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Not that three margaritas is ever a good idea, but after just one and a half I was yelling with an Echo Park local about the public option. After that, we "broke bread" together when he offered me one of his shrimp, and then I made him make the mariachi band play Tu, Solo Tu. We may not agree on universal health care, but we definitely found comfort in the fact that we could get absolutely drunk (with no stigma) after a Dodgers win at four o'clock on a Friday afternoon. I have to say that when I finished that third drink, it was all I could do to stumble up the hill to a coworker's house in another questionable life decision.
On the food and service front, I quite enjoyed my steak quesadilla, but I can't say any of the food or drinks seemed particularly inspired. They weren't bad, they just weren't new or spectacular. El Comp. is a solid place to end up if you've got a group of people and can't handle the frenzy over at the Short Stop. The staff at El Compadre will take care of you when they can---even if you're wearing a Phillies hat.
Two stars for the food, three-stars if it's just for the novelty of the flaming margaritas & of course, the requisite chips & salsa.
The salsa is totally watery but there's enough heat there to punish you in a good way, the kind that makes you want to come back mindlessly for more, especially with all those said margaritas to wash em' down. Funny how a tipsy palate can make for a more forgiving one. ;)
The tacos are really bland and soggy -- best to stick to the trusty ol' taco trucks down the street (hooray Arizas or Taco Zone). Most of the food can be summed up as lacking in the flavor department.
El Compadre is what you'd expect to find if you're looking for the American Mexican food experience, aka, Mexican food for non-Mexicans. The decor/ambience is fashioned like an old cantina and the live mariachi is nice, even if it's a bit cheesy.
Parking can be a pain, especially during baseball season since it's the go-to spot for Dodger fans right before or after a game.
A friend of mine suggested the place, she mentioned that they serve flaming margaritas http://static.px.yelp.... and I was sold! But that was the highlight of the night. I ordered the Bistec Ranchero http://static.px.yelp.... and the meat was sooo tough! The sauce and everything else in it wasn't great either. I was very disappointed. I tried a piece of the snapper and it was ok. The tamale was nothing spectacular either. The service was pretty terrible, and it didn't help that we were seated way in the back.
Two stars for the food/service, and since I'm feeling a little giving today, one star for their flaming margaritas.
If you're married or single and want a laid back atmosphere with a tinge of a finer dinning experience then read this review. El Compadres found on sunset near the famous Rock n roll Guitar Center, offers great Authentic Mexican food with a heck of a good Margarita. You can meet people at the bar or sit down in one of their decorative booths and enjoy the sounds of a live Mariachi band while you eat and drink the night away.
You will be impressed and your guest will be as well.
Flaming Margarita's was more then enough to get my attention to return again... Came for lunch with co-worker Friday and all the times I've been to the short stop I would have never thought to go to El Compadre. I'm so glad we did, This place is great, it's friendly and cozy and the service is great. The food is good, not the BEST Mexican food I've ever had, but we mainly came for the Margaritas.. I will be returning often.
Don't come here for the food or the drinks. Come here if you're at a Dodger game and want to bat the crazy parking lot traffic, get into a cool air conditioned place with fans and catch the end of the game. Food was subpar and too salty and drinks were horrid unless you order something straight up. Service was fine.
Know what your walking into here: a true Mexican dive with locals and brave tourists which explains the "Gringo Quesadilla" on the menu. Not for everyone.
Came for lunch with my friend and enjoyed the food.
The service was great, and the foodwas amazing.
Tasty, right portion, and the camarones a la diabla was to my taste.
Not much to say for a lunch time, and will definitively go back.
I came here on Saturday with my sister and her friends. Food was just OK, the salsa that came with the chips was a bit spicy... probably the same one on the tamale. I'm a huge tamale fan and the masa here was a bit too mushy. The enchilada was good, only thing was that the chicken chunks were a bit too big, should have been shredded a bit more.
I loved my mango margarita. Flavor was good and the right amount of alcohol. And it was flaming! Ha. Nice touch.
Service was way too slow. We also had a group of 6 and sat in the booth at the back corner--don't sit there! The table is hella lopsided and I was at the high end where I felt like I could've eaten w/o using my hands and just dropped my mouth to the plate.
I'd probably go back to hang out at the bar before and/or after a Dodgers game.
Probably more like a 2.5
I have been coming here ever since I moved to LA. the atmosphere is fun, the service is great, food is good and the prices are totally reasonable. Wonderufl place for a casual dinner.
Definitely a step below sub-par. The drinks were not great, though they were strong- a little too sweet and salty for me (and trust me, I love me some salt). And the food was less than average. We were with a huge group and no one really liked their food. Thank God for the company.
