared to most Mexican joints. The mole (sauce) itself was very tasty; I give it two thumbs up. The chicken however, was disappointing. Some of the bits tasted very dry and over-cooked. It seemed like they simply chopped up a dry and old grilled chicken breast and tossed in the tasty mole. The chicken did not do the mole justice and the dish itself could be elevated immensely if they put more care into the chicken. This was a missed opportunity for an excellent dish. The rice and beans are very good. Unfortunately, it is rare for Mexican restaurants to serve great rice and beans but Palomar definitely got it right. Service was very friendly, caring, and patient. I appreciate good service and personable staff, it speaks volumes of management and leadership so I want to give them kudos on that. There are no dine-in options right now due to the pandemic but this looks like a nice place to eat. I can see the vibe being real cool for a date or a good time with friends.

Overall, this is a restaurant I would come back to when craving Mexican food and would like to try other items on the menu. There is a lot of potential here and some minor improvements could go a VERY long way in terms of the overall quality, taste, and value of the meal. This could easily be a 4 or 5 star review with some adjustments but don’t let the 3 star review discourage you from trying them out! Thanks, Palomar for the nice meal and...

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 sister's where even allowed to decorate in advance with banners and a TOO BIG hanging "60th" sign.. lol. The experience is one I won't 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 don't think I've 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 we're 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...

I remember when El Palomar was the happenin place, the bee’s knees, the destination for the best Mexican food in town. With that high vaulted ceiling it was a cross between a restaurant and a Spanish cathedral. There was buzz. The place rocked. But here comes the hard part… although first I’ll say, the Camarones lit me up like a Christmas tree! They were great! And there were plenty, as if the were having a damn dance party on my plate. That being said, The rice and beans were bland and the worst offense, the second bowl of chips had a few bigger chips and the rest of the basket were crumbs. I mean what am I supposed to do with these any way? Honestly it’s kind of insulting. The waitress knows what she’s giving you is substandard. I felt like I was being punished for going though the first bowl before the mid meal mopping up phase. Ok, I get it, maybe they were running out of the nice chips, but she could have said something, or even replaced the bowl when the good stuff came out. Did they think I wouldn’t notice? Over all, the place has fallen prey to the famous location curse, a phenomenon first documented in 1920 at Marsha Mam’s beautiful emporium and eatery. They too were the favored spot, the in place to be, but they got complacent. They counted on their fame, the desirability of the location, and the reputation of their humble, but extraordinary chef (no one had ever been an executive chef back then… they would have have laughed at the hubris). Well, it’s the same here. They have customer loyalty and history, and they have atmosphere up the wazoo, but what they don’t have is passion for the product anymore. They are just dialing it in, and it shows. I’d give them three stars, but the Camarones were really good, it’s like a diamond in a cheap ring, the rest of the meal detracts from the...