danna fromsanta barbara, 8/2/2010
Reviewer: danna
from Santa Barbara, CA
the food is just o.k. nothing more. the portions are very small and not worth the price. don't understand all thos 5 * they got.
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YUMMO, 7/13/2010
Reviewer: Karen
from California
I've been stopping at La Super Rica for years when I travel through Santa Barbara. I've even taken the long way home just so I can get a La Super Rica fix. The food is always good, simple and fresh. I agree the line is long and moves slow, but it is worth the wait. Love the cheese stuffed Pasillas with pork!
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Sour uvas, 7/13/2010
Reviewer: Roger Blair
from Lakewood, Ca.
I've eaten at Super Rica three times and enjoyed it on each occasion. It's now a must on my itinerary when passing through or visiting Santa Barbara. I find it amusing to note the one critic's negative rating of service ( in a seat yourself, self-serve place)because they couldn't take an order over the phone. Excuse me, but have you seen the line and cash register set up? They don't have room for a separate take-out window or room for a separate line for phone orderers seeking "cut-sies" in line and special preference. Why do they answer the phone? I suppose to tell the public they're open for business or directions on how to get there, or for emergency contact. And it's also amusing and revealing to note that most negative critics seem to have an agenda as well, with comments like so and so's restaurant down the street or a few blocks over is better. Really? Then why waste time patronizing or critiquing Super Rica then...?
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Quick & Satisfying, 6/18/2010
Reviewer: Sarah Tarlow
from Los Angeles, CA
I don't understand the logic of "white patrons = mediocre mexican food." No restaurant is perfect, but La Super Rica does appeal to my love of cheese & chorizo. This is not your run-of-the-mill Mex with crispy tacos, rice & refried beans kind of place. Yes, the long lines try your patience, but if you go there enough, you learn how to avoid it.
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it's tacos de hongos season, 5/22/2010
Reviewer: Chris C.
from Santa Barbara, CA
The seasonal spices are available so it's mushroom taco time for a couple of months at La Super Rica...at least on Saturdays and maybe Sundays. Try some of the other special items that aren't listed on the main menu board for wonderful tastes, in addition to the reliable standbys.
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Last Supper (how can anyone not like this?), 4/21/2010
Reviewer: Stephen Malinowski
from San Francisco Bay Area, California
Santa Barbara is my home town, but I moved north the year before La Super Rica opened, and I only learned about it a few years ago. I now eat there every time I come to Santa Barbara to visit family and friends. It's probably a good thing I don't live in SB, because I'd give in to the temptation to pig out on #16 (the Super Rica Special) at every opportunity. I would be going there today if it weren't closed Wednesdays (I'm writing this review instead --- a person can dream). I'm surprised at the negative reviews, because I've never met anyone who didn't think the food was fabulous. To-go from La Super Rica was the last meal I gave my mother; she loved it. (Note: I didn't rate the service because it's self-serve.)
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No line and good times!, 4/13/2010
Reviewer: Tom
from Santa Barbara, CA
We had some great food! The portions were more than generous. I think that as time goes by their little grill is getting seasoned to perfection. EXCELLENT chalkboard selections including that awesome chorizo and cheese.
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Good food., 4/10/2010
Reviewer: Aaron Gosnell
from Santa Barbara, CA
La Super Rica has good food.The prices are reasonable.The service is okay.The lines are a bit long.But that's to be expected with great food.This was my first time.But it won't be the last.I like it alot.
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Bad Service - Food OK, 4/8/2010
Reviewer: Martha
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food is just ok if you don't know any better - Only thing that is worth it is the tortillas. Service is bad, when trying to place an order over the phone, they turn me down by answering to say they are to busy to take orders over the phone. Why do they answer???
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Food doesnt match the hype, 4/7/2010
Reviewer: Lee
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'd been hearing about this place since I moved here in 2007, how Julia Child thought this was the best mexican food place in town, but I just wasn't impressed. The tri-tip and fresh hand made tortillas were delicious but the pork and marinated pork were dry. The cost of a 10 oz. cup of horchata is almost $3. really!?
The staff was accommodating and friendly but the food just wasnt worth the wait down the block nor the price tag. I would have rather spent that $24 on Super Cuca's.
