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    El Camino Cafe

    3.8 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    El Camino Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    EL CAMINO CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Camino Cafe

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    Connie R.

    What a treat ! Everything was delicious! We got the cafe de olla 5/5 Chilaquiles verdes 5/5 BEST ONES IVE HAD IN OC Chilaquiles Rojos were delicious too ! Such cute decor! & the staff was super nice and helpful

    I P.

    Great service and the best house coffee you can taste! We are treated well, we sat outside and the vibe was awesome.

    Menu
    Nadia M.

    Cute little cafe located on the main strip of old town Tustin. It's not full service, so you do have to order at the counter, choose your own table and then they bring you the food. The service was excellent from beginning to end. The lady that greeted us at the door, the girls who were behind the counter and the servers were all incredibly polite, friendly and really made you feel welcome. I had the chilaquiles rojos and they were absolutely delicious, best ones I've ever had. It is a very generous portion too, with rice and refried beans as sides. I also ordered a dirty horchata which was equally tasty. The ambience and patio are cute, we opted to sit inside since it was kinda chilly. Overall a great brunch spot!

    chilaquiles rojos with asada
    Marie S.

    staff is always super friendly and the food is soooo good i've been coming here for years! i highly recommend the dirty horchata as well as the chilaquiles. the location is very cute as well.

    Huevos Rancheros and Asada wet burrito
    Lydia B.

    Wonderful, cozy breakfast spot on a sunday morning. We tried coming here once before and got totally caught in a chili-cookoff instead. Finally, 1 year later, we made it!! We came totally starving and ready to wait, but the food came out SO fast. You pay ebfore you sit, and walk away from the counter with your drinks. I got their cafe de olla (delicious, syrup made in-house!) and boy got the horchata. Sat down and were almost immediately served our food. My only complaint is the beans - they seemed a little watery and unseasoned. But the salsa more than made up for that :) The inside is tiny, and theres limited outdoor seating. But it's cozy and homey and all the employees were incredibly kind. I forgot my purse when we left and a woman pretty much ran down the sidewalk to get it back to me. Thank you!!!!

    Menudo
    Jose M.

    The morning sun hit just right as I pulled into Old Town Tustin where El Camino Cafe sits. I'd heard whispers about their breakfast game, so I stepped in, stomach already growling. First visit: red chilaquiles. Crispy tortillas soaked in a bold salsa roja, topped perfectly--no soggy mess, just layers of flavor with that careful hand you feel in every bite. Green chilaquiles next time: brighter, tangier tomatillo punch, still executed with precision. Then the green pozole--rich broth, tender pork, hominy popping, herbs fresh enough to wake you up. Menudo sealed it: deep, comforting, slow-simmered depth that only comes from real care. Every dish screamed high-quality ingredients and thoughtful prep. No shortcuts here--it's crafted like someone's abuelita still runs the kitchen. But reality hits: portions run modest for the price tag. In this nice-area location, expect to pay premium. You get what you pay for in quality, not quantity. Lines move fast though--staff hustles, friendly faces seat you quick, no endless wait. Bonus: their Dirty Horchata surprised me--smooth, subtly sweet, solid twist on the classic with espresso. Pros: Exceptional Mexican breakfast authenticity; consistent high-quality execution; quick service; welcoming vibe. Cons: Pricey relative to portion size. If you're craving elevated, carefully made traditional Mexican breakfast in Tustin, this is your spot. For cheaper classic home-style, cook it yourself. Rating preserved: 4-4.5 stars (high quality outweighs cost for what it delivers).

    Sunday Menudo -- look at that honeycomb!
    Christine L.

    Been coming to this local cafe for a few months since moving into the area. It's a nice neighborhood Mexican cafe away that's far enough from the Old Town main drag (Main Street) but still walkable (2 blocks) after a meal for shopping/strolling. Street parking is much easier to find, no circling required. Each time we come on the weekend we would try something new -- EVERYTHING is excellent. Burritos, chilaquiles, tacos, etc. Every time we come, nothing is too salty -- just how we cook at home. This particular visit we happen upon their SUNDAY MENUDO, made by Chef Mom. Gotta try a bowl, and let me tell you -- I was blown away. Heavily and nicely spiced (not "water"), chockful of tripe/stomach, including the HONEYCOMB. AND NO HOMINY. I LOVE IT -- because I'm never a fan of hominy and hate it when all the dads and uncles at family gatherings get all the good stuff and the kids are left with the bottom of the pot. Speaking with the staff, menudo is a SEASONAL item, so I'm glad I was able to try some during this visit. Will DEFINITELY come again and try their other stuff!

