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    El Amigo

    4.4 (636 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order El Amigo Takeout or Delivery

    El Amigo Photos

    Business Info

    EL AMIGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Amigo

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    The chips were standard but the sauce wasn't really to my liking
    Robert G.

    Lunch on the cheap in Lawndale (2 of 2) A long time ago, I believe I bookmarked a listing for Mexican food in an independent hole in the wall restaurant in or around Lawndale and couldn't find it. As a result, I set out on my own to scour the phone for some cheap and popular Mexican food for lunch. El Amigo came up and its ratings were good. El Amigo is very easy to find. It's on Manhattan Beach Blvd., just west of "the" 405, which you can practically touch from the corner the restaurant is on. Since it was the first time I had been here, I went with something safe: a huge burrito, and one that would be stuffed with chicken. The burrito and its ingredients were excellent. The shredded chicken was flavorful and it was easy to pull everything apart to make for a filling lunch. The chips were fine, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the salsa - perhaps a notch hotter than what I like. When you look at El Amino, it almost looks like a "lean to." It's not. It's just a small restaurant with a flat, low roof. There are a limited number of booths inside and, outside, but under cover, are about as many tables. That's where I sat. There is an older motel next to it and it seems like they share the parking lot. Read the signs in picking a parking spot. The service was unremarkable. It did the job. They get a lot of foot traffic, so it looks like they're working hard. For the location and the amount of food, the price was very fair. Now that El Tarasco, which used to be an indie hole in the wall in El Segundo's small El Porto neighborhood, has gone mini-chain and has sold out on the ambiance I sought, I found this new place - El Amigo - and I'd say I prefer it. I'm going to go with 4 stars because they earn those 4 stars, but, with ubiquitous Mexican food eateries in SoCal, I'd want to try other ones when in the area again.

    Steak Fries and birria taco
    Paulette D.

    El Amigo is a solid option for Mexican food, especially for the price. I placed a pickup order and was impressed with how quickly it was ready. My food was available about 10-15 minutes after ordering. I ordered one birria taco, which had great flavor and a generous amount of sauce. The only downside was that it leaned a bit too salty for my taste. I also tried the steak fries, which were very satisfying. The portion size was generous, with plenty of steak and fries, and it came with a nice amount of onions. My only wish was for a bit more guacamole

    An amazing Grilled Fish Taco

    I'll keep on giving shout outs as they deserve it wow again the nachos were phenomenal chicken taco, outstanding fish, taco amazing and can't wait to eat my Carne Asada burrito for lunch tomorrow. Mad props to customer service as as well as as the chefs you gotta try it.

    The chips and salsa
    Adeline P.

    First off, let's start off with the location. My boyfriend took me here and he says it gets pretty busy, looking at the location It is fairly small. It's on a little wedge of a small plaza and what I mean small there is parking but it is 100% taken up. thankfully, we got a parking immediately. Once we went inside there's a little patio indoor kind of area where you can sit and eat, you go in through a little door where it opens up to a small area where to the left is the counter we order to the right is small seating area there is Uber eats section for pick up food and all that stuff. At first, I was kinda like what the heck waited for a food for quite some time. Maybe it was me because I was starving, but definitely worth the weight to be honest.. we got complementary salsa and chips while we waited. When we finally got her food. My burrito was ginormous my boyfriend's tacos were very well presented as a plate was very colorful appealing to my eyes and what caught my eye was without charging extra the burrito and the tacos came with guacamole that's a first lol. My wet burrito de Lengua was FIRE the green sauce that was over it was fresh and lemony just how I like it very freaking good. The inside there was a good ratio of meat not just rice beans sour cream pico de Gallo so I was very happy about that too all in all the food was great definitely I go to the only thing that was not to my liking was the small wait which felt like forever for me because I was starving like I said before and the parking situation I believe there's bathrooms outside of the facility but besides that everything was definitely great must go to super hidden gem. Oh and our agua they were good aswell ‍‍

    Wet Burrito with Red Sauce
    Erika A.

    Can't believe I haven't left a review for El Amigo -- I've been coming here my whole life! The burritos are insanely huge and absolutely delicious, and no matter which location you visit, the food is always consistent and full of flavor. You get free chips and salsa for the table (always a win), and the service is fast, friendly, and reliable. The menu has a great variety, but my forever favorite is the wet burrito. The family-friendly vibe makes it perfect for any occasion -- casual dinners, group outings, or just a comforting solo meal.

    Outside seating
    Angela L.

