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Chefs/Owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken - Socalo, Santa Monica, CA

Socalo

4.7
4.7
866 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Good for groups
SOCALO is a beachy, California canteen and Mexican pub from award-winning chef/owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. Located within the Gateway Hotel, SOCALO offers seasonal and organic SoCal Mexican fare with cocktails, Mexican wines and craft beers.

SOCALO has been named Eater's Superb Santa Monica Restaurants and Hottest Happy Hours, LA Times' 101 Best Restaurants, Best Tacos and Best Mexican Restaurants in LA by Time Out and Thrillist.

Open for indoor and outdoor dining, and counter service dining prior to 4pm (no reservations necessary nor taken). Takeout and delivery with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.

For groups of 7 or more, please call 310.451.1655 to discuss accommodations, or visit socalo.com. We offer semi-private spaces, private banquet rooms, long communal tables, and two spacious outdoor patios.

Mary Sue & Susan are the founders of Mundo Hospitality Group, including Border Grill, Pacha Mamas, BBQ Mexicana, SOCALO & Alice B.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Californian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Tue 11:30 am–8:30 pm Wed–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (310) 451-1655
  • Website
    http://socalo.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Raul Plascencia
  • Catering
    Breakfast meetings, office lunches, holiday parties and celebrations of all types - we can help with your next event.
  • Private party facilities
    Socalo is a California canteen and Mexican pub from award-winning chef/owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. Located within Santa Monica’s Gateway Hotel, we can accommodate groups of all sizes in our private dining rooms or beautiful outdoor patios.
  • Private party contact
    Brianna Gallardo: (310) 451-1165
  • Location
    1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404-1909
  • Area
    Santa Monica
  • Cross Street
    20th Street
  • Parking details
    First 90 minutes free parking, with restaurant purchase. Self-parking is available in the underground parking lot at The Gateway Hotel.
  • Public transit
    17th Street / SMC Station - Expo Light Rail Line
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve Taco Tuesday

    31 Dec 2024 only
    Whether we’re the main event or dinner before the party, usher in the New Year with a festive Taco Tuesday celebration in Santa Monica. Ring in the New Year with $4 tacos, $5 beer and $8 cocktails and wines all day long. Enjoy Crab Tostadita with poblano peppers, Crispy Baja Shrimp Taco, Lobster Tostada with spicy aioli, Jackfruit Tinga Taco, Mushroom Dobladita, Grilled Lamb Barbacoa Taco and more.
    New Year's Eve Taco Tuesday photo

Offers

  • Happy Hour

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - Fri - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm,Sat - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Named best happy hour in Santa Monica! Walk-ins welcome for indoor, outdoor or bar seating. Reservations available 4PM and after. Join us every Wednesday - Friday from 3pm to 6pm and Saturday 3pm to 5pm for happy hour: - $5 tacos - $5 beers - $8 cocktails - $8 to $10 glasses of Mexican wine Dine-in only.

    Happy Hour photo

  • Taco Tuesday

    Multiple dates available
    Tue - 4:00 pm - 8:15 pm
    Join us all day, every Tuesday for $4 tacos, $5 beer, and $8-$10 cocktails and Mexican wines. Taco Tuesday menu is available from 11:30am to 8:30pm for dine-in only. Tacos include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options!

    Taco Tuesday photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 866 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Los Angeles

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Socalo offers a delightful dining experience with "great food and service" in a warm atmosphere. Guests rave about the "unique menu" and "best guacamole in town." Taco Tuesday is a hit, and the "passion fruit mimosa" is a must-try. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and welcoming staff at this standout spot.

866 Reviews

  1. Anne

    Sacramento

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food and service was very attentive. I had an early dinner around 5:30 so it wasn’t crowded at all—so quiet and service was great. The special was chicken pozole and it did not disappoint. Followed by the The Gobernador tacos, then a guava empanada for dessert. The tacos had such great flavor along with the jicama slaw—perfect addition. Go to Socalo, you won’t regret it.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Robert

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    35 reviews

    2.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We have had dinner here multiple times since they opened. This was the first time we had to send a meal back. My wife ordered the dorado tacos which were overly fried. Everyone has a bad day. I certainly hope they correct the problem and it doesn’t occur too often if at all. However the waiter and manager went out of their way ho make things right. We appreciate the effort.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Geo

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ate mostly vegetarian (not necessarily by design) plus an Really Fantastic whole fish dish. Nice design upscale but casual and free parking:)

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  4. andrew

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was great very tasteful would certainly go back

    Is this helpful?

  5. Donna

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 24 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful Food & Service! Would highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Dave

    Yosemite

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and drinks, great service ... and all at reasonable prices too . who could ask for anything more

    Is this helpful?

  7. Stephanie

    VIP

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service! The tacos were delicious as were the chips and guacamole.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Anne

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the ability to eat outside in a quieter area. Food and service excellent as always.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went on Taco Tuesday which they offer some of their tacos and cocktails at a discount. Great value. The lobster tostada was pretty good but the brisket taco was so delicious!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. thomas

    Philadelphia

    11 reviews

    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    This was our 2nd visit to Socalo. The first time we ate there, we were in the front room and were cold every time people came in the door. I called at 5:30 to ask if we could eat anywhere but in the front dining room near the door. The person who answered said he would make sure we were seated somewhere else. When we arrived, we were shown to the table in front of the door. When I told them my story, they said there were no other tables. Meanwhile there were quite a few tables empty on the side porch. After 10 minutes, they finally put us at a round table for 6 which made it difficult to talk to each other (we were 4 people). It took 15 minutes to get our first drinks. The food was very good. We ordered another round of drinks halfway through our meal and the drinks came after we finished and our plates were cleared.

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FAQs

Socalo offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (310) 451-1655.

Socalo is rated 4.7 stars by 866 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Socalo

1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404-1909

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    20th Street
  • Area
    Santa Monica
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Tue 11:30 am–8:30 pm Wed–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Californian, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    First 90 minutes free parking, with restaurant purchase. Self-parking is available in the underground parking lot at The Gateway Hotel.
  • Public transit
    17th Street / SMC Station - Expo Light Rail Line
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Raul Plascencia
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://socalo.com/
  • Phone number
    (310) 451-1655
  • Catering
    Breakfast meetings, office lunches, holiday parties and celebrations of all types - we can help with your next event.
  • Private party facilities
    Socalo is a California canteen and Mexican pub from award-winning chef/owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. Located within Santa Monica’s Gateway Hotel, we can accommodate groups of all sizes in our private dining rooms or beautiful outdoor patios.
  • Private party contact
    Brianna Gallardo: (310) 451-1165

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