- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
El Frijolito Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
11 Alexander StSte B
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-8823
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 9:30 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
64 reviews for El Frijolito Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Best place to get great burritos late at night."
(in 23 reviews)
"good carne asada and service."
(in 11 reviews)
"i love their bean and chese burritos."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
64 reviews in English
-
Review from Rocio F.
Watsonville, CA
8/29/2011
I cannot get enough of this place! Even though I would think I had gotten enough of it when I was in high school, "THE BEAN" never dissappoints! I came in with my coworkers for a nice lunch and it was quick and cooked to serve. I had the flautas- would recommend. Definitely not ever gonna get enough of this place.
P.S. Just don't go around 12:30. WHS kids are out for lunch and they'll swamp the place. -
Review from Mary C.
9/20/2011
They have great Mexican Food...
PRO'S: Food is great. They have friendly service. Parking is okay. Seems like a clean restaurant. Prices are good.
CON'S: It's so good it get's packed a lot of the time. -
Review from Michelle C.
Belmont, CA
9/20/2011
Hands down their horchata is really good. I'm super picky when it comes to horchata. It was $1.25.
I came here for the bean & cheese burrito. I didn't really like the cheese in the burrito, so next time I come here, I'm going to just get a bean burrito which happens to be $1.25. To add cheese is .50c.
Conclusion, this place is a super good deal. You can't get any cheaper than this place. The Bean. -
Review from Alexander B.
Pacific Grove, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'll be back to try other things on the menu and do a follow up review. This review is due to a just mediocre carne asada burrito. Good price, but way way way too much gristle and under seasoned meat.
-
Review from Hong L.
Monterey, CA
1/12/2012
El Pastor Burrito....super awesome. WTHeck, been coming to watsonville for some time and i have never known of this place. I am so excited to find a good place to eat.
Excited to come back and try some of the other dishes. -
Review from Dont worry G.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/2/2012
there is not place like this! i have to say hands down is best in Watsonville. Cant get enough everything i come home from College its on my list go to!
-
Review from David A.
Morgan Hill, CA
8/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Frijiolito... The Bean... Hole in the Wall... Whatever you call it, this place is a Watsonville staple. You would be doing a disservice to yourself to spend any amount of time in this town and not experience El Frijolito. Everything is so incredibly delicious. I've tried half the menu now and have never had a bad meal! Last night, I tried the spicy shrimp burrito and was not disappointed!
If you're in Watsonville and haven't been here, that's like being in Anaheim and not going to Disneyland. You have to love The Bean! -
Review from Basil S.
Palo Alto, CA
7/4/2011
This place is off the chain. Small place, and our group of 30 people overwhelmed them, but the place was able to handle us and they treated us very well. I believe he was the owner, but the gentlemen who was working the cashier was very friendly and even came out to talk to us after the rush to make sure everything was okay. Talk about service.
On to the food - it was fantastic. My wife ordered the shrimp cocktail and the only other shrimp cocktail that beats this is all the way down in LA. It's fresh, citrusy, and delicious. My order was the diablo camarones super burrito which was terrific as well. The spicy sauce is not just hot, but flavorful. Other times when you get something spicy all you taste and feel is the heat. But this one had flavor as well. Combining and sharing the cocktail and the burrito made a perfect meal.
Too bad this place is all the way in Watsonville, otherwise I'd be there every week! -
Review from Bryan W.
5/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
The carne asada and camarones diablo burrito had great flavor as promised. The machaca burrito we ordered was bland and a disappointment. One yelper said the burritos were the perfect size, however I found them to be overly filled and sloppily wrapped. I wanted something more manageable and more tightly wrapped. Still would eat here again if nearby and looking for roadfood.
Since I ordered takeout I'd like to give it one more try as a sit down meal. -
Review from Eva V.
Watsonville, CA
10/26/2011
El frijolito, the bean or whatever you refer to this foodtastic wonderland.. this restaurant is absolutely amazing. The burritos never disappoint me. I have had burritos in a lot of different areas but this is just the creme of the creme when it comes to mexican food and the horchata is just finger licking good. I give this place an A+ and I love the man who takes the orders he is such a sweetheart. The only con is going during the weekdays around 12:00 because off all the high school kids. Order ahead:)
-
Review from edith g.
