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    El Ranchito Restaurant

    4.3 (47 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 6:00 am - 3:00 pm

    El Ranchito Restaurant Photos

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    EL RANCHITO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Richie D.

    This place was great some local people told me about the spot and it was absolutely everything. They said it was delicious Affordable original and friendly. I use the restroom and it was one of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in all of Los Angeles A+ to this place.

    Carnitas and asada tacos
    Lisa W.

    WOW what a find! I was in the USC area and craving tacos and wanted something cheap and authentic. El Ranchito is no hassle and no frills. The carnitas, pollo and steak are BOMB. The meat is clean and not full of fat and gristle. In taco, burrito or quesadilla form, paired with red salsa, your cravings are sure to be satisfied. I love that all orders come with rice and beans. The refried beans are SO good. The service is always quick with family-owned vibes. There is a small covered patio to inhale your food and street parking is not hard to find. I would consider this a hidden gem and am so thankful to my fellow Yelpers for helping me find it! CASH ONLY.

    $2/taco, and comes with rice and beans
    Kat S.

    Wow this brightly painted shack really surprised me! First of all, the teeny enclosed kitchen area was immaculate. The cook (only person there) had a clean white apron, kept counters wiped down, had all meats covered if he wasn't scooping, and even the floor was clean. The dude washed his hands between each duty (cooking, cleaning, cash handling) - better hygiene than any restaurant I've seen in a while. Food- tacos are $2 each, which is more than most street taco places, but they make up for it with huge meat portions and free rice and beans (which were so so). I got a lengua and a barbacoa. Lengua was chopped in big chunks, and a bit on the gamier/ organ-y tasting side. My barbacoa was better, tasty cubes of pork that were marinated well and had a hint of spiciness, it had no sweetness like some barbacoa does. I enjoyed it, but I think will stick to the cheaper, simpler taco truck down the street.

    3 tacos
    Luis B.

    Rarely don't come to this place now . but back in the in the day i use to go and pick up orrnamental iron from the opposite corner and if i was in luck they would still be open at noon they would run out of food quick and would close. I talked to the guy making the food and said now they close at 4:00 pm. I got 2 tacos wich is a full meal , it comes with a side of beans and rice and o also got an adada burrito 2 go. Friendly service always willing to stop by when I'm near by. By the way i think the barbacoa is great here.

    Barbacoa ab

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    16 days ago

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    4 months ago

    This little corner spot is very very good. The tacos are bomb and lengua burrito is my favorite. Everything on it....!!!!!! Bomb Bomb

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent breakfast burritos! Great customer service! Will definitely come back for the next USC game.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    So good. Found this place to get breakfast burritos for usc tailgate (am). Really good, authentic. They are very nice too.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best barbacoa tacos around. Get them with rice and beans!

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    5 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Best carnitas burritos in town! Took sum for my family and they loved it as well. Not to mention really polite the way they attended us .

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    16 years ago

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    18 years ago

    Authentic burritos, tacos and tortas from a family run restaurant with outdoor seating. These guys do not know the meaning of small!

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    Review Highlights - El Ranchito Restaurant

    Chicken, cilantro, rice, beans, salsa, all wrapped in a fresh tortilla.

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    Ka'teen

    Ka'teen

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    6.5 miHollywood
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    came back to Ka'teen to finally try the Dine LA menu, and I'm so glad we did. This easily made my…read moretop 3 Dine LA experiences. The service was impeccable--everyone was attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience feel special. We had to get the Michelada Oysters again because I had been craving them since our last visit. They were just as amazing as I remembered--fresh, perfectly seasoned, and seriously addicting. For Dine LA, I started with the Tostada Campechana, which was like an elevated ceviche with scallops, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, and a citrus sesame sauce. Everything tasted super fresh and the citrus gave it the perfect balance. The Bone Marrow Mole was rich, flavorful, and came with a generous portion and toast. For my main course, I had the skirt steak, which was cooked perfectly--tender, well-seasoned, and delicious with the green sauce. The homemade tortillas were amazing too. We ended with the Dulce de Leche Panna Cotta, and it was the perfect finish--creamy, smooth, not overly sweet, and so good we practically cleaned the plate. Amazing food, great portions, beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service. Ka'teen definitely delivered. I would absolutely come back again.

