I love this spot, it feels like home. Always great service and incredible value. For prices like this you don't get chips and salsa usually but here you do and the chips are amazing. The menu itself is vast, plenty of options. My personal favorite is the lengua burrito, it's a good sized burrito and is delicious. If you're looking for a calmer, home feel place to eat while in Irvington there isn't a better spot than this. read more

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The food is 4-star, but the interior of the restaurant is where the deductions step in. The chips....oh, the chips are fire! The are made in-house and just have a more delicate texture than you get at other restaurants. Chorizo queso was very flavorful, but maybe a little thinner consistency than we were used to getting. Burritos are huge and delicious. The chorizo tacos were very tasty as well. The downfall to everything is the condition of the dining area. It was clean (and what I could see of the kitchen looked clean), but It seemed to me to be less maintained/updated than a dive bar. The parking lot is also a problem as it has zero lights. Well, minus the stick on solar lights they've stuck on a few places of the building. BUT...the restaurant was recently purchased by a younger couple!! We were told a new menu was coming very soon. Hopefully with time, they will make the improvements to make this a no hesitation go-to for Mexican food in Irvington! Until then, give them your support via carry out. read more

Amazing service, even better food. Deserves so many customers. Will definitely be back again. read more

La escollera - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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La Escollera is a true mom n pop! The mom is the server and the pop is the cook, if you're in a hurry this place may not be for you. This is easily my favorite Mexican in the city!! The restaurant is small with only about 10 tables. The chips are fresh made in house , very light and fluffy , and the salsa is delicious!! If you're on the east side and have a little extra time to spare I recommend you stop in for a taste. read more

La escollera - Steak, chorizo and pastor tacos with cilantro, onions, and cheese!! - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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This is the only Mexican option in Irvington. But it is a really good one. They specialize in seafood and the price is right. It's got a cool hole-in-the-wall vibe too. read more

La escollera - a plate of tortillas and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Delicious! Tried this place for the first time last week and I wanna go again and again. Everything is really good for the most part, the chips were more oily than I would like and the steak I ordered on my sope was too chewy to bite into but everything else we got was GREAT. I just know what not to get next time. Nonetheless, the waitress was kind and quick for being the only one there and things were reasonably priced. Inside is nothing fancy but seemed clean enough. I will be going back! read more

Went here on a Saturday night, party of four, and they were pretty full. We've liked this place for a long time, it's far more genuine than most chain restaurants serving what they claim is Mexican food. Here's the big warning: Don't squeeze the red hot sauce bottles hard. My "brave" friend tried this, and his eyes bugged out as he ate a steak taco with it. Handily, there are hard candies available; slip one under your tongue (or a little raw sugar if it's nearby) and it'll cure the burn. Soon, his melting forehead was back to normal. For me, however, it's great! You don't have to order or spice it hot if you don't want to. There are lots of seafood selections on the menu and it's all nicely prepared, traditionally. We keep coming back. Helps if you speak Spanish, but it's not completely necessary. It's a small place, not good for big parties, but they have booths and extra chairs. We love it. read more

Everything was delicious except the service Was a little slow And it was not busy at all and the food was very authentic Mexican food.. read more

I don't usually leave reviews but this place deserves it. My girlfriend and I love this mom and pop restaurant. It's never usually busy which is surprising considering how good the food is. Let's start with the salsa... Bruh. I could eat a gallon and still not be satisfied. You can tell it's made fresh everyday and it's by far the best. We usually keep it simple and order chorizo or steak tacos with onion and cilantro. Amazing every single time. The home made red hot sauce is good on every single dish. The waitress, (who I believe is the owner), is always kind and I think she's also making the food back there at the same time. Thank you La Escollera! read more

Stopped in while biking around the city with friends. Super quick service as they weren't busy anyway. The tostada was SO good! The strawberry marg, not so much. It was too sweet and syrupy. I could have gotten a second tostada and side of rice for less than the cost of the margarita. Also noting that they bring you complimentary chips and salsa because apparently not all Mexican restaurants do that anymore. read more

La escollera - Pastor Tostada, side of arroz, strawberry margarita, chips and queso - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I was seeing a Chiropractor a few blocks away and finally asked about this restaurant. I was told their food was pretty good. I went that same day and have returned at least 3 more times. I went last week for my co-worker and I. Their food is amazing. I like to eat at small taco spots. The rice and beans are the bomb. Food is always fresh and I'm never disappointed. I keep reading about the chips. Haven't tried them yet but I sure plan to. Y'all stop in!!! You won't be sorry. read more

Been frequenting La Escollera for years now and have noticed they don't get the praise they deserve! Their menu gives a wide variety of options from vegetarian to seafood. The taco line up is dependable everytime with their lengua being a personal favorite. Small husband and wife operation but they make the experience enjoyable and food delicious. A must stop for any Mexican food enthusiast! read more

