Lares Restaurant

Stay away from the ""semi manager"" named Jesse. He is a large man and he greeted us when we came in. However since our entire party was not there he said he could not seat us and recommended we wait at the bar. I understand THIS IS STANDARD PRACTICE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. However when we went to the bar it was completely full with standing room only. I was with someone with a physical disability so I went to Jesse and let him know there was no room at the bar and we would like to be seated. He refused despite the fact his patron had a disability. So we said, ""What if we prepay our bill and offered him $200 to secure payment of the bill. He said yes I'll take your money....but I'll take it for myself and it won't help you get seated or go towards your bill. Two issues.....this restaurant discriminates against disabled people and they give managerial control to someone who is looking out for their own interest and doesn't even care about driving revenue for the very company represents. DON'T GO HERE. I'm sending this to the Better Business Bureau and the ACLU. You think I'm bluffing....just wait! more

we are regulars on friday nights here. I left my purse tonight, went back 20 minutes later and all the money was gone. what an embarrassment. EWWWWWWWWWW more

I've been here twice...sort of. A friend and I called on Cinco de Mayo to ask how long the wait was. We were shocked when they said there wasn't one, so we headed straight over (from 2 miles away.) After paying for the valet, we got inside and saw more what we had expected and wanted to avoid---basically, a zoo. We left. We decided to go back last week, and were greeted by an odd guy who showed us to a table and was kind of weird when we said we'd prefer to sit at the bar. The bartender got us some (verrry sweet) margaritas quickly, but took a while to ask for our food order. My friend's tostada was OK; I ordered steak+shrimp. I got enough food to feed a family of four! First, a tasty salad. Then, the steak, shrimp and ""steamed"" (to death) vegetables. The shrimp were delicious, but the steak was just a hunk of mediocre, unseasoned meat. Ick. We also felt like the odd guy was hanging back and watching us, which was uncomfortable. Overall a weird experience and I doubt I'll be back. Pros: large portions Cons: weird service, inconsistent food quality more

STAY AWAY! THEY CHARGE YOU 75 cents for WATER! Went here for dinner a few days ago. Awful service, awful food. Waiters treat you like you don't exist. They push alcohol and if you don't order any they look at you like weirdos. Nickel and dime you for everything. Better to eat at a TACO truck than to go to a dump like this. STAY AWAY. Pros: awful service. Rip off Cons: awful service. Rip off more

I really liked the atmosphere of this place, and with 40 years owned by the same family, wanted to love this place. The atmosphere is legit...dim lighting with interesting wooden tables and bar. By the time the chips and salsa arrived and the margaritas were on the table, my anticipation of a great meal was peaked. The chips were thick and made on site it seems and the salsa was spicy and tasty. Pros: Decent drinks, great chips and salsa Cons: boring tamales and too sweet mole more

This place is highly recommended if you want a great meal with great service. There is an upstairs and a downstairs area (both are great), but no matter where you sit you get great service. I have been about 10 times now, and each time I am impressed. Any carnitas dish is excellent. Pros: Great food, Great interior, great service Cons: Starting to get crowded more

With so many Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, it's hard to stand out, but this place definitely does! Everything I've had on the menu has been wonderful - I recommend the huevos rancheros or the carne asada tacos - the meat is tender and very flavorful. Their margaritas are strong, but still taste good and I love their Mexican hot chocolate. Oh ... and they have the best guacamole! Pros: great food more

In 2006, this was my favorite Mexican restaurant. Everything I tried was delicious, especially the tamales,... more

In 2006, this was my favorite Mexican restaurant. Everything I tried was delicious, especially the tamales, a personal favorite. The prices were ve... more

My husband and I decided to try this spot out on Friday night. We didn?t have to wait long for a table. The food and salsa were great! Fast services and I loved their margaritas. Pros: Cheap, great salsa and food Cons: No area to sit and wait more

Man.. this place is good! I love the atmosphere! The 2nd floor dining area does not look like it got burnt... more

Man.. this place is good! I love the atmosphere! The 2nd floor dining area does not look like it got burnt down! The remodeling looks very nice! Th... more

I have eaten food at Lares Restaurant and also CATERED by Lares for TWO L.A. Westside private events, one in.. more

I have eaten food at Lares Restaurant and also CATERED by Lares for TWO L.A. Westside private events, one in a fancy Brentwood home a few months ag... more

I am not sure why others would write a review on their salads and streaks. Lares is one of the best of LA, with a great atmosphere, staff, and traditional down home mex (nothing fancy). Order the mole for some of the best in town. Great spot to meet friends. more

After passing by this two-story restaurant and always seeing a crowd outside its cool-looking Spanish colonial engraved wood sign, my fiance & I finally made it in. Upon first entering, we were graciously greeted by an older, heavily makeup-ed woman whose name easily could've been Dona Maria. Big plus. We were then seated by the window, which afforded us a good view of passersby as well as the trickling-in crowd on the first-floor dining area w/the white plaster walls & dark-wood sunken bar. Very cool. After ordering some soup de camaron (shrimp) and steak, I walked upstairs to discover the very lively & urbane dining/bar area that led to yet another rear dining area w/mariachis walking around. Fantastic! Then... the food arrived. The soup was competely impotent -- bland, blah, flavorless with shrimp that had THAT DIRTY LINE OF FECES ON ITS BACK VEIN!!! gross! And my fiance's steak? Let's just say he took one bite & said he may as well have had a rubber shoe on his plate. To the restaurant's credit, our server was very helpful and asked if everything was ok since he noticed our stil-full plates/bowl. We just said we were full and enjoyed a song from the mariachis (who had by this time made it downstairs) and left. Very unfortunate that the food sux so much cos we really wanted to come back -- but I am Mexican-American and this food is in no way indicative of what Mexican food should be. Tsk tsk. Pros: Fantastic setting, very friendly service, live mariachis Cons: Dirty shrimp in soup, rubber steak, watery salad more

i love this restaurant. everytime i go, the staff is so friendly and prompt. the decor makes you feel like you're in quaint restaurant in mexico. the potato tacos are the best! Pros: good food, good service, good price more

Of the many Mexican restaurants that pepper Los Angeles like New York City Starbucks, this is very near the top of the list. The ambiance is comfortable and unpretentious, but nowhere near seedy. The energy spent at other restaurants forcing waitstaff to wear ""authentic"" Mexican dress is clearly aimed at making the food authentic here. Incredibly fresh chips and homemade salsa made their way to the table quickly, and came dangerously close to being too filling. Pros: great waitstaff, fresh food, easy access, not overly crowded more

Lares is a great. The food is great. The ambiance is terrific. The service is the best. The prices are adequate and I always go back. Never have a bad experience at this place, although it does get stuffy on Friday night. It's a happening place for being on Pico! Go and enjoy a nice relaxing night at Lares and ask for a special margarita. Pros: Street parking everywhere, and valet Cons: gets a little crowded more

i was hesitant coming back after the fire... but, i am so glad i came back. THE CARNITAS ARE STILL JUST AS GOOD and the don julio margaritas are just as yummy! the ambience in this wonderful restaurant is just festive. and if you are looking for tex-mex type food -- this is not the place to go. and thank goodness for that! i will definitely keep on coming back. Pros: carnitas more