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A point I often try to get across in my reviews is this:
Knowing what makes a food authentic should free you to enjoy the offshoots for what they are, something of their own.
To clarify, knowing "real" tacos shouldn't have lettuce on them should allow you to enjoy some Tito's Tacos when you crave it...you enjoy it for what it is, not for what it isn't.
Preface aside, I just ate THEE BEST BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITO in my entire life. I was directed here by my favorite food blogger at http://dailytaco.org . Like me and many others I hope to attract with this review, he loves a good bean and cheese and knows they're hard to find.
I've had them in San Diego...all over. I've had them in San Francisco...Both places have a great burrito that they're known for...But I promise...order the Green Chile With Cheese. It's a bean and cheese with green chile sauce....I really can't believe it. If bean and cheese means anything to you, trust me. The interior had equal melting of cheese with beans and the chile sauce, none of those cheese-less sections and a bottom full of sauce...I don't know how they do it. Burritos are a good size, slightly smaller than usual but really filling.
I also had the Combination Burrito which came recommended on this site. Also amazing. Shredded beef, the amazing beans, and melted cheese.
I don't know what else to say really...I just ate here and am writing this fairly quickly in hopes to capture my passion for this spot.
today was my 1st time. I work about 4 minutes from this place and I am so happy that i found them today. I ordered 1 taco + Ground Beef Burrito. total $5.83. The taco is tasty. Next time i will request no lettuce. . .way too much. The salsa is served WARM and it is YUMMY!
taco = hard shell (excellent crunch)
Ground Beef Taco = filled with yummy meat, tomatoes, cheese, onions and chilis (oh my, it is so good)
Good food, inexpensive and a diamond in the rough of downtown/boyle heights!
Thank you Al & Bea's, you are now one of my favorite @ work lunch spots! I'll see you again. . ..sooner, rather than later.
i got the combo burrito and taquitos. the flavors weren't as bright as i generally like in mexican but the textures were lovely mexican american staples. so i appreciated this food, and enjoyed it through my appreciation.
note to the wise: the combo is a bit drippy so be careful.
This place has the greatest taquitos!!!!! They also have really good salsa, its served warm.
Note: Parking is horrible here.
¡Que burritos!
Really, the best. Not light. Not not fattening. Not fast. Just the best.
I was here this weekend after a Race LA event...
it was hot ... it was really hot... my Foodie friend was like do you want street food or fancy... I was sweaty and gross I had no right going anywhere anyone would consider "fancy"
This place was not fancy ... it's a food stand connected to a house it seems...
the menu is simple and straight forward... We ordered:
Combo Burrito... so so... a little greasy for me...
Chili Renello burrito... I've never had this type of burrito before.. the chili was good... the cheese was just right and the beans were Very good and mind you I don't like beans.
Taquitos... hard ... dry... and the gauc on top meh...
beef Taco... another meh it was really messy ...
+1 for having Orange Bang and making me like beans!
I'll be back ...
this place is one of my brother's fav places to get a burrito. and for a guy who works in boyle heights who eats a lot, i trust his judgment.
so it only made sense when he picked me up from the airport we'd head straight here so i could get some much missed mexican food.
this place is tiny and could easily be missed. it looks like someone decided to open a take out place outside their home. it's right next to the police station so you get a lot of cops there (at least it's safe).
my brother's fav burrito is the potato one. it's like chili cheese fries wrapped in tortilla!!! heavenly! sounds so So Cal mixin the french fries into a burrito. i love how cheesy their burritos are. expect to make a mess - maybe not the best meal when wearing a suit.
burritos are about $2.50-3 ish! and they have orange whip! i freakin love orange whip. a potato burrito and orange whip for under $5= one happy girl
** u can also call in your order and pick it up if you're in a hurry
Al and Bea's! Spotting your tiny, unassuming facade after a mobileyelp taco search, I made a face a little like this:
;D
You are a cute little place that knows it serves cheap, decent burritos. You're not trying to be fancy. You're not trying to be the biggest or best burrito place in a city full of Mexican food. All you're trying to do is be a comfortable little business cooking up a solidly tasty lunch.
Mission accomplished, Al and Bea's. And done with a very friendly staff! We were addressed as Senorita and Sir without a hint of anything but respect. Our food came out VERY fast, and you seemed more than happy to be helping us out.
