El Adobe Cafe

In Short – This Mexican eatery is famous for being former governor Jerry Brown's favorite haunt. Autographed photos of him and fellow late-'70s celebs hang on the walls of the dark dining room. In contrast, an airy patio is lush with palms, ferns and babbling fountains. The menu features standards such as nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, chili rellenos and other cheese-covered dishes. Margaritas are served by the glass and pitcher. –

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:: If you want to sit on the lively patio, call ahead: It usually does't open until 6pm, and it's frequently reserved for private parties.
Know Before You Go:: There is a $10 minimum on credit cards.

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User Reviews (38)

ambiance	64.28999900817871% positive	“Indifferent service, charmless decor, and awful food doom this historic eatery.” “If you love mexican food and you're in Hollywood, go experience the atmosphere and food.” “Kind of a nice atmosphere to this traditional LA-style Mexican eatery, situated directly across from Paramount Studios.” “The atmosphere was nice but when it came to the food I was very disappointed.” “This place has a great location and a decent outdoor ambience.” “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.” “This restaurant has a cozy outdoor atmosphere but too bad the service is terrible.”
drinks	45.2400016784668% positive	“It's a great spot for an after-work drink with friends on a sunny evening.” “the drink was weak & the food is mediocre at best & it was like something served at a prison commisary.” “Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.” “but it's still a charming place with excellent drinks and food and attentive service.” “The drinks are way overpriced.” “This was the worst dining experience of my life, bar none.” “Great food, great drinks and a horrible waiter named Edwin who rips people off on their bills and over-charges for no reason at all.”
food quality	65.85000038146973% positive	“Don't EVER eat here, this place is criminal- and the so called "famous salad dressing" is melted butter with garlic salt.” “The food isn't so great, but it's ok to soak up the tequila!” “This is a neat place, with a great patio and some tasty 'ritas.” “The food is wonderful.” “Indifferent service, charmless decor, and awful food doom this historic eatery.” “If you love mexican food and you're in Hollywood, go experience the atmosphere and food.” “took dozens and friends and family there, marked happy and sad times with margaritas and platters of simple, well-prepared Mexican food.” “The guacamole is creamy goodness, I like the quesadilla with it, and you can't go wrong with the tacos here.” “Still, the wait staff is friendly, the back patio is pleasant and the food isn't horrible, just a little plain.” “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.” “The guacamole was tasty, but at $8.50 for a tiny little plate it was not even worth it.” “The vegetarian tostado salad is pretty good--but everything else is rather bland.” “The food was REALLY BAD and the service was horrible.” “Once upon a time Lucy's was a charming Hollywood find where you could eat great mexican food, sip strong margaritas and groove to the dark, hip vibe for a reasonable price.” “The atmosphere was nice but when it came to the food I was very disappointed.” “The salad dressing is great.” “And yes, the service is slow and food is overpriced, but it is a cool layout.” “attentive service and tasty margaritas but the food is beyond mediocre, outrageously priced and meagerly portioned to boot!” “Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.” “The best thing here is Lucy's secret salad dressing: a beautiful blend of butter, oil, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and other ingredients that Lucy refuses to reveal.” “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.” “to say that the food at lucy's is mediocre is being incredibly genorous, i sat through stale chips and tasteless salsa for an equally stale and tasteless enchilada plate.” “We ordered a burrito and an enchilada, both of which were covered in brown tasteless ranchera sauce.” “Some believe the food is over-priced, but, because every dinner comes with both soup and salad, the $15.00 or so, seems reasonable, if not a bargain.” “the drink was weak & the food is mediocre at best & it was like something served at a prison commisary.” “This place has the best Margheritas in L.A...I also think the food is among the best Mexican in town.” “love the tacos, enchiladas, and beans.” “the salad dressing is fantastic.” “Lucy's is famous more for who used to eat there than the food they currently serve.” “but it's still a charming place with excellent drinks and food and attentive service.” “Great food, great drinks and a horrible waiter named Edwin who rips people off on their bills and over-charges for no reason at all.” “But the overpriced food and the idiot staff ruin the whole occasion.” “Also their home style soups are always fresh, and included in the complete meal.” “Since I really like Mexican food and like trying new restaurants, I thought it sounded like a good plan.” “Rip off -overprized bad food” “love Lucy's patio and their margaritas are really tasty.” “Nothing spectacular at all and I thought the beans were awful.” “Plus the food was not even good -- bland, and very plain.” “The food is mediocre at best.” “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.” “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.”
