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    El Zarape

    4.2 (957 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order El Zarape Takeout or Delivery

    El Zarape Photos

    Business Info

    EL ZARAPE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Zarape

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    Aiperi A.

    My new favorite Mexican restaurant in WeHo Literally everything we ordered was freshly made , quick and inexpressibly delicious. Hospitality was top notch. Super cute interior. On top of all that you also get the happy hours with EXTREMELY CHEAP prices. Must visit!

    Taquitos Dorados
    Roel C.

    Hey Fam, Check out this small Mexican Restaurant. Only a few seats outside or just take out. There is a cute liquor store behind that has great selection of canned cocktails or wine. The Chicken Taquitos were really good and so was The El Zarape burrito which is a Cali Burrito with Fries inside. Also the Mole Quesadilla was amazing! Street Parking can be challenging, Credit Cards accepted. Staff has always been so Nice. Support small businesses

    I noticed that the menu lists chips and guacamole under "Sides," so I ordered just the guacamole. However, when I went to pick it up, the cashier denied me the chips. I wasn't asking for free chips; I simply expected them to come with my order as indicated. It's quite disappointing, and I doubt the restaurant would suffer financially by including a few chips with the guacamole.

    Taquitos Dorados
    Francesca L.

    Needed to grab something to eat before seeing Poetry for the People at the Fountain Theater and El Zarape's patio turned out to a great choice on a warm day. There was a bit of people watching too.. maybe because of the liquor shop next door. Easy ordering at the window, there were printed pamphlet menus, a posted menu, and some specials - so be sure to look through it all. J ordered a bacon breakfast burrito and a cafe de olla (in case of mild food coma ha) and I ordered taquitos dorados with chicken. Everything was served fresh and hot, but the service is not quick. The food was served with care, on lovely plates and with garnishes. Although we were on a slight time crunch, the presentation even being just a patio spot was so nice the we had to sit and enjoy it. With the taquitos I especially loved that you could taste the oregano in the chicken and the fresh lettuce to cool everything down. I had a couple bites of the breakfast burrito and the salsa verde added some nice tangy light spice on the savory bacon, potatoes, and eggs. We enjoyed our quick lunch!

    Molcajete

    Love the molcajete, however the tacos were not impressive. Only one small thin tortilla. I understand is only tacos, but I expected more, compared with me other previous experiences at this place.

    Surf & Turf Burrito
    Abeeha H.

    A cute authentic Mex food place tucked east past downtown! I used to come here more when I lived here, but was glad food was still really good and the people here were awesome still! Carne asada here is so so so good and is definitely the main thing to recommend when eating here. Small touches like the colorful chips, cute menu, art on the building walls all make the experience more fun. Would be a good idea for a casual date on a day with good weather.

    Rice and beans
    Sofya P.

    I will always rave about this spot. Everything we have had so far is a hit. Chicken enchiladas was a new try. Very good!!! Salsa verde had a nice kick and chicken was very tender.

    Refried beans
    Claudia S.

    This is a decent late night taco shop that hits the spot!!! I like their tacos and their nachos are the best. I like adding their authentic guacamole. All the nacho toppings go well with any protein of your choice. Rice and beans also really good and authentic. Definitely my late night Mexican restaurant of choice when I DoorDash. Highly recommend!!!

    Steak & Eggs for the WIN!
    Skye W.

    The tacos are pretty basic compared to the taco trucks that a near by, but I got the steak & eggs once & was SOLD! It was so good! Well seasoned & well cooked. Overall super happy with that meal:)

    Specials and happy hour menu
    Quynh D.

    I forgot how good this spot is! Craving Mexican food and decided to stop by. This checked all the boxes because it's quick and no frills with great service. The quality is also there.. you get what you pay for. I had shrimp tacos and carnitas tacos and it was definitely filling. I also got a horchata which wasn't great- tasted watered down. Difficult to find parking, and it's in a sketch area of town. Outside seating only and it's limited to a small area with a few tables. Worth it though! I want to come back already and try all the other options. They have plates and happy hour menu (although limited)

    Birria De Res Plate
    Persis R.

    Very flavorful birria de rez. Food came out pretty quickly with some nice tortillas. Salsas are tasty. The dark one is really spicy but tastes great. Nice outdoors ambiance with cool Latin music playing. Will be back to try some more items. About $45 for 2 plates of food and jamaicas. A bit pricey but it was a good experience overall.

    Quesabirria

    Stopped by for a quick lunch today and couldn't decide on what to order, I ended up ordering the quesabirria tacos however in all my excitement I think the staff misunderstood my order and charged for a birria quesadilla. When I got my order I realized it was wrong but I didn't want to have the staff remake the order (they were so kind and willing to but it was not necessary) and it was honestly so much more food than I was expecting. The staff so kindly offered me a quesabirria taco to accommodate for the misunderstanding, I was not expecting this at all but this speaks so highly of their customer service. The ambiance was great and the food was amazing. I will definitely be back with friends!

