Definitely will be back! Great service and delicious food! Can order outside or dine in. Good size portions and wonderful flavor!!

I gave this place a try about a month ago this is my 5th visit! The Chile verde burritos are bomb. Now the menudo is perfect! Just like my Nana used to make it. Clean and delicious. Not all greasy and gross. The people that work here are all friendly and smiling all the time. Imma get as big as a house but its worth it. read more

Some of the best Mexican food around. I have been coming here since I was a little kid and the food never disappoints. I recommend their hard tacos or burritos but everything I've tried has been bomb read more

I've been eating here with my family for over 10 years. The wet burritos are my favorite. I don't eat beans or chorizo but I do here. Everything on the menu is delicious! read more

This is my husband's favorite restaurant to have authentic Mexican food. He has been coming to eat here for many years. Today he ordered his favorite steak picado plate. Always delicious. I usually order chile rellenos but today I thought I would try something different. It was very tasty. read more

El Merendero - Steak Picado plate - Mexican Near Me - La Verne, California

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Don't let the curb appeal stop you from eating here. They are a nice group, inside and outside eating. Service is pretty quick unless it's crowded. Food depends on your taste. I enjoy it but it's not my husbands favorite. read more

El Merendero - Store front - Mexican Near Me - La Verne, California

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We go often to this resturant and are always pleased with the food & service. Sometimes gets really crowded that's why it didn't get 5 stars. read more

Nice family friendly spot for solid Mexican breakfast. Came here with the "in-laws". I had the Chilaquiles Verdes and they did not disappoint. My BF had the a torta de chicharron which he said was great. The ambiance is chill and low key. We came on a weekend morning and yes it was busy but we got a table (5 of us total) right away and the service was fine. Not in our hood so not sure when we will go back but will add it to rotation when we are in this side of town. read more

BomB Breakfast burritos! If u pass by pick one up, definitely will not be disappointed. Potatoes or Hash Browns read more

Food was great, portion size great, price was great! I only got a burrito and chile relleno, (20 bucks chile relleno came with rice, beans, and tortillas) so I can't judge the full menu. However, if you want a good burrito for pre inflation prices, come here!!! Your stomach and wallet will definitely still be full!! Food is gone, so no pic. read more

So the service was pretty decent. There was a moment when our party of 3 wanted salt and we had to get up and go get it after waiting for so long. Other than that, the service was very acceptable but nothing over the top. Very kind waitress. The food. Good but nothing spectacular. We had to add salt. But honestly, maybe we like salt too much. Pretty generic and basic food with what seems not very much effort into its preparation. Loved the option to sit inside or outside. Nice little ambiance to the place. Maybe because we went on Father's Day they were busy and rushed. But Definitely a place I will return to so I can give more of a critical review. read more

If you're looking for decent Mexican food I will definitely give this place a try. I have been coming to this place for years. The location is small and not very many seats. Not a good place during summer as the small room is hot. My two favorite items are the shredded beef nachos and super combo burritos with carnitas. The chicharron was old tasting and not much flavor. I wasn't happy with the staleness of the hard taco shell. The service is super slow it seems as if the employees rather be on the phone than serving people. It's unfortunate because the food is decent. I will continue to come for those two items mentioned. The michi was ok but I've had better. read more

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The food is 10 out of 10 The food is always on point. BUT the service is pretty bad. Some are friendly and some aren't. More than that the are bad at taking orders and forgetting things. Asked for napkins, FOGOT. Not a big deal but every time we go (weekly) it's something. Forgot to bring the tortillas or forgot to bring salsa. It's to the point we don't eat there anymore. Instead we take the food Togo. read more

Visited recently and I got horrible service, I will not be coming back. Only reason for 2 stars is because the food was alright.

have been coming to this gem for many years, I like it much better than the one downtown. Nice folks and the food is just better. They have one of the best chilie relleno burritos I have come across. read more

