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East LA
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner, Late Night
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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- Location:
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29 reviews for East LA
Even though it isn't the best Mexican around, the place is ALWAYS crowded! Why? It's dirt cheap.
I don't totally despise the food, I've definitely had better mexican, but for like ten bucks you can get like THREE things....tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and they aren't stingy with the portions. You leave full, and tipsy from the margarita's and sangria.
It also has an outside seating area, which people scavenger for on nice sunshiney days, the wait staff is usually the same (owner maybe??) every time we've been.
It's definitely an easy go-to kind of place for days that you don't feel like spending a bundle but still getting your drink on.
We went to East LA because the other restaurant we wanted to go to had a long wait. The hostess at East LA informed us that there was a 20 minute wait so we waited at the tables outside. After 30 mins, we went inside, only to find out they forgot about us. That should have been a sign to leave but we were hungry so we stayed. Big mistake.
The restaurant must think that it's a bad club, starting at around 7 pm. The terrible music was so loud that we had to shout to hear eachother over the thumpa-thumpa club music circa 2002.
Our frozen margaritas were poorly mixed and you could taste the tequila and strawberry syrup. They got the job done but were a bit painful to drink. Other than the decent chips and salsa, the food was bland and boring. The guacamole was a decent sized portion but did not taste fresh at all. I ordered the combo meal of a bean and cheese burrito and guacamole tostada. I had to cover my food in salsa to spice it up. The portions were big but the taste was small.
The service was awful - we had no idea who our waiter was as the one who came to our table first disappeared and throughout the night we flagged different people to accomplish the very difficult tasks of bringing and refilling our water and taking our order. When our meal was over we waited a good 20 minutes for the check.
If you're looking for good Mexican, avoid East LA. I've had better food at Chipotle.
For English read review number 1:
Para Espanol Lea revisión dos:
Been to East L.A. a few times, the food and service are always excellent. The food is very fresh and they have great sangria. The Sangria is really strong and will get the blood pumping.
When you walk in they have a very small bar to filter drinks to all the tables and this is also where the magic sangria is mixed. Pretty narrow walkway between tables in the front, but the back has a big lounge area for additional seating.
It is a bit loud and crowded at times, but easy to deal with. You can go with friends, or have a fun time with a date.
Every time I pass East L.A. it is jacked with folks, must be doing something right.
Estuvo al L.UN Oriental. un pocos veces y el alimento y el servicio son siempre excelentes. El alimento es muy fresco y ellos tienen gran sangría. La Sangría es realmente fuerte y conseguirá el bombeo de sangre.
Cuándo usted anda en ellos tiene una barra muy pequeña para filtrar las bebidas a todas las mesas y esto es también donde la sangría mágica es mezclada. Estreche bastante sendero entre mesas en la frente y la espalda tiene un área grande de salón para asientos adicionales.
Es un poco fuerte y llenado a veces, pero fácil de tratar con. Usted puede ir con amigos o tener un tiempo divertido con una fecha.
Cada vez yo paso el L.UN Oriental. es es alzado con gente, debe estar haciendo algo derecho.
I think I like this place better than Charritos.
I know everyone loves Charritos. I will say Charritos has much better and bigger portion of guacamole. But I think overall I like the taste of the chips, chicken, salad and nachos better.. the margaritas are also outstanding:) Get yourself a pitcher or two.
Make sure to get some outside seating it is prime people watching.
I am not much of a margarita drinker but supposedly this place makes really good ones. The couple of times I have gone, it's always busy. It's not that expensive and the food is Taco Bell quality but it's Hoboken on the st so what the hey, right? I keep encountering short and non friendly bar staff/wait staff. The food is quick but that's typical for Mexican restaurants from what I have experienced. Very tight seating for even a normal size dude. Tight, very tight for me. Not impressive so go to taco bell instead...
How this place has fallen off so much in a couple of years is beyond me. I think I remember hearing they went under new management a couple of years back.
Back when I was still at school in Hoboken, this was a pretty good happy hour place to visit. $5 frozen margaritas and free chips = quality. But ever since then, they've gotten rid of the happy hour specials, raised the prices on everything, and made the food really really crappy.
The only time to even venture in here for food is Tues nights (2 for 1 entrees). Alas, what they give you in quantity, they take away in quality; borderline terrible food, and barely worth it at the discounted price (definitely not worth it at the regular price). I haven't walked by recently, but I think they might have even gotten rid of this special.
As a night spot, it's also really not worth it. They have 1 small bar area in the front, and (for whatever reason) people pack in here like lemmings (for a similar situation, see Green Rock).
