Impromptu trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium this week with the family, summer vacation and all. While the kids were clamoring for hotels with free waffles for breakfast, I stumbled upon El Charrito and their breakfast burritos made with fresh homemade tortillas purely by accident. I mentioned breakfast burritos and as quick as that, the kids forgot all about those crappy waffles. We stopped in and ordered a variety of burritos and bowls. Everyone, including my pickiest 11 yr old, were satisfied with their meals. We had ordered extra burritos to enjoy later in the day as well, but some brazen seagulls nipped our afternoon snacks while we were combing the beach for sea glass! Ar least we got some good seaglass, right? Deliciously fresh, modestly priced, dare I say best kept secret? Reminds me of this wonderful multi-generational place I used to visit when I was a grad student in Santa Barbara. It's gone now, and I never expected to come across another establishment like that, so I was surprised that El Charrito awoke that part of me after so many years. Love this place and I can't wait to enjoy their food again! read more

Sending my husband today to get breakfast burritos because when I go, they don't put as much as when he does. I buy for him and my son and they'd always get skinny burritos that doesn't fill them. So today was a success as far as burrito size is concerned. Service is on and off- sometimes you get more food sometimes not. Sometimes you get a friendly, helpful staff and other times they're grumpy. This is strictly a to-go place and open for breakfast and lunch. No seating so most people would pick up their food and eat in the parking lot, or drive away someplace else. read more

Burrito came with no beans. The taquitos are apparently now made with ground beef and the potato mashed together but description on line says crispy beef with potatoes and that's what it use to be not mashed together. Please update description to menu. read more

Quick counter service. Multiple people taking orders at the same time behind a counter so it can get a little chaotic but it works for the small place. I got the chile verde burrito and it was delicious. On the smaller side but very good flavor. The tortilla is the star of the show! Definitely worth checking out if in the area and want a quick meal. read more

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This place is excellent. Do yourself a favor and get a burrito here. It is so much better than any other place. Great ingredients. You will want to go back. read more

We got an order of taquitos and chile verde burrito, the service was as expected for an express location and very quick-- exactly what we were hoping for. Definitely going back for breakfast asap! read more

All my friends in the area kept talking about this place so I had to try it during a day trip to Monterey/Carmel! I arrived around 10 AM on a Sunday and found parking right in front. While the lot is small, there seemed to be plenty of street parking. Even in the early morning, there was already a fairly long line ~6 people. Which is a good thing! One thing I was curious about (and confirmed through both research and experience) they have separate breakfast, lunch, and all day menus. So if you're craving something specific, make sure you check the timing before you go. When ordering, you can add sides like guacamole or salsa inside the burrito for a small cost OR order them on the side (which costs more). The side portions are similar to what you'd get at Chipotle. Overall, this is a great spot for a ~$7 burrito. Super filling. Mostly due to the rice and beans but they're also very generous with the meat. Especially for the price. Here's what I ordered: Carne Asada Burrito ($7.49) - 8/10 - Personally, I found this burrito a bit dry and ended up adding salsa and guac to keep things fresh. The tortilla was flaky and delicious. While the meat didn't have standout flavor, it was still a pretty good choice for the price. Chile Verde Burrito ($6.49) - 9/10 - This one was the star for me. The pork juices soaked into the rice making each bite super juicy and flavorful. A great contrast to the carne asada. Definitely worth trying if you like saucier burritos. read more

El Charrito Express - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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jokes on me! Everyone saying how good and plentiful the burritos are, so against my better judgement I went back. The tortilla is bigger, but what goes in them is still stingy! There's an additional tortilla not getting any goods here! See pic below read more

El Charrito Express - The tortillas are bigger. So those big generous burritos everyone is oohing and ahhing about is just plain tortilla! - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Tasty burritos at reasonable prices! The setup is similar to Chipotle, you can customize your burrito just how you like it. The staff was quick and efficient, keeping the line moving. They make their tortillas fresh, which added a delicious touch to the burrito. I ordered a carne asada burrito and was pleased with everything. The portion size was just right, not oversized but satisfying. Their salsa was flavorful without being too spicy. I do wish there was a spot to sit and enjoy the meal. You're in Monterey with plenty of scenic places along the coast to dig in. read more

El Charrito Express - Chips - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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such a bad experience the ladies where to busy talking and taking a sweet time during a lunch rush and to top it off I bit into my asada torta that was not cheap and a HAIRNET was in the guacamole it was black and very easy to see don't know how that happened but I've gone a few times and have given them the benefit of the doubt and tried different things on the menu and I've always had a bad experience either with customer service or the food itself. Don't recommend. read more

We were too late for breakfast burritos so we got asada burritos. The burritos were really good. The asada was tender. The in-house made tortillas were delicious. I think this place is a good value for Monterey, CA at $18.54 for two asada burritos with cheese. We would spot by here again. read more

El Charrito Express - Asada Burrito w/cheese - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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We love El Charrito in Salinas so we decided to give their Monterey location a try. First they have only have one entrance and it's at the back of the Main Street. It's right next to good feet store but at the back. Upon entering it is a small spot that is behind a restaurant. They use the back portion of the restaurant. When you enter all the food is in front of you similar to a chipotle and you tell them if you want a burrito or a bowl. I decided to get a bowl and a side of tortilla. In the bowl I chose Chile Verde, pinto beans, rice and it comes with Crema, guacamole, salsa and cabbage. My partner also ordered a bowl but also chips and salsa. The food was tasty, but not sure what it is but the original Salinas location is better. However if you're looking for a quick burrito or bowl this is your spot in Monterey. The prices are still reasonable but seem to be slightly higher when compared to the Salinas location. read more

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Can never go wrong with a charrito burrito! So glad they have one in Monterey & Marina!

