On the southwest corner of Vermont and Santa Monica Blvd in the heart of East Hollywood stands a massive mexican fast food haven called El Gran Burrito. Inside the doors of this establishment I found myself in line as patrons ahead of me one by one ordered burritos packed with meat , beans, and salsa. Your food is assembled right as you order from trays of meats, sauces, frijoles and various other condiments and from watching the people in front of me it looked as if you could have the cook put whatever you wanted in the burrito as long as it folded in the end. As I stood there watching these massive burritos being prepared and folded I forgot for a moment that I was on a taco hunt and had to regain my focus. The burritos looked so good I was pretty close to just giving up on the taco hunt and ordering a burrito but I came to my senses and ordered 3 asada tacos con todo.
El Gran Burrito also has a nice salsa bar with a salsa roja, pico de gallo, carrots and jalapenos as well as marinated tomatoes. I tried to take a picture of this but there were too many people waiting to fill their plates with salsa and I only had time to douse my tacos with salsa roja and plop a few carrots and jalapenos on my plate. I may be on a taco hunt but I always like to look after my fellow citizens. It's more important that they get salsa before their food gets cold than it is for your humble taco correspondent to get a silly photo. Actually I'm lieing. I did try to take the photo but I botched it and only got half the salsa bar and it was all because a fat kid got in the way.
how were the tacos you ask? good but not on the level of King Taco or El Taco Llama. The meat was braised and spiced with cumin but there were some fatty bits on my tacos.The bar has been raised to a high level and I dont expect every Taqueria to meet it. Some taquerias have better carnitas than asada. Some have better burritos than tacos. I will definitely be returning to El Gran Burrito but next time it will be for one of their massive burritos.
3/5 for El Gran Burrito's carne asada tacosEl Gran Burrito is at 4716 Santa Monica Blvd. Open til 2am, tacos are $1 each.
Hey Bandini,
ReplyDeleteI love that you're reviewing all these taco places!!! I have to admit, sometimes it is a little intimidating going to some of these joints...sometimes the seediest places are the best, but it's always a chance you're taking. It's nice to have some good word of mouth from people like yourself!
I recommend you try "Buenos Tacos" next time you're in Pasadena... It's on North Lake Avenue just south of Washington Blvd.
ReplyDeletepam
ReplyDeletethanks
yes let me be the taco truck guinea pig. :)
atomic bombshell
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip. I'm in Pasadena alot so i'll check it out.
I love Pasadena.
el gran burrito has delightfully ended so many a drunken evening for me with its deliciousness. i'm glad i can walk there!
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ReplyDeleteYou may have noticed the place is also called "Midnight Tacos" and that's the best time to enjoy them. Try going back after the bars close. Also, try the tacos de papas (potatoes)--but don't be surprised if they sell out early!
ReplyDeleteEAST HOLLYWOOD REPRESENT! Ah, my friendly neighborhood taco stand, jus 3 blocks away. Try the burritos though. I recommend this to any out-of-towner who's looking for a late night taco fix.
ReplyDeleteEl Gran is my standard. If your lucky you can get there when they have the Al Pastor spinning and you can get it fresh off the pig. What makes El Gran Burrito special is the amazing salsa bar, which, aside from the salsa, you can help yerself to the pickled carrots, cabbage, and other fun stuff, which are always fresh and full.
ReplyDeletei cant say ive ever had a taco there. the burritos are far too good. and sloppy.
ReplyDeletei believe the place is open 24hours. ive never seen it empty.
burritos are priced nicely at $3 with cheese and sour cream extra, so $4 if you want that. ordering chips is a hassle and theyre not very good.
the locals seem to favor the tounge burritos but im not that hardcore, i like the pollo.
I am the astronaut and I love The Burritos at Midnight and at breakfast while waiting for the bus
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Astronaut, I just saw Nacho Libre and el Gran Burrito is better, the best.
