Came to this restaurant with a friend a few days ago for the first time! It's a cute, vintage like atmosphere! They first welcomed us with house bread! Then we both got breaded steak with rice and beans, yummy! I got a banana smoothie which was so good as well! The server was kind and checked on us regularly! If you haven't tried this place, you're missing out! :) read more

This place has been around for a very long time and while the quality of the food is not the same as with the original owners, it remains a sound option for Cuban food. Portion size is good, quality and taste is acceptable as is the customer service and price. Parking accessibility is also good. While my go-to place for local Cuban food remains La Cubana, this remains my second best. read more

Horrible customer service to non Latinos. Pedro the waiter went around every table except ours. Water refills hard to come by. Black beans were excellent. read more

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We ordered the shrimp salad and a beef dish. The shrimp salad consisted of shrimp over a bed of lettuce. It was plain and over priced. The beef dish had an after taste that I did not care for. The bread was good. The beans were flavorless. read more

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OO is how I'll start this review off . . . [by now you most of you know what my "OO" rating stands for, if you don't ~ read my previous reviews.] ;) Can I tell you first about their home made chili sauce, another OO in my book, man it's so delicious, I use the entire jar on my food, the waitress once asked me if I "drank it." Hehehehe What do I usually order you ask? Well it's a no brainer, I always order, and would recommend the Bistek Empanizado, which is a thin breaded steak, served with white rice and black beans [in a separate bowl, so you can pour over your rice]. Also, ask for extra lemon to squeeze over your steak, OMG, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. Yummers! Comparing Versailles and El Colmao ("EC") EC wins hands DOWN!!! Versailles was tasteless and the only salsa they offer is in a bottle, yuck! I've been going to EC for about 26 years now, and have turned a few people on to the place by taking them ~ and NOT ONE person didn't like it. I suggest you go a lil after the "normal" lunch hour to avoid the abundance of "regulars" who dine there; I say going to EC, is like going to Cuba w/out the need for a passport . . . Oh and their fried bananas w/sour cream on the side . . . makes your meal complete, as well as your oral orgasm. ;) As Rick M. says below: "Comparing Versailles to El Colmao would be like talking about how Acapulco is the best spot to get Mexican food. El Colmao is Authentic. Versailles is good, don't get me wrong, but it is a little more cookie cutter. " I say GO, enjoy and please send me a message when you do go telling me how much you loved your food. Cheers! 08/05/09 [2:14 P.M.]: AFTER writing this review TODAY, I HAD to go there for lunch, ordered the usual . . . and as usual, it was DEEEELICIOUS. read more

My father wanted to introduce me to Cuban food and brought me here. It was a nice experience. The server was friendly but she hardly came to our table. The food was surprisingly great. I had a Cuban chicken avocado sandwich with a side order of fried plantains and Congri which is mixed rice and black beans. That tasted delicious. Their Cuban coffee is one of the best I've had, but certainly not the best. Their desserts are great too, I suggest the flan. Overall I give this place three stars because the attention from servers wasn't awesome and the place was a bit old and run down but still okay. The prices weren't friendly either. But the portions were decent. This is not a place I would hit up all the time, but I would not forget about it. I do recommend it if you're into Cuban cuisine. read more

Awesome Cuban sandwich and garlic shrimp! Other notables included breaded steak, the braised oxtail pictured on the back cover of the menu. The avocado and side salads were disappointing...plain avocado with onion and iceberg mix; both served naked! The rice and beans were plentiful - I would recommend getting the plain rice and beans rather than mixing (couldn't taste the pork.) Happy to have found a great Cuban sandwich in Los Angeles. read more

El Colmao - Garlic shrimp plate with mixed beans and rice - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was having lunch with a certain someone, and we decided on Cuban food. After getting a recommendation from a buddy of mine, we decided to come here. This restaurant is located in a small shopping plaza. In spite of limited parking spaces, we found a spot not far from the entrance. At first, this place seemed pretty average. I did not know what to expect, as we walked in to this place. It's been around for a while, I assume, as the decor is a little older. There was plenty of seating, and it was not too busy that day. We sat down at a table, close to the bar area, and the waitress brought us our menus. While we decided on what to order, I got a glass of water and a cappuccino. I decided to go with the chicken, with a side of beans and rice, and some plantains on the side. The wait to get our food was short. I was pleasantly surprised at the portion sizes here! Where other restaurants skimp customers on portions, especially meat, this place gives you an abundance of food. My food was all around delicious! And the plantains made for a great dessert. The staff here was friendly and attentive. They took care of us, and checked up on us consistently. After having our great meal, and getting the check, we thanked the staff here as we made our way back home. We had enough food left over for another meal, which took care of my dinner that day. This is a great Cuban restaurant. It compares to others I've been to in the greater LA area, but not as commercialized as others. They did a great job here, I hope they do not change their ways anything soon! read more

