This place was outstanding. The food was outstanding and the hospitality was absolutely the best!. My wife and I sat at the bar top and had the absolute best experience. The bartender Robert made our experience so good that we are willing to travel the one and a half hours back here to enjoy another date night.. We have not had a date night this great in a long time! I encourage you to come down here and have a date night at El compadre. read more

What can I say? Food is great and the ambiance is lively. I am admittedly picky when it comes to Mexican food (I had too much delicious Mexican food growing-up, courtesy of my grandma), so it's always refreshing to find a restaurant that does it right. That noted--all the food at El Compadre is like a blast from the past into any Mexican grandma's kitchen. Chile Relleno: egg-battered, fried, stuffed with oozing Mexican cheese-egg blend. Drool, drool, drool! Chimichanga: deep fried tortilla, red sauce, stuffed with shredded beef and topped with sour cream. Need I say more? NEED I SAY MORE! Guacamole: chunky, as all good guacamole should be. Cheese enchilada: corn tortilla rolled-up, stuffed with melted Mexican cheese-blend and drowning in wet sauce. Yeah, it's cheesy just like the guy writing this review. The chips and salsa are warm-to-the bite, made in-house like all chips and salsa should be. They keep the refills coming so be careful with these--you will find yourself eating a whole container and already into your second tray before your entree arrives. Prices are relatively cheap, too. You can easily eat like royalty for under $20. In this economy, that's a win in my book. Looking for some Mexican food that won't leave you regretting not just cooking at home or stressing over your weekly budget, El Compadre is the place for you! read more

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OMG! margaritas were bomb. Chips and guac, the best homemade taste. The camarones a la diabla were few (6), but huge and so tasty. The background music is hardcore Mexican. Great ambiance. Wait staff were friendly and service was quick. Definitely will go back! read more

Always awesome to eat here because the food, drink and atmosphere are all perfecto! My daughter and I just had lunch the other day and I can't wait to return. We had cadillac margaritas that were lit up for a nice display + my favorite combo - a shredded beef crispy taco + a melt in your mouth chile relleno with their great rice and beans. Then flan for desert. The service was good and the environment is cool, comfortable and like going to a party - I highly recommend! read more

This is a great local spot to watch the dodgers & get some really fantastic Mexican food too. I was recommend it by the security guard who kicked me out of the stadium for trying to sneak in booze - oops on me. BUT - this lil Echo park gem is a shiny silver lining on an otherwise bummer day. It's fun traditional Mexican restaurant aesthetic with super friendly staff & bartenders. I got a shrimp taco & Mexican rice w/ complementary chips & salsa & a few ice cold Pacifico's. The chips were fresh, light & crispy with super tasty salsa that is tangy & well blended with just the right level of heat. The shrimp tack was delish - best I have had in a very long time. Pan seared shrimp with a delish crust & super succinct - crisp cabbage, grilled peppers & onions with tangy & delish crema sauce. Sooo good. The rice was light & fluffy with bright tasting seasoning & peas/carrots - my fav style of Mexican rice. The beers were icy cold and served with a smile & no problem to sit at the bar for the whole game (4 beers & light lunch). Pretty sure I ended up with better seat & viewing experience than my hubby who stayed at the stadium for the game. I would definitely make the trip back here game or no game. Oh! It's walking distance from Gate B at Dodger stadium - bit hilly but less than a mile & safe thru a cute Echo park neighborhood. I had a great experience!!! read more

El Compadre - Shrimp taco & fluffy Spanish rice - super tasty w/ great view of Dodgers games. - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

After a two year hiatus I've been back a few times and boy it's good to be back. Oh how I've missed the crunchy beef tacos and flaming margaritas-- but now I've found a new fav, the fajitas! They were actually big enough to share. Always fast and friendly service as well and a great place to pregame before a Dodgers game or to watch the game on tv. read more

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Food is meh. Service is good. Ambiance is nice and dark. Overall experience was ok but I won't be returning.

Excellent food and service, real authentic Mexican food and amazing drinks especially the different margaritas, prices were fair

I just purchased a steak and shrimp fajita to go from here.. I am so disappointed in the amount of protein I received for $37.. my plate was all veggies. And the flavor and tenderness was just not there. We will not be coming back and I do not recommend this place at all. read more

This place use to be cool . Service and food was mediocre . Waiter couldn't get my order right . Didn't even read back my order . Didn't get my order right . We had to grab someone else that wasn't our waiter to take our order . Wasn't even that busy. It was very disappointing since I had not been there in years . Honestly he should go back into being a bus boy . read more

classic old Timey Mex with flaming margaritas. Have two great vibe. Tarantino hasn't shot here yet but...

