Ernie's Mexican Restaurant

A traditional favorite for many years. Classic service and decor with a full menu and delicious food and drinks. It stands out as an example of how restaurants become "institutions" of consistently great experiences. It has been my favorite Mexican restaurant for over 2 decades.

It's a decent place with good food. tbh, as a brown person i can get the experience for less (mostly free when i consider family). That being said, the atmosphere stays true to form and most of my friends love this place. 🤷🏽 i wanted to give three stars, but they get the extra one due to the good memories it can create for hanging out with friends.

I stopped in Ernie's around 5:30 bc I was killing time before seeing Pulitzer Prize Winning play Rabbit Hole at Playhouse West @7pm, 10/19/24, 6 minutes walking distance south of this restaurant. Sat at the bar and ordered a drink: $19.50! Yikes! NY prices! Whatever happened to happy hour?!😆 The margarita was very good though.🤷 However, there was a guy absolutely playing beautiful guitar. I wish I could've stayed to listen bc it was really lovely, but I don't know the area so I didn't want to walk back when it was getting dark. Food smelled delicious and the staff in the restaurant was very friendly. I would check it out if I was in the neighborhood again. Seems like a nice place.😊

I used Ernie's for my post wedding brunch. My guests went out of their way to tell me what a great choice I made! They made us a menu with our names on it, gave us a choice of colors for linens, gave us a private room along with great food at a reasonable price and excellent service! Will use them again!

It tastes …. Good. The lunch special is no bargain, May as well order a la carte.

When I was a little girl, my family ate at this restaurant. The food is excellent. The atmosphere is excellent. The service is stellar. I was a little sad for missing my family, and the waiter showed much sympathy. The woman in the front of the restaurant even took my picture outside for me. This is a wonderful place to eat! ❤️

The food was delicious. However, the location was a bit scary. I was constantly worried that my car may be broken into. The waiter had a heavy accent (which is fine). i needed him to slow down speaking to understand. I feel he took offense because I waited for him to take my order for a good 30 minutes, maybe more. I would not return to this restaurant due to its location.

My family and I have been going to Ernie's for 20+ years. We love this place! The flautas are delicious! The people who work here have also been there for as long as I've been going and they always treat us like we are part of their family. Highly recommend this place!

Mango chamoy margarita was good, White chicken posole flavor was tasty. Enjoyed it, spicy Margarita was delicious!, live music in the bar area was nice, they have live music, Fridays and Saturdays, The owner chuy was really nice, All the staff is very friendly, the chili relleno was good, I didn't like the chicken abondigas but the broth was really good with the vegetables.

Ernie's is a longtime North Hollywood fixture, with a classic menu and expected aesthetic. The servers are always efficient. We've never had a wait, even coming on a weekend with no reservations. Their classic and flavoured margaritas are good. The food is tasty and reasonably priced. Last time I went, I ordered the Skylab wet burrito, outrageously large and over-stuffed with your choice of meat, rice, and beans. I took most of it home and ate it for two more days. A family of four could probably order one Skylab and split it for a full meal. They have a side parking lot with no valet.

Way overpriced Not very clean Flavourless considering there's 1000 food trucks outdoing every single item on menu. Weird odor inside/ dirty bathrooms watch out for homeless people sleeping where you park and exit.

I ate here with a large group of women. First, the server's were very nice and very helpful and attentive. They were right on top of the chips and salsa and whenever someone needed a drink refill. They don't put ice in the waters which is strange to me. The chips were not super fresh tasting, although I did hear that the salsa was good. The actual food was mediocre. I had the shrimp enchiladas. The shrimp were small and the tortillas were super soggy. My wife had a cheese enchilada and she said it was just "ok". Not terrible, just not that memorable. Friends had tortilla soup and albondigas soup and both thought it was also "ok". Not very flavorful broth. The bathroom skeeved me out. My shoes were literally sticking to the floor when I walked.

