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Los Olivos
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- 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:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
116 reviews for Los Olivos
Review Highlights
"First of all, the chips and salsa are AMAZING."
(in 26 reviews)
"Mini beef tacos with cheese."
(in 3 reviews)
"Five words - pollo a la queso crema."
(in 4 reviews)
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116 reviews in English
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Review from Lindsey F.
Scottsdale, AZ
10/11/2011
I don't know how long Los Olivos has been around, but by the looks of it, it seems like a pretty long time! Old Town doesn't have many old-style Mexican food restaurants with a classic atmosphere like Los Olivos. For this reason, Los Olivos gets four stores in my book.
Los Olivos reminds me of Mexican food restaurants I used to visit as a child. They have fiesta-themed decorations, plenty of decorated tile, an adobe mission style atmosphere and good food and drinks. Yes, there is better food in the Valley...much better in fact. However, Los Olivos is a good choice if you want to have a casual dinner in a festively-themed atmosphere that serve margaritas in pitchers!
For food, I eat the same type of Mexican food everywhere I go, and the same goes for Los Olivos. I like their guacamole, quesadillas, chile rellenaos and chicken burritos. As for the margaritas, they are classic margaritas that go down smoothly. Again, this restaurant gets the stars mostly for a festive atmosphere and decent cuisine and cocktails to accompany it. -
Review from Samantha C.
Cave Creek, AZ
12/17/2011
I cannot give a good review for a Mexican Restaurant when they can't make good tamales. Sorry guys! It was mostly ground up corn and smothered in sauce and no flavors or seasoning at all. Also the fish taco was eh. Chips were good, salsa was super watery. The only decent thing I had there was the margarita, and even that needed a wedge of lime.
I will say we got a nice booth, and the live band that played was sweet. Service was so slow, our waitress only came around half the time. A bus boy refilled out drinks more than she did!Listed in: Lunch/Dinner
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Review from david p.
10/26/2011
In a nutshell, overpriced, poor quality Mexican food. Nothing at all memorable about this place. The refried beans were bland and the rice overcooked and mushy. Everything is was smothered in cheese, which can be a good thing, but not with flour (flour!) tortillas.
Not recommended. -
Review from Matty B.
Hamden, CT
2/9/2012
Both the cab driver and the hotel recommended Los Olivos, so I was expecting an authentic Mexican dinner. What we got was poorly flavored food and disappointment. All 8 members of my party thought their meals were sub-par. However, the bartenders were outstanding! Go for the margaritas as Miguel makes his without mix the way they should be and with fresh lime juice!
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Review from Mike P.
Glen Ridge, NJ
12/31/2011
Really enjoyed my meal here, also has great comfortable atmosphere! Was just visiting the area and Los Olivos was suggested as an authentic family owned restaurant.
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Review from Ava K.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/26/2011
Went there for lunch today, was immediately welcomed by the hostess, and seated. Our service was very good, and the food was very tasty.
Hubby had a HUGE platter of Nachos(I am not sure, but I think I saw part of the kitchen sink) and I had the Carne Asada.
My steak was perfect, seasoned well and tender, I usually don't like spanish rice, but this was very flavorful.
My husband couldn't eat all of the Nachos.
Kept our tea filled up, checked on us several times and were very friendly, we will be going back. -
Review from Brent V.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
1/20/2012
Very underrated.... The food is fantastic... I was in town for only three days and I ate her twice. Try the Steak Picado or the Pollo a la Queso Crema. Both are delicious!
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Review from Gregory S.
Gilbert, AZ
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Los Olivos is a quiet resturaunt in the Old Scottsdale city near the SF Giants spring training site. That is how I happened on this wonderful family style eatery. Arrived to the area to meet a Good HS friend and was way early. Used the Yelp app on my phone and soon I was here! Seated with out any wait. The place was just picking up since the ball game was not to far off and it was Dinner time as well. Service was very efficient and pleasant. I'm partial to Chicken what ever in these Mexican style resturaunts, and had a 'Chimi'. Arrived shortly and enjoyed it emencely.
