Taqueria Santa Cruz Express is a mexican restaurant in Upper Monterey, San Luis Obispo.
Editorially verified August 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Al pastor tacos, Burritos
Must order: Al pastor tacos with everything, plus a horchata.
Tip: The Foothill Boulevard branch at 862 Foothill runs later into the evening for the campus crowd.
Address: 1308 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
1865 Craft House & Kitchen pairs modern American plates with a deep Central Coast tap list on Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo's motel-row gastropub.
Signature: Smash burgers, Craft beer flights
Order: A smash burger with a flight of Central Coast taps.
Tip: Weekend brunch starts at 10:30; book ahead if you are bringing a group.
San Luis Taqueria grills burritos and enchiladas on Chorro Street until 01:00 on weekends, downtown San Luis Obispo's dependable after-bars kitchen.
Signature: Burritos, Enchiladas
Order: A carnitas burrito, which also happens to be downtown's best 00:30 decision.
Tip: Thursday to Saturday it serves until 01:00, later than nearly every kitchen downtown.
Ziggy's flips plant-based burgers and black bean taquitos near the Cal Poly edge of San Luis Obispo, with shakes that hide their dairy-free build well.
Signature: Black bean taquitos, Plant-based burgers
Order: Black bean taquitos under kale slaw and chipotle sauce.
Tip: The vegan menu is clearly labelled; order the house Ziggy patty over the Impossible if you want the original.
Seeds blends acai bowls, smoothies and paninis on Court Street plaza, San Luis Obispo's default refuel after a morning on the Cerro San Luis trails.
Signature: Acai bowls, Paninis
Order: An acai bowl and a pressed juice after the Cerro San Luis hike.
Tip: The Court Street patio catches morning sun; vegan and vegetarian builds are marked across the menu.
Del Monte Cafe has run as a family diner in San Luis Obispo's Railroad District since 1981, cooking breakfast through dinner a block from the Amtrak depot.
Signature: Chicken fried steak, Breakfast plates
Order: The breakfast plates before an Amtrak departure two blocks away.
Tip: Sunday service stops at 14:00; on weekdays it is one of the few diners serving dinner.
1865 Craft House & Kitchen pairs modern American plates with a deep Central Coast tap list on Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo's motel-row gastropub.
Signature: Smash burgers, Craft beer flights
Order: A smash burger with a flight of Central Coast taps.
Tip: Weekend brunch starts at 10:30; book ahead if you are bringing a group.
Corazon Cafe is a family-run counter on Higuera Street pouring Southern Mexican coffee drinks with a rotating Latin brunch menu in San Luis Obispo.
Signature: Cafe de olla, Chilaquiles
Order: Cafe de olla with the rotating Latin breakfast plate.
Tip: The cafe de olla, spiced with cinnamon and piloncillo, is the order that sets it apart downtown.
