Lula Cocina Mexicana

Walked by here with a friend that's a regular of Lula, and went in with medium expectations. The Taco Tuesday Special ($18) is excellent, featuring 2 tacos of your choice + a House Margarita. I've been twice, and have gotten the fried fish (decent), the shrimp (amazing), and the carne asada (amazing). The portions are generous and the margarita hits nicely. They have a Happy Hour Menu that runs Monday-Friday 3-6pm that is pretty appetizing. Draft beer for $6, Marg's for $10, and most dishes $8-10. Honestly though, most impressed by the Taco Tuesday special! Great service and will be back very soon.

Chicken tortilla soup was full of flavor, and very creamy. The different sauces all tasted very good. All of rhe food we had was very good and the ingredients tasted fresh. Portions are proper, not too big or small. Seemed like a nice local hangout. Eating out back was nice too, dogs are welcome, and the heaters were warm.

Dry good food in a ver nice atmosphere. I loved the back patio.

Great food, awesome nachos and margaritas. Excellent service and atmosphere. Long time customers. We celebrate all our special occasions here. Dog friendly on the back patio. Will be back for my 55th birthday.

Stopped in after a day at the beach. Clean and welcoming environment. The service was great and accommodating. The lobster taquitos and carne asada tacos were very good. I didn’t care for the chicken tortilla soup; it was more like tomato soup with chicken. Other than that, it was pretty good.

Amazing food. Loved the decor and vibe. Happy hour is great. Recommend it highly.

What a surprise to find this "throwback" to a great looking, cozy place with regulars, a HAPPY HOUR menu that was actually "happy prices" of delicious (quesadilla and juicy, quality burger on a brioche bun) items off the regular menu a little bit smaller in size and half the price! We are coming back whenever we can!

Got the spicy grilled shrimp burrito made wet with the red sauce. I liked it but I think next time I’d go with a burrito with the mole sauce which was GREAT and had a nice kick too it (not super spicy though). Love the atmosphere and the service is great! Definitely a go-to on Main Street, I think I just need to try more on the menu :)

I have been a regular at Lula since 2008, visiting at least twice a week. And there certainly has been ups and downs; food consistency has always been a challenge. But I kept coming back because I just love this place. The warm staff, the friendly atmosphere, the spicy salsa and most importantly: the very potent Lula margaritas. And when the food is good, it's really good. Not your typical Tex-Mex that's weighed down by refried beans and heavy cheese. Lula's dishes feel lighter, fresher and more flavorful, with reasonable portion sizes and black beans as a signature touch. Post-Covid, new ownership led to a rocky transition, but over the past 6-8 months, the kitchen has found its stride, delivering consistently excellent meals. And I have been checking in three times a week to verify. My personal favorites are chicken taquitos or tlacoyos as a starter and for the entre, I usually go with chicken mole, duck enchiladas, carnitas plate, shrimp flatbread or chicken Caesar salad. Once Cochinita Pibil is back on the menu, I'll give an extra star.

Visiting here from Mesa Az and we decided to take a walk down the street from where we got our room! As we were walking we saw this restaurant, loved the open windows and seating near those open windows! We took a look at the menu they had outside and decided to go in for a snack bite to eat before we started our evening! We walked in and the paintings were very unique! We loved them! The vibe was nice colorful and inviting! Unfortunately they didn't notice us waiting to be seated, so it took a moment but the gentleman who took is back was sweet! The waiter was kind. We ordered a house Margarita, ice tea for our drinks the street corn and two tortilla soups. The chips and salsa came the salsa was good The tortilla soups came out in a very small bowl but we were like it's ok it may be filling with all the yummy stuff that the menu said was in it! Tortilla chips, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and chicken! It got to the table and it looked like a thick purée that tasted like old-school Chef Boyardee sauce... it's crazy because I was thinking it but after my husband tasted his he said the same thing I was thinking!! We could not eat it, told the waiter and he even said it looked thicker than normal and he could have them make another for us, unfortunately we didn't have the time for that. The street corn was pretty good! The margarita was nothing too special, but it was strong!! I am disappointed that this was the experience we had because we would have loved to like this place!

The food was AMAZING i definitely recommend the carne asada after trying the chicken, carne asada, and birria! I would definitely go back - docked some points because it did take a minute for our food to come out for some reason but i loved the aesthetic of the inside it's so beautiful and in a great location to grab a nice FLAVORFUL dinner after going to the beach or walking around in the area!