    What a fun place! Came on a Saturday night and they had a live DJ. We had reservations thankfully…read morebecause this place gets packed. The service was pretty solid but did fall off towards the end. The oxtail was fall off the bone and cooked to perfection. We left no crumbs (with the exception of tres leches - wasn't a fan). Drinks were delicious and strong.

    Photos
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen

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    DAMA - Taco trip happy hour

    DAMA

    4.4(1.5k reviews)
    1.6 miDowntown
    $$$

    What a surprise! My friend and I visited for restaurant week…read moreand I'd give it a 9/10! The drive there was a bit iffy due to location but surprisingly the street that the restaurant is on was clean and felt pretty safe! I chose to park on the street but I'd advise to valet ($15) for safety purposes. We walked into a concrete built up newish area that had a brewery and another Michelin rated restaurant across the courtyard. The entire area was inviting! The restaurant felt like we took a dinner vacation to Cabo which was recipe for a relaxing evening! We ordered from the restaurant week menu which for us consisted of Ceviche, Guac w/delicious fresh tortilla fresh chips, whipped beans, snapper, bbq chicken, empanadas and basque cheesecake. All were great!.. we just wanted a larger portion of everything! I'd recommend and will definitely go again! I love restaurant week!

    I made reservation few weeks in advance for Saturday 5:30pm dinner to try out Chef Antonia Lofaso's…read morerestaurant. Upon arriving at the restaurant block, I was so surprised to see it was in a spooky area. I was literally terrified to leave my car parked on the street. They had valet parking for $15 also. The restaurant itself looked super nice, beautiful interior and a huge bar in the middle. Some tables were in outdoor patio area too. The menu had bunch of small and large plates, alongside lots alcoholic and N/A drinks. I ordered the Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail that almost tested like a smoothie. The fried calamari, corn, empanadas, short rib tostada and chicken taco, all were good dishes but none of them were mind blowing. Prices were mostly fair. The service was really good. Our server did a wonderful job. All the dishes came out in short intervals. Overall a good location to have relaxing dining experience with friends and family.

    Photos
    DAMA - Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway

    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway

    DAMA - Seafood Tostada

    Seafood Tostada

    DAMA - Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

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    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Complimentary Chips and Mole.

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9(3.2k reviews)
    2.8 miHarvard Heights
    $$
    Family-owned & operated

    Amazing food and drinks and there is live music but it is way too loud in there. The place is huge…read moreand gets packed but I think the speakers need to be turned down. Good for big groups but I don't really recommend if you actually want to have conversation. Got the enchiladas campesinas and mango slushy both of my visits there, it's a huge serving so had leftovers for another meal each time.

    My family was in town for a Dodger game and to enjoy the evening I brought 10 people with me. We…read morewere given tortilla chips with 3 different moles as soon as we sat down. There were many families eating dinner and many larger parties that looked like they were celebrating something special. We were all famished after fighting through LA traffic on a weeknight. I'm pretty sure we ordered at least half the items on the menu. Every dish ordered was fine, edible, not burnt but just ok. While I am by no means a connoisseur of Oaxacan food, I am perplexed at the number of reviews raving about this restaurant. It's fine, there nothing wrong with the food, but I, personally, don't think it's rave worthy. I've been here 2x now. I'll come back to a place especially when it's on a "best of" list and I wasn't impressed. I always think it may have just been a bad day or perhaps I didn't order well. Next time I see this spot on a "best of" list I'm going to find out WHAT dishes I should've ordered.

    Photos
    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Delicious chocolate cake.

    Delicious chocolate cake.

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Chapulines

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    Chapulines

    El Compadre - Sizzling fajitas

    El Compadre

    3.5(1k reviews)
    4.1 miEcho Park
    $$

    El Compadre is an LA staple, we've been coming here for years. The dim lighting, cozy vibe, and…read morelayout make it feel intimate, even though it's bigger than it looks. The bar sits right in the middle and is truly the star of the show. Service, drinks, and food are consistently great and clearly made with love. The margaritas and micheladas are easily some of the best in LA, hands down. This time I went with the chicken and shrimp fajitas and they did not disappoint. And the guacamole? It tastes like your grandmother made it. Portions are huge, so definitely come hungry. From the parking attendant to the servers, bartenders, and bussers, everyone delivers amazing service, it genuinely feels like family every time. Perfect spot for any occasion, or even just to chill and enjoy some authentic Mexican food.

