Wow these bowls taste fresh and flavorful. Very similar to chipotle but the ingredients taste fresh and clean. They don't add as much guac but the steak was cooked perfectly and tasted clean. The staff were nice and there was plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. You will be surrounded by students as this is close to CBU. read more

El Monte Grill - Steak bowl - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Do NOT mobile order. Every time I mobile order, they never fail to give me the WORST portions I have ever received. Probably 2 chunks of meat and they fill half the bowl. Everyone that works there acts like giving someone an adequate amount of food will get them fired. read more

El Monte Grill - I could eat this exact thing 6 times in a row with how bad of portion sizes they give - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Loved the great healthy eats, enjoyed great conversation while eating food with a friend and the view from the outside courtyard is peaceful. The service was outstanding as I was told and I have nothing but good things to say! read more

Like chipotle, but easier to pronounce. And the menu is less confusing. Oh they don't have that awesome queso dip that chipotle has. But they also have never had an E. coli outbreak read more

Move over, Chipotle because you're about to get some competition! This new location is on campus at California Baptist University next to Subway and the campus bookstore. It's similar to the format of Chipotle, in which you can choose between tacos, burrito, burrito bowl, etc. I got the burrito bowl with carne asada, and I was very pleased with the quality of the carne asada meat. It's definitely tasty, and I preferred it over Chipotle's carne asada meat. The toppings were decent, however it is quite comparable to that of Chipotle. Expect long lines, because the prices are decent and the food is good! read more

El Monte Grill - Carne asada burrito bowl - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Best burritos I've had in a long time. They could definitely compete with Chipotle. It's always really easy to get your food and head out.

Went there yesterday after a graduation ceremony. The food was good, but then I got sick right after. Hadn't eaten anything else and was up all night with stomach pain. I ate the chicken. The rest of my family had Carne Asada and were fine. read more

STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING THE CHEAPEST AND MOST CRAPPY, SLOPPY, DRIED-OUT, OLD FOOD!! Swear they will put like 1 piece of sliced chicken for a whole chicken bowl. They will TAKE ALL YOUR MONEY and you'll still leave w a empty stomach. Nearly $20 a meal and their chicken has actual bones in it (straight choking hazard lol). Their steak/carne asada chewy and raw... don't get me started on the hard dried out beans or the guac that has actual whole Avocados in it haha. No way this place stays passing health checks. The Tacos are so messy they look like a burrito bowl haha. This place just a mess... someone help out these students pleaseeeee. #best/worstcampusfood #1privateschoolfood??¿ read more

Weird open times due to it being part of CBU. Food is great! Extremely similar to chipotle. Sometimes they don't give you enough meat but if you order half carne asada, half chicken you can get more for your money . They have a jalapeño tortilla for the burrito that absolutely slaps read more

The best food in town way better then chipotle.! Ever since I had this place I have not gone to chipotle.!

Man this place is delicious!! Best tacos and grilled meats, it's a must go to spot! It's like chipotle but with flavor

Good good! Essentially the same as Chipotle but there is no queso. The service is always top notch.

There is only a few places that I go to for Mexican-American eateries and this is one of those places. Everything is good here. I love the bowl; I get it every time. My meat is a half and half of chicken and pork. Alongside the white rice with that hint of cilantro and lime, crunchy veggies, pico de gayo, zesty salsa and heavy guac. yum! It just taste so fresh and the meat is exquisitely cooked! I got to have my El Monte fix at least once a month. It's truly addicting! I use to be a regular customer of chipotle, but now I can't go back. It just taste gross to me. El Monte food is so fresh and tasty! Their service is pretty awesome too. The line is quick. They greet you with a "hello welcome" entering the room. Every time I say thank you, they respond in a Chik-Fi-la response of "my pleasure." Very nice. read more

It's a wanna be Chipotle/Mexican restaurant. Not all that great not all that bad. Just a hair above a Taco Bell.

