El Carmen Restaurant

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8138 W 3RD St (at Crescent Heights Boulevard)
Los Angeles, CA 90048

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(323) 852-1552
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El Carmen Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
Reviews
( 12 )
( 22 )
( 7 )
( 1 )
( 1 )

Best

if you're looking for tequila, look no further. this place has got it. i like the red vibe in this place- it's kinda sexy. i've taken a lot of dates here cuz its easy to get ro...

Worst

Had a drink here on Friday night. $10 for a margarita on the rocks. It was mostly rocks with very little tequila. And it comes in a small glass. The bartender chick was pretty...

best marg, new staff 7/20/2006

about every second or third time i come in the bartendars buy me a shot!! recommend eating a taco if your drinking they are strong...the whole place has a better feel, I have been coming to El Carmen for 10 yrs and about a year ago i stopped going. wanted to post something because its such a great place to take friends, GREAT food, AWESOME jukebox, good service, GREAT DRINKS!!! Oh they have a secret happy hour that they dont advertise but u can get 3$ kickass marg Pros: you get a free shot just about everytime u come, food is great, strong drinks more
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Best Freakin' Gaucamole and Bartending in Town 6/20/2006

Like I said, when i dipped into the gaucamole with my homemade-style tortilla chips, it was like that moment my chip was created for.. a kitchy little Tequila Bar, (that does'nt mind if you order a shot of Jack), with ""Mexican Pulp Film"" reminiscent walls and ceilings, it a great place to throw back a few premium shots and munch on exceptional drunken mexican dishes.. All delivered by knowlegeable, friendly Bartenders (ask for Kevin). more
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used to be a great spot 1/2/2006

I'm out and about a lot in L.A. Stopped by after a hiatus for a cocktail. not what it used to be. stragglers pre or post little door may enjoy, but this once-hot tequila stop is not so much anymore... more
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Just another tequila sunrise 12/11/2005

The decor is very cool but the service is absolute crap. I heard all this ""this is where the beautiful people go"" stuff and found that there were two beautiful people in the bar...me and the girl I was with. I tried the pineapple infused tequila and would say its ""okay"". I wouldn't recommend this place yet, as is usually the case I'll try it a second time before I tell you that this place is a waste of time and money. Pros: Decor, Variety Cons: Service, Price more
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Rest. Mgr about town 2/22/2005

Very unique, very fun. First timer, talked finer points of tequila with the very knowledgable and personable bartender. They know what their doin here!!! After wading thru the colossal tequila menu, had the 'tender suggest some new brands I had not tried, all very good. Tried the infused tequila in a big glass jar sittin on the bar, it was awesome!! After being there awhile my girl and I needed some eats. We were pleasently suprised to find that the food was excellent considering this is technically a bar. I went on a weeknight, not too crowded, but could definately feel & see the trendy, tooo cool crowd. If you meet someone you like, slip into the ""Little Door"" restaurant next door for some quiet time, it is equally as cool in its own way. Pros: margaritas, service, food Cons: Parking, can be crowded more
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Pretty Cool... 12/8/2004

This place is worth checking out... I like the decor and feel of the room. I thought the prices and food were decent. They had a DJ on Sunday spinning a good mix of 80's dance tunes. Bartenders seemed pretty cool...no attitude and helpful. I'd say 2.5 out of 4 stars. Pros: cool room, good tunes more
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Rude Awakening :-( 8/24/2004

I must say that El Carmen is one of the strangest experiences I've ever had on the Westside. Ordered a margarita, which was weak, but also tasted watered down (literally). I switched it out for a mexijita which was refreshing. We ordered tacos with beans/rice. When the bill came we were slightly annoyed that it would cost us nearly $20/person for one drink and some less-than-gourmet corn tortilla tacos. Then after all this, the waitress comes running out and accuses us of shorting her. When we went back inside, she counted it in front of us and realized that we paid enough. She then complained that we didn't tip enough and in front of the bar starting yelling at us. I don't recommend this place if you're human -- if you're a trendy LA wanna-be who likes to spend lots of money, go for it -- it's your dream spot. Pros: Atmosphere, Tequila Menu, Location Cons: , Service, Price more
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Tequila and Tacos= HEAVEN 5/14/2003

Great drinks, wonderful food and a cool crowd. Hurry before it gets played out! more
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Still Bueno 2/5/2003