    Enchiladas Suizas (I added carnitas to my order)
    Michelle T.

    Came here for brunch with my cousins a few weeks ago and I'm still thinking about this dish! I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas and OMG it was delicious! The cream sauce was unlike any other I've had with enchiladas and they were stuffed with a good amount of cheese! I added carnitas on top because I wanted a protein with it. This was a filling breakfast for sure! I also ordered an iced dirty horchata which I think next time I will order it to go so I can enjoy it later. The people behind the counter were so nice and helpful! Really want to come back to this place soon!

    Cute interior
    Rishi C.

    Came here for breakfast and was wondering why I've never been here before! El Camino Cafe sits at the tail end of El Camino in Old Town Tustin away from all the hustle and bustle, so parking is easier to find. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. You go up and order and then take your seat, and they are quick with preparing your food. Service was great, everyone was super friendly and quick to address any additional requests. I ordered the meat scramble and my wife got the huevos rancheros, and both tasted great. You could tell everything was freshly made, and the salsas provided were solid. The rice & beans were also good and well seasoned. It was a little odd they didn't provide complimentary water, but otherwise this was a solid, reasonably priced meal. I definitely want to come back and try their breakfast burrito next time, and would recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick breakfast in Tustin!

    Bonnie S.

    Came here for brunch with the whole family. There was a line out the door but I guess that is standard for a Saturday morning. You order before getting seated and there is a host that helps get you a seat. There were 6 of us so it took a little longer. The place itself is clean, cute but small. The food here was good, I liked my albondigas and was happy that I got to try it. It was a seasonal item. Although the overall experience was good, to be completely honest there is nothing special on their menu that I want to come back for. I would eat here again if invited but I wouldn't personally pick it.

    Chilaquiles Rojos with Avocado

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    2 months ago

    Great food, quick service. Dirty Horchata is a must! Had the bacon breakfast burrito and it was delicious. Definitely will be going again.

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    El Camino Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Camino Cafe

    Do they charge for water??I had heard this, hoping it's a rumor. Also, Why are all the one star reviews filtered out? Seems sus to me.

    They refuse to give tap when you ask. The guy says, "it's not possible." If you don't order any drink, you get an attitude. The food is expensive and isn't even good. Pass on the abuse.

    What are the vegan options? :)

    None

    Do they take reservations?

    No. You also have to order first before you can take a seat.

    Is there barbacoa?

    Yes but depends on if they have the meat

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    El Habanero - Fish and asada tacos

    El Habanero

    4.1(581 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Great spot for burritos. I haven't tried anything else there. I had lunch there twice in two weeks…read more The first time I got a chicken burrito. It was delicious. The second time I tried the chile relleno burrito. It too was delicious. And I really like their salsa bar. Great salsas. The service was as good as any other small taco joint. If I had complaints, it's the usual. No AC and no fountain drinks (namely Coca Cola products). And it was pretty dang hot these past few weeks. But I'm gonna go back. The food is awesome here.

    Found this place a little while back and honestly so glad that I did…read more Food is fresh. Quite an eclectic menu with items I don't typically see at other places. They have the huitalacoche (corn fungus) quesadilla that I really enjoy as well as their pupusa loroco y queso. Trying out their Lengua taco and taco jaracho which I have been eyeing for a while. All their food is tasty, made fresh. All bursting with flavor. Salsa bar is probably one of my favorites having literally a salsa made for every kind of taste bud. Don't let the small restaurant deceive you. Small restaraunt but with bit flavors. The tortilla made with the quesadilla is nice and soft but with a good chew to it. Tastes like a homemade corn tortilla versus flour. The cheese is rich and has a wonderful pull to it. The lengua is extremely tender, little skimpy on meat portion, but overall good taco. The jarocho taco which is basically a shrimp taco on a cheese crusted tortilla is excellent. Service is what you would expect at a ma and pop shop. The cashier was patient enough to explain to me what a jarocho taco was and also spoke English which was nice for me. Last time I dined I just used butchered Spanish and got by with that but thats on me with practicing more Spanish.

