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Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: ChinatownMid October -November 2
Pre-Columbian Novenario, decorated Community Altars , exhibits and entertainment
Mon-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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I believe the key to running a successful business is to find that one thing that you do REALLY well and own it. The guys at Cielito Lindo did just that.
They make some kick-ass taquitos and frijoles con queso. They make them so well, that they made it the basis of their business. Their green avocado salsa stuff is pretty amazing. It has just enough spice to give it a little kick, but not too spicy for the kids. The beans were perfectly creamy and cheesy. I think its perfect street food.
The prices were pretty ideal as well. We came here for the Dia de los Muertos celebration, so seating was difficult, but we found a spot to sit under the tree in front of the place, so it was pretty cool. I don't always need a table to consume my food.
I dont make it down to Olvera Street very often, but I will be sure to pay Cielito Lindo a visit when I come back!
There once was a little girl who read restaurant reviews in the LA Times and watched PBS. She particularly loved Huell Howser. Although she lived not very far from the places she heard about, getting there was a challenge for someone with a monthly allowance of a mere $20 and no transportation. Plus she was like 7-years-old. It never occurred to her to ask her parents to take her to even the closest of places like Olvera Street.
When she got older, she explored some of the places she heard about and eventually got to eat at some. One of them being Cielito Lindo. She tried to do a taquitos challenge which ended at Cielito Lindo. She remembered the taquitos well. They were good and better than any she had before.
Fast forward to last weekend where I attempted once again to do a taquitos challenge. Which place among the joints along Olvera Street had the best taquitos? Local fave was fair but no way did it have the best taquitos that day.
The sauce, however, was described as perfect by some. But perhaps I do like more avocado-y sauce as I thought it was just okay. They were nicely browned and came out as soon as you order.
Cielito Lindo has some seating next to their counter. Because it's right at the edge of Olvera Street (facing the gas station and across the street from the post office), I feel Cielito Lindo has some unfair advantage over the others. Plus their prices are more expensive. It was $3 for two taquitos.
Good, but not the best. Sorry, Huell Howser.
Cmon, People! How can you not love the hot, spicy goodness that comes from this LA institution? These taquitos rock!
If you are looking for avocados (guac), don't eat here. However, if you love spicy green sauce on crispy taquitos, then this place is orgasmic.
Been coming here since I was a youngin' with my pops. It was a frequent stop on the way to see Los Doyers (or on the way home).
Love the green chile burro too! But come for the taquitos.
Been coming here since I was in elementary school. The absolute best taquitos I've ever had. No other place even comes close. The key is the guacamole. Not chunky, more of a sauce. Spicy, but not too hot. No dairy. Let me repeat: no dairy. The combos with beans are also excellent. Parking can be a challenge. When I was in college we'd just drive up, park in the red zone, and scarf taquitos. If a meter maid came we'd leave. This is definitely a place to take out-of-towners. Writing this is giving me an irresistible urge to hop on the 10 and drive down there. Hmmm. It's 1 am. They're closed. Damn.
Best Taquitos in Los Angeles, if you can survive the wait in line. It's worth it though.
Mmmm, mmmm....MMMMM!
THE ORDER:
#2 - 2 Beef Taquitos, Tamale, Beans & Cheese
a la carte- 4 Beef Taquitos with Avodado Sauce
Large Jamaica (hibiscus soda)
SERVICE:
Fast and efficient
They also have jalapenos in the "dining area!" yes!!
OVERALL- Dense, Crunchy Taquitos = yumminess.
The tamale was really good; corn was sweet and moist, chicken was good...the sauces were great; nice and spicy! The beans were also really good, topped with ooey gooey cheese.
