Taqueria Jalapeños y Pupuseria

Your local Santa Cruz Mexican / Salvadorian food joint.

OPEN10:00 am – 9:00 pm

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(831) 466-6565
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Our Story

Welcome to our Pupuseria!

We specialize in food from down south.

We’re proud to bring both Salvadorian & Mexican cuisine to Santa Cruz.

Full Menu

Testimonials

What People are Saying

Taqueria Jalapenos y Pupuseria

4.2

Based on 593 reviews

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Squidy Squid

3 years ago

The food and service is terrible go another place. My order became soup in the togo plate? Usually they put the liquid items in togo cups but they couldn’t be bothered. The ridiculous amount of sour cream and their water guacamole mixed with everything, my tortilla was not a tortilla anymore, they overfilled them too so it spilled in the bag . I waited at the counter for ten minutes to get my order taken when I kept making eye contact with a worker just hanging out behind the counter. She wasn’t busy and would pretend not see me. They seemed shocked I wanted to order when another worker came over, like do you even know where you are rn. Idk they both seemed high or something

Brie Fleming

3 years ago

Secret recipes are not legal in 2023. People have allergies and need to know what is in the food they are eating. Peanut allergies should not be taken lightly and the response to someone that has said allergies should not be "we cannot tell you, it's a secret." THIS IS NOT A THING. I've called both locations multiple times and cannot talk to a single manager/owner on duty. First off, you should always have a person in charge on duty. So as a result of this, I will be sharing my experience with the Better Business Bureau to report this incident that should could have been avoided the first two times I mentioned my severe peanut allergy (before ordering) and then the second time after my reaction began. Thank you for ruining my day, Jalapenos.

Lydia Nderitu

3 years ago

Quesabirria tacos were delicious. They load it up with some good protein and nice gooey cheese. I also recommend the fried plantains. Super tacos also come with a generous amount of toppings. I was satisfied.

Sonia Vaca

4 years ago

Service at the register could be warmer but that doesn't take too much from the food.

Roman Davidovich

4 years ago

Ordered a shredded chicken super burrito and had some issues with the food. The chicken was to tough to chew and it wasn’t shredded enough. Every time I took a bite there was a huge chunk of chicken and that’s not really pleasant to experience when you’re trying to enjoy your food. The tortilla was soggy as well. I don’t think I’ll be going back especially if they’re going to be this careless with food.

mel brewster

4 years ago

We had a super long wait to get our food, but the pupusas were SO GOOD!

Katharina Sayyida

4 years ago

Great (also in terms of size) vegan burrito and even the green sauce was vegan 🙂 good prices too!

Javier Blanchard

4 years ago

Ridiculous. Straight up effin delicious. Papusas are on point and the best I've ever had. If you like spice get there hottest salsa it was mouth burning BUT still full of flavor. This my new spot in Santa cruz.

Brenda Zamora

4 years ago

Best PUPUSAS I've ever had.
I've had PUPUSAS in San Francisco, Gilroy, Watsonville and Marina, California and none compare to Santa Cruz.
We come to Santa Cruz once a month for PUPUSAS. Our favorite pupusas are filled with the chicharron beans and cheese.

RUTH CASTRO

4 years ago

I’m from a different state . And was in need of authentic Salvadorean/ Mexican food. I ate like 4 different times in 3 days at this place . The food is AMAZING just what I was looking for and the customer service was just as amazing.

Daniella Amoroso

4 years ago

Amazing food. Great price. Omg get the nachos

Rita Cox

4 years ago

Delicious! Rice was a bit underdone but was flavorful none the less. Got myself the pupusas, excellent! Hubby got himself the flautas, he said they were great too! Friendly staff, table service given. Perfect lunch spot!

Squeakdragon

4 years ago

We got Burritos from here a week ago and honestly whoever made them did an excellent job. Bits of every ingredient in every bite, tasted fresh and good. Can't speak for other's experiences but mine was good.

