Casa Alvarez - Rowland Heights

Casa Alvarez
19744 Colima Rd
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(909) 594-6463
Type: Mexican food / dining
Map



Back on the blogging horse once again! Giddyup.

I hit up Casa Alvarez with some friends after church one day. (Yeah, I go to church..... to make my mom happy) This place is located across the street from Happy Wok, Niko Niko, etc. and is right next to Stater Bros. on Colima-- just look at the map dammit. I've been here a few times before, so unless they pulled some nasty ish on us, I'll be going back again. If all you need to know is if the place is good, it's good. The End for you. If you're a nosey person and you wanna see what we ate, follow me....

So my friend Frans, she got the Beef Chimichanga ($7.95). As you can see in the picture below, they hook it up with the guacamole and sour cream. It's like they use ice cream scoopers for it. Nice. Frans described the burrito's brother as "fried to perfection." I take that it was good. On a side note, I forgot to mention they give you free chips and salsa at the beginning of the meal.

"fried to perfection" beef chimichanga.


It's about 6 or 7pm, and everybody's ordering their burritos and tacos. I order my breakfast classic-- huevos rancheros ($7.45). It's really hard to go wrong with this dish any time of day. I mean fried eggs with some beans, cheese, and rice is simple but hard to beat. And all you beans haters can eat a... bean. Just look how big the portion is. I had a little trouble finishing it. I would definitely get this again but there's just so many other dishes, that it'll have to wait its turn.

huevos rancheros. there's a plate under there somewhere.


You ever eat with somebody that always orders some wack stuff? They take forever to figure out what they want, and when they finally decide and their food arrives, they end up regretting what they ordered. I won't mention his name, but my homie Marcus is that guy. This particular day was no different. He got the shrimp burrito ($8.55) after much "umm"ing and "uhhh"ing over the menu. When it came, he was just like, "damn, I shoulda just ordered the chimichanga." I guess I used to feel sorry for him, but now it's just funny. He said the burrito was okay but the shrimp was overcooked, and he wouldn't get again.

shrimp burrito. okay. overcooked.


My friend Camille I guess wasn't that hungry cuz all she got was a beef taco and fish taco. She said both were good but she liked the beef taco better cuz the fish used corn tortilla. I myself like corn tortillas. But oh well.

fish taco


there's probably some beef in this taco somewhere


If you're in the area, and want a Mexican restaurant with a good sized menu, good food, decent prices for the most part, keep Casa Alvarez in mind. That's it.

Hi ho Silver... away!!!

Taco Factory - Walnut

Taco Factory
368 N Lemon Ave
Walnut, CA 91789
(909) 595-8331
Type: Mexican food / restaurant
Website
Map

I went here with my girl to eat a quick bite. We thought we were gonna eat somewhere else for a full meal later, but we didn't. I should've ordered more here. Anyways, Taco Factory in Walnut used to be located somewhere else-- but in the same plaza. Now it's a lot bigger and nicer than the old spot. It's located on the corner of La Puente and Lemon in the same plaza as Vons and Blockbuster.



bigger and nicer than before


All we got was one mahi mahi burrito ($5.73). It comes unwrapped so you can put your sauces and stuff in there from the salsa bar. Then you ask them to wrap it for you when you're all done. The burrito was decent sized, although I don't think it was humongous. I shoulda put my hand next to it in the picture for a comparison. Anyways, the burrito was good. Fresh-tasting.

boring picture of a burrito


I would go here again another time. It's just that there's so many Mexican restaurants around, I have to be in the area to come back here. The spot for me right now is still Osuna's with their lobster burritos.

Taquisa - West Covina

Taquisa
1001 E. Amar Rd.
West Covina, CA 91792
626-336-7987
Type: Mexican food
Map



I went to Taquisa because it just opened up near my house. It's about 5 minutes walking distance but my lazy ass drove. Taquisa is a Mexican food place. The inside is about as bare you can get in terms of design. There's maybe a painting or a few pictures up on the walls excluding their menu. My girlfriend and I didn't order much from there cuz we were gonna go eat somewhere else in a couple hours. We just wanted something to snack on.

they also serve juice here


As a semi-vegetarian, I couldn't find many things on the menu for me. There's fish tacos (which are $0.99 on Tuesdays-- I believe), cheese enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and possibly a veggie burrito. We ended up ordering a fish taco and a cheese quesadilla. I don't remember what each cost, but the total was $5.56; the bulk of the price belonging to the quesadilla. Prices aren't that bad here. Nothing special though.

