Taqueria Las Palmas is an oft-overlooked Mexican eatery tucked into a rather, er, colorful strip near the Greyhound Bus station. Suffice to say it’s not the sort of place you stumble upon, but definitely a spot worth seeking out.
What brings local foodies and more than a few off-duty chefs to this modest family restaurant is simple Mexican fare made by hand. You’ll notice right off that the small open kitchen operates more like a high-end restaurant than a short-order diner. Each dish is prepared to order (so it can take more than 60 seconds to get your tacos) with fresh ingredients and a deft hand.
I was impressed to learn that Juan (the restaurant is co-owned by brothers Juan and Luis) has done stints in the kitchens of Zazu, Zin and Michele Marie’s before opening the taqueria several years ago. And that experience shows.
The dish I return for again and again is chile rellenos ($5.95), a cheese-stuffed Pablano pepper that’s deep fried and smothered in a zesty tomato sauce. Camarones a la diabla ($9.75) are another specialty, packing some serious heat. When my guys are at the table, Carne asada tacos ($1.99) don’t last long enough for me to pilfer. The super Chimichanga ($6.55), a deep fried burrito filled with beef, took down a bigger gullet than mine with its hot sauce and sheer size at about six bites. Lengua, chorizo and cabeza are also on the menu, along with traditional plates of alambres, moles and chile verde.
Taqueria Las Palmas, 415 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.546.3091.
We had lunch at Las Palmas. The food was great and so was the service. We had the fish special, now we have, yes, have to go back for the chile verde and the vegetarian dishes but not at the same time.
Way to go Las Palmas!
PREVIOUS COMMENTS
POSTED BY:
bryn and james (27/12/2008 7:07:49 PM)
We’ve been eating here for 3 years, and have grown very fond of the owners. We moved from Petaluma back up to northern Idaho, and can honestly say that I miss this gem most of all. Love you guys.
POSTED BY:
AJ’s Daddy (07/10/2008 9:06:42 PM)
Well we finally made to eat at Las Palmas and it was Awesome. I talked to Juan and to him next time I would love to try his Chile Verde. But as a few folks here have said the Carnitas were the best I’ve ever had. Super Food, Super Service, Super Clean and Super nice people. Andre’ We’ll be back for sure!!
POSTED BY:
Charlie (10/12/2007 1:10:22 PM)
Carnitas are off the map! Gotta go back…
POSTED BY:
Kathy (01/12/2007 10:35:14 PM)
Finally made it for a quick lunch–had the relleno and taco al pastor. Both met my high expecations, liked the staff and service, the space is fine, will definitely gi back, and took a take-out menu with me also.
POSTED BY:
Eat_Nopal (01/12/2007 2:45:34 PM)
Made a quick detour to try the Al Pastor… it tasted fine but was pretty average (Not Real Al Pastor… not roasted on a Vertical Spit with Onions & Pineapple) it was just decent Puerco Adobado.
POSTED BY:
nick xenelis (16/11/2007 10:24:21 AM)
Las Palmas has the best tacos al pastor as well as their taco al pollo, and I imagine if i got past those two dishes the other tacos will be amazing as well. One of the best kept secrets of Santa Rosa’s small restaurants, it has fresh food, good service, friendly and helpful folks to bring one the taste of real home cooking. Glad to see it get press in the PD.
POSTED BY:
Wojamo (14/11/2007 1:50:52 PM)
Checked it out last night- Great place! Tried the chile relleno based on Heather’s recommendation. It was really good, but not as good as the taco al pastor. Spouse got the “smaller” chimichanga and it was still a force to be reckoned with. Also, VERY good. Good recommendation! Would never have found it without BiteClub.
POSTED BY:
Mike (13/11/2007 12:45:45 PM)
Las Palmas!!!!!!!!! It’s weird I was on the Press Demo website and saw Las Palmas as a small link and had to click on it. I’ve lived across from this restaurant for year before I ever went and I’m glad I did. Las Palmas is easily considered my favorite Mexican restaurant in Santa Rosa. Everything they make is above average and extremely delicious. Black beans can be added to any dish to replace refried beans which is nice the chicken tostadas are amazing for $4.50. One tostada is all I need to fill up with chips and salsa and I’m a grown man. I’ve tried every mexican joint in town and nothing even comes close to Las Palmas. The presentation is amazing and the fresh vegetables and guacamole are always perfect. This place truly is a hidden gem, a diamond in the ruff if you will. Once you find this place it’s hard to eat at other Mexican restaurants. Mexican food doesn’t get better than this in my opinion, and they purchase all their food supplies(meat, produce) from Pacific Market which is a high end market with expensive food. It really shows how much care they put into each order. You gotta try this place to believe it.!!!! You won’t be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!