I had my first taste of El Colmao over 15 years ago!!!! We used to get it To-Go all time. I was addicted to their "Bistec Empanizado with savory garlic rice & rich black beans. I ESPECIALLY loved their jalapeño "salsa"!!! We ordered it the other day for old time's sake and the price of the Bistec Empanizado was raised to over $15!!!!! Oh. My. Gosh. However, I still wanted to eat it so we ordered. When I initially called, they said that they would deliver. My work is less than 2 miles away. When we called again to put the order in, they said that they would deliver. But!!!! A few minutes after we put in the order, they called us back to say the delivery fee would be $20!!!!!!! We said forget it and went to pick it up. Everything about the restaurant was frozen in time. Same 60s decor. There was NO ONE in the restaurant at noon on a weekend. All our food was prepped and ready to go. They initially wanted to charge another $1 for the fabulous jalapeño salsa, but the cook waived the fee...probably because we ordered more than $100 worth of food. The food portions were as generous as ever...but now we paid for the cost. The metal container was filled to the brim with rice with the ginormous Bistec atop of it. The rice & the beans were wonderful!!!! The Bistec was good, but I had some reservations about the quality of the meat. Why was it so soft & gummy? The jalapeño salsa was FANTASTIC!!! Nice heat that builds as you eat it. The meal would have blah without the salsa. Yes! Yes!! Cuban restaurants don't really serve salsa, but LA is a hybrid of flavors & cultures. All in all, it was just ok. I've had my fix. Maybe another round in 15-20 years...if El Colmao still exists. read more

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Great food and service. I was craving a tortilla espanola and that, along with the black beans, fried plantains and guisado were delicious!!! My great nephew loved his fish :) read more

El Colmao - My great nephew loving the black beans and white rice, his fish in mild sauce and some fried plantains! All delicious!!! - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

El Colmao.....Oh how i love thee...Where would i be without you.... If you go get either : 1. If you like Pork then get the Chop with onions all over "C3" 2. If you like Beef get the Ropa Vieja "Dinner Plate" 3. If you like Chicken get the El Colmao or Pollo Jedes but if you go on a Wed then you HAVE TO get the Pollo Frecase!!!! 4. If your vegetarian get the beans and the rice with the grilled onions and peppers and slap some salsa all over it! Then beans and rice come with like every plate so make sure you put your black beans on top of the rice and mix it and then dump the salsa on it....Its the best salsa ever! Also if you like lime ask for some and squeeze it on the rice/beans and also the meal you get....Mmmmmmmmm..... I go here almost once a week. You cannot get better Cuban food than this. Also don't get a salad at a Cuban restaurant...i mean come on the bad reviews on here are the lame people who get a salad here...im just saying.... -Chris read more

It's so difficult for me to review a Cuban restaurant in Los Angeles when my points of reference are all the great Cuban restaurants in Miami. Growing up in Miami, finding a great Cuban restaurant was so easy and the choices abundant. A friend of mine recommended this place saying El Colmao is famous for their beef tongue and their pork chops. When I went, I was in the steak mood and for those who know Cuban food there is nothing like a bistec empanizado (breaded steak) with chopped onion and parsley on top and served with black beans and rice. That's the hot dog and apple pie of the Cuban world. Well I have to admit it was pretty darn good. The service is great too. Our waitress has been working there for thirty years. Only one other trumps her at 32 years or so. The original owner of the restaurant died, she told me, and many of her customers are regulars. They have a great lunch menu (cheaper) that includes lots of traditional favorites. My father had the 'ropa vieja' (shredded beef) and he says it was really good. Only my mothers is better, he added. The restaurant is located towards the left side of a small, iron gate enclosed mini-strip mall. Look away and you'll miss this place. read more

