Naomi B.
Yelp
Ahhhh Lola's. Lola's is...simply put...quintessential Riverside. This place needs no introduction, it's been a neighborhood staple for years and will continue to go the distance, pandemic or not. I popped in for lunch, because spending the morning doing laundry gives me the serious "hangries," and if you've ever been to Lola's, you know that they cater well to the famished and food-deprived. From the boundless variety of beers on tap and signature margaritas to the monumental plate-sized burritos, Lola's got the goods to pacify the most voracious of appetites.
Whenever I visit any Mexican or Tex-Mex eatery, chips and salsa are my must-have starter. At some places it's complimentary, some places it's not, but honestly I don't mind paying, especially if the chips are piping hot and the salsa is garden-fresh with a touch of heat, like Lola's. For $3.47, you can choose between 3 varieties of salsa, the Original (my choice), Tomatillo, and Pineapple Cilantro. The serving is generous enough to feed a small herd of hungry patrons, so as one would expect, I didn't finish, as my main course was still yet to come. Speaking of which....
While most look forward to the diverse variety of Tacos and indulgent Burritos, their Enchiladas are my jam. On this occasion, I chose Carnitas as my filling, smothered in Red Sauce, served with a side of Yellow Rice and Black Beans ($14.47). I'm not sure if there's a charge for a side of sour cream, but I asked for it anyway. The Enchiladas were fork-tender ( the knife was barely necessary), and the scrumptious shreds of pork were complemented by the vibrant flavors of the sauce. The Black Beans and Rice were more than just simple add-ons and fillers as they are with most places. Seasoned well and finished with a dash of Cotija Cheese, they were greedily consumed with no regrets.
Honorable Mention goes to the All Hail "The Queen" Burger ($13.47). Bring a bib for this one, because it's loaded with grilled onions, a fried egg, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. It's messy, you'll need a stack of napkins and a canister of wet wipes, but trust me, it's well worth your troubles. This Burger is what all other Burgers aspire to be.
If you're somehow able to stave off the food coma and make room for dessert, The Chocolate Nachos is a prime offering. Cinnamon-sugar sprinkled fried strips of empanada dough and flour tortillas, drizzled with chocolate fudge sauce and topped with fresh-cut strawberries and dollops of whipped cream. I got the half-order ($4.97), and it was more than enough to satisfy my post-meal sweet tooth.
Landon, glorious Landon was my server on this occasion, and catered to my wants and needs like a well versed professional. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating, drink refills were abundant, and tackled my questions without batting an eye.
To all my fellow Yeeps, thanks for reading, SUPPORT LOCAL, GO TO LOLA'S, and as always....SYOY!