El Herradero

Reviews

• Michael M.

  star star star star star 25 October 2026

  First off they brought a bowl of great veggie soup. Tasty and not salty. Yummy. What an introduction.
  
  Guacamole is real, not full of tomatoes and other things. The rice that comes with a meal is delicious as are the creamy refried beans. #8 fried tacos are done perfect. The fish tacos were grilled and really good.
  
  Our waitress didn't really speak English, about as good as my Spanish, lol. We had a good time trying to converse. Completely enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere.

• Lola R.

  star star star star star_border 20 October 2026

  Real authentic Mexican restaurant. Not too pretty but food is good and service was great. The food takes awhile to come out but it's expected because it's all freshly done by order. Great Mexican seafood specials and spicy salsa.

• Rick C.

  star star star star star_border 19 October 2026

  Definitely authentic and home style Mexican food. I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures but the Chile Verde Burrito and Beef Taco plate were yum yum yum. Refried beans and rice like Mamacita made. Salsa was spicy. Chips were good but I've had better, thus the reason for the 4 stars. And if you're going for ambience go to a LA, Nuevo restaurant. You want authentic Mexican where the local Latinos way go here. And if you're white like me let freedom ring that my brown brothers and sisters welcomed me in because I was the only Gringo in the place...loved every minute of it and will go back. G

• Brittany C.

  star star star star_border star_border 11 October 2026

  We were passing through Santa Maria and wanted to grab a bite to eat. I was surprised at the mixed reviews on all the Restaurants in the area. The only place that sounded like a good spot was booked through until 830 pm and walking in you probably wouldn't get seated for an hour.  So we decided let's try Mexican, again all the Mexican places were mixed reviews. No stand outs, so we tried this place. My husband likes hole in the wall restaurants so I was keeping an open mind.  To me it looked old and dirty but I'm going to tough it out and try.  They gave us chips and salsa and they were good. But if you want refills it's 2.00$. What?? I have never had a Mexican restaurant charge for more chips.  Probably better that way, we don't need them. They don't have fountain drinks, they are in bottles and cans so no refills.  My son ordered a bean and cheese burrito with red sauce and cheese on it.  Down below is the picture hardly any sauce. He said it was good though.  My husband ordered a Cubano Torta he said it was good, not the worst or the best.  I ordered a chicken quesadilla. I didn't know you could put too much cheese on anything, this was way too much.  Waitress never came back to refill my husbands water.  Overall it's just not great.  Also my son didn't want to use the men's restroom I guess it was very gross.  I would not return to this place.

• Ant C.

  star star star star star_border 10 October 2026

  We were stopping through on the way home.  My son wanted something "exotic" lol.  My wife searched and searched on yelp for something that wasn't a chain and had reasonable reviews.  Surprisingly this was hard for her in Santa Maria.  We settled on this restaurant.  It is a little hole in the wall off the beaten path.  We were greeted quickly and advised to sit anywhere.  We arrived just in time because it filled up quick.  The food wasn't bad.  Plenty of food.  Although they charge you for refills of chips and salsa.?????????? We have never heard of that.  Also there are no fountain drinks.