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    El Parian Restaurant

    4.0 (260 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 9:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    EL PARIAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Eric V.

    Times change. Food trends come and go. Even birria changes. El Parian stays the same. We've all bore witness to the recent surge in birria's popularity, that great tsunami of spiced goat consome that has flooded social media over the last few years. The star of the birria invasion has been the traffic light red, oozing cheese, quesabirria variety. It is well suited to the window display case. But the more wholesome, more honest, murky bowl filled with flesh and bone is what El Parian has done since time immemorial. Its interior is cavernous and dark. The walls are adorned with amusing posters. I've heard tell they once had a poster featuring President Lincoln side by side with Presidente Juarez. I couldn't find that one. I did see one featuring two sets of gallos. One flock wore the jersey of the U.S. soccer team and the other wore that of the Mexican futbol team. The order of birria arrived and it was not for sissies. Although, there is a strong waft of so called baking spices that comes from the bowl, so perhaps it is for sissies. In any event, you must dig through the kid's ribcage for the tenderest parts of meat. You must crowd the bowl with onions and cilantro. Inundate it with chile de arbol salsa. After all these years, El Parian still serves both one of the quintessential Angeleno and Jalisciense dishes, I kid you not.

    Menu

    I was craving authentic mexican and this place did not disappoint. Now, i love birria. Its one of my favorite dishes. When i saw it on the menu as the house specialty, i had to try it. It was great! It was flavorful, the meat was good, meat did not smell bad (since its goat). I saw other people get different dishes and one thing i can say is they serve big portions. Hole in the wall describes it perfectly. I give it a 10/10. I cant wait to come back and try another dish.

    Birria de chivo estilo Jalisco, consomme, y frijoles
    Anne A.

    This place is a total dive. That's probably the charm and one of the reasons why Jonathan Gold liked the place so much. I read that he liked their birria more than the birria he tried in Guadalajara, Mexico. I stepped in for dinner and the place was dead. Empty. You order at the front of the restaurant from the cashier who might not speak any English. I had to speak in my imperfect Spanish to order. You will be told in Spanish to sit down and they'll bring your food to you. What I didn't like is how she slammed my utensils on the table without any napkins. Thank goodness I have wipes with me all the time. As far as the taco de birria, it was flavorful. You'll have to be careful because in my case there was a little piece of bone in the meat which I can see could be dangerous if someone were to swallow it. There are warning signs on the wall of the possibility of choking eating their birria. After your meal, you'll have to get up and pay at the front as well. Would I go out of my way to eat here again? Probably not. If I were to choose a birria spot in the area, I would probably stick to Birriería Chalio for their handmade tortillas and more lively atmosphere...and agua frescas.

    worst tacos i have ever had, ambiance is depressing and the food taste like nothing -- please don't waste your time or money .. i had the carne asada tacos yuck! literally threw up in their restroom

    Chilaquiles with chopped Birria
    Jocey M.

    I have been coming here since I was 10 years old , I am now 30 and may I tell you this place remains the same - the only thing that has changed is obviously the prices however still very worth it. I love coming in here and getting the Taste of a home cooked meal , great family atmosphere , Jukebox playing in the background and along with great tasting Birria. I have always done carnitas ( which are tasty ) along with a side of the tortillas ( which are made fresh and taste amazing ) however this time I went with the chilaquiles of Birria - LET ME TELL YOU ....... Chilaquiles game changer the meat was very juicy and tender , the cheese and crema was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend getting there Birria with broth or there carnita plates , you will not regret it. ( the service could be better but the food makes up for it )

    Hand made tortillas not thick like someone claimed they're actually perfect.
    SO L.

    My favorite place to get birria de chivo this place has never disappointed me and today well I'm definitely going back I see some poor reviews and I'll be the REAL JUDGE OF THESE POOR REVIEWS!!! Im very picky and I expect good customer service and the same deliciousness at

    Tacos
    Adriana D.

