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About
SOCALO
Welcome to SOCALO, an enchanting culinary gem nestled at 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and friendly service, SOCALO seamlessly marries authentic Mexican flavors with refreshing beverages to create a truly captivating experience.
What sets SOCALO apart is its impressive cocktail menu, featuring delightful concoctions such as the Chinola Margarita, a refreshing blend of passion fruit liqueur, fresh mint, and lime, crowned with a sprinkle of tajin for an added kick, all for just US$14.00. For those seeking something more adventurous, dive into the El Picante, which promises a delicious fusion of cazadores blanco tequila, fresno chile, cilantro, and lime, harmonizing beautifully for the same price. Whether you're unwinding from a long day or celebrating the weekend, SOCALO's cocktails transport you directly to the heart of Mexico.
Don’t miss out on the culinary masterpieces that define SOCALO's kitchen. Signature dishes like the bronzino and short rib have been praised for their clean and robust flavors, offering a satisfying surf-and-turf experience. One customer raved about the surf and turf combo, sharing, "The food is clean and taste." This sentiment reflects the careful attention to taste and presentation found in every dish.
The menu doesn't just cater to classic tastes but also embraces wholesome choices. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options abound, ensuring everyone finds something to enjoy. The grilled fish tacos, celebrated for their sensational taste, exemplify SOCALO's commitment to using fresh ingredients while maintaining vibrant, bold flavors. The emphasis on health without sacrificing taste is a cornerstone of SOCALO, as one diner noted their appreciation for the healthy options available.
Happy hour enthusiasts will find their paradise at SOCALO, where patrons consistently highlight "one of the best happy hours in all of Los Angeles." Gather with friends to savor several dishes like the Baked Nachos and Poblano Quesadilla, paired with delightful margaritas that make the evening truly special. Each element, from the service to the flavors, draws guests back time and again.
- Location: 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
- Contact: +1 310-451-1655
- Cocktail Highlights: Chinola Margarita, El Picante
- Must-Try Dishes: Baked Nachos, Grilled Fish Tacos
- Happy Hour: Highly recommended!
The bustling ambiance, friendly staff, and impressive menu make SOCALO not just a restaurant but a vibrant community hub. Whether you're enjoying a casual lunch or a festive dinner, SOCALO is a place where warmth and flavor thrive, inviting all to indulge in the rich tapestry of Mexican cuisine.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Hidden gem in Santa Monica. The food is clean and taste. Simple and robust flavors. I shared the bronzino and short rib with my friend. Great surf and turf combination. And they have wine and tequila flights! ”
“ We’ve been driving by this spot for ages, and we always notice that it’s hustling and bustling. So finally we stopped in on a Thursday. The restaurant was somewhat full but we were seated immediately. A friendly server was with us promptly, and he provided us with some recommendations. The service was super quick, chips, salsa and apps were out within 8 minutes, mains within 15. The salsas and guac are excellent. Me and my boyfriend both got tacos, I got the grilled fish tacos, which were sensational. I really appreciate healthy options on a menu, they got that dialed here. They have multiple vegan, vegetarian and GF options. We looked at their happy hour menu which looks bomb. The atmosphere was pleasant, all the staff was helpful. Really loved how quick the food came out. We will for sure be back. ”
“ One of the best happy hours in all of Los Angeles! Highly recommend. Their staff is incredibly friendly too and make my wife and I feel at home every time we go. ”
“ UPDATE! June 2024 Counter Service Only. You order, pay and then the staff will lead you to your table. I recommend reading the menu ahead of time, since there are a lot of good options, and there is only one line. Weekday Lunch specials are a good deal for 9.95 and add 2 for a soda or ice tea. However,I ordered the Socalo Burrito/ chicken which comes with a beautiful salad, approximately 14. My friend ordered the shishito peppers and a bowl of tortilla soup. She enjoyed the shishito peppers, but the soup was a bit salty. I didn't taste it. The food presentation is beautiful. The service, not so much. The soup and shishito peppers came out within minutes! My burrito took another 15 minutes. I found 2 chicken bones in the first 2 bites. I told my friend to eat and not wait for me, thank goodness. We both only had ice water, and I asked for refills twice before getting my glass refilled. Granted it was lunch time, even when the server acknowledged that I wanted water twice! We both wanted to order the trio of sorbets but when we looked at the line to ORDER.... we decided to leave. Shame. I guess I could of ordered the sorbets when we placed our lunch order, but ..... I am giving 4 stars total because the service and that this is no longer a Full Service restaurant. I almost want to give them 3.5 stars, but .... -------------------------------- This review is for their Happy Hour! ( Wednesday - Saturday) They have Happy Hour Monday-Saturday. The hours differ on Saturday ( 3-5pm). Parking is validated for 90 minutes. Enter the subterranean garage just south of Santa Monica Blvd. We both loved the El Picante margarita for the hot spice kick! I also ordered the Chinola margarita which has passionfruit, mint and lime. The Chinola is smooth and sweet. I chose the Poblano Quesadilla and added chicken for 4 more.II forgot to take a photo, sorry. It was perfect for my meal. I really liked all the flavors. My friend ordered the Nopal Tostada, beautifully presented and tasty. She also ordered a Birria (lamb), and she enjoyed it. We shared the Baked Nachos!!! This was really a wonderful textured tasty dish! Because it was baked, the tortillas were crispy! I loved it! I recommend their Happy Hour Menu for food and drink! I returned to check out their all day and night Taco Tuesday! The Taco Tuesday menu is fantastic! There are seafood, beef, pork, chicken and veggies options! The Taco Tuesday menu has more options than the Happy Hour menu ( Wednesday- Saturday) , and it 's all day and night ( during restaurant hours) so I would choose coming here for Taco Tuesday! ”
“ 1st Visit: Dinner here last on the patio was just lovely in every way. First, the service was impeccable. Our server was patient, friendly, knowledgeable, and good humored. Every employee who touched our table was professional and kind. And something I haven't experienced in a long time happened--the manager checked in with us at the end of our meal. The chips are thick and warm. Three very different salsas for whatever your palate prefers. Watch out for the super spicy one! The ceviche was delicious! Texturally on point and the right amount of citrus. Normally I don't like shrimp in my fish ceviche but the shrimp pieces were cut small and I actually enjoyed their addition. The corn dish was also superb. The drinks are good but I recommend starting during happy hour so they're not so expensive. Can't wait to go back and try the tacos. Subsequent visit: Socalo continues to delight me. The chips and salsa are mouth watering good. Great drinks. I always enjoy the ceviche. The carne asada tacos are good, though I did think the tortilla was chewy in a weird way--hard to bite off. The service was just wonderful as usual. ”
“ Smoked Manchego spinach dip? Wow. I highly recommend it. Jackfruit tacos were delicious! Nice blend of flavors. I will get them again. Really welcoming atmosphere ”
“ Did not know a new restaurant opened up in this space. I was looking for a meeting place for our weekly group. I decided to have lunch after looking at the room. I had the burrito bowl. Amazing. This is a great spot for parties. The quality of the food, service, management, and space are amazing. Highly recommend. ”
“ Mum and I were staying at the Gateway in Santa Monica and thought we would come here for dinner on our first night in California which was nothing short of amazing! We loved the atmosphere and the food was to die for!! We started out with chips and guac, had some tacos and shared the brownie with ice cream which was beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Coming from Australia, this was the best place we went to in the USA for food! We will definitely be coming here again! ”