There is a term you say in Hawai'i that when something is good, it "broke da mouth." AND THIS…read moreVEGAN Mexican dinner by El Cocinero BROKE MY MOUTH! I recently tried out El Cocinero's food at an event that they catered to. As a person who eats meat and is not restricted, I would come here for the good food. The vegan al pastor had chunks of pineapple and it is seasoned and cooked to taste just like the meat version. The texture is just a little bit different but it does resemble a lot like meat. The vegan pastor also tastes just like the meat version, just less "smoky" and the texture is softer. The rice is flavorful and fluffy. The beans are seasoned just enough to have flavor but not compete with the other dishes. The creamy chipotle sauce was perfect topping the rice and beans. I do like vegan food but the only reference I had with Mexican vegan are places that try to add fake cheese and lean heavily on beans and rice. This business shows that you can still have all the flavors and not rely on cheese and meat. They focus on the flavors and not what would make non-vegans feel comfortable. Initially, I was going to give this first time experience a 4 star review so that it encourages me to go check out the restaurant so I can add the service and the ambiance. However, I was lucky enough to bring home leftovers and as I was eating it, the food tastes better. Had to add the extra star!

First time at El cocinero, planning on coming back again and again and again!!!!!!!…read more I was informed it was all and everything is vegan which I love tacos and to find a vegan Mexican spot that is all vegan came in clutch. This place had everything you'd need and tastes so good for a vegan spot. You would be able to fool me and tell me this is actual meat and I'd believe it. That's how good it was! I got the quesadilla (half asada, half al pastor) omg that was the best thing I have ever had. The cheese melts and pulls just like regular Cheese. The meat was so juicy and good flavor. I'd get it again and again But I'd probably try the tacos next time along with the quesadilla tbh. I also got the flan which was tbh less sweeter than a regular flan. But hey I still loved it, I don't complain about it. It was still delicious. (Funny incident, I ordered the flan at the front and paid for it.i wasn't told anything else by the guy at the register. SoThen went back to the table and Waited and waited and waited for a good 20 minutes, till I asked about it and was told that I can just grab it out of the refrigerator!!!! Smh, as much as I was upset as much as I for some reason just found it funny. So don't do the same mistake I did and just go grab it right after you pay for it.) Overall, I loved everything and all the things about this place. Nice seating areas, nice environment , helpful workers,convenient parking! And most importantly, delicious food. Definitely be visiting this place again!

I rarely ever remember to leave Yelp reviews, but this restaurant was EVERYTHING. The place was…read moresuper clean with such a cute aesthetic. The waitresses were so pleasant and attentive the entire time. Now let's talk about the food... 10/10. We ordered aguachiles, mango shrimp ceviche, tacos gobernador, camarones rancheros, and enchiladas. Every single dish was well seasoned, juicy, fresh, and the presentation was beautiful. Definitely worth coming back for.

A Hidden Gem for Fresh Seafood & Family Vibes!…read more We visited Marisco Corona as a party of six--four adults and two toddlers (under 3)--and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. Despite it being a busy spot, we were seated right away, which is a huge plus when you have little ones in tow! The Drinks & Starters We started with the Horchata and the Pineapple Water (Agua de Piña). Both were refreshing, authentic, and clearly made with care. If you like traditional Mexican drinks, these are a must-try. The Food Everything we ordered was packed with flavor and felt incredibly fresh. A standout for us was the homemade corn tortillas--you can really taste the difference! Our table shared: * Mojarra & Pescado al Mojo de Ajo: Perfectly cooked and seasoned. * Lobster Plate: Succulent and generous. * Surf & Turf Tacos: These were a highlight! Loaded with carne asada and creamy guacamole, then topped with perfectly grilled shrimp. Each plate comes with rice, beans, and a side salad, but they are super flexible--we were able to substitute fries for the rice and beans on some plates, which is great for picky eaters or just a change of pace. Service & Atmosphere The restaurant is tucked away in a shopping center, so parking was easy to find, which takes the stress out of the arrival. Even though the dining room was buzzing and busy, our waitress was incredibly nice and the entire staff was well-attended to our needs. Bottom line: If you're looking for delicious, flavorful seafood in a family-friendly environment, Marisco Corona is the place to go. We will definitely be back!

My wife and I were (once again) in the mood for a breakfast burrito while we were in the van Nuys…read morearea this morning. I was put in charge to find a place close. I stumbled upon Monarca on Yelp and we decided to try it out! We arrive and are nicely greeted by one of the employees at the counter. The inside was clean and well kept which we love. My wife and I ordered 2 breakfast burritos and the green chilaquiles. She got the Deluxe burrito and I got the chorizo. We bring them home and open up the bag and these things are MASSIVE! In the best way! We begin taking bites and are both amazed. Me a little bit more. I really really enjoyed this burrito. Maybe because it has rice instead of potatoes, I'm not sure, but it was delicious. My wife also really enjoyed hers; she gave it a 7.5 out of 10. I give my burrito a 9/10. Our chilaquiles were a whole other story and flavor profile. The carne asada that came with it was life changing. Whatever seasoning they used on tha carne asada is perfect. My wife was deeply impressed. The sauce, the chips, the eggs, beans and rice were all very very good as well. All complimented each other very well. If you're ever in the van Nuys area, please stop here for breakfast, you won't regret it!

