Karrie

Celebrated friend’s birthday here. High quality Mexican food, and the guacamole was the best I’ve ever had. I loved the atmosphere and music there, glad I got to pay a visit.

+1

Faber

Great place to eat. I like that is a landmark in town and filled with photos and stories to tell. As soon you step in you feel like you have been there because has a family vibe. Service is fast friendly and funny. I eat here different times, and I can say the food is great. Starting with a fresh guacamole and moving on with a El Cholo margarita...

AnchorOnLand Lisa

Best service ever for our large group! Friendly wait staff with strong attention to detail. I asked for Splenda for my tea, and that is what got. Even if Splenda was not available, I think I would have been asked what else would be a good substitute. Their menu was varied and hard to choose from for one visit, so yes, we are all coming back! Thank you, El Cholo!

Shexnikk

I hadn’t been here in years, so i was excited to get my favorite dish the Sonora style nachos. Im happy to say this place has not lost its touch the food was delicious!! I added ground beef to my nachos and it was 1000 tomes better! Happy to say i will come here when ever possible.

Michael Chahin

El Cholo is a storied Mexican-American restaurant chain that has been serving Southern California since 1923. The original location in Los Angeles, now situated in Koreatown, is renowned for its nostalgic ambiance and hearty, comforting dishes. The restaurant is credited with popularizing the top-shelf margarita. Patrons often praise the strength and flavor of their margaritas, including unique options like the blended coconut margarita. Their menu features classics like Sonoran-style enchiladas topped with a fried egg, green corn tamales (seasonally available), chimichangas, and crab enchiladas. These dishes reflect the restaurant’s roots in Sonoran cuisine and have been favorites for generations. Give it a try you’d love it.

+6

Eloy

Excellent customer service and delicious food. Juan was our server & took good care of us. Ordered the carnitas plate & the tacos dorados, I recommend both. The carnitas were crispy and tender, the tacos were crunchy and stuffed well. Definitely returning next time I’m in the area.

Mathew Bowser

I love the old style feel in this place. They even wear attire that makes you feel like you stepped into the past. They have recipes from many different decades that span through their 100+ years of existence. They have lots of history in the community. The service was top notch and the food very flavorful. My only take back from this place was the chips and salsa, for me the chips were just regular ole chips I can get anywhere. They should be what drives the customer to come back to try the whole menu.

Dylan Brittany Blount del Cid

My family has been coming here for as long as I can remember. Delicious food, great staff, and a super cool atmosphere. You get the Authentic feeling and food when you eat here. It’s quite large with lots of versatile looking seating areas. They can accommodate large parties and their valet isn’t too expensive. You have to try the senora nachos and the corn tamale!

Maria Martinez

I went with my husband this past memorial weekend as we were traveling to LA and food was delicious! The portions are huge which makes the price reasonable, and the taste is on point. The service was great! The lady that took care of our table was friendly, she did some awesome recommendations and overall offer a great experience. Parking is valet for $8 in cash only so be aware! If not street parking but not easy! The decoration was great with amazing photos, a couple of tvs, a lot of text with nice quotes and very Mexican style!

Excellent margaritas, terrific food. Warm, welcoming ambience. Great service. Enchiladas suizas and green corn tamales (in season, May to October) are favorites. prices have gone up since my last v…

Excellent margaritas, terrific food. Warm, welcoming ambience. Great service. Enchiladas suizas and green corn tamales (in season, May to October) are favorites. Prices have gone up since my last v…

Excellent margaritas, terrific food. Warm, welcoming ambience. Great service. Enchiladas suizas and green corn tamales (in season, May to October) are favorites. Prices have gone up since my last v…

Excellent margaritas, terrific food. Warm, welcoming ambience. Great service. Enchiladas suizas and green corn tamales (in season, May to October) are favorites. Prices have gone up since my last v…

It was time to visit my favorite mexican restaurant in LA on a Thursday night. We came in around 7pm and was able to get seated right away. I ordered my favorite dish which is the 2 ground beef enc…

Great Mexican food and the drinks are the best (Margaritas ) better than any place I've ever been. Been all over Mexico , South America, central America even Hawaii. I collect Tequila to the tune o…

Great mexican food and the drinks are the best (Margaritas ) better than any place I've ever been. Been all over Mexico , South America, central America even Hawaii. I collect Tequila to the tune o…

We have been going to the original El Cholo for over ten years, it is our favorite Mexican restaurant in LA. The atmosphere, food and service are consistently amazing. You can't go wrong with any i…

We have been going to the original El Cholo for over ten years, it is our favorite mexican restaurant in LA. The atmosphere, food and service are consistently amazing. You can't go wrong with any i…

Good service, all of our dishes were very tasty, cute old school ambiance. Very charming. They have few vegan options. My 3rd visit here.