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More to it than meets the eye, 4/7/2010
Reviewer: Jackie
from Santa Barbara, CA
My family has been coming here every time we go to Santa Barbarafor about 10 years. It is always a pitstop when coming home from a trip up north. Over the years, we have gotten to know the owner and his story. He incorporates dishes into his menu from many different regions of Mexico, providing very diverse flavors. That being said, if you are acustomed to eating a specific kind of Mexican food, you might not enjoy the menu as much. We love it!
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I miss it, 1/2/2010
Reviewer: rebecca cooper
from tacoma, washington
My family and I have been to Santa Barbara several times on different trips, we always eat there, and It is the one thing I still miss. Here in washington state I haven't been able to find anything close.
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Hour long wait, for decent food!, 12/29/2009
Reviewer: Aaron
from Santa Barbara, CA
A previous review stated that Mondays tend to have the shortest lines, so i went on a Monday. I waited over an hour in line, not joking at all (if Mondays lines are short, i would hate to go on any other day). Other then the wait, everything was somewhat above average. Decent selection on the menu, and I enjoyed the rather bland atmosphere. The Adobado Tacos were nothing to write home about, but pretty good (Lilly's tacos are way better and a dollar less per taco). I certainly liked the hand-made-to-order tortillas. I will definitely be back for a second try,just not during peak business hours
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For Those Who Keep Judging a Place by the # of Hispanics..., 12/20/2009
Reviewer: Ronaldo
from Santa Barbara, CA
First of all, this is Santa Barbara we're talking about. Not too many Hispanics are located in that area to begin with. Secondly, why would they go to a place in Santa Barbara when there are so many good places in the heart of LA?
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Hit or Miss- You takes our chances, but the charm is real, 10/10/2009
Reviewer: matt shanaberger
from Santa Barbara, CA
You know you have to go there. Mondays seem to have the shortest lines. I note after the dozens of times eating there that some days are a hit, others a miss. Part may be that often times the meats are nicely spiced and salted, others it seems like they aren't at all. So, my complain os often that the food is very bland, and just dousing it with hot sauce is not really how to compensate. The queso dish is a perennial favorite, in case you have a hankering to stop your heart. And the tortillas are of course nice, fresh, handmade. So, take your chances. The prices are good. Of course, Rudy's over on Montecito Street does a bang-up job, and in my mind Los Arroyos is still king!
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From one of the very first patrons, 10/9/2009
Reviewer: Wesley Wilvert
from Carrollton, GA
I graduated from SBHS in '67. I do not remember when La Super Rica first opened, and I cannot remember the owner's name, but I DO remember being one of his first and most frequent patrons until moving to Denver in '85. I don't know what it's like now, but I promise I WILL return for a meal the next time I am in town. All I can say is - from the pics I am pleased to see it has not changed much if at all, and I will always remember the food as having been the best of its kind I have ever had.
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Overrated, 10/8/2009
Reviewer: Alex
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have eaten here about 3 times, at the insistence of friends, and have been disappointed each time. The food is ok, not great. The salsa's are bland and disappointing. It seems to me they are very focused on volume rather than quality. There is a much better place just a couple blocks down the street.
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Our Super Rica experience, 10/7/2009
Reviewer: Roger and Roberta Sypek
from Santa Barbara, CA
Having been referred to the restaurant by a friend's glowing recommendation and having perused these reviews, we dropped by Super Rica for lunch on a Monday day trip to Santa Barabara. As mentioned elsewhere, the order window space is cramped, so we had to stand a few minutes and let people squeeze past as we surveyed the variety of menu items on the chalkboard. We decided on the popular #16,an order of Chilaquiles, and an order each of tacos...one of bistec and the other a special shredded beef with creamy guacamole. All the food was delicious, the portions generous, the #16 being a sort of deconstructed chile relleno with strips of pasilla and fried whole green onions in cheese over marinated pork and tortillas. Excellent! The gentleman taking the order was very friendly and helpful, and the food came up in no time...maybe 4 or 5 minutes. We went away full and happy, with no sense of the place being over-hyped by the reviews. We are looking forward to our next visit and to further exploration of the menu.
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Poor attempt at Pozole
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
I should have stuck to my regular chalkboard selections and avoided the pozole special. It was shortly after Fiesta, and I was still relishing the awesome goodness of the pozole at Our Lady of Guadalupe, I decided to try the La Super Rica version. It was not that good...too thick, like it had corn starch in it or some other thickening agent, and I couldn't really taste the different elements. On the other hand, the #16 was as good as ever!
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Can't wait
Reviewer: Lily
from Venice, CA
There are two reasons people write bad reviews of SuperRica: 1) they just like to bash things that are "popular" or 2) they own another taco place on Milpas!
