The Sandtrap

If you want a real Mexican dining and food experience, you must try this place! The staff were incredibly welcoming and provided the best hospitality. The environment was lovely. Very spacious, relaxing, and scenic. This is a hidden gem away from the tourist spots. Worth the walk to here. Thank you to the staff and cooks for serving my daughter the mojarra she has been craving ❤️

What a lovely and delicious stop on our golf cart toodle! I had the skinny ghost pepper margarita, the others had beer and buffalo milk! The ceviche was spot on and fresh as were the tacos! If I didn’t know better it felt like a cool beach bar in Mexico! Be sure to hit up this spot on your golf cart scenic drive!

The Sandtrap – Catalina’s Hidden Taco Treasure (No Sand in Your Chips, Promise) I visit Catalina Island at least twice a year & The Sandtrap is always on the must do list. Eat, watch t.v. (only one), relax, & chill. Tucked a scenic 15-30 minute walk from the bustling town center (or a breezy 7-minute joyride by golf cart—don’t forget: sip, don’t drive!), this spot is a legit hidden gem for locals, students, and cruisers alike. And guess what? They get you. Specials for cruise-goers? Check. Student deals for the nearby school crowd? Double check. Happy hour? Triple taco check. Let’s taco ‘bout the food. I only sampled the fish taco and chips & salsa, but wow—¡qué auténtico! The fish taco had a good flavor within the Baja expected. The chips? Fresh-made daily, a rare flex. They were thicker than I usually like, but still hit the spot when dunked in that zesty, made-from-scratch salsa. The aroma of grilled carne asada was absent so I didn't try the tacos. I'm from San Diego so it's hard to try meat tacos from other places unless I know for certain. I chatted with friendly customers and they too delighted in their meal choices with accolades. The vibe? Open-air beauty. Shaded by trees or sheltered by actual structures, it’s a spot where your margarita gets a little extra glow from the Catalina sun. Seating choices abound: bar, table, or those high-top seats that let you sip and spy on passing golf carts. Full bar, clean restrooms, mobile-accessible, and full of the kind of warm service that makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years—even if it’s your first time. INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Catalina’s got a couple other Mexican joints near the center, I’d steer you away from them with a firm flick of my tortilla. The Sandtrap? This eatery is solid—no gimmicks and no regrets, generally. Whether you're a curious tourist, hungry hiker, golf cart adventurer, or just someone who knows a good taco when they see one—The Sandtrap is your Catalina calling.

Decent stop on our e-bike tour. $2 happy hour tacos starting at 2pm but be forewarned: there's only one order taker, and the line gets LONG.

Great spot for tacos — carne asada, pollo, carnitas, & chorizo were all delicious. They were $2 each during happy hour from 2-7 PM. Their horchata rice milk and cinnamon drink is refreshing and freshly made. Margaritas are also top notch. Easily within walking distance from the beach. Supremely chill atmosphere with little birds cleaning up crumbs on the ground.

$2 Happy hour tacos 2-6 daily !! Right across the street from the Catalina golf course. Great service, fun open environment. Hit the botanical gardens then come back for victory beers & tacos. Everything I love 💕

Good food and great happy hour deals. Nice spot that’s kinda tucked away behind the business of the front streets of Avalon. Great staff.

AMAZING SERVICE! Happy hour they offer House margaritas which were good. They offer Gin & Juice by Snoop and Dr. Dre in 4 flavors. Pricing of drinks was reasonable for the portions. The breakfast burrito was TERRIFIC!!!!! The size, flavor, and portions were perfect. Adding sausage and bacon to the burrito with the potatoes and eggs was everything. The French toast had a nice flavor to it as well.

Yess had the soft tacos. Had the crunchy tacos. My parents loved it We loved the margarita jar! Love how the bar tender makes it there infront of your wyes and then we took it to our table and enjoyed it! Amazing and quick service wven tho it was full. Love it

Like the Buffalo Nickel, the Sand Trap is another restaurant I have passed (driving a golf cart) about a hundred times but had never been there. Also, like the Buffalo Nickel, the Sand Trap's menu leans hard toward Mexican food. I didn't realize it was only a very easy 10 minute walk from the main drag in Avalon. They have a large outdoor patio with a bar in the back. You order at a little window at the front entrance. The breakfast menu is extremely long and they stop serving breakfast at 11:30 a.m. We went with four different types of tacos: shrimp, carnitas, chicken, and al pastor. Believe it or not, I think the chicken taco was the best. The tortillas appeared to be freshly-made, which is a plus. I thought the tacos were fine but not spectacular. Two tacos per person is probably the right amount. I did see some other folks eating tortas and a massive Mexican shrimp cocktail. I probably ordered wrong. They seemed to know what they were doing. They probably offer 15 different different beers but I don't think any of them are on draft. The Sand Trap is a nice, extremely casual place to sit in the sun and have a decent taco and a beer. Keep your expectations in check.

