Lucy's El Adobe Cafe

We went to El Adobe for the first time thinking the experience was going to be a good one but to our it was way below our expectations. We were with a large party so we decided to stay out on the patio, the table over the fire pit had a bowl of salsa (which Sucked badly) between every 2 seats but no chips and if we wanted any we had to ask multiple times. the beers were $7.00 a piece and margaritas were $10.00 and just a tea unsweetened was $3.00. We asked if we could order dinner and we were told ""no, only guacamole (which was like it was squeezed from a plastic container), nachos w/ or w/o chicken (the kind you get in a cheap cheesy buffet) or a quesadilla. w/ or w/o chicken (which was the best thing we had. After 5 minutes of trying to find out why we couldn't get a menu or order dinner we figured we would try one of each and ordered because we were hungry (anticipating a good meal we didn't eat prior coming). Our food was brought out and we had to pay immediately, and our total for 3 small orders (very small orders) of appetizers and a beer and a tea with no refills unless you flagged down the waiter was $42.00. We couldn't run a tab or even go into the bar and order drinks. My husband went in to get a beer because the waiter couldn't be found we were refused service not once but twice. My husband said ""so your not going to serve me?"" and the bartender said no go outside and the server will take your order. I went inside to order after waiting for 20 minutes for the server to come by even after flagging him down 3 times to get a refill on my tea and a margarita for my husband and there was someone waiting at the door to stop me and refuse service. Needless to say after spending more than $60.00 in appetizers and drinks with HORRIFIC service I will never go back and have told everyone I know not to do the same. Go to El Cholo for the same prices or go to El Torito for better service and much better food. That's definitely saying a lot for El Torito because they a good but I have eaten all over the U.S. and Mexico and had outstanding Mexican food and wouldn't consider El Torito to be one of the best places but MOST DEFINITELY better than Lucy's El Adobe Cafe. I would say its more like bad hospital food! If I could give them a ZERO (0) I would. DO NOT EAT THERE or DRINK THERE if you want to get drunk because its not worth it!!!!! more

I have been going to Lucy's for 20 years. NEVER AGAIN. I have repeatedly been disappointed by the service and high prices. If it weren't for the dressing, I would have seen the light a lot sooner. The owner and her staff have clearly forgotten they're in the hospitality business. There is nothing hospitable about their service. I am not interested in lining the pockets of people who have no respect or appreciation for their patrons. Goodbye Lucy's....it's been kinda sorta swell. I won't miss you! more

I have lived in LA my whole life and had never been here. The staff was GREAT!!! Very attentive and sweet. The margaritas were great! I will definately be back!!! Pros: Margaritas more

Well judging by the reviews it's not so hidden, but you can easily miss this place driving past Paramount on Melrose. The portions are epic. Chips, salsa, soup, salad and entree. Is the lentil soup necessary? No. Is it good. Yes. The combos are good and the quesadilla is a great small option for those looking for less. Pros: Super friendly servers. Cons: Small booths inside. Opt for the patio. more

I have been going to Lucy's for nearly 30 years and love it. The food is about B+ and their Margaritas are A+ ! The knuckleheads who posted bad reviews are simply going there to be ""star-struck"" hoping to see someone famous and when they don't, they pick on the service. ANY good restaurant has bad days and are frequenty busy. Famous people have and do eat there which is part of the draw of the looky-loos hoping to see someone. I did meet Timothy Leary in 1983 there, some of the KMET jocks in the bar..lol, but I never went there to ""see"" anyone. If you love mexican food and you're in Hollywood, go experience the atmosphere and food. Try not to go at 7pm on a Friday or Saturday night or you will wait for an hour to be seated- at least. Pros: Margaritas! Cons: The wait on the weekend more

I went here for the first time on a lunch date with my mom. She was hesitant about coming here in the 1st place because she has gone here a few times before & never had anything good to say about it but none the less she went along. First off, i asked if they had ""flavored"" margaritas & the waiter arrogantly stepped back, gave me a dirty look & said very much like he was put out ""no! we only have original, strawberry & Cadillac"" (which is not a flavor to the common person). He made me feel completely stupid & caught me off guard but I let it go. I then proceeded to order a lunch special of the beef enchiladas & then he stopped & asked me ""if I knew how this works"" like there is some kind of ordering process or like I didnt know what I was ordering &/or what it came with. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE!! If your not a celebrity or someone who throws $, they treat you like dirt. They are arrogant & full of hot air & dont' know how to talk to people!!!! I ordered a marg & he had the nerve to card me after it was brought to me...the drink was weak & the food is mediocre at best & it was like something served at a prison commisary. Ive been a SoCal resident my whole life & this by far has to be the worst place in L.A - THEY ARE ALL HYPE!!!!!!! I dont give a damn what celebrity goes there, just because you have a bank account bigger then mine doesnt mean you know a thing about good food &/or experience. Pros: nice patio seating during the day Cons: rude, arrogant, over priced, bad food, weak drinks more

