No Hip Hop or Gangsters. Just Good Food in L.A.'s El Cholo.
Written: Feb 26 '07
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Pros: Welcoming, casual restaurant; huge portions; good food.
Cons: None really.
The Bottom Line: El Cholo was a good find for us. I would go back.
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| jo.com's Full Review: El Cholo |
El Cholo:
We ate at El Cholo while shopping around the trendy Third Street area in Los Angeles. El Cholo is not in this trendy area. We walked a few blocks to 1121 South Western Avenue.
In 1922 Alejandro Borquez said to his wife, Rosa, “You are such a good cook we should open up a restaurant.” They did. In 1996 they sold enough tortillas that if laid end to end they would stretch 3 1/2 times around the world and would pile as high as 6,146 Empire State Buildings Today, EL Cholo serves a diverse clientele including celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Michele Phillips, Marlon Brando, Madonna, and Elizabeth Taylor. (from www.elcholo.com)
La Habra, Santa Monica and Irvine have this wonderful restaurant as well as Los Angeles.
The restaurant is large. We ate here on a Friday in December just post lunch time. There were a few people eating but the restaurant felt empty because of the spaciousness. We sat near the gas fireplace which was on in spite of the 70 degree weather.
The restaurant had a Mexican motif with hand crafted pottery and plants. I noted how clean it looked.
The Food:
A basket of red and yellow corn chips along with tasty salsa was put on our table. They were fresh, crisp and a tad greasy but greasy in a good way.
I ordered Annie’s Early California Enchilada. All the dishes we had were huge as was this one. My dish came with vegetables, spinach, sautéed mushrooms and jack cheese. Along with the Enchilada it came with corn and salsa. I also got beans and rice though those items aren't listed on the menu. The cost was $9.65. I was impressed with the taste of the food. The veggies tasted fresh and there was enough filling though it could have used a little more cheese.
Our daughter got the Enchilada Suiza which was a breast of chicken in a light salsa with sour cream, beans and rice. She gave my husband her rice but in spite of that she was very full. You’ll want to go here hungry or share dishes. $10.50.
My husband got the Tostada Compuesta “an El Cholo Tradition" (made back in 1923) with veggies, beans and chorizo. Choriza is sausage which he doesn’t eat so he substituted it for chicken and enjoyed it very much. $8.95.
Service:
Our waitress was very good although she seemed distracted. That distraction didn’t take away from her refilling my iced tea several times. When my husband got his meal and starting eating it there looked like some type of meat was in it. The waitress was very concerned but as we looked at these mystery pieces we realized they were cubed beets so he was all set.
The bus boy took away our chips to refill the basket as my hand was in it!
Parking:
There is valet parking for a few dollars or if you have the patience drive around and you’ll find a meter or even a free space.
Hours:
El Cholo is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 to 10:00; Friday and Saturday until 11:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 9:00. A brunch is offered on Sunday.
Reservations and credit cards are accepted.
Other Food:
El Cholo’s menu isn’t extensive but what is on it all looks good including their Margaritas. You can buy their Margarita Mix to Go at $19.75 a gallon. Choose from eleven appetizers such as soups, nachos, and quesadillas in the $7.00 range. El Cholo has combination dishes such as their best seller which is a cheese enchilada and beef taco for $9.85. Chicken, pork, or beef can be added for $1.95.
There is no children’s menu. Although El Cholo isn't a vegetarian restaurant and doesn't have a vegetarian section you'll be able to find a dish (or ask for one without meat).
El Cholo is a comfortable, casual restaurant which has the feel of welcoming any type of clientele.
The End:
We each got several cookies which, if you like sugar like I do, you’ll love these. They tasted like Vermont Maple Syrup Candy which melted in our mouths.
All in all a great eating experience. A solid four star rating. I wouldn’t hesitate going back.
Other L.A. spots:
Doc Brown's Chicken ~ Electric Lotus ~ Mustard Seed Café ~ Chai Dynasty ~ Chadaka Thai ~ Robeks (smoothies) ~ There's No Place Like Home
Good Microbrew and Grill ~ Jinky's ~ Shalom Pizza ~ Factor's Famous Deli ~ Sheraton Gateway Hotel
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The cube beets look like pork.
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