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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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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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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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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Honestly didn't think I would love this place but me and hubs went for last minute date night and had a blast. The vibes are exactly what I look for now that I'm in my 30's good food, good music and aesthetics. The decor/vibe is like Tulum, music is good latin music not too loud but enough and the food was delicious too! Kind of pricey but they do have 2 different time period ls to take advantage of happy hour prices. We ordered the guac soo delicious they brought out 2 different complimentary salsas a red and green one. Cocktails are pricey but tasty not too strong or too sweet, enjoyable and very instagramable lol read more

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

Drinks are delicious! Great ambiance, style galore! Love the bar area. Can't beat the village for after dinner stroll.

David J was our waiter and he was an amazing. He took care of my family while we were celebrating my partners bday. He was very attentive and was always checking in on us. He made our experience very pleasant. The food was great!!! 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

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

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

Huge shout out to David J.! We came in with a group of 12, half of them young kids. We had reservations and were seated right away, and from there David was incredibly kind and patient, juggling everyone's needs without missing a beat. His food recommendations were spot on, and his service is a big part of why we had such a wonderful time. The happy hour menu didn't disappoint either - everything was exceptionally tasty. The hosts up front were lovely too, welcoming us in and seeing us off with a smile. We truly appreciate everyone at La Popular! Thank you, David. We'll be back! :) read more

This was recommended by a friend, so I had expectations. Unfortunately they were not met. The cochinita plate had great taste and flavor. Very savory. Only issue is that there's not enough plantains to match to portion of meat and no side of rice or beans as additional side dishes. The enchilada combo plate was good in that the enchiladas were all very good and you get to choose which enchiladas you want. The problem is that the enchiladas were too small. They were half the size of a regular sized enchilada. You can see it in the picture. For the price you're paying does not warrant the value what you're getting. The rice and beans are bland. Ordered the guacamole with a steak chicharones and that was just average. I wouldn't recommend it. The salsa is delicious. The mole and the sauce for the cochinita plate are very good. Also the agua fresca's are good as well, got a flight. The restaurant itself had a nice ambience. bright spot was our server, wendy, was fantastic and she did a great job of helping us out, explaining the menu and the different dishes every question we had she was very helpful and informative. Now would I recommend this place? Maybe for happy hour for drinks and the sample some of their dishes at a more reasonable price. Unfortunately, at this time I can't recommend this place. It was just ok. Also had the butter cake for dessert, which was decent. Try it out for yourself and maybe you'll like it, because there was some good food on the menu, but portion sizes and prices just don't add up read more

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really good vegetarian tacos! i ended up ordering more. they have a late happy hour as well and the service is great. read more

La Popular - Street Corn Taco Plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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La Popular absolutely deserves 5 stars! I went for Taco Tuesday and had such a great experience. I loved the $2 street-style tacos--they were absolutely delicious and I couldn't stop at just one. I really enjoyed the live music that started at 6 pm; the band was fantastic and I appreciated that the music was upbeat and fun but not too loud. I was impressed by how modern, clean, and stylish the interior was. I sat at the bar and the service was excellent--everyone was friendly and attentive. I tried a couple of their drinks and thought they were really tasty. I also found parking on the street super easy since I arrived a bit early. Overall, I had a wonderful time and can't wait to come back! read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed La Popular yet! It's a welcome addition to the Village in my opinion. My family frequents this place for their amazing Happy Hour! My fave is the house margarita and guacamole with steak bites. So delish. Their tacos are delicious as well and my whole family agrees. If we are in the area, we are def making plans for a bite at La Popular! Always save room for their churros with caramel and choc dipping sauces! You'll thank me! read more

La Popular - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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

Birthday Bites & Bold Flavors at La Popular To kick off my wife's birthday weekend, we headed to La Popular on Saturday--her first pick for the celebration, and it absolutely lived up to the occasion. This isn't your average Mexican restaurant. La Popular blends vibrant energy with elevated, authentic Mexican cuisine, paying homage to tradition while giving classic dishes a bold, modern twist. We started with the Salsa Tray, a fiery flight of flavors: salsa llorona, salsa toreado, salsa lorenza, avocado salsa verde--all served with hot, housemade chips that disappeared fast. One of our go-to favorites, the Ahi Tuna Tostadas, was next--layers of fresh tuna, crispy leeks, chipotle aioli, soy vinaigrette, and avocado that hit every note from savory to citrusy. I went for something new this time--Shrimp Fajitas grilled to perfection and paired with the usual suspects: peppers, onions, jalapeños, guacamole, rice, and beans. The sauce on the shrimp? Unreal--rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying. Robin ordered the Cochinita Pork, slow-roasted to tender perfection and served with caramelized plantains, crema, and a savory cochinita broth that made each bite feel like a celebration. The service was friendly and the manger stopped by to make sure everything was going well. All in all, La Popular delivered a flavorful and festive experience worthy of a birthday weekend. read more

