Manuel's Mexican Restaurant

Manuel's is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Santa Cruz area. The food is so good that I crave it!

Considering how there is always a line of customers out the door (even on a Monday) and the dining area is always packed, Manuel's servers and chefs are quick! And get this: the service is always attentive, friendly, and fast!

I've eaten here twice, and loved it both times. I would come here again and again.

Only heads up is that the prices are a little steep for my blood. For my daughter and I, we ordered 2 meals: a combo plate and the Monday special that comes with salad and dessert. The portions were huge, and everything was tasty. We also enjoyed 2 baskets of complimentary chips and salsa. We didn't order anything else, including drinks, and the bill was $60+tip.

As long as you're ok with the price tag, Manuel's is the place to go for good Mexican food with an upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere.

Sadest review I've ever written. I've come here since my late teens in the mid 90s. Truly my favorite food. In all of Santa Cruz County. Blocks from my house. But maybe it's that I just got food to go and didn't stay and have drinks. I don't know when the prices exponentially increased. But I can no longer recommend this place to friends or customers of my business when in town. $33 for carne asada tacos. I love them. I really do. $12.50 for gaucamole, maybe maybe not. But it's just sad. Maybe I should be mad and national and state leadership for the prices. But sadly I don't feel so gutted for money at other places. Wonderful staff. Great tasting food. But sadly I think maybe for the richest and out of town tourists at this point.

I guess it will just be a memory that I have to remember better times.

With four stars, I had high hopes for this place, but it is decent at best.

Parking was kind of a nightmare; I had to drive around in circles until I realized I would just have to park down the street and walk over. It's not the worst, but it wasn't the easiest. Upon arrival, it was packed....like so crowded you are literally sitting corner to corner with others. We thought about going elsewhere bc we just didn't want to be THAT close to others. That actually almost happened as they said they did not see our name on the reservation list, but I told them I KNOW I made the reservation bc online, it says to call a week before your desired date; I didn't just make that up. They hustled and bustled, and finally got us a seat.

Three entrees, one guoc and four margaritas later, we were hit with a $120 bill pre tip. I mean that's not expensive, but for a meal that was just OK at best, I would've taken my coins elsewhere.

Overall, the place was meh. I am giving them three stars bc Jesus was a great waiter. Although he messed up our order, he fixed it, and fast. Food is out in about 5-7 minutes, and I get the idea that they don't want you lingering. We came in thinking we'd have a few drinks, hang, eat, drink some more, but we were in and out in about 45 minutes.

Likely won't return.

Friday nights, Manuel's serves HUACHINANGO A LA JAROCHA (fresh snapper, breaded, pan-seared, and served with a delicious sour cream sauce). It is Amazeballs.

If it's not Friday night, get the cheese enchiladas instead. They have an incredible onion-flavor and the roasted salsa is really, really good. The strawberry margaritas are also delicious and DANGEROUS. You have been warned!

Service is super friendly. The place is tiny and PACKED so expect to wait. It's worth it though!

Favorite food, favorite employees, favorite margarita. Manuel's is a staple in the Mexican food scene, as well as a top pick for dinner any night. Their most famous special, in my opinion, is the Friday night snapper. Pan fried with the most amazing cream sauce, don't miss out. Service is always fast, and the food is always consistent. Also famous for their top shelf margaritas, just order a pitcher as soon as you sit down.
You feel like family every time you walk in. It's dim with candlelit tables, and vibrant flowers during the season they grow out back. Unless you're lucky, there is usually a wait and it's ALWAYS worth it.

$42 for a "pitcher" of margaritas. Rip off. This holds 3 cups of margarita and is 1L in volume. Ask for the real pitcher if you come here and don't let them say "we are out of the other one" because it's a lot bigger.

Food was a 12/10 as always. Chicken burrito is amazing. Guacamole and salsa are fire!

Don't fall for the pitcher price, it's literally the exact same for one as it is for a pitcher and singles are made better.

What I most loved in this restaurant besides of the food was the service. Everyone who is part of the staff of this restaurant does a really good job. They were always making sure that everything was okay, they were smiling and very attentive.

The food was delicious. I tried what my boyfriend ordered, Camarones de Diego, wowww it tasted amazing. My order was Chile Relleno and Cheese Enchilada, such a great combination and tasted delicious. For drinks, I ordered their House Margarita, which was pretty good too.

The restaurant is very authentic and the ambiance is nice! I really want to come back and try more of their menu.

Either my favorite or tied for my favorite Mexican food in the county. Everything is soooo good here! I usually get an assortment of tacos because I can't decide which I like better. Even the vegetarian taco is outstanding!! The service is always outstanding and the ambience is cozy. I wish they delivered!

This place sucks been here a couple times and the food is not Mexican at all the cooks are however Mexican, service was good ambiance was trash too loud tables are super close to each other and place smelled like Pits. If there's a taco truck nearby or another Mexican restaurant nearby just go there trust me, I was very offended by how bad the food was. Using a hard shell taco instead of using an actual tortilla is a crime. DO NOT COME HERE!!!!

We had a wonderful experience here!! We came in on a Friday night with no reservation but were treated very kindly and immediately put in a waitlist which was only about 10 minutes! We got to sit at the bar in the meantime and they kept the chips and salsa coming! When we were seated we had an excellent server who took our drink and food orders quickly! we both got combo plates and they were SO GOOD! we cant recommend this place enough! the food was so authentic - amazing rice and beans and enchilada sauce!!! the vibes were great with the decor and music! We will definitely be back!!