Although we enjoyed the experience overall, the food was hit and miss. Even with many large parties, our server was able to keep our drinks full. We tried the Fiesta Platter (our favorite was the Quesadilla) and the Enchiladas Suizas, which unfortunately lacked spice/flavor we were expecting.
tg halsted
Parking: 1.50 parking with validation
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Table Side Guacamole
Michael Teehan
Spicy margaritas and fish tacos. What could be better?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Carmen's Original Nachos 1959, El Cholo Margarita
Anthony De La Torre
Decent drinks, ordered fiesta platter for four was just the right amount and not too pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
LeAndre A.
Came to this location with co-workers during an ABA conference for our lunch break. After being seated, it took almost 30 minutes for a waiter to acknowledge that we were there. After ordering our food, it took over an hour to get our food. The food had no flavor. I got a wet burrito, and it was not good at all. I'm not from Pasadena, but I used to work out that way, and this was my first time eating here. You'll be better off getting Mexican food from the street corner vendors before coming here. I will not recommend this place.
DavidW
Their tableside guacamole is always delicious, I think many people tend to order the same favorite thing but El cholo has a menu that's worth exploring because many of the things don't appear on a typical Mexican food restaurant. Sadly the service recently was very hidden mess we had two different servers come to our table asking about drinks and we're ready to order so maybe it was just that night or where we were sitting
BadExperience
We were seated at 1 PM on a Thursday. The restaurant was all but empty. My salad was excellent but our #2 entrees were way below standard and failed to meet expectations. We've been here before and always had much better food.
Miles Hawkins
Food tasted pretty good while there, but the chile relleno gave my girlfriend food poisoning. Be careful!
Jenny K.
Service was great but fajitas a little over cooked and soup way too oily. I love coming here and it was nice and refreshing on a cold and rainy day!
Donna T.
Although the food was good, the service was terrible. We had a party of 5 and they forgot my lunch. There was no wait when we came in so we didn't think they were too busy. However, they forgot my lunch and we waited and waited. Finally we caught the attention of a nearby waiter who said he would contact our waiter. Again we waited until a member of our party shared their food with me because everyone was feeling bad for eating in front of me even though it was the waiter's fault. T top things off I used the restroom before we left. It was filthy and smelly.
Service was great, they were very nice. The food however was pretty subpar. I got the fish tacos and the fish was super fishy tasting and overcooked. It had a hard, leathery texture and I didn't end up eating any of them. My husband got the chicken fajitas and they were kind of bland and one of the thicker pieces was undercooked at the center. Guacamole was good. Definitely not worth almost a $100.
Joseph Hammel
I love this place. The food is great and everyone is friendly. It's a little slow sometimes, but this is one of my favorite places to eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Lady V.
Great spot for delicious affordable Mexican food. Always solid. Never lets us down. Taste of history is where it's at.
Irene L.
I can't help to wonder if this establishment was ever good. The food is absolutely unacceptable, the rice is dry with grains that are raw, beans are sweet. Drinks are room temperature. Please retrain & revamp the kitchen & bar cocktails. Service is prompt and efficient, great wait staff. No wonder this place is dead on a Saturday evening.
PRtheCook
Really awesome casual restaurant. The green corn tamales were amazing as always and their margaritas are great. I tried the cochinita pibil and it was first rate—tastes like the Yucatán!
Although we enjoyed the experience overall, the food was hit and miss. Even with many large parties, our server was able to keep our drinks full. We tried the Fiesta Platter (our favorite was the Quesadilla) and the Enchiladas Suizas, which unfortunately lacked spice/flavor we were expecting.
Parking: 1.50 parking with validation
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Table Side Guacamole
Spicy margaritas and fish tacos. What could be better?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Carmen's Original Nachos 1959, El Cholo Margarita
Decent drinks, ordered fiesta platter for four was just the right amount and not too pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Came to this location with co-workers during an ABA conference for our lunch break. After being seated, it took almost 30 minutes for a waiter to acknowledge that we were there. After ordering our food, it took over an hour to get our food. The food had no flavor. I got a wet burrito, and it was not good at all. I'm not from Pasadena, but I used to work out that way, and this was my first time eating here. You'll be better off getting Mexican food from the street corner vendors before coming here. I will not recommend this place.
Their tableside guacamole is always delicious, I think many people tend to order the same favorite thing but El cholo has a menu that's worth exploring because many of the things don't appear on a typical Mexican food restaurant. Sadly the service recently was very hidden mess we had two different servers come to our table asking about drinks and we're ready to order so maybe it was just that night or where we were sitting
We were seated at 1 PM on a Thursday. The restaurant was all but empty. My salad was excellent but our #2 entrees were way below standard and failed to meet expectations. We've been here before and always had much better food.
Food tasted pretty good while there, but the chile relleno gave my girlfriend food poisoning. Be careful!
Service was great but fajitas a little over cooked and soup way too oily. I love coming here and it was nice and refreshing on a cold and rainy day!
Although the food was good, the service was terrible. We had a party of 5 and they forgot my lunch. There was no wait when we came in so we didn't think they were too busy. However, they forgot my lunch and we waited and waited. Finally we caught the attention of a nearby waiter who said he would contact our waiter. Again we waited until a member of our party shared their food with me because everyone was feeling bad for eating in front of me even though it was the waiter's fault. T top things off I used the restroom before we left. It was filthy and smelly.
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was great, they were very nice. The food however was pretty subpar. I got the fish tacos and the fish was super fishy tasting and overcooked. It had a hard, leathery texture and I didn't end up eating any of them. My husband got the chicken fajitas and they were kind of bland and one of the thicker pieces was undercooked at the center. Guacamole was good. Definitely not worth almost a $100.
I love this place. The food is great and everyone is friendly. It's a little slow sometimes, but this is one of my favorite places to eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great spot for delicious affordable Mexican food. Always solid. Never lets us down. Taste of history is where it's at.
I can't help to wonder if this establishment was ever good. The food is absolutely unacceptable, the rice is dry with grains that are raw, beans are sweet. Drinks are room temperature. Please retrain & revamp the kitchen & bar cocktails. Service is prompt and efficient, great wait staff. No wonder this place is dead on a Saturday evening.
Really awesome casual restaurant. The green corn tamales were amazing as always and their margaritas are great. I tried the cochinita pibil and it was first rate—tastes like the Yucatán!