    Photos
    El Habanero - Salsa bar

    Salsa bar

    El Habanero - Carne asada fries

    Carne asada fries

    El Habanero - Drinks

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    Drinks

    Tacos El Bandido Express - 10/10 recommend this place food and service was great

    Tacos El Bandido Express

    4.2(365 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    We are blessed to have amazing taco and burrito spots in OC. But for tortas... Bandido's can't be…read morebeat. They have their sauces to a science. The green is my favorite, but the red is what you need with their carne asides. Meat is tender, hardly ever dry. The buns come toasted and wrapped with care. Service is speedy, and the cucumbers are fresh. When I'm abroad, there are always things I want to bring back to the OC - better public transit, affordable housing, universalized healthcare... But you know what those places don't have? They don't got the best goddamn tortas. That's right.

    Later on: - They still aint picking up the phone…read more + Taco Tues still a steal though! + Still nice, helpful staff. Apr '26: Likes: + Scrumptious tacos. My fav: cabeza (head). So flavorful and fatty! + Taco Tuesdays (originally $2 each) are $1.50 each! I get full off of $12 worth of tacos. Delicious money-saver! + Splendid sauce bar. They've red sauce, green sauce, diced onions, cucumber slices, and lemon wedges. The green sauce is bomb! + If you order in Spanish, the staff respond in Spanish. + Pleasant ambience. . Decent amount of seating inside. Non-likes: - Sometimes they don't pick up the phone at all. - Limited parking. Tues evenings can get crowded. - In the past, they have run out of their signature cabeza tacos if you come later in the day. - (Apr '26): Crowded and slow on a Tuesday. Waited 30min for my order. And yeah, they still don't pick up the phone. What a drag... . Note: Last year people were hospitalized due to this establishment's unsanitary violations.

    Photos
    Tacos El Bandido Express - Cool Wall with El Bandido, The Bandit and Salsa Bar- old condiments and yellow cucumbers

    Cool Wall with El Bandido, The Bandit and Salsa Bar- old condiments and yellow cucumbers

    Tacos El Bandido Express - 10/10 highly recommended

    10/10 highly recommended

    Tacos El Bandido Express - Inside

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    Inside

    Holé Molé - Surf & Turf Taco Plate....2 Baja fish tacos and 2 smoked beef brisket tacos.....with the fixins

    Holé Molé

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Just moved here from San Diego, and this place has some fire fish and shrimp tacos. They have great…read moreservice. It's a nice little taco shop with great atmosphere and awesome deals! I was there for Wave Wednesday. Baja Fish tacos for $2 bucks and Baja Shrimp tacos for $2.50. !! Hell yeah! Tacos were loaded, batter on fish was nice and crispy, not too thick not too thin, fresh veggies, good crema and the tortillas were great. The green salsa could be better but still add another layer of flavor to the t Coming back for tacos and tall boys(Don't ask, you're not ready) The Brisket Bowl and definitely Taco Tuesday.

    Disappointing Food & Horrible Customer Service "Ordered 6…read moretacos for my wife and me, then sat in the outdoor seating area waiting for our number. We never heard it called, though we clearly heard other numbers and saw employees actively delivering food to other tables. After 15 minutes, I went inside to check on our food. Our order was just sitting on the counter. When I checked the tacos, the meat wasn't just lukewarm--it was completely cold to the touch. When I caught the cashier's eye, he just gave me a thumbs-up. When I told him the food was cold, the cashier, Irvin, immediately got defensive and told me with an attitude, 'I called the number twice.' I explained that we didn't hear it, and pointed out that staff had been bringing food out to everyone else anyway. Instead of offering a solution, he doubled down, saying, 'I heard my voice over the speakers,' giving me a 'too bad, so sad' look. When I asked him to remake the food, he completely refused, repeating that he'd called the number. Unwilling to argue with someone that unprofessional, I told him to keep the cold food and just give me a refund. He refunded the money and we left. Absolutely terrible service from Irvin--we won't be back."

