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El Compadre Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
7408 W Sunset BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhood: Hollywood
(323) 874-7924
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
tammy t. said: "I love this little hole in the wall restaurant! Sure, it isn't fancy, and might even be called "dingy" but you forget all of that once your food comes. It is super super super yummy, and the sangria ain't weak either. I had a ton of…" read more »
476 reviews for El Compadre Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The flaming margaritas are lots of fun too." In 91 reviews -
"Another big plus: fantastic chips and salsa." In 72 reviews -
"I love the mariachi band and the atmosphere." In 49 reviews
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475 reviews in English
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Review from Denise M.
Long Beach, CA
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yesterday was my first time at El Compadre in W.Hollywood.
Came here with a girlfriend b4 we went to see a play...
All I can say is AMAZING! We sat in the bar & was greeted promptly by our server who took our drink orders & got the famous Flaming Margarita. Ordered the #2 combo (beef taco & cheese enchilada)...Yummo! My gf ordered the fish tacos (She is vegetarian & very picky) and said they were delish! Also had a side order of the guac & chips...Also very good. There was a Marachi band playing in the restaurant which I usually dislike, but they were very mellow & actually sounded nice. Bonus of the night, was they had the Laker game on in the bar...YAY! And when our check came our gracious waiter had no problem splitting the bill for us!
So...good food, yummy margaritas, awesome service & Laker game...I highly reccommend this place & will be back if I'm back in the WH area! :) -
Review from Michele G.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
5/7/2012
"Besame, besame mucho,
Como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez...." The lyrics still linger in my mind, much as the two flaming margaritas I had still linger in my slightly throbbing temples.
Yes, I always enjoy El Compadre. The lively crowds, the wonderful live music, the flaming margaritas and the plentiful portions of tasty Mexican food make this a long time favorite place to sip margaritas while trying to avoid burnt lips (since they're flaming). -
Review from Don C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2012
I love this place !!! It is right next to all my music stores and next to all my friends,
the Mariachi band is great and i do nt have enough good things to say about the food THE FOOD !!!! - The fish tacos /// Huge !!!! ( Red Snapper ) are the best i have ever had they just melt in your mouth , and their complementary house salsa and tortilla chips is fresh and spicy ( and did i say Awesome !!) . also the chicken taco is a good choice and not expensive for the location and what you get for the money . -
Review from Evilyn T.
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of our local friends recommended this place to us when we got into town. It was a Thursday night and this place was packed! Luckily our pal made rezzos for us, otherwise we probably would have had an hour wait or more. Gross!
They guided us over to a table for five and we squished in, and ordered a round of the famous flaming margaritas - which were delicious! As cool as it looks to have a flaming drink on your table, you better blow that shit out quick or lose all the alcohol in your margarita! The glasses were rimmed with a nice thick salt, which is how you can tell if your margarita is made right, it should have a sweet and saltyness, and this one sure did. I don't think I have ever had anything like this!
They brought us out two bowls of chips and salsa, to snack on while we waited for our food, the salsa had quite a kick to it, (for a white person) which was awesome. Although they didn't have a ton of veggie options on the menu, it seemed pretty clear that the staff were willing to work with you to make something to you liking. I had a veggie burrito of some sort which was yummy, and all I remember is slowly slipping into a food coma, and wishing I had left room for another margarita. In fact I am wishing that I could order a margarita RIGHT NOW! After enough margaritas you also get to do the Hollywood Walk of Shame, which is pretty much the route we took.
The restaurant was dimly lit, and pretty noisy and they had a Mexican band that would come out and play songs every 30 minutes or so, which was pretty cool. They had some fancy fakey plants decorating the booths, I remember feeling them cuz they looked so real. All in all, I can't think of one negative thing to say about this place, I would totally go back and feast here again if I was in the L.A. area. -
Review from Tom W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/23/2012
Pretty great food and the BEST salsa & chips! The margaritas are really good (and flaming). My only critique were the tortillas... pretty thin and weak. Pacos Tacos still has the best tortillas in town.
