El Cholo

Met up with a friend here for drinks. I’ve been to this particular El Cholo location countless times. They have several locations, with the flagship in LA, and guys, they’ve been around since the 1920s! The vibe here is classic old-school Mexican restaurant very charming and familiar. Staff are always friendly and attentive. I usually prefer sitting at the bar when I’m meeting up with friends due to easy access to service (not that they ever slack in that department). I ordered my usual: a blended mango margarita just perfect for this scorching weather. I also got the Tortilla Soup without the chicken. They’re always cool about omitting or subbing ingredients to fit your preferences. This isn’t a fancy restaurant by any means, but I love how consistently good the food and service are. I never have to wait long, and I always leave happy. Thank you, El Cholo!

Still great after years of going here! I no longer live anywhere nearby, but this is on my short list of places to revisit when I’m in the area. Since the last time I visited, it seems the menu got condensed, but all the good stuff is still there. The chip tray is also a bit smaller, but they seem more generous with salsa. Fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, huge portions, it’s all still good!

Boss level in the Taco/burrito business!! Bring your wallet!! You pay a premium, but there is absolutely no substitute for this kind of quality! Parking is a bishhh and you most likely will encounter a line. Be patient 🙏. Its all well worth it 👌. Willie the food guy was competed ay filet mignon burrito. I'm almost positive that it was a gift from GOD!

Been coming here for years. I belong to a veteran Organization and the owner from this place has been very generous and always has allowed us to host and no charge us anything. Great good as well excellent service God bless him for supporting Veterans.

We were on a JellyCat hunt found a couple and my Hubby said he was hungry and would need something to eat. I kept smelling meat or something cooking near by but couldn’t tell from where. I decided to find some place to eat and went to Google Maps. El Cholo came up and we were 250 feet from it. I went walking around the parking lot and saw the marquee finally. We were asked inside or out . I elected for inside. We were led to a booth in area where we were the only ones. We were served Chips and salsa (good not too spicy)and water. We ordered the chicken chimichanga appetizer . Entrees were cheese enchiladas refried beans only and I had a chicken enchilada with a pork tamal rice only. I had the flan for dessert and a Cadillac Margarita. The food was good. We enjoyed every bite. We will be coming back and try to bring people with us!

Some friends took me to this hundred year old restaurant to have some great Mexican food. It was fantastic and the nachos were perfectly made and the enchiladas were tasty. Wonderful atmosphere wonderful staff, only trouble ate too much and was too full. I will stop by again the next time I am in town.

I really do enjoy this place. The food is pretty great. Today, we got the Chicken Chimichanga, Chicken Taquitos, and fresh Guacamole. It was all delicious and fresh.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a classic charm that makes dining here feel special. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always make you feel at home. If you’re craving traditional Mexican food with history and heart, El Cholo is a must-visit!

This place is always busy (in a good way). The employees are always kind and friendly. Inside feels like you are in an hacienda in Mexico. There are plenty of choices on the menu. The portions have been big. I love their hand made flour tortilla with butter! Delicious

Felt like yummy Mexican food and thank goodness we have El Cholo near by! I had the Mariscos Enchiladas and they were full of shrimp, scallops as a few lobster bites, yum! Hubby had a chicken quesadilla and it was super filling. We both couldn't finish everything so we had to-go boxes. I started with their Coconut Margarita on the rocks, it is sooo good! Their service was always attentive and we didn't lack anything. The ambiance was great. We sat in their patio area and it was a perfect evening for it, so nice and warm. We'll love their avocado salsa too, don't forget to ask for one! We'll be back soon!

