El Metate

Thank goodness this place is close to home.😀 It’s family-owned and they are nice people. I’ve bought food here before, but had always ordered it “to-go”. Today, I was home early enough to enjoy their Happy Hour(4pm-6pm), with an early dinner 🍽and a michilada🍹. In the picture, is a chile relleno burrito, with chips and salsa(s), and a refreshing michilada. So delish..!!!😋

Wanted to find some quick (non fast food) Mexican food to grab for the usual weekly lunch with the gf. Food was fresh & tasty here so happy I ended chose this place. ITEM'S ORDERED: Burrito Vegeteriano Chili Relleno & Cheese Enchilada (w/ rice & beans) TASTE: Burrito Vegeteriano is the usual bean & cheese burrito but with added lettuce & tomato. I enjoyed this very much, it was fresh, nice size, well flavored (not too salty) & worked well with the red sauce. They gave an option of wet or dry burrito, & I chose dry. These are a little more "runny" of a bean than whole so the burrito didn't hold together as much as other ones I've had. Chili Relleno & Cheese Enchilada (w/ rice & beans) was a well made combo plate. This was listed as one of the specials. Chili Relleno was executed well & does not come off hot, but does get gradually hotter (in a nice way) as you continue to eat. The Cheese Enchilada is just as it sounds, & decent as well. They give you complimentary chips & salsa which is always a win. Chips were good (not overl salty) & I'm pretty sure they make them fresh. Salsa had adequate seasoning but was not really hot. SERVICE, LOCATION & PARKING: The cashier who is also the one who brought us the food as very friendly. Much appreciated especially since it was kinda a lunch rush & she was working hard. They are located basically at the corner of Mentor Ave & Colorado. I quickly found parking right in front & there were several other spots around as well. Quite sure they don't have a parking lot. Also, be careful since this is a one way street, going toward Colorado. I'm very much open to coming here again. All the food was good & also, prices were very fair.

Mexican Approved! Great food at a Great price! Great service! Can't get better than that! We paid 5.50 for a generously stacked tostada de Ceviche de pescado, 5.50 for a tostada de ceviche de camaron, and Only FIVE DOLLARS for a deliciously prepared Michelada! For being a hot summer day, this refreshing meal was an Oasis!! It was very forgiving on my wallet and my stomach. This was my second time here in June! ALSO only $24 for a Molcajete dish which is a great price compared to other local restraunts: (i.e:Cabreras $28 Molcajete) this Molcajete included: nopales, chorizo, asada, chicken, cheese, shrimp, rice and Beans!!!! What!?!! 🤯🤯🌞 And if you ask nicely they can make tortillas for you by hand for only .75 Cents a tortilla! Great food, Great service, Great Prices. Check them out! LOCALLY and Brown owned!

Amazing meal, everything was outstanding and fresh. Service was also great. A must try in Pasadena.

I've visited twice and each time the food was on point! Very good quality and large variety of items to choose! They also feature a daily happy hour! My food was so good that I forgot to take a photo, I guess that means another visit soon!

What a cute mom and pop restaurant!! We got tacos and enchiladas and they were delicious. The service was great, very sweet gentleman and the lady :) They keep the place clean also! There were lots of “exotic” parts of meat on the menu I had to keep looking for translations — a good sign in my opinion! They have a few options for soup (which I don’t see very often in Mexican restaurants) and quite a wide variety of different kinds of Mexican foods including fresh juice! We’ll be back again to try their other things!

Very good food, off the radar a little. Really glad I saw the good reviews or I may not have found this place. It's just a 50 yards off of Colorado Blvd, but you would never notice it as you drive by. I had a taco de pescado, and a tostada de cameron. It was under $10 with tax and tip. Taco was excellent. Grilled, not fried. Tostada was good. Tasty shrimp but not as much as I would have liked. Tortillas were excellent. Salsa was great, and chips were good. Service was okay. I'll be back again, but there are a few other Mexican restaurants I like better.

Perfect lunch spot, serving size is great. Flavors on point, price is low, service is good!

Hands down best Mexican restaurant in Pasadena especially for the friendly staff and service! Great happy hour to start with chips and salsa and a cold Modelo!