I know this place as Ernie's Taco House (the sign still says that) and I used to patronize one, now gone, in Pasadena. I dropped into this one on a whim for lunch and was pleasantly surprised at the vibe and decor. All of the staff were exceptionally gracious and attentive. I had the taco salad with carne asada and guacamole and the meat was tender, smoky and delicious. Much better than I expected. I ordered their classic double margarita which tasted fine, but didn't have any effect on me so a bit weak I thought. Otherwise, it was a perfect lunch on a hot day.

Ernie's is a staple restaurant in North Hollywood, serving the community for over 60 years. I have visited only a couple of times, my experience has been the same. With decent Mexican food and drinks, there is nothing special here but the service and inside decor. Lightly dim, large dining area and several paintings, decorations and authentic nic naks representing Mexico. The staff are accommodating and courteous.

I went yesterday with a group of a few women and I ordered Chilaquiles, which were just mediocre; also, my friends did not really like the food either.... The place was a little loud I had been there one time already and I experienced the same thing: not my favorite Mexican place at all

We were introduced to Ernie's about 12 years ago on our first visit to CA by a friend. Since moving out here 10 years ago it is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. My favorite dish is the lemon chicken fajitas. Their margaritas are tasty.. one of my personal favorites is the mango ( double) . They have a small private parking lot.

I've been back on my Friday solo dinner dates lately and met a really sweet woman this past week, we got to chatting forever at the bar over dinner at another local restaurant and somehow the subject of local Mexican spots came up. I told her although I'm super close to Casa Vega I no longer go there, she said the exact same thing and I told her we are ride or die Dun Cuco regulars. She asked if I've tried Ernie's and I told her no, but I run by it ALL the time. She really talked them up and I knew I'd have to come check them out ASAP. So I did, Monday - for dinner! I cheated on Don Cuco which mind you is only 1.6 miles further down the road but I'll admit Ernie's really came through. The staff 5 STAR, the drinks 5 STAR, the food yummm! My bestie and I both ordered the same items we order at Don Cuco to do a comparison and I have to say, Ernie's held their own. I can't wait to bring my son here to check them out. Will I stop going to Don Cuco? Probably not! But Ernie's is GREAT!!!! I'm so thankful for the trusted recommendation, I'll definitely be adding them into the rotation. Private parking lot out back.

Ernie's Taco House is the North Hollywood equivalent of Hollywood's El Compadre in that it's old school ambiance and food that survives decade after decade. I like these old guard Mexican haunts, for their red leather booths, gratis chips and salsa, solid old school style Mexican staple dishes, and that you can always get a seat at the bar and just jaw some with regulars united by the Dodger game on the TVs overhead on each side... I typically get the combination plates here, which features two items - say a hard shell taco and a cheese enchilada - served with rice and beans. This visit, hoping to cut carbs and being mindful of the need to lose a few pounds, I opted for a couple stewed beef hard shell tacos and a margarita (non-Cadillac style, because I'm on a budget after the stock market hosed me). Their crunchy shell tacos are great and the soft beef is nicely seasoned without being spicy. The margarita hits the spot, probably should've upgraded into the Cadillac, but I like my blue-collar Mexican-American restaurant food to be how I imagined it was back in the 1950s... Tacos - 7.5/10 Margarita - 8/10 Chips & Salsa - 7/10 Ernie's is family friendly and you'll leave full and happy enough for having chosen it. The service here too? Impeccable. Great people I imagine have worked here for years.

Never again! When they brought out chips and salsa, I asked the waiter for guacamole because I didn't like the salsa. We ordered drinks and waited at least 45 minutes for the meal to arrive. When he brought our dinner, I asked him what happened to the guacamole I ordered. He forgot. I said never mind because now I had this huge plate of shrimp enchiladas with sliced avocados on top. A few minutes later, he returns with a bowl of guacamole. I told him it would have been nice to have while we waited so long for our food, but now we don't need it. He said, "You can still have it with your dinner" and left it on the table. Later, a lady brought us the bill charging $8.95 for a half side of guacamole! I explained that the waiter left it here AFTER I told him it was too late and I didn't want it anymore. The waiter brought me two doggy bags, one for my meal and a small one for chips while the lady removed the guacamole. I paid the bill. We are packed up and ready to go. Now, here comes the waiter TELLING ME TO OPEN MY DOGGY BAG SO HE CAN TAKE BACK THE GUACAMOLE! I literally had to take everything out of the bag so that he could scoop out the guacamole and take back the chips!! WTH? We thought he left it as a courtesy for having forgotten to bring it while we were waiting so long for our dinner. I had already tipped him $10.00 and now we were absolutely outraged by his behavior. First of all, it came late, then I said no thank you, then he chose to leave it anyway, and now he wants it back!?!? It was loaded with chopped up onions so from the looks of it, I would have tossed it anyway. My friend didn't want it either. Needless to say, we will never go back. That was ridiculous, disrespectful and extremely poor service! After all, he got the $8.95 charge for guacamole in the $10.00 tip I was kind enough to leave.