My husband and I recently stopped in Avalon while on a cruise. He wanted to check out the golf course and had heard about a restaurant across the street. We decided to have lunch there. We shared a chile verde burrito. It was HUGE! We almost ate the whole thing between the two of us. It was very good. The salsa was fantastic! One of my best friends told me that she loves their margaritas. Will definitely try a margarita next time!

The Sand Trap is a must do in Catalina - especially if you're coming from a long hike. The happy hour has $2 tacos which are super good. The carnitas may have been the best I've ever had. There was some spice profile I cannot pinpoint but is definitely the perfect addition. And they have so much more including veggie burgers to satisfy anyone's cravings.

Went hiking up Hermits gulch and Wrigley memorial then stopped here for lunch on the way back. There's covered open seating outside with a view of the golf course and indoor area. You order at the window then they bring it to you. Got the ceviche tostada and fish taco. Both were cooked well and delicious. My friend got a turkey sandwich which he liked. Another got the chicken verde burrito which my friend said the chicken was dry and overcooked. He couldn't eat it. We returned for HH $2 tacos. The carnitas were good but the chorizo tasted weird and the chicken was dry and overcooked as well. The food was a mixed bag. I would not order any of the chicken in the future.

Large portions but definitely island pricing. It's almost a shack with outdoor seating. The food was tasty and it came out quick. We were 5 mins until breakfast ended, so super excited to still fit in breakfast food.

*FOOD* Highly recommend the Al Pastor tacos. The meat is in a nice sauce that makes it very moist. I don't even think the guacamole on top was needed - I scraped most of mine off - even though I love my guac! The meat alone carried enough flavor for me. The tacos were hearty and two filled me up for lunch. *DRINKS* They offer a pretty large drink menu. My friends ordered the buffalo milk - a Catalina classic - and I ordered the Lava Flow. Drinks were typical beach bar drinks - had your same premade fruit mix-ins and flavorings. We all enjoyed our drinks - and they weren't too steep in price. *SERVICE* Food came fast - about five minutes - after we ordered at the window. After ordering at the window, they'll give you a number and bring your food over to your table. There were ample areas for us to sit on a Sunday afternoon. *AMBIANCE* I loved how low-key and quiet this spot was. I was shocked walking in to so many open tables after reading such raving reviews. I'm sure it does help that they're a few minute walk from the main oceanside strip.

We just missed the breakfast hours and could not get the breakfast burrito so we settled for the Chile Verde burritos with carnitas. I didn't realize it was a wet burrito, but it was pretty good. The complimentary chips and salsa were great. This place is definitely worth stopping by for some Mexican food.

Stopped by today on our way back from walking up to the Wrigley Memorial. They have a very extensive menu and we figured we would stop for dinner. I ordered the carne asada torta and my husband ordered the turkey and Swiss. Our food was just ok. The meat used for the carne asada was thin and hard to take a bite without pulling the entire piece out of the bread. usually carne asada is cut up but even when it's not, the steak itself is a bit thicker than what was used in the torta. Also, the meat itself was not grilled. The fires that came with it were good. My husband's turkey and Swiss was made with regular sandwich bread and didn't really have much turkey on it. Maybe we just ordered 2 items that were just ok from the menu. The service was quick and friendly, but we would probably not be returning.

Food had great taste! Service was top notch! Place was very clean and awesome! Super recommend it !

On our hunt for lunch, we found this beautiful local place which serves amazing food. We had tacos, fish fry and fried tacos whose original name I forgot but is served with rice and beans. Though the rice and beans were not to my taste, the fried was my absolute favourite. It was deeply fried and fresh. We had couple of margaritas. The place is extremely affordable and the service is great and friendly. The owner got us this spicy sauce which was not on the menu because we were craving for real spice.