Food - 4/10 - The fajitas were mainly bell peppers and onions ..... I Ordered the shrimp fajitas and they were skimpy on the shrimp . It was very mediocre. The taquitos weren't that great. Me and my party all had some stomach issues after dinner . Maybe cross contamination or cleaning of such in the kitchen or perhaps not so fresh ingredients which is a health hazard. Service - 10/10 Bartender was kind and did a great job on the drinks Ambience - 7/10 it was a cozy Spanish style restaurant (Don't expect Authenticity)

Ambiance is very cute and charming. It has a traditional Mexican style throughout the restaurant, with Spanish tiles, a wrought iron chandelier and a fireplace in the main entrance room. The room we sat in had a solarium with plants, which created a cozy environment. It's also very spacious and has many different rooms to dine in. Unfortunately, food is just average. The quality of the food is mediocre. I had a steak fajita and the steak quality wasn't very good. Flavors were not bad. Also, they were skimpy on the meat portion. Most of the dish were bell peppers and onion. Margarita was also average and tasted very much like premade in a bottle. I do like that they offered free chips and salsa and the salsa was tasty. Service was very nice and friendly and orders came out on time. I would've liked to give it a higher rating but food quality is the most important and it lacked here. This place is good to dine at if you want reasonably priced Mexican food with a charming Mexican vibe.

This place is a gem. They have all your favorits for the most part, including everything from burritos to fajitas. I love their chili rojo with rice and beans. They have chips and salsa on the house as you await your food. The have a full bar, and a handful of specialty margaritas. My favorite is the coconut margarita, a sweet blended cocktail with coconut flakes on the rim. El Cholo probably treats their employees very well because the staff is super friendly and helpful. There is ample parking in the back of the establishment. Seating is outdoor with a covered patio, and also indoor and air conditioned. They decorate the inside with beautiful painting and a pleasant intimate ambience. Next time your in the area I would highly advise you stop and try out this place. You will love it!

Food: 3* Service: 5* Ambiance: 4* I joined some friends here after not coming back for years. It hasn't changed, nor improved. The food is just okay. The menu is inventive with the years these food items first appeared in the menu, a nice touch. I ordered and shared A Taste of History. For $26.95 you get a cheese enchilada, rolled beef taco, chile relleno and roasted pork tamale. Served with refried beans and Spanish rice. It was perfect to share, plenty of food and it tasted good. The tamal appeared to have a mole like sauce on it which was interesting. We asked for spicy salsa and they provided an habanero salsa which was great. Several people in our party ordered the fish tacos and they said they liked them, fresh and tasty. Someone also ordered the filet mignon tacos and they liked them. Another person ordered the quesadilla and it was huge and good. So all in all the food was good, just not great. Service was excellent. Friendly , helpful, and very attentive. We were a large group (16) and the service was just wonderful. The ambiance is nice, especially outside. Enjoyable, with fresh air and a nice feeling to enjoy your meal. Whittier boulevard is opioid, but you quickly get used to it. Several people ordered the margaritas, which they liked very much. I didn't have them this time, however. I did suffer all night long with a stomach ache, which I thought might just be me. However, when I checked in with some of our group, several people experienced distress after that meal. Maybe old oil or something. Not full on sick like food poisoning, just extreme discomfort and stomach and then intestinal cramps.

Met up with a friend here for drinks. I've been to this particular El Cholo location countless times. They have several locations, with the flagship in LA, and guys, they've been around since the 1920s! The vibe here is classic old-school Mexican restaurant very charming and familiar. Staff are always friendly and attentive. I usually prefer sitting at the bar when I'm meeting up with friends due to easy access to service (not that they ever slack in that department). I ordered my usual: a blended mango margarita just perfect for this scorching weather. I also got the Tortilla Soup without the chicken. They're always cool about omitting or subbing ingredients to fit your preferences. This isn't a fancy restaurant by any means, but I love how consistently good the food and service are. I never have to wait long, and I always leave happy. Thank you, El Cholo!

A friends recommendation for a lunch hangout yesterday. Beautifully decorated and themed venue. Very warm and welcoming service and very attentive staff. We were seated very quickly and didn't wait long to be served. I ordered a coconut margarita and one of their lunch specials and both were delicious. The pricing as well was reasonable (sad they didn't have lunch specials on the cocktails but it is what it is). Still worth it. Parking is convenient, it's easy to find, and for some history, this specific location was the second one to open. So there's history to this specific one.

