Their Chili Rellenos are awesome!! Service was great. I have been going to El Cantarito for about a year and love their food and service. Their Chili Rellenos are the best I've ever eaten! read more

El Cantarito - Chili Rellenos - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

They have delicious food ‼ I love how they make their fajitas on a bed of crispy rice . They also used to have Taco Wednesday with great prices. Hope they still have Taco Wednesday. read more

Best soups in town! thank you for cutting the beef and vegetables small for my 93 year old father in . Your small gesture meant a big deal to us! read more

El Cantarito - Best caldo de Res! Best soups in town! Thank you for your small gesture that meant a big deal to me for my father's soup - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Delicious food and friendly staff, very cute Lil spot, happy to support and small business read more

See all

Delicious! After a disappointing visit to a restaurant nearby a few days ago, my fiancé who lives in the area brought me here, a proven winner apparently and boy I'm glad we did! Being it was rainy, I wanted something to warm my tummy - Caldo De Res or Albondigas, I opted for Caldo De Res.. Yum-O! A hearty soup with generous amount of steak, veggies (carrots, zucchini's, corn and taters) the broth itself was so flavorful, it perfectly hits the bill! I absolutely enjoyed it! My fiancé's Pozole was also delicious! Hearty chunks of pork, hominy swimming in a very flavorful broth! Both dishes was a hit! The restaurant is in old Placentia, it feels cozy perfect for the family, We'd definitely come back here again and try their other offerings! Cheers! read more

See all

This place used to be my go to place, especially for taco Tuesday and tamales for Christmas. It's not fancy, but good people work here. However my last few visits left me thinking what happened? My food temp has been off - literally ordered a bean and cheese burrito and the cheese wasn't melted, I took my food home and put it in the microwave. Ordered tacos on a recent visit - the meat was good, but the tortilla wasn't what it used to be. Perhaps the vendor changed? I didn't mind the tortillas going from 2 to 1, bc I get it inflation. Their salsa is still the best.. but the food quality isn't what it used to be. read more

El Cantarito - Bean and cheese burrito - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

See all

A great hole in the wall restaurant. Great customer service! Fast and friendly! We ate everything off our plates! read more

We used El Cantarito to cater for a 50th anniversary party for 70 people. Francisco was helpful with the preparation and menu. The cost was reasonable compared to other restaurants we quoted. We had chicken enchiladas, beef and chicken fajitas, beans, rice, tortillas, salsa and chips. The food was delivered hot and on time to the venue. Everything was delicious and so fresh! read more

So I went here on a whim because a friend had mentioned it. The place was empty upon arrival which made me a bit nervous considering the other restating the street were decently busy. I ordered a carnitas taco and a chile relleno. My plus one ordered the carne asada plate. The server was gracious and personable. She recommended a few things but we stuck to our original choices. The relleno was okay. The egg was a little flat on the relleno but the sauce was really good. The taco (carnitas) was surprising because it was served with crema. I've never seen carnitas tacos with sour cream. The carne asada plate was "alright" The meat had flavor, Mexican rice was mushy and the beans were average. I'd give the service 4 stars but the food was average. It could have been an off night or we may have ordered the wrong dishes. Not too sure I'd go back before trying the other spots on the same street. read more

El Cantarito @elcantaritorestaurant is located in Placentia California. They are family owned and operated since 2002. They serve all the popular Mexican dishes by using fresh and local ingredients and cooking it to order. We got both the green and red Chilaquiles and they were bomb, the red ones have more of a kick but delicious. Don't forget they have Menudo on Sat and Sun mornings Their customer service at El Cantarito will make you feel at home. Don't forget to get their cinnamon coffee, it will transport you to Mexico. read more

See all

Worst burrito ever, even I can make a better one at home. A day or two old meat just reheated! Was horrible, read more

El Cantarito - Old Asada - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

OMGOSH i highly recommend you go give this Authentic Mexican restaurant a try! You won't be sorry that's for sure. Our waitress was Marleen sweet as can be I had the beef soup huge chunks of zucchini and carrots and cabbage and chunks of beef I added celantro to mine & my friend Mare had 3 pork sidewalk tacos with beans I had cherry coke she had raspberry ice tea. I can't wait to go back there. Scotty told us to go there he said the food is fantastic & he's absolutely right. read more

El Cantarito - My soup amazing so delicious - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Here on a Sunday afternoon the food is worth the wait. We ordered the Burrito Especial, cup of menudo and their birria de Chivo it was all very delicious. I was getting full on two baskets of chips with salsa but when the food finally arrived it was served hot and worth the wait. I did have to request for some hotter salsa but will be back soon. Next time I will try the chile relleno read more

We had a great waitress and I apologize for not remembering her name. I enjoyed the chile verde I ordered and was happy with the size of the plate. read more

Combo fajitas via grubHub. Honestly I've never had their fajitas before, and they are now by far my favorite in the area. Everything is so tender, the veggies are cooked perfectly and not too overdone. Just amazing flavor. And this photo that you see here is after I've already had at least five or six bites. Very good value. Highly recommend!! read more

