While El Cholo is a go-to for fabulous dinners in the main dining room, don't overlook it for **Happy Hour**! They run great food and drink specials from **3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday**. The open bar area and lounge, featuring large community tables, make it one of the best spots in the area for large gatherings and a lively atmosphere. **Staff Spotlight: Kathy** I want to leave a well-deserved 5-star shout-out for **Kathy**. Even during the slower parts of the day, she is incredibly friendly, warm, and attentive. She has a genuine way of making you feel welcome the moment you sit down. She is a seasoned professional and a true asset to the team. **A Note on the Experience** One thing I noticed during my visit was how focused the staff is on the entrance. I realized the entire team is trained to greet every single person who walks through the door whether they are heading to the bar, the host stand, or leaving for the day. While the management's dedication to hospitality is clear, it can feel a bit unnatural to have that constant distraction during a conversation. Every time I've ever been into the restaurant, the host always has always said hello and goodbye. The veterans here, especially Kathy, are the fabric of this place; their natural ability to care for guests is what makes this location special. **To the Owner:** You have an exceptional team. I have been coming to this restaurant for many years and so many of your staff members, including Kathy's service is exactly why people keep coming back. It's wonderful to see a staff so dedicated to the El Cholo standard! Here is a revised version that emphasizes the space's utility for networking and professional events: **Recommendation:** If you are planning a holiday party, a large corporate gathering, or a networking mixer, this is the perfect spot. The layout makes it easy for everyone to circulate and connect, and the pricing is very reasonable for the incredible authentic quality you get. Be sure to stop by the bar and ask for **Kathy** she'll make sure your group is well-taken care of! read more

It has been a couple of years and wanted to write an updated review. We came here for Happy Hour! I enjoy their margaritas! I also love their chopped vegetable salad. It is crunchy and has a nice citrus dressing. My husband ordered a combo plate: chili relleno and enchilada which comes with rice and beans. He has ordered this before and both times the enchilada sauce was just okay, thus the 4 stars. Service at the bar was 5 star by Salvadore (?). He was very attentive, kind and professional. Happy Hour has great prices for drinks and a limited food menu. On this occasion we ordered from the regular menu, just because I was craving their chopped salad and my husband really likes their chili relleno . read more

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I'll start by saying the food was delicious lots of cheese on my enchilada and plenty guacamole which was tasty along side some warm chips. I'm old enough to remember the Western location when the servers wore original dress and took care to look presentable. At the Santa Monica location last night there were two employees at the desk. The female dressed in black wore pants and a shirt which showed her bellybutton, she barely looked up to check us in for out reservation. The young man next to her wasn't much better in dress. His white shirt was wrinkled pants a little dirty. His hair was sloppy and unbrushed. He honestly looked as though he rolled out after a long night of partying. He did though speak and walked us to our tables. Our server, a woman, didn't give her name and was nonchalant, no engagement at all, no eye contact, smh The food as stated was fabulous but not returning due to employees lack of polished demeanor. One more point the valet was perfect. He made eye contact, smiled which goes far. read more

Went on a Friday afternoon for Happy Hour. Chose a small table in the bar area. Nice staff. Clean. Great Chicken Fajitas! Margaritas done right. Been here many times over the past ten years or so but I think this is my first time reviewing. We really enjoy coming here and recommend it to anyone looking for good Mexican food and a nice Happy Hour. read more

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I was there on a Friday night. Waited at the bar until my friend arrived and everyone from the host stand to the bartender were welcoming and kind. We were seated quickly once I let the hostess know the party was ready - and we got a great table. The drinks, the service and the food were all memorable. If you are craving that old school (think 1970s) Mexican restaurant- this will fit the bill. All the classics (I had a taco / enchilada combo) asked for no rice and got double beans (perfect.) read more

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I've come here steadily over 20 years and it never disappoints. The ambiance, the food and great service together make for a truly wonderful experience every time. And I mean every time. So many exceptional dinners here with friends over the years! Thank you, El Cholo! read more

Chicken chimichanga with rice and beans. Also, guacamole. Everything was a little bland and blank on flavor! read more

