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    Cocina Express

    3.8 (165 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Cocina Express Takeout or Delivery

    Cocina Express Photos

    COCINA EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cocina Express

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    Reviews With Photos

    World famous Red Tacos
    Nelson L.

    These are the best birria tacos i've ever had in my life. They were so flavorful and juicy and packed with so much meat. The waitress was so kind and even let us wash our hands in the sink which was so kind. The restaurant has a nice seating area outside and I will definitely be back!!

    Proof of payment and receipts to show outrageous prices.
    Julia T.

    I had high hopes for this place but unfortunately, I was disappointed. Not only are they beyond overpriced (19$ for albondigas) but the food isn't worth it at all.. to spend 80$ here for two soups, one burrito, a juice and some guac.. is crazy. I wouldn't recommend anyone wasting their money or their time. And honestly I have never went to a Mexican spot that didn't serve rice with their soup. That was the cherry on top. So make sure you pay extra for rice if you want it for your soup!

    Chile verde container not sturdy enough for the sauces.
    Maria S.

    Food containers were not sturdy enough to hold food with sauces. Torta cubana was not as expected as to what the image shows to what was received on white toast not a telera. Our employees were not too happy with the way the food was. And did not meet the expectations.

    World famous Birria Ramen combo
    May W.

    Parking: Can get pretty tricky to find parking near the restaurant because it is located IN a neighborhood. They do have small parking lot near the restaurant but it's usually full. I went on a weekday during lunch so the parking was already hard to find. Food: Holly Molly, the Birria Ramen was so good and so worth for it's price. I would DEFINITELY recommend coming back here on a non busy day to pick up the food. It's a little on the saltier side, so to balance it out dump all the condiments they give you (tapatio sauce, sliced white onions, lemons/limes). With the leftover consome, I like to take it home so I can drink it. Personally, I took it home to eat with more ramen or pair it up with some side dishes. Service: You would have to order at the cashier and tell them if you're picking up or dining in. We dined in so they came by to drop off our food. The lady at the cash register was so nice when we requested to-go containers since we wanted to keep our consome soup.

    Taquitos de pollo
    Tina D.

    Amazing food and service!!! Definetly a must try. The young lady is very nice and attentive

    December 2021 menu prices

    Recently came after not coming for a couple months and was shocked to see the price jump. I live a couple houses down so on the weekends we would just walk here and get some breakfast but we noticed it kept getting more and more expensive. Usually get the chilaquiles with egg and meat but the price jump being $23 for ALWAYS cold beans & potato or if I don't want potatoes it's always cold rice. Don't get me wrong it's good but the food is almost always cold. But for this recent price jump it has me evaluating coming here. I 100% get it it's gonna get pricer and I wish I had a pic of a menu price from just a couple months ago. But you can see the huge jump on some items from December 2021-March 2025. Like I said it's good, but for the cold food and sometimes you can taste that the food is old/reheated.. then when I first started coming I guess they were barley starting out their menu and it used to be potatoes in a red sauce and then it changed to potatoes with jalapeños. Also if you do come here try to eat it there, like I said it's usually cold so I can imagine taking it home. Also sometimes the way they package their food it gets all thrown so when you get home it's a mess usually my daughter gets a taco de asada and it would be in a huge box with the meat all over and the tortilla just on the side.

    Inside as you enter
    Fab G.

    The ambiance is nice. The food was ok. The beans needed more flavor. The chicken had no flavor. The rice was bland. It was ok. The service was quick. More salt ..bullon.. I said no cheese...they put cheese....will I go back ...no.

    Refried beans and season potatoes
    Sergio Z.

    This my first at the Cocina Express couple of my friends of mine recommend the restaurant to me. The restaurant is very close to my mom house I decided to try it out. I know the area and street especially this area to find is going to be hard but lucky I found park close to the restaurant. This restaurant reminds me tamales restaurant in the same location but I'm not sure. I walk in the restaurant and then I saw the menu on the wall literally I was looking what caught my eye I decided to order the Huevo Ranchero and a Mexican Orange Fanta the big bottle. They brought the food to me I open the container and smell was so good the Huevo Ranchero come with three hand made tortillas and two side refried beans and season potatoes and two type of sauces. I took bite of it wow amazing flavors in the red sauce including spice,chile,onion and red pepper and other ingredients in the sauce. It come two egg and a fried tortillas holding the eggs it was so good. The three tortillas comes in handy adding the red sauce was so addicting. The refried bean very good great flavor and season they good I really enjoy it. And orange Fanta was great.

