El Cholo Restaurant

Claim
marker

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

marker
(323) 734-2773
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
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...

Great Food 10/22/2002

Two words...crab enchilada. The main attraction for me, but just one of the many quality entrees on the menu. The complimentary chips and salsa are better than average and the tortilla soup is delicious. If you are undecided, you can't go wrong with the sampler. If you are lucky (or in some cases unlucky), on some nights you'll catch the mariachi band. The only minuses I can think of are the cramped booth seats and service can take awhile when it gets busy. This is pretty much my favorite Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, thusfar. Pros: Crab Enchilada, Chips and Salsa, Live Mariachi Cons: Cramped Booths, Slow Service at Times, Seedy Neighborhood more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great Margaritas! 10/20/2002

El Cholo has been a godsend for those living in Pasadena area. The bartender, Ben, will make amazing doubles for you. The fresh fruit blended margs are excellent and they have a great selection of tequilas. Relaxed atmosphere, I take my mom here just as easily as a group of friends or a date. Pros: relaxed, festive, fun Cons: service can be slow, small bar area, parking valet only more
Reply | Report abuse |

Decent mexican fare 10/17/2002

Although we are fans of the Westside El Cholo, this was our first visit to the Western Ave branch. The atmosphere here is a bit darker and smaller than the other, but the menu and food are the same. Our only complaint on this visit was the service, as our server was slow and inattentive. However, the busperson was really on the ball, making up for most of the inattention from our waiter. El Cholo wisely focuses on standard Mexican-fare dishes such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. The chips are always cold, but the salsa is decently spicy. All entrees are prepared competently, but almost nothing really stands out as unusual or outstanding. The only possible exceptions are the corn tamales and the fajitas, which mix a wide variety of vegetables in with the plentiful meat. Still, compared to many mexican places we've visited in LA, El Cholo generally delivers. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Hot tamales! 9/28/2002

Have visited many times. Though the food and service are always very good, we always end up waiting a long time for a table. If not for this, I'd probably eat here a lot more often. more
Reply | Report abuse |

So-So 9/20/2002

Food is only mediocre and the last time I ate there, I found a hair in my food. Sent it back and my new food had a hair in it as well. Definitly not the best Mexican food in town. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Frozen dinner? 9/14/2002

I do not feel that there is anything authentic with El Cholo. The food tastes like an overpriced frozen dinner. This restaurant would not even be in my personal top 200. more
Reply | Report abuse |

#1 is very accurate! 9/12/2002

I have always loved going to El Cholo's. The atmosphere, environment and food make it the best. Pros: great food, inexpensive, ambience Cons: parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Outdoor ambiance 9/11/2002

Fine established Mexican restaurant in La Habra/Whittier area. Good specials of the night, entertainment, a fun family affair. Pros: good parking Cons: noisy more
Reply | Report abuse |

Ambience 9/6/2002

Terrific Mexican faire at decent prices. Personal prefernce is the patio - so comfortable. Pros: patio, kids more
Reply | Report abuse |

chic and classic, all in one 8/13/2002

What's great about El Cholo is that right next to the hipster waiting to get his green corn tamale, thee is a Latino family just waiting to get some good cooking at a decent price. more
Reply | Report abuse |

anonymous 8/8/2002

I didn't like this place. The food wasn't very good and the service was terrible! We had to get up and ask someone to bring us refills on our drinks and I didn't like the tortilla chips. Pros: neat atmosphere, good salsa Cons: service, food more
Reply | Report abuse |

childhood memories 8/8/2002

i used to come here as a kid, before i moved across country. i loved this place, good, genuine Mexican food. always my favorite place more
Reply | Report abuse |

Margaritas! 8/1/2002

Why, oh why call it Mexian food. the food is a hybrid of Mexican/Californian/American food. Now, the food isn't bad at all...I mean, it's very yummy. Lunch will run ya $15-20, depending on what you order. The waitstaff is slow especially for lunch time. Margaritas are the reason to come here. They have so many kinds, all will surely put you in a pleasant mood. Very yummy by the pitcher, and a bit cheaper too! I can name half a dozen restaurants that serve authentic Mexican food, not this stuff. Pros: Margaritas Cons: Mediocre Food, Slow Service more
Reply | Report abuse |

don't get it twisted ... 7/30/2002

Let's be clear. El Cholo does not have ""the best"" mexican food in town, but it does have the best drinks. I hear people all the time say that this is the best mexican food in Los Angeles. Come on! This place is best know for it's margaritas. Maybe too many people are too f'd to realize that the food is fair. Think it's a bit greasy, but they do have some strong plates. It is a great place to get together and drink it up. Let's be real and keep it real. Pros: drinks, cool hang out, margaritaville Cons: greasy more
Reply | Report abuse |

Pretty good 7/17/2002

They have pretty good Mexican food. I am not crazy about Mexican food, but the chicken chimichanga was delicious. The server was very friendly and accomodating, so service was very good. Portions are quite large. more
Reply | Report abuse |

A favorite place to go 7/11/2002

A favorite place to go! Great food and atmosphere. My brother loves to come here when he comes down from San Francisco. Pros: food, atmosphere Cons: waiting more
Reply | Report abuse |

over-rated 7/10/2002

The food is good, service isn't great. Go for the drinks. And they don't accept 100's. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Excellent Mexican Food! 7/3/2002

I have been to this restaurant only twice but in both occassions I had a great time. Food is excellent and ambience is great. What more can you ask for. Try their chicken burrito and their margaritas. You will want to come back. more
Reply | Report abuse |

South of the border experience 7/2/2002

Reservations a must, Food is ok but not enough selection. Margaritas are good though Pros: Good Food, Margaritas Cons: Crowded more
Reply | Report abuse |

Food & Margaritas are great! 6/27/2002

I love this restaurant! I go here at least once a week and every time the food is superb & the margaritas are the best in town. more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next >
Menu for El Cholo Restaurant


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021

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
badge