I was truly impressed with this place. Even on Cinco de Mayo, I had great food, service and the ambience was perfect with the live music. That corn and ribeye taco was amazing! The star of the show 100%. The service was actually great. Our waitress was wonderful and quick. I honestly highly recommend this place for dinner or a date. read more

Just want to thank Matt R. Our server and Chris the store manager for all their hard work. Yesterday we went to eat for Mother's Day and Matt was spot on with the recommendations for food and drinks. The staff was also quick and very sweet when my 11 month old broke a plate. They jumped into action and made sure we were good and as my family and I apologized over and over again they made us feel okay about the broken plate. No attitude nothing and as a father with 3 little kids that's what my lady and I look for in restaurants. Thank you guys again for making our Mothers Day Brunch special read more

Came on a Friday for date night. Loved the ambiance. Service was great. Our server Brian C. was very eager to serve and help us. It was kind of funny. We ordered the salsa sampler and it was amazing. I loved the uniqueness of the salsa toreado. I couldn't stop eating it, even when my mouth became on fire. The weeping salsa was also delicious, but made my mouth burn. The other two salsas were yummy and more mild. For my main meal, I got the mole enchiladas. The Mole was delicious! I wanted more, not because I was hungry, but because it tasted that good. Their margaritas were tasty as well and had, in my opinion, the right amount of alcohol. Not too strong, but not weak. Definitely recommend for drinks with friends or even a date night. The music inside is a little loud if you're wanting to talk a lot, but there is a patio outside that's quieter. read more

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Beautiful open air restaurant. Patio seating available. The service was lacking. Our server didn't have the ability to observe and refill empty glasses. Had to ask multiple times for all our beverages. Complimentary chips and salsa are listed on the menu but they are not automatically bought to your table as the server upsells you on the salsa flight or other appetizers. The salsa flight- a very small bowl of tortilla chips w/3 types salsa and pickled onions. No add'l chips offered. The red and green salsas were good but the dark brown one/Habanero was very salty. 4 stars Fresh Guacamole served with pico de gallo (mix together) and a very small bowl of tortilla chips. 4 stars Ceviche- tasty but a skimpy amount. 4 stars Blueberry iced tea- Refreshing flavor 5 stars Rib Eye tacos- A popular item. A colorful presentation but I found the beef overcooked and flavorless. Comes with beans and rice but I asked for a salad which had nice ingredients however there was no dressing. I appreciate the substitution tho. 3 stars Ahi- Just ok. 3 stars Birria Quesadilla- looks like a hot mess but was a tasty one. 4 stars Bite sized Churros w/caramel and chocolate dipping sauces. 4 stars read more

La Popular - Ribeye taco plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

Came for the hubbys birthday. Great ambiance for a date night or hanging out with friends. Huge bar, seating all around it. It's the centerpiece of the place. Indoor and outdoor seating. Patio seating has a gas fireplace and couches for a lazy evening of drinks and snacking. Very busy, 45 min wait but it's also Friday night so not bad. Menu is not too big but diverse enough. Kids menu available. Good flavor, not great. Chips and salsa are complimentary unless you want an upgrade for various salsa options. We didn't do that. The salsa is savory but nothing amazing. Needed a little salt. Ordered the queso fundido with chirozo. Came with 3 tortillas. It was very good. Not greasy and full of flavor. Also ordered the tortilla soup. Not traditional but tasty. Not a chicken broth. More akin to tomato soup with a chili base. Lots of shredded chicken and crispy tortilla strips with a few chunks of avocado. One slice of lime. Tried it with and without the lime. Definitely use the lime. I ordered the ahi tuna tostadas. Quality tuna and delicious Baja sauce. Would order again but not great enough to come back just for that. My son has the three taco plate with all toppings in the side. We asked for one taco costra style so he could try it and the other two plain. Waitress repeated the order correctly so it was the kitchen staff that messed that up. He liked the plain taco but left the 2 tortillas that were costra style (cheese grilled on the tortilla). Ate all the meat. He loved it. Hubby had the combo plate with 2 enchiladas and a beef taco. He liked it but was not a fan of the rice and beans. Added an order of the quesabirria tacos. Again, tasty but not rock your world level. Overall if you're into booze you're going to love this place. We aren't drinkers and have a kid so not our usual style. As we left they had a birthday celebration with a sparkler for another table. We didn't know so missed out on that for the hubby. Is it good? Yes. But to be honest, I've had better. Nice attempt to imitate trendy CdMx restaurants but not authentic. So docked a point for that especially for the price. Docked another point for the dirty chair (not wiped down) and dirty floor of the original table they tried to seat us at where the sun was going to be right in one of our faces. read more