    The front of the place! Easy packing when I got there in a Saturday morning!
    Andrew H.

    Not only does the place smell amazing when walking in... the service is fantastic!!! I went in a Saturday morning and the person helping at the register was super nice and helpful! The red cheese taco.... !! Woot woot!!!!! I also got the menudo here!!! Fantastic! This is definitely a place that I'll keep on a Normal rotation!

    Taquitos Dorados Combo
    Elisa S.

    Loved the food here! I ordered their carne Asada tacos and was pleased to see that they use homemade tortillas. I also ordered their tacos dorados plate which came with a side of beans and rice. The only thing I was really disappointed with was the horchata. I love cinnamon, however, when drinking it I felt like I was reliving my middle school years of putting a spoonful of cinnamon in my mouth. I kept coughing after every sip, and it wasn't until all the cinnamon settled to the bottom of the cup that I was able to drink the milk at the top. I would come back for the food and maybe their other agua frescas, but I would be hesitant to try the horchata again. On a side note they have a parking lot adjacent to the place which makes it convenient as there is rarely any parking in CT. Also. they have an outdoor seating area to eat at.

    Anita L.

    Craving something warm and found this little gem on Grubhub. Menu is short and simple and prices are reasonable. Ordered their Menudo and Pozole and loved it. Located in a residential area near the 60 freeway. There is a parking lot just a couple steps from the restaurant. I decided to Pick up directly from the restaurant because I didn't want to pay the ridiculous Grubhub fees that pushed my order up by $10 (Grubhub fees, Delivery fees, etc.) Cocina Express is one of few restaurants that didn't mark up their prices on Grubhub. They did call me within minutes of me placing my order and let me know one of the items I wanted (de Pollo) wasn't available. The order was ready by the said time in a bag clearly marked with my name. I had to reheat my soup slightly when I arrived home because I like my soups steaming hot, and loved it. Will definitely be ordering from this lovely spot again soon. #SupportLocalBusiness - Check this spot out if you are in the area and support your local small business!

    Chilaquiles
    Mariko F.

    So this isn't the first time I've been here, but the first time I was able to hold off eating my food right away to take some photos. Covina Express is smack dab in the middle of a residential area. Their menu has been extended and everything that I've tried ha been delicious, especially the birria. I ordered the chilaquiles but will ask for the sauce/salsa on the side next time, as the chips were super soggy since we have to take it to go. The sauce was spectacular, very flavorful with so much good spiciness. I used all the sauce I could spoon up for the rice and beans. We wanted to try out the Ramen Birria and were pleased we did. While it was way to rich for me to finish, having some of the consume, noodles and meat was perfect. I don't think I could finish a whole serving, as it was so rich! Each time I have visited, I have gotten a side of birria, at the very least and it has consistent been bomb.

    3 Dorado Red Taco Consume rice horchata

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and i always bring my friends and the love it as well and day it is the best food they had

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    Business owner information

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    Gabriel H.

    Thank you so much for your kind words !!

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    2 years ago

    Absolutely amazing food. I'd drive back to east LA in a heart beat for the Chips, Salsa and three more Al Pastor tacos.

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    Gabriel H.

    Can’t wait to have you back & Lucy and woody are always welcomed :)

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    Ask the Community - Cocina Express

    Is this place no longer in business? I stopped by today at 5:30 PM and they were closed.

    Hi sorry we recently changed our hours and various sites haven’t been updated. We’re sorry but it takes time for different sites to update. We’re open every day 8-4 pm

    Anyone know their hours?

    The restaurant hours are 8am-4pm Monday-Sunday and the taco stand outside is 6pm-11pm Thursday-Sunday

    View All 3 Questions

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    Pioneer Chicken - Amazing!

