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    El Criollo Bar & Grill

    4.0 (346 reviews)
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    Updated 2 months ago

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    EL CRIOLLO BAR & GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for dancing

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    Vegetariano Frito plate at El Criollo Bar and Grill
    Rocky B.

    Absolutely loved El Criollo! We went on Saturday just as it opened and were greeted by this older woman who I believe might have been one of the owners. Her energy made me feel like I was visiting one of my Tia's. Okay so for food I ordered the Vegetariano Frito which was white rice, beans, yucca and plátano. I also ordered a Mojito. First off..I have not had a Mojito that good in years! So good I ordered a second. My entree was delicious...I mean everything on that place was yummy. The beans were perfectly seasoned. The fried yucca and plantains were crispy but not super greasy. Writing this makes me want to go back right now. It's not a Vegan restaurant but they have Vegan and Vegetarian options so it's a great place that will have something for everyone. Ambiance was nice. I guess they have dancing at night? Might have to come back for that to get my cha cha on. The restaurant is located in a strip mall so it's easy parking.

    Pechuga de Pollo Empanizada
    Daniel L.

    I'm born and raised in Miami, grew up eating a LOT of homemade Cuban food from several families. This restaurant immediately took me back to those authentic meals I grew up with. The service was excellent and the owners did so much to make sure we were taken care of. Best Cuban food in LA hands down.

    Rita H.

    I ordered to go because I was running late for another appointment but the proprietor is the sweetest. The bar has a nice variety and the food looks fresh and delicious. It's in a small space in a strip mall,so it's a little hidden. I love that they bring out tostadas (toasted French bread) and whipped butter. Reminded me of Miami.

    Ropa Vieja
    Angelina S.

    Delicious!! Amazing staff fantastic service and the best flavor! 10/10 La comida fue una delicia el servicio más amigable me sentí como en casa!

    Fricase Pollo and Pollo Criollo with the most amazing Plantains!
    Trina E.

    It was my turn to pick dinner for date night and I picked this place. We both wanted chicken and something not fried or unhealthy and to be honest, I am tired of salads! I had the Fricase de Pollo and bf had the Pollo Criollo. Both plates were delicious and the portions so generous and we needed to go boxes! The chicken on both plates was juicy and very flavorful. This was very good comfort food and we plan on going back soon. Did not have any alcoholic beverages but perhaps some day we will have to try. I almost forgot, the plantains were delicious!!! Our server Alberto was very nice and the service was good. This is not fast food. We will definitely go back here and enjoy another very good Cuban meal. :-)

    Ropa Vieja Old Clothes
    Dilenia A.

    So happy to have found this little gem close to home! Goodbye Porto's, hello to this hidden gem in a strip mall, 10 minutes from home! Have to go and try their Ropa Vieja (traditional Cuban meal) and Moro yum and their croquetas as an appetizer, omg, too good to pass up! And the prices are spot on! Such a cute "momandpop" home restaurant with the traditional food with their cafe con leche, THE BEST!!! Found my home away from home restaurant, can't wait to go back and try the rest of the meals! I'm going to be such a regular there!!!

    2 Pieces Empanadas, pretty petite but really yummy!

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 month ago

    I had a delightful lunch here. The ropa vieja was so yummy. Prices are good. If you're craving Cuban food, this spot is perfect.

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    6 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Great food authentic Cuban food reminds me when I was growing up definitely recommended it

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    The best empanadas and cortadito ever. The sauce that comes with the empanadas are amazing

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent food; excellent handmade margaritas; great latin music at a reasonable listening level.

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    1 year ago

    Great food and service. Definitely some comfort food , most of the dishes are 10/10, I like the green salsa they have.

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    El Criollo Bar & Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Criollo Bar & Grill

    Is this the criollo that used to be in Van Nuys?

    Same owners, but this is a full bar place

    What days do they have a live band, do they still have it?

    Thank You...very much appreciated..!!!! , are used to go to the original one I believe which was at the intersection of Van Nuys Blvd...but I haven't been to this new spot in Burbank since they've been there, hopefully the food is still just as… 

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    The Green Room

    The Green Room

    4.6
    (688 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    We really enjoyed our Friday evening here! It's a beautiful bar/restaurant with quite the view of…read morethe surrounding area; the decor is open and upscale and it's great! The service was friendly and pleasant and prompt, and our food and wine were great. Absolutely will recommend and return!

