Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Camino Cafe

    3.8 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    El Camino Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    EL CAMINO CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - El Camino Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Chilaquiles and horchata
    Sumir D.

    1st timer here. Was highly recommend to try their chilaquiles and horchata drink. Enjoyed them both. Come to find out that's what they are known for. What's your fav dish ?

    Connie R.

    What a treat ! Everything was delicious! We got the cafe de olla 5/5 Chilaquiles verdes 5/5 BEST ONES IVE HAD IN OC Chilaquiles Rojos were delicious too ! Such cute decor! & the staff was super nice and helpful

    Menu
    Nadia M.

    Cute little cafe located on the main strip of old town Tustin. It's not full service, so you do have to order at the counter, choose your own table and then they bring you the food. The service was excellent from beginning to end. The lady that greeted us at the door, the girls who were behind the counter and the servers were all incredibly polite, friendly and really made you feel welcome. I had the chilaquiles rojos and they were absolutely delicious, best ones I've ever had. It is a very generous portion too, with rice and refried beans as sides. I also ordered a dirty horchata which was equally tasty. The ambience and patio are cute, we opted to sit inside since it was kinda chilly. Overall a great brunch spot!

    I P.

    Great service and the best house coffee you can taste! We are treated well, we sat outside and the vibe was awesome.

    Huevos Rancheros and Asada wet burrito
    Lydia B.

    Wonderful, cozy breakfast spot on a sunday morning. We tried coming here once before and got totally caught in a chili-cookoff instead. Finally, 1 year later, we made it!! We came totally starving and ready to wait, but the food came out SO fast. You pay ebfore you sit, and walk away from the counter with your drinks. I got their cafe de olla (delicious, syrup made in-house!) and boy got the horchata. Sat down and were almost immediately served our food. My only complaint is the beans - they seemed a little watery and unseasoned. But the salsa more than made up for that :) The inside is tiny, and theres limited outdoor seating. But it's cozy and homey and all the employees were incredibly kind. I forgot my purse when we left and a woman pretty much ran down the sidewalk to get it back to me. Thank you!!!!

    Menudo
    Jose M.

    The morning sun hit just right as I pulled into Old Town Tustin where El Camino Cafe sits. I'd heard whispers about their breakfast game, so I stepped in, stomach already growling. First visit: red chilaquiles. Crispy tortillas soaked in a bold salsa roja, topped perfectly--no soggy mess, just layers of flavor with that careful hand you feel in every bite. Green chilaquiles next time: brighter, tangier tomatillo punch, still executed with precision. Then the green pozole--rich broth, tender pork, hominy popping, herbs fresh enough to wake you up. Menudo sealed it: deep, comforting, slow-simmered depth that only comes from real care. Every dish screamed high-quality ingredients and thoughtful prep. No shortcuts here--it's crafted like someone's abuelita still runs the kitchen. But reality hits: portions run modest for the price tag. In this nice-area location, expect to pay premium. You get what you pay for in quality, not quantity. Lines move fast though--staff hustles, friendly faces seat you quick, no endless wait. Bonus: their Dirty Horchata surprised me--smooth, subtly sweet, solid twist on the classic with espresso. Pros: Exceptional Mexican breakfast authenticity; consistent high-quality execution; quick service; welcoming vibe. Cons: Pricey relative to portion size. If you're craving elevated, carefully made traditional Mexican breakfast in Tustin, this is your spot. For cheaper classic home-style, cook it yourself. Rating preserved: 4-4.5 stars (high quality outweighs cost for what it delivers).

    chilaquiles rojos with asada
    Marie S.

    staff is always super friendly and the food is soooo good i've been coming here for years! i highly recommend the dirty horchata as well as the chilaquiles. the location is very cute as well.

    Sunday Menudo -- look at that honeycomb!
    Christine L.