Plenty of parking. Great for groups. Reservations recommended but not required Made a reservation 2 weeks in advance for a group of 18. 2 hours before our arrival our server Jack (female) called to confirm and ask if there was kids in the party. Upon our arrival we were immediately sat. Jack took great care of party. All orders came out timely with no mistakes. Food was great.

Tried this place for the first time back in May. The place is great! It's very cultural and it makes you feel like your in Mexico. They couldn't have done it any better with that. The menu is a bit expensive, but I would recommend coming down here to give the food a try. My order was a burrito with pork inside. It was really good and the portion was just right. I didn't get to finish it in the restaurant because it was very filling. The servers here are cool and professional, and the place here is overall clean. The restrooms were very interesting too!

Been to the original in LA but decided to come here with some family finally after 14 years of living in la habra. The decor is really cool, definitely a classic blast from the past. Service was quick and friendly. Food was fresh and delicious. I got the tacos al carbon and they were flavorful and juicy! The margarita was great as well.

Had a hankering for Mexican food and El Cholo was open and close. I had carnitas plate and Jenny ordered 3 tacos a la carte. Chips and salsa before the food arrived was solid. Good crispy Chips and salsa with a little bite and spice. Everything came out hot and tasty. Service was average waiter came to the table, took our drink orders and returned for our main course order. Ambiance is typical Mexican sit down restaurant. We will return.

The filet mignon fajitas were ok. I could not really tell the difference between these and the regular ones I got last time. They were ok. I liked the guacamole and the fact that it server gave me slices of avocado instead of the premade guacamole because I do not like onions. That was very thoughtful of him. The bf really liked the shrimp fajitas and was happy he did not get the filet mignon ones. Should have been more flavorful. Next time back to the regular. The ambiance was great. Mariachis in the front and sports at the bar.

Best Mexican food ever. The margaritas are . This is real authentic Mexican cuisine- top notch. Please don't sleep in this place.

Today we had a baby shower for my daughter in law & son. The separate banquet room El Cholo has is beautiful. We had a taco bar with all the fixings, three meats, enchiladas, etc. The food was delicious and the service we received was outstanding! Lead by Jack with Susana, Ryan & Javier, we were spoiled with their constant attention. Great food and great service - a winning combination!! A special shout out to my girl Jack. You rock! I hope El Cholo appreciates what a asset you are to them! Gracias for making our event so special! BRAVO!!!

A great place for a meal that offers outside and inside dining. The Michelada was decent and the food was pretty good. The service was the best part as our hostess was friendly and offered great recommendations. Ask for the mild salsa as it comes with a better consistency and more flavor.

El Cholo is a classic! With its rich history and warm, inviting atmosphere, it's easy to see why this spot has been a favorite for generations. The restaurant has a nostalgic charm, and the staff make you feel right at home with their friendly and attentive service. The menu is filled with Mexican comfort food at its best. I had the fish tacos, two grilled mani mahi and one fried mahi mahi, with black beans and rice. Delicious! The margaritas are also a must-try!

I stop by here with my fam when we want something easy and casual. (I'm obsessed with the pecan pralines handed at the end of the meal tbh.) I mainly return due to tradition and the space is great for large groups. Let's just jump right into what I've tried here, okay. Coconut margarita: just okay Chips and salsa: mid; salsa isn't spicy Taquitos: best item Fiesta Platter: good; shareable plate Enchiladas Mariscos: good but unmemorable Tortilla Soup: yum Parking: large back lot Ambiance: great for families, special occasions, and lunch Service: never had an issue with servers; food quality has gone down over the years while prices continue to increase.

We came here the day before Father's Day to celebrate the holiday and pickup some food to go. We ordered two meals: chicken fajitas & steak fajitas. They both came with two sides of refried beans. The food was excellent and it came with sides of shredded cheese, sour cream, & guacamole. They also gave us chips and salsa. All the food was excellent and the service was awesome. I would definitely return here. The ordering & takeout process was easy.

The food was not as delicious as it was in the past. The chips were not fresh. I will not eat here again. The ambiance and table service is great. It is ashamed that the food has gone down hill.