    Stopped by after a Dodgers game with a friend and her mom (she's the one who recommended it). The…read moreinterior has that classic older hacienda-style kitchen feel, and there was a trio playing traditional songs while we ate. The space is pretty small, so the music ended up being a bit too loud for easy conversation, which was the only downside. Food-wise everything was good. Chips and guac were a good start. I had the chicken enchiladas and my husband got the shrimp enchiladas, both were pretty good. My mango margarita was also nice and came with a fun, unexpected presentation for a simple drink.

    Photos
    El Compadre - Catch a sporting event at the bar

    Catch a sporting event at the bar

    El Compadre - Chicken fajitas

    Chicken fajitas

    El Compadre - Mango Margarita

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    Mango Margarita

    Mirate - bar downstairs

    Mirate

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    5.9 miLos Feliz
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    I recently celebrated my wife's birthday at Mirate restaurant with 12 guests, and I must say the…read moreexperience was exceptional from beginning to end. We all enjoyed authentic Mexican cuisine, with each dish offering a unique taste and beautifully prepared flavors. The restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and is clean, comfortable, and beautifully maintained. The food, service, and overall experience were outstanding. Most importantly, my wife was extremely happy with her birthday celebration and very pleased with our choice of Mirate. I highly recommend Mirate to anyone looking for an exceptional Mexican dining experience. We will definitely be coming back!

    My friends and I had all heard great things about Mírate, but I'll admit I had an extra reason for…read morewanting to check it out. I recognized it from Season 1 of Nobody Wants This, and apparently seeing a restaurant on TV is all the encouragement I need to add another dinner reservation to the calendar. Parking in Los Feliz gave us a little pre-dinner challenge. A friend and I eventually went with valet, while another friend circled a few times before finding street parking. Consider this my future self taking notes: next time, Uber. Walking inside was probably my favorite first impression. Mírate unfolds across multiple levels with warm lighting, greenery, tucked-away lounge areas, and that huge tree in the middle of the courtyard. We were seated upstairs near the top of the stairs by the restroom, which gave us a view down into the main space. Admittedly, I spent a little time admiring the tables around the tree and understanding exactly why that area is such a draw. Something to aim for on a future visit. We ordered several dishes to share. Some of the starters were a little smaller than I expected, but there was plenty of flavor packed into them. The ribeye taco was one of my favorites, with Chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, and a little heat from the Yahualica chile. The octopus taco was right up there with it, paired with Chihuahua cheese, frijoles puercos, and pineapple pico that brought in a nice sweet-savory contrast. Both disappeared quickly, which is generally a good sign at our table. The cocktails were another highlight. Everyone ordered something different and there wasn't a disappointed person in the group. Our server checked in throughout the evening without hovering, which gave us plenty of time to eat, talk, and inevitably compare everyone's drink choices. By the end of dinner, I had already figured out my strategy for round two: Uber there, explore a little more of the cocktail menu, and see if we can snag one of those coveted tables near the tree. Even if we don't, I'd happily come back.

    Photos
    Mirate - Brunch

    Brunch

    Mirate
    Mirate - Brunch

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    Brunch

    El Tepeyac Cafe - 7/28/24: Okie de Pollo Burrito -- fireeeeeee!!!

    El Tepeyac Cafe

    3.8(2.9k reviews)
    4.8 miBoyle Heights
    $$

    My family has been coming to El Tepeyac Café since before I was even born, and they've never once…read moredisappointed us. This place isn't just a restaurant -- it's culture, it's history, it's meaning, it's family love all wrapped into one. Every time we walk through those doors, it feels like coming home. The food is incredible every single time. From the small big burritos to the huge big burritos, everything hits with the same flavor and comfort we grew up on. The portions are legendary, the taste is unforgettable, and the consistency is something you don't find everywhere anymore. El Tepeyac gives so much to the community. It's one of those places that holds memories for generations -- birthdays, family gatherings, late‑night cravings, comfort meals after long days. It's a spot that brings people together, and you can feel the love in the food and the atmosphere. This café is part of my family's story, part of East LA's story, and part of the community's heart. I love coming here, and I'm grateful for a place that still feels like home after all these years.