    Been coming to this local cafe for a few months since moving into the area. It's a nice neighborhood Mexican cafe away that's far enough from the Old Town main drag (Main Street) but still walkable (2 blocks) after a meal for shopping/strolling. Street parking is much easier to find, no circling required. Each time we come on the weekend we would try something new -- EVERYTHING is excellent. Burritos, chilaquiles, tacos, etc. Every time we come, nothing is too salty -- just how we cook at home. This particular visit we happen upon their SUNDAY MENUDO, made by Chef Mom. Gotta try a bowl, and let me tell you -- I was blown away. Heavily and nicely spiced (not "water"), chockful of tripe/stomach, including the HONEYCOMB. AND NO HOMINY. I LOVE IT -- because I'm never a fan of hominy and hate it when all the dads and uncles at family gatherings get all the good stuff and the kids are left with the bottom of the pot. Speaking with the staff, menudo is a SEASONAL item, so I'm glad I was able to try some during this visit. Will DEFINITELY come again and try their other stuff!

    Enchiladas Suizas (I added carnitas to my order)
    Michelle T.

    Came here for brunch with my cousins a few weeks ago and I'm still thinking about this dish! I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas and OMG it was delicious! The cream sauce was unlike any other I've had with enchiladas and they were stuffed with a good amount of cheese! I added carnitas on top because I wanted a protein with it. This was a filling breakfast for sure! I also ordered an iced dirty horchata which I think next time I will order it to go so I can enjoy it later. The people behind the counter were so nice and helpful! Really want to come back to this place soon!

    Cute interior
    Rishi C.

    Came here for breakfast and was wondering why I've never been here before! El Camino Cafe sits at the tail end of El Camino in Old Town Tustin away from all the hustle and bustle, so parking is easier to find. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. You go up and order and then take your seat, and they are quick with preparing your food. Service was great, everyone was super friendly and quick to address any additional requests. I ordered the meat scramble and my wife got the huevos rancheros, and both tasted great. You could tell everything was freshly made, and the salsas provided were solid. The rice & beans were also good and well seasoned. It was a little odd they didn't provide complimentary water, but otherwise this was a solid, reasonably priced meal. I definitely want to come back and try their breakfast burrito next time, and would recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick breakfast in Tustin!

    Bonnie S.

    Came here for brunch with the whole family. There was a line out the door but I guess that is standard for a Saturday morning. You order before getting seated and there is a host that helps get you a seat. There were 6 of us so it took a little longer. The place itself is clean, cute but small. The food here was good, I liked my albondigas and was happy that I got to try it. It was a seasonal item. Although the overall experience was good, to be completely honest there is nothing special on their menu that I want to come back for. I would eat here again if invited but I wouldn't personally pick it.

    Chilaquiles Rojos with Avocado
    LaRon D.

    I've had El Camino Cafe bookmarked for years and finally got the chance to visit with some friends. First off, the team is SUPER nice and welcoming. Everyone welcomed us and asked if we had any questions about the menu. The gentleman at the register was super cool and gave some good recommendations. Make sure to order your drinks (water included) at the register so you can pay for them at time of purchase. Once we sat down the food came out pretty quickly! The chilaquiles rojos were delicious with a great depth of flavor. We did the egg overhard and added avocado. Presentation was great and flavors were on point. The place is designed well and has a cool ambiance in Old Town Tustin. Can't wait to come back to try the breakfast burrito! Thanks for the great food and awesome service!

    Breakfast burrito + chips and salsa

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lana M.
    52
    87
    23

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sumir D.
    780
    161
    154

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Connie R.
    9
    70
    138

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 11
    Love this 23
    Oh no 1
    Photo of I P.
    0
    10
    21

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K E.
    2
    4
    0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Dana F.
    0
    40
    15

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew A.
    15
    61
    21

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan R.
    15
    56
    48

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 5

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Suzi M.
    164
    23
    7

    3 months ago

    Great food, quick service. Dirty Horchata is a must! Had the bacon breakfast burrito and it was delicious. Definitely will be going again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of C L.
    220
    435
    457

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 34

    El Camino Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Camino Cafe

    Do they charge for water??I had heard this, hoping it's a rumor. Also, Why are all the one star reviews filtered out? Seems sus to me.

    They refuse to give tap when you ask. The guy says, "it's not possible." If you don't order any drink, you get an attitude. The food is expensive and isn't even good. Pass on the abuse.

    What are the vegan options? :)

    None

    Do they take reservations?

    No. You also have to order first before you can take a seat.

    Is there barbacoa?