The cheese quesadilla was a good size. As you can see, they weren't sheisty with the guacamole. They also put some pico de gallo or some kind of salsa on top. It was also sprinkled with a few tortilla chips. The taste was okay. Like the prices, nothing special. Not horrible, but not great. I probably wouldn't get that again if I came here.

looks like Perez Hilton tampered with my food


The fish taco also came with more than enough guacamole. Chips and salsa were on the side. I remember commenting that they tasted different from most of the fish tacos I've tasted. It wasn't that bad. Remember, they have a special for dollar fish tacos on Tuesday. Call them to make sure-- if that's why you wanna eat there.

fish taco


Taquisa will likely get my business again just for proximity's sake. It's so close that I'll eventually go there some time. There's another Mexican restaurant in the same plaza called Osuna's (not to be confused with the Osuna's in Walnut which is far superior IMO). I've been there a couple times, and I just don't wanna go there again. I only tried their cheese enchiladas, so that's where my judgement is coming from. So Taquisa, if you stay open for business for a while, you'll see me again. Lucky mothers.

***Updated 5/18/08
I went here again and ordered a fish burrito ($4.95?) and a cheese quesadilla. I'm not ordering the quesadilla again, but the fish burrito was a sort of pleasant surprise. It was pretty damn big. The taste was cool, but the size was the big plus here. I'll definitely get the fish burrito again. I don't know if that's how their other burritos are though.

Tita's Restaurante - Buttonwillow

Tita's Restaurante
20643 Tracy Ave.
Buttonwillow, CA 93206
Phone: 661-764-5111
Type: Mexican food / Central American
Map



I hit this place up on the way back from up north. It's right off the 5 freeway... I think it's in Buttonwillow. I originally wanted to go to the Taste of India nearby but it was closed. I didn't want the Carl's Jr. that the rest of my fam was eating, so I drove across the street to this Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant. They have a decent sized menu full of the regular Mexican dishes, as well as Salvadorian stuff. I got the shrimp burrito ($9 something) cuz I couldn't make up my mind. That thing took so long to arrive that my family was already done with their burgers and fries, and were waiting for me. The place wasn't even that busy and it still took awhile. Oh well, at least you know it was fresh. Too bad I had to drive the rest of the way home (like 2 hours) without getting to eat my food hot. When I finally did, it tasted okay. Maybe it was cuz I was real hungry. They put a lot of shrimp in it and it was too big and messy to eat with your hands. I would go here again when I go up north if the Indian restaurant is closed again, and I'm not in a hurry.

Las Marias - La Puente

Las Marias
1445 N Hacienda Blvd
La Puente, CA 91744
(626) 918-6861
Type: Mexican food / restaurant

Map



Oh man. Another undiscovered gem... til now. Las Marias is on the northern part of Hacienda Blvd. It's in the same plaza as Auto Zone. I think it's been around for a while cuz the sign looks a little old school-ish. The main thing I like about this place is that it's open 24 hours a day. Another reason why I like it is that it's close by to my house. I don't need to drive to Molca Salsa if I'm craving Mexican food in the middle of the night anymore. The last reason why I like the place is that the food's not bad. I can easily say it's the best 24 hour or late night Mexican food place I've been to. They have breakfast dishes, burritos, tacos, meat, and seafood. I've been here twice already and I'm happy to be finally sharing this place with everybody.

So anyways, like many Mexican restaurants, they give you free chips and salsa while you're ordering.

free


The first time I went here I got some kind of fish fillet thing (not the garlic). It was okay. I think that cost about $10 - $12. This time, I decided to get the shrimp burrito (around $8.99). As you can see in the picture, it's pretty big-- although I finished it in one sitting. I wouldn't mind getting it again, but I'll try other things over there first.

Shrimp Burrito


The first time we went here, my girl got the fish fillets with garlic sauce. That was bomb. That also was around $10 or $12. This time she decided to get the garlic fish whole. That was also real good, but I prefer the fillets because it's easier to eat, and there's no bones. I also really liked the taste of it better than the whole fish.

Garlic Fish (whole)


If you're ever in the area of La Puente, West Covina, or Baldwin Park, and you're craving some late night quality-Mexican food, Las Marias is the spot... for now. I'm open to suggestions.

Hole Mole - Long Beach

Hole Mole
5109E Pacific Coast Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 985-1005
Type: Mexican food / restaurant
Website
Map



I can't believe I haven't posted a review for this place yet. Hole Mole is one of the spots to go to for cheap Mexican food. There's like 2 or 3 in Long Beach alone. The one on PCH is in the same plaza as 7-11.

I love this place mostly cuz of the prices. I guess they're supposed to be known for their fish tacos. They have $0.99 fish tacos on Tuesdays. I usually get the breakfast quesadillas which cost less than 2 or 3 dollars, and that should get you full enough. You might not even finish it.

Last time I went, I got the fish burrito ($3.85) and my girlfriend got the vegi breakfast burrito ($3.65). They were both good.

Burrito (I forgot which one)


I've been here so many times and will go here again if I'm in town. Check this place out.

