Skip to Content
Tacos

Santa Barbara Taco Battle: Champ La Super Rica vs. Challenger La Colmena

Grubstreet LA ventured North to Santa Barbara and put SB's legendary La Super Rica, taco slingers for decades on Milpas Street up against a newcomer on the opposite side of the street, La Colmena. An excerpt:

La Colmena (The Beehive), a rootsy taqueria housed in the old Pavlakos diner space, where the rounded block juts backward like a confused, small town Flatiron Building, opened in early 2010 to serve superior tacos in handmade tortillas under the direction of chef Alvaro Abrego, whose catering outfit preceded his taqueria. In addition, the restaurant has great gooey quesadillas, choriqueso, burritos, and at least one special per day. But more importantly, the restaurant serves alambres, the D.F. street grill staple of mashed-up grilled meats and vegetables that's forms a signature draw at Super Rica. More importantly, they are excellent at La Colmena and there's not even the threat of a wait.

You may be surprised by who wins the taco battle, read the article to find out and to see tons of side-by-side comparison pictures.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

DAILY MEMO: ‘They’re Going To Kill Him,’ Toddler Says, As Border Patrol Arrests Her Father

Today, even without the usual border patrol raiders, ICE, on their own, managed to pick up around 18 people, mostly targeted attacks, including a huge raid in Monterey Park across the street from Mark Keppel High School around 7:30 a.m. this morning, where, reportedly, 8 Asian folks were taken in a large operation that included ICE and HSI agents, as students were being dropped off at school across the street.  

February 2, 2026

As Protests Raged Around Them, this ‘Banned In L.A.’ Punk Band Played to Hundreds At MDC

As the U.S. government wages war on immigrants, with Los Angeles bearing the brunt of ICE's violent tactics, this DIY Dead City show felt historic—echoing Rage Against the Machine's legendary protest set outside the 2000 DNC.

February 2, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #13: Mask On

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

February 1, 2026

LAPD Chief hints they may not enforce mask bans on federal immigration agents

"It's not a good public policy decision and it wasn't well thought out in my opinion,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell during a press conference for the release of 2025 citywide crime data.

January 31, 2026

DAILY MEMO: Border Patrol Continues To Follow, Point Their Guns, and Detain Community Watchers

While L.A. showed out for the General Strike, with what felt like 100,000 people marching for three hours from downtown L.A. to Boyle Heights and back, ICE and Border Patrol continued their new streak of following and arresting community watchers.

January 30, 2026

Weekend Eats: Lucia Exploring Black Foodways On Fairfax

While Tomat teams up with a bagel business to raise money for CHIRLA.

January 30, 2026
See all posts