El Cholo - Chicken Chimichangas - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I went here for lunch with a friend on a Tuesday afternoon around 12. It was not busy at all and we were seating immediately - we chose outdoor seating. There is complimentary chips and salsa after being seated. I ordered the lunch special and my friend got t fish tacos. Her order came with 3 tacos, rice, beans and guacamole. I got the chile relleno and tamale and the special came with the Cesar salad. Price wise, the lunch "special" was still about $20 when the dinner price of the entree with rice and beans is only ~$22 so it doesn't seem like you are getting a deal at all since you don't get the rice and beans. The chile relleno was also a lot smaller than ones I've had at other restaurants - only seems to have half a pepper inside. The tamale and salad were good and filling. Street parking in the neighborhood or on the Main Street, we found parking easily on a weekday afternoon. There is also an option to valet your car. read more

El Cholo - Chile relleno - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Came here with a friend for a light dinner. First impression: clean and welcoming. Our server was patient and kind--since we were catching up, he checked in a few times but also gave us space, which I really appreciated. I ordered the garden salad and it was better than expected: jicama, corn, red onion, avocado, and a nice tangy dressing that really gave it a punch. I enjoyed it and would definitely come back to try something else next time. P.s. bathrooms were nicely kept read more

We came here for a holiday lunch with our team. It was so wonderful we got the guacamole as apps and then everyone got an entree. Staff was so wonderful, would 100% come back!! They had these really long banquet tables it was so nice! Will definitely be back. read more

El Cholo - Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas (1985) - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Really nice decor and spacious dining area. Looks like an outdoor courtyard. Services is friendly and welcoming. Food variety is good and good quality read more

I've been born and raised in LA and have surprisingly never have been to El Cholo before but have heard about it. I guess I need to start venturing out of the South Bay more. But as they state, El Cholo is the first Mexican restaurant in LA. So we finally got to try the Santa Monica location recently although it was only for Happy Hour but it was still delicious none the less. Margaritas were classic, Albondigas and Flautas hit the spot. I'm definitely a fan now. read more

I always enjoy my time here! It is such a festive, fun atmosphere. The staff and guests are seemingly happy. It would be amazing to work where everyone is so dedicated to being happy. The food: I ordered the fish tacos and they were spot on. Perfectly spiced, so that my wife doesn't try to take them, but mild enough for me to enjoy. The drinks are perfectly made and I could easily be content bringing friends here often. I strongly recommend that you go here for great times, very good food , and a warm atmosphere! read more

El Cholo - My group - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I grew up going to the original El Cholo on Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Their food was always delicious and service was great. My husband and I have also been to the other locations several times (Pasadena which is now closed) and Santa Monica. Our experience last night on New Year's Day was very disappointing. Although the food was very tasty and the service was outstanding - the portions have completely changed and become very small. The Chile Relleno only had 1/4 of a Poblano Chile inside with barely any cheese. It was mainly egg batter (picture shown). The cheese enchilada barely had any cheese. It was mainly a tortilla folded with sauce on it. The restaurant itself is rather large. They have valet parking and street parking. We won't be returning to the Santa Monica location anymore. I hope they look into this because for the prices they charge to serve a Chile Relleno with a 1/4 of a Poblano Chile is highway robbery. read more

Came to El Cholo with a big group that's been coming here for years. We ordered the carne asada burrito, carne asada plate, and a kids bean and cheese burrito. (plus guac, margaritas, and Palomas.) My carne asada was fire and everyone else said their food was great too. Our server was awesome, and I'll definitely be back! read more

Really terrible food however really good ambience. Prices are exorbitant for the quality of the food.

We love El Cholo Santa Monica. We've been coming to El Cholo for over 50 years! Beginning with the original on Western! My favorite current dish is the Santa Barbara enchiladas with black beans. My hubby enjoys the two enchilada combo with ground beef and refried beans. This evening we had albondigas soup and Sonora Nachos with ground beef, delicious! Wendy was our server. She is always sweet and attentive. We haven't seen her in a while but she remembers we like the pralines and brought us a few after our meal. While we missed having Michael make our margaritas this evening, the new Fina Margarita with Cristalino Patron was delicious and I highly recommended having one or two!!! This place has history. It isn't trendy but authentic filled with heart and love for the community. Even the valets remember us when we come and greet us warmly. You can't put a price tag on that. That said, May I suggest a minor detail of putting tables together of equal height so one isn't an inch higher than the other? I only mention because a simple swap would eliminate this issue as the two set ups side by side in the bar area could have easily been swapped and no one would even know the tables weren't all the same height. Attention to little details speaks volumes. Still, we love this place and will continue to be supportive patrons! read more

