Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Charrito Express

    3.9 (141 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

    El Charrito Express Photos

    EL CHARRITO EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    More like El Charrito Express

    Recommended Reviews - El Charrito Express

    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

    Chile verde
    Becca D.

    Quick counter service. Multiple people taking orders at the same time behind a counter so it can get a little chaotic but it works for the small place. I got the chile verde burrito and it was delicious. On the smaller side but very good flavor. The tortilla is the star of the show! Definitely worth checking out if in the area and want a quick meal.

    Cat F.

    All my friends in the area kept talking about this place so I had to try it during a day trip to Monterey/Carmel! I arrived around 10 AM on a Sunday and found parking right in front. While the lot is small, there seemed to be plenty of street parking. Even in the early morning, there was already a fairly long line ~6 people. Which is a good thing! One thing I was curious about (and confirmed through both research and experience) they have separate breakfast, lunch, and all day menus. So if you're craving something specific, make sure you check the timing before you go. When ordering, you can add sides like guacamole or salsa inside the burrito for a small cost OR order them on the side (which costs more). The side portions are similar to what you'd get at Chipotle. Overall, this is a great spot for a ~$7 burrito. Super filling. Mostly due to the rice and beans but they're also very generous with the meat. Especially for the price. Here's what I ordered: Carne Asada Burrito ($7.49) - 8/10 - Personally, I found this burrito a bit dry and ended up adding salsa and guac to keep things fresh. The tortilla was flaky and delicious. While the meat didn't have standout flavor, it was still a pretty good choice for the price. Chile Verde Burrito ($6.49) - 9/10 - This one was the star for me. The pork juices soaked into the rice making each bite super juicy and flavorful. A great contrast to the carne asada. Definitely worth trying if you like saucier burritos.

    Chips
    Carlos C.

    Tasty burritos at reasonable prices! The setup is similar to Chipotle, you can customize your burrito just how you like it. The staff was quick and efficient, keeping the line moving. They make their tortillas fresh, which added a delicious touch to the burrito. I ordered a carne asada burrito and was pleased with everything. The portion size was just right, not oversized but satisfying. Their salsa was flavorful without being too spicy. I do wish there was a spot to sit and enjoy the meal. You're in Monterey with plenty of scenic places along the coast to dig in.

    Back entrance
    Jennifer K.

    We love El Charrito in Salinas so we decided to give their Monterey location a try. First they have only have one entrance and it's at the back of the Main Street. It's right next to good feet store but at the back. Upon entering it is a small spot that is behind a restaurant. They use the back portion of the restaurant. When you enter all the food is in front of you similar to a chipotle and you tell them if you want a burrito or a bowl. I decided to get a bowl and a side of tortilla. In the bowl I chose Chile Verde, pinto beans, rice and it comes with Crema, guacamole, salsa and cabbage. My partner also ordered a bowl but also chips and salsa. The food was tasty, but not sure what it is but the original Salinas location is better. However if you're looking for a quick burrito or bowl this is your spot in Monterey. The prices are still reasonable but seem to be slightly higher when compared to the Salinas location.

    Vegetal burrito con salsa verde
    Natalie M.

    Amazing burrito at an even more amazing price! The homemade tortilla really made it special and there was no line. Loved the place altogether, super cute!

    Menu
    Tareq B.

    The food is good but not unbelievable or anything exciting. The location is not off Alvarado Street so you have to go around. There is no service you walk up to a counter and you order your food and you select your ingredients and they make it into a bowl or a burrito. There is no seatings inside so you cannot counting on enjoying your meal. It's to go only and the portions are pretty small considering what you pay for it.

    Jamaica full of antioxidants and good for lowering blood pressure.
    Manny R.

    For On the go authentic Mexican food this is the hot spot.all the breakfast burritos are awesome with flavor that ignites all your taste buds.

    Small burritos.