Long Beach, CA
11/11/2011
I've never eaten at the restaurant, only gotten to go from the literal hole in the wall. Burritos are damn good and even cheaper! You can get a super burrito and horchata for around 5 bucks. Probably the best cheap burritos in santa cruz area.
-
Review from Nathan W.
Alameda, CA
4/13/2011
Camarones a la diabla in a burrito? Awesome!!!
This place doesn't look like much, and it wasn't too crowded inside at lunch time recently. What I didn't realize was the crushing mass of high school kids picking up their lunches at the back window. It was like a line of Soviets waiting to buy toilet paper. With food this good at these prices? I'd be at in that line, too. All I had was Burger King and ampm two for $1 burgers within walking distance to my alma mater. These kids don't know how lucky they have it!!!
The aforementioned burrito did not disappoint. Whoever decided to put these blessed camarones inside a super burrito may have outdone the genius behind peanut butter and jelly. And it was a total steal for $7. This place loses a point for not having homemade chips, though... -
Review from Ramsey K.
San Jose, CA
10/26/2011
Excellent burrito. I had the carne asada super (hold the lettuce added onions/cilantro). The atmosphere isn't much to be desired but the end product makes me want to go back. If you're from the South Bay Area this is on the level of La Bamba in Mountain View.
-
Review from Andrea A.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/26/2011
I'm used to Santa Cruz taquerias, where you can get a mediocre burrito for maybe $6 or $7, and plates for around $9 or $10. Now I know better. :)
My boyfriend recently took me here and I was blown away by the prices, serving sizes, and - most importantly - flavor! Everything tastes so, so good. The salsa is just the right kind of spicy, and you get free chips and salsa when you dine in. So far, I've had the chile relleno plate (and burrito), and the super burrito with pork which is something ridiculous like $4 for a helping that was bigger than my face. Man oh man. Gotta love it! -
Review from Heidy S.
Santa Cruz, CA
I never knew beans were so key to taste.
These burritos were legit.
I've had the carne asada, veggie, and shrimp ones.
On rainy days, I buy my staff their burritos. -
Review from Daisy V.
San Francisco, CA
6/13/2011
HMMMM!
I debated whether I should write a review for the bean or not, knowing that it'll be somewhat biased. You should know that my dad has worked here for 22 years, yes the bald man with the mustache is my dad, he's there almost everyday, i'm sure you know who i'm talking about if you've been here more than once :)
I still haven't tried everything on the menu, my favorite are the chicken enchiladas, no salad, just rice and beans. If i'm in a hurry or coming back to SF I grab bean and cheese burritos. They freeze well and can last a while, I just throw them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
When I eat elsewhere I usually order tacos-- since this isn't a taqueria, they're not the best but definitely a decent taco, but that means they're better at everything else!
And they make their horchata from scratch!
It gets really busy during the school year, since a lot of the watsonville high students come here for lunch between 11:30 and 12:30, just keep that in mind if you're coming for lunch! -
Review from Faye B.
Watsonville, CA
Delicious. I've tried the chicken tacos (maybe the best I've ever had), chile relleno burrito (yes, you read right. Yum), Chile Verde, and a basic bean and cheese burrito. All tasted great, their beans are perfect, the bean and cheese burrito was the perfect mix of cheesy/beany goodness in a slightly toasted flour tortilla. I'm so happy that I don't have to go far from work for such yummy, filling food.
-
Review from sueann s.
Cupertino, CA
7/4/2011
I have been passively and yet unceasingly searching for a shrimp cocktail in the Bay Area that lives up to the memory I have of the Cocteles de Cameron (Mexican shrimp cocktail) from Las Brisas in LA. They have the best! And yet this is a very close second and I would drive out to Watsonville just to consume this once again. Price was right (just under $10) compared to other places I've seen that offer a lesser version for over $12. Perfectly seasoned and completely refreshing, it's satisfying to know that this place exists close to home.
Listed in: Food I'm Craving
-
Review from Omar O.