The service was plain bad. The server never checked on us once until we flagged him down for the check despite the restaurant not being very busy. Our drinks were empty the entire time and he hardly acknowledged us. The food was meh and the (lack of) service was even worse. I would choose a different place to eat.

I like the ambience it's nice. The prices don't match the quality of food. The service wasn't that great. Waiter didn't come back for a long time. The food isn't great four people cost around $250 no dessert or alcohol. It's a tourist spot. Locals know good food.

Very disappointed with my experience. Besides automatically adding a 20% gratuity to the bill, the restaurant failed to disclose it -- and then had the nerve to include suggested tips starting at 18% on top of that. That's misleading and completely unacceptable. The food was average at best, and while the service was good, the lack of transparency ruined the experience. The staff absolutely needs to inform customers about the included gratuity. I will not be returning.

Lula keeps getting better - their margaritas are still killer - and now have a yummy blood orange one called the Frida (as in Kahlo). They've updated the interior with a Muckrock mural and have some excellent new menu items including birria tacos, shrimp crèpes, grilled octopus, and the best chorizo-beef smash burger with crispy potatoes. Their carne asada and chile rellenos are the best.

I absolutely love Lula's! I have been coming here for about 10 years. My only complaint is the Eggplant burritos are off the menu. I can't say enough good thinks about the restaurant. The decor is colorful and fun. The patio is adorable and feels so homey. Prices are super fair. Taquitas are crave worthy. So are the margaritas which are potent yet delicious. Watch out for a sneak attack buzz. For a fun treat try the blood orange margaritas. Chuck, the manager, is the friendliest.

Lula's is my FAVORITE Mexican restaurant in LA! The food is elevated, from the carne asada plate to the sopes and ceviche with all the delicious standard dishes you expect too. The guacamole is fantastic and the margaritas never leave you asking if there was any alcohol in them. Beware the Lula margarita, delicious and potent. Must mention the flan also for its rich creamy texture and not overly sweet taste. Staff is friendly and accommodating and the decor is very nice yet comfortable. Love the special art murals adding to the festive atmosphere. If you haven't been, GO and if it's been a while, RETURN. You won't be disappointed.

A lovely spot to hang out with a great vibe and welcoming ambiance. The happy hour deals are definitely worth it, and the fajitas are absolutely delicious, especially when paired with a refreshing skinny margarita! Perfect for a casual night out with friends or unwinding after work.

This is a Mexican Restaurant called Lula's in Santa Monica on Main Street. It's been there a long time and have celebrated a birthday or two years ago. I stopped in on this weekend during the Main Street Fair and had a Margarita at the bar. The walls, ceilings and interior are decorated with the colors and folk art of Mexico, including the Calaveras throughout the restaurant. There is a large patio as well as a large dining room with open windows to the street. . #lulascocinamexicana #santamonica #mainstream

OK today I went to Lula's. I was suprised they no longer had tampiquena on the menu. Then I realized that the Carne Asada took the place of Tampiquena. Which is fine because now the steak is served more as Americans prefer. Not flat. The steak was perfectly Charred on a grill Medium Rare! Now I go to a lot of steak houses. I must tell you that Lula's offers up the ultimate experiences when it comes to steaks. Add to that the perfect margariata (the LULA) and the steak now OMG. Even Mortons or Lawry's does not surpass the perfection of this steak and not to even mention there is no way they can compare in the margarita. That bartender has been there for like 50 years! Ok maybe 30, but yes go now. UMMMMM

Fun Mexican spot in Santa Monica, on main street, with great people watching views. We've been here a few times, and this weekend we decided to take a visit after a trip to the beach. If you park near Jamison's and walk to the beach, you've got plenty of different food options around you on main street for lunch. This is definitely the best Mexican spot in the area. They opened all the windows, so you've got some fresh air and a great view right at the street. Food was good. We split a bunch of different options. Quesadillas, taquitos, fish tacos, with a side of rice and beans, and I got a blended strawberry margarita. Couldn't go wrong with anything there, it's all gonna be solid. They also had high chairs for our two year old. Service was great and they were around frequently to make sure everything is going well. It's not the top Mexican spot in LA but it's definitely one of the best in Santa Monica, I would give it a try!