    Smiling that the burrito tasted homemade and hearty!…read more El Tepeyac Cafe had a small line but it moved fast. If it is just you, grab the counter. The Hollenbeck de Pollo had a huge filling of guacamole, and chicken!!! Mini $12.99. What a great deal in this economy. The portions were large and the wet burrito just had so much flavor. I loved how everything came together. Ordered the half basket of chips and boy was it worth! Thanks Eric for the recommendation and tips!! Will be back if in the area!! And there was a line when I left! The guy behind the counter was great!

    Photos
    El Tepeyac Cafe
    El Tepeyac Cafe - Chicken enchiladas

    Chicken enchiladas

    El Tepeyac Cafe - Beef tacos Crunchy

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    Beef tacos Crunchy

    Holbox - Smoked kanpachi tostada

    Holbox

    4.7(2.7k reviews)
    0.3 miHistoric South Central
    $$

    A Michelin-recognized gem tucked inside a marketplace in the heart of Los Angeles. The food was…read moreabsolutely exquisite, with beautiful presentation and incredible attention to detail. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The atmosphere was lovely--elegant yet inviting--and made the entire experience even more enjoyable. Such a special find in the middle of LA. Definitely worth experiencing!

    On Friday evening, September 4th (yesterday) after work, I went to Holbox with my mom and my two…read morebrothers. I think I've been to Holbox about four or five times now. The last time I went was on October 3rd and September 12th of last year, so it had been almost a year since my last visit. The very first time was last summer with about 10 members from my Korean community group. We all thought the food was really delicious, and that's why I kept coming back. As you would expect from such a popular restaurant, there are always a lot of people here. Yesterday was no exception, and there was a pretty long line outside. Fortunately, the line moved fairly quickly, so it didn't feel too bad. After we decided what to order, I was reminded again that the prices here are quite expensive for a restaurant located inside a food court. Last year, I ordered for all four of us at once, and the total came to almost $200. So this time, we decided to pay separately for my mom and myself, while my two brothers each paid for their own meals. I ordered two of my absolute favorite dishes here, the Tostada de Kanpachi & Uni. This is something I really love because it tastes so fresh and delicious every time I have it. It's definitely a must-order dish for me. I also ordered two Taco de Pescado al Carbón. Those four items alone came to about $70. I also remembered that I had tipped way too much here last year, so this time I only left a $5 tip. (It is the food court system, even they bring the foods to our table) That brought my total to $75. My brothers ordered the large Brazilian fish, the Tostada Uni, and ceviche. Everything we had was delicious overall, but honestly, the tacos I ordered yesterday were not really for my taste at all. So next time I come here, I don't think I'll order the same tacos again. On the way to the restroom, I noticed people at another table eating lobster. I asked them where they ordered it from, and they told me they ordered it from Holbox. It looked absolutely delicious, so I'm definitely going to try the lobster next time I come here. I also really like that they have a water station near the section where people line up outside. There are cups available there, so you can help yourself to water while waiting, which is very convenient. One downside is that the restroom always has a noticeable smell. Fortunately, it's located quite far away from the dining area, but it also doesn't look particularly clean or sanitary. Another thing is that you have to eat certain dishes, especially the tostadas and tacos, with your hands. I personally don't really like eating food with my hands, but with tostadas and tacos, there's really no other way. After washing my hands in the restroom, the smell of the liquid soap is also quite unpleasant and strong. Unfortunately, I can still smell the soap on my hands while I'm eating, which bothers me quite a bit. And because Holbox is always so incredibly popular, finding a table can be difficult. Luckily, we were able to get a table pretty quickly yesterday. Overall, I still really enjoy coming here for the fresh and delicious seafood, especially the Tostada de Kanpachi & Uni. Even though there are a few things I don't love about the experience, the food itself is definitely why I keep coming back.

    Photos
    Holbox - Kitchen view

    Kitchen view

    Holbox - Taco de pulpo

    Taco de pulpo

    Holbox - Shrimp aguachile

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    Shrimp aguachile

    El Ranchito Restaurant - mexican - Updated September 2026

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