The service was prompt and friendly. The restaurant is definitely hole in the wall with minimal…read moredecor but the food was absolutely amazing. The shrimp cocktail tased incredible and the shrimp was not rubbery, and generous amounts of crackers were given, remember guys it's a cóctel not a ceviche so it wasn't spicy or overly lemony. The torta chilanga reminded me of home and my childhood and was absolutely amazing and filling despite looking smaller than I expected but it hit the spot so well. The agua frescas I believe are a premix but very delicious and not sickening sweet like other places. I loved the place and kindness of the older gentleman that cooked and took our order and the younger girl who initially helped. All smiles and sweet from both of them.

Food was delicious, fresh and hot. And the service was very…read moregood, not just one person came to our table, a few asked if we needed something. It was a great experience.

Lovely spot for Mexican food with fun vibes!…read more I came for Sunday brunch/lunch with some friends. I made a reservation through Yelp a couple days beforehand and there was plenty of availability. The restaurant is located right off Ventura Blvd and has an attached parking garage in the basement which can be accessed via the parking lot behind the restaurant. There were plenty of spots available Sunday afternoon when I came. It's a bit hidden, but there is an elevator from the garage to the top level where the restaurant is located as well. We had two babies in strollers with us, so I requested a table with plenty of space nearby for the strollers. They seated us outside on their covered patio, and indeed, we had plenty of space. I peeked inside and there's also a nice lounge area with a beautiful flower wall as well as a proper dining area. When we arrived, there was a live DJ spinning tunes. I assume he's there during brunch hours, as he left around 3 pm when brunch ended. I started with a frozen lime margarita ($12). It was okay; it felt like it was only half frozen as the ice wasn't blended that well. For my main, I got the famous Anejo carne asada and shrimp plate for $40. Yes it was pricy, but the portion size was also huge! I was starving and somehow managed to finish the plate, but it'd be a great dish to share for two people with small appetites. I really enjoyed it as well. I asked for the steak to be cooked rare, and they didn't overcook it. Each bite was super tender and flavorful and paired well with the rice. Everyone else also enjoyed their dish. One friend got the wet chicken burrito for $15 and it was massive! Another got the veggie fajitas with steak added and really enjoyed her dish as well. Solid food all around. I would love to come back on a weekday and try their happy hour! Sipping on $5 margaritas and $6 sangrias sounds like my idea of a great time!

First time coming in, and we were very impressed! The food was fresh and delicious - all the tacos…read morewere so good. The salsa tower was a must as well. The vibes were great and our server Morgan was the best!! She had great recommendations and was so tentative. Definitely will be back.

Great ambience, food, and experience overall. Cameron was a great host and helped with all our…read morespecial requests. We will visit again.

I've been here twice so far and see myself regularly coming. Great authentic Mexican food. The food…read morecomes out pretty fast and servers are attentive. Highly recommend!

We wanted to socialize our foster dog so we came here due to the large patio area. The World Cup…read morewas playing so we called ahead to make sure it won't be too long a wait and to confirm that our dog is okay outside. We've been to the other three salsa and beers: large portions and chips and bean dip for the table. It wasn't too loud and other parties seem to have a good time. We got carnitas, enchiladas and shared a tropical margarita.

Food was great, good portions for the value. Drinks and atmosphere is there to come see the soccer…read moregames as they have a full bar and plenty of TV screens l. The only issue is that they charge a service fee AND an additional fee for using a card. Highly suggest bring cash to avoid the additional fees.

I discovered Los Tres Hermanos after browsing local restaurants. There is parking available in the…read moreback, though it's a tad tight and might not have spots available even in the afternoon. The staff were friendly, though service was on the slower end. The environment sports a dark brown woody color scheme. My server started me off with chips and a bean dip which was a simple but tasty appetizer. For entrees, I had their Sizzling Enchiladas (steak) - and tasty it was. I was surprised to see that it also came with a side of beans and rice and even guac (!). I love guac, and I definitely enjoyed a cold serving of this with leftover chips. Their enchiladas rested on a layer of fresh veggies. Overall, the enchiladas were very salty but was tolerable when paired with the veggies. I enjoyed the aromatics quite a bit, though note that the smell may linger onto clothing. I had fresh scents of this that same evening, wondering where the smoky smells were coming from!

We have been to this restaurant on four different occasions and each time we've gone the food is…read moreconsistently good! I have to say it's one of the best Mexican restaurants in the valley. Everything always comes out fresh tasting and not overly salted. Their wine margaritas are delicious and made with fresh limes. Refreshingly good! The staff is friendly and restaurant is clean. They also have outdoor seating with booths and a TV. This is a great spot for a huge variety of Mexican foods. The also have draft beers so that's a huge plus with my husband. ;)

The service here is superb. Recommended by a nurse at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery. I ordered…read moremy favorite type of lunch, beef taquitos plate, but the meat tasted like it was almost going bad. I hope it was a one time thing, and maybe it was just a bad batch. So I will try to return and order something else. I like authentic Mexican restaurants like this. Worth noting that the staff was so kind and very helpful and attentive to me. I truly appreciate that in a restaurant. Free parking out back.