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    El Taco

    3.5 (300 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    El Taco Photos

    Business Info

    EL TACO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Taco

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    Entrance sign on Florence
    Angel F.

    I thought I wrote a review of this place. I always go to my steak taquitos, add cheese, combo burrito (ground beef, beans, cheese, and red sauce), chicken soft tacos, or green chili quesadilla, messy and delicious! No frills decor. Outdoor seating, counter service, which is always friendly. Food is made to order so the drive thru orders can take a while. Parking is very limited, and it is tricky to get in and out of the space if you park and dine. Love this place! An institution!

    Only 2 left downey and I believe san pedro
    Brian C.

    Old school place U remember the one in Whittier now closed. Like most places reduction due to covid and chain competition this Here in Downey is one of the left Icons of taco places 1958 it started now down to two locations. We ordered combos I got Chunky chicken and wife got ground beef. She got fries I got rice. Dude! The rice is so ol school like my mom made it. Burritos aren't mega but they are good size. Fries are crispy. Count service is great very friendly bi lingual. Outside dining patio pretty nice. Parking to some may be a little tight but it's drive thru worthy. My stars are for my taste in old school style and good food. Price to product = 7 Location = 6 Food quality = 8 Customer service = 8 Cleanliness = 7 Overall 8

    Maryann A.

    My husband has been raving about the beef taquitos here for a long time. I finally tried them an a they were good. The beef filling was good shredded beef and they were covered with avocado, no sour cream ! I was not disappointed, I'll be back again next time I'm craving Mexican fast food. The ladies were "en chinga" getting the orders out. I wish I had cash for a tip. I'll get getem next time.

    Shredded Beef Taquito's
    Ernest R.

    Was local hungry with a craving for Shredded Chicken Taco's. Whipped out my phone and opened my Yelp app to see what came up for the area. Eye in mind for Shredded Chicken Hard Shell Taco's. El Taco was close and the pictures and reviews looked good so ai chose. Great choice. Get there shortly after and that's exactly what ai ordered along with a Chunky Chicken Burrito. Arrive at the window (talking with the order taker) WE decided ai should try a couple more items on the menu. So ai ordered Shredded Beef Taquitos (w/Guac) and the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla just due to the genuine professional and friendly interaction that gave great business ambiance. Got my food drove off and grabbed a Taco at the light. That first bite had me pulling over into the next parking lot. Couldn't believe how flavorful and tender that Shredded Chicken was. With a real nice crunch on that Taco Shell. Hit THEEEE ENTIRRRRRE SPOT! Went back to back on the Taco's (cause ai ordered 2) and that had me curious about the Chunky Chicken Burrito. Let's just say that tender Chunk Chickens flavor along with the base? Ai am in love and El Taco's my new flavor these days. Got around to the Shredded Beef Taquitos and the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla for lunch today. Even after warming it up in the oven. El Taco just did not MISS! The crunch on the Taquito Shell coupled with the Guac (that ai reapplied once ai got it out of the oven) made me happy almost.The tender Shredded Beef almost melted with that first bite. Just totally flavorful and the Guac no different (held up well over night). Ran through the Taquito's and had the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla. Brought back fond memories of our first encounter last night. FAAFO that they just don't MISS here at El Taco! Thinking about it now makes me wanna go back. Gratitude and give thanks El Taco! Great flavorful and fulfilling experience.

    Chicken enchiladas dinner plate with green sauce and sides of red rice and beans included. Not shown is a bag of tortilla chips.
    Heidie S.

    Great food and service. Personally I always stick to a few dishes (so far) because they're always so good. These dishes are as follows: the chili relleno dinner plate, the carne asada taco dinner plate, the chicken enchiladas with green sauce dinner plate, the hard shell taco dinner plate, the fries and sloppy joes. It's a chill tiny spot so parking is limited. They also have table seating outside if you'd like to eat there . :D

    Chicken flautas
    Amy H.

    Amazing little place in Downey! My mom used to come here all the time in high school, so we love to come here so she can reminisce. Chicken flautas are so good! They give you a really good scoop of guacamole with it. My mom LOVES the quesadilla with red sauce. They wrap the quesadilla so it looks more like a burrito but it is so cheesy and the red sauce is sooo good! Also you can not leave without getting the cinnamon crispys! It is outdoor seating only and they have a few tables. It is a bit of a struggle to get out of the parking lot, so maybe order through the drive thru.

    Burnt Chorizo and egg with chard cheese burrito.

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    3 years ago

    Decent place to get Mexican food. Food is ok, prices are reasonable. Drive through really a deciding factor for me. Convenient.

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    5 years ago

    It is my only favorite drive thru mexican place! I love eating here any time I am in Downey! It is a must have if you love mexican food!

