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    Vargas Mexicatessen

    3.7 (184 reviews)
    InexpensiveDelis, Mexican
    Open 6:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Vargas Mexicatessen Photos

    Business Info

    VARGAS MEXICATESSEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Divey
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Vargas Mexicatessen

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    Gary D.

    I ordered the red burrito and I'm so glad I did. Everything about the ingredients and taste of this burrito was great! Service was fast and friendly. Parking may be a challenge but worth it. I want to go back and try something else.

    Hours
    Ray H.

    I drove all the way from long beach on a tuesday to hear them say were out of asada meat mid day? Smh terrible. They only had carnitas which i wasn't feeling. Parking is tight! You may have to park down the block. There is no tables or seating area inside, its strictly to go orders.

    Chili Relleno Burrito
    Sylvia O.

    To start-the parking situation is a bit tricky, there is street parking and a small parking lot that fills up quickly and is a bit awkward. But this whole area of Pico Rivera has a very vintage vibe to it. It reminds me of old school neighborhoods not yet touched by gentrification. It's a very small, special pocket of Mexican/Chicano families. The establishment itself has some interesting architecture. The facade has a mural of a blue eyed, dark haired beauty. The family that runs this business has similar features so it is fitting. Upon arriving, there was a line out the door but it was a short wait. There is no seating so all orders are to go. What I loved about this place is it's authenticity. The pans reminded me of the kind my grandmother would use. These people are the real deal. Old school cooking. All of the food is out for display. The kitchen is unhidden and there is full transparency. The food is protected by a glass partition. I ordered the bean and cheese burrito, chili Relleno burrito and some fries. I also bought chips and tortillas that they had on the side. They offer an assortment of dry goods such is tea and herbs. The fries were seasoned well but did not include ketchup. I found this a bit odd but we all have ketchup at home. You get to watch as they prep your food. They use extra large flower tortillas. Homemade beans. And the other ingredients. The chili Relleno itself was good and cheesy. I found the burritos to be slightly dry. There was no salsa included which was a bit strange for me. This won't be a regular spot for me but it's always good to try new restaurants. I did enjoy patronizing a family run business. I liked being able to observe an extended family working together to keep their family history alive and the creation of a legacy. We desperately need that in LA. I like that this business has been around for decades. Mazel tov to this family.

    the entrance to the restaurant

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Amazing food , great atmosphere , family owned and operated.

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

    If you never gone, you are surly missing out green chili rejeno burritos are bomb and fresh

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Artruro O.

    Artruro O.

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    I've been coming here weekly for tamales and masa for handmade tortillas . Hands down , the best tamales in the world !!!!

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    9 years ago

    We have been going to Vargas since I was young, grandma had a pot of menudo from here every other weekend! Tamales are amazing!

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    15 years ago

    wow...wonderful relleno and verde sauce....tasty bean and cheese burrito.....friendly place to enjoy really great food

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    Page 5 of 5

    Vargas Mexicatessen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Vargas Mexicatessen

    Is this a cash only place also are the hours posted current?

    They take cards

    Are tamales available daily or is it only a seasonal item?

    You must pay the Tamales Club membership fee of $35/year to enjoy them year around. If not, you can only order them around Christmas time.

    Does anyone know why they're closed indefinitely? Or when they will open again? There's a written sign on the door saying they're closed until further notice 🙁

    Hi, yes we are open again!

    Is the masa made with lard or oil? Just want to know if it contains pork or not

    Hi Sara, yes the masa prep contains lard

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    Frumentos Italian Deli

    Frumentos Italian Deli

    4.3
    (768 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Definitely coming back! I was in the area for a surgery for a family member and it was going to be…read morea while so I walked to this deli. Saw the reviews and had been recommended to check it out so I finally went. Safe to say I was satisfied. Good amount of food for what you pay. Fresh and tasty. They have some seating area inside. I walked but it seems like they have parking in the back because people were entering through the back door. I ordered the Mombo plate which is a choice of sub and 2 sides. For sub I ordered THE 58 CLASSIC and as sides I had their Garlic Pesto Potato Salad and Purple Cabbage. Both good but very garlic centered, I love garlic so I don't mind but maybe next time I'll get something else to balance it better. Service was good. They greeted and answered any questions I had and offered their advice or recommendations when I asked for some.