This place has the best menudo on the weekend you can ever ask for. It is flavored well and come out very hot. Served with tortillas on the side. Service is always good. Yoy know this place is good when people are waiting outside to be seated. You can also bring your pot to fill with menudo or pozole to take home. I have gotten the menudo, pozole, chilaquilles, huevos racheros, the tacos, the pan dulce, rice and beans. I have never been disappointed in what I order. It always hits the spot. read more

Most Authentic Mexican Food around Best soft tacos great hard tacos too with big combo burritos of asada or carnitas read more

Cool little spot with ample outdoor/indoor seating. Service was quick and very polite. Food was delicious and fresh. Both the meat and fish were piping hot and the chips and salsa were a nice gratuitous touch Will definitely be coming back to try the Pozole and Menudo on the weekend. read more

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It's amazing how great your dining experience can be when you combine good food with great service. Add in the value of cost to portions and you can see why El Merendero has been staple in our community for so many years. I'm very pleased that I came back. read more

El Merendero's is a classic La Verne eatery. This place has been here almost for ever haha I stoped in for breakfast the other day and haven't been here in years and nothing has changed. There conveniently located off Arrow Highway and Fairplex drive. If your around go check em out! read more

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I've been coming here for years! This is the first time I've ever received lousy food and service. I ordered the 32 ounce Ceviche $24.26 and the blonde girl "Vicky" tries to hand it to me with no condiments or utensils whatsoever! I told her, "Excuse me, but isn't it supposed to come with chips, lemons and tapatio??? And can I have some utensils and napkins please? She looked confused and gave them to me. I come home and i noticed she gave me this horrible frozen mush that tasted sweet...gross. Ive never had ceviche that looked like this. Nasty!!! I threw it out! What a waste of 25 dollars. This girl really needs training or to get another job! I'm so disappointed because this use to be my favorite Mexican restaurant ever. read more

El Merendero - Ceviche?? It looks old and the taste was horrid! - Mexican Near Me - La Verne, California

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Stopped in here today on my way home from Pomona Swapmeet first time trying it. Long lines, and lots of people waiting with their pots and pans. So, I ordered the menudo it was lacking flavor. I had to add salt and chile Rojo. Ext time I'll try something different read more

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We have loved El Merendero for 50 years! Best chips and salsa anywhere! I love their floppy bean and cheese burritos! Happy anniversary to one of our favorite places on the planet! read more

Really good menudo served only on weekends so you know its freshly made. Also, reasonably priced compared to other restaurants. read more

The establishment has indoor and outdoor seating options. When we arrived, the restaurant was clean. When we ordered food, the attendant was friendly, and she got our order correct. We ordered Chile rellenos, and they were delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for good Mexican food. read more

My first time at El Merendero. We had simple chicken rice and cheese burritos. Very fresh. Rice was flavorful and well cooked. Best of all was the simple cooked chicken. My picky husband loved it because it didn't have any onions, cilantro or tomatoes. The atmosphere is very basic. A handful of tables outside plus inside seating. Nothing fancy at all. This review is effected by a rude, load, angry customer that was verbally abusing customers. She was shouting obscenities to several guests trying to eat. The restaurant should have told her to leave or call the police as she definitely is chasing off business. I will return and review again. read more

The service isn't always quick but the hood is awesome Considering the size of their large menu they manage to consistently put out good food ! Warning this is authentic Mexican food and contains lard ( which makes it good !) Living in this area allows us many choices for Mexican food I'm glad to recommend this family restaurant read more

Best bean and cheese burrito around!! Tacos are loaded with meat. Cant go wrong with anything on the menu.

Solid family owned style Mexican restaurant that if you want REAL Mexican food this is your spot. Not the greatest of ambiance or scenery, you come for the food. My go to is the wet burrito with carne asada. read more

Been a reliable delicious Mexican restaurant that I have been able to enjoy for over 25 years since finding it.

