El Chamango

Worst place ever! I was in the area and decided to drop by for a drink. I ordered a tamarind chamango raspado. My mouth was already getting watery thinking of the sweet, sour, and spicy taste, mixed in shaved ice. Boy, I was so disappointed! The drink had this really weird taste and odor; the drink was so sweet, absolutely no taste of chamoy. Sadly, I think I would be happy with those street raspado vendors. In the meantime, I will stick to Garcia’s Fruit on Garvey. Ask for a sample before placing your order, otherwise you will end up wasting your money.

A couple of months ago, I came here with my friend for desserts on a hot summer day. We took a sip of this drink and did not like it at all. All I could think about is, «Whoa O_​O It’s way too sour!» It’s such a shame because I assume it would be the best thing ever! I assumed it would taste like some type of Mexican candy. I hate wasting food or anything of the sort, but after taking sip after sip in hopes that it would eventually grow on me, I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
I finally finished enough to open the cup to try the mango chunks, but there was no flavor in the fruit besides the spice & they were very hard. It looked like there were other fruits, but I really couldn’t tell. It was just too overpowering. I just read the other reviews, so maybe it’s just my taste buds being weird, but my friend felt the exact same way. We ended up tossing it in the trash. I actually tried chamango from another friend a couple of weeks earlier, & it taste great! So, I know for a fact that I do like chamango, but from somewhere else.

you get what you pay for! not the best.

Brought back a lot of memories. Was worth the drive. Clean spot. Was so delicious. Perfect for our hot weather. Will come back for more.

Horrible. Absolutely, horrible. D:
I’m so sorry. I feel so bad for saying this, but it was probably the most sour and foul tasting drink I’ve ever had in my entire life. The only plus side was that I got a free scoop of ice cream with my check-​in.
Ever since I saw photos of Chamango on Instagram, I’ve been dying to get my hands on a cup of deliciousness because I love mangoes! I really wanted to love Chamango, but after this first experience, I’m afraid to try any other place ever again.
So, before I entered the shop, I noticed that the surrounding neighborhood didn’t seem like the best place to be in, but I gave this place a shot despite the off-​setting environment. When I entered the shop, I saw the photo of a Chamango on the menu with a coated Mexican candy straw. My mind was set on getting that delicious Chamango.
When I got the drink, the first thought that crossed my mind was «What happened to the straw? It’s not coated like those photos on Instagram.» My second reaction was, «Why does the drink look so unappealing and distasteful?» The color of the drink looked so murky, I was a bit turned off by the presentation of the drink. I decided that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked — because I try not to judge a book by its cover. I took a gulp, and I swear I’m not joking, I made the most disgusting face because the drink was so sour. I thought, «Maybe the fruits are fresh and will cleanse my palette.» I ate a few chunks of the fruit on the top, «Nope…I can’t even tell what fruit this is because there was no flavor.»
The drink was so overpowering, it sucked all the flavor out of the fruits. I believe there were some pineapples, but they were so hard, un-​fresh, and tasteless, I just wanted to chuck the drink in the nearest trashcan I could find. I didn’t want to dispose of the the drink inside the store because I’d think that would be an insult, so I waited until I found a trash can outside of the place before I dumped it. If it wasn’t for the free ice cream, I probably would have been scrambling for something to scrape my tongue and throat from the disgusting aftertaste. I’m definitely not coming back here again. I wouldn’t even recommend it to my worst enemy.
After this experience, I’m scarred from trying any other Chamango.

I was introduced to this place by my pal and fellow Unilocaler Tiffany L. Thanks to Tiffany I am now a fan of El Chamango.
Although I did not order their famous chamango I did steel a couple of sips from Tiff’s and it was Fabulous!!!
However I did order their strawberry shaved ice. Super good and came with real strawberries.
I will be back with the rest of the family soon!
Thank you Tiffany L., for the introduction to El Chamango.
Chamango it up people!!!

Don’t be fool by the place, this place has the best chamangos out there. They make their own «chamoy» in house and add a significant amount of real, fresh mangoes to the chamango and that’s a big plus. Again the place is not the nicest, but I always take mine to go and it is always delicious, and the girls are super nice and friendly.
Note: They only take cash, and are open until 8:30 pm on the weekends.

Chamango! What? El Chamango! Ah okay. I was first introduced to this establishment a couple weeks ago, and believe or not, I’m the Duke here! Oh my…
El Chamango is a Mexican smoothie place located in the heart of El Monte, a diehard Unilocal friend of mine introduced me to them because she knows I’m a sucker for chili pepper and lime salt. And if you add mangos… which is one of my favorites with a mango smoothie, I’m so there!
I’m a creature of habit when it comes to my top choices of foods. Basically, I will order the same things over and over again when I go until I become sick and tired of it. This place so far has kept me going consistently after a couple weeks.
They have a variety of smoothies to offer, and it’s in Spanish, so I am slowly learning. They also have fruit sorbets, fruit paletas (ice cream bars), and bacon wrapped hot dogs. Everything sounds so delicious! So far I’ve only tried their Chamango and the El Diablito.
They are most famous for their Chamangos, and I cannot disagree. It’s a mango smoothie served with fresh mangos, mango smoothie topped with chili powder, lime salt, and chamoy sauce which is a red chili sauce that is spicy, sweet, and sour. It’s so good that my mouth pucker just by thinking about it. When you go, this is a must try.
The other I tried was the El Diablito. It’s a Tamarindo shaved ice. Basically it’s tamarind mixed with shaved ice with chamoy sauce. I was a bit disappointed on this one because I don’t know if it’s suppose to be a Tamarindo Smoothie or a shaved ice. It’s the same price as the Chamango, but quite a difference in quality.
Yes, they have a whole slew of other things in their menu. I’m willing a different fruit smoothie eventually. But for now I’m staying with their Chamango. Their ice creams and paletas looks good too, but my main reason going there is to get the Chamango.
The place is quite small and can easily be missed as you drive by. Parking might be a problem on weekends or when the weather is warmer. It’s in Downtown El Monte around the shopping district.
It is kind of a divey place that looks old. There’s only about four small tables with a long bar top to sit. Yep, kind of sticky all around… and not to mention a curly gray hair was in my smoothie. I forgive them since I fell in love with their Chamango!

