Casual Mexican grill offers authentic flavors with standout Birria and Al Pastor tacos. Outdoor seating and colorful flags create a family vibe. Three salsas come with varying heat, including an extremely spicy option.
Three types of salsa come with great flavor and varying heat levels. The hottest salsa stands out for being extremely spicy.
"The salsas here are great, especially the spicy one."
Good to know
On Taco Tuesday, street tacos are $2.50 each, with choices of asada, carnitas, or pollo.
You can make it a combo and add chips, guacamole, and a beverage for only $4.75.
Parking can be challenging; arrive early or park farther away at Pacific Ranch Market.
Old school Taco Bell building hosts a quiet, family-style Mexican restaurant with excellent birria and homemade corn tortillas. Salsas pack a fiery kick with chili oil, boosting flavor. Clean, friendly atmosphere and an excellent drive-thru add convenience.
Salsas come with a fiery kick when paired with chili oil, adding extra flavor. The spicy salsa is extremely hot and enhances the birrieria's taste.
"The birria here is so flavorful and tender."
Good to know
Drive-through service is available for quick orders.
Prices for meals are generally affordable, around $20 per person.
The restaurant maintains a clean environment.
Small Mexican spot offers handmade tortillas and fresh salsa made in house with homemade chips. Cozy seating creates a quiet, welcoming vibe perfect for casual dining.
Salsa comes fresh and made in house with homemade chips on the side.
"The salsa here is amazing and tastes so fresh."
Good to know
The restaurant has a small seating area, so expect limited space.
Takeout is popular due to the limited seating.
The restroom is accessible only through the kitchen.
Spacious dining area with modern decor and sports TVs offers a cool, fast casual vibe. Complimentary chips and salsa come with a unique cheese drizzle. Known for authentic Mexican dishes at reasonable prices, it draws a steady crowd.
Complimentary chips and salsa arrive quickly with each order. Salsa comes with a drizzle of refried beans and cheese, adding a unique touch to the good chips and salsa.
"You get complimentary chips and salsa with your order."
Good to know
Happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Taco Tuesday features a variety of meats at unbeatable prices.
Complimentary chips are provided with your meal.
Small Mexican spot buzzes with loud music and a family vibe that feels warm. Chips come with spicy green salsa and a smoked salsa that pack flavor. A back room fits big groups for lively celebrations.
Chips come with red salsa and spicy green salsa that stand out for their flavor. The smoked salsa and hot salsa add a unique kick that many find exceptional.
"Their homemade salsa, both mild and hot, was excellent."
Good to know
Taco Tuesday offers special pricing, but details aren't promoted online.
Happy Hour features discounted plates and drinks during specific hours.
Expect a $3.00 fee for splitting dishes, like rice on Taco Tuesday.
Outdoor setup and friendly staff create a casual vibe with clean surroundings. Large portions and breakfast burritos satisfy hunger well. Salsa verde adds a fresh, spicy kick that enhances the meal perfectly.
Salsa verde stands out with its spicy kick and fresh flavor. It pairs well with breakfast burritos and adds a strong punch to the meal.
"The breakfast burritos are good, especially with the salsa."
Good to know
Breakfast service ends at 11:30am; arrive early to enjoy it.
Call ahead on weekends to avoid long lines.
The private parking lot is available for customers.
Small Mexican spot buzzes with authentic murals and tight seating. Fresh, chunky salsa with a mild kick complements every meal. Affordable prices and carne asada tacos keep locals coming back despite the cramped space.
Salsa comes fresh and chunky with a slight spice that stands out. Chips and salsa arrive with every order, making a great snack or appetizer, especially the Salsa Verde served with Carnitas.
"The carnitas taco, tinged with lime, was amazing."
Good to know
Tacos cost $2.25 each, with an extra dollar for buche meat.
Wednesday evenings at 5:45pm are busy; arrive early on weekends.
Parking is usually difficult due to shared lot with other businesses.
Picnic table seating creates a casual, lively vibe perfect for quick bites. Authentic street tacos shine with unlimited salsa toppings including mild red salsa that adds great flavor. Small, clean space keeps focus on fresh ingredients and fast service.
