La Chiva Loca Restaurant

I’ve been coming to this place since 2012, and once I tried their tacos dorados, I was hooked! I even uploaded photos of the unique plates they serve them on — it’s such a cool touch. Just a heads up: they only accept cash or Zelle, so make sure you’re ready to pay either way! Food: The food is amazing! The taste is perfect every time. They serve you tacos in a delicious consommé soup and even give you a bottle on the side if you want to add more. Plus, the salsa roja they bring out is seriously next level! The flavor, the texture 😩 buenísimo! This spot has never once failed me; I’m in love with every bite 🤌🏼. Service: The service here is just as great. The staff is attentive, always checking on your order and making sure you’re good. They’re also quick to clean tables as soon as customers leave, keeping everything fresh and tidy. As of this review (April 13, 2025), they proudly have a Grade A city rating and they deserve it! Atmosphere: The atmosphere is beautiful it feels like a little piece of Mexico, and you can tell they really care about preserving that authentic vibe. I absolutely love the interior decor; it’s so warm and inviting. Overall: I love eating here. I always have a great time, and the food’s incredible taste has stayed consistent through the years. I believe the owner is the cashier he seems like an awesome guy. You’ll often see him checking in with customers, making sure everyone’s happy. If not him they have a server checking up on customers. That’s what a real owner should do! Care about the customer experience! Heads up : Again the only thing to keep in mind is that they accept cash only — but the owner does accept Zelle now too, which makes things easier!

La Chiva Loca is my go-to spot in Downey! The food is always so good! Fresh, authentic, and full of flavor. I come here at least once per week because it never disappoints. Jacob is the best! He’s always super kind and makes you feel right at home every time you stop by. If you’re looking for delicious, real Mexican food in Downey, this is the place. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!

Alex, awesome delicious phenomenal food highly recommended! I’m not really a hot sauce type of person, but he had a hot sauce that was from Mexico called(I’ll just say super spicy but for the amount of spice, it was equally as savory. It’s kind of hard to describe. I have a office in the area about 5 miles away in commerce California. I also learned that he has a food truck. You definitely have to tap in with this guy vibes great food, perfect atmosphere!!!

Menu doesn't have prices, very weird. Cash only. Broken ATM on site. Went specifically for the tortas ahogadas. Torta wasn't bad but having lived in Guadalajara they are far from the best I've had. Waiter brings the food but orders are placed at the counter. Had to move tables ourselves to accommodate our group.

I’ve been passing this place for years and never gave it a chance. I’m glad I did because the food is good. I’ll come back for the tacos dorados.

I've noticed this place and few times while driving by, today decided to give it a shot.., unfortunately didn't get s chance to ad the gentleman/cashier just did not try to explain/communicate with me, I asked in Spanish for Tres tacos dorados de res, he then asked , quiere res and? something else I couldn't understand, I replied in Spanish I didn't understand but I want 3 tacos Dorados de res and again he repeated the same thing with blank stare.. I repeated in Spanish I don't understand what your asking??. I walked out disappointed, didn't even try and explain.. it was hot in there as well , no A/C.

We came in for dinner 6 adults and two small kids . This was our order : 1 torta ahogada $13 2tacos dorados de papa$6 4 tacos de res blanditos $8 1 tostada de carnitas $6 1 jamaica chica 1 fanta Mex 1 Arizona iced tea 2 carne en su jugo $36 1 pozole $18 1 tostada de carnitas $6 4 tacos de res $8 1 jamaica 1 horchata 1 michelada $18 With out adding the drinks which I don’t have the pricing for the food is $119 . But we were charged 270 . Which in the moment we paid didn’t realize it . But we thought that 270 was kinda a lot ! We came back to ask them to recalculate at which time they gave us a hard time they never totaled it they just looked at the receipt and said oh yeah we over charged a torta .. we said one torta isn’t the difference it has to be more ! Well at the end they didn’t agree and didn’t give us pricing per item and said ok it must of been the taxes how does that make sense ! They only refunded 25 dollars !!! First and last time we’re coming here ! There’s no way we ate $270 worth of food ! Ridiculous check your receipts next time !

Cool small place, the food was awesome! That torta ahogada and their potato tacos were amazing. Service was fast even though it was busy. If you want something quieter, grab a table outside, it gets loud inside. Parking's tiny, could be a problem depending on when you go.