    As a lover of speakeasies and craft cocktails, The Green Room has been on my list for a while. What…read morebetter time to go than on my anniversary! Echoing what everyone else has been saying - the service is SO slow. It was about 45 minutes before we were able to order our second drink and our water glasses were empty. They have so many runners bringing the drinks out but only a few servers and, from the looks of it, one bartender (on a Saturday night - what?!). The server was saying he was trying to find a manager to help out but they were nowhere to be found. Clearly management is fine with these service times since they're still making $$$. The drinks were delicious, and I loved that there were heaters on the patio (though they did get very hot at times). Our server was so kind and brought us a celebratory drink. I do wish there were more explanations with the beverages, especially for the Paid Vacation as most people will not realize you're supposed to bite into the buzz button for the tingly sensation. I would come back, but need some time for my wallet to recover first, haha!

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    Three Wishes Cocktail
    Three Wishes Cocktail
    Parmesan Proscuitto Croquette
    Parmesan Proscuitto Croquette
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    Inkwell Tavern

    Inkwell Tavern

    4.8
    (319 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    We held an event in the private room at Inkwell Tavern on 6/8 and it truly couldn't have been…read morebetter! The team at Inkwell was so kind and worked with us to accommodate EVERYTHING we wanted - from the timing of the plates, to making room for our photobooth set up, to serving a speciality cocktail we requested!! (Which was delicious!) The communication with management was great. They encouraged us to come in a few days before to do a tech test to make sure everything ran smoothly for the screening part of our event. As expected, things did indeed run smoothly as a result! Their Monday night karaoke was going on simultaneously and the sound didn't interfere with our screening at all. We had about 30 attendees and the room was a very comfortable size for us, it's also beautiful! The entire experience was fantastic, we're very happy with how the evening turned out! Thank you to the wonderful staff for making it all happen for us!

    The drinks here are excellent! You order at the bar and they bring your food to you…read more Masala Grilled Chicken Sandwich - Tasted bland but too spicy at the same time. Very one note. The chicken was a little dry and the seasoning on it just tasted spicy to be spicy. No real flavor. The cucumber and slaw also did not help with the bland taste. It really needed an acidic component to bring the flavors out or an aioli. The fries it came with were divine though! I subbed for waffle fries and they were oh so crispy! Corpse Reviver - Get it. Just get it. Refreshing with just the right amount of alcohol I want to taste in my drink hehe. Food came out timely, staff were helpful and attentive. Great place for a group of 4-5 - anymore and it'd be too crowded as they don't have big tables. Loved the vibe of the place. I really want to like LIKE this spot so I think I'll get something else entree wise next time!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Peruvian Steak Stir Fry
    Peruvian Steak Stir Fry
    My Whodunnit Mocktail - lime, ginger, spicy agave, and soda - spicy and refreshing!

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    My Whodunnit Mocktail - lime, ginger, spicy agave, and soda - spicy and refreshing!
    Broken Compass Tiki