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Hit this spot for a date with my Bestie. Firstly, the server was so kind and pleasant and patient. My bestie and I hadn't seen each other in months, so when she came to check on us after getting our drinks we hadn't even looked at the menu, she was so chill. She suggested the $25 combo platter, and we both got it. Let me tell you, in this neighborhood, in this economy?? $25 for three tacos or enchiladas of ANY KIND on their menu?? What?? It also comes with beans and rice! So I got the Elote taco, the fried Mahi taco and the shrimp enchilada, all were and I will not sleep on the beans and rice in this review, they were perfect. If your beans and rice are mediocre, you have NO BUSINESS running a Mexican restaurant, but this place is legit. Not Gonna Lie I consider Mexican food in Claremont to be a gamble (see: Espiaus) but La Popular delivers. My one critique is that the enchiladas are tiny, and the tortillas for the tacos are tinier still, and they did not skimp on the portions, so my hands got kinda messy, so if they could up their tortilla circumference, this would be a perfect review with zero nit-pick. And to the management, both the server and the servers assistant who delivered our meal were so knowledgeable about the menu, and honest when we asked for recommendations or their favorite dishes. 10/10 staff. read more

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This restaurant is part of downtown Claremont, connecting with the same plaza as Phil's Coffee. There is a tiny lot for them, but for the majority, you'd have to find street parking which is absolutely horrific in a Friday night. I've luckily found parking on the street near the entrance. Upon walking in, you'd be amazed at the decor and interior it's beautiful whether you sit inside or outside of the patio. It's dimly lit, giving a sophisticated ambiance. I've been here twice, but each time, the servers mention only being able to sit there for 2 hours. They do have a bar area which encompasses the entire building, which is nice. They have happy hour which I've had their tacos and beers. I usually get their IPAs for $6 in happy hour days (from 3 - 6 PM). Food here is decent and not too bad. Drinks are great for their prices. Chips are refillable and their salsa is always refreshing. My rating stems from service and comfortability. The servers here tend to feel disingenuous with their service. They seemed forced to smile and don't want to be doing their job. I feel uncomfortable and can't quite explain what it is. Again, I've only been here twice, but I truly never think about coming here; I only come because of work outings. If I didn't need to, I probably wouldn't step foot in this place. Besides the interior being great, nothing compels me to come here. read more

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Modern upscale Mexican restaurant in the heart of Claremont. Perfect place to meet friends for Drinks and a fun meal. The server started us with chips and salsa which were so good. Enchiladas with cheese were beautifully plated with the perfect sauce that compliments the enchiladas. read more

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This is a very modern hip place. Definitely a place to celebrate your birthday at, or come with girlfriends to their amazing happy hour! They were playing Spanish rock when we were there along with some tasteful regatón. We appreciated that it was not too loud, we were able to talk to each other without shouting. The service was great! We sat at the bar and got to enjoy a couple HH drinks. And an appetizer while our party got there. The bartender was friendly and suggested one of the margaritas, which was a hit! Our server was a cowboys fan so that was a plus lol But seriously, she was attentive & friendly. We ordered a few appetizers an our entrees, that at the end, it was too much food. Everything we ordered was very tasty, enough and flavorful. The tortilla soup was delicious! Definitely recommend this place. It dos give "Polanco MXCD vibes" read more

