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Arturo's Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Combining the charm of Mexico with contemporary So-Cal style, the restaurant and bar serves ingredient driven, modern Mexican cuisine, fresh and… read more »
34 reviews for Arturo's Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"My family has been going here since the 60s." In 3 reviews -
"The Carne Asada wet burrito was bombbbb." In 2 reviews -
"There is an ample free parking lot right on site." In 4 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Dannelle A.
Long Beach, CA
4/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
We had been debating where to go for dinner and hubby declared "alright, I got it. Let's go!" Well, he definitely got this place right!
This place has been around FOREVER as evident by the architecture. We are hugh MCM fans and I even had to take pics of the outside and the beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Lighting fixtures and room dividers gave me some great ideas for our home as well.
Ok, now to the food. GET THE CARNITAS!!!! It was UH-MAZ-ING!!! I am a huge carnitas fan and was so blown away at their version, I don't think anything will compare. Not oily or too dry, very crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside! My husband got the torta and the amount of food on the top was ridiculous. We both had so much left over, it was our lunch the next day!
Not very close to home but it will become a regular for one of our favorite mexican places!! -
Review from Paddy O.
Pasadena, CA
3/12/2012
Oh Good Lord, how did I not know about this place? I blame my family - Mexicans, of course - for hiding this gem. HUGE portions, authentic everything, fast, friendly service and my new numero uno in carnitas EVER, and I am a serious carnitas bigot. Wow.
Guac - perfect. Beans - effing oh my God so amazing. Rice - only astounding (seriously, astounding rice? Yes. Hell yes!) And the beans, I already mentioned the beans, but they are as good as you think you can make at home. It's like my Nana has come back to life.
THANK YOU ARTURO'S for restoring my faith in humanity. Hell, there could be a Republican president, and I would stay in the U.S. just for Arturo's. I now have a reason to see my family much more often. Horale pues!! -
Review from Angelique R.
Carson, CA
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Lived in area for years..passed this place up many many times...now I know why.....food is horrible...service was less than good..........no appeal .no star! (They make u give a place a star that does not deserve it)
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Review from Caroline T.
Torrance, CA
8/22/2011
I have been going here since i was 2 days old... literally! Completely family owned, old style Mexican cooking and simply DELICIOUS.
The margaritas are larger than life, guacamole made to perfection and dont get my started on their dinner plates! Worth going out with the whole family or a group of friends you will leave more than satisfied -
Review from linda a.
Torrance, CA
4/10/2011
This place has been there for about 60 years. It's family-owned and waitress Hilda is great (she might be part-owner, not sure). Service overall is a bit inconsistent. Food is always the same though, but I get the same thing every time. I can't speak about the menu in detail. I am very persnickety about salsa and theirs is top-notch, albeit very spicy for novices (I'm not one, fortunately). There is a gorgeous, rich sauce put atop your burrito if you want it "wet." It's almost like a mole'. I've been going for years and even found a home for a wayward hen who'd been living in their parking lot! You should have seen us out there with a gigantic net, trying to catch that bird. But I digress.
I stopped going for a while a couple years ago when I found a tiny rubber band in my salsa, the kind that goes around say a bunch of turnips or cilantro. I was really grossed out. But hell, things happen. I'm sure someone was just chopping up a storm back there. Anyway, after some time, even that disappointment couldn't prevent me from returning time and time again.
The decor is out of this world! Go there for the crazy lights in the dining room, if nothing else. It's very 60s-space-age.
When I want good salsa to put on my own food at home, I still get theirs. It's like an addiction for me. -
Review from Kristina S.
Torrance, CA
9/19/2011
I recently moved to the Harbor City area and was so happy to see that within walking distance, I had a Mexican restaurant. Needless to say, I went there one night after a craving of Mexican food. I decided to order take out. I'm a big chips and salsa fan and asked if I could order. I was told I was given some with my order, to later find it was a bag of 6 chips and a small side container of salsa. I took what looked like a pink donut box home filled with food. I wasn't impressed with the food at all and haven't returned since. It was peak time for dinner and there's a reason it was dead in that restaurant. No bueno!
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Review from Fue J.
Long Beach, CA
6/18/2011
The best re-fried beans I have ever had!! I ordered the wet burrito and it was stuffed with tender meat inside and out, their Chile relleno's are also delicious.
Very kid friendly, our 2 year old has a blast and if she throws a fit the place is so big you can barely hear her so we don't have to take turns walking her around while the other eats.