We have been coming here for over a decade. It is a "must visit" on Main Street - Santa Monica. The food has always been fantastic. That said, there has been a recent change in ownership & the food has jumped to another level. Also there is now a Happy Hour that is extremely HAPPY ;) That said, the reason we will never stop visiting Lula Cocina Mexicana is the Wait Staff. They are friendly, giving, and downright joyous. Come for the food - stay for the ambience & the Margaritas! Oh, and the 100 plus Tequilas.

Always great. Fast & courteous service always. Cool vibe on Main Street. Churros are delicious as well. Great for families also.

Located on Main Street in the heart of activity. Has seating on the sidewalk, inside and back outside patio. The outside patio was pretty full - but they also have HH every day from 3-5. Chips and salsa are served at the table - the salsa was a little on the hot side for me, but still good. Ordered tlycoycos - new for me, but very good. Didn't care how waitstaff hesitated seating an individual at a front table, even when it wasn't peak dining time, and attentiveness wasn't the same as other tables with multiple people.

The back patio has a colorful and warm audience, and the service was attentive and personable! I enjoyed my tostadas, papas bravas, and churros. I also had a smoke margarita... those chipotle chilies were spicy!! All in all, a really great evening.

I honestly wanted to love this place but ended up getting possibly the most disgusting burrito of all times here. First, I got my order wrong so had to wait more time for them to remake it, which is fine. Second time around, it was still wrong but better. I ordered the mushroom burrito and the worst part was that the mushrooms tasted completely burned. It also felt like the food was cooked on an extremely dirty grill which wasn't cleaned for a long time - I could pretty much taste the old grill char. Never coming back here again, there's much better Mexican places than this one.

Ambiance: 5/5 The restaurant is decorated beautifully inside with amazing Latinx artwork. There's a main eating area, a bar area, and an "outside" back patio. The patio is outside, however, it's covered with walls and a roof so you don't even know you're outside. All three eating areas are beautiful so you can't go wrong with choosing where to eat. The bar display is also beautiful and aesthetically pleasing so make sure to check that out. Parking is a little tricky, but there's a little parking lot in the back. If you get there early enough you can definitely secure a spot. Food: 5/5 The food here is amazing. I had the Green Corn Tamales (vegetarian) and they were delicious. The masa for the tamale was sweet and flavorful while the filling was seasoned very well. This may be the best vegetarian tamale I've ever had. My friend had Lula's Nachos with chicken. They were fully loaded nachos and you can definitely make it a dinner meal. Service: 4.5/5 All of the staff are very nice and accommodating. They'll answer any questions you have about the menu and make adjustments to your meal. Our server was a little preoccupied with the Sunday dinner rush so we had to get their attention a few times to get the bill and such, but other than that the staff here is amazing!

I used to love this place. Today, we have been waiting for the food for more than one hour. They brought it only after I've asked to speak with the manager. Portions are smaller, prices are higher, no complimentary chips anymore, and no service.

Ate here and ordered a chicken quesadilla. $25.00 with tip. Food was bland and services was okay. Salsas were watered down and lacked flavor.

Great service, strong margaritas, cute vibes, and good food. The quesataco was better than I could've imagined. Everything hit the spot and at a fantastic price. Will definitely be back!

This place has always been just ok. They just changed their complimentary average basket of chips to charging $5 for it. And the wait staff doesn't give a heads up. Ridiculous... and not very cool for people used to going thwre regularly.

Love this local Mexican restaurant! The owner and team are so friendly and always make you feel welcome! The place is so festive and I always have a great time! The jalapeño margarita is my fav! All the food is delicious! I hope they have many more years here on Main Street!

Overpriced, small portions, average to poor quality. Don't waste your time and money.

Came in last night around 8:30 p.m. with the BF. We were seated quickly in a booth. I ordered the duck enchiladas (was trying to decide between that and the chicken mole but since these enchiladas came with a mole sauce and duck is a novelty for me I decided to go with it) and BF got the beef fajitas. We also got two rounds of chips and salsa and we split what we requested was an extra spicy margarita. Food came out piping hot and quickly, with huge portions, and great flavors. Salsa was spicy with a great kick to it, but sadly our margarita was not. It did have jalapenos in it which was nice. Service was attentive and even though the kitchen closed at 9 p.m. (they let us know in advance) we were there until well past 9 p.m. Knocking off one star for the high prices (although I understand this is Santa Monica) but the women's bathroom was dirty and lackluster. Would come again to check out the back patio - the restaurant was larger than it looks on the outside.

