El Arco Iris Restaurant

Claim
marker

5684 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042

marker
(323) 254-3401
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
El Arco Iris Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
Reviews
( 18 )
( 7 )
( 2 )
( 0 )
( 0 )

Best

This restaurant has a great tradition of providing great service, really good food, and excellent margaritas. It is definitely family friendly and an important gathering spot f...

Worst

All reviews seem positive

The BURRITOS are not like any other 2/4/2014

The BURRITOS are not like any other burritos. They look like they can feed about 4 people! Best burritos in Highland Park! more

Friendly Service, Really Good Food, and a Welcoming Staff 4/27/2009

This restaurant has a great tradition of providing great service, really good food, and excellent margaritas. It is definitely family friendly and an important gathering spot for community folks. Pros: Best Margarita in LA! Cons: If you're looking for romantic... Look elsewhere more

Friendly Service, Really Good Food, and a Welcoming Staff 4/26/2009

This restaurant has a great tradition of providing great service, really good food, and excellent margaritas. It is definitely family friendly and an important gathering spot for community folks. Pros: Best Margarita in LA! Cons: If you're looking for romantic... Look elsewhere more

Best and Authentic Mexican Food 9/26/2008

I've been a happily fed patron of El Arco Iris since 1981. My in-laws have been eating at El Arco Iris since 1970 and they still continue to order the very same dishes they enjoyed from the original owners of the restaurant (who now have their family run the day to day). Our favorite has always been the Jesse's special burrito. I like the hot (with carnitas) and my husband likes the medium (chile colorado) but he always orders it without guacamole. Pros: Food, Family Friendly Cons: Sometimes noisy more

Best and Authentic Mexican Food 9/25/2008

I've been a happily fed patron of El Arco Iris since 1981. My in-laws have been eating at El Arco Iris since 1970 and they still continue to order the very same dishes they enjoyed from the original owners of the restaurant (who now have their family run the day to day). Our favorite has always been the Jesse's special burrito. I like the hot (with carnitas) and my husband likes the medium (chile colorado) but he always orders it without guacamole. Yes, during the renovation, our family was definitely hurting for our El Arco Iris fix. After the renovation, they added a few new items to the menu that I also love to order: sopes and calabacitas (which is vegetarian but I order chicken or asada on top). Yes, they did have THE LOUDEST BLENDER IN THE WORLD, but, I mentioned it to Jesse. The next time I ate at the restaurant, he remembered by comment and let me know they purchased a quiet blender. So, it's not a problem anymore! It's a family owned and operated restaurant and my family loves this restaurant. The staff knows my family, they've seen me go there for burrito cravings when pregnant and now I bring my two boys there to eat. They are very friendly and the food is AMAZING. If you're on the fence...get up and go directly to El Arco Iris and order the Jesse special burrito (hot or mild) and if you're feeling extra hungry, get it "Extra Special" and a side of delicious guacamole and/or a hard chicken taco or carnitas taco with onions and cilantro. I can say that their margaritas are delicious but depending on who's behind the bar, it can either be strong (which I like) or kinda weak. So, just let them know your preference. Hope you enjoy El Arco Iris as much as my family does. Yum! Pros: Food, Family Friendly Cons: Sometimes noisy more

Too much noise// acceptable food/ good service 5/2/2008

I was frankly surprised that reviewers have not mentioned in their discussions that this is clearly one of the most noise filled restaurants in the city. This is not caused by enthusiastic guests watching the local team on the the TV at the local sports bar, but is largely the results of the bad acoustics in the dining room, and also their margarita mixer that has the equivalent db.s that comes out of a jackhammer. I'm serious, never before have I ever noticed the sound of a margarita mixer getting so loud you couldn't hear the person across the table from you. And we were on the other side of the restaurant!! Pros: low prices Cons: NOI more

Too much noise// acceptable food/ good service 5/2/2008

I was frankly surprised that reviewers have not mentioned in their discussions that this is clearly one of the most noise filled restaurants in the city. This is not caused by enthusiastic guests watching the local team on the the TV at the local sports bar, but is largely the results of the bad acoustics in the dining room, and also their margarita mixer that has the equivalent db.s that comes out of a jackhammer. I'm serious, never before have I ever noticed the sound of a margarita mixer getting so loud you couldn't hear the person across the table from you. And we were on the other side of the restaurant!! One reviewer described the place as "romantic." It might be if you are a lip reader, or want to express your love by way of exaggerated gestures like those seen in silent movies. The pollo mole is above average, but the balance of the selections are unimaginative offerings. Although, to the extent Mexican food can be, the selections are wholesome. On the plus side, the polite staff brings the dishes to the table when they are still piping hot. The prices are reasonable, and the margaritas have more tequila in them than you typically find at the Mexican restaurant chains that have proliferated all over the county in the last two decades. Having said all that, be mindful that you would have a much better dining experience at La Fuente, or Mijares. both are in the general area, so give them a try. Pros: low prices Cons: NOI more

Best Carne Asada Burrito 11/20/2006

I have been coming here for 10 years now. I try to make it in at least once a month. Pros: Great Burritos more

Best Carne Asada Burrito 11/19/2006

I have been coming here for 10 years now. I try to make it in at least once a month. This place was recently redecorated (not that it needed it). It was closed for a couple of months and I thought I was going to go crazy. Everything is good but my favorite is the Jesse Extra Special Burrito. You have your choice of filling, (Pork, Chicken, Barbacoa, Carne Asada) I get the Carne Asada It is covered with cheese and sauce and every bite is scrumptious. The just added a bar and they make a mean Margarita. Pros: Great Burritos more

