Gilbert's El Indio

10/08/08

Cash only, no reservations

by seychells at Citysearch

We are locals, and visit Gilberts, at least 3 times a month. Their Chicken tostada is outstanding. The service is always good, the Margarita's are average, the atmosphere is dive Mexican. We love it!

• Pros: Anything with chicken is awesome
• Cons: usually have to wait

10/03/08

SEND YOUR ENAMIES HERE!

by Estragon at Citysearch

SEND YOUR ENEMIES HERE! Even if you are so privileged at to array superheroes amongst your most despised who have titanium taste buds and bowels of bauxite they will still have a horrendous experience. No amount of florid vulgarity that would make sailors blush from the hardened cod fishermen of the north sea to the pirates of the south China sea could express my revulsion. No I am grossly unfair, these are talented people! If they were merely bumbling fools they could not manage to consistently make everything obnoxious, they have skills!

PS

Send Sarah (scary) Palin here.

• Pros: You can send your enemies here
• Cons: You might have to take them

05/05/08

I read the Reviews and I don't see it!

by rebeccasaenz at Citysearch

I read all the reviews on here and thought this place must be awesome. This was my 3rd time to Gilberts and the first two times were ok and enough to come back but this last time was absolutely bad. Loved all the service but the food was not good. We asked for more jalapenos and they said they were out. Now not that its a staple I have had plenty of Mexican food with out them but to be totally out and then offer a salsa that they claim is hot was dissappointing. I would have to say that after that dinning experience I will drive on to the next Mexican food restaurant to get my fix.

Bottom line food was bad, margs were good and when 2 girls ask for the hottest salsa in the kitchen you better make sure its going to make them tear up.

• Pros: Margaritas
• Cons: food, cash only

04/27/08

Surly service, limited and tired menu

by Laussie at Citysearch

I was looking forward to trying it. I wanted seafood, a fish taco, and they positioned themselves as Seafood specialists. It looked an interesting place from the outside.

What a disappointment. The thickset man who greeted us glared, and gestured offhandedly at a table. It was beside the jukebox. I asked that, if it was being played, could we move to another table. He snarled sarcastically, "It's not playing now." I looked at the menu. It was tired and limited. Only three seafood options - a piece of fish, a calamari steak, or shrimp.

So we ordered our drinks, they came quickly. The OTR margarita was nothing special. Not awful, but ordinary. The other waiter was also disinterested. No smiles or any interaction beyond a word or two at this stage.

I saw what should have been a tipoff. The lovely Mexican rug for decoration had been visibly stapled several times to the wall to hold it in place.

Now the food. It was boring and lacked authenticity. The guacamole was not as good as the packaged stuff from Trader Joe's. And the waiter put it on our table without a word. In fairness, my wife told me the ice tea was quite nice.

As we were preparing to pay, my wife had counted the meal price in front of her and we were discussing what tip the service (somewhere between indifferent and disdainful) deserved. The surly man who had first brought us to the table tried to grab it from in front of her before we added a tip. We should have let him. So we added a tip and left quickly - we just wanted to get out.

Never, ever again will we go there. You get much, much better service elsewhere - even at Denny's or Ihop! And the food on the limited menu at Gilberts was plain and tired. If you are a local who can walk to Gilbert's, not very discerning, and want a place where your kids can shriek to their heart's content, then this may just be the place for you.

• Pros: Access, quick turnaround, great for noisy kids
• Cons: Offhanded service, limited menu, uninspired food, cash only

03/17/08

Average, Overpriced, and Cash Only!