El Cholo Restaurant is a long established Mexican eatery offering authentic and delicious cuisine. The festive atmosphere and friendly staff create a lively and welcoming dining experience. The menu …

El Cholo Restaurant is a long established Mexican eatery offering authentic and delicious cuisine. The festive atmosphere and friendly staff create a lively and welcoming dining experience. The men…

El Cholo Restaurant is a long established Mexican eatery offering authentic and delicious cuisine. The festive atmosphere and friendly staff create a lively and welcoming dining experience. The men…

We stumbled on this hidden gem while out walking. Celebrating its 100th year it is a fabulous mexican restaurant. Shared a mixed platter and ceasar salad at lunch with their famous margriettas .…

El Cholo is by far my grandson's favorite traditional Spanish restaurant. The outside is beautiful and everything is so clean. The neon sign screams at you to come in for dinner or a drink--they h…

Tony Vallejo

Have heard about El Cholo for years, so I was looking forward to the visit. My experience was underwhelming as I felt there could have been more flavor in my Chili Colorado, although the fajitas were a hit. Carnitas barely had any taste. This is a solid 3.5 stars location.

+2

I love old school Mexican restaurants. This one definitely has that old LA charm about it. You can tell this place has some history, and it's always nice to see these older establishments still stand…

I wanted to finally try the Original El Cholo in midtown on Western. Old school Mexican at its finest. Friendly service and tasty food. The bar has been redone and it has been added on serval times…

I wanted to finally try the Original El Cholo in midtown on Western. Old school Mexican at its finest. Friendly service and tasty food. The bar has been redone and it has been added on serval times…

The combination plate I ordered was rich in flavor. It was the cheese enchilada and chile relleno with rice and beans. Our table also had the guacamole. Chips and salsa was excellent!\nElvira, our …

I've been to the Santa Monica Ell Cholo a very long time ago but never had been to this original location. There's no denying that the food was tasty, but the prices for food, drinks, and valet wer…

I was expecting some great food from this legendary restaurant, but the meal was mediocre and so expensive. I had the lunch special chicken enchilada and it was awful - just a slab of meat rolled in…

I was expecting some great food from this legendary restaurant, but the meal was mediocre and so expensive. I had the lunch special chicken enchilada and it was awful - just a slab of meat rol…

I was expecting some great food from this legendary restaurant, but the meal was mediocre and so expensive. I had the lunch special chicken enchilada and it was awful - just a slab of meat rolled …

Old-school Mexican atmosphere with good service and decent food. We walked in with no reservation at 5:00 and were immediately seated. Server was very responsive and the food was quick to arrive.

Old-school Mexican atmosphere with good service and decent food. We walked in with no reservation at 5:00 and were immediately seated. server was very responsive and the food was quick to arriv…

I recently visited El Cholo on Western and wanted to share my experience. The first thing to know is that parking is valet only. Whether the lot is full or nearly empty, it is a flat $10. Even if you park just a few feet from the valet stand, the charge still applies. The lot is designed as a one way entrance and exit, looping around to the back and out toward the main street. While it is organized, the mandatory valet fee felt unnecessary, especially on a quiet Monday evening. For my meal, I ordered the chile relleno with a rolled taco. The plate arrived very hot, but unfortunately the food itself was only lukewarm. The beans and rice were the highlight of the dish and were genuinely enjoyable. The entrée, however, did not meet the level of quality I was expecting. Service was another challenge. I consistently had to make an effort to get the server’s attention. Water and iced tea refills were not offered and only came after I specifically asked. That is not typically something I experience at other restaurants, and it made the meal feel less welcoming. Additionally, a family seated next to us arrived after we did, ordered before we did, received their food first, and finished their meal before we were done. I am not sure what caused the delay, but it created the impression that our table had been overlooked. Overall, the experience was average. The food was acceptable but not exceptional, the service felt inattentive, and the mandatory valet charge was frustrating. At this point, I am not sure I would return.

