Monday, November 15, 2010

La Cabana - Santa Paula, CA

Santa Paula, The Citrus Capital of the World, also has a Mexican restaurant on almost every corner and side street. This time, we tried La Cabana because the new, Tia Babes decided that Monday was not a good day to be open - mistake!

Chips and salsa - very refreshing. Salsa, not too spicy and chips perfectly salted due to a few extra shakes from the salter. Good stuff - two baskets please!

Melissa Good Taste said, "Yes, please" to a margarita on the rocks. Tasty. I don't know the last time I had a margarita...

I ordered a shredded beef enchilada with rice and beans I asked for the the meal to have an extra shot under the broiler - I like things really hot and they did not disappoint.

First off, I apologize for the quality of the photos. My little Flip Video doesn't seem to like indoor lighting. Anyhow, I loved this little dive. yes, I said dive. From the outside you would probably worry about the safety of your car while during your stay. But, once welcomed by the staff, you feel perfectly at home. Would I return? You betcha!

4 comments:

JustinM said...

Santa Paula has always been a place that I have driven through. 4 years ago I stopped at the Bob's Big Boy Express and it was lousy. I drove by it last Thursday; I believe it's a Del Taco now. But I will make a point next time I'm in Santa Paula to stop for lunch. Do you have a particular Mexican restaurant to recommend?

Anonymous said...

Not a good start towards that bikini figure. :-)

Melissa Good Taste said...

No. Not the best start to my bikini figure. I guess i will have a little "junk in my trunk"... Anyhow - Justin, Family Diaz is the most popular but La Cabana, in my humble opinion was better. Although Family Diaz does have a multi-salsa bar... score!

Anonymous said...

For the LIFE of me, I can not understand one single negative comment about La Cabana - and I agree, too, that there are SOOoo many Mexican Food places in Santa Paula, & almost ALL of them disappoint! La Cabana's food, service, ambiance, (yes, once inside!) is, in my opinion, stellar! First time we went, on recommendation of a friend, I remarked to my wife that we probably couldn't afford the place, 'cause we were seated by an actual HOSTESS, a very attractive WHITE woman - and in Santa Paula! Prices REMARKABLE; Chips, salsa, food, "F-ing BUENO! It would be hard to say that the food is better anywhere else, but, there IS "THE GARDEN MARKET," that doesn't qualify as a restaurant, per sey - and it doesn't SOUND very "Mexican-y" - but the big, yellow sign with a big arrow, and the words, "la cocina"" assures you that you're in the right place! I have THIS to say, about The Garden Market, located at 10th & Virginia (STRAIGHT on 10th, rather that to fade-right, to go to Ojai, the back way - and only a block from that light)

"God is everywhere, but He gets His Mexican Food at The Garden Market!"

If The Garden Market is closed, (closed early on Saturday, and all day Sunday, which is how we found La Cabana, in the first place!) or if you want drinks, and/or a sit-down restaurant, La Cabana is the ONLY place to go - take my advice, & simply turn a deaf-ear to other recommendations...