We went with a large group - our table was ready when we arrived. The chips were very good - salsa was OK - nothing special. Menu is a little strange - seems like they have a bit of everything. I got the crispy steak tacos - they were ok - fell apart - rice bland. My daughter got cheese enchiladas - didn't like. I might have given this place 3 stars but this place had one of the worst servers I ever had. He was super rude - guy really didn't want to offer any suggestions or help - ignored our questions - was just a terrible server. TERRIBLE SERVICE.
Ewa W.
I've been a regular here for 4 years and have never had a problem with service. The other day I went to dine in with someone and had experience below good quality service. Upon ordering liquor when the Id was checked it's seemed to take far too long to check a dates year with the acknowledgment that I'm a regular and drink their all the time. It's seemed like my female server was studying the information on my Id rather than checking a date. On top of that my food order was poorly taken as well. I ordered a small nachos with jalapeños on the side. At the time of getting my food served my jalapeños were in my nachos and not on the side. When sending the food back it was delivered again with in a 5 min duration of time. Evidently the jalapeños were taken of the top but were still in my nachos where I couldn't see. (They were not remade.) During this moment I still had no jalapeños on the side and had to communicate a second time that I wanted jalapeños and had to wait another 5 min for the side To be served. Never go there on the Tuesday.
Waggish S.
We had a very tall waiter and sat on soft, low benches. The only thing I wished for was a pillow, but that did not decrease the joy of dining. When we were browsing the menu, out giant waiter suggested that we check out the brunch menu as well. This proved to be a wonderful idea. I chose the Breakfast Burrito and my friend selected the Huevos Enchilada with a sunny side up on top. Both of us practically licked our plates with out tongues. I can't recommend Mexicali any better than that.
Harutyun K.
Great place and Great Customer service. Highly recommended and you will feels like you went to Mexico.
Darin Lawrence
Everything was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terry W.
This was the best experience and the best food!!! The server David was incredible. We asked his opinion on margaritas. However, we did not take his advice. We didn't care for the margaritas we ordered (a pitcher). We told him he was right, the margaritas were too sweet for us. He gladly took the pitcher back and brought us what he recommended. They were delicious. I let him know I am gluten sensitive. He said everything is gluten free except the flour tortillas. Even the fried food is fried with rice flour. We ordered grilled shrimp tacos and they were heavenly. I got a Kobe beef burrito to go for a friend and it was as good as it gets! He loved it! Bottom line... the chips and salsa were amazing! The main course was amazing! The margaritas were amazing! This is my new go to restaurant for Mexican food. Thank you!
Steve P.
We've been going to Mexicali Cocina & Cantina for years. It's our neighborhood go to for good food, drinks, vibe and watching sports. We love the spacious interior and always try to grab one of the large bar booths to check out sporting events on the TVs, and also hang close to the friendly bartenders. What we love about Mexicali is obviously you can get all the traditional Mexican dishes, but if you want the hang vibe and yet in the mood for a burger or a club sandwich or simply a salad, they're on the menu too! Good people, good food, and in a great Studio City location with easy parking, free of charge. Que bueno! Thanks Mexicali! Steve and Melissa
J. Jesse H.
TALK ABOUT SERVICE!!!! I was reading a bunch of great yelp reviews raving the Lobster Tacos and so I made a reservation. In the reservation notes, I told them how excited I was to try said tacos, to which two managers independently reached out to me to let me know they were currently out. Excellent attention to detail. The spicy margarita was worth the price of admission, and the other tacos were perfectly balanced. Such a delightful gem.
David D.
Mexicali it's a Gem on Ventura! I frequently come over for appetizers and main dishes. The flavorful dishes like the Carne Asada capture the essence of Mexican cuisine to the attentive and friendly service! I sat at the bar and Nate was very attentive and got my whole order perfectly (i hate cilantro) this place is one of me top-notch choice for enjoying a great night and eating Mexican food. I encourage you to try the MEXICADILLAC and if you deserve it order the FLAN... TASTIC.
