Socalo

4.8

868 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

Great for happy hour
Neighborhood gem
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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Location
1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404-1909
Phone number
(310) 451-1655
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
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.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Raul Plascencia
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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Private dining

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.
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!

What 868 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.9Service
4.5Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Los Angeles
Mexican
Westside
Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Socalo is a vibrant gem in Santa Monica offering "excellent food, service, and a pleasant atmosphere." Known for its innovative and flavorful Mexican cuisine, it features standout dishes like tacos and ceviche. Guests rave about the "friendly and attentive staff" and enjoy a "great Taco Tuesday deal."

868 Reviews

T
Tish
Los Angeles3 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Friendly, helpful staff and delicious food! What more could you ask for?!
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I
Izak VIP
Los Angeles17 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We welcomed the New Year with Taco Tuesday specials which were original, tasty and fun! Love this place.
Is this helpful?
A
Anne
Sacramento1 review
5.0
Dined on December 22, 2024
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.
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R
Robert VIP
Los Angeles40 reviews
2.0
Dined on December 15, 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.
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G
Geo
Minneapolis2 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 15, 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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a
andrew
Los Angeles8 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was great very tasteful would certainly go back
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D
Donna
Los Angeles8 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful Food & Service! Would highly recommend!
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D
Dave
Yosemite2 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 22, 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
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S
Stephanie VIP
Raleigh12 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 17, 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.
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A
Anne VIP
Los Angeles10 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 17, 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.
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FAQs

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

Socalo is rated 4.8 stars by 868 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 14 times today

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

Dining areas

Additional information

Phone number
(310) 451-1655
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
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.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Raul Plascencia
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Featured in

West Coast Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Socalo

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

West Coast Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Private dining

Main Dining Room

Santa Monica Private Room

Clark Oswald Private Room

Veranda

Sidewalk Patio

Custom inquiry

Offers

Happy Hour

Taco Tuesday

Menu

What 868 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Socalo offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Socalo restaurant rated?

Is Socalo currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

West Coast Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day