overall	100.0% positive	“This is a great place to hang out with friends and spot celebrities now and then.”
service	47.829999923706055% positive	“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.” “but it's still a charming place with excellent drinks and food and attentive service.” “But the overpriced food and the idiot staff ruin the whole occasion.” “Still, the wait staff is friendly, the back patio is pleasant and the food isn't horrible, just a little plain.” “Indifferent service, charmless decor, and awful food doom this historic eatery.” “In fact, I have no idea why people even bother eating at this restaurant.” “The waiters are very friendly and go out of their way to accomodate customers.” “There were big tables full of people who seemed to be regulars, seemingly unconcerned about the kinds of practices alleged here.” “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.” “The food was REALLY BAD and the service was horrible.” “The staff was GREAT!” “Great food, great drinks and a horrible waiter named Edwin who rips people off on their bills and over-charges for no reason at all.” “They have a horrible waitress that is supposed to be Catholic and goes to church but is very vicious and mean and has a very dark soul.” “This restaurant has a cozy outdoor atmosphere but too bad the service is terrible.” “Would love to be able to pick our waiter.” “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!” “And yes, the service is slow and food is overpriced, but it is a cool layout.” “attentive service and tasty margaritas but the food is beyond mediocre, outrageously priced and meagerly portioned to boot!” “have eaten here a few times but each time the wait staff is extremely rude and unattentive.” “Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.” “Great employees and great margaritas!” “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.” “Lucy always comes to our table for a visit, and our favorite waiter Oscar always brings the usual!”
value	48.15000057220459% positive	“love to spoil myself and so I will gladly spend plenty of money on a nice dinner.” “The drinks are way overpriced.” “But the overpriced food and the idiot staff ruin the whole occasion.” “Once upon a time Lucy's was a charming Hollywood find where you could eat great mexican food, sip strong margaritas and groove to the dark, hip vibe for a reasonable price.” “The guacamole was tasty, but at $8.50 for a tiny little plate it was not even worth it.” “Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.” “And yes, the service is slow and food is overpriced, but it is a cool layout.” “The Marg's are good but the prices are outrageous.” “This place is pricey, but what did you expect across from Paramount Studios?”
wait time	66.66999816894531% positive	“Because they have a nice Patio and I haven't been there for a long time I suggested Lucy Adope.” “And yes, the service is slow and food is overpriced, but it is a cool layout.”

03/11/12

Service Sucked and it tasted like bad hospital food

by DesireeLove2Barrett

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!!!!!

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08/20/11

NEVER AGAIN!

by choochoo70

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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04/07/10

Great employees and great margaritas!!!

by sa311energy

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!!!

Pros: Margaritas

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10/30/09

Hidden Gem

by Michael Fran

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.

Pros: Super friendly servers.
Cons: Small booths inside. Opt for the patio.

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07/18/09

Great place!

by Gunwacko

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.

El Adobe Cafe

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What People Are Saying About El Adobe Cafe

Martha Burr

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Editor's Tips

03/11/12

Service Sucked and it tasted like bad hospital food

by DesireeLove2Barrett

08/20/11

NEVER AGAIN!

by choochoo70

04/07/10

Great employees and great margaritas!!!

by sa311energy

10/30/09

Hidden Gem

by Michael Fran

07/18/09

Great place!

by Gunwacko

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