01/09/09

Upscale Mexican in cool digs

by AngieLovesJesus

Don't expect mushy refried beans and glops of cheese from this space. The food is really upscale with Mexican ingredients. The crab enchilada is wonderful, but yes, expensive. And the churros are to die for. The environs are really dark and the design is more Spanish bordello than Mexican. I like that it's different. I can find cheap Mexican in a crappy setting on every street corner. This is more of a place to take other people and enjoy the ambience. I don't know about the bar drinks, I stick with water or Coke.

• Pros: Interesting dishes, really fresh ingredients, not run-of-the-mill Mexican
• Cons: a bit expensive and a bit dark inside

08/19/08

Is business so bad they can't afford air conditioning?

by foodbabe818

First, the plusses...really great service, very friendly and accommodating staff. And a great, strong margarita (although I don't understand how $8 is a "happy hour" price for a margarita). The food was good, but nothing spectacular. The crunchy beef taco was quite good, and the cheese enchilada was very tasty with lots of cheese.

What made the dinner miserable was how hot the restaurant was. They opened up the doors to the patio and it was so hot I was sweating the entire time we were there. Outside it was comfortable, but we were sitting inside and it wasn't.

Overall I was disappointed, as I understand these are the same folks who run Max, which is one of my favorite restaurants. There's a little hole in the wall Mexican place on the southwest corner of Laurel Canyon and Burbank Blvd that's great (I don't know what it's called, it's in a little strip mall there) ... go there instead.

08/10/08

shouldn't call themselves a mexican restaurant.

by machobonana

i highly agree with the people who gave "not good" reviews. yes we were seated quick, and yes, the place is very nice. but the food, drinks, and service...were not. let's start with the food. being mexican american, i would not eat it again. it was bland, and very over-priced. i usually order the carne asada, but i couldn't because it was $24. i have never heard of carne asada being that expensive. EVER!! drinks.... my margarita was practically all margarita mix. could barely taste the tequilla. not what most people expect when they order an $8 margarita from a "mexican" restaurant. service..... the waitress was nice, but couldn't understand what i said when i ordered my enchiladas con queso (cheese enchiladas). it says it in spanish on the menu, but she didn't know what it meant. my friend ordered jalepenos, and didn't get them until he was almost done with the meal. i will never go there again. and wold not advise anyone else to go there either.

• Pros: nice set-up
• Cons: bad food, bad drinks, can't understand the menu

07/23/08

bring taco bell sauce packets to add flavor to the food if you go

by encinogirlrocks

bland food. just no spice or flavor. bring taco bell sauce packets to spice up the food. went on a friday night and it's really LOUD in there. you can't even hear the person across from you, so it's kind of annoying to have a conversation while you eat. I would NOT go back. For the money, Mexicali is WAY better !!!

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Being there

10/22/07

not impressed

by suzyqzy

Food was just ok. Drinks were good. Ambience? They just seem that they are trying too hard to be something they are not. Like the previous review said, go down the street to Casa Vega. Not worth the money. Seems like hanging out in the bar is your best bet here.

• Pros: Lively bar. Good drinks.
• Cons: Food. Decor confusing considering its a mexican joint.

08/26/07

For socializing only

by yorki_dad

Every bad review on this place about the food & service is right on. Talk about middle of the road food at best but you pay for top notch food? If the price range were between 8 & $12 bucks, and 12 being the most you could pay for anything on the menu, then it's in the ball park. But bottom line is, as said in one review, go to Casa Vega a couple blocks east to eat then come back to this joint to scam on chics at the bar. End of story,

• Pros: Good location & bar scene
• Cons: Food, service, price, and time you have to wait around to eat

06/26/07

Stingy With Pours, Indifferent Service

by lostangeles

You better bring a flask along to dinner here as they are real stingy with the alcohol in their mixed, and overpriced, drinks. You can order a shot of tequila, but look out because they are not priced on the menu and you may be in for a big surprise when the check comes. The service is slow and the portions small. I have been here over a dozen times since they opened, and my feeling is that they have let things slip. Needless to say, I won't be returning.

04/09/07

great food, great serice

by katusha

this was our first time here, and we loved it! the food was great, our waitress was super, and the margaritas were delicious. we got bunch of appertizers to share and they were delicious, the entries were huge and the desert menue makes you want to order every item on that list...my favorite was the churros with hot chocolate --- a must have!

12/15/06

Authentic Mexican fare and a bordello-like setting give sleepy Sherman Oaks a shot of gusto.

by Contributor

The Scene
A dimly lit room with pressed tin ceilings, tile-covered fireplace and wrought-iron accents evoke the sultry style of a '20s-era Mexican cantina. Moderate prices and friendly service lure in margarita-sipping dates as well as boisterous families celebrating special events.

The Food
Chef Maria Magdaleno has created a menu of authentic Mexican fare, emphasizing light, healthy ingredients (no weighty cheeses or refried beans). Flatbread pizzas topped with roasted vegetables and chicken or pork sausage can serve as a meal for one or an appetizer for the table. Quesadillas filled with mild Mexican cheeses are topped with velvety smooth guacamole. The outstanding mole ranks among L.A.'s best: Dark and sweet with a tinge of smoke, it's perfect over grilled chicken. And pan-roasted sea bass is served with a zesty mango and black-bean salad. Satiate your sweet tooth with a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of still-warm cookies.

11/22/06

Made to leave the table!

by janicebarthelemy

Ok ok it was Cinco de Mayo, but the waitress said we exceeded our time limit at the table! Even when we tried to order more drinks and food they said no, including the Manager.

Never go back there again....