Vegan
Take-out
Mexican
Catering

A popular all-vegan Mexican restaurant opened Summer 2020 by the owners of Vegatinos pop-up. Serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, sopes, and other foods. Order for pickup via Postmates. Open Tue-Sun 1:00pm-8:00pm. Closed Mon.


Venue map for El Cocinero Restaurant
© OpenStreetMap contributors

108 Reviews

First Review by vi'sbunbun

m@earthville

Points +9488

Vegan
23 Mar 2023

Some of the best tacos in LA

El Cocinero has a good thing going. It’s a legit taqueria that happens to be plant-based, and also friendly and lively. The tacos dorados birria were mouth-wateringly good, and the sopes were excellent, too. The salsas are very tasty. The place is clean and inviting, with plenty of indoor seating. Service is friendly and efficient.

The only thing that could be improved is sustainability: the packaging produces a lot of waste, and they don’t seem to be using organic produce. Hopefully this will be worked out in the near future if they know their customers care about it.

Enjoy!

RebeccaSullivan

Points +3425

Vegan
25 Feb 2023

Vegan Meats

Was so excited to try El Cocinero but was not as impressed as I hoped to be. I ordered the Birria tacos with cheese and consume (a little steep at $18 for 3 tacos) and a carne asada quesadilla with no cilantro. Also ordered cashew crema and Chipotle Mayo on the side for the quesadilla which were super tiny containers for $1 each. For the prices I expected to really be blown away. My Omni fiancé and I both preferred Viva Vegan’s Birria tacos. The quesadilla was very good though. I like that they have a ton of vegan meats to choose from.

Updated from previous review on 2023-02-24

KaliCaraWillage

Points +88

Vegan
24 Feb 2023

A must try!

So many vegan meat options. It was seriously overwhelming! The carne asada was really good. Definitely want to go back and try more things.

Pros: So many vegan meat options. Reasonably priced.

happyfeetadan

Points +286

Vegan
30 Jan 2023

Vegan tacos for the win!

After a hike, I wanted something fast and vegan friendly to take home and found this place on the way home, via this app. It was busy when I went, but pretty fast. The food was good and filling. They even had Flan! Hadn’t had flan since I went vegan and it was enjoyable.

Pros: All vegan!, Fast service!, Convenient location for pickup! Parking!

Cons: Take out only., Some of the vegan meat seemed over cooked.

veganmamabear

Points +332

Vegan
30 Dec 2022

What’s left to say?

Joining the 5-star ratings club for El Concinero.

My family loved this place so much. The food is excellent, and I really appreciate that the fillings are made in house (the beans are notably excellent).

It’s a must-visit if you are in LA or just passing through. Castle Park minigolf is relatively close by, so you can make it a day.

CourtneyViveiros

Points +82

Vegan
17 Dec 2022

Street tacos

I've gotten the tacos and nachos here. The tacos were bomb! They overstuff the tortillas with the meat so you're getting your money's worth. And the tacos are your traditional street tacos with onion and cilantro. The nachos are loaded with toppings so when the munchies hit, you're all set. The portions are great here and when you're in the mood for some satisfying super nachos or traditional street tacos, this is the spot. The meat is magical too. I don't know how they do it but the Carne asada is legit. I can't remember the other one I had but they have several "meat" options!

alenahm7

Points +114

Vegan
09 Dec 2022

Muy delicioso!!!

Wow! This place was phenomenal. The food was so tasty we couldn’t stop eating.
Come with friends so u can grab a bit of everything on the menu.

Pros: Big portions, Excellent taste, Good variety of flavors to chose

Cons: No place to dine in

MoeRoxxs

Points +114

Vegan
03 Dec 2022

The nachos are good

I was recently in the area and had to give this place a try. Since we don’t live in the area we decided to try an order of the nachos and a mix of 5 tacos to share. Unfortunately when we got back to where we were staying we found we got two order of nachos. While they were good we were disappointed we didn’t get to try the tacos.

