El Tepeyac Cafe

We heard a lot of good things about this restaurant and decided to go out and make sure. Coming from SFV, it took us about 40 min on a Sunday, and we arrived about 11:45. Parking lot was full and there was a line. We ended up parking on the street. No big deal. The place was nice and cozy, and the a/c was just right. There was outside seating as well. We sat at the bar and was service was almost immediate. We ordered the Hollenbeck asada, and the original. This was one of the best burritos we've ever tasted! The portions were big as well! Truly satisfying! We'll be back to try their dinner menu.

El Tepeyac Cafe is a local favorite Mexican restaurant in Boyle Heights and has been opened since 1956. The cafe is the original creator of the Hollenbeck Burrito and Manuel's Special Burrito. These burritos are so big that one original burrito can serve 2 to 3 adults, but customers can also order a mini version. The 5 lb Manuel's Special Burrito has been featured on Man vs. Food (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTxFY-ci8p8). [Parking]: Has a free private parking lot right next to the restaurant. [Hours]: Interesting but somewhat important note - this cafe opens at 6 AM and not many coffee shops & breakfast cafes open this early. [Amenities]: There's a small take-out window and credit cards are accepted. Customers can sit in the outside patio area inside of a small alley, but I actually opt to eat inside of my car instead. Indoor dining is also available. Friendly cashier. [Menu]: There's no price listed on the giant outdoor take-out menu, but the take-out menu focuses on mostly burritos. Please note that mini option is available for Original Okie Burrito and Original Hollenbeck Burrito (the menu lists "Hollenbeck Chili Verde" and default meat is pork). No mini option for Manuel's Special Burrito. *** Original Hollenbeck Burrito or "Hollenbeck Chili Verde" (Seared pork meat simmered in traditional red tomato based chile verde recipe with rice, beans and guacamole. Topped with chile verde sauce - mini for $12.32 tax included): Despite ordering a mini burrito ... the burrito was still huge and had enough portion for two separate meals for one person. This is essentially a classic wet burrito with rice, guacamole, and chile verde sauce. I do like the fact that the guacamole to rice to bean ratio is skewed more on rice & guacamole side. This burrito also came with two separate salsa (one was too spicy for me, but mild salsa was solid). It was a solid bang for the buck burrito. *** You know this restaurant is legit when there's a Wikipedia page about its history (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Tepeyac_Caf%C3%A9). I definitely see the appeal of this restaurant and those giant burritos probably fed generations of local families.

I took my girl to this spot after she mentioned she never been here before after explaining every Los Angeles person has to visit here for amazing meal. She ordered Hollenbech which she was blown away after seeing the burrito was huge. I had the okie and it was delicious like always with horchata and she had a coffee. Overall experience was excellent and she said the food was amazing too

Est. 1962- Originally opened in DTLA in 1942, El Tepeyac Cafe moved to its current location in 1962. A staple of Boyle Heights, and a favorite stop for foodies internationally, ETC is also famous for its massive five pound Burrito (Manuel's Burrito). Created in 1965, Manuel's Burrito was invented to feed football teams from local high schools, and Cal State LA. Truth be told, everything on the menu is Massive, and absolutely delicious. Normally, I would say, do not come here unless you're hungry, but El Tepeyac is so good, that even if you're only peckish, you still must come. You will have just that much more to take home! I had the #11 (cubed steak simmered in onions, tomatoes, Jalapeños, and served with lettuce & cheese, and rice & beens). I also tried a Crunchy Chicken Taco, which was smothered in lettuce and cheese. Both were enormous and excellent. El Tepeyac was not busy when I first walked through the door, but when I left an hour later, every seat was full. The service was very friendly and helpful (thank you Alexis) and there is plenty of parking in their lot. This place is a gem. Every Angeleno needs to come here at least once. El Tepeyac Cafe is LA Culture at its finest.

Original Manuel's Special is the best burrito in Southern California and most consistent for many years; we are talking way back to the 60s/70s. You just never get tire of eating one.

In Los Angeles, El Tepeyac is the best place to go for Mexican food. It is actually the best Mexican food in California. This is a small place and it can get crowded. If you don't want to wait, look to see if there is a spot at the counter or go to the side of the building and order at the window and eat outside. You can dine in or in their cute patio. They also deliver and have take away. The man that owned it was the nicest man you could meet. He passed. He used to be a boxer and started this little place in the front of his home and expanded a little over the years. This is not fine dinning. The place is spotless and cute. The service is the best with many of the employees being there for years. We have been going for 40 years. The portions are huge and the prices fair. The food is the best, it matters not what you order, it is all good. Their machaca burritos are famous. The place is famous, You must go. Please see my other reviews of this place for more information. There is nothing not to love, nothing.

Still putting out good food at good prices. They've been doing it since the 1950's and we couldn't be happier. Thank you for staying true to your founder and offering the best food in Los Angeles.

What I had: - Original Hollenbeck (mini) $11.25 - Hot Chocolate $2.25 Taste: 4.5/5 It was my first time trying the wet burrito. I ordered a mini size original hollenbeck, a signature dish in this resto, and it was way larger than I expected. The fillings were loaded, with guacamole, rice, beans and huge chunks of meat in it. What makes a wet burrito different than a regular burrito is that it is smothered in sauce (more like a broth to me). This one I had was served with flavourful tomato and veggies sauce with a mild spicy kick. Overall, it was pretty moist and scrumptious. Vibe: 4.5/5 Homey and retro. I loved the vintage red chairs and bar table. And it seemed to me that many diners were loyal customers who were there pretty often. (Not me eavesdropping lol) Service: 4.5/5 Service was fast. Everything was served within 5 mins. The servers were attentive and friendly.

If you like wet burritos this is the spot . Portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. The quality is still what it was and the manual special burrito is still way too much . Nice pieces of stewed pork , rice , beans , guac and cheese topped rojo or verde sauce .

Haven't been here in years! Was in the area, ordered a green burrito but received a red burrito. That burrito was huge but I was hunger and I ate the entire thing. Always flavorful, homemade taste and lots of meat in it.