What should I order at El Cantarito?
El Cantarito
Pozole
Mentioned multiple times as amazing and fantastic, making it one of the most praised dishes in the reviews.
Chilaquiles
Recommended in both red and green versions; reviewers said they were bomb, authentic, and especially flavorful with a red sauce that made them crave more.
Cheese Enchiladas
Called delicious and highly recommended alongside the combo plate and chilaquiles, showing up more than once as a favorite.
Chile Relleno
Praised by several reviewers as yummy and a standout item, with consistent positive comments about its flavor.
Chips and Salsa
Frequently highlighted as excellent, on point, fresh, and homemade, making it a repeated favorite starter.
Street Tacos
Described as excellent with great meat, and another review specifically praised the soft tacos, showing tacos are a strong recommendation here.
Churro
Recommended directly as something to get, with the reviewer saying to do yourself a favor and order it.
Chicken Mole
One reviewer singled it out as delicious, making it a notable recommended main dish.
Camarones a la Diabla
Praised for great food and service, with the dish itself called out as a standout order.
Chile Verde con Huevo
Specifically described as amazing, making it a strongly recommended breakfast-style dish.
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM to 8 PM |
About El Cantarito
A casual Mexican joint dishing up all the classics with weekly specials on tacos & drinks.
Amenities & services
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Frequently asked questions
What is El Cantarito known for?
El Cantarito is best known for its chile relleno, which reviewers call a standout and say is consistently excellent. People also praise the pozole, chilaquiles, and street tacos for tasting authentic and homemade, with quick service and a homey atmosphere in Placentia.
What dishes are most recommended at El Cantarito?
Reviewers most often recommend the chile relleno, pozole, green and red chilaquiles, carne asada burrito, and chicken mole. Other frequently mentioned favorites include the cheese enchiladas, soft tacos, asada nachos, and the chile verde burrito, especially for their fresh ingredients and generous portions.
What is the atmosphere like at El Cantarito?
The vibe is casual, cozy, and homey, with several reviewers describing it as a small local spot or hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It works well for groups and solo diners, and the dining room can get packed, especially around Taco Tuesday and other busy times.
Is El Cantarito good value, and what is the price range?
Yes, reviewers repeatedly describe the prices as reasonable and the value as strong, especially for the portion sizes. With a listed price range of $10 to $20, dishes like the large asada nachos and combo plates are often mentioned as a good deal.
What should I know about visiting at busy times?
Several reviews mention fast service, but there can still be a wait when the restaurant is crowded, with one reviewer noting about a 20-minute wait to be seated. It is open for breakfast, including weekend menudo, and reviewers also mention good coffee, including cafe de la olla and cinnamon coffee, for morning visits.
Is parking available at El Cantarito?
Yes. Free parking lot, Free street parking, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Is El Cantarito kid-friendly?
Yes, El Cantarito is good for kids.
Restaurants like El Cantarito in Placentia
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