After an afternoon wandering around the Santa Monica Pier and walking along the beach, my friend and I realized we were both craving the same thing: tacos and margaritas. Luckily, Blue Plate Taco sits just steps from the pier and had exactly what we were looking for. The restaurant has a relaxed, beachy vibe that fits perfectly with the Santa Monica setting, and it immediately felt like the right place to unwind after a day by the water.
With the ocean breeze and the lively atmosphere, it felt like the kind of spot where tacos and margaritas were practically required.
Blue Plate Taco
La Peña Margarita
We started with a round of drinks. My friend ordered the La Peña Margarita, which featured charred pineapple, cilantro, agave, and citrus. It was super refreshing, though I personally wished the pineapple flavor came through a little stronger. She loved it though, so it clearly hit the mark.
La Pena Margarita
Hibiscus Prickly Pear Margarita
I went with the Hibiscus Prickly Pear Margarita. It leaned a little sweeter, which meant I was immediately a fan. The hint of thyme in the drink balanced the sweetness nicely and made it feel more complex than your typical margarita.
Hibiscus Prickly Pear Margarita
Three Taco Combo
Since it was the middle of the afternoon, we decided to split three tacos so we could try a few different options. We ordered the chicken, fish, and steak tacos.
Three Tacos
Chicken Taco
The Chicken Taco was filled with juicy chicken topped with guajillo salsa, avocado, queso fresco, and lettuce. It was served on a corn tortilla folded in half, which kept all the toppings tucked inside and made each bite nicely balanced.
Chicken Taco
Steak Taco
The Steak Taco was a bit more classic, topped with cilantro and pickled red onions. It may have been simpler than the others, but it was still packed with flavor.
Steak Taco
Baja Fish Taco
My favorite taco of the bunch was easily the Fish Taco. I ordered it Baja-style, meaning the fish was beer-battered and fried. It came topped with onions, shredded cabbage, and chipotle aioli. The crispy fish paired perfectly with the creamy sauce and crunchy cabbage — we probably should have ordered a second one.
Fish Taco
Refreshing Slaw
All of the tacos came with a side of light, refreshing slaw that was a great contrast to the richness of the tacos.
Planning a Visit
Blue Plate Taco is located at 1515 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, just steps from the beach and the Santa Monica Pier.
If you’re exploring the area, it’s a great stop for tacos and margaritas after spending the day along the coast.
You can see where else my travels take me, here.
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More California Food Adventures
If you’re planning a trip to California or just enjoy following along with my travel food finds, here are a few other spots I visited that are worth checking out:
- Gjelina (Venice, CA) – a popular Venice restaurant known for seasonal small plates, incredible pizzas, and one of the most exciting menus on the West Coast.
- Poke Bowl Factory (Anaheim, CA) – a great stop for customizable poke bowls packed with incredibly fresh fish and toppings.
- Szechuan Impression (Alhambra, CA) – a fantastic Sichuan restaurant known for bold flavors, spicy dishes, and traditional Chinese cooking.
These restaurants were some of the highlights from my California food adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Plate Taco
Where is Blue Plate Taco located?
Blue Plate Taco is located at 1515 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California.
What type of food does Blue Plate Taco serve?
The restaurant serves Mexican-inspired dishes including tacos, margaritas, and beach-friendly small plates.
What are popular tacos at Blue Plate Taco?
Popular choices include the Baja fish taco, chicken taco with guajillo salsa, and classic steak taco.
Is Blue Plate Taco near the Santa Monica Pier?
Yes. The restaurant is located just steps from the Santa Monica Pier and the beach.
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Categories: California, Travel