They claim to have a late night happy hour special ($5.25 frozen margaritas). I've been a few times late night and they did not honor this price; other times, they did. The waitresses and bartenders are nice enough.. which is the only reason I didn't give this place a 1.
if you want better Mexican food, go to Charrito's a few blocks away. If you want a good nightlife scene... go anywhere else in Hoboken really.
East LA is an obnoxious doodle on Washington Street - the work of a crude artist with little or no concept of how to create an eatery. I wouldn't leave the architect alone with a pair of scissors for fear he would stab himself to death.
The interior feels dirty and has the pumping music of the nearby Bahama Mamas, except you're trying to eat a meal over the thumping tunes of generic rap artist 12 and the crew of ne'er do wells.
The food itself is middling to poor Mexican food in large quantities, and the Margaritas are of the frozen variety and a classic case of 'you get what you pay for' - cheap, with bottom-shelf liquor to boot.
The icing on this already putrid cake is the terrible service - the kind that you'd only expect to find from your divorced wife - which took twenty-minute-long breaks between seeing me and my girlfriend. This would be okay if there weren't two waiters to four tables and a predominantly empty bar.
I gave them no tip and wrote 'work harder on your service.' Cruel? Yes. Live by the sword, die by the sword, America.
Went here on a whim to try something new.
IT was absolutely disgusting!! each and every dish was flavorless, HOW can you make flavorless tacos? I DONT KNOW.
When I took a second bite, I bit into something sandy and was completely grossed out. No one at my table finished their meal.
Also, the drinks are super sweet, have very little alcohol and are way expensive.
Margaritas pack a serious punch and the food is pretty freakin good. Huge portions and our server was helpful and in a great mood for 11 on a Wednesday night..
I've walked in and out of this place about a half dozen times over the last two years since I heard it was good, but its always very very crowded and when I realize the hostess is M.I.A., I usually hit the road and go somewhere else. I can see why it's busy, but would definitley like to see the host/hostess more attentive to people when they walk in.
According to some other people's not-so humble opinion, I "must really be one of those new Hobokeners we always talk about." I don't know who "we" is, but I'll tell you this much: Yes, Charritos is also good, but let's be serious for a second here. We're in New Jersey. East LA sells enchiladas and fajitas. If you want authentic mexican, go to Mexico.
This place is legit...assuming you can get a table.
First off, the atmosphere is disgusting. The music is louder than that of a house party and the place is seemingly dark for no reason. The tacos are okay, but the nachos are usually stale; so don't waste your time. The drinks are doable. this place is STRICTLY for the bar, if that. Only when they choose to uphold the specials they advertise for -_-. Charritos is better although it may be a little pricier. HEY! i ain't complainin'! (And for those of you who are wondering, East LA does have a heavy Mexican population. In fact, most, if not all Mexican Gangs began in LA and still dominate there)
Best margaritas in town and you can't beat their happy hours on Thursdays with half off margaritas ($4 per margarita). Pretty inexpensive, but I wouldn't eat there unless I totally had to.
One of those local spots that seems to always be full with a divey vibe.
The margaritas were good, but definitely not as *strong* as the waitress stressed ... Then again, I just might be spoiled by my preferential treatment at my fave spot - personally mixed Margs with top-of-the-line tequila ... Kinda hard to beat!
Anyhoo, the food was good - not terrific. If you are looking to spend minimal $$ at an "okay" restaurant and leave with PLENTY of food for your next meal (or 3), East LA is your place!
Your Takeaway, my friend Yelpers:
+ Everyone/all waitstaff was super friendly
+ The food was good / not great
+ Divey vibe
+ Typical Margs, nothing special (but the glasses ARE huge - that's a plus)
+ Plenty of food for leftovers
I am not sure where the name comes from..guess LA has really progressed to a Mexican state.
The food was nothing really memorable but the waitress was really nice to us and gave my table free drinks for it being my birthday. I suppose that is where the thirs star came from. Plus, I enjoyed the salsa a bit too!
Only good thing about this place is the margharitas ... the food sucks, if you think this is real mexican, or tex-mex or whatever, youmust really be one of those new hobokeners we always talk about. Make sure you watch out for the 6 legged friends that walk around your table, up your salt shaker and down into your salsa bowl ... i'm not kidding either.
Come here and stick to chilling in the front area with a coconut margharita ... although, I must say, their thursday/friday night crowds have dwindled down since my early college days. (They must've seen the critters traveling along the place.)For some decent mexican, go up town to charro's or charritos, i forget the name, but its def. better food than here.
