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ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Mexican Food in Sawtelle Japantown
Master Critic Review
El Californio Taqueria
7.0
A Sawtelle counter-service taqueria anchored by a French fry-stuffed California Burrito with Jack cheese and guacamole, priced under $16 with $2 street tacos for late-night runs. The review footprint is near-zero—just two ratings, both negative—so quality and reliability remain unproven despite an appealing price point. Worth a low-stakes test order if you're already in the neighborhood, but set expectations accordingly.
Must-Try Dishes:
California Burrito, Al Pastor Street Taco, Carne Asada Burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7
Consistency: 6
Food Quality: 7
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 6.5
What makes it special: Sawtelle taqueria built around a French fry-stuffed California Burrito with Jack cheese and guacamole, all priced under $16
Who should go: Westside locals craving legit $2 street tacos late-night
When to visit: Reservations recommended; check hours before visiting
What to order: Lead with the California Burrito, add a couple al pastor street tacos on the side, finish with the dulce de leche churro
Insider tip: Ask your server about off-menu specials or daily features
Logistics & Planning
Dietary Options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No — this is a casual, quick-service taqueria built for grabbing tacos on the go, not lingering over a romantic dinner. The vibe is fast, affordable, and no-frills. If you're looking for a low-key late-night taco run together after a date elsewhere on Sawtelle, it's great for that. But for the date itself, look somewhere with table service and atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — this is a walk-in-only, counter-service taqueria. There's no reservation system. You order at the counter and grab a seat. Wait times are minimal since it's a quick-service format. Open late until 2:30 AM, so it's a solid option when other places have closed.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual, unfussy eaters — the simple menu of tacos, quesadillas, and churros works well for kids, and the low prices ($2 tacos, $3 churros) mean it's easy on the wallet. There is no dedicated kids menu. The casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere means nobody will mind noisy little ones. High chair availability is not confirmed — call ahead at 424-484-4011 if you need one.
Is it good for groups? Workable for small groups of 4-6 grabbing a casual taco run. The counter-service format means no splitting checks or waiting for a server. However, this is a compact taqueria, not a large restaurant — don't expect to seat a party of 10+ comfortably. For bigger groups, order for pickup or delivery instead. No private dining available.
Is there outdoor seating? Not confirmed — online sources do not specify whether outdoor seating is available. The restaurant is located in a Santa Monica Blvd strip-mall setting in Sawtelle, where some spots have small sidewalk tables, but this has not been verified for El Californio. Call 424-484-4011 to confirm.
Best For
Better for: Quick, cheap late-night tacos — $2 street tacos and California burritos with counter-service speed, open late
Consider Alternatives If: You want meatless options — every protein on the menu is meat (carne asada, pollo, al pastor, carnitas) with no veggie substitute listed
Hours
Monday11am - 11pm
Tuesday11am - 11pm
Wednesday11am - 11pm
Thursday11am - 11pm
Friday11am - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 11pm