T C
I absolutely love this place. The food is great. The service is great. It’s like a home away from home for me. It’s like I’m having food with family. I highly recommend it. Trying to think what the best thing is on the menu cause there’s so many good choices. I do love the Caesar salad with steak. Or The Carne Asada. The fajitas are ridiculously good. Anyway, he must go must try it. Don’t order alpha DoorDash unless you have to. It’s always better in person.Dietary restrictions: Many gluten-free choices. And several vegetarian choices.Parking: Park in the back for free or pay the parking meter on the front on Ventura Boulevard. After 8 PM parking is free on Ventura Boulevard.
It's a very American Mexican restaurant the bar looks beautiful very nice looking place I only tried the cheese fondue with carnitas it was very heavy I will not order again did not sit well with my stomach with that being said the salsa was great the chips are so so if I go back I will definitely probably try their fajitas Oh and the service was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
harold schmidt
Mexicali is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The free chips are always warm and their home made salsa tastes great! I always get the Mexicali Mule to start. The tortilla soup with chicken is delish, with chunks of fresh avocado. The fajitas w/ chicken for 1 are great and large enough to share.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sammie Annie
i wanted to like this place, but the food was incredibly greasy. like SO greasy it almost felt like i was eating $1 pizza…it was all over my hands and in the plate was like a pile of oil (ew). it made me so unappetized and threw the rest of my leftovers in the trash. it tastes like fake mexican food.UPDATE- i have felt sick since i came to this restaurant. keep in mind i haven’t had anything else to eat, i wasn’t sick before this, haven’t been drinking, etc. i woke up incredibly nauseous and vomited 3x large amounts. I will never come back here again and if you don’t want food poisoning you shouldn’t either. i’m literally sick to my stomach about this place. Thanks for ruining my saturdayAnother edit- i see someone else by the name of judith also reported vomiting after coming here. This is more proof it is this place and their food. Clearly not following food guidelines no matter what kind of PR nonsense they want to reply to people which is just making them look worse btw
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Marti Heil
Mexicali is my family's favorite Mexican place on either coast. We've been going there since 1995, when Harry Anderson brought us there shortly after it openedLater, when I became a single mother and supporting the children on my own, I wanted us to have some feeling of a night out in the restaurant and they had a Monday Mexicali Price and the kids and I went every single Monday without fail.Soon it became the place to meet all our friends, celebrate anything and anyone visiting Los Angeles. Even when we were out of town friends would send us pictures of them from Mexicali and when we were out of town and people from other places, revisiting and asking us where to go, we sent them there and they would send us pictures of them..Not only Are the food and drinks, exceptional, the warm ambiance and exceptional customer service makes you feel as if you're not in a restaurant, but a guest.The nachos are absolutely the best I've ever had anywhere west coast or in between! Cadillac margaritas are our family favorite.Everything is deliciously fresh and the wait staff, often aspiring creatives, are, so friendly and check in so many times.I've been living in New York City the last few years and every week or so my children meet up at Mexicali and FaceTime me or send me a picture of them meeting up with their friends there! It's a very special restaurant with a lot of heart and delicious food and drink, and we are always thrilled to see Bernadette there. She says she always knows I am there because of the way I order the nachos. ?Dietary restrictions: My son in law has peanut amd légume allergies amd always asks and they take it very seriously and find out and get back to us.Parking: I've never ever not been able to find a parking spot behind Mexicali. There's a huge parking lot that services several businesses and there are always spots open.Kid-friendliness: I've been to Mexico since my kids were about 8, 10 amd 12 And all my friends brought their children too-- It's extremely kid friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Through the front door it is wheelchair accessible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos, Margherita, Chips and Salsa, Nachos, Steak, Mexi-Style Steak Burrito, Flan, Tortilla Soup, Queso, Shrimp Tacos, Salad, Lobster Tacos, Fajitas for One, Seafood
Daniel Brunt
I've been going to Mexicali since 1997. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The food and drinks are excellent. There are multiple TVs playing live sports around the bar area so it's a great bar to watch games or to get a larger table with family & friends. Mexicali is a great restaurant and bar all around!
