iknowfood64's Profile
Manuel's EL Tepeyac, Boyle Heights
"Unfortunately this is a somewhat of a BASHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello everyone, I am here to write about a place that I have been eating at for about 28 years, and my parents visited before they were married. The place I am talking about is Manuel's El Tepeyac in Boyle Heights on Evergreen across the street from Assumption church. As a young boy I walked through two different gang territories to eat at Manuel's because I loved the food so much. I was even jumped and robbed on one occasion in front of the Evergreen Cemetery. I loved the beans, I would order a plate of beans and eat it with a tortilla, or I would order a plain bean and cheese burrito. As I got older I ventured out, and tried other dishes on the menu. The item that I became attached to is the Hollenbeck, I love this burrito and have to satisfy my craving every now and then.
Unfortunately I have noticed a change in the place I risked my life to eat at as a young boy. It seems the home style food I grew up loving has turned into a fast food Mexican restaurant!!! Those of you that think it is authentic and delicious now, you would be mesmerized at how good it was back in the day. The food had so much more flavor to it. The beans, the rice, the salsa, and the guacamole all had their distinct taste. Now it seems the taste level has been turned down on everything. The guacamole even looks different! It was fresh before, and now it looks and taste like pasty store bought guacamole...YUK!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday 4/13/09 I ate at Manuel's with my girlfriend, and as usual I ordered a Hollenbeck. We were at the outside patio, so I was able to look in the kitchen and watch the cooks prepare the food. I was surprised to see young new faces working in the kitchen. The service was terrible, the food usually comes fast, but yesterday, we were waiting and waiting for our food. Once we picked up our food, and I ripped into my burrito, I noticed the taste was not the same. I opened up my burrito, and inspected it, and to my surprise, there was no beans!!!!! I have to admit, I have been frustrated and disappointed with Manuel's for a while due to there reduction in flavor. For me this experience was the straw that broke the camel's back.
I love the place and will give it another chance, but I can't help to dislike what it has turned into. I feel it is a tourist attraction, and filled with people who order a Manuel special because they seen it on a TV program, or have read about it on some food review site. Manuel's has lost it's comfortable, home style Mexican food feeling and taste!!! On Fridays I would go to Manuel's, take a shot of tequila with Manuel, listen to good music, and eat good food. Now I wont go near the place on Fri evenings, or Sat, due to the long lines. Don't get me wrong there has always been a line outside, but now they are longer and the food is not as good.
I am happy the place is making good money and is known and enjoyed by so many people. On the other hand, I also feel it has a responsibility to maintain the good quality food that gave the restaurant such fame popularity.
I have NOT joined this site to tell everyone about my favorite restaurants, and secret jewels where I like to eat. I don't want these places to transform into tourist attractions and loose it's identity like Manuel's has. Instead I am here to inform people of the places I have tried and do not like.
As a young boy I risked my life to eat at Manuel's because I loved the good food, but now Manuel's is breaking my heart..."
searching for best Monte Cristo sandwich in L.A.
My favorite is Towhey's in Alhambra, The french toast is very moist as is the meat. Very good. Served w/ syrup and jelly/jam
Classic Sundae?
TOWHEYS!! We go there just for the sundaes! Awesome. Bitter sweet dark chocolate.
Sweet potato fries in the SGV?
I THINK Towhey's on Huntington dr. and atlantic blvd in Alhambra hs sweet potato fries. Call and make sure before you go.
Good Pizza in Alhambra Area?
At the corner of Fremont and Valley there is a good pizza joint called Vittorias. I have been going there for years, and I think it is delicious. The pizza is the reason I go to this place.
The Alhambra Burger
I am very familiar with Alhambra and have ate at all the places that have been mentioined. However, there are two places that make a respectable burger, and I feel they need some exsposure. The Diner on Main St. makes a good double cheese burger, I had one the other night, and I thought it was very tasty and juicy. I would definately order another one there.
