315129 Sat Aug 05 04:05:19 -0700 2006 9 3 California 0 1789065 Responding to a message yesterday, I was reminded that I'd been meaning to give Taqueria La Cabana in Soquel one more try after an initial disappointing visit. After reading Nathan's report on the westside La Cabana here: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/89205 I really wanted to try desebrada, but I rarely get out to the westside. One of our daughters mentioned that there was also a La Cabana on Porter in Soquel, so we headed over to check it out. I wasn't too impressed. I ordered desebrada, carnitas and chorizo tacos. Of the meats, the carnitas was actually the best of the three. The chorizo was okay and the desebrada just didn't come anywhere near to living up to the expectations Nathan's description inspired. Worse, the extremely juicy (not necessarily in a good way) fillings, combined with the untoasted tortillas, meant that by the time I'd finished eating the first taco, the other two were too soggy for anything but knife and fork - a definite taco no-no in my book. Determined not to give up, I eventually concocted an excuse to head to the westside and had the same three tacos at that La Cabana. Long story short: "What Nathan said!" I unexpectedly found myself out there again a few weeks later and the second visit was consistent with the first. However, since I'm much closer to Soquel, and with hope springing eternal, I decided to give the Soquel La Cabana another visit mid-afternoon today. For consistency, I ordered the same three tacos yet again: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/mr-ahclem/7f9210e7.jpg Left to right are the desebrada, carnitas and chorizo. Today's results fall somewhere between the first disappointing visit and the heights of the westside location and my current south county fave, La Zamorana. The desebrada was tastier than the first time, but not as good as the westside version (or the birria at Zamorana). The carnitas was not quite as good as I remembered from the first visit and the chorizo was about the same. A major improvement was that all the tacos held together long enough to be picked up and eaten. This was largely the result of the fillings being less juicy, as the tortillas were still not toasted. And there, I think, is an issue. As Nathan mentioned in his report, toasting the tortillas really does make a big difference, though in his experience it's done somewhat inconsistently at westside. However, both of my visits to the westside location were during the mad lunch crush, and the tortillas were toasted both times. Both visits to the Soquel location were between mealtimes, with few other patrons, and they weren't toasted, so I'm thinking that they just never do it there. Pity. So, the final verdict is that if I were in Soquel anyway and in the mood for tacos, I'd certainly not hesitate to go back to La Cabana (at least until I see what Lety's has to offer). But if tacos are to be the main focus, La Zamorana is still the current favorite. Sat Aug 05 04:05:19 -0700 2006 14674 ahclem 1 1789389 Hey, nice photo and report! Thanks for your persistent research. Are you sure that the two locations are related? I assumed so w/ the name, but Nathan and I weren't quite sure. If so, locations can certainly vary, as you've experienced. Maybe the Soquel one does something better than tacos... I too am a La Zamorana fan, and the birria taco has been my favorite item. Husband got a carnitas torta w/ lots of crispy pork meat loaded between the bread. I haven't tried their burritos yet, but they look HUGE. You might also follow up on Nathan's report of El Chipotle in Soquel. The tamales sound good and other items await discovery...http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/89091?user_name=nathan&query=chipotle Sat Aug 05 14:46:23 -0700 2006 1789065 10371 Carb Lover 2 1789899 You know, I made a point of asking if they were connected to the westside location and then forgot to include it in the report. Anyway, the person who took my order was the owner and he told me that he had originally had the La Cabana in Davenport for seven years. When the landlord wanted to raise the rent to higher than what he felt was fair, he left and came to this location in Soquel (which had previously been Surf City Coffee). His brother-in-law runs the La Cabana on the westside. And speaking of La Zamorana carnitas, I'm beginning to think that carnitas, by its very nature, is inherently variable (depending on the particular hunk you get). The very first carnitas taco I had at La Zamorana may have been the best carnitas I've ever had. Subsequent ones have all been good, buy never *as* good. I have been to El Chipotle a couple of times, but it was back when I was still in lurk mode. I'll see what I can dredge up from the depths of my memory (such as it is) and post a brief follow-up to Nathan. Sat Aug 05 21:17:52 -0700 2006 1789389 14674 ahclem 1 1789455 I like the french fries at La Cabana. Sat Aug 05 15:58:44 -0700 2006 1789065 13830 Matt of Aptos 1 1790313 Great Post... Love to see another taco