Livingston’s Chicken Kitchen

They forgot the lettuce on my rolled tacos and burrito. Fail.

No lobster tacos?! My first choice was not available, well that sucks.
I’ll have two fish tacos then.
Tortillas were dry like they sat out open all day, and actually not very common to have hard tortillas like this, at home I would have feed them to birds but not use them my self.
Would not go here again if I had an option of «try new place or go here again, new place every time babe!»

Had a bad hankering for some fried chicken and since this place delivers I thought I’d give it a shot. It had to be some of the worst fried chicken (and sides) I’ve ever had. Totally tasteless and super super greasy. I also got a bean and cheese burrito. It was awful! I mean really, how do screw up a bean and cheese burrito?

Tried to order lunch and the guy told me it was too much food. I guess he knew better than me what I wanted. Don’t know anyone who does business like that.

Nice selection. Good price. Competent people. 75%“authentic” Mexican. Good salsa.
This place is contiguous with the sunshine bar. You can order food from the sunshine bar.
This Mexican taco shop offers traditional Mexican dishes. And this Mexican taco shop also offers California burritos. You can order a beer at sunshine bar, and you can also order a burrito from this restaurant while you are getting drunk.

I live here in OB and this is my go to Mexican restaurant. Tried almost all the Mexican places and I’m happy to say this in my opinion is the best. When people come to visit and want Mexican, this is where I take them. The surf and turf is my standard.

Very shady place next to everything that’s cool. I guess its attached to the sunshine bar (which is a cool bar to hang out), but no one was in the front entry. To top it off there was some event with a bunch of people outside and the streets were blocked off so cars won’t enter. Workers looked pissed, frustrated and overworked. One of the guys was grabbing the chicken but didn’t look like he was doing it in a sanitary way. Just wanted to grab a soda, waited 10 minutes to get service. For some strange reason I didn’t feel comfortable being there anymore because I felt bad vibes from these workers, including a dirty look from one of them. I wouldn’t wish anyone to come in to this place to eat (plenty of other better places to eat on the strip) because I personally think that they need professional help. Livingston’s DOESN’T belong amongst the other great establishments on the Newport strip, no way no how…

Never disappointed. Favorite little go-​to spot in OB. Love the veggie burrito. Also, the access from the bar side.

This place is attached to the bar, so I have eaten here a lot. Food is ok, nothing great…
I have gotten sick a few times after eating here. Twice after having a carnitas burrito (yes, 2 times!!!). STAY AWAY from the carnitas!!!

Went here two times. The first time was with some coworkers and the food tasted great. Definitely above average quality. Even with going in with a party of 3 the guy didn’t ask for a tip and was very nice. We ordered 2 California burritos and a plate of carne asada fries.
I was so impressed by how the food tasted I decided go there next day alone. This time a different guy was working there and when I walked up to order my carne asada fries he promptly wrote «tip» under my receipt. Knowing I had a few bucks in my wallet I decided to tip after receiving my food. And since this guy was particularly pushy about a tip I wanted to see if that would mean anything. So I got my $ 8 meal and I left a hefty $ 3 tip out of my spare cash at the very end when I picked up my food. Kind of weird he expected a tip on takeout, but whatever.
When I got home I immediately noticed the fries were totally different than the first time and the food actually tasted kinda bad. So I decided not to finish it since mystery cook pretty much ruined my good experience and my food. Anyway, 3 hours later I’m clutching the toilet pushing out what I can only assume was anger over me not tipping with my card aka food poisoning. What’s interesting is the asshole probably didn’t even feel guilty after I did tip.
Anyway long story short, only visit this place on certain Wednesdays if you value the lining of your colon.

My best friend and I ran into this place on accident a couple months ago. I don’t remember what he ordered but I got a quesadilla. I was surprised to find the quesadilla served with chopped cabbage and tomatoes inside, which I’ve never seen a taco shop do but it tasted nothing short of amazing. The side of beans tasted lightly seasoned which was also a pleasing surprise. For such a plain meal they did a good job of making it both interesting and delicious. The servings are on the large side and they also have a selection of cold soda cans, imo it tastes better from a can than a plastic bottle or soda machine. A+, will definitely be back.

Have been coming here since I first moved here 21 years ago. Back then, used to get an amazing spinach salad w/​basil for $ 1, add grilled fish taco for $ 1, and have tasty, healthy, satisfying dinner for $ 2! You can still get a decent fish taco (although not the best) for $ 2.99 ($ 3.60 to add guac and cheese) although the spinach salad is no longer on the menu. Best bet (but not quite as healthy) is probably the chicken and Jo Jos (potato wedges) w/​ranch. But overall, Still good option to grab a bite while you/​your buddies are having a drink at Sunshine.

