Jeff B.
Yelp
(Dined 11/18/15 W @ 9:00pm): Damn...I should've asked if they had the hot sauce as a condiment, too!
An early night of imbibing with a friend was coming to an end and we really needed something of substance that would stick to our respective ribs, so thankfully on our walk back to our cars was El Tapatio, a Mexican restaurant at the corner of San Fernando Rd. and Alameda Ave. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ljrPcIyesUKddQyf8zPmdw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw I was usually down for Mexican food and a fat burrito would've been perfect to hit that "G"-spot...gastro! Did they satisfy my needs and urges!?:
2 Carnitas Tacos ($3.55) - My buddy ordered this and I merely took a teensy-weensy nibble. A good amount of carnitas with a dusting of lettuce and diced tomatoes all served-up on warm corn tortillas. Easy, simple, and relatively flavorful, I'd order this again.
Shrimp Burrito with Tortilla Chips ($6.50) - Quietly, I've been on the hunt for a really good shrimp burrito of which the criteria was still unbeknownst to me. It was safe to say this wasn't it. The meal did its job as it absorbed and filled me up. But the shrimp was lacking (btw...I preferred the shrimp to be chopped versus whole so I had some in every bite), there was way too much beans and rice (honestly...I've gotten tired with these fillers in my burritos; where's the beef, or poultry, or seafood!?), and the flour tortilla was chewy (I preferred corn tortillas but didn't request it). It was a "one-hander", and when served on a plate I liked things WET! Lastly, I really wanted an assortment of hot sauces (one container was given for the chips, I believed) or salsas but didn't see any. Sadly, the coupons I had for Del Taco at the next corner would've done me the same at about half the price. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=fKnIxIY5r-5EM6NviTzVOA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Service - Pretty straightforward: you stepped-up to the outdoor order window, placed your order, paid the bill, waited for your name to be called when the food was ready, and then you found a seat or took it to-go. There was an indoor dining area with wait service, but that wasn't needed this evening. All was good!
Parking (Free) - I han't noticed whether or not they had or shared a parking lot. Otherwise, there was plenty of street (non-metered!?) parking along the main drag of San Fernando Rd. and all surrounding side streets. My buddy and I walked from the nearby and newly-opened Brewyard Beer Company, so parking wasn't an issue for us.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - Essentially, there were two sections to this business: an outdoor patio primarily for late-night eats or to-go dining with arched views onto the streets, a slew of round tables and chairs backed by a placid mural on one wall http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=9sMrcKIIb0Ox7dElMbVHeQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, a strip of electric track lighting with the obvious possibility of natural lighting during the day, and a menu board hung above the order window. Around the corner was the entrance to their more "formal" quaint indoor dining area where your cones and rods were bombarded by what I felt were various shades of cheeses (i.e. a nacho and salsa dip mixture for the walls, and a slice of American on the tables), evenly-spaced out wooden tables and chairs on a clean tile floor, an assortment of framed pictures hung on the walls, a few more strips of ceiling electric track lighting while blinds kept out any natural lighting, and there was one TV inside but no background music. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=CtQmWl7uQSjk60Qa1nt3MQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Attire - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
Overall, El Tapatio was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way. If I needed another post-drinking meal in the area I'd find my way to such standbys as Tommy's or Yoshinoya further down San Fernando Rd. close to McCambridge Park. Sure, the tacos were good, and I was intrigued by a picture of carne asada fries, but if fries got me excited about a Mexican restaurant there was something wrong! I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $10.00 BEFORE tip). And, although they accept credit cards not mine of choice...AMEX! 3.0 STARS