J & S — Restaurant in Montebello

Oldschool longtime local Burrito Spot OPEN 24HRS Serving the Montebello, Monterey Park, Rosemead & East Los areas, located next door to QUIET CANYON. EVERYONE COMES HERE... COPS, BAD GUYS & EVERYONE IN BETWEEN, LOL

Been coming here since I was a kid. I'll admit, the food isn't as great as it used to be since they changed hands about a decade ago but, Its STILL PRETTY DARNED GOOD, IMHO👌

NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS.

Parking Out Back & Street Parking.

Walk-up Window to Order.

Dining Room ONLY Open During Daytime Hours.

About 6 Benches for Seating and may also Stand along the sides of The Front Window.

ATM on the side along the driveway entrance. It's probably a hefty fee, I've never used it before.

Their Chili (Verde or Rojo) isn't that spicy per se but, still delicious. I mix both many times. Maybe bring your own bottle of Yucatán or Siracha.

They have a newer pretty lady that's Super Cool at the counter. PLEASE TIP. They work hard to get your order right and the cook dude works long hours ALL DAY.

My Favorites- Carne Asada Burrito, Carne Asada Fries, Burgers & Fries, Breakfast Burrito, Taquitos, Chilli Relleno Burrito & Pastrami with a Orange Bang. They have Papas Tacos now....

J&S is one of two food stands that serve quintessential comfort Chicano food.

Chicano food (by my definition) is an oft-overlooked hybrid of Mexican and American casual cuisine. It particularly shines in terms of burger-stand fare.

J&S, along with Lupe's #2, is one of the few competent vestiges of Chicano food that captured the food of East LA in the sixties and seventies. I don't know how this turned into a history lesson.

The food is good. It was probably better 20 years ago or more. Ask people of a certain age with no homegrown connection and they'll tell you the same thing. Ask people who've eaten there regularly their entire lives and they'll deny anything has changed. The changes have been gradual; noticed only by those return occasionally.

The Soft Tostada is a perfect example. Once an amazing combination of perfectly cooked beans mixed with taqueria-style guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese encased in a glorious tortilla is now but a slightly limp version of its former glory.

Like a fading movie star: It's still good. It still gets the job done. It's cheap and it's open 24 hours.

I think the simile stopped working about halfway...

Update on 10/30/20

Bam! They did it again. Amazing.

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J&S does it again. Always hits the spot and food is consistently great. I always call in my order, even before Covid, and the food is promptly waiting for me when o arrive. Never had an issue with incorrect orders either. I used to give them 4 stars because quite frankly there are better taquitos out there (like Pepe’s) but it’s twice the price and not always in the mood for an order of my taquitos to be my entire meal. These are smaller and the guacamole is unique. I know the avocado is mixed with something, just can’t put my finger on it but it’s good. The “mole” salsa is also to die for and I mix the two for a great dipping experience. Order some extras with guacamole on the side and they are just as good the next day after a quick reheat in toaster oven. I added a taco and green burrito on this trip and enjoyed them both. Taco is pretty basic hard shell beef with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese but the green burrito has a great flavor to it. I usually get mine without meat, so I can enjoy the green sauce but beef can be added as well. Thanks again for hitting the spot and...