Decent local place. This place is located off the main road near a residential area. This is definitely a place where locals go to hang out. They have a dining area, a bar, and a hall where you can have a party. They offer standard Mexican dishes. We opted for the carne asada burrito. The rice and beans tasted good. The carne asada was not super tender and had a lot of fat in it. So maybe it isn't very good carne asada I am not sure. The drink I ordered was an old fashioned and it was strong. Service was great. I would definitely this place again and try a different dish. Solid 3 star place. Prices are excellent. read more

La Palapa - Old fashioned - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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This was delicious. Service was so good, very attentive servers . I recommend the molcajete!!!! And aguachiles. The vibe was so nice inside. Fair prices. I approve of the salsas too. $7 micheladas were so good and the bloody Mary's !!!! I'm so impressed read more

La Palapa - Bloody Mary - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Amazing food! Needs pool tables and karaoke!! Love all the fish dishes! Best mocajete in the desert and the Oysters La palapa are amazing. Best server is Raul!! read more

La Palapa - Seafood stuffed Banana peppers - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

I held off for awhile on writing this review but after discussing what happened it think it's appropriate to share. This is the only place I have ever dined that cause me to get sick while attempting to eat their food. I ordered the green chili enchiladas and made it through the chips and salsa appetizer along with the beans from my meal before feeling suddenly very ill. I raced from the table to the restroom and barely made it into the stall before my body forced me to purge everything I had consumed. The experience was violent. The capillaries in my face around my eyes broke from straining and I had no idea that was possible. Returning to the table I then realized that my food smelled like liquid dish soap and oddly enough is known to make people instantly sick. So why am I giving two stars? Because the staff is kind and strives to be attentive. Because my family did not get sick and because we enjoyed the atmosphere. read more

La Palapa - Chips and salsa immediately #heaven - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Service is great. Josè was pleasant, kind, quick. The menu had several choices and easy to understand. A lovely small cantina/restaurant. Prices were very good. Good was tasty, well plated and great portions. Friday at 5:30 it was moderately busy. It should be busier. We loved it all. read more

Decent Mexican food. Service is reliable and friendly. Enchiladas and fajitas are excellent. read more

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Friendly from the get-go. We were sat right away. Salsa and chips were outstanding. They said it might be a little slow because of a big party, but it wasn't. Our server Jose was the best, as he seemed genuinely happy to help us. The food was delicious and portions were huge, especially the Molcajete! We are visiting the area, and wish we had such a great Mexican food place near us! read more

La Palapa - Molcajete was outrageously good! - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

I don't think I've ever had better Molcajete anywhere else. I stop here any time I'm in town

I'm from Minnesota and my husband and I visited the Joshua Tree area in Spring 2023. La Palapa was recommended by a local and we tried it. I had the Vuelve al la Vida (Return to Life Special). I think it is supposed to be a cocktail drink but I ate it like a soup. Omg. It was sooo good! So full of seafood and the flavor was fantastic. We went back to Minnesota and tried to find a similar dish. Things were close but nothing was as good. Fast forward to Spring 2024. I happened to be back in the area to visit my sister. I couldn't remember the name of the restaurant so went back through old credit card statements to figure it out. Found it!! Went back and ordered the same thing. It was delicious! Did a to go order so I could gave it one last time the next day before flying back to Minnesota. My sister had the same dish and loved it. In fact, she told me they went back on their last day in the area to have it one last time. I deliberately did this review so I can easily go back again if I'm in the area!! Yum! read more

Been eating here on and off for a few years. I like the food and the bar. However, my complaint persists, despite a letter about this over a year ago to the management. As soon as I walk in the front door, my apatite decreases by like 75%... The smell of the cleaning solvent Fabuloso is overwhelming. The entire restaurant smells like one big restroom. They wipe the tables with the stuff. It's for toilets, not dinner tables. Gave it another shot yesterday. FABULOSO still permeates the air. The have lost me this time for good. read more

I gave a try one more time to this restaurant after 3 years of not being there. They have been advertising on the radio and saying they offer a discount to locals. The server was nice. The portion was big, however a big portion doesn't make the food good. My fish taco was not crispy and it was soggy. Also there is no much ambiance and they don't have happy hour only from Monday until Thursday and I happened to be there on a Friday. Also they didn't honored the local discount. There are other Mexican restaurants in town. read more

What a great hidden gem! Food was amazing, we had the shrimp ceviche tostada, mahi tacos, a margarita and a michelada! All were perfect on a hot summer day! Service was very quick and courteous, this is my go-to for Yucca Valley when I am craving some seafood, tacos or micheladas! read more

Go here for the Pasta Alfredo. During my Joshua Tree week long trip, I went here 3-4 times just for this dish!!!