A Trex

So I went with a group and let me tell you the ambiance is spot on. The service is pretty good and the wait staff is charming. The food however, is average. I ordered the steak fajitas and let me tell you those portion sizes are out of control. You could feed a small county with them. The steak portion of the fajitas tasted good hot, but quickly got tough as it cooled down. Especially the bigger pieces. The beans and rice just tasted bland, but the onions and peppers were great. Ultimately, I was done before I even got halfway through the plate and I almost didn't take a to go box. It all felt so light on the flavor I have come to expect from mexican food The margaritas were delicious and a highlight of the meal. It definitely feels like the oversized portions are meant to justify the price point. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to coming here if I were coming with friends, but it's not a place you I would go to by choice.

I really wanted this place to be better. The staff was friendly and the service was fine, but the food and drinks were disappointing.\nI ordered the El Cholo House margarita, which took a long time t…

I really wanted this place to be better. The staff was friendly and the service was fine, but the food and drinks were disappointing.\nI ordered the El Cholo House margarita, which took a long time…

I really wanted this place to be better. The staff was friendly and the service was fine, but the food and drinks were disappointing.\nI ordered the El Cholo House margarita, which took a long ti…

I really wanted this place to be better. The staff was friendly and the service was fine, but the food and drinks were disappointing.\nI ordered the El Cholo House margarita, which took a long ti…

The place has been around over 100 years and is popular but the food is really nothing special and even a bit bland. Service was friendly and prices are ok but this is not a place for authentic or …

We visited El Cholo on Western for my uncle’s birthday, hoping to find a regular go-to. The atmosphere was authentic, and while some dishes—like the fish tacos—were a bit salty, the food was solid overall. Most staff were friendly. However, the busser, dressed in black with black hair, threw the plates onto the table and avoided eye contact, leaving us feeling disrespected. We had hoped to return often, but after that, we won’t be back.

Sebastian Saldana

First of all find street parking, we pulled into the parking lot and parked our car only to be told that it’s valet parking only and it was $9 even tho the parking lot was kind empty. showed up on a Sunday mid day which was kinda dead, was immediately seated, we got our chips n salsa which was good. Place looks dated but shouldn’t matter if the food is good right? Well we got our food and first thing I noticed was my fork was dirty. It had this white layer on it that was coming off when I used my nail. Asked for another set of utensils. Food was ok but I don’t know why my burrito dorado just had a sweet taste to it like they drizzled sweat and sour sauce on it. We get our check and this is my fault but I should have checked my receipt. They gave us one from a different table which was almost $35 over what we spent. I checked after the waiter brought my card back and had him go fix which took over 15 minutes. So at the end of the day clean your utensils, don’t make valet parking mandatory when there’s barely any people at the restaurant and don’t mix up table tabs.

The employees here are extremely rude. The food was mid. It was decorated nicely but I would never step foot here again. Waited almost an hour for water & no one ever came to process our payment, i…

12/07/25 noon meeting of society. Have been here at least 20 times- 4 times recently. Ordered huevos rancheros-got beans/ rice/ 2 eggs over easy. When I asked waiter--later manager, said(thats is h…

Food lack flavor specially the beans and rice which is the foundation of Mexican food. Do not recommend.

Dont let the place and decoration fool you. If you want overpriced low quality food, stale chips, aggressive impatient servers, this is the place! You're better off going to a food truck outside, m…

Went to join local LA de LA club for monthly meeting here. Sunday, and not too busy????? Over 20 people in our group--ordered what I have for years, Huevos Rancheros. Brought beans and rice, 2 …

We didn’t enjoy our meal here at all. Angry waiter who just smashed the food down on the table. I ordered a combination meal and the beef tasted weird. Later that night I was up for 6 hours vomitin…

We didn’t enjoy our meal here at all. Angry waiter who just smashed the food down on the table. I ordered a combination meal and the beef tasted weird. Later that night I was up for 6 hours vomitin…

Sarah Rams

1- Star, why? For starters, the food was bad! Ordered tortillas soup that tasted out of the can! Sweet! And not savory at all. Chimichanga chicken filling was smothered in yellow cheese, Fish tacos were HORRIBLE! Super dried for $22 dollars?? They can up their menu by offering quality food, not quantity! The server kept coming, and we weren't completely done when he brought us the check! Parking is $9.00 dollars, and that was our first and last time going there... I Highly Don't Recommend it! If you are truly Hispanic looking for a taste of True Mexican Food! This is not the place... it is more geared to people who don't have a palate. Straight out!