First off, I must say that Lula has the nicest people working for them. We absolutely love Chuck, the manager! Service and atmosphere is welcoming and outstanding! Margaritas are strong and delicious! Try the blood orange! We had the yummy guacamole and chips and they were delicious. We had enchiladas and the tostadas with chicken. Service is outstanding and we can't wait to return'

Overpriced, salsa served with non complementary chips is green liquid and disgusting, no red salsa available on request?? Server inattentive, had to wave down manager and bussers to get service. Food meh, would totally skip next time

We went there Sunday night and were supremely disappointed. The fajitas were mostly squash, the mole was too salty to eat, but the salsa, guac, and chips were quite good. But the service was just downright bizarre. We had four in our party, and the waiter came up and with no eye contact, ask if we wanted drinks, and I ordered a beer; before anybody else could get their order in he whipped around on his heel and was gone! Then, even weirder, he came with my beer, set it down, and turned around again with no eye contact before anybody else could ask for their drinks - it was friggin' so weird!!! Off night? Staff too fixated on playoff football to pay attention to their jobs? Not sure why I bothered tipping, and we're never going back.

I went here today with a friend for taco Tuesday which is 2 tacos of your choice and a margarita. I was so happy with this choice. They did not short us on anything bc of the deal like other restaurants do. The margarita was great. I actually felt the alcohol and that is sadly rare. You are not a real Mexican food place if u don't offer complimentary chips and salsa starter. They do. The salsa could be more tasty but that is my only note. I hit the fish tacos. Next time/ possibly next week, I will try the Al pastor tacos. After playing beach volleyball for three hours it all hit the spot.

I previously did a 5 star review. I take it back and lowering to 4. We went on Saturday, a couple days ago and the service was below meh. The waiter forgot my drink, even after twice asking, and still didn't get it until we were done with our meal. He also seemed disinterested in general. Oh, and $9 for a single beef taco about 4 inches round? Won't be doing that again.

Decent Mexican food for being in Santa Monica. Prices are inflated, but the food is good. My lobster tacos were chockful of lobster, and the rice and beans on the side rounded up into a hearty meal. Worth a stop in while in the neighborhood.

Great decor and photos pulled me in! We enjoyed all our food! The lobster taquitos were a nice surprise! Great service and overall great experience! We would definitely recommend!

I have been going to Lula for years now and I am always extremely satisfied by the time we leave. The service is always wonderful, and they really make you feel taken care of when you are there. Lula's margaritas are one of my favorites in LA, and all of their food is deliciously cooked. I especially like the festive environment inside, as well as open air patio in the back. I highly recommend anyone in the area to give Lula a try!

Good times, late night and authentic flavors. Completely unplanned stop for wifey and me. Good quick service and a festive ambiance was had by all.

Delicious happy hour food and strong margaritas, but only one check per table. Terrible for a group of seven, half of whom don't drink. 5 stars for the food but only one for the terrible payment policy.

Straight up, our favorite margaritas in town. We Love Lula's! My husband had the fajitas last night and they came out piping hot, steaming, smokin', with a heavy serving of veggies. Yes! The tortillas are excellent as is the guac. Keep me coming! I always get myself a skinny margarita but my husband is a Cadillac man. I had the Tijuana ceasar and admittedly, I didn't love it but hey that's cool! I'll get something else next time. It was still good. Just not my taste profile. Good chicken, fresh salad - so all good. Located right on Main St. give Lula's a go. Their bright colors, fun Dias de Los muertos decor is sure to brighten your day. P.S. they are dog friendly! Yah!

CASA BLANCA is the better choice. I waited several months to write this review to ensure it wasn't driven by emotions. I had been a regular advocate for Lula's, but after my most recent experience, I won't be returning. During non-peak hours (with more than half of their tables open), I was seated with my computer, ready to order food and had already ordered drinks, when I was approached by both the server and manager. They accused me of having sat there for an hour and to order now or leave. For me, it was the accusatory and rude tone that I was initially approached with that really made me feel not welcomed. My interaction with Chuck, the manager, was by far the most unprofessional experience I've ever encountered. Rather than attempting to de-escalate the situation or offer me a different table away from the window, he chose to be rude and continued to insist I had been there longer than I actually was. Unfortunately, this experience means I won't be returning to Lula's. I highly recommend Casa Blanca instead, where the service is excellent and the food and drinks are consistently great.