El Cantarito - Combo Fajita - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

First time here the food sucked I got chilaquiles the sauce over powered the meal. I re-ordered and still the same thing. Walked in on a weds morning sat myself down took 10 minutes to get drinks. There was literally 6 people in the restaurant. The cafe de olla didn't hit either. I hate how you guys false advertise it like it's the best when it's not. read more

El Cantarito - Indoors is quiet just boring, simple decor, and here are my drinks i waited 10 mins for. - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

See all

Best lil Mexican food place that I've come across after moving back to The OC ! The food, the service, the vibe is very good :) read more

Taco Tuesday and since Yelp had sent me an email with Mexican restaurant suggestions in Placentia we decided to try a new restaurant. After reading the descriptions of all four, we liked the homemade tortillas & chips described for this restaurant. Made our way down to historic downtown Placentia and looked for parking. Thankfully there was a public parking lot because there wasn't much street parking. When we walked in we were greeted and told to pick a table. The inside of the restaurant is pretty basic with various size square tables and pullout chairs placed around the open floor plan. It's well lit inside but again very basic. The two servers that were working the floor were very kind. I had asked for a "wine" margarita because looking at the menu that's what was described, but when I ordered one our waitress said they had received their liquor license and now serving margaritas with Tequila. We said "great w/salt on the rims". They brought out their chips and salsa. Well we enjoyed the salsa, but as we continued eating the chips which were on the thick side and glistened (lol), we were not as thrilled with them as they were very greasy and after our meal, we started to experience that greasy after taste in our mouths. Unfortunately we sent back our margaritas because they are very sweet with not a whole lot of Tequila. I don't like boozy margaritas, just tasty ones and able to taste a bit of tequila. Our tacos are delicious. We thought the chicken, carnitas and steak were seasoned nicely and not dry. Each taco comes with only one corn tortilla not two like many restaurants will give you. Our Mexican rice was just okay. Not a whole lot of taste, somewhat cold and a bit dry. Seems like many people enjoy eating here, and many seem local. Most likely wouldn't eat here again, but try another Mexican restaurant that Yelp suggested in Historic Downtown Placentia. read more

See all

This is our favorite traditional Mexican food spot in PLACENTIA. We've been coming here for 2 years now and the food, service and ambiance is always the best. The huevos rancheros are great and so is the menudo. Our kids love the pancakes and the orange juice is fresh squeezed. read more

El Cantarito - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Excellent food and service and beer and a jukebox!aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

My go to family taco place thats only a mile away from Cal State Fullerton! They have $1 Tacos on Tuesdays and they are so delicious. I have been getting this same order for the past year and it wont change cause of how affordable and filling it is. Service is top notch as always. They greet you when you enter inside, give you complementary chips and salsa, and check up on you after you've eaten a few bites! The place overall is clean and big. Nice restrooms and they have multiple tv's so you can watch any game or news. They also have ambient music playing too so it's never dull. (It does get really busy around 7ish on Taco Tuesday, so if you're craving some amazing tacos, I suggest you come before 7, or before they close!) read more

El Cantarito - Carnitas Tacos w/ Rice and Beans - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

I came in for the taco challenge, and the two gentlemen were really nice and friendly. Food looked good, so I didn't think anything of it. I started eating the tacos, and I noticed lots of bones in the meat. Enough bones to hesitate and chew more thoroughly, and stop eating at 12 tacos out of the 20 inside the 20 minute time limit. I took the rest home, fried up the rest, and, good God, look at this fucking bone. The others I found were bad, but this one takes the cake. Whoever is cutting up the meat or prepping it for bones needs to be fired. If I swallowed this bone, my fat ass would have needed a trip to the emergency because this shit is sharp. Never going back. read more

¡Excelente! Stumbled upon this incredibly delicious spot. The restaurant is small yet comfy, super casual yet top notch service. All the patrons were happy, laughing, enjoying their meals and time spent with family and friends. The food is quality authentic, certainly the type of cuisine that you'd find in a quaint Mexican town. El Cantarito impressed us with delicious dishes. I definitely recommend. Two thumbs up. ¡Gracias amigos! read more

Honestly I found this place through Tik tok and took my bf and when I walked immediately was it hot inside with a lot of flys we still decided to eat but outside which made it better but the food was trash ... wouldn't recommend to any other Mexicanos lol read more

Ehhh, I've had better. I really wanted to like this place and have been twice, but both times I left unimpressed. I feel like the food is extremely bland and unseasoned. Not sure which dish people keeping coming back here for, but the enchiladas and burritos aren't it. The best part about the meal were the chips and salsa. The service was also very friendly and attentive. read more

El Cantarito - Shrimp enchiladas - entire plate was very bland - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