I haven't been to El Carmen for a couple of years, but I stopped in last Friday and had a blast! The fresh fruit margaritas were great. The juke box is rocking, the staff is a lot of fun and the croud is pretty sexy. I saw another review saying that El Carmen isn't what it used to be, but as far as I see it's still got it. Pros: fun, good drinks, great music Cons: a little crouded more
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ay, mama$ita! 12/29/2002

you've heard it here - you can easily drink your way deep past your pockets at el carmen if you don't watch it. i'd almost say it's worth it though - kick-butt margaritas. tho i don't know much about tequila, there are plenty to make the connoisseur happy. love the mexican wrestling theme and the lighting (and the bathroom-tiled walls)! the tables are little uncomfy, but look to be the best option since the bar area is lacking. the potato and mushroom tacos, respectively, are quite delish, as are the black beans and rice (authentico!). head there on your payday or um... when you get fired. el carmen will you fix you up in either situation. more
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The best Margarita 12/10/2002

This is where my and my girlfriends go for a real margarita. This place is also great for social interaction if you know what I mean. more
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speak loudly 9/19/2002

i am yet to go there for the food, but the ambiance is wonderful. just what you'd want from a sit and gurgle. it's loud for the ears, for the eyes, and for the belly. the plethora of tequila is exciting, but for those who do not know where to start, it's hard to get the bartender to tend to you for too long, for they have their own long lines to run through. but i know now to go for the margaritas...mango, it sounds good...with some tacos. i'm hungry more
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speak loudly 9/19/2002

i am yet to go there for the food, but the ambiance is wonderful. just what you'd want from a sit and gurgle. it's loud for the ears, for the eyes, and for the belly. the plethora of tequila is exciting, but for those who do not know where to start, it's hard to get the bartender to tend to you for too long, for they have their own long lines to run through. but i know now to go for the margaritas...mango, it sounds good...with some tacos. i'm hungry more
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Fun! 8/27/2002

This place was cool. Didnt get to eat, just showed up for some cocktails...which were AWESOME. You have to try the Mango Margarita. Cool crowd, fun atmosphere. Definately will go back. Pros: Great Drinks, Fun Crows, Cool Atmosphere Cons: Service a little slow more
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Fun! 8/27/2002

This place was cool. Didnt get to eat, just showed up for some cocktails...which were AWESOME. You have to try the Mango Margarita. Cool crowd, fun atmosphere. Definately will go back. Pros: Great Drinks, Fun Crows, Cool Atmosphere Cons: Service a little slow more
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potato tacos..YUM 8/16/2002

Good vegetarian stuff..like..potato or portobello mushroom tacos..but I really go there for the wrestling Ed Pashke like decor and the Margaritas. the big jar of pickled eggs is a nice touch. Pros: good veggie stuff, great margaritas Cons: so crowded on Sat. more
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potato tacos..YUM 8/16/2002

Good vegetarian stuff..like..potato or portobello mushroom tacos..but I really go there for the wrestling Ed Pashke like decor and the Margaritas. the big jar of pickled eggs is a nice touch. Pros: good veggie stuff, great margaritas Cons: so crowded on Sat. more
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EXPENSIVE!!!! 7/8/2002

My margarita was $14. That's all I've got to say. The place looks nice and my tacos was fantastic, but you can really run up a tab fast in this place. Good for special occassions or a drink after work but you don't want to be a regular here. They don't even have a happy hour. Darn westside bars! Pros: Decor, Variety Cons: Prices, Customers more
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Tequila! 7/1/2002

Great place to hang out with a large group. Consider this your warning that the bill can go up pretty quickly and if you don't eat, be prepared to spend the night standing. They have many different types of tequilas and friendly service. more
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Gotta check this place out 6/26/2002

This place serves up some good tequilas and margaritas. This place can get crowded (it's a small place), but at least the people here are good looking and without the attitude. The color, decor, and the atmosphere throws off a warm vibe...or maybe that warm vibe came from the tequila. more
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Menu for El Carmen Restaurant


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    If "Twin Peaks" director David Lynch designed a south-of-the-border bar, this is what it would be like. Mounted bull heads watch over tequila drinkers, while black velvet paintings of Mexican wrestlers survey the room. The theme carries over to the wrestler masks hanging from the ceiling and the Pulp-style art covering the walls. The surreal mood is locked in when the jukebox jams its fourth Michael Jackson song in the last hour and no one even notices.

    The Draw
    The kitsch factor draws its share of hipsters, but El Carmen also gets its fair share of the sleek and chic who come for the tequila, baby. There are more than 420 varieties to choose from; the sampler platter offers a sip or two of several different types. Or try a Mexjito, a delicious, tequila-based take on the mojito.

  • 4/30/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-2am Sat-Sun 7pm-2am
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Central LA, Beverly Center
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