Chamango… What’s that?! A refreshing drink! Think of frozen lemonade with fresh chunks of mango, chili, & chamoy sauce. Perfect combo! The balance of sweet, sour, salty, & a little kick. It was just what I needed on a hot day like this! (90°+ in March) You could add a stick of salty, sweet, Chili Tamarind pulp candy thing on a straw for $ 0.50 more.
The store is located in El Monte Valley Mall. It looks like a Downtown part of the city. Cute area. Lots of other shops. Parking is on the streets. They have fresh pressed juices, Aqua Frescas, ice creams, pops, & snack foods. You can smell the Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs as you enter the store.
Dinning area is small. Lots of locals seem to come to get the bacon wrapped hot dogs & ice creams. Well of course the Chamango, Hurricanes, & juices. I’m definitely coming for more!

They make the best Huracan!
The only downside is that they only take cash but that doesn’t stop me from going there.
I highly recommend this place!

Not the cleanest place but customer service and drinks are awesome. $ 1 worth of a scoop of ice cream, WOW!!! Beat the price of any place. Also, they make juices and some beverages when you order so patience is needed.

I loveeeee chamango! I will literally drive way outta my way to get one when a craving hits. Blended mango, ice, lemon juice, chamoy sauce topped with fresh cut mango and more chamoy sauce/​lemon juice and black pepper. The perfect refreshing combination of salty, sweet, spicy, and even a little tart. Delicious on a hot day. Minus one star because sometimes it’s good. but sometimes it’s amazing depending on who is working. Pro tip. Call your order in ahead so you don’t have to wait in line. Cash only.

There were a dozen people hanging outside this place enjoying their drinks, ice cream cones, etc. People were breezing into this place, and stepping out with some delicious looking food items. It was a hot day, and I was looking for something refreshing. Tried the small hurracan ($ 3.50), which is cup filled with chunks of pineapple, watermelon, jicama, and cucumber in orange juice and spices. It was good, but left me thirsty. Bit more sour than I would have liked. Here are some other things I remember seeing:
Ice cream is $ 1 for single scoop, $ 1.50 for two scoops
$ 2 for aqua fresca
$ 3 for nachos
I definitely want to come back here and try other items. Like the one snack that you eat out of a chip bag using a fork.

Seriously screw this place. I got a free coupon on Unilocal for a free single ice cream and they didn’t want to give it to me after I showed them! I had to make it as If I «used» it. Why even offer it.

The Chamango here is awesome!!! I like how they blended everything into a nice consistency. The flavor was salty, sweet, and a little bit spicy. It had the taste of tamarindo in it and the mango that they put in it tasted fresh and complemented the chamango really well. So far, it is the best chamango this Chinese guy has ever tasted.

The best place for a snack! I highly recomend the huracan and chamango. Dont forget your bacon wrapped hot dog! ;-p

So today, I was on a mission to get chamango, pico de gallo, and a bacon wrapped hot dog without going to LA for them. I went on Unilocal and tried looking for a place, and this place was at the top of the search.
I came here to get lunch and was very satisfied with everything. It’s at the end of the valley mall shopping strip. This place is small, clean, welcoming, and the staff is really friendly and speak English. Parking in front of the store is usually full since there are only 4 spots, but there’s lots of parking lots in the back. I can’t believe that I’ve lived in this city for 10 years now and I’ve never been here before. I’m so glad I found this place, I can’t wait to go back again soon and try everything else.
The bacon wrapped hot dog was good, it’s smaller then what I’m used to getting from LA but for $ 2.50, it’s not bad at all. You can get grilled onions, peppers, and a little green chile on it. Ketchup, mayo, mustard, and jalapenos are all on the side, and you put whatever you want on it.
The pico de gallo is freshly cut, sweet, and delicious. A medium is $ 3.
The chamango just makes my taste buds melt. It’s a perfect consistency and there wasn’t more ice than everything else. The mango wasn’t as ripe as as the pico de gallo, but still refreshing. A medium is $ 4.
In total, I paid $ 10.43 for the entire meal. I would totally recommend this place to anyone.

I have on word for you… CHAMANGO. Dude, this is a drink that is hard to explain but I will give it a shot. It”s a blended ice smoothie of sorts mixed with a tangy chile/​sweet syrup called chamoy… makes your ears pop from the tangyness (that’s a good thing). They top it off with fresh slices of mango and sprinkle some tajin or chili powder… my kids LOVE IT !!
They also have bacon wrapped hot dogs, thick mexican version of lays potato chips toppped with chili, mexican ice cream bars, fersh fruit, home made sorbet ice creams. Looking for something different? There menu will make you come back and try something different everytime.
CHAMANGO is the spot !! They even have locations in the Puente-​Hills and Santa Anita Mall.
They are at the old Ben & Jerry’s location just at the start of the food court in Santa Anita…