Always a reliable spot.
I love the mariachis, I love the margaritas, I love the atmosphere. Sometimes it's a long wait, but you know it's going to be worth it, especially if you're waiting on a week night!
The food here is pretty great. I recommend the chicken tacos and the chile relleno. I bring my out-of-town guests here for the real LA Mexican food experience.
This has got to be the worse Mexican food place in the entire SW. The service was lousy and not friendly at all. We had to wait and wait for something to drink. My husband had carnitas and it was extremely dry and crispy. I ordered Chile Colorado and regretted it. 1 out 3 pieces of meat were nothing but chunks of fat and the sauce was too water and tasted terrible. I've eaten at several Mexican restaurants and this is by far the worse. For the next two days my friend and I had upset stomachs. This place should be closed down before someone gets real sick by eating there.
El Compadre is a Los Angeles Legend! This is the best place to people watch and have margaritas.… Read more »
The food here is what a previous generation of Americans used to think of when they thought of Mexican food: big, hot plates of rice, beans and whatever else you ordered swimming in melted cheese. They make a good guac, good drinks and provide unlimited chips and salsa. A band sings Mexican songs as the staff rushes around trying to keep the water glasses, baskets of chips and bowls of salsa full. The decor is the kind of kitsch you'd expect at a place like this.
Add a star if this kind of kitsch is your cup of tea. Deduct a star if you're hung up on authenticity or bright fresh flavors.
I wouldn't go back, but it was a great place for a group; service was excellent.
I love the dark, dank atmosphere in this place, even moreso when they have a mariachi band playing. Something about the pairing of an austere, cramped eatery and a trio of Mexican cowboys singing "Guantanamera" really does it for me.
The food here looks like all Mexican food typically does - as though your waiter regurgitated the contents of his stomach after a long night of drinking. But it tastes SO damn good none of that matters. The taco/enchilada plate is a coronary (or colonoscopy) waiting to happen, but who can resist some damn fine authentic Mexican food from a joint of the Sunset Strip?
I recommend consuming a few good drinks while you're here. They make 'em good and stiff, at least they do when I go. I've often found that the amount of alcohol you consume during your meal has a positive correlation to the enjoyment of your food.
Prices here are totally reasonable for a restaurant of this type. You're looking at about $11/person without drinks. With drinks that number could go as high as $30. It depends on how bad you wanna keep your meal down.
Food - 3 stars. It's decent and I love the salsa & guacamole.
Drinks - Now HERE is where I give the 4th star. Their margaritas are slightly too sweet for my taste, but this can be forgiven. The reason I ALWAYS order their margaritas is the alcohol. After only 2 drinks and I had a pretty darn good buzz on.
The atmosphere is pretty dark and if you sit at a booth, there's plenty of space for private conversation. I kinda love you, El Compadre. Keep getting me drunk and letting me have brilliant conversations.
Here's the thing: If you're a server and you're super busy, you let your table know you're busy or ask the manager (or your other coworkers) to keep an eye out or check up on your tables. You do not let patrons sit there for an entire meal without being checked up on. We had to get the manager to get our order correct and get our drinks refilled. The server dude would say he'll be right back but wouldn't come back! Even after he messed up our whole order.
The margaritas may be flaming, but that doesn't distract me from the too-sweet bottled mix.
I got the chicken enchiladas de mole but got shrimp instead of chicken. Once I got my beans, my food was luke warm, but still great. I like the atmosphere of El Compadre and I love this particular dish, so I will be back. This isn't the best Mexican food around, but I do enjoy it here every once in a while.
I hear the margaritas are super tasty and super strong. Just like I like my men. However, being a baby mamma prevents me from partaking right now. That being said, the tacos were pretty yummy. My friend has a tostada that looked very tasty. I always forget about tostadas and how great they are. Remind me next time, ok?
Oh and the service is fast and friendly...that might be because my pal is a regular though.
Before I tell you why I only dished out 3 stars, I will start with an overwhelming list of positives: stellar service, vivacious atmosphere, flaming drinks, bustling interior, and jovial guitar trio.
The downside is the very uninspired, yet slightly pricey food. While steps above its neighbor Barragan's, El Compadre serves very standard Mexican food in a yuppie-friendly atmosphere. As a general rule, if there are no ethnic people in an ethnic restaurant, run away! You'll pay $12 for something you've paid $6 for... and a la carte is not cheap either.
If in the Echo Park/Silverlake area, go to Alegria on Sunset, a restaurant that can at least justify the price. Or head to a taco stand, where you don't pay for frills and thrills, just good food.