My fiancé and my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. The best most cozy place ever for date nights or brunch or birthday dinners or family gatherings. This is absolutely our go to. The service is always great and fast with great food food and very comfortable environment. I have so many memories here. I would be so sad if they ever left Santa Monica. read more

El Cholo - Shrimp and steak fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We went for lunch this afternoon. I ordered a chile relleno plate w flour tortillas and a carnitas plate. The carnitas arrived cold and guacamole served was brown!!! Then The chile relleno arrived and it looked decent but the size was like the palm of my hand and they are small. The egg batter was fluffed and I kept looking for green chile and found a sliver of green skin for chile. I called over the waiter and he said that's how we make it! I said where's the Chile relleno this is nothing but egg? Why am I paying $20 for battered egg whites? I refused to pay my hard earned money. They guy said well that's what we have. My friends good was horrible and cold. We paid for 2 sodas and left. This is despicable I am sure the original owner would agree. I asked Waiter if they still made fresh flour tortillas and he said yes? Well when they arrived at hey we're Mission tortillas at best. What happened to this place? Skip it it's not Mexican food . It's old food cheaply made. Good bye!!!! read more

I was craving Mexican food, so my friend recommended El Cholo because growing up in LA it was her Grandma's favorite restaurant. Established in 1923, El Cholo is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles. The atmosphere and decor feels very cozy, family-friendly and authentic, and the portions are huge. I'd recommend their famous Green Corn Tamales with their habanero salsa, and their Burrito Dorado which is my personal favorite. El Cholo also has a large selection of margaritas, and if you ask them at the end they'll give you their homemade cookies. The cookies were out of this world and like nothing I've ever had before, I couldn't help but ask for some more to take home with me! Did I mention they also had amazing service? read more

This is a classic Mexican place in the heart of Santa Monica. The service is great and the food is good but leaves a little to be desired for. We had the fajitas and a few different apps. Would come back for dinner with friends! read more

Very good Tex mex type spot! Fajitas are great, love the salsa and the guac is fantastic. Almost as good as Don Antonio's so if you're a bit farther into the westside this spot is great. read more

I ended up getting sick! Not good. First off, the place feels kinda funky and not that clean, especially in the bar area. Portions are a good size and prices are fair, but the chips tasted like bad oil, and my side of cabbage was so wilted and not fresh. I was almost done with my meal and I felt nauseous - I ended up getting sick within a few hours of leaving the restaurant. I called the restaurant the next morning and spoke to a very kind manager and she gave me a refund, and didn't hesitate. The other weird thing was my friend accidentally spilled her glass of water which fell on the floor. She picked up the glass, but no one cleaned up the straw or lemon or ice that fell on the floor, and the waitress and bussers walked by several times. It's like... they just don't care! Will never go back! read more

Growing up, this was the spot that my mom loved, but I like others better. Things have changed. The crab taquitos are the bomb and, even better, they're on the happy hour menu. My mom comes for the tamales when is season. Pretty decent chips and salsa. Big spot, have an outdoor patio and a decent bar. Often has tennis on, which makes me happy. read more

It's been many years since my last visit to El Cholo. It was completely out of my realm of thinking. I thank my son for recommending it for our latest family dinner. I forgot how good the food at this wonderful restaurant is. For example you can't go wrong with El Cholo's patented Green Corn Tamales. And the Chili Relleno I ordered was the best I had ever eaten. Most of the heat was cooked out of the pepper, but it retained an amazing Crunnncchh. Don't let this place pass you by. Go for it! read more