Ernesto Leyva

4 years ago

Bomb Popusas!!!! that I have had in a while, the super Taco is 💣💣💣💣 too. My wife and I had an awesome experience.

O M

4 years ago

Great serving size and delicious food. Love the chili macho

Ernesto De La Rosa

5 years ago

Best super burritos around with the right mixture of ingredients with every bite. Their salsas are also perfection.

FeeshKeelah Outdoors

5 years ago

Great food , great service. The chile rellenos were great and pupusa's were FIYA !!!

Tito

5 years ago

I gotta say the food is good and yes I would come back to this place again

Jacqueline Rangel

5 years ago

The tacos and pupusas are good but even though I placed a considerable order to go, they didnt go out of the way to help me, or at least offer to help me carry everything to the car. I had to go back and forth four times in the rain; not very accommodating. I guess customer service could improve!

Sara Kabot

5 years ago

My favorite fish taco and my family loves the loroco papusas. Great Chile Verde too.

Eddie Garcia

5 years ago

No flavor too much sauce taste like just tomatoes

Brianna Garcia

5 years ago

I was raised Hispanic, and this place did not disappoint.
We got the super taco which was very satisfying. And we also got the mixed pupusa which was fresh and very flavorful. Overall would return over and over!!

Dakota

5 years ago

Best dang veggie burrito in Santa Cruz hands down. Absolutely worth it.

pancho Perez

5 years ago

Came here because of the positive reviews about the pupusas. They weren't bad but they were definitely not authentic Salvadorian pupusas. I give them a 3.

M Fernandez

5 years ago

Out if all the Mexican restaurants/taquerias we have eaten this one ranks at the very low if my list, will not come back here. Does not taste good and they take long to deliver food, one plate at a time so dice of us in a table by the time they brought the third plate the first two persons had finish their food. 👎 Food not tasty, no flavor, chorizo tastes horrible, shrimp a la diabla the worse I've eaten🙈 lengua nachos we ask with no veggies but the lengua had no flavor, the other two meals were burritos but again mising flavor.

God's Child

5 years ago

Spicy and delicious! I had a taco asada and enchilada plate. I pigged out! Lol

Tony Schumacher

5 years ago

Great little hole in the wall. Service was great and did was even better!

Golden Gate Digital

5 years ago

Oh my gosh what an amazing restaurant. The tacos were out of this world and there were a lot of great choices for fresh, tasty, authentic Mexican food. It's a must if you're in Santa Cruz.

Dalton Jobson

5 years ago

Amazing, delicious food. Always grab a vegan burrito when nearby. The tomatillo salsa is also great to put on your burrito

Smokers Guide Products

5 years ago

Fast and friendly service on way to/from the beach. Pupusas are piping hot and served with sauce and pickled veg. (Only be careful of a potential spillage disaster with the Ziploc bags they're served in, especially if driving and eating 😱) Prawn burritos are solid and tasty. Usually busy so best to call in the order. 👍🏽

Juana Chiappetta

5 years ago

The food was good but the papusa cold have been filled a little more. But they're hot coli was HOT, which is how I like it!!!!

Angie Stewart

5 years ago

Giant Merican-size pupusaS. They actually serve it with the coleslaw mix (you’d be surprised). Order one & take it from there or your waistline will resemble a pupusa

raul rodriguez

5 years ago

Great food but rude service, I also called my order in 20 minutes in advanced to come and wait another 10.. I can understand that happening if it’s a busy day, however there was no one in line no phones ringing..

Deena Watkins

5 years ago

The workers are nice the place is clean and oh boy is the food hot fresh and delicious

Monica Alvarado

5 years ago

Amazing food! I stumbled across this place on vacation and was pleasantly surprised on the friendliness of the staff and got my food fast.