POSTED BY:
Mike (13/11/2007 12:42:37 PM)
Las Palmas!!!!!!!!! It’s weird I was on the Press Demo website and saw Las Palmas as a small link and had to click on it. I’ve lived across from this restaurant for year before I ever went and I’m glad I did. Las Palmas is easily considered my favorite Mexican restaurant in Santa Rosa. Everything they make is above average and extremely delicious. Black beans can be added to any dish to replace refried beans which is nice the chicken tostadas are amazing for $4.50. One tostada is all I need to fill up with chips and salsa and I’m a grown man. I’ve tried every mexican joint in town and nothing even comes close to Las Palmas. The presentation is amazing and the fresh vegetables and guacamole are always perfect. This place truly is a hidden gem, a diamond in the ruff if you will. Once you find this place it’s hard to eat at other Mexican restaurants. Mexican food doesn’t get better than this in my opinion, and they purchase all their food supplies(meat, produce) from Pacific Market which is a high end market with expensive food. It really shows how much care they put into each order. You gotta try this place to believe it.!!!! You won’t be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!
POSTED BY:
Maria (13/11/2007 9:02:11 AM)
They’re open Monday through Sunday from 9 to 9. You HAVE to go!
POSTED BY:
Wojamo (12/11/2007 6:29:27 PM)
What are the days/hours of operation of this place? Could you start adding that to each posting? I seem to remember seeing it on past postings…. Thanks!
POSTED BY:
TRACEY (12/11/2007 11:41:39 AM)
Went yesterday, was NOT disappointed! Will go back again and again.
POSTED BY:
bjg (10/11/2007 5:41:03 PM)
I live in Sebastopol and tend to stay here, or go further west, for most of dining pleasures. (Nothing personal. I just don’t care for the “big city” feel of SR these days.) Early this summer a young male cousin was staying with me for a couple months. He needed an occasional ride to the Greyhound station to go off visiting others. It was during one of these drop-offs that i discovered Las P. I, too, was stuck on the chili rellenos for a while because it’s the first dish i try when visiting a new-to-me Mexican restaurant. If the place fails the chili relleno test then i don’t go back. Las P didn’t fail, and i was so impressed that i returned the next day, too. A number of visits later (i don’t cook much), i *forced* myself to get something besides those absolutely wonderful chili rellenos and dicovered the carnitas tacos–yum yum yum yum yum–and the absolutely incredibly delicious chicken mole. Just as it’s hard to make really good chili rellenos, so is it difficult to do mole well. Las P does mole really well, indeed. What a wonderful restaurant Las P is. I wish a long and happy existence for this wonderful eatery!
POSTED BY:
jgoody (09/11/2007 9:29:48 PM)
Found it. They will be on KQED “Check Please” on the 16th, 8:30pm. Had Las P. for dinner tonight. Kick but* tacos!!
POSTED BY:
Annie (09/11/2007 8:28:21 PM)
I absolutely love the carne asada plato. You’re going home from work & are close to Santa Rosa Ave. near HWY 12 & find the Greyhound station & the restaurant. It’s not a 1 minute wait….they cook everything to order, but sit down….unwind for just a short while & you won’t be sorry.
POSTED BY:
jgoody (09/11/2007 3:40:27 PM)
I’m definitely going to check Las P. out soon. Hey Heather! What was going on at Central Market in Petaluma last night? They had cameras and lights and what not. We look to you first for restaurant news and gossip. Don’t fail us now!
POSTED BY:
Xochitl (09/11/2007 2:11:43 PM)
Taqueria Las Palmas catered our daughter’s quincenera this summer and we are still getting asked who made the food! Their carnitas are out of this world and the personal service you receive from them is incredible.
POSTED BY:
Xochitl (09/11/2007 2:08:17 PM)
Taqueria Las Palmas catered our daughter’s birthday party this summer and we are still getting asked who made the food! Their carnitas are out of this world and the personal service you receive from them is incredible.
POSTED BY:
Kim Jones (09/11/2007 11:44:14 AM)
You have to try the fish tacos at Las Palmas!!! They’re not on the menu but from what I’ve heard Juan started making them when his wife had baby cravings. They have this chipotle cream sauce that is INCREDIBLE!!! They have the best Mexican food in town!
POSTED BY:
Spencer Kaitlin (09/11/2007 11:14:34 AM)
My boyfriend works at Subculture Tattoo across the way from Las Palmas and seriously now that I’ve experienced Las Palmas I don’t think I could live without it. I have the hardest time deciding what to get from their menu, because everything is delicious! I personally love the super nachos (extra sour cream) and my boyfriend swears by their tortas (no sour cream, extra black beans and jalapenos).
POSTED BY:
Dante (09/11/2007 10:44:28 AM)
Taqueria Las Palmas has been my favorite Mexican food for years now, and despite my telling everyone about it, it remains a well kept secret. Ah, the camarones a la diabla, they’re my very favorite, but rivaling them for breakfast are the incredible $5 huevos rancheros. The food renaissance in this stretch of Santa Rosa Avenue adjacent to the Juilliard Park / Burbank Gardens neighborhoods is very exciting: Las Palmas, Parkside Cafe & Cafe Saint Rose. Couldn’t get any better…
POSTED BY:
Vince (09/11/2007 10:11:59 AM)
You can order the camarones hot or mild and the hot is SERIOUSLY hot. The sauce is so good, though, that you have to keep eating them. I think Las Palmas makes the best carnitas in town, surpassing my second favorite, Taqueria Santa Rosa.