Corazon Cocina
Mexican restaurant · Downtown
38 W Victoria St Unit 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Highlights
Seafood-heavy Mexican counter with handmade tortillas & salsas
Seafood-heavy Mexican counter with handmade tortillas & salsas
"Opened in 2016 in the Santa Barbara Public Market as a compact operation, this location offered a tight menu showcasing five tacos, one quesadilla, a salad, and two ceviches. The Guadalajara-born chef Ramón Velázquez—who immigrated to the U.S. in 1990 and worked at restaurants including Arigato and the now-closed Cielito—launched a popular weekly pop-up at Three Pickles Subs & Sandwiches in 2014 before opening this spot and later appeared on the Cooking Channel’s Taco Trip. The food draws on lessons from his mother and grandmother, presenting traditional Mexican fare such as burritos; salads; and a fiery Sayulita ceviche with wild Mexican shrimp, mango, tomatoes, ahi amarillo, avocado, and habanero aioli. Multiple tostadas and tacos feature proteins like birria with a peanut salsa macha and chicken mole, and quesadillas are prepared with tortillas made on-site. “My goal has never been to open a chain of restaurants and make money,” Velázquez says. “Our main objective and goal is to produce great food at a good price. We are driven by farmers’ markets, local fish, and great corn from Mexico.”" - Mona Holmes
"The Santa Barbara Public Market is full of alluring eateries, but after your first taste of this charming taco stand, you’ll want to pledge your heart. Chef/owner Ramon Velazquez mastered the craft of handmade tortillas and zesty salsas at the feet of his Guadalajaran mother and grandmother, but he also has a few tricks of his own that often involve additions of delightfully unique local produce.Standouts include a cheesy, griddled taco piled with grilled octopus, white shrimp and avocado, as well as a veggie-packed Oaxaca cheese quesadilla bursting at the seams with confit tomatoes, broccolini, and radishes. Definitely say yes to all three of the different salsas handed out with your order." - Michelin Inspector
"Of all the great food stalls at Downtown's Santa Barbara Public Market, the one you need to be running to is Corazon Cocina. The seafood-heavy Mexican food counter is fantastic, and an ideal spot to grab a low-key lunch in between wine tours. Order any of the seafood tostadas (the yellowtail and watermelon-covered Sal Del Mar is our go-to), and don't skip out on the mole chicken taco. Lines do get long." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Of all the great food stalls at downtown's Santa Barbara Public Market, the one you need to be running to is Corazon Cocina. The seafood-heavy Mexican food counter is fantastic, and an ideal spot to grab a low-key lunch in between wine tours. Order any of the seafood tostadas (the yellowtail and watermelon-covered Sal Del Mar is our go-to), and don’t skip out on the mole chicken taco. Lines do get long. photo credit: Jakob Layman" - Brant Cox
"Located inside The Santa Barbara Public Market, Corazon Cocina is a seafood-heavy Mexican food counter that’s an ideal spot to grab a low-key lunch while you’re roaming around downtown. Order any of the seafood tostadas (the yellowtail-and-watermelon-covered Sal De Mar is our go-to), and don’t skip out on the mole chicken taco. The entire market has an expanded patio space going along W. Victoria St." - brant cox
