I love the idea of Mexican Food Express! We stopped by very hungry for a late lunch and ordered some plates from the ready to go food items. Each plate came with a side of rice and beans and tortillas. The portions were generous and everything tasted great with a very mild spice level, a bit salty for my taste but good nonetheless and optional salsa available on the side. I was curious to try their menudo, but they ran out of it as well as most of the tamales by the time we arrived. I ended up getting a couple cheese and a chicken tamal just to try them out and they were just ok (a bit dry for my liking). They also had fish and shrimp ceviche ready to order and a variety of burritos and tacos made to order with choice of meats or option to mix from the dishes on display (ex. chile relleno burrito with asada, etc). There is no table service, you order at the front (similar to when you order Chinese) and they have a few booth style tables to enjoy your meal or take to go. The staff was friendly and helpful at helping to decide on which dishes to choose from. The restaurant is attached to the little bakery next door which has some great Mexican pastries, masa for tamales or tortillas, cheese and other sweets. They are also attached to the small Mexican market which is a separate business but are all accessible through the shared entrances. There is a single small restroom towards the back of the restaurant and shared parking lot. read more

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Our favorite little restaurant and bakery is always a must-stop on our Southern California road trips! We make sure to pick up our fresh Mexican-style bread, gorditas, and sweet bread every time we're in the area. The bakery items are always fresh and delicious, and we can't leave without grabbing breakfast burritos for the road. Friendly service, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere keep us coming back year after year. Definitely a place that's not to be missed! read more

La Paloma - hubby's 2nd purchase for the am... - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

Lowkey disappointed. I hadn't been here in over 5 years, so I was actually looking forward to it. I ordered flautas over the phone because I remember them being really good--but when I got there, they gave me taquitos instead and still charged me for flautas. The rice and beans were alright, but honestly it's the service that threw me off. If this is how it is now, I probably wouldn't go back. They used to be better. read more

Now this is based on my personal experience 4 is a high rating for me but the food was delicious!!! The service was also good. It is kinda small in there but that is a given because it's connected to the store you get pan from. I ordered a chicharon taco booomb and I never had that before from anywhere but super flavor... texture is gushy and fatty but I love fatty meats and a carne asada tostada.. The salsas were also very good. I'll definitely be back! Not to mention the prices are so affordable read more

Happy to report the salsa is back, frijoles were good and tamales were no longer heavy masa! Thanks. Will become a regular again. Coming over tonight. Hope they still have sopes. read more

This place has some of the best Birria de chivo you can find. I also had the costillas in a plate. Was very tasty. People were ordering the ceviche too it looked fresh. The market is cool too. Any time I am in this area this is my go to spot. read more

Amazing food! Tamales are the best I have had in San Gabriel Valley . Friendly service and just a fantastic home cooked style meal! I will come back for sure on the weekend for more tamales! Thank you! read more

The beef tongue tacos were a huge disappointment -- almost no meat, and they even added beans and lettuce, which makes no sense for real tacos de lengua. The tamales were old and dry. It's insulting to think customers deserve something like this. It's not free food -- we're paying for what turned out to be a complete joke. read more

Quick and friendly. Authentic and excellent Mexican food. Very underrated hole in the wall connected to a market. Fresh tortillas! The nopal taco with refried beans is an incredible combo and so is the shredded chicken. Got tamales today super fresh out of the pot. Wow. read more

Amazing food and service! They had everything ready & fresh for a pickup. The space was so nostalgic to me & it made me feel at home!