Good mexima food 8/18/2006

This is a true Mexican family restaurant that has been run by the same family for the past decades. You know the food is good because the lo... more

Perfect Blend of Smooth and Relaxing Ambiance with Delicious Traditional Mexican Food 7/25/2006

El Arco Iris has been my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA ever since my first visit in 1996. Favorites include chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, chile verde and any of the fajita plates, however first timers have to try the Jesse extra special - it's an experience not to be missed (you may even get to order one from the dashing Jesse himself). El Arco stepped it up even more when they underwent a major revenovation earlier this year which added a bar and lounge area which serves everything from traditional Mexican beers and tequilas to a top shelf Martini. A great place for a date on Friday night, a weekday lunch or brunch with the family on Sunday. Buen Provecho! Pros: Delicious and Affordable Authentic Mexican Food, Cool Bar more

Perfect Blend of Smooth and Relaxing Ambiance with Delicious Traditional Mexican Food 7/25/2006

El Arco Iris has been my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA ever since my first visit in 1996. Favorites include chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, chile verde and any of the fajita plates, however first timers have to try the Jesse extra special - it's an experience not to be missed (you may even get to order one from the dashing Jesse himself). El Arco stepped it up even more when they underwent a major revenovation earlier this year which added a bar and lounge area which serves everything from traditional Mexican beers and tequilas to a top shelf Martini. A great place for a date on Friday night, a weekday lunch or brunch with the family on Sunday. Buen Provecho! Pros: Delicious and Affordable Authentic Mexican Food, Cool Bar more

Best Mexican food this side of the border 7/11/2006

My family has been going here for over 20yrs and it has ruined me for all other Mexican food. My biggest problem when coming here is deciding what to eat because it is all amazing. I usually end up ordering a Jesse's extra special burrito or the carne asada. A side of guacamole is always key here too- it's always fresh and tasty. I live about 35miles away now, but when I'm craving Mexican, El Arco Iris is well worth the trip. Pros: everything more

Best Mexican food this side of the border 7/11/2006

My family has been going here for over 20yrs and it has ruined me for all other Mexican food. My biggest problem when coming here is deciding what to eat because it is all amazing. I usually end up ordering a Jesse's extra special burrito or the carne asada. A side of guacamole is always key here too- it's always fresh and tasty. I live about 35miles away now, but when I'm craving Mexican, El Arco Iris is well worth the trip. Pros: everything more

Recommended! 5/15/2006

El Arco Iris recenty underwent a major renovation. The outside appearance is deceiving. Go inside, and you will find a hip and vibrant restaurant and bar. The food is wonderful, and at very reasonable prices. The service is always friendly. Parking can be tight in their small lot, but there is almost always street parking if the lot is full. Pros: Food, Value, Service Cons: Parking more

Recommended! 5/14/2006

El Arco Iris recenty underwent a major renovation. The outside appearance is deceiving. Go inside, and you will find a hip and vibrant restaurant and bar. The food is wonderful, and at very reasonable prices. The service is always friendly. Parking can be tight in their small lot, but there is almost always street parking if the lot is full. Pros: Food, Value, Service Cons: Parking more

A hidden jewel in Highland Park 4/10/2006

El Arco Iris is quite possibily the hippest Mexican restaurant on the East side. The ambience is a perfect mix of modern and traditional mexican decor with a gorgeous bar, great music selections and enchanting art work. The staff is friendly and efficent and the food is to die for! The best fish tacos I ever had! Not to mention, their clever cocktail menu which offers a very unique variety of drinks . . .my favorite, the ""mexican russian"" :) I'm addicted, I go at least twice a week! Pros: Inexpensive, GREAT food, beautiful ambience more

A hidden jewel in Highland Park 4/10/2006

El Arco Iris is quite possibily the hippest Mexican restaurant on the East side. The ambience is a perfect mix of modern and traditional mexican decor with a gorgeous bar, great music selections and enchanting art work. The staff is friendly and efficent and the food is to die for! The best fish tacos I ever had! Not to mention, their clever cocktail menu which offers a very unique variety of drinks . . .my favorite, the "mexican russian" :) I'm addicted, I go at least twice a week! Pros: Inexpensive, GREAT food, beautiful ambience more

Great food, great prices, great service 10/14/2005

The food is delicious, the prices are great, and the service is warm and friendly. I always take friends from out of town here, especially if they live somewhere where they can't get good, authentic Mexican food. Pros: Inexpensive, Flat screen TVS more

Great food, great prices, great service 10/13/2005

The food is delicious, the prices are great, and the service is warm and friendly. I always take friends from out of town here, especially if they live somewhere where they can't get good, authentic Mexican food. Pros: Inexpensive, Flat screen TVS more
< Previous 1 2 Next >
Menu for El Arco Iris Restaurant


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial
  • For four decades, the Montes family has served home-style Mexican delicacies in their comfortable neighborhood restaurant. Roomy brocade booths line the walls, which are hung with lively posters...

  • 5/3/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Thursday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Friday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Discover, Diner's Club, Master Card, American Express, Visa, Carte Blanche
  • Neighborhoods: East LA, Eagle Rock
badge