The only questionable parts of the journey: we couldn't find your LA health department rating? It wasn't above the window as on one of the photos here. But your kitchen is visible through the window, and looks at least as clean as "A"-rated restaurants I've been to.
Not the most incredible eat ever, but cheap, simple, satisfying, and a very pleasant little experience that left me in a pleasant mood. Yay!
Al and Bea's-
Mobile Yelp led me to your door and you left me wanting more.
Your guacamole is kind of "eh" and you could bump up the heat factor a bit.
But for two burritos and two cold bevvies, I only paid you $8.
And for that, I heart you mucho.
PS- J. Gold likes you too. http://www.laweekly.co...
Pretty good Al & Bea's....very tasty....although your weird italianish oregano style salsa..is a bit much for my liking...
but hard shredded beef tacos, combination burritos, and bean's and cheese tostada's are all my favorites there...
a very small spot to find seating...so if you plan on eating there...I suggest getting there before the lunch rush...
pretty simple....basic...outside style eating place...
with good cheap food...
I was on my way to Santa Monica but traffic was bad (don't you just wonder where are all these people are going?), so I exited the 10 fwy. I was by Al & Bea's so I dropped by so my stomach could say hello.
They have been here for long time (1966) and I enjoy going to places that have deep roots in the community. It's on 1st Street a few miles south of City Hall. It's relatively safe as the police station is right across the street. Metered parking is on the street and can sometimes be problematic. There's a small eating area outside so it's more of a take out place for me.
I went there to get the usual combination burrito, but thought, 'grow up and get something different'. The 4 people in line ahead of me all had a combination burrito in their orders. So my brain and stomach had a quick discussion about trying something new and they settled on the u know - the combination burrito.
When I got up to the order window I was greeted by a nice 'A' rating. The cooking area had sparkling clean stainless wall panels, spotlessly clean floor (in cooking area!), and the outside of this place was tidy as well.
My burrito looked pretty good and it was only a few bucks. Although the burrito looked juicy (see picture) the shredded meat itself was dry (cooked too long, but tender). Who cares? It tasted pretty good, but it's not an intense flavor nor is it spicy. Just sort of meaty, with a hint of frijoles, chili, and cheese.
It's easy to grow up on this food. For many it's a 5 star and I can understand that as my friends love this place. In my book it's about 3.5 star but I'll be back again.
If you're in the mood for a gigantic, gut-busting burrito loaded with meat and other goodies, get the Hollenbeck at El Tepeyac (a.k.a. Manuel's).
If you're in the mood for something a little more simple and manageable (read: handheld) but equally delicious, try Al & Bea's! Ask for a "green and cheese" burrito. It's around 3 bucks, comes in a perfectly chewy tortilla, and will satisfy any cheesy/bean-y cravings you have. (If you want meat, get the combo burrito.) Damn good beans!!!!!
As an added bonus, you can get any burrito fried for only like 75 cents more!
It might be appropriate that this stand on First Street, just yards west of LAPD's Hollenbeck station, is located in multi-cultural Boyle Heights. The neighborhood, which still retains signs of past Japanese, Russian, and Jewish folks, is now largely Latino, but I like to think that Al & Bea's once fed generations of diverse customers, just like the people waiting in line: DWP workers, guys in suits, salt-of-the-earth type locals, cops, tattooed guys in Dickies and wife-beaters, mothers toting their children. An elderly J-A volunteer used to bring me a burrito every now and then whenever she went there and she's been eating there since she was young!
Is Al & Bea's true mexican food? I'm not sure. I call it East L.A. Food, a completely different animal. Is it good? Oh yeah, and cheap, too!
Friends of mine swear by the green chile cheese burrito, but I find them unsatisfying. I love the combination burritos; a green chile cheese with some kind of shredded beef added to the mix, the meat giving the usually mushy tortilla wrap a heft and substantial texture.
The beans here are probably charged-up with lard which is probably what makes them taste so good. However, I had a bean and cheese one time and found myself missing the texture of the beef, the bite of the salsa, and the stringy melted cheese; but beans are, undoubtedly, major contributers to Al & Bea's success.
