I was born and raised in Southern California and authentic Mexican food abounds, so I admit I can be picky about my Mexican food and when a friend suggested we go to East LA in Hoboken, I gave him major side eye. But damn. I was impressed. Their margaritas are the absolute best. I had a margarita on the rocks and was blown away. I learned later that are known for their mixed margaritas and those are absolutely delicious. They have over a dozen flavors and of the ones I've tried, none are too sweet, which can be a problem with fruit flavored margaritas. You can order by the glass or order a small or large pitcher. The pitchers are a steal at $24-$32 for the standard margaritas. A large pitcher serves roughly 4-5 tall glasses. The food was good and the portions generous. The wait staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. They kept on top of filling up our glasses and making sure we had everything we needed. I wish I traveled through Hoboken more often do I could eat here on the regular. read more

East LA - Beef Nacho Supreme and peach margarita - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Hoboken has many Mexican restaurants and I finally decided to give this one a try. I went during happy hour and had 2 frozen margaritas which they make with a mixture of any flavor you want. I had the peach mango margarita and the sangria-pomegranate. Both were great, surprisingly strong, and only $6. The food on the other hand was not. I had the Financial steak quesadillas..which don't even come with rice,beans, like other restaurants that offer the platter at the same prize. They were tiny and just not worth ordering. I should have gone to the place solely for the drinks. read more

One of those local spots that seems to always be full with a divey vibe. The margaritas were good, but definitely not as *strong* as the waitress stressed ... Then again, I just might be spoiled by my preferential treatment at my fave spot - personally mixed Margs with top-of-the-line tequila ... Kinda hard to beat! Anyhoo, the food was good - not terrific. If you are looking to spend minimal $$ at an "okay" restaurant and leave with PLENTY of food for your next meal (or 3), East LA is your place! Your Takeaway, my friend Yelpers: + Everyone/all waitstaff was super friendly + The food was good / not great + Divey vibe + Typical Margs, nothing special (but the glasses ARE huge - that's a plus) + Plenty of food for leftovers read more

Here is a example for any restaurateur not to follow! I was taking out a colleague on a business meeting and he said he had to try this place. I immediately called my friend and he let me know I am in for a ride. I get there and immediately I notice the place is FILTHY! The waitress took forever to take my drink order and some guy passing by slid it on the table. We ordered the food after waving down the waitress (only 2 waitresses on staff!). After 20 minutes I finish my soda and slide the cup to the end of the table. I end up waiting another 10 minutes and someone at my table flagged down the waitress and we finally recieved a refill. After waiting another 40 minutes and seeing people that came after us eating and leaving - I knew there was a mixup.... The host comes by to pre-bus the table and I told him we havent eaten yet. He says "you got to be joking with me that you havent eaten yet?" Didnt see him after that for a while. When we ask the server she walks up to the passbar and starts up with the cooks... I tell the host can you send a manager to the table please? He walks away and the manager never comes. One plate out of the three comes out (1 hour after ordering). Then finally the other two arrive. I asked the server "what was the problem? Did the check not print in your kitchen? She replies with "I am sorry its not my fault - We are trying to work together" ---- ACTUALLY it is your fault! If you took any time out and talked to our table you wouldve found out everyone sitting there is in the restaurant industry and we all have heavy expierence in high volume restaurants unlike this craphole establishment you are working at. We all understand the business and tried to be patient as possible but since it was so loud in there we couldnt hear each other talking the whole situation became more irritating. The food was taco bell quality - AWFUL! Chicken was stringy, corn was cold, cheese wasn't melted. At the end of my meal I saw the host pass by and I asked him for the bill and a togo box since the waitress didnt care to ask. The waitress came by and tells me "I took the drinks off" Then when I look at the bill a open gratuity charge of 18% !!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable. East LA - Learn something - SERVICE, FOOD QUALITY AND CLEANLINESS are very important in the hospitality business - East LA is poor in all aspects. Hoboken residents go down the block to Qdoba you will get better food there! At least there if you ask for a manager they will show there face once read more