by hamboyger at Citysearch

We went here recently on a recommendation from a coworker. It was a Sat. night and it was very crowded (it's a very small restaurant). Make sure to bring cash! It's a casual Mexican place, and the customers don't seem to care what they wear here or what they look like (some people looked like they just rolled out of bed with their PJs on). Children and babies are welcome, if that tells you anything. WaaaaAAAAAAAA! We had to wait about 30 mins. to be seated. The hurried waiter did not even greet us as we were seated. The waiters seemed to be very rushed to get people in and out as quickly as they could. The menu is typical Mexican and the food was mediocre at best. Campos down the street is actually better food IMHO. The margaritas that people make such a fuss about were ok, but the blended one had little or no kick to it. Did they forget to put tequila in it? They say the Maggies "on the rocks" are better. But for my dollar the margaritas at El Torito on Ocean Park Bl. are muco mejor con mas tequila! Our plates were quickly removed from the table almost before the last bite was taken, and our drinks were not empty when they were swept away from under our noses. We felt rushed like we were in the way. The bill came and I placed my credit card on the table...I was quickly frowned at for doing so, and told in a rather rude tone by the fat waiter that we don't accept credit cards, only cash. The whole experience felt like I was being taken advantage of. The food is average, the service is hurried. It is all "smoke and mirrors" and they seem to have a lot of easily pleased loyal customers who think this place is Great! A lot of people think Taco Bell is great too. Nothing wrong with that. It just wasn't the fun experience I was hoping for. Won't be back.

• Pros: Funky Mexican, Tiny
• Cons: Small, Waiters rush you.

11/15/07

Old School, Down and Dirty Mexican Food

by juliebear at Citysearch

This place is the best at what it does. This is not healthy, lite California Mexican cuisine- this is the simple, tasty food that may (or may not) have been cooked in lard and definitely smothered in cheese. It's fabulous and hits the spot like no other when you're in the mood for such kind of food. The margaritas are great - strong and tart - and the carrots in vinegar they start you off with are addictive. My favorite meal is the cheese enchilida and carne asada taco combo. Wash it down with 1-2 margaritas and make sure to ask for the extra hot green salsa to spoon on your taco. Heaven (!) when you've had a crappy day and just want to relax with someone you love (or like a lot). Expect a line on weekend nights.

• Pros: Simple and Tasty, Strong Margaritas, Fast Service
• Cons: Cash Only, No Dessert, Limited Parking

10/30/07

Authentic, Delicious, Friendly, Fast

by trojanfoodie at Citysearch

If you are searching for authentic, to-die-for Mexican food in a friendly environment, Gilbert's is the place. Fresh chips and killer salsa await you on your table when you are seated and the food is delicious. You won't be dissapointed. The waiters are super friendly and attentive. Not super fancy but not a hole-in-wall. Casual place. Cash only so make sure you bring some! Enjoy!

• Pros: Delicious, Fast, Friendly
• Cons: Cash only

10/29/07

I love this place! Great service, authentic, busy Fri. nights for a reason!!

by adamgator at Citysearch

Gilbert's El Indio (or just Gilbert's) on W. Pico in Santa Monica is a real gem. It is Cash Only, but that keeps the prices down. Wonderful staff - they take good care of you.

It's a fun place for couples, families, whatever! Interesting decor, simple and fun.

The chips & salsa are among the best in town. Excellent burritos and enchiladas! Friendly, relaxed, suburb food. Try to go every week - more if I lived closer! I take pretty much every out-of-town guest to Gilberts!

Expect waits Fri. night, but it's organized. Fast service, very polite & helpful.

• Pros: Wonderful food, great service, good hours, great prices, best chips & salsa
• Cons: cash only. small parking lot but plenty of street parking on Pico.

08/13/07

When you don't want healthy on the Westside

by blackwidow828 at Citysearch

If you want 10 different ways to put together the same bland ingredients, go to Gilbert's! The food is greasy and unimaginative. Their daily dinner specials are a good deal, and it is a good place to go if you want to get together with friends for some cheap eats and drinks. Otherwise I would say stay away from here!

• Pros: Big portions
• Cons: Greasy food, parking

05/08/07

Breakfast place

by jakelawler at Citysearch

I love the breakfast here. Most are under 7.00 includes entree, coffee, chips...food is average, but it's a local place. I have been coming hre for years. It's kitchy, amd great margs. Get here early on weekends asthere is a line.

• Pros: great staff, fun place
• Cons: no credit cards, cash only