El Cholo

El cholo is a must try restaurant, not only is their food full of flavor but their specialty margaritas are smooth and refreshing. The food flavor is best of both worlds, a Mexican flavor with an American twist. My favorite drink is the lemonade margarita although it goes down smooth it doesn’t disappoint with its alcohol affect. All in all its great experience with a friendly environment.

The food here is very good at this location. The service??? Usually when I come to this particular El Cholo it’s not to sit down to go. I’m generally met with a mixture of indifference and in-​hospitality. Today I placed an order and then on my drive encountered a massive accident that delayed my arrival. Upon arriving here the host literally rolled her eyes and said we’ll have to remake your order because it took you over an hour.
No one tried to call me to see if I was still coming or anything of the sort. I could’ve heated the food back up when I got home. Instead I got an attitude and I have another 10 to 15 minute wait for my food. Thanks.

Bookmarked this place like a year ago and have never been it’s a short walk from my apartment. Super cute interior cute and cozy feeling. We sat in the outdoor indoor patio. Loved the atmosphere and the service was great! The lady who was our waitress was quick and very sweet. She definitely deserved a good tip! I ate the appetizer chicken and cheese chimichanga and my dad had the ground beef tacos! They were both delicious. The food came out quick! And the chips were fresh and hot. Would love to come back again to have drinks or with friends. Parking I saw was on the side of the building and there is parking out front on the streets. Great place to have a party with co workers or friends and enjoy yourselves.

The atmosphere of this place is great and the food is excellent. The service, however, is keeping me from rating el Cholo 5 stars. They were less than attentive. Quickly left the table before we could ask for water refills, more salsa, another order of nachos, a second Margarita, etc.
But the food is 5 stars. From the burritos to the tacos (carne asada are the best) to the potent and delicious Margaritas, you’d be hard pressed to make a mistake and order the wrong thing. The portions are huge so sharing a combo might be the way to go if this is your first time there.
The price is fair and the patio is a lovely place to spend a few hours with friends. This place is a classic L.A. Restaurant and the first time you visit is usually for the novelty of eating in a 90 year old establishment. The next time (s) you visit it will be all about the food and drink. Please improve the service and this place will be one of my favorite 10 dtla restaurants.

Maybe I should call it Mediocre May, but its Mediocre Mon again (sorry)!!!
I’ve been to the OG El Cholo on Western in LA, and the one in Irvine and they are stark contrasts to one another. This location is in DTLA by Staples Center, and I came for a business lunch. I understand the children of the founders decided to go off on their own and use the name, but not follow the traditions or recipes of the OG on Western.
We both ordered the seasonal blue corn tamales ($ 12.95 | 2 chicken tamales). This dish is only available from May to Oct. Blue corn has a sweet taste, and you could really taste the difference. However, there wasn’t much in the way of fillings, and the rice & beans were flavorless. Additionally, the chips were not freshly made, and the salsa was canned: 3 Stars.
The ambiance is typical Americanized Mexican. We sat in the rear bar area, and you could tell the set up was more in tune w/​a bar vs a restaurant: 3 Stars. On the other hand, the service was inattentive. It took a long time for someone to acknowledge us and take our order. The waitress barely checked on us during the meal: 2 Stars.
El Cholo barely made 3 Stars. Its only positive is that its close to Staples, and it has a big bar area. Other than the foregoing, don’t look for good, authentic, or reasonably priced Mexican food here.

Food was just ok. Service was ok. Although, they did get us in & out quickly.
Only order that was liked was the Bean & Cheese Burrito with a red sauce…
Grilled Chicken Burrito was said to be weird… There was a combination of a big chunk (half of a palm size) of grilled chicken & the rest was shredded chicken…
I got the Green Tamales… They were gooey… Kind of like the Corn Cakes… So, it wasn’t too bad. There was a hot (temp) red tomato sauce that came with it helped it taste better… I wouldn’t order it again… The rice was also a little crunchy…
Tortilla soup was said to be just ok.
Based on this experience, I don’t think I’d go back.