Las Brisas - Laguna Beach

Las Brisas
361 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.5434
Type: Mexican food / restaruant
Website
Map





So I finally took notes on some of the restaurants I visited. My first victim is Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. It's a classy Mexican seafood restaurant. I was in the area and so my girl and I wanted to eat at a place with a good seaside view. She said she's been to Las Brisas before, and said it was good, so there we were.

It was the day after Christmas so we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table next to a window. I didn't want any birds shitting on me or my food outside. We ordered a beer each-- which cost $6 per bottle. It was just some regular Pacifico and Stella beers. The only time I'll usually pay for a $6 bottle of regular beer is at a club. Never do that again.

We finally get our table, and the view is great. The pictures don't do the actual scene justice. The part of the restaurant facing the beach is full of tall/wide windows.

I love when you get free bread or some kind of appetizer right away, even while you're still ordering your food. The waiter gave us bread with butter, kind of like what they do at Cheesecake Factory or similar places. I always end up eating a whole mess of bread before the food comes.

So we ordered the calamari ($10) to start off with. For calamari, I like the squid to be thin cuz it gets chewy the thicker it gets. These were a little thick for me. The sauce that covered it was good, but overall, I've tasted better and cheaper.

decent calamari


Then there's the seafood enchilada with the fish of the day-- which was yellowtail. The yellowtail was pretty good, but the enchilada was "ehh" to me.

16 dollars of "ehh"


The red snapper filet-- also $16, was a little better. The sauce was good. It's not worth its price though.

red snapper filet... better if a lot cheaper


As I write this review, I've come to the conclusion that the prices of the meals are bumped up a few dollars because you get a nice view. Sure the food is presented nicely, but I just wasn't feeling their delivery. I'm sure a lot of people love it here, but my girl and I were a little disappointed with the food. The good thing is that we ate so much bread that we took home most of the food to eat later. So in a sense, we paid for two meals! Yay!

Would I go back here? I'll try other places first, or if I really have to be here, I'll try totally different things than what we got that day.

cheers for six dollar beers! ....sike

Osuna's - Walnut

Osuna's Mexican Restaurant
18746 E. Amar Rd.
Walnut, CA 91789
626-810-4101
Type: Mexican food / restaurant
Website
Map

Osuna's is located in the same plaza as Albertson's on the corner of Nogales and Amar. I've been here a few times, but it's always been to-go. The prices are a little high, so I don't come here too often. The only things I've tasted from here are the garlic fish, shrimp burrito, and lobster burrito. All the items you get to-go come with beans, some salad, and a small bag of chips and some salsa.

The filet of fish in garlic sauce seemed really plain to me. It cost about $10.85 plus tax. My girlfriend thought the same as well. I don't know why, but every time we order fish in garlic sauce at different places, it comes out really bland. We probably won't order those anymore unless it's restaurant's special dish they're known for.

filet of fish in garlic sauce... never again.


Then we come to the lobster burrito. I know that $8.25 is a lot to pay for a burrito. But this isn't a regular taco stand or Taco Bell burrito. You can't eat this burrito with just your hands and expect it to keep it's shape. This thing's stuffed full of small lobster tails. I mean almost every bite you're gonna get a piece of lobster. I hate it when restaurants get all shiesty with their ingredients. Osuna's hooks it up in this dish. Their shrimp burritos are similar too. But I'll always come back for the lobster burritos here.

gotta try their lobster burritos


Nearby cities: West Covina, La Puente, Diamond Bar, Covina, Rowland Heights

Chronic Tacos, Long Beach

Chronic Tacos
5525 E Stearns St
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 493-2211
Mexican food
Website
Map





Chronic Tacos is a fairly new company, with many locations around So Cal. Their original one is in Newport Beach. The one we went to in Long Beach is on Bellflower and Stearns in the same plaza as Rite Aid, Trader Joe's, and Target.

The place has a fun and casual atmosphere with extreme sports videos playing on the tv. It's a pretty popular place and it was fairly busy when we went there at night. Ordering your food is kind of like the Subway style where you watch them prepare it in front of your face and they ask what ingredients you want on your meal.

I ordered the shrimp burrito (beer battered). That cost about $7. I really liked it. I just wish it was bigger... of course. Everything in it was tasty and I didn't want it to end.

wish-it-was-bigger shrimp burrito


My girlfriend ordered the breaded fish tacos. I think that was good too. I forgot how it compared to Senor Baja's fish tacos though. I think it was up there. The fish tacos were a little pricey as well at about $3.50.

up-there fish taco


I wouldn't mind going to Chronic Tacos again even though it's a little expensive. My girlfriend and I noticed when we compared this place to the Hole Mole on PCH, this place has superior ingredients. I'm not totally dissing Hole Mole cuz I love that place for its great prices, but Chronic Tacos just seems fresher and a bit better tasting.