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    Cocina Express

    3.8 (165 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Cocina Express Takeout or Delivery

    Cocina Express Photos

    COCINA EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cocina Express

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    Reviews With Photos

    World famous Red Tacos
    Nelson L.

    These are the best birria tacos i've ever had in my life. They were so flavorful and juicy and packed with so much meat. The waitress was so kind and even let us wash our hands in the sink which was so kind. The restaurant has a nice seating area outside and I will definitely be back!!

    Proof of payment and receipts to show outrageous prices.
    Julia T.

    I had high hopes for this place but unfortunately, I was disappointed. Not only are they beyond overpriced (19$ for albondigas) but the food isn't worth it at all.. to spend 80$ here for two soups, one burrito, a juice and some guac.. is crazy. I wouldn't recommend anyone wasting their money or their time. And honestly I have never went to a Mexican spot that didn't serve rice with their soup. That was the cherry on top. So make sure you pay extra for rice if you want it for your soup!

    Chile verde container not sturdy enough for the sauces.
    Maria S.

    Food containers were not sturdy enough to hold food with sauces. Torta cubana was not as expected as to what the image shows to what was received on white toast not a telera. Our employees were not too happy with the way the food was. And did not meet the expectations.

    World famous Birria Ramen combo
    May W.

    Parking: Can get pretty tricky to find parking near the restaurant because it is located IN a neighborhood. They do have small parking lot near the restaurant but it's usually full. I went on a weekday during lunch so the parking was already hard to find. Food: Holly Molly, the Birria Ramen was so good and so worth for it's price. I would DEFINITELY recommend coming back here on a non busy day to pick up the food. It's a little on the saltier side, so to balance it out dump all the condiments they give you (tapatio sauce, sliced white onions, lemons/limes). With the leftover consome, I like to take it home so I can drink it. Personally, I took it home to eat with more ramen or pair it up with some side dishes. Service: You would have to order at the cashier and tell them if you're picking up or dining in. We dined in so they came by to drop off our food. The lady at the cash register was so nice when we requested to-go containers since we wanted to keep our consome soup.

    Taquitos de pollo
    Tina D.

    Amazing food and service!!! Definetly a must try. The young lady is very nice and attentive

    December 2021 menu prices

    Recently came after not coming for a couple months and was shocked to see the price jump. I live a couple houses down so on the weekends we would just walk here and get some breakfast but we noticed it kept getting more and more expensive. Usually get the chilaquiles with egg and meat but the price jump being $23 for ALWAYS cold beans & potato or if I don't want potatoes it's always cold rice. Don't get me wrong it's good but the food is almost always cold. But for this recent price jump it has me evaluating coming here. I 100% get it it's gonna get pricer and I wish I had a pic of a menu price from just a couple months ago. But you can see the huge jump on some items from December 2021-March 2025. Like I said it's good, but for the cold food and sometimes you can taste that the food is old/reheated.. then when I first started coming I guess they were barley starting out their menu and it used to be potatoes in a red sauce and then it changed to potatoes with jalapeños. Also if you do come here try to eat it there, like I said it's usually cold so I can imagine taking it home. Also sometimes the way they package their food it gets all thrown so when you get home it's a mess usually my daughter gets a taco de asada and it would be in a huge box with the meat all over and the tortilla just on the side.

    Inside as you enter
    Fab G.

    The ambiance is nice. The food was ok. The beans needed more flavor. The chicken had no flavor. The rice was bland. It was ok. The service was quick. More salt ..bullon.. I said no cheese...they put cheese....will I go back ...no.

    Refried beans and season potatoes
    Sergio Z.

    This my first at the Cocina Express couple of my friends of mine recommend the restaurant to me. The restaurant is very close to my mom house I decided to try it out. I know the area and street especially this area to find is going to be hard but lucky I found park close to the restaurant. This restaurant reminds me tamales restaurant in the same location but I'm not sure. I walk in the restaurant and then I saw the menu on the wall literally I was looking what caught my eye I decided to order the Huevo Ranchero and a Mexican Orange Fanta the big bottle. They brought the food to me I open the container and smell was so good the Huevo Ranchero come with three hand made tortillas and two side refried beans and season potatoes and two type of sauces. I took bite of it wow amazing flavors in the red sauce including spice,chile,onion and red pepper and other ingredients in the sauce. It come two egg and a fried tortillas holding the eggs it was so good. The three tortillas comes in handy adding the red sauce was so addicting. The refried bean very good great flavor and season they good I really enjoy it. And orange Fanta was great.

    The front of the place! Easy packing when I got there in a Saturday morning!
    Andrew H.

    Not only does the place smell amazing when walking in... the service is fantastic!!! I went in a Saturday morning and the person helping at the register was super nice and helpful! The red cheese taco.... !! Woot woot!!!!! I also got the menudo here!!! Fantastic! This is definitely a place that I'll keep on a Normal rotation!

    Taquitos Dorados Combo
    Elisa S.

    Loved the food here! I ordered their carne Asada tacos and was pleased to see that they use homemade tortillas. I also ordered their tacos dorados plate which came with a side of beans and rice. The only thing I was really disappointed with was the horchata. I love cinnamon, however, when drinking it I felt like I was reliving my middle school years of putting a spoonful of cinnamon in my mouth. I kept coughing after every sip, and it wasn't until all the cinnamon settled to the bottom of the cup that I was able to drink the milk at the top. I would come back for the food and maybe their other agua frescas, but I would be hesitant to try the horchata again. On a side note they have a parking lot adjacent to the place which makes it convenient as there is rarely any parking in CT. Also. they have an outdoor seating area to eat at.