Why is this place rated so high? The guacamole? Absolutely. The salsa? If mild is your thing, sure. The fajitas? Depends. If you seek a higher ratio of bell peppers compared to your protein, you are in heaven. The burrito? Yep it's massive, and the crunch of black beans is the star, for your dentist. I had the burrito. Can't recall the name. It's massive. I ate maybe 1/4. It comes with a lot of rice, crunchy black beans - I assume they were not meant to be al dente. Guacamole, that was in a tiny cup, your protein, sour cream and cheese - which I removed. I went shrimp for my protein replacing the chicken. They were cool with the switch. Huge plus. I guess there is a run on tiny shrimp, because at best there were nine. In the entire burrito. I know this because I used a fork and opened up this bad boy. I can't understand why the guacamole wasn't in the burrito and why it wasn't refried beans? They include a salad, though. They show the year it became part of the menu. I think it was 1967. Regardless, they are late to the game. I recommend going back in a time machine say 1824. My friend had said fajitas with chicken. She ate all the chicken, part of the refried beans and some of the veggies, but my god there was a ton of those green, yellow and red peppers left over. My guess? A new version of M&Ms - veggie version. read more

El Cholo - Fajitas. Carrot sticks included. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the meal. I think that the prices are pretty high for the portion sizes but we did enjoy our dishes. I would return for happy hour, but I find that $30 a plate for a small portion seems to be overpriced. The margs range from 15-22 which is normal and I will say you can taste the alcohol and they give you a little tequila shooter. The patio is nice for hanging with friends and inside they have a lot of space for big parties. read more

El Cholo - Carne Asada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

When you place an order for delivery never ever utensils in the bag this my third time placing an order for pick up alway have to ask for utensils Place order for taco No lemons You are only only your 15 minutes makes and you have to ask for utensil as they expect you to eat with your hands I guess You have to keep waiting when you ask for lemons The girl is the front said sorry like she did it mean it And moved to next guess without even acknowledge that this was not taken care of She just ignored me Manager was super nice about it Why do you have people at your desk who don't even care for the services they give Who perpares an other to go without napkins and utensils at any restaurant I tried three chances given no more No excuse read more

My uncle and aunt had their Engagement Party which became their wedding here and what an AMAZING place to hold such an event! The service here is impeccable, as is the food! We all had wonderful meals and desserts & a drag queen officiated the wedding! Plus there was an all-female Mariachi band providing entertainment! On my way out I was given a nice big bottle of water for my trip home (stayed in Palm Desert that night)! Very awesome staff & ownership here! read more

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This place is solid old school Mexican. We were surprised by how big it was inside. It's really nice and roomy. There are lots of tables and booths. You can sit indoor or outdoor. We loved that they had a full bar. We got the albóndigas soup. I didn't get a photo, but it was very good. Spicy and warm and the meatballs were great. We also got the fajitas with chicken and mole enchiladas. Both were solid. Nothing over the top amazing, but just good. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was nice. He wasn't super attentive, but he was also busy. This place gets a solid 4. read more

El Cholo - Enchiladas Mole - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Went there to watch the 49ers on Monday night on the way to LAX. My son moved to Manhattan a few years ago and anytime he's in town he wants to stalk up on good Mexican food. I find it amusing that some of these comments say EL Cholo isn't real Mexican food. It's literally the foundation of Mexican food in LA. First time at this location but have gone to the original location a few times. So, on to the review, not lying, got off to a little bit of a Rocky start with the server, but it smoothed out as he figured out, we weren't tourists. We started with some of their specialty Margaritas, specifically the Gran Traditional (5), LA Lemonade (5) and the La Flaca (5). They were all spot on and not a premix in sight. Appetizers: chips (5) and salsa (2) are complimentary. The house salsa is really really mild (2), ask for some habanero salsa and mix some of that in, until you get the heat level you like (5). Habanero salsa (5) straight, its awesome on its own, but only for the extreme heat fan. It also adds a nice smokey flavor as well as heat when mixed into the house. We also ordered guacamole (4), very tasty, just needed a little of the salt from our margarita rims. The STAR and must order though, are the Crab Taquitos (5), I will remember to swing in for theses on a regular basis. The Beef Taquitos (4) were great too and went well with the Crab. Entrees: A taste of History (5), Fajitas' steak and chicken (4), No.1 with chicken enchilada (4). Service: (5) started off a little rough, but as he grew more comfortable with us, he was great, we can be a little intimidating at first, I guess. Dessert: (5) don't forget to ask for the complimentary pralines, wow small but mighty. Valet: (5) Next Time: definitely the Crab Taquitos, A taste of history and try the Green corn tamales and the blue corn chicken enchiladas. We will be back of course, but there are many great Mexican places in town of all types. This one is old school Baja border Mexican food, not Yucatan or some of the other more refined regions. Although I didn't try their Mole, one of the true tests of the quality of the kitchen. read more

Amazing there were 16 of us and the service along with the food were fantastic. Welcoming as well helping celebrate birthday.