This review is for the strawberry margaritas and excellent window seating. Have gone several times, and have realized the below. Don't.... 1. Eat the food 2. Be afraid of asking for extra strawberries 3. Stand in the bathroom line for longer than 5 minutes without throwing your shoulder against the door... it sticks. Do... 1. Forgo the usually-coveted booths for the barstools in the front windows 2. Make nice with the rather large and intimidating doorman, but don't be annoying 3. Be wary of drunken... uh... silly people here, because one marg will knock you on your booty, and people seem to have bottomless stomachs I will generally make this place just one short stop on a night out, but that one margarita is well worth any of the more disappointing aspects of East LA. read more

When I was in Hoboken, this was my favorite spot away from all the college filled bars down on Washington next to the path. It was possible the first time I had heard of frozen margaritas!!! And they particularly mix all flavors in, including my favorite Sangria flavor! What can be wrong about mixing Sangria and Tequila.... nothing!!! It's my favorite two drinks in the world! I met the owner once, he was friendly with a friend that introduced me to this place. Haven't seen him again, but nothing about this place has changed. It is still pretty packed on weekends. I can't say I have had their food... but I always found it cool to get a frozen margie with a good friend and we usually get the windows in the front. I like crazy quirky places and this one hits the spot. I have had their chips and salsa... the salsa is not homemade... This is the type of place you come and unwind form a cray cray weekend. missing the margies and company.... I wouldn't say this is the place to hang out all day. In my book.. this is the type of place you wait to have a cemented relationship before you bring your loved one here for a date hahaha! :) still I love it here! read more

I had the Carnitas tacos. They provided a side lime sauce if I'm not mistaken, which wasn't too bad. Comes with a side of rice, corn and beans. It was good just wasn't delivered as quickly as the first visit I had. I think maybe they were short staffed when I went the second time. This time I tried a shrimp taco which was just a bunch of tiny frozen shrimp in a hard taco shell with cheese. The shrimp may have been tossed in a garlic butter. Still eh. It's an average Mexican place. If you want something better I'd go to the Charritos up or downtown. Cuban - I'd recommend La Isla. read more

East LA - Carnitas tacos - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Only good thing about this place is the margharitas ... the food sucks, if you think this is real mexican, or tex-mex or whatever, youmust really be one of those new hobokeners we always talk about. Make sure you watch out for the 6 legged friends that walk around your table, up your salt shaker and down into your salsa bowl ... i'm not kidding either. Come here and stick to chilling in the front area with a coconut margharita ... although, I must say, their thursday/friday night crowds have dwindled down since my early college days. (They must've seen the critters traveling along the place.)For some decent mexican, go up town to charro's or charritos, i forget the name, but its def. better food than here. read more

Even though it isn't the best Mexican around, the place is ALWAYS crowded! Why? It's dirt cheap. I don't totally despise the food, I've definitely had better mexican, but for like ten bucks you can get like THREE things....tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and they aren't stingy with the portions. You leave full, and tipsy from the margarita's and sangria. It also has an outside seating area, which people scavenger for on nice sunshiney days, the wait staff is usually the same (owner maybe??) every time we've been. It's definitely an easy go-to kind of place for days that you don't feel like spending a bundle but still getting your drink on. read more

NOT MEXICAN, it's tex-mex. the service was shit, would've been nice to know that the sour cream that my table never used was an extra $3 each, food came late, it was cold and we waited literally for 45 mins and 4 rounds of chips and dip. I ordered a torta (Mexican burger) and literally, it came in an american bun.. Google what a torta is if you don't know... If you want authentic, go to charrito's down the street. read more

East LA - Does this look like a torta to you? Lol - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Amazing atmosphere, amazing staff and most importantly amazing food and cocktails (the raspberry and coconut margarita is popular for good reason). Alone, with friends or even with family, you'll feel right at home. The waiter Ryan supplied the tunes tonight and it was mainstream accessible but not overplayed, you wont roll your eyes listening to his picks, i swear. Kickass first dinner on the east coast for this Australian boy. read more

This place is under new management and they are cutting every corner they can. Couldn't tell the difference between chicken and steak quesadillas because neither contained meat. Even the salsa isn't what it used to be. Had an upset stomach after eating here. Too bad -- used to be a great place. read more

*sangria margarita (strong frozen margarita) *industrial quesadilla (chorizo, mushrooms & onions; this was super amazing!! The flavors were popping and the amount of salt in it was perfect; tortilla was crisp and thin; the guamole was something else, I could not believe how creamy it was!!! this entire dish was done right and I would totally go back for it) *peach margarita (really strong; not as much peach flavor as I would like, maybe even some canned peaches would have helped, regardless though it was still good) read more