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My first time experiencing La Popular and it was pretty great! This is a nice, modern restaurant located in downtown Claremont. If you are in the mood for Mexican cuisine, this is a good spot. We came here last minute on a busy Saturday afternoon and fortunately for us, we were seated right away. ( We requested outdoor table/party of five.) We started out with traditional fresh Guacamole and fresh chips. I will stress and repeat, the chips not only looked fresh but they tasted fresh! And, they were not greasy! The guacamole had a good blend of flavors, it was good! My main order was their house salad with chicken. The chicken was moist, very well seasoned and delicious! The salad had fresh chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, romaine lettuce..It's served with lime vinaigrette and yes, dressing was well balanced. I also ordered a Carajillo to drink. The best way to describe this drink is comparing it to an Espresso Martini without the Espresso. This was delicious!! I recommend trying. Our waitress and service were stellar throughout our time here which added to our experience at La Popular. With that being said, be ready to enjoy the moment, the food, the vibe, and the service. *menu price $$ *menu price with cocktails $$$ *parking can be challenging on weekends read more

La Popular - Carajillo, yum!! If you like Espresso Martinis, you will like this one. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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La Popular is not just a clever name for this restaurant- its facts! We came here to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday. I called to make a reservation a week in advance. My first interaction on the phone was pleasant and I was hyped to see how the rest of my experience at La Popular would turn out. From the start, greetings from the wait staff- we got the good welcoming smiles. We were greeted by our server, Fernando, and he was simply amazing and so attentive the whole time here. I don't know where to begin on all the items we indulged in, as we all had different plates. My daughter's gluten free (allergy) option was the fajitas plate and she loved it! I was able to get some photos before the plates were devoured. chicken tinga tacos-rice and beans (my plate), ceviche, flight of agua frescas, guacamole with chicharron, carnitas burrito, birria tacos- ALL RAVE REVIEWS - EXECELLENTE! By the way, this place has the vibes. Good music not too loud. If you inform the hostess when making a reservation, birthday celebration, they are on top of it and make the whole party feel special. My daughter was given a birthday card from the restaurant and a sparkler as we sang happy birthday. Great experience! 10/10 or for fellow Yelpers 5 Stars! read more

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First and only time eating here for lunch with family. All was good! I would definitely return to dine here again. Food was a hit: guacamole and chips (freshly made, crispy & light chips), carnitas taco plate topped with pickled red onions, fish tacos (daughter said it was good), mole enchilada (SIL's favorite). Cocktails: group watermelon margarita, which is served in a pineapple shaped pitcher and shared. Pour into glasses filled with ice cubes, a touch of mint leaves and glasses are rolled in tajin for the saltiness. It was yummy. Two of us got two glasses each from it. At $38 for the pitcher seems reasonable. Decor: high ceilings that show off wooden rafters. Dark and cozy. Big bar. Big outside covered patio area too. Nice place with good food and drinks. read more

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One of my favorite places to eat when I'm in the area. Also the best taco spot for Taco Tuesday- can't beat the prices here! Service is great as always. Their chips and salsa are on the house. read more

La Popular - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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What a good feeling you get the minute you walk in. Big,open, lots of seats inside and outside. Very clean and inviting, large bar area. Great menu choices and we happen to catch Taco Tuesday. I enjoyed (3) Tacos 1Ribeye 1Carnitas and 1 Chicken Tinga, flavors were over the top. Like it spicy ask for their Hot Salsa. Our server David was excellent from going over the menu, offering appetizers and sharing Taco Tuesday. We never had to ask for beverage refills. This was our first visit and I'm sure we will be returning..... read more

Probably one of my favorites places to eat in Claremont! Live music on Tuesday + Happy Hour ! this makes an affordable place to eat for students ! The food here is so good, the tacos are huge with generous portions but the CHURROS! just come for the churros, you won't regret it. Service was good, as expected read more

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Very cute area in Claremont parking was horrible. That would really be. My only complaint service was good very nice vibes. Lots of people felt very upbeat. Would even be a nice place to come and grab just drinks. I had a mock tail forgot to take a picture, but it was really good. They have an outside area that would be nice to host a little get together. read more

La Popular - Grilled mahi-mahi fish tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

So excited that La Popular is offering brunch! I'll be here twice as much as I come often for the happy hour. Both times I've had the chicken chilaquiles with red sauce as it is delicious! The pomegranate, pear agua Fresca is very refreshing. The conchas are served warm and soft which pair well with coffee. I just wish the Sunday Funday cocktail menus were offered all weekend. I look forward to returning to try more menu items or to get the chilaquiles again. read more

