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Welcome to East Beach Tacos

East Beach Tacos, located in Santa Barbara, CA, offers a casual dining experience with a focus on delicious tacos. The restaurant prides itself on providing a variety of options, including limited vegetarian choices, while also offering amenities like outdoor seating, Wi-Fi, and TV for entertainment. With options for catering, drive-thru service, and happy hour specials, East Beach Tacos is a great spot for groups, families, and anyone looking for a tasty meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Don't miss out on their unique twist on traditional tacos and the welcoming vibes of this gender-neutral restroom-equipped establishment.

LOCATIONS
  • East Beach Tacos
    226 S Milpas St Santa Barbara, CA 93103
    226 S Milpas St Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Hotline: (805) 770-2761

Welcome to East Beach Tacos, a hidden gem nestled at 226 S Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA. This taco haven is not just about tantalizing flavors; it’s a fusion of fun, community, and culinary expertise. With a menu that excites the palate, East Beach Tacos quickly earns its place as a local favorite.

As you step into this vibrant spot, you are greeted with the vibrant aroma of fresh ingredients, promising a delightful tasting experience. The standout dish on the menu, the Triple Play, invites you to savor three of your favorite tacos at once—options like Ahi Tuna, Spicy Crispy Shrimp, and Carne Asada come packed with bold flavors that make each bite an explosion of taste. Many regulars rave that this selection is a must-try, with flavors perfectly complemented by their house-made sauces.

Don't miss the Ceviche Of The Day, boasting fresh seafood tossed with citrus juices, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and a medley of herbs. It pairs beautifully with crispy corn tortilla chips, making it a refreshing choice especially on a sunny day. The Fish + Chips also deserves a shout-out; crispy battered cod served with shoestring fries and tangy tartar sauce, it’s an impressive take on a beachside classic.

To enhance your meal, you can choose from a selection of local beers, including Fig Mtn. Danish Red Lager and Golden Road Hefeweizen, both ideal companions to your tacos. The atmosphere here is fun and family-friendly, with picnic-style seating right next to the East Beach Batting Cages, making it a multifaceted destination for diners looking for enjoyment beyond just great food.

While the parking situation can be a bit challenging due to its shared lot, don’t let that deter you. Many guests have found the short wait worthwhile for such rewarding meals. Service is friendly and the vibe is relaxed, making it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal with friends or family before heading to the nearby beach.

In short, East Beach Tacos isn’t just another taco shop; it’s a culinary experience wrapped in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this spot is undoubtedly a Santa Barbara staple worth visiting!

START YOUR REVIEW OF East Beach Tacos
Mitchell N.
Mitchell N.

Best Tacos Ever. Hands down and like no question asked. I would literally eat these probably 3 times a week for my lunch and honestly, if I could give a place 10/10 stars for food, this would be it. The triple play - Ahi Tuna, Spicy Crispy Shrimp, and Carne Asada - is easily the best of all worlds. The absolute best flavor and best sauces paired with the tacos. My wife and I literally had them cater our bachelor and bachelorette party because of how good this place is! The number of people raving about the tacos and taste - is all agreed upon that this place is bomb af. Service is the absolute best. I miss Cole, as he knew my order by heart and would always have good conversations. The baseball cages and seating are super sick and a great time for all to enjoy and have some quality time together. It is also a good 10-minute walk to the beach to enjoy the sunset or a relaxing lunch break. Truly, thank you for the best tacos and the best things ever. YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST AND THANK YOU! Legit recommends to anyone that this is a Santa Barbara staple.

Kathy K.
Kathy K.

Fresh decently priced food. Enjoyed the chicken sandwich, shrimp tacos, fish tacos, fish and chips and tuna rice ball. Could of used more spicy salsa. Fun atmosphere. Waited about15 minutes in line to order.

Jacob N.
Jacob N.

This place is very good! My wife and I pulled off to try it and we were not disappointed. The food. The tacos are fire!! Spicy shrimp. -put the spicy sauce ands it's a solid 9! It could use a little more flavor and crunch on its own. The batter up. -fire!!!! Solid 9 this was very good! Korean bbq taco - was the shining star. Was 100% the best 10/10. The carne asada. Not gonna lie was shockingly on the bottom. This one seem to have no flavor and was kinda burnt and the guac was watery.:-/. This one was a 3/10 The fish and chips- very very good! Perfect size, you get three abs fries. The fries were a little soggy and they weren't beer battered. But they were solid and the tartar was very good too. Solid 7.5/10 The service was okay, we asked the person at the window, ' what do you recommend, it's our first time ' we like to try the recommended' they said " oh you can pick". lol we knew that, we wanted to see what was most popular or recommended then they didn't really give any insight to anything else. So we just ordered lol. It's a night little date spot. Batting cages and some tacos? Guy, good idea! Small changes can send this place through the roof! Overall- 7.5

Evelyn S.
Evelyn S.