I would like to thank MARGARETT for a great experience !!! Great service is HIGHLY appreciated!!!!! read more

I don't get why they limit you to just 3 margaritas, they were so weak, I had mine on the rocks so maybe the frozen ones are stronger but anyway I had the coconut margarita on the rocks, it was good but again, WEAK, and I'm not one of those idiots that wants to taste nothing but alcohol in their drink, I bartend, I know that's not how a drink should taste, but whatever now i know to ask for a shot on the side because I hate frozen drinks... The food isn't anything to write home about, I've eaten here like maybe 3 or 4 times now, and honestly it was a while ago so I don't really remember it much, which kinda proves my point.... But I just had to write a review after My friend and I sat at the bar like 2 days ago and ordered the chili con queso app, and I swear to bob it looked like that cheese dip tostitos has lol, except the tostitos dip tastes better, which is pathetic, the regular salsa however was decent, and the service is great, the bartender is so cool, very nice and attentive, I'll return for him cause good service now a days seems hard to find, this place is cool, not great but not terrible, I'll be back for that coconut margarita on the rocks (shot on the side) ;] read more

Eh. Came here hoping that this restaurant would be better than some of the negative reviews but overall we were disappointed. I understand during times like these and especially outdoor dining, things must be crazy but this restaurant should definitely work on providing better service. We were seated after waiting about 10 minutes on a busy Saturday evening. Immediately after seating (I believe the owner) approached us and informed us there was a 60 minute limit on the table. Immediately I knew that this place was probably just not worth it. They rushed us to order and we were not satisfied. First off, the service was horrendous; we saw our waiter a total of two times, when we ordered and when we had to ask for the check. The food was not authentic Mexican cuisine, stick to Chipotle. A couple of us had ordered margaritas which was basically water and tequila. A lot of better restaurants in the area to visit! read more

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Just not excited about this place. I felt like i was sitting at a folding table in someone's garage, and it was loud but not in a fun way-- just in a noisy way. The margaritas were good, but the food was just okay. The service pretty awful, and even though it was cinco demayo, they weren't busy inside at all so im not sure why it took so long to get anyone's attention. I dont know why its so hard to get good mexican food in NJ but, East LA will go on my long list of last resorts for Mexican. read more

Margaritas pack a serious punch and the food is pretty freakin good. Huge portions and our server was helpful and in a great mood for 11 on a Wednesday night.. I've walked in and out of this place about a half dozen times over the last two years since I heard it was good, but its always very very crowded and when I realize the hostess is M.I.A., I usually hit the road and go somewhere else. I can see why it's busy, but would definitley like to see the host/hostess more attentive to people when they walk in. According to some other people's not-so humble opinion, I "must really be one of those new Hobokeners we always talk about." I don't know who "we" is, but I'll tell you this much: Yes, Charritos is also good, but let's be serious for a second here. We're in New Jersey. East LA sells enchiladas and fajitas. If you want authentic mexican, go to Mexico. This place is legit...assuming you can get a table. read more

The Breakfast is surprisingly good Get the shrimp salad ! Make sure you specify you want the lunch menu if it's still before 2:00 read more

I'll give this place only star cause the only thing that was good was the chips and salsa. Service absolutely sucks. There's this bald guy with a beard who kept telling customers to have a seat and was bringing them ice water. He got ice water for everyone that he had seated except me. I had to ask a waitress for ice water. That's so messed up. The food - not worth the price. The portions are extremely small. Now going back to the bald guy. He came up to me to ask me If I was okay while I was standing outside minding my own business but he couldn't bring me a glass of ice water. SMH !! Like how do you bring water for everyone except for one person ???!! I would NOT recommend this place at all. Don't waste your time or money. read more