addict willing to go the distance and order the same thing multiple times. I am sure I would be horrified to see how many tacos I have eaten at La Cabana in the last 6 months. Totaly agree on your carnitas variation theory. For me this is part of the glory of carnitas. I find that the variation in quality,and they are never really bad are they :), makes me really appreciate it when you get a brilliant version. I actually had the best carnits La Cabana has ever put out last week. May never happen again but I will keep going back hoping to recapture that magic. And thanks for the ownership scoop. I had a hard time believing they were related since the guy at the west side counter is obviously the owner, his wife works there, his kids hang out there and he seems to be in the place every day. Sun Aug 06 04:04:27 -0700 2006 1789065 18626 Nathan P 1 1831459 Ahhh La Cabana. I've been going to all the La Cabanas for years, but the Soquel one is the closest restraunt to my house, so I spend a lot of time there. I must say that all told, its a blessing to have this place so close to me. Let me just say that All the La Cabanas are owned by the same extended family, and they do subtley vary. Here's the good parts: It has the biggest menu of any Mexican palace I've ever been, and you'll keep discovering new favorites time and time again. While it doesn't have very many total gems, there is very wide variety of deliciousness to be had. The prices, of course, are very affordable. They've got about 15 types of burritos alone... including more unusual varieties like snapper, shrimp, nopales and spinach. IMHO,the burritos are pretty good, but in that respect, Tacos Morenos has them beat. The carne asada, chicken, and carnitas are my favorites in the burrito dept. They've got a wide selection of tacos, both crispy and soft. I think the crispy carnitas tacos are excellent, and I enjoy their tangy chili verde sauce. They've also got pretty good cheeseburgers, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, and chicken sandwhiches. All these American Faire are certainly better than anything else in the area without going all the way to Santa Cruz. Hands down, my favorite thing at La Cabana is... drumroll... the Carnitas Torta! Think of it as a mexican poorboy sandwich. You could even order it with shrimp if you want. It's a VERY fresh and fluffy paneria roll slathered in guacamole, mustard, jalapenos, lettuce, tomatoes, and the topping off your choice. The carnitas is of course my topping of choice. They also offer a lot of seafood soups which I confess I have not gotten around to trying. They look delicious though. So La Cabana... it may not be consistently the best, that's because its not specialized. This is the kind of place you can eat at all the time and not get sick of it because there are so many new discoveries to be had. If you order something you didn't like, try again because you're bound to find something. If you want to the best Mexican Food in Santa Cruz, you should definitely try the positively GOURMET Enchiladas Verdes and Patcharellas at Cafe Campesino, the small kiosk in front of the New Leaf on Pacific (Downtown Mall Walkway). Also, Tacos Morenos (the real deal) and Los Pinos (avocado on everything) are good bets. La Cabana is definitely worth visiting too, though. Thu Aug 24 22:55:03 -0700 2006 1789065 28298 dubious 2 1832026 Thanks for sharing your local taqueria haunts. I liked Campesino the one time we ate there, but they tend to be closed during the times I'm downtown. Anyone know what their general hours are? Oh, and do tell what patcharellas are... What do you like at Moreno and Los Pinos? I've been down on Moreno lately, but will try the al pastor next time. I've been meaning to check out Los Pinos forever, but I never remember that it's there since it's north of downtown. Anyone have updates on that place that opened up in the old Mike's Soul Food spot? Fri Aug 25 04:19:11 -0700 2006 1831459 10371 Carb Lover 3 1833142 The place in the old Mike's is Cafe Puerto Escondido. Had a couple of tacos there two days ago. Pretty good carne asada and darn good carnitas. I'll post a more complete report when I get a little more time, but overall, a reasonable choice if you're in that area. Fri Aug 25 18:08:13 -0700 2006 1832026 14674 ahclem 1 1831974 Al pastor at Moreno is some of the best food in Sta Cruz period. And their salsa also rules. There is a market in W/V, La Colmena, that is also phenomenal, specially the carnitas. If you want to travel to Mexico without having to leave the U.S., go to Real Colima in Pajaro- bacon wrapped shrimp, birria on weekends, killer guac, and the seafood cocktails would make the dead mambo! Fri Aug 25 03:38:56 -0700 2006 1789065 17252 aureliano buendia 1 1837036 Now, you SC locals all know where these places are, but remember, there are lots of out-of-towners who'd love to visit these places when they're in the area! So please, could someone give a rundown on the town, and maybe address and phone #s? Much appreciated! Mon Aug 28 01:39:45 -0700 2006 1789065 11234 toodie jane