    Surf & turf heaven

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    29 days ago

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    29 days ago

    I've had El Zarape several more times, and it's been consistently delicious. Al pastor, taquitos, rice, beans, salsa - all excellent.

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Waited over 20 minutes for 2 overpriced bean and cheese burritos that were 95% thick cheese and 5 percent beans. Very disappointing

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    8 months ago

    Our company orders tamales every year for holiday party every year an El Zarape never fails! The burritos are amazing as well!

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    9 months ago

    I ordered a chicken quesadilla and while I was eating it I felt two small pieces of chicken bone

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    Page 1 of 24

    El Zarape Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Zarape

    Hello, are the beans and rice vegan or are they cooked with chicken broth or lard? Thank you

    no

    Any Taco Tuesday specials as of 2022?

    Yes we have an 18 taco tray for 38.00 it also includes chips and salsa.

    Is the chicken tinga made with chicken breast?

    When are you open?

    They close at midnight daily but I'm not sure when they open!

    View All 5 Questions

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    Sonoratown

    Sonoratown

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    Cute spot, very clean staff all very busy but still have time tontine care of your order which is…read morevery admirable. The tacos de cabeza!!!!! Wow they are amazing. The way the perfect thin tortilla just lets you taste all the meat and sauce perfectly (I want some as I'm writing this). I can really see why this place is so popular.

    Had this bookmarked for ages!…read more I showed up on Sunday night at 815p and there were only two parties ahead of me. I read rumors of lines, but YMMV depending on when you show up. The menu is quite simple, but beware that no prices are listed on the main menu, but they are on the paper menus. They accept Apple Pay/credit cards. I ordered the asada burrito and the pollo caramelo and added the grilled poblano (as recommended on Yelp!). The tortillas were the true stars -- soft, nice chew, with a buttery mouth feel (probably lard). The fillings were just ok. The inside reminded me of a Taco Bell 7 layer burrito -- a lot going on but all the flavors kinda blend together. I (incorrectly) thought the beans were refried, but they are not. Whatever is going on inside, I didn't find much structure. The burrito was the best. The caramelo was a lazily folded burrito. I read that it was like a quesadilla, but I couldn't disagree more. I would skip this next time. I spent $25 and it was a lot of food, but I wasn't impressed, especially given the hype and the fact that LA should really be the pinnacle of Mexican food. Not sure if I'll make a second trip here.

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
    Burrito cabeza

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    Burrito cabeza
    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$$

    Was brought here by a friend as they knew I was a foodie and wanted to show me their favorite tapas…read morespot Downtown in the Fashion Distric for an early birthday celebration. Cute building with lovely patio seating: from the trailing hanging pothos plants, Spanish tiles, to relaxing latin-house music the vibes were welcoming. I'm not much of a drinker though, when asked if I wanted to make my pina colada a "float" I thought incorrectly about ice cream. It was graciously explained that you take an additional shot of rum and float it on top of the drink or mix in to make it extra boozy. The pina colada is top notch they hollow out a real pineapple to make the drink and it's the size of your face! The watermelon cocktail was delicious and there is also a mezcal option. Tasted like if a watermelon aqua Fresca was combined with a margarita, there is a hint of salt that brings out the fruit sweetness. We special ordered a bunch of different proteins and vegetables at half portions to make a feast: Aguachile- Light refreshing starter, kanpachi perfectly marinated and great for the summer heat. Crispy potato- Phenomenally done fingerling potatoes. Whipped beans- Carnitas on top made this dish. Fried chicken tacos- Found the chicken slightly on the dry side, if there was a creamy/thicker sauce would be even better... nothing wrong with flavor, good mild heat. I did enjoy the fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, reminded me of bahn mi. Empanadas- Loved the acidity of the sauce that cut through the fattiness of the ground meat. Light shell. Crispy Squash flower- Delicate crunch, like an angelic version of a jalapeno popper. Lamb chops- Definition of "treat-yourself" luxurious meat lollipops. Celery salad- Simple dish but the lemon flavor and tartness really helped break up the richness of other dishes. Churros- Light crunch and small, petite dessert. The thin caramel sauce is addicting. Fine dining, for those special occasions or if you just want to splurge for a morale boost highly recommend this restaurant. Valet parking or park across the street or around the corner in a lot for $5-10.

    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
    Calamari
    Calamari
    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

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    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    3.0 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)
    0.8 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    Girl dinner on the open-air patio, and everything worked: food, drinks, and service that was…read moreattentive without hovering. Mírate is known for its agave program (ranked among the best bars in North America, with a dedicated mezcaleria), and it shows even in simple orders. Our skinny spicy marg, skinny Cadillac, and two ranch waters were all clean and well balanced. The crab & cheese buñuelitos, the taco de ribeye, and the potatoes & piquillos, which quietly outperformed for a $10 side. One note for fellow spice-sensitive folks: the salsa molcajete is their mildest salsa, but it still had a kick for me. My friend's branzino arrived beautifully charred and plated. If you're gluten-free or celiac, this kitchen gets it. They swapped in corn tortillas without hesitation and took care of my celiac friend with zero stress. Not a given, even in LA. The multi-level space is stunning, so come a few minutes early to take it in. Parking is easy too: valet at the restaurant or 2 lots about a block away. Already planning what to order next time.