While I recommend this place I also recommend checking your order before leaving to assure you got what you ordered.

bonymike

06 Dec 2022

Hmmm... An interesting trip!
Well, the last sentence is important. What you ordered vs what you got... Have you tried to compare them?😃

chomp

Points +435

Vegan
24 Oct 2022

Absolutely awesome!

Wonderful place! Fast service, just get in the car and go now.

Pros: Legit Mexican

TovaRubin

Points +204

Vegan
20 Aug 2022

Best vegan Mexican!

I cook a lot of Mexican food having lived in San Antonio for years. When you get to this restaurant there’s a long line but don’t leave! The food is fresh and super flavorful and delicious! I had the quesadilla with Carne guisada and vegetables. My son got the nachos and my friend got a side of rice as well. We also tested the flan! Everything was beyond super delicious!

MikariLuna

Points +78

Vegan
01 Aug 2022

One of my faves! They have the best vegan meats. Can’t beat tacos.

Delicious tacos and vegan Mexican food.
All they need a place to sit to enjoy the food! (Take out only)

Pros: Lots of options , Fast and friendly service, Super delicious!

Cons: No place to sit , Take out only

VeganStardustt

12 Nov 2022

Do you know if they use Beyond or Impossible meats? Thanks!

RebeccaArvizu

Points +63

Vegan
31 Jul 2022

Try the Chicharron Anything!

Burritos, tacos, nachos whatever chicharron is the best protein option!

Pros: Huge menu authentic food, spices

Cons: None

kpwaii

Points +62

Vegan
30 Jul 2022

Great

Best vegan Mexican food in the valley. Pretty good portions, too.

mo_eats

Points +52

Vegan
27 Jul 2022

FAV TACO SPOT IN THE VALLEY

My BF and I absolutely love this place! we go once a week/ every other week. The staff is so friendly and the food is bangin. The tacos come w 2 tortillas and a ton of vegan meat so we usually split the meat between the 2 tortillas. So when ordering 2 tacos, i’m actually eating 4!

Updated from previous review on 2022-07-27

Pros: lots of vegan options , very good portion sizes , great service

yungveg17

Points +1070

Vegan
06 Jul 2022

Tasty all-vegan Mexican food

After being in France for six months I was craving Mexican food super badly. Being vegan though you can't just go anywhere. I found El Cocinero thru a YouTube video and am happy I tried it. The online ordering was a bit frustrating and it's a shame they don't have a number to call in (I was traveling from LAX so hoping to save a little time).

I tried the birria tacos and they were 10/10 with the consommé. It's a bit expensive but it's an all-vegan and independent restaurant in LA so what do you expect? I'm looking forward to trying it again

Pros: All vegan , Authentic flavors

Cons: A tad pricey

coleweso123

Points +116

Vegan
15 Jun 2022

Absolute must try

One of my favorite meals I've ever had. The nachos are sublime. The barrías tacos are incredible. The flan is also very good. Do not miss out on this spot.

BrookeSeawright

Points +15

Mostly Veg
11 Jun 2022

Delicious Authentic Mexican food!

The jackfruit carnitas, and the Al Pastor tasted like the real thing when I used to eat meat. A must have when in the area!

Updated from previous review on 2022-06-11

Pros: Had the tacos, three “meats” all delicious

paulrumohr

Points +25

Vegetarian
10 Jun 2022

Authentic Mexican, no seriously authentic Mexican

It’s in a strip mall, but who cares? The food is prepared the way that you would have it in Mexico.

100% vegan, everything is wonderful, just order anything and you’re going to be very happy. To be honest I can count on one hand the number of places that I can tell someone just to randomly pick some thing off the menu and it will be phenomenal.

Stop looking for somewhere to have lunch or dinner, if they’re open and you’re nearby, just go.

ktomasiello

Points +126

Vegan
12 May 2022

One of my faves!

So I’ve been going here since it opened and it has never disappointed me. Such amazing food. The tacos are so good some of my coworkers swore it wasn’t vegan. This is my go to place on holidays as usually they offer platters of some of there “meats “. Try this place. You won’t be disappointed!