Truly "0" stars. Terrible customer service. Went with KGB deal voucher ($42 for $15)... the deal expired but coupon CLEARLY states that after promotional period, merchant must still honor coupon for amount paid - so $15 off. Server flat out refused to do this. Also wouldn't let us speak to manager. Basically told us to get out and maybe come back and try again another day. No thanks. Found the place a little divey/dicey to begin with. Don't waste your time. read more

El Colmao, is a great place to eat some low budget Cuban Food. The atmosphere is really homy, like your Cuban aunt and uncle own the place. It's just comfortable to eat there, and everybody I took so far loved it! It is the closest I know to Puerto rican Food, and than again what do I know I'm not Puerto rican. But according to my experience (and again I lived in the East Coast) it is the closest it get. Did you realize that on Pico you can find some great food? read more

Place is so amazing.... the garlic shrimp with the rice mix... will definitely be coming back read more

I swear I've written a review for El Colmao already.... We've been coming here for years, at least 10. I can relate to others frustration with the service... it is a VERY old school kind of place. The same waitress has been there since the first time I've ever been. She acts like she doesn't remember you if you haven't been in a while, so you just have to be super super respectful to the staff. I usually say thank you about 20 times during lunch here.... If they don't bring you the bread, salsa or rice just ask, nicely of course, and they will bring it. The SALSA is truly the star of the meal. Along with the avocado salad!! I don't bother with the olive oil and vinegar just smear the bread with avo and salsa, OH MY!!! I usually order the Fish Special (It says King Fish, I think it's sword fish), for around $12, it is a HUGE portion!! And I usually take half of it home with me, with the beans and rice, just ask for a container and fill it up! Bread and all!! Don't be shy. Shows them how much you like the food. It keeps well and I usually have the leftovers the next day. My DH loves the Chicken Fajitas so much he calls them "fajitas on crack"!!! Plus they have SUPER COLD HEINEKEN, so you see why it is also one of his favorites!! We've even celebrated his B-day here! I think the food is very clean and almost even healthy. Of course there is butter in the rice and I don't know how they get a simple black bean to be so tasty, but they are the BEST!! I've also ordered and enjoyed an omelet, the veggie. We go here just the 2 of us and also as a group, maybe 10 or 12. I highly recommend it for the food, the service is better if you are a regular regular. But it is worth it!! Think of El Colmao for a leisurely or long lunch if you have a little more time. If you are downtown, it is a MUST TRY. Thank you as always El Colmao. read more

El Colmao - El Colmao Fish special!!! - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Highly recommended for lunch or early dinner (haven't tried breakfast). Every time I've gone for some reason it's not really busy, but I guess that makes for more focused/free'd up staff to help you. Be sure to order fried plantains and try the black beans here. In addition, their fruit juice (not juice like from the store, but almost like a smoothie) is delicious! A crown jewel of their menu is actually a special, the mojarra! That dish is like a whole fried fish with the scales and bones - it was really amazing. I didn't try the coffee, but maybe that'll be update to this review. read more

This is not a good place and I can't believe the 4 stars rating. The "décor" is unremarkable and the service was just ok. Here what I ordered: Sangria=terrible Croquetas de jamon=awful Choripan=was not good and came with almost burnt fries Smoked pork chop= very thin and extremely dry. For Cuban food, Porto's remains the best. Needless to say I am not going back. read more

Delicious food. Colmao doesn't use a lot of salt and spicy peppers in their dishes, but have lots of flavor and fresh tasting seafood and vegetables. I ordered the Chuleta, salmon and chicken dishes. Yum. I am now carb and calorie watching, so tonight I chose a shrimp salad with avocado. See the picture, doesn't it look delish? Sprinkle a little taco seasoning and lime for extra flavor. read more

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Amazing food! The milanesa plate is so good! Friendly staff and the coconut flan was tasty.

Good was decent. Service was HORRIBLE. I never received my water. As well as the fact that they brought food to everyone except me at my table. Then asked me 30 minutes later if everything was okay. When I told them that they never brought my food out, she told me that I never placed an order. As if I was coming to watch everyone else eat. read more

Amazing! The food and service are unbeatable. I've only tried the chicken dishes and they are delicious. I don't say that about a lot of food. read more

What agreat place to eat. Waitresses and waiters are all so friendly. I had my favorite Bistec de Palomilla.