First time here this place is a gem the owner and entire staff gives you excellent customer service. The food is amazing will definitely go back soon!

Glad my friend recommended this place. It was delicious and so close to my home. This restaurant might now be my go to when craving Mexican food.

Mmmm... tasty guac, flautas on point, and great vibe for our group of 10 that came for a friend hang after a wedding across the street!

Great food, perfect for large groups. We shared a large combo with two shredded beef tacos and a chicken enchilada. Quick and fast service.

The first time I came here was probably the end of 2015 or early 2016. I had just moved to the area and a friend wanted to go. I loved it. It was lively. The food was delicious. And I came back a few more times. Mostly with friends for gatherings or celebrations. It was always a good time. Fast forward to a couple months ago. I met a friend here for a quick lunch. It could've been a weird time, I don't know. But not only were we not greeted right away (we stood in the entrance waiting to be seated for over 5 minutes). But when we were sat down, it was super unenthusiastic. No one in the place looked happy to be there or happy to be working. Or even with us. There were only a few other people eating there at the time, yet the service was pretty slow. When it came to the food, I got a taco salad. Tried to keep it light. It tasted like it could've come from Taco Bell. On top of that the prices are sooooo much higher than they were just a few years ago. I know everything went up. But for the quality of food and service, I was definitely disappointed. This place isn't what it used to be. I'm hoping it was just an off day for them.

The food is meh the steak was over salted ngl But then again I am kinda a harsh critic The rest was good :) service was great!! The restraint was clean! The best part is the tortilla container.

we had a 100th birthday party here great accommodations. Great service great food. I highly recommend Ernie's taco House.

Had dinner there this evening for the first time and food (I had the La Tampiquena Special) was good. We also had good service and it was comfortable. The Skinny margarita was really good..not too sweet at all! BUT i unfortunately left my prescription sunglasses in a case at our booth :( so I'm hoping tomorrow when they're open (since I realized it after it was closed I left it) they will have it for me..so I can move it up to 5 stars! And so they had my glasses!! Yay! Love an honest staff

Ernie's has got to be one of my favorite spots to have a nice meal. I've been coming here for a while now and have added some more dishes as my go to order. The carnitas tacos with a squeeze of lime and salsa or the fish tacos have been some of my new favorites. Also the horchata! Yum!!! Everyone here are always so nice and accommodating. It's like you're part of the family. Over the years we've celebrated birthdays such as my husband's and even threw a retirement party for my father in law. All of our guests enjoyed their meals, drinks, and the vibe of the place. Definitely give this place a try and add it to one of your most liked restaurants!

I've loved Ernie's for years and while I don't live close-by anymore, I still come out of my way to visit every now and again. The atmosphere is comfortable old-school Mexican restaurant and not the hipster-style party place, so it's relaxing and welcoming and you can still have a convo with your party: The food is excellent and with all Mexican spits, the tell-tale is always the salsa and that'll let you know the quality of food you're about to partake in and I love their salsa and th chips are excellent as well. The Skylab Burrito is my fave, but I've never had a bad meal or experience as the staff service is always welcoming and efficient.

Very good food, I enjoyed every bite. It was a team lunch for 5 people. The guacamole and chips were fantastic. Everyone had dessert afterwards. The expert opinion on the flan was that it was very sweet but very good. I'll return based on the meal and the service. The men's restroom was nice, it smelled clean and disinfected. The parking lot was small. You'll get a spot if you arrive early for lunch. By the time we left it was full of cars.