Bomb food. Honestly this is way better Chipotle, even though it is identical to Chipotle. Although they did give larger poritions, they have scaled back by at least half, now the portions are either similar or less than what chipotle gives you. However there is a lot of variety in the menu.It is located at the CBU campus where the old Adams Plaza (now Lancer Plaza) is, so expect a wait. However, the wait is worth it, and you won't go wrong with whatever you get. However, they may not give you an extra scoop of meat. I asked for an extra scoop and got denied, however the guy that was in front of me asked, and got the extra scoop. It's a hit and miss on that I guess. Otherwise, best place to go if you're ever craving something like Chipotle. read more

So gooood :) super fresh - so yummm. Long lines but they move pretty quick. Worth the wait.

Excellent food -good prices -better than Chipotle! They have sopes, burritos, bowls, fresh fruit, cookies. If you are any where in Riverside, you need to check this place out - you will be very happy you did. read more

El Monte Grill - Carne asada bowl better than Chipotle! Plus they have a great citrus salsa. - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Oh my gosh. So you know how we have our small list of local favorites... well this is on mine for sure. Beware - they have funky hours though and I guess reason being is that, they are actually a CBU campus eatery that isn't actually located on campus... yes you have stepped into the twilight zone!!!! I sorta feel like this is my local secret spot! Hehe. All mine, well except for all the other 30 plus cool kids that are constantly up in my joint! When you walk in the place it's usually packed. Groups of two plus. Long lines greet you too. But it goes quick! This is a fast "good" food spot. You'll have your food in front of you sitting at a table in no time. Yummm! And yes, you'll get a table. Almost guaranteed. These campus kids are quick. No time to chit chat. This isn't Starbucks. They are here to eat, laugh, talk, joke, occasionally go over some study and then they our out before the bell rings. Everything is fresh. Good quality and cooked right. You have to get the salsa with pineapple and try a bag of chips. Wow. My mouth is watering. I'm such a foodie. The first time I walked up into this place I was at a lost. I said, I'm not sure what I'm doing here, she told me it works like Chipotle. I replied, I've never been to chipotle. She said you start with telling me your base, I.e. : salad, bowl, burrito... yadda yadda. So I did it, I followed instructions and I ended up with this incredible delicious creation. All mine. The way I like it. And now I keep coming back. Hope you enjoy. read more

Better version of chipotle. Cheddar jalapeño tortilla with a carne asada burrito. Thank me later

This place was great, nice college atmosphere. The food and style is similar to Chipotle Grill but with a simpler atmosphere that is not overwhelming. Definitely a place to recommend as the food was fresh and great tasting. read more

Chipotle called they want there idea back, its ok not super exciting. the diiference seems the food and quality is a little better than chipotle and you dont seem to get a stomach ache after eating it. read more

Heard about El Monte and thought we would give it a try! Located in the same parking lot as Harbor Freight and Bakers- in the newer CBU buildings. Fresh food with similar concept as chipotle with some nice variations (like the choice of jalapeño cheddar tortilla or regular). All the employees are friendly and make the line move quickly! Check it out! read more

Love this place. A little pricey bit so is Chipotle. The food here is ALWAYS fresh and service is fast. Great location for staff like me :) read more

Really delicious fresh Mexican food set up just like chipotle with better tasting ingredients. The hottest chile actually requires some chips to calm down the burning mouth! I love spicy! They also offer the less exciting Pico de gallo. I ordered the crane asada burrito and wasn't disappointed. My first taste of El Monte Grill has set a new bench mark for chipotle to reach for! read more

Great food that is fresh and super tasty! Their carne asada is super yummy. Way better than Chipotle.

Monte Grill or chipotle. Easy choice. Monte grill: The flavor the meat has is more authentic to the carne asada and pollo asado that you would get from a Mexican Sunday asada with family. Employees aren't the most polite but I go for the food lol read more

Think Chipotle but better. Same style bar, pick and choose what you want. The workers are polite. Although there may be a long line depending on what time you go, it always goes relatively quickly. There are great options and the price is reasonable. It is located next to California Baptist and Subway, shouldn't be hard to find. read more

If you like burritos, tacos, or bowls then check this place out. I'm feeling hungry just writing about it. Excuse me while I go scarf down some carne asada read more

My husband and I needed a quick bite after work. We read the reviews and decided to give it a try. We both had the Carnitas tacos with a side of rice and beans. The food was fresh and good although it was a little bland so get the medium or hot salsa to spice it up. It's on the campus of Cal Baptist University, The students were fun and respectable and overall it was a good experience. Go CBU! read more

I come here almost everyday and it never disappoints!! This place is so amazing - it's like chipotle on crack! 10/10 simply a blessing.

