My son and I drove 30 miles to try this place. We go there and it was packed, so that was a great sign. My Seco de Carne was incredible, but my son's Chaufa de Mariscos was a bit of a letdown. I think they made a mistake and brought us Arroz con Mariscos instead. Service and atmosphere are great. We will definitely be back to make sure the chaufa is as good as everything else! read more

El Rocoto - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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After having a bad experience at another Peruvian restaurant near by. I really enjoyed my food quality, ambiance and customer service. The food was served super quick and no long wait times. Will definitely be back! read more

El Rocoto - So delicious! - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

I've known about this Peruvian spot for a while, but finally went in for the first time -- and wow, I'm so glad I did. The restaurant is way more spacious than it looks from the outside, and it was buzzing with people even on a weeknight. Luckily, we came right around dinner time and were able to get a table without a reservation. We ordered a seafood rice dish and a Peruvian beef entrée, and both came out in generous portions that were perfect for sharing. The flavors were amazing -- fresh, vibrant, and super satisfying. I have a shrimp allergy, but they were able to make the seafood dish without shrimp, and it was still delicious with tons of other seafood. For dessert, we tried the flan, which was not overly sweet and had a really nice balance. A perfect finish. Overall, such a great experience. I'm already thinking about coming back. Highly recommend this place! read more

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Service and attention were lacking. The real wait time vs what was given was double the time. The waiters don't check on the tables other than taking the orders and bringing food. No drink refill, no checking in, and no bussing the empty dishes. I think they just need more staff. The food was ok but compared to other Peruvian restaurants at the same standard a little pricey. read more

We were shopping at 99 Ranch Market and Daiso and got hungry. This Peruvian restaurant was located right in between so we stopped in. We were so glad. I love the several options for kids. I got the Mariscos Parilla and the seafood was fresh and delicious. My older son got the chicken fried rice and it's phenomenal! I ordered the mojito but they forgot it. No problem, they took it off the bill. It was the Lord telling me that I didn't need it. The place looks so clean and fancy inside. read more

El Rocoto - Kid's menu - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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A celebratory meal starts with Sangria. Their Sangria is light and refreshing - blink and the pitcher is empty! We ordered appetizers to share: Tuna Nikkei. It can best be described as similar to poke. Crocante. The best of both worlds. Halibut ceviche paired with crispy calamari. Papa Huacaina. A potato dish covered in a cheese sauce. Simple. My husband and I ordered: Pisco Sour for me. It's not a very strong cocktail, a bit sweet, but fun to drink. Pescado Frito. Fish and chips by any other name. We thought it would be a whole fish that was fried. The fish , itself was good. I liked the tartar sauce. Carne a lo pobre. It's cooked well done. Even though it's cooked more than I would like (I like my steak grilled medium-rare,) the entire dish components work well together. Proper use of the accoutrements makes for a delicious steak, eaten with rice, fries and plantains. We ended the meal with the leche asada. It's quite different from the leche flan that I'm used to. At first glance, it looks similar, but the taste and texture are quite dissimilar. Maybe we got a bad batch. I'll try it one more time to see if I'm truly not a fan. The staff were friendly and accommodating. We were a large group with plenty of questions. Parking can be easy or difficult depending on when you arrive. The resto is located in a busy strip mall. Try it! Enjoy! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants EVER!!! Every dish I try is absolutely delicious! I love their bread they give as an appetizer w butter and their cilantro hot green sauce and Red hot sauce. My favorite dishes are their Aji De Gallina, Lomo Saltado, and Oxtail Fettuccine. This time I got their Tallarin Verde & it was perfect!!!! I love it here. The service is always amazing & it is always clean. I also love their plating! Gorgeous. read more

Was hoping the food was better because of the reviews. Food was a bit underwhelming for the price with inflation. Added all the extra sauce for more flavor. I liked the plantains but at $9, didn't seem to be worth it for the amount. read more

El Rocoto - PLATANOS FRITOS - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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I can't recommend this food. French fries and rice together and simply in my opinion not so good.

