REASONABLE LUNCHES & DINNERS
An out-of-the-way and very original "coastal cuisine" restaurant, nine miles up the coast in the Village of Davenport. A favorite romantic destination that includes a small gift shop full of unique and local crafts--always worth a look, on Hwy 1.
Your basic friendly Chinese restaurant, very tasty and fast. Eat-in or take-out in downtown Santa Cruz at 221 Cathcart Dr.
El Chipoltle (477-1048) Closest to authentic mexican food that you will find in Santa Cruz! Very reasonable prices, friendly waitstaff, If you want to modify the menu they are happy to comply! Deliscious! Located in Soquel Village next to the post office.
CHK serves your favorite Asian dishes...Phad Thai, Chow Mein, Pho Ga, Dan Dan Noodles,etc..all vegan/vegetarian. Savory meat, fish, toppings can be added on. key ingredients are organic and vegetable greens are abundantly stir-fried or steamed with your choice of 3 noodles or 2 types of rice. A great place for students and workers who keep late hours...open until 11:00pm everyday. Eat-in or take-out, made to order food served up fast.
El Palomar Restaurant (425-7575)
Simply the best Mexican food around (the voice of the people has said so, nine years in a row, in local newspaper polls). Sit under the high ceiling of the retro dining room or in the cantina's soft light. You can also grab a tasty (and cheap!) bite in their adjoining taqueria in downtown Santa Cruz near the middle of Pacific Garden Mall.
Cafe Pergolesi (426-1775)
The token quirky coffeehouse, late-night haunt of the artistic, young and/or revolutionary. Coffee, tea, beer and wine in downtown Santa Cruz, plus soups and things, in a funky retro former dentist's office(!). Look for the dentist's old marquee, "Dr. Miller's." at 418 Cedar St.
Look for the green awning and the double doors at Pacific and Walnut in the Downtown area. They'll lead you up a respectable flight of stairs, where you'll find pub classics like shepherd's pie and bangers 'n' mash. Wash it all down with a pint o' Guiness. Full bar and pool tables, plus South Park night on Wednesdays at 1220 Pacific.
Taqueria Santa Cruz (459-5193)
Yummy Mexican at 1002 Soquel Ave in Santa Cruz. Very tasty and traditional, and feeds a crowd for less dinero!
There are more than 6 of these fun deli's with their fun cracker barrel & pot-bellied stove decore. The closest to the Bungalow is at 1601 41st, tucked behind our local has-everything hardware store Orchard Supply.
Taqueria Vallarta (464-7022)
Quick, fun, and reasonable Mexican on 41st Avenue.
All the best hippie food. All-vegetarian and low-fat goodies like Normal Nachos and Bo Thai Stir Fry. Huge, delectable portions in an, uh, earthy (but clean) atmosphere just off 41st Ave on Capitola Rd.
Really delicious Chinese on Ocean Street. The smoked duck is my friend Melissa's personal favorite, but they have quite a few choices, both familiar and exotic. Fairly reasonable with room for a crowd.
British pub and restaurant. Wonderful English Isle's entertainment in Aptos.