Went back for a breakfast burrito: steak and egg with light rice. It was sooo good. Tortilla was grilled but also still had a good chew on it. I got it to go and they gave me a small bag of chips to go with it (a little stale and needed salt),but a little container of their pico would have been nice. The verde hot sauce was perfect with the burrito and next time I'll get 2 sauces.

I came here based off the reviews. Normally don't like to leave bad reviews because restaurants have it hard enough. I've been in the industry myself so I get it but wow this place... Im inspired to leave my feedback. Server who took my order was kind and greeted me then recommended some burritos. I asked him how it was and of course, "it's good, its good portion." The burrito was not. We'll get to that later. I ordered to go and it came out to $16 and I tipped 2 bucks. So $18. Then I proceeded to wait maybe 10 minutes with no one in the restaurant. Not the best but not horrible. I then asked if they had chips, or salsa. The guy say yea and IMMEDIATELY this lady started yelling at him. I didn't understand Spanish like that but it felt hostile. I thought maybe she talks loudly because the kitchen is noisy so I didnt think much. I asked if they had salsa or jalapeños, the server said yes and he was all smiles. So cool, Im thinking I get to enjoy my good portioned good burrito with some salsa and Jalapenos.. AGAIN, the lady started yelling at the guy immediately after he told me yes. I thought okay she just like that. Then I waited another few more minutes, and here comes the lady. I said thank you very much and she basically shooed me away "bye bye bye bye" rudely. I took the bag and left wondering if I did something wrong. She threw 6 stale chips, a sack of jalapeños, 3 small cups of salsa and a sad burrito that was falling apart in the bag. I ate 2 chips on the ride back and that ended up giving me a stomachache. I got in maybe 5 mins after, took 2 bites of the burrito and ran to the restroom. Small portion, bad energy, and food that made me sick for 18$. Never again

The food is alright, I had better Mexican food, the shrimp Cocktail was lacking in flavor for my taste. I gave 5 stars because of the service, very welcoming people with a smile on their face. The ambiance is alright, nice trees outside and inside it's quiet for a nice conversation. Don't have a parking lot you need to look around.

Great service, delicious tender asada. Rest of the menu looks so good! Cant wait to come back and try their mariscos

This is one of my favorite places to eat. The food is amazing and everyone who works here is friendly and attentive and the prices can't be beat! Daily happy hour from 4-6pm for $5 margaritas that are big, strong, and delicious. Seriously the best deal. It's so common to feel scammed eating out in LA and this couldn't be more the opposite experience. I always feel happy eating here and happy to be supporting the business. I highly recommend!!!

I love El Metate! I've been coming here for about 15 years and the food never disappoints. Everything is delicious, portions are generous and the service is excellent. Thank you for feeding me and my family over the years!

I was looking for someplace I had not been to and wanted authentic Mexican food. This place fit the bill perfectly. This is a family owned and operated place, just off Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. It is a cozy place that is well kept and very clean. When you walk in, you are greeted at the counter where you place your order and then make your way to your table. Service was very good! Great recommendations. Happy Hour from 4-6PM has the best prices in town for a nice cold beer! We ordered the Tostada Ceviche and it was delightful. Fresh, crisp with a nice citrus note. The fish was perfect and the proportion was just right. We finished with The Burrito Colorado. The soft tortilla, smothered in a rich, flavorful sauce, surrounded the Beef, beans, and other fresh ingredients. Everything was delicious. The one and only suggestion, don't show news on the television in the dining room, let people escape for a bit as they enjoy your food and family.

I really love this place, great service and impeccable food for the price! I'll definitely be coming back

You order at the counter before you find a seat and your food is brought to your table. Free chips and salsa, beers available on tap, and extensive menu. However you order at the counter so I felt a little pressure standing in that tight space trying to decide. As for the dining area it is quaint but fairly dirty and dingy. Tables were sticky and floors grimy. And I wouldn't even mention the restroom. The food was ok. I suppose a good to-go option if you live in the area. Street parking only but perhaps be a little careful at night due to a few tents in the surrounding area. I ordered the carne asada chimichanga and while it was fried just right the ingredients lacked flavor. I asked for a salsa and it didn't improve the flavor much. Quaint mom & pop vibe. We tipped more than 15% but you don't get much service.

El Metate offers an unforgettable dining experience with a vibrant atmosphere, mouthwatering food, and hearty, perfectly balanced portions. The flan, with its luxuriously creamy texture and rich, irresistible flavor, was absolutely divine--truly a perfect finish to the meal.

