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    El Chilito

    3.7 (49 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Chilito Photos

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    EL CHILITO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Chicharrones en salsa roja
    Howard L.

    Still amazing. So much happiness wrapped up in between a couple of tortilla. Come in and get down.

    Catchy name nice.

    Place is ok. The price for the plate was too much for the portion given. We ordered menudo had a great taste and good portion.

    Watered down food looks more like soup
    Charly R.

    I chose this place because it had average rating I got here staff was nice and good customer service. The food is very bad the horchata I ordered had too much ice and was watered down as well even the salsa is watered down !!!!!! I literally felt robbed didn't get any sort of value for the 15$ I paid overall it was like 2$ of food and was terrible ! Please save yourself the headache and go somewhere more reputable...

    Viviana H.

    The birria plate was really good. So are their rice and beans and I'm picky when it comes to how rice and beans are made since every restaurant is different. I also have tried their menudo and is a 10/10. Good customer service the cook and lady that is the cashier are really nice people. Not a lot of people go here and they should especially during this time of COVID . Help support small businesses !!

    Shredded chicken nachos con todo.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Over priced and small portions , I will say the food is good but its just a bit over priced for the portion they give out

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    5 years ago

    The tacos de chicharrones remind me of some I got in Tecate. Definitely will be coming back!

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    9 years ago

    This is pretty bomb food. The price isn't bad either . I don't speak Mexican but I will say muy bien. Hash tag thanks google translate .

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    9 years ago

    Excellent service, very fast, and very tasty food, I recommend to everyone, 5 stars to Chilito restaurant

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    12 years ago

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    Chaak Kitchen

    Chaak Kitchen

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Had a great experience at Chaak Kitchen this month for a birthday date. The interior of this…read morerestaurant is stunning. It is the perfect spot for a date night out, especially in the summer. We ordered carne crudo, castacan, cochinita pibil, and beignets for dessert. For a drink I got a pineapple tamarind agua fresca that was a perfect combination. I really enjoyed everything we ate here. 3 dishes was enough to feed 2. The standout was the cochinita pibil. I do wish we got a little variety and picked a different dish instead of getting 2 pork dishes but both the cochnita pibil and castacan were highly recommended by a friend. The beignets and the dipping sauces were delicious . The dough was so fluffy. The service was great and we sat right next to the kitchen. You could tell the staff is organized and keeps a clean kitchen which is always nice to see with these open kitchen restaurants. Parking is street parking only.

    Came here to celebrate a birthday, and it was such a great experience. It's tapas style dining, so…read moreit's perfect for sharing a variety of dishes with the table. The atmosphere is beautiful, it feels like you're dining in a cozy house/patio. Our server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and welcoming, which made the meal even more enjoyable. Guava Brava - Such a refreshing and delicious cocktail. I would definitely order this again. Almejas al Vapor Picantes - The avocado clam sauce was incredible, especially paired with the focaccia bread for dipping. Pulpo al Guajillo - One of my favorite dishes of the night. Perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Empanadas - Really good! We all loved these. Salbute Pato Ahumado - Tasty, but it wasn't one of my favorites compared to the other dishes. Poc Chuc - I'd probably skip this next time. The flavor was good, but the meat wasn't as tender as I expected and was a bit tough to chew. Beignets - So delicious! They come with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces, and they were the perfect way to end the meal. Our server even brought us a side of vanilla ice cream to enjoy with them, which turned out to be an amazing combination. Overall, we had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Between the cozy atmosphere, excellent service, and standout dishes, I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

    Photos
    Dining Room and Kitchen
    Dining Room and Kitchen
    Bone-In Prime New York Strip
    Bone-In Prime New York Strip
    Parrillada Yucatan

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    Parrillada Yucatan
    El Habanero

    El Habanero

    4.1
    (581 reviews)
    0.2 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
    Salsa bar
    Salsa bar
    Carne asada fries
    Carne asada fries
    Drinks

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    Drinks
    Tacos El Bandido Express

    Tacos El Bandido Express

    4.2
    (363 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $

    We are blessed to have amazing taco and burrito spots in OC. But for tortas... Bandido's can't be…read morebeat. They have their sauces to a science. The green is my favorite, but the red is what you need with their carne asides. Meat is tender, hardly ever dry. The buns come toasted and wrapped with care. Service is speedy, and the cucumbers are fresh. When I'm abroad, there are always things I want to bring back to the OC - better public transit, affordable housing, universalized healthcare... But you know what those places don't have? They don't got the best goddamn tortas. That's right.

