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Community Corner

Lupe's: Better than The Prices Suggest

Lupe's is known for its breakfast burrito - what else is there? Plenty.

I’m no Kate Middleton. I look like I eat. So, I couldn’t help but throw a side eye buffered with a smile when asked, after ordering two tacos and a quesadilla at , “all that for you?”

All that?

Then I saw the soda cup. Big Gulp’s got nothing on that Styrofoam monster. It seems that everything at Lupe’s is super-sized, except the price.

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Everyone knows Lupe’s Place has a rocking breakfast burrito that is perfect for curing hangovers and filling you up until dinnertime. The combo variety, eggs scrambled up with bacon, ham, and sausage, a bit of hash brown, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, is a legend in these parts. Check out Lupe’s on Yelp and that’s all you read about.

And I’ve had Lupe’s burrito. It is epic. 

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But is Lupe’s a one-hit wonder?

Served simply, the carne asada and chicken tacos both came topped with just a bit of chopped white onion and cilantro. The meat was not greasy and cooked to tender, grilled to order and of a higher quality than the $1.65 price tag suggests.

I’m an ex-taco truck cook. No, really, I was. What I learned, is that it’s all about the marinade.

I don’t think Lupe’s knows this, but they’re close. Really close.

Lupe’s offers a whole row of containers of salsa, including a tomatillo and smoky red salsa. Load up on these. The tortillas are a bit dried out and the sauce counteracts this almost perfectly. 

My pick for lunch is the veggie quesadilla. It doesn’t goop grease and melted cheese all over your wrist while you try to eat it. The vegetables are more like a sautéed chunky salsa, grilled peppers, onions, and tomatoes that aren’t just thrown in but worked into tender tidbits first.

Of course, there are plenty of more options on the menu – almost everything is under $5, including a cheeseburger with fries for $4.50. And there are cabeza and lengua tacos, too, if you want to go all out. The menu is very large, displayed above the counter in big red letters.  Just don't try to take a picture of it. Lupe doesn't allow that.

Servings sizes are gigante, prices are low, and the vibe is authentic. Lupe’s is a great spot for a quick break for both your mind and your stomach, and doesn’t cause your debit card to explode. Sit outside at the tables with umbrellas typical of Mexican resort restaurant patios, and pretend the sound of traffic on Foothill is the surf and the buzzing of power lines the sizzling of the griddle.  

While the breakfast burrito may still hold the title of most beloved item on the menu, Lupe’s is definitely not a one-hit wonder.

Lupe's Place

1446 Foothill Blvd.

Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

818-790-8950

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