El Tepeyac Cafe

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.

I hadn't been to El Tepeyac in a couple of decades. I remember the HUGE burrito and it being decent in flavor. In my first visit in a very long time, I had a Chile Relleno Burrito and it was DELICIOUS! I'm not sure what made it such a stand out in flavor but I want more and I would make the trek just to have the same experience.

Service was very friendly. The ambiance for the entire establishment is very rustic, in and out, but all in all, a great meal and I look forward to going back very soon!

El Tepeyac has been around for years. It is located in the heart of East Los Angeles in a residential neighborhood. It is a house, likely built in the 50s and expanded into this wonderful eatery. It is just the best real Mexican food to be had. The place is small and the line can be long. They have a nice outside eating area that is never too crowded. There is a counter which is faster to get a seat at and about 20 tables. They do not take reservations.

The owner, Manual, was a boxer when younger and turned his home into the eatery, he added on until he could add no more. He was the kindest man. He treated his employees so well. Some of the servers there have been there at least 20 years. We have been going there for about 30 years. He passed and everyone misses him. He was a great man.

The service is just the best. They take care of you and they are fast. You can dine there, get take away or order outside and eat in the tables outside. It is all great. We love the counter.

The food is amazing. The portions are huge so don't order too much. Everything is great, from their burritos to their beans. There is not a bad meal to be had. They do not have a liquor license. Sometimes they will allow you to bring something in.

It is a favorite of locals and those that know of this hidden gem in East LA.

It is a must stop if you are in town.

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.

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 .

We traveled to East LA at the advice of a friend, who loves this place and goes at least once a month. Only 15 minutes away from downtown LA, where we were located while boyfriend worked on a Saturday. Again. He knows he can lure me to join him with the promise of a foodie adventure afterwards.

El Tepeyac's parking lot was full, but we had no trouble finding street parking. At 4:30 pm, a line snaked its way out of the small dining room, and we joined the end of the line. After waiting about 20 minutes, a lady walked up and went in, then came back to the line, saying there were plenty of seats at the counter for the several parties of two who were waiting! I wish an employee had told the line of people waiting that information, as it was 59 degrees and chilly. But no matter: we found seats and happily settled in at the counter.

I ordered the cheese enchiladas, because I always do, and boyfriend had the Original Hollenbeck Burrito. We also ordered their hot, homemade chips for $1.50, still dripping with oil on delivery and served with homemade salsa. Service was lightening fast and the food was piping hot.

As a cheese enchilada connoisseur, the enchiladas were excellent. Perfect red sauce, with lots of paprika, as I like it, and lots of it. The dish was served with rice and refined beans, which I just finished for breakfast this morning. To say that the portions are large is an understatement. Lots of bang for your buck here.

The Hollenbeck Burrito is so massive that boyfriend ate a third of it, and was so full that he didn't have anything else to eat or drink all night, lol. He had half of the remaining burrito for breakfast this morning, and still has half for another meal!

The cafe also sells Manuel's Special Burrito, named after its beloved late owner, which is large enough to feed a family of four and still have leftovers!

This is a great place for authentic Mexican food, at good prices and massive portions. The indoor dining room is small, but there's also open seating at the counter, which I preferred anyway. There's also patio seating and pickup for orders, so lots of options. We will be back.

I've been coming here since I was a few months in this world. Parents came here when they first started dating. It's one of the few places I went consistently monthly for all my youth. And to this day I try and make it out here monthly. Knew the owner Manny when he was alive. This is the one place I call home.

Breakfast with my dad and his old neighborhood
My dad grew up south of 1st and Dacotah. He turned 90 in February.. full house, only one server and he was magnificent. Cheers and respect to Ermigio R.

My dad grew up in ELA and this was a staple from his teen years. Even though we lived in the South Bay, dad always brought us here especially when we'd go to visit our grandparents. I have continued that tradition as have my other sibling's even we don't live so close. My son now visits El Tepeyac with his wife and young daughter. The traditions continue for one of the best Mexican food restaurants in LA!!
The Hollenbeck never disappoints but it is for me a little in the spicy side. My go to is the beef taquitos with guacamole. The best there is!!

The waitress was amazing freak customer service. however, the food was edh wasn't amazing but it was decent! My mother got Chile Verde burrito and it was far from Verde . The burritos weren't even rolled correctly, Feel like the meat could be better didn't really taste like aside!