Reviews for Camacho's Place in El Centro, CA
We heard of this place from friends, and it is really in the middle of nowhere. That said, you gotta go there to eat. It has... been there for over 70 years and serves up great, fresh Mexican food. We split Combo #2, the quesadilla special, and chilirellenos, a couple beers, and homemade flan for dessert. Easily the best dinner in the area for us. If you go, check out allthe history on the walls. And day hi to Rosey. Read more
Okay, you have to work hard to find this institution. Its in the middle of fields. It is worth the effort though because the... food is very good. The decor is basic cafe, the servers are the owners and are happy to share the history of this 72 year oldrestaurant and maybe bend your ear about other things as well. It has a special ambiance, so go, eat well, and smile. Read more
To get to Camacho's Place, you will need to journey through forsaken realms and lands with no songs. As your GPS guides you over... El Centro's crumbling roads through dusty desert fields juxtaposed to irrigated cattle farms, you'll repeatedly check it to seeif it's guiding you to the right address. Reassure yourself that this place HAS to be good if it's remained open for nearly 75years while being this far away from civilization. I was told that there's a man from Orange County who flies here viahelicopter. Probably the smart thing to do if you care about your tires. Camacho's Place, opened in 1946 by Richard Camacho andhis wife, Juanita, is indeed best referred to as a "place" rather than a restaurant. It is a dining room surrounded by a museumthat preserves the memories of a family that has owned it for three generations while photos on its walls pay homage to thepeople they've fed and entertained therein, from friendly neighbors to Hollywood film stars to literal royalty like PrinceHarry, who rolled in with an entourage of 40 a few years ago. Mexican cuisine is served here and, even if it is notparticularly authentic, the people who serve it to you are as real as you'll find. And, by that, I'm mostly referring to Richardand Juanita's granddaughter, 68-year-old Rosamonde ("Rosie") Cuellar, a sharp woman with a dust-dry wit who runs the kitchen.Tommy, her gregarious husband, helps out as a waiter. On the Tuesday afternoon I was in, the restaurant was empty, so I satacross from them, these two strangers who were serving me their food, and we ate, talked, and laughed. Good people. The food issuperb for what it is: home cooking, more soulful than precise. I ordered the "Special Quesadilla," Camacho's Place's signaturedish, copied and imitated by other restaurants in Imperial Valley. It consists of gooey melted cheese in a deep-fried pastryshell that visually resembles a very large empanada, but is chewier than you'd expect. The taste and texture remind Read more
A visit to the Imperial Valley is not complete without a visit here. Located out in the farmland, this is worth the drive.... Homestyle Mexican food like no other. I always get the Special Quesadilla to go with my meal because it's as big as a footballand you'll find d nothing like it on the planet. Miss Rosie will also bring some local character to your visit. Never a badmeal here! Read more
Been going to this fixture in the Imperial Valley since 1978. I bring family and friends here every chance I get. Homemade... Mexican food like the way it's supposed to be. My go-to is the Special Quesadilla. As big as a football, it's a meal untoitself. If business is slow you'll be chatting with Rosie! Out of the way but worth it! Read more
I love this place! My family has been coming here for 4 generations. You can't beat the quality of the food and the prices are... reasonable. The owners and the staff are amazing. If you are in the Imperial Valley, this restaurant is a stop you won't regret. Read more
Been going to this restaurant since I was a kid. Love, love, love the food! Was in two weeks ago and had the enchiladas and... special quesadilla...mmmmmmm. My favorites. Rosie is so friendly and funny, really love talking with her. Going to miss themwhile their closed, but I'll be back when they open up again. Have a great time off, you guys deserve it. Read more
Ok I have to admit my review is a bit dated. We used to go to Camacho's back in the early 70's when I was a kid and loved it.... To this day my family will have Special Quesadillas and remember Camacho's It's great to still see it around! Read more