these la estrella tacos SUCK now. I have been going here since they opened and now the tacos are expensive and they suck all oily i mean REALLY oily and the meat is like rubber. I dont know what happened but they used to be really good back in the day. NOw it tastes like they use fillers in there meat and they hiked the prices on a already tiny taco.. I DO NOT RECOMEND read more

Seriously GrEAT FOOD!! Love that it's authentic and first time I tried the sopes and I think they're the best !!!

Been coming here for some time but keep forgeting to xhexk in a write a review. One of the best tacos in all of LA. the meats are cooked very well. The fish taco is awesome. The nachos and quesadillas are great! All at such unbeleivably low prices. I cant imagine paying so much at chains and getting crap! read more

Never disappointed, always great food so yes this place is legit, been eating their food when they had a food truck in the 90's so that says a lot read more

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(+) Tacos, fresh lime, and tamarind fresca. Carnitas, Al Pastor, and carne asada are recommended. The friends loved the lingua and other exciting meats. Parking is a tiny lot next to the establishment. Price was wonderful compared to tacos in SF. (-) If you're looking for a clean restroom and a place with knives and forks, be forewarned you won't find that here. Not much else I didn't like... ! read more

I think Estrella needs to pay attention to their reviews, because yes, this place may have been awesome back in the day, but it is not anymore. Perhaps the four and five-star reviews recently are meant for the OTHER Estrella location... one of too many in too small an area. These were probably some of the worst tacos I've had, which isn't to say they're inedible, but I wouldn't go back. Oil literally filled the bottom of my taco plate from only carnitas and asada (which the chef first got wrong and gave me chicken instead). The meat itself was tough (asada) and flavorless (how can carnitas be flavorless!?) The beans were ridiculously salty and the rice was very dry. They ran out of horchata and tamarind. They don't accept credit or debit cards. My friends each disliked their tacos plates and it was all our first times there. Not worth the inconvenience of cash only, and doesn't even come close to the awesomeness of Taco Azteca in Glendale. That place beats out King Taco and any taco truck in Pasadena! Give it up, La Estrella and BETTER YOUR FOOD QUALITY. read more

Seriously the best fish taco I've had and at a fantastic price too. At $2.75, the portion was big too. That plus the $1 asada taco made this place highly recommended. They open till midnight at this location too. Keep in mind, this is not a restaurant. It's no frills and look like a fast food joint. If you can get pass that view, you'd be in for a treat. read more

**note, I went after the lunch hour rush** Overall: Not bad food, it has the standard selections of meats with an added bonus of guts! Tripas. One extra star for the red-salsa, it was balanced and done right, not too much vinegar and not over powered by heat. The rest was not as good. Based on all these enthusiastic Yelp reviews, I figured I was in for a treat--the gods of taco did not agree with me that day. Me and the familia, settled on an order of tacos [pastor, asado] and a torta [al pastor] and then later on, a big fat quesadilla [asado]. The 2 tacos and torta took 20 minutes to assemble, time is slower when you are hungry. There was a line of [2] people ahead of us and they must have put in a big order--and there was only 1 cook after the lunch rush, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt on the speed. However it is at times of trial that the true mettle of a man, or in this case taqueria, is put to the test. The Star didn't even notice the challenge [4 orders, 1 cook=slow service] and just trudged on through like nothing happened. Ok, I get our food, I know it can take a while, and the price is cheap--let's eat. Tacos: Check. 2 Small tortillas, lots of meat, drowned in red-salsa. OOPS! didn't ask if we wanted them all the way. [the lady had better adapt to eating chilies.] Everyone in the taco assembly business should always ask if you want cilantro, onions, or whatnot. Torta: What is this? Al Pastor used to be, to me from a different Mexican food region, a cut-up chunk of Pork meat [like Carne Asada] with a guajillo chili sauce. Sure sometimes it has pinapples or anise--but I've just now had a pulled pork [beef?] brisket with some red chili color. Edible=yes. Taste=Ok, not bad . Al Pastor=it was made of meat, but I bet I could find a SOY version that is better. :( Quesadilla: Big, cheesy, greasy. Side of rice and lots of cream. It was fine--actually the best item we had from here. The beans can tell you everything about a Mexican restaurant--are they rancherro with bacon fat in a spicy tomato broth? Are they veggie friendly and clear? Freeze-dried and reconstituted? [yes it exists! FEAR THIS] or are they from a can? At this Estrella, they came from a can. Their soul pasteurized and pressurized away and replaced with that "motor speedway" essence of vulcanized rubber and diesel exhaust--thankfully, these weren't the worst canned beans I have had, but sadly I had canned beans at a mexican restaurant. Hence 2 stars. read more