The combo burrito I like may not seem like much, a little on the small side, but these things are deceptively dense, and if you're not careful, messy. The mildly spicy, but tasty, green chile is ladled onto the burritos from a large heated stock pot of what looks like a thin, watery salsa, more sauce than something you'd dip a chip into. By the time you get to the bottom of your combo, the paper is pretty much soaked.
I've also had the perfectly acceptable quesadillas, the white cheese slightly browned at the edges and just greasy enough to make you lick your fingers.
I can't remember the hard-shelled tacos except they were hard to eat. I'm sure they were okay, but a little too inconvenient for me.
The taquitos are more than a-okay in my book. Although they're not the best I've ever had, I wouldn't refuse an order of them if they were thrust in front of my face. The tangy guacamole-like sauce is obviously not homemade, almost like the stuff included with the frozen stuff, but I like the diced tomatoes floating in it; it gives the illusion of wholesomeness (tomatoes are good for you, right?).
One surprise for me were the corndogs. There were a revelation; a sleeper item on the menu. At only a dollar a pop, they are the best I've ever had. I don't know who the supplier is, but since they're probably deep-fried in lard, it may not really matter. I almost never fail to order one when I go. I can't say enough about them. when I close my eyes and envison a corndog, I see the ones from Al & Bea's
There are other antojito-like items on the menu I should try, but it's hard to diverge from what I love at Al & Bea's: the combo burritos, the taquitos, the heaven-sent corn-dogs, the quesadillas. I think they have some kind of hotdog and some type of burger on the menu, I'm not sure. There might be something nacho-ish, too. I've seen some kind of tostada thingy, that I've never tried, but the fragileness has always made them awkward for me to eat.
There's no lot and the parking is strictly curbside. If parking was better (this place gets crowded at lunch time, regardless) I'd go there more often, giving me a chance to try more things and shortening my life span.
One thing that makes me sad is that Al & Bea's is closed on Sunday, but they must have their reasons. I'm willing to turn a blind eye to it, but I'm not so sure my stomach can be as accepting.
I went here on the advice of my financial planner. She needs to find another career if her financial advice is as good as her foodie advice. Anyway, I had the combo burrito and the stuffed jalapenos and the food was just okay. I wasn't overwhelmed by flavor. The burrito got messy as it fell apart. I don't know why they don't wrap them better. The place has a constant stream of people ordering bean and cheese burritos. Maybe I should have tried that. Anyway, food was okay but not any better than you can get at any other fast food mexican place.
After decades of eating at my fave eastside joints, i broke down and tried A&B's, but only because my go to joint was closed for the day.
It was ok, definitely not up to the hype. Here's the prob: I had a bean and green, Deb had a green and cheese, and they screwed up both. With mine, it was about 90% beans. Bummer, cuz I LUV chile verde. With Deb's they gave her beans, and she hates beans. Now, I love beans, but theirs aren't great. They're too pasty - good beans need to be loose and fluid, not scooped like ice cream.
Their fries were good, but all in all, my joint is still number one.
When you tell me you are craving Taco Bell or Del Taco, I have to play nice and not mock you for calling that food Mexican. Living in Los Angeles, there is no reason to be eating that low quality food.
Arriving in Boyle Heights with just enough time to grab a burrito, this place worked perfectly for us. Though it is nestled between a 98 cent store and a Victory Outreach, this place shows its love for the food like no other. In fact, it's kind of expected to find a taco stand like this in the area, but what sets this one apart is its cleanliness and sense of familia.
I get the sense that it is a favorite with the locals, considering that people were double parking just to get a combination burrito. And I can see why. It is a juicy burrito con machaca beef, chile verde, queso y frijoles. Muy buen!
If that doesn't convince you, get how pimp this place is: a bus double parked, full of people, and the driver ran out to get his order. Turns out he called his order in. Now that's fucking pimp!
WOW!!
Parking my car is easy again at Al & Bea's....
and the combination burrito, 'num yummi', I really think I ate that thing within 2.5 minutes without even trying to hurry. It tasted soooooooo goood. It can be several factors though; I did not eat Mexican food for quiet a while, I was really hungry or Al & Bea's is the real deal.
Take my word for it, it's the real deal Baby!