My husband and i Tried it recently and love the ambience! Very traditional, "old school" Mexican restaurant vibes. And the flautas are delicious!

The food was so delicious. The staff was amazing. We arrived 20 or 30 minutes before closing and they still took us in and served us. We thought that was so nice of them, we thought we would have to order to go, but that was not the case. Ambiance was chill.

So yummy! Really good vibe and nice comfy booths with moody lighting. Hard shell tacos at lunch were delicious. Thanks Ernie's!

Good food. Food would be better if it were consistent. Been here a total of 3 times. One time I asked for no salsa with my main meal and received salsa on my plate anyway. Next time I ordered enchiladas and received one enchilada with beans and rice. Next time I ordered enchilada I asked for no salsa and received salsa but no enchilada sauce. However, I did receive 2 enchiladas vs 1! I'm not sure what the deal is with this place but I won't return. I know the difference between salsa and any kind of sauce but not sure the server does. ‍‍ Frustrated.

"I wholeheartedly recommend this family-owned, authentic Mexican restaurant. I've tried similar dishes at other places, but nothing compares to the quality at Ernie's. The service is friendly and efficient, and I can't get enough of their flautas and potato tacos--they're absolutely addictive! The food is truly exceptional. I absolutely love my favorite restaurant, Ernie's!"

Lowkey spot on the order of NoHo and studio city, very unassuming from the exterior but nice Mexican ambiance in the inside! Love the dark setting - would be a great place for cocktails. The food is fairly decent and fairly priced, quick service as well.

Ernie's is a NOHO landmark that has been around for over 60 years. The dimly lit interior and red leather booths emanate an old school vibe. A friend of mine loves this place, and I've been here a few times in the past but it has been several years since my last visit. My PIC wanted Mexican Food and I was craving a margarita. We were in the area, so we stopped by. We received a friendly welcome and escorted to a booth in the bar area. It was a Saturday night and there was live entertainment. The performer was entertaining and not too loud, so we were able to have a conversation. Our server Carlos was fantastic! Genuinely nice and attentive. I ordered a Skinny Margarita, and my buddy got a Cadillac Margarita. Even though he ordered a double. He said it was weak and mostly sour mix. My Skinny Margarita was ok but didn't satisfy my craving. (It did not contain sour mix, which I dislike.) Unfortunately, the chips were a bit stale, and the salsa was bland. I prefer my salsa muy caliente, but I'll settle for a bit of kick. This was neither. I asked for the house salad and PIC ordered the Carne Asada, which came with rice, beans, and a side of tortillas. The corn tortillas were good and tasted like they were made on site. My friend said his Asada was good. The rice was most and had a nice flavor. The beans were ok but also a bit bland. The iceberg for the salad was fresh. It was topped with shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, green olives, corn, black beans, shredded cabbage. It was a nice combination of ingredients. Sadly, the margaritas and food weren't as good as we remembered. I texted my friend to see what his favorite dish here was and he said the Molcajete. Perhaps my buddy should have ordered that.

In a town where there's a plethora of Mexican options at a variety of price points and experiences, Ernie's is reliably good. I've never gotten a dud on the menu, the drinks are great, the prices are fair, the seating is easy, the parking lot is a dream. Is it Michelin starred? No. Is it perfect for a yummy, fun meal? Absolutely. My go-to is the two item combo with the Chile relleno and I rotate through the others. The chips and salsa are really solid. I also have to give kudos to the staff...they've never been anything other than absolutely kind. I'd give it 4.5 stars but I've never had a bad time here, so rounding up!

I always enjoy going to Ernie's! Good Mexican food! Sometimes there is live music Drinks are good Chips are good Enchiladas are good Ernie's is good!