I would recomend Los Olivos to anyone. Looks as if they can handle most any size group as well! Everything is reasonably priced as well. Enjoy! Holla! -
Review from Sarah R.
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
100% Mediocre
Atmosphere- Eh
Service- Eh
Food- Eh
I wouldn't waste my time & tastebuds with this place again. I mean, it wasn't bad... But it wasn't good either! -
Review from J D.
Phoenix, AZ
5/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Some colleagues and I had lunch here recently. Complimentary Chips & Salsa are served with your meal. After browsing the menu, I went for the Cheese and Onion Enchiladas w/Rice & Beans. The dish came out fast and on an extremely hot plate......be careful of these plates, you'll burn your hand if you touch them.
After letting the food simmer down, I went for a bite of the Enchiladas....they were really good! I poured some of the Hot Sauce that came with the Chips & Salsa on top of the Enchiladas to give them a nice kick....yum!
The service here was really good and they were very friendly. We had a great time.
Return Factor - 90%Listed in: Yo Quiero!
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Review from Frances L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/4/2011
From what I remember, I really liked Los Olivos. Now while the food did not leave much of an impression (I'm pretty sure I had some sort of enchillada plate), the atmosphere and the pitchers of margaritas were tops. Their chips and salsa were also fresh and delicious, making this a nice alternative in Old Town before heading over to the Camelview for a
movie when you just aren't in the mood for Orange Table or anything else around there. The interior is a classically Spanish style down to the burnt sepia clay tiles to the dark, cool Mission-style decor. A nice place to just wander in for some drinks, snacks, and to mellow out a bit on hot summer afternoons. Parking is free and did I mention pitchers of margaritas? They make them stiff folks! -
Review from Nerissa C.
Herndon, VA
11/14/2011
The margaritas were great, salsa & chips were yummy, shredded beef tacos and tamale were tasty; however, the enchiladas were a bit smothered in cheese.. couldn't really taste them. Four stars because I haven't been to a good Mexican restaurant in a while... (live in the east coast)... plus the margaritas were really good. Ha!
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Review from Angel Z.
4/29/2011
Gazpacho Heaven
I remember reading the ingredients for gazpacho for the first time many years ago and thinking how it should taste. Unfortunately, it never had. Until now, at Los Olivos. It arrives with chunks of tomatoes, cucumber, and onion, slivers of cilantro, all swimming in a cool but not teeth-chattering liquid that is salted and oiled to perfection. If it were just the gazpacho I would give this place a 5.
In short the service was competent but not stellar, the smoky grilled chicken quesadilla was large and well filled with cheese with light smoky flavor. The tacos et al. were OK. The decor is dated and very casual.
The three real stand-out items were the guacamole dip, the gazpacho soup, and the chunky salsa that comes with chips at the beginning of the meal. -
Review from J V.
Gilbert, AZ
12/28/2011
It starts with the chips and salsa which the chips are bland, the salsa is liquedy and tasteless. The margaritas are good but small and pricey. I ordered the carna asada and enchilada. The carna asada was quite good, the enchilada was non-existent. I think they just gave me the shell of it and was buried under I guess what was beans and rice with cheese. The plates are gross looking. Wasn't worth 15.95 that's for sure. I think this place takes advantage of people, nothing special and not worth the money for the poor quality of food.
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Review from Montgomery M.
Scottsdale, AZ
10/27/2011
The worst Mexican my girlfriend and I have ever had! Just thrown together. Couldn't find our enchilada in the mess of beans, rice and whatever. Greasy hard shell tacos, they sucked. And to top it all off.... EXPENSIVE!. Don't even bother wasting your time and money.
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Review from Soo Jin M.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/9/2011
I love their chips and salsa. Both types are pretty good, though I'm always partial to the one that's more like pico de gallo. They come free when you sit down which is something I always look for and appreciate. :)
Their tortilla soup is pretty good, though it looks a bit oily and the chips get soggy pretty fast. Their tacos are ok, although they're right there with julioberto's which are $1 mon-wed. I usually don't like refried beans but I'll eat theirs. I love their fish tacos and the cucumber sauce that they come with.