The food is authentic and flavorful. The service is also great and the waiters are attentive, very clean environment! Delicious molcajete and chile relleno read more

Wow! I've been coming here for years getting an off-menu seared octopus in olive oil which is amazing, but last night we ordered the molcajete... it blew us away! The best I've had... This is a locals joint with a great staff and owner. Highly recommend! (But skip the guacamole... waaaaay too much red onion) read more

La Palapa - Molcajete - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Service was really great, our waiter was so nice and really did a great job. He even made my margarita which was really good. We both got the chicken fajitas they were pretty good. I did think they were a little flavorless though and the peppers could have been cooked longer they were really hard. There was some sort of red sauce on the fajitas but it didn't taste like anything. Next time I would try something different. I really like a nice char on my fajitas and this didn't have that. I did however enjoy the pepper amount and that they used 3 different kinds of peppers the red, yellow, and green. Salsa was really good too chips could have been a little fresher. The restaurant itself is really nice had a great parking lot. Really spacious inside with a bar. Overall I would try here again I would just try something different. Service was really great and was quick if you want something on your lunch break they are really speedy. read more

La Palapa - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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I'm always a wee bit nervous about having seafood when we are nowhere near the ocean, but alas, we took a local's advice and gave it a try. There was not a big crowd in the middle of the day, but they let us sit outside. The service was excellent and all the dishes were really good. I had the shrimp enchiladas and they were really good. Other members of the table had the shrimp cocktail, street tacos, taco salad, and a burrito. All were given a thumbz up! We would def swing by here again should we be in the area. read more

We came back to Joshua tree (the city) at 7.10pm on a Sunday. The saloon was 2 hours for the wait, crossroads was closed, and we are not going to repeat the mediocre experience at "pie for the people". So we felt lucky when La Palapa was open and took us in at 7.45pm right before it closed. I RECOMMEND: Free chips and salsa - solid. Ask for extra salsa. Lobster bisque - huge portion. Can definitely share if you want. Add a bit of salt, pepper, and lime juice to elevate the flavors. SKIP: shrimp cocktail - a bit too sour. Angel hair pasta - I followed the hostess' recommendation and regretted it. What am it doing ordering angel hair pasta at a Mexican place??? The portion is family size - can easily feed four people. It came out really oily, the sauce is too thin, and the ground beef is chewy in texture. I would recommend sticking to the Mexican items on the menu. I would probably have ordered a taco or tostada if I had to do it all over again. read more

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Service people were very nice. Food was not great. Rice was too salty and dry/old. Beans has no flavor. I've never had dry pico de gallo, but apparently, it's possible. Guacamole was avocado with dry tomato and also unsalted with no lime. Fajitas, fatty or very dry meat. Chicken tacos were rubbery and tasted reheated. Servers were very nice and attentive. read more

The food is delicious, portions are great, and the service is phenomenal. Don't waste your time in line for food near the main entrance of JTNP. Just drive 10 mins and get quick seating to start eating right away. Guaranteed food coma if you order the pasta Alfredo. YES, in a Mexican restaurant! read more

We stopped here for a quick bite on our way home from Joshua Tree. I went inside and ordered our food to go. They didn't seem too busy when I walked in but by the time I got my food and left it was pretty busy. I had the fish tacos. They were some of the best fish tacos I've ever had. Lots of fish, not too greasy, plenty of cabbage and tortillas were fresh. I waited a while for my food but the servers were very friendly and working hard as it was getting busy. read more

La Palapa - Fish tacos were excellent! - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Friendly service, FANTASTIC Micheladas! I had a combination plate with an enchilada and a tamale which was DELICIOUS!!! read more

La Palapa - Best Micheladas in town!!! Absolutely delicious!!! - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

