Est. Summer 2020 by Alex Vargas. A very popular fully vegan restaurant serving authentic Mexican food. Menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, sopes, nachos, flan, capirotada (bread pudding), horchata and more. Has counter seating with stools and a few tables (seats about 30). Open Tue-Sun 12:00pm-8:00pm. Closed Mon. Updated as of March 2025. Starts taking delivery orders at 11:00 a.m.
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6265 Sepulveda Blvd Unit 12 (at between Victory & Erwin), Van Nuys, California, USA, 91411
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- Delivery
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- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 19 Mar 2025 by ThePhantomSloth
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123 Reviews
First Review by vi'sbunbun
mrsmasters
Points +20
Delish! - Edit
Yummy, consistent, friendly staff. Don’t skip the flan!
Read moreGuest
dancingvegan
Points +868
Authentic Mexican Recipes! - Edit
Although I was sitting in Van Nuys, California, due to the authentic-ness of the food, I could’ve been in Mexico.
Read moreEvery bite was so flavorful and scrumptious I couldn’t believe how good it was.
The rice, the refried beans which were more like a thick liquid and the three different tacos were so delectable my taste buds were exceptionally happy!
The customer service by Pedro and his team were also exceptional. They are like a fine-tuned instrument.
It was my first time but it will not be my last time.
I work for HappyCow so I gave them some of our little stickers and an excellent review window decal.
Updated from previous review on 2025-03-19
Pros: Food, Horchata, Customers and customer service
Guest
vivaloo
Points +54
Best vegan Mexican - Edit
I discovered this place around 2020 and constantly go back. Everything on the menu is delicious. They have indoor seating and staff is helpful. I really enjoy all the different options but my favorite are the nachos to share (the portions are big). My favorite of the meat options is the asada and chicken! Sometimes the chicharron! Couldn’t recommend this place enough! My friends and family who aren’t plant-based rave about this spot!😄
Read morePros: Delicious food, Lots of options, Great service
Guest
AubreyGolding
Points +260
Surf n Turf - Edit
Surf and turf special was fantastic! Love this neighborhood spot - NEVER disappoints
Read moreGuest
ankurwat
Points +73
So much choice! - Edit
Nice to come to a legit Mexican restaurant and have so many vegan options! We had the asada tacos and the breakfast burrito - they hit the spot.
Read moreGuest
Anngee
Points +156
Authentic ro the culture - Edit
I've been here many times but it's been a while. I had to take home options 😌
Read moreI liked the new setup! I haven't seen the dining area until today.
Pros: Lots of parking
Guest
Flowerluvr
Points +50
Worth the drive! - Edit
The tacos were amazing! Their selection of meats was incredible! I would definitely recommend and will being going back!
Read morePros: Birria Taco, Al Pastor Taco, Carnitas Taco
Guest
Brookeiva
Points +24
Love this place - Edit
What to say other than the food is exceptional. If you are in doubt about trying, just go.
Read moreGuest
BvonGone
Points +50
The spot! - Edit
No one comes close to what El Cocinero does for vegan Mexican food!
Read moreIt's all good, no notes!
Updated from previous review on 2025-01-10
Guest
Notstevie
Points +1700
Absolutely delicious - Edit
Wish I stopped by here sooner!! Got a burrito with chick’n and it was incredible. Huge portions too! Will definitely be back soon! Need to try the rest of their menu asap
Read morePros: Easy parking , Huge portions, Fair prices
Guest
MrsTerryMasters
Points +24
Don’t skip dessert! - Edit
The flan is delicious too!!!
Read moreGuest
HeathNVegan
Points +60
Best Mexican - Edit
Best Mexican I've had in a while and everything is Vegan
Read morePros: The Chorizo, The Flan , The Price
Guest
cyle
Points +576
Chicharrón all day every day - Edit
The secret to the burrito is to get it with chicharrón (added a few months ago) and macho cheese. Too decadent, can't stop.
Read moreActually, just add chicharrón to everything. The nachos are out of this world. Put chicharrón on them and you'll be bursting into the next galaxy.
Street corn when they have it? Yes please. Flan? Get it to impress your friends.
Sodas in glass bottles? I'm buying it to support the environment!
To that end, the takeaway containers can go in the compost bin.
The prices can't be beat especially when one burrito, the nachos , etc are filling as hell. Each is probably enough for two meals... if I could stop myself from eating it in one sitting because it's THAT good!!
When we have friends visiting from other countries we get El Cocinero so they know what Mexican food is supposed to taste like.
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-26
Guest
Gwyndlyn
Points +18
OMG This Place Is AWESOME! - Edit
The food here is REALLY, REALLY good. There's food I say is great - for vegan. Then there's food I say is great - period. This food is amazing. Period! I try and eat more a more plant based diet, but I do eat meat. The "meats" here are so flavorful, though, that even if you're not vegan/vegetarian you don't miss eating meat at all. The street corn was to die for. So were the rice and beans. My friend and I both got three 3 tacos - pastor, carne guidado, and chicken. My favorite was the pastor, but they were all pretty dang incredible! Got a side of the chipotle mayo and used that instead on salsa on the chicken taco. Soooooo good. The service was great too. Everyone was helpful and friendly. So happy I found this place. I'll be back. Wanna do a burrito next time!