All in all, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. The prices for their entrees are kind of hefty, but I like their bar atmosphere once in a while and their food is pretty good. I go here when I feel like La Pinatas but don't feel like driving over there. -
Review from Dave C.
San Jose, CA
3/3/2011
Not sure where all the 3+ star reviews are coming from on this one. Tired Mexican place in Scottsdale, with very mediocre food.
We had a cheese crisp with chicken and a mexican salad. Both were bland and you could easily make better Mexican food at home!
it was also weird that they serve their salsa in carafes and you have to pour it on a plate and try to scoop it up with their stale chips. Have you ever heard of bowls people?? -
Review from Amy M.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/26/2011
This has been my favorite place to eat for years, but over the last few months it has gone completly downhill and after last night we will not be returning.
My fiancé and I went wen with a friend and 3 young kids for an early dinner and asked for split checks.
Food was so so, service was extremely slow and only checked on us once. And when the bills came we were charged an automatic gratuity because of our party size eve if half were kids and it was separate tickets. They also charged for things they never have before like guacamole and kids drinks.
This loyal customer is done! $65 for 2 adults and kids for dinner, I don't think so. -
Review from Lisa H.
Gilbert, AZ
10/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had no idea this place existed. We met friends there for dinner (their choice). It's a little dive looking today, but I'l sure it was awesome about 10 years ago. The service was okay and the food was okay, but I don't think I'll ever be back.
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Review from Meg W.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/19/2011
Should be 2.5 stars...
Their chips and salsa, delish. I die. every time.
The pollo queso something something...yummmm, so greasy and cheesy and spicy and chickeny and fried
$4 dollar margaritas? ok!
The food here is typical yummy greasy Arizona Mexican food. It's nothing extraordinary, but it isn't terrible. What's terrible about this place is the service. Yikes!
Every time I come here I am first ignored by the depressed 19 year old side bang lip pierced hostess. She really never makes an effort to say hello. I feel I need to overcompensate for the brattiness she exudes by being overly nice. Hello? I'm on the opposite side of the hostess podium, do your job biotch.
We are often sat at some odd random table, on our most recent visit being one with 2 or so extra chairs, that also doubled as the iced tea, water, and to go container station. I think it's best if you come here with large groups for this reason. They seem to reserve all the "nice" tables for them.
Our waitress is usually a moody 40 something woman, that acts like everything she does for you is a favor. Literally, the waiters and waitresses here don't even bring your food, drinks, take your plates, etc. Now the men that do all this, I like. They're friendly, and helpful!
I think it's a large extended family that still owns and operates this place. Which is most likely why the service sucks so much.
I still occasionally eat here, as my boyfriend loves the food, but the service needs some upgrading. If this wasn't such a tourist trap this place would have gone out of business long long ago -
Review from Caitlin M.
Livermore, CA
3/29/2011 2 photos
Came here when I was in Scottsdale for Spring Training. We were craving Mexican food and this was the closest place to our hotel so Los Olivos it is.
The Chips and Salsa were brought to our table as soon as we sat down, chips were very fresh, thin and crispy. They served the chips with 2 canister-type things of salsa. They were both very good but I liked mixing the two, it made for one damn good salsa! My dad was in the drinking mood so he ordered a pitcher of Margaritas and man oh man that was a great way to get our meal started!
For dinner I ordered the Pollo a la Queso Crema, a flour tortilla filled with chicken, then fried, and lastly topped with a seasoned cream cheese and melted cheeses. This meal was phenomenal!!!! The seasoned cream cheese gave this just enough tanginess along with all the savory aspects the chicken has. Thinking about this, makes my mouth water and wonder if Los Olivos delivers to Northern California?!?!?
Next year when I am back in Scottsdale this will be my first stop as soon as my plane lands and the last place I go before I head to the airport to come home. AWESOME FOOD. Good wait staff. Wouldn't change a thing about this place. -
Review from Tony U.
7/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fun place. Because it's just typical Mexican food, I can't bump it up beyond 3 stars.
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Review from Jessica W.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/25/2011
Five words - pollo a la queso crema!