EL CHOLO HAS CASTED A SPELL ON ME I am not the same and CRAVE this food constantly HAHA! To start, I appreciated how there was an outside patio that allowed for dogs : ) Inside, the restaurant had a warm and welcoming ambiance! The atmosphere was lively, and the decor displayed bright colors, as well as stunning traditional Mexican art. When seated, complimentary chips and salsa were brought out, which were EXQUISITE! The chips are solid, but what truly BLEW MY MIND was the salsa! My mom and I both agree that this was the best salsa around the Orange County area -- don't knock it til you try it! My family and I all ordered the same dish -- A Taste of History 1996 -- cheese, enchilada, rolled beef taco, chile relleno and pork tamal, Spanish rice, and refried beans : ) The plate was visually aesthetically pleasing, and the portion was hefty! BUT I guess for $26, it looked about right LOL! The two components that stuck out to me were -- the cheese enchilada and the rolled beef taco~ The cheese enchilada was the STAR of the show! It was drenched in a rich, flavorful red sauce with an even filling of decadent cheese. Also, it was creamy with a slight kick to it! I was most impressed by how the enchilada was soft, but not too overly soggy : ) The rolled beef taco was also solid -- it consisted of a crisp tortilla that was well-seasoned with flavorful beef! The service was splendid as always, as all the waiters are the sweetest! ILL BE BACK SOON : )

Las enchiladas de mole ..nada que ver con las verdaderas y ordene el tres leche cake y lo mismo nada que ver con el auténtico..carísimo no recomendado para los americanos esta bien por que no tienen idea De la verdadera cocina mexicana sus sabores

An absolute staple in my life! The green corn tamales are my absolute favorite! They are only offered from May to October so make sure if you go during that time you must have them! The tacos are delicious, the carne asada is cooked to perfection and they have so many different variations of enchiladas you can't go wrong. I love the atmosphere and have sat in different sections of the restaurant and they all have their own vibe. It's a fabulous place to throw a party too! Love love LOVE it here!

I always plan to snap a photo of my food, but the aromas win every time. The service is fast and friendly, and the ambiance is calm and welcoming. Their story is proudly woven into every detail, from the décor and napkins to the menu and their website, where you can explore six generations of El Cholo tradition. I had the steak fajitas, which were incredible and come in a generous portion that's great for sharing, perfect for families or a date. The chips and salsa were fresh and addictive. While the prices are a bit on the higher side, the quality, portion sizes, and overall experience make it absolutely worth it. The outdoor seating area is cozy and well-lit, with heaters to keep things comfortable. I haven't visited in the evening yet, but daytime is usually busy, always a good sign. The bathrooms are clean, and everything is well-kept. This place is more than a meal, it's a piece of history. Highly recommend!

Ambiance and service was good but food was typical plain, to salty were the enchiladas and Carnitas were dry no taste. Visited there during the week when restaurant was slow and I can honestly say " Del Taco" beans are much tastier and good. Highly disappointed no wonder the restaurant is closing their Pasadena location. The only one that was decent was the Original on Western but that's long gone to be replaced by the one on Flower, overpriced and just Americanized Mexican food.

I really enjoyed the ambiance of this restaurant. This place seems well suited for both small and large parties. Service was also good. I ordered the combination plate with a rolled beef taco and chili relleno. The beef rolled taco was good had a nice crunch and meet was moist. The chili relleno was good I enjoyed all the cheese and sweetness of the chili. I thought it would be spicier, not sure if this is normal as this was my first time eating one.

The food was really good. I would highly recommend the Carne Asada burrito. I think everything was priced pretty well. I would definitely go back.

For many years, I have been a customer of El Cholo Restaurants. My first visit was the original location on Western Avenue in Los Angeles. This is where I changed my mind on margaritas. They offered mini-pitchers of their Ultimate Cadillac that has a float of Grand Marnier on top. This won me over, what a difference on ingredient can make! The menu has the usually two or three item combinations that you can mix/match with a side of rice and beans. But the specialty items are guacamole prepared tableside, very creamy and super delicous! The have "green corn" tamales available May-October only. My #1 choice is the Senora-style enchiladas, the tortillas are layered with chicken, cheese and an egg served over-medium stacked on top of each other instead of rolled and served side-by-side. The portions are generous, especially the sizzling fajitas (choose chicken, beef, shrimp or a combo of these). My co-workers and I were frequently customers at the location on Flower Street in downtown location or Pasadena, my family prefers the La Habra location for the outdoor patio and free parking. At any location their menu, service and ambiance is the best! Craving a good meal, can't decide on steak, seafood or Mexican food, try El Cholo's and don't forget to tell 'em that Rosemary sent ya!

