Quick Take Santa Cruz County is famous for January beach days, but winter is still the season of the soup. Winter does not mean the same thing in Santa Cruz County as it does in other parts of the world. The carne en su jugo at Taqueria Santa Cruz is topped with avocado and comes with tortilla and dried chiles. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzTaqueria Santa Cruz 2215 Mission St., Santa Cruz | 831-423-0606 1002 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-429-5193 taqueriasantacruz.comSince the early 1990s, Taqueria Santa Cruz has carved a name for itself in Santa Cruz’s Mexican restaurant scene for flavorful street tacos, weighty burritos and — for those in the know — tangy, hearty bowls of carne en su jugo ($14.50 small/$16.25 large). Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzFirefish Grill 25 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz | 831-423-5200 firefishgrill.netMost clam chowders offer more vibes than flavor, but the seafood chowder ($28.95) at Firefish Grill, located about halfway down the Santa Cruz Wharf, flips that narrative.