Watsonville, CA
8/8/2011
The bean and rice burritos from here are amazing! and for a good price too! The rest of the menu is great however if you a want a custom order (i.e. no avocado, no sour cream) you probably wont be happy with your meal because the cooks tend to mess up ALL THE TIME. Make sure you bring cash because some meals are expensive like the nachos (although they are definitely worth it) Overall, El Frijolito (or as the cool kids call it "The Bean") is a great place to eat, if you have enough money.
-
Review from Isabel H.
Watsonville, CA
8/9/2011
I feel really bad because the food is awesome, one problem they always mess up my order. I am allergic to avocados (sound silly but i break out in hives) and EVERYTIMES I SWEAR THEY END UP WITH ONE IN THERE, i ask about 3 times NO AVOCADO, the last few times I've gone it happens. Anyways the food overall is super yummy just don't want to risk getting hives after a bad ass burrito :)
-
Review from Anna Marie P.
Watsonville, CA
8/22/2011
The food is great, but the restaurant is not very clean. We have been ordering take out for years at El Frijolito. The people are very friendly.
The flavor of the food has been consistent. -
Review from Kim T.
6/17/2011
Maybe living in LA set my expectations too high for AUTHENTIC mexican restaurants. I always judge them by their tacos. If they have cheese,sour cream or lettuce,authenticity is out the window. Not that those kind of tacos can't be good, they are just not your .50 or .75cent-order-at-least-six-at-a-time tacos that only require lime or chile. The Bean tacos are huge and filling, just not what I like when authentic is my expectation. I did enjoy their machaca one evening though, delicious. Friendly service as well. Credit Cards for purchases over $10 I believe.
Comment from Sergio C. of El Frijolito Restaurant 8/9/2011
The minimum for credit card purchases is $5. Thanks for the… More » -
Review from Diego A.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am always in search of great Authentic Mexican food and with El Frijolito, You definitely get that. The family business environment provides you with a feeling of comfort, not to mention that the food is delicious. Whoever is back there cooking sure has mad skills. Everytime I go I order the tacos de pastor, my favorite. Next time you are around Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Salinas, or anywhere around Monterey County, make sure to stop by and order some of the amazing food. You won't regret it.
-
Review from Kelly B.
San Jose, CA
10/12/2010
The Yelp reviews and our hunger led us here.
I've had some amazing Mexican food in my life, and I try hard not to compare other places to my favorites. This place was a little underwhelming on it's own merits. I hate to give this place a lukewarm review, but I just wasn't thrilled.
We were given chips and salsa when we sat down after ordering. I've said it before that the salsa will determine just how good a mexican restaurant is, and usually it's the salsa that will bring me back. The chips were from a bag sold at the grocery store (Tostinos brand or something from Costco, I think?). The salsa was flavorful but not even remotely hot. Mediocre would be a good way to put it. The chips really detracted from the experience.
I had vegetarian nachos. The grocery store chips made their reappearance. Lots of monterey jack cheese and some refried beans with a sprinkle of jalapenos and avocado slices on top. It was just ok, but even the salsa didn't improve the taste. Would have liked guacamole and maybe some salsa fresca or something.
Husband had unremarkable vegetarian tacos. They were not bad, but nothing to write home about.
Service was very polite and quick! This was a nice surprise.
In all fairness, we assumed that the meat dishes here are probably what bring people back. Hunger sometimes makes food taste even better, but not in this case. I wasn't terribly impressed by our food, and if I find myself in the area again I will likely go elsewhere... Or hold out for someplace in Santa Cruz. -
Review from imelda j.
San Francisco, CA
8/17/2008
This brings me back to my high school days when all my friends and I would head over here (along with 1/4 of the other high school students) and order loads of burritos. I'd imagine it still gets packed at lunch time during the week, but it's close and pretty quick.
I used to get a burrito of carne asada or maybe a torta to change it up. My friends would get the veggie burrito or a bean and cheese. I wish they served carnitas.
I think there's better places to get quick Mexican food, but it's a familiar place and also they're quick with their service. You still hold a special place in my heard Mr. Frijolito! -
Review from Daddy O.
Long Beach, CA
Updated - 12/12/2008 3 photos
STILL A FAVORITE!