Great family run place with comforting Mexican food. Come to have beers, burritos, chips & salsa. California burrito is my favorite. Big portions and they have a great lowkey happy hour (get the Paloma). Service is quick, they are kind and generous. Highly recommend trying the churros!

staff was nice ... clean restaurant... food was good ... jist this specific item machaca con juevos burrito was kind of lacking in egg which is kind of what you want. They make machaca kind of different in different places .. this didnt do it for me.

I ate here about two months ago and the cheese on a plate I ordered was absolutely expired, and it was really unpleasant. Rice was bland, meat was bland. Even the margaritas we ordered had absolutely no alcohol in them, my partner got nauseous because of the bad cheese and I drank his drink (the margs are absolutely enormous) and I felt like it was just slushee. I hate to say it, but all the food tasted old. The service was sweet at the register, but when I said the cheese on the plate was expired the cook in the back came with a little plate of cheese and was eating it in front of me, I think trying to ascertain me that it was good but you know the taste of something rotten. I hope it was just an outlier of an experience, but I won't be returning. The best thing here is the look of the restaurant and the salsa served with the chips.

Meh. The rice was flavorless. The taquitos were bland. The shredded beef tacos were just okay. The only redeeming item was the refried beans which were tasty. Other than that I was very disappointed in the food here. I'll try somewhere different next time I'm craving Mexican.

This was the perfect pit stop at mine and hubs' date night. We were really going to the Ice House but dipped in here for a quick foodie / drinkie "pre-game." I believe this is family owned and service was every bit like being at your friend's moms house for all the attentiveness. I had a taco de birria and it was deelish!! The consommé was savory but not overpoweringly so. Hubs had a chicken soft taco that looked good. Chips and salsa were tasty and beer was cold!

El Monte is an absolute gem! Their authentic, family-style Mexican food instantly transports me back to Mexico.

It was my milestone birthday this past October 2023. My dear friend wanted to take me out for lunch, but we didn't get a chance to do so that month so it was pushed to sometime in November 2023. We both love Mexican foods. El Metate was nearby both of us that day. So why not! OMG... BEST Mexican food choice in town!!! They have a good menu of food and drink selections. They also have food specials where you get one food item plus one free drink for one great price. We ordered first at the counter and then chose where we wanted to sit. Or you can choose your seat first and then go order... this may be best in case they are very busy. They brought us our foods when they were ready. I ended up getting the shrimp burrito and watermelon agua frescas. My friend got the chile relleno with the same watermelon drink. We also got complimentary chips and salsa. All I can say is WOW WOW and WOW! Watermelon drink was so refreshing and sweet... so good! The shrimp burrito was huge and tasty. Lots of shrimps at every bite. Rice and beans were delicious. Plate was piping hot, too. Straight from the kitchen grill... that's how I like it! The flavors and taste were amazingly out of this world. They do something special with their sauces. It's not your run of the mill red or green sauce... it's a brown sauce. I can't pin point it. They are quite different from other Mexican restaurants that I've eaten in the past. El Metate may be the best Mexican restaurant I've eaten at so far. I can't wait to come back here for more tasty deliciousness! Staff was superbly wonderful. They are a Mom & Pop restaurant run my Mom, Dad, son and probably more family members. Prices were very reasonable. They also offer catering by the entree ordered though. I don't think they have a dedicated catering menu. Ambiance was the traditional Mexican look and feel with warm and welcoming wall colors. They have good inside dining space and a few covered outside patio tables and chairs. Good enough space to have a small group gathering of 20 people or so. That's it for now until next time. My friend and I are already planning our next visit LOL. Looking forward to trying their other great foods! Come on out and give them a try. See you here!!! Btw, if you can figure out their brown sauce, please let me know. Thank you first! P.S. I will post photos later. I have to get them from my computer since they are no longer on my phone. Thanks for your patience.

I can highly recommend this place. Every time I have visited they have always provided Great food and service. Wholesome ambiance where customers are treated like family.