Another place that makes a good burger is a bar called JD's, it is located on Main St. East of Fremont. They serve breakfast and lunch, and I hear their breakfast is good. Check these places out and let us know what you think.
The Last (LA) Meal
I would have a Hollenbeck From Manuel's El Tepeyac, with cheese on the inside and outside, a side order of sour cream, and a 7up. I would also go to In N Out and order two doubles with extra cheese, and extra spread, order of fries and a milk shake. That is where I would go if I was going to say goodbye to Los Angeles.
Pulled Pork?
I want to thank everyone who has left their recommendations. I am definately going to try these places. I might go to Gus's some time this week. Porky's sounds delicious, and I will try them next. I will eventually get to them all, and report back on them. Once again thanks.
Good salsa verdes? (comparable to King Taco)
Ordonez is on Garfield off the 60 Fwy, across the street from J&S and Quiet Cannon.
Pulled Pork?
I am lookig for a location where I can eat a good pulled pork sandwhich in Los Angeles? I am from East L.A./ S.G.V. are, but will take a drive if the food is worth it. Please post your thoughts. Thank you.
Good salsa verdes? (comparable to King Taco)
Ordonez in Montebello has a good salsa verde. I am also a big fan of King Taco's salsa verde, and becasue of this reason, I highly recommend Ordonez. Hey brother I have a suggestion when you order you carne asada burrito from KT. Ask for queso cotija in your burrito and it will take the flavor to a different level. Good luck in your salsa search.
Best Hot Fudge Sundae
There is a place calle Twoee's ( 2ee's) on Huntington where Atlantic Blvd and Garfield Blvd meet in Alhambra/ South Pasadena. Here you will find sinfully delicious bitter sweet hot fudge sundaes. Damn...I think I will go get one tonight!
Four a.m. Breakfast
Ordonez in Montetbello is open 24 hrs, and they serve brealfast 24 hrs. If you like a nice Mexican style breakfast with rice, beans, tortillas and a good salsa, I highly recommendt this place. I always order the letter B because it is a nice full plate. It carries a good sized portion of chilequilas, three eggs (any style), beans, carne asada, and tortillas. It also has a interesting customers, it is right off the 60 fwy Garfield exit, and is a common stop for the late night crowd who want to eat or have a cup of coffee before going home after a night out.
Langer's VS Canter's
We have been to both and we are just curious to know everyones opinion.
Carne Asada Fries @ The Taco Spot
My girlfriend recieves a magazine and inside there is a list of restaurants in the Los Angeles area that are supposed to be good, and are known for a certain dish. I look at this section because I am always interested to see if there is anything that will catch my interest. The other night I was reading this section of the magazine, and saw "the best CARNE ASADA FRIES in town!" This automatically caught my attention, and as I continued to read I learned the location of these fries. The place was called Taco Spot in Ealge Rock on Colorado. A few days later my girlfriend and I were in Pasadena and decided to go and try the Taco Spot. We walked in it looked like a aright type of place that could create good carne asada fries. I walked to the counter to order and I asked the guy working the register, "what was in the carne asada fries?" He told me there was carne asada, cheese, beans, and guacamoleeee." Everything sounded good until he said "guac-a-molie." When I heard how he pronounce guacamole,my girlfriend and I should of turned around, walked out, and went to Alberto's to have carne fries, but we didn't. We decided to be open minded and not judge a restaurant by it's employee. We ordered the carne asada fries, ate the carne asada fries, and came to the conclusion, we would never go there again. On a scale from one to ten, we gave them a 4. I also asked the guy at the counter if the beans were good, he saind he had never tried them before. I have also came to the conclusion that the magazine where I recieved the informatin about this particular restaurant and it's famous fries does not know what they are talking about.
I am sorry I have written so much, but I had go get a few things off my chest. I am curious to know if anyone knows of the Taco Spot, and if they agree/disagree with me.