    Yes but depends on if they have the meat

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 308,688 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Chaak Kitchen - Bone marrow corn

    Chaak Kitchen

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$$

    Another bucket list restaurant. Such a great spot in Old Tustin. It's a beautiful free standing…read morerestaurant with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. We were greeted pleasantly and quickly shown to our table in a great location in the middle of the restaurant. The decor and atmosphere immediately makes you feel like you're in the Yucatán. We ordered the shrimp huarache, Cochinita Pibil torta and Pato (duck) Salbute. All three were completely different and delicious. We also ordered the Basque cheesecake for dessert which was both pretty and delicious.

    Pros: interesting menu, good drinks, service was pretty good, flavors solid aside from what was…read morelisted in the cons, cocktail refreshing. Pork belly tacos were pretty good. Cons: pricey, but price alone isn't the con. Overly charred/burned proteins (especially the steak), the iberico Secreto not as bad. I actually enjoy the char on a steak, or proteins in general, but here, I'm not sure what the issue was. Is it the kind of wood/charcoal they use? Are they burning the steaks? Is the grill dirty? When I say the proteins were over charred, I mean that's all I tasted on the exterior, just burnt dirty ash. For a place of this caliber and price, I expect execution to be on point. Also everything was borderline too salty. Notes: I really wanted to like this place more than I did. This place was a bit of a letdown I'm sad to say. Factor in price and execution and I've gotta give this place 3/5.

    Photos
    Chaak Kitchen - Dining Room and Kitchen

    Dining Room and Kitchen

    Chaak Kitchen - Bone-In Prime New York Strip

    Bone-In Prime New York Strip

    Chaak Kitchen - Parrillada Yucatan

    See all

    Parrillada Yucatan

    El Habanero - Fish and asada tacos

    El Habanero

    4.1(582 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    •$$

    Great spot for burritos. I haven't tried anything else there. I had lunch there twice in two weeks…read more The first time I got a chicken burrito. It was delicious. The second time I tried the chile relleno burrito. It too was delicious. And I really like their salsa bar. Great salsas. The service was as good as any other small taco joint. If I had complaints, it's the usual. No AC and no fountain drinks (namely Coca Cola products). And it was pretty dang hot these past few weeks. But I'm gonna go back. The food is awesome here.

    Found this place a little while back and honestly so glad that I did…read more Food is fresh. Quite an eclectic menu with items I don't typically see at other places. They have the huitalacoche (corn fungus) quesadilla that I really enjoy as well as their pupusa loroco y queso. Trying out their Lengua taco and taco jaracho which I have been eyeing for a while. All their food is tasty, made fresh. All bursting with flavor. Salsa bar is probably one of my favorites having literally a salsa made for every kind of taste bud. Don't let the small restaurant deceive you. Small restaraunt but with bit flavors. The tortilla made with the quesadilla is nice and soft but with a good chew to it. Tastes like a homemade corn tortilla versus flour. The cheese is rich and has a wonderful pull to it. The lengua is extremely tender, little skimpy on meat portion, but overall good taco. The jarocho taco which is basically a shrimp taco on a cheese crusted tortilla is excellent. Service is what you would expect at a ma and pop shop. The cashier was patient enough to explain to me what a jarocho taco was and also spoke English which was nice for me. Last time I dined I just used butchered Spanish and got by with that but thats on me with practicing more Spanish.

    Photos
    El Habanero - Salsa bar

    Salsa bar

    El Habanero - Carne asada fries

    Carne asada fries

    El Habanero - Drinks

    See all

    Drinks

    Tacos El Bandido Express - 10/10 recommend this place food and service was great

    Tacos El Bandido Express

    4.2(372 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$

    El Bandido Express in Tustin is definitely worth checking out! The food was delicious, fresh, and…read morefull of flavor, and the portions were generous. Everything tasted authentic and well-seasoned, and the service was very friendly and welcoming. I also really liked the overall vibe, good spot for a quick, satisfying meal without sacrificing quality. I'll definitely be coming back and would recommend El Bandido Express to anyone looking for some good Mexican food in the Tustin area!

    Tacos here are the bomb! $1.50 on Tuesdays. They are small but I split the double tortillas into 2…read moremini tacos and can get full with 3-4 tacos. Awesome also bar with chopped onions and cucumbers. Green sauce is creamy, spicy, and adds a kick to the tacos. Highly recommend the chicken. I am not a carnitas fan but this place makes the best carnitas as long as you don't get the last scraps which could be dry. Usually really moist and flavorful. I also have had the street dog which is pretty good if you feel like a hot dog. Improvements: ANSWER THE PHONE! I swear, Everytime I wasn't to order no one picks up the phone. I know food is made to order but wish it didn't take so long just to get a couple tacos. I would also eat there if they had a drink station rather than can drinks. It's also hot sometimes in there as well. Also, FYI cash = no tax.