We love going to Lucy's despite the bad service and always getting stuck with Erwin who overcharges and the profoundly apologizes for his mistakes.\r Margaritas are great, food is tasty, pricey but not worth the hassle getting stuck with the bad waiter in the bar room.\r Would love to be able to pick our waiter. more

First off, the owner is a b itch RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! She treats the staff like dirt and could care less if you are a repeat customer. She often tells customers to leave and not come back. The Marg's are good but the prices are outrageous. You better check your bill coz they OFTEN overcharge. Cash tips only, she charges the servers if you use a credit card. NOT worth the unhappiness you feel when you should be having fun. Go to Pueblo Viejo 4 doors down. NO to Lucy's Pros: Nice Patio Cons: Horrible Atmosphere more

I have been going to Lucy's off and on since I was 5 years old, which means I have been going for a quarter of a century. The restaurant has changed a bit, with the addition of another room and an attached, enclosed patio to the side, as well as an outdoor fire pit surrounded by a waterfall at the rear entrance. Frank (the original owner) has passed, and with him, some of the patronage of rock stars, movie stars, business men, politicians, etc... but Lucy (his wife) is still around and always greats the customers with a smile and gives both me and my parents big hugs. The food has not changed in 25 years, though the prices have, but I wouldn't expect them to stay the same after all this time. The prices may seem high at first, until you realize that it includes chips, salsa, soup, salad, rice and beans. Once you share an appetizer and have an entree, you will walk out stuffed and satisfied. The guacamole is creamy goodness, I like the quesadilla with it, and you can't go wrong with the tacos here. I usually advise my friends if they want a burrito, to not order anything else because it is HUGE and will be more than enough on it's own. All in all, while the place and prices may have changed, my love for it hasn't. My father still raves about the salad dressing, and I threw my 30th birthday party here (or the dinner portion of the party) and my friends all loved the food, the ambiance, and the margheritas. I don't drink tequila so I couldn't advise you about them. They still only take cash for tips, which I hate, but it's a minor inconvenience. Go if you want a laidback evening and simple mexican food. Nothing is too spicy unless you put the hot salsa on it. You can also ask for the mild salsa too when you sit and they will bring that out if you can't take the spicy temp of the usual salsa. After writing this, I am craving my usual din there, and I am actually going tonight : ) Pros: Ambience, Parking, Margherita's, Food, Laidback Cons: Cash tips only more

I can't believe some of what I'm reading here. Clearly, a group of angry, retaliatory people had a bad experience and are ganging up to destroy the reputation of what is still an incredible L.A. institution. Lucy's was my ""hangout"" from when I discovered it in 1973 until I moved from L.A. in 1987. I took dozens and friends and family there, marked happy and sad times with margaritas and platters of simple, well-prepared Mexican food. Virtually everyone I took there became regulars, too. Just last month, I returned and brought my teenage son with me. Except for the sad absence of the beloved Frank ""Pancho"" Casado, everything was the same. The margaritas were creamy and potent (I've never tasted anything like them -- deceptively drinkable, then wham!), the quesadillas and guacamole were still no-frills and tasty, and the enchiladas verdes, barbecue tacos and tostadas, salad dressing and chili colorado were absolutely delicious. Hadn't changed in 35 years. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but the meals include soup, salad, rice and beans. The burritos are enormous, easily worth the price. And it was comforting to see Oscar and Lucy still strolling the tables. We ended up going twice, using a credit card and -- gee, no troubles. There were big tables full of people who seemed to be regulars, seemingly unconcerned about the kinds of practices alleged here. There was nowhere near the energy or excitement of Lucy's heyday ? no movie or rock stars, politicos or TV personalities ? but it's still a charming place with excellent drinks and food and attentive service. I've had cravings since we went home! Pros: Great food and margaritas, served fast. Absolutely consistent. A true legend. Cons: Lacks the energy of its heyday. more

This is a great place to hang out with friends and spot celebrities now and then.\r Great food, great drinks and a horrible waiter named Edwin who rips people off on their bills and over-charges for no reason at all.\r Watch out Edwin is back he'll overcharge you and offer you illigal narcotics!!!!!!!!!! Pros: great atmosphere Cons: narcotics distribution more

We have been going for ten years, and are apart of the family at Lucys. Lucy always comes to our table for a visit, and our favorite waiter Oscar always brings the usual!!! There is a vibe about Lucys that is hard to describe. Perhaps it is the history of actors, monks, rock stars, and businessmen that provides such an ecclectic mix of energy. I love the tacos, enchiladas, and beans. The lemonade (house margaritas) will knock your socks off... ask for the pico de gallo with your chips ~ it ROCKS! We Love Lucys!!!! Pros: Great Vibe, Killer Margaritas, consistent quality, Fun Crowd! Cons: Busy place, parking sometimes difficult more

