Mitla Cafe

Very tasty authentic Mexican food. Loved it here. Had the "original" taco, beans and rice, cheese enchilada. It was very good, I would go back again! Some negatives are: on the Sunday I went I waited about 15 minutes to sit at 1pm. Dim lighting.

I just found out this is the place that the Taco Bell guy ripped off...and I understand why he did. The shredded beef hard shell tacos are the best ever -- that shell is crunchy and just made and melts in your mouth. And I ate the breakfast burrito over three days, it was so huge. My heart goes out to the taco restaurant to the south, how do they ever stay in business?

Have always loved this place since I was kid going with my parents after church every Sunday. And it's still good and the same great food. Service can be slow, but it's worth the wait for the food! Try the hard shell tacos! I personally love the 2 bean and cheese burritos in meat sauce and French fries! Please don't ever stop doing what you are doing!

The crunchy, seasoned, ground beef taco might be as American as apple pie. An abomination to those south of the border, comfort food and a Tuesday staple to those north of the border from the Rio Grande to the Great Lakes. Every Taco Tuesday, every pantry containing boxes of crunchy taco shells and taco seasoning packets, every satisfied craving, and more than a few fast food empires owe Lucia Rodriguez and her four generations of family a debt of gratitude.

Route 66 is no more but thank goodness, legendary institutions like Lucia Rodriguez’s Mitla Cafe are still going strong. Ask what is good, and an amazing staff will happily share their personal passion for the tremendous food that has been served in the same location since 1937. Sit back and feel the history and importance of a building that has not only influenced food culture but cultural movements.

Order an original taco. Take a bite. Understand why Taco Tuesday became a weekly holiday. Order more. Order more tacos, more burritos, more enchiladas, more everything.

Here is to the next 70+ years of the Mitla Cafe.

Decades of experience making some of the best and most authentic Mexican dishes you'll ever try in a historic little restaurant in the IE. This has been on my list for awhile and man I shouldn't have waited so long. This place is straight 🔥. The staff is great, restaurant is clean and overflowing with ambience. I love when old school spots like this decorate the walls with news articles and relics from their past. It shows you that this family-owned restaurant takes pride in what they do and have made themselves a pillar of the community. Everything we ate here was great! No misses! I had the huevos rancheros with some beef soup and my wife tried the beef crunchy tacos with rice and beans and there wasn't anything left on the plates! Best heuvos rancheros I've ever had with amazingly tender and flavorful Chile Verde pork on top. The rice and beans by themselves will have you coming back. I can't rave enough about how delicious this food was. If you haven't been here and live within a half hour from it, what are you doing? This is the kind of place we will be returning to over and over until we've tried EVERYTHING. If you haven't had it yet, change that asap. Such delicious homemade food that will fill your body and soul. Can't wait to go back and try the relleno!

We decided to take a drive out to San Bernadino to try out this little famous Mexican restaurant. My wife Lydia and I were pleasantly surprised with the food. Lydia and I ordered the hard shell tacos, and we shared a side order of rice and beans. The beef tacos were full of delicious shredded meat with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and Mexican cheese. The chicken tacos were also on point. Our table was small but comfortable with a little lamp, giving it a romantic feel. We didn't have beers with our food but ordered delicious homemade ice tea's. This beautiful little local landmark restaurant is full of local history. They were busy the whole time that we were there and waited about 20 minutes for our table. And it was worth the wait. If you want authentic Mexican food, this is your spot. We will definitely be back to try some of their other delicious dishes. 😋 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mitla's is so much more than a restaurant. It's an institution of nearly 90 years! We hadn't been there in a long time, but out-of-town family members wanted to go and I'm so glad they did. It's a bit of a drive for us and the wait was close to an hour on Sunday around 12:30. It was well worth both and we will return. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is just as we remembered, noisy and lively with families and staff hustling to get everyone served. We had a great experience!

We have been coming to Mitla’s for many years. I’m reviewing it now because of the Pandemic, Mitla’s has been open since 1937 and has been ran by the same Family. We had a great dining experience from beginning to end our host greeted us, we were welcomed into their Restaurant. My mother loves their Cocido, and I had the Wet Pork burrito with Beans and Cheese. That is my go to dish at Mexican Restaurants. Mitla’s cares about our local economy and local businesses.

What a place! I had a great experience with the kind, genuine, and personable people here. Food is on point, and they are generous

The chili relleno was probably the best I've ever had, food and atmosphere both incredible

My absolute go to spot for pozole and hard shell tacos! It can get a little packed on the weekends but it’s sooo worth it!!

I'd give 10 stars if I could. The original crispy beef tacos brought me back home to mom's kitchen. The chiles rellenos to grandma's. The staff was wonderful. Friendly and smiling faces. I felt like a guest in their home. If you haven't visited the only question is why?

Came from Lancaster, was not disappointed. Seriously the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. Pozole was delicious and the shredded chicken and beef tacos were incredible- the shells were freshly fried and the meat was tender and juicy and hot. No wonder this place has been open 82 years.. we will definitely be coming back!

The last time I ate at Milta Cafe was 26 years ago. I loved their chili relleno and compared all other chili relleno to theirs. I was happy to enjoy it again. It remains my favorite place for chili rellenos. Try one!

No wonder they've been around so long great food friendly staff good atmosphere large portions good prices

Mitla Cafe is a classic, a Southern California original. It's the birthplace of the hardshell taco, and they're as good today as they ever were. Get the shredded beef taco, and cover it with their fresh salsa and red chilli sauce. The enchiladas are great as well, and the chicken is tender and juicy, a perfect choice to top the Sharon salad. Whatever you get, you can't go wrong.

Great historic place to eat. It is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the nation. The restaurant was busy but we still got good service. The chorizo and potatoes were excellent. They no longer make buñuellos, that are still listed on the menu, so we ordered churros instead. We will be returning soon.

Great customer service 👏 chips and salsa was delicious. Everything we ordered was on point it was delicious no complaints. Prices are great, they serve great portions. I definitely recommend this place to anyone, its a must try.

it's a legendary mexican dining.
We stopped by on our way to vegas and had a breakfast.
My best was tamales and the shell of the taco.
The interior of the restaurant shows how Mitla Cafe care the local community.

Hope this restaurant thrives.

Awesome Mexican food. Home of the taco that inspired Taco Bell, but obviously much better tasting. Had both ground beef and shredded beef versions. Both had plenty of meat, lettuce, and cheese. Make sure to add their fresh salsa on anything you order.