I do feel alittle sick, but I think that's bc I am not used to eating lard....but it was really good!
enjoyyyy!
xo-
andrea
1st stop at Taquitos Crawl... easy place to find cause it's the only resto at the corner of Olvera Street. $3 for 2 beef Taquitos, shared with Shauna D. The roll felt like an old-cold roll just being heated up before serving, so it's not that easy to bite, but the green sauce, ohhh the green sauce, it's the spiciest among the 4 stops, I luv the sauce! But for $3? mehh... I would go next 3 stalls to Juanita's Cafe which could provide me with much more fufilling taquitos with the tender beef and still delicioso green sauce!!!
This was Stop #1 on Shauna D's Tasty Taquitos Crawl. As a Los Angeles native, I had never been to Olvera Street before, and was impressed with the historic architecture and lively atmosphere that permeated the plaza. Cielito Lindo is located on the very corner of Main and Olvera. A small area is set aside with tables and benches. We sampled their beef taquitos, smothered in green sauce. The taquitos here were good, but not excellent. The green sauce was flavorsome and spicy. Two taquitos cost about three dollars. I want to try their chile relleno burrito here at some point.
Rachel Ray does it for $40 a day. We tried to do it for $10.
We were off to a good start at Cielito Lindo, spending a whopping $3 for taquitos in their signature guac sauce. And let me tell you, worth every penny.
Nestled in the corner of a bustling Olvera St., it's easy to overlook amongst the various stalls and restaurants, but you would be sorry to pass it by. Fresh, crunchy taquitos, stuffed with meat, and drenched in a tasty green sauce...what's not to love? Even in 100 degree weather, when the last thing you want to do is eat something hot, these were worth it.
If i ever find myself at Union Station, I will happily walk across the street for these taquitos.
I know they have taquitos, but I'm always coming back for their chile relleno burrito, which is ridiculously good. Yes, I'm aware that their taquitos exist and are what put them on the map, but I'll probably never get them. I'll just keep coming back over and over again for the chile relleno burrito. Seriously, stop talking about their taquitos. Only their chile relleno burrito exists for me.
I've driven by this place so many times and I finally made it.
I tried their taquitos b/c I hear that's what they are famous for. They were awesome! You get 3 rolled taquitos with tons of guacamole sauce and a side or beans with cheese on top. It was sooo good, my mouth is getting watery just by talking about it right now. You will come out of there stuffed so take a walk down Olvera Street afterwards.
I used to come here for lunch all the time since I worked close by and my coworker would drop me off while I get taquitos and he'd drive around the block 20 times.
Taquitos are great but I don't care so much for the guacamole. It's watered down and not that good.
I had a really awkward night. The kind of night that really needs some good cookin'... or some form of sedative.
And since the former usually leads to the latter, I decided to go for a stroll. Just to get away. For you see, my friends, I went to a "club" event. Why am I using the quotation marks, you ask? My reply: The "club" was actually the famed Union Station. You read it right-- UNION STATION. I went to support a friend at his dance show and the group organizing the event rented out the area on the side of the historic train station for said event (please refer to Chris Brown's "Gimme That" video). I love historical buildings, so to see this event inside was like... Union Station was being raped.
Really, this is all an aside. I just wanted to relate how much I needed something warm and comforting to heal my aching heart. Not even a hop, skip, jump away lies Cielito Lindo. The only little food stand on Olvera St. open at damn near 11:30pm. AND they take card?! Too much.
I ordered a #1 which consists of 3 beef taquitos, beans, cheese, and oh yes-- avocado sauce. Read the other reviews and people swear this is liquid crack. It really hits the spot. Then you realize "OH SNAP, I STILL HAVE 2 MORE TAQUITOS!" It's like it's a mild sedative. Just what I needed =)
Yup, $6 gets you stuffed... $2 for horchata. BAM-- $8 dinner. My only qualm? No spanish rice on the side. Tis okay, it's done enough for me. It practically saved my night.
I tried to be good today.... really I did. With the best intentions, this morning, I packed a nice salad for lunch. However, after finishing it at 11am, I felt unfulfilled...