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Customer service was great from the start. Our waiter was calm, kind, and very patient as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive, which we really appreciated. We were seated outside, and the patio setup was lovely. They have great overhead heaters and a beautiful fire pit that would make such a nice spot for a date night with drinks. We started with the salsa tray and a few specialty cocktails, including the Oaxacan Jellyfish, the Chile Pineapple Mango Margarita, and the Carajillo. The drinks were good, though definitely on the sweeter side. For our entrées, we ordered a burrito topped with suizas salsa, the Baja tacos, and the carnitas tacos. I absolutely loved the burrito. The portion was very generous, and the sauce on top really completed the dish. Everyone at the table was happy with their meals and portions, and the pickled onions were especially delicious. We also ordered the churros for dessert. They were fresh and perfectly crunchy, served with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces that paired so well. I would say the pricing is slightly on the higher side, especially once you include a decent tip. It is not somewhere I would go all the time, but I would definitely love to come back for happy hour. Overall, it was a great experience with good food, a cozy outdoor atmosphere, and attentive service. read more

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Fun spot! It is very moody inside but the staff is friendly. It was VERY hard to hear my friends and the waiter though. Also the hostess couldn't find my reservation on their Open Table system even though I saw it and had it open on my app and the date and time were correct. Nonetheless we were able to get seated right away. In terms of food and drinks, the skinny marg was tastyyyy and happy hour runs late so we were thrilled!! The tortilla soup was good but the waiter made it seem like it was the best thing in the world when I was between that and a salad haha still happy I got the soup! read more

La Popular - Skinny marg for happy hour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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Going out to dinner for my birthday, my wife chose this spot as a surprise and this place didn't disappoint. The restaurant was elegant and friendly. Michael, are server was attentive and regularly checking in on us. The food was delicious and fresh! Every bite had flavor and texture. Definitely coming back here again and trying different dishes next time around. read more

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跟認識二十來年的朋友，應該有七八年沒見了，其實天天都在Facebook上面相見，來探訪她新開的辦公室，還帶我到這家好吃的墨西哥餐，她知道一天到晚我都在外面吃美食，所以吃個東西地方要漂亮，照相也好看，其實食物也是很重要的啦，墨西哥菜我現在越來越喜歡，他們家的飲料也不錯喝， 每道都很精緻， 就是沒有cappuccino , 只有一般普通的咖啡！ read more

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THE place to be for dinner in Claremont. Perfect for a date or a catch up with your friends. food: taste 4.5/5, price 3/5. chicken fajita plate was really filling, came with a side of tortillas, beans, and rice. the taste was there, classic flavors that you'd expect. for the price, it was a bit steep landing at $27.50 a plate. service: the server was very nice! Kept on checking in on my group and was great with water ambiance: WOW 5/5. Felt very intimate, modern, and hip. It was quite dark in there, but I enjoyed it! there is an outdoor seating area. They also leave the front entrance open for some fresh air, which I really enjoyed. parking: I went on a Saturday night and it was hard finding parking. read more

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The food was amazing. Mole was delicious. The drinks were so good. Dylan S was so awesome and knowledgeable about the menu and company history. We will definitely be back it exceeded our expectations. read more

La Popular - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

Love this restaurant. The food is great, the service is even better. Dining on the patio is so peaceful!! read more

La Popular - Happy hour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

Sarah is amazing ! She is kind and patient ! I really love this location everyone is so nice and strives to go over and beyond ! Cheers to the bartender Dylan for making a great margarita! read more

A really great Mother's Day morning! The mimosas were delicious, the guacamole and Chicharones were super delicious! Chips and salsa were on point! Everything was fresh and quality! The service was excellent, never left waiting and hoping someone would come by to help! We sat at the bar and enjoyed every minute! This was my first time here and it didn't disappoint...I had no expectation walking in and I think that was key! The bar was open seating so we sat down right when we walked in. We were greeted instantly with a Happy Mother's Day to my wife and set up for a very nice experience. They were passing out roses to the moms that I thought was a beautiful touch! We were there about 9:30am because we had visited the farmers market just before! As we sat and enjoyed the ambiance we noticed that it filled up pretty quick...always a good sign! We were able to take our time and enjoy the moment! Can't wait to come back and try some plates! read more