Carne Asada Fries. Put two great things together...fries and carne asada...and you should get some even more amazinger! Yet, La Estrella proves to be just a dying star. At first glance, it shows promise, but when all is eaten, you realize the experience is like Hollywood muscles - all show...no go. Let's start with the good. The accompaniments to this dish are spot on. Fresh pico de gallo. In fact, a little too fresh. I wish it had been allowed to sit so the juices meld together to create a more vibrant salsa. You could taste the individual ingredients, but there was not any unity in the flavor. But still, it was fresh, and thus merits some praise. The red sauce was fantastic! Just the right amount of heat, and on the back end of he experience, there was this pleasant savory, slightly smoky flavor. Definitely one of the better sauces I've tasted. Crema is crema. Can't mess up here. They used real cheese! Can't mess up very badly here neither. Let's move onto the bad. The fries. When you look at them they appear to have some cajun seasoning...you know the one with the salt and those red dots that pack so much flavor?! These fries were well cooked, but lacked any luster as their flavor was two thumbs down. Quite frankly, they were boring. Let's move onto the ugly. The carne asada. This little piece of meat started out as an innocent piece of steak, but then it decided it had enough as a B movie star and wanted to get itself on the A list, and so it thought it needed a facelift and decided to go through a transformation, but half way through, it was regretful of its decision in betraying its roots, but alas...it was too late. Instead of being a savory, succulently, tantalizing piece of meat, it turned itself into something crumbly, dry, and flavorless. Honestly, it doesn't taste like carne asada at all. Classic case of identity crisis. It's almost as if La Estrella decided to forego steak and use ground beef instead. Shame on them. From the first bite, it was utter disappointment. You know that feeling when you hear about a movie that's supposed to be the movie of the decade, you watch it, and then you come out of it saying...what the heck was everybody thinking?! This movie sucks! Yeah...that's La Estrella. Pick up the sauce and then get your everything else for somewhere else. read more

Just got back from dinner at La Estrella. Meh. It was fine. My al pastor burrito was nicely spicy and moderately flavorful. Our carne asada quesedilla was basically like a thin cheeseburger in a tortilla - and it tasted fine, but if I wanted a cheeseburger experience I would've gone to In N Out. The ceviche was spicy and very citrusy - I'm not a ceviche fan, but if you are, you'll probably like this. The ambiance is nothing to write home about - very fast food restaurant. I also saw the guy selling DVDs, who seemed a little crazy but harmless. Some people next to us got tacos, and they looked good. We've had tacos at the Estrella truck before and they were great, so I maybe that's the way to go when ordering. I'll stick with the truck from now on. read more

La estrellas Carne Asada is not in the same league as many other taco joints . But that's besides the point, I went for the pastor . Now their pastor is different in that it seemed to be shredded/ boiled . I feel that's the easy way to get juicy meat but not the best. The meat lacks texture unless you like mushy boiled pork. Salsa roja was good and had a nice roasty taste without any bitterness. Good not great. Don't bother with the asada. read more