Remembering a friend had mentioned that the best taquitos he ever had were on Olvera Street, I decided to check it out. After Googling 'taquitos' and 'Olvera Street,' then reading through the articles, I learned that peoples' favorite taquitos on Olvera Street came from Cielito and Juanita's. Intrigued, I ventured out by DASH to Olvera Street for 'Karine's Taquito Mini Tour of Olvera Street 2009 (TM)'
First, I stopped at Juanita's... two taquitos for $2.10, not bad. While very good, their taquitos didn't really move me. I expected, after reading other reviews, that the meat would be spicier and the avocado sauce more flavorful. There was some crunch, but it was still tender. Fwiw, I noticed that the taquitos were sitting in a pile in a pan... ready to be served.... so that might explain why they weren't uber crunchy. After finishing Juanita's taquito entry in my unofficial contest, I made the long, arduous journey down to Cielito (about 2 doors down).
The first difference I noticed was that there was a line in front of Cielito. Waiting patiently in line, I scanned the menu... I could order two taquitos for $3.00, the combo #1 for $6.00 (3 taquitos, beans and cheese) or the #2, also for $6.00 (2 taquitos, tamale, beans and cheese).
Mindful of my tummy and my desire to fit into my skinny jeans, I chose the two taquitos with avocado sauce. While the taquitos were a bit more expensive than Juanita's, I truly enjoyed these little deep fried rolled tacos.
What stood out most for me was that the tortilla had a different consistency than Juanita's... while Juanita's seemed a bit less deep fried (less crunch, a little softer), each bite of the Cielito taquito was crunchy and flavorful. I should note that at Cielito, there was a guy continuously making taquitos ... so this could be why it was crunchier. The other major difference I noticed was that the avocado sauce was very flavorful (some might even say 'yummy')... it was more than just a liquid that the taquitos were soaking in but the avocado flavor added to the whole experience. In fact, as I was nibbling on my last taquito, I was sad that there wasn't a way, short of putting the dish up to my face, to enjoy more of the sauce. Luckily, imagining my Mother's steely gaze of disapproval, I passed on the rest of the sauce, bidding it adieu as I walked away from the trash can.
My only complaint about Cielito is the pigeons. Going to the trash can, I felt like an Asian Tippy Hedron in the Birds... totally swarmed by the pigeons. However, at the end of the lunch, they didn't leave any tangible reminders of their presence (or their lunch) on me, so I guess it's ok.
Anyways... while both taquitos were yummy (I was craving something deep fried... .especially after that salad), I'm partial to Cielito. Perhaps on another day, I'll be able to sample a few of the other places... or maybe I'll just bring some coworkers down and see what they think.
The amazing taquitos place is heaven sent.
Angels work here.
Seriously not only are taquitos delish, but their guacamole sauce is to die for! YUMMY .. I want this place now if only it wasn't far!
YOU MUST TRY NOW!
What can I say but this place is truly the best in so many ways:
1) Good childhood memories. My father used to take me here for dinner when I was a little girl. The menu is almost exactly the same, but most importantly - it tastes just as good.
2) $3 for two taquitos. High quality beef, perfectly fried, and the best guac (green) sauce EVER.
3) The environment/people/cleanliness couldn't be better.
I made this lunch an event for my husband and I. We were in LA for the weekend, from San Francisco. Sure, I've had many taquitos in my lifetime in the Bay Area, but never have I had taquitos this good. Only at Ceilito Lindo! We ate with locals who were on their lunch hour, we ate with tourists who knew what a great find they had, and we ate as I retold stories of my youth sitting in the same spot I did when my father wiped my face.
This place should be a historial landmark (if it isn't already), and should not be missed. Thank you for still being there and still being awesome!
I travel from Pasadena to Orange County several times a week so Union Station is my transfer point if I take the train. I got there a little early today and decided to run across the street and try out these taquitos that everyone talks of. First of all, to visit Olvera Street...do not drive! It is across the street from Union Station, so save yourself some gas, save the planet, and save some dough on parking and stop by the nearest train station (there is one near you btw) and take it to Union Station (they all wind up there). Olvera Street is literally a 3 minute walk from the station!