    I have been coming to this Mexican spot for years and I'm nearly 30. It's located off Manhattan Beach Blvd so beware as parking is very limite and does get busy during lunch and dinner times. My absolute favorite is the wet burrito with the red sauce the red sauce has flavor, the melted cheese just hits the palate differently. I also got the quesatacos the size were decent size although the consume is not proportionate to the tacos- personally they skimp out on the consome which is the whole point of birria tacos. I've tried better elsewhere so I would skip this as this is a new addition to their menu. Lastly I got 6 tacos 4 de asada and 2 de lengua, they are bursting with authentic flavors. They provide complimentary chips and salsa which is a nice touch. I took this to go and still complimentary chips and salsa which is amazing. Service could be improved for a smoother dining experience. The indoor seating is very small but they have decent outdoor dining tables. A hidden gem of Lawndale, definitely worth a try!

    Carnitas sope ( no sour cream)

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    4 months ago

    Neighborhood local friendly and clean. Good food for the cost. Our go to. Thank guys

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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

    Best red wet burritos I've ever had! I had got it to go and they gave me chips and salsa great service!!

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Not a favorite Mexican food joint , sub-par at best ( twice ) and both subpar taste ..

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    9 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Food here is legit. Great tacos, salsa is fantastic, parking can be a bit tough but highly recommend

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    All three locations are consistently great. Good selection of food and well priced. This my local go to place for Mexican food.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great tacos. Hole in the wall place, so you know it's good. I'd definitely go back again and again.

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    El Amigo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Amigo

    Are they closed permanently or temporarily? So they responded with temporarily , do you have a feel when u will reopen?

    Temporarily

    What are the deals for taco Tuesday?

    I have been there on Tuesdays, tacos are still the same price, but they are worth it, double tortilla,lots of meat, enough to make 2 tacos out of one...mexican Coca cola..

    Is this from the same owners of the Mexican place on Crenshaw in GARDENA?

    Yes, I believe the ownership for El Amigo ("The Friend") on Manhattan Beach in Lawndale is the same as that of El Otro Amigo ("The Other Friend") on Crenshaw Blvd (just north of Artesia) in Torrance.

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    La Villa Mexican Food Restaurant - Chips and salsa

    La Villa Mexican Food Restaurant

    4.0(551 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Stoked we found this spot. Great service and delicious lunch…read more Definitely will be back

    We stopped by La Villa Mexican Food on Crenshaw for dinner with the family and ordered a mix of…read moreplates to share. They started us off with chips, salsa, and a bean dip, which was a nice touch and something I don't see everywhere. I went with the two-item combo enchilada plate with shredded chicken and shredded beef, served with rice and beans. The portion size was very good - definitely satisfying - and the enchiladas were exactly what I was hoping for. This is comfort food for me, and this plate delivered. We also ordered the carnitas plate and the chile colorado, both served with rice and beans. The chile colorado had good flavor overall and was enjoyable. The carnitas had good flavor, though the texture was a bit inconsistent. Some pieces were tender, while others felt slightly overcooked or dry, which made a few bites less satisfying than they could've been. The salsa was good - not the best I've ever had, but flavorful and a nice complement to the food. Service was friendly, they took our order quickly, and the food came out fast. They were busy, so there was a slight delay at times, but still attentive when we needed them. Parking is mostly street parking, and when we went there was space available, though you may have to walk a little bit depending on the time. Overall, the portion size and value stood out to me. This is a solid, comforting Mexican spot, and I'd come back.

    Photos
    La Villa Mexican Food Restaurant
    La Villa Mexican Food Restaurant - Chicken mole enchiladas

    Chicken mole enchiladas

    La Villa Mexican Food Restaurant - Front entrance

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    Front entrance

    Raul's Casa Sombrero - Wet Chicken Burrito

    Raul's Casa Sombrero

    4.2(166 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Raúl's Casa Sombrero has been a South Bay hub for many years for those that are wanting a feeling…read moreof homemade Mexican dishes and company. First, just like most casual Mexican restaurants you are greeted with house made salsa and chips to snack on while you study the menus for your meal. The salsa is very fresh and the chips are not, thank goodness, over salted. It's a perfect starter! I enjoyed the meal option of four chicken flautas with rice, beans, and perfectly portioned guacamole and sour cream. You are able to make your own choice of meat stuffing, which I love, knowing that the flautas are freshly made. I chose to have chicken and found it to be perfectly fried, not overly seasoned, which some places do. I like that you can actually taste the chicken and not just spice. I also had the horchata to drink, and I loved it! The service is wonderful, with many families flocking to the restaurant for that homemade feel for dinner. The staff has always been kind enough to offer a refill of your drink/soda to go if you wish. Kindness from the staff is a real highlight of Raul's. The ambiance of being at home is a plus for me. There are a few handicap parking spots available in the small adjoined parking lot, with easy wheelchair access through the front door. There is also plenty of parking spots located on the street and in the available parking lot located in the middle of Hawthorne Blvd. There is a television with captions on for those that are HOH, hard of hearing. Being a hearing aide user, I sincerely appreciated this. I consider this a hidden gem in Hawthorne.