Okay! We have been coming here for at least 10 years. The tacos actually were 75 ¢, then $1, Now $2. We have seen the family grow up as well; that own the establishment. So here is a real review for you. Tacos are great. You can order chicken, chorizo, ground beef, and carnitas for the $2.00. For those of you used to California SALTY food, you will not find it--add salt. The food is an authentic style. They come with salsa, one, and limes, one each. REMEMBER, you are on an island where things are more expensive to deilver!!! The will charge 50¢ for an extra half of lime or $1 for a whole one. They are not a charity and there pricing is fair. PLUS great drink pricing as the pictures will show. We had chicken tacos, with HOT salsa, but I am used to ghost pepper sauce so it was not hot for me! Children had carnitas. I also had a shrimp taco (not happy hour) it was fabulous. Wife also had a fish taco (and she is a Tapatia; LOVED it. Beer is cold! And lots of variety. FULL bar for those that want more. This time I took pictures of others enjoying--and a CURRENT price menu. BTW they have a great breakfast and lunch menu!!! Service was great, and the owner's daughter friendly...When they are busy of course they have to move faster and may not chat as much. Nice and breezy, with shade and sun. So.....there is a picture of a grandmother and her two granddaughters. They were there for grandpa's birthday. The love the food...see their smiles? I talked to them a lot and they were happy with their choice at the Sand Trap. The other table were just there eating. This guy had a fantastic beard and smile...like out of movie. All of them loved the variety of food they chose. The last is of the bartender. Say HELLO to this guy when you are there. He remembered us from all past times...He has a little more gray hair now, but as friendly as ever...having South American ancestry, we argued over the way to order... I said "pido," he said "quiero." Loved the banter!!! We agreed to disagree--due to age ( I am older, and dialectal usage...bit still fun!). YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE!!! Leave your conceptions behind and enjoy "comida autentica."

Yesss. Good breakfast and lunch. Love the bar in the back and the window to order food in the front. Good vibes all around. Yummy drinks

The Sandtrap, as you'd expect, is across from the golf course. They are a super easy walk from the "hustle and bustle" of the town. They are known for their 2 pm to 7 pm Happy Hour, see pic, taco and beer specials. You'll place your order through the order window and they'll bring it to you. On this morning, the service was prompt. This is an outdoor dining, patio, only restaurant. There was plenty of shade. It was nice that in the afternoons, the sun sets behind you as you face the golf course. While the views are limited, it still has a great outdoor feeling.

Looking for a good spot for happy hour on Catalina,, I would recommend trying this spot.

*FOOD* Ate there twice while golfing. Basic mexican fare, and separate owner from golf course. Chips were great, tacos ok, guacamole no good, traditional mexican salsa ok, served hot salsa verde very hot. After ordering a $88 of food for a family with kids 4, the cashier could have mentioned the Happy Hour with $2 tacos, learned after the fact, and wanted $ for soda refills, and only offered tap water. Unfortunately my experience reminded me of a tourist trip because of the people who ran the place, and got soem attitude, which reminded me of a lot of the attitude of the current Catalinians. Sorry Mr. Wrigley *DRINKS* Happy hour, good prices *SERVICE* Food came fast - when asked I questions, the cashiers didnt care, they probably own the place. I almost asked for my tip back just on principal. *AMBIANCE* Great open spot, but bathrooms and wash areas I felt were dirty. As they say, dirty bathrooms, dirty kitchen....

This place was recommended to us on our first date and we had such a great time that on our year anniversary we came back. Pedro makes some delicious drinks. Roberto the owner is the kindest soul. It's a great place to go chill with locals. Have some great drinks and yummy food.

Tacos from happy hour menu was pretty good for Catalina. Service was definitely questionable, it's quite different from my first trip. Sad to say the rain must have made some folks moody. Ambience was cool, that across the street from the golf course. Seems to be a Poppin spot but not my vibe.

Low key, much less crowded than all of the restaurants on the waterfront. Cool and affordable local spot with great service. Also amazing tacos

This is an island gem. Reasonable and delicious. A great happy hour too.the outdoor patio is simple and perfect

THE BEST tacos in Catalina with some of the friendliest staff. We got the shrimp, tilapia, carne asada and Carnitas tacos and absolutely loved them all. They all come with a hot sauce, pico de gallo and lime wedge. Perfectly spiced. Delicious! Delicious! Delicious! They also have a bar right by the seating area. The place is conveniently located across to the golf course so great views from the restaurant. Outdoor seating is very quaint and charming!

THE BEST tacos in Catalina with some of the friendliest staff. We got the shrimp, tilapia, carne asada and Carnitas tacos and absolutely loved them all. They all come with a hot sauce, pico de gallo and lime wedge. Delicious! Delicious! Delicious! They also have a bar right by the seating area. The place is conveniently located across to the golf course so great views from the restaurant. Outdoor seating is very quaint and charming!