    Broken Compass Tiki

    4.2
    (653 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    - Broken Compass Tiki…read more My girlfriend and I absolutely loved Broken Compass Tiki. I originally found it on TikTok, followed up with a few YouTube videos, and knew I had to check it out the next time we were in Burbank. It completely lived up to the hype. Parking can be a little challenging since it's in Burbank, but we got lucky and found a street parking spot nearby. If you don't get as lucky, driving around the block or into the surrounding neighborhood should eventually turn something up. We arrived about 20 minutes after they opened, and there were already several people inside. By the time we left, the place was filling up quickly, so it's definitely a popular spot. I surprised my girlfriend by keeping the destination a secret and just telling her we were going somewhere fun with a unique theme. She loved it. From the moment we walked in, the service was outstanding. Both the bartender and our server were incredibly welcoming. Our server asked whether it was our first visit and took the time to ask what kinds of drinks we normally enjoy before making recommendations. I really appreciated that he wasn't just trying to upsell us. Instead, he explained why he thought certain cocktails were better choices based on our preferences, and every recommendation ended up being spot on. As you'd expect from a tiki bar, the cocktail menu is heavily rum-focused, but there are also non-alcoholic drinks, a small beer selection, and wine available if rum isn't your thing. I ordered the Zombie Magic first, which was delicious and definitely packed a punch. After that, I tried the 100 Year Cigar, a Scotch-based cocktail that was perfect for slowly sipping. Both drinks were fantastic. My girlfriend ordered the Painkiller and the Navy Grog, and she loved both of them. We started with the Shut It Polly wings, crispy chicken wings tossed in a spicy Thai peanut sauce, and they were outstanding. We also ordered the Aloha Dippers with the Cajun seasoning. I paired mine with the Chipotle Citrus Aioli, while my girlfriend chose the Firecracker sauce. Both dipping sauces were excellent and complemented the fries really well. For our entrées, I ordered the Pub Burger with Irish cheddar, onion strings, and horseradish aioli, cooked to order. It was excellent. My girlfriend ordered the Shrimp & Lobster Roll, and we both enjoyed it. The only item that didn't quite meet our expectations was the macaroni salad that came with our meals. We've had some incredible macaroni salad at Hawaiian restaurants, and this one just didn't quite compare. It certainly wasn't bad, but it was the one part of the meal that didn't stand out. One thing that really impressed me was how accommodating the staff was regarding my raw fruit allergy. I explained what I could and couldn't safely eat or drink, and our server took it seriously. He made sure every cocktail recommendation was safe for me without sacrificing flavor or experience. That level of attention made me feel comfortable ordering drinks I otherwise might have avoided. The décor is also worth mentioning. The pirate-themed exterior transitions into a fun pirate-and-tiki atmosphere inside that really adds to the experience without feeling overdone. Overall, this place exceeded our expectations. The drinks were strong and creative, the food was excellent, the service was some of the best we've had in a long time, and the atmosphere was a blast. There are still plenty of cocktails on the menu that I'd like to try, so we'll definitely be back the next time we're in Burbank.

    Such a fun place! Great for a fun pirate themed night. Perfect for large party hang outs or small…read moregroups. Themed drinks and very detailed aesthetic. This place really made you feel like Captain Jack Sparrow was going to jump out at every corner. It so themed for a tiki bar, but if pirates and mermaids had a place to hang out this would be that place. From the decor to the detailed bathroom sounds and the menu item names. You couldn't escape the theme anyway and I loved it! We were gathering for a friends birthday and there was 30 of us. Couldn't believe we found enough seats for us in the back area but we did. The staff was there to keep drinks flowing and keep food coming. The portion for their poke nachos was unreal. Do i wish they put a bit more poke on the dish? Yes. But it was still one of my favorite dishes of the night. The drinks were all so cute and they had ample non alcoholic mocktails as well which were yummy. If you want a speakeasy feel (you lieterally go through a secret door in the wall) and an under the sea eperience while ctching up with friends, you can totally do it here. For my friends birthday they rang some bell and all sang happy birthday to her which was so cool. Why was the bathroom the coolest part? They literally have ocean sounds and seaguls for you to hear while using the restroom. Theres even a fan in the bathroom to make you feel like you're next to the ocean because I kept fighting that darn toilet seat cover to stay put. Such a fun night and will be back for the vibes. Special s/o to Amanda and all her crew the night we were there. They helped out with photos, drinks, and keeping food going all night. She had such a great team with her that night. Everyone was helping us out even finding us chairs and clearing tables so we could make room for more food.

    Photos
    Big Toe mug release
    Big Toe mug release
    Fish tacos with fries
    Fish tacos with fries
    Pupu platter for 2

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    Pupu platter for 2
    Magnolia Corner

    Magnolia Corner

    4.4
    (140 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    We've gotten takeout from here a few times - I'm a sucker for Cobb salads - but this time we…read moredecided to come in and eat there. For a Sunday, it was pretty mellow, which I love. Our waitress was nice and attentive at the right time. We got a Cobb salad and a chicken plate. Their chicken quality is soooo good. The Cobb salad has all the right amount of toppings and they mix in the dressing, much appreciated! Every bite has the dressing on it. I sub for blue cheese dressing, and it has a hint of mint that is perfect to balance out the heaviness of the egg, bacon and cheese crumbles. I also add crispy chicken. The chicken plate with hummus and pita is also really good. It's a thin slice of chicken, cooked just right. Their fries are crispy and flavorful. Their portions are big, so it's good to share. They have a ni outdoor patio too. Music they were playing was a good mix and not too loud. Enough to be able to hear it, but still have a conversation. Overall, recommend this place for lunch!