Definitely home to some of the strongest margaritas in Hoboken. With that said, there is basically not much else you should bother ordering at this place.
After trying a variety of their menu: nachoes (with chili, with chicken, with meat), enchiladas and flautas. I've come to the conclusion that they have no idea what Mexican food is supposed to taste like.
The best (and safest) thing to order is their tortilla basket (skip the refried beans). That way you can actually eat most of what it brings and have some fresh pico de gallo.
It's also a bit pricey for the quantity and quality that you're getting. Not to completely kill off this place (because I actually really love their margaritas), their service sucks. They take way too long to see if you need another drink or your bill.
I would suggest coming here in the summer, that way you can sit outside with a curacao margarita (and a side shot of patron) and watch the rest of the alcoholics parade around Hoboken.
East LA is a great place if you want to go for drinks for happy hour or if you want to get wasted. However, if you want to go have a nice meal with a decent conversation, this place is not what you are looking for.
The inside smells like a frat house (I'll leave that to your imagination), and the volume of the music reminds you of the same setting.
To be fair, the food wasn't bad but wasn't amazing and the sangria was mighty tasty, but it had no fruit, which I find to be a key ingredient in any sangria.
If you want mexican food, there are a bunch of other spots in Hoboken to consider first, but if you want to get drunk and munch on mexican food, you might want to consider this place.
Just not excited about this place.
I felt like i was sitting at a folding table in someone's garage, and it was loud but not in a fun way-- just in a noisy way. The margaritas were good, but the food was just okay. The service pretty awful, and even though it was cinco demayo, they weren't busy inside at all so im not sure why it took so long to get anyone's attention.
I dont know why its so hard to get good mexican food in NJ but, East LA will go on my long list of last resorts for Mexican.
I think of good mexican food and margaritas that will put you on your ass and this place comes to mind. The food has good portions for a moderate price. The salsa is flavorful and free with chips served while you're ordering. TRY THE MARGARITAS! Strong as hell, but taste great and they have like 10 different flavors. Get the pitcher you'll save some cash.
The problem is the place can get PACKED with college people and drunken yuppies and you can easily wait for 1 hr for a table plus they close earlier than expected on a weekend. The music is completely random from The Cure to whatever top 40 crap is out there.
I go here for great food, loud music and brain freeze that gets you drunk..
I'm not an expert of mexican food but I did like my food experience. It might not be authentic mex food (hoboken doesn't really have many good places to eat), but at least they did decently. I would give them another star but my experience was ruined by loud hip-hop music and dimmed lights at 7pm.. maybe its because it was a Friday night. The service was ok but I wouldn't blame them, it was such a busy night all the waitstaff were running around like headless chickens but they stil managed to crack a smile and be friendly. Maybe 3 1/2?
Will definitely come back for the Margs, though.
How I arrived at an establishment whose name only sparks the imagery of rioting in zoot suits, i do not know. But as soon as one of those delectable margaritas was placed in my hand, i could care less if i had to riot myself to pay for it. The classic margarita on the rocks was mixed well and with little error. Though the seen is definitely not my place or cup of tequila, it still offers a solid staff and decent food. Jeremy W. said it well, this is New Jersey... period.
Taste? I ordered Enchiladas was okay. not good not bad.
Margarita? So-so. but I didn't tried frozen one... might be good?I prefer XX.
Waiter service? yep, they were friendly.
However, the place was Noisy, smelly, I could see dirty garbage box and floor while i was eating Mexican.
so I recommend you to have dinner outside.
Wait...what?
What happened?
The menu was appetizing, the salsa great...
Then the worst waitress ever, combined with food that wasn't even made the way the menu stated with the ingredients the menu stated---with no explanation or help from the waitress, plus the not so great prices...
=Fail.
OMFG! THIS PLACE IS STILL AROUND?!
I used to live at 500 Washington on the top floor...directly next to the building East L.A. occupies. But that was back in 1991. The food at East L.A. was crap back then, and pretty much a joke to native Hobokenites, mostly because the owner's wife was having an affair with one of the bar tenders. All the native Hobokenites talked about it...how he was a closet homosexual...she was a virgin when she married him...it was a sexless-loveless marriage. The gossips (men, nonetheless) were merciless. He was my landlord, as well, and I felt bad for how mean people were behind his back, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for their little boy when he grew up. Surely he was going to hear all this.
The gossips couldn't wait to tell me, after I moved in, that I occupied the owner's mother's old apartment...which she "earned" by having an affair with the mayor. Apparently, she did pretty well as his mistress because he put the building in her name, as well as a few others, like the one East L.A. occupies on the ground floor. I'm glad I didn't grow up in such a small town with petty people who couldn't wait to see me fail. It is shocking sometimes how unbelieveably cruel and callous people can be.