OMFG! THIS PLACE IS STILL AROUND?! I used to live at 500 Washington on the top floor...directly next to the building East L.A. occupies. But that was back in 1991. The food at East L.A. was crap back then, and pretty much a joke to native Hobokenites, mostly because the owner's wife was having an affair with one of the bar tenders. All the native Hobokenites talked about it...how he was a closet homosexual...she was a virgin when she married him...it was a sexless-loveless marriage. The gossips (men, nonetheless) were merciless. He was my landlord, as well, and I felt bad for how mean people were behind his back, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for their little boy when he grew up. Surely he was going to hear all this. The gossips couldn't wait to tell me, after I moved in, that I occupied the owner's mother's old apartment...which she "earned" by having an affair with the mayor. Apparently, she did pretty well as his mistress because he put the building in her name, as well as a few others, like the one East L.A. occupies on the ground floor. I'm glad I didn't grow up in such a small town with petty people who couldn't wait to see me fail. It is shocking sometimes how unbelieveably cruel and callous people can be. Anyway, small town drama aside, it was the food that was a joke to me. I was raised on Mexican food as a child, and this food didn't resemble anything close to Mexican food, aside from the names on the menu. It was horribly disappointing. The salsa tasted like marinara and the rice and beans...yuk! I have a suggestion for the manager...HIRE A MEXICAN COOK OR TWO...not someone from Puerto Rico or Santo Domingo. And your grandmother's marinara recipe does NOT work for salsa...try some clinatro...lime... tomatillos...or just skip the food altogether and focus solely on what you're really there to sell...alcohol. read more

Cheap food and strong drinks draw an excited crowd, one that probably doesn't even care or remember what the food tastes like after 2-3 margaritas. Chips and salsa were okay. Guacamole was okay. Everything else? I almost feel bad for being this harsh because my waitress was so sweet, but I'm just going to say it: If I ate Taco Bell and then regurgitated it on my plate, it would have tasted better. read more

East LA - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Wait...what? What happened? The menu was appetizing, the salsa great... Then the worst waitress ever, combined with food that wasn't even made the way the menu stated with the ingredients the menu stated---with no explanation or help from the waitress, plus the not so great prices... =Fail. read more

At one time I recall thinking I liked East L.A. Irrespective of whether my recollection is correct, I'm not digging it now. If you have mediocre food, have cheap drinks. If you don't have cheap drinks, have good food. East L.A. you're breaking these rules. Please don't let me come back. I've eaten here far too often. read more

Saturday afternoon in Hoboken and we stopped in East LA for a late lunch. Im gonna say it was okay, just okay... Firstly, the menu is sort of sparse, half of the two page menu are egg dishes with the remainder being some basic Mexican. some additions would help round it out, maybe a few salads & apps would help. I was very happy to get my Negro Modelo from the tap ! Thats gotta be a first for me. East LA is a pretty basic place, a small bar is right at the entrance with seating outside and further into the building. At first it had a feel of a corner bar, what is most confounding is a "No Hat" policy... ... Im not even sure what to say, if it were of a more refined ambience i could go along with it, but i don't get for this place. As i said the food was okay, nothing special or exemplary, just okay. They get three stars, one of which is for the Negro Modelo. Service was... Serviceable read more

I tried several times to like East L.A. but I just can't. The food is mediocre and a glimpse into the kitchen only confirms suspicions that this place is more interested in being a bar rather than a restaurant. Every time I've eaten there it's felt like I overpaid for remarkably bland food and barely there service. There is no shortage of mexican restaurants in Hoboken that can serve fairly priced delicious food - don't bother with East LA. read more

First time I went here the waitress forgot to give our order to the kitchen. We had to wait 2 hours for food but got two free pitchers of sangria. Frustrating, but I'll forgive mistakes especially when there are free drinks involved. This time, we got our food right away only mine had pieces of broken glass in it. We got a free meal and drinks, but no amount of free anything will make me return to a place where I nearly cracked a molar and swallowed pieces of glass. Sorry, East LA, but that's unforgivable. read more

Favorite place for Happy Hour. Good and basic frozen margaritas and I think it's half off appetizers.