Claustrophobia a problem? No worries here, the parking lot is huge and FREE and inside though some might say it looks like a cafeteria at least it's spacious and allows you to eat your meal with plenty of elbow room without having to worry about people behind you breathing down your neck like Darth Vader.
Bottom line, DELICIOUS, MODERATE PRICING, AND DELICIOUS.
P.s. The best Flan I ever had too. Pretty much my new favorite Mexican place ever. You can bet on seeing me there, though I might be fatter than my profile pix if I keep going. -
Review from Sean M.
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been going to this place since I was a young child, and the food has never changed (though the owners have). Many of the same waitresses are still there (so your talking 20+ years). I'm a fan of the red chile burrito although the star at this restaurant is their cheese quesedilla. It is the absolutely best quesedilla ever! As long as they keep up the food I will kep up the attendance.
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Review from Grace P.
Los Angeles, CA
10/20/2011
Best reinterpreted, old style Mexican food I've tasted in the LA area. The quesadilla is unique with tortilla spread out and generously heaped with delicious cheese, abundant pieces of beef, shrimp, vegetables... you name it.
Try the chicken mole! Never tasted or saw anything like it. The meat is tender, the sauce is savory and the slightly sweet, smoky taste will revolve around your mouth for a long time. I'd definitely visit this place again :) I also enjoyed the nice, relaxed, extremely clean and enthusiastic service. -
Review from Eric S.
Torrance, CA
8/31/2006
Been eating here since I was a kid, now I'm taking my kids.
Even though it's changed hands in the recent past, it's still one of my favorite mexican sit down type resto's. Good Salsa and chips. Big plates of good mexican food with savory sauces. My faves are the Tostada Compuesta with chicken(big guy style tostada w/ guac, and beets on top, really good!) , Wet,Carne Asada burrito( just try to eat the whole thing),and the Carnitas plate. Did I mention the Margaritas?
Good ,Strong, shaken, with salt(don't be a puss, margs are meant to be drunk with salt) Parking can be tough on weekend nights. Open for lunch.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Jeff E.
Torrance, CA
5/16/2010
I am shocked that this place has such poor reviews. It is a VERY exceptional restaurant. It may not be the most traditional/authentic Mexican food, but it certainly isn't on par with El Torito or Alcapulco or any other bland place. This place is damn near gourmet and very flavorful. Not to mention, the restaurant is gorgeous. Its like if The Beach Boy's "Pet Sounds" album was a Mexican Restaurant.
I suggest the #1 combo. The enchiladas are perfect; the tostada is huge, but the always fresh lettuce, cheese and avocado on top is great; and the beans and rice.... THE BEANS AND RICE ARE THE BEST YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE. Normally I don't care that much for beans and rice, but here it could be a main course. -
Review from shinobu k.
Torrance, CA
10/13/2009
Fantastic mexican food set in uber-cool googie stylishness. Señor Arturos, you are TOPS. Numero Uno.
I LOVE mexican food. After having driven by this architectural wonder numerous times, with it's stylish retro sign beckoning, "come hither", I finally took the plunge and entered this strange and delightful world, where mayan totems are erected amidst watery, fern covered pools and blinking christmas lights. An inspiring mural map of Mexico on one wall and a framed photo of a giant party burrito on the other.
Sci-fi astroglobes of light hang from the ceiling and the expanse of windows revealing lush jungle-like foliage, give this unique building it's googie cool atmosphere. There are at least two large main dining areas and a separate cocktail bar that must be a throwback to 1972.
After my first visit, I was hooked and have been a regular for over 3 years.
And the food? Oy fantastico! Arturos stands out easily with the basics. The rice and beans. If a mexican restaurant can wow you with the rice and beans, they know what they're doing. Beans have the perfect crust to the top and consistency below, rice is perfect, not too dry, not too wet. A flavor fiesta. All other places fail to compare.
My favorites are the combos, where you get great portions, and get to try tacos, enchiladas, tamales, chile rellenos, taquitos. All delicious.
The tostada compuesta is an enormous multi layered tostada feast.
We've tried a great many items and have not been disappointed.
Service has always been quick and courteous, and chips and salsa, glasses of water, come flying out to your table as soon as you're seated.
Arturos is a great place to hang out with friends, large TV in the back dining room, large tables. Lots of space all around. Casual, but with a hip, classy feel, many, many steps above fast food. This is not your El Burrito Jr or your Super Mex.