The best two dishes were the anticucho (beef heart) and the cordero seco (lamb). I wouldn't reorder anything else. The tiradito was very fishy. Didn't taste fresh. The lomo (steak) was overcooked and not enough meat in the portion. The causa limeña (crab) and seafood rice was whatever. Ambiance is casual. Food came out super fast but they brought all the dishes at once. They should've coursed them out. Overall, I've had better Peruvian food read more

El Rocoto - ANTICUCHO CORAZON ARROZ NORTENO SECO CORDERO QUINOTTO LOMO - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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El Rocoto doesn't have tamales anymore. I have called twice already before breakfast and they told they didn't have tamales. Service is ok not great. read more

Before Christmas we had a very special dinner that was unplanned and off menu. On the day of the dinner, the "guys" had a very successful fishing trip out of Redondo catching different kinds of rock cod and an octopus! Because our guy knows a guy type of situation, the "guys" dropped off some of their catch (including octopus) at the restaurant and had El Rocoto cook it for the fisherman and their guests (that included me). We enjoyed four different preparations of fish and an octopus dish served with rice and bread. What an experience! One of the preparation was like a Chinese Tomato Beef, except with fish. Another was like a Chinese Sweet & Sour. Another preparation was a like a steamed fish Chinese-style with a ginger scallion sauce. The fourth fish was prepared with Peruvian spices. The octopus was prepared Peruvian style with chimichurri and hominy. Loved it! Service was friendly. Thank you, El Rocoto for a lovely memorable meal. read more

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Wow this place was really amazing talk about a sudden find. I was going to Sam's Club for the first time across the street but I was very hungry and needed something to eat. I was so hungry that I knew I needed something nearby and across the street was this and one other place that I could actually eat at. I decided to try this place and I'm so glad that I did. The service was really great the woman who was our waitress was so nice. The food was amazing I got the rice combination and my partner got the Lomo saltado. Everything was just delicious. We are never in this area but maybe coming more due to Sam's Club and I would not hesitate to come back to this place. read more

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Food was good, service was good. Price was fair. 2nd time I ate here. I recommend this place. read more

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A friend brought me here for the first time and it was pretty good. The service was friendly and efficient. The place was a nice medium size good for small or larger parties. And the food was tasty. I had the Lomo Saltado. The meat was tasty but the rice was a bit dry. . I added fried plantains which I highly recommend to accompany your meal. My friend had the Tallarin Verde. The pasta with green sauce was really good as was the chicken. The chicken needed some kind of light sauce or maybe lemon The pasta sauce was just enough for pasta and didn't help the chicken. I plan to return and try other items. read more

El Rocoto - Lomo Saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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Neither particularly good nor particularly bad. That said, the place isn't empty, they have regular customers, families come, so obviously some like it. Cocktails were okay, not impressive. We make better at home. Some dishes are better than others, it's not consistent. Service is not bad, staff are certainly nice enough, but it's not exactly customer-forward, focused on the customer experience. It's a chain restaurant, after all. It's not cheap, either, but doesn't break the bank. Meh. Struggles to get a third star in our opinion. Given the number of really very good eateries in the area we wouldn't recommend. read more

This is the first time coming here. It's located in a large strip mall and there is plenty of parking. We went during happy hour and I'm glad we did. The place is a little pricey but the food was delicious. They have some really good cocktails on their happy hour menu but they are still overpriced, especially for the size. I'm used to paying a little more at an upscale restaurant but this place is more casual. I had the mojito and it was very refreshing but small. My husband has the Pisco Passion and he enjoyed it, but we both agreed that my mojito was better. They served us some bread with two sauces. The sauces very different but both equally delicious. The bread was fresh and very soft. I had the Lomo Saltado and the flavor of the onions, meat and potatoes was amazing. Adding the sauce that they provide was an added bonus. My husband ordered the Saltado de Mariscos and he loved it. It was well seasoned and the shrimp was fresh. We shared a dessert, Alfajor was fresh, crispy but not too sweet. Our waitress was very kind and helped is with our selections but it was definitely overpriced. read more

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This is my favorite place to eat when I travel for work. The staff are very pleasant, the food is authentic Peruvian, and the establishment overall has a great vibe. This is where I get my Inca Kola fix as well. I will forever return for their Lomo Saltado! Bless! read more

El Rocoto - Lomo Saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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It's so hard for me to try something new here because the pescado macho is so delicious! Any recommendations what to try next? If you love peruvian food you should try this spot read more

El Rocoto - Pescado macho - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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Had a lunch meeting with a client this past Tuesday and I suggested to meet here so I can have my favorite Chaufa Mariscos again. Just like last time, it was soooo good and still a very generous portion at $ 26. read more