My friends and I stopped by East Beach Tacos on our CA road trip! It's located off Hwy 101, and is a pretty tucked away spot. Heads up that parking can be tough since the lot is small/narrow - we managed to snag a spot in the parking lot (with some luck and patience) but there were 1-2 cars behind us that ended up turning out and leaving. Otherwise service was quick and there's plenty of outside seating + a place to fill up water cups. The picnic tables are right next to the East Beach Batting Cages, which was kinda neat. There's also a restroom located around the corner of the building. The Triple Play ($11.50) - can choose 3 classic tacos of your choice - I ordered the Gangnam Style (8/10), The Banh Mi (8.5/10), and Spicy Crispy Shrimp (9/10). Out of those three, my favorite would be the spicy crispy shrimp for both texture and flavor. The gangnam style and banh mi were good too and I liked the different toppings, but the meat for both was a little dry. Would be down to try some other taco options if I ever pass through this area again!

Ashley S.
Ashley S.

Great spot for some great tacos! We opted for the triple play which lets you enjoy 3 classics of your choice. Unfortunately, they did mess up our order. On one order we wanted the grilled fish and they gave us grilled shrimp. You get what you pay for in portion size. Our fried fish tacos were the best, albeit small for the tortilla size. Be prepared: -Parking lot is small and you'll likely need to find street parking. Maybe 12-15 spots in there. -This area is also for the batting cages which shares that same parking lot. -The line gets long. It moves at a good pace unless people are holding spots for others. -If you can eat it there, do so. It's the freshest. -They have a good amount of outdoor seating and are dog friendly!

Chad C.
Chad C.

A Santa Barbara hidden gem that's not so hidden. Located right off the 101 Fwy at Milpas East Bay Tacos is this unsuspecting taco shop that's adjoined to the batting cages and slings some of the best tacos I've had. It can get busy, so be ready to wait if you shop up during peaking eating hours. Outside seating is available with a view of the batting cages. This is my second or third time here and I've always been partial to the seafood tacos (either fish or shrimp) and have never been disappointed. This visit I opted for.. The Triple Play - Grilled Fish - Grilled Shrimp - Carnitas All tacos come with all the accoutrements, and baskets include some chips and a side of hot sauce. If you're in the area and not even hungry you best not pass this place up!

Raechel I.
Raechel I.

Best Tater Tots Ever! This place has been a favorite of mine for awhile now. Stopped by for lunch and it did not disappoint. My co-work and I shared the burger/tots and both got a shrimp taco, plus a Gangnam style for myself. The burger was juicy, just how a good burger should be. Always busy but worth the wait. There is only outside seating, picnic table styles. East Beach Tacos is a must try.

Berta B.
Berta B.

I've been here many times through the years and for some reason I never wrote a review. I usually go for their triple play that comes with three tacos. I ordered the grilled shrimp taco, Gangnam style taco and their ahi tuna taco. The tortillas were cold and I little stiff, but the flavor was still good. I just wish the tortillas were softer and warmer like they used to be. There's not a lot of parking space, so be prepared to wait for a spot. Usually around lunchtime. There's also a few tables in their patio. Service is quick and efficient. We usually wait in a line and place our order at their ordering window. Once your food is ready they'll call your name and you go pick up your food. I suggest having someone in your party go and try to get a table while to the one places the order. It's good for a quick bite if you're around the area.

Brianna R.
Brianna R.

This is a Cali-Mex/fusion place, serving corn and flour tortilla tacos. I ordered the Triple Play, which is your choice of any 3 tacos. Yes to the Batter Up (fish and chips style fried cod) and the Chicken tacos. No to the banh mi, the pork was so bland. They serve soft drinks and beer. The parking lot is tiny.

Mary N.
Mary N.

Let's taco-bout how good this is Parking is very limited and there's a chance of a baseball hitting your car because the taco spot is right next to a batting cage. You order at the window. Apple pay is accepted. Bathroom is on the side of the taco spot. Triple play tacos- b o m b ! Ahi poke taco, spicy crispy shrimp, and batter up tacos were all yummy Fish + chips- delicious! Crispy battered fish where the batter was not too thick. The tartar sauce was so good, it's like tartar and pico de gallo mixed together so it's not super creamy Craving this now!