Tiny burritos for a hefty price! You can go to a taco stand or truck and do much better with much better tasting asada too

If you are looking for a quality Mexican place in Monrovia area ,don't further more. It's authentic and full of verities. I ordered cabeza tacos. How delicious!!food was fresh and meat was tender. It was tasty but not over casting the taste. BREAD IS MADE FRESH AT SPOT. see pictures.let that sink on for a second. Staff were amazing and serve you the nicest way. Low volume Mexican songs at back ground that does not interfere with our conversation. I believe bathrooms and whole place needs a remodeling. But food is amazing. read more

La Paloma - Fresh - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

Very good carne asada tacos. They have been my family's go to as I'm in the hospital. So much better than hospital food. I actually want to eat now that we have another option. It's been what I've looked forward to all day! read more

the bakery service is detrimental and not welcoming, when you spend and support local businesses yo not only spect quality food but also service to the people who keep the businesses alI've! read more

Honestly love this place and it's literally right around the corner from me. You'll usually catch me here on the weekend early morning getting a bowl of menudo, soooo good. On the weekends usually in the morning you'll see them making fresh tortillas in the back, which I love ! It's not the best looking place but the food is great! read more

I give them a star because the food is reasonably priced BUT the carnitas we got were so disappointing. Absolutely no flavor and SUPER dry. Seems like they have just been reheated over and over. Les doy una Estrella porque los precios son rasonables, pero las carnitas que compramos que decepcion. Nada de sabor y bien resecas. Parese que son recalentadas Durante los dias. read more

for the price, food is great!! Staff is nice. A good place to come for a quick bite. It nice that it is located next to a bread store and grocery store. Will come back. read more

Didn't have high expectations but wow this place has some of the best tacos in the area. Very cheap but full of flavor. Highly recommend. Had their carne asada taquito and flautas read more

Always good always fast and affordable. Real Mexican food. Love it Lots to choose from and everyone is so nice. I will continue going here read more

For me the name of the place was enough to get me into the parking lot. I have had great luck with la Paloma's in other times and places. Like the one in Madera next to the livestock auction yard where I had a come to Jesus moment with the finest Chili colorado there could possibly be. No relation to this place of course but still I have always had respect for past successes. THIS version is one of those steam table places where the menu isn't as important as what you see before your very eyes. Next door is the bakery where the tortillas are made along with assorted breads and cookies and turnovers. All terrific but not what I had come in for which had been coffee. Instead, out of the corner of eye I spied a vat of red sauce with meaty little rib bones poking out. In my third rate Spanglish I asked if by chance that was birria de chivo. Answer: si senor. I almost believe there is a god somewhere looking after my wants if not needs (and frankly I value the former far more than the latter). This place, not to even mention the birria, is fantastic. read more

Just like the farm to table concept,this carneceria and bakery brings the butcher shop meats straight to the round and square tables of the gathering.So let's taste how this concept holds up to the theory. The carne asada is the signature marinated meat at most Mexican establishments.I ordered a couple of asada tacos,they looked decent but they tasted as if they have been left under a heat lamp for awhile. Not the start I was hoping for.Along with my tacos I had a plate of taquitos de carnitas.These little pork goodies were on point and made up for the first set of disappointment.To finish off my experience,I had a tostada de ceviche.The elements were there but I think they should of added a little sea salt to bring out the dominance of the citrus flavor that actually makes the ceviche what it truly is,that's my opinion. Overall,the service was decent and the food was a let down,especially when they located literally next to a meat market.I don't feel I should come early in the morning to get the best out of this place,it has to be consistent throughout the day.And that's my take on this restaurant and meat market,Peace out read more

Update on 12/24 Food is amazing, but service, not so much. Get that it's Christmas Eve, but that shouldn't matter. If anything, should have the Christmas Spirit but she obviously didn't want to be working this day. But how is this my fault? Deal with the owner and not me. Oh why o why can't some of these places understand that just basic service can make such a huge difference. I've come back here a few times now it's for the food but the service is likely what will keep me from coming back. Hope they get it one day that there are so many other places to eat and that service can make up for that. I'll always come back to a place with great food and service but if one is missing, I'll try the next place. -------- Service is a bit mixed but likely due to language. Two employees were trying to figure out who should take my order because they didn't think I spoke Spanish, which is understandable but awkward. Past that, everything I tried was delicious. I was hungry and always like to try a variety of food when I find a new spot so ordered menudo, birria de chivo and two tacos (buche and carnitas). The menudo has lots of meat and great flavors. I usually don't like the hominy in my menudo but the ratio was not bad so I didn't mind it. The birria was also really tasty with some traces of fat but I think it's needed for flavor. The kicker was the homemade tortillas. The tacos were big and had lettuce and tomato, which is not very common. Even less common is the refried beans added to the tacos. Haven't seen that in years. Finally the salsa bar is on point too. Only two kinds, red which is spicy but tasty and green which is also tasty with a lighter kick. Can't wait to come back and try some of the other food. As others had said, there is a bakery attached and a meat market on the other side so it's like three business' in one. Great way to get all your craving out of the way. read more

