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Santa Cecilia

4.3 (46 reviews)
Closed • Closed

Santa Cecilia Photos

SANTA CECILIA ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Santa Cecilia

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Finding this place was a total gem, I honestly don't know where to start, from the food, the energy, the comfort, the customer service, everything was amazing. We order inside, instead of outside. See the thing is when we went inside it's not what I expected, everything looked disorganized &' small but tbh I really didn't care, Because I felt at home, I felt like if I was in my grandmas kitchen back in Mexico. So cozy and welcomed. The señor and lady gave us the best experience ever here and I will be coming back because my dad loved the menudo and I totally loved the chilaquiles .

Vi N.

10/10 cronch You order from a discrete window that looks like it's a confessional window. You can only see her hands work as she crafts a beautiful and crispy work of art. So crispy that my TMJ was acting up, but so worth it.

Restaurant
John D.

Best asada and pollo tacos and burritos in Boyle Heights. A small dive spot. The food is priced well and has a simple traditional menu. Soup and other options are available on weekends. Worth the trip on Metro.

CicLAvia bicycle event
Franklin M.

We were participating in the cicLAvia bicycle event and made a pit stop at Mariachi Plaza. I ordered a Bean & Cheese burrito with the hottest spiciest chili sauce. The good size burrito cost $5 and I went outside to share it with my lady. The burrito was luke warm which I couldn't believe because I just walked out of the tiny restaurant. Eating a cold basic tasting burrito isn't the most pleasant foodie experience.

Estupendisimoooooo
Nick F.

This restaurant is mindblowing!!! When I'm back home in Hawaii I just fiend all their food constantly!!! I will be Santa Cecilia, I will be back!!!

this is a small restaurant that seats 8 people indoors .the Chile Verde is outstanding and 3 Tacos and a soda for only a few dollars
Mark W.

I was recently serenaded my Mariachis while chowing down on some exquisite Home Cooked Mexican Food at Santa Cecilia Restaurant at Mariachi Square.. this is a small restaurant that seats 8 people indoors and 8 outside... the Chile Verde is outstanding and 3 Tacos and a soda for only a few dollars

Good meal from Santa Cecilia...Huevos a la Mexicana con frijoles de la olla y una ensalada.

I've been meaning to write this review and it's long overdue. I recently moved back into Boyle Heights and I've seen many changes but Santa Cecilias hasn't and I REALLY hope that it won't be one of them. This is probably my favorite comfort food in LA that is as close to home cooking as it gets. Just walking in is a breath of fresh air. It's definitely not a sight for sore eyes but it's definitely like walking into your grandmas kitchen...you just feel the love with that little Mexican sting.lol A little word of advise to those who are, shall I say, pretentious snobs and a bit uppity, this may not be the place for you. The decor may not be up to par and seating is limited. Otherwise, enjoy with an open mind and a hungry tummy. Armando (the owner) is a master at his trade. Wonderful food and excellent hospitality is what it's all about. You can feel the pride in his food and service. He wants you to leave happy and satisfied. You can't go wrong with any dish he prepares for you and it will make your tummy smile. I personally love the barbacoa plate, caldo de res, carne de res en chile verde, tacos de tripa and FRESH HOMEMADE TORTILLAS! This is the only spot that I have come across that makes authentic Capirotada with all the timings. It's absolutely spot on and delicious! He is always willing to accommodate and substitute an order which speaks that he cares about customer service. They are all sweet and I appreciate the warm welcome and 10 minutes of wise cracks while I'm there.lol I've recommended this place more times than I can count to multiple people for good authentic Mexican food without paying hipster prices...and it actually has flavor! Places like these are a rarity nowadays and I hope it's around for generations to come. Stop in and if you don't know what you're in the mood for just trust him to hook you up with something special! Grab a Mexican coke from the fridge while you're at it!

Taco combo plate + 2 more tacos. Very large portions! :)
Taylor I.

I love tacos and I love looking for amazing tacos places in LA! Santa Cecilia is one of the best taco spots I've found. Great taste, authentic, spicy salsa verde, yummy tortillas, and rice + beans like your abuelita's. I had the 2 chicken taco with salsa verde combination plate with rice and beans. My bf had 2 carne asada tacos with salsa verde. We shared the rice and beans and a horchata. Everything was absolutely phenomenal. The total for all of this was $10, too! The best part of this place other than the location (right in Mariachi Plaza) is the way the owner greets you. He's so happy and the woman makes you feel like you stepped into her home for a delicious meal. :) Amazing spot and will mos def recommend to everyone who visits LA.