I ordered the #1..just to be trendy. 3 rolled tacos, beans, cheese, all drowned in the green sauce. I must say, it was delicious. I have never been a fan of the rolled tacos...they are usually very dry, tough, and lacking in flavor. Cielito Lindo has them perfected with soft, flavorful tortillas and juicy meat. The beans were very good and the sauce is as everyone says it is...drinkable. They have changed my opinion of the rolled taco and are indeed quite worthy of a top food quality rating. The building is small and dingy, yet it is clean. I would have to say that it has done rather well given the amount of time it has been there and the number of rolled tacos that have been guzzled down since the joint was pieced together.
My only issue is the price which was a bit inflated...the #1 runs $6.00 with drinks going well over $2 depending on what you got. I know it is in a touristy area, but it is still messican food...and they are serving it in a place that screams low rent.
I'm no Mexican but I can tell you of all the places on Olvera St, this one had a line all day. So like a tourist in my own town, I decided to wait too. I got a taquito and then a chile verde (pork) burrito.
both were about as good as you could imagine. Fresh, and NO bad pieces of meat to spit out. Meat was REAL soft and the tortilla warm and pliable. I'll be back here in a jiffy. Total cost, $7 including tax.
Muchas Grasias.
There is something to be said about these taquitos and something else about the green sauce. Ever since the guys here at my work had the idea of ordering taquitos, we have been up to 10 taquitos each per person. Lately, I've been wanting something else instead of the taquitos when we order from here. I've tried their carne asada burritos and now their pork buritos. No beans, that's necessary to ask so they can leave it out.
For the order we put in, it's a two man job for the task. We would have to come pick this up so when we come here, it's 10 taquitos per person plus an extra large horchata to drink. Of course, now plus my burrito. We truck this all the way back to the office.
The way you eat this is you get two or three at a time and you basically drench your taquitos with the green sauce. By the way, if you left there without green sauce, that would be your fault. Now what I do is pour the green sauce right over the burrito so it's now a wet burrito but with the green sauce. A co-worker even tells me when there is sauce leftover, which sometimes is not likely, when he brings home an order the green sauce goes great over breakfast or eggs in the morning.
(note to self: stop here on a Friday night and make breakfast on Saturday morning)
We decided to try this place because we had already weaved towards the end of Olvera Street and still couldn't decide on a place to have lunch, so I piped up, "Why don't we just eat here since we're already standing in line?" As I stood in line, I took note of the poster that read, "World's Best Taquitos" or something to the extent. "World's Best Taquitos", eh? This I gotta try. The line was pretty long, but luckily the wait wasn't too bad. My group and I were just a bit apprehensive because the pigeons were flying by mighty close; so close that we felt the gust of wind from their flaps and if my friend didn't move back, she would have gotten side-swept by the pigeon's right wing. When it was finally our turn, we ordered the following:
Two Beef Taquitos with Avocado Sauce ($3.00) - I personally expected the taquitos to be a bit crunchy, but discovered it to be soft and possibly undercooked? I mean, I did notice they continuously placed more taquitos into the pan, and mine was on top, so I guess they didn't get a chance to turn it. Oh well, at least the sauce was tasty!
Bean and Cheese Burrito ($4.00) - I heard this was very liquid-y, but filling.
Two Beef Taquitos with Avocado Sauce and a Large Drink ($5.00)
Hm...I was definitely expecting more from a place that coined their taquitos as the world's best. Although, I have to admit, their taquitos were generously filled with beef and laden with the yummy avocado sauce, so I wouldn't mind trying this place again.
I'm so glad to see this humble establishment is highly rated. The taquitos and avocado sauce are the main attraction but don't forget the chile rellenos. Soooo incredibly delicious. If you haven't tried Horchata yet give it a try here. I'd say pass on the restaurants and grab some of this tasty food to go. Then munch as you make a few fun purchases and really take in all of the many, many historical attributes of Los Angeles' tiny but treasured Olivera Street, home of LA's oldest home..