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I recently went to La Popular for dinner and drinks, and overall it was a great experience. If you like tequila-based cocktails and Mexican food, you'll love this place. We started with the chips and salsa appetizer, which was really good. It came with four different salsas ranging from mild to very spicy, and honestly all four were delicious. It was fun to try each one, and they all had great flavor. The tacos were also very good and definitely something I'd order again. The cocktails were fantastic and one of the highlights of the night. They have a lot of different options, especially tequila drinks, and everything we tried was well-made and tasty. We sat outside, and even though it was a chilly February night, the patio heaters kept us nice and warm and comfortable. The outdoor area has a really great ambiance and honestly feels like you're at a Mexican resort, which made the night feel extra special. The only downside was that since we were sitting outside, the service was a little slow. It took a bit longer to get our server's attention at times. However, the atmosphere, food, and drinks still made it a really enjoyable experience. Overall, I'd definitely come back for the cocktails, tacos, and the relaxing patio vibes. read more

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Girls and I came here in a Friday for girls night, and we had a great time. The restaurant has a cool vibe, dim lighting, and stylish. The drinks were really good, and pretty strong. Everyone enjoy their food as well. Overall, we had fun and I would definitely come back for a date night with my hubby. read more

La Popular - Short Rib Enchiladas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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

Met friends for dinner on Friday night. The music inside was pretty loud, so we chose to sit on the patio instead--and it was perfect. With heaters throughout, it was warm and comfortable, plus there's a cozy lounge area with sofas and a large tabletop fireplace. The service was excellent. I had the White Lotus spritz cocktail and ordered the combo plate with a cheese enchilada, shrimp taco and a rib-eye taco. We started with the guacamole and finished with churros for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious. read more

La Popular - Guacamole..smooth not chunky, really good. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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I've been here multiple times for both brunch and dinner, and it's always a great experience. The atmosphere is lively and energetic, with great music and vibrant decor that's full of detail. The tacos were packed with flavor, and the meat was perfectly cooked. The churros were warm, sweet, and had just the right crisp. Drinks were crafted to perfection with impressive presentation. The staff was consistently friendly and attentive, making the entire visit smooth and enjoyable. read more

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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

PLENTY OF EMPTY TABLES, YET NO ROOM FOR A FAMILY. I was really excited to try this place, but apparently showing up with children was asking too much. We came in with our toddler and infant twins in strollers and were told we couldn't sit inside because the strollers to the side of our table was a "fire hazard," and were sent to an outdoor fire pit lounge, which isn't meal friendly or family friendly. We then asked about high chairs and were told we could sit at a table if my husband folded both strollers and carried them back to the car. So we did. After all that, they seated our party of 3 adults and 3 children at a table that fit 4 people against the wall with plants. Two of my kids had to be seated between the table on both sides since we didn't all fit. What didn't add up was being told the strollers couldn't be beside the table because they were a "fire hazard," only to then seat a family of six at a table meant for four. My kids ended up sitting on the sides of the table in high chairs anyway, making the whole explanation even harder to understand. Even more frustrating, there were at least eight empty tables throughout our entire visit to both sides of us and behind us. It didn't feel like there was any real effort to accommodate a family with small kids, even though the space clearly allowed it. I don't blame the waiter, it felt like they were following the manager's direction, the manager never mentioned high chairs until I asked and his tone was not friendly when we first walked in. The overall vibe was less "welcome in" and more "be grateful we found somewhere to put you." Really disappointing, especially since I was looking forward to trying this place. Two stars because the chips and guac are decent and the food was ok, but nothing is good enough to make me want to come back to be treated this way. read more

The restaurant and atmosphere are nice. The food was okay and didn't like the drink I ordered. Overpriced for what it is

Recommend getting a reservation for this spot. This place is pretty trendy and of course, popular. When I walked in on a weekend night, it was so busy. I waited by the bar and got lucky when a party just stood up to exit. Bar seating is first come first serve. The salsa starter was pretty fun, as it came with a paper describing the ascending levels of spiciness between four salsas. Each one had good flavor, especially the third one with Serrano. This is a good starter to share between two people. Bartenders were pretty attentive, and I ordered a Mexican candy shot. It didn't have much alcohol, but it tasted good. I'd def come back for a date night or good time w a larger group. read more

