Casa Vega

08/17/07

Top secret salsa?

by yorki_dad at Citysearch

Ok people, I've read the reviews and it's time for all you all to know what's the real deal with this place. I started eating here, 1st time at lunch, over 20 years ago. Number 1. they still have 6 servers still on staff that I recongize from that 1st time, some bald, some not, all still rude. As you know, after all these years I am recongnized as well and they still don't show any partiality. As was the 1st time I walked through the door, the place is a dark throw back to the days of old, Vegas like cause you never know what time of day it is after you spend an hour in there. The bar mixes right in with the 1st part of the layout with booth's and tables to the left of the bar and around the back left side of the bar. Very loud to eat in this section if it's packed. Then as you trip ( beware after a few margies) into the upper eating area you'll find tables and booth's as well. Sure, they bunch you up in there and you may actually have to look at someone while you eat, but isn't that what socializing is all about? And if you're a gossip, woe! Cause you will hear some stories in there, I could write a book after 20 years of eating here. There are plenty of star sights as well, I've seen so many it's a joke. They go here cause it's dark and busy and being studio city, don't matter if your flaming gay or a super star cause no one cares, it's too dark to care. That write up about Mr Vega giving that gay guy a hard time, well he probably deserved it, he was probably way too slithery for other people to watch cause again, you're right on top of each other in here. The owner does not care weather or not you like the place cause it's packed everyday & night, why would he. Food? The food rocks! End of story. This is what makes the place, consistancy. 20 + years ago I ordered to ground beef toco's in a combo. The tostada salad was perfect, the food hot and amazing, taste....ummm! You've heard of AA, I now belong to CV Anonymous. Get it? Go away haters, to toco bell....

• Pros: Food, location, chips & salsa, margies
• Cons: Old stuffy waiters who think they are kings

07/19/07

Great food, HIGH prices and HORRIBLE attitude.

by tleeg at Citysearch

ok, to be honest, the food here is awesome, they give you plenty and it is SOOO good.

you ready for the cons?

they are very high, its mexician food for gods sake, 5 of us costed $109.00 and 1 person had a margarita, the rest had cokes.

i have lived in sherman oaks my whole life and i took some friends from out of town here and the place wasnt busy. We went in and told them we wanted a table for 5 but only 3 of the 5 were there, the other 2 were driving and they were like 2 miles away, they would NOT seat us until the other 2 got there, which was ridicious. So we ordered, ate and when we were done we asked for doggy bags, they brought them and we asked if they had any little syrofoam bowls where we could put some salsa in to take home with our meals, guess what the waiter said......he said we can not take the salsa home...WE CAN NOT TAKE THE SALSA HOME!!! we were dumbfounded, was this magic salsa? were we gonna take it to a chemist and get the ingredients analyzed? it was unbelievable.

the attitude on the entire staff was horrible, it wasnt one or two unhappy employees, it was all of them.

so after my houseguests left the following day, i told my sister who loves casa vega too our little salsa experience, and she wasnt surprised, she said they are the rudest people around, i guess because they have SO many customers, it doesnt matter if they lose a couple.

so i recommend going somewhere else, there are so many other mexician places in that area who treat their customers like guests.

07/11/07

Good margaritas / Good food / Forget about friendly service

by bilsof at Citysearch

I was happy when I moved back to Sherman Oaks so that I could again go to Casa Vega on a regular basis. The margaritas are great and I have never had one bad meal there. However, the hostess are so rude and it is amazing how some people who show up after you seem to get seated first. Hmmm!! I finally confronted the hostess and of course she had an excuss, they always do, apparently this guy showed up earlier and then left to get his girlfriend. Funny thing though .. listing to the guy talking to hostess when she told him the wait was 20 min. and handed him the buzzer, he never said anything about being there earlier. After waiting 25 min when we told it would be 20 min (I know it is not an exact time) the guy, who had been there maybe 15 min, proceeds to go inside and about 5 min later comes out to get his girl because there table is ready. I waited 45 min for a table for two (because a party of two can only sit at a table for two I've told) the couple was at a booth for four. So allegedly, from talking to other customers waiting outside, is for the "right price" you too can be seated quicker than everyone else that has been waiting for hours. Do not bother complaining because they could care less and always provide some lame excuse. If you want to complain to a manager do it in person or be prepared to fax over the complaint .

• Pros: Great Margaritas
• Cons: Hostess

06/25/07

Casa Vega has been weighed in the balance

by key_of_h at Citysearch

And Found totally lacking.

At first, we though the rude service was a gimmick, you know, like those '50's places. But it wasn't. And only after we received plates of subpar mexican food (which I was hoping would make up for their lack of customer service abilities), was I truly shocked into believing that this place was pretty subpar all together.

Valet guys are rude. Bartender refuses you water while waiting for your table (you know, cuz you're not going to spend almost $150 for a party of 5). Waiter disappeared for about 15 minutes after we ordered our drinks. Food is way better at other places, where you're actually treated with dignity considering you are PAYING them for their services.

• Pros: Margaritas
• Cons: That a margarita is the only pro.

06/14/07

Can't get enough of this place!

by kwinston76 at Citysearch

I lauged when I read the last review, the reviewer obviously hasn't a clue about how much things should or shouldn't cost or taste!!