    Pioneer Chicken

    4.2(692 reviews)
    2.4 miBoyle Heights
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    This place was everything I remembered and more. Chicken was…read moreexcellent! The fish was on point and the tartar sauce was out of this world Jessica and the staff were beyond nice and the attitude of the place was upbeat and very friendly. Restaurant was clean and we were very full and happy when we left Thank you PIONEER! We will definitely see you again

    After a very disappointing experience at the Bell Gardens location on Mother's Day, we ended up…read moredriving to the Boyle Heights Pioneer Chicken location just to get biscuits, and honestly, this location completely restored my love for Pioneer Chicken. The difference between the two locations was night and day. Even though it was Mother's Day and busy everywhere, Boyle Heights was organized, fast, friendly, and fully stocked. There was plenty of parking, the line moved quickly, and the employees were courteous and professional from the moment we arrived. Most importantly! THEY HAD EVERYTHING. Fresh biscuits? Yes. Fully stocked menu? Yes. Good customer service? Absolutely. The biscuits were fresh, hot, buttery, and delicious, exactly how I remembered Pioneer Chicken growing up in Los Angeles. We honestly ate them on the drive home because they were THAT good. You could immediately feel the better energy and management at this location. People were constantly coming in and out, yet the staff still handled things efficiently and professionally. As someone born and raised in LA, Pioneer Chicken is nostalgic for me, and this Boyle Heights location felt much closer to the Pioneer I remember. I will definitely return to this location again. Thank you to the Boyle Heights staff for saving Mother's Day dinner. Sorry I didn't take a picture of the biscuits, the aroma took over, the box was opened and my mouth ate before my camera! ha ha ha

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    Chicken

    Pioneer Chicken - Large orange whip drink with combo

    Large orange whip drink with combo

    Pioneer Chicken - Full frontal exterior

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    Full frontal exterior

    George's Burger Stand - Chili Cheese Burger (IG:@EatStatus)

    George's Burger Stand

    4.3(292 reviews)
    1.9 miBoyle Heights
    $$

    Stopped by for dinner at George's Burger Stand around 6pm on a Thursday night and they were not…read morebusy at all. Walked right up and got to my place my order. Within 5 minutes my meal was out so the service was very fast which was appreciated. Here you will only find outdooor patio seating. We sat there and tried their chili cheese hot dog and their cheese burger. The chili cheese dog was a bit disappointing. The chili cheese was great however the hot god itself was not good. It was a bit under cooked for my preference. Would have to give the hot dog a 2 out of 5. The cheeseburger on the other hand was good. No complaints on that and would have to rate the cheeseburger a 4 out of 5. The French fries here are so good, love the seasoning on them. Fries are a 5 out of 5. Overall maybe just stay clear of the hot dog but they are worth checking out if your in the area looking for a fast and cheap meal. Till next time.

    I found George's Burger Stand after accidentally finding it on the YouTube channel from the former…read moreWorth It guys Andrew, Steven, and Adam. (They have since launched a new channel after the Buzzfeed series.) At any rate I was dying for something different and the onion rings at George's Burger Stand looked SO GOOD that I had to run out and try it for myself. Upon arriving, I quickly decided that I wanted a Western Burger (bacon, 1 onion ring and BBQ sauce), a small order of onion rings and a Sprite. The food took a little bit of time, but that's ok because you know it's freshly made. There's a nice covered patio where you can eat your food, and if you are a solo PLEASE do yourself a favor and get the small order of onion rings. Any larger and you won't be able to finish it. The burger is pretty delicious and not drowning in sauce, which I like. I had to ask for a side of ranch, since ranch and onion rings go so well together. The onion rings are DELICIOUS and so different from the breaded kind you get from the frozen food section of the grocery store. These are made out of a beer batter, and CRISP. The coating doesn't fall apart like all of the other onion rings you have tried. It's crisp and you can bite it, like an apple. My meal was $24, but definitely try this place you haven't!!