    I've been here about 3 times already and this place has not disappointed! I drive out from long…read morebeach just for this spot because it's halal friendly and they have sooo many great options! Each time the quality is consistent and on par. The service is great, attentive, and friendly. I absolutely love how they have the interior decorated currently due to the World Cup. It just makes it so much more lively and fun. My go to is the classic birria soft taco. It's so simple, but so good. They don't skimp out on the meat here at all. The taco is full of birria and you can add your own toppings (cilantro, onion, salsa etc) from the salsa bar. It just tastes so comforting and flavorful each and every time!

    Photos
    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
    10/10 highly recommended
    10/10 highly recommended
    Cali burrito ($11)

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    Cali burrito ($11)
    Holé Molé

    Holé Molé

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Just moved here from San Diego, and this place has some fire fish and shrimp tacos. They have great…read moreservice. It's a nice little taco shop with great atmosphere and awesome deals! I was there for Wave Wednesday. Baja Fish tacos for $2 bucks and Baja Shrimp tacos for $2.50. !! Hell yeah! Tacos were loaded, batter on fish was nice and crispy, not too thick not too thin, fresh veggies, good crema and the tortillas were great. The green salsa could be better but still add another layer of flavor to the t Coming back for tacos and tall boys(Don't ask, you're not ready) The Brisket Bowl and definitely Taco Tuesday.

    Disappointing Food & Horrible Customer Service "Ordered 6…read moretacos for my wife and me, then sat in the outdoor seating area waiting for our number. We never heard it called, though we clearly heard other numbers and saw employees actively delivering food to other tables. After 15 minutes, I went inside to check on our food. Our order was just sitting on the counter. When I checked the tacos, the meat wasn't just lukewarm--it was completely cold to the touch. When I caught the cashier's eye, he just gave me a thumbs-up. When I told him the food was cold, the cashier, Irvin, immediately got defensive and told me with an attitude, 'I called the number twice.' I explained that we didn't hear it, and pointed out that staff had been bringing food out to everyone else anyway. Instead of offering a solution, he doubled down, saying, 'I heard my voice over the speakers,' giving me a 'too bad, so sad' look. When I asked him to remake the food, he completely refused, repeating that he'd called the number. Unwilling to argue with someone that unprofessional, I told him to keep the cold food and just give me a refund. He refunded the money and we left. Absolutely terrible service from Irvin--we won't be back."

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Fish Ensenada Burrito: Hand Battered Fish, Cabbage, Onion, Tomato, Cilantro, Crema, (NO Rice & Beans) | $11.29
    Fish Ensenada Burrito: Hand Battered Fish, Cabbage, Onion, Tomato, Cilantro, Crema, (NO Rice & Beans) | $11.29
    (3) Yellow Chiles | $0.79

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    (3) Yellow Chiles | $0.79
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$$

    Called in a last minute order about 15 minutes before the kitchen closed; ordered the filet mignon…read moretacos, the filet quesadilla, sides of refried beans and Spanish rice, the churros, and the flan for dessert. I appreciated that the quesadilla was super cheesy, it was a great size too and was perfect as an entree with the beans and rice. I was very happy with the flavor of the beans, you could tell they were cooked with a lot of love! The tacos were delicious as well, the roasted salsa was slightly smoky with a good jalapeño flavor, the meat was tender, and the tortillas had a great chew. The churros are not to be underestimated- they were thick and fluffy, and the dipping sauces were perfect accompaniments. The flan was the super star of the whole night for me- genuinely the most perfect, custardy, unctuous flan I've ever had. The vanilla bean specks throughout gave it such flavor, there wasn't a ton of syrup but it honestly did not need it. There is absolutely nothing that could have improved that flan. Will definitely come back, hopefully dine in and try a few drinks!

    We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday, but the experience was a massive disappointment…read morefrom start to finish. Despite booking a 5:45 PM reservation and specifically requesting a nice table for the occasion, we were seated at a terrible spot. The service was shockingly slow throughout the night. We constantly had to flag down our waitress just to get basic attention, and to top it off, my order was completely missed. We would have loved to get dessert to salvage the evening, but we simply couldn't risk waiting another hour just to get served. They did absolutely nothing to acknowledge my husband's birthday, making what should have been a special night completely forgettable for all the wrong reasons. We will never be back, nor will I ever recommend this place to anyone.