This is my second time here. The first time, a few months ago, was great, but today, I noticed that the size of the taquitos was much smaller than before! Maybe this is due to inflation. The waiter stated it was the same size... no, it's not. I won't come here again! The corn on the Cobb was straight out of the can!!!

No complains about the food; soup was very good. But... It's a big but! I asked for hot tea. Alas, they don't do that anymore..... Instead I choose iced tea. Waiter came with a glass with ice and poured from a plastic single serving bottle of "Pure Leaf Unsweetened Tea". It was almost laughable. The service was as if it was a bottle of wine The surprise? It came with the bill. I was charged $6. That's a markup of 575% for a bottle of supermarket quality iced tea. Cheesecake Factory charges $5.50 for freshly squeezed lemonade with iced tea. Lulu's gone loco.

Lula's has the best salsa in town! It's tangy, a little spicy and fresh. I haven't had one bad plate here - but the ceviche is definitely my favorite dish. The service is always warm , kind and welcoming. As a Mexican American, I really appreciate the authenticity Lula's has. I can tell the dishes are influenced by someone from Mexico - it's not Americanized. I highly recommend their happy hour and pomegranate margaritas- they are dangerously delicious.

One of my favorites in the Santa Monica area. Great food and service. I love the atmosphere as well - it is spacious and colorful. I usually bring visitors from out of town here and they love it.

Yesterday was a treat! It was the first time that my family went out to have a sit-down-family-meal since the pandemic started. It felt amazing to be able to sit in an open air patio with my family. Lula's was cognizant of the social distancing protocols that are now put into place - there was space between the tables, capacity was limited, and the staff were all wearing the appropriate PPE. Our waiter - Rafael - was awesome and attentive. We really enjoyed his service. For starters we had some delicious fresh chips with salsa and guacamole. My son could not get enough of the chips. We also paired this with one of the strongest margaritas that I haven't made myself - it was simply delicious. For my main course I had the trio platter - chile relleno (amazing!), a taco (served with your choice of meat; I chose chicken) and a cheese taquito. The were served with a hefty portion of rice and beans. Kris had a fajita plate - which I know must have been good - because he didn't offer me any! For a treat we ordered some flan - my toddler was apprehensive about it - so jokes on him, more for his father and I to share. For years he would always tell me about Lula's. I'm not sure if I should be mad that he's never bought me before. Everything about this meal was perfect and I can not wait to go back!

So much fun! Best Margaritas in LA! Staff very attentive and nice. Highly recommend for good food and fun atmosphere.

I absolutely love this place. The service is wonderful and so hospitable! The only reason I'm posting this review so I can can come back when I'm in town. I love the ambiance and the food is delicious! 10/10 would recommend. It's fun and you can sit at the bar and have a great time! sit out side and enjoy the flowers and fire and colorful murals! It's a beautiful and romantic place. Juan Garcia was a delight!

The food was good, not great. I did not pay attention to the bill-my fault but we had them split the bill between 2 of us. the suggested tip on each of our receipts was based on the total amount. That means we left double the tip for just adequate service. my mistake but don't like a restaurant that tries to fool customers. I won't be returning

I hope no friends ever want to go here bc I don't plan on going back ever again. The server was nice, however the service was sloooooow. The food was mediocre at best- severly underseasoned, textures weird, and basic. Not a single thing was special. I feel confident saying every taco truck I've been to was better & zero disrespect to taco trucks. The prices were too high for the quality of the food, I had concerns for fire safety with the layout, and there was a ridiculously constructed toilet where I had to open the stall just to maneuver with enough room to flush the toilet. The fajitas seemed the thing to get- looked flashy with the steam and they smelled good. Could be deceiving, though, if it tasted like everything else we got. And, I'm grateful for the experience bc it gave me a clear knowing I do not want to go back there again. The food was edible and I didn't get sick- which I was genuinely concerned about. So there's that.

Stopped in for a quick lunch and the shrimp tacos , chips and salsa didn't disappoint.

Happy hour daily! Skinny marg was strong and delicious. Loved the birria taco. Will definitely be coming back!