I give it a high 3. I had a really good margarita, blended strawberry with salt on the rim. Service at the bar was great, they also were searching the restaurant frantically for a lost purse, which shows me that they care. We had shrimp fajitas, beef tacos, beef fajitas, beef tacos and a cheese enchilada with green sauce. The feedback was that it was all fine, but nothing great. My son didn't love the enchilada, but I thought it was fine. Note that all of this was to go, which may have factored in. The fajitas were all fine, but were super greasy (again may have traveled poorly). My wife thought the beef was a little chewy. We ended up taking all of the ingredients and removing some of the sauce and then re-prepping. Not sure how helpful this is, but the chips and salsa were very good. We liked the other Mexican spot in town a tad better, but we did eat at the restaurant. read more

A ruff gem in the dirt.... Great place overall with awesome food... we ate the MOLCAJETE AND MORE!... u will love this place... I could care less about the look outside as long as food is great.... read more

La Palapa - This is my go to anywhere I see it... a mix of everything and spicy... - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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Wasn't expecting much, but it ended up being a satisfying lunch. Beef soup was quite tasty. Shrimp ceviche tostada was good. Fish taco was large, but could've had a bit more sauce. read more

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Ugh. Amazing authentic Mexican food. The best possible meal for when you're headed out of a long day at Joshua tree. They will hit you with complimentary chips and salsa within minutes after arriving. Definitely recommend the carne asada taco. But also try everything--they have a combo option! Great drinks and relaxed but fun atmosphere. Staff was kind and attentive. read more

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Just got my food like 30 min ago agua chiles mix pulpo was not fresh soggy cucumbers were rotten an soggy aswell don't mean to bash ur business but I felt like this cucumber was very visible to the chef not sure wat happen there read more

La Palapa - sliced cucumbers on a cutting board - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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We loved the food here ! It was my husbands bday and we had beer and margaritas . Also had the HUGE mixed seafood " soup " type of thing which is served cold and its not a soup its more a seafood cocktail but it was served in a soup bowl. Had shrimp, oyster, and all kinds of stuff in it! I had the whole fried tilapia . The fresh guac was amazing!!! We met the owner and another family member , Cesar and Luis ! Such nice people ! Did i say the apple pie was to die for ? Cant wait to come back to Yucca Valley and come back !!! read more

La Palapa - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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Came in here for mother's day and the place was crowded and service was slow, but in the restaurant's defense they said they were short staffed. The salsa was good but the chips tasted as though they were fried in oil that needed to be changed. The food here is ok. I always get cheese enchiladas and this time I also got a taco. I was confused as to how to eat the taco because it was laying on its side and sour cream and lettuce was piled on the top side. My husband's taco was the same. The food seems to have declined since I ate here pre-pandemic. It's just average. It's an ok place if you're in the area but there are better Mexican places out there. I have never tried the cocktails here so I can't speak to those. read more

La Palapa - Bar area neon sign - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

We have been coming to La Palapa for many yrs , We've always enjoyed the food , We also really enjoy Tiffany the bartender she listens and we enjoy her personality. She remembers ours drinks and are names . Her personality and energy definitely shines throughout the restaurant. We will be back soon . read more

Been here a couple times but didn't remember how good it is. We ordered the fish tacos with beans and rice. Friends ordered the enchiladas. Everything was excellent. Margaritas were strong and delicious. My favorite place for Mexican food in yucca valley. read more

4 because no one is perfect!... But! This place is the best thing that could happen to YUCCA VALLEY CA. We had the MOLCAJETE, FISH TACOS CHIMICHANGA AND A BURRITO... it was all great and the service is amicable. Outdoor dining is good also, they have heaters if needed. We will return, no doubt. read more

La Palapa - Choriqueso is great! - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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This place is located off the highway; a little hidden behind some side streets. There are plenty of parking in the front/back and side of restaurant. The restaurant has several rooms, feels like a cafeteria or an old factory. The waiter was nice but forgot our drinks order. My margarita was watered down and came in a very small glass with lots of ice. The food is good but nothing to rave about. I hear the food is authentic. read more

La Palapa - Super tostada..octopus! - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Great food, great drinks and friendly staff what more could you ask for? They are very accommodating to special dietary needs. read more

La Palapa - On the anniversary of the end to the Vietnam War they fixed exactly what he wanted and came over to thank him for his service. - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

