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.
Allan (Alonzo Zaretsky)
*Shady, sneaky waiter*Girlfriend and I went there yesterday for happy hour. We were happy with the food, and drinks like we did the last time we were thereWhy I am giving this experience a one star is because of unethical, deceptive practices from our waiter. My girlfriend and I originally ordered two margaritas. A third margarita came out of nowhere meant for my girlfriend. We never asked for the third one and thought it was on the house as we’ve experienced this kind of treatment from other restaurants. When we looked at the bill, we noticed the third margarita was charged. We did not address the situation then and there as we didn’t want to cause a scene.We are really disappointed with our waiter and his sneaky tactics. My girlfriend and I were respectful and kind and did not cause any problems. We will not be returning. I really hope this does not happen to other customers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Val Cherny
Lovely, place. They treat us great. Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Will R.
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.
Holli D.
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.
Charli S
Walked in trying to find a place that was playing a specific Bowl Game on TV and was greeted by the kindest, nicest man who hit us all setup and even changed the channel for us on the closest TV. Waiter was excellent, margaritas were delicious and strong and the food was great. Highly recommend the guacamole and ceviche. Was a highlight of our trip to be welcomed so warmly here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Chips and Salsa, Carne Asada
Matt Walsh
We are from Australia visiting family and my brother recommended we attend the restaurant. The food was delicious, staff friendly, and the place had a nice atmosphere. Later that night, I met Mack out front whilst on a walk and we had a great chat. Awesome guy and we will be back before we leave. Thanks Mate!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Bonnenfant
Excellent food great service. Don’t forget taco Tuesday!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carnitas Tacos with Salsa Verde, Guacamole
Julie Vad
Delicious ? love the shrimp tacos ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mal C.
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.
The cheese enchiladas were barely edible and the rice was stale.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
We've been going to Lula's for years. But something was off since our last visit. Menu changes, price hikes, and declining quality. Apparently, new ownership and chef have taken over, and sad to say, we will not be back.
Melanie B.
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!
Lulu S.
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.
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.
*Shady, sneaky waiter*Girlfriend and I went there yesterday for happy hour. We were happy with the food, and drinks like we did the last time we were thereWhy I am giving this experience a one star is because of unethical, deceptive practices from our waiter. My girlfriend and I originally ordered two margaritas. A third margarita came out of nowhere meant for my girlfriend. We never asked for the third one and thought it was on the house as we’ve experienced this kind of treatment from other restaurants. When we looked at the bill, we noticed the third margarita was charged. We did not address the situation then and there as we didn’t want to cause a scene.We are really disappointed with our waiter and his sneaky tactics. My girlfriend and I were respectful and kind and did not cause any problems. We will not be returning. I really hope this does not happen to other customers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Lovely, place. They treat us great. Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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.
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.
Walked in trying to find a place that was playing a specific Bowl Game on TV and was greeted by the kindest, nicest man who hit us all setup and even changed the channel for us on the closest TV. Waiter was excellent, margaritas were delicious and strong and the food was great. Highly recommend the guacamole and ceviche. Was a highlight of our trip to be welcomed so warmly here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Chips and Salsa, Carne Asada
We are from Australia visiting family and my brother recommended we attend the restaurant. The food was delicious, staff friendly, and the place had a nice atmosphere. Later that night, I met Mack out front whilst on a walk and we had a great chat. Awesome guy and we will be back before we leave. Thanks Mate!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food great service. Don’t forget taco Tuesday!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carnitas Tacos with Salsa Verde, Guacamole
Delicious ? love the shrimp tacos ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Restaurantji Recommends
Best place I’ve ever been
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The cheese enchiladas were barely edible and the rice was stale.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
We've been going to Lula's for years. But something was off since our last visit. Menu changes, price hikes, and declining quality. Apparently, new ownership and chef have taken over, and sad to say, we will not be back.
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 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.