    What an awesome discovery! The interior design is rustic and welcoming. The cowboy doors are fun…read more There are plenty of seating, However, I wish they had booths instead of family style tables, because it makes the main bar area awkward to walk through since it's so open, but that's fine. I enjoyed the back patio. They have a giant TV in the back and fire pits, so you can watch sports there and even play billiards. It's a bit of a walk from the all the other cool businesses on Magnolia, but this bar is worth it. And the staff are friendly. I'll be coming back here.

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    Bar
    Bar
    Flatbread - so good!
    Flatbread - so good!
    I Got A Feeling (left), Drunk on You (m), Bottoms Up (right)

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    I Got A Feeling (left), Drunk on You (m), Bottoms Up (right)
    The Snug

    The Snug

    4.1
    (230 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    The Snug really lives up to its name by being a small, cozy and friendly Irish bar. Some might…read moreclassify it as a "dive," but that would be unfair -- it's a local place, sure, and totally no frills... but I counted more than 50 bottles of Call and Top Shelf Irish Whiskies, plus just as many bottles of Bourbon, Scotch, American and Japanese Whiskies, and a quartet of Pappy Van Winkle... this ain't no dive. Still, the drink prices are very fair. Barkeep Elizabeth was friendly from the get-go, and checked on me repeatedly to make sure I had what I needed. The digital jukebox was playing lively tunes, and the daytime crowd was laidback and chatty. There's no food in this pub, but packaged snacks (chips, nuts, etc.) are readily available, and I'm told you can bring in anything you like to eat. Fantastic!! Despite being on the "road to nowhere corridor" (Magnolia Blvd. between Hollywood Way and Cahuenga), and being incredibly easy to drive past, The Snug is a welcoming little bar with a genial crowd that's very much worth keeping your eyes and GPS peeled to find. You'll be as glad as I am that you did.

    Love the Snug!! It's the best! From the owner, Tony, and the people and patrons who hang out…read morethere! The only thing they need to change is watching the World Cup in English. Watching it in Spanish is not bad, but so many of us speak English!

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    Allagash
    Allagash
    Nice selection of whiskey.
    Nice selection of whiskey.
    St. Paddy's Day countdown

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    GuildHall

    GuildHall

    4.6
    (334 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Ya'll, this here is a gem! You go in and there's none of that pretentious bs. Don't got to worry…read moreabout others judging you. Everyone is literally there to have a good time, doing their own thing. Like I want to say, this is a safe place (?) I don't think I've ever used those words to describe a bar before! There's an entire wall of board games for you to choose from. We played about 3 or 4 games? And each one had all the pieces, amazingly! This just goes to show you that the people that visit this establishment respect and care for the games, which is a reflection on the clientele itself. And of course, you're welcome to bring your own game as well. We got there a bit after opening so we were able to get one of the multi seater tables. When we left at 3PM, the place was packed! The bar seats were all taken and the outside seating was pretty filled too. So be sure to get here early if you're looking for a table. Got an order of the chicken tenders and sweet potato tots. The chicken tenders was alright. But the sweet potato tots were delicious! We also ordered drinks. The food didn't take long and the staff was friendly. Parking is strictly street parking. So don't go parking at the KFC lot next door. Honestly, this place is great! Check it out if you're looking for a spot to chill and hang out! Good people and good vibes all around!

    Not bad. It's sort of a niche bar, but it is welcoming enough. The food is completely inadequate,…read morebut nobody is perfect. Pricey. Friendly. Decent cocktails.

    Photos
    Game Shelf
    Game Shelf
    Sweet Potato Tater Tots (super spicy sauce) IG: @ammysalamii
    Sweet Potato Tater Tots (super spicy sauce) IG: @ammysalamii
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    Animal Crossing themed collab IG: @ammysalamii

    El Criollo Bar & Grill - cuban - Updated July 2026

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