This place is good! Chips and salsa taste great and have you wanting more! Service is fair, food is served fairly quickly and muy caliente! Indoor and outdoor dining vibes are 100% authentic Mexican and very chill! You really got to try this place! Cadillac margarita is a crowd favorite!

The best quality and service anywhere. A traditional Mexican restaurant promising an ambiance memorable with delicious food and quality service. The building is traditionally Mexican with beautifully decorated walls and furniture.

Well I used to come to this restaurant when I worked in Fullerton. Had several work parties there also. Went there this week to have lunch with some old co-workers. What a shock. The prices have gone through the roof. Service was average. Sat on the patio and it was okay except the constant semi trucks. I don't think I would return on my own.

Had the opportunity to try El Cholo on a Friday night. Lots of parking in their lot and they had a decent amount of people in and out of the restaurant. They had plenty of seating inside and outside, which is nice if you're trying to get some fresh air. I don't know. Maybe I got the wrong item?, but the food here didn't really hit. A Taste of History was pretty bland. My S.O. mom got the fajitas, which in my opinion looked far better than the plate I got, despite the variety. I will say the guacamole and salsa were tasty and that was probably the highlight of the meal.

We just hosted a party for 25 people in one of their private banquet rooms. The service was great. The food was great. Kristin the banquet coordinator was incredibly responsive. Ricardo, the manager was available to help if we needed anything. Felix, our waiter was very attentive. Could not have asked for more!

This is a comfortable dining experience. Stopped by during happy hour and enjoyed their $10 margaritas and $7 beers. There are also few food specials during this time period to snack on. The menu itself is consistent. The prices are a bit high but you are paying for the atmosphere. This location takes you away and places you on vacation in a remote Mexican village eatery. The service is friendly and the food is good. My combo had a tamale and a cheese enchilada. As previously stated a bit pricey but it was still good. The sauce was rich and the enchilada was cheesy. As for the tamale it was a bit heavy on the masa but the meat had good flavor. The rice and beans were good. And yes, they do give you chips and salsa when you arrive and are seated. This place is definitely fun to sit back and relax. Not a fast food stop in and eat type place. I'll be back.

What a great place, so proud it is such a staple in my home town! The food is amazing, the history goes way back...definitely suggest looking into it. I personally love the bar area, walk right in and have a front row view of the bartender making the drinks. The margaritas are on point ;)

My favorite Mexican cuisine in my area. Staff are friendly and efficient. Food is always great ! Complimentary warm chips with individual salsa. Best chili relleno ( fluffy omelette style) This is my go to Mexican restaurant.

Man what a bummer. Nothing that comes out is fresh made. Enchilada sauce and beans all canned. Tamale dried out and tough. Little suspicious when your order comes out quicker than a fast food joint. "El Cholo Margarita" tasted premade too. Native to La Habra I remember when this place was great, 20 years ago. Sad what it's become. I get trying to stay afloat in a deflated economy with food costs so inflated. Having a culinary background, it's cheaper to produce fresh then buy packaged if you have the right chefs and kitchen staff. Customers would flock to that. Unfortunately I won't be back.