The refried beans here were absolutely ridiculous, best tasting Mex I've had in probably forever. Chille Relleno burrito wasn't muddled with rice, either, just chile, beans and cheese, good lord it was amazing.
These are the BEST taquitos you can get at Olvera St.
It's the "sauce."
When I first went to this place (years ago) I was expecting guacamole but got this green salsa all over my food instead. OMG! I can't believe what i'd been missing.
The beans are really good too. I swear everytime I go I end up practically licking my paper plate.mmm...
*if you ever order to go ask them to put the salsa in a seperate container. Once the taquitos get soggy they aren't as tasty.
i am salivating right now like if i have been clasically conditioned to the words 'cielito lindo.'
this place has the most amazing taquitos. finger licking-box licking good. so good it makes me want to cry because they are not in arms reach. and to add to their amazingness you can get the combo with beans and melted cheese. what a way to complete the best taquito meal ever! i'm telling you, you will not find beans like these anywhere else.
the gucamole sauce is gold. i cannot even explain how good it is. ohk, i have to stop. anymore talking about this and i'm going to be rushing to fullerton train station, hopping on the metrolink, exiting union station, and probably tripping over children to get my fix. although, you know, it is a nice day for a day out in olvera street. some of their cold horchata would totally make ditching work worthwile.
Went down to this place with my girlfriend. She has never been to Olvera St to see the cool little shops and have some lunch. So we saw the crazy line in front of this place so I thought we had to try it. Best taquitos I've ever had.
And the green sauce is crack like people say it is.
They still got it!
I have been going here since I was a kid. I started out with no sauce just taquitos but slowly graduated to the oh so wonderful sauce! Los taquitos con frijoles y queso with extra sauce and mmmmmmm, mmm.
I want some now!
Cielito Lindo is one of the best food stands I have been to in LA.
The sauce is the key. I was brought here by someone who knew the owners personally and I was not disappointed at all.
If you are in LA jump on the subway and come out at Union Station for a little treat!
As far as little rolled taco's go, these are about some of the best i've had in a long long time... the tortilla tastes from stone-ground corn, with some texture to it, making it taste "more authentic"
the "famous avacado sauce" is something else... if i had to guess, i'd have to say its a tomatillo/avacado based chili verde type with great flavor
chili rellano's were decent also, good flavorful red sauce with not too covered with cheese, although they do not make them fresh to order, they are still not half bad
I had a weird craving for taquitos the other day. Whenever I think of taquitos, I think of the little stand located at the farthest end of Olvera Street. Never knew the name of this place (or more like I never bothered to look up at the sign) but I have to agree with a lot of the other reviews, they have the best avocado sauce around.
I ordered the #1, 3 deep fried taquitos smothered in avocado sauce, beans and cheese on the side $6.00, and a small coke $1.50. No tax, cash only.
At first I thought I might still be hungry since there were only 3 of them but by the time I had finished, I was stuffed. I guess the beans and cheese really filled me up.
There is seating for about 10 people under the awning next to cooking area but when it's busy, people are sitting along the brick planters in the middle of the aisle. It gets pretty busy at lunch time. Parking sucks but it's located right across the street from Union Station. Taking the red or gold line will give you a chance to walk back through the Union Station terminal and walk off all of that greasy goodness.
I'll be back again soon.
ok so this place in Alvera St. is heaven.
make sure you have an empty stomach before.
i drive down to LA just to eat there .
I get 4 taquitos and a burrito with green sauce on both while im there
after i finish eating i bring two dozen taquittos home, 5 burritos, and two large cups of green sauce
ask for Jose he is really cool . My grandpa and his buddies used to drink with him and try to get him really drunk to tell him the recipe to his secret Guacamole sauce. didn't work out.. if anyone has that recipe let me know?? thankyou
If the other place at the beginning of the alley (acroos from chevron) is jammed packed, you should migrate over to cielito lindo. Fast service, cheap, they have some (limited) seating, and the salsa they serve with their tacos is good. Don't try the salsas that have been sitting outside on the tables with the sun heating them for hours...not so tasty or stomach friendly.
