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    Balbuena's Mexican Restaurant

    4.5 (18 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

    Balbuena's Mexican Restaurant Photos

    BALBUENA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Amazing green chilaquiles
    Diana M.

    I was down the street getting my car worked on and found this little gem. It's comida casera, homemade food, tortillas made by hand, the green chilaquiles were delicious and a little spicy just how I like them. They have aguas naturales also homemade -- I only wish they had tamarindo.

    Love L.

    This was my first time coming to eat! There food so delicious fresh made tortillas caldo de albóndigas bomb.com

    Hungry :)
    Torres G.

    I love this place is way better than St tacos and cleaner. Price is right and the food taste home made.

    Menu
    Nahte H.

    I been eating here since a kid..Neff said,best Latin food in Los angeles. Everything is good..I been buying a,steak burrito with everything and fries for many moons. Even when I moved out of state,when I came home I ate here every other day. The tacos are top shelf and the caldos is perfect.

    Myrna R.

    I've been coming here for a while and I must say I'm always pleased. The albondigas soup is a winner. So is the carne asada plate. The owners are super friendly. It gets hot in the Lil table area, but after you begin eating you sorta forget. Try this Lil hole in the wall totally worth it

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    The food is amazing and always fresh. I highly recommend this spot. They have a variety of Mexican food which makes it hard to choose.

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

    This little spot is really good, everything is fresh . Really nice people and homemade tortillas.

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    13 years ago

    Love It Here.!!!! They were closed for a while but i passed by last week and saw the door open :D green enchiladas the BEST

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    Sonoratown

    Sonoratown

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $$

    Sonoratown's hype is real and hype is justified. I don't know why I never came here when I lived in…read moreDTLA, what a miss on my part. Oh well, no time like the present. I wanted to order all the things but I exercised some restraint and just ordered the CARAMELO ($8.75 - Flour tortilla, pinto beans, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado salsa, salsa roja, avocado, cabbage.). I picked chorizo as my protein option. I also, of course, had to also add the smoky grilled poblano chile for $1.25. It was SO good and FLAVORFUL - it didn't even need the salsas. Although, I will note that both the salsas were lovely. The flour tortilla was clearly freshly made. Also, it was a massive portion. I don't know what I was expecting. If this is the size of their caramelo, I don't want to know how giant the burrito is. I also had to get the cucumber agua fresca to pair with my caramelo. It was perfectly sweetened and wonderfully refreshing. I'll have to make my way back here now to try the burrito 2.0 and chivichanga.

    Cute spot, very clean staff all very busy but still have time tontine care of your order which is…read morevery admirable. The tacos de cabeza!!!!! Wow they are amazing. The way the perfect thin tortilla just lets you taste all the meat and sauce perfectly (I want some as I'm writing this). I can really see why this place is so popular.

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
    Burrito cabeza

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    Burrito cabeza
    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$$

    Was brought here by a friend as they knew I was a foodie and wanted to show me their favorite tapas…read morespot Downtown in the Fashion Distric for an early birthday celebration. Cute building with lovely patio seating: from the trailing hanging pothos plants, Spanish tiles, to relaxing latin-house music the vibes were welcoming. I'm not much of a drinker though, when asked if I wanted to make my pina colada a "float" I thought incorrectly about ice cream. It was graciously explained that you take an additional shot of rum and float it on top of the drink or mix in to make it extra boozy. The pina colada is top notch they hollow out a real pineapple to make the drink and it's the size of your face! The watermelon cocktail was delicious and there is also a mezcal option. Tasted like if a watermelon aqua Fresca was combined with a margarita, there is a hint of salt that brings out the fruit sweetness. We special ordered a bunch of different proteins and vegetables at half portions to make a feast: Aguachile- Light refreshing starter, kanpachi perfectly marinated and great for the summer heat. Crispy potato- Phenomenally done fingerling potatoes. Whipped beans- Carnitas on top made this dish. Fried chicken tacos- Found the chicken slightly on the dry side, if there was a creamy/thicker sauce would be even better... nothing wrong with flavor, good mild heat. I did enjoy the fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, reminded me of bahn mi. Empanadas- Loved the acidity of the sauce that cut through the fattiness of the ground meat. Light shell. Crispy Squash flower- Delicate crunch, like an angelic version of a jalapeno popper. Lamb chops- Definition of "treat-yourself" luxurious meat lollipops. Celery salad- Simple dish but the lemon flavor and tartness really helped break up the richness of other dishes. Churros- Light crunch and small, petite dessert. The thin caramel sauce is addicting. Fine dining, for those special occasions or if you just want to splurge for a morale boost highly recommend this restaurant. Valet parking or park across the street or around the corner in a lot for $5-10.

    We've probably been to Dama two dozen times. It's one of our regular spots and we love it…read more First of all the service is always great. The staff are lovely humans who really seem to care about their customers. We have some faves on the menu. The bean dip is fabulous and I'm addicted to the baby gem salad. They have recently amped up the filling in the delicious crispy squash blossoms and I love the acidity and heat. The fish is also a hit in my books. One dish that doesn't work for me is the lamb chops, which is a shame since it's my favorite protein. I've ordered them multiple times with clear instructions on temperature and have found them overcooked and tough. The beef tostada was just ok. Whilst I loved the pickled veg on the side, the beef was underseasoned. It wasn't bad - just not up to the standard of other dishes. The vibe in the place is welcoming and the restaurant is nicely appointed. We will continue to be regulars and it's really worth trying if you haven't been yet.

