If you know, you know. And if you don’t, let me put you onto something good. Cocina Mariposa is located in the clubhouse at the Eureka Municipal Golf Course, and yes, it’s open to the public. You don’t need to golf. You just need to love bold, flavorful Mexican food made from scratch, with heart.
This restaurant, opened in August 2019, is the creative home of Chef Marisela Carrillo, who draws on regional Michoacán traditions and family recipes to build a menu that feels familiar and exciting at the same time. This is a family-run restaurant — you will often get to see both Mari and her mom on the line cooking together.
My partner and I started out as just regular customers, dropping in for lunch as often as we could. But it didn’t take long before we became friends with Mari. If you’ve met her, you already know what makes her special: she’s genuine, hardworking, and deeply invested in every dish that leaves the kitchen. You can taste the care. She remembers her customers, checks in on how the food was, and brings a level of intention that keeps people coming back.
Some of my favorites are the house-made blue corn tortillas, the incredible aguas frescas she makes from scratch, the carnitas tacos, and the chile relleno burrito (a solid top-tier burrito, in my opinion). But my absolute favorite? That perfect little cup of bean dip that comes with each order. It’s savory, a little spicy, and just a heads-up, it may cause fights over the last bite. She also offers a salsa flight giving you a taste of all her house-made salsas, from bright and zesty, to bold and smokey so don’t sleep on that when you’re ordering.
Inside, it’s a cozy and casual little space with booths lining the wall, with windows looking out at the green. On a nice day, grab a seat on the patio and soak up the sunshine — it’s one of the most underrated places to eat outside in Eureka.
What’s really special is how many different kinds of people she feeds. You’ll see city workers grabbing lunch on break, golfers coming in after a round, families celebrating, nursing students picking up takeout for a study session. Everyone’s welcome, and everyone leaves full. Mari has built a spot that draws regulars from all over — not just because the food’s good (though it is), but because it’s a place that feels good to be. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop. If you have to drive out of the way to get there — I am telling you — you still need to go at least once, but I am sure after a taste of the food, you’ll be dreaming of your next visit!
Family-run spots tucked into unexpected corners, making real food with love and care is what makes Humboldt special. It’s easy to overlook these hidden gems or skip the drive, but they’re the ones that bring heart and soul to the Humboldt food scene, so this season, take time to explore the ones you haven’t tried yet. Download the Vibemap app and join the free Dine & Stay Humboldt passport challenge — check in, leave reviews, snap photos, and you could win local prizes just for supporting your favorite places. You never know what new favorites you’ll stumble on.
Charlene Cook is the program director for Humboldt Made, a board member of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, and the owner of Fringe & Clay. Deeply rooted in the Humboldt community, she is passionate about supporting small businesses and building a vibrant local economy through collaboration, creativity, and connection.