Every time I go to SB I can't wait to eat there. The line is long, but it gives you time to figure out what to order. I have never been disappointed and love the tamales!
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I'm getting hungry
Reviewer: John Hamilton
from Irvine, CA
My wife and I used to live in Santa Clarita -- about an hour and fifteen minutes from Santa Barbara. After we discovered La Superica, we went there pretty much every time we went to Santa Barbara and about twice a year we would make the 2 1/2 hour roundtrip just for this amazing food. My personal favorite is the Tacos de Rajas, but I never had anything I didn't enjoy. The guacamole is fantastic too!
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By reading these reviews, it's not for everybody. But it's definitely worth a try. You may fall in love with it like we did.
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Live in Orange County now and haven't had La Superica in a year. I need to get up there soon.
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P.S. Yeah, I'm a pretty standard issue white guy. I hardly see how that makes my opinion less valuable.
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Overrated
Reviewer: Irishkevbo
from Irvine, CA
I had La Superica for lunch and I have to say I didn't get it. I had a chile relleno in cream sauce and it was disgusting. 2 pounds of cheese, no flavor in a bland cream sauce.
The #16 was good but will melted cheese all over it, I found it gooey and hard to eat. I have eaten some great Mexican in my day and La Superica was not one of them.
P.S Great salsa and tortillas
P.S.S When you only see white people eating the food you know the food is not legit.
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crowded look... decieving
Reviewer: Ryan
from Santa Barbara, CA
"There is a reason the line is out the door every day they are open"
That reason is actually the fact that there is only room for 1-2 people inside where you place your order. It looks packed when there is more than 3 people in line. Once you go to sit down there is room for about 20-30 people total.
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Do the math
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place is great if you know what to order. They have very good food. It's a bit pricey, and I've been doing a little math. Average check about $8 times 500 (very conservative) is $4000 a day times 20 days a month = $80000 a month. Take this business plan and run with it!!!
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1st time for him
Reviewer: gloria
from san pedro/ca
my husband's 1st time there. he enjoyed his tacos, my chilaquiles and beans. brought the veg tamale home. we ordered too much. the cafe de olla was delicious! sweet w/ canela (cinnamon)
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Great Little Place!
Reviewer: Felipe
from Los Angeles
When I first got there, I thought I was not going to be impressed. It is a great place where they make hand made tortillas fresh everyday. The assortment of dishes gives everyone a chance to try something new. Everytime I am in town, I make a trip to get some chicken tacos and guacamole.
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Always been a fan...
Reviewer: Stacey
from Santa Barbara, CA
It seems like Super Rica is so hit and miss for people. I have ALWAYS loved it. When I first introduced my husband to it, he was unimpressed, but has learned to love it. You have to go and try several different dishes to find your favorite and to appropriate it. I highly recommend #16- marinated pork with pasillas and cheese melted on homemade tortillas. Everything is very simple but freshly made, from the tortillas to the meat to the salsa. If you can appreciate simple Mexican food at its best, than Super Rica is for you! Yes, after you order it may take quite a while to get your food, so don't ever go expecting to get in and out quickly! But well worth the wait.
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Not sure I understand the hype
Reviewer: Liz
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've lived in the area for a number of years and had never eaten here until a friend insisted. The food's good as long as you're a meat lover. The complete lack of Mexican people dining in the restaurant made me suspicious. My best comment - the spicy food is truly spicy.
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Very average
Reviewer: Eric
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm amused at the number of people who defend superica using the number of years they and their families have lived in SB - somehow length of residency corresponds to taste in food?
Superica is average, greasy mexican fast food. There are many better choices along Milpas and elsewhere in town. I don't hate their food but to its certainly nothing unusually good.
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Super great meals for 25 years. Worth the wait.
Reviewer: Rachel
from Santa Barbara, CA
Ignore the naysayers. I grew up in SB and my family has lived here for nearly 100 years. We know good local food and have eaten at dozens and dozens of places in SB. La Super Rica is one of a kind and not to be missed. The lines are long for a reason. If you want white tablecloths, this is not your place.