    This place is a whole in the fall, don't expect anything fancy because you won't get it, you're not going to a trendy place where all the hipsters go (thank goodness lol) but the food is great! I had taco de asada and one of carnitas and the carnitas are one of the best I've had, and the tortillas are hand made there at moment you order. The waitress was so kind and helpful and attentive. Take cash because they don't take anything else.

    The birria portion. Masisa which means with no bone in it is $23 with tax included.

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    2 years ago

    Hidden with good reason. I would drink their hot sauce. In a city filled with tacos, I will go out of my way for El Parian.

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    2 years ago

    The food is absolutely exquisite and tastes like heaven. The best part is the beans which are godly nothing will change my mind!!

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    Food was good but the service was ok. I won't be coming back. It's ok but won't go out of my way

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    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    I am so happy I finally got to try Dama! I absolutely love Antonia LaFasso so I've been dying to…read moretry one of her restaurants. Now when you pull up originally you might think, "am I in the right place" but once you park and get into the courtyard, it is LOVELY! Amazing ambience! There is a bocce set up, string lights. It is a little slice of oasis in the middle of the fashion district. The restaurant itself - beautiful. I couldn't ask for more. Absolutely perfect in my book. Beautiful plants hanging, perfect Spanish music in the background (any place playing Natalia LaFourcade is a win). The drinks were great! I had the jungle bird which was fun. Food was so good too. The whipped beans are the star! We had the guacamole which was tasty, great tostadas with it. The arepas were good but the pork belly was a little too fatty (I know pork belly is always fatty) to the point the fat muted the flavored for the arepa a bit, but still delicious. The empanadas were great and as someone who lived in South America and ate empanadas every day, these really took me back to my Paraguay days. The squash blossoms were light and perfectly fried. Unfortunately my friends had gone to Funke the night before so they were comparing the squash blossoms and Funke won out, but they still liked Dama's! Small plates were enough for the 3 of us. The service was quick and attentive. Parking was easy for us. I will definitely be back!

    We've probably been to Dama two dozen times. It's one of our regular spots and we love it…read more First of all the service is always great. The staff are lovely humans who really seem to care about their customers. We have some faves on the menu. The bean dip is fabulous and I'm addicted to the baby gem salad. They have recently amped up the filling in the delicious crispy squash blossoms and I love the acidity and heat. The fish is also a hit in my books. One dish that doesn't work for me is the lamb chops, which is a shame since it's my favorite protein. I've ordered them multiple times with clear instructions on temperature and have found them overcooked and tough. The beef tostada was just ok. Whilst I loved the pickled veg on the side, the beef was underseasoned. It wasn't bad - just not up to the standard of other dishes. The vibe in the place is welcoming and the restaurant is nicely appointed. We will continue to be regulars and it's really worth trying if you haven't been yet.

    Photos
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
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    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Family-owned & operated

    If you're looking for authentic Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles, Guelaguetza Oaxacan Restaurant is a…read moremust-visit. Located between Koreatown and Pico-Union, this restaurant delivers an outstanding dining experience from the moment you're seated. My wife and I both ordered the Mole Coloradito with chicken, and it was absolutely delicious. One detail we really appreciated was being able to choose between white meat or dark meat--a thoughtful touch that lets you customize your meal to your preference. The mole was rich, complex, and full of flavor, exactly what you would hope for from a restaurant known for its Oaxacan specialties. As a welcome appetizer, they bring fresh chips and salsa to the table, but what really impressed us was when they replaced the salsa with their incredible mole sauce. It was so good we found ourselves dipping everything into it. Both meals were served with rice that was perfectly cooked with a great consistency and flavor. For those feeling adventurous, give the Chapulines (grasshoppers) a try. They may sound intimidating, but they were surprisingly enjoyable and added to the authentic experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly, attentive, and patient with those of us who are not fluent in Spanish. Their hospitality made us feel comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit. Great food, authentic flavors, and wonderful service make Guelaguetza a restaurant we'll definitely be returning to. Highly recommended!