Arturos is my favorite for Mexican.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Lisa S.
9/3/2010
Is this an old-school cafeteria? A restaurant? A coffee shop? Every "room" has a different feel and decor, making me feel a little bipolar.
We sat in the middle section by the fountain with all the fake creatures, which was interesting.
The chips and salsa were really good, and I liked how the salsa had a kick to it. The guacamole wasn't bad either, although it was really creamy.
My carne asada platter was huge! Apparently you can substitute 2 other entrees for the rice and beans! I think that's nuts. You can get two extra burritos for the same price! Ah! Well, I got an enchilada and a taco. The taco was alright, a little crunchy, and the enchilada was like liquid cheese. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing, because I love cheese, but it was A LOT of cheese. :X The asada was a tad bit sweet, which I didn't like. I think that had to do with the marinade and maybe the onions, etc., on top.
My food was only okay. I liked the chips and salsa, and the portions were large, so I'm bordering on a 3, but I'm just going to have to give Arturo's a 2.5, -
Review from LATAUSHA J.
Lomita, CA
6/29/2011 2 photos
The Carne Asada wet burrito was bombbbb! The waitress was so nice and down to earth. The waitress has been working there as long as I've been alive(and she still looks good)lol! I had the albondigas as well....very authentic!! The food was just like homemade and very very tasty! Definitely recommend this place! :-)
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Review from Amanda S.
Stockton, CA
8/27/2011
Sooo good - the enchiladas have the best cheese and the refried beans are delicious. We love Arturo's and go out of our way to eat there whenever we're in southern CA.
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Review from Crystal A.
Lomita, CA
4/10/2009 1 Check-in Here
I've been eating here since I was a kid..... and the place hasn't changed at all.
We were all terrified that the new owners would screw it up, but they didn't....it's been working this long, why mess with it? The one noticable difference? Shiny new menus.
The food is consistent, and the refried beans here are the standard by which I measure all others. We used to buy the house salad dressing by the bottle...a mild, slightly sweet vinagrette that splits immediately after you shake it.
Thank you, new owners, for not ruining this little piece of my childhood.Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
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Review from Julie W.
San Pedro, CA
3/3/2011
I agree with Jeff E. and have no idea what all these poor reviews are talking about. My family has been going here since the 60s. It started with my grandpa taking my mom and aunt and then my parents took me. I've been going here my entire life. The cheese enchilada with rice and beans is my absolute favorite thing on the menu, so I really don't know what these people are talking about. The rice is amazing. Everything is extremely flavorful. The restaurant has tons of personality and looks a lot like it did when my family started coming in the 60s. It may not be a fancy restaurant, but the food and service will not disappoint.
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Review from Chris T.
Westwood, CA
7/8/2008
The Food is pretty decent here for Gringo style Mexican. Think the kind of stuff that they have at El Torrito or Acapulco but with a more unique slightly more Mexican flavor.
There is an ample free parking lot right on site. The decor is nothing to write anything about. The service ranges from good friendly and fast to scatterbrained and horrible.
The blended margaritas can be either very good or total crap depending upon who is bartending that particular day or night.
I know people who at least used to go here every week. A lot of people have been going there since they were kids since its been around for 40 years. It must be a nostalgia thing because there is nothing exceptional about the place and the service, food and drinks are horribly inconsistent, totally hit or miss random. I don't like gambling for dinner! -
Review from erin n.
San Pedro, CA
7/29/2008
I really enjoyed my meals here.
The decor is pretty retro- I felt like I was eating in a time warp. -
Review from Denise W.
Lomita, CA
1/13/2011
Worst Mexican food I have had in a long time. I went here as a teenager many moons ago and remember it being good. Went tonight and I will never return.
The service was good but the food, terrible.
My son got a chicken burrito, the chicken tasted like it had been microwaved and had no flavor whatsoever.
I had the cheese enchiladas, they were edible. The beans were good thought. The rice, not Spanish rice in any way, tasted funky.
The guacamole, not sure what it really was, but not guacamole....
Very expensive for what it was... $ 13 and change for a chicken burrito that had nothing in it but chicken....
Very disappointing... -
Review from adrian m.
Lawndale, CA
11/26/2009 3 photos
I decided to come in after seeing the place a few times on my way home or to work.
