The Talpa Restaurant & Bar

The best

Been going here since I was a baby, over 40 years now! Food hasn’t changed through all these years. They treat you like family. 🙏🇺🇸🤙

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

One of my most favorite Mexican restaurants. The food is fresh, great salsa , guac and chips. It's not the watered down type of guac. And the salsa has this roasted flavor that's unique with a bit of a bite. I look forward to this especially. The beef taquitos are the best, so flavorful. Crunchy tacos are very good too and the pork chili Verde is another go to for me. The beans are so delicious. Service is attentive and kind. The only issue I've had is with parking. It can be challenging at times. They have some spots in the back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Whenever someone I knew would suggest going to Don Antonio's restaurant next door, I would immediately stop them and would DEMAND they go to El Talpa. I'd also demand thatvtheyvorder the flan for dessert which was the best Ive had in LA; And they'd usually thank me afterwards...

Now, I cannot do that in good conscience. And it saddens me.

I went to El Talpa for lunch, figuring the earlier the better.
I won't talk about what my other party members ordered as they will post their own reviews.

So. I ordered my usual...the El Talpa burrito and a Flan for dessert. Long known to be their biggest and best dish. I usually would get the red enchilada sauce.

However, when it arrived, the sauce was more deep dark brown than red. It also had a strange cinnamon note to it. I let a party member taste and they agreed that it was NOT enchilada sauce. We surmised that it was a moley sauce. Whatever it was, it was not what I had had before, plus it simply did not taste good.

After speaking to the waitress, she adamantly said that THAT was the red enchilada sauce. So, they offered to remake it. This time, without sauce.

When it arrived, it was TINY. Absolutely, 100% noticeably smaller. And ugly. It might as well have been a frozen burrito. It only had a dollap or guacamole and sour cream.

This was NOT a $20+ burrito. $8 on its best day.

And the Flan? Also a HUGE disappointment. The Talpa flan I remember was firm, solid, and absolutely delicious! I've been suggesting thus to friends and family for YEARS...
This was NOT the same. This was the soft custard kind with a lackluster flavor.

My bill came to $70+(tax and 20% tip included.) which was for the burrito, a soup. 2 beers and a glass of juice.

I cannot recommend this place to anyone anymore. Not because of the price, but because the FOOD just isn't what it used to be.

Sadly, not only will I not recommend this place to anybody anymore, but this will also be my last time here. They lost a loyal patron and advocate.

So disappointing.

BUT, this is LA. Good Mexican food is everywhere. Just not here anymore. 😔

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Don't order the Burrito is a small flour tortilla that's folded like a taco not even wrap i pad $14.50 for that , shame on selling Burrito been bamboozled for that

Excellent homemade…

Some dishes are very spicy. Salsa on the table is also hot. The drinks are good. Loud music playing. Very clean. Waitresses are nice.

Best Cheeseburger In Town!!

I came here last week with my kids while visiting my daughter in college at UCLA. We have been to the restaurant next door but wanted to try somewhere else new. I dropped my 4 kids off to get seated while I drove around for 15 minutes and finally parked far away and walked. When I walked in my daughter had already ordered my soda which was a can. Honestly I really love fountain drinks and had I known they just had cans I would have went somewhere else but we were already there so we stayed. My daughter ordered two tacos for my 6 year old son. It was just meat and the tortilla so she asked for some cheese to put on the taco. When we received the bill, there were multiple charges we were not aware of. Had the waitress told us it would be $3.20 for a pinch of shredded cheese we would have declined. So.. I paid $16.20 for two chicken tacos that were literally corn tortilla and chicken and a side of cheese. This is the most ridiculous pricing I’ve ever heard. Typically a taco that is over $5 should at least have some sour cream or avocado or something. One taco was plain unseasoned rotisserie chicken and tortilla ($6) - it was very plain so we added some of the chicken from the other taco (pollo asada) ($7) to give some flavor.
Soda can- $3.50
Sorry but these prices are not worth it

Wonderful and homey, excellent flavor in everything.

Great food 😋

But I think they might be warming their enchiladas too high in the microwave?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I hate I was charged extra for chicken in my Combo plate. I was not informed that there was an extra charge as I ordered. In most Mexican restaurant it's either chicken or beef with no extra charge; there's an extra charge for seafood.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

They brought salsa and chips to the table. REAL Mexican restaurant! Food was great too! Big portions, tasty food, nice staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent. All

Parking: Almost. There is no. Parking

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4