But El Compadre might be my fav place to go. Way better than El Coyote at least. -
Review from Honoria P.
Los Angeles, CA
5/19/2012
Off we go to El Compadre once again. I wouldn't go there ever again if it weren't for a dear long time friend who for some reason loves this place. The food is sub-par the service spotty and one of the worst mariachi bands in the world plays so loudly that hearing ones dining companions is a chore. If you want a drink go to the bar it is wayyyy faster than having a memeber of the waitstaff try to remember your order. The crowd is usally fun for some reason. I prefer the patio as it is less mariachi out there.
-
Review from Leonard A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2012
*GENERAL INFORMATION*
TYPE OF CUISINE: Old School Mexican
VEGGIE FACTOR: Possible
KID FACTOR: This is mainly for adults
NOISE FACTOR: Can get VERY loud
PARKING: Metered street parking; valet lot in back
OUTDOOR SEATING?: No
===============================
*THE REVIEW*
INTRO: I had to go back to my auto mechanic early, which meant I had a lot of wait time. So I strolled down to El Compadre, one of the oldest Mexican eateries in Hollywood. The present owners have had it since 1975, but I remember it from way before. It was when The Guitar Center on Sunset was The Oriental Theater back in the late 50s/early 60s when I worked there as a night theater manager working my way through college and supporting a wife and child. El Compadre (under another name?) was right across the street, and still is. So that's how long a Mexican eatery has been in that space.
FOOD & DRINK: You can get a decent meal there for as little as ten bucks. I had a chicken taco and a chili relleno -- enhanced by a Blue Hawaiian from the bar. Yes, this joint has tropical drinks, including a Flaming Margarita! The relleno was really good, especially the batter-fried chili: the batter was crispy, delicate, and no drippy oil or fat. Hot and tasty. Lots of lettuce and spices. The chicken taco -- not so much: tasty, but the shredded cheese was ice cold from the fridge, even though the tortilla was hot and crisp. Speaking of which, the de rigeur introductory salsa and chips were "satisfactory" but not thrilling. Very generous portions of both salsa and chips, I noted. All in all: good meal, reasonably priced!
SERVICE: Once I was spotted, attentive and efficient.
AMBIANCE/ATMOSPHERE: This joint is what I would call Old School Hollywood Mexi-kitch. In a good way! Dimly lit. Dark wood chairs and tables. Comfortable red leather upholstered booths. Red cloth tablecloths. Colorful soft mood lighting: Tiny multicolor Christmas lights over the bar (well stocked!). Large faux Tiffany chandeliers. Softly lit lanterns all around. Mexican tiled roof ledges. Colorful Mexican pottery and nicknacks everywhere. Traditional Mexican waltzes and polkas coming through the PA. It's the kind of place that you plunge into its cool darkness in order to escape a blindingly bright blazingly hot summer day.
===============================
*THE WRAP-UP*
PRICE RANGE: Reasonable --- PAYMENT: Cash, CC --- RED FLAG: This is a party place. If you have sensitive ears, beware the noise level. --- GREEN FLAG: Food, service, atmosphere. --- AMBER FLAG: Parking --- BOTTOM LINE: If you like old school SoCal Mexican, this is your place! -
Review from Hamsmash C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012
As far as cheap Mexican food, this place is one of my favorites. A lot of my friends like El Coyote, but I always prefer El Compadre. The margaritas are fantastic and overall the food has been good. My only complaint is that my best friend doesn't eat meat and their fish/shrimp tacos are gross....which is usually why we end up going elsewhere if we need more non-meat items.
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Review from Derek R.
Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2012
Perhaps because I live near many outstanding Mexican spots in East Hollywood, Echo Park, etc., when I hear "great Mexican in LA," I expect a pretty high standard.
So, despite very high expectations--especially based on Yelp reviews that I read--my experience at El Compadre left much to be desired.