The service was amazing...so friendly the food was good. i just got the two burriotos under the app section the chicken was delicious and i love that they give you chips and salsa to start!
the decor is authentic and charming.
ill def. come back when i am craving mexican food and i dont see a taco truck that la is so infamous for!
This is the best place to go before a Dodger Game!!!!!
I usually come here 2 hours before the game starts and I get my drink on! They have flaming margarita's that will knock your socks off. Imagine a margarita with a lime floating on the surface filled with 151 and set on FIRE!!!!!!
I order them because they help me get my buzz on plus while lit, they add great lighting to the already DARK DECOR.
Serious, when you walk in here esp. if from the Daylight your eyes take about 10 minutes to adjust to the severe darkness that encompasses this jumping joint.
They have great food and they're just down the hill from Dodger Stadium so it's a win-win situation.
Viva Los Doyars & Viva El Compadre!!!!!!!
I LOVE THIS PLACE! So yes it's true that you can find more authentic Mexican food in Los Angeles and it's also true that El Compadre is more on the Tex-Mex end of things than authentic or gourmet. But when it comes to a tasty, cheese-induced plate of goodness, salty chips, spicy salsa and a kickass margarita this is always my first choice. They don't have happy hour and the margaritas cost around $7. But I dare you to drink two and tell me it wasn't worth $14. I always leave feeling fat, happy and blissful when leaving El Compadre. I highly recommend the Chicken Enchiladas (Verde style) but just about everything they serve is tasty and sized to feed you twice. Sure, I have to hike Runyon's Canyon for 2 weeks to work off the calorie and fat intake.. but sometimes I like to live a little.
The food is decent, and the margaritas are what you'd expect - you go for neither. You go because it's a chill, dimly lit vibe, and is open late...really late....and this is why you go.
I've been going to the Hollywood location for 20 yrs, and its about the same....except Echo Park pulls a dirtier looking patron. A solid choice regardless of the fact that every dude there that wasn't gay was rollin a Jesus beard.
I have been wanting to come here for so so long and finally I did. My friends love the Margaritas and chips and salsa here so we arrive Tuesday evening for what was an eventful night. First off we arrive and the place is packed. But we are seated fairly fast. We were originally a party of 6 which grew to 8. The accommodated us very well. Now, I have in the past heard from friends who either love or loathe El Compadre and me being the opportunist was willing to give it a try. I ordered the Enchiladas Guadalajara style. I can now attest that the food here is good. My entree was far too much food for me to finish and it was about $14. It came with rice one enchilada and a LARGE chicken breast nicely seasoned. The chips and salsa kept coming. We were all fans of the chips and salsa. So, contrary to what some of my friends may say I LOVE IT HERE.
and i will be back.. Oh, the live music here was good to. I was a little bummed that they didn't sing Y Andale.
Our bill came out to be $146 and some change...
I love this restaurant for the great food, yummy salsa, drinks, and friendly fast staff. Shredded beef tacos, cheese enchiladas, chicken nachos, flaming margaritas, margaritas come in several different flavors, mariachi singers, open late. What more could you ask for when craving mexican food. They are currently redecorating and making the restaurant bigger too. The prices are fair and the food is great! Echo Park is the best!
I came here to have some flaming margaritas with some friends.
I ended up going to the one in hollywood instead of the one down the st from my house (both locations are on sunset and the one in hollywood is the most popular).
the food was good and the margaritas were strong. I guess i was frazzled after driving in hollywood and downtown traffic.
i'd have to do-over.
$3 valet parking which is worth it.
After finding street parking before the Dodger game, we had about an hour to kill so we yelped a place to grab some dinner. We wandered in here and were very pleased with what we got. We got our food to go, so I can't vouch for the wait or service, but it was only about 10 minutes to get our order. The chicken quesadillas were quite good and came with sour cream and some rather tasty guacamole (I especially liked how the chicken was just chicken and not that chicken/pepper/onion/shit medly that most Mexican places seem to love). My dad said his tacos were good as well. Somewhere in the middle price wise, but I would even come earlier next time for a game just so I could come back here and sit down for a real dinner.
Jesus. How have i not reviewed this place before? I think its because it feels like mine, my own little hideout that nobody knows about. (I'm also semi deluded.)
The veggie burrito is my favorite, and the margaritas are strong and even though they are expensive, one or two will do the trick. Here is an extra little alcoholics trick for ya, when they get to your table flaming, hurry and blow them out, then pilfer the extra tequila for yourself. seriously. i have problems.
love ya El Compadre!