I had been wanting to go here for absolutely ages… I had heard many good things on this place and had to try it. So off I went (with no reservation) on a mid week night.,
It was 70% full and the service was personal and friendly (mid 30s lady) who recommended some food options and margarita options.
Unfortunately the food wasn’t up to the expectation I had built up… When the best thing I ate was the chips and salad it’s always going to struggle.
Fish tacos although presented ok were nothing special, I’ve had better on many a taco truck.
The margaritas were above par and certainly a reason to go back but not in a rush…

This place brought tears to my eye on how delicious the food is and made me have flashbacks of when I was a kid!
For about $ 20-​$ 25 bucks a plate BIG PLATES, you feel like you want to roll out the the restaurant of how much food they gave you.
It’s really good, if you’re in the area, go for it.
Memories. Is all I had eating their food.

Centered in the middle of a busy mall this place is buried next to many other food chains. All of which to love, it is actually right next-​door to PF chang!
The Decour inside is nice and the staff is very attentive and quick to acknowledge you they say us down quickly and gave us good customer service. The food was pretty tasty as well can’t complain. Authenticity of the food could’ve been better but it was good– we went more for the vibe on Mother’s Day. With a live mariachi and free carnations to every female in the restaurant that was worth it. The drinks were good I had the skinny margarita made with Patron-​I asked if he could be made stiff and they did a good job making it nice and strong! The dessert was to die for that’s for sure!

No matter when I come here they always aim to please. The drinks are fantastic you’ll get a buzz before you actually get the buzz.
Food is great not your street Mexican food but authentic Mexican food with a little hood. My favorite is the enchiladas.
Service is always good too. If your down town looking for a good spot try el cholos they live up to their name.

I’ve always liked El Cholo, particularly the original location on Western. I liked that it was this old Mexican restaurant that planted down and prospered while Koreatown sprouted up around it. This new branch took over the space of a perfectly mediocre restaurant I visited for a downtown work outing in 2008, when there were fewer yuppie spots to hang out in the neighborhood. Maybe it’s the lack of history, but this El Cholo branch inspires a little less affection.
I went for a happy hour meet-​up a couple Fridays back during a massive writers’ convention in downtown. Since I was one of the locals, I picked the place thinking it’d be convenient to the Convention Center. I was right on that count, and we were able to get seated as soon as we walked in, at around 6:00. Unfortunately, there was no happy hour going on, which makes me wonder when happy hour is if not Friday at 6:00. It was still a good venue, spacious and reasonably vibrant. Service was decent. Our server fucked up both my order and my check (related errors), but fixed both quickly when prompted. The front desk was helpful and charged my phone for me when it was dead. I might never have gotten home otherwise.
I’d come from another happy hour, where I’d had a whopping two drinks, and one El Cholo margarita put me over the edge. I’m never this much of a lightweight, but I guess I’d had a horrible hangover the day before, and this margarita was fucking strong. This is usually not a bad thing – it was perfectly palatable and went down easy, too easy. But I did feel dizzy and ill by the time I left El Cholo and melted in the back seat of an Über.
The food was pretty mediocre, worse than I remember it being in Koreatown, or even in Santa Monica, where I went once with my high school boyfriend, who got food poisoning from the fajitas, but only after we enjoyed a tasty meal. I guess I get the green corn tamales when I can, and they weren’t available (only on the menu certain months of the year). I munched on the chips and salsa, which were nice, and ordered one of the combinaciones – No. 3, with an enchilada and a pork tamal. The combo was $ 12.95 and I added chicken to my enchilada for another $ 2. Somehow, my chicken enchilada got swapped with a chile relleno, but the kitchen sent out a chicken enchilada right away so I got all three items. (I was initially charged for the extra enchilada, but like I said, they took care of it.) This should’ve felt like a windfall, but I wasn’t that into the enchilada or the chile relleno. The enchilada was intensely salty, which is something I almost never notice, and both the chicken and tortilla were dry in parts, only edible with the sauce and cheese. The chile relleno was just kind of bland and uninteresting. I did like the pork tamal, though. It was satisfying, the pork savory and the corn meal well textured and pleasantly sweet. I also enjoyed the Spanish rice and refried beans that came with the combo.
I had a good time at El Cholo (minus my one-​margarita downfall), but wouldn’t go out of my way to go back. The food wasn’t good, and the atmosphere nothing special. That said, the place fit our purposes, and I’d recommend it for an easy stop in this part of downtown.