This is the ONLY place i order huevos rancheros because 1. the sauce is so good and 2. they put huge chunks of carnitas in it and it's soooo good. Huevos Rancheros 10/10 Menudo 10/10- HUGE pieces of tripe!! chorizo burrito (with potatoes and cheese)- 9/10 read more

El Merendero - chorizo burrito (with potatoes and cheese) - Mexican Near Me - La Verne, California

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I've never had anything here that was bad! I recommend this place to all of my friends. The pozole is sooo good!

El Merendero used to have good Mexican food. Now it just BLOWS! Run of the mill overpriced crap with stingy portions. Never mind the pictures on the menu. They skimp on everything. Air is free. They sure use a lot of it in their food. I won't be back. For the money. I'll make my own. read more

Went on a Sunday morning around 8:30am. Had pork pozole which was good due to no chicken. Prices are reasonable and staff friendly. Would like to go back and try different dish. It gets crowded and even the to go window is busy so go early. Upon leaving saw people parked and eating next to their cars. Good Sign :) read more

I ordered a combination plate and 15 minutes later, still no food. People with burritos ordered after me came and left, and I had to get my money back because my lunch break was over read more

Good tasty pozole. It was pork. They didnt have chicken. Prices were right. Staff was friendly and super efficient. I hadnt been here for a few years and was pleasantly surprised that it was just a good as I remembered. I'll be back. Check em out read more

Okay I have been on yelp a really long time. So I think I know a good Mexican restaurant from a bad one. The funny thing is some people think that their opinions should weigh more than others. I could be a part of the elite squad but I diid not want to play that game. My real friends know that I can afford to eat at any restaurant in the world. The problem is that I hate to write a bad review. Well in this case its the opposite. I have been eating at this establishment for over 20 years and have never had a bad meal. Yeah sometimes I don't get the best service. Sometimes I have to wait for a table. Well that's life and we all just need to deal with it. It's so funny to see all these petty reviews from these so call elites about how they had to wait for a table or how they didn't totally love their meal. My advice is ... please stay away they don't need you . They have been her this long for a reason . Please let me eat in peace !!! "Boogie" read more

El Merendero - My nephew Drake .., Since then he has went to St John Bosco HS and Is currently enrolled in UC Santa Cruz!!! - Mexican Near Me - La Verne, California

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El Merendero is a no-frills, homey Mexican restaurant that will satisfy your cravings if you order a dish that they are strong in. My family comes here regularly and we've tried various dishes from the menu over the years, and there are dishes that are better than others, and dishes that are bomb are why we come back over and over again. Also, if you are an iced tea connoisseur and like your iced tea strong, their iced tea is strong! Here are the dishes I recommend. 1. Wet burritos - beef and chile verde 2. Milanesa Torta 3. Hard shell tacos 4. Enchiladas 5. Taquitos 6. Machaca Dishes to pass on. 1. Fajitas (meat isn't grilled and is in a sauce that almost gives it a texture of being steamed/boiled) 2. Carne Asada (isn't the worst, but isn't the best) They have a patio area and indoor dining. They also have a takeaway window. Additionally, this restaurant was a staple for us during COVID as we were able to eat outside safely with our baby and we were so appreciative of being able to have a place to go out. read more

good food 1-10 I give it a 5 for the tasting of the food ...the service 1-10 ten being the BEST I GIVE THEM A 3 cause our soft drinks were empty for 10 mins and the restaurant overall is loud and clean but they need to have plug ins that smell good cause the restrooms smelled up the place .... read more

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Barbacoa tacos were lit . I am not sure if they ran out of al pastor or they don't offer it at all. They didn't have any when I went. That's the reason for my 1 star less. I really enjoyed the chips and salsa. They are bomb. Dine in: they have outside dine in. You just pick a table and sit down. The server gives you menu and takes your order. It was first time there so, since we are used to going to Mexican places and having to place our order first then sit down that's what we did. ‍ The server sanitizes the tables after each customer leaves. The tables aren't 6ft apart in the front side of the restaurant, only on the side under the patio tent. The parking is very limited and the place stays very busy. read more