    Photos
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Calamari
    Calamari
    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

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    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    8.1 mi
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Family-owned & operated

    Came here to watch the World Cup game and it was a VIBBBBBBE…read more Great accommodating staff, they really were on top of cleaning up the tables and filling up our drinks The food was AMAZING! I recently visited Oaxaca & this is exactly like their mole. So. Good. Can't recommend this place MORE. Take your friends, family, coworkers they have large party friendly seating Definitely will be coming here again!

    If you're looking for authentic Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles, Guelaguetza Oaxacan Restaurant is a…read moremust-visit. Located between Koreatown and Pico-Union, this restaurant delivers an outstanding dining experience from the moment you're seated. My wife and I both ordered the Mole Coloradito with chicken, and it was absolutely delicious. One detail we really appreciated was being able to choose between white meat or dark meat--a thoughtful touch that lets you customize your meal to your preference. The mole was rich, complex, and full of flavor, exactly what you would hope for from a restaurant known for its Oaxacan specialties. As a welcome appetizer, they bring fresh chips and salsa to the table, but what really impressed us was when they replaced the salsa with their incredible mole sauce. It was so good we found ourselves dipping everything into it. Both meals were served with rice that was perfectly cooked with a great consistency and flavor. For those feeling adventurous, give the Chapulines (grasshoppers) a try. They may sound intimidating, but they were surprisingly enjoyable and added to the authentic experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly, attentive, and patient with those of us who are not fluent in Spanish. Their hospitality made us feel comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit. Great food, authentic flavors, and wonderful service make Guelaguetza a restaurant we'll definitely be returning to. Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Chapulines
    Chapulines
    Delicious chocolate cake.

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    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Mirate

    Mirate

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    11.5 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    Girl dinner on the open-air patio, and everything worked: food, drinks, and service that was…read moreattentive without hovering. Mírate is known for its agave program (ranked among the best bars in North America, with a dedicated mezcaleria), and it shows even in simple orders. Our skinny spicy marg, skinny Cadillac, and two ranch waters were all clean and well balanced. The crab & cheese buñuelitos, the taco de ribeye, and the potatoes & piquillos, which quietly outperformed for a $10 side. One note for fellow spice-sensitive folks: the salsa molcajete is their mildest salsa, but it still had a kick for me. My friend's branzino arrived beautifully charred and plated. If you're gluten-free or celiac, this kitchen gets it. They swapped in corn tortillas without hesitation and took care of my celiac friend with zero stress. Not a given, even in LA. The multi-level space is stunning, so come a few minutes early to take it in. Parking is easy too: valet at the restaurant or 2 lots about a block away. Already planning what to order next time.

    I was really hoping to leave a positive review, but unfortunately that wasn't the case…read more I've been to Mirate before on June 20, and my experience then was nothing like my visit on July 10, 2026. One of the reasons I recommended Mirate is because it's known for being a highly rated modern Mexican restaurant with exceptional service and knowledgeable staff, especially when it comes to tequila and mezcal. Unfortunately, that was not my experience at all. Before ordering food, I asked our server about the differences between the mezcals and which flight they would recommend. The only explanation I received was, "It's just different families, so I'd go with the higher quality one." There was no real information or guidance, and it was obvious they didn't know much about the mezcal selection. I ended up choosing one based solely on what sounded best. We were then informed that the menu had recently changed and is now mostly tapas. That's perfectly fine, but I noticed several items from my previous visit were still available, so I figured I'd order a few favorites along with some new dishes. Most of the food was actually great. The ribeye tacos, tostada, and buñuelitos were all delicious. However, the carne asada was extremely disappointing. We only sent back one plate because I felt bad sending both, and that's when a manager (the gentleman with the man bun) came over. He explained that they have a new chef from Oaxaca, but what confused me was that they were serving Argentinian-style steaks as their carne asada. Instead of a traditional Mexican-style cut, it was thin, flat, and honestly looked like a breakfast steak. For a restaurant that prides itself on being a modern Mexican restaurant, serving Argentinian steak as carne asada just didn't make sense to me. To his credit, he removed both carne asada plates from our bill, which I genuinely appreciated. After that, he asked if there was anything else we'd like. I personally said no, but someone else at the table asked for one more ribeye taco. The manager replied, "You know what? I'll bring you one, and I'll bring them another too." Naturally, I assumed he was offering the extra taco as a goodwill gesture since I hadn't ordered anything else. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bill and realized both tacos had been added to our tab. I wasn't going to argue over the price of a taco, but it was frustrating because I never asked for it. In fact, I ended up giving that taco away to my friends. If it wasn't complimentary, it shouldn't have been presented as if it were. Another thing worth mentioning is that while the carne asada portion has clearly gotten much smaller, the price remains exactly the same, which doesn't seem justified. Overall, my biggest disappointment is that there was no indication when making the reservation that this was essentially an experimental period with a new chef introducing major menu changes. Had I known beforehand, I never would have recommended Mirate for our dinner, and to be completely honest, I probably wouldn't have made a reservation at all. I only get two days off each month, so this was supposed to be something I could really enjoy. Instead, it honestly felt like a waste of my time and money. I'm sorry to say that while there were a few good moments, they faded very quickly. Unfortunately, the negative parts are what have stayed with me, and that's what I'll remember most about the experience. It's disappointing because I know how great Mirate can be since I experienced it just a few weeks ago. I truly hope they can regain the quality of food, service, and overall experience that made me recommend it in the first place . ( for the picture of the flat carne asada the full steak has 2 more strips added but we had tried it before taking a picture however that's MOST of the "carne asada" portion in the picture )

    Photos
    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch

    Balbuena's Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated July 2026

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