I love this place so I'll just admit my bias now. Authentic Mexican. Parking in back or if you're lucky on street. A lot of local workers hit this place so heads up try before or after lunch. My favorite is the vegetarian burrito. I have to ask for additional sauce because dripping on my shirt is part of the cost I am willing to pay for that burrito. My family also discovered El Caporal does tamales for the holiday season (special order). Usually I take my food to go but I have also sat inside with the colorful walls. Service is friendly and pretty quick unless they're slammed. But worth the wait. Not fancy but damn good. So glad it's near me!! read more

I stopped here today for lunch and I am ordering the combo plate with a beef hard shell taco and a cheese enchilada and rice and beans and a ice tea This place has plenty of parking in the rear besides street parking. They have plenty of seating inside Everyone I spoke with recommended this place. They have a large selection of items on their menu. I recommend this place to others read more

See all

Si si si, this place is so quaint and inviting. The service was great, kind attentive and genuine. The Shrimp tacos I had were fresh and delicious. I cannot recommend this place more. read more

El Caporal - Shrimp tacos - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Stopped by after my hike at Mt. Wilson and found an absolute hidden gem. From the moment I walked in, it felt like I stepped straight into my Tía's house for Sunday lunch. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and the staff make you feel like you're part of the family. The quesabirria tacos were amazing! They're so rich,flavorful, and so fresh it felt like they handled everything start to finish that same day. The agua de tamarindo was perfect refreshing, balanced, and not overly sweet. My family ordered machaca, beef tacos, and a shrimp cocktail and they all agreed the food had true authentic Mexican flavors. You can truly taste Puebla, Mexico right here in SoCal. Next time I'm in the area I'm stopping by, I'm going straight for the mole! Puebla style mole is straight fire! read more

El Caporal - Quesa- Birria Taco with a side rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Love Meri & Yeseña they are so sweet and have excellent customer service. Everytime I go w my mom in wheelchair they have wonderful accommodations for seating, ramp, parking, restroom access. Their food is delicious and always consistently beautifully presented. Yummy drinks, deserts, sauces are so dang good. Thank you ladies read more

I've gotten takeout from this restaurant many times, and it has never disappointed. It's definitely our favorite Mexican spot in the area. My family and I have tried a variety of items on the menu -- even breakfast -- and everything has always been delicious and satisfying. The customer service is great as well. Highly recommend! read more

Great Food! Actually the Best Mexican Food in Pasadena. I personally prefer this restaurant over any other. We have ordered different items and all of them are soo delicious! Definitely recommend to anyone in the area looking for good food. read more

Stumbled on this place by accident after a soccer tournament and I'm so glad I did! The service was excellent and our server was so sweet. The food was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I had the asada tacos and they were amazing. Definitely coming back -- a great spot for tasty, authentic Mexican food! read more

So i drove 2hrs to go to the restaurant cause i have been here before and the food is amazing i checked their restaurant hrs and knew what time they were opened and when i arrived they said they closed early because business was slow.....i can somewhat understand but then why have a set schedule if it will vary and not be abide of and no cosiderstion of the drives i make just for them....disappointed..will just have to search for something closer moving forward. read more

I'm never one to leave reviews and this has nothing to do with the service but more so the food and amount paid for it. I don't think $16 for a salad like this is acceptable. Therefore I'm leaving this review in hopes that they either fix their pricing or food quality. Pricing there was a bit much however I don't complain cause it is what it is. I paid almost $45 for a salad, torta and coke. Don't know if it has to do with location or anything but just thought I'd leave this review. read more

El Caporal - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

See all

It was my first time eaying at this place and i will say the service is really good and the food is delicious. I ordered the Chile Relleno and Enchilada plate and it was absolutely delicious. I will say I did prefer the beef enchilada over the chile relleno. Definitely will be coming back. read more

Wow!! I'm saddened I didn't find this restaurant sooner. Because the food here is absolutely delicious! I would go as far as saying that this is by far the best Mexican restaurant in the area hands down. It's easy to pass up as there's usually a bunch of cars parked out on the street and there are hedges in the front of the restaurant too. Not to worry though because there's a decent amount of parking in the back of the building. Upon entering we were warmly greeted and immediately seated. The restaurant was very clean and the aromas in the air were heavenly (reminded me of my childhood) the waitress was very nice and gave excellent recommendations. I wish I would've taken pictures of our meals but this was one of those times where we dug right into our food. Lol! I ordered the nopales breakfast combo. And my kids ordered chorizo con huevos, huevos rancheros combo and pancakes and egg combo. Everyone was extremely happy with their meals. They all reported that they were flavorful. Even the salsas were jammed packed with flavor. Prices were very reasonable too. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

The menu has many choices that look great , however my first visit was just ok . I hesitate to return because I don't see anybody there much , and I worry about the turnover in food freshness read more

Best chilaquiles in town, and a wonderful chile relleno, too! Very authentic with a kind of fun, kitschy atmosphere.

The food and drinks was good the employees was very nice and I love how clean the business was.

Delicious flautas - some of the best I've had and the carnitas enchiladas is so comforting and delicious too! love to support the local businesses and get the red sauce! read more

Our go to place for authentic Mexican food. We've been going there for many years! Great family owned restaurant.