ISO the Real King Taco
Taco Village and Lupes are both good. Have you ever been to El Locos in the little mall at the corner of Atlantic and Beverly? They have a good combination burrito, good beans and good salsa. Their chilic cheese fries are not bad either. If you have not been there, I highly suggest you go, good food is waiting for you.
Good Chili Dog in SGV?
I agree, I don't understand what all the hype is about, and why people swear by it, Pink's is not that good. I have went there enough times to say that the food is not worth the wait. Ollie, if you want the best tasting chili dog you definately have to go and try Chronies in East Los. I know it is not the SGV but definately worth the visit. It is located at the corner of Keenen and Whittier Blvd. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck on your chili dog quest!
REVIEW: The Venice Room w/ pics
I go to the Venice Room and it is a good time. You can have a drink while you grill you steak, and when you are done eating, if you are there on a Sat./Fri. night you can stay and sing karaoke. It is a bar where the locals hang out, but the atmosphere is a cool, and every one is friendly. I have a blast when I am there.
Monterey Park Suggestions for Lunch
I suggest you try their combination burrito, it is delicious! Let me know what you think of it.
Monterey Park Suggestions for Lunch
1) El Locos on 3rd and Atlanitic. It also has good hard tacos, and good burritos. There beans are delicous and there salsa is good. If you like Pepe's you will like this place.
2) Ordonez in another Mexican restaraunt located on Grafield, South of the 60 fwy across the street from Quit Cannon. Good Mexican food, order the letter B, chilequiles, carne asada, beans cheese, and two eggs, this is HEAVEN!!!
Open 24 hrs.
3) J&S is located across the street from Ordonez and has probally the best breakfast burrito,and bean & cheese burrito in East LA. Open 24 hrs.
4) Venice Room is a restaraunt/bar on Garfield north of the 60 fwy, you can cook you own stake and sing karaoke on the weekends.
5) Armando's is a mexican restaraunt located on Garvey Ave, east of Garfield. They good food, good burritos, excellent chorizo, but best and most important, they have delicious beans.
Try these places out. Good luck!
Coming to LA/Pasadena (mainly Pasadena), could use some recs
The Boat is being moved to the opposite side of Northwoods in. It will be located on Rosemead south of Northwoods in. This is what I was told by the cashier at The Boat a few years ago, let's see what happens. Since we are talking about these two places, how about the blue cheese dressing and cheese bread? My mouth is salivating just typing about it. My friend told me that for $5.00 you can have the pre-dinner salads and cheese bread. I don't know if this is true, but I will try it out one of these days.
A bacon-wrapped hot dog emergency!
Come to any park in East Los Angeles and you will find a guy selling the type of hot dog you are looking for. The corner of Wilshire and Alvarado was mentioned earlier, I have been there and they are good. There is a park in Boyle Heights called Garcia Park on Fresno St, between Euclid and Lorena, and there is a vendor there every Tuesday afternoon, and he hooks up the dogs perfectly. If you are looking for a dog wrapped in bacon, covered in grilled onions, jalepenos, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and relish, this is what you find at these two locations. Good luck!
ONE last meal??
Puerto Vallarta shrimp, rice, beans. and a pitcher of strawberry margarita at Gardens of Taxco.
Best Burger in LA
Where is Cassell's located? I've heard good things about this joint and would love to try it.
Hawkins Burger Picture, I found it!
Can some please give the telephone number, directions, or address to Hawkins Burger. I would love to try some of their burgers. Thanks.
Tommy's a retrospective
I have a Tommy attack every now and then, and to settle my craving I visit the Rampart or Pico Rivera location on Whittier Blvd. I order two double cheese bugers with chili and cheese only and extra cheese, a bag of potato chips, and a root beer! This is heaven!
What's Chow-ish in Palm Springs?
Las Cazuelas sucks!!!!!!! If you are looking for good Mexican food, don't go to Las Cazuelas. I ate there and thought I was eating Taco Bell. There beans are not that good, and there salsa has no heat or taste. It reminded me of Acapulcos, El Toritos, Chevy's or El Cholo's.
