El Gordito (El Monte)

El Gordito is Marlene's latest discovery. We can thank my car's recent loss of its head gasket; all this week, while the car has been in the shop, Marlene and her mom have come to pick me up from work. El Gordito is about a mile from the school, right next to Art's Burgers, on the north side of Valley, just east of Peck.
I've only had one meal from El Gordito, but it was notable--four very good carnitas tacos (if the fare from Tacos El Gordo of Tijuana/south San Diego fame is a 10 of 10, then these
were 7.5) and probably the best agua de pina I've ever had. The drink was sweet but not overly so, and had pineapple chunks to add to the flavor and feel.
Marlene says the burrito she had was good, too. I've had a coupon for a free torta from El Gordito for some time; it was part of the "swag bag" we received at the luncheon the City of El Monte gave for new teachers. It looks like it's time to redeem that coupon.
El Monte insider trivia: El Gordito is owned by Frank J. Aguirre, who recently mounted an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the board for the Mountain View School District.

Find El Gordito at 11665 Valley Blvd (Peck/I-10 and La Madera) in El Monte. 626-444-4912. Call for hours of operation.