Pros: Tons of options , Great flavor

Carlos2511

Points +18

Vegan
08 May 2022

This place has so much delicious foods and I really enjoy eating at this place👍

This place serves delicious Hispanic foods that are to die for. Best vegan Mexican restaurant who is craving tacos or anything Mexican food. Love eating at this place and you won’t be disappointed on the food.

Pros: Lots of vegan options , All your favorite Hispanic foods veganized , Good prices not to expensive

DanFKennedy

Points +231

Vegan
17 Apr 2022

The hype is REAL

When I got ready to order I told the employee that I been looking forward to trying their food. He told me I'm lucky because there's usually a line going outside the door. A lady behind me chimed in enthusiastically about how she's so happy there's no one in line. That should tell you what you need to know. I came to LA looking for amazing Mexican food and El Cocinero definitely delivered. This is a must visit every LA trip. Period.

Pros: Delicious, Creative

Cons: No indoor seating

Beetay

Points +58

Vegetarian
07 Apr 2022

Best Nachos Ever!

How fun was it to find not only a vegan restaurant in Van Nuys, but a freaking VEGAN MEXICAN restaurant with cuisine that would amaze meat eaters.

El Cocinero on Sepulveda Blvd in Van Nuys was amazing….and to top it off, they had a line out the door and down the sidewalk waiting to place their orders. Bravo El Cocinero!!! You guys are amazing.

Pros: 100% vegan , proteins that rival the real thing. , Amazingly popular with locals.

nunos

Points +30

Vegan
31 Mar 2022

my husbands fav

not really my thing but my husbands a faithful customer

Forakora

Points +491

Vegan
24 Feb 2022

Must try

The decor is cute and colorful! Love the artwork, can't wait to see more in the future. The food looked so good I starting eating and forgot to take pictures
All of it was delicious! My thoughts on each item:
- Carnitas torta - I'm not normally a fan of jackfruit, but this was really tender and the flavor was super yummy. The chipotle crema is bomb and ties the whole thing together. I would eat the crema from a jar with a spoon if they sold it separately
- Al pastor tacos - traditional double corn tortillas. The al pastor was more pineapple than I expected, and it was very welcome! Paired great with the spicy red salsa
- Chik'n quesadilla - the chik'n is a bit more plain, I guess like chik'n is, lol. Tons of cheeze, and comes with onion and cilantro. Was good dipped in the mild green salsa
- Flan - I don't like flan, but my partner loved it and basically inhaled it
- Kombucha - unique flavors. I had the cherry bomb with pineapple, vanilla, and clove. It's not super cherry flavored, and all the flavors marry together. It *doesn't* have the vinegary aftertaste, very pleasant!
Overall impression was the textures and flavors were on point, portions were good sized, and it was rather cheap. I will be back to try everything else for sure

Pros: Authentic , Delicious , Low prices

Cons: Not in my backyard

Bbunny

Points +247

Vegan
23 Feb 2022

I’m hooked

This place doesn’t even need my review lol. By far of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had (both veg and non veg). The line is usually long but moves fast. They have the nicest staff. Everything is really clean and well laid out.

The portions are awesome and it’s incredibly well priced. It tastes absolutely amazing and super high quality. I made the mistake of trying Sugar Taco recently, freaking awful. Made me appreciate El Concinero more lol.

Pros: Good value, Lots of options, Awesome staff

Cons: Busy but efficient

MrsGil

Points +30

Vegan
03 Feb 2022

BEST VEGAN MEXICAN FOOD

BOMB FRESH FOOD AND FRESH AGUAS FRESCAS. #Veganuary

Pros: IN THE VALLEY, MEXICAN , TACOS N BURRITOS PLZZZZZZ

KarolaSM

Points +287

Vegan
18 Jan 2022

Unbelievable… so good

I’m in love with this place, great price, huge portions, even tho there was a huge line it was fast, very well organized, and the food is out of this world. I tried the pozole, super Nachos, tacos dorados and everything was very good! I’ll be back for sure! #Veganuary

Pros: Great price , Taste! So good!




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