We went with a large group - our table was ready when we arrived. The chips were very good - salsa was OK - nothing special. Menu is a little strange - seems like they have a bit of everything. I got the crispy steak tacos - they were ok - fell apart - rice bland. My daughter got cheese enchiladas - didn't like. I might have given this place 3 stars but this place had one of the worst servers I ever had. He was super rude - guy really didn't want to offer any suggestions or help - ignored our questions - was just a terrible server. TERRIBLE SERVICE.
I've been a regular here for 4 years and have never had a problem with service. The other day I went to dine in with someone and had experience below good quality service. Upon ordering liquor when the Id was checked it's seemed to take far too long to check a dates year with the acknowledgment that I'm a regular and drink their all the time. It's seemed like my female server was studying the information on my Id rather than checking a date. On top of that my food order was poorly taken as well. I ordered a small nachos with jalapeños on the side. At the time of getting my food served my jalapeños were in my nachos and not on the side. When sending the food back it was delivered again with in a 5 min duration of time. Evidently the jalapeños were taken of the top but were still in my nachos where I couldn't see. (They were not remade.) During this moment I still had no jalapeños on the side and had to communicate a second time that I wanted jalapeños and had to wait another 5 min for the side To be served. Never go there on the Tuesday.
We had a very tall waiter and sat on soft, low benches. The only thing I wished for was a pillow, but that did not decrease the joy of dining. When we were browsing the menu, out giant waiter suggested that we check out the brunch menu as well. This proved to be a wonderful idea. I chose the Breakfast Burrito and my friend selected the Huevos Enchilada with a sunny side up on top. Both of us practically licked our plates with out tongues. I can't recommend Mexicali any better than that.
Great place and Great Customer service. Highly recommended and you will feels like you went to Mexico.
Everything was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was the best experience and the best food!!! The server David was incredible. We asked his opinion on margaritas. However, we did not take his advice. We didn't care for the margaritas we ordered (a pitcher). We told him he was right, the margaritas were too sweet for us. He gladly took the pitcher back and brought us what he recommended. They were delicious. I let him know I am gluten sensitive. He said everything is gluten free except the flour tortillas. Even the fried food is fried with rice flour. We ordered grilled shrimp tacos and they were heavenly. I got a Kobe beef burrito to go for a friend and it was as good as it gets! He loved it! Bottom line... the chips and salsa were amazing! The main course was amazing! The margaritas were amazing! This is my new go to restaurant for Mexican food. Thank you!
We've been going to Mexicali Cocina & Cantina for years. It's our neighborhood go to for good food, drinks, vibe and watching sports. We love the spacious interior and always try to grab one of the large bar booths to check out sporting events on the TVs, and also hang close to the friendly bartenders. What we love about Mexicali is obviously you can get all the traditional Mexican dishes, but if you want the hang vibe and yet in the mood for a burger or a club sandwich or simply a salad, they're on the menu too! Good people, good food, and in a great Studio City location with easy parking, free of charge. Que bueno! Thanks Mexicali! Steve and Melissa
TALK ABOUT SERVICE!!!! I was reading a bunch of great yelp reviews raving the Lobster Tacos and so I made a reservation. In the reservation notes, I told them how excited I was to try said tacos, to which two managers independently reached out to me to let me know they were currently out. Excellent attention to detail. The spicy margarita was worth the price of admission, and the other tacos were perfectly balanced. Such a delightful gem.
Mexicali it's a Gem on Ventura! I frequently come over for appetizers and main dishes. The flavorful dishes like the Carne Asada capture the essence of Mexican cuisine to the attentive and friendly service! I sat at the bar and Nate was very attentive and got my whole order perfectly (i hate cilantro) this place is one of me top-notch choice for enjoying a great night and eating Mexican food. I encourage you to try the MEXICADILLAC and if you deserve it order the FLAN... TASTIC.
