La Super-Rica Taqueria

The original gourmet taco shop on Milpas in Santa Barbara - - and still the best. Have been enjoying their food during each and every visit to set up Barbara for over 35 years.

NEVER HAD A BAD MEAL, naturally.

Always fresh, surprisingly, fast, and so tasty that you forget it's not a fancy restaurant - - yet that covered patio atmosphere is still delightful, and allows the fresh air to emphasize the flavors of this delicious and authentic joint!

A lot of the same staff have been working here since like forever. They're always friendly, welcoming and helpful no matter how busy they are! Thank you all very much for taking excellent care of your patrons.
I love the beans, taco de chorizo, taco de chile con queso with a cold Modelo Especial or a Mexican Coke. The salsa bar always has fresh and tasty options. I usually get a couple of things to go and always some fresh, made in house corn tortillas.
I love La Super Rica!

Cash only ‼ a road trip to Santa Barbara had us pretty hungry and curious to see what Santa Barbara brought to the table. After a quick search, La Super Rica Taqueria was the obvious choice. Both locally loved, and a must for Tourists, we were in.

As you near the little blue house in the corner, you'll be at awe of the line that curls around. You'll hear the chatter of people reminding each other that the establishment is cash-only. Thankfully, there's a nearby CVS about 5 minutes of a walking distance that saved our day.

Taco de Chuleta - grilled pork served on two corn tortillas
$3.25

Taco de Adobado - gritted marinated pork served on two corn tortillas
$3.25

Frijol Super-Rica - pinto beans cooked with chorizo, bacon, chile with tortillas
$9.95

Super-Rica Especial - roasted chile pasilla, cheese and marinated pork, on 3 tortillas
$9.95

Love looking for and finding good eats. It's definitely hit or miss. Enjoy the hits. And with the misses, I can at least say - been there, done that. My/our experience was the latter.

We found street parking. Non-metered. It was a block away but not complaining when its free. I didn't see a parking lot. Just a short line out the door.

Order. Find a seat. Wait for your number to be called. If it's busy - find seating while someone places the order. It was pretty full when we got there. But we got there at the tail end of the rush. Just about empty when we left. No table service. I wouldn't say the seating area is indoors or out. It's like a covered, enclosed addition. See pics or go and you'll know what I mean.

We split #16 (Super-Rica Especial) and a tamale (Tamal Norteno de Puerco). I won't say it was bad - but for the both of us, it just didn't hit the spot. Didn't impress us. Short of saying it was bland, even after adding salsa - I felt like something was missing. The wow factor.

Been there. Done that

**February 2024: Saturday Evening Visit**

I was super excited to try a highly praised shop strongly endorsed by Julia Child, but on my visit it was very underwhelming. My friend and I split a $16, which is the most popular item there as well as a pork tamale. While the tamale was moist it was pretty bland and the star of the show #16 (Super-Rica Especial) wasn't memorable. I felt like the cheese drowned out the meat and while the tortilla was good, it was overpowered by the other ingredients. My friend and I split it and I didn't finish my half and instead decided to check out another restaurant instead.

Thankfully on my visit I didn't have to wait too long to order and eat as we came pretty late in the day. The next day, my friend and I drove by and there was a long line out the door.

It's a no for me.

If you have been in Santa Barbara Since the 89's you have been to La Super Rica Same owner are look and same great food. Although I do wonder what happened to number two in the menu.

I have multiple Items and you just can not go wrong Tacos tamales and so much more. This is real family style Mexican. If you looking for fancy it's a no. Dine inside or out Limited parking on site so street parking. Expect a line. And cash only. Limited beers and soft drinks. I have been here twice in one week

Yummy lunch spot of authentic Mexican food.

The host thanked us for coming to their business and made delicious recommendations.

There are outside picnic tables and sufficient indoor dining tables.

I've been told it was one of Julia Child's favorite locations. I see why... Enjoy a meal sometime soon!

Julia Childs' favorite taqueria? Say no more...it's a must try for us.

We rolled up around 2:30pm on a Saturday thinking that it was mid afternoon the weekend after Thanksgiving, so who would be eating then? Oh so wrong. The line was about 20 deep and was pretty much a slow crawl the entire hour we were in line (they also had one person slowly taking orders and maybe three in the back cooking). An hour and 15 minutes later, we got our food:

- Pineapple cucumber agua fresca: Refreshing and light. 4/5
- Super rica especial: Pretty bland pork and chiles. Lots of spicy pico de gallo and the salsas helped liven it up. This was pretty disappointing given this dish is the restaurant's namesake. 2.5/5
- Vegetable Chile relleno: Solid. This has a good amount of flavor, melty cheese and a variety of veggies: 3.75/5
- Coconut tomalito: It was a bit dry with shredded coconut throughout for a light sweetness. Something different that we've never tried. 3/5

Not sure what the prices per item were because the specials didn't have any prices listed and we never got a receipt.

Don't come here if you're hoping for a quick in and out! It probably won't happen, at least not on weekends at any time of the day.

Tried this place Because we heard of all the amazing reviews! We waited in line for over an hour and the staff was really sweet. They take your order and then you wait after they call your number. The wait was pretty long -- would've loved if the food was a little bit less salty. The tamale was good but the tacos weren't our favorite. The meat was salty and tough. The homemade tortillas were a plus!

Not much I can say about this place that hasn't been said yet. It's just that good.
Love their tamales and tacos especially the tacos de rajas which isn't always available everywhere.
The spicy bean gordita is yummy as well.