Food is very good. The service here really sucks! It has always sucked always it nvr changes The ppl here just stand around around and talk to each other or on there phones. It seems like the manager tall slim guy just always on his phone dosnt help out at all. All he fucking does is stands there looking around or on his damn phone! They also charge per cup of horchata no more free refills read more

This is my go to Mexican restaurant in Downey. Some places try to hard to make it fancy and some places are just so so but la Barca cantina is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Downey. Tacos are good and big. Cameron's a la diabla w bacon is my go to. Wet burritos are good and the vampire birria taco is good. Service sometimes is a bit slow but they do give good customer service. The only thing I don't like is that my friends(couples) always want to come here, and my wife and I sometimes want to try other foods lol. read more

This place is good, I ordered a Carne Asada and I thought it was good. My only complaint is that the Carne was too chewy like a gummy. Anyways the service was good and the music in the background felt a true Mexican Restaurant! read more

Sad I really don't like to write bad reviews but, you guys need to improve food quality and service for sure! It took for ever for someone to ask us what we wanted to drink and then once we ordered and got our food never seeing the waitress again until we had to pay. Food was not good omelette is something easy to make mine was burned so was my daughter. I hope you guys look into to this service and food quality is important. read more

The original location is amazing. The second location is not. This location on Firestone Blvd is the original location. Go there and enjoy some really good Mexican food and and AWESOME atmosphere. The building and the lighting is so cool. The service is great, what a team effort! read more

Brought my mom to lunch. We both had the carne asada plate. It was just ok for me. Flavor was ok, meat was fairly tender but both our carnes were small. The prices are too over the top for what you're getting. Side of rice and beans was alright. Small portions too. Service was crudy, waitress was not very welcoming and she never came back after she brought our food. There's parking in the back. Place was nice looking aesthetically. read more

Great food. Shit service. The food is great but the hosts and hostesses have no class. It definitely shows what County of Southern California you're in when you step through the main door. You're met with a sense of attitude and distaste. If you don't look like a Latin train wreck you'll barely have eye contact. Honestly this is the only downfall of this place. The food again is it's only saving grace, the smells and tastes and appearances are great but there's a BUT. You'll probably find faster service at the Buffalo Wild Wings down the street than here. The ambiance is okay. It's not set up the way it should be, they could do with more tables and servers/busboys. If the place goes under it will be due to the lack of staff and enthusiasm from them. High school girls that look like 40yr old cholas is the theme here. Nothing is missed here that you can't get elsewhere. The facade is not done well enough to hide the dreariness of La Barca in Downey. Get better staff and you will have a better restaurant. I am only putting this in because I enjoy the food and my family loves it as well. But remember it's the people that make the place. Find people who don't already feel entitled to a living wage when they haven't earned one. P.S. Karla, the Closing server was the best we've ever had. Just wish they were all like her. read more

Hemos tenido muy buena experiencia ya por varios años! La comida muy bien servida y un precio excelente! Necesitas probar la carne asada y el salmón read more

Friday (8/7/2020) dinner date with my husband during these times is bliss! First time at this location. We arrived, were greeted, and seated outdoors with the view off of Firestone Blvd (definitely beats seating at the tables located at the rear parking lot). Our server was Silvia. She was friendly & professional. We ordered our drinks and once received, we ordered our entrees. My husband ordered salmon en jugo de birria & i the bacon wrapped shrimp. The portions are HUGE and allows one to share; however the salmon entree needed more salmon. There was more onions than anything. We'll take bigger portions of salmon than vegetables and rice. The bacon wrapped shrimp wasn't the best. Something was missing cos it was flavorless! The rice, potatoes, and salad were good. The house salsa & chips were bomb! Asked for seconds :)- Overall, I am sharing my experience & hope you give this restaurant a try! read more

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You can never go wrong with this location. The food always has great flavor. The drinks are not watered down. And the table service is always going the extra to accommodate for a good dining experience. Thanks tell them Richard sent you!!! read more

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I ordered some grilled fish and it was delicious! They really changed the atmosphere for covid and everything is outdoors. The waitress here are all very nice and they make sure you are served throughout your meal. At first I had ordered a fish with garlic and it can't drowned in butter so just don't order that I don't recommend. Overall, good service, good atmosphere and good food. read more

La Barca Restaurantes - Pescado a la plancha - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