    Photos
    Bar and dining room
    Bar and dining room
    Ceviche Tres Maneras
    Ceviche Tres Maneras
    Inside decor

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    Inside decor
    El Camino Cafe

    El Camino Cafe

    3.8
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Really enjoyed breakfast here. My wife and I came around 8:00 AM, ordered inside, and sat outside…read more The patio was spacious and relaxing, and the restaurant had a nice Mexican feel to it. One small thing I really appreciated happened before we even ordered. An older Mexican gentleman got in line before us, but when he realized we were there to eat, he told us he wasn't there for food and let us go ahead of him. He mentioned he was there looking for an opportunity to work there. That was a really nice gesture, and I genuinely hope they gave him an opportunity. I got the red chilaquiles with carne asada, and they were really good, crispy, saucy, and pretty spicy, and the carne asada was tender and well seasoned. My wife got the chile relleno and finished her entire plate, which is pretty rare for her. Service was excellent, our food came out in under 10 minutes, and the water refill stations inside and outside were also a nice touch. $44 for two felt very reasonable for what we got. This is definitely one of our favorite breakfast spots now, and we'll be coming back.

    First time at El Camino Cafe and we really enjoyed it! It's such a cute little Mexican-inspired…read morecafe, and we came in for breakfast on a nice morning. We ordered at the counter, and the food came out really quickly. I got the chile relleno and my husband got the chilaquiles with asada added on top. Everything was delicious! I actually cleaned my entire plate, which is rare I'm pretty picky when it comes to Mexican food, especially because I'm Mexican, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed everything. My husband loved his chilaquiles too. Next time, we'd probably add an extra egg since they only come with one and he's a protein lover. We sat outside, which was really nice, and the service was quick and friendly. The water cups were a little small, but they have water available both inside and outside, so it wasn't a big deal. Prices were fair for the portions and quality. Overall, we had a really good first experience and would definitely come back!

    Photos
    Hallway inside
    Hallway inside
    Chilaquiles Rojos and Enchiladas Suizas
    Chilaquiles Rojos and Enchiladas Suizas
    El Camino Cafe

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    Casa Ramos Restaurant

    Casa Ramos Restaurant

    4.6
    (284 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    We recently relocated from Garden Grove to the Santa Ana/Fountain Valley area and have been on the…read morehunt for a Mexican restaurant to fill the void left by our beloved spot in Los Alamitos. Thanks to Restaurant Week, we stumbled upon this gem, and we are so grateful. The hospitality alone would earn five stars. But then came the food. The tacos? Absolutely exceptional. The steak was tender and flavorful in a way that reminded me of eating throughout Mexico, you could actually taste the meat. A light, gentle pickle of vegetables on top, minimal cheese, nothing heavy or greasy. These are not the American-style tacos drowning in a pound of melted cheese. These are the real thing. The beans were lovely, the rice was solid, and my passion fruit winearita drink was genuinely a treat. Restaurant Week gave us the perfect low-pressure reason to try somewhere new, and we walked out with a new favorite. We'll be back for lunch. We'll be back for dinner. And yes, Taco Tuesday, we'll absolutely be back for that.

    Honestly, I have no idea how this restaurant has nearly 5 stars…read more We arrived around 6 PM with a party of 6 adults and 3 toddlers, and we didn't receive our food until almost 8 PM. To make matters worse, one of our meals was completely forgotten. The service was extremely slow throughout the entire visit. Every time we needed something, whether it was a refill, an update, or assistance, the wait felt excessive. The restaurant may have potential because the food itself was flavorful, but it seemed like they were either understaffed or unprepared for the number of customers they had. Another disappointment was the drink selection. We were told they don't have a liquor license, so hard alcohol isn't available. Their sodas were canned, and when we asked for juice for the kids, they told us they were completely out. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is on the smaller side and felt more like a converted house than a traditional restaurant, complete with a fireplace and television in the dining area. The food had good flavor, which is the only reason I'm giving more than one star. Unfortunately, the long wait times, missing meal, lack of drink options, and poor service made the overall experience disappointing.

    Photos
    Indoor seating
    Indoor seating
    Pork Belly Tacos
    Pork Belly Tacos
    Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

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    Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

    El Chilito - mexican - Updated August 2026

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