I came here after seeing them win the LA Taco 2010 bracket. They beat out my beloved Titos Taos & Tacos Por Favor. A jaunt from the westside, I had to see for myself what the hype was about. After reading fellow yelp reviews, I ordered a taco plate with Carne Asada & Carnitas plus a Fish Taco as well. The salsa was kind of chipotle like, with some heat behind it, but it doesn't seem to linger for very long. The asada was much better than the mushy carnitas, which lacked flavor. The fish taco was very large with two giant fish strips, and creamy sauce. It was average mexican fare at best, definitely nothing stood out as being superb. read more

Pretty decent mexican food, got the carne asada tacos and carne asada fries and i cant complain

Liked: Yummy tacos! Pollo, carne asada & al pastor. Meat is tender and flavorful. Horchata drink to wash the food down. Conveneint location (well, for ME), decent parking & acceptable price. Disliked: Slow service (I thought this was fast food joint?) . Wouldn't recommend for those in a hurry or limited lunch time. Also, unfriendly service. read more

Perks: Great place for friends or a small lunch. I'd recommend the carne asada Tacos, they are always juicy and tasty! Smerks: Dirty restaurant (utensils and restroom)! read more

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants . I love the amount of space inside . So you have the option to sit down and dine with family and friends . The service was very welcoming and professional . I ordered an Asada Burrito it was absolutely yummy and filling . The orchata is very tasty and fresh tasting . Hands down one of my favorite restaurants read more

If you're in a hurry or you're on a lunch break 《caution》 do not order here! They will give you a time to pick up for your order, but will only start your order until you show up to pay. Completely defeats the purpose of ordering ahead for pickup! Aside from that, great salsa and great food just not a fan of to-go orders. But seriously, why say 10 minutes just to show up then just start my order in front of me? Could have gotten the same service just walking in? read more

You know when a UPS Man says something is good, it is! We do eat lunch out and sometimes dinner (when it's not brought with us.). So if you are somewhere else than home, just ask the UPS Man! We do know alot. This place is awesome! The food is all good. Another dinner spot if your gonna get a burrito. They're HUGE! I'll be to full to work after lunch, so that's the dinner spot. I really don't go off to this spot, but to the one in my other La Estrella review. read more

...the food was good and the staff was friendly. I ordered, and about 5 minutes later I was eating. It came out piping hot which raised some suspicion towards re-heating. Though, these were some of the freshest, tastiest, and sauciest cheese enchiladas I've ever eaten. No complaints with the tasty soft rice. The beans were a little more re-fried than I'm used to, but even still, decent. Authentic, straight up, and solid Mexican food. Give em' a go. read more

La Estrella Restaurant - cheese enchiladas with sides of rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had tremendous respect for this chain of restaurants until I went in recently about an hour before they closed and ordered a bean and cheese burrito. The place.was empty so I couldn't understand what was taking so long. I waited 20 minutes and was then told it was being made fresh. I thought to myself," That's odd, isn't it always made fresh?". I notice the cook using a whisk, "For beans?, I asked myself?". The bag felt heavy so I never questioned why it took so long. Got home opened the bean and cheese burrito to add my hot sauce and was shocked to find about 10 ounces of cheese and 6 whole beans in a brown wet paste. Shame on you La Estella! Wouldn't it have been easier to just say you were out of refried beans and sent me off to another location. Was it really worth losing a valued customer for 5 bucks?? read more

When my girlfriend and I want mexican food, this is where we go. This is our mexican joint. I never understood why there's another Estrella right across the street but the worker told me they just have individual tacos and burritos there and that's about it. The Estrella we like is the one in the tiny strip mall (by the way, this yelp map is wrong. The actual location is on Orange Grove which is just south of where the star on the map is) At this location they have a lot more variety. They have many great options and food plates which is what we get. My girlfriend usually gets the chiles rellenos or the wet burrito. I usually get the wet burrito. We are never let down when we get food there. It's always very delicious. The salsas they have are amazing too. What I also like about this place is that they make licuados or mexican fruit smoothies. I grew up having these and this is the place where they taste exactly like I had them as a kid. Another perk that the place across the street has is that they give you chips with beans and cheese while you wait for your order. We absolutely love the red salsa they put on top of it. It's amazing. I also like the dining area way better than the place across the street. That place seems like you're eating in a dentist office. This place is much more relaxed and comfortable. If you're in the mood for great mexican food at a casual location then I recommend this particular Estrella restaurant. Cheers! read more

