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    La Barca Restaurant

    3.8 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 10:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    LA BARCA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - La Barca Restaurant

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    Salsa  old-fashioned like tomato sauce. Not good.
    Ari R.

    Super bummed! I actually came here because it was an old school Mexican joint. Most of the place looks pretty authentic with some old charm, but I was seated in the far booths and they have 100W light bulbs shining down so it's super bright and not cozy at all. My Enchiladas Suizas were super small. They are very short enchiladas and you only get two so it's maybe four bites and you're done. The sauce is not tangy like most amazing Suizas. And like I said, I love old-school Mexican spots but the preparations here with the cold lettuce on the plate, the tomato sauce-ike salsa... straight out of 1940s. Sometimes recipes need a little bit of updating. No way I'd come back.

    Ofelia C.

    The food and customer service is top tier! La Barca has been part of my life experiences from celebrating going to college to receiving my doctorate. Today wasn't a celebration, I needed a hearty meal after a surgery. Mil gracias to Alberto and the staff that provided excellent service, and a tasty caldo de res. Just what I needed for my recovery.

    Fish Tacos de Pescado
    Eleni Blue M.

    Food 8/10 Service 6/10 Ambiance 10/10 We went to celebrate a birthday and it was good because they sang to the birthday girl. The food portions were a good size and very filling. They have a long happy hour with large drinks. Unfortunately They were unable to put the Dodger game on the tv but other games were being televised. Also the service staff forgot a few things.

    Shrimp
    Dee H.

    A little hidden gem with enchiladas, margaritas, and the nicest staff. Wooden tables, booths, and great staff. Lunch specials and happy hour are such a great deal. Will be back when in the area!

    Mangonada
    Kandece B.

    Was near the University Park area looking for a Mexican food restaurant for mothers day. Parking is off a major street, you would miss it if you drove fast. Bumped into this hidden place, LA Barca. Never heard of it but saw some reviews and decided to try with family. The menu is classic, prices range $20 and up. The inside is dim with some colors throughout and has a low ceiling, so the place looks packed. You could not bring a stroller or wheel chair inside to your seat without bumping into other customers. Not the safest space if an emergency occurred we would be falling over each other! Service was polite and to the point, no extras. The food was tasty, I ordered the 3 combo plate with chile releno, taco and enchilada. The rice, beans, salsa and guacamole were lightly seasoned so we added a bit of salt and pepper for taste. My guests ordered chicken enchiladas and said it was good. Drinks were OK. The tequila they used was an interesting well but had minimal impact. The frozen margaritas tasted like a slushie. It's just so small inside and the booths cant fit a group of plus size people! We all looked liked sardines in a can!

    Libation time
    Rox C.

    Another old friend we had not seen in some time. We had the Pechanga which offers a variety of appetizers of sorts. Flautas, taquitos, quesadilla and wings. The cliche Colorado burrito (wet) and of course chips and salsa. Nothing skipped a beat! Had last visited pre covid. Anyhow, clean as always, wait staff were more than fantastic and the prices did go up, but are still very fair. We recommend this place especially before a USC football game. Or after a good win!

    Menú
    Sandra V.

    I remember when I used to come here as a child. Their hard shell tacos were my favorite. Like no other hard shell tacos. This place has a special place in my heart. It has been around forever. I came here over 40 years ago the first time. The hostess was a little delayed. Once I was sat down I had two servers. Both were super nice and attentive. I had a virgin piña colada. It was delish and a nice size. Of course I had my childhood favorite hard shell chicken and beef tacos. They didn't disappoint. Had a few flashbacks, lol. The place is still fairly dark with large chair/table and booth seating.

    Sharion M.

    Some things never change... this food has been good since I was a kid definitely the best burritos in town and the service is top notch I love it here will continue to come

    Super Burrito - boring to say the least.
    Richard A.

    Decent neighborhood eating spot. Its hard for me to give it 5 stars even though I love supporting local because the food didn't give me the excitement Inused to have for this place. As all places a big negative impact on this place is inflation. The price for the quality of food don't match. I get it. They are trying to be a dine in restaurant, but really its a neighborhood spot and it should match the vibe they used to have. Decently priced food with a slightly higher feel. Now its a overly high priced spot with lower quality food. For the money spent for 2 drinks two entrees and fries over 70 bucks, I'd eat elsewhere most of the time. Still the same pleasant service, and the service really nice. I have to say they are attentive, fast, and smile a lot. So thats still awesome. A seafood bowl, a burrito with meat and lettuce (which i did not expect) and fries, two iced teas. Overall decent. A slight downgrade in quality, but still the same effort so brownie points for that. I used to love this place, now I just like it.

    Caldo de res
    Aleyda Q.

    I ordered caldo de res (beef) I got 4 carrots I hate carrots and I piece of potato the worst part is I got a nasty piece of meat with so much fat and what looks like leather (disgusting).

    Paloma
    Nancy M.