    I was really hoping to leave a positive review, but unfortunately that wasn't the case…read more I've been to Mirate before on June 20, and my experience then was nothing like my visit on July 10, 2026. One of the reasons I recommended Mirate is because it's known for being a highly rated modern Mexican restaurant with exceptional service and knowledgeable staff, especially when it comes to tequila and mezcal. Unfortunately, that was not my experience at all. Before ordering food, I asked our server about the differences between the mezcals and which flight they would recommend. The only explanation I received was, "It's just different families, so I'd go with the higher quality one." There was no real information or guidance, and it was obvious they didn't know much about the mezcal selection. I ended up choosing one based solely on what sounded best. We were then informed that the menu had recently changed and is now mostly tapas. That's perfectly fine, but I noticed several items from my previous visit were still available, so I figured I'd order a few favorites along with some new dishes. Most of the food was actually great. The ribeye tacos, tostada, and buñuelitos were all delicious. However, the carne asada was extremely disappointing. We only sent back one plate because I felt bad sending both, and that's when a manager (the gentleman with the man bun) came over. He explained that they have a new chef from Oaxaca, but what confused me was that they were serving Argentinian-style steaks as their carne asada. Instead of a traditional Mexican-style cut, it was thin, flat, and honestly looked like a breakfast steak. For a restaurant that prides itself on being a modern Mexican restaurant, serving Argentinian steak as carne asada just didn't make sense to me. To his credit, he removed both carne asada plates from our bill, which I genuinely appreciated. After that, he asked if there was anything else we'd like. I personally said no, but someone else at the table asked for one more ribeye taco. The manager replied, "You know what? I'll bring you one, and I'll bring them another too." Naturally, I assumed he was offering the extra taco as a goodwill gesture since I hadn't ordered anything else. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bill and realized both tacos had been added to our tab. I wasn't going to argue over the price of a taco, but it was frustrating because I never asked for it. In fact, I ended up giving that taco away to my friends. If it wasn't complimentary, it shouldn't have been presented as if it were. Another thing worth mentioning is that while the carne asada portion has clearly gotten much smaller, the price remains exactly the same, which doesn't seem justified. Overall, my biggest disappointment is that there was no indication when making the reservation that this was essentially an experimental period with a new chef introducing major menu changes. Had I known beforehand, I never would have recommended Mirate for our dinner, and to be completely honest, I probably wouldn't have made a reservation at all. I only get two days off each month, so this was supposed to be something I could really enjoy. Instead, it honestly felt like a waste of my time and money. I'm sorry to say that while there were a few good moments, they faded very quickly. Unfortunately, the negative parts are what have stayed with me, and that's what I'll remember most about the experience. It's disappointing because I know how great Mirate can be since I experienced it just a few weeks ago. I truly hope they can regain the quality of food, service, and overall experience that made me recommend it in the first place . ( for the picture of the flat carne asada the full steak has 2 more strips added but we had tried it before taking a picture however that's MOST of the "carne asada" portion in the picture )

    Photos
    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch
    El Tepeyac Cafe

    El Tepeyac Cafe

    3.8
    (2.9k reviews)
    6.8 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)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    We visited on a Saturday around 3:00 PM. The line looked intimidating at first, but it moved…read moresurprisingly quickly. We waited about 30 minutes to place our order and another 15 minutes for the food. Since it's located inside a dining hall, it's not a full-service restaurant. You order at the counter and then find your own table. Although it was busy, we had no trouble finding a seat. Everything we ordered was incredibly fresh and flavorful. My favorite was the octopus taco. It was perfectly cooked, packed with flavor, and tasted exceptionally fresh. Overall, the food was well worth the wait.

    For a Michelin-recognized restaurant, our meal did not live up to the hype…read more Kanpachi & Uni Tostada: From the first bite, something tasted noticeably off. We both paused because of a strongly bitter lingering taste - the uni had spoiled. Spot Prawn & Scallop Aguachile: Two pieces of spot prawn and six little pieces of scallop swimming in a pool of a very tart lime-based sauce. While the shrimp itself tasted sweet, the scallop didn't taste like anything. The overall dish felt one-dimensional for the price. Ceviche de Rockot (Rockfish): More reasonable portion. Snappy texture. For a mild, sweet fish, this could have been a great canvas for creative flavors. Instead it's just lime-y like the prior dishes. While each dish looked aesthetic, they shared the same acidic flavor profile. I found myself wishing for more creativity and variety in the sauces and seasonings. The seafood quality also needs to be more consistent, especially when serving premium ingredients. Service: Order and pay at the counter, grab a table number, and the staff brings the food out. The restaurant itself is located in a shared casual dining space. Pay to park. I don't think the experience justified the reputation or the prices.

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

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    Tostada de Atun

    El Zarape - mexican - Updated July 2026

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