I've been going to Ernie's for over 30 years. I understand prices all over are going up due to the high cost of delivery, goods and service. I took a friend to dinner the other night for her birthday. Only 2 people drank they both ordered a shot of Don Julio tequila. I was stunned when I got the bill, $33 for 2 shots. A side of sour cream was $1.75, a cup of terrible salty tortilla soup was $10.50. I'm certainly not cheap, but I hate getting ripped off, I will never go there again. Especially for mediocre, pedestrian Mexican food. Shame on you, ERNIE'S

OMG i do not recommend this place at all, over priced mediocre food and Service, food has no flavor. Salsa is like ketchup.

Ernie's Mexican Restaurant is a pretty cool spot! I've been here twice now, and both times certainly satisfied. My latest experience was in early December for some tamales. I ended up ordering one chicken tamale and one beef tamale, along with a beer. Established in 1952, this restaurant appears to have been around for a while! Service is quick and friendly, and prices are affordable. I really enjoyed the decor and ambience. It's definitely a fun spot. If you're in the area craving Mexican food, Ernie's is not a bad option.

Ernie's Mexican restaurant is my favorite restaurant by far. Even though I have been a patron of Ernie's for decades, what really has left the most permanent impression upon me is the experience I had hosting my father's funeral reception at the restaurant. From the moment we expressed our interest in having the reception at Ernie's, Chuy, and his beautiful daughter, Johana, did everything they possibly could to assist us, make us feel like family, and create a wonderful menu and reception atmosphere for our event. So many considerations were made on our behalf, with compassion and generosity. Working with Johana during the weeks leading up to the reception was a wonderful experience, her input and guidance were invaluable to us. The day of the reception, everything went so smoothly and everything was taken care of according to our wishes. We could not have been happier, we could not be more grateful to this day, and this does not even touch upon just how delicious the food at Ernie's is. The guests at our reception absolutely raved about the food and the service, as always, is pure excellence. Ernie's and the entire family behind the business are world-class. They deserve your business and your loyalty. They absolutely have ours. XXX

Fabulous Mexican Food! My husband and I came here, our friend raved about the tacos. We had chicken and beef, shrimp. Crispy shells, fresh lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes. Beans and rice! Everything so fresh! Server piping hot. Service excellent, atmosphere so festive, we sat in a cozy booth, a live band playing. Perfect Friday night!! We sat back and relaxed. The manager Nelson is so nice, he really cares about every detail. He thanked us for coming. We will be back to Ernie's!!

Soo delicious! Old school classy ambiance- padded leather banquettes. Friendly, helpful servers were patient with some in our large group who weren't familiar with the types of meat or dishes. The food was fresh and fantastic, from shrimps in garlic to soft shell tacos with carne asada, chicken. The Skylab burrito was huge- it was enough for 3 meals. My cheese enchiladas rancheras were delicious. Some Mexican restaurants have pitiful rice and beans. Ernie's has the real deal, and lots of it. Everyone in our large party was satisfied. We could hear live music from the bar section but the restaurant was quiet enough so we could hear each other. Fresh chips, great salsa and guacamole- we're coming back! Thanks for being here since 1956!!

We like to try a different neighborhood spot for tacos every Tuesday, and Ernie's is in our regular rotation. I looooove old school, dark, 1950s Mexican restaurants with the cozy booths, and I love that this place has been open in NoHo for over 60 years and looks mostly unchanged. That's the main reason I want to support. The good: They have a pretty robust menu with a good variety of combos, specials, seafood, and a la carte items. There's something for everyone. I really like the flautas and hard tacos. No taco specials, unfortunately. The margarita list is short and sticks to the basics, but the drinks are strong. Unfortunately, most of them have sweet and sour mix, so I usually get the skinny cadillac margarita to avoid the artificial taste. My only beef with this place is the service and the ambiance. No matter what time we go in, the staff always seems to want to rush us out. The posted hours state that they close at 10PM on weeknights. We've been in at times where they don't play any music at all for the last few hours, and have dead silence. They'll often close the bar more than an hour before closing time, sometimes without telling us. Last night, last call was just after 8:30, and shortly afterward, our server brought our check and asked every few minutes if we were done eating. When we weren't, he said "I'll be back in a few minutes." They turned off all of the lights except for the ones around our table, stacking chairs, well before 10. I used to be a server and it was a big no-no to turn off lights, music, or do major cleaning until after the actual closing time. This has been such a regular and expected occurrence that we always wonder that if they want to close before 10, why not just change the posted hours and call it a day? Maybe weekdays are slow, but it's also a little off-putting that the first sight at the entrance is the large, dark, abandoned dining room that they sometimes use to store supplies, before you're led into the main dining room with the bar. I get that they may not need it or be staffed for it, but it would be better to at least have the lights on and make it look nice. Ernie's has such great history and old-school ambiance that I honestly think it could be as packed as Casa Vega, or even Don Cuco's nearby, which always have long waits on weeknights. I feel like they don't care as much about that as getting home early.