My bf's parents introduced me to this restaurant and for Cuban food, I was very impressed. Their menu is extensive and of the many things I've tried, it's all delicious! They have amazing appetizer bread, and a nice ceviche that is hard to come by here in the U.S. Their staff is extremely friendly and they bring your food out in a reasonable time. The prices are a little high, but it's definitely worth it quality and quantity-wise. Some of my favorites are the chicken and rice dish, the seafood and rice dish, and the lengua plate. I did try a sandwich there once and it was pretty dry, but then again who orders a sandwich at a cuban place? read more

This place was introduced to me by my Puerto Rican boss who has relatives that live in that part of town. She had been ranting and raving about this place for what seemed forever. Finally, our entire office staff (located in Burbank) had an excuse to head out there after we finished some business in downtown LA. Let me tell you, the trek was well worth it! Since that maiden voyage years ago, our entire staff goes every year during February as a tradition. The bread they bring out to start with is soft and just slightly sweet. Also, I am obsessed with the spicy cold salsa they serve at the table. It's so fresh and flavorful and goes with practically everything on the menu. To start with, I always order at least one plate of the yuca frita.... there is nothing like it! The best I've ever had. And guess what? It is amazing with that spicy salsa. I always get the pollo asado... it's always perfectly roasted and fully flavored with garlic and is complimented with the beans and rice and of course the spicy salsa. The other dishes I have sampled are the fajitas "leo" and the ropa vieja, both pretty tasty, but I will stick to my pollo asado for sure! They have a wide variety of beverages including a reasonable selection of beer, and fruit milk shakes. The service isn't the greatest in the world. What they lack in accuracy and punctuality, is nearly balanced out by their friendliness. read more

El Colmao - Menu cover - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a kid. My sister and I used to dance to songs from the cd box. This reminds me of home. I have always enjoyed the carne empanizado, sopa gallega, patacones, plátano frito, pollo con queso y jamón. The service here is very friendly. The salsa is a must try. I love El colmao! read more

Wow what I can say. Today was the busiest day I have ever had lunch here and they outdid my expectations. The waitress was by herself and manhandled over seven parties sitting down , countless to go orders without a hiccup! Whoever reads this definitely should come eat here. This Cuban needs his weekly meals thank you read more

I drove for 1 hour 47 minutes, driven by the reviews. Most probably the reviewers had not had Rabo or Oxtail here fattest tail off any ox this was: gross looking with no meat. Made me wish I had gone to Versailles on Pico (was a restaurant of that name with fantastic oxtail about 20 years ago). This is so bad it's best laughing it off read more

Cuban coffee - delicious Chicken Cuban style : dry and not very flavorful Ropa vieja: no strong flavors here not the best or worst I've had Rice and beans : rice was good beans I added more salt Flan: this style flan was not for me, eggy , very gelatinous/jello like and the sauce was a bit overwhelming I've had many Cuban restaurants on the east coast and this wasn't comparative. However, perhaps it just a differently style of Cuban food out here. I wouldn't return but I'd say try it for yourself. read more

Always, and I do mean always, exceptional. The food at el Colmao is excellent. I emensely enjoyed the Tortilla el Colmao. (Omelette) Shrimp, ham, bell peppers, onions, peas, all cooked into an amazing pie type of omelette. Awesome balance of flavors! If you come here you will never be disappointed. This has been the standard upon which all other Cuban cuisine is compared, and remains the best in L.A. in my opinion! read more

El Colmao - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have recently discovered this place and I LOVE IT!! My husband is from Cuba (Cienfuegos) and it's been so hard to find a good, authentic Cuban eatery in LA especially in KTown. This place is it!! The prices are the cherry on top! We've had the Rabo, ropa vieja, all the way to the liver and onions. Es candela! The service is also top of the line. I can't stop saying how much I love this place! read more

Everything we had was so so poorly prepared. I didn't even enjoy the beans...how do you ruin that. I grew up on Cuban/Puerto Rican food and this was a great disappointment. One bright spot the service was very good. read more

the food was horrible & the waitress who served us literally stayed silent when we told them about the shitty food. she was so rude! Never coming back. read more

This is a great location to go eat Cuban food have been here many times and it never disappoints. Service has always been great. Have had a few company parties here in the extra room WillDefinitely return read more