    I finally decided to stop in after driving past this place for what feels like half my life. I…read morefigured they've been in business this long for a reason, so I was excited to give them a try. Unfortunately, the meatball sandwich just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe it was an off day, but the meatballs and sauce were pretty underwhelming, and there was barely any cheese--it honestly felt like a few strands accidentally landed on the sandwich rather than being intentionally added. Considering the price, I expected a lot more. I'm sure there may be other items on the menu that people love, but I went specifically for the meatball sandwich, and it missed the mark for me. I don't see myself coming back, which is disappointing because I really wanted to like this place.

    Photos
    Frumentos Italian Deli
    Three Cheese Lasagna (a-la-carte)
    Three Cheese Lasagna (a-la-carte)
    Italian Cobb Salad

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    Italian Cobb Salad
    Uptown Provisions

    Uptown Provisions

    4.5
    (698 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    A sandwich sounded really good for lunch and this spot was it, it was packed and I understand why…read more Beware of street parking, we did have to circle around the block twice on a Friday afternoon but it was worth it. Pastrami Reuben -ratio of pastrami to sauerkraut was perfection. Pickled onions tied everything together, soo good! Only down side to my sandwich was the pastrami was pretty fibrous/stringy but it was only a couple of pieces which didn't upset me too much. Tom's Way -pretty wet sandwich but everything paired well. Flavorful and filling but doesn't leave you feeling heavy. Spicy Gabagool -the sauce they use is chef's kiss. Not so much spicy but more of a season spiced. Really wanted to try their Lemon Crumb Bars but the girl ahead of me grabbed the last one. Just an excuse to come back for more sandwiches hahhaha. Opted for a Pecan Pie Bar instead; a bit more elevated than a regular pecan bar, crispy pecan added just the right amount of texture. Loved the caramel flavor but slightly too sweet for my liking.

    We've been having coworker lunch gatherings and I was able to try this turkey sandwich!…read more Since I knew it was going to be a day old before I was able to eat this sandwich I picked a safe choice. Now I'm hooked! I tried their turkey sandwich with avocado and it was yummy. The bread was amazing I can't imagine when it's fresh! This is a loaded sandwich. I only finished half and the second half for later. The packaging is also so adorable! I definitely wanna come back to try their other sandwiches fresh! They're also known for their egg sandos??! I must try it all!

    Photos
    Perfection.
    Perfection.
    Smoked Pastrami
    Smoked Pastrami
    The Italian-ish sandwich

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    The Italian-ish sandwich
    Uncle Henry's Deli

    Uncle Henry's Deli

    4.5
    (817 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    Hoping they make a comeback like Rocky. I live this place. I an not a usual, not here every…read moreweekend, but legit is my to go place to have a beer with buddies. I preach this place like i was on their payroll haha, but they sell themselves. I have put on so many people to this place. So many options, lots of bottle/cans and a rotating draft menu that carries more than IPAs, nothing wrong with IPAs, i drink them but other types exist. I can always find my funky Sours on tap, and did i mention delicious fresh samiches? Dayum son! Hope nothing but good luck for them, they are a staple in Downey's DNA.

