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    El Calentano

    4.4 (35 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Front
    Ron F.

    Nice Mexican restaurant with an impressive list of dishes including a few Salvadoran specialties. Definitely a mom 'n pop kind of place, the owners are very nice and hospitable. They serve parrilladas and molcajetes; mariscos caldos, tostadas and cocteles; burgers; omelettes and breakfast plates; traditional plates and more. The Salvadoran specialties include pupusas, platanos fritos, yuca frita con chicharron and others. I had the delicious Calentano plate, which includes carne asada, pollo, camarones, arroz, frijoles and ensalada verde. A very filling plate for less than $20. I've had very good pupusas here, served with curtido and that tomatoey red salsa. The asada fries were okay, and the chilaquiles were tasty. It's open every day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it looks like they have (or had) karaoke on Friday nights. There's indoor and outdoor seating, and a small parking lot in front of the restaurant. As you can see from the hat that features prominently on their signage and menu, El Calentano refers to the unique palm hat from the region in Mexico known as tierra caliente. Give them a try if you're in the area.

    What was shown.
    Lyly T.

    The people were very friendly and nice and I wouldn't mind the price change for the asada fries (~$1, from $9.50 to $10.99) but for literally half the original portion I'm very disappointed. $10.99 worth? No. I spent $14 here.

    Pupusas
    Rachel C.

    Food was superb, fresh and made to order. When I first walked in there was someone's abuelita sitting at the table doing needle point. She spoke and smiled so big and sweet. I felt like home right then. The gentleman and other female worker were both kind and beyond nice. I felt some welcomed. It's clean and has plenty of space to dine in. We ordered to go and it was delicious. 3 bucks for a quality pupusa I'm in.

    Parrillada
    Michele N.

    Food was delicious, service was friendly. We ordered the parrillada , menudo, pancake breakfast, pupusa and even there flan. All were equally delicious.

    Marlin Taco
    Camilla T.

    My fave Mexican & Salvadoran restaurant! This is a small mom & pop restaurant in Gardena, off of Van Ness and Marine. If you drive too fast, you might miss it! Service is always 10/10. Business here is slow, but I'm going to help them attract more people here! If I had to describe the food, I'd just say if you came with a group of friends, all you'd see js people shaking their heads and widening their eyeballs at how delicious the food is here lol You have to get pupusas here, it's what they're known for. Next, I'd recommend their tacos. Specifically the Marlin tacos. 11/10 would recommend! Everything I've had here is amazing! I ordered the Calentano plate today with Fish instead of asada... BOMB. Anyways, love the family that owns this restaurant! Go try it for yourself!

    Service is great, food is a joke 15.00 for nothing but caldo menudo.. Juanita's can would of been better .. That's all that came in my bowl .. Puro caldo!

    Very good service, the food was delicious, and it's a family owned business. I ordered a gallina india a Salvadoran plate very yummy.

    Ostiones preparados
    Natalia D.

    Good quality food! Todo una Belleza! Nice owners ! Small place left a huge impact! I will be coming here every time I want mariscos

    a menu for a mexican restaurant

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    Photo of Andrea C.
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    3 months ago

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    13 days ago

    great food, authentic mexican food. staff is great and prices are good, really recommend it.

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 months ago

    Booooomb pupusas been going here offer 15 years used to be called jimmys if u know u know

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Could be better. Prices online were inaccurate. Six tacos, no salsa, and menudo cost 47 total.

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    11 months ago

    Food is made by hand, fresh as you order. Small family owned business with great customer service & even better food!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food with super friendly service. Nice patio seating. Papusas, huarchas and tortas are delicious. Cozy diner setting inside.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is savory and delicious. Very pleasantly surprised. Great customer service! We'll be back.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Underrated authentic Hispanic food. Not going to regret coming here. Flavors burst in your mouth! Delicious!

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    La comida muy sabrosa , negocio manejado por una familia muy amable , todo muy limpio , altamente recomendable

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Food was soooo fire! Definitely coming here again workers are so nice and the esthetic is dope. Love it!