    Photos
    Holé Molé - Inside

    Inside

    Holé Molé - Fish Ensenada Burrito: Hand Battered Fish, Cabbage, Onion, Tomato, Cilantro, Crema, (NO Rice & Beans) | $11.29

    Fish Ensenada Burrito: Hand Battered Fish, Cabbage, Onion, Tomato, Cilantro, Crema, (NO Rice & Beans) | $11.29

    Holé Molé - (3) Yellow Chiles | $0.79

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    (3) Yellow Chiles | $0.79

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    10.8 mi
    $$$

    10/10 Most…read moreimportantly: Oliver @ the bar made this is most memorable experience. All of the cocktails and margs we had were delicious! The hand made tortillas with salsas was such a great and unique choice! Someone finally realized that as delicious as they are, eating that many fried tortillas in one setting can't be good ...Oh! And that honey butter. Divine. Fruit margs, spicy margs, every single one of them is PERFECTION. Make sure you upgrade to Ocho blanco (trust me it will save you a hangover)... Shared the carne plate with chimichurri with asparagus and spanish rice...so flavorful and delicious. Large portion and perfectly cooked. Seabass ceviche was spot on and the plantains were next level. Music, ambience, people and vibes were just POSITIVE. New favorite Newport spot...I mean seriously, what other place has a motorized ceiling that opens at sunset hour? Take my money.

    Called in a last minute order about 15 minutes before the kitchen closed; ordered the filet mignon…read moretacos, the filet quesadilla, sides of refried beans and Spanish rice, the churros, and the flan for dessert. I appreciated that the quesadilla was super cheesy, it was a great size too and was perfect as an entree with the beans and rice. I was very happy with the flavor of the beans, you could tell they were cooked with a lot of love! The tacos were delicious as well, the roasted salsa was slightly smoky with a good jalapeño flavor, the meat was tender, and the tortillas had a great chew. The churros are not to be underestimated- they were thick and fluffy, and the dipping sauces were perfect accompaniments. The flan was the super star of the whole night for me- genuinely the most perfect, custardy, unctuous flan I've ever had. The vanilla bean specks throughout gave it such flavor, there wasn't a ton of syrup but it honestly did not need it. There is absolutely nothing that could have improved that flan. Will definitely come back, hopefully dine in and try a few drinks!

    Photos
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Bar and dining room

    Bar and dining room

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Inside decor

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    Inside decor

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Ceviche Mixto

    Casa Ramos Restaurant

    4.6(286 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    We recently relocated from Garden Grove to the Santa Ana/Fountain Valley area and have been on the…read morehunt for a Mexican restaurant to fill the void left by our beloved spot in Los Alamitos. Thanks to Restaurant Week, we stumbled upon this gem, and we are so grateful. The hospitality alone would earn five stars. But then came the food. The tacos? Absolutely exceptional. The steak was tender and flavorful in a way that reminded me of eating throughout Mexico, you could actually taste the meat. A light, gentle pickle of vegetables on top, minimal cheese, nothing heavy or greasy. These are not the American-style tacos drowning in a pound of melted cheese. These are the real thing. The beans were lovely, the rice was solid, and my passion fruit winearita drink was genuinely a treat. Restaurant Week gave us the perfect low-pressure reason to try somewhere new, and we walked out with a new favorite. We'll be back for lunch. We'll be back for dinner. And yes, Taco Tuesday, we'll absolutely be back for that.

    Honestly, I have no idea how this restaurant has nearly 5 stars…read more We arrived around 6 PM with a party of 6 adults and 3 toddlers, and we didn't receive our food until almost 8 PM. To make matters worse, one of our meals was completely forgotten. The service was extremely slow throughout the entire visit. Every time we needed something, whether it was a refill, an update, or assistance, the wait felt excessive. The restaurant may have potential because the food itself was flavorful, but it seemed like they were either understaffed or unprepared for the number of customers they had. Another disappointment was the drink selection. We were told they don't have a liquor license, so hard alcohol isn't available. Their sodas were canned, and when we asked for juice for the kids, they told us they were completely out. As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is on the smaller side and felt more like a converted house than a traditional restaurant, complete with a fireplace and television in the dining area. The food had good flavor, which is the only reason I'm giving more than one star. Unfortunately, the long wait times, missing meal, lack of drink options, and poor service made the overall experience disappointing.

    Photos
    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Pork Belly Tacos

    Pork Belly Tacos

    Casa Ramos Restaurant - Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

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    Crispy chicken taco and beef enchilada

    El Camino Cafe - mexican - Updated September 2026

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