The place looks clean at a first glance and that is to trust. The menu offers a great variety of items. I decided to try the shrimp fajita salad (I am a seafood fan). It was very tasty but I was expecting the shell the menu mentioned, but it's ok. The service was prompt and I like that. So far so good. -
Review from Melissa P.
Torrance, CA
3/14/2011
Wonderful food and great customer service. Hilda and Juana are the best waitresses, they know family by name. I have NEVER had a bad meal here and love the nice ambiance. I highly recommend anything with their carnitas and beans. Their shredded chicken tacos and house dressing is amazing!! My father has been a loyal customer since the place was opened and we love to go there. They just raised the prices a little but the food is worth it. I would highly recommend Arturo's to anyone.
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Review from Leslie K.
Long Beach, CA
6/13/2010
I've been going to Arturos's for longer than I care to admit. (In my mind, I am not a day over 30 , well 35... OK 40... LOL) Back to the review that is the purpose of the posting,, the food has been consistently good. My dining companions and I always get the cheese chips with Guacamole to share(Fritos on the menu) and our own entrees which are taken home. I also get takeout maybe every other month or so. They use the cutest pink boxes, looks like you are getting a pie! As I said it has been consistent and reliable. Until....
The last time, the cheese was MIA, chips were burned black.. and the Chili verde was only half the normal portion if that. Maybe this is an anamoly, I know they changed ownership. I will give it another chance.. hope it's a winner! -
Review from Scott B.
Anza, CA
Updated - 2/14/2009
Same people's) new owner WHO changed the refrigeration service its ether cold or to hot, my meal was just good ,cheese enchilada chili re llano & Beans. My sister had the burnt pork burrito, it looked good and made me yelp. Oh I had couple double Margaritas on the rocks!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/17/2008
Well I started eating here about 48 years ago and all I would eat is a plate of refried beans with… Read more »
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Review from Mel L.
Lawndale, CA
9/13/2010
Been here 2 times. Food is good. Large portions. Not very quick on refills or bringing out food, but overall pretty good.
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Review from Jesse T.
4/20/2008
My Girlfriend mentioned that this place has been here 50 years, but in the 40 years of her life, living less than half a mile away, shes never been there. So Friday we took a drive over there. The parking lot was full. The place was very busy, usually to me, that means the food is good, or at least tolerable. We were quickly given our table and with in short order our waitress arrived. I ordered the Chicken tamale plate. My girlfriend was surprised that there were no Carnitas on the menu and mentioned this to the waitress. The waitress mentioned they just updated their menu so it obviously was overlooked. So, she ordered the Carnitas. The chips were a tad stale, the salsa wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was what I'd call "white boy" safe salsa, now mind you, chips are just an "Americanized" item anyway so what does it matter. The meals came with a Salad. The service was fast, I mean really fast. However, the salad was about as generic as you could get and the house dressing was more reminiscent of something I'd find on a Chinese chicken salad. Our meals arrived before we finished our salad. The plates were large and had lots of food, meals were definitely sizable. It seems that everything came with guacamole as I got a small bowl of it. My tamales were fairly well stuffed with lots of chicken and was not overly thick with corn meal. Tamales can really be an eclectic experience, ranging from an appetizer type food all the way to a desert. The tamales also had a bunch of crushed green olives inside. I wasn't turned off by that, but my gf isn't much an an olive eater, could taste the olives throughout the tamale. If I only ordered an a la carte of Tamales I'd be happy, however, the rice was over cooked and mushy. The re-fried beans were what I'd describe as straight from a can. I've had beans that were to die for, these were far from it. Cathy's Carnitas were chunks of deep fried pork, there wasn't much for seasoning on the pork, it didn't catch my attention, for that matter I had to put a lot of the guacamole on it to get around how dry they were. At the end of our meal, we decided to walk through the building and see what the rest of the place had to offer. They have a bar stuck far in the back of the building. Its small and only held about 8 people, but it looked well stocked. Since I don't drink much alcohol, I didn't order any drinks so I cant tell you how their mixologists are doing.
In summary I'd say this place is great, if you are in to white people safe Mexican food. The service is good, fast and friendly. If you want something that's Sonora style or at least California style Mexican food, find some where else. Its my opinion, a good gauge of how good the Mexican food is, is to see Hispanics eating the food. The only Hispanic people here were the waitresses and busboys, i really doubt Hispanic people would get caught eating here. Its just too Americanized in my opinion. You are far better off going to El Tarasco's just half a mile south on Western anyway. At least that food has some soul in it. -
Review from Nathan W.