Food: Not bad, but not great...and definitely not as outstanding as other reviews had me expecting.
The carnitas--a dish that I use as a yardstick for all Mexican restaurants--was dry. All other dishes were somewhat bland. However, the chips and salsa were above average and perhaps the best part of the meal.
Service: Very good, despite going on an extremely busy Thursday night. But does it need to be so goddamned hot in there, even on a cool evening in the 50s?
Parking: Total pain in the ass. If you make reservations (which is *highly* recommended), make sure that everybody in your party builds in enough travel time. Otherwise, if you miss your reservation, it's possible that you lose your spot, as this place gets very busy. -
Review from Melissa D.
Los Angeles, CA
4/16/2012
Alright, definitely go for the flaming margaritas. They were so good I literally downed mine in a few gulps. That's not to say they're small. (Don't worry, they're BIG DRINKS.) That's just to say I'm an embarrassing human being and the rest of the world would probably just sip them and not attempt to shotgun your margarita. The rest of my friends weren't so ravenous for booze as I was. It just tasted so good, I couldn't help myself. They're $8.50 (I know there were some weird price discrepancies in the other reviews...)
My guy friends decided to order the skinny margaritas (???) I don't think they understood what that meant or how pathetic they sounded ordering them. But, surprisingly, they turned out to be waaaay stronger than the flaming margs.
The food was also good, but whatever, that was secondary.
Also, the best part was that literally the second we sat down at the table, they LOADED us up with 3 huge baskets full of chips and 3 containers of salsa. Mind you, there were only 6 of us there. So, naturally, we stuffed our fat faces with delicious chips and medium spicy salsa.
There was kind of a wait, but the mariachi band made the time fly. Maybe try and get reservations? I didn't think it was that kind of an establishment, but it turns out that's a good idea. -
Review from Rafael R.
Riverside, CA
4/27/2012
This has become my must-eat-at restaurant when I'm in Los Angeles. I am extremely picky about Mexican food having eaten it most my life but this place is the best I've been to. Extremely better than major chains like Acapulco and El Torito. Food is gorgeous and has lots of flavor. Chile rellenos are my favorite food and I'm extremly picky about these. Most places they taste boiled, soggy, or rubbery but here, they taste amazing and have good texture. Rice and beans area able to hold their own. Sometimes I order extra rice. Portions are decent, place is very hot but not to the point that they burn the food on your plate, and prices are better than chain places. Even plain cheese enchiladas here are incredible. You can see from opening them up that they aren't plain and that they have made every attempt possible to make them come alive.
Live mini mariachi band on weekend nights (maybe during the week too but I don't remember).
Drinks are a fair price (cheaper than most of the nearby bars). During the week, they aren't anything to get excited about but during the weekends, they really add the alcohol. When I order a Long Island or AMF, I'm drunk with one drink. It can get crowded on the weekends and seating at the bar is very limited.
Best place to take a date....lots of energy, music (after 8PM i believe) and nice dim romantic lighting. You don't feel as pressured to impress when you're there. Very relaxing. Nice decor inside...feels like you're outside and tables/booths are VERY private, large, and comfortable.
WARNING: If you walk in through the front (street-side) door, you will have to walk down inside to get to the hostess. No one will know you are there on a crowded night if you just stand at the door by the bar since the hostess stand is actually in the middle of the restaurant. After ordering, food takes an average amount of time to get but nothing is pre-made or precooked and it tastes freshly made so I appreciate this by waiting an extra few minutes. You feel totally free to leave our table and hit the bar while waiting without worrying about your table being taken or forgotten about. Its not like most chains where everything tastes pre-sorted and pre-mixed, waiting in the fridge in order to pop it out to your faster. -
Review from Andrea L.
El Compadre rocks. Seriously. It's totally classic. The inside looks just like an old school Mexican restaurant, complete with extremely dim lights, Diego Rivera paintings, dark iron accents and red leather booths. Loved the ambience and decor in this restaurant the second I arrived.
