La Esperanza Seafood Drive-In

This place was recommended by a local shopkeeper so we tried it out. It’s just a simple order at the counter, plastic chairs, Formica tables place but the beer was cold and the Camerones Diablo were hot. We were satisfied.

This is my second visit to this place. The first one time was over a year ago and just had the «meh» feeling to write a review.
Flash forward to tonight… again «meh» but need do my duty as a dedicated Unilocalster!
«Get a Clue,» is what my head tells my heart as I rarely ever see more than 3 cars in the parking lot when I drive by which should have been obvious.
When I arrived shortly after 6:00pm for what should be prime «super time» (Dinner for us folks in the ‘Ville). I walk in and only ONE COUPLE, WTH? The only noise coming from them were eerily chewing and gnawing sounds as they passed back and forth what look like a carnita bone? Shortly after being seated, one of the employees turned on the jukebox, perhaps to drown out the chewing noises, lol.
I decided on the Carne Asada con frijoles y papas plate ($ 11.25) which came with a little handful of iceberg lettuce mix, a little over tablespoon of guacamole, cold and old dried out refried beans, and limp and oily but fresh cut French fries. The portion size was «OK» but IMHO overpriced. There were about 3 pieces of thinly cut overly cooked flap steak that even with the serrated knife I had it was a bit of a chore to slice through it. The texture was bordering «moistened, chewy beef jerky.»
Chips and salsa were decent what little I was served. Serving size of the chips were like those little lunch box bag size. And the joke of a little container they serve the salsa in held a ridiculous amount of about 2 tablespoons.
I think value wise walk right across the street over to the better priced Trejo Carnitas for much better bang for your buck!
I think every Mexican joint in the neighborhood would have to be closed before I return again.
Food: 2.5÷5
Atmosphere: ²⁄₅ «…bullet holes in the front windows.,» jukebox, and tacky décor… Aye dios mio Caramba
Service: ²⁄₅ friendly, but not attentive. What did I expect from the site of an old drive-​in, lol
Value: 2.5÷5
Bathroom: n/​a didn’t check it out
2.5* barely with again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ «meh»
Tips & Perks:
1. Plenty of parking
2. Decent tasting «filtered tap water» is free
3. Free Cumbia and Banda music from the jukebox while you dine

I came here accidently while looking for another Mexican restaurant. I ordered Carnitas. My plate came with lots of pork, trimmed of fat. It included guacamole, salad, french fries and beans plus 2 tortillas.
I put more than half the pork in a flour tortilla. I still had trouble finishing my plate. I didn’t realize I would get fries instead of rice. I asked if I could get rice instead and the waitress brought out a small bowl of rice. That was nice.
The pork was crispy and tender on the inside. The beans were good and the rice is authentically made. It had really good flavor. Too many restaurants don’t cook the rice right anymore. The fries are homestyle; fresh potatoes cut into sticks. These were really good. I used the lemon juice for my pork and salad. Salad was fresh and crunchy with a nice slice of tomato.
Fresh-​made chips with salsa are brought to the table. These were crispy and light. Nothing like fresh chips instead of bagged.
I would come here again. Lots of parking in the back and lots of tables. Good price for the food and a big plate. You won’t leave hungry. The inside is worn but clean. The bathroom was clean too.

The only good thing they sell here is chabelas.
I lived in Watsonville my whole life and this place just has gotten worst with every year that has passed.
I admit this place was good a few years back but now…
The food is heat lamp warm. The portions are small and tasteless and
The service is extremely slow. I sat around for 15mins. waiting for my food.
Very disappointed in a place that was actually good back in the day.

We have been coming here for over 20 years because of the great staff and yummy food. Many of the items are made from scratch. Hand cut fries made to order, fresh lemonade, they peel the shrimp and cook it up to order. Homemade chile rellenos, and a huge pot to boil up fresh octopus and other seafood. Whole fresh fish fried with the heads on. Fresh guacamole, not some soupy stuff a lot of restaurants buy in a tub. House made salsa! And the homemade refried beans are made with lard (i know… fattening but so tasty like the ones your abuela makes!) Fresh seafood is not cheap and the prices may seem more for a small place, but it’s so worth it. Our favorite things are shrimp tostadas, the best outside of beach side restaurants in Mexico. We love all the shrimp dishes but I usually have the mojo de ajo, shrimp grilled with garlic. Fresh shrimp and seafood cocktails topped with pieces of avocado. Crispy whole fried fish is a big serving! My son in law goes for the grande! For lunch, we always have the carne asada burritos. These are just the right size to hold in your hands and eat…(NOT those Northern Cali style burritos that are huge and enough for two meals that you need a fork to eat) We love the chabelas (secret recipe) In the winter, we love the seven seas seafood soup. Fresh shrimp, crab, salmon or snapper, octopus all cooked in a spicy broth with fresh limes and tortillas on the side.
Jukebox has the ultimate mariachi music and I think of all of Vincente Fernandez cd’s.
The people who work here are kind and friendly, unless it’s crazy busy and they’ re too busy to visit with you. There is a legacy left by Esparanza who poured her heart into this place to share her family recipes. Watsonville is a Mexican food mecca and there are many options, but if want the best seafood and funky atmosphere, La Esperanza can take you to a place you will enjoy and keep coming back. Fantastic traditional Mexican murals on the walls mixed with funky orange plastic chairs in what used to be a fried chicken hut back in the 70’s.
We bring the grand kids when we want to eat out at family friendly place. But it’s not a place crowded with families. It’s small, casual, and special!

