Lito’s Mexican Restaurant on East Haley Street in Santa Barbara has been serving authentic Mexican food to the Santa Barbara community since it opened, building a reputation around the scratch-made tacos, burritos, and traditional Mexican plates that earn a neighborhood taqueria its multigenerational loyal following in a city where Mexican food is taken seriously. It appeared in Season 13, Episode 5 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Scratch Made Classics,” which aired December 26, 2011. Guy Fieri found a Santa Barbara kitchen doing authentic Mexican cooking from scratch — house-made salsas, slow-braised meats, and the fresh tortillas that separate a real taqueria from the competition.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Lito’s Mexican Restaurant
City: Santa Barbara, California
Cuisine: Authentic Mexican
DDD Season: 13
DDD Episode: 5
Episode Title: Scratch Made Classics
Original Air Date: December 26, 2011
Address: 514 E. Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: 805-962-1559
Website: https://www.litossb.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Carne Asada Burrito — grilled marinated beef, rice, beans, fresh salsa, and guacamole wrapped in a flour tortilla — is the signature that most regulars build their visit around. The Street Tacos on fresh corn tortillas with your choice of al pastor, carnitas, or carne asada are the authentic taqueria option worth ordering alongside. The Chile Verde with slow-braised pork in roasted green chile sauce is the traditional plate that showcases what a scratch kitchen does differently. The House-Made Salsas, both verde and roja made fresh daily, are the condiments that complete every order. Find a Santa Barbara hotel on Travelocity.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. Note that the restaurant now operates as Lito’s Mexican Take Out.
Address: 514 E. Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: 805-962-1559
Website: https://www.litossb.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Scratch Made Classics episode on Amazon and bring authentic Mexican flavors home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Top Secret Sauce.
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Lito’s Mexican Restaurant appeared in Season 13, Episode 5 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Scratch Made Classics,” originally aired December 26, 2011.