The food is great! Delicious salsa- fresh and spicy, just like it should be. I had the ceviche, and thoroughly enjoyed every bite of it. The cocktails were awesome too. Dos XX and flaming margaritas made for a really fun night out. Service was on point too!
I highly recommend this spot for lunch or dinner with friends, family, a date, or even a large group. They have a terrific happy hour too. Trust. Valet parking available in the back.
Food: A
Price: $$
Cocktails: A+ (flaming margarita)
Service: A
Solid 4.5 for shiz!
Salud!
xo DreListed in: Its a date!, I'll drink to that!!, Cool, Affordable & Good!
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Review from Angela M.
Burbank, CA
4/19/2012 1 photo
Their food is soooo authentic for a mexican restaurant. The shrimp ceviche is AMAZING!
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Review from Rich L.
Los Angeles, CA
4/30/2012
This was the first restaurant my wife and I went to when we moved to LA from Texas. We both really enjoyed everything, from the food to the atmosphere, El Compadre is a great place.
The food had a very good spice and taste to it, almost felt like I was back home in Austin, TX eating at some of our local Tex-Mex places.
Definitely give this place a try, you'll enjoy it. -
Review from Adam N.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2012
A hollywood staple. If you visit or live in LA, you must come here. The atmosphere is awesome. It is always dark, lively, and festive. If that makes any sense. There is a mariachi band that plays off and on throughout the night adding to the ambiance. I've been here so many times and always a great experience. The food is good and the drinks are strong. Reasonable food prices too. Great place to hang out with family, friends or a date. Parking can be a pain but that is typical LA. Luckily, i only live a few blocks away and can walk now! Also, there can be a long wait on certain nights at dinner hour. The servers work their arses off tho and do their best. These guys know how to hustle. But then again, the good places are always crowded right?
-
Review from Riz H.
2/10/2012
I'm pretty sure they served us bricks covered in mozzarella cheese.
I dragged my boyfriend in for some down-home comfort food, calories be damned! We left with tasteless lard that refused to digest in our stomachs.
Umm, since when did pre-shred packaged cheese from Ralph's become a substitute for actual seasoning? They ain't heard of salt and pepper? And the texture of the food was straight up mush. I could not distinguish the chile relleno from the tamale. Also, the rice had a dank taste to it. Since the food came out *too* quickly, I'm pretty sure the rice was frozen. Gordon Ramsey would not approve!
My bf got a taco and enchilada. We both love Mexican food (his culture/ my geography). However, he looked at me with these sad eyes and asked, "Is this food supposed to be good?"
I'm sorry, hon- it WAS supposed to be. This was my fault. I made you come here.
My pineapple margarita was indeed pretty tasty, so there's the extra star. The place has atmosphere, so it lures you into the false belief that you're eating good, authentic Mexican food. But go for lunch on a Wednesday when nobody is there. It's true nature will be revealed! El Compadre food is TERrible!
... and there's NO HAPPY HOUR or any specials! -
Review from Stephanie V.
Van Nuys, CA
4/25/2012
i really like this place. i had never been here before until the boyfriend took me on a dinner date.
its really fancy and romantic. the lights are dimmed and its candle lit with some low lights
best part about this whole restaurant, they have a full bar and they have 4 flat screens so you can watch all the games. Perfect! i know, especially if your a sports junky like i am.
the food is amazing. I don't like beans i dislike 'em and just rarely ill try some well i had their beans and they were actually good.
and the highlight the flaming margaritas!!!! wow!!! the name says it all and they actually come with flame.
they also have a live MARIMBA playing which is awesome!!!
I'd totally recommend this place.
i took 1 star off cause their customer service is not all that great. we had to actually wave down our waiter to take our order. then he came and we didn't see him again. we had to wave him down again when we were ready to get out check it was super annoying.
other than that the place was great! -
Review from Andrea K.