The only SALSA that should EVER be present at a CUBAN restaurant should be the musical kind, you know Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Albita, La India, etc. NEVER EVER EVER have I heard of a Cuban restaurant serving salsa to accompany food. Don't get me wrong, I love me some good salsa, and I won't doubt that the salsa here is good but IT HAS NO PLACE IN A CUBAN RESTAURANT. CUBANS DON'T LIKE SPICY FOOD. I wish that there was some other clue to lead me to believe that maybe El Colmao is now a fusion restaurant, but nope it isn't. I don't think I have ever been more disappointed with a food establishment in my entire life. El Colmao USED to be such a great Cuban restaurant with delicious AUTHENTIC food. read more

The service was excellent and my meal was savorily delicious! Ample menu to choose from, as I had the Roasted Chicken Cuban Style with a side of fried green plantains. The chicken was very tender--barely needed the use of a knife. Bookmarked this joint for my next visit to LA! read more

El Colmao - Roasted Chicken Cuban Style - Cuban Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I used to eat here all the time as a kid, so maybe this place has sentimental value to me, but this place has the most authentic Cuban food in LA hands down!! The decor has not changed since it's inception, the same formica counter tops, the same oil and vinegar dispensers, and the same waitresses are still there!!! The avocado salad is a a must have..It's as basic as you can get: LOTS of avocados and minimal onions. Drizzle with oil, vinegar and salt and you have a delicious treat!! The bread is as close as you can get to "Cuban bread" served at Cuban restaurants in Florida. The side portions of white rice and black beans are huge!!! Prepare for left overs!!! Looking for authentic Cuban food in LA, but tired of Versailles? This is the place to go!! read more

My dear Colmao. So 60's, so decadent, so slow in their service but so damn good too. I am by no means an expert in Cuban food but this is one of my favorite spots when I crave Cuban food. Not only the food is tasty but I also love the decor because there is no pretense of any kind. This is an old restaurant, period. Who gives a shit about even labeling with a Yelp sticker on the door. I recommend their Ropa Vieja (shredded beef stew), their Vegetarian Plate (Black Beans, Fried Plantains, White Rice, and Yuca al Ajo), their Sandwiches (very, very fulfilling with a small side of plantains if I recall this correctly), and their Cuban Coffee--this miniature cup full of pure, black-in-black, tasty stuff that will have you tapping your iPhone so fast you'll need to restart it again and again. The "Yuca al Ajo" is simply the best if you are a garlic lover. It's not for the faint of heart. You'll be burping garlic for at least 4 to 6 hours after your meal. I call that pleasure, you call that gross. It makes for an amusing ride back to my hood on the 101. Order the green salsa along with your obligatory bread+butter, it's magic. If you are the kind of asshole who just ADORES having waiters lick your balls at the mere flick of your eyelashes then don't come here. You have to practically wave you arms and be very nice and they'll be nice in return and actually give you a water refill. It looks like the staff/cook/etc know each other for a very long time and they get easily distracted with conversations of their own. I don't mind this at all in older waiters, I kinda find it charming that they're not from the The-Customer-Equals-God school of thought that has bred so many disrespectful customer divas. Oh, don't mind the old security guy carrying a gun who sits bored out of his mind watching TV. I just pretend the gun shoots black beans and I feel safe again. read more

This place is BOMB!!! Maybe it's because I've never had Cuban food before and this was my first time trying it but it was absolutely delicious. I came with my friends and they both spoke Spanish so I let them do all the ordering and talking with the staff. They speak English also but I could tell they really appreciate it if you speak Spanish to them as well. They were very friendly to us and gave us really good service. We ordered the vegetarian plate which came with beans, rice, plantains, and yucca. Got the beef steak and it came with rice and beans also. Lastly we got the arroz con pollo and fried plantain chips. We all shared the plates family style between the 3 of us and there was still leftovers after the throw down. The roasted plantains were so delicious, yucca was on point, and the arroz con pollo was so divine. The only issue is that the arroz con pollo takes about 30-45 min to prepare so if you're willing to wait go for it, and it also had a bunch of chicken bones. Other than that the food was so delicious I want to come here again and try some of their other dishes and their cubano sandwich. On a side note they noticed my friend was charging his phone and offered to let him leave his phone charging while we went walking around the area. Who does that? So nice and friendly, they were the sweetest. read more

Delicious. My tummy has been off so wanted some easy carbs. Got vegetarian plate. The most delicious beans and rice, the best fried plantain, and warm yucca covered in garlic sauce. Gave me extra garlic sauce no problem. Great staff. My tummy is happy. Yay Cuban food!!! read more