El Cocinero Restaurant

"Any discussion of vegan Mexican food in Los Angeles is not complete without a mention of El Cocinero. This taqueria–style restaurant serves up tacos, burritos, tortas, nachos, and more, all with its homemade vegan meat. A vegan flan works great as a sweet after-dinner treat. The restaurant is particularly good for fast, filling grab-and-go orders." - Mona Holmes, Rebecca Roland

"Finding a great taco spot accommodating those who don’t eat meat can be difficult, but El Cocinero has it figured out. This vegan Mexican restaurant offers all the standard taqueria options including tacos, burritos, loaded nachos, and more. Order a massive burrito stuffed with jackfruit carnitas or vegan chicharron, plus the classic fixings of rice, beans, and pico de gallo, or the crispy birria tacos dorados. There are a few tables inside, but this place is amply good for takeout." - Rebecca Roland, Mona Holmes, Matthew Kang

"Alex Vargas started a plant-based eating journey in 2014 that led him to open El Cocinero in 2020. The assembly line setup might appear like any traditional Mexican restaurant with tacos, burritos, nachos, mulitas, tortas, and quesadillas. But upon closer inspection is a masterfully prepared plant-based menu where meat substitutes become delicious fillings with excellent textures, including jackfruit carnitas, eggplant cabeza, and meat substitutes like al pastor, chicharron, chicken, and asada. For those avoiding animal protein, El Cocinero is a haven where options abound on the entire menu. When ordering, ask questions about how things are prepared, make your choice, and then take a tray to one of the colorful tables. The super nachos make for a shareable starter and are made with one of LA’s creamiest cashew-based cheeses, refried beans, pico de gallo, chipotle crema, cashew crema, choice of protein, and jalapenos. Always check the restaurant’s Instagram to see if they’re cooking up something special, like menudo, mushroom suadero, or birria tacos. — Mona Holmes, reporter" - Eater Staff

"Plant-based Mexican restaurant offering vegan nachos with cashew cheese, refried beans, pico de gallo, avocado crema, chipotle crema, and pickled jalapenos." - Eater Staff

"Any discussion of vegan Mexican food in Los Angeles is not complete without a mention of El Cocinero. This taqueria–style restaurant serves up tacos, burritos, tortas, nachos, and more all with its house-made plant-based meat. A vegan flan works great as a sweet after-dinner treat." - Mona Holmes, Rebecca Roland