My family and I have been coming to El Caporal for years now and it always hits the spot. The food is always good. It's our safe Mexican comfort food. Whether it's a shrimp cocktail, Birria tacos, caldo or pancakes... caporal has a little bit for everyone. The family that runs it are always kind and hard working. The service is always fast and detail oriented Thanks Caporal read more

El Caporal continues to be our #1 choice for authentic Mexican food. We live in Pasadena and whenever we are in the mood for some authentic Mexican cuisine, El Caporal is always the choice. We have tried so many of their delicious dishes, but we still have more to try! read more

Was getting my car washed and decided to come here for lunch, I'm glad I did the food is really outstanding, great customer service. Definitely coming back :) read more

Best Mexican Food in the area! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this hidden gem! Super delicious food/ extremely kind staff/ super cute interior! My birria plate was mouthwatering good! Don't hesitate to come eat here !!! Solid 10/10!!! read more

El Caporal - Birria Plate/ Caldo de Res - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Friendly & thorough service. Quiet, comfortable place with low Latin music playing in the background. Food came out hot & quick and smells delicious read more

El Caporal - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

See all

Great find! We had the #12 Shrimp combo and the Caldo de Pollo. The shrimp combo was fantastic, the shrimps were the size of a Nissan Sentra and the salsas were sabrosas! The service was excellent and you can tell the place is popular with the regulars. We def plan on returning when we're in the area again! read more

El Caporal - #12 Shrimp Combo - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

I found this place in close proximity. I ordered a caldo de res which was "okay" nothing that will get you to say "That's like grandma use to make it. Tortillas were so stale. Let me tell you about the tacos. They were really bad. Don't bother. Again the tortilla wasn't even warm and the asada looked more like chicken than carne asada. Disgusting if you ask me. I ordered Quezada tacos and the tortilla just fell apart like chilaquiles. The only enjoyable portion I had was the consomé for the birria tacos. I just drank it and did not bother to dip the tacos because they were falling apart. I'm am very disappointed, but this is my personal feeling from trying other locales in Altadena and Pasadena. read more

El Caporal - Not worth it. - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

The food was so good that it made it my go to Mexican restaurant and horchata not to sweet and service the best got my food hot and fast and it made me feel calm and nice 5 stars read more

Very delicious food! We got the campechana, birria tacos, Al pastor burrito, and micheladas. Everything tasted amazing. Great flavor and portions. Probably the best Mexican food spot in the area. And really quick, good service from neddy! Will 100% be back soon. My husband even got a burrito to go for later lol read more

Awesome food, great service! They followed up and were very thorough . Supper friendly! Food was great, but I already said that. read more

Good Mexican food in a small city away from the larger Mexican food population. Highly recommended. read more

El Caporal - Crispy TripAdvisor tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

See all

The 3 stars are for the server ( which i thought was the owner ) , and i found out , she is !!! Her attitude is not friendly at all , and it comes across like that. I know i was asking few questions , but still.... and the 5.00 queso birria tacos hardly have meat , for 5.00 add more !!! ( but they were good ) I usually get the cheeseburger , which i like ( but the fries were't cooked good today , were soggy ) And she asked if i won't be wanting the chips and salsa , since i am getting the fries ?? I thought that was odd. It doesn't matter , if i am getting fries. The chips and salsa you snack on before. Tho the chips weren't anything specia tho. There was another server few years ago , she was nicer !!! I do like the interior , it's very cute. But the owner needs to lose the attitude and be more friendly. I wasn't going to leave a tip , but did. The cook ( her husband ) seems more friendly. But i hope they hire another server soon. And the food does look good in some of the other photos. read more

See all

Very rude worker, trying to pick up my offer and she just kept on doing other things. You might have good food, but bad attitude is bad service. No thanks read more

My carnitas burrito was really excellent. Homestyle "comida tipica," but the cook is definitely a notch above.

The food was excellent old Mexico dishes. The service was outstanding and we loved the restaurant decor.

Love this place! Their molcajetes are to die for and their soups have saved my life a few times. Staff is friendly and efficient. Orders are always on time. I'm so grateful they are in my neighborhood! read more

We came to the rose bowl early for a concert and decided to look for food in the area . We are so happy we found El caporal , I'm gluten intolerant so my best bet is to find authentic made fresh Mexican food. All natural ingredients like we cook at home . Come by you won't be dissatisfied. read more

El Caporal - Menudo is bomb and tacos de Asada Taco - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Nothing but great things to say about this place! Food: the food here is absolutely delicious! They serve both breakfast & regular lunch/dinner options here. I ordered the Asada Wet Burrito with a steak taco & my boyfriend ordered the chicken nachos. The burrito was huge in size & extremely flavorful I highly recommend ordering this. The steak taco was very good I like how they make the tortilla slightly crispy! The nachos were also very good, the chips they use for the nachos are on point! Overall, food gets a 10/10 looking forward to trying their other entrees! Service: the service here is absolutely amazing!! Immediately upon walking in me & my boyfriend were welcomed with a friendly warm greeting! Everyone that worked there was super helpful with recommendations & gave off an extremely friendly vibe. Extremely happy with the service here. Overall, great food & great staff what more do you need?! read more

El Caporal - Chicken Nachos (yummy) - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

See all

Local spot with great people behind the counter. I love machaca and was very satisfied. Salsas were good too read more

See all

El Caporal is my go to for Mexican food in Altadena. The food is always delicious and they have a wide variety of options available. The food is always ready quickly and accurately. You get a lot of food for a reasonable price. I highly recommend them! read more

I have not tasted the food yet and I already know it's going to be amazing ! Thank god Pasadena has real Mexican food I got scared for a bit. read more

This place is a hole in the wall! It was amazing. I loved the decorations inside this cute little place. The food was delicious which was really surprising. It's a little pricey but the food is worth it. It's flavorful and well seasoned. The staff was kind and quick, would definitely come again and highly recommend. read more

Food and service is always great here, You can call and order in advance to eat at the restaurant which is really convenient for us. I've had from breakfast to caldos to burgers and it's all been really tasty. Thank you El Caporal staff for your great service! read more