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Happy Hour every day 3pm- 6pm & 9pm to close . Tuesday all Day , Taco and Tequila specials. Unlimited salsa / chips :) Parking here is a bit challenging, in the street parking is 2 hours limit . Public parking lot is an option, ( it was full during my visit) La Popular is a beautiful huge open concept , full bar , bar seating , indoor and outdoor patios seatings options. Our waiter was great , she must have telepathic abilities to replenish our salsa and chips each time. We were here for their Taco Tuesday specials , my choice of chicken , beef, corn & carnitas. Our favorite were the corn taco specials , each items of the Taco Tuesday options were delicious, paired well with the pickled onions . We shared the Queso Cheese Fundido , another popular choice with the crowd. The savory taste of chorizo sausage, balanced well with the melted loaded cheese. We all said, let's come back again .. read more

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Came on Saturday night for dinner. Ordered the mole enchiladas w/ rice and beans. The rice was hard and tough to chew like it's been sitting all day. Beans were crusted on top as if sitting all day too. For the price of the plate itself..the quality is not it. 3 stars for the great bartender who helped us. read more

This is such a great restaurant to meet up with your friends. The service is great and there are a lot of options to choose from to eat. I have to say, I highly recommend the elote and the guacamole. Their salsa isn't that great, but their guac more than made up for it! I wish I liked the mole chicken more than I did. Unfortunately, the mole was incredibly sweet which made it weird to eat. My friend fully enjoyed her tacos, so I think I need to go back for it! read more

10/21/25 Swanky place for Taco Tuesday--great for friends' meet up for awesome & tasty tacos, drinks in a fabulous open & somewhat fancy atmosphere/vibe, attentive service. Our Friend has in MIA for the better of 3 months & we just had to meet up for a much needed get together. He chose this place as he had been here a few months prior. Open air concept, bar & a fantastic patio with some greenery. Took advantage of the Taco Tuesday special for brunch: corn (my absolute favorite), carnitas, rib eye & chicken. The tortilla chips & red salsa were tasty as well, loved the crisp, crunchy chips (served warm). At least it was not crazy busy that we were able to have conversations without having to scream at each other. The music was vibrant but not too loud. Free street parking (2 hour limit). Would like return. *** Kindly check your tabs, for our party of 6, the 20% gratuity was already INCLUDED. If you pay by card, it will ask you if you want to include a tip. A bit sneaky but BE AWARE.... unless you wanna tip TWICE if you're feeling generous. read more

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Came in with my husband and kids on a Saturday after 11. The hostess was sweet and when my 9 yr old asked to sit next to the fire they had going outside she said absolutely. Our server was also very friendly. The food was bomb. My husband and I both got the brunch birria quesadilla with over easy eggs. 10/10. Kids got the shrimp and chicken bowl with rice. Devoured. And we all loved the complimentary chips and salsa. That salsa was on another level, prefect flavor and just the right amount of spice...my 5 and 9 year olds had no complaints at all. Oh and that watermelon passion fruit agua fresca was amazing. We literally loved our first time here and plan on coming back again! read more

The place looks amazing. You would think it's a place for adults, but it is super kid friendly and staff was amazing. The food tasted great and was priced very fairly. Really big selection of Mezcal and tequila also read more

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Very yummy place, awesome ambiance! Service was excellent, we even had the manager check up on us a few times. First, the tuna tostada was fantastic! I think it might've been my favorite bite of the night. Tuna was delicious and it was nice and fresh. Definitely would recommend starting with it as an appetizer. I got the ribeye tacos and my boyfriend got the shrimp tacos. Both were good, but I definitely wish it was on corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. I also was not the biggest fan of their cheese either. I liked the combination of toppings including the pickled onions. Beans and rice were standard. We were in and out in less than hour, food came very quickly. Agua Frescas I got a dragonfruit something (I forgot) and it was very very light but very refreshing and yummy. Would definitely go back and get something new! read more

