El Abajeno

been a fan since a child of el abajeno and Lately i have not been very pleased with the service and the food . the employees do not look very happy . and the portions have become smaller .hmm. what really going on ?i might just gonna have to by pass you ... more

First time at El Abajeno, met the manager Arthur. I was so glad to see chorizo on the menu. I got quevos con chorizo in a burrito with rice and beans. It was a huge portion (2 meals for me) topped it with their spicy sauce. Their tortilla chips were delicious, crisp, and great with their pico de gallo. Will be returning very soon. Pros: Chorizo and Fresh Tortilla Chips more

You know a place is good when you can't eat the food fast enough. I just inhaled two of El Abajeno's signature carnitas tacos, and can barely remember what they looked like. Oh yeah: they were stuffed, and I do mean STUFFED, with shredded pork, and topped with an avocado slice and white cheese. I meant to put some hot sauce on them (actually I like them with jalapenos), but they were just too tasty on their own to bother. Get the number 12; you'll get two of these beauties and some perfectly cooked re-fried beans and rice. I will be back to see what else they offer, but they had me at the number 12... Pros: Carnitas tacos to die for Cons: Other than off-peak hours, be prepared to wait. more

I have dined at El Abajeno for 25 years. I now live in Port Townsend, WA, but consider the food at ""El Ab"" worth the flight to Los Angeles. Four reasons: (1) authentic atmosphere (nothing pretentious, really a Mexican cafeteria), (2) authentic food (come on Gringos, since when did you see sour cream served in Mexico? Really! Go to Taco Bell for that type of ""authentic"" Mexican food. (3) the carnitas. In my opinion, carnitas is the indicator that a Mexican restaurant is authentic. Carnitas means little meats, in Mexico, a whole pig is butchered, and each part fried in lard in a large caldron, and served on waxed-paper or newspaper to place in tortillas. At El Ab, get the Tacos de Carnitas (my favorite) or the Burrito de Carnitas. Two corn tortillas, dipped in hot oil (very greasy), shredded pork carnitas, white mexican cheese (there is no Cheddar cheese in Mexico), an avocado slice, and their heavenly green salsa. (4) the salsa. With their green salsa, you don't need no stinkin' salsa bar, amigo. If you are looking for an American salsa bar, go to Baja Fresh! The chips are for their outstanding beans (cooked with lard, I believe). The plates are filling, so don't ask for more chips, remember, you came for the carnitas. There is limited parking on the south side of the building. There is a security guard in the evenings on the sidewalk near the parking lot, or by the front door, please tip him on the way out. We have never had a problem with our safety here, but if might give some a case of nerves. Come here for an authentic Mexican cafeteria experience. Join Mexicans, Mexican-Americans and Americans in a relaxed, self-service dining adventure. No reservations. Friendly, bilingual staff. Cash and major credit cards. Beer available. Enjoy! Pros: Authentic Mexican cafeteria food, friendly staff, security guard outside, orders to go Cons: Sometimes a wait, no reservations taken, but worth it more

Try the chile rellenos here, they are the best ever. And the grease is THE POINT! i actually haven't been there in years, been out of the area, but am going to go sometime next week. i remember it as a hole in the wall, with a line out the door, especially on sunday mornings, peopled by mexican and mexican-american locals, hollywood types, even the occasional movie star. i did not rate the burritos because i never ate one there. the food is the best, the ambience is grungy informal small unpretentious and comfortable. i don't even remember a salsa bar, so apparently it's changed some since i've been there. i can't wait to go again! Pros: great food, cheap, authentic more

Yes, it's true, I've been dining at El Abajeno for about 30 years. It's been in the same location the whole time, but used to literally be a tiny whole in the wall. I now live in NJ. Anytime I fly to LA, it's the first place I go. I will be flying in this week and will head straight to El Abajeno for a burrito, carnitas taquito, taquitos, tostada, or whatever. I love the place with a true passion! Highly recommended if you don't need fancy surroundings and if you don't mind cafeteria style. You won't be waited on. The salsa bar is fine. Who needs to drowned this awesome food with salsa? more

All of their food tastes great and is really a bargain for the amount of food you are given. Their Abajeno Burrito is enough to feed two hungry people and it is always made fresh in front of your face, the line is long during lunch, but worth the wait when you smell whats cooking! This shames Baja Fresh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: Huge Portions, Great Flavor, Price Cons: , waiting in Line more

If you can forgive the lame salsa bar, this place offers some fantastic food. And this is real Mexican - no gobs of cheddar cheese found here! Their signature carnitas taquitos are usually incredible - tons of just slightly dry shredded pork wrapped in soft tortillas with a sprinkling of fresh cheese and an avocado slice. However, they can be oily - one time my taquito was literally the greasiest food item I have ever held in my hands. The carne asada burrito is the closest to the extremely tasty and classic SF Mission-style we have had in LA so far, and boy have we looked! Replace the refried beans with pinto beans and add some sour cream, and it could be perfect. Add in the incredible prices and soft drink refills, and you have a winning restaurant. We can't wait to try more items in the future. Pros: prices, food Cons: sometimes greasy, stingy with chips, bad salsas more