el bukanas (formerly) — Restaurant in La Puente

Look/Taste: 4/5 stars for tacos. Taco Al Vapor is what I want to try per reviews for this place; cabesa, asada, and pastor. They have all the other Mexican menu such as burritos, torta, biera, relleyno, desayunos, etc. they're street tacos with just onion and cilantro toppings. They only have green mild salsa, and spicy yellow habanero salsa. The habanero had good flavor and heat but not over powering. The cabeza was simple but had best flavor of the trio tacos. The pastor was very good and I'd order it again. The asada was good but flavor was lacking comparing to the other tacos.

Atmosphere: 3.5/5 stars. Small local taqueria that seats 30. Nice and clean. TV on back wall playing some Spanish game show. AC adequate but not cold. Open kitchen on one side and 12 tables for about 30 people on the other. A comfortable local eatery.

Service: 3/5 stars. Nothing fancy here. Order at cashier. They take CC. Wait for food. Pick up at another window. Small self serve salsa bar next to cashier. Drinks refill is limited to 2 per sign on soda machine. Food does take some time to come out so don't come when you're in a hurry.

Expense: 5/5 stars. This should be on your Cheap eat list. Nothing exceeds $9. Taco Tuesday $0.89 per regular taco excluding fish, shrimp, etc.

Return: 4/5 stars. Definitely when I'm in the area and want some good Mexican food.

Overall 3.75 stars and...

4.25 Star. Overall. Reasonable price, pretty decent flavor. Love the Tripitas & Fish Tacos. Speed of meal preparation is not the fastest, I assume they don't have a huge tray of meat just sitting in the back to slap onto the tacos and that they really prep each order individually. Come when it's not too busy, otherwise, it might take a while to get your order.

$5 for 2 Fish Tacos Special - Taco size is larger than the standard tacos on the menu and plenty of fish. Worth the value. It is crispy and flavor's all there. I would get this again.

$1.60 Lengua & Cabeza tacos are average. Not the best I've had, but not bad tasting either. If you add a load of salsa on it, it kinda balances out the flavor. I can skip this as there is better tasting stuff on the menu at the moment.

$1.60 Tripitas Taco - this is my favorite. Crispy yet soft and flavorful intestines, which I haven't had from other taco places. I would definitely come back here just to order this taco alone.

Their huge sign out front says "$.95 Tacos after 5 PM M-F & All Day Tuesday". I need to remember this somehow and maybe drop by if I'm feeling like saving some money yet not sacrifice the belly.

P.S./Everything is in Spanish! But the cashier speaks English and would translate it for you if you can't...

Disappointed. I've been coming here off and on for a couple of years, but yesterday was my last visit. My father and I ordered over $70 for 5 people (overpriced) went over to the salsa bar, no small cups, or containers or bags, ok so I went over to the kitchen and asked young girl with lip piercing if I can please get some onions. She said they're at the salsa bar and handed me a small plastic bag. I noticed they had 2 types of onions, pickled and grilled, so I asked for a second bag, she tells me DO NOT take them all. I thought she was joking, so I smiled, but she wasn't and actually rolled her eyes at me. Out of line and unprofessional. Who do they think they are, king taco? Relax. I do not recommend this...