Our first time here, before a game. Wish I had known they accepted reservations, but it all worked out. 30 minutes at the bar, replete with drinks, chips & salsa.
The margaritas are AMAZING… The salsa is a little mild, but great flavor. Ordered guacamole, which was OK. A little too creamy and not enough «kick».
Finally sat down at our table, and the service and food was terrific.
Blue corn enchiladas to DIE for. Yummy yummy. Fajitas served on a sizzling plate with all the fixings (need more meat and less veggies, and my hubby not a fan of zucchini) and the tostada was beautiful, my son couldn’t come close to eating the entire thing.
I have to say, the BEST service of ANY restaurant on or near LA Live.
Our server Maira was THE BOMB. We will definitely ask for her the next time we are here…

Perfect for the LA live/​Staples Center area.
A Large and Lively Historic restaurant which is what you expect on a Saturday Night from Downtown Los Angeles.
Food is a bit pricey for Mexican but they use quality meat and service is usually great.
Just a short walk from the Blue or Expo line station so avoid traffic and parking issues.

El Cholo is a decent choice if you look at it for what it is, a chain restaurant specializing in Mexican favorites.
The bar is where I find myself the most as the Happy Hour menu boasts and abbreviated portion of my favorite course at El Cholo and also has decent bartending for the area (LA Live/​DTLA). It is easy walking distance from Staples Center and usually does not have the pressure you would see at nearby Yardhouse and Tom’s Urban.
The Ceviche Tostada is about all I get at El Cholo and it is commendable. A huge portion of shrimp and scallop meat is tossed in lime juice, diced tomato & onions then seasoned with salt and cilantro. The amalgumation of seafood is then plated on a large tostada and served with a side of guacamole. This along with a Dos Equis or Modelo makes my Happy Hour quite happy indeed.
As for the rest of the menu, it is akin to any other chain Mexican restaurant such as El Torito, El Ranchito, ChiChi’s, [insert the faceless Mexican chain of your choosing here]. The fajitas come on sizzling cast iron skillets. The wait staff wears stereotypical 19^th century garb. There are pictures of the original El Cholo location circa 1920 blown up in each room. If you are looking for «traditional» Mexican (You know, stuff that people from Mexico actually cook) or new age Mexican fusion you will be frustrated. If a righteous Ceviche and a Modelo sounds straight, look no further.

Decent Mexican food in a land where you can get reaaaaally good Mexican food. Dishes are somewhat Americanized and rely quite heavily on sauces, gooey cheeses, and batter. I wouldn’t say that they are bad in any way though (I’ve tried several vegetarian + some chicken-​containing dishes here over the past few years), just not through the roof amazing. It’s conveniently located to the Staples Center and L.A. Live, as well as to a Metro stop.
Service is bizarrely quick (our waitress was also very natural and friendly most recently), their menu is on the somewhat limited side and even slightly pricier side. Minimal to moderate amount of vegetarian options, and chips are fresh but bland; salsa is A+. The margaritas are on the weaker side.
All in all a decent spot; I wouldn’t argue if someone wanted to go here as a group, but I think there are better options too.

I was here on Super Bowl Sunday for the first time. I wasn’t here for the sports, but rather to celebrate my sister’s birthday dinner. I’m not sure if they even have a bar side with televisions because we remained in the dining area. Luckily, even with the major event we were seated immediately on arrival without a reservation. The waiter and serving staff were very friendly throughout our meal.
I ordered the crab taquitos and the combo number two which includes a cheese enchilada and a chile relleno with a side of rice and beans. I haven’t had crab taquitos before and they were really good. Red corn tortillas stuffed with crab meat and deep-​fried with some fresh guacamole on the side. My entrée was deliciously cheesy. Cheese in the chile, in the enchilada and on my beans. I love cheese so this was great.
At the end of our meal, the waiter and staff present my sister with a flan that a held a birthday candle while singing «happy birthday» to her. It was a great time all around and very thankful to this staff for making it a memorable evening.