If a customer goes to a restaurant and ask the hostess to be seated but instead of attending you she decided that she rather sits other patrons who arrived afterward, and rings up other customers in front of you, when there are many open tables, how would you feel? My wife then asked to speak to the manager to address the concern of being ignored and he started talking about respect and instead of helping her he justified the actions of the hostess. My wife tried to explained to the idiot manager that she was being ignored. The hostess told my wife that she didn't like her attitude which is both rude and unprofessional. I spoke to the manager, who is the owners son, he is as tall as he stupid. The manager tells me that my wife was cursing at the hostess. Which is an outright lie. I asked him several times if he heard my wife cursing. He responded with "2 customers heard her cursing". When I asked him IF HE heard her he was again responded with 2 customers heard her cursing. I have 15 years in the hospitality industry and the owners son did not address the issue in a professional manner or give the customer the benefit of the doubt. He was just unprofessional and had attitude towards me. That's why this place has 3 stars which doesn't surprise me. The food is marginal at best. I will not be dining at this restaurant anymore. They lost a customer who had been coming here since they opened. read more

I've been coming here since they opened and this is easily one of my favorite restaurants. Food is authentic and tasty and the service is great. Will always be a go to for me! read more

La Barca Restaurantes - Camaron de Ajo - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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Everything was great but the waiter didn't had No experience on customer experience .. he needs too be trained more often.. but the food was great read more

My family and I have enjoyed Sunday lunch here, twice. Both times were a very pleasant experience. Keep in mind, this restaurant is Mexican with a twist of modern. Don't expect the Mariachi band (who I appreciate and enjoy, by the way) to greet you or your group in song as you walk in. Instead, you'll enjoy a mellow mix of Spanish music playing in the background. The hostess are very welcoming, courteous and helpful. As you walk in to be seated, you can appreciate a lovely blossom tree, centered under the natural light skyline window ceiling. The natural light gives the place a nice warm feel. The combination of booth seats and tables give the place an elegant-casual vibe. *The food The chips and salsa brought to us were fresh. The tortilla chips are made fresh to order and the salsa is from scratch. No 'can' flavoring anywhere in sight. We ordered a side of guacamole, which tasted freshly made and a nice lime tang to it. Very well balanced. We ordered enchiladas for my teenage son, Machaca con huevo for my husband and I had the huevós ala abuelita breakfast dish. The sauce on my dish was similar to the chips and salsa, however I'm not complaining since it was delicious, rustic and versatile. Worked well with the egg base dish. The cheese that topped our dish was authentic fresh. *The service Our servers on both visits were polite, checked on us regularly and made sure we had our glasses and coffee topped. I like that. *The price For the atmosphere, the service, the food portions and most importantly, the FLAVOR, the prices are very reasonable. For me, it's not so much about the portion as it is about the freshness and flavor. They come close to authentic. For those who come expecting an "Acapulco" feel to it, turn around and head back out. You won't find it here. However, I encourage you to stay and enjoy the different dishes/flavors offered here. *Pros: See above. Cons: I'd personally change the variety of music. I get that they're going for a modern twist to the restaurant, so maybe they're steering away from the cantina/loud mariachi band-playing -in- your ear, type of feel, but their selection in playlist can be better. I'd encourage they include Mariachi/ranchero genre. You'd be surprised how much of an elegant feel you can add with the right folk music. Needless to say, we'll be back soon. Ji read more

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As a faithful customer to La Barca coming with my family almost every weekend to eat I am very hurt about this employee "Chloe" not being capable of doing her job. I understand the estimated time it can be more or less in the past we have waited longer than today and we still have the respect to wait because we love the food,vibe and service. As I was speaking to the two front girls I noticed there was a huge confusion. Chloe told me "we called your name" as the other looked at her and said "we skipped her". I said okay well it shouldn't be long for us to get a table right? The other girl left to give a table to smaller families but as I waited with my family I asked Chloe will it be longer than 10 min? I mean it was your mistake we both know that you did not called my name your co-worker admit it in front of you and me. Chloe had the audacity to lie in front of face and the of the other customers and raised her voice like if she was a customer or the actual owner and said "yes I did!" I admit after that I raised my voice to her I couldn't believe an employee would raise her voice the way she did she made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome I told her you should not raise Your voice to me because of me you get paid her response was "no you don't pay me the owners do! A restaurant survives and its successful because of their customers no restaurant would survive without customers right? Isn't this how employees get paid? . It was terrible I felt humiliated by her. I cannot imagine if a customer walks in and has an aggressive attitude or simply having a bad day Chloe would not be able to have the intelligence to have the right response. It should definitely be a concern to the owners-of La Barca. P.s Even her co-workers had to calm her down. UPDATE!!!!: as we were prepared to leave our table we were still sitting down waiting for our bill to pay , she came to our table and threatened me that if I did not take her picture down she threatened she would call the cops on me because she did not give me consent for me to take a picture. I would of gladly taken down the picture if Chloe would of politely waited for me and my family to walk away from the table and had the respect to let me know how she felt about my review or the pic privately or away from the other tables. By the way I took a picture because I notice there are pictures of the actual owners here on Yelp about other customers reviews. La Barca should have a sign posted to give a warning about consent or privacy. REMEMBER CHLOE ACTIONS SPEAK BY THEMSELVES read more