Honestly not great. Chips and guac were subpar. Tacos also not great. Best part was the staff. Don't recommend if you like real Mexican food

Finally OG Mexican Restaurant!!!! Great food!! Great drinks!!! Great service!!! Growing up in East LA and when I come home from NYC this will be my go to place!!! read more

El Compadre - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is a place you come for happy hour, watch a game, or have just have drinks. The food is mediocre but the ambiance and bolero music is a vibe. read more

El Compadre - Spicy margarita - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food was great staff is friendly and professional plenty of parking in the back and drinks are good read more

El Compadre - Dining area - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Good food Great atmosphere Good service Good drinks Old school feel Would come back again read more

Came in for some drinks after the beer fest .. accommodating to large groups. Received fast and friendly service. read more

Nice good portions and good Mexican food, good drinks and service is a little slow but ok. Ambiance is nice but a little too dark for my taste, like the food and that alone makes me wanting come back read more

My friend wanted an "authentic Mexican experience" for dinner and we got that at El Compadre. Well authentic Mexican in a tourist-trap town experience specifically. The venue is beautiful and charming inside. Really fun and a bit of a gem. You wouldn't know you'd be stepping into an elaborately decorating Mexican restaurant based on the outside. There's this lady that walks around taking pictures of you with a DSLR. She mentions that they're complementary and takes multiple while instructing you to be in fun poses. She picks the worst on to print out for free buried behind El Compadre branding. The rest of the pictures are also printed out and framed in a cardboard for $15 each. I really did feel like I was at Cancun, except those people would put the pictures in a keychain before pressuring you to buy them. We noticed the table in front of us buying them, probably because they were on a date and the guy didn't want to come off as cheap. Again...just like in Cancun! The food was fine, but not remarkable. The portions are great however. No shrinkflation here. However, check your receipt because some of the menu item prices didn't match the bill and they had to adjust; claiming that they "needed to update the menus..." just like cancun! Queso Fundido (12.50) - good flavor with the chorizo, but not the best I've had. You get unlimited chips, but no tortillas so this felt more like an expensive dip. Enchilada (5.45) ala carte - this was WET and delicious and great deal. I don't need the rice and beans and this made me happy, but the new price is $7.70. Not absurd, but silly that they didn't update the menu. The salsa that comes with the (truly) complementary dip is phenomenal and addicting. Best deal here. They don't put the price of their world famous margaritas because they know most people wouldn't get if they knew. I was expecting it to be $7 - $12 for a basic margarita, but it was $17 just because they add a little fire. I guess I'll only be having ONE margarita and will be giving you.. ANYWAY is this a fancy hotel cocktail? No. It's a margarita. Fun, but not worth the price. If they have a happy hour, i'd come back for a $7 marg, but looks like only the Hollywood location has a HH. read more

rude customer service and unwilling to help a customer with a delivery issue. won't order here again

Decided to walk in after the a Dodgers had played it was PACKED AF!! The wait was 2 hrs but the energy was welcoming; deciding to stay and hang by the bar while we waited for our table. After what might have been an hr we were called up- the best table literally we scored. I ordered the mole enchiladas SOOO GOOD, my BF ordered El Padrino - I believe that's the name but this was also delicious . The service was great and friendly staff. If you plan to walk in just be aware of the long wait time during dodger games. Not sure if they take reservations but please do so if you want to enjoy local and dodger fan energy - this is the spot to visit after, during and before a game! read more

El Compadre - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The fried burrito wasn't any good. I wouldn't come here for the food but they have live music could be a fun place to get drinks.

Just had the most horrible experience at el compadre in echo park , I can understand it being busy on a Saturday afternoon but getting at a restaurant at 6 something to eat at 8 and leave at 9 is ridiculous. I also had my 2 year old who isn't used to eating late . We had to get up to ask for the check and boxes twice !!! We never were asked if we needed anything my husband didn't even have utensils I had to get him some from another table . We never got any kind of service or attentive service at all !!! We are never going back here !!!! Horrible horrible Horrible read more

Great ambiance and lovely customer service! We had an amazing time and the service was wonderful

I'm still sitting in the restaurant as I write this because I'm appalled at how poor the service has been. Wasn't acknowledged for a very long time after being sat, was lied to about soup being available when I saw two soups being walked out to another table, had to ask for our server on several occasions and still don't know who our server is because a new person came by each time. Not only was the service mediocre but the food was also extremely underwhelming. The best part of my meal was my gin and soda and the music. I would never go back to this place or recommend it. read more