We Go To OB Once A Year For Five Nights. We Eat Here Every Night. The Food Is Delicious And Of Massive Proportion. Many Of The Locals Eat There So We New It Was Good. Large Menu And Plenty For Vegetarians. The Veggie Supreme Is Worth Eating Several Nights In A Row. Great Service. Fast And Polite. MenuPrices Are From 1998.

It was okay. We had the chicken quesadia and the the california burritto. It was nothing to really rave about but it was also the only thing open at 10pm on a Sunday. The salsa isnt spicey at all.

My wife always talks about ‘the california burrito’ that can only be found in San Diego. We met up with some friends and asked what the best place to get a cali burrito was and they said it was Livingstons. This burrito did not disappoint. They start out with a little guacamole, then they put on some cheese, then carne asada and then finish it off with some fries. Take a couple of the salsa containers on the side when you get your order so you can put it on the burrito after each bite.
Try a burrito from here, it isn’t just drunk food but just as tasty sober.

Get drunk and nom nom nom on the California Burrito or Carne Asada Fries (aka California burrito without the tortilla).
Why five stars? Because my favorite burrito is made here! They have a window connecting to a bar? God bless America!
This is not a fancy place with all the amenities. If you’re expecting that, then you’re in the wrong Mexicali joint.

When you walk in, this place appears to be more of a Mexican restaurant. It has the typical Mexican décor and a large amount of Mexican food on the wall menu. I was slightly confused when I first walked in, given the name.
However, this place is definitely called a «Chicken Kitchen» for a reason! I have tried the Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas and the Fried Chicken. I found the tostadas to be rather lacking as they were somewhat soggy and not the best flavor. The chicken, on the other hand, was AWESOME!
I am a Southern girl so if there is one food group I know it is definitely fried chicken (yes, in the South, we consider it a food GROUP all it’s own).
This is the closest fried chicken to back home that I have had since moving to the West Coast. The batter had very good seasoning (could have used a pinch more salt) and the crunch of the skin was perfectly balanced with the juicy meat inside.
I have also tried the Jo-Jo’s and the Pinto beans. The Jo-Jo’s (potato wedges) were fresh-​made and had a nice crunch. They do not use any salt. I realize this is a bonus for some but for me, it’s a deal-​breaker. I enjoy salt on potato wedges and it is just not the same adding it later as it is added right out of the fryer. The Pinto beans were very well seasoned however, and I would definitely order them again.
I have now been here a few times and I plan to continue regular visits for my «fix» :) Where else can you get great fried chicken AND Horchata?!?

I had some awesome Mexican food in San Diego and all over California but Livingston’s was a little disappointing.
The place is a little hole in the wall, which typically lends itself to killer food. Unfortunately my burrito fell short for me. I went with the regular mixed beef and bean burrito, and added beans and a side of guacamole. The regular was definitely huge and filling. The ingredients were just a little bland. My fault on not clarifying the time of bean, but I was disappointed when I discovered the beans were refried, not black. I also hoped the burrito could have been a little more melty. After reading more reviews, I realized I probably should have gone with the California burrito instead.
So my experience was probably a little of my fault and a little of their fault. I’m really curious about the other menu options. Maybe I should have tried the chicken?

FRIED CHICKEN!!!
Seriously. They have some really good fried chicken here. (Probably best on the point) They season it well and cook it to order in a pressure fryer. It’s crispy, juicy, and oh so delicious!
Their mexican food is sub par… 2* worthy. Definitely tastes better when your intoxicated. (They use fish sticks in their fried fish tacos… nuff said)
But their chicken… oh their CHICKEN! (I get 2 piece fried chicken and roll, husband gets the ½ roasted chicken with beans and rice) is 5* worthy! Thus the 3* review!
Service is weird… u just kinda shout your order to them and they will ring you up whenever they get a chance. Whatever works! ;) The guys in there are really nice. If your lucky, Medina will be the one making your food. He will hook u up!
Overall, love this place for their CHICKEN!!! U must try! I’m a gonna get me sum! :)~
*Spank!

I eat here pretty much every time I go to Sunshine. Why? Because I inevitably have to pay for someone’s burrito with my credit card in exchange for someone paying cash for my beer at Sunshine. And then I also eat here pretty much any night I go out with my roommate since he ALWAYS gets a carne asada California burrito after a few (or many) drinks. So, I actually eat here quite often even though I’m not a fan of Mexican food. But that’s okay, it’s actually a pretty tasty post-​drinking meal.
What I’m really trying to say is… this place is good for a post-​drinking California burrito.