This place is super stingy with their food! I had to ask the girl multiple times to put more food on my plate it was ridiculous!!! If I hadn't asked her to put extra I'm sure my plate would have ended up looking like it belong to a two year old. They literally put two grains of rice on your plate. They deserve 0 stars read more

LOVE THIS PLACE! It taste so much better than chipotle! Chipotle's meat is a bit chewy in my opinion but El Monte's meat is nice and tender. My only concern would be the portion size on the meat but chipotle does it too- they're not the most generous with their serving size. read more

They skimped me bad on my chicken bowl. I got about half the meat I would get at chipotle and when I asked for a little bit more they said it would be extra. I nicely explained that I didn't get much meat and the lady gave me a rude/ annoyed look and wouldn't budge. read more

Well I read a review that said this was Chipotle on steroids. The food was good but no different than Chipotle. I was in the area I would eat there again. Very clean and fresh food. read more

Good food and customer service (employees greet you when you walk through the door). Sometimes they do go light on the chicken or steak but they definitely don't skimp on guac if you ask. Good portions for a good price. read more

El Monte Grill is a Mexican chipotle style restaurant. It has lots of inside and outdoor seating and serves college kids from Cal baptist.

The food was good and would have been better had the people preparing it listened to my order correctly instead of just adding things I told them I didn't want on my burrito. I asked for white rice I got brown I said no lettuce they gave me extra lettuce. Then I had to ask about 5 times for my guacamole to go with my chips that I had ordered. It is loud inside and they start pushing your order through the line before you ever get up to the window to look at things and they can't hear your order properly obviously and it is hard to hear them. I understand being busy and feeling rushed but, giving such poor customer service is never acceptable. read more

Being a student at California Baptist University, this is a food option that is a part of the student meal plan (and it is open to the public as well). With that being said, I give this place 2.5 stars out of 5 and here's why. When the establishment first opened, I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Like most people, I enjoyed the fact that it was a unique alternative to Chipotle given that there are not many. In the first year of the establishment being open, this place did all the things right that sometimes Chipotle did wrong. For one, the portion size was excellent (which in my opinion has been a legit issue at Chipotle. I hate when they do not serve you enough meat or rice). Second, I enjoyed (and currently still do enjoy) the variety of salsas that this place has. Lastly, the meat in my opinion was really fresh and flavorful. What has changed? Everything. I don't know what happened but now when I go to this place, I am weary about the serving of meat that they will provide me. I'd say about 60% of the time, this place will give you half a normal portion of meat and when you ask them to serve you a little bit more (which they should have done to begin with) they always reply with "that's going to cost extra". Extra for what? For serving me the proper amount of meat? As of late, this place has also been taking a scoop of rice and attempts to spread it out across the bowl to make it seem like they give you a lot. While they typically provide you with more upon request, it is still an annoyance to have to deal with. In terms of food quality, I can name 5 or 6 instances (this year) in which the meat I ordered (chicken) legit tasted like fish. It's instances like this that makes me question the quality and freshness of the meat. Lastly, this place does not accommodate requests like a tortilla on the side (which Chipotle actually does). To be honest, I would say that this place simply suffers from a lack of consistency. If they were consistent in their food portions and food quality, I would definitely give this place a better review. For now however (so long as I am a student), they continue to be stingy with their portions. Although I will say, they tend to treat outsiders a little better. read more

I went here expecting something great after reading all the reviews but I was not impressed. They did not open on time which is not good when you have a short lunch break. I ordered a bowl with chicken and the chicken was bland. They don't have their meats labeled which left me guessing as to what was what. read more

This place is great! I got the chicken burrito, very comparable to chipotle, besides way better! Highly recommend this place.