I came to this place a couple times, never get this Cain of treatment I always go to restaurants and work on customer services too, and I know customer are very important for business. Even, everyone deserves respect and being treated right. and a person name Gabriel or Javier the manager he give us two name when we ask him separate, was very rude and disrespectful whit us and specially with my mom ! That's very sad and left me just with the sensation of not returning bi recommending to Nadir this restaurant. The manager does not know how to treat a client. they should train their employees not to be taught whit customer. read more

Great place to eat and have a nice drink! Their salsa verde chiliquilles are so good!

Los frijoles que me sirvieron olían a podrido, que ni me los pude comer del mal olor. El servicio de muy baja calidad, no pienso volver jamás! read more

Took me a while to order off the menu....things I wanted not on the menu....chips tasted a bit over done....salsa was ok....menu is a bit pricey....was trying to eat low carb.....ordered the shrimp cocktail....it was "goopy" with a weird after taste...service was ok....had to ask for things twice....rather than they ask you if u need anything....I guess not my type of Mexican food! Showed the waitress there was no salt in the shaker.....she just stared at me and walked away....never brought another one....we got up and took one from another table....prices are up, quality and service are way down! read more

I have came here twice, the first was during lunch and the food was great! However this last time, I went to the bathroom and it was horrifying! There was a mess everywhere, walked into a stall and while there was toilet paper all over the floor I was disturbed to finding a pad, yes a woman's sanitary napkin where the toilet covers were. Absolutely disgusted, I walked to see no soap in the sink area. Luckily, I was able to grab my family as they were just being seated. I asked for a manager however when I told him he DID NOT seem interested in knowing his bathrooms were nightmarish. Let's just say, I won't be back. read more

Service was terrible! Would not recommend the food at all!!! The only okay-ish was the salsa and chips. The fish which was more like salmon jerky. Way over cooked! They don't carry tartar sauce. The frozen fried shrimp, they don't carry cocktail sauce. The chicken enchiladas.... The chicken was old and nasty. read more

La Barca Restaurantes - Over cooked salmon and frozen shrimp. - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

Been coming here since it opened and also to their other locations and we've never had any issues here. Sure the service can be slow and you can tell they are short staffed at times but overall it's nothing to complain about. We've even had a party of 20 plus and we were happy with our service. All food we've ordered has always been good as well. Space is large and open which makes it comfortable. We will keep coming back. read more

Waited for almost an hour to be seated when the owner at the check in table told us it would only be 30 - 35 mins. It was only a party of two. Sad thing is that we've been coming here since it has opened (not saying this place is perfect but we've had a better off experience before) and this is time around has been the worse experience ever. After waiting almost an hour I get served my enchiladas and well the picture could speak for itself. I've had this plate a many of times and this time was very disappointing. The green salsa was everywhere, covered the beans, and barely enough rice. Next time just order for take out. read more

La Barca Restaurantes - Green enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

Good food, friendly staff and fast service. Ambience is fun, friendly, and loud LOL because of the live music. I would definitely come back to this restaurant to celebrate my next birthday. Thank you. read more

El fin de semana pasado celebramos ahí la comida para nuestra boda y todo estuvo perfecto, muy económico y súper recomendado.

The food is very overpriced. It is a wanna be real Mexican restaurant. I ordered the chicken in mole and it was obviously not served fresh. The mole had been poured on the chicken for a while since it was settled on the sides. It lacked the flavor of a Mexican dish. We were very disappointed. Won't be back. read more

Went in for a dinner drink s first time there Asked if they had (Old Fashion drink " waiter rudely replied" No we do not!! Asked for a Paloma w Tajin. " we don't have that". The waiter Carla was not friendly Food was delicious. Not sure if service was worth it Manager was very sincere & apologetic read more

Food is always the best ! The service could use a little help ! They tend to forget about you ! You have to flag someone down to help ! Very nice inside always busy which tells you a lot about the food ! It's definitely a must try place and you will get hooked ! The chips and salsas are excellent! Prices are surprisingly not bad at all ! You get more than your moneys worth ! And a great place for special occasions and get togethers ! They can accommodate large parties with no problem! read more