9/8/2009 1 Check-in Here
This is a really great place. Large plates of tasty Mexican food. The building is massive as well, a good place to bring the family or throw a quincinera. Everything is delicious, maybe steer clear of the seafood. The chicken mole is the best mole I've ever had, for what a Jappa-Jew's opinion is worth on the subject. As far as around town and a decent price, yeah a damn fine mole. I walked out with a tiny mole baby. Whatever you do don't go to Ortega 120 and order the mole, it is watery and horrible. Not complex and amazing like Arturo's.
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Review from Eric B.
San Pedro, CA
10/8/2010
My family has been going here every week since it opened. Ever since the new owners (Korean) came in things have gotten really disgusting. You can get better Mexican food at Del Taco. I have many great memories of this former family owned place, now I cant stand the food, makes me feel sick every time I eat there..
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Review from T J.
Lomita, CA
Updated - 8/10/2010
We have concerns on the new ownership. I build high end restaurants, so trust me, if it works for even 1 year- don't mess with it too much.
Listen to your staff. They know what has worked.
And bring Back the Musician! or t least pop in a latin CD during dinner, some kind of MUSIC.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/1/2009
We also have concerns on the new ownership. I build high end restaurants, so trust me, if it works… Read more »
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Review from lia s.
Torrance, CA
1/10/2007
The absolutely worst food I have ever had!!! Long ago when I was a small kid we use to come here as a family; as it was the only mexican hole in the entire south bay. Recently asians bought it and it is horrible, with horrible service!
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Review from Lisa Z.
3/3/2009
Huh, interesting reviews. I grew up (Jr. High and on) near this place so it's been around for a while, but it did have an ownership change a while back. Arturo's does a few things very well and I tend to order these same few things. It has its own way of doing Mexican. For example, the "salad" you get with a meal is a bowl of iceberg lettuce with typical purple cabbage/carrot slaw shavings, and the dressing is a red wine viniagrette that is actually a little sweet. I hated it at first...and on the plain salad, until I tried it on the chicken tostada. Winner! I get the chicken tostada on flat tortilla shell, ask for some of this dressing & I'm good. My mom and I loved it so much back in the day that we'd get a big bottle of it to go. Other great things to try: Nachos. OMG so good. Smothered with a layer of cheese and refried beans and jalapenos so thick that you often need to scoop some out with a fork or spoon. Refried beans delicious and a bit greasy like I like to see them (if I"m going to eat them they better be good ones). No desperately scraping toppings off the plate or other chips or trying to spare the "anchor chip" in this pile of nachos. The whole plate is an anchor chip! They also have chips and cheese if you aren't a fan of beans and other toppings on your nachos. Other good entrees here: Huevos Rancheros. Great anytime. Love them here, perfectly done eggs over easy & delicious beans and sauce. Chicken tamales. Not traditional but the chicken tamales here have green olives in them. It just somehow is so good. Mole. The mole here is thick, brownish black, extremely heavy sauce, no way I could finish it good. Served with onions. That's what I order here food wise. The margaritas here are amazingly good, probably the best in the South Bay. One double, you're feeling it. Two, you probably shouldn't drive. Three, you're not driving, there's no way, and you're either ready for bed, real happy or a pain in the a** for everyone else. I get them on the rocks with salt! Love it. Decor is definitely 60s architecture, typical slate walls, big paneled windows, blue-teal seated bench type seating and there is a garden outside that you view from the dining room. Last time I was here I saw a pet chicken (no, I'm not kidding!) hiding in one of the bushes. We asked the waitress, and yes they knew it was there. Dinner and a show! I love this place so I'll definitely come back for either the delicious margaritas and nachos, or margaritas and a meal. FWIW, the place seemed cleaner and faster service than before, so I don't think the new ownership was a bad thing.
Listed in: Mexican food I like, The "Hood" 2011, Nachos! *Homer Simpson…
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Review from Austin B.
Lomita, CA
9/22/2009
Ate here on a recommendation from a friend, and would have to say pretty disappointing. I prefer the chunk style carnitas, but this was bland and really greasy. my wife and mom were also disappointed with their meals. On top of that the service was only so so.
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Review from Rick Jacuzzi s.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/26/2010
i've been here for lunch and destroyed the carne asada burrito. the waitresses are very nice and i shall return.
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Review from kichiguy Z.
Tustin, CA
7/28/2010
Had a cheese enchilada, chile relleno, and beans. Still good.