    See all

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dimple D.
    118
    234
    34

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Can never go wrong with a charrito burrito! So glad they have one in Monterey & Marina!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Delicioso! Delish! Fantastic! So good and so nice to have the express in Monterey. I love the tortillas and all the meat selections.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Joe C.
    1
    15
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abby F.
    48
    18
    23

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    They charge for any salsa/hot sauce. Never going to Mexican places that skim hot sauces or worse "charge" ppl

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Great food loves everything I've ever had there. Must go to the original restaurant in Salina's . Fresh tortillas are amazing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Lou Z.
    2
    77
    21

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Great food at a great price. I had the carne Asada burrito and it was great. Nice outdoor patio as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David D.
    35
    2054
    20334

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H B.
    1
    19
    15

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paddy O.
    856
    254
    491

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Very small portion for the money they charge and also rasist staff. If you don't speak spanish you're not very welcome here

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ron S.
    0
    48
    3

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Amazing quality and handmade tortillas were so delicious. I ended coming back the next day for breakfast!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 4

    El Charrito Express Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Charrito Express

    El Cantaro

    El Cantaro

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    This is an amazing Vegan restaurant. I was in the area for the day and found this place. I haven't…read morebeen to many Mexican restaurants with any vegan options let alone a full Vegan menus. It took our party (8 people) a while to decide as we were spoiled with choices. But we had time as it was pretty busy for a Friday around 1. I ended up getting the carne asada nachos and the aqua Fresca that they had that day (mango and watermelon I think). Both were absolutely spectacular. The picture included might not show the best scale but I had 2 others helping me to eat this plate and otherwise I would not have been able to finish it (even as a larger man). The crunchy jalapeños with the chips, beans and guacamole were the perfect balance. As a meat eater, the texture of the faux meat was a touch odd, but the flavor more than made up for it. The staff was helpful and attentive even as they were balancing supporting customers, answer phone orders, and taking regular orders. My wife and will definitely be stopping by here more often!!

    Christian radio talking at me and my daughters the whole time, every time. Amigo, you are driving…read morecustomers away with this station and maybe that's how it should be- your mission to expand Christianity will lower your customer base and hurt your profits and allow you to pay less people. It's cool I'm sure your employees want less pay, less hours, and to listen to this all shift, every shift. And we know: the power of Christ Compels You to spread God's ideas despite what the heretics say. You're righteous, we get it. But you make amazing food, and are doing amazing things for the Mexican Community and the Vegan Community (and with that, the innocent animals of this world). Someone, somewhere down the line helped inspire the business decisions you are making right now. Maybe let this help you too. I moved to Santa Cruz the same year you opened and have been visiting 8-10 times a year since. Your menu continues to be extensive, and this last visit your cheeses weren't even as gooey as they had been (in the past the vegan cremes and cheeses were on the heavy side, but our 4 meals were all great yesterday.) We do know to order over the phone, because your line is slow, the options take a long time to explain, and the preparation is often a long process too. So we ordered ahead. Then got told we couldn't do that and would have to leave, but we had kids so you said this time was ok. After being scolded, we counted 26 seats. We took up 4 of them. Lots of available seating, and four smiling vegans in your restaurant, being cute (daughters 1 and 4) and writing 5 star reviews and spending maybe $5k there over my lifetime. Chill with the condescension, your service is slow AF sometimes. Everyone knows it and talks about it. We are seasoned and know to order ahead now. It's what we're going to do, while we continue to give you our money, while you consistently take a long time to get food to us if we order in store. Hopefully you stick around forever! Hopefully you change your horrifying radio station- but maybe God upstairs' opinion is more important than your customers. Gobbless

    Photos
    El Cantaro - Pretty mello. How I prefer it!

    Pretty mello. How I prefer it!