I don't know how this lady with orange hair still works here but she has the worst customer service ever. Every time I come here I pray I don't get her and sometimes I do it's the worst kind if experience to deal with her attitude. I've seen her argue with customers and her own co workers which is so unprofessional . Management needs to fire her because I'm positive it affects the volume of people coming to this location read more

Staff here are so rude. We placed a large order for an event by calling ahead two days before. They told us to be there at 9am for pickup. We got there at 9am and they said we are too early and we need to wait. The girls working there were talking shit about us in Spanish. I guess they see a white guy and think it's okay. Guess what majority of all races were forced to learn your language so I understand you. Food is mediocre and not worth the drama. Better off making your own breakfast burritos at this point. They need to clean house and fire the racists working here. read more

Amazing burrito at an even more amazing price! The homemade tortilla really made it special and there was no line. Loved the place altogether, super cute! read more

El Charrito Express - Vegetal burrito con salsa verde - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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I have lived in California for every one of my 45 years of existence and this place served me THE worst burrito I have ever had, breakfast or otherwise, in all of that time. It's a breakfast burrito. I don't know how you fvck it up, but they did. The tortilla is obviously the highlight, but it's all downhill from there. Every ingredient was neatly quarantined into its very own bite of burrito: cold/sweaty cheese, undercooked bacon, tasteless eggs, all drowned in a sea of sour cream with an insulting amount of salsa. Just a thoroughly foul experience that ended in the garbage can after spitting out two out of three bites and a brief a mortem to retrieve the avocado, which fortunately was edible. 0/10. Do not recommend. read more

The food is good but not unbelievable or anything exciting. The location is not off Alvarado Street so you have to go around. There is no service you walk up to a counter and you order your food and you select your ingredients and they make it into a bowl or a burrito. There is no seatings inside so you cannot counting on enjoying your meal. It's to go only and the portions are pretty small considering what you pay for it. read more

El Charrito Express - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Great breakfast burritos!! The chips are perfect, too. It's a quick, in and out kind of place, but they are very friendly. I wasn't sure what to order my first time, and they were patient and helpful. We have been many times since and will continue to come back. read more

Delicioso! Delish! Fantastic! So good and so nice to have the express in Monterey. I love the tortillas and all the meat selections.

Burrito's were great, I'm visiting from Washington so I decided to take a roadtrip to the beach & grab a quick bite but the service was a bit off, especially with one of the younger girls who works there I was getting pretty frustrated bc i felt like I wasn't suppose to be there lol. This place has potential if they just work on their customer service if not it will go down very quickly. read more

For On the go authentic Mexican food this is the hot spot.all the breakfast burritos are awesome with flavor that ignites all your taste buds. read more

El Charrito Express - Jamaica full of antioxidants and good for lowering blood pressure. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Same goodness that you get at El Charrito in Salinas, but a lot faster! I will be stoping by to get my fix when in Monterey. The parking lot seemed a little small, so on a busy day it may be difficult to find parking. Same-ish service as the Charrito in Salinas, their staff in Monterey seemed not the friendliest. read more

Visiting MTY and wanted to try this place for the popular burritos. Tried the asada, chile verde, and carnitas. Tortillas were made fresh as many others have said. Overall tasty but small. read more

El Charrito Express - Small burritos. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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What a disappointment. We've read about this place and checked it out since we were in town. These are the smallest, blandest burritos I've ever had. Baby burritos in SF are bigger than these. The tortilla was dry and kinda snapped apart. I don't have an opinion on the beans since the amount they served was so small you didn't even know it was there if you didn't see them add it (I wanted to shout "add more!"). I can really remember if there was rice. The pollo was ok but very small portion. I do not recommend this place. read more

If you enjoy good old fashioned Mexican food, served the way it should be, then dont wait any longer. Step into a place that serves it up right. No skimping. Just great food. The burritos are a meal and a half. Especially the chili relleno burritos. Packed with flavor the way it shoukd be. Probably the best burrito i have had in this area. I highly recommend this place. read more

This location is a great take out place and attached to the back of Alejandro's. I ordered the egg and bacon burrito and this was great... a fresh homemade tortilla too which made it extra good. I only wish they would allow you to add more stuff inside the burrito as I also wanted potatoes, but they said no... could also be because the tortilla isn't that big and if you add more stuff it would rip. I also ordered the chips a guac and that was delish. Overall this place is good and reasonably priced... the burrito was only $5.99! Service was quick and efficient and parking is plenty with a lot. read more

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They charge for any salsa/hot sauce. Never going to Mexican places that skim hot sauces or worse "charge" ppl

Great food loves everything I've ever had there. Must go to the original restaurant in Salina's . Fresh tortillas are amazing.

