De La Hacienda Taqueria

354 Washington St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
+1 831-427-2200
$$$ Mexican restaurant , Family restaurant , Fast food restaurant , Latin American restaurant , Restaurant , Taco restaurant , Vegan restaurant , Vegetarian restaurant
(678 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

De La Hacienda Taqueria sits quietly along Washington Street in Santa Cruz, offering a straightforward, family-run Mexican dining spot that feels comfortably local without the fuss. This isn’t a flashy or trendy restaurant, but a solid option for anyone craving hearty, authentic Mexican dishes served in generous portions—particularly popular with families and regulars driving in from nearby communities like Felton.

The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, with colorful, folk-art style murals adding a warm, lived-in character to the space. The vibe leans toward a casual lunchtime or early dinner stop rather than a late-night hangout, with many young locals and families picking up food to-go. You’ll often find it a quiet pause in the middle of Santa Cruz’s busier streets, making it a refreshing spot for those wanting a no-pressure meal.

The menu focuses on classic Mexican staples with some vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, making it accessible to a range of diets. The Super Burrito, carne asada tacos, and carnitas come up frequently as crowd-pleasers, while homemade salsas add a customizable touch to every dish. Portion sizes are notably large, which suits anyone with a big appetite or those looking to share or save some for later. The kitchen’s family roots are evident—the kind of place where grandparents might be quietly working behind the scenes, lending a sense of continuity and care.

Service here tends to be efficient and friendly without feeling rushed. Visitors appreciate the straightforward, welcoming interaction with staff who seem genuinely connected to the community. For those seeking spice, the food tends to stay on the milder side but balances flavors well, focusing on satisfying rather than fiery dishes.

This spot works best for folks seeking a quick, substantial, and comforting meal rooted in traditional Mexican flavors. It’s ideal for local families, young professionals running errands, or travelers wanting a taste of Santa Cruz’s local dining culture beyond the usual tourist stops. Visiting during the early evening or at lunch time tends to provide the smoothest experience—when the kitchen hums steadily and the casual buzz of other diners creates a friendly, easygoing environment.

Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

678 Reviews
Kristina Nielsen

25 Dec 2025

We love eating at this place. We drive down from Felton to eat here all the time. They have super good carnitas and taco salad and basically everything. Plus the artwork on the walls is super cool and it’s been a family owned local business forever

Gustavo Gomes

21 Dec 2025

I went to this place given the WSL detour cities where they’ve recommended De La Hacienda as the best burrito out of many in California. I ordered the carne Asada and it was good, big enough and with some great salsas you can add. The meat had a few nerves, making it not the best in my taste, but overall it was a great local burrito shop. I would recommend for anyone visiting Santa Cruz.

Sharon Taylor

20 Dec 2025

Service here was very friendly and efficient. Portion sizes were huge and very reasonably priced. Standout dishes were definitely the cheese nachos, carnitas corn quesadilla and carne asada soft taco. The alpastor flour quesadilla was very oily which is the only reason for the 4 stars. Overall, we would definitely return for this food.

Carol Platt

12 Dec 2025

My son just moved nearby. I knew there would be times he wouldn't be able to have time to grocery shop, and as a mom, I always imagine an empty frig. We stopped by, and this lovely restaurant will be the saving grace. The food is amazing, and the portions are large enough for a ravenous young man. The food came amazing fast, and many young patrons take food to go. Alex is very kind and keeps the lobby spotless. I'm so happy we found De LA Hacienda Taqueria !

Carl O'Neil

02 Dec 2025

Authentic, beautiful, family run taqueria. Loved our smothered burrito and chimi! Al Pastor was great. Grandparents cooking for you in the kitchen. Quiet little oasis in the middle of Santa Cruz. Nothing really "spicy" but everything really tasty.

Hamett Nawabi

15 Nov 2025

I loved this family owned great little Mexican restaurant. The food was delicious the service was awesome and the atmosphere was great. If you're ever in Santa Cruz and you're craving for some good Mexican food, this is the place. I had the chimichanga, and it was amazing. Highly recommend it

Paweł Kamiński

23 Oct 2025

One of my to-go places when I’m hungry in Santa Cruz. I’m vegetarian and there are many vegetarian options available. Really love the food! Especially love the vegetarian nachos.

John V

19 Sep 2025

A great taqueria with fresh made delicious Mexican food. We had the vegan burritos filled with beans, cabbage and avocado. The salsa is very tasty and in the hotter side. I prefer the red over the green. The chips are crispy and not greasy like a lot of taquerias. They have a nice selection of beverages including Mexican Coke. I had the mineral water and it was refreshing. They have a decent amount of indoor seating and a few tables out back. Service was great and the owner Alex making sure everything runs smoothly. I would highly reco

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