This place is amazing. A little diamond hidden. Amazing food and the people are nice. We have been here multiple times. This is our go to Mexican restaurant. We love it so much. read more

If you live on the east side and haven't hit up La escollera you're missing out. Sure it may have a few bullet holes in the window but are you going to let that deprive your taste buds from pure ecstasy?? I've never been to Mexico so I have no real control variable of what authentic Mexican food is like, but I have to assume that this is as close as it gets this north of the border. It's simple, no-frills, quality medics food. Maybe don't eat here if you're on a low-calorie diet. My only complaint is that sometimes the chips are cold which starts my meal off in disappointment. read more

Best chicken tacos and salsa in the city. Staff is always friendly and quick service.

So, you're going to read all these fabulous reviews and you're going to think, "Let's try it!" Then you're going to pull up in the parking lot and think, "Oh no. I'm going to get murdered." GO IN. The food is worth the initial fear. Tacos are amazing. Chorizos are amazing. Their chips are flakey and yummy and so delicious. Salsa is perfect. Service is really good. They're so nice. The bathrooms are clean. Prices are unbelievable. Both of us ate appetizers and a meal for $16. (WHAAAAT???) You'll wish the place was just an itsy bitzy less scary (although honestly it's not bad once you get inside). Go. GO!!!! Probably one of the yummiest Mexican restaurants in town. read more

La escollera - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Authentic Mexican as well as a large seafood menu. The tacos are delicious and the real deal. The menu covers all the standard Mexican dishes. Chips and salsa are homemade and fresh. The first basket of chips is free but extras cost. Credit cards for orders $10 and above only. It is small inside but clean and service is friendly. They have a variety of beers. And Chocola! read more

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It has taken me more than a year to eat at this place, admittingly due to the external condition of the building, but my experience was great. It is a dive location but the food is scrumptious. The homemade chips were phenom and so delicious with queso & salsa. There weren't many folks dining on a Thursday night so my service was very fast. However, it does appear to be a slower moving restaurant, so if you're in a rush it might not be the best option. There was only one wait staff during my visit. I had the chicken burrito and it was probably one of my top three burritos of all time. (That's saying a lot) it was very fresh and tasty and I didn't feel overwhelmed by any one ingredient. It was absolutely HUGE so it made a great lunch the very next day. **IMPORTANT : my husband, who is allergic to shellfish, suffered a reaction almost immediately after his first bite of chicken enchilada. Luckily it was not too severe, but certainly enough to warn others to be understand that this place is known for their seafood/shellfish dishes and it might be worth pointing out your allergy. For what it's worth, the waitresses confirmed that all meats are prepared in the same area. read more

La escollera - Mmmm...burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

When English is not the first language on the menu, you are in the right place for authentic Mexican cuisine. As new residents of the near east side, we decided to pull up Yelp and find a Mexican restaurant for dinner. After asking a friend to help me narrow down the long list of options, she chose La Escollera among others. The ultimate decision to attend was the proximity and the wide variety on the menu. You'll start your meal with hand-made tortillas that were fried just moments before landing on your table, with a few options for mild and hot sauces. Really, there's not much in between. Those sauces are only for the most adventurous eaters. Tacos take time here. Everything is cut, cooked, fried and sauteed from scratch. $2 might make you think you'll get a dinky taco but the reality is La Escollera serves food to FEED you, not tempt you. Ordering four tacos after eating all of those chips meant I definitely took food home. The restaurant is small - seating for only about 20 and a bar to sit at while you wait on your to-go order. My only complaint is that I tried to order a few things that they were out of, one being mole sauce, but trust me, I was not disappointed with what I ended up with. End result? We will be back, and this time I look forward to trying fare that is on the specials menu. Just read the menu thoroughly - there's a lot of meats that are not native to the American tongue. But hey, that's what Yelpers are here for ;) read more

La escollera - Two steak and chicken tacos each, with cilantro and onions. Green sauce is medium and red sauce is hot as hell. - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I have driven by this place more than a few times going in and out of the Irvington area. Each time, I take note of it, thinking to myself, I'll bet that place has good food. One afternoon, I decided to stop in on my way home. I wasn't hungry, but I knew that my teenage son would be, and it was just the two of us home for dinner than night. I took a chance and ordered three pastor tacos for him. I brought them home, handed the package to him, and he immediately opened it up and started eating. There was no time to grab a photo to accompany this review. The next approximately 15 minutes was just a cacophony of grunts and slurps as he consumed the three tacos. He briefly looked up from his styrofoam container, nodding to me, and trying to say with a full mouth that these were "the best *#$^!$ tacos" he's ever had. Pro-tip, be sure to order their chips if you want them. They do not come complimentary with a meal. I didn't really think about it at the time. After reading some of the other positive reviews, I regret not ordering them. read more