I get burritos from here every other weekend. The service is quick and the burritos are great!! It's something about the tortillas that make it different from any other place I've gone to. The burrito size is perfect... not too big, not too small. The jimaca and limón aqua Fresca are so good (especially if you mix them together). I can't wait for another location to open up!!! read more

I did not know that this was just chilling in the back of Alejandro's....which is an amazing btw so def go there. I've been to charrito in Salina's and this hits just as good without the wait. Just go have some freaking good burritos okay? read more

In a super small location but easy to find. Just gotta keep an eye out. Food is AWESOME! They're quick on the assembly line and the tortillas are fresh and delicious. Staff is friendly and efficient. PARKING: its a shared parking lot but you shouldn't have any problems finding a spot. This is definitely a grab-and-go type of restaurant but no drive through. They also sell their tortillas in a pack of 10 and I would recommend them. We bought some and love them! We would definitely come back and possibly make a trip to their other location. read more

El Charrito Express - Menu 9.17.23 - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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The food here is very solid. I was delighted to taste a fresh tortilla with this food. It's not too often you come across that with a burrito. The prices are very affordable especially for the area. The flavor was good but not amazing. My favorite part of the entire lunch was the horchata. read more

El Charrito Express - Carne asada burrito - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Great food at a great price. I had the carne Asada burrito and it was great. Nice outdoor patio as well.

Think of this place as a local Chipotle but better. They run a burrito bar in the back of the restaurant. The food is incredibly fresh and delicious. They even make their own tortillas from scratch. Be sure to ask for an extra tortilla. Note this is a grab and go so you cannot eat here. There's usually a line but it moves quickly. read more

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Okay... listen to me. I went to El Charrito... and when I took a bite of that burrito... I felt like the wind of the eagle was beneath my wings, lifting me to a spicy, meaty heaven. The rice? Fluffy like the clouds in the sky. The beans? Powerful. Full of nutrients. And the meat? Ohhhh the meat... it was succulent, like it had been blessed by the hands of a thousand little nuns. I looked the man behind the counter in the eyes and I said, "Put some guacamole on there... for the orphans." And he did. Without hesitation. Like a champion. When I finished, I didn't cry. But I almost did. Because it was so beautiful. If you do not go to El Charrito... you are a fool. A FOOL! And I'm not talking about the delicious Mexican street corn they serve. I'm talking about you. 5 out of 5 stretchy pants. El Charrito is the temple. I am the disciple. Viva los burritos. @tonycommathecreator read more

The tortilla and salsa was good in my breakfast burrito but otherwise it was cold and bland. Too bad since the location is convenient. Service was frosty. read more

Very small portion for the money they charge and also rasist staff. If you don't speak spanish you're not very welcome here

Literally the best burritos in town! My to go order is a burrito de asada, with rice green salsa & cheese. I also tend to order a side of chips and guacamole and of course a horchata. May I also add that they make their burrito tortillas in House, which to me are the best ones I've ever had. Additionally, their burrito bar is very efficient and everyone here has always been kind and helpful to serve. At first, it was a little hard to come across this place as it is located behind a well-known restaurant on Alvarado Street, (Alejandro's.) However, they do have a parking lot right in the back, which makes it easy and convenient it to just pick up and go. And even though it is a very small hole in the wall establishment, it is very clean with a modern twist of aesthetic. Highly recommend! read more

El Charrito Express - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

I was very fortunate to be working in the area and already knew I was willing to drive on a side mission to eat at this place. I've never been to this location but I am well acquainted with the el charrito business.. this location has a small parking lot but it's take out only so you should be able to find a spot easily. I have a small complaint I need to mention is that there is no menu on the wall or anywhere to be seen. Maybe they're taking the express name too literally.. aside from that you can talk to one of the friendly and wonderful workers behind the counter. My thing was only that I hate being that guy to ask questions and holding up the line. Fortunately this wasn't my first rodeo and there wasn't a long line. Anyway, I went with the popular for a reason salsa Verde burrito and I tried out the barbacoa. These burritos are relatively small on purpose and most people buy 2 in order to get full.. It can be problematic for some but I've found it to be in my favor. You can get 2 different meats to test out what you like. Did I mention the price? 2 super delicious burritos for under $15 bones that would be a single burrito anywhere else. These guys have it figured out! If I were to compare the taste to anything, it would be the el Monterey frozen burritos mostly from the tortillas. The HUGE difference is these are handmade, soft and as fresh as it gets. The ingredients are fresh and probably don't sit too long. I asked the lady if this location was connected to the other charrito inside of a market in Watsonville or Salinas. I went to one of those a couple times but I work all over so I can't be too sure which one it was. I can tell you that it gets busy so again that helps with freshness because they gotta keep the wheels turning nonstop to match the demand. It seems like the business is expanding and I'm a huge supporter of it. If they build one closer up north I would take a decent drive to eat here and bring my friends. It's literally that good. read more

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