Metro Balderas Restaurant

Everything is always super fresh, homemade and delicious!! It's not super speedy, but you can't rush quality. I love the huaraches, sopes, potato tacos and flautas. Beans and rice are solid! I'd bet everything on the menu is beyond decent. I even saw a worker from a nearby Mexican restaurant eating here. One of the best in the neighborhood!!

Solid Mexican food. I loved the chilaquiles plate with asada. The tacos are good. Didn't care for the Pambazo but it's just not my style. I need something a little meatier. All in all good food. Not too expensive. Not pretentious at all and pretty damn authentic. Definitely recommend

The food here really is mexican, It is very good. It is my first time coming here and will definitely come back. The pictures I posted are 2 gorditas, chicken flautas (taquitos), alambre plate amd enchiladas with rice and beans. It is not to big inside about 6 to 7 tables. Kid friendly and wheelchair accessible.

My dad is a regular here, and told me that this restaurant is the closest to authentic Mexican food there is. He says he feels like he’s in Mexico City when he gets his plate. I believe it! The food is delicious, my personal favorite is the Huitlacoche aka The Mexican Truffle, so good. My dad’s favorite is the Chilaquiles Con Steak. Highly recommend!

Must haves: Jamaica drink: refreshing and not too sweet Huaraches: asada huaraches is tasty, savory, and filling. Corn tortilla is stuffed with a thin layer of refried beans. Meat is tender and tasty especially with the grilled onions. Green sauce has a mild kick which gives the dish a nice acid note to contrast with the meaty tastes. Quesadilla: ordered huitlacoche. I had this corn mushroom on a recent trip to Mexico and found it to be tasty with the mixture of cheese, beans, crema, cheese, and a sprinkle of lettuce. Overall: excellent Mexican food with authentic flavors.

Metro Balderas, named after an underground rail station in Mexico City, is a small chain of restaurants in L.A. serving regional D.F.-style Mexican food. This is an enterprise with a large, diverse menu, but they are perhaps best known for their carnitas, served only on weekends. The carnitas are prepared in a cazo using a family recipe of siblings Abraham and Jasmine Guzman, the owners of Metro Balderas. Their carnitas preparations adopt a "nose-to-tail" philosophy of wasting no part of the pig, encouraging diners to order any of eight different types of carnitas. The "Carnitas Surtida Taco," a mixture of multiple carnitas enabled me to sample nearly all of the available pig parts. Here, the surtida consists of maciza (pork shoulder), buche (pig stomach), cueritos (pig skin), trompa (pig snout), costilla (pork ribs), and orejas (pig ears). The surtida features a delightful contrast of porcine textures: snappy ear cartilage, soft confit of skin and snout, sturdy shoulder, and chewy slices of stomach. Seasoning of the carnitas includes salt, garlic, and citrus. Of the three excellent salsas offered by Metro Balderas, I preferred the tangy and spicy tomatillo-jalapeño sauce with this. There is a fresh-tasting yet smoky tomato-chile de arbol salsa roja available if more heat is desired. The "Carnitas Surtida Taco" here can be compared to the "Carnitas Taco" available at taco stand Tacos Los Güichos, the "Carnitas Mixta Taco" at Grand Central Market's Villa Moreliana, or the "Aporkalypse Taco" served by taco truck "Carnitas El Momo." As excellent as their tacos are, I'd come to Metro Balderas before these other three carnitas-focused ventures due to the more diverse, interesting variety of menu items at Metro Balderas, whose options include bionicas, milanesa, queso de puerco (head cheese), huitlacoche, gorditas, chilaquiles, pambazos, soups, and so forth. It'd take about 20 trips for me to order everything I want to order here. I spotted some guy at an adjacent table with a giant torta with thick toasted telera bread that made my mouth water. Next time! One additional dish I had to order during my visit was the notorious "Carnitas Nana Taco," essentially pig uterus confit. It was dense and chewy like raw octopus -- but with a similar flavor to buche. Not as good as the Carnitas Surtida taco, but not bad. I treated it with the aforementioned fiery salsa roja which really made it hum. I've had everything from guts to lips to brains to insects to eyeballs in my tacos this year, but that was all stuff I had before. Uterus is a new one for me, and this is the only place I've ever known to serve it.

My family and I came here often, normally the food and service is very good. However today we came and was told no one here spoke English. The man who is normally here wasn’t in today, we tried to ask where he was but didn’t get an answer. Just a heads up for those who don’t speak Spanish and are looking to try this place out. I also noticed that I was given the wrong meal. I asked for flautas but received a steak plate.