El Rocoto - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

They stated they had no no food left after we been waiting since 9:30 in the morning for the breakfast they stated that all of their food was over because of takeouts which is a lie I wouldn't come here read more

Obsessed with their lucuma ice cream. It's so creamy and the right amount of sweetness. Very much recommend that you save space for dessert read more

El Rocoto - Lucuma ice cream - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

Small restaurant with a smal bar area. The food tasted fresh and delicious. However, the service was not good. It took a long time for the food to come out. The server was not attentive; we had to keep grabbing our server's attention. read more

The food here is amazing! My mom and I were walking by and decided to try this spot. The menu was confusing because we didn't understand so we both ordered something random. Everything tasted amazing! Even the sauce with the bread was good. I loved all the spices and the service was fast too. The lomo saltado was super good. My mom got a Mariscos dish, it was like fried rice and also very good. The prices are a little high, but the entrees are generous. We were able to take food home too! I'm happy we found this restaurant. read more

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food is amazing, but the service sucks, it's been 10 minutes and no waiter has come over to get our drink orders, not to mention it not even being that busy. Nice atmosphere for bad service ‍ read more

El Rocoto - bread and green sauce that they gave us 10 minutes ago still no drinks - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

Lomo Saltado is good, but $30? LOL crazy. I've been here a few times in the past. Its a bit pricey now for no good reason. I might come back whenever i really crave a lomo saltado, which is rare. read more

I asked for less salt. The Lomo Saltado was bland, and the ingredients didn't seem very fresh or high quality. That said, the service was great and the vibe was fun, so it wasn't a total loss. read more

El Rocoto - Lomo Saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

We went for lunch. I think the food is a bit overpriced but most places are. The food is flavorful but it did give me heartburn. The chicken and rice dish was okay. I enjoyed the sides more. Really enjoyed the bread roll with the aji. I would return to try other dishes. Service was very good. She was very attentive but not as friendly. The restaurant is spacious and provides a space for large or small groups. read more

I went to this restaurant back when they first opened and it was very different. Back then the ambience was more formal with less lighting and they had live music. Recently I returned to find that they made it a little more casual with more lighting and tvs everywhere playing the soccer games. I also noticed that it seemed a lot more crowded than last time. The food was good. I got the chimichurri steak and it was tender and flavorful. My group didn't think the lomo saltado was that outstanding just alright and we eat lomo saltado often. I would definitely come back if I'm craving peruvian food for dinner. Prices were around 30$ a dish which I would say is more for dinner. read more

I'm disappointed with my most recent experience.spent around $100 and the meat was not property cooked as requested (medium) the order looked thrown together. Potatoes were stale and cold . Next time I'll go across the street and get el pollo inka. I also had an allergic reaction to something and had to take a Benadryl. I don't know if it was a seasoning...I did not taste ANY SEASONING AT ALL but something gave me an allergic reaction. This was a take out order by the way. read more

My meal came with one green sauce, one orange sauce, and one butter. I paid for an extra green sauce. They charged me for it. Not only did I NOT get the extra cup of sauce , but this is how my order came. read more

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My husband and I went to El Rocoto for a date night. The experience was nice, and the food was good, but not amazing. We ordered steaks, rice and beans, fried yucca, fried plantain, and fried Peruvian donuts. While the steaks were not the best, everything else was very flavorful and well-prepared. The sides and desserts were definitely the highlight of the meal! Overall, it was a good dining experience, but I'd probably return for the yucca, plantains, and donuts rather than the steaks. read more

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I ordered the lomo saltado and the meat was very tough and dry. When I received my plate, the meat was visibly dry as if the meat was precooked and stored separately from the rest of the other ingredients. though the meat was dry, the flavor of the sauces was delicious. Great service from Alan (I think that's his name). He was very attentive and knew what I needed when I wanted them. Thank you! The restaurant gets busy around lunch time. Easy plaza parking. read more