El Compadre - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I found myself again at El Compadre again, a place where time seems to move slower, and the margaritas are stronger than most of my existential crises. What a joint. It's the kind of place where the warmth doesn't just come from the candlelight but from the glow of tequila-fueled camaraderie. You walk in, and it's like you've been there forever, or at least long enough to forget who you are. The waitstaff? All kindness, with just enough world-weariness to let you know they've seen it all, yet still have hope in humanity. They're the Vonnegut characters that made it through the fire and came out holding trays of sizzling fajitas. Every margarita arrives like a liquid hug from the universe, complete with a tiny salt-rimmed reminder that life, while unpredictable and chaotic, can also be sweet. And don't get me started on the food--enchiladas as rich as a Pilgrim's breakfast, and tacos that could solve most of the world's problems if given the chance. Each bite is a reminder that, sure, we might all be dust in the wind, but isn't it nice to taste something amazing while we're here? El Compadre: where every night feels like the grand finale of an absurd, beautiful, and slightly inebriated novel. Go there. Have a blast. Forget about everything for a while. The universe will be waiting when you get back. Probably. Enjoy your margarita-induced existential musings! read more

After picking up my daughter from a long flight, we took her (under her recommendation) for dinner. We were so happy to see her that we wanted to party - she said "let's go to El Compadre", and we had a blast! Music, celebrations and Mexican food! Try the chicken fajitas - typical Mexican dish! So good! Their employees ready yo serve you, to make sure you have a great experience. Thanks "Compadre", I'll see you soon ! read more

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This place right next to Dodgers stadium. Perfect for a pregame meal. The food was good. Old school Mexican restaurant feel. Although the restaurant was packed the service was attentive. I recommend. Just understand you will wait if you don't have a reservation. Get a drink at the bar while you wait. read more

Completely ignored. No greeting or welcoming. It was 1:47 pm not busy so si decided to go to the bar, I became a ghost for anyone who was passing by or bartender preparing drinks. Last time I dined there it was better, but this time being ignored for 10 mins is making me change my mind about this place. I just hope it's a one time thing. read more

El Compadre - Entrance - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went here before a dodgers game and it was a great time. The food and drinks were great. The atmosphere was amazing maybe it was because i was there before a game but either way the vibes were dope. The service was very good as well. Definitely a must stop before going to a game. read more

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The entire experience was wonderful, from the delicious food and drinks to the attentive service to the charming ambiance. The food was absolutely delicious, specially the sea food plates and signature margaritas. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

El Compadre - Raspberry Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time here I want to thank hostess Paula for being so professional and made me feel like I'm at home. I would definitely return back here. The food is good. Ambience is great. This is a place to bring your family and eat here. try the crispy tacos. They are very delicious. Made me feel like if I was in Mexico. One of the best spots here on Sunset Boulevard. read more

Food, service and ambiance was great and the food and drinks were good and the price was fair read more

This was my first visit to L.A from Austin; so take this with a grain of salt! I came looking for that vintage ambiance and I was delighted to find it. What a fun place! My friend kept raving about his entree (can't recall). Mine was fine, just nothing memorable. Service was good. We were there at a not-busy time of day. read more

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I always love the service and of course the food! The ceviche serving was great! I will always come back over and over again!

Home of the Flaming Margarita! You can mix flavors and I ended up getting a Pineapple Jalapeño. It was decent, but needed more flavor to stand out for the blended. Definitely would rather get on the rocks instead. The Adios drink was really good. Super strong and worth it if you are looking to get a good buzz! It'a blue and comes in a tall glass with a cherry on top. The chips and salsa were pretty good. Nice balance of flavor with a little bit of heat. For food, I got the Carnitas Tacos and Fish Tacos. Pretty filling and good ratio of meat and veggies. The Fish Tacos were a little bit too dry for my liking though. Service was okay, but there was some long waits in between service. Other than that, a pretty decent Mexican restaurant. read more

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Great atmosphere, good service and food was delicious. A little loud inside but great music playing read more

El Compadre - Complimentary photo and then extras if you want to pay for them - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My first time here and I loved it. Service was good, and the Margaritas superb. Some of the dishes were bland no overly so but could have used some "BAMM". I would definitely go back. The Carnitas great and nice ambience read more

El Compadre - Their flaming Margaret - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Fantastic food with great portions. Flavor is balanced. The menu is extensive and accommodates meat eaters and vegetarians alike. They serve coke instead of pepsi-- huge plus. Even when the place is packed the service isn't slow. The inside is decorated on theme and gives nice ambiance. Parking is street parking generally as the small lot in the back can fill up quick. read more

El Compadre - Inside - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Immediately greeted. Staff was friendly and attentive. Food and drinks were amazing. Atmosphere was low key. It could easily fit a romantic night out. Will definitely come back. read more