    An LA Staple" I grew up watching my elders frequent this place. As soon as I became of age to drink I ordered my own margarita. And that was in 2003 and that's how long I have been coming to LaBarca. The servers are always lit and have the best answers for any item you might have in mind. I order the same items and switch back and forth from. They are the crunchy hard shell taco or the camarones Al mojo de ajo. If I'm sharing its the coloso burrito which is very tasty. They have expanded the parking in the back and it fits way more cars than it did in the past. More convenient that way. Thank you guys for always being so graceful. Miss you always and Thank you for all the great memories. Xo-Salud.

    Mangonada
    Kristin B.

    I've been viewing this place on instagram for over a year it looked so good. This year for my birthday I decided to make a reservation and I must say it did not disappoint at all it's above five stars and is a hidden gem. All of the food was served hot and fresh , and it was very well seasoned. The mangonada was perfect and also aesthetic which you usually only get one or the other it was both. The service was excellent the waiters were very attentive and we had a party of eight . The restaurant wasn't very big inside , but i wouldn't worry about the food delivered so you won't pay attention to that at all. I highly recommend this restaurant it was excellent it did not just look good it also tasted good as well. Thank you so much for an excellent birthday with amazing food I will be back very soon.

    This how the place looked inside! On camera it doesn't look that dark but trust me it's pretty dark and jungley!!

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    9 months ago

    Happy hour is the best hour ! Wet burritos are bomb too and the service is always welcoming.

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    This restaurant is good and I highly recommend getting the colossal burrito and the service is great and the staff is amazing

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    1 year ago

    Food was delicious. Had the chicken enchiladas suizas. Ambiance was great, wish they had a live band playing.

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    Page 2 of 29

    La Barca Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Barca Restaurant

    Is the chicken "Pollo asada" or just shredded chicken? (some places assume you know one or the other)

    What time is happy hour?

    3-8 M-F, except Tuesday, that's 3-10pm

    Can you sit outside?

    No there is no longer seating outside ever since COVID

    Is La Barca pet friendly?

    As would guess no since it's all indoor seating.

    Do they have tv's, showing the sports?

    Yes they do. They show Football, soccer, basketball and I think baseball.

    Is outdoor dining available as well?

    Yes

    Anybody know if they're open yet?

    Hello, we are open for dine-in, carry-out and local delivery. For any more questions you can call us at (323) 735-6567

    Weekday buffet available for the Vermont location?

    No no

    Is there happy hour on Friday?

    Yes I believe it's M-F 3pm -8:30pm. Tuesday the happy hour is all night long.

    Is there Sunday Brunch? Do they have Mariachi music?

    No i don't believe they have Sunday Brunch and they don't have mariachi

    Is there karaoke here?

    No karaoke but there is a jukebox with a cool selection of upbeat music you can put $ in for music. Otherwise it's no music playing.

    Do they take reservations?

    I'm not sure. I always just walk in.

    Do they have vegetarian options ? Potatoes tacos?

    I don't think so but you can ask for items with out meats.

    What time does happy hour end?

    I believe it's from 3-8

    Does La Barca take catering orders?

    I not sure try to call them

    View All 19 Questions

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    Sonoratown

    Sonoratown

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Sonoratown's hype is real and hype is justified. I don't know why I never came here when I lived in…read moreDTLA, what a miss on my part. Oh well, no time like the present. I wanted to order all the things but I exercised some restraint and just ordered the CARAMELO ($8.75 - Flour tortilla, pinto beans, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado salsa, salsa roja, avocado, cabbage.). I picked chorizo as my protein option. I also, of course, had to also add the smoky grilled poblano chile for $1.25. It was SO good and FLAVORFUL - it didn't even need the salsas. Although, I will note that both the salsas were lovely. The flour tortilla was clearly freshly made. Also, it was a massive portion. I don't know what I was expecting. If this is the size of their caramelo, I don't want to know how giant the burrito is. I also had to get the cucumber agua fresca to pair with my caramelo. It was perfectly sweetened and wonderfully refreshing. I'll have to make my way back here now to try the burrito 2.0 and chivichanga.

    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.

    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)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    I LOVE DAMA. If I could give this place more than five stars, I absolutely would. I've been coming…read morehere for the past six years, and it has truly become my favorite restaurant. From the exceptional food and drinks to the warm hospitality and beautiful location, every visit is a wonderful experience. the service is always welcoming and attentive. I've recommended DAMA to so many friends over the years, and it has become a favorite for them as well. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such a high standard year after year, but DAMA does exactly that. I truly love this place and can't recommend it enough. I have several favorite dishes and celebrated many birthdays here. Thank you for six incredible years--I look forward to many more.

    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.

    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)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Family-owned & operated

    Came here to watch the World Cup game and it was a VIBBBBBBE…read more Great accommodating staff, they really were on top of cleaning up the tables and filling up our drinks The food was AMAZING! I recently visited Oaxaca & this is exactly like their mole. So. Good. Can't recommend this place MORE. Take your friends, family, coworkers they have large party friendly seating Definitely will be coming here again!

    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!

    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
    (1.2k reviews)
    4.7 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

    La Barca Restaurant - mexican - Updated July 2026

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