El Charrito offers convenient online ordering in Monterey for all of our authentic Mexican food. Pick what you want and it will be ready for you as soon as you get here. Delicious food made simple; get yours today! El Charrito shares our family recipes with you in every meal - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Truly satisfying and authentic our Mexican food is always made fresh. You can't go wrong with one of our homemade tortillas! Our family opened up El Charrito in Salinas, many years ago, in hopes of making our own American dream come true. We have found success in our traditional Mexican food that we would love to share with you.
Truly satisfying and authentic our Mexican food is always made fresh. You can't go wrong with one of our homemade tortillas! Our family opened up El Charrito in Salinas, many years ago, in hopes of making our own American dream come true. We have found success in our traditional Mexican food that we would love to share with you.
Services
Like many immigrants who came to this country, we came with hopes of opportunity and a better life. Our family, the Moncada's, migrated to this country from Mexico in the early 60's with the same mentality and in pursuit of the of the American dream. As many immigrants do, our family had to work hard in order to save money to be able to open a small business in Salinas and achieve our American dream.
Since 1981, El Charrito has been providing our customers with Mexican food, unlike anything you've tasted before. High-quality ingredients, passionate chefs, and dedication to excellence are all made fresh for you daily. Many people ask us, what is the secret to your success; the answer: our family recipes and secret tortilla ingredients.
El Charrito authentic Mexican restaurant is located in Salinas, California welcoming people from all over the Monterey Bay area to get a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine. If you are searching "best Mexican food near me" or looking for family recipes that you will find nowhere else, look no further.
Are you throwing a fiesta in Salinas, a Monterey area work event, or just have to feed a lot of friends and family? Have El Charrito cater your event! We offer a mouthwatering spread of our most crave-worthy eats that your guests will love. We are passionate about food and giving those we feed an experience they won't forget - we won't disappoint!
Our American dream was built around creating a menu full of delicious and authentic Mexican food, that people wanted to share. Each item on El Charrito's menu derives from a family recipe and is served traditional style. Visit our authentic Mexican restaurant in Salinas and the Monterey area and enjoy the recipes that we've created.
Reviews (21)
Joetta H.
Jan 30, 2022
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Emsee H.
Jan 19, 2022
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If you know you know. Home made tortillas. Delicious breakfast burritos. I recommend the jamon con papas (ham with potatoes) and the nopal breakfast burrito.
Order ahead with the app or just online. So worth it to cut time out. You go to the entrance of the market and tell them you have an online order then youre done. If you can catch a bag of the tortillas you caught a unicorn. Best tortillas hands down. Like grandma makes!
Order ahead with the app or just online. So worth it to cut time out. You go to the entrance of the market and tell them you have an online order then youre done. If you can catch a bag of the tortillas you caught a unicorn. Best tortillas hands down. Like grandma makes!
Thamar G.
Dec 30, 2021
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Vince
Dec 27, 2021
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Manuel De La Herran Jr
Dec 21, 2021
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Misha T.
Dec 16, 2021
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Well this place has a ton of reviews and is open early and I wanted to have something good and filling for a day at Laguna Seca. El Charrito was exactly that. I got a breakfast burrito plus two other lunch ones for later and everything was awesome. But I think what makes them stand out is how good their tortillas are. Just great chew to them, probably from the lard. They let you buy up to two packs to go and everyone ahead of me was getting at least one so I did too and do not regret it. Also, pretty wild that there was a line out there at 6:55am but it went super quick.
Lawrence H.
Dec 13, 2021
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MENU AND FOOD: They offer a variety of Mexican favorites along with beef and potato taquitos!
SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE: Service is quick and efficient. Their decor is appropriate and simple. They do have a designated area for picking up pre-orders.
PARKING: They do have their own parking lot, but it can reach capacity at their peak hours.
IMPRESSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: I've had their beef and potato taquitos, which are like fried mini tacos topped with guacamole. I usually get an order of 6 for a satisfying lunch. I haven't had their other offerings, but they often have a long line
SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE: Service is quick and efficient. Their decor is appropriate and simple. They do have a designated area for picking up pre-orders.
PARKING: They do have their own parking lot, but it can reach capacity at their peak hours.
IMPRESSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: I've had their beef and potato taquitos, which are like fried mini tacos topped with guacamole. I usually get an order of 6 for a satisfying lunch. I haven't had their other offerings, but they often have a long line
Dario G.
Nov 20, 2021
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Yu P.
Nov 16, 2021
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Really fills you up even though the burrito is not super big. The flour tortilla is what everyone is talking about and I agree, very good consistency with every bite. It makes the burrito. The flavors were not incredible for me, but the price was like we went back in time to the 1980s. I arrived just before the lunch rush with super long line out the store. There are two picnic tables in the parking lot for seating. Many go to their cars because of privacy and it was nippy and windy out today. Feel like a drive thru 1950s style eatery for this reason.
I really liked the chips and guacamole, which
I really liked the chips and guacamole, which
Bridget Sierra
Oct 31, 2021
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Cindy Aguilar
Oct 20, 2021
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Osvaldo C.
Oct 09, 2021
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These burritos are everything you want from a northern Mexico styled burrito. Beans, rice, guisado, and salsa. None of that extra stuff like sour cream, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, or other fillers. El Charrito let's their guisados and their homemade flour tortillas do all the lifting here.
At less than 5 bucks for their most expensive item (the Chile relleno burrito) this place is an affordable gem that will leave you more than satisfied. I can eat, but two of their burritos and I am good!
Do yourself a favor and also try their tacos de papa y res. Don't be cheap and get the guacamole
At less than 5 bucks for their most expensive item (the Chile relleno burrito) this place is an affordable gem that will leave you more than satisfied. I can eat, but two of their burritos and I am good!