    Photos
    Tacos El Bandido Express - Cool Wall with El Bandido, The Bandit and Salsa Bar- old condiments and yellow cucumbers

    Cool Wall with El Bandido, The Bandit and Salsa Bar- old condiments and yellow cucumbers

    Tacos El Bandido Express - 10/10 highly recommended

    10/10 highly recommended

    Tacos El Bandido Express - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    10.8 mi
    •$$$

    Dare I say I prefer this place over Javier's??…read more Okay okay I came here on a whim with a girlfriend and Palmilla fully exceeded our expectations. We did not have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar, and eventually we moved to the center communal table. Honestly, I would prefer to sit there than at a private table! You are so in the mix of the whole restaurant, great place to be social. To drink I had a skinny margarita with raspberries added and my friend had the orangutan (espresso martini). My drink was SO good and SO cute. I am being serious when I say after I ordered it, the entire communal table got it too. I love that instead of chips and salsa they bring you fresh, hot tortillas with salsas and HONEY BUTTER?? to dip them in. This was so yummy and definitely unique to Palmilla. We ordered the guacamole, combo plate with a cheese enchiladas and crispy beef taco, and the filet mignon tacos. The only thing I might skip is the guac but thats just knit picking because everything else was so good. The ambiance of this place is beautiful. Think boujee beach bar in Tulum with a natural pallet and foliage. Every member of staff we met was also a 10/10! I'll be back!

    10/10 Most…read moreimportantly: Oliver @ the bar made this is most memorable experience. All of the cocktails and margs we had were delicious! The hand made tortillas with salsas was such a great and unique choice! Someone finally realized that as delicious as they are, eating that many fried tortillas in one setting can't be good ...Oh! And that honey butter. Divine. Fruit margs, spicy margs, every single one of them is PERFECTION. Make sure you upgrade to Ocho blanco (trust me it will save you a hangover)... Shared the carne plate with chimichurri with asparagus and spanish rice...so flavorful and delicious. Large portion and perfectly cooked. Seabass ceviche was spot on and the plantains were next level. Music, ambience, people and vibes were just POSITIVE. New favorite Newport spot...I mean seriously, what other place has a motorized ceiling that opens at sunset hour? Take my money.

    Photos
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Bar and dining room

    Bar and dining room

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Inside decor

    See all

    Inside decor

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Ceviche Mixto

    Casa Ramos Restaurant

    4.6(290 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    •$$

    This establishment recently moved location from South Main to North Main in Santa Ana, now located…read moreinside Main Place Mall. I'm telling you where, so you can find it and go if you're looking for a delicious Mexican restaurant. Santa Ana has plenty of authentic Mexican fast service dining places and food trucks that are pretty tasty, but when you are looking for something along the lines of a not-too-pricey restaurant with respectable cocktails and a Mexican food menu that delivers variety, quality, taste, along with a nice, clean, well-decorated establishment with excellent customer service, this is it. I'm an enchilada person, I look high and low for the next best thing to a homemade enchilada -- Casa Ramos doesn't disappoint. The crunchy beef tacos are also a favorite of mine. Someone once said, "You can really tell by the chips and salsa if a Mexican restaurant is going to be good or not." Their chips and salsa are so good, you have to stop yourself from filling up on them before your food comes out. The portions are sufficient. Most times, I need to box my leftovers up. Try this place, and let me know if you disagree.

    Honestly i wanted to love it but i dont. Pros- service was great. The chips were freshly made (they…read morewere delicious so most likely the nachos would be great). The cheeseburger was a great deal - kids loved it. Actually pretty decent for the price point. I think server messed up my order (i was supposed to get a trio of different meat tacos but got asada only). The carne asada however is not a meat to get. Too dry.

    Photos
    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Inside New location Main Place Mall

    Inside New location Main Place Mall

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Pork Belly Tacos

    Pork Belly Tacos

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

    See all

    Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

    El Camino Cafe - mexican - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...