Jasmine

5 years ago

We were from out of town looking for yummy food. Thank goodness we found this place. Food was delicious and fresh. We ordered the pupusas with jalapeno cheese, zucchini cheese, chicharron and cheese, and a mixed vegetable they were all delicious and the employees were friendly. They offer indoor and outdoor dining but have NO bathrooms. We will definitely be back, next visit.

Susana Vasquez

5 years ago

I ordered 2 pupusas, one revuelta one bean and cheese and I could not spot the difference because it was as if I had only ordered a bean and cheese pupusa. Their beans taste right out of a can and their pupusas in my opinion are not close to what Salvadoran pupusas taste like. I have had many pupusas from different places and these just don’t make the cut at all. I don’t usually leave reviews but I was very unsatisfied with their pupusas. Not authentic at all.

Ana Reed

5 years ago

Tacos and pupusas were delicious. Definitely worth the trip over the hill.

Amy Vincent

5 years ago

great vegan burritos. they almost always get my order right. their fries are bland tho

Amanda Muoneke

5 years ago

They forgot most of our order and also weren’t able to be reached by phone directly for a period of time. The taste of what we received was okay, but we were missing more than half of what we originally had ordered.

joshua carolan

5 years ago

The food here is excellent, I def recommend trying their wet burrito

camille

5 years ago

Although there are many great taquerias in Santa Cruz his is my favorite. ❤
The menu is wild, it has everything you want, need and can imagine. Mole burrito is what's up. And any wet burrito🌯 🥴🤤 Can't wait to try the pupusa's soon.

alex topete

5 years ago

Great service, authentic taste and good prices.

Jenn Skorich

6 years ago

Whenever I am in a new town one of the 1st things I try to find is a great taco place... ✔done! Great tacos, papayas, ceviche and AMAZING chili relleno!

J guadalupe Gutierrez

6 years ago

Worse sirves ever , in employer had bad attitude, never I will come back

James S

6 years ago

This is my go-to for tacos, burritos and just about any other dish. Watch out for the salsa though. Hot don't mess around. It's the honey badger of salsa's.

Julio Lopez

6 years ago

Cheese pupusas are the best

Jorge M

6 years ago

I ordered a super burrito de asada, it was good. The tortilla was a little under done and the asada was a bit dry but other then that, it was tasteful.

rogue factotum

6 years ago

Excellent breakfast burritos

Sandra Vasconcelos

6 years ago

Love the pupusas. Service was very fast.

Narfy Mendoza

6 years ago

Excellent popusas.

Rose-Anne Maguire

6 years ago

Has vegan burrito. Made fresh vegan pupusas for us with beans and spinach. Outside waiting area is spotless

Shannan Vudmaska

6 years ago

Never had anything i didn't like. I love their chili rellenos. Their rice and beans are consistently yum. And you can't go wrong with handmade tortillas.

Luke Schmidt

6 years ago

I got the veggie burrito off the veggy menu. I was drawn to this place after I saw they misspelled the word "veggie". I'm bad at spelling as well so I felt an immediate connection with this place after seeing the "veggy menu" sign. It made me feel good about myself that I was able to catch the spelling error. I rarely notice misspelled words and I rarely feel good about myself, so seeing this sign was a pleasant surprise. When I walked in I noticed that "veggie" was spelled the correct way on the sign inside. It was cool seeing the progression of the word. Their inside sign learned from the mistakes their outside sign made. I can definitely resonate with that. I almost never spell anything right the first time I write a review. Then after I read it over multiple times, I'll find out what I misspelled.
For example, if you're reading this right now, this is not the original review I wrote. The original review had many grammar and spelling mistakes. The first time I wrote this review, I wrote out "right" when I was actually trying to say "write". Anyways, after checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, then I'll post the review on Yelp. Even after proofreading the review and then posting it on Yelp, I'll still find words misspelled later. I'm sure there are so many posted reviews where I'll never find the grammar/spelling mistakes. All I'm trying to say is that I don't blame this place for misspelling the word "veggie", I misspell words all the time. I kind of prefer "veggy" over "veggie". "Veggy" is quicker and to the point. It's one less letter than "veggie", so I'd imagine people would save a lot more time if they used "veggy" instead of "veggie". When it comes down to it, I didn't go to a taqueria to see proper spelling, I went for the burritos. The burrito was incredible here and for all I care they could misspell every word on their sign and I'd still come back for their amazing veggie/veggy burrito.