Pretty good overall but kind of pricey for Mexican food in a town with lots of good, cheap Mexican food.
Wound up going here only after the place next door was closed. I’m not a seafood guy so I went with some tostadas al pastor and they were pretty good but really not amazing — a little light on the flavor side.
The place also gave me a minor case of the heeby-​jeebies and I don’t get those easily at a Mexican place…

my boyfriend likes the chabelas
and their shrimp tostadas
i had their bacon wrapped shrimp and it wasn’t good. too dry, very overcooked. plus the tortillas are not homemade and their food took forever to come out.
i would go back to try something else.

I would.

I have been coming here for 13 years, my husband longer!
The best chabelas EVER! Wide menu selection.
Love this place and the staff!

Excellent food, great down-​home service, fluent english speaking staff, great for take out, and good prices. The décor is a bit aged but for the price I really can’t take a star for that. I give it a full 5 stars to anyone lookin for an affordable Mexican meal.

I’ve been coming to this place since I was about 6yrs old. And food is always bomb! Now that I’m 21 I tried the chabelitas and it’s just the perfect mix to go with the food the have to offer! Staff is always friendly and quick to get you your food. You never get to leave this place with an empty stomach cuz they have huge portions and great prices to go with it≠)

The only thing I crave more than anything else in the world on the weekends…
Chabelitas from La Esperanza.
Words cannot possibly explain the flavor that their special beer mix brings to your taste buds… you must try it for yourself. You’ll thank me later ;)
Besides having the BEST CHABELAS EVERRRRR here, they also have tons on yummy dishes on the menu & all very inexpensive.

We’ve been coming here for the last 15 years, and the food is always consistant. My husband loves the carnitas plate because the carnitas are great and he loves the fries that come with it. We both love the pescado frito, it is always fresh and they offer different size fish depending on how hungry you are. I think their beans are the bomb. I enjoy having a bean & cheese burrito with lots of hot sauce & jalpenos. They also serve some kind of hugh michalada type drink that is really good on a hot day. Sometimes ordering can be difficult if you speak no spanish, but the menu is hugh and the food is great.

An eat in or take out sort of place, certainly nothing fancy in the way of décor ***just ignore the bullet holes in the front windows*** with a great selection of seafood dishes. Order at the counter and someone will bring it out to you. The jukebox is loaded with mariachi and ranchera music so enjoy if that floats your boat. The dining area can be quite loud on a Friday or Saturday night but the seafood is worth a little noise. They have a very small beer selection (bottled only) and some wine.
I’ve had the Camarones Vallarta a few times. I’m telling you, what can be better than giant shrimp wrapped in bacon and deep-​fried? Add a few french fries, Mexican rice, a small salad with 1,000 Island dressing, a spicy good guacamole, your choice of corn or flour tortillas (NOT homemade so minus a star) some horchata, and you are ready to chow-​down!
The Camarones Diablo will set your heart on fire if that’s your style (LOL) but generous portions assure that you will not leave hungry. My husband always gets the Caldo del Mar, a soup chock full of shrimp, scallops, and fish in a rich, rich broth. Great for a cold and drizzly night.
La Esperanza’s is worth a try.

I can’t believe this place hasn’t been reviewed yet! This is one of those hidden gems here in Watsonville. I love this place! I’ve only been coming here for a couple of years because my mom had been holding out on me! Firstly, if you love seafood and Mexican food, this is the place for you! The portions are huge! My personal favorite is the Camarones Pacificos (pacific shrimp). It’s a delicious dish of 4 giant shrimp baked in a cheese and salsa sause. It comes with fresh french fries, guacamole, mexican rice, and salad. The salad dressing is delicious! It tastes like creamy thousand island with tapatio! MMMMMm!!! The margaritas and sangrias (both alcoholic) are huge and are only about 4 dollars!!! They have a jukebox which plays great music and on select days they have a mariachi band. They also have flower vendors selling roses for about 5 bucks on busy days. The staff here is fantastic. They are friendly, thoughtful, and really care about their customers. And their food is fast! It’s all for a very decent price. If you love seafood and Mexican food, try this place, you won’t regret it!!!