El Cartel — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Our visit started off strong when I asked if a burrito inclusion could be left on the side so I could try it with the burrito and not have to pick it out, and the cashier said no and told me to order something else. That made 0 sense. I’m paying for the menu item, just put the ingredient next to the burrito.

Once our order was finally in, I asked if she could tell me where the nearest bathroom is, and she said “any restaurant but here”, I asked her to clarify because I’m not from the area, and she said there just isn’t one here. She was extremely rude. We normally tip very, very well, but this girl genuinely deserved nothing.

Our food was cold right when we received it. The carne asada was clearly reheated pre cooked meat, when I tell you it was the most bland carne asada I’ve EVER had, I am not exaggerating. We were starving when we arrived, and we did not finish our food, we genuinely regret...

Hmmm, I suspect that most of the reviewers have never had a 'real' taco. If you have ever tasted a taco from San Diego/Baja Cali Sur.... take a pass on this place.

I was recently in LA needing to placate my taco fix... and El Cartel had decent reviews.

The Good: The 'carne asada' and 'baja fish' had decent flavor.

The Mediocre: The carne asada lacked that crispy finishing sear that I expect. Additionally, the iceburg lettuce and shredded cheddar that topped my tacos was another strike (further disclosure, I could have declined the lettuce/cheddar combo... my bad). Also, the salsa was pretty run of the mill, but the 'chimichurri' on my visit was some tasteless green slurry.

I'd recommend passing if you need a real fix. If you need a mediocre taco... save your time and go...

I have not eaten here but just what I experienced with the white lady that works there I would not try it. Very unfriendly and unprofessional. I was standing underneath the canopy of the diner for about five min when she came out and told me in bad attitude that the line for the event was behind a black line. At first I did not now what to make of that but later realized she was kicking me out. How silly can she be by saying to stand behind the black line when she knew perfectly well there was no event taking place at that moment at El Rey Theatre. People like that take away the good qualities that I am sure this restaurant has established during the years. I strongly recommend that managers put this individual on check and evaluate her customer service skills because they...