Tacos Moreno

I’ve been a regular here for 35+ years, my last three visits have been disappointing. The prices have gone way up and the amount of meat and fillings in the burritos has gone way way down. I hope the owners read this and do something it, raise price if you have to, but don’t compromise on the food.Tacos Moreno is no longer the best burrito in town.

Moreno does Al Pastor like no one else. I haven't lived in Santa Cruz for almost 20 years, but every time I go back for a visit I make a point of eating at this taqueria. Their house-made salsa is amazing, and whenever they'll let me I get them to fill up a mason jar or bottle to take some home - it gets me though the withdrawals until the next time I can come up. Get the quesadillas with al pastor, and then smother them with salsa - you'll thank me!

The food at Tacos Moreno is amazing! 4 simple things on the menu and the carne asada supreme tacos with beans on top is 10/10.

I wish this place had more flavor. It makes me sad to rate this place lower, but the consistency of good food hasn't been there for me. Below average tacos and burritos.

Had a veggie burrito and a veggie quesadilla, great taste. My friends had the Al Pastor burrito and they loved it. Would recommend this place. Cash only, although they have an ATM (atleast when I was here)

Had the Burrito Supreme Al Pastor and it was hands-down the best! Loved the cabbage in it instead of soggy lettuce. The beans and the beans were cooked so well. Fresh! Fast! The salsa that's given on the side was delicious! Go here! To tick off the authentic Mexican burrito that you're looking for while in Santa Cruz.

Doesn’t take DEBIT! That’s a huge disappointment only CASH ONLY ! don’t support small business like that. That’s a shame . That take cash only usually shady with there taxes . Won’t be coming here again . Sad part is the food is decent . I was visiting from out of town . An ATM to nickel and dime their customers.

Its our first stop every time we go to Santa Cruz. Its THE BEST, I wish I could buy a jug of the salsa!!!!

Well it has been 25 years since we e lived in Santa Cruz but we always consider Esteban and Racos More I on Warer st. The best Mexican food NorCal has to offer - we come here at least every 2 months for our fill of quesadillas, tacos, and burritos - we eat some inside and take some home for dinner or the next days lunch. Don't forget to get some salsa to go for your next meal. We love their food, especially the Al pastor and the lengua - and we go through almost the whole bottle of salsa in the table with our meal even if we will pay for it later with heartburn lol it is so good - we were just here last weekend and I'm already dreaming of our next visit - good thing we are only 50 miles away!

Food is absolutely delicious. The corn quesadillas with jack, whole pintos, cabbage, cilantro & tomatoes are to die for. The corn tortilla is heated with a little corn oil while melting the jack, so it is just the right crispiness. It is served folded like a taco. Salsa is smoky, spicy, and flavorful - served in squeeze bottles so you can put salsa on every bite. It is a small restaurant and I like to eat my quesadillas inside or in the car so they don't get soggy on the ride home. Serious yum. Must not miss.

Tacos Morenos has been around for at least 25 years or more. I used to live and work nearby and this place is often busy with a line out the door. Small dining area but usually it is always "To-Go". I ordered a Carne asada burrito full with whole beans (not refried), cabbage, onion, cilantro, tomatoes and salsa. My burrito was accomplices with a small container of a spicy green sauce too. About $11.25. Dang, I remember when this was like $6.00. It is still a hearty burrito to satisfy your hunger.

Average burrito at best. Cheap on the meat, no chips, and salsa out of the bottle. Cash only. El Paso

Solid burrito here! We got a carnitas burrito, a birria taco, and an al pastor taco to split. The tacos weren't anything special, but the burrito was quite good! I won't say this is the best Mexican spot I've been to around here, but not bad by any means!

I was introduced to this awesome place by a family member, years ago. You will not be disappointed, small eating area, but I also like it that way.. simply a hidden gem of wonderful Mexican deliciousness. Customer Service is on point, friendly and efficient.

I've heard some of the other locations are better, but this one on water street isn't the best. I might give it another chance during the daytime and update my review, but for now, it's def a solid 2. I put in a to go order at 7:30 (and they do close at 8, but we got there before 8 to pick it up - and if they didn't want to take the order, they could have just let us know). We ordered carnitas and beef tacos and quesadillas, plus chips and salsa. Pretty much everything in our order was wrong. The carnitas quesadilla was missing the carnitas meat. There were no beef tacos. The chips were seriously stale. And all of the tacos are the driest tacos I've ever eaten in my life - there's like nothing on them, not even cheese which you apparently have to pay extra for. Just a crap ton of cabbage for some reason - not good. Overall, just very not very good food - dry tacos, wrong items in order, and stale chips. Ps. the stale chips were actually my favorite part of this meal if that tells you anything.