I love this place. Cash only but has an atm on premises. Food is delicious and judging by how busy it gets I'm not the only one that thinks so. They even have some menudo that I loved as well. The tripe is nice and soft and the jugo (juice) is flavorful. They also serve beer and who doesn't like a torta ahogada and a nice cold beer? Do yourself a favor and come here. Also if you don't want to use the atm they have literally 100 yards up the street is a b of a.

Best place ever for Mexican Guadalajara style Food. Tortas ahogadas, birria, tacos, tacos de canasta, Mexican sodas

Para empezar El que hace la orden estaba platica y platica y ni nos atendía Muy distraído Le pedimos tacos al vapor surtidos Y nos lo dio de puros frijoles jajajaj Le pedimos tacos de frijol con carne dorados y nos los dio de requesón Todos fríos tiesos recalentados sabe de cuantos días La torta ahogada pésima El bolillo frío recalentado Pero no hagan caso a esta reseña Pasen a probar para que no les cuenten Comida malisima Toda fría recalentada de días

So sad to say, but Over priced. $58.00 bucks for two tortas ahogadas and " large menudo". The menudo was cold and rubbery. Smelled funny and tasted disgusting. I'm sure it was yesterday's menudo. Paper receipts, and cash only.! Be ware this is probably a money laundering facility! From the photo this is their "large menudo" plus the owner took our two dollar tip right out of the tip jar after we placed it inside! Cheap and rude!

Great food and great service. Las Tortas ahogadas estan tan ricas. La tostadas de Cheriton y los tacos dorados de requeson ricos.

Food was great. Service was quick and easy, but just an FYI it is cash only; good thing they have an ATM inside. There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as parking right in front. Nothing you wouldn't expect from a mom and pop Mexican place.

Service was good 4/5 stars, ambiance was good except for the cook pretending like he was humping something 3/5. It was just awkward lol. No music playing, just a soccer game on 1 tv. The food was delicious, but I ordered the requesón tacos and they gave me potato tacos. The tacos were soggy when I got home. They were prepared already. The torta wasn't prepared, as you can tell by the picture. Which is why it was good when I got home and ate it after prepping it myself. The tacos were still decent , just not what I wanted to eat or paid for. 3/5 stars for messing up my order. I drove all the way from la habra to have those requesón tacos.

This place should let you know they look their doors 20 min before closing. I tried going in and it was locked tried calling and they ignored my call. As I looked from the outside.

One word....YUM!!!!!! Best torta ahogada I've had so far in Cali. Service was good, place was nice and clean, definitely a go-to spot for torta ahogadas!

Excellent customer service food was delicious the tacos ahogados the torta ahogada the pozole was excellent

Food was okay, the carnitas were pretty dry. They messed up my order and were upset when I told them. I didn't get my correct order in the end either. There is no combo so they charge per taco etc which makes it pricey. They don't do cards, it's cash only. It's a soccer themed taco restaurant .

From the carnitas tacos en su jugo, the Famous Torta ahogada , (Signature plate) with its dipping sauce. You. Cannot go wrong.. Service is great. Waiter is awesome and courteous, knows his menu. Great smile, friendly. His name is (Kevin). Ambiance is good, could need a lil' TLC, but it doesn't matter, cause once you indulge into the food, the rest of the place looks gold. Cold beer and a cold wMicheladas are great for starters

Best food I have tasted don't know why thisnolace is 2 stars very authentic mexican food people here writing bad reviews about other things and not about how good the food is

Delicious!! Had the Torta Ahogada! Server was super friendly and personal! If you're looking for a five star restaurant this is not it, also for the people complaining, sorry your weren't treated like a celebrity And for once weren't the center of the universe. It's a hole in the wall with delicious food. Pretentious people do not apply! Can't wait to bring friends!

I really enjoy eating Torta Ahogadas since I was very young since my dad is from Guadalajara that's where the Tortas Ahogadas originally is from Guadalajara. It's hard to find a good restaurants serving torta Ahogadas there's some restaurants in East L.A and other surrounding do have good torta Ahogadas. This is our first time at the La Chiva Loca it feel like you are in Guadalajara,Jalisco Mexico including decor. Even they have Mexican soda like Coco Cola,Fanta,Sqruits,etc.. The restaurant serve tacos,torta Ahogadas,menudo and other items. L.A.Eater name the La Chiva Loca for theirs best pozole amount the top 10 restaurants for their pozole. I order a torta Ahogadas de carnitas and my wife order their delicious pozole and also I got Mexican Coco Cola and my wife agua fresa de passion fruit then we waited for our meal. They bought our meal it looks so especially my torta Ahogadas it was steaming warm the give me a spoon,knive and fork. I use the spoon to taste the tomato base broth it bring me back memories eating Tortas Ahogadas in Guadalajara even the bread have that sour dough taste soak with tomato broth so good and the Carnitas were full of flavors I enjoy it very much. My wife enjoy her pozole it have full-flavored then I taste it wow really good. My wife and I need to come back again.