Glendale, CA
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
El Compadre always hits the spot. Whether its drinks or grub, they deliver. Is it my favorite Mexican food? Definitely not. But consistency and full flavor earn you 4 stars :)
THE ORDER:
Enchiladas Suizas (spelling?): 3.5 stars...tasty. The green sauce is nice and tangy, the chicken is always lean and tender. The rice and beans are always great and consistent :)
Chicken Avocado Salad: 5 stars. PHENOMENAL!!!! I figured it'd be bland and flavorless, based on the description. Ummmm, it was absolutely delicious! The chicken was beyond flavorful and succulent! Loaded with asparagus, hard boiled eggs, avocados and many more goodies. I was watching my calories, so I opted for just their flavorful salsa and some vinegar....SO BOMB!! The portion size is huge, too! So share this or take half home, like I did! It was great even later.
THE SERVICE:
5 stars...totally amazing. We had 3 different guys helping us, refilling us and putting up with us! Also, the guys didn't look at me crazy for pretty much drinking the spicy salsa and needing more!
OVERALL:
This place rocks for drinks, food and service. Whether ur chilling at the bar or with a dining with a party of 10, they really allow you to leave with a feeling of satisfaction.
I DEF RECOMMEND TO ALL YELPERS WHO LOVE MARGUERITAS and SPICY SALSA!!
enjoy!!
xo-
andrea -
Review from Belle S.
4/4/2012
Fun environment and decent Mexican food. It's nice to come here with a big group of friends and listen to some Mariachi cheer. Overall, I really like the feel of this place as what my rating is mostly accredited to. In addition, the staff has always been so nice despite it being crowded. I used to live close and would drop by every so often for some amazing flaming margaritas! Can't get that from too many other places. It's a must try.
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Review from Scylis A.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's hard to find a really good Mexican restaurant since it IS California, but this place is great! There's a live horn band playing, which is always fun and festive. The service on point.
FLAMING MARGARITAS?! wtf. hell yes.
I had their tamales, which was really good. I'm a huge fan of tamales. They don't skimp out on portions either. You definitely get what you pay for and you're left being a happy camper. The only thing that bothered be was the valet. Pay $3 for them to park the car, but when you're leaving, they just hand you the key back..? Not so much valet. -
Review from Mark r.
Pasadena, CA
3/19/2012
Its because of Carlos the Bartender I give them 4. The place is classic and food is reasonable BUT the drinks WAY overprices.
I love it still. If it was better drink prices id come 2-3 times a month instead of 1-2 times a year. A staple in Hollywood. -
Review from Patty C.
Sun Valley, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was a bit dissapointed this time I came around. They lacked in their service. Our waiter seemed rushed. The food was mediocre not where i can say it was amazing but it did the job. I had their enchiladas de mole & enchiladas verdes.
I always hated the way they designed where the hostess is placed to take down customers names to get seating. it's in the middle of the restaurant and waiters are bumping into you . So you have to go outside to wait for the patio. But they do have a live band so that makes up for it. It's a nice setting with dimmed lights. Can be a bit romantic.
Their flan. I personally don't recommend it. -
Review from Whitney J.
Queens, NY
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Decent mexican food in a neat environment. The live band is definitely a plus and they're centralized so it's more like ambient music and you can still have a conversation. Didn't see why people were so fired up about the margaritas- they were fine, nothing special.
The tacos, however, totally hit the spot and my Mom got the chile relleno and fell in love with it. Her boyfriend got the seafood enchiladas and was also pleased. The guac is just ok and I don't trust any Mexican restaurant that doesn't have pork tamales. A little on the expensive side for what it is, but when you're craving it totally hits the spot. -
Review from Meg B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/27/2012
Best mexican food I've had in LA so far! (El Cholo is second)
El Compadre's salsa = TO DIE FOR!! I will continue to come back again and again, even if only for their chips and salsa!
Flaming margaritas are definitely neat, and a good consistency. They have a huge variety of flavors. The little flame makes for a fun photo op and adds something to the experience if you're having a special night or bringing in people from out of town. I also love the seating and decorations in this place... they paid attention to details and the U-shaped booths are very comfy and conducive to conversation with your friends while also taking in what is going on around the restaurant. The lighting was perfect as well.
