Editor Pick
El Cholo
- March 12, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
TravelQueen2001 from Los Angeles, California
This Cal-Mexican restaurant has been around LA since the 1920s and has become a local institution. Located on the south edges of Koreatown (where Koreatown gives way to several Latino neighborhood -- observe that the Korean signs on the stores as you drive south on Western Ave become less frequent, and the Spanish signs start to appear), this restaurant is huge, tremendously popular, and full of delicious offerings. The margarita pitchers are a must, particularly if you couldn't get a reservation and have to wait at the bar anyway -- very strong, but not too strong to be enjoyable. A great night to come here is Monday nights (packed as if it were a weekend) to watch and listen to the female mariachi band -- they are quite good, and their outfits are really cool, especially the silver belts with shell motifs. They also sing happy birthday to you in Spanish if it's your special day. My favorite thing on the menu is the green corn tamales, which are only available in the spring and summer -- what a wonderful dish, well-flavored, moist and with a tasty tomatillo sauce. All dishes are served with great rice and beans. Not to be missed when you're in town! There are El Cholo branches in Santa Monica and Pasadena, but they are not quite the same as the original Western Ave location.
From journal Ethnic L.A.