Favorite spot for torta ahogadas me and my fiancé travel over 40 miles to go here. Authentic food, nice and calm ambience, excellent friendly service. Cold beer

I used to be a regular customer because I love tortas I would spend at least 100 bucks to feed my family every time I visit last time I went I was craving a torta, but I was disgusted with the cooks the way they handle my food. First of all one guy was eating chips stuffing it in his mouth, then proceeded to go grab my torta bare hands and I seen him I told him that wasn't appropriate, that's not how you handle food specially, to customer who's paying top dollar I told him that it was unethical for somebody to be eating chips in his mouth and begin to prepare food completely forgot my order to go and still grab it with his hands, no gloves wanted to give me my torta I stopped him and I told him that I would no longer be coming here due to the lack of professional food handling. I would not recommend the spot specially if you do go to it and your stomach hurts or you have the runs because the people here do not take food handling serious hairnets no gloves and they're touching everything while they're making your food that means handles doors bottles from other people bathrooms knobs, dirty rags money and continue to try to serve people..

The food is so damn good! First time and already I know I will keep coming back. We have been trying to find a spot for tortas ahogadas and oh my god we have found our favorite! The guy who helped up (sadly couldn't get his name but at the time of this review was a young man with a shirt shirt and black apron). Wow his service was amazing! We denied the taco offer but he came to check on us after we finish and when he found out it was our first time he ran back to the kitchen to bring us tacos dorado and oh man I am never denying it again! Never thought the broth and cabbage and such on a taco dorado would be amazing. Highly recommend this place. For sure the ambiance is very chill and a great hang out spot! Can't wait to come back for more

I have no idea why this place has 3 stars out of five. I'm guessing the reason is because it's under new ownership Alex the new owner is awesome. Food is phenomenal ambience atmosphere great five stars all the way!!!!!!!

The Torta ahogada combo, carne en su jugo y tacos de canasta (chicharrón y papa) DELICIOSO. To finish it off, jarritos de piña y michelada pacifico.

Not good service rude Food needs flavor ( carne en su jugo ) Meat looks life shredded beef , not steak cuts ... To expensive to be serve in disposable bowl!!! This can not be posted like authentic Jalisco Guadalajara food !!! Yes, the kitty in the van rational can no longer a little THERE MENUE NEEDS TO HAVE PRICES !!! why is there a $3 dollar charge extra for each servers !?!? Fist time here & LAST !!! Will not recommend!!!

Getting there: Located on the corner of firestone and La Reina. There is street parking all around and a parking lot next door. Also, if you own a Tesla there is a supercharger station down the street at the mall so you could charge your car and go eat. Experience: My fam and I love a good torta and apparently they've been to this place growing up in Downey. They have a small inside space but they've extended it to outdoor seating with a tent over the outdoor tables. The food was sooo good. If needed more salsa they would give you a cup full. They only thing is they are a cash only restaurant. They have an ATM inside, but I feel like that may turn away some of their business. However, I would love to come back to try more of the menu.

$18 for soup. No service. Loud music. No parking. Waited minutes for it. Absolute shit hole.

It was my first time coming here and I was very pleased with my experience. The workers are very friendly, corresponding and attentive. We were given recommendations and answered all of our questions about the food. All the food is freshly made and so are their aguas frescas. I got the torta ahogada combo and it met my expectations. The meat is savory and softly cooked. The salsa is fresh and flavorful. The agua fresca is not too sweet and fresh. I will definitely come back for the customer service, ambience and delicious food. Thank you so much to all the employees who made our first purchase here delightful. I'll definitely come back :)

Tortas ahogadas! Reminds me of Guadalajara. The plates, the flavor the fact that they only take cash lol It's a good place to take the family. My favorite are the tacos dorados with carne and the carne en su jugo. They have both inside and outside seating so you can choose your preference. Designated parking is small but there's tons of street parking and public city parking very close by

