I have been coming to El Cantarito for as long as I can recall. I started out coming quite frequently when I lived in the area, then as the years went on, the visits came more sporadic. Over the years though, the food and service have remained consistently good. The restaurant is on the smaller side and they offer outdoor seating. On this particular evening we had no problems finding a seat. You can pick a seat wherever and are warmly greeted by a server promptly. They serve fresh, thick, salty, crispy chips. The level of addiction for these chips should be illegal because we go through baskets quickly they are delish. I ordered my meal, which was a bowl of caldo de pollo. This caldo is served to the brim with fresh veggies, potato, and chicken. The broth is very flavorful, making it a very soothing and comforting dish. On the side was a small side of rice, very delicious and fluffy. No one else but my grandma can get the fluff on their rice which makes it that much more enjoyable. I also had a side of flour tortillas which were good too. You can choose between flour or corn. While it can be a little hard to find parking here, we were able to find a spot behind a the building. If you are ever out in Placentia, be sure to give this restaurant a chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anakatrina Waltz
The food was so good! I got the combo plate with a cheese enchilada and a hard shell shredded beef taco. Everything was delicious and the chips and salsa were on point too. This is for sure my go to Mexican food spot in Placentia.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabriela M Carreto
Not recommended for real Mexican people
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jessica Ford
Cozy, local restaurant with amazing food and good atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Jimenez
The food was mediocre at best. And when it was time to pay the menu price for menudo was $17 and when I paid they said the price went up to $21, put they had now change the menu price. Be careful with the price switches.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Lugine Gray
Great food and Lupe was amazing! Would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juan Jaimes
Coming from out of town, food was great and service was quick and amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nwa Flyer
It is what it is. Enjoyed the local population, but for me there are other better options in Placentia or nearby Fullerton. Prices have almost doubled over the last five years plus if you use a card, expect a credit card fee will be added so the restaurant does not have that exposure.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
D
Chips and salsa came out first. Salsa was decent, nice mild spice to it, chips were cooked but felt heavy and extremely oily. As if they sat in oil longer and absorbed it. They also tasted like old oil. I ordered 5 tacos that came out with one lime wedge and guacamole 😂 no green or red salsa. Was very awkward. Tortilla has an odd texture. undercooked but super oily. My friends ordered wet burritos and those seemed ok. Another friend ordered shrimp cocktail. Said shrimp felt mushy and instead of a Clamato sauce it was just ketchup. I didn’t believe him so I tried it for myself… it was literally ketchup soup. Was very very awkward food. Definitely not authentic. Will never go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rebecca Wright
Fantastic food and truly outstanding service. I’m pretty sure this is a family-run spot, and it shows in the warmth and care they put into everything. The pozole was absolutely amazing!
Ordered large asada nachos, and the portions were ginormous! Fast service. Parking is somewhat difficult due to limited space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nachos
Ian Schemp
I was traveling and came in right before close on a Sunday. Maps said they were open until 9pm but it was really 8pm. They seated me anyway and I ate 4 excellent street tacos and a beer as quick as I could and paid cash since I felt bad for keeping them late. Staff was super nice!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rosanna Angeldones
Took a chance on this place since it was close to the hotel. It was great. Food tasted very homemade and authentic. Staff was very friendly faces. I would definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayla Fletcher
Miranda was super nice! And the food was delicious! Highly recommend!!
I have been coming to El Cantarito for as long as I can recall. I started out coming quite frequently when I lived in the area, then as the years went on, the visits came more sporadic.
Over the years though, the food and service have remained consistently good.
The restaurant is on the smaller side and they offer outdoor seating. On this particular evening we had no problems finding a seat. You can pick a seat wherever and are warmly greeted by a server promptly.
They serve fresh, thick, salty, crispy chips. The level of addiction for these chips should be illegal because we go through baskets quickly they are delish.
I ordered my meal, which was a bowl of caldo de pollo. This caldo is served to the brim with fresh veggies, potato, and chicken. The broth is very flavorful, making it a very soothing and comforting dish.
On the side was a small side of rice, very delicious and fluffy. No one else but my grandma can get the fluff on their rice which makes it that much more enjoyable. I also had a side of flour tortillas which were good too. You can choose between flour or corn.
While it can be a little hard to find parking here, we were able to find a spot behind a the building.
If you are ever out in Placentia, be sure to give this restaurant a chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so good! I got the combo plate with a cheese enchilada and a hard shell shredded beef taco. Everything was delicious and the chips and salsa were on point too. This is for sure my go to Mexican food spot in Placentia.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not recommended for real Mexican people
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Cozy, local restaurant with amazing food and good atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was mediocre at best. And when it was time to pay the menu price for menudo was $17 and when I paid they said the price went up to $21, put they had now change the menu price. Be careful with the price switches.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Great food and Lupe was amazing! Would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coming from out of town, food was great and service was quick and amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is what it is. Enjoyed the local population, but for me there are other better options in Placentia or nearby Fullerton. Prices have almost doubled over the last five years plus if you use a card, expect a credit card fee will be added so the restaurant does not have that exposure.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Chips and salsa came out first. Salsa was decent, nice mild spice to it, chips were cooked but felt heavy and extremely oily. As if they sat in oil longer and absorbed it. They also tasted like old oil. I ordered 5 tacos that came out with one lime wedge and guacamole 😂 no green or red salsa. Was very awkward. Tortilla has an odd texture. undercooked but super oily. My friends ordered wet burritos and those seemed ok. Another friend ordered shrimp cocktail. Said shrimp felt mushy and instead of a Clamato sauce it was just ketchup. I didn’t believe him so I tried it for myself… it was literally ketchup soup. Was very very awkward food. Definitely not authentic. Will never go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fantastic food and truly outstanding service. I’m pretty sure this is a family-run spot, and it shows in the warmth and care they put into everything. The pozole was absolutely amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Ordered large asada nachos, and the portions were ginormous! Fast service. Parking is somewhat difficult due to limited space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nachos
I was traveling and came in right before close on a Sunday. Maps said they were open until 9pm but it was really 8pm. They seated me anyway and I ate 4 excellent street tacos and a beer as quick as I could and paid cash since I felt bad for keeping them late. Staff was super nice!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Took a chance on this place since it was close to the hotel. It was great. Food tasted very homemade and authentic. Staff was very friendly faces. I would definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Miranda was super nice! And the food was delicious! Highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Horchata not homemade, food good overall
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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