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

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

nestled in downtown Claremont. went for an early lunch with girlfriends and sat at the patio. the interior was really pretty too when i went inside for the restroom. we ordered salsa flight + housemade chips to share while we ordered our own dishes (tempura baja mahi mahi tacos, prime rib tacos, enchiladas). tacos came in a set of 3 and i thought that would be plenty for me. the salsas came with a little card that described all of them and with ascending heat levels. all of them were tasty. the salsa toreado was very interesting as none of us have had salsa that had soy sauce and sesame oil in it. quite unique and definitely spicy, but so good. the salsa llorona (spiciest) was more like pickled veggies with vinegar, but it was tasty and packed quite a pickling punch. the mahi mahi tacos were unexpectedly tasty. fish was flaky and crispy from the batter. it didn't feel heavy or greasy at all, so much so that i finished the entire plate and i'm normally a two-taco gal!. rice was pretty standard. i don't eat beans and the server happily accommodated. we were checked on several times throughout our meal, despite being in the patio, a section that can typically be ignored. everyone finished their dishes and we agreed we would definitely go back - maybe for brunch next time! we still had a little bit of salsa left over but we had also ran out of chips. i didn't want to waste but i had asked if i could get it to go. to all of our surprise, we were brought a full take out box of chips, including filled containers of their salsa. that was incredibly kind of them and we were able to share their delicious salsas and chips with our husbands after our meal. one star docked only because we had a couple of dirty glassware/plates. fantastic experience, nonetheless! read more

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I recently met some girlfriends at this restaurant for lunch. Our server brought out complimentary chips and salsa right away. The chips were fresh, and the salsa was delicious. They have a really great cocktails menu. I ordered the watermelon hibiscus margarita. My friends ordered the margarita flight, the forbidden paradise mule, and the desert rose. All of our drinks were very good! I ordered two a la carte tacos (ribeye and grilled mahi mahi), as did a few others. One friend ordered a taco plate and another ordered the corn off the cob salad. We all ordered a side of street corn. Our server was Nicole, and she was excellent! The restaurant has a great vibe and a nice bar. They have a patio with lots of seating, but we sat inside. We all enjoyed our cocktails and lunch and will probably visit again soon! read more

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I wish I could have given them a better review, but unfortunately the server Breanna was not great. when we first entered he host was very nice and friendly, and we got a booth right by the kitchen door. We had a perfect view to watch the World Cup. It was USA versus Turkey. From the very beginning, the server seemed as if we were a burden. During our whole stay, the server seemed annoyed, not necessarily towards us, but just annoyed in general. We ordered some drinks and ceviche, and everything tasted good. Halfway through our stay, we had another friend join our table, and the server never even acknowledged him or offered a drink or anything. The actual restaurant and the patio are really nice. I think some of the staff just need to be re-trained on hospitality. read more

We came here for a GNO dinner and what a vibe this place was! I just wish the music wasn't so loud because we felt like we had to scream to talk to each other. We ordered churros from HH menu and it was delicious! They were able to accommodate to hold until we were done with our entrees. I ordered nachos with steak for protein and it hit my nachos craving spot! Even though it was an appetizer, the portion was pretty big. Maybe because it's meant to be shared, ha! A walk around downtown Claremont was so nice too! read more

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Tacos! The fave was the street corn for sure! Also enjoyed the asada. Tuesday has the happy hour menu available all day. Queso fondue was excellently crisp on the bottom and stringy cheese pull like pulling on spaghetti. Modern vibes with bay windows leading out to the patio area. Center bar with screens to watch the games. Would definitely return for another street corn taco or two or three. Luv the salsa & thin, crispy fresh chips. Automatic 20% tip charge for party of six. 2 hour parking limit right in front. Great location to walk around and enjoy the downtown area. read more

La Popular - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

Our waiter BRyan found out we came her to celebrate my daughters birthday and she really surprised by the excellent service. Bryan went above and beyond to make my daughter's day extra special. It truly meant so much to us, and we'll never forget the kindness and effort he put into making her smile. Thank you for making such a beautiful memory He brought a lovely card and candy read more

La Popular - Birthday - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Claremont, California

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We had a fantastic dinner here tonight and I can't say enough good things about the experience! I came with a friend who knows her margaritas--and she declared this one of the best she's ever had. That's saying something! I stuck to my go-to: shrimp Baja tacos, while she had the fish version. Both were absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The place was packed, which speaks for itself, but the ambience still felt relaxed and enjoyable. We were lucky to get a table near the sidewalk, and the breeze made it feel like the perfect summer evening out. Special shoutout to our server, Elly, who was truly exceptional. Not only was she super attentive and professional, but she was also training someone during our visit--and still managed to provide next-level service. It's rare to see someone handle a busy crowd with such calm and care. Total pro. Great food, great vibe, and outstanding service. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Place is a vibe! Food is delish, drinks are amazing Been here a few times, will continue to go! 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

We had a date night dinner here and absolutely loved it. The restaurant is super pretty and trendy. The restaurant staff were great and friendly. We loved our waitress who gave such great recommendations. What we ate... Appetizers: we had the ahi tostadas and the chorizo queso fundido. We loved the queso fundido the best. Dinner: Carne asada plate which was super tasty and delicious. I had the chicken enchiladas suizas and they were so good. I loved the beans too. Dessert: churros, too die for! We definitely will be back again and I want it try their brunch They also have an agave club which sounds amazing. You get a bottle a month and it includes a social hour with other members which incudes drinks and appetizers. Sounds like such an amazing idea. read more

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