Lucy's El Adobe Cafe

Doesn't Recommend

Desiree L.

Joined 1 year ago

Service Sucked and it tasted like bad hospital food. We went to El Adobe for the first time thinking the experience was going to be a good one but to our it was way below our expectations. We were with a large party so we decided to stay out on the patio, the table over the fire pit had a bowl of salsa (which Sucked badly) between every 2 seats but no chips and if we wanted any we had to ask multiple times. the beers were $7.00 a piece and margaritas were $10.00 and just a tea unsweetened was $3.00. We asked if we could order dinner and we were told "no, only guacamole (which was like it was squeezed from a plastic container), nachos w/ or w/o chicken (the kind you get in a cheap cheesy buffet) or a quesadilla. w/ or w/o chicken (which was the best thing we had. After 5 minutes of trying to find out why we couldn't get a menu or order dinner we figured we would try one of each and ordered because we were hungry (anticipating a good meal we didn't eat prior coming). Our food was brought out and we had to pay immediately, and our total for 3 small orders (very small orders) of appetizers and a beer and a tea with no refills unless you flagged down the waiter was $42.00. We couldn't run a tab or even go into the bar and order drinks. My husband went in to get a beer because the waiter couldn't be found we were refused service not once but twice. My husband said "so your not going to serve me?" and the bartender said no go outside and the server will take your order. I went inside to order after waiting for 20 minutes for the server to come by even after flagging him down 3 times to get a refill on my tea and a margarita for my husband and there was someone waiting at the door to stop me and refuse service. Needless to say after spending more than $60.00 in appetizers and drinks with HORRIFIC service I will never go back and have told everyone I know not to do the same. Go to El Cholo for the same prices or go to El Torito for better service and much better food. That's definitely saying a lot for El Torito because they a good but I have eaten all over the U.S. and Mexico and had outstanding Mexican food and wouldn't consider El Torito to be one of the best places but MOST DEFINITELY better than Lucy's El Adobe Cafe. I would say its more like bad hospital food! If I could give them a ZERO (0) I would.

DO NOT EAT THERE or DRINK THERE if you want to get drunk because its not worth it!!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

choochoo70

Joined 2 years ago

NEVER AGAIN!. I have been going to Lucy's for 20 years. NEVER AGAIN. I have repeatedly been disappointed by the service and high prices. If it weren't for the dressing, I would have seen the light a lot sooner. The owner and her staff have clearly forgotten they're in the hospitality business. There is nothing hospitable about their service. I am not interested in lining the pockets of people who have no respect or appreciation for their patrons. Goodbye Lucy's....it's been kinda sorta swell. I won't miss you!

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sa311energy

Joined 3 years ago

Great employees and great margaritas!!!. I have lived in LA my whole life and had never been here. The staff was GREAT!!! Very attentive and sweet. The margaritas were great! I will definately be back!!!

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Michael Fran

Joined 4 years ago

Hidden Gem. Well judging by the reviews it's not so hidden, but you can easily miss this place driving past Paramount on Melrose. The portions are epic. Chips, salsa, soup, salad and entree. Is the lentil soup necessary? No. Is it good. Yes. The combos are good and the quesadilla is a great small option for those looking for less.

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Gunwacko

Joined 4 years ago

Great place!. I have been going to Lucy's for nearly 30 years and love it. The food is about B+ and their Margaritas are A+ ! The knuckleheads who posted bad reviews are simply going there to be "star-struck" hoping to see someone famous and when they don't, they pick on the service. ANY good restaurant has bad days and are frequenty busy. Famous people have and do eat there which is part of the draw of the looky-loos hoping to see someone. I did meet Timothy Leary in 1983 there, some of the KMET jocks in the bar..lol, but I never went there to "see" anyone. If you love mexican food and you're in Hollywood, go experience the atmosphere and food. Try not to go at 7pm on a Friday or Saturday night or you will wait for an hour to be seated- at least.

Doesn't Recommend

CoCo

Joined 4 years ago

Absolutely& By Far the Worst Dining Experience of MY LIFE!!. I went here for the first time on a lunch date with my mom. She was hesitant about coming here in the 1st place because she has gone here a few times before & never had anything good to say about it but none the less she went along.

First off, i asked if they had "flavored" margaritas & the waiter arrogantly stepped back, gave me a dirty look & said very much like he was put out "no! we only have original, strawberry & Cadillac" (which is not a flavor to the common person). He made me feel completely stupid & caught me off guard but I let it go.

