In the North Inglewood area, there are many established eateries. On the main street of Manchester Blvd, you have well known and highly praised places in the neighborhood such as Randy’s Donuts, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Canton Kitchen, La Michoacana Ricas Nieves, Brunos, and Charly’s Restaurant.

On that street is a hidden gem, Maria Ricos Tacos, a newer establishment that is often overshadowed by its local competition.

With a busy main street such as Manchester, you are bound to encounter traffic and it might be hard to find parking. While entering the center, you can see the excitement on one’s face as they walk around the area looking to either quench their thirst at Jamba Juice, grab a quick snack at the liquor store, or prepare to sit and dine at either Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles or Marias Ricos Tacos.

Marias Ricos Tacos is a small mom and pop shop that is strictly family ran. When walking into the restaurant, I could already tell it was an authentic Mexican restaurant. I walked into workers making salsa and tortillas, large jugs of Jamaica and Horchata at the cash register, multiple flavors of Jarritos in the refrigerator, and a restaurant menu that was in Spanish, with English subtitles.

As far as the number of people in the restaurant, there weren’t too many people ordering and dining, but the place wasn’t empty. There were about 4 people dining by themselves, one couple, and about two small families. When I walked into the restaurant there was no line, so I wasn’t feeling pressured to hurry up and decide what I wanted to order. The workers themselves were quite generous. They are always being kind and making sure feeling their customers felt welcomed.

After taking a look at the menu, which had a wide variety of options, a bean and cheese burrito, a side order of fries, and a mandarin flavored Jarrito seemed like the best option. While waiting for food to be made, people can watch their food being made or watch whatever is being played on the two flat-screen TVs located in the restaurant.

I received my food on a lunch tray similar to the ones you see in an old typical lunch scene in a movie. On the tray was a been and cheese burrito with a side order of french fries. The burrito was much larger than I expected. The melted cheese, flavorful refried beans, and warm tortilla were as good of a trio as Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami during the 2013-2014 NBA season.

Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles.613 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

(310) 672-8226

Marias Ricos Tacos. Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 7 am-10 pm

Friday - Saturday: 7am-10pm

Tostadas, Tacos, Burritos.

Parking: Free parking lot.