This spot was the "Spot" back in the day! Came back with my family and hyped this place up! Memories of yummy food and all the local pride and love made me force the squad to make the walk off the beaten path! But, it's not the same, not the food or the passion and feeling. Ohhh those shredded turkey tacos and salsa! Ohhh how I missed those! And today- I was not going to have any- nor the other 3 people that came with me! Those turkey tacos where chopped up lunch meat with a side or soup beans and tomato rice! I'd keep the mouth watering memories- as just those and skip this little place!

I usually have breakfast here while camping. Good portions. Sometimes I stop for their happy hour tacos and beer. Relaxing outdoor seating. This is the place if you want casual and away from the sit down restaurants and crowds in town.

Still amazing! Still our favorite! I honestly could sit on the patio all day, ordering food and margaritas until they made me leave, but they're so nice I don't know if they would Go here. Do yourself a favor, and just go, order anything, and relax.

This place is huge but very poor service. This place has a lot of potential but the menu is not great. We had the chilaquiles and I think I just ate it because I was hungry.

This place is mainly for locals. It's not a fancy place but food and drinks were decent enough with much better prices than the restaurants on the strip. We came in for breakfast, full bar was a big plus for me to eat here. I had Modelo michelada and mimosa, hubby had Patron margarita and the drinks were great pours. For breakfast food we all had omelettes. My mushroom and spinach omelette was pretty bland but the salsa made it better. I liked the potatoes though. Hubby's chorizo omelette looked much better than mine. I recommend this place If you don't mind the super casual outdoor seatings. Service was not bad and they have happy hour from 2-7 everyday. Our condo is just up the hills from this place so we will try to come here for drinks and tacos often in the future!

Good service, ambiance is nice and fresh and food comes fast. However food is not good. Subpar at best 3/5 meals were a bit tasteless the others were okay. Definitely not coming back for lunch however breakfast looks promising! Will be coming back in to try bfast as redemption.

Affordable for the area. It is outside of the Front street buzz by the golf course on the way to Wrigley Botanical Gardens. Good amount of meat but I could have used more seasonings. I had a burrito which surprisingly was served flat. Happy hour includes two dollar tacos. All outside seating with one section more sheltered but felt cave like.

Great local spot to get some Mexican food away from the tourists. Would definitely come back again

Tacos were pretty good, had carnitas, ground beef and chicken, the margaritas were basic, super sweet, not much tequila, but overall, it was worth the walk from the main drag.

Love their food and service. Family owned restaurant on island and they share the love with everyone that comes.

We had a fantastic breakfast off the cruise ship! Came early so not busy but don't let that scare you away. The chilaquiles with chicken and eggs was the best I've ever had. My husband had machaca scramble with warm tortillas and he was pleased as well. I requested hotter salsa with my chips and it was definitely hotter. Nice view of the golf course and only a 1/2 mile walk from the pier. If I ever make it back to Catalina I'm coming to see Veronica at the Sandrrap!

Chorizo omelette was so good! Open at 9am just a 10 min walk from the shops. Walk up to window and order. Michelada was also good.

My husband and myself agreed that this place is the best hidden gem to eat! We have been coming back here and the food is delicious! Everything we have tried is amazing!! The people that work here are so friendly and we will always come here for breakfast and lunch!! Highly recommended!!!

Great Happy Hour that's off the beaten path away from the main street area. Best part is that it's everyday from 2 to 7 pm! A bit of a walk, but worth the trek to see some other highlights up here such as the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens.

Really amazing Mexican food! I'm glad I stopped by. The workers are super friendly. I ordered pastor tacos. They were delicious! The meat was super flavorful. I'm always a little scared to order pastor because it's a hit or a miss! But this place had great flavor! My only regret is not ordering more. I also saw they had plenty of drink options! Even Mexican coke and jarritos! I was in heaven. If you see the jarritos brand, get the mandarin soda flavor! You won't be disappointed! I will definitely come back to the sand trap if I'm in the area :)

Hole in the wall next to the golf course, about a 10 minute walk from the water. Super casual and only patio seating. Order at the window and food is delivered quickly. Nice option to avoid the touristy crowd in town.

After 2 pm, they have a $2 taco special that's fun! Full bar too. The burgers and fries are tasty too.