I will definitely continue to go back whenever I have a craving for that FANTASTIC salsa, and mexican food!! Recommending to friends, no question! -
Review from Tigran D.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
1/21/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Great Mexican food! Great environment! Great service! Great pricing!
You can come to this place with a group and have yourself a "party," or a family dinner or you can just stop by for a quick bite. Either way this place never fails me.
You can't go wrong with anything that they have on the menu. The portions are more than enough and the pricing is very good. I'm a steak person so my favorite is the enchilada style steak burrito - it's HUGE, have to eat it with a fork and a knife.
Usually my friend and I go to this restaurant and order one entree each (like that huge burrito) and a few beers and it never passes $40.
They have Mariachis playing on certain nights. -
Review from Efrain g.
12/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
First time here, and I liked it.
After walking into the Thai place across the street and suddenly changing our minds, a couple of friends and I decided to try El Compadre, on the recommendation of one of the friends.
It's bigger inside than you'd expect, and it has that old, darkened Mexican cantina look and feel. They had live Mariachi-style musicians playing - something I appreciate ;)
The server was a cool guy, helpful and pleasant. The complimentary chips and salsa were pretty awesome, and I ordered the Steak Picado Michoacan Style (bits of beef sauteed in their vegetable sauce), and it was delicious. The portions seemed gargantuan to me, and they serve it with rice, beans, a cup of soup, and tortillas!
At the recommendation of our friend, I had the Tortilla Soup, which was also good. Next time I'd really like to try their albondiga soup (the only meatballs I can tolerate).
Our servers were attentive and never rushed us, even as they neared closing time. Overall, it was a good place, and yeah, I think it deserved 4 stars for my first time there. I'm looking forward to trying it again with other friends/family. -
Review from Helen C.
Los Angeles, CA
2/10/2012
Always come here. Love the selection of tequilas. The waiters have always been nice. There's not much of wait either. The portions of the food are big and yummy. Love the guacomole!
It's also a great place to come for lunch if you had a long night before.. very dark inside. -
Review from Michael M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/4/2012
I love going to this place. The food is OK, pretty standard Mexican fare, but the margaritas pack a punch and they've got good chips and salsa. Jesse, the owner, started at El Chavo up the street on Sunset years ago so many of the menu items here are similar to theirs. The chicken Sonora is a good choice as is their milanesa. The tiny bar area upstairs is a great place to hang out while waiting for a table on a busy night. They also go over the top in decorating for any nearby holiday so expect to be delighted by Valentine hearts, Easter eggs or American flags depending upon the time of year. Christmas, it goes without saying, is really jaw-dropping.
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Review from Manny P.
Burbank, CA
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ok y'all. So our friends chose this joint to meet up, all 6 of us. and they were there when we got there. Really crowded Friday night, but let me tell ya, there's something weird about this place that I can't explain when it comes to crowds and speedy service.
These guys, the servers, were life Flash (phiummmmmm!!!!!) side to side, left to right, up and down, speedy service going from table to table. There really wasn't long waits for stuff we ordered. So that was really nice to not be forgotten. They make every table they have, work, in order to accommodate the guests, which is nice.
So, yes, I tried the salsa that people talk about. I liked it, I really liked how smooth and spicy it was, but I couldn't eat all of it, cause I was too busy STUFFING my mouth with those good chips and that delicious Guacamole bowl my friends had ordered. That shit was good and tasty.
Yes, I saw and tasted the flaming Margarita, and I gotta say, it was pretty damn good (until 3:30 am {read at bottom}). I only had one cause I was designated driver (thank God). It was tasty and really good. Their different flavors were enjoyed by my friends repeatedly, so don't be afraid to try something different.
