Little Tampico

Karen Spence

It's been a while since I've been here, service and food excellent!

My husband took me here recently because he had been taken there by a client and he had enjoyed it very much; the food, location and the atmosphere. I was happy to try it and even more so after the fact because the food was delicious, it is located in a beautiful area along a stream and even the customers were very friendly amongst each other. Its a big place and there is plenty of seating to choose from; outside and inside, with outdoor views that are pleasing to the eye. I am looking forward to going back and bringing others with us!

We were quickly seated at a creekside table. Chips and 2 different salsas immediately. Drinks shortly thereafter, and Happy Hour is 3-6. My crispy chicken tacos were delicious. Asked for 2 flour tortillas, recieved in moments. Ask for more salsa and chips, also quickly given. Everything was great, and service was fantastic.

Absolutely love this little spot. All of the staff was incredibly friendly. Be cautious of Mollies margarita and possibly start with a smollie - incredibly strong and sure to knock your socks off. Had the most delicious cheesecake with lemon curd and some bomb crunchy shredded beef tacos. Will return to this gem.

I love the food. It's very consistent. Great enchiladas and tostada. Chile replenish are excellent

We always have a good meal here. Don't have the Molly Margarita if you are driving but have one if you aren't

Mexican food with a view of green trees over Soquel creek. They often have halal chicken which is why we choose this place over others a lot! The tostada suprema is a favorite dish & the fajitas come out on a fancy sizzling plate. I’ve liked everything we have chosen in the menu and I’ve never waited long for seating or our meal. You get the usual homemade chips & salsa while you wait.

Been going there off and on for many years, never a problem, always friendly, and the food was alway great and served as should be. Our last server “Heather” was very friendly, informative and made sure we were well taken care of. I give her 5 stars. The food 5 stars. I take my visitors from out of town there. Happy!

I love little Tampico. The owner is wonderful people and Heather. He’s a wonderful barmaid always helping out everybody. How do you recommend this place?

Paul Doherty

Been going there off and on for many years, never a problem, always friendly, and the food was alway great and served as should be. Our last server “Heather” was very friendly, informative and made sure we were well taken care of. I give her 5 stars. The food 5 stars. I take my visitors from out of town there. Happy!

Tim Bezzerides

We always have a good meal here. Don't have the Molly Margarita if you are driving but have one if you aren't

Christine Nordquist

I love the food. It's very consistent. Great enchiladas and tostada. Chile replenish are excellent

Ron Myers

Loved the chili rellenos as they were not battered and fried

Lauren Donnelly

Absolutely love this little spot. All of the staff was incredibly friendly. Be cautious of Mollies margarita and possibly start with a smollie - incredibly strong and sure to knock your socks off. Had the most delicious cheesecake with lemon curd and some bomb crunchy shredded beef tacos. Will return to this gem.

Aisha Opinionatedhijabi

Mexican food with a view of green trees over Soquel creek. They often have halal chicken which is why we choose this place over others a lot! The tostada suprema is a favorite dish & the fajitas come out on a fancy sizzling plate. I’ve liked everything we have chosen in the menu and I’ve never waited long for seating or our meal. You get the usual homemade chips & salsa while you wait.

Peter Stanger

We were quickly seated at a creekside table. Chips and 2 different salsas immediately. Drinks shortly thereafter, and Happy Hour is 3-6. My crispy chicken tacos were delicious. Asked for 2 flour tortillas, recieved in moments. Ask for more salsa and chips, also quickly given. Everything was great, and service was fantastic.

KDMtry

My husband took me here recently because he had been taken there by a client and he had enjoyed it very much; the food, location and the atmosphere. I was happy to try it and even more so after the fact because the food was delicious, it is located in a beautiful area along a stream and even the customers were very friendly amongst each other. Its a big place and there is plenty of seating to choose from; outside and inside, with outdoor views that are pleasing to the eye. I am looking forward to going back and bringing others with us!

Customer service: Very good. Friendly and attentive! Menu: Great options plus vegan and vegetarian choices. No matter what you like, there is poetically something here for you. Bar/alcohol: Good, strong and well priced margaritas. Good selections of tequila. And basic beers. Food: Pretty good. My vegan tacos were delicious and I got black beans instead of refried so I was happy with it. My dairy eating friends had slight complaints about it being too cheesy, but still delicious. The biggest problem was that the guacamole was bland and plain. We had to poor a tone of salt and there was nothing in it. No lime, cilantro, tomatoes etc. Just avocado mashed up.... very disappointing. Would still go there, but don't get the guac!