    What a horrible experience, never again The waitress were…read moresuper rude and make all of us feel so uncomfortable We order the mole, was sweet and a plate of shrimp, what a bad presentation of the plate Our party in total was 14 persons and they didn't want to give us separate checks Never again!!!!

    Photos
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Chapulines
    Chapulines
    Delicious chocolate cake.

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    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Mirate

    Mirate

    4.2
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.1 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    This place has it all! Cute decor, delicious food, and excellent service! The trifecta!…read more We went here on a Saturday for brunch to celebrate our birthdays and we had the best time. As soon as you walk up the stairwell you'll be transported into this super cute place with an outdoor-indoor feel, almost like an elegant treehouse. We were seated on the second level which provided a Birds Eye view of the restaurant. We ordered a few items to share: Cameron ceviche, flautas and for our sweet tooth, French toast paired with a mango sorbet surprise with a candle for our birthdays (tip: we drizzled the melted sorbet on our French toast and took small scoops with each bite - game changer!). Everything was so delicious! We also ordered mocktails, a miche-nada for him and a lemony drink for me. This experience wouldn't have been as great without the exceptional service we had. Our waters were always refilled without asking, our tables were cleaned with every dish, honestly top-notch service! Parking can be a bit challenging but drive around a few blocks and you'll find a few spaces. Worth the walk after an incredible meal. Happy eating!

    Mírate is a stunning spot in Los Feliz that everyone needs to experience at least once! The…read morerestaurant interior is absolutely beautiful, and the presentation of both the food and drinks is pure art. While it is definitely on the pricier side, the flavors are extremely unique and delicious, making it worth the splurge for a special night out. My only real bummer was discovering they took the vegan ceviche off the menu--that was actually the whole reason I came back! I'm sure they have their reasons, but I was pretty disheartened to see it go. Overall, the menu doesn't have a ton of vegan items, but they do have some room for adjustments if you ask. Despite the menu change, the incredible atmosphere and unique menu still make it a must-try.

    Photos
    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch
    Tu Madre - Los Feliz

    Tu Madre - Los Feliz

    4.3
    (779 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Oh man. This was SO FREAKING GOOD. I have had good Mexican food, but never in my life have I had…read morebetter vegetarian tacos. Never. And I live in Portland, which has really good vegetarian options. First of all, I could eat like 75% or more of the menu as a pescatarian. I was thrilled and so overwhelmed because I normally don't have that many choices! First of all, the water was infused and was delicious. I browsed the menu and had a really hard time deciding, but ended up on the cauliflower rajas taco, the crispy shrimp taco & the vegan Korean BBQ taco. The waiter recommended the crispy shrimp taco, but I actually enjoyed the vegetarian tacos more. I love cauliflower and poblano so that taco was a great starter. So much flavor and a variety of textures. The tortillas were super flavorful too. The potato taquitos came next and I am actually obsessed. The outside was perfectly crispy, the interior was soft, flavorful & cheesy. The sauce complimented it perfectly. I can not recommend them enough. The crispy shrimp taco was really good, but I also tried a crispy fish taco and would honestly get that over the shrimp. I think there was mango or something in the coleslaw of the fish taco because it had a really nice fresh flavor to it. Last, I had the vegan Korean BBQ taco. The mushroom shreds & the flavor were just perfect. Again, as a pescatarian I have really never had Korean BBQ because it's so heavily meat focused. I truly loved this taco. If I hadn't discovered it on my last night in LA, I might've come back on my short trip. The whole place is just a vibe and the food was beyond excellent.

    perfect date night spot and apparently also a celebrity sighting zone if you keep your eyes open!…read morethe menu is genuinely wild in the best way: tacos, poke, kbbq all under one roof. plant based options too. something for everyone! we got the potato taquitos, chicken banh mi taco, korean bbq taco, crispy shrimp taco, ahi tuna poke taco, eggplant soyrizo taco, AND the mushroom taco. And I would recommend all of these (genuinely couldn't pick) drinks-wise the Cancun Fresca and the Straw-Rita were both so good!! the vibe is fun and loud and colorful in a way that just puts you in a good mood. service was great, energy was great, staff members were super friendly and would answer any questions you might have. also they have multiple locations across LA for dine in or takeout so there's really no excuse not to go!