Only people that have never tasted a real margarita or real guacamole can like this place. When a Mexican place serves store bough guac and your margarita (on the rocks) has the same color of soda water you know you have been scammed. Horrific experience. Never again. read more

I have been here before and liked it, but I was having Margaritas with my meal! I had a dinner with out Margaritas last night and the food was horrible. I would only come back for the Margaritas and some nachos or something. The food was really bad. The service on the other hand was friendly and attentive, hence the two stars. read more

Mediocre Mexican food, but great salsa and chips! Lol They got some good Modelo and other mexican beers on tap too. Overall, really good service though, so maybe its a place to come for a quick drink and a bite. I just came here cuz I am from LA, and saw a place called East LA in Hoboken, NJ! read more

I think I like this place better than Charritos. I know everyone loves Charritos. I will say Charritos has much better and bigger portion of guacamole. But I think overall I like the taste of the chips, chicken, salad and nachos better.. the margaritas are also outstanding:) Get yourself a pitcher or two. Make sure to get some outside seating it is prime people watching. read more

If I could review with a negative rating I would do so. We anticipated visiting this location for a while but after not being acknowledged and then being discriminated against we would not recommend or return. The staff is very inconsiderate and not professional. read more

This review is definitely for kick-ass margaritas. And I mean KICK ASS. One drink and you are nice, two and you are really nice, three...don't get up. I see so many bad reviews about this place...yes the wait staff is slow, yes the the margarita glasses are really for milkshakes, and yes it might seem dark and perhaps not so clean (of course I have never noticed the latter since it is pretty dark) , but the food isn't all that bad, it helps me stand up after drinking. But I think if you want a good time, eat some chips and salsa and get totally plastered on margaritas, this is the place for you. read more

East LA - Nachos, Pomegranate and Mango Margaritas. - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Was already not having a pleasant experience. Service was horrible, food was terrible. And to top everything off, while me and my colleagues were there they denied this couple (wife clearly had disabilities) to enter with their service dog. Will never come here again! read more

We went to East LA because the other restaurant we wanted to go to had a long wait. The hostess at East LA informed us that there was a 20 minute wait so we waited at the tables outside. After 30 mins, we went inside, only to find out they forgot about us. That should have been a sign to leave but we were hungry so we stayed. Big mistake. The restaurant must think that it's a bad club, starting at around 7 pm. The terrible music was so loud that we had to shout to hear eachother over the thumpa-thumpa club music circa 2002. Our frozen margaritas were poorly mixed and you could taste the tequila and strawberry syrup. They got the job done but were a bit painful to drink. Other than the decent chips and salsa, the food was bland and boring. The guacamole was a decent sized portion but did not taste fresh at all. I ordered the combo meal of a bean and cheese burrito and guacamole tostada. I had to cover my food in salsa to spice it up. The portions were big but the taste was small. The service was awful - we had no idea who our waiter was as the one who came to our table first disappeared and throughout the night we flagged different people to accomplish the very difficult tasks of bringing and refilling our water and taking our order. When our meal was over we waited a good 20 minutes for the check. If you're looking for good Mexican, avoid East LA. I've had better food at Chipotle. read more

The margaritas from this place are really good. My personal favorite is the sangria margarita. It only takes a couple to have you feeling nice. The food is mediocre nothing extravagant. I recommended just getting appetizers, their entrees are ok. If you go on a weekend the service and wait is a little longer than usual with the big crowd. read more

We went there last night for Jason's bday after I had read reviews on yelp. This place is great!! Everyone was super nice, the food was yummy- they give you big portions of chips and salsa & the margarita's were AMAZING!! AND they had banana flavor!! They were a little higher than I thought they should be for Hoboken, but well worth it. The table next to us started talking to us and bought Jason a drink for his bday- so sweet. Then right as we were leaving, Daphne Oz from The Chew on ABC walked in with her family & was seated right behind us. She was so nice and gracious enough to pose for a picture! We will definitely be going back!! read more

I'd say a solid 2.5 stars. There really isn't too much to say that hasn't already been said by literally almost every review here. The margarita's are awesome, strong and on Tuesday's they are $5, watch out! The sangria flavor is my favorite and packs quite a punch. Service here is spotty and inconsistent. One time we went we got our drinks in red solo cups. Now I'm a fraternity guy, but that was a long time ago, when I pay for drinks now I don't expect solo cups. The food is definitely an afterthought, if you are coming here just for food, walk another 20 feet to Sabores great authentic Mexican food. If you want a bite while consuming intense margarita's stay here. I don't think I need to go into great detail about the food as everyone else has. The crowd at night is interesting. read more

Amazing service ! Amazing margs. Amazing nachos. Great music! Very quick service and everyone is extremely friendly and helpful ! 10/10 recommend especially for happy hour for drinks and apps. read more