It's a chix chimichanga topped with jalapeno cream cheese and cheddar cheese on top of that. If you like a little spice in your life, this is the dish for you. The creaminess of the melty cream cheese, along with the crunch of the chimi is to die for.
The chips and salsa are my fav in AZ, crispy thin chips and a great trick someone taught me was to mix the hot and mild salsas together.
The family that owns it is always friendly and Veronica, the bartender, mixes up some the best drinks in town, including my fav a michelada (beer, lime juice and I hold the clamato). This is always a MUST DO when I come home to Scottsdale. I'm a huge fan of both locations and it's great for groups. I've also ordered their app platters for parties, which is always a big hit. -
Review from Michelle A.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/6/2011
I ate at this restaurant often back 12 years ago. Then once I got a cold cheese enchilada back around 2004. I decided to give this place a huge break. It was 7 years total! I ate here on August 5, 2011 for lunch with a friend. The place has not changed except for they did remodel the bathrooms. The bar and entire restaurant is still the same. I had a green chile tamale and tried a cheese enchilada again. My enchilada was very hot inside not cold and the green corn tamale was pretty good as well. The reason why I gave them only 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is because the staff is not friendly at all. It was almost like they were bothered that they had to work. If the staff was friendly and not bordering rude they would of earned 4 stars.
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Review from Angela G.
Phoenix, AZ
11/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I heart Los Olivos, and in ways that go over and beyond any other Mexican places I've ever been. Using my strict algorithm for Mexican perfection of chips, salsa, red sauce and margarita, Los Olivos becomes the benchmark by which all other places are compared. Love it.
CHIPS are crispy, warm and perfectly thin. I salt them and go to town on the freshly prepared SALSA, an addictive blend of tomatoes and jalapenos mixed with their HOT SALSA of red chiles and scarcely a tomato. The flavor is just divine, best washed down with a FRESH LIME MARGARITA and plenty of salt. I could dine on just the following and call it a day, but if I have a group to share with (or a lion's appetite) I will indulge in a cheese crisp. The tortilla is pliable and perfectly chewy, and the Mary Lou with green chile con carne comes with a toothsome topping of tender beef chunks braised in green chile sauce and topped with melted cheese. So good!
Our usual favorites are the beef tamales, crispy chicken tacos, enchiladas of all kinds, the chimichangas (my husband eats the SHRIMP CHIMI every single time we go, without fail) and the sumptuously perfect machaca, served dry with the perfect blend of spices and goodness and a tortilla to boot. Num num num.
The service can be slow and at times lackadaisical - on other nights, the waiters are attentive and blazingly fast. Just depends who you get. If you go on an off night for service, definitely don't give up because the food is so darn tasty. Rather, go when you have time to kill, eat and drink heartily, and know that you are in for a treat of an evening.
Sidenote: Man peddling roses inside the restaurant is persistent - I'm still trying to figure out who he knows or how he's related to the owners in order to be allowed to interfere with the service in the place. Your guess is as good as mine. -
Review from Evelyn S.
Jamaica, NY
2/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
After eating here I am now on a quest to find a Mexican restaurant that is just as good & authentic in NYC. They give you two different types of salsa with your chips & the salsa is incredibly fresh. I got the a la carte chicken empanada, fish taco & green corn tamale. I really enjoyed the juicy & natural flavors of the chicken... I've never had chicken empanada this good before. The green sauce on top was just enough to add some flavor without overpowering the dish. I got the fish taco on a soft tortilla rather than a hard shell & it was really delicious. The tamale was what I would've expected out of a tamale... nothing too exciting about it but it was still good.
The place was very packed & since the restaurant is a little ways from the main road in Old Town I suspect that it was mostly locals in there (we were visiting from out of town). The restaurant was much larger on the inside than I expected so we got seated relatively quickly... and the host seemed like he had a blast working there! Service was good & we never felt rushed. I really miss this place. -
Review from Jessica M.
Tempe, AZ
4/8/2011
My boyfriend and I love this restaurant. Typically, we split a meal because the portions are huge.
Favorite appetizer (and the ONLY one in my opinion): Mini Tacos.