    Photos
    Atmosphere
    Atmosphere
    KBBQ Street Taco
    KBBQ Street Taco
    Korean BBQ Taco

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    Korean BBQ Taco
    El Tepeyac Cafe

    El Tepeyac Cafe

    3.8
    (2.9k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    It's been many decades having this goodness…read more Quality value flavorful authentic supporting local business fresh plethora goodness The chili relleno burrito I pass on as there was a thicker egg batter than chili that was quite small in comparison to size of burrito The original hollenbeck absolutely hands down tender spice stuffed goodness Rice beans guac stuffed away Their veggie burrito also worth the value All burritos very shareable or leftover worthy or have an amazing happy belly Would certainly purchase and try other goodness!

    I work in East Los often, this is one of those places the locals always recommend. On a couple…read morelunchtimes I ordered through DoorDash for pick up, quick easy and convenient. The building is an original piece of the City's history, boasting a menu that features their famous burritos that vary in size from a regular to a huge party size beast that can feed several. I tried the Hollenbeck and the Okie burritos on two separate occasions via pick up, as aforementioned, the service was quick, convenient and the pick up window is seamless, parking is located next to the structure and I haven't had problems getting there. Hollenbeck was good but I definitely enjoyed the Okie burrito more, I ordered the "original" size once and didn't seem to learn my lesson the second time, these burritos can feed two in Original size. They offer a "Mini" version which would be satisfactory for one person. My favorite thing about these burritos is how "home-made" they are, the salsas and meats are fresh and taste like they came out of an abuelitas kitchen. I still need to try the crunchy tacos and nachos which look great, I recommend trying this classic establishment at least once if you're in the area.

    Photos
    El Tepeyac Cafe
    Chicken enchiladas
    Chicken enchiladas
    Beef tacos Crunchy

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    Beef tacos Crunchy
    Holbox

    Holbox

    4.7
    (2.6k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Consistently good and I'm appalled at myself for not writing a review until now. I would personally…read morecome on the weekdays during in between meal times for the shortest wait. There is a private lot but fills up, and there's also adjacent street parking. I love sitting at the bar and seeing the plate being prepared. Also love the open freezers so you can see the fresh seafood hanging. Another standout was the homemade hot sauces! Each had a distinct flavor from sweet, smokey, and hot so it was really fun to try. The ceviches and the raw cold dishes were my favorite, especially the scallop aguachile! SO GOOD. Would order that 100 times.

    Some of the best (if not the best) Mexican seafood in L.A. in sort of a random littlr pocket worth…read moregetting parking tickets over. it's not 1-star Michelin for no reason! Order the Kanpachi taco: a shatter-crisp blue corn tortilla, molten fried cheese, silky buttery kanpachi, and a slick of smoky chili oil drizzled over top. The kind of taco you'll think about long after you've experienced it. You can't go wrong with the ceviches, cocteles, or aguachiles. The ceviche is bright with lime and the cocteles are lush and briny with a tomatoey kick, and the aguachiles hit with sharp citrus, fresh herbs, and it's a really decent amount of fish. If you're looking for a more traditional hot entree get the Filete al Cabrón: grilled sea bass with cilantro-lime rice, beans, and warm flour tortillas. Simple and so comforting. Fresh seafood can be hard to find in L.A., but Holbox does it like no other. Takes me back to Mexico City every time!

    Photos
    Kitchen view
    Kitchen view
    Taco de pulpo
    Taco de pulpo
    Tostada de Atun

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    Tostada de Atun

    El Parian Restaurant - mexican - Updated July 2026

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