El Cholo Restaurant

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1121 S Western Ave (at West 11th Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90006

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(323) 734-2773
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El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Cholo Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
Reviews
( 28 )
( 66 )
( 18 )
( 20 )
( 7 )

Best

if the mood strikes for some mexican food,,, then this is the spot to go... great prices, good portions, satisfying taste.

Worst

although the building may be historic, the food is horribly bland. Nachos? Chips with melted cheese on top. dishes come with generic ""spanish"" rice and flavorless refried bea...

Not THE best margarita, but close 8/15/2003

El Cholo's margaritas have gone through at least 3 significant changes over the decades. Their early (50s-70s) versions were an outstanding blender version (I think the first to actually use an electric blender). Superb. Then they went through some changes. The new ones are tasty, but weak, usually served over ""small"" rocks (the early blended versions tended to sedimentize, which was okay; when they stopped putting real dried egg whites in and started using a commercial frother they tasted like soap). Pros: great food, good value, very good margaritas Cons: All parking bad, Valet parking, Streets dangerous more
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Bad Food 8/13/2003

The food at El Cholo's couldn't be more worst. I have given this place many chances and every time I come here the service and the food gets worst every time. They say they are famous for their margaritas......I would say go to Don Cucos in Glendale or Burbank. Stay away!!!! You have been warned. Pros: nothing Cons: to many to list more
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taste less 8/9/2003

well, im just wondering how this place made it to the top 10 MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANTS. This place is only good for drinks, nothing else. so this place should be under 10 best places to drink. the food is tasteless, overpriced. Pros: nice environment, good drinks Cons: food, parking, expensive more
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Quality Food At a Fair Price 8/7/2003

This is a terrific Mexican restaurant. You cannot go wrong if you wish to entertain friends or business associates here. I have been to all of the locations and they are all excellent. Pros: Food, Drinks, Serivce more
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Great food, poor service! 7/16/2003

The food was wonderful but everytime I've gone, whether in a large or small group, the service has been lousy. One time, the waiter went around the whole table askin for drink orders and then skipped my husband & myself! And despite the wonderful food, the prices don't necessarily match the quality. more
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way to go ron 7/6/2003

I grew up eating at El Cholo. The staff is wonderful, friendly, and helpful. They have the Santa Barbara Enchiladas in the world and the margaritas are the best in the world, and the L A Lemonades are to die for. more
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HORRIBLY HORRIBLE!! 7/6/2003

MAN!! we went here for a birthday party for my mother, only to be extremely disappointed. there were 15 of us, and we got one little thing of chips and salsa...which came before the water i might mention. we then waited for FORTY minutes for our water. the waiter kept coming out of the kitchen and looking at our table...all the while ignoring the waves and calls, only to walk away. tho the party of 20 next to us who came after us had already gotten water, drinks from the bar and appetizers. it took going to the mgr to get help. and last of all to really ruin it, they forgot to sing happy b'day to my mother, completely ruining the whole experience alltogether. i wouldnt go here again if i was drugged, beaten, tied up and dgragged in. more
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what a bunch of crap!! 7/6/2003

i had a very bad experience here about a year ago..and decided to give it another chance. boy was that stupid! once again the service was lousy, i sat for 20 mins with no water, and the waiter and bus boys walked past atleast 5 times ignoring my calls. the salsa was good, but the chips had an odd, stale-recooked flavor. by the end of the meal i was nauseaus and couldnt wait to leave. next time i'll stick to my 1st experiences...this is not authentic mexican food at any level...the only thing authentic about it are the names. i'd rather eat at taco bell...blah. more
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decent food, nothing special 5/28/2003

don't expect your mouth to be wowed. i dont remember what i ate but that means it couldnt have been bad. if you want filling mexican food in a dimly lit homestyle restaurant, check out el cholo. the menu is pretty standard and service is alright. the bar is a plus~ yummy margaritas. Pros: variety in menu, mood/dim lights, bar (alcohol) Cons: parking more
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Kevorkian is nuts!!! 5/18/2003

It is hard to understand what Anna Kevorkian is saying any more. El Cholo is more than a mexican restaurant, is a dinner destination. Perhaps Ms. Kevorkian is a bit jaded, but for all good hearted people El Cholo serves up outstanding food in a fun atmosphere. more
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great bar staff 4/24/2003

the bar staff is great, they are fast, friendly and have a generous pouring hand Pros: crowded, margaritas, chicks Cons: parking, business hours more
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Very good, but not great 4/18/2003

Food is better than average, but rates no higher that 6/10 to 7/10. Prices are reasonable. A good neighborhood resturant with a slightly better reputaion than it deserves more
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A waste time! 4/2/2003

Do yourself a favor and pass on this joke of a Mexican restaurant. Do yourself a favor and go to one of the Don Cuco's Mexican Restaurants, you can't go wrong. Cons: Limited Selection, Bland Food, Overpriced more
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Service Flawed 2/25/2003

El Cholo has excellent food and decent prices. Unfortunately, the service has been consistently poor. On one memorable occasion, the waitress spilled an entire marguerita on my new dress without even apologizing. Clearly, the wait-staff need some retraining. Still, an L.A. icon, and the food and decor make it worth a visit. Pros: Reasonable Prices, Good Food, Nice Decor Cons: Crowded, Poor Service more
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Why? Overrated!! 2/25/2003

Went here last Saturday for early dinner (6pm) and the wait was 45 mins. Lots of families and children running amok. Once seated, service was really slow and food was bland and gross. I had tacos al carbon. Chips were stale and hot sauce was like mild Pace. Margs are okay..Won't be going back. more
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way overrated 2/8/2003

although the building may be historic, the food is horribly bland. Nachos? Chips with melted cheese on top. dishes come with generic ""spanish"" rice and flavorless refried beans. I had the carnitas plate, which was so laced with fat, it was virtually inedible. Save your time, (always a loooong wait) and your money, and head to any other great mexican food houses (which there are plenty) in Los Angeles. Pros: historic building, historic building, celeb pix on walls Cons: overpriced food, bland food, pedestrian food more
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El Wonderful 2/1/2003

Best mexican food I have tasted. Great service and the food is served quickly. Have tried a few dishes and all were great. Pros: served fast, good parking, great food more
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been there done that 1/31/2003

the last time i was there it was very nosie. not some were that i would take a date. if i wanted a romantic date. Cons: nosie, bad parking on weeken more
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Wonderful! 1/29/2003

From the Margaritas to the flan this has got to be the best around. Pros: food Cons: parking more
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Excellent Margaritas 1/21/2003

The Margarita's are pretty good. Fun atmosphere. The food isnt all that great though. The drinks make up for it :) The only thing i like is their fresh guacamole that they make right at your table. Pros: Margarita's, guacamole Cons: food is bland more
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Menu for El Cholo Restaurant


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Hungry hordes line up at this L.A. institution for potent margaritas and famous green-corn tamales.

Owner Message

  • "...this 'true institution' continues to produce 'green corn tamales straight from heaven' and the 'best, strongest margaritas in LA' after over 75 years 'these guys have got it down!'...."
    - Zagat Restaurant Guide

Editorial

  • In Short
    Low ceilings and exposed wood beams crown this venerable family-owned restaurant, with vintage photos of L.A. and memorabilia lining the colorful walls. High-back booths fill the...

  • 5/2/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 10:00pm Friday - Saturday: 11:00am - 11:00pm Sunday: 11:00am ??? 9:00pm
  • Payments: Diner's Club, Visa, American Express, Master Card, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Central LA, Mid City
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