My favorite dish: Carne Adovada (but I love this dish anywhere I go)
The food is pretty much standard, good Mexican food, but the Mini Tacos rock my world. Don't order them if you are trying to be health-conscious. You will immediately regret your decision.
Great for large parties, and they cater. SO YUMMY! -
Review from Amber A.
Phoenix, AZ
6/13/2011
I went for a baby shower and they served appetizers. Everything was very good. The guac was nice and fresh with not too much onion. We also had good service that kept our iced teas filled.
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Review from Steven S.
8/28/2010
I've gone to both locations in Scottsdale and they both have their own pleasant chill atmosphere. I like the North Scottsdale location a little more because it's more open and less stuffy. Lunch specials are a good deal.
I've tried a few items, but I generally get the beef tacos. The taco comes out really hot because it's fried, the taco is a little drippy with grease, but it's quite good. They get a an extra kudos from me for carrying RC Cola on tap. This place is middle of the road Mexican and you'll feel a little bloated after you eat there, but still pretty good overall. -
Review from Julie R.
Stoughton, MA
6/21/2011
Had an early dinner here last week with a group of 6. The orders ranged from a salad to a la carte items to full meals. Everyone was very happy with their orders. The salsa was very spicy but excellent (with an even spicier option available on the table). The guacamole appetizer was large and fresh - excellent. I had a beef tamale - one of the best I've had. Good margaritas too. The atmosphere is bright, very casual, and a bit touristy but the food makes up for it.
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Review from Chirag P.
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just your typical hole-in-the-wall mexican restaurant... but I guess a little more popular in the Scottsdale area. The guac was good, wish it had a kick to it. The decor was a bunch of painted wall murals, I think very typical of what I've seen at other Mexican joints. I did have an interesting take on a chile relleno... 'Spicy Chicken Poblano' poblano chili pepper stuffed with spicy chicken, dipped in egg batter, then deep fried and topped with a delicious vegetable tomato sauce served with rice and beans. Although, once I again i was decieved by the word "spicy" as this had no kick to it... it's what I typically call "white man spicy." Anyways, it's decent enough, but nothing that makes me think "man I need to go back"
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Review from Alvin D.
Oakland, CA
12/13/2010
2.75/5 underwhelming.
i'm generally not a fan of mexican food, so this may be an unfair review, but oh well.
whenever i think of mexican, i think of bold flavors, hearty, tender meats and sauces and creams and yum! this food was meh. nothing particularly great, it could have been wrapped in foil and i could have probably gotten it off a cart somewhere.
i think there's also something to be said when proportions are off. there was a lot of food, but i also got this huge tortilla bowl full of sour cream...just unnecessary. also, if the food needs that much, i think that speaks poorly to the quality of the steak fajita i ordered.
overall, the food wasn't very memorable, which was reflective of a fairly boring menu as well. -
Review from Susan H.
Endicott, NY
10/17/2010
Seemingly average to good Mexican fare in a cool setting, worthy of a visit for an out of towner.
Lunch specials are affordable and portions are plentiful. The servers were friendly and attentive, sure to keep my glass filled and the chips coming. The chips are perfect...warm and crisp and the salsas were great.
I sampled beef taco and enchilada. I'd say this was the first taco I've had that I truly enjoyed. The chili relleno was not the best I've ever had, but was decent.
If you have the itch for Mexican in a cool, memorable setting, swing by! -
Review from Sarah B.
Pensacola, FL
4/13/2008
Thank you for ruining my Saturday afternoon.
It's been 15 hours since I ate here and I am just now starting to feel normal again. I've been eating tums and chasing them with soda (to settle my stomach) as well as making several bathroom trips. I have never been this sick from eating anywhere. I think Taco Bell would have been far superior and they don't even serve real meat!
The chips and salsa were okay. My bf and I split the cheese crisp with beef (first mistake). The beef looked grey and the cheese looked old and overcooked. My entree was the chicken burrito, I think they use chicken in a can b/c the meat was so dry and shredded. The waitress offered a sauce on top and good thing I accepted b/c otherwise I would have had to choke down the dry burro.