I don't know how they call this Mexican food. Been there twice for birthday dinners, never again.

Great food and great people. Highly recommend if you're in the area and looking for good Mexican food.

Awesome service great food amazing place I definitely recommend eating at this restaurant Staff is amazing thank you all we will see you soon

A North Hollywood icon living up to the reputation that has carried them for decades. From the vibe, atmosphere and the quality service. A+. I came in for the SKYLAB and was delivered a huge, delicious burrito with shredded chicken. I ordered dry with no sauce on top. Well, it made two meals for the day. I couldn't finish it but did later that night. A real treat for guest from out-of-town or just a great meal. Ernie's is Great.

Ernie's is one of the most consistently excellent restaurants in the Valley--in a lifetime of going there for dine-in and getting takeout, neither I nor anyone in my family has had anything other than a positive experience. The food--especially the veggie fajitas and tostadas--is fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned, and the servers are attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. The restaurant is always clean, too. As someone with a certified service dog, I am beyond impressed with how Ernie's staff treated both my dog and me. The hostess asked only legally-allowed questions, and she and everyone else respected us, and let my dog do his job without distractions or hassles...and that does not happen many places.

North Hollywood iconic Mexican dive restaurant. Good grub and margaritas. Private parking lot. Friendly service and that old red booth cantina feel inside. Mixed with regulars, business meals and newbies. Traditional Mexican fare.

Ernie's is one of those places that has been forever, and places like those either coast based o n their reputation or they justify their reputation. I'm happy to say that Ernie's is one of those places that does the latter . Ignore the cheesy decorations and the keyboardist playing standard music / the food is traditional Americanized Mexican cuisine, and it's pretty good. I had a taco plate and my wife had an enchilada plate, and we were happy with our food, although my wife was happier with the enchiladas than I was with the asada tacos. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the service is just prompt enough for the diners to engage in a brief conversation. Here's hoping Ernie's is around for a long time!

Top notch pandemic patio place! Check out my pics of this place, but they don't quite do it justice. Social distancing guidelines posted before and after entering. Ernie's classic Mexican is serving homemade traditional dishes on their well-spaced patio, with thoughtful covid-19 precautions for customer safety. Thanks! Try a bowl of brothy from-scratch soup, combination plates like enchiladas, tacos, or tamales served with beans and rice. Shrimp tacos with fresh stewed tomatoes, big enough to share. My server was attentive. My order arrived quickly. If you have a large family, the tables can accommodate you safely here. Perfect patio lunch place for a beautiful day in LA. Muchas gracias!

I've been driving by this place for a while (over 10 years), I just have never gone in until my husband decided to go. The ambiance is nice, dark and enjoyable! I startled with a tamarind margarita with a double shot, waiter didn't ask if blended or on the rocks and I ended up getting blended which I totally did not want, but I drank it anyways because when I addressed it to the waiter he only said "oh". I ordered the "Tampiqueña" which according to the menu it's a ribeye steak, but it wasn't, it was flap steak. The flavor was good and I ended up eating it, but if it's gonna be a carne asada (flap meat) then put that meat cut in the menu so that I'm not expecting a ribeye steak!!!

Fun ambiance and who doesn't love chips and salsa! It is a fun little hangout spot in the valley.

Had my Red Hat Society luncheon there today. Our waitress Erika took wonderful care of us. The food and drinks were great as well as the service. Would highly recommend Ernie's for a small or large party.