Palapa

I’d heard a rumor that Palapa had some happy hours and I went last week to investigate.

Here’s the 411!

Happy Hour: M-F 3pm-6pm

Margaritas and Sunsets: $3
Island Brew $3:50
Imported Beer: $2.50
Domestic Beer: $2.00
Wine: $3

Cheese, chicken or beef quesadilla: $4.95
Cheese, chicken or beef nachos: $4.95
Chicken or beef tacos, $1.50

The margarita is offered on the rocks or blended.
The tacos are crunchy shell or soft.

I got the margarita blended, and one each of the chicken and beef soft tacos, costing a whopping $6. Didn’t have to dig too deep for that.

I am no margarita expert. This appears to be a wine margarita that may or may not be based on some kind of Mexican recipe. I asked around and here is the explanation: no liquor license.
The loophole is to serve agave wine, and some other places serve soju (win for me!). This is essentially a 40% alcohol.

I did, however, have to driven home, because the margarita was rather ample and I’m a wee bit of a lightweight.

The tacos were also ample and I quite liked the beef taco, that was chunks of steak. The crunchy tacos are filled with shredded beef first into a soft tortilla, then the whole thing is deep fried. Then topped with lettuce, avocado and cheese.

Not on special for happy hour is Palapa’s flan, but I still ordered one, as I consider the flan to be one of the best in SB. Ooooh so good.

This is not the type of place that gets random foot traffic, so a great place to avoid the tourist crowd. It was not busy at all when I arrived around 5:30 pm and I so thoroughly enjoyed it that I’ve returned there a second time for happy hour and will go again this week.

Complimentary chips and salsa, too. Note: expect the typical upsells of guacamole and other drink and food items. If you are truly hard up for cash, stay strict to the happy hour menu.

Past entries:
17 November, 2007

Palapa
4123 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93190