However, be warned: Weekdays during the school year, about 547266983 High School Students converge on the "hole in the wall" right around 12:30. Be forewarned, and time your lunch accordingly!Listed in: Watsonville Taqueria Dos and…, Watsonville Lunch in 1 hour or…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/25/2007
HOLE IN THE WALL.
A lunchtime favorite. Where else can you stuff your face with a $2.50 burrito… Read more »
-
-
Review from Hideki H.
Mountain View, CA
2/12/2008
So this review came from reading all of my friends stupid reviews of what they thought were the best burritos in the South Bay Area. OMG, if you want the best freaking burrito out there you cant mess around. Go to Watsonville, they just do things differently. If you are from Southern Cal, San Diego you have to try El Frijolito "Hole in the wall"
Literally this place has a hole in the wall that you can walk up to and get mexican food. It is the single best burrito in the Bay Area.
Seriously, anything that I can write about this place is an injustice, go there, try the burritos and you will know what I am talking about. Peace
P.S. If you meet any locals there, ask them about the Wooden Nickel. The best skirt steak ever. -
Review from Aaron L.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/17/2009 1 Check-in Here
Ordered 2 Tacos: Pollo and Carne Asada; diet coke. Chips & salsa were complimentary; total bill less than $6.
Pollo was done in a red sauce, with some cabbage on top. Lots of meat heaped up on the tortillas, but still fold-overable. Chicken was shredded nicely, not spicy but interesting.
Carne asada was chopped meat, with some beans a little cabbage as well. Flavor of the meat was good, not great; but the texture was just right. Definitely not bad carne asada (aka ground chuck + seasonings), but didn't blow my socks off. Aboud as large as the Chicken.
Props to both for being about as big as you can eat without a knife & fork; the nice service, friendly guy at the counter, and the decidedly underrated salsa (heat is good.) Didn't add any to the tacos; they didn't need it.
This is probably one of the cleanest hole-in-the-wall taquerias I've ever been in, to boot.
The sole criticism would be the chips: I have nothing against using someone else chips, but the ones El Frijo chooses are really just meh -- couldn't they go down Main and swipe some from Cilantro's?Listed in: Tacos, Tacos, Everywhere
-
Review from Audrey S.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2009
So Jack N the Box offers two tacos for a dollar, but do they offer walk/skate/bike up service to their take out window? For anyone anguished by the answer to that question (it's no), behold El Frijolito aka The Bean aka THE Hole in the Wall: one side, a restaurant, the other, a take out window. Thus "the hole in the wall." Genius.
Further genius, extreme laziness and language barriers have been accounted for, and rather than having to exert the effort to read the menu, then sound a fool trying to pronounce your order, just find the picture and point. Yup, so easy, even a gringa can do it.
While it may not be quite as cheap as two tacos for a dollar, the price is really nothing to complain about. For $2.75 you can get a burrito, comparable in size to a pudgy baby leg, crammed full of your selection of meat (NOT infant), and an endless supply of chips (which are...eh, straight out of the Costco bag probably) and super tasty salsa. They have plated dishes also which vary in price, but nothing really exceeds about $10.
No frills or bourgeois decor, and I wouldn't call it THE best Mexican food ever (pretty freakin' good though), but it's an awesome quick bite place for little cash. -
Review from alma p.
Watsonville, CA
7/4/2011
Judging by the fact that I only order the bean and cheese burritos, i shouldn't make a comment,
however I will only because the burritos are deelish!
typical WHS lunch spot, so avoid between the hours of 12-1 pm!
however it is worth it for cheap good burritos.
The guys in the hole in the wall ..aka the back window-serving part of the bean...gave me a free burrito for wearing a skirt! yey sexy legs! lol!!
anywayss, in all honestly this place is good :) -
Review from Mark P.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/24/2011
Watsonville is a lovely old California town, wall to wall with wonderful Mexican markets and restaurants. The Frijolito is much my favorite. The food is fresh, the menu is just right, the prices are great, and the family owners are friendly and welcoming. I don't live in Watsonville anymore but I've driven down there a few times on weekends just to visit the Frijolito! Suggestion: avoid lunch times on weekdays, it's packed with students from the high school around the corner.