Read morePros: Tastes amazing, Variety of "meats", Friendly service
Guest
BorisGutierrez
Points +21
Can't stop eating this food - Edit
It's all good. If you like Mexican food and you like your food without murder...this is the spot
Read morePros: Tacos..all of them
Cons: none
Guest
JakeFuller
Points +1566
Incredible Mexican - Edit
Absolutely delicious! And how often do you find vegan flan? Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
JulienneSlice
Points +1915
Mexicano Vegano - Edit
Edit: Update Review
Read moreEl Cocinero is the latest development from Chef Alex formerly known as Vegatinos pop up stand.
The food is still delicious the only difference is now there’s an established restaurant location based in Van Nuys.
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I’ve been a supporter of the Vegatinos pop up since their first weekend and every meal since has always been top quality and full of delicious authentic flavors. You can’t go wrong with any choice on the menu, although I highly recommend their Al pastor vegan tacos and burrito. Make sure to try their vegan flan which is super creamy and delicious!
Make note that their pop up location varies so check their website for their calendar and locations.
https://vegatinos.com/calendar/
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-25
Pros: 100% Vegan, Accepts cash 💵 👍🏼, Finally they have indoor seating accommodations!
Guest
jpbernier
Points +33
Classic taqueria with a Vegan twist - Edit
I got the al pastor burrito and it was 👌🏻! This place has so many choices of meat substitutes… will need to come back.
Read morePros: Lots of choices , Great staff, Classic taqueria with a Vegan twist
Guest
PritamBanerjee
Points +2671
Delicious vegan food - Edit
Was suggested by a friend and we were glad that we took the suggestion. The meats were very fresh and delicious. Tried all their vegan meats and all of them were so good. They are a nice small place. Also it was good to see that a vegan place doing so well as they were so busy.
Read morePros: Food, Meat options, Inexpensive
Guest
Veglt
Points +100
Best burritos, ok tacos - Edit
Burritos are amazing. All the ingredients are fresh with plenty of flavor. The tacos, eh, not great just ok for carne, the pastor was sweet? But the burrito and mulita is so good it’s worth the drive. Elote was ok, I don’t love mayo but if you do you’ll probably like it.
Read morePros: Burritos , Mulita
Cons: Tacos , Expensive
Guest
christinedig
Points +31
Haven’t stopped thinking of this place… - Edit
Went here when I was travelling in August and have been dreaming of their tacos since. YOU HAVE TO EAT HERE!! Got the 5 Tacos and got an assortment of different types. The ‘meat’ is so tender and flavourful.
Read moreI even tried to recreate at home but its just not as good😒
Guest
AlexViecco
Points +24
Most Amazing Torta!!!!! - Edit
Been vegan for 6 years and can say this was the Best Torta I have ever had! I can say I did miss some Torta a since being Vegan but not any more. This was huge and so tasty. Cannot wait to come back and try other options. You cannot go wrong with all the dishes being served.
Read moreBuen Provecho
Pros: Taste/Plant based , Portion, Plant Based
Cons: None
Guest
Cvondopher
Points +24
Awesome vegan Mexican food - Edit
Best vegan Mexican food I’ve come across with great protein options. Highly recommend!
Read moreGuest
VeganLife418
Points +40
LA Trip - Edit
Absolutely one of the best vegan experiences I had since going vegan 3 years ago. Everything I tried was delicious.
Read moreGuest
NicoleParks
Points +2558
insanely good - Edit
this place is incredible. i got the asada quesadilla, nacho fries with al pastor, and two tacos (one asada and one al pastor) and everything was absolutely delicious. if you order online through uber eats and your total is over $20 you can add two tacos for free! this is definitely one of the best vegan mexican places out there
Read moreGuest
ShellyMochrie
Points +65
The best Mexican food. - Edit
My favorite vegan restaurant and by far the best vegan Mexican food. This is our go to for backyard parties. The non vegans love it too. My favorite is the birria I like to put it in a burrito. So delicious.
Read morePros: Choices, Authentic, Excellent food
Cons: It’s not closer to my house. , Not enough seating , Long lines.
Guest
vp4639
Points +73
Best Mexican Food, Full Stop. - Edit
This place... is so unfathomably good. It's hard for me to say something like that no matter how good any place is because it raises the expectations so high, but honestly it's amazing. This is the kind of vegan place where you can take even the most skeptical non-veg people without worrying if they think the food is "good, but..." whatever they might say that reminds you that they're not fully on board with vegan cuisine. This place is a GOOD Mexican restaurant that just contends with other Mexican places around it, and it also happens to be vegan. PLEASE check this place out if you are on the fence, it's so worth it!
Read morePros: Delicious Food, Decent Prices , Fast Service
Cons: Limited seating indoors
Guest
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