I go to this place at least once a week, so I feel I must defend it! First, the valet charge that he/she complained about is only $2.50!! Plus, $18 for two good margaritas is not a bad deal at all, and trust me, the margaritas at CV are tasty AND strong, even the house tequila!

The vibe in this place is definitely better at night, and is always busy! The seating usually isn't prompt, but only because there isn't enough seating to go around! The food is delicious, presented well, and very authentic! I would recommend the Burrito Ranchero, it's pretty good, and only about $10.

All in all, I say if you want to experience the place for what it is, have a great time!! However, if you are uptight or have very strict expectations, you probably shouldn't eat here (or anywhere else besides McDonald's or your own home, for that matter).

If you don't have a problem paying a moderate price for your drinks, or paying the outrageous $2.50 for valet service, come to CV! I will probably see you there!!

• Pros: Great food/drinks and good service!!
• Cons: Sometimes long wait to eat

02/19/07

bad service but good, authentic food

by criticjrb at Citysearch

i live close to this restaurant and eat here often, but i was appalled at my experience last night. we were initially told the wait would be an hour to an hour and a half for our 9 person party. naturally, we waited at bar to have some drinks. we had been waiting for about 15 mins when we noticed that there was an empty table for our size group. however, we were not seated and continued to wait. after another 20 mins or so, one the members of my party began speaking to the waitress in spanish and asked her whether we could have that table. she turned to another waiter and said "he's mexican" and we were instantly seated!!!!! had we not spoke spanish, i assume we would have waited MUCH longer. of all the times my boyfriend and i eat here, we have gotten BAD to almost horrible service. the wait staff does not seem to care much for the patrons, and they are usually rude, apparently, unless you speak spanish. i now understand the reason we always had horrible service. as bad as the service is, i will go back here because i do love the food. i am a big fan of authentic mexican food, and this is top quality. i have never tasted a bad dish. my boyfriend likes the chicken mole, the burritos are amazing, the tostada salads are good, the rice and beans are excellent. we try to go on low-key nights or during the day on weekends, but plan on AT LEAST a 15-20 min wait no matter what time or day of the week you go.

• Pros: authentic food, ambiance
• Cons: wait time, service, rude waiters, sometimes they don't let you wait at the bar, no parking lot, they don't take reservations

01/17/07

One too many

by mishyl at Citysearch

On Dec.16, 2006 my husband, son and myself drove up the parking area and asked the valet guy if the place was full. It was about 930pm. The valet guy was kind enough to run in and check. He came out and said the hostess said she could sit us right away. We went in and a guy leaving said there was a party of 13 or so that was leaving so there were some tables available. The hostess told us to follow another hostess and when we got to the table, someone else was claiming it was their table. The hostess led us to another area and disappeared into the crowd. Waiters and waitresses would give us annoyed comments as to why we were in their way and another hostess came over and asked what we were waiting for. We told her that another hostess told us that we had a table and we were waiting for her to come back. This hostess rudely tells us that there is no table for us and that we had to wait outside for 45 minutes. That got us really upset and when we said we were not willing to wait, she and another guy who seemed to be the manager waved us good-bye. They were very mean about it too and to us their attitude was as if to say "we don't need your business". The valet guy was very apologetic though. So... do you have to be a celebrity or

know the owner to be treated better in this place? For those who say this place is fantastic, blah, blah--check the other reviews. There are one too many bad reviews about this place, I wonder why--if it is such a "fantastic" place?! The staff is horrible, that I know from experience. Obviously, we never got to the food part and we never will.

01/11/07

Toilet with mariachis

by benwaugh at Citysearch

i used to get carpet-bombed on a regular basis at this el-dive-o. the only thing worse than the food was the service. the place always smelled of burnt fat and chender. my advice, do your quality drinking before you show up - and then pay with your "shoe-leather express".

• Pros: staff too underpaid and unmotivated to "dash" out after you
• Cons: what goes down must come up

01/02/07

Casa Toilet

by ninom at Citysearch

I can only say if you think Casa Vega has anything to offer you have never left S.O. or the Valley. Over priced terrible food, worse service. Do yourself a favor don't ask questions as to what is in the Marg. you won't like the answer. May be some day a up-scale operation will take the place over ! spare me.

Try Don Cucos. in Brbk. Los Toros in Chatsworth, Pick up food at Vive Fresh and make your Margs at home. Yippe!

12/23/06

It's 35 degrees out, please wait in the parking lot

by lorifrank at Citysearch

I live very close to Casa Vega and have been there many many occasions on a friday or saturday when I was packed into the bar to wait for my table. Last TUESDAY I went to the restaurant with my husband at 8pm. The bar was only half full (I would say between 2-3 people deep), 45 minute wait, and was told by the hostess AND manager on duty that we would need to wait outside in the cold. There was plenty of room in the bar, much more room than I ever remember there being, and yet she wouldn't accomodate us. We would need to wait in the cold outside with no beverage for 45 minutes if we wanted to eat there. There were only 2 of us, and it would have been easy for her to let us in. Not to mention that there wasn't anyone else waiting outside, it would be only us.

I've been a restaurant manager for 15 years, and this experience was unbelievable. Perhaps the owner should train his management in effective customer service. Otherwise, this time next year he'll have PLENTY of room for everyone in his bar.

We will never go back to Casa Vega.

• Pros: decent margaritas, good location
• Cons: poor management, average food