They charged 12 bucks for a dollar water bottle n a mini coke I didn't realize till my mom told me once we got home what a bunch of greedy money hungry bum the main guy who charges the owner. he makes sure he takes care of bill to charge what he wants , desgraciado feo

I didn't even know how to star this has got to be the worst place I ever been to. Everything is super over priced and the guy in the cashier was super rude. He had no idea what he was doing. NO customer service the place was dirty. The bread was stale, not even real BIROTE SALADO !!! and to be quite honest, I can't even tell if there were real Carnitas absolutely disgusting food no flavor. Food on the tables food on the floor the guys on the phone had horrible attitude, the food super expensive. It's not even worth it. I don't even know how this place can be still open. I literally had to clean the table myself with a napkin and they just weren't even busy it's insane this cannot be authentic Mexican, food specially from Guadalajara Jalisco. I wouldn't recommend this place and if I could give this place zero stars I would

No me dieron la oportunidad de probar la comida pero en su página dice que cierran a las 10pm llegamos a las 8:45pm y nos dijieron que cierran a las 9 ! Ósea por favor cambien su horario por favor !

Food and service it's amazing I recommend La Chiva loca everything it's good must try a little of everything

Este lugar es una pinche basura los dueños los cajeros y los que trabajan aquí son unos animales gente grosera que no aceptan tarjetas que no aceptan otro tipo de pago más que efectivo pinche bola de rateros lástima que la comida está muy buena el pozole delicioso pero son dolor de huevos tener que venir y aguantar estos animales Por favor si alguien conoce otro lugar donde vendan comida buena estos cabrones que cobran lo que se les antoja un pozole vale 13 y un refresco dos y me cobraron $20 Ratas hijos de la tiznada!!!

I was really excited about the tacos dorados, but the way they served them, they became chilaquiles.. :( I couldn't enjoy it! But on the other hand la torta de pierna was delicious!!

Horrible service. Went in one time and owner or manager picked up the phone first before taking our order first in person. Kept on talking and picking up phone orders. Had no care for us and didn't care to acknowledge it. He acted like he didn't care. Customer service goes a long way and this person acted like he was above it. Tortas aren't the best either. Please don't eat here. They will treat you bad.

2 cosas buenas... la coca (de lata)y salir del lugar -5 $18 dls por 6 tacos de canasta en otro lugar cuestan $8( tacos de juguete) los tacos de chicharrón saben a cartón ....,las tortas ahogadas con la carne del pozole .. para que no es de Guadalajara estoy seguro que no le van a quedar ganas de probar la comida típica de mi tierra

Delicious food! Carne en su jugo is my go to! Adrian provided great customer service very attentive. That man deserves a raise. I will come back and ask for him thank you adrian for your hard work! Keep it up

If I could give this place zero stars I would. They are extremely rude. Terrible customer service. Food is not good. The establishment is dirty.

The tacos Dorados are the only good thing , don't waist your money. Honestly they over price everything! There small posole is 18$ when I say it was small .... Small .I paid 15$ dollars for a coke bottle .Water was 9$ The older gentleman charged me . He was singing in the restaurant.lol kinda cool . Anyways not worth the price .

I've been coming here for years good food. *CASH ONLY place (ATM inside). I understand what everyone is saying customer service could be better but then again it could be better everywhere we go now a days. I always treat this place like a taqueria. You order food and drink and eat it. It's not a full blown sit down restaurant where they weigh on you hand and foot. Don't over complicate life. If you want to eat here: come in with cash, order food, get food and you leave. Limited parking but there is free adjacent parking lot across the street.

This has got to be the worst places Ive ever been to. Everything is overly priced, the cashier was rude and the place was dirty. The Torta Bread was stale, dry, and hard. I had ordered a menudo and paid for it and never received it, when I went to ask for it, the cashier began to get hostile and said I never paid for it. The Pacifico 40 ounce beer was priced at $20.... that is outrageous! I will never come here again and I will never recommend anybody come to this sorry excuse of a restaurant.

When my family and I walked in we thought we were going to eat Mexican food. We noticed there wasn't the usually rice and beans on the menu. We asked if there was rice and beans, they told us it is on top of the taco dishes they cook. As we were ordering, we told them, it was our FIRST TIME they gave us the whole run down from the style of dishes, to their service. Let me tell you, you want flavorful not DRY food, these dishes at this place is VERY FLAVORFUL, they use tomato juices as their main juice for their tacos. If you are ready to get your hands messy and dig in, this is the place! You can tell them, it's your first time here. They'll make sure you are well taken care of, as if you own the restaurant. Are you wondering what the atmosphere is? This is a chill place, family and friendly place. It is not too loud and just like a Mexico stopping grounds, your surrounded by love, open doors, care and the atmosphere is just like places in Mexico.