I do not really jump up and down for Mexican food, in my eyes it is all the same; Tortilla's, Beans,… Read more »
The Best tasting, Burrito's in town, Combo with greenchile is the Bombay,
try a Taco with everything a lil messy,but you won't forget them. Chicharon Burrito w/cheese is delicious, this is not the kind've place you order a hamburger and fries, stick with the mexican, or chicano food, I say chicano because its not a taco truck, or mexico, its food you can only get in East L.A. Its like when you were a kid and your mom said" is your friend hungry? see if he wants a taco, or a burrito." and this is what you got on a napkin. After I travel to Europe, or Ireland, or anywhere else I stop at this lil piece of Heaven, and I know Im Home. born and raised in east LA.
This hole in the wall institution is in Boyle Heights and next door to the Hollenbeck Gym.
Manteca. Say it slowly and with reverence.
Good ol' lard.
Hey if you adore butter and bacon drippings DO come here, you will appreciate the flavor and taste of this simple cuisine.
The green chile burrito is lardlicious. For me it's all bout da taste. As they say in Hawaii, "it broke da mouth." It's that tasty. The first bite everytime EVERYTIME makes me weep with joy.
I come here for the green chile burrito. Do not order the bean and cheese with green hot sauce, that ain't it. "Green chile burrito." I usually order 15 to go with extra salsa and yellow peppers. My friends and family love em too. My wife likes it with rice, I like it clean.
All of the other burritos are pretty good because of the beans. I love beans! The four finger dog is outta sight too.
It's cheap too! Woo hoo!
Al and Bea's is a Boyle Heights institution. This small, hole-in-the-wall taco stand specializes in burritos. Skip the hamburgers,. Yeah, they're on the menu, but they are not what the locals order. If you have to have french fries, have the bean, cheese, and potato burrito- it comes loaded with french fries.
For a few cents extra, they'll fry up your burrito making it crispy on the outside while retaining the gooey cheese and refried bean filling.
Seating is very limited so plan on waiting for an empty spot to open up or take your 'ritos home.
Personal Favorites:
Bean & cheese (Green salsa on the side)
Bean & cheese & potato (Green salsa on the side)
Deluxe quesadilla
Menu items worth trying:
Chicharron Burrito
Menu items to avoid:
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
I love Al and Bea's they have great combination burritos or if you just want a good ol' fashion bean and cheese burrito they have that too! For me its an indulgence every once in while because its greasy, but oh so good and cheap too!
One Saturday afternoon, I got inked at a studio near by Al & Bea's. While I was letting the pain subside before touching up, I was escorted by the tattoo artist Peter to this spot, hidden amongst oldish buildings and stores blasting reggaeton. Although I opted not to order (remember, pain is subsiding), I decided that I'd nibble on what was ordered among my group. My friends ordered green chili burritos enrobed in refried beans and cheese (I'm guessing everyone on this board recommends this also) and my few nibbles turned into huge bites. Although the "warm" salsa was kind of special, the heat was underwhelming. But the burrito almost didn't need salsa. It was just gooey and juicy and cheesy and totally bad for you. Why add anything of the veggie sort to it (ie Salsa)?
I'm definitely coming back and next time, I'm buying my own.
There are only two words to describe this gem hidden in Boyle Heights; "Combination Burrito." That is the single, solitary reason one goes to Al and Bea's. Some locals may pronounce the place, L&B's, but it is Al and Bea's. I also have to give props to the jalapeno poppers, as a side appetizer, but you will really come for the burrito.
Memories...! I started eating hear in 1990 and still do to this day. It's just down the street from the Hollenback police station so now and then you'll be eating next to the man. So it's a reputable place. It gets kinda busy during business lunch hours because the suits from downtown stop buy for a bite. The menu has changed over the time and prices have gone up. I usually get a bean and cheese burrito, 2 tacos, and some fries. While I wait I'll walk next door to the 99 cent store and buy some drinks to save some money. =P The burrito size seams to have gotten smaller and less oilier so that kinda sucks. The tacos have a green chili that gives it a great taste. Personally these are my favorite deep fried tacos of all time. Now and then I'll also order a burrito called a potato burrito. It's just a regular burrito stuffed with french fries. They have few tables so when it gets busy expect to eat in your car or take your food some where else to eat, maybe the Hollenback Park.
The burritos at Al & Bea's are unbelievable. Very simple but right to the point. The bean burritos are excellent. If you do not mind a bit of heat then be sure to order whatever burrito you get with hot sauce. The tacos are pretty yummy too. The price is right on as well.