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    Page 3 of 8

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    Gloria's Cocina Mexicana

    Gloria's Cocina Mexicana

    3.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Gloria's Cocina Mexican Restaurant has been a family tradition for celebrating birthdays and…read morespecial occasions for many years. We've been coming here since they first opened, and the food has always been delicious. Over the years, we've seen a lot of changes, but the friendly service has remained consistent. One thing I've noticed recently is that the salsa served with the chips isn't the same as it used to be. It seems much more watered down now, which takes away from the flavor we used to enjoy. Another issue is the restroom situation. There is only one restroom stall, and on busy days the wait can be quite long. It can be inconvenient, especially when the restaurant is crowded. Overall, the food is still very good, and this restaurant holds many special memories for my family. I hope they consider improving the salsa and restroom accommodations to make the dining experience even better.

    Its my wife's birthday she chose to come here because ceviche the last time we came…read more Host staff very friendly and our wait staff also very welcoming and prompt. A young lady is taking pictures of customer I guess it's so you can have memories of your time at this establishment I sort of remember be a minute since we been here. My wife ordered ceviche sort of a combo pay a little extra for shrimp, I ordered a fajita combo chicken, beef and shrimp. Our meals came promptly wow love the plating and the portions! The ceviche great portion, my wife loves the lemony to it. The fajita trio wow great mix portions of each rice and beans and guacamole it's own plate. Food was cooked well and very tasty price to product well matched in my opinion The flour tortillas are made in house freshly made. Served hot. The atmosphere has Hispanic music flowing and usual customer conversation and they also have a cantina side as well My wife enjoyed her birthday

    Photos
    Tortilla station
    Tortilla station
    Gloria's Cocina Mexicana
    Middle seating area and kitchen access

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    Middle seating area and kitchen access
    Mami Felipa Cocina Mexicana

    Mami Felipa Cocina Mexicana

    4.6
    (303 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    Delicious authentic Mexican food. Great service all the…read moretime. And a beautiful decorations inside

    This morning, I decided to break from my usual routine and forgo attending a service, opting…read moreinstead for a quiet moment at a local coffee shop. The idea was to enjoy my coffee while getting organized--paying bills, planning calendar events, and having the opportunity to focus without any distractions from my usual surroundings. In search of the perfect spot, I turned to Yelp, a reliable resource for uncovering hidden gems nearby. Upon stepping into the coffee shop, I was immediately greeted with warm hospitality, setting the tone for a delightful experience. The ambiance of the place was truly captivating--it was bright and welcoming, infused with an aesthetic charm that instantly put me at ease. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the design elements throughout the shop, which added an inviting touch to its overall atmosphere. Before I settled in, I asked the staff if I could snap a few photos to capture the essence of this delightful space. They graciously welcomed my request, and I was shown to my table, which, quite uniquely, was designated by a number--a small detail that I found charming. As I browsed the menu, I encountered a small conundrum: I wasn't entirely sure what to order. I wanted to break the mold and try something out of the ordinary. My curiosity was piqued by their exclusive offering of Café de la Olla--a traditional hot drink that piqued my interest right away. I ultimately settled on a hearty plate that included rice, beans, and enticing potato tostones, accompanied by two beautifully cooked sunny-side-up eggs. As I waited for my order, I noticed the café was filled with the sweet sounds of old-school music from the '60s and '70s, which only enhanced the cozy ambiance while I sipped my drink. Now, let's talk about the food! I must say, I rated the café itself a solid 4 out of 5 for its overall charm, while the rice earned a respectable 4 out of 5. The beans were rich in flavor and received a fair 3.9 out of 5. The potato tostones, delicately bathed in a savory red sauce, stood out with an impressive score of 4.3 out of 5--these are a must-try if you visit! And as for the sunny-side-up eggs, they were good, but hey, eggs are eggs, right? Overall, the entire experience was quite enjoyable, from the delightful food to the warm atmosphere. A special shout-out goes to Ana, whose exceptional customer service made my visit even more memorable. The combination of fantastic service, inviting aesthetics, and satisfying food truly made for a perfect morning retreat. I can't recommend this spot enough for anyone looking for a relaxing place to unwind and focus on what matters.

    Photos
    Beautiful
    Beautiful
    Birria queso taco
    Birria queso taco
    Chilaquiles rojo con carne

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    Chilaquiles rojo con carne
    The Chicken Koop

    The Chicken Koop

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Sports on TV

    I finally made the drive to Downey to try this chicken spot I have been eyeing for monthsssss!…read moreTheir parking lot is located in the back of the restaurant as street parking appears to be limited. They As we are a primarily chicken household, I brought my family with me to try their chicken plates and creative chicken plates. My first initial thought walking into Chicken Koop is that it has calm party vibe... the reason I say this is because through our whole time in the restaurant, they were playing a lot of my favorite songs. For a second, I thought my phone had connected to their speakers, lol! Pictured below is the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the 1/2 Roasted Chicken Plate. The Friend Chicken Sandwich was so juicy and flavorful; the breaded chicken patty had a perfect crunch to it. The 1/2 Roasted Chicken Plate was also another delicious and great choice. The chicken was cooked perfectly- again no dry chicken and it was juicy w a crunchy outer skin. The Brussels sprouts can out perfectly as well.