I was craving nachos at 9:30pm and had a lot of trouble finding a spot that 1) Was open, 2) had nachos, 3) was not a "sit-down" restaurant, and 4) woud not break the bank. After driving round Pasadena for 20 minutes my buddy suggested La Estrella. $5.50 later I was satisfied. The food and the service were fine. This place gets four stars for being a non-franchised restaurant in Pasadena that's open late. If you live in Pasadena, you can understand my frustration of not finding good food after 9pm. read more

Love the carne asada burrito and the fish taco. Only downside is the fish tacos dont come with radish, you have to order the radish as a side for extra 75cents read more

Horrible food preparation didnt get what i ordered payed way extra for something i didnt get really mad

If your in for a pit stop then fuel yourself with a chitons torta with extra jalapeños and an Xl Horchata water.. read more

La Estrella Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

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When traveling to La Estrella for the first time, you may notice that there are two La Estrellas on the corner of Orange Grove and Garfield. The big pink one on the southwest corner is one, and the second is located in the small corner strip mall on the southeast corner. It is there that I buy the best chicken soup I have ever had in a restaurant. Hunks of chicken with the bones inside, half potatoes and generous chunks of carrots, chayote and some other veggies in a savory, piping-hot broth, accompanied by spiced rice, and freshly chopped onion-with-cilantro-and-limes, all of which you may wrap in hot corn tortillas. read more

I got food poisoning and I was sick for 4 days straight after eating their beef tacos I never had a issue before this. Will probably never go back to any of their chain restaurants and I really did like going there before read more

best tacos in pasadena! their ceviche is really good and their fish tacos/burritos are GREAT! but over all.... their TACOS ARE THE BEST!!! NOTE: the hot sauce they use is great... none of that food coloring, fake ass, mediocre crap sauce that king taco and alot of other places use. if you love hot sauce like i do, this is a big plus. read more

Not the best place I've been to, location wise alot of traffic, food was average. Overall ok if you have no where else to go and are hungry.

This is one of my favorite Mexican food restaurants. Their tacos are the Bomb here! The burrito are bomb! The service is great!

I didn't know there was a La Estrella in Pasadena - and I don't know if this place is associated with the excellent La Estrella stand (and truck) in Highland Park on Fig and York, respectively. I ordered some Christmas tamales from these people because the little old lady I usually get them from is sick or dead or something. Anyways, the tamales they gave us were excellent - my associates and I tore through the whole two dozen we were supposed to be saving for a party, so we had to go back and get more. And I'll be getting more after Christmas as well. Disclaimer - I have not yet tried anything else at this location. read more

Best fish and asada tacos in Pasadena. I've tried them all and this is my favorite place. This specific location has the best meat and salsa. The red sauce which I think is Chipotle is amazing. read more

my boyfriend introduced me to this place because it's nearby the place we work. i rarely eat at mexican restaurants but i love mexican food and i feel like i've found my place! i started out getting their chicken burrito which is very good, but graduated to their fish and shrimp burritos. i'm a burrito kinda girl so that's really all i get, and i'm fine with that! my boyfriend always gets their carnitas and tacos. the people i know who know about this place love it. it's definitely worth stopping by for a bite to eat. the interior of the restaurant is really clean. they have a really nice and clean bathroom too! i get their horchatas too and i like them, but according to my sister they're a bit watery compared to others (she eats more mexican food than i do so she should no, i guess), but i don't have any complaints. there's another la estrella right across the street, but i heard that's serves more traditional mexican food. i've been wanting to try king taco for some time, but with la estrella, i don't mind waiting. read more