Authentic Distrito Federal mexican food. Tostadas de pata, quesadilla of pretty much anything you have imagined and pambazos among other D.F. traditional antojitos. Licuados de fruta and natural juices and available all day long and their huarache is huge! Filling up the whole plate! Affordable and conveniently fast service.

I LOVE the flautas. I will need to try some other menu items. I had some dry asada tacos (not as yummy) and a decent chicken taco. The soup (not tomato based) is also yummy. I will get that soup any time I'm sick. The salsa picoso is delish. This may be a place you have to order the right stuff from but those flautas? Rice n beans good too. They have my loyalty - and have allowed me to move on from the other restaurant down the street with the mean lady that I won't name. I'm back reading other reviews for recommendations. I love this place (parking in back!) You will too. Enjoy!

My friend who writes amusing reviews of Huevos Rancheros, which he orders in both down-homey spots like this one, as well as restaurants that probably shouldn't be attempting the dish, recommended this place, which was crowded on a Saturday morning. The Huevos Rancheros were exceptional with crisp tortillas and a scrumptious tomatillo sauce, which is not so common on the dish. Even better, though, was the Huevo Huarache my wife ordered, also with a tomatillo sauce, little bits of fried egg on top, and yummy many times over. We also tried a Flor de Calabazza Quesadilla with zucchini flowers, which my wife loved. Check out the expansive menu.

Love this food ever since we discovered it. The wait is worth it, it is a family run business, so love to support it. They are so clean and food is fresh, authentic, and delicious. We typically order the enchiladas verde, sope de asada, and flautas de pollo. The food is made with love!

First I'll start by saying the portions here are huuuuge! The staff is so nice. It feels like you are eating at your tio and tias house. There is a familiar warmth and friendliness about the service. And the food is GREAT! We got a few items to try and their milanesa is the best I have ever had. Their horchata i definitely recommend. And their black beans are soooo good! Im so glad i found this place definitely s hole in the wall with a laaarge menu.

All of the food is delicious, Yet the owner/cashier is always rude and with a bad attitude.

Taste: As with many Mexican restaurants, you're gonna want the freshly made tortillas! So quick review here on taste: they use the fresh tortillas on the huaraches, quesadillas, and wipes, but not on the tacos. I'm a big fan of their quesadillas and recommend you get that filled with your meat of choice instead of 2-3 tacos. Experience: The place is cute, unpretentious, music volumes at the right level to have a conversation. Personally I like the table outside in the back. Mood Before/After: I've come in a good mood and left in a good mood. Fullness: very very full. One quesadilla is enough for me. I usually have a big appetite, and I don't think I could order more than that. What else did I eat/do today affecting my experience: this review was written on multiple trips. But one time was after a pool party, often I come alone not having done much with my day. I like to go to 7-11 after for a big gulp, so looking forward to that probably gives me positive associations with my trips.

My husband always goes here for the pambazos. I always have the nachos. They are good! We always order to go, but today we decided to eat there and the person that greeted us and took our order was a very nice man. Very polite and very hard working.

I've been coming to MB for a while now and know their couple of flaws but have also seen their strengths. One of the best kept secrets in NELA with their Chilaquiles Verdes + Carne Asada. Try this masterpiece and you should not be disappointed. CAUTION: you may get hooked. Park in the rear because there is always plenty of free parking available!

Deaf friendly and easy along .... Food is good yummy Huarache AztecaTorta Balderas

The service is really bad, when you arrived the first thing is the table nasti, second the waiter not help you at all, after 10 mins seated, you need go to order but nobody inform you that.

Súper delicioso. I have been coming to this DF style restaurant since 2002. I am always happy to eat deliciousssssssasssssaasssssssssa real Mexican food. I am always satisfied a with their service and the exquisite taste. It reminds me when I go to Mexico City and eat suoer delicious Mexican foods. I am in lovewith this restaurant

Don't order without trying the chilaquiles....best ever!!!! Usually add asada and an egg ...the best!!!! The coffee is good and I usually eat the cookies too..

Recently discovered this place and it is pretty damn good! The quesadillas and gorditas are so yummy. I'm going to be honest the pambazos are just okay. I would recommend they dip them more into the sauce and add some more Sazon to the potatoes. Over al it's pretty good! I will be back again!