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

very good tripas taco. crispy. def worth a stop if in the area. order at the counter. street parking

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1 year ago

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4 years ago

Amazing food - this is one of the best spots in Los Angeles, for sure

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

Authentic and warm and loving place. Amazing customer service! Great food all around!!!

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12 years ago

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13 years ago

I was so ready to eat there for dinner...however there has no seat and tables...just strolls. Lame

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Ka'teen

Ka'teen

4.1(1.1k reviews)
7.4 mi•Hollywood
Outdoor seating
Private events

We arrived a little early for our 5:30 PM Saturday reservation and were immediately impressed…read more KATEEN is absolutely stunning in person and honestly looks even better than the photos online. The lush outdoor setting feels like a hidden oasis tucked away in the middle of Hollywood and creates a unique atmosphere that's perfect for a relaxed dinner. The food was excellent across the board. We started with the oysters and ceviche, both of which were incredibly fresh, bright, and full of flavor. The guacamole was delicious and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. The standout dish of the evening, however, was the short rib tacos. Tender, flavorful, and perfectly prepared, they were easily our favorite item of the meal and something we'd order again without hesitation. Our server was fantastic. He was knowledgeable about the menu, offered thoughtful recommendations, and answered every question with confidence. Great service can elevate a meal, and he definitely contributed to an already excellent experience. One thing guests should know is that the scent of sage throughout the restaurant is quite noticeable. It may not be everyone's preference, but we personally enjoyed it and thought it added to the restaurant's unique ambiance and character. Between the beautiful setting, fresh and flavorful food, and attentive service, KATEEN exceeded our expectations. We would gladly return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Hollywood.

This was my first time dining at this restaurant. The server was great, the food was delicious, and…read morethe atmosphere was amazing. However, the reason I'm giving 2 stars is because of the valet parking experience. First, I was charged $25 even though the sign clearly stated that valet parking is $17 for the first 3 hours, and $25 after 3 hours. Our reservation was at 6:30 PM, we arrived on time, and we left before 9 PM, so the charge did not make sense. When I asked the valet attendant, he kept saying, "because you dined there," without giving any clear explanation. If it is actually a flat rate for restaurant guests, then that should be clearly stated upfront to customers. Second, when I got into my car, I noticed that someone had touched the navigation settings because the compass direction and display were different from what I normally use. I do not understand why there was any need to adjust or touch my navigation system at all. I really think the restaurant needs to improve and better manage its valet parking system. Honestly, it felt like I was being charged a random price just because I was told, "you dined there." If there is a flat valet rate for restaurant guests, that information should be clearly communicated upfront instead of leaving customers confused at the end.

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Ka'teen
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DAMA

4.4(1.4k reviews)
2.1 mi•Downtown
•$$$

I am so happy I finally got to try Dama! I absolutely love Antonia LaFasso so I've been dying to…read moretry one of her restaurants. Now when you pull up originally you might think, "am I in the right place" but once you park and get into the courtyard, it is LOVELY! Amazing ambience! There is a bocce set up, string lights. It is a little slice of oasis in the middle of the fashion district. The restaurant itself - beautiful. I couldn't ask for more. Absolutely perfect in my book. Beautiful plants hanging, perfect Spanish music in the background (any place playing Natalia LaFourcade is a win). The drinks were great! I had the jungle bird which was fun. Food was so good too. The whipped beans are the star! We had the guacamole which was tasty, great tostadas with it. The arepas were good but the pork belly was a little too fatty (I know pork belly is always fatty) to the point the fat muted the flavored for the arepa a bit, but still delicious. The empanadas were great and as someone who lived in South America and ate empanadas every day, these really took me back to my Paraguay days. The squash blossoms were light and perfectly fried. Unfortunately my friends had gone to Funke the night before so they were comparing the squash blossoms and Funke won out, but they still liked Dama's! Small plates were enough for the 3 of us. The service was quick and attentive. Parking was easy for us. I will definitely be back!

Wonderful escape right in the heart of downtown. Plenty of street parking. There are lots around…read moretoo Love the outdoor area They have permanent benches that are cushioned with backrests too So enjoy the outside protected from the wind Most tables are shaded with the buildings surrounding too so you have this nice alcove feel Enjoy your mimosas and cocktails!!

