El Arco Iris Restaurant

04/27/09

Friendly Service, Really Good Food, and a Welcoming Staff

by SoloMascogo at Citysearch

This restaurant has a great tradition of providing great service, really good food, and excellent margaritas.

It is definitely family friendly and an important gathering spot for community folks.

• Pros: Best Margarita in LA!
• Cons: If you're looking for romantic... Look elsewhere

09/26/08

Best and Authentic Mexican Food

by normia at Citysearch

I've been a happily fed patron of El Arco Iris since 1981. My in-laws have been eating at El Arco Iris since 1970 and they still continue to order the very same dishes they enjoyed from the original owners of the restaurant (who now have their family run the day to day). Our favorite has always been the Jesse's special burrito. I like the hot (with carnitas) and my husband likes the medium (chile colorado) but he always orders it without guacamole.

Yes, during the renovation, our family was definitely hurting for our El Arco Iris fix. After the renovation, they added a few new items to the menu that I also love to order: sopes and calabacitas (which is vegetarian but I order chicken or asada on top). Yes, they did have THE LOUDEST BLENDER IN THE WORLD, but, I mentioned it to Jesse. The next time I ate at the restaurant, he remembered by comment and let me know they purchased a quiet blender. So, it's not a problem anymore!

It's a family owned and operated restaurant and my family loves this restaurant. The staff knows my family, they've seen me go there for burrito cravings when pregnant and now I bring my two boys there to eat. They are very friendly and the food is AMAZING. If you're on the fence...get up and go directly to El Arco Iris and order the Jesse special burrito (hot or mild) and if you're feeling extra hungry, get it "Extra Special" and a side of delicious guacamole and/or a hard chicken taco or carnitas taco with onions and cilantro. I can say that their margaritas are delicious but depending on who's behind the bar, it can either be strong (which I like) or kinda weak. So, just let them know your preference. Hope you enjoy El Arco Iris as much as my family does. Yum!

• Pros: Food, Family Friendly
• Cons: Sometimes noisy

05/03/08

Too much noise// acceptable food/ good service

by 1vandelay at Citysearch

I was frankly surprised that reviewers have not mentioned in their discussions that this is clearly one of the most noise filled restaurants in the city. This is not caused by enthusiastic guests watching the local team on the the TV at the local sports bar, but is largely the results of the bad acoustics in the dining room, and also their margarita mixer that has the equivalent db.s that comes out of a jackhammer. I'm serious, never before have I ever noticed the sound of a margarita mixer getting so loud you couldn't hear the person across the table from you. And we were on the other side of the restaurant!!

One reviewer described the place as "romantic." It might be if you are a lip reader, or want to express your love by way of exaggerated gestures like those seen in silent movies.

The pollo mole is above average, but the balance of the selections are unimaginative offerings. Although, to the extent Mexican food can be, the selections are wholesome. On the plus side, the polite staff brings the dishes to the table when they are still piping hot.

The prices are reasonable, and the margaritas have more tequila in them than you typically find at the Mexican restaurant chains that have proliferated all over the county in the last two decades.

Having said all that, be mindful that you would have a much better dining experience at La Fuente, or Mijares. both are in the general area, so give them a try.

• Pros: low prices
• Cons: NOI

11/20/06

Best Carne Asada Burrito

by cchavez at Citysearch

I have been coming here for 10 years now. I try to make it in at least once a month.

This place was recently redecorated (not that it needed it). It was closed for a couple of months

and I thought I was going to go crazy. Everything is good but my favorite is the Jesse Extra Special

Burrito. You have your choice of filling, (Pork, Chicken, Barbacoa, Carne Asada) I get the Carne Asada

It is covered with cheese and sauce and every bite is scrumptious. The just added a bar and they make a mean Margarita.

• Pros: Great Burritos

07/26/06

Perfect Blend of Smooth and Relaxing Ambiance with Delicious Traditional Mexican Food

by rlguerra at Citysearch

El Arco Iris has been my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA ever since my first visit in 1996. Favorites include chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, chile verde and any of the fajita plates, however first timers have to try the Jesse extra special - it's an experience not to be missed (you may even get to order one from the dashing Jesse himself). El Arco stepped it up even more when they underwent a major revenovation earlier this year which added a bar and lounge area which serves everything from traditional Mexican beers and tequilas to a top shelf Martini. A great place for a date on Friday night, a weekday lunch or brunch with the family on Sunday. Buen Provecho!

• Pros: Delicious and Affordable Authentic Mexican Food, Cool Bar