Kate Nicholson

6 years ago

So grateful for this spot. Delicious pupusas, which can be hard to find! Also lovely mole, generous burritos, a side of avocado is like a whole avocado! Swift, friendly service and super tasty food.

Vanessa Iniguez

6 years ago

Pupusas and quesadilla were delicious. Bomb salsa for the pupusas and repollo.

Ruben Salazar

6 years ago

Authentic Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant, had the lengua (tongue) burrito and the cheese and jalapeno pupusa, pretty good!

G Rami

6 years ago

Take out only. Cash not accepted. Super burrito, carnitas, was very tasty. Hot sauce had the right amount of heat. I'll return.

Tina Garcia

6 years ago

Great tasting food, stoped here from out of town to eat. Place was clean and people were nice. Will eat here again.

Victor delosAngeles Jr

6 years ago

Very accommodating food was excellent and I love their jalapenos and carrots to carrots were perfect or not too hot and just like you enough to actually enjoy the food huge thumbs up

Oisin McGuigan

6 years ago

Really great Papusas. Taco plate was good too. Very inexpensive, prompt service and an extremely we'll run establishment. I will be back.

Sara Karn

6 years ago

We had a great meal. Fresh ingredients and friendly service. We'll definitely be back.

Derek Loveless

6 years ago

O man this place is so good. Awesome pupusas very filling and the micheladas set the tone. You wont be disappointed.

alex palomar

6 years ago

Been here a ton of times and began to get board with the menu so my friends and I asked the owner ( nice guy ) to take the downtown veggie burrito which is stuffed added meat and grilled it. Super good. The best hidden item is you take his bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer and turn it into a burrito. Fat boy awesome ! So you can just about take any item and make it a burrito lol . Is you ask Robert nicely he will make it. Enjoy.

Matthew Gredell

6 years ago

We went for a late breakfast/early lunch. This is a great Mexican restaurant, with excellent prices and good service. Given the time of day I was looking to get a cup of coffee, and they made me a cup even though it wasn't listed on the menu. I ordered a super burrito, which was excellent as well. If you're looking for "that one Mexican restaurant that consistently delivers," I think this one is a great bet.

Yolanda Bradley

6 years ago

My preferred place for tasty Mexican food. Loved this place from the first taste. The service was very welcoming and observant. The bill was fair.

Kali Jay

6 years ago

After going here for several years. I realized that a certain employee claiming to be the owner was over charging me evey time I went in and he was there. I won't eat here anymore after I realized I was being ripped off by this certain employee. We used to eat here on a regular basis. I don't recommend this place to anyone anymore and I have even warned my neighbors about this place because we live so near by. Very sad to have to write this review but it isn't right!

Philip Andrew

6 years ago

Their Downtown burrito can't be beat! And their menu variety is excellent! Everything we've eaten here has been delicious!

Shelly Catudal

7 years ago

Nice place and very friendly. It's our go to for Salvadorian pupusas. We love just the plain cheese ones, but they have other interesting choices like veggies, mushrooms or beans. Jalapenos does put in an a real effort for vegetarians, so thanks for that! But I love seafood so I recommend the fish tacos. I get at least four!
Some drawbacks are that the plantains are sometimes cooked when their not ripened enough, so they end up being hard and not sweet. I've told them before that I'd rather them tell me that up front, or just say that they are out of that menu item than let me pay for it and leave, only to return for a refund because it's not edible. My only other advice is that if you tend to go there towards the end of the night, the refried beans may be a bit past their prime. But overall these guys are great and we're a big fan! Don't ever leave me, I can't live without your pupusas. .....