El Rocoto - Lomo Saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

Nestled in Gardena, this Peruvian gem promises a taste of Peru's culinary essence. As someone who has savored the flavors of Peru firsthand, I found the authenticity of the cuisine strikingly reminiscent of my travels. From the tangy ceviche to the hearty lomo saltado, each dish transports diners to the vibrant streets of Cusco. However, as delightful as the cuisine may be, the dining experience is marred by inconsistent service, particularly for larger parties (our was 9). During peak hours, the staff seems overwhelmed, leading to delays in seating and orders. This can undoubtedly put a damper on the overall enjoyment of the meal, especially for those seeking a seamless dining experience. Yet, for those willing to overlook the service hiccups, the culinary journey offered by this Peruvian establishment is worth the occasional inconvenience. The bold flavors and authentic preparations capture the essence of Peru's rich gastronomic heritage, making it a must-visit for aficionados of South American cuisine. (Excuse the pictures as our party and I were STARVING after my little sister's HS graduation!) read more

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Used to come here when I was a kid all the time. Now I'm an adult and I brought my man to try this place since he hasn't really had Peruvian food. Years later, the food still slaps as hard as it did when I was a kid. My favorites have always been the ceviche mixto and the parihuela. Flavors are rich and seafood is fresh. The Chicha Morada is a nice sweet drink. The man got the oxtail fettuccine; meat was cooked well and was very tender. Noodles were good too! And he also got the arroz con pollo; I loved the sauce that the potatoes were in. Finished it all off with the leche asada. My main complaint is the service; they're friendly but difficult to flag down. It didn't seem that busy (like a 4pm on a Tuesday) but it still took us a really long time to get someone to take our order and then a really long time to get our check and to go boxes. read more

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I been eyeballing this location for long time, finally I am here and order the Lomo Saltado. Flavor is good... although might not be so fresh since the plate came out really fast. Service is good as servers are friendly. I also had the maracuya drink which I love very much. I was lucky to come in during the week . No waiting line and no crowded restaurants. Restaurant is very clean!! I give a four since the server didn't come to me and ask if I needed something. She did almost when I was done. read more

The ceviche was very fresh and a good size portion. The Arroz con Mariscos was full of seafood and good flavor. The steak was the only disappointment. It was overcooked and a little tough. The service was the best part, they were attentive and friendly. read more

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Fun fun dining with yelp friends! It has been a few years since I have been to this Gardena location as well as the Cerritos one. Was surprised that I have not reviewed yet! My go to is the lomo saltado. It is a Peruvian dish that has steak strips, tomatoes, onions, and french fries. That and the sauce over rice is scrumptious! Lomo saltado sauce has soy sauce, white vinegar, aji amarillo paste, garlic, red onions, and salt and pepper. Although the meat was more on the well side, the dish was still very tasty. Our friend shared ceviche with us which was also good. I did not attempt any of the dipping sauces for the bread to avoid allergic reactions to them. Overall, a delicious meal and good service. Will be back for sure! read more

El Rocoto - Ceviche with friends! - Peruvian Near Me - Gardena, California

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Dinner in Torrance, Los Angeles, California... I hadn't visited South Bay yet, so, I asked my friend, Lilah, where to go... She suggested El Rocoto because she had been there before and liked it. Jun, Aaron, and I were first timers. Tim and Craig had dined at El Rocoto in the past. Lilah said that it was Peruvian cuisine. I thought that everything would be spicy, but, it wasn't! The complimentary bread and butter were served with two kinds of sauces. The green one was spicy for me. The red one wasn't too spicy. I couldn't really tell because I was feeling the effects of the green sauce for a while. I should have tasted the red sauce first... Haha I ordered the Pescado Vapor: steamed fish, shiitake mushrooms, bok choi, ginger, soy sauce and sesame seed oil. The fish was topped with a bit of savory black bean sauce. The entree came with a bowl of white rice. I really liked our meal! We also had a chance to try the ceviche that Tim shared with the table! Everything was fresh and the service was efficient and friendly! The environment was spacious, clean, and lively. We appreciated the free shared parking lot, good air conditioning, and convenient restroom! Note: I went early and visited the huge Daiso store next door, on the right! Ranch 99 is on the left of the restaurant. read more

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07/03/2023 A few of us came here for dinner. I was told we are having Mexican for dinner. I knew the name and have been here before so I told them this is Peruvian. Bread and aji verde and aji rojo to dip in. Butter as well if you prefer. It's a complex menu yet simple. I always order Lomo Saltado which they have angus beef. I wanted to share ceviche called Mixto Cruello on the menu. I should have remembered to ask for rare on the beef and also add a sunny side-up egg on top of the rice. Service is excellent and the decor is nice. I would come here again and again. read more