El metate is a Pasadena gem, gracing the San Gabriel valley with authentic Mexican food for over a decade (that I have been coming to!). You order at the counter, and then get transported to Mexico with their rustic style decor, peppered with traditional Mexican food prep items like terra cotta pots and mocalejetes. They bring out chips and a spicy red salsa that they are quick to replenish. It's hard to resist not filling up on them, but the mains are worth the wait. The staff are very sweet and offer salsa/topping recommendations if they see you may have missed a tasty combo option. We got the birria special plate (which comes with a drink, fresh spinach pineapple frescas was our pick) and the shrimp tostada plus a soft al pastor taco and soft nopales taco. My typical go-to is the shrimp burrito, but thought I'd switch it up. The meat here is delicious, and my bf loved the melt in your mouth birria in its thick stewed gravy, but I personally come for the seafood. The tostada was piled high with chopped shrimp, avocado, and a cilantro lovers pico de gallo. The tangy lime was great on a hot summer night. The nopales were delicious too, a little hint of sour and "al dente" in texture, and reminiscent of stir-fried green bell pepper. The al pastor was solid too, I thought I could taste a bit more of the pineapple juice within it. They had red and green salsa accompaniments, and I mix and matched with everything. Plenty of food at a more than fair price in my opinion! We're fortunate enough to be walking distance from El Metate, but have parked on the street before too, though note that it is on a one way so you may have to loop around.

Amazing food!!! the service is so lovely i am so so happy to find this place. absolutely my husband and I's favorite spot.

Their shrimp cocktails had very big shrimp inside. Their food good and fresh. No fishy smell. Will definitely go back.

The food is fresh, hot and tasty! It is consistently great. I go to a lot of different places with good food, but I find El Metate to be one of my favorites because the customer service is also consistent. They are always warm, friendly and very happy to see their customers. For me, the older I get, I care more about good service. I know when I come here I'm going to get tasty and satisfying food and share a smile with some very lovely people. Thank you guys so much!

this is the best mexican food i've had in all my years of living in LA. staff is incredible and friendly and service is truly 10/10.

Excellent happy hour drink specials. I'm usually one and done with their potent margaritas. Their food is delicious, fairly priced and well portioned. I enjoy their ribs in red sauce with nopales. The family that owns this place offers great and welcoming customer service. You order at the counter and they bring your food out for you. The restaurant has a good amount of tables and I have found myself sitting there for a while enjoying my drink and the complimentary chips with salsa.

Freshly made, quality Mexican food. Small dining area with a TV - but more of a "to go" place. Great place to grab dinner before you go to a show at the Ice House. Pretty big menu with a lot of choices.

I am on a hunt for Mexican food that I love in San Diego. I haven't found it yet, just simple hole in the wall type places that just have great simple Mexican food. Rolled Tacos! I can't find rolled tacos in Pasadena. I asked if they had rolled tacos, I got normal tacos. But that being said, these were the best tacos I think I've ever had. I got the shredded beef, oh. My. Gosh. Did you see the movie Seven with Brad Pitt from the 90's where the guy commits gluttony and eats until he explodes? I could do this with that shredded beef. You've been warned.

Food SOOO bland! I don't think they even used any spice on their food. Maybe trying to make it too healthy? I got chile relleno and carnitas taco. Tried using salt, but was still tasteless. My friend only ate half his food. Service, on the other hand, was great! Friendly and efficient. Too bad food was just sub-par.

The food was absolutely delicious the food tasted lovely ke my grandma made it!! The service was so great they treated us like guests

This is a really solid Mexican place. I went there towards closing time on a weekday; it was mostly empty so we ordered and got our food quickly. The ambience is very homey, and the staff is incredibly friendly. I got the El Metate Burrito, and it was amazing!! It was a wet burrito, loaded with beans, rice, steak, cheese, salsa and more! It's also served with lots of side items. This is an insane portion size for only $10.99. My friends got different burritos and enchiladas, and were also equally satisfied. The rest of their burritos are ~$10, and are also loaded with flavor and served with the yummy sides. The menu is extensive, so you'll never be out of options. I got the Tamaraind flavored Jarritos to drink. Anytime you have the opportunity to try this, I recommend doing so. It's tangy and pairs well with a heavy, flavorful burrito.

I have been looking for a decent Mexican restaurant in Pasadena but no luck yet. Today I tried this place as the ratings were high. I ordered a torta and a taco. Very simple and two usually staples of what every Mexican restaurant should have on the menu. The torta was the worsts I've had. It was soaked in sauce or beans one half didn't have meat. Only lettuce tomato's and avocado. Let's just say it was un eatable so to the trash it went. The taco which I regret only ordering one was great. The meat was good and it had flavor. If only I would of ordered 5 tacos instead of that torta my review would be different. I would say check it out but don't order the torta.