I've been coming here since I was a child. Unlike some childhood haunts, this one has stood the test of time ... the same taquitos that taste just like they did decades ago.
I love that the taquitos have a distinctly "roasty" flavor. Yes, iI know it's not real guacamole but the green sauce is just right!!!
PS: I miss the long-gone blacksmith next door.
Taquitos so good, I haven't tried any other dish. Beans and Rice are great. Guacamole is watery, but unmatched.
I drive out here from OC just for the taquitos. They are the best i've had in southern california. OK, the best i've EVER had.
The only 1 star downgrade is for the crappy seating and difficulty of parking. If you have an extra person with you, they can jump out of the car, get the food, and jump back in without paying. BUT if you want to eat there (which is better anways) you've got to pay. I find the train station across the street works best... they charge per 15minutes so I usually end up paying $6 instead of $8-10 at the post office parking lot.
The avocado/green sauce is what makes the food extra special. Ask for extra, they'll happily give it to you.
Oh, and I've noticed it's best to come at peak hours (i.e. 12-1 for lunch) because that's when the food is the most fresh.
I was a fan..in 1979 when the food was authentic, but I don't think they've changed the frying oil since. They cut the crack with some old frying oil and then it solidifies in your stomach, and your stuck with an uncomfortable chuncky rock to shit out.
Dinner here tonight was pretty bad...
Greeeeaaaasy friggin taquitos that made me feel a lil dirty after eating them. But hey, I had just put in a few hours at a nearby bar and nothing sounded better at the time. The lard beans on the side proved to be too much for the ole stomach, though. But they were crispy, crunchy....could've used a hotter salsa.
Will I come back? Well, will I be drunk in that area again? Most likely.
Tall Mexican and I had this last night as a last minute dinner choice and it certainly did not disappoint. We went on a Thursday night around 8 pm and it was dead - there were only two other people eating there. This was goo dnews for me since I have driven by and seen lines wrap down the alleys of Olvera Street. I ordered the #1 - 3 taquitos with avocado sauce and beans and cheese for $6. TM got the #2 - 2 taquitos and one beef tamal. My taquitos were the best I've had in LA and I am a huge taquito fan! I was starving when we arrived and could only plow through two of the three taquitos because they were so filling and I barely touched the beans and cheese, so next time I would get the two ala carte taquitos for $3 and be an economical, full and happy woman! The avocado sauce is delish and has the perfect hint of spiciness without making it inedible for my white mouth. We will definitely be back again next time the mood for cheap taquitos hits.
This place is the best! My parents brouht me here on a regular basis when I was a kid. I love the taquitos, and especially the guacamole. This is one of the spots I try to visit every time I go back to Southern California.
Not too long ago I had to changes planes at LAX. I called my sister and had her meet me at the airport just so I could get a quick taquito fix during my layover. The fact that she drove all of the way from Mission Viejo just to do a quick taquito run with me tells you how much my whole family likes this place.
My family has passed down to me, the love/obsession for the green sauce. I also believe the taquitos are amazing- but honestly I go for the sauce. The best combo is the 3 taquitos with beans. But growing up I was taught, just order like half a dozen taquitos. So if you can relate to drinking chile/salsa then this place is for you! My sis has eaten tamales and burritos from there and also says they are pretty good. BUT JUST GET THE SAUCE, you won't regret it.
Okay, my friends and I are convinced their avocado sauce is laced with crack or something, it's so good. I mean, I've been going to this place for years and went back yesterday. Even though I just had lunch somewhere else, I still ordered two taquitos with the green sauce and after I ate the taquitos, I drank the rest of the sauce that was still on my plate... freaking amazing sauce!!!
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