Jalapenos Taqueria

I am currently shedding one tear, as this place makes me quite nostalgic for my UCSC days. Jalapenos, I tried to be healthy and get the vegan burritos with black beans, but your delicious refried beans, cheese, and sour cream were always calling my name. The way the green of the cilantro leeched into the sour cream, tinting and flavoring it slightly, made you that much more savory. At first, I wasn’t sure about you. Being from Southern California, I like my taquerias a little on the dirty side. I like a place where you order at an outside window and kind of worry about who might be coming up behind you at night. I thought Northern California Mexican joints had too much of a… How shall I put this? too much of a «wholesome vibe,» I guess. I don’t just mean «wholesome» in the clean, decent sense of the word either. I mean it in the nourishing sense of the word. I used to think Nor Cal Mexican food was just too healthy. When I picture Mexican food, I picture it Sonoran style with fatty refried beans and giant gobs of melting cheese. I don’t want stir-​fried squash or broccoli or anything of the sort in my burrito. I don’t want anything made of whole wheat, nor do I want a tomato red or spinach green tortilla. That’s for sissies. Jalapenos, you turned my world around and made me realize that Northern Californians should be allowed to have taquerias too and for that, I am a better, more tolerant person. We’ll always have Santa Cruz. Sniff…

Like Bradley, this also was the first taqueria I had ever eaten at when I first arrived in Santa Cruz in ’98. It was OK; I went back a few times. But, honestly, I’ve been around the Santa Cruz taqueria block a few times and this is probably the bottom of my list. The meats are pretty icky and there’s nothing really special about anything they put together. I definitely wouldn’t waste my time, but I suppose it’s edible.
:)

This is the first taqueria I ever ate at in Santa Cruz. The food here is really average, but it’s cheap and filling. I can’t really argue with that, and neither can a hungry tummy. The interior of this place is kind of nasty. Hard benches and mexican-​themed tile tables with super wide grout make for an unpleasant dining atmosphere. To top things off, the restaurant is so poorly ventilated that every time you step in there, it’s like walking into a sauna. Which may in fact be a good thing on an icy snow-​laden winter day. Oh wait…
That said, there aren’t too many food options here, the service is barely adequate, and you’re lucky if they actually serve you what you order.
INSIDER TIP: Always –always– make sure to open up your to go order and ensure that it’s what you asked for. Chances are they’re bound to mess up at least 30% of the time. Considering there are all of 5 items on their menu, it’s pretty lame.
I don’t know why I keep coming here. Oh wait, I don’t. At least they take credit cards, unlike 75% of the rest of Santa Cruz dining establishments.

i wasn’t as offended as the last guy, but i wasn’t mad impressed. got a super burrit with carnitas and it was super salty but pretty good. i couldn’t complain. the tortilla wasn’t too great and salsa wasn’t anything special. a real 3 star joint

This establishment apparently does not understand the economics of supply and demand. There are so many taquerias in Santa Cruz that you would think a basic level of service would be in order. Ever wonder why Moreno’s has lines out the door every day and there are just as many Vallarta’s in Santa Cruz as there are white dudes with dreadlocks? Because those places take care of you.
Dude, I *just* ordered the drink from you. Is it too much for you to just give me the drink without me having to ask for it twice? Why is the horchata stowed away like a precious resource anyway? Again, take a cue from Vallarta, give me a cup and let me manage my own fluids.
Also, when two people walk in together, it is pretty poor form to take one order, then prepare a HUGE to-​go order over the phone before serving the other person so that I have to wait 15 minutes for my friend to get his food. Oh, and by the way, could I have that drink I ordered?
Look, cool mexican skater kid. We understand that you hate your job. I hope you end up making a fortune at listening to your ipod because everybody deserves to be successful at what they are good at.
(ps, the food is just ok)