-
Review from kim l.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/26/2011
Cheap fast & great sevice. Burritos con pastor are excellent. This spot can be anoying when packed with students from the nearby HS. But staff ia great
-
Review from Marcella G.
Aptos, CA
1/29/2011
I ordered a cheese enchilada and chile relleno and they were different from any others I've ever had. Absolutely delicious.
Recently went back and had the same meal as before but it was in a pool of grease. The waiter made two mistakes on my order and refused to believe me. -
Review from Kursten O.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/10/2010
We decided on El Frijolito after reading about it on Yelp because it seemed like an institution in Watsonville and since we aren't from the area we didn't know any better.
My husband ordered the chile verde burrito which he said was tasty but it lacked any significant chunks of chile verde. He also felt the meat in my son's carne asada burrito was overcooked and crunchy, like it was deep fried. Deep fried carne asada?? They also put lettuce and avocado (not guacamole) in the burritos and my husband is not a fan of lettuce in burritos.
I had a delicious vegetarian burrito, although I would have preferred guacamole instead of avocado slices. The tortilla was yummy!
The chips were pre-packaged and they stack the chip boxes with other junk on a rack near the restrooms. The salsa was average.
The restaurant was definitely a hole in the wall, a little messy. The back of the men's restroom door was covered in graffiti and it looked like no attempt has ever been made to cover it up. Tacky!Listed in: Camping trip up hwy 1
-
Review from miss t.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/22/2009
This place has the best Chili Relleno burritos. Most of the people who rated this place poorly are Watsonville High School students (who eat here ALL the time and are sick of it), people who used to live in Watsonville (and are too snobby for cute little mom and pop places like this now), or are people who expect Taco Bell food when they are at an authentic Mexican restaurant.
This place is fast, friendly, and fresh... and won't put a dent in your pocket. I come here all of the time with my girlfriend and we love it. We come after a day at the beach or we'll drive to Watsonville sometimes just to have dinner there. -
Review from S V.
San Jose, CA
8/17/2009 3 Check-ins Here
Hands down the BEST hole-in-the-wall Mexican food. EVER. Really.
Who needs atmosphere when you can get a carnitas burrito THAT GOOD for like, I think it was $3?!! Mmm... and the rice and beans, and OMG - I have *never* had chicken enchiladas that good! Seriously, how often is the chicken either dry, or bland, or just not interesting? But not here.
If you're going, will you bring me something back? Please? I'm drooling just thinking about it. -
Review from Allegra I.
San Jose, CA
11/19/2007 5 Check-ins Here
This is the famous HOLE IN THE WALL. This will always and forever be one of my favorite places to eat in Watsonville. I went there a few times a week when I went to high school.
Everything is good on the menu. The tortas are just soooo good. It's a big ole piece of carne asada sandwiched in one of the best rolls I've ever had. The nachos are good even though they don't come with meat. But my all time favorite is a super al pastor burrito. The al pastor is just a little bit spicy and the avocado is always nice and fresh. -
Review from jessica s.
Austin, TX
11/22/2010
this is my favorite restaurant on the planet.
i don't eat meat so i judge a burrito basically on the beans. They are the best i've ever had. I have only found one taqueria (la cumbre in SF) that had refried beans that even compared.
The burritos are the perfect size, the perfect price.
It doesn't matter how many high school kids are crowded inside, i've never waited longer than like 5 minutes for my food.
I grew up on this place and every time I come back to see my family I become overjoyed with anticipation for a burrito from the hole in the wall. -
Review from Remi B.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/22/2009
They got four stars because their burritos really do top all other
Taquerias' in Watsonville that I have tried.
As long as its not between 12 and 1 there doesn't seem to be much of a wait for the little hole in the wall. -
Review from John B.
Escondido, CA
9/19/2010
Really liked this place. Stopped in for dinner and had a carne asada burrito. Not quite like the ones in San Diego but for some reason I really liked it- especially the salsa. Chips and salsa were free and while the chips weren't great the salsa was. Overall, the staff was very friendly and the food was quality- as you would expect from a mexican restaurant like this.