Now the tacos, this is what spoiled my night and wanted to hit somebody. Cause I hate surprises with my food. If you're gonna sell "tacos" I expect freshly heated tortillas with flavorful grilled steak and seasoned chicken with the rice and beans on the side. But no, instead of the tacos you would expect, I got these "DEEP FRIED TACOS" crap! What the fuck? I read the menu, in English and Spanish, up and down, left to right not to miss anything. There wasn't anything that said Deep Fried. So, OK, I gave it a try, cause you never know, but man, once you take those bites you can't go back. The grilled steak was more like soft flavorless beef and the chicken one was more like unseasoned boiled chicken. I fucking ate them, cause I was hungry, but guess what? I was smart enough to order from their "Grilled" menu so I got Steak as well, now THAT WAS GOOD. I was happy. The steak was well seasoned and everything came together well. I got mad when I ran out of the guacamole so I ordered one to go :)
Overall, I liked the experience. This place seems like they're rushing, but I swear they don't rush anyone out. Time stands still in your table while everything else is at 120 mph around it, and you don't feel rushed whatsoever. I would definitely come back, and try something else. Usually if there's more to try or if it has potential I try again. And their salsas, steaks and Margs were really good, so I have a foundation. Now the PARKING, hahahaha trust me, you'd be lucky to find a street spot for one hour. So try the so called valet out back, it's really tiny, and the charge was $5, not $3. And no, I didn't tip, cause, really, I was standing next to my car and the dude just pulled it out 6 feet. I could've just gotten the key and go.
**WARNING**
If you have troubles with Margarita Mix, beware of their margaritas. In my 30 yrs I've never puked or gone to the bathroom after drinking, and 98% of the time I don't get hangovers, but man, I only had ONE margarita, at 9pm, then about at 3:30 am while I was sleeping I was disturbingly awaken by the strong mix acid that came up to my throat, but I held it. Took Tums and went to sleep. CUIDADO, AMIGOS!! -
Review from K M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh.
I won't go back here.
The host booth was far away and hard to see, so we were standing around confused for a few minutes before asking the bar about seating.
Also, I love fajitas, it's my comfort food, go to Mexican dish. Theirs wad very sad and disappointing. The meat and veggies didn't come sizzling on a skillet and the tortilla's came five minutes after the fajita stuffings. And there definitely were not enough tortillas, or they were too small. -
Review from Julie M.
San Fernando, CA
1/28/2012
Quick and dirty lowdown:
I come here for the flaming margaritas, not so much the food. Raspberry all the way! My boyfriend loves the banana one.
Chips are good, salsa is ok - not the best I've had, but it is unique to this establishment. I feel like the menu is a tad overpriced but the portions are good. I usually order their chimichanga or shrimp tacos, the shrimp is very yummy as is their albondigas soup.
It can get busy here so don't expect to be seated quickly, if you're lucky you might be able to get seated right away in the bar area where you can still order from the menu. They also have seating out in back, which used to be smoking friendly (not sure anymore about this since it's been a while since I've sat there).
Not sure when but sometimes they have a live mariachi band, which I've only seen perform once or twice. There's a small lot in the back, you'd be lucky to get a spot there, otherwise you gotta hunt for street parking. The atmosphere is really dark, the way I like my cantinas. The service is ok, could be better. -
Review from Hailey M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/16/2011
Seriously, the BEST real deal Mexican food in LA. And lucky me, it's right around the corner. I've only been twice, both times for takeout, but am absolutely going to dine in soon. You cannot beat the ambiance. The music, the dim lighting, red booths, and just the energy in general. From the staff to the customers, everyone seems happy to be there. Now, I can see why.
The Chile Relleno oozes goodness and is absolutely delicious. The tamales are of the perfect texture and simply scrumptious. Every bite, from the chips and salsa to the enchiladas, makes you feel like you have been transported to food utopia. Wash it down with their tasty margaritas (let's just say you definitely get your moneys worth- both for taste and the effect of having one or two..or ten). The staff is super friendly and take out is quick. Close by, delicious, and a Hollywood landmark? Perfection. -
Review from Skye R.