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Best in SB, Top 5 in California, top 5 I've ever had
Reviewer: Mikey
from Santa Barbara, CA
El Sitio and Rudy's don't hold a candle so SuperRica. They (every restaurant and business) need to raise prices from time to time. I must say, their portion sizes have remained the same. Rice, beans, enchiladas, tamales, chilaquiles, etc all the specials can't really get "smaller". The fondu cups are the same size they always were. The tacos have always been quite small portions but the meat is good quality an around 3-4 bucks. Maybe you're getting larger? The Julia Childs thing is played out and old, people need to stop using that as a measure in which to rate the place. There is a reason the line is out the door every day they are open; La Super Rica has excellent food and people constantly come back because of that. If you don't like it, why do you keep returning? Regarding customer service, the owner and his son are always cordial and friendly at the window, from there it's pretty much self service but they will help you with something if you ask for it.
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Overrated and Disappointing - Please Read
Reviewer: George
from Santa Barbara, CA
Just because Julia Childs went here doesn't mean its an amazing restaurant. As a long time SB local, La Superica has changed its prices and quantity of food. The same people are cooking and the dirty ambiance has only gotten dirtier. I always sit on the side decks because the white chairs are browned out. Don't go in the bathroom - enough said! The food is excellent, however every time I go there the quantity keeps on getting smaller and I get less tortillas for over 5 bucks. Don't come here if you expect any sort of service because they do not care! Everyone who goes back to Super Rica would care less because the restaurant looks authentic. For improvement... quantities need to be bigger again to match the price. Overall, its a JOKE -- try El Citio or Rudy's for better service.
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What Does 25 Years Of Long Lines Say About A Restaurant
Reviewer: Max Cornish
from Hillsdale, MI
Several years ago I read that Santa Barbara had more restaurants per capita than any other city. During the fifteen years I lived there restaurants opened and closed with amazing frequency. The hottest trendiest ones would have daily lines waiting to get in for their first 2 or 3 years. La Super Rica has had lines for 25 years. To those who trashed La Super Rica, it might just be you.
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My Wife INtroduced me to Super Rica, he favorite restaurant
Reviewer: Paul Coyne
from Los Angeles, CA
My wife hails from Southern California, while I originally come from Massachusetts. We have different palates, obviously. I'm happy with a greasy burger. She's happy with a grassy salad.
On a recent return from a wine trip to Solvang, Sara drove us into Santa Barbara to introduce me to the favorite restaurant of he youth, this tiny taco stand. She has told me that both Julia Child and Mario Batali list this as among their favorite eateries in the world. But she was a fan long before she knew who they wee.
The food was delicious. Fresh, perfectly blessed with spice, and served with a refreshing lack of pretense. Just good food.
Sara writes a food blog and her latest was about growing up in Southern California and dining at Super Rica. She's a far better write than I. Check out her blog:
is married to a woman from California, but don't hold that against her. New Culinerapy post: http://culinerapy.blogspot.com/
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nOT WORTH THE WAIT!!
Reviewer: NANCY
from Santa Barbara, CA
IVE EATEN THERE MAYBE THREE TIMES IN 15 YEARS AND I ONLY LIVE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. MOST OF THE TIME ITS ONLY BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE WILL WANT TO EAT THERE. SO---THERE I GO TOO! BAD IDEA MOST OF THE TIME. YOU HAVE TO ORDER AT LEAST THREE THINGS OFF THEIR MENU TO GET A REAL MEAL PORTION. I THINK IF THEY ARE AS SUCCESSFULL AS THEY APPEAR SOME OF THEIR PROFITS SHOULD GO TO CLEANING THE PLACE UP A LITTLE. SPECIALLY WHEN YOUR JUST ABOUT TO WALK IN AND YOUR LOOKING RIGHT INTO THEIR KITCHEN. NOT THE CLEANEST PLACE FOR YOUR FOOD TO BE COOKED IN. I DONT EVER SEE THE COOK RUN TO THE SINK FOR A QUICK WASH WHILE GRABBING FRESH MEAT OUT OF THE FRIDGE AND THEN TOUCH THE REST OF THE ALREADY COOKED MEAT. SO...I DONT THINK I'LL BE JOINING WHOEVER WANTS TO GO EAT NEXT TIME. I'LL JUST POINT THEM TO THE PLACE. LOL
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don't leave Santa Barbara without eating here
Reviewer: Nicole
from Alta Loma, CA
We have been visiting Santa Barbara regularly for 12 years and never miss eating at La Super Rica at least once during our stay. The food is like no other! The people that seem to find fault with this place are probably looking for the type of Mexican food you can get anywhere. This is not what you get at La Super Rica. The food here is very fresh and very tasty. If you choose to try this place, you will be in for a unique dining experience. We love, love, love La Super Rica!