This place is my favorite all day Tuesday happy hour spot in downtown! All day happy hour takes place both inside and on the patio. $ 7 full sized margaritas (really good) $ 4 beer on draft, and lots of appetizers ranging from quesadilla, ceviche, tacos and nachos.
Their chips are always fresh and hot and salsa always flavorful.
I’ve never had an issue with being seated. Note — the patio is a great spot and has a large tv and a nice bar. The fun is out there!
The only downside? Parking sucks. It’s downtown and to be expected. They used to have a lot next door that just recently was bought out by the staples center. There are quite a few lots just across the street or around the corner, cash only and about $ 8 for self parking or valet depending on which place. If you’re lucky, you can find metered street parking until 8 for about $ 3 and hour!
I went there’s tonight and ordered the shrimp fajitas ($ 18.75) and happy hour marg because YOLO, it was a long day. The meal was huge and enough for lunch tomorrow. Lots of shrimp! The waitress was so sweet, I asked for no sour cream– yuck! So she gave me double guacamole! Can’t go wrong :)

Solid little Mexican restaurant for people who like big portions of Americanized Mexican food (aka me). No, it’s not authentic street tacos, but the menu is quite large and sure to appease many. Plus the portions are huge and the margaritas are tasty, so it’s definitely worth the stop!
*Tip*: Come on a Tuesday night and ask for the Taco Tuesday menu — they don’t just give it to you automatically, you have to ask. It includes really cheap deals on tacos, taquitos, etc. and is perfect for those who want to dine on a budget (and fill up on the free chips and salsa!)
I personally love all of the combo meal options, which are served on GIANT plates! I recently had the enchilada and the chile relleno (get the long skinny one!) and it was super delicious and filling! Kick in that side of beans and rice and you will have to be rolled out of the restaurant! I’m also a huge fan of the guacamole here — they mix it right at your table so it’s just to your liking.
I always recommend making a reservation because El Cholo is really popular, but it’s also ENORMOUS, so don’t worry too much if you don’t — I doubt you’ll have to wait long.
Parking can be a bit tricky but there’s valet across the street for somewhere around $ 10.

«All The Homies They Know What I Mean
Baby Let Me Show U How I Lean (Like A Cholo).»
This song was playing in my head while I walked through the front doors of El Cholo restaurant. I was greeted at the door by the staff upfront, and walked all the way to the back where my friends were seated: at the patio.
Here was a long table with 15 people, some I hadn’t seen in a good 2 – 3 years. They were settling in with drink, and reading their menus. Some waving El Cholo paper fans in their faces.
I leaned back in my chair. This outdoor semi-​covered patio seating was difficult to enjoy in the heat. My view of the plant covered fence made me wish a Mexican Tarzan would suddenly appear, swinging from a rope, pounding his chest. Oh that would’ve been an exciting scene.
I reached for a napkin that read:
«I cannot imagine Los Angeles without El Cholo.»
Of course this place lurked with history. And I loved the cultural feel to it. Even the waitresses wore ethnic tops, which I’m a huge fan of.
Nadia: Hi Miss… yes I’d like the Cheese Enchiladas. Are you sure this dish has no meat?
Lady: Yes, no meat.
Nadia: Do you guys put lard in the beans?
Lady: No lard!
Nadia: Okay, I’ll have the cheese enchiladas. ($ 12.95)
Lady: That comes with rice and beans, is that fine ma’am?
Nadia: Yes perfect! And a strawberry lemonade please. ($ 3.00)
Service was mostly on the ball. Taking the orders, and bringing everyone the correct dishes. I did have to remind the waitress about my lemonade but it was brought out quickly. She even refilled without me even having to ask. (It wasn’t till later I realized that… it was on the house). So even better.
Food was «okay.»
Enchiladas were on the salty side.
Frijoles y arroz were good.
The Lemonade lacked flavor.
There was a bit of back and forth on separate bills. But, it was also resolved quickly. Manager was also very kind.
Overall a good experience. I may come back, maybe when it gets a bit cooler. Or to enjoy the indoor air conditioned seating.
Parking…I knew it would be a hassale. I personally asked to be dropped off and picked up. There is valet parking!

I was craving some mex-​goodness and went to my neighborhood el cholo. This is a delicious mexfix. Margaritas come with a shot of tequila on the side who doesn’t love that. Nacho chips are slightly greasy but hey that’s better than filling up right before your meal comes. Annie’s early California is hands down the best veg enchilada I ever ever had. Fajitas are great (it’s LA) so comparable to most. I usually walk here because parking in LA requires skill tact money and time blah
Sit outside you will love it