El Farolito Mexican Restaurant in California

"This is the place to come to for Mexican food in Placentia. I had the Chicken enchiladas, with rice, beans and green salsa. It was on point. The chips and salsa we very good. I highly recommend. Met the owner. Really great guy. Come here for Mexican food. Restaurant was clean and they are expanding."

"First time there. Went with my sister and her kids. Food was great. Service was so-so. It wasn't as loud as expected. Would love to take my kids there some day. Their complimentary chips and salsa isn't free refill and they give the same amount of chips whether there's 2 people or 4 people. They charge extra for refills."

"Wow!! We dined at a great place. The chips and salsa were great. Thick chips, which I prefer, complemented the salsa. Beware - the nacho appetizer was very filling. And very good. The carnitas were delicious. The carnitas were sided with rice, beans and tortillas. After the nachos, we could not eat the Chicken and cheese enchiladas with red and green sauce. Eduardo and Joel provided great service."

"We have been coming to El Farolito for years, and it is easily one of our favorite spots in Old Town Placentia. The restaurant sits right in a neighborhood and has that classic feel of an old house. We love coming here in person, but we also order takeout quite often because the quality is always so consistent. On our most recent visit, we finally got to sit in the new expansion area. It’s a great space and it adds so much more seating, which was definitely needed. The only downside is that it gets very loud in that room. The ceilings are extremely high, and the sound just bounces around. It seems like adding some insulation or sound-absorbing material up in the rafters would go a long way in making it a bit easier to have a conversation. The menus are also new, so it’s worth noting that prices seem to have gone up a bit with the changes. However, the food was just as delicious as always. One of us ordered the menudo, which they only serve on Saturdays and Sundays. It is great that they offer it in small, medium, and large sizes so you can pick exactly how much you want. Another person at the table had the breakfast burrito. It was a bit on the small side and felt like something you might roll up at home, so having it come with a side of rice and beans would have made it feel like a more complete meal. I went with the Mama’s Plate, which is a two-item combo. I chose a cheese enchilada and a crispy chicken taco. Everything tasted great, though the enchilada must have been cooked a little too quickly since the cheese wasn't quite melted all the way through in the middle. The service is always wonderful, whether you are sitting down for a meal or just picking up an order. We were also able to get our holiday pork tamales ordered this year. They are $40 a dozen right now, and you really have to call them early because they sell out every single year. If you haven't been to this local place yet, you should definitely check this family run place out."

"Great food. We got the tostada shrimp salad and the chicken enchilada plate. They don’t have a parking lot so you have to figure out parking around the neighborhood. Was under construction, I think. Looks like it was a house converted to a restaurant at some point. Been around forever and the food is what making this place last."

"The salsa was tasty and had just a little kick. The shredded beef burrito was also tasty and a good sized. I ate all but the last 3 inches of the burrito and added some of the salsa to each bite. In retrospect, I should have asked for them to add onion because it was just the shredded beef and refried beans inside it. At least it didn't have rice."

"If you’re anywhere near Southern California, do yourself a favor and make a stop here! I traveled all the way from Kentucky, and this place was absolutely worth it. The food is authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented — every dish tasted fresh and perfectly seasoned. The service was just as impressive — friendly, fast, and welcoming from the moment we walked in. You can tell the staff truly care about their guests and take pride in what they do. Whether you’re local or just passing through, this restaurant is a must-try. It’s easily one of the best Mexican dining experiences I’ve ever had!"

"The best home-style Mexican food around. The chips are made fresh at the restaurant, and the salsa is flavorful with just the right amount of spicy heat! My favorite dish is the Chile Relleno plate with a shredded beef crunchy taco on the side. The beans and rice are delicious as well. It tastes just like grandma cooked it—it's that good!"