Straight out of heaven taqueria food. The white corn tortilla tasted so fresh like it was made in house. Turns out the tortillas are delivered daily. The lengua was perfect texture unlike any I've had before - very tender. Taste of lengua was beautiful. There's only one thing I can complain about - lengua taco didn't come with tomato even though their sign says tacos come with pinto beans, cabbage, cilantro, onion, tomato & salsa. Asked for the tomatoes after and I received them. They seem to get good tomatoes. My friend said it's the second-best taqueria in town. I look forward to trying the best the next time I am in town. You must dine here (or take away if you're one of those rona fearfuls). One taco was filling. I was ravenous upon arrival and have happy hour plans and dinner plans so I won't have two.

We have been going to tacos moreno for years. I know everything has gotten expensive the last few years that is fine. After a few recent trips Instead of an al pastor burrito it was filled mostly with beans . We didn't ask for a bean burrito. They used to be so good but now for about 12 dollars you don't get much unless you want a " bean "burrito . I don't think they are worth going to anymore. Used to be a 5 star now , maybe overpriced 2 star. 2 burritos and 2 beers about 40.00. Not worth it . Too bad

The B. E. S. T. Al Pastor Burrito on this P. L. A. N. E. T Go to the location on WATER Street in Santa Cruz not the one off of 41st Ave. It's cash only but don't worry they have an ATM machine inside

I know Tacos Moreno on Water St. in Santa Cruz has many fans, but I've never had a great burrito or other dish there. We've gone there because it's convenient, but that is just being way too lazy, given how many really good tacos and burritos there are in Santa Cruz. Last night my burrito was somewhere between cool and lukewarm, indicating that the beans and carnitas had been sitting around on the counter a long time. Keeping food hot (or refrigerating it) is how you prevent food poisoning and that had not been practiced here. The tortilla was cold and hard. The beans were boring.

Went in to buy a burrito and Clark that help me had just told the customer before me that each burrito and taco came with two little cups of chili. So when gave me my order he gave me one little cup of chili and when asked for another one he was rude and pointed at a single that u could barely read and said it was extra. Will never go back or recommend any one to there restaurant...

Food was bland, lukewarm, over priced, and little fella at the register was rude. Could've overlooked the attitude if the food was great, but you can't act like a dummy while also selling lame food. There are much better options in Santa Cruz for Mexican food.

LOVE -Authentic tacos -Good chicken -Flavor MEH -No fish or shrimp options Es bueno.

I've been a loyal customer at Tacos Morenos (Water St.) since the mid 90's. Good food, but no longer a decent value. Sadly the last few times I've come in, their Supreme Burritos are about 1/2 the size. They are mostly all tortilla now. Definitely not worth $13 a pop.

Ordered two supreme burritos, one chile verde and one pastor. One of them had no meat!

I'm from Los Angeles and I have 3 favorite burrito spots. Two are in SoCal and my number one favorite is Taco Moreno!!!

The most amazing crispy corn tortillas, tender chicken and heaps of deliciousness....beast quesedillas in mid town.

I feel bad about giving them a bad review in April 2023. They have been good since. I've been going there for 14 years. I love their salsa. They are my go-to place for birria and al pastor, though I go to Taqueria Vallarta for fish tacos.

Good place to get a quick bite to eat. Quesadillas are really good here. Service is usually fast and friendly. Heads up cash only at this location. Pretty laid back spot.

Usually LOVE the lengua burrito, but today is was TOUGH! So disappointing! $41.24 for 3 not so good burritos. I won't need to return for a long time.

A wonderful family business. Every time we go there it's as if we are back in La Paz in 1970. Simple and very tasty, the salsa is made by the grandma and entirely home cooked. Not to be missed.

Always amazing. Been coming for years and will keep coming back. So, so happy they started selling their salsa in larger containers.

Tacos something I always love and something you really can't ever have too much of especially when the flavors are there like they are here! Walking in I instantly grabbed a lime Jarritos as those are one of my favorites and in no time at all after that I was presented with my taco and quesadilla. So the quesadillas here aren't your standard ones it's like a quesadilla with a taco inside as there are two tortillas one on the outside is all that cheese goodness wile the one in the middle is like a taco with meat cabbage salsa as well as some beans that were a bit extra but defiantly the right add in and you can't forget about the carne asada it was super yummy for what it was but the chicken taco I ordered as well was really where it was at. My chicken taco was super flavorful packed with chicken salsa and veggies it really was very good one of the better ones I've had recently even more so with some of their yummy salsa over the top of it to set it all right! Overall super yummy tacos and different but yummy quesadillas you really can't go wrong coming here so just do it already!