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    George's Burger Stand
    George's Burger Stand - Chili Cheese Fries and Chili Cheese Dog

    Chili Cheese Fries and Chili Cheese Dog

    George's Burger Stand

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    Al & Bea's Mexican Food - Bean & Cheese Burrito

    Al & Bea's Mexican Food

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    2.2 miBoyle Heights
    $

    Really good and probably my new favorite burritos in East LA/Boyle Heights. This was my first time…read morehere, after hearing about this place for years and seeing videos online. I arrived about 20 minutes before opening on a Saturday and there was someone there before me. This was clearly not his first time so I sat in my car and waited for him to make his way to the counter. Once he made his move I walked to place my order. It feels like I went back in time looking around. The entire place is spotless. Very clear menu and a few places to sit if you want to eat there. The gentleman taking orders at the window was in a great mood. Very friendly and polite. Took my order and then I walked to the sidewalk to wait. The music playing takes you back to a time long gone. Older couples walking down the street, holding hands and getting in line to place their orders where they probably have since this place opened. I ordered 2 Green Bean and Cheese and a Combination Burrito. My number was called and I made my way to the pic up window. I grabbed my box, said thank you to the lady and walked to my car. I was so excited but knew the burritos were so hot that they need to cool down. Once I made it home, they were the perfect temp and ready to eat. I started with the combination. The first bite and the flavors popped. I was surprised and wished I'd purchased a second one. It was great! The b&c were also great. I can't wait to go back. Fantastic food and experience.

    Thirty years later, and this is still my favorite place for the best green chile bean & cheese…read moreburritos ANYWHERE! Though prices have gone up over the years, my family and I remain loyal customers as the burritos here are well-made, DELICIOUS, and fresh. Employees are hardworking and do their best to move the daily long lines quickly. This place is very popular, so be prepared to wait in line, and at times, parking can be a challenge. The small restaurant is always kept clean and there are several tables avail for those wishing to eat here. Despite these two minor issues, the food here is sooo worth waiting for and your patience.

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    Al & Bea's Mexican Food
    Al & Bea's Mexican Food - Chili fries

    Chili fries

    Al & Bea's Mexican Food - Bean & Cheese burrito. Very good beans.

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    Bean & Cheese burrito. Very good beans.

    Guisados - The OG sampler

    Guisados

    4.4(2.7k reviews)
    2.1 miBoyle Heights
    $$

    Authentic & Flavorful Tacos!…read more -I absolutely love Guisados! We were in the LA area as we went to Crypto Center for a concert and Guisados is conveniently open late, so we skipped dinner just to eat here after our concert. If you're craving truly authentic tacos packed with rich flavor and quality ingredients, this is the spot. We've visited a few different Guisados locations, but this one is always a 10/10 -- consistently delicious food, great service, and you get the full LA vibe since it's right in Boyle Heights. Such an experience! Parking is easy with a lot right across the street. The only downside is that if you go later at night there aren't any bathrooms -- but other than that, it's perfect. Highly recommend the mole taco and the calabacitas taco -- they're my absolute favorites. And don't forget the horchata... SO good and worth the drive. Definitely a must-try!

    It's been years since I have been to Guisado's. But it was my best friend and I's first time…read morechecking out this particular location. The service here was lovely. I encountered a man and a women, both of whom were very friendly. My friend tried 2 tacos de Tinga de pollo. She also tried a steak taco. I tried 2 tacos de Tinga de pollo and added one with mole poblano. I even added a tamal de elote (corn tamale). I didn't know they had agues frescas until afterwards my bestie ordered one - she got cantaloupe. We sat down and caught up on life. We had the place to ourselves. It is a smaller location but with lots of seats and it was very clean. The servers Brought us our food. The food was delicious and surprisingly the portions were bigger than what the photos show. I dont know if I mentioned this in a previous review but the meat portions are typically small. So for them to add a lot of meat ( thank you, I really appreciated it :). The taco was delicious, fresh, full of flavor, not dry nor dull. The only thing missing from the tamal de elote was the crema. But, I forgot to ask for one, so that's on me. I really recommend visiting this location and even supporting Latino/a owned businesses in this community. You won't regret it. I want one now.

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    Guisados - Interior

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    The OG Sampler

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    Chorizo Breakfast Taco

    Cocina Express - mexican - Updated May 2026

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