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There is a $5 card minimum and the items are pricier than at my local grocery outlet but they have specialty Latin items that you can't get at regular stores. They also have a PANADERIA (Spanish bakery) , a small RESTAURANT and a CARNICERIA (meat shop, butcher shop) all attached to the small store so If your looking for convenience this is a great place . You'll be able to get all the things you need in one place from pan dulce (baked goods) to carne asada to avocados and more. Need eggs and milk or candy and chips they have that too. read more

The local place to go for pan dulce, fresh tortillas, tamales, masa etc. get there early on weekends for best selection. Parking is tight.

My go to place when leaving City of Hope. Chili Rellenos are GREAT! Rice & beans are good. My husband says he prefers the carne asada from Super Mex ( so his review is questionable?). Weekend Menudo is GREAT! Plus they have fresh grilled homemade tortillas. YUMMM!! Steam tables with food ready to go. They made a quesadilla for my hubby which was good. read more

I ordered my lunch and when I picked up my Gordita to take a bite a fly fell out not good got a refund and left don't recommend no a/c and doors wide open. read more

Ugh...The place small, the a/c dosnt work, decor hasn't been updated, an old lady in middle of cramped eating area making tortillas and the 5 ladies behind the counter are multitasking like crazy...but the food.... is LEGIT! A group of 5 of us came in all ordered different food. We sampled from eachothers place and each plate was fantastic. Sure the place could use a fresh look, maybe they can tinker w/ the a/c and perhaps have a fluent English speaker at the counter...but if it means taking thier attention off the quality and deliousouness of the food...I say dont do anything...dont chage anything...leave as is! I was gonna leave a 4 star because of the esthetics and witnessesing some communication challenges at the counter. But really...am i comming for good authentic food or for them to meet my snowflake lifestyle. I choose LEGIT authentic, real deal, just like home environment food. I give them a 5! read more

Beware that they put beans underneath your asada tacos. Hmmmm...interesting, but not what I requested. So ya get some beans to putt putt your day along. They were good....different. Big refrigerated glass deli box's is what you see walking in the door and about 20 feet down is the cashier. Tables wern't very clean, If you walk to the back of the business and completely around the back of the room, you will find another small seating area. The service is ok. read more

La Paloma - Asada tacos - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

The food is delicious. We tried various types of Gordita's and they were all amazing. Great taste, awesome customer service and nice ambiance. Also tried their bolillos and they were also delicious. So soft and tasty. Their food is very inexpensive. I highly recommend La Paloma to anyone who is looking for some really good Mexican food. read more

Love how this restaurant is super authentic but the food I've ordered have been more of a miss than a hit. :/ I think I ordered the enchilada combo the first time and yesterday I ordered the chilaquiles with rice and beans. The enchiladas weren't as cheesy and saucy and flavorful as I liked. But Chilaquiles was slightly better. It's usually hard for me to find authentic chilaquiles at a restaurant where the tortilla chips are cooked 'til it has sort of the mushy consistency. La Paloma has the right texture but I didn't like their sauce. I'll order it with the red sauce next time and maybe that'll make the difference? The beans and rice are super good. I could just eat the sides with tortillas anyday. The workers are nice so 2.5 stars rounded to 3. read more

La Paloma - Chilaquiles with rice, beans, egg, and tortilla. - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