The family ambience is always on point! It was a rainy day and we were celebrating a friend's son's 18th birthday on Nee Year's Eve. We were seated at a perfect spot in the restaurant, right next to the fireplace. We were served with drink right away and since it wasn't our first time we knew what we wanted and we helped our friends pick out items they'd like to try. We opted for budget friendly dishes to share so we got the Taste of History and a Fiesta Platter for 4. It's always great to share and taste a few items. Here's our spread: - Taste of History: Beef Tamale. Chile Relleno, Tostada, Rolled Chicken Taco, Beef Enchilada. This is a great dish to try for a variety of my favorites. This is definitely enough to share especially when you on a budget. The Chile Relleno is not the same as how I like it when it is homemade by my coworker, but it still satisfied my craving. - Fiesta Platter for 4: Quesadilla, Taquitos, Nachos, Chimichanga. Tasty and satisfies my cravings, but it's good to note that the nachos should be eaten right away. It gets quite soggy if you don't. Overall our choices satisfied our craving for our Mexican favorites. It's even better when you can share a meal with your family and friends around the holidays. The service was great and our cups we're always filled with our drink of choice. How can I forget the endless supply of chips and salsa. We were full and happy! This is always a great place to enjoy with family and friends!

Ok, been coming to cholos for ever.. over 50 years +... the issue is the inconsistency is the standard.. this time A+! Last time 2 months ago D-- ! Only reason we came back is our 4 year old grandson picked it... hope they can keep up A standard not D--

Came here recently for father in laws 75th Bday hadn't been here in years because I've always thought the food was mediocre but this time around it was much better to my surprise food was good The restaurant is still dark and dated but at least the food and drinks were good.

Amazing food, beautiful restaurant, and excellent service from roger! cant wait to come back!

The food didn't have any flavor, nothing compared to the restaurant in LA. My rice was cold, the guacamole was going bad, and my meat was tough . I went in to "celebrate " my bday ; in LA they even sing to you and give you a flan with a candle . Here, not even a "Happy Birthday " it just wasn't what I expected!

We arrived on a Friday night about 7 pm. We headed straight to the bar area and sat down at a bar table. All the other group tables were taken. We were greeted by Ruben which is one of the waiters. He handed us the menu and took our drink orders. While looking the menu over I saw one of the waiters taking someone fajitas they had ordered. You could smell the aroma coming from the plate and hear the sizzling hot plate. That was when I made my mind-up and decided on the meat fajitas. I was not disappointed when I got my sizzling plate! The fajitas were intertwined with fresh grilled veggies. The plate came with guacamole and sour cream. It was definitely a party in my tummy, lol. If you are looking for a nice cozy Mexican spot to relax and enjoy a good meal with good ambiance, El Cholo is the place.

Host Blake: Blake accommodated our seating arrangement needs. Super professional and patient. Thank you for giving us the perfect table for my family. Server Gilbert. Gilbert was patient and very understanding. He has great knowledge of the dishes on the menu. Big S/O to Blake!!

Our food was SO good! Albert is a 10/10 waiter. He constantly checked on our table to make sure we had everything we needed, especially diet coke. thank you albert, great service and nicely done. place is super cute and clean.

Love it here. Have been coming here for years. Service is super quick and the staff here are amazing. Never had a bad meal here and the chips and salsa are some of the best.

Food and drinks are amazing! Cooked to perfection Definitely coming back. Family atmosphere and cozy.

A fairily decent Tex-Mex restaurant ... with a rather small menu. The restaurant has a nice decor (although a bit dated), the staff was very friendly and the kitchen is pretty quick, which is not surprising given the type of meals served (most of which are likely premade). That said, the food was tasty and well made. I thought the cost of a dinner was pretty reasonable, however I know some may think it is outside the value range. Since I don't drink alcohol, I can't speak to their drinks. A huge bonus is there's more than plenty of parking.

We had my father's funeral reception here. I called and the event planner Kristen got back to me right away. She was very kind and accommodating. She kept in touch with me and confirmed everything we needed. She went over the various menus, and helped me figure out how I wanted things. When that day came, We used a small private room with a fixed menu. It was a great way to go and everyone fit. We were able to go ahead of time and decorate. My aunt did a great job and it was everything he would have loved. The tables were big enough that we can put various pictures and a trinkets in the middle of it. The service was great and so was the food. The drinks were good. Even though the reason for gathering was not good circumstances, We had a good time celebrating him as a family. I would definitely go here again if I was planning another small event. Wish I would have taken pictures