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WAY OVERRATED--BLAND AND PLAIN
Reviewer: Brian
from Isla Vista, CA
I had always heard about La super rica and how "great" it was so I decided to check it out one day (having evaluated most of the other mexican places in town). I was VERY disappointed. The food has NO flavor!!! what kind of Mexican food has no spices and no flavor? Granted, it was cooked decently but I could have made something much tastier at home. GO TO RUDY'S ON MONTECITO/BATH ST. WAAAAAY BETTER+ they have the best salsa selections and better portions :)
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NOOOOOM
Reviewer: Rae Hauptfeld
from Santa Clarita, CA
nom nom nom!! This place is my favorite! It's just a fun place to go when you need a bite to eat when visiting Santa Barbara.
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Pesticides
Reviewer: JC
from Santa Barbara, CA
My family attempted to eat at La Super Rica Taqueria today and as we entered the building where orders are placed we were overcome with stong smells of pesticides. We didn't stay around to findout what the source was but it really upset us as we had been looking forward to eating their food as we love this restaurant. This is the third time we have smelled pesticides and our last visit unfortunately to what is otherwise a wonderful restaurant. Please cleanup your act so you dont harm your employees or others. Thanks.
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Food was OK
Reviewer: Michelle
from Tampa, FL
The food was OK. I liked the place at the La Cumbre Plaza better. The food was bland as well. It was cheap but I wouldn't go back.
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overrated.
Reviewer: Beth
from Oceanside, Ca
This place is so overrated. The meat was dry, the line is way too long. It's cheap because the servings are way too small. This is not real Mexican food. I couldn't even eat the gorditas de frijoles.
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WAAAAYYYY over-hyped
Reviewer: brian
from Santa Barbara, CA
No service and the food is bland and not worth the wait. When Julia was there, way back when, food standards were obviously a LOT lower. If you want authentic Mexican go to any other restaurant on Milpas and they will blow this restaurant away. Try Lily's for a great cheek taco, or Altamarino's for a great Pozole. Way better options all up and down Milpas, leave super rica for the people who only go there to say they went to "the restaurant Julia Child went to".
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A Tasty Tradition
Reviewer: Al
from Santa Clarita, CA
We have eaten here since it opened. The food is fresh and the waiting in line is a social event, not a pain. The criticism that Hispanics don't eat here is only partially true; they come in and take food out, back to their job sites, not eating in the dining porch. Try #16, pasilla and pork tacos. The best specials are the sopes (little masa boats of chicken, cheese and sauce) or the chilaquiles, which are made only occasionally.
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One of the BEST places to eat in all of Santa Barbara!
Reviewer: Dennie Ferry LaTourelle
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been going to La Super Rica for nearly 28 years! Even before Julia Child called it
"The best restaurant in Santa Barbara." It's totally and dependably yummy. The lines
can be VERY long so go on off hours, if possible. Their homemade salsa is to die
for. Bon apetit!
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Yum
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
Super Rica has enchiladas on Wednesdays. Chicken with mushrooms and cheese and a good sauce. They also have chilaquiles, chile rellenos, sopes, pozole, fried shredded beef tacos with avocado sauce, calibacita tacos, fish tamales, and a host of other specials on different days of the week. They have over 20 menu items to choose from, not including the few specials each day. Latinos and people from many cultures go there to eat every day.
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Different is not 'more authentic'
Reviewer: Sandra
from Santa Barbara, CA
It seems people have built up a folklore around La Super Rica because they don't serve burritos, enchiladas, etc. It's true that many of the dishes they do serve can't be easily found at other places, but these are generally very plain dishes -- no wonder other restaurants don't bother with them! The quality is fine, the selection is limited, the 'authenticity' is no different than anywhere else -- I'm always disappointed when friends suggest this place. I'd recommend stopping elsewhere on Milpas or Haley, unless you prefer to be surrounded by non-Latinos while eating Mexican food.
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Fresh and authentic ingredients
Reviewer: Beatriz
from Santa Barbara, CA
The refreshing thing about La Super Rica is that you get fresh corn tortillas. That deserves an A. Secondly, no flour tortillas or cheddar cheese. Even better. I love meat, but my favorite dishes were all vegetarian ones! I had the mushroom and epazote taco, the vegetable tamale, and the chile relleno filled with vegetables. Take the review for what it's worth. I'll be back as soon as I get a chance!
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