My favorite Mexican restaurant in LA. The chips and salsa are great--chips are fresh and the salsa is vinegary and spicy. Carne Asada tacos are very good, and sauce on the enchiladas is rich and flavorful. They just remodeled the location in Echo Park. They have live Mariachi music in the evenings, though I normally go mid-afternoon on the weekends.
Amazing live mariachi!!
...and REALLY stiff Margaritas with rock salt. =)
Very exciting indeed.
Oh, the food was OK too haha
how could i have lived in echo park for this long without basking in the glory that is el compadre?!
i walked here for lunch with my good friend sean last week. walking through the doors felt like entering an oasis of dim light and mariachi music. towards the end of the meal i had entirely forgotten that it was 1pm, and was about to go grab a round of drinks at the bar, until i remembered i had work an hour later.
the service was quick, i was very impressed with how fast our food came out. the food was maybe a B+ but the atmosphere was definitely a solid A. i'll have to come back in the evening sometime to check out the live music!
Beats the heck out of the superloser one in West Hollywood sucko-land.
Best Echo Park on a school-night haunt.
Enchiladas verdes, anyone?
OK... This is not five star dining. It's Mexican food in LA. It has all the makings of awesome. It's dark and has old 70's red vinyl booths with velvet paintings on walls. Margarita's are served literally ON fire. There's a mariachi band that plays in the evenings, and the food is good and original.
My wife and I have been going here since we first started dating. Every time we are in LA we stop back here for a meal. It's not the Four Seasons, it's Mexican food in LA, but then I already said that.
El Compadre has some of the right ingredients for an amazing Mexican restaurant, but falls terrifically short. We used to frequent this restaurant and bar to watch Dodger away games, and I can tell you those margaritas you're ordering are some of the weakest in town. They pour you a glass of ice and mixer then do a little tequila float on top to make you think your drink is strong. This place is not for a tequila lover, if you like sweet and sour and fiery gimmicks, you'll love the margaritas.
The service here is less than optimal. Some nights are better than others, but for the most part, you have to flag someone down for another drink.
On to the food. If average greasy Mexican fare is your thing, you'll like it. The carnitas quesedilla is quite tasty, but a gut bomb. I always enjoy a good chicken mole, but the chicken pieces here were extremely fatty. For whatever reason, there doesn't seem to be a definitive delicious Mexican restaurant on the East side with a reliable amount of good dishes and good, strong drinks.
The food is great, the margaritas are really good. But if you want to go on a Friday or Sat. night expect to wait an hour or more.
The atmosphere here is great. The mariachi is great. The Flamming Margarits, Zombies and Scorpions are great! It's a bit dark and has a pretty cozy feel to it. And the mariachi music isn't rapping your ears. There's just enough noise to give it an atmosphere but not so much that you can't carry a conversation. Great balance! The drinks were good as well! Couldn't find nothing to complain about except maybe for the $3 valet parking to have the car parked in the street. "Sir, I could have done that on my own..."
dude, I love this place. Yeah ok, i'm not a LA native and i'm part gringo but hell I think this place may have the best chips and salsa, and refriend beans this side of the rio grande.
The flaming margaritas fuck you up too. After a few of those you can stumble to the Short Stop and/or the LIttle Joy and find a partner to engage in some casual sex. Muy Caliente.
The valet guy is rad.
BUSINESS: RESTAURANT
FARE: MEXICAN
The night started as any other night. I drove through heavy laden traffic, ready to meet my lady for our second outing. After 15 minutes, i pulled to her apartment complex and buzzed. "Coming down," she said. Great. A quick moment for a Listerine breath strip and a reflection in the adjacent mirror. Cool, my Bally's membership paid off.
"So where are we going?" I looked upon my date, Joe jeans well fittted, a caramel complexion highlighted by her long flowing black hair.
"Something spicy," I replied.
We hop back in the car, taking to the streets as if it were the autobahn, the downtown skyscrapers reflecting off the windows. A quick hop on the 101 and exit Sunset. 11pm and still packed.
"Isn't it too late for a restaurant?" she inquired.
"Usually...yes...but i'm never the typical, so relax, la comida del amor esta viniendo pronto."
With a curious gaze, my lady relaxes in her seat. I see Guitar Center, the landmark to let me know our destination is on the adjacent side.
As we walk in, the lighting is noticeably dimmed. Instead of tables, darkened strawberry leathered booths adorn the seating area.
"How many?" i'm asked by a beatiful senorita.
My eyes almost glance to long at the bonita cuerpa in front of me, but i gain my composure and reasoning, grasping my girl by the hand.