Came here with a friend who knows how to eat. We ordered the nachos (huge!) with carne asada to share, and it was delicious! We could've killed it if we'd let ourselves. The place feels a bit dirty, but can't complain, with the indoor seating, and ample tables and chairs, compared with the Fair Oaks location. read more

The place is over all 3 stars, but the food is no joke. Different than your typical Mexican food (probably because it is from more central Mexico) but the burritos and tacos are very good and the prices are not bad either. A good place over all. read more

I don't know how this place is now, but I used to walk here multiple times a week to get my taco fix. Their salsa is spicy, their meat is flavorful, period. read more

Literally worse la estrella ever!! First of all the cashier lady always has a bad attitude and has bad customer service skills she literally doesn't know the difference between red and green.. because everytime I would go and order food she'll give me red everytime when I asked for green loud and clear and I hate red salsa! Today I went and ordered tacos asked for green salsa loud n Clear and explain that they always give me the red salsa and she the other cashier lady gave an attitude and they didn't cook the tortilla right and cut the meat pieces right... so annoyed and never going back!! Honestly I liked their tacos but this is the last straw I had to eat my tacos uncooked! read more

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Overpriced, Limited Menu, too different from the "Mexican Food" that I'm used to...

I can't believe a restuarant can't understand what a taquito is?? It's universal that it's a rolled up tortilla with meat. This happened twice at this place, not once TWICE! When I ordered "taquitos" they give me hard shell tacos. Because this happened once to me already I specifically said taquitos and even did a rolling gesture with my fingers implying a rolled taco. I admit I did say no "fluatas" with my mind thinking they were the flour tortilla ones. But I still said TAQUITO. I'm sorry but if your clerk doesnt have the common sense to know what a taquito is and is waiting for me to say fluatas that is ridiculous. If you are uncertain about what the customer is trying to order just double check. So just assume you are going to get the wrong thing unless you specifically ask for "fluatas", like they wont take "taquito" for an answer. Which, yes lady, I do know what those are, but any latino would know the term "taquito" is not a HARD SHELL TACO BELL style taco. Honestly because this happened again I was laughing at the situation and explained to the girl that the last person got confused last time as well and I was fine waiting to get my order fixed. But what really set me off was the fact that when she called a manager (maybe manager who knows?) over and she tries to tell me "well you already order it" basically saying it's my fault and I can't change it. Seriously??? Besides them already having a snarky attitude this is the first time ever in restuarant history a place wouldn't correct my order. Luckily once I told them I'm not paying for another order and asked for them to correct it and I'll pay the difference (which is a simple thing) they finally decided to correct it. But also as the lady proceeds to tell me "well we'll do it this time but next time just so you know that's what fluatas are" wow. Like I said before it was my mistake when I had it in my head at that moment that "fluatas" were the flour tortilla version. BUT I literally told this girl TAQUITOS like 3 time while explaining my order? Yes I do know what they are, do you know what a basic taquito is? Don't lecture your customers, and don't blame them for using a common food name and try to force them to keep food they did not order! Never heard of a place that wouldn't fix your order you got by mistake. Just wow. read more

AWFUL!! We have been coming here for the last 4 years to get some shrimp tacos. I used to LOVE them and crave them! They were delicious and well worth the time, price, and the fact that they don't take any type of credit cards. BUT the last time we went we were very unhappy and felt like maybe it was a fluke and the cook just had a bad day. WRONG!! If it is at all possible, it was a worse experience than last time. Not only were the tortillas rubbery and almost undercooked, but we ordered the shrimp tacos without any sauce and they came COVERED with sauce and since we ordered them to-go, we couldn't turn around and ask for new ones. The shrimp was not good, overcooked, and the cabbage looked like it was the filler for the once plentiful shrimp. I have to say that this location will NEVER have my business again and sadly, we are back on the hunt for amazing shrimp tacos in Pasadena. What happened??? read more