I have been coming here for years!but after this experience I had never again the lady in the front has the nastiest attitude our food was so cold cause u can hear them just talking I ordered a gordita that I know it takes 20min I'm ok with that she even let me know it was gonna n 20min but I waited 45!!n n I asked again my food had been done they all gave me attitude for asking I said I been waiting for 45 not 20 the place was empty so it wasn't that they were busy plus people came in n they were waiting for the cashier to take their order but they were all to busy in tha back talking nonsense hopefully the owner does something about this if u read other ppls reviews is the same issue

I went into this place for the first time last week and it was not a pleasant experience at all. When I entered this restaurant, there was a line and the cashier was helping 2 gentlemen while their wives waited at their table. I don't throw around accusations or claims lately, but I strongly believe the cashier was giving these people a hard time because they were white. I am a Mexican, so I am not just defending white people. There was a language barrier and the cashier was asking questions in spanish to this old white man who was confused and struggling. It honestly seemed like bullying. There was also a line, I can't understand why they would hold up the whole line just to be petty. The cashier asked questions like "Do you want X?" unprompted and then would say "How much X?" about every aspect of the food. It was so ridiculous another Spanish speaking customer had to step in and help the white man order and got him out of the way. There were other elderly people in line waiting during this exchange. This was not a good introduction at all. Finally I ordered, and I didn't receive my food for 30-40 minutes. It's just way too long of a wait for food like this. I ordered a quesadilla and a chilequiles. I also was very annoyed that the waitress did not bring a coffee I ordered until 20 minutes later. Overall, the food was fine, nothing special but not bad. The rude unfriendly atmosphere plus ridiculous long wait for a restaurant like this is a huge disappointment. I would not return because nothing about this place makes it worthwhile.

Metro balderas huh? Customer service on point. Tacos? Specifically carne asada tacos? No lime? No radish? Too salty brother. Other than that, I might come back to try other dishes but not the carne asada tacos. Thank you and goodbye

Friendly staff great food!! They have veggie drinks such a great place to come and feel comfortable

Authentic Mexican food! The flautas were amazing! I also recommend the tostada de pata as well as the atole.

Well it's my 6th time here and dammmm..food is delicious out if this world beutiful lady in the back is making some yummy food I got a gordita de chicharron and a quesdadilla de chicharron and it was out of the ballpark..my wife got chilaquilles con carne asada and she loved it ...this spot never disappoints us stop by

This place is awesome. Ive been coming to metro balderas since they were in Encino. My family and I love the food. It is authentic mexican food. The flavor is consistent like back at home. Since they opened in highland park, we've been going alot more. The Pambazo's are my favorite!! reminds me of my grandma back in el DF. Saludos!

Support your community! Love this place . Authentic casera spot . None of that hipster s---.

The food was delicious first time going and I'll be back, comida tradicional chilanga I it!!

I've eaten here a couple times. Had a asada sope and pastor taco the first trip. The 2nd time on a Sunday, I tried the carnitas taco. The carnitas taco was the best thing I tried. But the carnitas was a bit under-seasoned. The sope wasn't fresh, but it was tasty. The best thing about this place--besides the very nice owners/workers--was the salsa. Both the red and green were really fresh with a nice pop. I liked the green best. Overall, it was pretty good. I may go back to try something else.

Legit torta cubana with a twist. Nice owners. Homemade Mexican food. Mexican approved. Good prices too. No hipster vibe but who cares, those places suck when it comes to good food.

I was soooo happy to find a place that makes sopa de fideo, a childhood soup where the broth is tomato & onion based. I was missing this soup so much and craving in the last week as I battled a sore throat & nasal congestion. And thankfully after much research found this place on Yelp & I was not disappointed. No exaggeration I went in 3x in 3 days for this, that's how much I missed & enjoyed it. Prior to going to here I did read reviews so I came prepared with cash & called beforehand to get pricing as some said it was on the pricey side but I found it to be reasonable. I also like the bright colors & decor, takes me back to MX. Hoping to go back soon to try one of their quesadillas as they look quite appetizing.

After reading all the reviews and looked at the pictures I thought I'd try this place. I love Mexican food and was a bit disappointed. The tacos were ok, but the chile was hot witch I loved. My daughter got the sope and that good. As far as cleanliness this place is clean but very hot inside. Not sure about how summer will be in here. Parking is street parking.

I went to their website I saw the the huevos rancheros it looks really delicious. I ordered it by phone and this is what I get in the 3 picture not want I was expecting.

Por más que quiero darle otra oportunidad a este restaurante me decepciona, sus precios no son tan baratos para la calidad de comida que sirven, los guisados con carne de res siempre tienen demasiado cueros. La última vez ordené pechuga a la plancha el pollo estaba picado no era pechuga además de que estaba sobre cocinado, seco y sin sabor, Sin mencionar que mi comida tardó mucho cuando era el único cliente. Fui a preguntar y me di cuenta que mi comida estába lista y nadie la corría cuando la llevaron a mi mesa está fría por supuesto. Espero y este establecimiento mejore su calidad de comida. Por el momento no regresaré.

Amazing Pambasos delicious taste of food ! Totally recommend this place for authentic Mexican food.