Gordon Ramsey needs to take over and revamp this place. The location is prime but it seems like they were just being lazy all around. I think they need to pare down the menu because there are too many choices and most of it is the same crap just re-worded. Also, I kept seeing so many servers standing around shooting the shit. If you don't have any tables you could be helping out in other ways. This place really lacked warmth from the staff and I think it's important to make your customers feel welcome.
I really don't see myself coming here ever again unless they make huge changes. -
Review from Max A.
4/12/2008
This place is fucking awful.
I haven't been here in about 10 years or so and I couldn't remember why... well, I went today and it all came back to me - vividly. I told my server it was my first time in 10 years and she immediately said "nothing has changed." Boy, was she right.
The food is a gloppy greasy gut grenade to begin with... The presentation is straight out of the 80's - huge portions of slop overcooked and swimming in an even more overcooked sea of diarrhea with some wilted iceberg lettuce plopped on top looking sad. It's the most disgusting thing I've ever seen referred to as food.
All the food here is pre-cooked... meaning it is just sitting there over heat waiting for you to order it. I know this because you can't order anything special, like "no onions" in your shredded beef. The chicken was dry and clearly had been sitting on heat for several hours. It was completely vile.
We had also ordered a cheese crisp with ground beef... that was the description. It said nothing about veggies on it, but there they were - some pathetic overcooked hunks of unidentifiable veg trapped in the tar pit of cheap rubbery cheese and grey meat-esque vomit. It was sickening...
The decor of this place is a leftover relic clearly designed over 30 years ago by someone who was heavily into psychotropic drugs and Disneyland. That went along with the food which looked like it belonged in a museum (as my girlfriend suggested). The lighting in the room they stuck us in wasn't helping - it cast a blue hue from the skylights onto everything on the table making the food look even less appetizing. Aside from that though, it's kinda kitschy in both a fun way and a pathetic way.
I basically refused to eat anything from the menu (though I tasted some of my girlfriend's dish and the cheese crisp) and stuck to chips and salsa. The chips are the freshest thing sold here and aren't bad. The salsa isn't so bad either. We split a margarita just to sample it and decided it wasn't bad, but you could tell they put cheap tequila in it - beware of subsequent headaches.
It's a shame the food is so shitty because this place is in a great location. I can only recommend it for grabbing drinks with that hot GILF you found at the Yarn Barn before you take her back to her retirement community to bang.Listed in: Top 10 Best Places To Get Gut…
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Review from Thomas S.
Scottsdale, AZ
12/23/2007 ROTD 1/26/2008
There was a time in Scottsdale when its citizens roamed free, able to go out without being hunted by cougars, or come face to face with D-bags and 30K Millionaires. It was a peaceful place, where the majority of people engaged in simple crafts like weaving cotton and forging horseshoes. And it was into this community that the prescient Corrall family came, making there way north from the Mexican state of Sonora in 1919. They built an adobe structure on the outskirts of town under olive trees which was used for many purposes. Obviously aware that Scottsdale would burgeon into a world-class resort town, the family decided to open a restaurant to serve traditional Mexican cuisine and capitalize on the growing popularity of things like Cheech Marin and ponchos.
Today, however, someone walking into the "Patio" will likely say to himself or herself: "This is probably going to be like eating at Acapulco". And unfortunately nothing could be farther from the truth. Los Olivos is described as an "institution" but you'd never guess by that reputation how low the ceilings are. As the Corralls expanded the property so too did it enhance the labyrinthine characteristic of the restaurant. Yet this growth is positive: I've never had to wait for a table. While I've been seated in various rooms, there isn't one that I like best. Despite reminding me a little of the Mos Eisely Cantina, it manages to stay cool and dim during the summer giving it a special allure when I first ate there.
The service is probably the most unusual you will find in Scottsdale. You will find no pushiness here, you will also find lots of bilingual servers who can handle your order in both Spanish and English. And yes, because it's been around forever some of the servers have been too. They may seem a little distant, but it's only because this is one of those places in the 'dale that caters to the whole city and as such has a very diverse clientele.