I was rolling in a party of 10. We were all a little upside-down from the bumpy ride to the island, so a satisfying meal was in order for the day's events. I called ahead, as it was Sunday at 11am and our party was big. They answered the phone and were very friendly. Said we would have to sit at separate tables, but there was no wait. When we arrived, the menu was at the gate, signs for masks were posted, and a line was formed to place our orders at the walk-up window. There we were greeted by the friendly lady taking our orders. She gave us all recommendations for whatever we inquired, which is greatly appreciated. As 11:30am approached and breakfast was coming to an end, she came out and asked everyone in line who wanted to order breakfast before they switched to lunch. That warmed my heart to see them go above and beyond for their customers. Drinks were given to us at the counter with our table number and while we waited at our tables, we enjoyed the beautiful views and music with a beer, as they have a bar on the patio. Our food came out after a bit of a wait, which I attribute to the breakfast/lunch transition - No biggie! The food was hot and fresh with good flavor. I ordered the huevos rancheros, which came with a side of tortillas and potatoes. So good! The salsa was fresh and good, eggs cooked perfectly, and all the wet goodness was absorbed by the seasoned potatoes, making it an epic first meal to balance my tummy from the motion of the ocean. The portions were huge as well! My partner had machaca nachos and he felt like he could demolish the whole thing, but homie barely made a dent. Everyone in our party was STUFFED and satisfied by the quantity and quality of food. Everything here was served fresh and delicious. When we were finished, we cleaned up after ourselves and were on our way. I would definitely return here for the hospitality and comfort food while visiting.

The Mexican food smelled amazing. The chips and salsa were very good. The outdoor patio dining is fun. Food is great, drinks are strong and it's great sitting outside in the sun, they do have umbrellas.

It was good for the happy hour special it was on.. The chicken and beef tacos is two dollars each. I would want to come back and try to go for breakfast. Next time!

Came with the BF for happy hour on a Tuesday. We loved the low key atmosphere and the cheap eats. The $2 tacos (carnitas, ground beef, and chicken) were tasty and the nachos (not part of the happy hour deal) were enourmous! On an island that caters completely to tourists, The Sand Trap feels like a local hangout, a diamond in the rough. In terms of COVID precautions, all guests must wear a mask when entering or exiting. All servers wear masks and only the outdoor eating areas were open when we went per LA County regulations.

The food is absolutely disgusting and going with group of nonpicky eaters, everyone hated the food. The food feels old and I'm anticipating to be absolutely sick for the next two days from the food. The only good thing was the chips and salsa, which they didn't even have to make. My mom said that's she'd rather die than take another bite of the food.

Cute quiet spot. For breakfast, no vegan options for meals, I ordered the potatoes and beans (the "refried" beans don't have lard). Order and pay up at the front.

I love the food. The prices are good. You must try the carne asada it is delicious. I like the indoor/outdoor seating space as well. Not far from the beach.

I could literally NOT care less that this place has like 47 health violations, if it's a hole in the wall, I want it. After trekking up towards the hills, we took a quick right and crossed right into Mexico. We ordered the crevice tostada and the salsa verde burrito and my god, it was probably the best burrito I've ever had. We also got Adios Mothers from the bar and woo, you definitely get what you pay for. Just go, you won't regret it.

Best Al Pastor tacos! Fresh homemade guacamole and tortilla chips - as good as I have ever had! Such friendly and efficient service! Walk up to the window to order and they'll bring the yummy food to your table! The view of the golf course is so relaxing! The chili relleno platter was perfect! Made ready to order! It's worth the walk up from town! Happy hour starts at 2 pm! $5 imported beers and even cheaper domestic beers! Don't miss this hidden treasure of a place!

Five minutes walk from town center. Less touristy. Saw some local firemen eating lunch there. Pleasant outdoor tables. You order at cashier and they bring the food when ready. The food and bar are separate with their own cashiers. The burrito I had was ok. During the happy hour, can have $6 descent lime margaritas!

FALSE advertising. Place is not very clean. This place is next to the golf course and not down in the middle of town by the water. We were staying at the Holiday Inn, so it was close to get some quick grub. Saw their big banner outside for $1 tacos for happy hour and went in to order some, only to be told they are no longer doing that and the same tacos are $2 each. Since we were hungry we ordered a few of those. They came out pretty quick, but were super tiny, I ate 3 and was still hungry. The meat was stringy and of a low quality cut. The kitchen didn't look too clean. The outdoor patio area is nice to sit at overlooking the golf course. Overall, not all that great.