I then proceeded to order a lunch special of the beef enchiladas & then he stopped & asked me "if I knew how this works" like there is some kind of ordering process or like I didnt know what I was ordering &/or what it came with.

RUDE, RUDE, RUDE!!

If your not a celebrity or someone who throws $, they treat you like dirt. They are arrogant & full of hot air & dont' know how to talk to people!!!!

I ordered a marg & he had the nerve to card me after it was brought to me...the drink was weak & the food is mediocre at best & it was like something served at a prison commisary.

Ive been a SoCal resident my whole life & this by far has to be the worst place in L.A - THEY ARE ALL HYPE!!!!!!! I dont give a damn what celebrity goes there, just because you have a bank account bigger then mine doesnt mean you know a thing about good food &/or experience.

Doesn't Recommend

kevina11

Joined 4 years ago

Great Margaritas and tasty food, Bad service!. We love going to Lucy's despite the bad service and always getting stuck with Erwin who overcharges and the profoundly apologizes for his mistakes.

Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.

Would love to be able to pick our waiter.

Doesn't Recommend

Stella3333

Joined 4 years ago

NO to Lucy's. First off, the owner is a b itch RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! She treats the staff like dirt and could care less if you are a repeat customer. She often tells customers to leave and not come back. The Marg's are good but the prices are outrageous. You better check your bill coz they OFTEN overcharge. Cash tips only, she charges the servers if you use a credit card. NOT worth the unhappiness you feel when you should be having fun. Go to Pueblo Viejo 4 doors down. NO to Lucy's

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luckycourt

Joined 5 years ago

Laidback, Simple Mexican Food, Charming patios, Gracious owner. I have been going to Lucy's off and on since I was 5 years old, which means I have been going for a quarter of a century. The restaurant has changed a bit, with the addition of another room and an attached, enclosed patio to the side, as well as an outdoor fire pit surrounded by a waterfall at the rear entrance. Frank (the original owner) has passed, and with him, some of the patronage of rock stars, movie stars, business men, politicians, etc... but Lucy (his wife) is still around and always greats the customers with a smile and gives both me and my parents big hugs. The food has not changed in 25 years, though the prices have, but I wouldn't expect them to stay the same after all this time. The prices may seem high at first, until you realize that it includes chips, salsa, soup, salad, rice and beans. Once you share an appetizer and have an entree, you will walk out stuffed and satisfied. The guacamole is creamy goodness, I like the quesadilla with it, and you can't go wrong with the tacos here. I usually advise my friends if they want a burrito, to not order anything else because it is HUGE and will be more than enough on it's own. All in all, while the place and prices may have changed, my love for it hasn't. My father still raves about the salad dressing, and I threw my 30th birthday party here (or the dinner portion of the party) and my friends all loved the food, the ambiance, and the margheritas. I don't drink tequila so I couldn't advise you about them. They still only take cash for tips, which I hate, but it's a minor inconvenience. Go if you want a laidback evening and simple mexican food. Nothing is too spicy unless you put the hot salsa on it. You can also ask for the mild salsa too when you sit and they will bring that out if you can't take the spicy temp of the usual salsa. After writing this, I am craving my usual din there, and I am actually going tonight : )

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CharlotteAguilar

Joined 10 years ago

Going 'home' to Lucy's: still remarkable. I can't believe some of what I'm reading here. Clearly, a group of angry, retaliatory people had a bad experience and are ganging up to destroy the reputation of what is still an incredible L.A. institution. Lucy's was my "hangout" from when I discovered it in 1973 until I moved from L.A. in 1987. I took dozens and friends and family there, marked happy and sad times with margaritas and platters of simple, well-prepared Mexican food. Virtually everyone I took there became regulars, too. Just last month, I returned and brought my teenage son with me. Except for the sad absence of the beloved Frank "Pancho" Casado, everything was the same. The margaritas were creamy and potent (I've never tasted anything like them -- deceptively drinkable, then wham!), the quesadillas and guacamole were still no-frills and tasty, and the enchiladas verdes, barbecue tacos and tostadas, salad dressing and chili colorado were absolutely delicious. Hadn't changed in 35 years. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but the meals include soup, salad, rice and beans. The burritos are enormous, easily worth the price. And it was comforting to see Oscar and Lucy still strolling the tables. We ended up going twice, using a credit card and -- gee, no troubles. There were big tables full of people who seemed to be regulars, seemingly unconcerned about the kinds of practices alleged here. There was nowhere near the energy or excitement of Lucy's heyday ? no movie or rock stars, politicos or TV personalities ? but it's still a charming place with excellent drinks and food and attentive service. I've had cravings since we went home!