I must say, this place is mighty tasty. I love this place for its tacos. It's just like any other joint, amazing authentic Mexican food. So therefore, I must rate it for it's great good. The service is fine, it just takes a while, which is my main problem. Try out their Tamarind agua fresca. read more

La escollera - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I visited this place for the first time today after reading all of the good reviews. I had the torta with pastor, a kind of seasoned pork. I've never had a torta before, and I was in for a great surprise! The sandwich was huge. The bread was toasted nicely, covered with the pork, refried beans, cheese, tomato, sour cream and avocado slices. There were probably more toppings that I missed. It was fantastic! The chips and salsa were also very good. I got everything in the photo for $5.15! The restaurant is small but cozy. In addition to canned soda they also sell bottles of beer. And you can watch Mexican soap operas/movies while dining, which is especially entertaining if you don't speak the language and have to guess what is going on. As others have mentioned, the outside of the building is not terribly inviting, but don't let that stop you from trying it out! read more

La escollera - Torta de pastor - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

My hubby and I got the chicken chimichanga and it was the best I've had! It was twice the size I usually get from other restaurants. And something I've never heard of... fried cactus. Try it. It was good. Don't miss stopping by this little gem of a place if you come through Indianapolis Indiana. read more

La escollera - Cactus - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Bad!! Spend 20 something on the worst molcajete de carnes ever, no taste at all not even salt on it Meat was dry ,it is the third time my food's bad so Im just gonna stop trying sorry but enough is enough read more

The best tacos in Indy in my opinion. I lived in San Diego for 4 years, these are the most similar to authentic Mexican food you can get. The carne asada tacos are great, Al pastor too. Hold the pineapple on the Al pastor, that isn't really a thing... otherwise this place is amazing. Hole in the wall for sure, that's how the good places always are read more

I've lived in Irvington for 6 years and always sort of turned up my nose to this place due to the outside decor. I am currently trying to support ALL small businesses I can right now due to CoVid. The chips are the best I've EVER had. They are really are! Also- the entree I had was really good- my usual go to for a new place is the pollo w/ chorizo and queso. This entree was SO much better than la Parada- honestly. So- now I feel like a self righteous brat for not going sooner. GO! Support this locally owned business if you can! read more

Authentic. Irvington has a vast array of ethnic foods and this is where you go if you want Mexican cuisine. Prices are very affordable and portions are quality. The actual restaurant is smaller in size compared to nearby competition but the service is what puts them over the top. No one rushes you here and are willing to explain key differences between entrees. I was able to feed a party of 5, 2 under 5 years old, for $35 dollars and after seeing portions, I could've went under $30. There's a 6-top and I'm sure tables could be placed together, but I don't think it's ideal for big groups. But because of success, I hope to see them outgrow where they are now. I did veggie burrito, kids did cheese quesadillas with beans and rice, and my little sister did the steak quesadilla. Everyone was smiling as they walked out. read more

La escollera - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Just stopped in today and I must say they had some of the best Aroz Con Pollo I have ever had. The waitress was very nice and was fluent in both english and spanish. Both my girlfriend and I had full bellys for less than 20 dollars. Can't beat that! Warning: watch out for their authentic red sauce if you're not into spicy food, it is legit. Extremely Spicy. The green is pretty mild so even people who don't like spice that much should be safe, they are both centered around a back burn. read more

In Irvington and had a hankering for Mexican food. We decided to give La Escollera a try. I really liked the salsa -- it had a nice kick to it-- but were a little bummed out that they have a chip limit. I ordered carnitas, chicken and ribeye tacos, all of which were good. The other members of our group really liked the chimichangas and enchiladas. Their prices on there specials were a little bit higher than some of the other Mexican places in Indy. The al a carte menu was very reasonable. I'd eat here again. read more

La escollera - Mexican Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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It was kinda mid. The chips were super greasy and left residue on your fingertips. My mom got the tamales and I got the cheese enchiladas. She loves tamales but wasn't super happy with them here and didn't finish them. The cheese enchiladas were okay but they had a taste of old french fry oil to them for some reason. read more

Stopped in on a whim after reading the reviews on Yelp. Was pleased to find it was every bit as good as the reviews indicated. Pretty basic fair for a Mexican restaurant, but the service was friendly (owner maybe?) and fast. The chips and salsa and Carne Asada had a lot of flavor and the price was right. The decor could use a bit of work, especially on the outside, but I'm not there to eat decor.... lol :-) I've been back a couple of times since my initial visit and have been just as pleased. read more