It's been over 10 years since I've been here, but I regularly crave and miss their burritos. I first got hooked on the vegetarian burrito when I was going to UC Santa Cruz and they had a location on campus. Quite frankly, I've never had another burrito quite like theirs. Their salsa is a thing of beauty, their tortillas perfect in texture and flavor, and all the flavors within the burrito meld together in perfect harmony. I vividly remember their perfect burrito and am torturing myself dreaming of it now. I live about 350 miles away now and have been sorely tempted to find an excuse to visit Santa Cruz just to get this burrito. I'll find a way someday. Until then, please give this place your business so they'll be open when I'm up there again.

I got an Al pastor burrito, which was ready quickly. The burrito could have warranted 4 stars, but for $14.40 for the supreme burrito I would have expected twice as much al pastor, at least. Service was neutral and efficient. Ill go back and try something else, it was a decent burrito in the context of CA, but good with the caveat "for Santa Cruz". By LA or SF standards this is a (very) mediocre burrito but it's a decent contender for the availability of a much smaller city like SC. I'll be back to give them another shot!

Incredible carnitas. Have only had the quesadilla but I got the one with beans and I feel like it's one of the best quesadillas I've ever had. It also helps that they have my favorite chile de Arbol tomatillo hot sauce here. Prices are good and the service was great and prompt. Really happy I finally tried this spot.

Well I'm Mexican, from Mexico, IN Mexico, I never seen cabbage on a taco, it would be great if they posted or explain that your MEXICAN taco would come with cabbage instead of onion and cilantro, not sure what this was about, great location and very clean, oh yeah also, THERE IS FUCKING CABBAGE ON YOUR TACO!!!

Ordered a supreme lengua burrito and was left wanting more. Absolutely delicious! Try a bite with their hot sauce. Adds great heat and flavor. Would come again when I'm back in town.

I've been eating there since the 80's all their food is delicious, I almost always get a super burrito or two corn quesadillas. Their salsa is over the top!!

Did they sell this location or turn it over to the part of family that runs the Capitola location? Been eating here since the day the dad opened it, today everything was old tasting, halfass wrapped, and the salsa is different aka not so good. Looks like the part of the family that owns De La Hacienda Taqueria is the last place to get trad old school Moreno.

Healthy, plant-based, eaters can order the veg burrito, hold the cheese and sour. What's missing? Chili's‼. Ask them to add jalapeño peppers to make this Om nom nom chompsky pop. They have green hot sauce too! Just request it.

It hurts me to write this because this place holds many good memories from our college days but damn it, they don't make their food like they used to. I held off reviewing until I was consistently disappointed over the last several years' worth of visits. This latest time I had the regular pastor burrito and, again, like previous visits, the meat was dried out like jerky-I kid you not-and tastes and chewed like week-old meat your mom forgot in the back of the fridge but decided to nuke it and serve to you bc she was in a pissed off mood. Like do they even give a crap that they're putting desiccated room-temp "meat" in their burritos? And then they laugh as they take your $7 and change for a burrito that isn't good enough to be on the Taco Bell dollar menu. The one star is for nicely shredded cabbage-not for the bland whole pinto beans that your ten year old sister could boil if she wanted to eat the most boring beans in the world. And how about their salsa in the squeeze bottle? Bland AF. Guy working the register was as charming as the food-what is wrong with this place? You want good Mexican food in Santa Cruz? Go to Los Pericos. To die for salsa bar and hot fresh free chips-not to mention savory, reasonably priced food.

Best Al pastor in the universe. I've been going there for almost 40 years. Great quesadillas too. I haven't tried anything else because when you've had the quintessential best ever, why would you? Quiet, friendly, efficient. Sweetest family ever. Maybe six tables and you just sit with whom ever has space at their table. I don't live in the area anymore but whenever I drive down I make sure to stop here for lunch and a to go order for family at home. I'd give more stars if I could

Hands down BEST carne asada burritos!! My husband used to go to their UC Santa Cruz location in undergrad but we've been frequenting this location since they closed the UC one. AMAZING!!! We drive the 2 hours JUST for their burritos House made spicy sauce is out of this world - I would buy containers to bring home after just to have a little slice of Tacos Moreno in the East Bay. Don't ever change!! Love this place

It used to be a hole-in-the-wall secret with amazing flavors and a great value. For the 3rd try this year, I got a regular $13 burrito with beans, cabbage and a little chicken. No chips, no nothing. Not even a napkin. Unfriendly - I shouldn't say unfriendly - but not friendly. It feels like they're just putting up with customers. We're so needy - buying things and all. I won't be back.