Check your order before you leave when you pick up for take out, because apparently they only pretend to write down what you're ordering. I order 4 tacos de canasta, 2 chicharrón, 2 papá, got home to find they gave us 4 bean tacos. This is the second time they mess up my order and I find out until I get home, which is a 20 minute drive away. The only reason I've gone back is because my mom loves this place but gas prices are too expensive to be driving over to somewhere where they will just mess up your order. I'm done with this place. I tried to call to give feedback and try to remedy situation but no one picked up the phone despite my many attempts.

STOP this is one of my favorite places to eat at. The first time my family and i came to eat here, we were hooked! Every time we visit California, we HAVE to stop here! I don't remember well what they're called, but they're tacos dorados de requesón and they came served in a basket sitting in some sauce and cabbage, and they provide you with this super spicy but delicious sauce, i can't get enough of it no matter how much it leaves my mouth burning! The staff are so sweet, since we don't go often, they're really helpful in jogging up out memory to ensure we get the food we like to order whenever we go. From what i remember, you can sit inside and they have seats outside as well, for when the weather is nice personally i love this spot so much and it deserves a try

La comida está rica y el servicio mejor ya que no está una vieja amargada pedante que atendía! Ahora que no está voy a llegar más seguido.

Era un lugar especial para mi al qué me gustaba venir siempre, buena comida y buen servicio. Hoy 20 de Diciembre del 2021 vine y creo que es la última vez, ya que los nuevos dueños (En especial una señora güera) muy mamona y muy déspota. Pareciera que esta uno pidiendo cosas gratis, pero en fin si siguen así van a acabar mal y mala onda ya qué me gustaba mucho el lugar, en fin sin más que decir RIP La Chiva Loca.‍

Cash only guys. get with the times am I right 1 small torts is $8+ or was it 9 I forgot it's over priced and the food is very bland, don't believe me try it yourself. I went there recently for one torta but didn't get one because I had no cash and I wasn't willing to try my luck with their atm machine. But I hav tried there food years ago with parents which is where I found out how desperately they're in need of some spices/seasoning. Notice the large gap between now and the first time I was there (years) I only went there recently because I don't know of another place in socal that sells Tortas hogadas. But there was no bad blood when the lady pointed at her cash only sign I politely said nvm then and left. I was not upset that I couldn't order from them because I wasn't excited at all to eat there in the first place.

Was craving a torta ahogada near us and found this spot in Downey! It was near closing time and the place was busy! We all ordered tortas de carnitas, which are topped by a spicy tomato sauce over a dry sourdough bread, pickled red onions and you get a side of limes and some real HOT/SPICY salsa to add liberally. Caution- it was hot and the spices are strong. It is good, but it is BURNING HOT. The have a variety of drinks like coke, sprite, Fanta, Jaritos, beer, and aguas frescas ($4 & $4.50 for a large). The prices are not posted in the menu...Come with cash. Our 4 tortas and 4 drinks was $65. Cash Only. ATM there to use at a charge. This is really the part I was not liking. The food is good. But based on the later...I didn't like not knowing the price before I order something.

Love the pozole, just like home the tortas ahogadas plenty for one meal. I also recommend tacos dorados de requeson con carne . Recently I was out of cash and the cashier asked if I had zelle ,which is very convenient, and I got to enjoy my food . I appreciate the fact they tried to work with their clientele. Thank you !

la comida me gusta, pero tienen un cajero que es una basura, cree que vas a pedirle las cosas regaladas, si lo quitaran a él, todo estaría perfecto!

Food tasted So damn good !!!!fast n good service !!will go Everytime I'm around the area but so far my favorite place

The tortas were honestly meh. I got carnitas and it didn't taste like much to me and the bread fell apart really easily so I was just eating mushy bread with carnitas. I don't think I'd come back, eating it felt like a chore. When we paid, we thought it was weird that it totalled to $51 exactly when it should have been around the mid $40s but we thought maybe it was the desserts since they had no price. Or we figured the taxes were high and didn't bring it up, but after seeing these reviews I definitely think that this place may be scamming customers. Wtf!