    Still super delicious. I really have to try their enchiladas lol. I am forever getting their beef…read moreflautas. I don't think I've ever tried anything else but this and their chile rellenos. Those are also good. Pricing is reasonable. Enough portion for me. Sufficient parking. Clean indoors. Pretty safe area. Customer service is good. Never had an issue in all the years I have come here. I don't live close for the past 6 years but I love coming here when I'm down here

    Photos
    Raul's Casa Sombrero - Art

    Art

    Raul's Casa Sombrero - Carnitas burrito!!

    Carnitas burrito!!

    Raul's Casa Sombrero - Unlimited chips and salsa!

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    Unlimited chips and salsa!

    Mi Zacatecas - 18. Fajitas Mixtas

    Mi Zacatecas

    4.0(465 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Went over to my friends house to watch the football games this past weekend, and they ordered Mi…read moreZacatecas for dinner. I have driven by this place a gazillion times, but had never gone in. Its a few blocks down from my Mom's house and right across the street from Hawthorne High School. I went with their 4 taco combo, shredded beef. How were they? Pretty freaking tasty! Right when I took the lid off the container, they looked similar to old school El Tarasco tacos. Red sauce on top, fried shell etc. Even the chips they give you were full fried tortillas. Bomb! The tacos were tasty, but they lost a little texture and crisp from the delivery. They would be better if ordered at the shop. Still, even then, I enjoyed every bite of them. They had lots of shredded beef in them, tons of lettuce and cheese and that red sauce. Damn fine tacos! I will definitely be back to eat inside there the next time I go see my Mom. Good stuff!

    I've been coming to this place since I was young, and it's always been our go-to spot for wet…read moreburritos. You honestly can't go wrong. I usually order mine with green sauce, while my husband prefers the red sauce, and both are consistently so good. The customer service has always been top-notch, with a lot of familiar faces even after all these years. The restaurant has grown, but the quality and hospitality have stayed the same. Food comes out pretty fast, and everything feels reliable and comforting every time we come back. A true classic and a staple for us.

    Photos
    Mi Zacatecas - Mural

    Mural

    Mi Zacatecas - Among other things, the chocolate flan was very good

    Among other things, the chocolate flan was very good

    Mi Zacatecas - Michelada

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    Michelada

    Licha's Restaurant - Sope de tinga

    Licha's Restaurant

    4.1(136 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $

    So I've been wanting to come here very much for a while. Glad I finally made it. First, the hours…read moreare posted incorrectly. Licha's is closed Tuesday, open Mon to Sat 9a to 630p and Sun 9a to 5p. Both Yelp and Google have incorrect times.... which is why I could not make it before. Also, look for parking on the street, the parking lot is tiny. Any case, all of Licha's staff (owners?) are sweet and friendly. I felt at home immediately. Now about the food! and coffee, both are excellent. The Cafe de Olla is fantastic.... I almost never get coffee outside my home but when I come here, I WILL! For my first time here, I had the menudo with all the fixing. What I loved the most is that is all meat, no hominy to fill you up. I LOVED IT! Almost like my Mom used to make. The Tortillas ARE HOME MADE. They were excellent. See the pictures.... I finished everything, including the fixings (onions, fresh lemons, limes and cilantro. Btw, the house salsa is good but the habanero version is DELICIOUS but VERY HOT with excellent flavor and texture. Yummm. Because I was do full but still very excited to be here, I ordered 3 Al Pastor tacos with everything. I can hardly wait to eat them when I get hungry again. All in all, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Licha's. Don't miss out. Just remember to park on the street... they only have three spots. And don't blink, the place is tiny.

    If you want delicious, authentic food, you got to try Licha's! The service reminded me of the…read morehomeland, you don't feel like a customer, they make you feel like royalty, very friendly. Place is small but it doesn't matter when the food is this amazing!!! They have big screen tv playing sports and some classic music playing, pairs well with food. They are known for the Barbacoa and HurachesI recommend them both. Huaraches for the parents, Menudo & Barbacoa for me!!!!

    Photos
    Licha's Restaurant - The first part of the restaurant.

    The first part of the restaurant.

    Licha's Restaurant - Al Pastor Tacos. They look delicious!

    Al Pastor Tacos. They look delicious!

    Licha's Restaurant - The first 1/2 of the restaurant.

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    The first 1/2 of the restaurant.

    El Amigo - mexican - Updated May 2026

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