ReplyDeleteAlmost every day I am stuck in Traffic, so I stop by EGB, and Grandpa Alfredo loves the big burritos,the Astronaut is right, it is the best, You Know I gots to go to lunch at EGB
ReplyDeleteI usually only eat at HARPERS at century City, but now that I found El Gran, well I found a new home, plus with all the characters that are there like Grandpa alfredo, and the Astronaut, and oh that Effie Q he is always late and brings Balut to eat with the Tacos and Burritos, Watch out for Grandpa after he eats the Burritos, OOOH the GAS
ReplyDeleteWow I just celebrated my birthday atEGB, on the advice odf the Naut, Wow what a night, TACOS GALORE
ReplyDeleteOn my way back to Utah thru Vegas, I stopped at El gran Burrito, what a gas, actually after the burritos, Capt. Cloud AKA Capt. Lasagna of Lasagnapalooza was all filled up with the best Burritos and tacos on the planet, if only they served these at Mickeys 19th Hole on Oakland park Blvd. in Fort lauderdale Fl. Shane and Tom Cahill have to try these babies, but dont get to close to the old Hornedog after these tasties, even better with an ice cold MGD, to wash it down.
ReplyDeleteInstead of letting him take the bus I drive him all the way home ,especially if takes me to EGB, I lub dis place sir its like dis, I also go there with lilttle Wally and Patrick and the boys, great suggestion Mr. Astronaut
ReplyDeleteKen Raznick loves "El Gran", thank you Astronaut for turning me on to the best tacos in L.A. Had a couple with Keith and Mick after the STONES last show...Mick especially loved the burrito! Rock on "Naut!!
ReplyDeleteSmokin Joe and Marcia just came from EL GRAN and it was Smooookin HOT oh yah luv those tacos
ReplyDeleteHola, Hello,
ReplyDeleteI Wanted to introduce you to a crazy website.How to get the most out this little tortilla ! :)
Check out: http://www.buenostacos.com
mmmm...rico ! :)
When watchin my SAWX I love to have el gran at my side OH yah Miss Mitchell
ReplyDeleteRed Sox Taco Tuesdays at James Aldrichs House with Miss Mitchell Dan Mitchell that is
ReplyDeleteBest Langua I've ever had!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this place.
Im an Italian from Beverly Hills, and when im in the mood for some Mexican I take the advice of all the Valet Parkers, Waiters, Cooks, bellman and delivery guys and head down to EL GRAN BURRITO. My favorite is the "Carne asada with pinto beans,no rice" put some lemon on that bad boy and your good to go.....altough you should warn your employees the next day because wooooo they are going to feel it. Thank you little brown man for making such a delicious meal. BEVERLY HILLS ITALIAN
ReplyDelete02/07/09
ReplyDeleteits too bad that u cannot see when these stellar reviews were posted. in the early 90's i would hit this spot up once a week and the food was awesome. it was a small stand back then, no where near what it is now. the one thing i have noticed through out the years is the steady decline of the food since then. now the food is not worth it. they had amazing sopes, flautas and carnitas.
Wow, just like back in Istanbul, delicious, adana style cooking right here in LA. Mitchell, you should of told me sooner.
ReplyDelete02/07/09
ReplyDeleteits too bad that u cannot see when these stellar reviews were posted. in the early 90's i would hit this spot up once a week and the food was awesome. it was a small stand back then, no where near what it is now. the one thing i have noticed through out the years is the steady decline of the food since then. now the food is not worth it. they had amazing sopes, flautas and carnitas.
Ken Raznick loves "El Gran", thank you Astronaut for turning me on to the best tacos in L.A. Had a couple with Keith and Mick after the STONES last show...Mick especially loved the burrito! Rock on "Naut!!
ReplyDeleteI usually only eat at HARPERS at century City, but now that I found El Gran, well I found a new home, plus with all the characters that are there like Grandpa alfredo, and the Astronaut, and oh that Effie Q he is always late and brings Balut to eat with the Tacos and Burritos, Watch out for Grandpa after he eats the Burritos, OOOH the GAS
ReplyDelete