Los Angeles, CA
2/8/2012
Great food and ambiance. I highly recommend their guacamole and flaming margaritas. Delicioso!
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Review from Diabolo L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/25/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Went into this place not knowing what to expect, and what I got was authentic, great Mexican food, old school style. The atmosphere is dark and very hide-a-way like, and that just adds to the charm. you could sit in here for hours and make up stories about the people in the booths beside you! Take it all in, have a margarita, and try anything on the menu. You'll be glad you did!
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Review from Tracy F.
Inglewood, CA
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Small but the food is worth the wait. My husband and my girls love this place. The food and drinks are always good! Go early on the weekend if you don't want a long wait on a table!
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Review from Sloe R.
10/12/2011
If I were to judge a Mexican restaurant solely on the salsa, then this place is a keeper. Love the ambiance, love the energy, loved my carne asada (to die for!), love the generous amount of chips and refills. But I did not heart the flaming margaritas.
Thought they were weak. Maybe it was an off night for the bartender. Service was a bit slow, too. Which is perplexing because the waiter was amped up like Speedy Gonzales. -
Review from Mari S.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Flaming margaritas anyone????
El Compadre, you have impressed me. I'll be honest. This place looks a bit unassuming from the street. Tucked in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd, I did not think much of it when my friend suggested it for dinner. The reason I agreed, however, was because she mentioned these "flaming margaritas" they are famously known for! What a selling point!
Upon walking in, I realized this place was something special. It was completely packed with patrons - from the tables to the bar to the patio to the walkways. We didn't come in until about 9pm, and we still had a 45 minute wait! Granted we came on a bustling Saturday evening...
We decided to order our first round of margaritas from the bar as we waited for our table. For this round, we just went with regular margaritas. Yum, yum, yum! The margarita was great and I was already getting excited for our dinner and flaming margaritas we were about to enjoy!
Fast-forward to dinner... OMG the portions are HUGE!!!! Beware if you are a small eater. I ordered the 2 burrito combination - and I barely finished one of my burritos! I probably should have laid off on those oh-so-delicious chips and salsa while I eagerly waited for my dinner to come. Now to the FLAMING MARGARITA. This was the highlight of dinner! When our server brought our margaritas to us, there was a fruit peel in the drink lit up flaming! Awesome!! Be sure if you plan to get a photo, take it immediately before it burns (or you burn it) out! Aside from the flame, the margaritas are no different from a regular margarita you can order, but I must admit, the flame is a definite selling point!
The menu prices here are average for a dine-in Mexican restaurant. Considering how much food they serve, I'd say the prices are reasonable. My 2 burrito combo was about $12.50, and I could have definitely shared my entree with another person without a problem! If you come to El Compadre, be prepared for A LOT of food, a bit of a wait, but you'll be sure to enjoy your dinner & drinks with the enjoyment of live Mexican entertainment music! -
Review from Jonnie and sharon K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hands down our favorite Mexican spot in LA. Maybe because we can walk there whenever we crave. Maybe because Mexican food might just be the best hangover food known to man. But, it may just be the amazing hospitality and service they provide. Every time we go we are welcomed as family. And that's what really counts in our book.
Food for thought: You can tell the quality of a Mexican restaurant as soon as you try their chips n salsa. And El Compadre has the best! -
Review from Aj P.
2/8/2012
I love this place so much. Great chips and salsa as soon as you enter the door. I love the chicken burrito. It is deep fried and served with refried beans and mexican style rice. The red snapper is notable as well!
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Review from Marion Z.
10/18/2011
I like that they serve drinks that are on fire. Now that is spicy. lol.
Fajitas and Enchiladas are delectable here. There is a live mariachi band. You have to wait a bit for your table and theres never any room at the bar so my tall handsome date and I took a stroll and came back just in time to be seated the last time I was there. I think that's a good method as any. Wrap me up in a flour tortilla because I'm ready to go back to El Compadre!
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