There are other things there like burgers, corn dogs, fries, etc. Those items are yummy too. But be sire to try at least one of their wonderfully awesome burritos.
My father, aunts and uncles swear by it. They've been going there for something like 40 years. Me, every time i've eaten there i've thrown up afterwards. Ever since i was a child. The food is pricey now, and still as greasy as ever and small.
You know that episode of the Simpsons where Dr. Nick takes a piece of chicken and uses the grease to see through a piece of paper? THAT greasy.
We slipped our shivs in our socks, strapped on our bullet proofs and gansta boogied on down to Boyle Heights to dine at this neighborhood staple. At first I wasn't too impressed, but once I dug into my bean & cheese burrito I was bustin' a different rap! I don't know what they put in their beans, but halfway through I wanted to pack 'em in a syringe and put that shit all up in my arm! Even though the area was kinda sketchy my Latino side felt very comfortable there... and kinda wanted to commit some crimes, but my Asian side just shook his head and wanted to do everyone's laundry... Konichiwa Betches!
My favorite place to eat in Los Angeles. The combination burrito is my favorite on the menu but the tacos are good also. The seating is outdoors and very limited, especially during the lunch hour. The parking situation is back to normal now that the Metro Gold Line construction is wrapping up. Closes at 8pm, check it out.
They got the 'BEST" Chicharon Burrito in town! It's a heart attack wrapped in a tortilla but it's incredible! You have to try it at least once in your life and be sure you order it with extra hot sauce. The tacos are pretty good too. All of their items with beans (frijoles) are above average - tostada/burrito. I did not care for their guacamole at all. It's the same watery you can buy in gallon jug at Smart and Final. That guacamole has a sour after-taste.
Look, this place isn't going to serve you marinated steak tacos with chipotle sauce but if you like messy ass burritos and hard shelled tacos then this place is so worth going to East L.A. for.
Definitely another stoney destination when you gotz the munchies.
Remember get the combo burrito or taco.
Great place.
love the burritos.
and the sauce. delicious mm i want some now
but the lines suck.
Simple. Greasy. Great.
My parents went here as children and I have fond memories of coming as a child.
Combo Burrito and some Taquitos, mmmmmmmm!
This place is blah. Cheap and greasy. I only ate here once because it was the closest place to the theater I was working at. I cannot confirm but I think they cook with lard cause it was a moment on the lips and a lifetime with the sh*ts.
Lard at its finest. Best bean and cheese burrito I've ever had.
There is a sign and there is a long line. Tacos, and burritos. Don't forget the fries. I really like the bean burritos here. Beans, cheese and green sauce. Ask for red if u are feeling bold, but I go with Green. Also add some fries to that order and a small horchata. Total will be about 4.50. Hardly any seating, I work close by so i just take it to my desk.
This and La Taquiza are my favorite burritos in LA. Mind you I grew up on Bay Area burritos, so the minimalist style of Al and Bea's required me to be open minded. It must be the lard or something, cuz it is heavenly. I don't recommend ordering with any meat, at least for your first experience. You want to get the full blast of the bean and cheese combo. I can never remember if I want red or green sauce--just order one of each. The tortilla is flaky and dusty like it still has fresh flour on it. The burrito can seem kind of small. But something about the simple, gushy combination is out of sight!
I heard about this place and stopped by and I can't understand the big deal about the food. It's basically bean and cheese burritos, Mexican food from the '50s. Not bad but nothing worth standing in line for.
you'll recognize this place not by the sign (there is none), but by the long line in front.
truly, this place has the best deep fried taco shell tacos ever! try 'em and you'll never want to go anywhere else.
well, maybe the burnt tortilla...
Any other burrito is sub-par. Try the "chicharron with cheese burrito" if you feeling like a fatass try it deepfried! No need for the oversized burritos elsewhere with no flavor, rather have one of these and enjoy the good stuff.
i love the place. it's local for me, cheap and good. my fav is the bean & cheese with green chile. hey, what's up with that picture above? Nothing comes on a plate. It's either in a paper bag or cardboard container. I'll take some good pics later and post.
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Your grandparents didn't cross the border to watch…
I've been to more mexican places than I have time…
