El Cholo - The Original

Chandalyn Jones 4 months ago

I went to El Cholo (Original Location) for lunch on a Friday afternoon and had a really good experience. There was no wait, which I loved. We were seated right away and they easily accommodated our group of five. The restaurant has a nice, traditional feel — classic LA Mexican restaurant vibes, comfortable and welcoming. They started us off with fresh chips and salsa. The chips were warm and crisp, and the salsa had good flavor. Simple but done right. I ended up ordering the cheese enchiladas and a Caesar salad. The enchiladas were cheesy, flavorful, and filling without being too heavy. The Caesar salad was fresh and a good balance to the meal. Even though I ordered that, I was definitely eyeing the Crab Taquitos and the Mariscos Enchiladas for next time — they sounded really good, especially for pescatarian options. The prices felt reasonable for Los Angeles, especially for a sit-down lunch. Service was friendly and accommodating the entire time — attentive but not hovering. Valet was available for $5.50 on a Friday afternoon, which made it easy and stress-free. But I don’t know why we had to Valet because the lot was empty. Overall, it was just a smooth, easy lunch: good food, no wait, fair pricing, and a traditional atmosphere. I’d definitely go back, and next time I might try one of the seafood dishes I was tempted by.

Barnett Fischer 4 months ago

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.

Heather Duncan 3 months ago

Love the uniqueness of this restaurant! The staff were all very friendly and made us feel welcome. Food and the drinks were delicious. I live kind of far from here, but will definitely come back when I’m in the area. I would recommend coming here if you haven’t tried it already ❤️

Justin Porterfield 4 months ago

Always a great time. Try a premium margarita till you find your match. Saul is a awesome bartender. Epic prices on Don Julio. 1942 is the best price I've seen anywhere.

Achal Dhoj Adhikari 2 months ago

A piece of LA history. Very lively. Great margarita. Food was good but not extraordinary. can’t match street vendor’s taste.