Their plates are a hit or miss. The camarones a la diabla are spicy, you can ask for them peeled, comes with a side of rice and potato wedges. Carne en su jugo has to be one of my favorites. The steak picado isn't the best, hardly had any steak and the few were mainly fat. Waiters are attentive, even when extremely busy. Parking isn't big enough but you won't find yourself waiting too long for a spot. read more

First time here & I definitely recommend it. Only thing I didn't like was the banda & how it turns into a legit club. With bottle service and everything lol I mean if that's your thing you're going to love it but I just wanted to eat some mariscos & have a drink, but again I enjoyed it & thanks to our server I completely forgot her name so sorry but black hair very pretty. The manager asked us if we were able to move a little down which we didn't mind & they got us a round of drinks. Appreciate the thought read more

this restaurant is fairly new to downey! INSIDE: the restaurant is huge! tables aren't so close together so it a nice to feel like you can have a conversation without feeling like people are ease dropping SERVICE: great service, our server was very attentive and our food came out in a timely manner FOOD: you can find typical mexican food here, i got the chicken flautas. I felt like they were lacking in flavor, the chicken on the inside didn't do much for me nor did the salsa. my friends got a molcajete, which was delicious, the rice and beans did not have much flavor chips and dip were provided when we sat down but BEWARE of the salsa, the temperature is hot and we had no idea and burned our tongues DRINKS: amazing drinks, all were presented nicely and very tasteful read more

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Very good Mexican food in an area where you have multiple choices! Beautiful modern restaurant! Highly recommend!

I had the worst experience at this location. I am always ordering two main dishes from their menu and it's always missing two to three things. I called to speak to a manager this evening regarding this repetitive instance and the manager himself would not tell me his name. I politely asked who I had the pleasure in speaking with and his response was "I don't know you, why should I tell you my name" he also said "depending on what you're calling for, I'll let you know my name" it was extremely rude. His customer service was by far the worst thing I've experienced and I'm a returning customer. I am extremely not pleased with this or the service I've received from this location. read more

I've been to this restaurant maybe like 3 times because I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt but their service is TERRIBLE!!!! The last time I was there we had such bad service and when we complained to the manager about the terrible service we got from the waiter, the waiter never came back to attend to us. The food is good when they get it right but that's rare. My husband and I were talking about maybe going back but it is a definite "NO!!" The employees have no respect for their manage and especially the customers. I am giving one start because I have to but they should give the option to give negative stars. Such a nice restaurant but service sucks!!!! read more

I've been to the La Barca Grill & Cantina on Paramount in Downey and I enjoyed it, so I thought I'd give the new location a try. I was a little disappointed with the decor and the vibe, I prefer the more authentic decor, mariachis and so on, but that's just my personal preference. The food was OK, I had a cheese enchilada with rice and beans. The enchilada was made with cotija cheese which doesn't melt as well, the flavor of the red sauce was good, so was the rice and beans. I also had a Tamarindo margarita on the rocks, which was very tasty. My friend ordered a combination plate with 1 enchilada, 1 flauta and 1 Chile relleno, he enjoyed it all. Our server Mario did a great job, the staff was friendly, prices were reasonable. Parking is conveniently located in the back of the restaurant steps from the entrance. read more

La Barca Restaurantes - Good times at La Barca - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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Great service, no issues there but quality of foos and taste I definitely deserves a 3 star rating, wasn't bad but wasn't great.

Coming into this restaurant, it looks amazing and has a really nice vibe. Starting off, the menu is entirely in Spanish with no English description. I can read Spanish but my wife can't so I found myself explaining what the things on the menu were and I can see that this would be a problem for someone who doesn't speak or read the language. We sat down and got our chips and salsa, the salsa was hot (as in temperature) and tasted like Tomato sauce. The Birria tacos were pretty amazing but we found most of the other food plain We thought since it was a more modern type of place with what looked to be a good but simple drink menu that we would get good drinks We order 4 different types of drinks all which came out after a long period of time and were way to sweet. Overall not worth it, you want better drinks try Tempo, you want better food, go to Gloria's. read more

Updating this review since I've come a couple more times since the first review. Horrible food, so-so service. Everything I've had from this menu so far lacks flavor. EVERYTHING! The menu has potential but you all need to revamp the recipes or add some seasoning. read more

Bad service, bad food, bad prices for food that doesn't taste good. I tried to drink a mangoneada Margarita and was disappointed again . Bad everything...had a bad dinner experience. read more