My girlfriend and I ate at Lucy's for the first time last night. We went with another couple, both couples sharing a meal platter and two pitchers of margarita. When the bill came it was non-itemized and they charged us NINETY DOLLARS and six cents for two meals that on the menu were $12, plus the two pitchers which should've came to somewhere around $45. The bill was stamped ""Cash Tip Only"" but when I checked my bank account the next morning Lucy's had charged me 108.06 - EIGHTEEN dollars more than the original bill. So on top of our generous $20 cash tip (it was New Years Eve), the actual tip ended up being $38, which was almost HALF of the already outrageously high original bill. Don't EVER eat here, this place is criminal- and the so called ""famous salad dressing"" is melted butter with garlic salt. This was the worst dining experience of my life, bar none. If for some ridiculous reason you still decide to eat here- PAY CASH and ask for an itemized receipt before the bill comes. Cons: over-charged on bill, over-charged when ran credit card, food average at best more

This place was one of the most horrible experiences I ever had.My husband and I had a tostada and a chiken burrito and the total amount was $40 because they completely over charge on EVERYTHING!!!! 2 sodas cost $6. The food was REALLY BAD and the service was horrible.\r \r \r Never going there again..... Cons: mmm...is there any more I can say? more

I was shocked when I opened the menu and saw the exhorbitantly high prices at Lucy's El Adobe. They are so ridiculously overpriced, it's sad to see them taking advantage of the neighborhood like this. They have been around forever but it's amazing to be expected to pay $15.00 for a measly plate of enchiladas. Plus the food was not even good -- bland, and very plain. The guacamole was tasty, but at $8.50 for a tiny little plate it was not even worth it. We ordered a burrito and an enchilada, both of which were covered in brown tasteless ranchera sauce. The margarita was decent though. Pros: decent margaritas, old school mexican vibe Cons: hideously expensive for tasteless food more

A friend and I decided to meet mid-week for a casual dinner! He suggested Lucy's El Adobe Cafe. Since I really like Mexican food and like trying new restaurants, I thought it sounded like a good plan. First off, the restaurant is fine. It's small, cute, and has a great patio. I ordered a margarita and it was fine but there was literally no kick at all to it. The food came and it was ""average"" at best. Nothing spectacular at all and I thought the beans were awful. The best part though was the salad dressing. When the bill came, it was almost $60 with tip for two people. Is it just me or does that seem excessive? I've eaten at much more spectacular restaurants with much better food for less than that. Service was okay. Nothing to write home about though! In short, I would say if you're craving Mexican food, you can do much better than this place in quality of food, drinks and prices. In fact, I have no idea why people even bother eating at this restaurant. Pros: Great salad dressing! Cons: High high prices for below average Mexican food! more

Love that buttery dressing on the salad - that surely cancels out any benefits of that iceberg lettuce. Great enchiladas and tacos too... more

This is a horrilble restaurant. They have a horrible waitress that is supposed to be Catholic and goes to church but is very vicious and mean and has a very dark soul. She is scary and ruins my appetite. Stay away from restaurant because the witch will put a spell on you. Pros: no pros Cons: They have a waitress that is a nasty witch more

I've been patronizing this restaurant since 1969. Back then, on Friday and Saturday nights, there was a block-long line outside on Melrose of people waiting to get in.\r \r My favorite entree is the Barbecue Taco Dinner. Delicious. I haven't found barbecued tacos at any other restaurant in North or Central America.\r \r The best thing here is Lucy's secret salad dressing: a beautiful blend of butter, oil, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and other ingredients that Lucy refuses to reveal. She should be selling it online.\r \r The menu has never changed, excepting for the prices. In the old days, Lucy and her late husband Frank greeted patrons at the front door. Today, Frank has passed, Lucy is in semi-retirement, and most people enter through the back parking lot entrance.\r \r Some believe the food is over-priced, but, because every dinner comes with both soup and salad, the $15.00 or so, seems reasonable, if not a bargain.\r \r Lucy used to sell me her salad dressing bottled for $1. per bottle. My last visit was April 2007. I was charged $15. for the same sized bottle. Most pricey, but every drop of dressing is superb. more

I charged $140 on my credit card, on my statement it said $240. Unfortunately, I lost the receipt and can't dispute the charge without it - management/owner has been no help. I will NEVER return, but if you go, I suggest paying in cash!\r \r And yes, the service is slow and food is overpriced, but it is a cool layout. Pros: Cool layout, great for groups Cons: Overpriced, thieving waiters more