Machaca and egg is delicious especially with the red pepper mole style salsa. It's wonderfully spicy. I recommend the breakfast burritos from here...huge portion and very inexpensive. read more

La Paloma - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

I've been coming here for several years! Working nightshift and picking up a burrito on the way home was my reward for a brutal night. I've had most of their offerings and have loved them all. Their tamales are excellent. I've taken their ceviche to parties and it's always a hit. I've yet to try their menudo, but I plan on it. Their middle store sells fresh bolillos, and I love getting their carnitas and chips. The grocery store is great! Their meat counter is very good, and I love their salsa and guacamole. Very important to me, everyone that works in each shop is friendly and helpful. read more

Save your money. Always on the look out for a good tamal local. Never returning. The tamales were like cardboard, both the meat and the masa. Like my daughter-in-law said, "The worse tamales in the world." My grandson was so disappointed. I was watching them assemble burritos, not something for which I would come back. The cook was tossing the tortillas on the counter, touching surfaces and then coming back to assemble the burrito, dipping his hand into each item that went into the burrito. read more

Food is good and prices are reasonable. Parking is difficult and there's No wheelchair accessible restroom

It's these little wholes-in-the-walls that make our area great. The best ever! Always quality food from scratch. Handmade tortillas on the weekends. Our fav. Support small business. read more

La Paloma - a table full of mexican food - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

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I'm a Mexican who doesn't care for the usual local available Americanized Mexican choices we have here loaded with cheddar cheese and grease and limited choices. But I want to give kudos to the items that have become my regular "fixes" at Paloma's. And you won't find any cheddar here. Pan dulce. Brings back memories of being a child and going with daddy (I miss you) on sundays to pick it out. I will always love it and memories of Daddy. And they have it. Great prices. I get 23 peices for like $8.00. The big hunks of carnitas roasting and toasting under the heat lamps right above the pan dulce. It's so good, I know its from the devil himself. It's hard to not add a hunk of carnitas when I order pan dulce. The handy dandy bags of REAL tortilla chips they have to purchase. Corn chips that call themselves tortilla chips offend me. In the meat market next door, they actually sell tortilla chips made with lard. That's right. They are the best. But the BEST is in the restaurant section... they have nopales y huevos. CACTUS & eggs!! I ask them to put it in a burrito for me with refried beans and cotija cheese. And they don't skimp on the nopales like the other places do. There is a load of cactus in there, and I scarf it down. So damn good. Comfort food. Hangover food. Try it. I turned on a couple of people from work, and now they get cactus burritos. You can add chorizo or machaca to make it just how you like it. Horchata and tamarind agua frescas are always available. read more

NOPALES!!! Yes Sir! Cactus Burrito! Total hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint on Duarte Rd. I've only gotten the breakfast burritos to-go here, but doesn't matter because they are THE BEST! The Nopales Burrito has eggs, cactus, onions, tomatos, cilantro and the Machaca Burrito has shredded beef, eggs, onions. The Nopales Burrito is my ultimate FAVORITE! The cactus has a tangy, pickled, crunch to them - mixed in with the fluffy scrambled eggs........absolutely delicious! And the Machaca is the perrrrrfect burrito for all those carnivores out there :) Burritos will cost you around $4 each! But will feed you for at least 2-3 meals :) -1 star for the greasiness... I know thats ridiculous because fat = flavor.. but one time after I pulled my burrito out of the plastic bag, there was literally a pool of yelllow oil that had collected at the bottom of the baged!!! yes I still ate the burrito.. hahahahaha read more

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OH MY GOODNESS.... stay away from the Chorizo Burritos unless you want to choke on how dry and flavorless they are. If I could give negative starts I would. They are just awful!!!! Please don't waste your money here. read more

La Paloma - Bakeries Near Me - Duarte, California

My husband eat Al Paloma Sunday and had chicharron.sandwich And end up with food poisoning . The bacteria caused pneumonia:( read more

Delicious as always! I've been coming here since I was a baby with my dad! I always bring my friend's when they visit California too!