Undoubtedly you'll notice that like Acapulco, Los Olivos loves to promote its fajitas and margaritas. But the fact is, they do an excellent job of offering a wide variety of dishes such that you can eat here often and not have to order the same thing. Moreover they are fairly consistent in keeping the menu Sonoran in focus. This will sound pedestrian, until you realize that Mexican cuisine suffers the same image problem that Chinese does. Namely when only certain areas of the country could immigrate, they had a disproportionate impact on how the cuisine was represented in the U.S. And so the Patio sticks mainly to beef and some chicken with only a few plates using seafood.
This is also one of the places biggest complaints: that this authentic Sonoran food is as bland as a telenovela adapted for American TV. But this is actually why you know you it's not Margarita Monday: US chains are known to add such high level of sugar to recipes as to make dishes artificially sweet. The food here is not sweet at all, and hence good news for your pre-diabetes, but bad news for your craven palette. (European tourists take note, disregard these comments.)
Yet I found myself going to Los Olivos in the first place because of the price. Yes, this is an affordable restaurant. Some entrees are less than $10 and give one an economical choice amidst the orgy of maxed out credit cards in Old Town. Parking is also free and convenient because it is adjacent to a large, city-owned structure for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Perhaps the greatest irony with is that the once trendsetting Corrals are portrayed today as conservative with their restaurant's image. But no matter, as Scottsdale treasures its history as much as being hip. So Los Olivos remains a good bet if you're looking for something staid. And if you are not, there's always Cowboy Ciao. -
Review from Alicia B.
Boston, MA
2/12/2008
YUCK. And I mean that will all gusto behind the word. I absolutely did not like this place. It's very rare that I dislike a place this much. I usually can find something redeeming (like Los Olivos does have some pretty damn good salsa), but I could not see myself going here ever, ever again... unless my family dragged me here. They, of course, loved this place.
YUM. That's what my family said. I asked them what I should say in my review. My dad loved Los Olivos and said he'd rate 'em 4.5 stars. He only deducted the 1/2 star because they took our chips away before we were finished with them. I guess it was a bartering system: your entrees for our chips.
Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing. After all, I didn't want to drown in grease, so I picked the shrimp entree that came with rice. I picked at the soggy rice. I nibbled on the burnt garlic toast. And the shrimp? Well, let's just say I wasn't expecting to have to work for my food. I had to peel the shell off myself. "How do I do that?" I asked horrified. Still a shrimp novice, I had no clue. "You grab their little legs and pull." I nearly had to excuse myself to go throw up. -
Review from Doug T.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/8/2009
I had the "blue room" all to myself for lunch on Saturday. Nice and peaceful watching the salt water fish being fed fish pellets. No sharks just little fish chasing around and trying to eat quickly.
I wanted something light so ordered the chicken tostado ala carte with quacamole. A pleasant surprise with large chunks of hot white chicken, chopped lettuce and just a few beans, tomato and cheese. on a crisp corn tortilla. The quac came on the side so I could add as necessary.
The tostada with a glass of Dos Equis came to $11.01 and that included a basket of chips and two sauces. The tostado was a healthy alternative plus I didn't cave in for many chips. -
Review from lindsay b.
Los Angeles, CA
8/4/2008
I do like this place they actually make the tortillas and chips there and they dont use hydrogenated oils.
They use milk in the refried beans instead of oil.
The one at North is very trippy it has glowing magenta mushrooms on the walls. Very acidy, weird.
I liked the cream cheese burrito thing but I got it not deep fried.
Pretty good a bit pricey but the portions are huge so share.
It truley is family owned my brother is friends with the owners son. I think 2 or three families own it.
It is the best mexican food I have had soo far.
But still not amazing -
Review from Jaime M.
Tempe, AZ
7/5/2008 1 Check-in Here
Best mushroom enchilada's in town! I am always so baffled by the crappy chain restaurants getting good reviews, and the small local restaurants getting bad reviews.
This is one of those places the service kinda sucks, emphasize kinda, but the food it so good it doesn't matter. The salsa is yummy, and they have great chips. Stop your chain addiction and try out one of these great local favorites!
Oh for those of you who are looking for a healthy Mexican option, stick with Rubio's. This is good ol' authentic, greasy yummy Mexican food.