See all

You want real authentic Mexican food. Come here. Service is good, very welcoming and as soon as you sit down, you get chips and this amazing salsa. I alway get the chilaquiles highly recommend them. El café de la olla is really good. read more

I wanted some pozole and i found this on Yelp Upon arrival not gonna lie it looked like a mini ghost. Town I never been in this area But i went in and the hostess was nice And the man that was serving was great . He had a good attitude . Pozole was amazing it was thick and Rich with the perfect amount of spice . Honestly taste like homemade the hominy was cooked to perfection I didn't eat the meat because i just eat the hominy and broth but omg !!! It reminds me of my moms cooking ! And the ambiance is giving rustic Old town mexican bar . Which is great because it matches with the restaurant name ! I will definitely be coming back because food , service is just amazing read more

El Cantarito - Pozole - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Food prices are a bit high here now, I remember when the soups were under $12. Still great flavor but for $17 it's not the best value out there read more

So freaking good!! Y'all got to try chilaquiles like this!! Les mess and better presentation! Just looks so damn good! Get you some green salsa on the side bammmm!!! read more

El Cantarito - Omg doesn't this just make you crave some chilaquiles! This is how I prefer my chilaquiles and damn, so good!! - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Terrible service .today !!! Have been coming here for 15 years and today was the last !!! Asked to have my caldo de rez chopped up as usual due to my dad not having many teeth left ..I always check me order because they make lots of mistakes and sure enough soup wasn't chopped ..I asked why and acting manager who was just a waiter told me " why ? You are going to bite it anyway " wow ...then asked if I wanted it or not !! ..walked out and will never come back !!! read more

I've been coming to El Cantarito for years! This is one of my favorite places to eat! You can never go wrong with any of their dishes, but my go to is breakfast. Hands down my favorite menudo, and their chilaquiles are spectacular! I've loved the whole team and always get amazing service. It's not a pretentious place, very down to earth, and authentic! read more

Buyer beware: restaurant fails to tell you that their pupusas aren't pupusas. It looks more like a giant empanada. If I wanted an empanada, i would have ordered one. Majorly disappointed. Also lacking flavor. The dough part is unsalted, and the meat and cheese is ok. I ordered this through ubereats, so pictures are limited on there. I think the restaurant could save themselves a lot of headaches to provide a picture along with their pupusas and let people know it's not a pupusa. read more

El Cantarito - "Papusa" - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

Talk about a friendly staff!! So genuinely kind and attentive. Husband got the birria with broth ... do people order without? If so they are missing out!! It was the best restaurant Birria we've ever had. I got the carne asada burrito with red sauce and cheese - it is GIANT. Super good food. We arrived Friday around 8pm, super quiet and not busy. Restaurant is super casual. Will definitely be back! read more

El Cantarito - Birria de Chivo - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

See all

We had not been to the Cantarito restaurant in a couple of years. We stopped in for breakfast. The server was friendly and prompt with taking the order and bringing the food. I ordered chiliquiles and my husband ordered caldo de res. My husband enjoyed his soup. My chiliquiles tasted like reheated enchiladas with the scrambled egg on top. Very disappointed with my order. We won't be coming back to this rextaurant. I like reheated enchiladas but chiliquiles are soggy when reheated. read more

Good service! Fresh salsa and chips! Food is great and highly recommend this place! Ordered the chicken and beef enchilada, very flavorful and gotta come back for the cheese and carne asada nachos! read more

Known for them taco Tuesdays specials. The price can't be beat. They have a contest if you eat so many in a certain time. Great value, but you get what you pay for. I had the combination plate (which I typically order at Mexican places). All tasted good but nothing stood out too much and it was flavorful. read more

Great vibes, menudo for the recovery 100% recommend service was great and quick and it was nice to know that they serve authentic Latin food read more

Never again will i come to this place. The main reason is that their printed menu prices does not reflect what they actually charge you later. The server told us that most food items are 3 to 4 dollars more than what is printed on the menu. She said they have been asking the owner to update the menu for awhile and he doesn't do it. We walked out without ordering a thing. Went down the street to Mi Casita and had a delicious meal for less money. read more

I went last week and grabbed a chicken burrito and some carnitas & birria tacos. I'm sorry to say the burrito which was supposed to have included beans and rice was 80% dry chicken with no seasoning whatsoever and the remainder 20% was the smallest amount of rice and beans possible. I had to absolutely douse it with their homemade salsa to give it any moisture. The homemade salsa is really tasty and that's honestly the reason for my two stars. Even the red enchilada sauce that was on top tasted almost like play-doh. It sounds bizarre, but I really can't describe it any other way. It was the weirdest taste and I tried to scrape it off the top of my mojado burrito, so I could eat it. Sadly, the carnitas were very, very dry. The birria ones were moist and tasty. I won't be coming back. read more

Most bang for your taco buck, on a Tuesday. Street tacos just the way you like. Just go. read more

El Cantarito - The teaser...lil' Guac-salsa-chip trifecta - Mexican Near Me - Placentia, California

See all