Located in a compact strip mall, SaMo’s Oaxaca has quickly garnered a reputation for its authentic Oaxacan cuisine, delighting customers near the Santa Monica pier. Doug Alft describes it as a "superb find," praising the rich, flavorful mole and the delicious birria tacos that strike the perfect balance of moisture and taste. Other patrons echo this sentiment, highlighting the skillful preparation and the unique flavors found in dishes like street tacos and Oaxacan burritos.
Customer experiences reveal the charm of the restaurant’s ambiance, albeit limited seating, where diners often opt for takeout. Nicole Winter appreciated the staff's thoughtful recommendations catering to dietary restrictions, while Brian Kim simply praised the "excellent tacos and very friendly staff." Monique Quiros’s review points out the adventurous options like chili grasshoppers, showcasing SaMo's Oaxaca's commitment to authenticity.
With reasonable prices and a welcoming atmosphere, SaMo’s Oaxaca stands out as a must-visit spot for both locals and visitors, offering a taste of Oaxaca in Santa Monica. The outstanding horchata adds a sweet finish, leaving patrons eager to return for more delightful dishes.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour food
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Photos
Reviews For SaMo’s Oaxaca
Doug Alft
Jul 2,2025
A superb find in a tiny strip mall about a mile from the Santa Monica pier! We're big fans of Mexican cuisine and have had great Mexican food experiences in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Mexico and our home area of Madison, WI. This list could go on and on. Now, in telling the person who served us how great their Mexican food is, he gently corrected us that this is Oaxacan food. The mole was definitely of the Oaxacan style, dark, rich, ever so slightly gritty with pumpkin seed, slightly spicy and absolutely delicious! Our other choice was berria tacos I've had some delicious versions of this in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Texas, but sometimes they lack a distinct taste and are too wet. These were exceptionally flavorful and the perfect degree of moisture. I only give 4 stars to give a heads up on the location. Three tables and you share the dining room with coolers and the service counter. The staff was friendly, authentic and competent. Because of our gushing over the food, our server treated us to 2 cups of their horchata... again, delicious.
Brian Kim
Jun 27,2025
Excellent tacos and very friendly staff!
Nicole Winter
Jun 18,2025
As soon as we walked in the door, we got incredibly thoughtful recommendations based on multiple dietary restrictions. The guy who helped us was great—super personable and funny. When our food came out, everything tasted AMAZING. It was one of the best meals any of us had in while. Cannot recommend highly enough!
Monique Quiros
Jun 16,2025
Situated in a very compact strip center, the restaurant offered good and authentic food, including chili grasshoppers or possibly crickets. The prices were average. Unfortunately, there were no public restrooms, which was inconvenient since this was our first meal after a long drive.
Shanelle S
Jun 6,2025
Santa Monica hole-in-the-wall serving Oaxacan food and Mexican food standbys. Came here for lunch on a Saturday, and ate the food in nearby Hotchkiss Park. There were a few outdoor dining tables, but the majority of people that came in got takeout. Credit cards are accepted, and you can call ahead or order online for pickup. Limited parking is available in the strip mall lot. The Oaxacan burrito is vegetarian, but you have the option to add meat for an additional cost. I was curious about the Oaxacan cheese that came inside of it, and I would describe it as a smoky mozzarella. The burrito also came with black beans, rice, a smattering of avocado, and salsas. The street tacos are 2.25, with an additional charge for lengua or asada. The chivo (goat) taco has a deep flavor and was tender. My dad said his tripas taco was the best he’s ever had. Overall, a nice spot to grab some reasonably priced Mexican food in SM.
skinmeister
Jun 6,2025
Picked up Fish Tacos and Mole Enchiladas the other night and everything tasted great. Prompt And friendly service, too! Parking is a little dense in that small strip mall where the restaurant is located, though! Be aware.
Erica Cabrera
Mar 19,2025
Fantastic street tacos LOADED with meat and all the fixings. The highlight of our meal was the black mole chicken plate. Overall 40 for 6 tacos, mole and a Jamaica drink and 10x the quality of some fancy joints by the beach. We will be back! P.S. get there by 11:30 to beat the lunch rush
Sam Ahrens
Mar 14,2025
Very delicious tacos. Steak was juicy, tortillas soft and warm, the 3 salsas were super good, the guacamole was also very good. 10/10 recommend.
Reviews For SaMo’s Oaxaca