SKM Music (Sara Marsalis)

Customer service: Very good. Friendly and attentive! Menu: Great options plus vegan and vegetarian choices. No matter what you like, there is poetically something here for you. Bar/alcohol: Good, strong and well priced margaritas. Good selections of tequila. And basic beers. Food: Pretty good. My vegan tacos were delicious and I got black beans instead of refried so I was happy with it. My dairy eating friends had slight complaints about it being too cheesy, but still delicious. The biggest problem was that the guacamole was bland and plain. We had to poor a tone of salt and there was nothing in it. No lime, cilantro, tomatoes etc. Just avocado mashed up.... very disappointing. Would still go there, but don't get the guac!

Great little place in Soquel. Misty was our server and she was delightful! Good advice on food and drinks. Helpful and knowledgeable. Nachos were delicious and Chile Verde is always top notch.

Lindsay Beagle

Great little place in Soquel. Misty was our server and she was delightful! Good advice on food and drinks. Helpful and knowledgeable. Nachos were delicious and Chile Verde is always top notch.

Suzanne Gill

I really wanted to like this place!!! Went on a Tuesday night and barely anyone was in there. Server was very nice and attentive, but the food took a long time and it was just OK (not a lot of flavor). There was a non-service dog seated in a chair at the table behind us inside, which was annoying. I'd go back if the food was better.

Don't know about dinner, just got lunch to go. A dram of middling Scotch for 15 bucks, ow dad. Some chips & salsa while waiting, the salsa reminded me of Linda's Seabreeze Cafe, ie very pretty, but no flavor. I took the bartenders advice and ordered the super duper Tampico "Killer Quesadilla" with the $4.00 upgrade to beef pieces. I believe it cost me $6.00 an ounce for that meat cuz it was mighty tough to find among the 9 mushroom slices inside that 4 inch tortilla. Lady friend had a bean, rice and cheese burrito. When asked how it was, she said "Meh" Other lady friend got a half order of nachos, no meat. I didn't try it, but it looked like Safeway fare. I would not go back there for lunch. For dinner maybe. I remember when last there years ago it was a hoppin' dinner joint. But for lunch? No dad. There are a lot better Mexican joints everywhere around here. Every one of them in fact. Sorry Little Tampico. I really wanted to love you, but it's just not in the cards.

My wife and I had lunch there today and weren’t impressed by the food. In my opinion, both of our meals tasted like microwaved, frozen meals. Both meals were bland and had toppings such as big pieces of black olives, big pieces of uncooked/unseasoned jalapeños, and half-melted shredded cheese. Luckily, the staff were friendly and the meal wasn’t very expensive.

I really like the atmosphere here but it was bad night for food and service. I ordered the carne asada tacos and the meat sour and grey, like it’d been bathing in citrus and reheated. Terrible texture, taste, and smell. $25 gone! Check in at the table were limited and no offer for drink refills. People say this is their favorite place, I don’t know why.

Two stars only because they USED to have the best margarita in town (the Molly), but ownership changed and they make them with cheap ingredients now and it’s trash.

Stephanie French

I really like the atmosphere here but it was bad night for food and service. I ordered the carne asada tacos and the meat sour and grey, like it’d been bathing in citrus and reheated. Terrible texture, taste, and smell. $25 gone! Check in at the table were limited and no offer for drink refills. People say this is their favorite place, I don’t know why.

Jenavieve Pase

Two stars only because they USED to have the best margarita in town (the Molly), but ownership changed and they make them with cheap ingredients now and it’s trash.

Motechi

Don't know about dinner, just got lunch to go. A dram of middling Scotch for 15 bucks, ow dad. Some chips & salsa while waiting, the salsa reminded me of Linda's Seabreeze Cafe, ie very pretty, but no flavor. I took the bartenders advice and ordered the super duper Tampico "Killer Quesadilla" with the $4.00 upgrade to beef pieces. I believe it cost me $6.00 an ounce for that meat cuz it was mighty tough to find among the 9 mushroom slices inside that 4 inch tortilla. Lady friend had a bean, rice and cheese burrito. When asked how it was, she said "Meh" Other lady friend got a half order of nachos, no meat. I didn't try it, but it looked like Safeway fare. I would not go back there for lunch. For dinner maybe. I remember when last there years ago it was a hoppin' dinner joint. But for lunch? No dad. There are a lot better Mexican joints everywhere around here. Every one of them in fact. Sorry Little Tampico. I really wanted to love you, but it's just not in the cards.

Local

My wife and I had lunch there today and weren’t impressed by the food. In my opinion, both of our meals tasted like microwaved, frozen meals. Both meals were bland and had toppings such as big pieces of black olives, big pieces of uncooked/unseasoned jalapeños, and half-melted shredded cheese. Luckily, the staff were friendly and the meal wasn’t very expensive.