I met a friend for lunch and we both wanted tacos, funny thing was that we both said Taco Nazo as…read moreto where we wanted to go. My personal favorite here are the Shrimp Tacos. They come with some freshly shaved cabbage, pico de gallo and crema. I ordered the combo which means rice, beans, a roasted yellow chili and a small bag of chips with salsa and drink. We got there just before the lunch crowd, 11:30 and we were able to find parking easily in the lot. We opted for outdoor seating since it was a nice day and enjoyed our taco lunch. During the rush, lunch hour, be prepared to find it bustling with crowds and a drive through line that almost always stretches into the street. When in South El Monte or nearby, I highly recommend el Taco Nazo for crispy fried shrimp tacos that are not greasy and full of flavor.

Came to Taco Nazo and encountered the rudest, laziest, and worse worker ever. Her name is Aaliyah…read moreElizabeth. Right off the bat, she was disgustingly rude for no reason. She was wiping the table numbers so I was waiting for her to be done. Then, she looked at me and said "so are you ready yet or...?" And I said "yes I'm ready." Instead of taking my order, she continued to walk away and wipe more table numbers...so I waited for another 5 minutes until I finally asked "so..is it ok if I order now?" And she said "well yeah? You said you were ready, did you not?" LOLOL GIRL U NEED A SNICKER BAR or something. Then when she came to deliver my food, she TOSSED it on the table, where chips almost fell...I genuinely don't know what her problem is, but can't help people like that. Oh wells!

If you're looking for real deal noodles, Kim Kee Noodle House is the spot. This place keeps it…read moresimple but delivers BIG on flavor. Their Chiu Chow-style noodles are legit, especially those thick egg noodles--perfect texture and always cooked right. I went with a beef stew noodle soup and it was straight comfort in a bowl. Rich broth, tender meat, and portions that definitely don't disappoint. You can tell everything is made with experience and consistency. They also have some unique options like pork kidney for those who like to keep it authentic. Don't skip the sides--the Asian doughnuts hit different dipped in the soup, and the plum tea is refreshing and balances everything out perfectly. Service is fast and friendly, even when it gets packed (and yeah, it WILL get packed). The place is pretty casual and can get crowded, but honestly, that just tells you the food speaks for itself. Affordable, filling, and full of flavor--this is one of those go-to noodle spots you keep coming back to.

MSG knocked me out…read more Ordered the Chicken and Fish Pho. The Chinese Fried Donut was alright. The Jalapeños are tasty!

We are not vegetarian, but my bff wanted to try this restaurant. A Hidden Gem for Vegetarian…read moreVietnamese Food Lovers. If you're vegetarian and craving something beyond the usual options, this spot is an absolute must-try. Tucked away quietly, it's a true hidden gem serving up incredibly flavorful and satisfying Vietnamese vegetarian dishes. The food is delicious--each dish tastes fresh, well-balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. From fragrant noodle soups to crispy rolls and savory rice plates, every bite was full of depth and comfort. The space is clean and welcoming, and the service is warm without being overbearing. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portions you get. Highly recommend to anyone looking to explore vegetarian cuisine beyond the typical. It's a wonderful way to enjoy Vietnamese flavors--plant-based style!

5 star is just for the food. All dishes are very well seasoned considering it's all vegan…read more I got the Bun Bo Hue, everytime it comes out with full of flavor, fresh veggies, and hot broth. Service is typical Asian, lady comes takes your order and if you need something gotta flag her down. Pay at the counter. Basically order, eat and leave. I also saw that they give out free 100 meals every month. So because of that, I'll still rate it 5 stars for food and their generosity.

I really enjoyed my experience here. The food was fresh, flavorful, and came out hot. Even though…read moreeverything is vegetarian, the dishes were still super satisfying, packed with flavor and healthy without being bland. The noodles had great texture and the broth was flavorful Staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcomed from the moment we walked in. Prices were also very reasonable for the portion sizes. The food is genuinely delicious!

We came for lunch and I got the bun Bo hue. It was bomb but…read morethe soup stayed hot and didn't cool down, and it was pretty spicy. I think I burnt my tongue because I didn't want to stop eating. I was wearing white so I zipped my jacket up all the way to avoid splashing and I was sweating nonstop. Service and food were great, cool spot. Would definitely come back.