    We picked this place as a last-minute dinner option since none of us had tried it before, and we…read morethought it would be worth a shot. We ordered takeout and were pleasantly surprised they still accepted our order only 30 minutes before closing. I had the mushroom wrap because it seemed like a healthier option. The vegetables inside were cooked well and nicely seasoned, but the wrap itself was a little dry. It came with a salad, which was a nice addition. I'd still return for the wrap. The garlic fries were really good, and the nachos were nice and saucy. The rice that came with the dinner plate, however, was overcooked and mushy. Overall, a decent experience with a few standout items.

    Photos
    Full Bar
    Full Bar
    The garlic chicken plate
    The garlic chicken plate
    Craft cocktails

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    Craft cocktails
    Fatima's Grill

    Fatima's Grill

    4.5
    (2.8k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Driving from out of town, I ordered food on Fatima's website. I received a text that my food was…read moreready for pickup, but when I arrived there was a sign that said closed. I tried talking to the person inside, but they rudely shouted "we're closed." I explained that I had ordered through the website, but he said it didn't matter. I asked for a refund because I couldn't wait until they reopened, and he refused. It wasn't until I raised my voice that he said he cancelled my order and that I'd get my refund in a week. Horrible customer service. Management needs to take this opportunity to retrain the staff. Update: The owner reached out to me, acknowledged what happened, and made sure everything was taken care of. It's clear he genuinely cares about the customers. I appreciate the quick response and the effort to make it right.

    This is one of the best Mexican food places that you can find. The hype is real…read more On top of it, their meats are halal, so we know the quality is better than ordinary meats. During my many many many visits here, I have tried: -Asada Signature Hot Cheetos Burrito -3 Meat Burrito -Macho Man Burrito -Birria Crunch Wrap -Asada Street Tacos -Street Birria Tacos -BBQ Brisket Tacos -Double Decker Chicken Zinger Wrap -Doritos Flamin' Hot Burger -BBQ Brisket Fries -Birria Fries -Birria & Relleno Quesadilla -3 Meat Nachos I am sure I am missing some stuff that I've already tried but can't remember off of the top of my head... by now you probably get the point that I am a fan and they have mouthwatering and flavorful food. The portion sizes are ginormous and you cannot leave hungry from here and sometimes will have leftovers even if you only order a single item. I wish they had a bigger seating area. Also the ice-cream (pre packaged, not store made) selection is weird but not wonderful. I guess those are an acquired taste. If they open a location in South OC, I will go at least once a week if not more.

    Photos
    Nice and clean Restaurant
    Nice and clean Restaurant
    Chicken taco, onions, cilantro and green sauce
    Chicken taco, onions, cilantro and green sauce
    Garlic Shrimp Fries

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    Garlic Shrimp Fries
    Guacamaya Oasis

    Guacamaya Oasis

    4.1
    (893 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    I loved this all-vegan mexican restaurant so much. The interior is clean and adorably decorated. It…read morelooked a bit like Rainforest Cafe-- so fun to take a few pics with the backdrops! I've been craving breakfast food for a while so I got the breakfast burrito to try. It definitely hit the spot for me, and it was so big I ended up splitting it with 2 other people. My friend got the breakfast bowl and I tried some. It was basically the same as the burrito but just deconstructed with quinoa as a base. It was all great! I love that Guacamaya serves breakfast all day for late risers like me. I really wanted to try the coconut Tres leches that was on display as well, but I think they said it was like $12. That was way too steep for me for a single slice.

    Finding a good plant-based restaurant or grocery store in my area proved a bit challenging, but I…read morestumbled upon a gem in Downey! I decided to treat my best friend to dinner and drinks. The restaurant was fairly empty when we arrived. We ordered gorditas, guacamole, and nachos. I had a margarita, and my friend enjoyed her nachos with a refreshing cucumber drink. We also purchased a cup of *Champurado* to go, after sampling it - and it's truly exceptional. My gorditas featured a delicious mushroom "meat" and soy chorizo. The chorizo had a delightful kick - a pleasant spice, not overpowering. The mushroom "meat" was fantastic! The guacamole was perfect, and I appreciated the NO tomatoes. I didn't try the nachos, but my friend seemed to thoroughly enjoy the diverse ingredients. We had a wonderful time and I'll definitely be returning. I highly recommend the *Champurrado*, the gorditas (especially the mushroom one!), and the guacamole. The soy chorizo was also excellent.

    Photos
    Guacamaya Oasis
    Guacamaya Oasis
    Kale Caesar Salad with chicken and mango juice

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    Kale Caesar Salad with chicken and mango juice

    El Taco - mexican - Updated June 2026

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