El Cholo is a long standing LA spot for Mexican food. It's a fun place with something on the menu for all. Great for family gatherings and big groups. Be aware that food portions are large! read more

Came here for a work event that hosted about 40 people. The guacamole is excellent, really couldn't get enough! I also got the cheese enchiladas which was super tasty and super cheesy! The margaritas aren't boozey, but have a slow burn and the next thing you know you're two drinks in! Overall though the star of the show are the staff!! Our wait team were just two people, a young man and woman w long red hair. They were extremely helpful, attentive, and efficient. Great service!! read more

We have been going to El Cholo for as long as I can remember - 50 years maybe. It was our go-to Mexican restaurant, where we always knew we could get a delicious meal. WHAT HAPPENED? We went there for lunch yesterday and I swear, they changed the chef. The rice and beans were very skimpy. In the old days, I could never finish the portions. The rice was tasteless, the shrimp taco was a mini taco/street taco size - when did they reduce the size of the tortilla?), the beans were fine and the shrimps were tasty. My husband ordered a combo plate and he ordered the ground beef in his taco: he said it was tasteless Was it because we went there for lunch instead of dinner??? I don't know what happened. The service was excellent and our waiter was very attentive, and of course, the ambience was top notch, as usual. But I'm really bummed out with the food that was served to us; really heart-broken... read more

Frequent this place due to friends who adore it and is their go to. I've finally found my favorite items at our last visit and it's the El dorado burrito and chicken chimichangas - be ready for leftovers! Their chips and salsa are always such great starters and I love the warm chips! I also love their chopped salad. Such large portions. The drinks are well spot on and tasty as well. We also love the staff that's so kind and entertaining. Atmosphere is family friendly and overall chill with great cleanliness and professionalism. Highly recommend and definitely will be back. read more

Love this place. Always order beef fajitas, that's my favorite interior is very nice too read more

The hosts and waitresses are very kind and provide professional service at this location. Normally, over the years I have patronized El Cholo, I haven't had any complaints about the flavor of the food choices I have made. However, my recent order of the Santa Barbara enchiladas was so SALTY! After expressing my disappointment to my dinner guests, one said she has noticed some of the dishes she enjoyed in the past were salty. So, my advice would be for El Cholo management to taste and see if the cook is heavy handed on the salt. I didn't enjoy this visit. read more

**YeEl Cholo, the place that promises a fiesta but delivers more of a siesta. I had high hopes for a vibrant Mexican meal, but unfortunately, the overall experience was a bit lackluster--like a piñata that just won't break. Let's start with the margaritas, which were highly recommended. I'm not sure if they were trying to appeal to the sweet tooth crowd or if they mistook the concept of balance, but these drinks were like sipping on a sugary cloud. Seriously, if I wanted a sugar rush, I'd have opted for a candy bar. A little more tequila wouldn't have hurt either; I like my margaritas to have a bit of a kick, not feel like I'm drinking a dessert. As for the food, it was fine--just fine. Nothing to write home about or to share on social media, really. I've had better Mexican food at the same price point right down the street in Santa Monica. The flavors just didn't pop, and the dishes felt like they were missing that authentic flair that makes Mexican cuisine so vibrant and exciting. Overall, El Cholo didn't quite hit the mark for me. It's not that it was terrible; it just didn't stand out in a city with a plethora of fantastic Mexican options. If you're looking for a place to grab a drink and some mediocre food, it might do the trick, but I'll be heading elsewhere for my next taco fix! read more

One of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles! Service here is so friendly and welcoming, there's plenty of indoor as well as outdoor seating as well as valet parking and street parking. Prices are fair, portions, generous, and the food is made to order quickly. They have a large variety of their menu, there is something for everyone. We really enjoyed the food, great option. If you are looking to revisit history, I'm so glad that places like this are still around! read more

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