    El Cantaro - Authentic Mole Negro Oaxaca Style Plate and corn tortillas

    Authentic Mole Negro Oaxaca Style Plate and corn tortillas

    El Cantaro

    See all

    Nacho Bizness - The Bizness - regular w/ al pastor

    Nacho Bizness

    4.3(591 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Couldn't resist checking this place out after seeing the name, and I was craving some nachos…read moreanyway. Got the asada fries in hella size: waffle fries loaded with jalapeño cheddar, carne asada, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and lime crema. This thing is huge and definitely shareable. Perfect for sitting down with friends, catching up, and having a good yap session while you work through it. The combination of flavors works well and hits that comfort food craving just right. The place is also decorated nicely, which adds to the whole vibe. It's casual and fun without trying too hard. For the portion size you're getting, the value is solid. You're basically getting a meal that can feed multiple people. Good spot if you want something casual, shareable, and satisfying. Plus, you get to say you ate at a place called Nacho Bizness, which is worth it on its own lol.

    Don't go to this place . There are 3 things you need to be aware …read more Went there with my kids to eat and ordered the regular burrito and the hella sized beed bizzness nachos . 1- we asked if the nachos were spicy , they advised to put jalapeños on the side . The cheese sauce is spicy . My kids mouth were on fire . If they say it's mild .. it's spicy.. even the free cup of Mac and cheese they offered . Spicy. 2-The burrito had no flavor and the rice was old ( you can tell was used from Previous days ). 3- cleanliness was awful .. the chairs were not stable , floors were dirty and that bathroom has seen better days for sure. That was my observation . Owners need to pay more attention of how fresh the food and the cleanliness of the place .

    Photos
    Nacho Bizness - Inside

    Inside

    Nacho Bizness - Asada Fries Hella Sized with chips and guacamole.

    Asada Fries Hella Sized with chips and guacamole.

    Nacho Bizness - The Phise Nachos

    See all

    The Phise Nachos

    Michael's Grill & Taqueria - Blackened Chicken Sandwich

    Michael's Grill & Taqueria

    4.4(505 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Michael's is a Pacific Grove staple. It's got that "California casual" vibe with a weird but…read moreperfect mix of Mexican, Texan, and even some Cajun influences. You can tell it's been a local favorite for decades--the hand-scrawled signs and slogans everywhere give it so much character. They've been around for 40 years! The Blackened Chicken sandwich is what they're famous for, and it lives up to the hype as I've been ordering it since middle school. It's got a solid kick, and that buttermilk garlic dressing they use is addictive. If you're leaning more toward the taqueria side, the Blackened Shrimp Tacos and the Steak Fajitas are the move. I also get the House Burrito a lot as it's one of their famous specialties. Everything feels fresh and grilled, not greasy, which is a nice change of pace. The service is fast and friendly and the portions are huge for the price. It's a small, no-frills spot inside, but they have plenty of seating and a steady stream of locals picking up takeout which is always a good sign. Every meal comes with chips and salsa! Pro tip: They're closed on Sundays, so make sure you get your fix during the week. Definitely the best spot in PG for a quick, high-quality lunch that won't break the bank.

    My wife and I came in to Michael's Grill one evening to satisfy our craving for Mexican Food but…read moreunfortunately left unsatisfied :( I understand this restaurant is here to satisfy and appease its community of Pacific Grove but to be honest as a Mexican/American myself.. this is not authentic Mexican food sorry and I'm not even mad at the restaurant for what it serves. I'm just letting those know who are planning to visit and planning on eating Authentic Mexican food this is not it. Service is fabulous and ambiance is very nice but food wise it's personally not for me. Canned sauce uncut chicken strips, ground beef and no real authentic flavoring is not authentic in my opinion I'm just giving my honest raw review but overall the employees seem happy customers are happy and this place good share of people eating in and picking up and I couldn't be more happy for the owners to have this working out because the restaurant business can be a brutal business and I give props to anyone starting one up let alone keeping one going for many years.

    Photos
    Michael's Grill & Taqueria - Chips n salsa

    Chips n salsa

    Michael's Grill & Taqueria - Combo - most delicious!

    Combo - most delicious!

    Michael's Grill & Taqueria - Blackened chicken taco combo

    See all

    Blackened chicken taco combo

    El Charrito Express - mexican - Updated May 2026

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