Great food and really reasonable prices. Family owned and operated. I drove from Orange County and it was worth the drive. Plan on going again soon.

My daughter and I stopped in for lunch today at 11:15, while on our way to Pasadena's Morton Simon Museum. We're very happy we did! Located just off Colorado Blvd, this warm and welcoming little place had great food. She ordered the El Pastor burrito, and I ordered tacos, both of which came with abundant extras in addition to a basket of chips and two of the most delicious salsas I've had in a long time. One was made with tamarind, which gave it a great sour bite. We were done just before noon, by which time it had filled up. One of my touchstones for restaurants is the cleanliness of the bathroom. All good there!

The best authentic Mexican food in Pasadena!! Each menu has good portion, food tastes like home Mexican food and very good service !! Salsa with the chips is the bomb

I've been coming here for years. Very good food and great service. Dine-in comes with chips and salsa. I usually get the red burrito, but decided to try something different this trip... definitely did not disappoint.

Did an early Friday night dinner here and the food was delicious! I had the enchilada plate and did not leave a single bite on the plate. The salsa/chile they used for the enchiladas was so delicious and authentic (my Mexican grandma was with me and mentioned this a few times!). The chips and salsa they provided were also good and the salsa had that perfect kick to it! The service was excellent. The man that served us checked in on us multiple times which was nice. For an early Friday evening it wasn't busy. I took food to go and as we left even those in the kitchen said bye as we left. This will definitely be the go to spot for a nice Mexican meal!

Definitely recommend as a pit stop! My family really enjoyed our meal - we got burritos, fajita plate, and tacos. Great service and nice people. & very reasonable price-to-food ratio! They also give you chips n salsa.

Love the food, love the service, and love the family that works so hard to provide a terrific dining experience. Seafood dishes are delicious. So many choices. Carnitas of pork are full of flavor. Rice and beans, asada, salsas, pollo, all wonderful. Now, the sad news. In the very recent fires that ravaged Altadena, and Pasadena the family home was destroyed. If you are craving great Mexican food, and want to help this hard working family, stop by for a bite.

One of the best restaurants in Pasadena. They have a wide menu and all of the food is good. The service is very traditional and southern. Food is always fresh and good quantities.

From the moment you walk in, it feels you are walking into a little restaurant in Mexico. EXCELLENT customer service. From the sweet lady who cooked our food, to the waitress and waiter, all were so friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The FOOD was SO delicious!!! Would highly recommended.

This is a wonderful no frills lunch spot with delicious food and a very kind staff. We sat outside on a very pleasant day and it was great! The food is delicious, it comes out quick, and the chips and salsa were great as well. Homemade corn chips and salsa, can't complain! Make sure to ask for the spicy sauce - very smoky, not super spicy, extra delicious. The birria is awesome! The sauce was amazing, and their chorizo is one of the best I've had. Highly recommend this place for lunch!

Small hole in the wall Mexican spot in pasadena. It's quick and easy. They have outdoor seating and bring you free chips and salsa which is always a plus! Considering pasadena doesn't have the greatest Mexican food this is a really good option! I enjoyed my enchiladas verdes de pollo. Portion size was good and it was tasty.

Love coming here for lunch. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They really take care of you. Love the food as well - I order off their daily specials a lot. The Birria plate being a favorite of sorts. The fresca drinks are back after taking a bit of a hiatus during covid. The spinach pineapple is my personal favorite. Don't always take advantage but the happy hour specials are super cheap. Tough to find a better deal in Pasadena. That plus it's amazing how much the place has upgrades through the years as they seemingly are always upgrading the facilities while still keeping a nice homely vibe.

