Olitas Cantina & Grille — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

Updated: ok. So, we would come regularly just for the salsa. Still the best in our opinion. But the service is regularly terrible... Not at all interested in actually taking care of their patrons you can find them drinking at the bar or watching television more than helping out their tables. The plating of the dishes here is...well...something. It might be considered impressive if it wasn't over the top and actually matched the quality of the dishes. And that leads me to the updates review. Although they still have interesting specials, the quality of their regular fare is moderate at best. The crab cakes are soft and stale. The enchiladas are flavored only by their sauce and not by the ingredients in them. The salads. Umm, they are huge. But they also suffer from the 'plating is our focus' problem that seems to be a theme here. Pulled in giant lettuce cups and stacked so high you can't actually eat off the plate without leaving the same mess as a 2 year old would. Oh, and whole stems of cilantro hiding in those stacks...that will get your attention! The vegetarian enchiladas are again drowned in sauce. But you are left feeling uncomfortable with the greasy aftertaste and the way-too-big portions. Taco Tuesdays might still be worth it, but come for the view, the chips, and the salsa. Don't come for the main if you are looking for a knock your socks off meal. It just doesn't seem to happen anymore. Blame it on the wharf curse I guess.

THE BEST Salsa, huge portions (in our opinion, we wish there was a half-portion option for many of the dishes - they are too big), unique and adventurous menu specials, wonderful enchiladas and tacos, and a great view. And......

Having heard so much about this place from my fiance, we had to go on our latest trip to Santa Cruz. He especially loved a dish they had called simply, the Lobster Quesadilla. We called ahead and made a reservation and got there a few minutes early. We were greatly nicely and were sat at a table overlooking the ocean. The looks of the restaurant were very underwhelming. Inside was old with basic old style wood tables and chairs, but we were there for the food. (Another thing that we found really odd; there was loud heavy Rock music playing inside). Now the restaurant is Mexican, so the menu is basic stuff; except that most all chefs learn early on that seafood and cheese don't mix. Lobster especially, being such a delicate flavor. You really shouldn't do much to it and you definitely never pair it with cheese! But I digress. My fiance ordered the Lobster Quesadilla @ "Market Price" and I ordered the Shrimp and Crab Enchiladas. The waiter was young and pleasant. He brought us chips and a chipotle tasting salsa...which is a weird pairing and it was just ok. He brought our food out quickly and Ric dove into his food. After a bite or two, he stopped and I knew something was wrong. He said that he wasn't going to eat anymore; that the taste was "off" and that there were bits of shell in his quesadilla. I called the waiter over and told him to please take it back. He did, and brought over a simple bowl of Rice and Beans, (as requested). Ric wasn't really hungry anymore and just grazed. He was so upset. My food was adequate, but there were bits of shell in my dish as well. This is one restaurant that we won't be visiting again. Save your money...

This restaurant has great views and an even greater menu. I started with an Olitas mule and the chips. I am not usually a fan of blended salsas (I usually like it chunky), I really enjoyed the sweet and warm flavor of their salsa.

I could not decide on whether to order the ceviche or the scallop tamales, so I wound up getting both.

I love traditional ceviches, but they can often be hard to eat because of the intense acidity at many restaurants. Their ceviche was enough to be an entire meal for 2 and was perfectly balanced in flavor and acidity. The seafood was incredibly fresh (no fishy taste you get from frozen or day-old fish).

I also ordered the scallop and shrimp tamales and I am glad I did. The tamales were pretty large and filled to the brim with masa, mushrooms and other spices. I couldn't quite make out everything in there, but it was delicious by itself. But it wasn't by itself as it was served with a creamy sauce and perfectly cooked scallops and shrimp. When it was all mixed together I nearly began to cry, overwhelmed by the incredible flavors and the vast ocean view.

The seals were extremely active and I enjoyed watching the birds dive into to the water after the fish and battles against the gulls and seals to be first to the meal. I suppose we all had our fill on seafood that day.

Definitely check this place out if only for happy hour to take in the Amazing views. I spent quite a lot ($60), but the meal could have easily been shared by 2...