Solid Mexican food. I loved the chilaquiles plate with asada. The tacos are good. Didn't care for the Pambazo but it's just not my style. I need something a little meatier. All in all good food. Not too expensive. Not pretentious at all and pretty damn authentic. Definitely recommend

They took so long to give me my drinks especially my food. Wow this place is not worth the hype and it's pricy I could find authentic Mexican food for less money anywhere else. Bad service!

I like there food it's so authentic and has grammar portions. My favorite is the chorizo pambazo, my absolute favorite. The masa is hand made corn flour and they use it to make their own quesadilla tortilla. That food item is the whole plate size. Really good Mexican - DF style, home cooked flavored food. They do take a while though, because good food sometimes takes a while. But it's delicious every time.

Don't listen to the one star people, this place is good! Food was piping hot when I got it, great taste!!

This place is such a gem. The tinga de pollo is unbelievable, I think about it all the time. Pastor is fantastic too. The staff is always really friendly and nice. Run don't walk.

Even though the food is very delicious the prices are ridiculously high and without counting that when you want to pay with the debit card you get an extra charge. In my opinion I do not return to this place because it is very expensive for a place that is not very comfortable, there is no air conditioning, very ugly bathrooms and they have dirty dishes in front of people. Aun que la comida es muy deliciosas los precios son ridículamente altos y sin contar que cuando quieres pagar con la tarjeta de débito te hacen un cargo extra. en mi opinión yo no regreso ha este lugar por que es muy caro para un lugar que no es muy cómodo, no hay aire acondicionado, baños muy feos y tienen platos sucios ala vista de las personas.

this place was a good amount of food given for the price. I was so stuffed, I couldn't even finish my food. Very clean restaurant as well. and the workers were nice as well. Thank you

Had the best Pambazo in LA & definitely recommend it. The place feels homey & very clean. Kid friendly & with a clean bathroom. Family had a wonderful time here & will definitely be coming back

This place is delicious and authentic. My husband and my two picky kids also enjoyed their meal immensely. Outside seating is limited. Overall a great neighborhood spot that we will definitely visit again. The only complain from my kids was that the gum-ball machine was not working. If you find yourself in HP you must try this place!

Best Mexico City Style Food! The pambazo is my favorite and it's non greasy like other places! Suadero tacos and esquimo drink is another reason to drive up to their location! So happy they're is the LA area now!

I was driving around looking for a spot to eat without really checking on Yelp, so I spotted this spot and gave it a try. It was really good, I had the chilaquiles with steak, beans and a pan bolio, it hit the spot. I will coming to try there carnitas as others comment about how good they are.

Great food and service. Price a tad bit high on some items but over all not to bad. Gordita are my favorite from there.

Great hidden gem within the trenches of highland park. It's been here for a few years but never knew what I've been missing out on. First impressions count and this place gave a clean friendly vibe. Friendly service, great food, and extensive menu. Will definitely be back to try the rest one plate at a time.

This place is so good! First time ordering here for my team and I. We got the asada fries, burrito, pamboza, and potato tacos .. everything was so good! Will definitely re order again.

The place makes amazing food. Liz had amazing customer service, very good personality and kind. Would definitely recommend

The worts and most expensive restaurant in LA. I won't be back again.the food is terrible.I am Mexican and I know about this food.

Today was our first visit to this place, we are from Mexico city and we know about real Mexican flavor. Well the tostada the Pata taste like 100% chilanga Pata en vinagre fantastic. Real Gorditas with chicharrón PRENSADO, quesadillas de chicharrón and huitlacoche amazing. And esquimos de rompope OMG! it's like be in El DF Again will be back for sure, we drive from Pomona like 38 miles way. The only details Gorditas an quesadillas needs more meat next time we'll order with extra meat

They have Saturday and Sunday speciasl on Carnitas . Yet, I've been calling every weekend to order some of these carnitas and have been told that they "don't have any". We Don't have Cuero, Oreja or Trompa. We only have....". How can they advertise a Special every weekend and not have it? I went today early at 9am only to be informed they don't have that meat again. Why advertise if you don't have it? Yet, if you want a taco of Trompa, Cuero or Oreja, they do have it. That makes no sense. They rather charge you $4 per those tacos instead of you buying a pound for less.

This place continues to be the best place to eat, even in the pandemic. I am impressed with the kindness staff Elizabeth is fast smart and funny. the patio is very comfortable beautiful place

I have been coming since I was in high school. The food is fantastic if your looking for that authentic flavor. I love eating the pambazo which is so satisfying in every way. The salsas compliment the food so well. I don't live close by anymore but I always enjoy coming back.

everything on the menu here is good and reasonably priced! i love the flautas and it's not very crowded. super great neighborhood spot