I have been to El Metate several times over the past year with my 14 year old daughter and their food is always delicious. Our last visit was on Tuesday Jan 3, 2023. I ordered the beef fajitas with the ranchera sauce off the specials for the day menu. My kid ordered the chicken mole enchiladas from the regular menu. My burrito was absolutely delicious. The ranchera sauce they put over the burrito with the green bell peppers and onion slices was delicious. That was the best wet burrito I have had in a very long time. The chips and salsas they brought to the table were delicious as always. You could tell that the Pico de Gallo and Molcajete sauces were freshly made. Most sauces at Mexican restaurants are very Americanized and bland. Not these. You can taste the cilantro, lime, and all the other fresh ingredients in the sauces. You can also tell the the chips are made fresh in house every day. My kid loved her mole enchiladas. I have ordered them in the past and they are delicious. The bill for the two items, including two drinks, was $34.00. Very good for the quality and quantity of the food. I was born in Mexico and El Metate reminds me of one those great little restaurants that you would find on the side street in a Mexican city. A little family owned gem. When I taste the food at El Metate, you can tell that Mexicans prepared the food. Do not expect the ambience here to be like at El Cholo or a El Portal. Its a very small place. You order at the register and the person that took. your order also brings out the food. The staff here is always very nice. If you want good authentic inexpensive Mexican food I would recommend El Metate. If you want good Americanized Mexican food, then you might not like El Metate.

Great food and service the seafood is on point shrimp tostadas #1 for me check them out

A hidden gem in Pasadena. A family run restaurant, serves traditional Mexican dishes with flavorful meats & sauces. When i crave for Mexican food, i will always come to El Metate!

Wanted to find some quick (non fast food) Mexican food to grab for the usual weekly lunch with the gf. Food was fresh & tasty here so happy I ended chose this place. ITEM'S ORDERED: Burrito Vegeteriano Chili Relleno & Cheese Enchilada (w/ rice & beans) TASTE: Burrito Vegeteriano is the usual bean & cheese burrito but with added lettuce & tomato. I enjoyed this very much, it was fresh, nice size, well flavored (not too salty) & worked well with the red sauce. They gave an option of wet or dry burrito, & I chose dry. These are a little more "runny" of a bean than whole so the burrito didn't hold together as much as other ones I've had. Chili Relleno & Cheese Enchilada (w/ rice & beans) was a well made combo plate. This was listed as one of the specials. Chili Relleno was executed well & does not come off hot, but does get gradually hotter (in a nice way) as you continue to eat. The Cheese Enchilada is just as it sounds, & decent as well. They give you complimentary chips & salsa which is always a win. Chips were good (not overl salty) & I'm pretty sure they make them fresh. Salsa had adequate seasoning but was not really hot. SERVICE, LOCATION & PARKING: The cashier who is also the one who brought us the food as very friendly. Much appreciated especially since it was kinda a lunch rush & she was working hard. They are located basically at the corner of Mentor Ave & Colorado. I quickly found parking right in front & there were several other spots around as well. Quite sure they don't have a parking lot. Also, be careful since this is a one way street, going toward Colorado. I'm very much open to coming here again. All the food was good & also, prices were very fair.

We were strolling past this place with my mom following and appointment at a nearby spa. Wow am I glad we did, This place is awesome for its ambiance, price, service, and food! We were highly appreciative of the dedicated crew there, they brought out warm tortilla chips and tantalizingly spicy salsa. 10/10 highly recommend and can't wait to come back.

To mix things up, we decided to try a local Mexican restaurant we hadn't yet been to in the area. It is a cute little hole-in-the-wall place with seven or so tables inside and a couple tables outside. You order your food at the front and they bring it to you. We selected a table and they brought us chips and salsa. The salsa was watery but had chunks of tomatoes and onions. It was a bit too spicy for me, but I'm kind of a wimp. I ordered the super tostada with chicken, whereas my partner ordered the carne al molcajete. A short while later the food arrived. My tostada was in a medium-size crunchy tostada shell and included thin strips of chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, sour cream, and guacamole. Overall it tasted good and the flavors worked well together, but I do have some critiques. The chicken had nice grilled flavor, but I think I would have preferred either shredded chicken or larger chunks of meat. I also wish the tostada had more beans, cheese, and tomatoes since I feel like I was mostly tasting the other ingredients. It would have been nice if it was a tad larger as well, but I still got two meals out of it. I also was given a tiny cup of salsa on the side to add to my tostada, but again it was too spicy for me, so sadly I didn't use it. I tried a bite of the beef in my partner's dish and it was very flavorful and tender. Even though he chose it randomly from the menu, I think he made a solid choice. Based on what I've read about this place, it seems to be a family-run spot and it makes me feel good to support local small businesses. I may come back another time to try something different like the burritos or plates.