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DAMA - Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway

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Mirate - bar downstairs

Mirate

4.2(1.1k reviews)
5.6 mi•Los Feliz
Private events
Outdoor seating

Parking: street parking if you get lucky, there's also valet around the corner…read more Food: We had 1 of each taco Ceviche Mixto And the tuna tostada Appetizer side of guac All of our food was amazing, I was not a big fan of the tuna tostada, the red/orange sauce was too much for me. However, the mushroom taco was delicious it had so much flavor! As well as the gobernador taco (the one with shrimp). The fish taco was okay but thought it was cute that they wrap it in a little tusk. I would mention the drinks but I'm not sure what my friends got and I got a mocktail. The service was delightful, from start to end! I don't recall our waiters name but she made sure we were taken care of. Overall this place was very cute! The pillows were so comfortable! The food was amazing! Service was great, will definitely be back

Firstly, I want to say the food was just as good as the first time we visited. Unfortunately, my…read moresecond experience here...bringing my mom for Mother's Day ...was extremely disappointing because of the service. We initially had one server who brought us water and took our appetizer order, but then disappeared for quite some time without checking back in. At that point, I even went looking for a manager or hostess and couldn't find anyone available. Eventually, we were given a new server, but she came across as extremely rude and inattentive. What upset me most was the overall lack of communication and attentiveness throughout the experience. It made what was supposed to be a special Mother's Day outing feel frustrating and disappointing. Sadly, this experience soured my impression enough that I don't see myself returning.

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Mirate - Brunch

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Tu Madre - Los Feliz - Brisket street tacos

Tu Madre - Los Feliz

4.3(765 reviews)
5.5 mi•Los Feliz
•$$

Went to Tu Madre and honestly... everything was SO good…read more I ordered the margarita flight, the asada burrito, a chicken taco, and the Korean BBQ taco and they did not disappoint. The margarita flight was super cute and actually strong lol every flavor was good. Perfect for trying different drinks instead of just picking one. The asada burrito was packed with meat and flavor. The steak was juicy, seasoned really well, and the portions were worth it. The chicken taco was simple but sooo good and flavorful, but the Korean BBQ taco??? Yeah that was my favorite. The mix of sweet and savory with the sauce was insane. The vibes were fun, the food came out fresh, and the staff was really nice. Definitely a spot I'd come back to again. 10/10

tu madre was honestly just alright to me. it wasn't horrible but i probably wouldn't get it again…read more i ordered it through doordash, and got a carne asada burrito, a carne asada taco, and a birria taco and they gave chips on the side. they had good reviews on doordash so i was excited to try the items but everything was truly just... ok. i didn't feel like the flavor was really there for any of the items i got, and the sauces they provided weren't that great either. i love a spicier sauce but they only gave me milder ones that were pretty average flavor-wise. the carne asada taco had a crumbly cheese on top that just didn't go well with the rest of the taco. the tacos were also packed in a paper food tray. this was fine for the carne asada taco but for the birria taco, it soaked into and stuck on the paper tray. the burrito had a poblano ranch slaw that seemed to overpower the rest of the flavors. unfortunately, that meant the primary flavor of the burrito was bland. the food at tu madre was truly just very forgettable to me, and so i'd probably just recommend passing on this place.

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Tu Madre - Los Feliz - Atmosphere

Atmosphere

Tu Madre - Los Feliz - KBBQ Street Taco

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El Tepeyac Cafe - 7/28/24: Okie de Pollo Burrito -- fireeeeeee!!!

El Tepeyac Cafe

3.8(2.9k reviews)
1.3 mi•Boyle Heights
•$$

It's been many decades having this goodness…read more Quality value flavorful authentic supporting local business fresh plethora goodness The chili relleno burrito I pass on as there was a thicker egg batter than chili that was quite small in comparison to size of burrito The original hollenbeck absolutely hands down tender spice stuffed goodness Rice beans guac stuffed away Their veggie burrito also worth the value All burritos very shareable or leftover worthy or have an amazing happy belly Would certainly purchase and try other goodness!

I work in East Los often, this is one of those places the locals always recommend. On a couple…read morelunchtimes I ordered through DoorDash for pick up, quick easy and convenient. The building is an original piece of the City's history, boasting a menu that features their famous burritos that vary in size from a regular to a huge party size beast that can feed several. I tried the Hollenbeck and the Okie burritos on two separate occasions via pick up, as aforementioned, the service was quick, convenient and the pick up window is seamless, parking is located next to the structure and I haven't had problems getting there. Hollenbeck was good but I definitely enjoyed the Okie burrito more, I ordered the "original" size once and didn't seem to learn my lesson the second time, these burritos can feed two in Original size. They offer a "Mini" version which would be satisfactory for one person. My favorite thing about these burritos is how "home-made" they are, the salsas and meats are fresh and taste like they came out of an abuelitas kitchen. I still need to try the crunchy tacos and nachos which look great, I recommend trying this classic establishment at least once if you're in the area.

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El Tepeyac Cafe
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Santa Cecilia - mexican - Updated May 2026

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