Love love love this place. The beans are always so fresh and the tacos come with a hard shell & outer soft shell - such a great combo. Chips are fresh and salsa is delicious.

It is NOT easy to find a vegetarian Mexican food.. no judgement but I don't always want pumpkin seeds in my burrito. I will order veggie corn quesadillas from Tacos Moreno until my final days. Don't be fooled. The tacos are wrapped in foil but they should be wrapped in gold. From how the tortilla is crispy and soft at the same time to the always crunchy cabbage to the cheesy goodness hiding at the bottom: YUM. I haven't even talked about the salsa. The crux of the Tacos Moreno experience. So good. Layer it on that taco get some chips, consume all your food in 2-3 minutes. SUPPORT LOCAL BIZ! TIP! REVIEW! Keep Santa Cruz businesses goin'

My favorite spot in Santa Cruz. Both locations are consistently good and quick. They are practicing social distancing and enforcing masks be worn. Corn quesadillas are always the go too! Enjoy

Absolutely love this place. The pinto beans in the quesadillas are so good and the salsa is amazing.

Great food at a great price. Customer service always with a smile! I love the Capitola location - grab a burrito and finish your laundry!

Don't trust the low star reviews; I went through many of them and they are mostly either non-mexicans, lack a palate, or are just foolishly picky and entitled. The most IMPORTANT thing that I can about this place: They are authentic mexicans, meaning they don't cook with that much salt and fat which to the over-fatt'ed and over-salted American palates means "no flavor". Not hating on the other mexican food places, they are good too, but this place is legit in the way most people accustomed to mexican food places catering to the American palate will not understand (or be able to taste). They cook the way they did before the United States and Mexico became the fattest nations in the world. They use cabbage and boiled pinto beans. They grill flour tortillas and steam their corn tortillas. But they are still tasty! I love the chicken and carne asada tacos and burritos. Their salsa is really tasty and fresh. I take off one star cause they are a little pricey and yea you will bite into some cartilage here and there; realness means consistency sometimes suffers. But whatever, they are honest and no frills.

Love this place. There are only two taquerias I will go to in this area.. this is one of them. They have the best lengua in Santa Cruz and their tacos are phatty! The line is usually out the door but over the weekend I caught them during a lull. Lucky lucky! They are cash only and limited seating but worth it.

This is my favorite place for burritos. I always get the pastor super burrito. I get two salsa's and I eat it with lime and salt. No rice is what makes this the best burrito. This is a local family owned business, it's good to support locally owned buisness! My order is always correct, and they are fast! Seriously, this place has the best burritos in town!

I haven't been here in a while. Came to have lunch today. I order a corn quesadilla. It was delicious. I love there salsa!!! The front cashier Brian is super sweet!

Even though I love mission-style burritos with rice, Tacos Moreno make the most delicious burritos in Santa Cruz, hands down. They make chili verde with beef which is super unusual but extra delicious. The meat is always tender and juicy. The only way it tastes better is when you add beer and baseball. Still a great value too, but don't forget to bring cash.

Best burritos in the history of burritos. I grew up in SC and whenever I go back to visit I have to grab myself a chicken burrito with cheese and go sit on west cliff to eat it overlooking the ocean. I usually grab one or two to go when I'm leaving town so I have burritos for a couple days.

Really disappointed by my chile and bbq beef tacos here. Popped by for lunch and there was no wait. I was surprised that the tacos were over $4 each, and even more so when I saw what few toppings they came with. Who puts pinto beans and cabbage on a taco? The menu board said that they should have come with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, but mine did not. If you need to request those, then it should be stated on the menu. The tortilla was alright, but one of the beef tacos was bland, and the toppings were just bad. The salsa in a squeeze bottle in the table barely helped. I will check out a different taco spot next time I'm in Santa Cruz.

A SC institution, although hit and miss lately depending on who is building burritos. Spread the ingredients out, instead of slap slap. Don't like to hunt to find my guacamole on one end and sour cream at the other when going supreme. Otherwise great family owned business I'd like to support at premium to go prices.