    My best friend of nearly 40yrs and I really enjoy a well made sandwich. In our pursuit of great…read moresandos, we've tried Katz Deli in NYC, Brent's in Northridge and even the sorely missed but never forgotten Miller's East Coast Deli in San Francisco. So when, tasked with finding a suitable place for our quarterly lunch meeting, I entered "Jewish deli" and "Downey" into Yelp, half expecting to find the lackluster lineup of national chains that PURPORT to make good sandwiches- Subway, Joysie Mike's, Jimmy John's and the usual suspects of sandwich sorriness! Imagine then, fellow Yelpers, when Uncle Henry's Deli appeared...as welcome a sight as my gorgeous bikini-clad wifey. Both Mick and I, who first bonded over our shared love of the national pastime, immediately likened Henry's with the MLB legend who shares my birthday- Henry Louis Aaron, aka Hamnerin' Hank and the REAL all-time home run leader, Barry Bonds and his oversized gourd, er, head be damned. In his 22yr career, Aaron belied his average size (5ft 11 tall, 185 lbs) and deployed his missile-fast wrists to smack 755 homers. All while playing in Jim Crow era Atlanta. Uncle Henry's Deli, similarly, defies expectations. Who would think of putting a Jewish-style delicatessen in Downey, famous for birthing the honey-voiced Carpenters and the self-styled "Mexican Beverly Hills?!" Mick ordered a super sized Original, which is turkey, roast beef + ham plus cheddar on white. He went with potato wedges which are sizable. Me? I chose one hot, one cold. A super sized Big B (Pastrami, Bacon + Swiss on toasted sourdough, hold the pickles) and an Egg Salad on enviably well made squaw bread, hold the tomatoes. Pro Tip- From a lifetime of ordering well made sandos in every major city in America, never put tomatoes on a cold sandwich unless you want the notoriously water-dense fruit to dampen your sandwich! The only mild drawback of my food order was the side of potato salad, which in my opinion would benefit from some black pepper and minced celery. The service at Henry's is expedient- You've barely helped yourself to one of their dark wood benches when they've called your order! The restroom was, yes, as cozy as the overall venue...but sufficiently clean + stocked. Watch out, tho- The hot water runs hotter than the devil's temperature! In closing, you can take Uncle Henry's to the bank. Yes, you'll part with upwards of a Jackson, mebbe even two. But you'll enjoy the treat, cuz the caliber of food is very bit as real as the hammer (aka Louisville Slugger) that Hamnering Hank used to bash all of his home runs with.

    Photos
    Uncle Henry's Deli
    Chili Beans & Cheese. Lunch 9/18/2022
    Chili Beans & Cheese. Lunch 9/18/2022
    Uncle Henry's Deli

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    Tony's Italian Delicatessen

    Tony's Italian Delicatessen

    4.5
    (494 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $

    Good and not expensive goods. Good service. Clean, quiet and…read morenice ambiance. Will return, liked this Deli.

    Good food and the workers are chill. Owner is great too…read more My experience today: I was the second person in when 4 people walked in at approximately 11:33 am. I work a couple minutes away so the drive there is quick which is perfect for my 30 minute lunch break. I tend to either order my food ahead of time so it can be ready and I just pick it up and go or I drive somewhere where I know it's quick and easy because they're not busy or because they have specials ready to pick up. Anyways, After we (the 4 people) walked in ....no one else came in, so it wasn't crazy with a line. I usually come in and get the 2 slice special. Wait is usually nonexistent since the slices are literally ready to put in a box. I was helped by another guy today (black beard, black shirt ) and felt there was no urgency from him during the " lunch hour". The pace was the same if there were 100 people or 1 of us. He took my order I sat down, he helped someone else then someone else then he shuffled some papers and got distracted by a little girl yelling across the street while waiting at the bus stop, then he headed to the back to do whatever and then came back out and answered the phone which is when I walked up and asked for a refund. I waited for a min and he noticed me then started getting the box ready for my slices and I told him to just give me a refund. He asked another guy to come over and he returned my funds back to my card and I kept the receipt and he apologized. I attached the receipt to show the time when I finally walked out 11:43 am 10 minutes after my order for two slices ready to go only a step away from the cashier. I never even got the soda cup to sip on while I waited. I may or may not return. If I do return and I see the gentleman in the black shirt that helped me today I'll just walk out. Most likely I won't be returning off this ONE experience. Do I recommend the food ? Yes Is the staff nice and attentive? Yes, Most of them Make what you want with this review but this was my experience today. I would've put this at a 4/5 review based of my past experiences but today made me drop it to 3/5. Hope this restaurant does well. I know it's hard for businesses to exist with the current economy which would make you think people should be thankful for their jobs and their income. Put a smile on, talk to the people coming in and put a little pep to your step when the lunch hour starts. Best of luck Tony's Italian delicatessen

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    Tony's Italian Delicatessen
    Mortadella
    Mortadella
    Outside

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    Outside

    Vargas Mexicatessen - delis - Updated July 2026

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