My boyfriend and I were craving Mexican fare during our visit to Yucca valley and this place seemed promising. We were seated quickly enough despite having arrived around dinner time and the place had a good amount of customers. Our server brought us our drinks, chips and salsa, and gave us plenty of time to make our choices. So far so good. Honestly, the salsa wasn't bad. A bit too watery for my taste but I'm not going to bash a restaurant for not serving things exactly to my preference. This is where things started to go downhill. I ordered the mixed fajitas and my bf had a bean and cheese burrito. Like most Mexican restaurants, beans and rice are served and La Palapa also includes a side salad. I use the term salad very loosely here because it was just some wilted mixed greens. No dressing was offered or was available. Not even a wedge of lime or lemon was included which is whatever but kind of disappointing. The rice was kind of mushy and flavorless and was more of a sad yellow color rater than a vibrant red orange I've come to expect from spanish rice. The beans... honestly if it was replaced with kfc mashed potatoes I wouldn't even notice the difference, scratch that it would be an improvement. They used used mozzarella cheese in my boyfriend's burrito so that made for a very bland (and in his words, terrible) experience for my boyfriend. my fajitas weren't much better. The carne asada was essentially large chunks of skirt steak, the chicken was dry, and the shrimp was overcooked. All of this was flavorless, save for the grease it was cooked in. The only redeeming part of my meal were the bell peppers and onions in my dish but how do you mess up bell peppers and onions cooked in fat? Don't even talk to me about the tortillas because while the were served warm, they dried up in the 3 minutes I decided I didn't like my food. Honestly, I've had better Mexican food from Taco bell and that would've saved us half the cost of our total bill. If you want to be disappointed, I definitely recommend this place but save yourself the trouble after reading this lengthy review and go somewhere else. read more

Excellent service, good value, and not to mention...Deliciousness! The carne asada and chicken enchiladas hit. The. Spot! Will absolutely eat at this "off the beaten path" restaurant again! read more

La Palapa - Carne asada - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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La Palapa is a great restaurant, the servers are great very nice, the food came out very quick and was amazing, the sauce of the Angel hair pasta was BOMB! The bar is a nice place to hangout after work, and La Palapa is a very clean restaurant and the bathrooms are very clean and nice. They have a wide variety of food and drinks and I enjoyed every bit of my meal. I will be returning back with more of my friends and hungry for more and exciting to try new things. read more

La Palapa - Angel hair pasta - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

This place specializes in seafood -- if you're looking for the standard American version of Mexican food, you might be disappointed. Something we didn't realize when visiting Joshua Tree -- the 2-3 restaurants open in the evening in Joshua Tree,The Saloon, the pizza (Pie) place and Crossroads, are completely PACKED from 6pm until they close. If you don't like waiting 40 minutes to 2 hours to get food after a long day hiking and sightseeing, you might end up venturing like we did. Yucca Valley is the next closest town and still not a lot of choose from. We tried La Palapa based on Yelp reviews. From the outside, it didn't look open, or like a restaurant. It took us a minute to figure out how to get in, the entrance is in the back. And then once inside, it was pretty much empty. A stark contrast to the wall-to-wall bodies waiting down the road for food. We made the best of it, sitting at the bar and watching the Warriors play the Clippers. We ordered beer and margaritas and perused the menu. They do, indeed, get a huge truck of fresh seafood for two restaurants every week. There is SO MUCH on the menu, it's really difficult to choose. So we landed on the molcajete to share which I've only had 1-2 times before, it's quite special. It's basically a hot pot of lava rock with melted cheese and salsa inside and a ton of meats and vegetables hanging over the side to made little tacos with. Delicious! We rolled home stuffed and happy. We enjoyed our bartender waiter and had a very cozy dinner on our own away from the madding crowd. Would love to try some of their other dishes, we likey! read more

Had a birthday dinner for my MIL kids had the street tacos, wife had the fajitas I had a el pastor burrito. Wife and kids liked their meal mine was bland. Asked for some hot sauce and brought me out a small bowl and changed a $1. Isn't hot sauce like ketchup. Enjoy your dollar. ‍ I find it funny that restaurants don't understand little BS like this really puts people off. I'm sorry I had to ask for hot sauce to give my meal flavor. Kind disappointed with the restaurant. The waiter was nice. A bit slow but nice. I'm sure they are short handed so I get the slow part. Lastly, how does any restaurant serve tap water. So gross read more

Love this Mexican place. They have pretty fresh oysters and their stuffed fish is extremely special and delicious. Definitely go check it out if you visit Joshua tree read more

La Palapa - Seafood Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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