Anyway, small town drama aside, it was the food that was a joke to me. I was raised on Mexican food as a child, and this food didn't resemble anything close to Mexican food, aside from the names on the menu. It was horribly disappointing. The salsa tasted like marinara and the rice and beans...yuk! I have a suggestion for the manager...HIRE A MEXICAN COOK OR TWO...not someone from Puerto Rico or Santo Domingo. And your grandmother's marinara recipe does NOT work for salsa...try some clinatro...lime... tomatillos...or just skip the food altogether and focus solely on what you're really there to sell...alcohol.
Please do not stop in here without ordering one of their famous MARGARITAS. It's really looked down upon if you don't. They come in a huge variety or flavors and you can order them frozen or on the rocks. Strawberry Coconut is my favorite.
The food can be greasy but there are certain dishes in which the grease isn't that main ingredient. The chicken Mexican pizza, the schoolyard (churrasco topped nachos MY FAVORITE!!!), and the chicken or steak quesadillas..
Inside is what people call "outdated" but it gives it a chill vibe. Most of the tables are booths that have been there before it became EAST LA (it was an ice cream parlor).
Oh yeah, and 75% of the staff are my friends and they are all awesome. So treat them nicely and you'll get the best service. :D
***Monday's buy one appitizer, get one FREE***
***Tuesday's buy one entree, get one FREE***
Almost forgot, they have AWESOME traditional breakfast food. Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs, Home Fries, etc.. AND they serve margarita's during breakfast for all you alcoholics out there!!
This is where you get a margarita. Anywhere.
"Oh, well, I'm from Chicago and in Chicago we go to..." No. You do not. You get on a plane and in about two hours, you have a terrific margarita at East LA.
"Yeah, but in NYC, we go to..." No. Incorrect. In NYC, you get on the PATH train and come to Hoboken, walk up Washington, enter East LA, and get a margarita.
"En Mexico, vamos a ..." No. Vuela a Newark, toma una taxi a Hoboken, dices la conductor "East LA, tough guy", consigues una margarita.
You see where I'm going here? Yeah, I ate here once or twice, and it was good but not great. It beat Taco Bell, it crushed "On The Border" and Chilis. Where it excels is in making young ladies loopy from a margarita. These things are huge, have about two dozen varieties, and will absolutely not cost you an arm and a leg. From what I'm told, this is a pre-club destination, where you do your warmup exercises like flirt with people and do a final pre-flight makeup check before going to whatever club you're going to start with -- in Hoboken, you're probably going to at least three clubs that night.
-C
This restaurant looks decent from the outside, but the inside is pretty outdated. I would recommend sitting outdoors, if weather permits, because it is much nicer. Inside it looks like a Latin-style pizzeria, with red vinyl booths and wooden tables. The tables are all cracked and the seats are ripped.
The main reason I am even considering to give this place 3*s is because of the yummy chips and salsa that you receive on your table. The chips are those yellow, purple, and pink tortillas, which are flavorful and with just the right amount of salt. The salsa first looked like Minestrone soup, but actually was delicious with a fresh tomato taste and the perfect amount of seasoning.
The menu is quite large, but offers things like a diner: omelets, pancakes, burgers. I would say only half of the menu is even Mexican. However, all of their meals come with a rice & beans option. I ordered two eggs scrambled, which were actually pretty good, though they looked runny. As sides I had the choice of potatoes and toast or rice and beans. I love rice and beans, so I tried that. They also gave me white toast with too much butter anyway. The rice and beans were pretty decent, though I like fresh beans rather than the refried ones, which is what they served lathered in melted cheese. My friend had a hamburger with rice and beans, and he said it was pretty good. The hamburger was definitely a decent size.
There is also a nice sized bar offering a variety of margaritas, which had looked good.
Prepare to take your clogged arteries home with your hangover after eating at East LA. The margaritas are legendary, and they certainly pack a wallop. The food is greasy albeit inexpensive. Better to go for drinks than eat, unless you're really cheap. Good for people-watching.
loooove east la! awesome chips and dip that keep on coming... good prices on drinks and awesome margheritas which are not weak....amazing food..nothing bad about it... local spot with awesome happy hour especially during the summer when the patio opens! love it..
I personally like the inside of this place. It does seem outdated, but in a good way. I know im not making any sense, but trust me, its worth the visit. The drinks are mmm goood, the quesadillas are deee-mother licious! go ahead, check it out.