I absolutely love this place. The food is great. The service is great. It’s like a home away from home for me. It’s like I’m having food with family. I highly recommend it. Trying to think what the best thing is on the menu cause there’s so many good choices. I do love the Caesar salad with steak. Or The Carne Asada. The fajitas are ridiculously good. Anyway, he must go must try it. Don’t order alpha DoorDash unless you have to. It’s always better in person.Dietary restrictions: Many gluten-free choices. And several vegetarian choices.Parking: Park in the back for free or pay the parking meter on the front on Ventura Boulevard. After 8 PM parking is free on Ventura Boulevard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Margherita
Restaurantji Recommends
It's a very American Mexican restaurant the bar looks beautiful very nice looking place I only tried the cheese fondue with carnitas it was very heavy I will not order again did not sit well with my stomach with that being said the salsa was great the chips are so so if I go back I will definitely probably try their fajitas Oh and the service was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Mexicali is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The free chips are always warm and their home made salsa tastes great! I always get the Mexicali Mule to start. The tortilla soup with chicken is delish, with chunks of fresh avocado. The fajitas w/ chicken for 1 are great and large enough to share.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i wanted to like this place, but the food was incredibly greasy. like SO greasy it almost felt like i was eating $1 pizza…it was all over my hands and in the plate was like a pile of oil (ew). it made me so unappetized and threw the rest of my leftovers in the trash. it tastes like fake mexican food.UPDATE- i have felt sick since i came to this restaurant. keep in mind i haven’t had anything else to eat, i wasn’t sick before this, haven’t been drinking, etc. i woke up incredibly nauseous and vomited 3x large amounts. I will never come back here again and if you don’t want food poisoning you shouldn’t either. i’m literally sick to my stomach about this place. Thanks for ruining my saturdayAnother edit- i see someone else by the name of judith also reported vomiting after coming here. This is more proof it is this place and their food. Clearly not following food guidelines no matter what kind of PR nonsense they want to reply to people which is just making them look worse btw
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Mexicali is my family's favorite Mexican place on either coast. We've been going there since 1995, when Harry Anderson brought us there shortly after it openedLater, when I became a single mother and supporting the children on my own, I wanted us to have some feeling of a night out in the restaurant and they had a Monday Mexicali Price and the kids and I went every single Monday without fail.Soon it became the place to meet all our friends, celebrate anything and anyone visiting Los Angeles. Even when we were out of town friends would send us pictures of them from Mexicali and when we were out of town and people from other places, revisiting and asking us where to go, we sent them there and they would send us pictures of them..Not only Are the food and drinks, exceptional, the warm ambiance and exceptional customer service makes you feel as if you're not in a restaurant, but a guest.The nachos are absolutely the best I've ever had anywhere west coast or in between! Cadillac margaritas are our family favorite.Everything is deliciously fresh and the wait staff, often aspiring creatives, are, so friendly and check in so many times.I've been living in New York City the last few years and every week or so my children meet up at Mexicali and FaceTime me or send me a picture of them meeting up with their friends there! It's a very special restaurant with a lot of heart and delicious food and drink, and we are always thrilled to see Bernadette there. She says she always knows I am there because of the way I order the nachos. ?Dietary restrictions: My son in law has peanut amd légume allergies amd always asks and they take it very seriously and find out and get back to us.Parking: I've never ever not been able to find a parking spot behind Mexicali. There's a huge parking lot that services several businesses and there are always spots open.Kid-friendliness: I've been to Mexico since my kids were about 8, 10 amd 12 And all my friends brought their children too-- It's extremely kid friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Through the front door it is wheelchair accessible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos, Margherita, Chips and Salsa, Nachos, Steak, Mexi-Style Steak Burrito, Flan, Tortilla Soup, Queso, Shrimp Tacos, Salad, Lobster Tacos, Fajitas for One, Seafood
I've been going to Mexicali since 1997. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The food and drinks are excellent. There are multiple TVs playing live sports around the bar area so it's a great bar to watch games or to get a larger table with family & friends. Mexicali is a great restaurant and bar all around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5