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Decided to stop in on a Friday night for some happy hour drinks and food. Drinks were good, can't go wrong with $10 margaritas. Got the Carnitas burrito smothered in Colorado sauce...which tasted great!! However it came out really cold. Cheese inside wasn't even melted. I don't think it was the food runners fault, but just not heated up well enough. Didn't feel like sending it back because they would've just nuked it and perhaps the burrito would get soggy. I'll definitely try again! read more

La Popular - Carnitas burrito wet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

Where do I even begin ?!?! La popular did not disappoint. The atmosphere of this place is great. Played some good music and you can just feel the vibes in this place. It is a great place to bring friends, a date or even a friend for a drink and some food. They have an outside patio if you don't like the loud music. Either way this place is a vibe! The staff was very punctual and professional with my reservation. I got there with a party of 4 at 8:20 and got sat down at 8:31 since I was across the street at Bert and Rockies getting some sweets. Bernice, our waiter, VERY VERY NICE AND ACCOMMODATING. She made the entire experience even better. If you come here, ask for Bernice. The food.... we got 2 orders of quesobirria tacos with rice and beans and 2 orders of ribeye tacos. The quesobirria tacos were a 9.2/10 but the beans and rice weren't as good. Both got a 6.3/10. The ribeye tacos were a 9.5/10. So so so good. I wanted to order more but I was stuffed. The ribeye was cooked perfectly with the pickled onions on top and I saved some of the guacamole to add onto the tacos... it made it a 10/10 taco! I ordered a butter cake which was pretty good. I gave it a 8.8/10. The combination of the butter cake and ice cream was good! Now the adult beverages... I got 3 Mexican candy shots and they were pretty good. A little too sweet for my liking but overall much better than most places that serve candy shots. The margarita was average but not watered down, unlike other establishments that try to jip you. I also ordered a Perla (not seen in pictures) and it wasn't very good. Very bitter for my liking and won't order it again. Bernice was nice enough to bring out some ice cream for my friend whose birthday it was and it was pretty good. Like I said earlier, if you come here, ask for Bernice. Sweet girl and very accommodating. To wrap this review up, I would like to say that my experience at La Popular was very very great. I will 100% be coming back here VERY SOON. This place seems like a hidden gem tucked away in Claremont village. I'm very happy that I came here and every dollar spent was well worth it. read more

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First time here. Arrived around 1:45pm on a Thursday. Was seated fairly quickly. Not many people inside. Took awhile to have a server greet us. The server was very nice and attentive after that. The place is decorated very nice inside. Restrooms are clean. The server ask if we wanted chips and salsa. I thought most Mexican restaurants provide it no matter what. They were very tasty. We ordered a fajita combo to share. We chose the chicken and steak. The food was pretty good. Would have liked to see a little more flavor in the protein though. As you can see by the bill, prices seem to be a little steep for what you get. read more

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Food was good and the service was even better! Great ambience and a good place to come for drinks

Great ambiance! dark, not too loud, amazing service. Limited menu but good drinks. go for the short rib or rib eye and that la llorona salsa !!!! perf claremont date night read more

La Popular - 3 Combo Plate Salsa Tray Carne Asada Plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

I've turned into a regular at this place! I often bring family, friends, and colleagues to taste some of the best Mexican cuisine around. Everything on the menu is excellent, and the drinks and mocktails are fantastic. The service consistently impresses, and if you visit make sure to try the flan dessert--it's truly one of the best I've ever had! read more

Have come a few times before, and as a vegetarian I do think the menu options have improved since opening. Not terribly inventive Mexican given what's out there in DTLA or even OC but kudos for attempts at menu expansion! I do think the guacamole is really good, the mezcal offerings are awesome, the decor is upscale and Happy Hour pricing is worthwhile. I find this restaurant very loud however. Because of that, I booked outside seating on OpenTable for Cinco de Mayo for drinks at 6:30 for 4 of us. We arrived at 6:25. We were notified that they were running behind, but still were not seated at 7... we were told there was no outdoor seatings coming up in the near future but they could honor our reservation shortly at an indoor table... but unfortunately it was club-decibel live music for the holiday so we went elsewhere. I do feel that managing holiday crowds and reservations is a reasonable expectation for a restaurant of this caliber/ price point. Recommend as a local option only but with a few caveats, not my top choice. read more