Do yourself a favor and also try their tacos de papa y res. Don't be cheap and get the guacamole
Laura Ware
Aug 04, 2021
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Jeongbum Seo
Jul 04, 2021
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Taquitos were really awesome!!! I think this place is the best for authentic mexican in the town!
[UPDATE]
I think this place is one of the best mexican foods in California!!
The best part is daily handmade tortilla.
Chicharron has just eye close taste to it. I’ve never seen any Chicharron super tasty, gelatinous in California. Barbacoa is fall apart tender. The meat quality is insanely good.
Here is my summary.
1. This is a must stop for anyone who visit Monterey, Salinas, etc,.
2. Value and Money at the same time
I am not saying the term “value for money”
Super best quality with
[UPDATE]
I think this place is one of the best mexican foods in California!!
The best part is daily handmade tortilla.
Chicharron has just eye close taste to it. I’ve never seen any Chicharron super tasty, gelatinous in California. Barbacoa is fall apart tender. The meat quality is insanely good.
Here is my summary.
1. This is a must stop for anyone who visit Monterey, Salinas, etc,.
2. Value and Money at the same time
I am not saying the term “value for money”
Super best quality with
Aaron P.
Jun 29, 2021
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I've heard a ton of people talk about the amazing tortillas at this place but have always been rushed for lunch/dinner and off put by the line outside. That was until a couple of trips ago when I noticed an online pick up sign. It has been a game changer. As has been a recommendation by a coworker that said I should get double tortillas (yea, you read that right).
The burritos themselves are fairly small compared to other giant burritos you'll find at local taquerias. But the benefit is you can have a burrito flight and order a few different types. Who doesn't like going to a local
The burritos themselves are fairly small compared to other giant burritos you'll find at local taquerias. But the benefit is you can have a burrito flight and order a few different types. Who doesn't like going to a local
Esther Y.
Jun 29, 2021
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The best flour tortillas I've ever had. I enjoy the burritos here and taquitos (basically a crispy taco...not the rolled taquitos you might normally think of) and the prices are very reasonable for what you get, but the tortillas are the STAR here. I always get more tortillas just to eat them straight up.
Recommend ordering online and picking up.
Recommend ordering online and picking up.
Sujean W.
Jun 24, 2021
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El Charrito is my go to spot every time I'm in Salinas for work. They are a simple shop that doesn't have any indoor dining. You order cafeteria style. They are always packed no matter when you go. I would try ordering online 20-30 min prior and just pick up if you don't want to wait. Otherwise, they've got a great selection of different meats and items to choose from.
I typically always get their burritos. I've gotten the bowl once and didn't like it so I've just stuck with burritos. The tortillas are the softest and most fresh I've ever had.
I typically always get their burritos. I've gotten the bowl once and didn't like it so I've just stuck with burritos. The tortillas are the softest and most fresh I've ever had.
Max B.
May 30, 2021
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I happened to have a serious burrito craving when stopping for gas in Salinas, and settled on El Charrito. The stars aligned perfectly on this one, and happenstance served me up some of the best burritos I've ever had - and as a certified burrito fiend, I do NOT say that lightly!
I walked in and was the only gringo in sight, which was a fantastic sign. After a brief wait I ordered a chile verde burrito, a chicken burrito, and four taquitos for my friends waiting in the car. Everything was spectacular, but the chile verde was absolute perfection. This is one of my main benchmarks for Mexican
I walked in and was the only gringo in sight, which was a fantastic sign. After a brief wait I ordered a chile verde burrito, a chicken burrito, and four taquitos for my friends waiting in the car. Everything was spectacular, but the chile verde was absolute perfection. This is one of my main benchmarks for Mexican
Susan C.
Apr 28, 2021
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Sometimes you just get lucky. Using Yelp, I made a choice to stop here for lunch. I was craving Mexican food and needed a quick fix in Salinas. Yes Salinas just off I5. You know John Steinbeck country...
Well, well I hit pay dirt! Upon looking for a parking spot in this discreet part of downtown, I notice a HUGE long line to get into this place. No tourist here, just a lot of local lunch crowd types. There were two lines. One where you order at the front and one where you pick up an on line order. I quickly whipped out my IPhone and ordered a burrito bowl. That saved me about 15 minutes
Well, well I hit pay dirt! Upon looking for a parking spot in this discreet part of downtown, I notice a HUGE long line to get into this place. No tourist here, just a lot of local lunch crowd types. There were two lines. One where you order at the front and one where you pick up an on line order. I quickly whipped out my IPhone and ordered a burrito bowl. That saved me about 15 minutes
Niki T.
Mar 06, 2021
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Small spot, easily missed... but you might notice the line standing outside. Limited simple menu.
I'm GF, so I appreciate it when burrito bowl is actually on the menu... I feel like high maintenance.
Full of flavors, they do salsas right.
But my husband informed me it's all about their tortillas. He doesn't know how to describe them, but magical. Full of delicious flavor and just taste fresh. After he was done eating he wanted to go back to get another burrito for dessert.
Unfortunately they didn't have the highly mentioned churros when we went.
I'm GF, so I appreciate it when burrito bowl is actually on the menu... I feel like high maintenance.
Full of flavors, they do salsas right.
But my husband informed me it's all about their tortillas. He doesn't know how to describe them, but magical. Full of delicious flavor and just taste fresh. After he was done eating he wanted to go back to get another burrito for dessert.
Unfortunately they didn't have the highly mentioned churros when we went.
Dina Davis
Dec 29, 2020
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