    Anita L.

    Craving something warm and found this little gem on Grubhub. Menu is short and simple and prices are reasonable. Ordered their Menudo and Pozole and loved it. Located in a residential area near the 60 freeway. There is a parking lot just a couple steps from the restaurant. I decided to Pick up directly from the restaurant because I didn't want to pay the ridiculous Grubhub fees that pushed my order up by $10 (Grubhub fees, Delivery fees, etc.) Cocina Express is one of few restaurants that didn't mark up their prices on Grubhub. They did call me within minutes of me placing my order and let me know one of the items I wanted (de Pollo) wasn't available. The order was ready by the said time in a bag clearly marked with my name. I had to reheat my soup slightly when I arrived home because I like my soups steaming hot, and loved it. Will definitely be ordering from this lovely spot again soon. #SupportLocalBusiness - Check this spot out if you are in the area and support your local small business!

    Chilaquiles
    Mariko F.

    So this isn't the first time I've been here, but the first time I was able to hold off eating my food right away to take some photos. Covina Express is smack dab in the middle of a residential area. Their menu has been extended and everything that I've tried ha been delicious, especially the birria. I ordered the chilaquiles but will ask for the sauce/salsa on the side next time, as the chips were super soggy since we have to take it to go. The sauce was spectacular, very flavorful with so much good spiciness. I used all the sauce I could spoon up for the rice and beans. We wanted to try out the Ramen Birria and were pleased we did. While it was way to rich for me to finish, having some of the consume, noodles and meat was perfect. I don't think I could finish a whole serving, as it was so rich! Each time I have visited, I have gotten a side of birria, at the very least and it has consistent been bomb.

    3 Dorado Red Taco Consume rice horchata

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and i always bring my friends and the love it as well and day it is the best food they had

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Gabriel H.

    Thank you so much for your kind words !!

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    2 years ago

    Absolutely amazing food. I'd drive back to east LA in a heart beat for the Chips, Salsa and three more Al Pastor tacos.

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    4 years ago

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    Gabriel H.

    Can’t wait to have you back & Lucy and woody are always welcomed :)

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Cocina Express

    Is this place no longer in business? I stopped by today at 5:30 PM and they were closed.

    Hi sorry we recently changed our hours and various sites haven’t been updated. We’re sorry but it takes time for different sites to update. We’re open every day 8-4 pm

    Anyone know their hours?

    The restaurant hours are 8am-4pm Monday-Sunday and the taco stand outside is 6pm-11pm Thursday-Sunday

    View All 3 Questions

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    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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    Tirzahs Mexi-Terranean Grill - Watermelon/Pineapple agua fresca, Super Street Korean BBQ taco, Queso Birra Taco and a side of refried beans.

    Tirzahs Mexi-Terranean Grill

    4.8(209 reviews)
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    I don't live far, but somehow it's rare for me to drive by over here and today my friend said she…read morehad the same experience and we should go for lunch. The last time I was over here was when it was a kbbq taco spot back in the day. We arrived a bit after 1pm and the small parking lot was full, much easier to find street parking. Especially since a lot of people mentioned in their reviews a lot of take out orders. We sat in their outdoor patio area and recently it's been windy so be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater. The food took a while, but it came out hot and fresh. The owner said hi and asked if we needed anything which was a pleasant surprise. She was super welcoming! The food was delish. My friend ordered the albóndigas special she saw on social media over the weekend - so it's not always available. I got the Egyptian nachos which was beautifully played with a jalapeño cilantro hummus, chips decoratively fanned out and nice pops of color from the pickled red onions and sliced cucumbers. I am sooo full and didn't even finish my food. Gonna put the extra meat in a tortilla at home! I would recommend and will try to make it out again soon.

    Bomb, flavorful food. Went with a Yalla Bowl (new bowls on their menu) and got it with the Kofta…read more(ground lamb and beef sausage), which is basically a Mediterranean lunch bowl, with lettuce pickled onion, garlic sauce, tzatziki sauce, hummus, and basmati rice. it was GOOD. Also got 2 queso birria tacos which were big!! With homemade tortillas. It was not the best Birria I've ever had but was solid. Their watermelon agua Fresca was refreshing and freshly made. This alone was enough to share between 2 people and be super full. But it is pricey at $39-40 or so for the 4 items. That said it's a locally owned shop and def has a ton of fans as it was busy when I visited and everything is house made! I will be visiting again :)

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    Teresita's - Machaca and Eggs

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    This family-owned and operated restaurant has been in business for 45 years. It's a staple in the…read moreEast Los Angeles area. The family recipes originated in Zacatecas, Mexico have been passed down from generation to generation. The traditional dishes, house-made sauces keep their loyal customers returning. The colorful restaurant decor is very welcoming. One wall has awards, newspaper articles and proclamations from elected officials that recognizes their contributions to the community. I recommend dining during lunch for the combo meals $15. Happy Hour specials are available Tuesday-Friday from 3PM-7PM. My dinner for two was $60 (coffee and soda, no alcoholic beverages). You will enjoy the service and authentic food. Sincerely, Rosemary

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    Cocina Express - mexican - Updated May 2026

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