You go inside East LA, finish ordering, and immediately you’re met with the freshest chips and salsa ever. The chips are still warm and toasty, and the salsa has a slight kick of spice and tang that’s actually perfect. Whether you’re sitting outside on a warm sunny day or inside on a cold one in their cozy, festive restaurant, the vibes are always immaculate. The first time I went to East LA, I ordered a plate of six quesadillas, and I completely underestimated the sheer size of each one. I also had no idea the plate came with six, which is such a good deal. The quesadillas came with the classic guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and jalapeños. They had pico, cheese, chicken, and some other ingredients. Don’t come for me, but my perception of good quesadillas changed after I had them in Mexico, so now I’m pretty picky with quesadillas. These were solid, but not amazing. The chicken was slightly dry, but they were filling. The guacamole was really good, though, and definitely helped balance the slight dryness and sour cream.
One thing I really did love was their veggie enchiladas. They were soft and toasty with melty cheese, and the enchilada plate felt super comforting. It also came loaded with flavorful refried beans, and the second you took a bite, it just melted in your mouth. The enchiladas came with rice and corn, too, which I didn’t try, but the enchiladas themselves were really solid. Definitely not the best I’ve ever had, but probably one of the better things on their menu.
The fajitas I ordered came out on a sizzling plate with chicken, colorful pepper slices, and onions, plus small warm tortillas. It also had the classic sides of sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, and pico de gallo, which I feel like come with most of their meals. I did have the same issue with the chicken; it was only lightly seasoned and a bit dry. The bell peppers helped add flavor as good fajitas should, and the slight char on the sizzling plate gave everything a nice roasted taste by the end. I layered mine with sour cream and pico, or guacamole and pico, and they were good and really filling.
Overall, the food in East LA is good for the price. It’s classic; the chicken is a little overcooked at times, but still enjoyable and filling. The vibe of the restaurant really makes the experience, whether you’re sitting outside on a nice summer day, people-watching in Hoboken, or inside with the festive Mexican decor. The service was super friendly and checked in a good amount. I haven’t tried their well-known take-home margaritas yet, but from what I’ve seen, people love them. Everyone around us with those big, colorful margs looked very happy. Maybe I’ll come back and update this once I try them. For now, it’s a sweet, go-to Hoboken spot that’s perfect for an easy afternoon lunch with friends while sitting outside soaking up the sun.