"Two please"
A brief moment later we are whisked away to a booth. We enter on opposing sides, meeting in the middle, and slowly sinking into the comfort and leathery ambience we have been placed in.
A waiter comes over quickly, producing a warmed basket of fresh baked tortillas, accompanied by a chunky salsa. I motion for my girl to try first, she dips the tortilla into the salsa, and crunches on the mixture.
"That's a good sign,....these chips are good."
The freshness of the salsa is apparent, the tomatoes are present, the right temperature of "slightly hot" allows one to enjoy the spice and seasoning of the vegetable blend. The chips are fresh, the warmth of the basket provides evidence of the chips coming directly from the hearth of the oven.
"And what will you two be having?"
"Fajitas," I say "carne asada and steak will be great." The waiter leaves. We stop eating the chips, and become entangled with each other, the darkness of the room hides our illicit acts.
FOOD: A faint sizzle can be heard in back, i lift up to see a platter of seasoned vegetables and meat, engulfed in flame, thus giving off an aroma of flavorful desire.
The fajitas were great, seared tomatoe, grilled peppers and onions, the meat was seasoned well, spices were present, but not overpowering, the vegetables provided a great contrast with their market fresh charateristic against the grilled zest of the meats.
SERVICE: The service immaculate, the waiter wasnt overly attentive, coming when he saw necessary. Chips had been replinished when needed.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: after a great meal, we proceed back to my vehicle.
"I'm tired," my date says.
"No prob, i'll get you home."
"No," she says, looking at me...."I'm tired, but i'd prefer to make residence at your place....work off some these calories."
"OOOH,...."
So if you want great mexican food, ambience, and taste....el compadre es el opcion perfecta
el compadre (EC) is one of my fave places to go! the flaming margaritas are strong and super tasty (not to mention fun...cause they're on fire and stuff); the food is amazing and i always suggest a la carte (cause really, who eats all that rice and beans?) with the top choices being carnitas tacos (heavenly glory), chile relleno (superb) and lobster enchiladas (wa-pa-na).
i have taken several people to this restaurant, my hubby and i go often and i had my bridal shower (18 ladies) at el compadre. the staff is always super nice but they can be a little slow in dropping off the check. the mariachis are charming and authentic and they will sing "happy birthday to you" and store any desserts you bring (they gave me a comp CUP of quality tequila at my bridal shower--they thought it was my bday...it was awesome).
parking lot is tiny and having to find parking can be a drag. family-friendly, can get super busy at night and weekends, OH, and the tortilla soup is DELISH.
My modest little 50th review.
It was my birthday and Mexican food goes great with tons of liquor so we knew where to go. I had heard but had not yet been to El Compadre.
Fun cozy feeling to the joint. Booths reminded me of a club more than a restaurant. Staff and service was great.
Ok, now the food. It's Mexican. Not California. Not LA. Mexican. It was tasty. Not too greasy. And they have plenty of dishes that should match any Mexican desire (minus the donkey shows).
I've always liked steak, enchiladas, etc. Kind of a mixed plate. Not sure which it was but it had these plus rice and beans. Add a beer and tequila and I was a happy birthday boy indeed.
It was a Friday night and they had a mariachi band too which livened up the place.
A must try.
=============================================
5-15-2008 Update
I have been here a few times. Food is great. Prices are right. Very laid back. And I can eat at the bar (a big plus). The service is usually great. But last time one of the bartenders, grabbed someone else's chips and salsa and gave to me as I placed my order! Did they not use it? Did they double dip? Should I have to be asking myself this?
I simply pushed it far to the side to make my point. I don't think he got it... I'm taking one of my stars back.
El Compadre-way.
Not only is El Compadre one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, it is one of my favorite LA restaurants. Period. Maybe it's the Flaming Margaritas, which are not light on tequila or triple sec. Or the comfy, red vinyl booths and dim lighting that made us forget it was 3pm outside and we were buzzed as if the night had just begun. The margaritas are excellent, the food is good and the waitstaff is attentive. FRESH chips and salsa. I am always a sucker for a basket of tortilla chips and El Compadre has some of the best restaurant chips I've ever tasted.
I never remember what I order (sometimes enchiladas, sometimes tacos) because it's usually 2-3 margaritas later that I decide on a dish, but I know I've never left feeling anything other than happy and full.
I'll be there again in a week and promise a more extended review.
Celebrate Day of the Dead
Neighborhood: Chinatown
We Are Now Open For Dinner!
Neighborhood: South Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: South East LA
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Echo Park
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: Mexican
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