Very good place to get your Peruvian food fix. The menu is pretty diverse. We got the classic lomo…read moresaltado and tried the ceviche de pescado. They first gave us bread that was garlic bread surprisingly with the aji sauce. It was delicious and spicy and garlicky. The ceviche de pescado was excellent. It had that tangy citrus orange marinade with lime and with the nuts and corn nuts. The white fish was soft and cooked thoroughly and delicious. The lomo came out in huge portions that surprised me (basically two meals). The sauce and fries went well together with the onions rice and tomatoes. The meat was decent and it all went together well. The table came in a lazy Susan style for family style sharing which is convenient. The waiter was very nice but not very attentive as we had to ask for water and check & boxes by intentionally getting their attention and walking to them for assistance. The decor is very chill and homely with a variety of music in the background. The whole place is very red and decorated with various Peruvian cultural references. Prices are fairly reasonable for the portions you get.

Staff was very friendly and helpful; they speak Spanish of course. Inside the restaurant, they had…read moreabout 5-6 large tables that fit probably 8 people a table. They're located on the outskirts of a plaza that is a little run down. Food is fantastic and authentic. I had some things that I love (like tallarín con carne and maracuyá) and tried some new items (like chupe de camarón and sudado pescado). Sad to say that the desserts (flan and lucuma) ran out, so maybe call in advance if that's something you're coming specifically for. (**This is also posted in Joy Peruvian Restaurant, as it seems there's 2 Yelp pages.)

Stopped by Pho Hai and ordered the com tam bì chả sườn nướng, and it was such a satisfying meal…read more The grilled pork was flavorful and nicely cooked with that slightly smoky taste that makes it so good. The combination of the shredded pork skin, egg meatloaf, and rice made every bite balanced and really enjoyable. Everything paired well together, especially with the fresh vegetables and sauce on the side, which added even more flavor to the dish. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, making it a great place to sit down and enjoy a hearty meal. Service was smooth and the food came out in a timely manner. Overall, a solid spot when you're craving a classic Vietnamese dish done right. Definitely something I'd come back for.

Place is slowly growing to be a Top 1 restaurant for me in the City of El Monte. Consistent quality…read moreacross the board rather than hit and misses. Ordered the Com Bo Luc Lac Shaka Shaka Beef, and the beef was perfectly grilled pan fried on the outside in a sweet soy fish sauce marinade. Basically the dish is equivalent to Cantonese Charsiu BBQ but here with beef and paired with salad/ rice. Lastly ordered the Bahn Mi Bo Kho, a French inspired Beef Stew paired with a baguette but instead of red wine as a base, your standard beef bullion, carrots, soy, onions and all them Pho Spices. Thus far my two trips here have been nothing but praise. You want a quality Noodle Soup dish, you have it here, you want a quality Grilled Meats dish, you have it here. At this point I'm pretty sure their Fried rice and Chowmein are also decent. But like I said if I were to nominate a blue collar friendly, working class pocket friendly quality food restaurant to represent El Monte...this would be it. My top choice for everything Viet. Chinese business dude sitting couple of tables from me is sporting b a Patek Philippe gold Nautilis... So this place isn't just catching the eyes of the working class...

Hidden gem. Food first…read more.. Flavorful and balanced Mexican taste. I had a wet burrito as my first pick to produce a review for those who are not familiar with authentic Mexican food. It's not wet, it has sauce on top, which is the way it's supposed to be as far as I'm concerned. Salsa is your choice and avocado wedges are more than welcome a compliment. They create a perfect harmony with the already tasty base. Depending on your spiciness preference, the staff will hook you up with a proper extra salsa (and on your table if you want more). Basic güero dish that will leave an impression without a doubt. Staff... Cordial, attentive and not intrusive. They made sure I got what I need, asked how I liked it and left me to eat in peace. Can you ask for more? Amenities... ... Which means "bathroom". I feel like they let me use the staff bathroom which I consider a credit to their CS. Music... You get your banda over here which is a more romantic kind. Not the "el rey de los cielos" kind, so get ready to cry and feel safe to bring your kids here. 5 stars. No doubt. Not an obvious joint but certainly one to check out. Provecho!

The food is delicious. Nice and hot. It is outdoor sitting but it feels so chill…read more Hot weather is hot. They try having big fans,they need more. I would have given them the 5 start but the single beer is hot. I believe they sell so much the fridge don't have time to get them cold. The service is great all the staff make sure you are good and need anything on point. Need silandro for the menudo.