Red salsa stands out with its mild heat and good flavor. It adds a tasty touch that improves the overall experience.
"The salsa here is fresh and delicious."
Good to know
The restaurant opens at 6am instead of 5am.
They do get busy during peak hours.
The parking lot is small, so finding parking during the day might be difficult.
Spacious Salvadoran spot offers authentic pupusas with warm salsa roja and curtido salad. Cafeteria-style setup creates a friendly vibe with lively kitchen sounds. Made-to-order dishes take time but deliver genuine flavors.
Pupusas come with curtido salad and a warm salsa roja that complement them well. A few salsa options offer some variety, but usually only one salsa is served.
"The warm salsa roja is amazing with the pupusas."
Good to know
It can take 20-30 minutes for them to make the food.
Call ahead to place an order and avoid long wait times.
Parking and navigation can be challenging due to the restaurant's hidden location.
Outdoor communal dining shines with a sunny atmosphere while indoor seating stays small and quiet. Free chips and green salsa offer a mild kick and are so good they sell them to go. Generous portions and fair prices make it a spot for authentic Mexican flavors with a Southern California twist.
Green salsa offers a mild kick for those sensitive to spice. Chips and salsa come free with orders, and the salsa is so good it often gets bought to go.
"I loved their great green salsa."
Good to know
The restaurant offers generous portions at reasonable prices.
Chips and salsa are complimentary with your meal.
Los Escalera's Taco Shop is a family-owned business.
Small Mexican spot offers authentic tacos with open kitchen and affordable prices. Salsa shines with a dry chile kick and a fresh tomato option, enhancing the simple, traditional flavors. Atmosphere feels hot and crowded, perfect for casual dine-in or quick takeout.
Salsa comes in two main styles here: a dry chile salsa with a strong kick and a milder, easy-to-enjoy fresh tomato salsa. The red salsa poured over thin sliced chicken adds a perfectly seasoned touch to the tacos.
"I look forward to going back often because their breakfast burrito is far superior."
Good to know
Dine-in and takeout options are available.
Expect average wait times during busy hours.
Food portions are generous for the price.
Small, quaint restaurant offers a quiet atmosphere with soothing Spanish music. Known for excellent tamales, especially pork and beef, served with flavorful homemade hot green salsa. Family-owned spot provides fair prices and good portions for a casual meal.
Tamales come with homemade hot green salsa and an option for red salsa. Salsa adds an extra charge but is flavorful and complements dishes like pork and chicken tamales as well as steak.
"The homemade green salsa is fantastic with the tamales."
Good to know
Parking is easy with a small lot available.
Salsa incurs an extra charge with your order.
Prices are reasonable, but tamales are smaller than expected.
Small Mexican spot shines with authentic breakfast like chilaquiles and Huevos Perdidos. Patio seating offers a cozy vibe with limited heaters. Salsa choices include green and avocado, perfect with tacos and burritos.
Salsa comes in hot and mild versions that pair well with dishes like short rib and burritos. Options include green salsa, avocado salsa, and mayo/guacamole salsa, often served alongside tacos and salads.
"The Filet Mignon Burrito was tender, juicy, and flavorful."
Good to know
Parking is minimal, with only a small area to pull in off the street near CHOC Hospital.
Expect the restaurant to be quite crowded on weekends.
Prices for dishes range from $19 to $22, which some may find high.
Large space with multiple TVs creates an energetic vibe. Friendly staff serve bottomless salsa that is hot and fresh. Chips are tasty and pair perfectly with the salsa, making it a must-try combo. Atmosphere balances comfort and energy despite some noise.
Chips and salsa come hot and fresh, with staff offering bottomless refills without needing to ask. The salsa pairs well with the tasty chips, often highlighted as the best part of the meal.
"The salsa and chips arrived before we even ordered."
Good to know
Happy hour is all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Chili's wait time was 45 minutes but we were called up at 20 minutes.
The quick service and device payment option allow for efficient dining.