Tarros Mexican Restaurant and Bar - Santa Cruz, California

Jeri Gintert

We stopped in for dinner before a Warriors game. Service was great! The food took center stage. I tried the green enchiladas and my husband the flautas. Both were amazing! Enchiladas had just the right amount of kick. Lots of local beer choices. We will definitely be returning!

Kathy Escott

Very impressive! We came here expecting standard pub fare, having enjoyed so many evenings at 99 bottles. But this is different. Not only do they have a good selection of local beers and wines, but the food is culinary artistry.

We shared the buttermilk fried chicken and Korean mixed rice. The chicken was done to perfection, moist and lightly crispy, with a sweet and spicy chutney-style sauce. On the plate was a very nice spring salad, topped with fennel and sliced nectarine. Excellent.

The Korean fried rice showed creativity and originality, while keeping an authentic flair with gochujang (I've been eating my Mom's Korean food all my life). Pulled brisket was mixed with the rice to create a lightly crispy texture and meaty flavor. Pickled radishes and sprigs of cilantro added brightness to the dish.

On to the service. Bryson was very friendly and professional, making our experience all the better. He seemed genuinely personable.

Santa Cruz has a gem in this place. We can't wait to go back and try something else, and encourage everybody to go check it out.

Porschephilia

Been twice in about a 2 week span, and impressed both times. Dishes sampled include the chili verde bowl, poutine, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy. Definitely as good as anything I’ve had in town for this type of food. Actual drumstick and thigh for the chicken and waffles, not a boneless breast or chicken tender as one most often encounters around here. On that note, they do do a very good job with their chicken, the chicken called in the chili Verde bowl was also excellent.

Very good beer and wine selection as well including a Lambrusco which is generally hard to find.

Now, if only they could get a hard alcohol license and do cocktails…

Shahram Mehraban

Visited this gem in downtown San Jose for a second time. Had dinner around 6:30 and all the booths were taken. They have a few tables outside too which is nice during summer. Last time here I tried the pork shoulder tacos. This time around I ordered their soba noodles. They are served warm in a small bowl for $23. The combination of heat and sweetness was amazing and the chicken and brussel sprouts really nicely complement each other. My only complaint is that the dish was too oily and it doesn’t need to be. They can use 50% less oil as otherwise it’s an amazing dish. Even though the bowl seemed small for a hungry guy, I left feeling full.

Rob Lentz

Awesome service from Inga, our bartender. She was super friendly, knowledgeable about everything available on tap and bottle, and had a great handle on what was coming out of the kitchen. Some really great appetizers on the menu, and the broccolini was delicious.

Renee Fenker

Excellent food, very flavorful and portions are worth the price. Service was great. Good beer choices, clean space. Great variety on the menu.

Mrs. Sprague

Great little spot downtown Santa Cruz! Hip spot with great food. Highly recommend!! Lots of comfort food with great flavor.

lucia curley

the place was fun but me and my family ended up waiting an hour for our food. they had 5 staff members, one of which had to be called in as backup during their rush hour. the food was pretty good, but they didn’t create the brisket and fried rice mild or put the bacon on the side of the kids mac and cheese. they definitely needed more than one hostess, one waitress, one bartender and two cooks for their rush hour