I went here today I told the lady I needed eight tacos she charged me for the right an only gave me six then proceeded to make me pay again for the two tacos she didn't give me I do not recommend this place the lady taking my order was rude as fuck!! I will not be returning an will spend my money else where. read more

La Escollera would be swamped if Hoosiers weren't by nature fearful of the unknown. This funky Washington St. taqueria offers a whole menu but you'll probably never get past the simple, street-style tacos - I haven't. Meat, onion, cilantro, mild or hot salsa, and a spritz of fresh lime. If you want cheese, tomato and sour cream, you'll have to ask for "American style." The small dining room is usually filled with native Spanish speakers and the TVs at each end of the room are tuned to Univision, giving this honky the pleasantly odd sensation of being an interloper in his own neighborhood. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu but I'm not sure when I'll get around to it. If only they stocked the cooler with Sunlight Cream Ale... read more

Freshest guacamole around. Love the extra lime juice they add. UPDATE FROM CHECK-IN: This may not always be fast, but it is always good. Authentic Mexican cuisine is where it is at, y'all. The place specializes in fish and other seafood dishes and has some of the best ceviche around Indy. Other great dishes include their Pollo Mole and of course, great tacos. My usual quick pick me up is a steak taco and a spicy pork sope. This combo is under $8. With plenty of free, fresh salsa and their house-made chips I'm ready to go. Located in quaint Irvington on the Eastside, you'll see plenty of local neighborhood folks eating there. They serve beer, but no hard liquor (it's an Irvington thing) and there are plenty of Latin soap operas to keep you entertained on the tele. read more

This is the best authentic Mexican I've had in the city. Granted I've never really ventured to Little Mexico as I have an aversion to the Westside. The salsa and guacamole are excellent and the food is very fulfilling and affordable. This restaurant specializes in seafood, however I don't really enjoy that particular cuisine. I've heard from others that is very good. read more

Stopped by for lunch on my way back to the office after a visit to the Irvington library. I pass by here often so I thought so would give It a try. I ordered the burrito lunch special with a side of chips and salsa to go. The total with tax was over $11. I took the meal back to work and was pretty disappointed with both the appearance and the taste. The rice was a very odd color and I didn't care for the flavor. The beans had the taste and consistency of what you might get off the grocers shelf. The chicken burrito was the best part but didn't wow me with flavor. The chips were pretty thick and greasy. The salsa was flavorful but so spicy I couldn't eat much of it. For the price, there are other much tastier options in the area. read more

I am revising my review, i had originally given it a 4 a couple years ago, i am upgrading it to a 5! This is the best and most authentic Mexican food I've had in Indianapolis. I am a huge Mexican food snob. I studied in Mexico for a few months when I was younger and have been obsessed ever since. I go back whenever I can. Now to the review. La Escollera specializes in seafood. If that isn't your thing don't worry, they have plenty of other options also. First off, the chips are homemade and so is the salsa and Guacamole. The Choriqueso is a particularly tasty appetizer if you like chorizo. Let's face it everyone does, unless you don't eat meat! Then you will just be drooling over it because it is that good! I highly recommend the ceviche de cameron, it is particularly refreshing in the summer months. Definitely try the horchata, if you haven't had it before you are in for a treat! The TV is usually playing a telenovela or a soccer match and the jukebox pumps out ranchero music. This is a small place so if you have a large group you might have trouble sitting together. Prices are very affordable and you will be full long before your wallet is empty. Sit back, enjoy some yummy Mexican food, listen to the native Spanish speakers that patronize this authentic restaurant. If you close your eyes you might think you've been transported to Mexico. All in all this is a great authentic Mexican restaurant. If you think of taco bell when you think of Mexican food then this is not the place for you. read more

The best chips and queso in indianapolis! my go to spot for mexican food since moving to the eastside. Always good

Truly great Mexican food. I've been here three times and each time has been fantastic. I recently came here with a friend, and ordered 2 tacos and a Corona. He ordered a torta and 2 horchatas, and our bill was $15. Great food, awesome price! I also brought my mom here recently, and when the waitress warned her that she was about to order one of the spiciest dishes on the menu, she said she was ok with it. I have no idea why she did this because even normal salsa at a chain restaurant can be a little too much heat for her. Needless to say, she couldn't finish her meal because it was too spicy. So yes, mom, when they say it will be spicy, take their word for it. read more

Don't let the exterior fool you . They have some pretty good tacos with great flavor . We had the pastor tacos and they came with lime and your choice of 2 different salsas to choose from. I would suggest the green salsa. Their was a sweet lady who greeted us and brought us our food . Nice quiet atmosphere for a small place ! read more