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    5 years ago

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    Taqueria El Taco Loco really hit me with a wave of nostalgia. I stopped by for breakfast because I…read morewas craving chilaquiles, and I walked out feeling like I had just eaten at my grandmother's table. My plate was loaded, the kind of generous, no‑nonsense serving that tells you they cook with heart, not shortcuts. Every bite had that strictly authentic, home‑style flavor that reminded me of family, childhood mornings, and my grandma throwing down in the kitchen. The spot itself is super casual, eat in or take out, nothing fancy, nothing trying too hard. But honestly, the food and the service are the only "decor" this place needs. If you're craving something real, comforting, and made with love, this taqueria delivers. Miguel C.

    Restaurant is surprisingly spacious inside despite looking very inconspicuous from the outside. The…read moreparking lot isn't too big, but I've never had issues with parking since the other shops around aren't too busy. We normally call ahead to order our food, and it'll take roughly 10 - 15 minutes. Service is always solid - the workers are friendly and helpful. We normally get the carne asada/pollo fries and they're awesome. Fries are cooked perfectly (I swear there was a period of time where they coated the fries and that wasn't it, but thankfully they stopped), comes with the usual toppings like guacamole, onions, cilantro, etc. They top it with a hefty amount of juicy meat - both carne asada and pollo options are solid. Recently though I've been straying from fries and getting different dishes like the chicken flautas, enchiladas, and mulitas. Chefs kiss for each one. The rice and beans + salsa combo are also flavorful and pair nicely with the entree.

    Photos
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    Make sure to add us on Instagram for New items coming up! eltacoloc_8

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    0.7 mi
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    If you're cruising through Gardena and craving a small, casual Mexican spot that actually hits,…read moreCocos Tacos is one of those neighborhood spots that reminds you why simple food done right always wins. The vibe is unfussy, the service is friendly in that "we got you, don't worry" way, and the food comes out fast enough to make your stomach feel seen. Man cause we were craving some Mexican food. The wet burrito was the star of my visit, big, saucy, and exactly the kind of comfort bomb you want from a spot like this. The red sauce had that perfect balance of savory and tangy, and the burrito itself was stuffed generously. Every bite was so good, so delicious! And the tacos.....Fire. The homemade tortillas make all the difference, soft, warm, and with that fresh‑masa aroma that tells you they didn't come from a plastic bag. No... no... no! They hold up beautifully to the fillings without falling apart, and they add this subtle sweetness that elevates everything. Chips and salsa were simple but solid. The chips had a good crunch, and the salsa tasted fresh, bright, and not overly blended, the kind you keep dipping into even when you tell yourself you're "saving room for the burrito." "Maybe we were just hungry..hungry huh?" The drinks were honestly refreshing as hell. True Mexican style if you're going to complete the meal....que no? The horchata was creamy without being heavy, with that cinnamon sweetness that makes you want to chug it.The agua de Jamaica was tart, floral, and ice‑cold, the kind of drink that instantly cools you down on a hot Gardena afternoon. Cocos Tacos is exactly what a neighborhood Mexican spot should be, casual, comforting, and consistent. If you're in Gardena and want homemade tortillas, a saucy wet burrito, and drinks that actually refresh you, this place deserves a stop. "Always remember the energy you give is the energy you receive! " Miguel C.

    Been wanting to try this place since we moved back to Gardena. It is in a plaza tucked away in the…read morecorner, which to me is always a sign of a good place to eat. As soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted and the place smelled great. My husband and I both got carne asada. He got the burrito and I got the plate. Both delicious and generous portions. Their spicy salsa is really good. Homemade tortilla if I'm not mistaken. And, the rice is just like our abuelita made. So good. We will be back to try the tacos !

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    Coco's Tacos
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    El Antojito
    El Antojito - Outstandong Cuban Sandwich !

    Outstandong Cuban Sandwich !

    El Antojito

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    El Calentano - seafood - Updated August 2026

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