El Cholo Cafe

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260 E Colorado Blvd Ste 203
Pasadena, CA 91101

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(626) 795-5800
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El Cholo Cafe - Pasadena, CA
Reviews
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Best

Even on a Tuesday night it feels like a Saturday night at El Cholo. Be forewarned El Cholo's are independently owned and operated though all in the family. Fresh table-side guaca...

Worst

Friends don't let friends dine at El Cholo. Food leaves much to be desired. If you need/want comparison, think of the following -- Acapulco's has better food. Yes, sad, but tru...

WASTE OF $ AND TIME 3/27/2009

first time ever, food was tasteless, beans seemed "watered down" steak fajitas were very tough, tacos were VERY greasy and the chili rellano was very bad!. *All their food is covered in "special sauces" no doubt to disguise the food. didn't make the food taste any better. 5 of us ate there on a Thursday evening and after about 3 bites we all agreed that the food was too bad and we left (did not even continue eating). This was a waste of our money and time. The waitress came to our table only once. Will never go back!! Mijares is better, even Acapulco (chain restaurant) is better than El Cholo. Pros: ambiance (?) Cons: tasteless food, bad service more
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thank god for double quilted. 12/10/2008

I ate here once because I kept seeing the place as I drove to work. Well bad idea. The food didn't taste good at all but at first I thought it might just be me. My group agreed. The next day the toilet paper became my best friend.... thanks Cholo, you brought me and double quilted paper much much closer. Pros: friendly wait staff Cons: everything else. more
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not so bad 2/28/2007

in my opinion the menu is too small. I had fajits & yes they were very good. My margarita was good & service was pretty good as well. Nothing special thou. They should have specials to widen the varities of food. Pros: pretty Cons: not enough choices more
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You're in L.A. -- there are MUCH BETTER Mexican restaurants around 2/23/2007

Friends don't let friends dine at El Cholo. Food leaves much to be desired. If you need/want comparison, think of the following -- Acapulco's has better food. Yes, sad, but true. I would only contemplate setting foot in El Cholo for Happy Hour. Drinks are good, and they get a decent group of people. Pros: Happy Hour Cons: Food more
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Its ok 7/14/2006

El cholo has "okay" food. Ive had better and for the price you have to pay it could be a lot better. The restaraunt itself is beautiful and classy. You probably pay for the setting. Waiters are friendly, good for groups but it does take a while for them to bring the "ok" food. more
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Guacamole Ole! 7/13/2006

Even on a Tuesday night it feels like a Saturday night at El Cholo. Be forewarned El Cholo's are independently owned and operated though all in the family. Fresh table-side guacamole was awesome! Taste of History Combination plate was more like a platter. Share the food. Portions are generous. Make reservations. Good for parties. Pros: good guacamole, fun atmosphere, authentic flavors Cons: loud, crowded more
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you call that a chile relleno 3/13/2006

I would've thought by ordering a chile relleno, that somewhere there would be a chile inside. to my surprise there was a faint appearance of one, I didn't order egg I ordered a chile relleno. Pros: good salsa Cons: bad parking more
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Over Rated 3/8/2006

I expected so much from El Cholo and was very disapointed. First of we didnt get a seat that we requested for we were denied a booth. Our waiter was very slow we had to keep on him to refill our drinks. The food was not what I call authentic mexican food. The rice and beans I compare to a frozen dinner and the enchiladas my fiancee had were awful. The money was badly spent and the drive was not worth it. We will never return or reccommend this place to anyone. Pros: NICE ATMOSHPERE Cons: overpriced, not authentic mexican, VALETNO NEED FOR IT more
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Good, but not impressed 2/21/2006

I had high expectations of this restaurant. As a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, I've heard wonderful things about El Cholo. When this location opened up closer to my home, I decided to finally give it a try. I have to say, I think my expectations got the better of me. I was a little disappointed in the flavor of the food, in the pricing of the food and in the service. The food was definitely fresh and presented well. Unfortunately it seems a little flavorless. The service was generally friendly but sketchy. I have to admit some frustration in watching our waitress chat it up with one of the kitchen guys while our beverage glasses sat empty. Also, the menu pricing seemed a little high for what we dined on. I think overall my husband and I decided to frequent other places when looking for Mexican food. Pros: valet service more
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Pasadena favorite Mexican Restaurant?, Nope 7/5/2005

This is a big busy Mexican Restaurant. The location is convenient, The Margaritas are nice, but it goes down hill from there. Unfortunately, the menu is long on the history of the restaurant, but very short on selection. It is Mexican Food after all, so having a wide selection is possible, but based on the limited selection and the tasteof the food, I fear that this Mexican food is made some where else and reheated at the restaurant. The Guacamole, made at your table is a nice touch, but having a tip jar on the tray is a bit too pushy. It has great promise and a great past, but the management needs to work on the food. Its always busy and if your looking for a quiet dinner is not the place Pros: good location, good margaritas, fast service Cons: the food needs help more
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Great Mexican Cuisine! 3/14/2005

I come here often. The food is exquisite and the waiters are great. They are always making sure you are ok. The drinks are delicisious and the Bartender really hooks you up. You have to be here to believe it. more
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Okay.. 3/11/2005

This place is more bells and whistles than anything else. I've been to the El Cholo in Los Angeles but this one was just not the same. There was something about my food that made it seem as if manufactured on an assembly line. The texture of the tamale was as if previsously frozen and popped in the microwave and tops with some sauce. I was also disappointed with the quality of their taco. Instead of the traditional folded taco, they service up these things that look like taquitos but half the size. They do serve a GOOD margarita though. more
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The right joint for the right crowd... 1/12/2005

...that is if you don't have the slightest idea and taste in food. You are what you eat, I found out when I first came here. There was absolutely NOTHING on the menu, except for the $$$ symbol all over it. I couldn't even enjoy the drinks because the food had done it for me. I love Mexican food and this restaurant's great (decore wise), but not a great place to enjoy the food. If you're completely lost and the choice you've made are based on observation, not word of mouth, then you are most welcomed here and experience it for yourself. I can only recommend this to people that does not have taste. Pros: Architecture, Parking more
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Over-rated 5/22/2004

The service was incredibly slow, the food was cold...the margarita was GREAT!!!!!!!!! The decor is quaint and the patio is protected from most of the elements. I hate valet parking when there is a lot provided by the restaurant, the only other option was the street. Pros: Patio, Margarita's, Ambiance Cons: , Slow Service, Cold Food more
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Margaritaville 5/29/2002

they have a very nice bar, with a good selection of Margaritas, which were very good. but the food was nothing but average, a few things you don't see very often, green corn tamales ,and such. But I have had better food from little 'Mom n' Pop' places.... more
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Don't expect Paella or Tapas 5/20/2002

The sign outside says a "Spanish Cafe," but the food they serve is Mexican - and its only average. Atmosphere and value are two things this restaurant does have going for it. It is a Spanish style building with decent patio seating and a waiting staff in semi-authentic dress, and most items on the menu are relatively inexpensive. more
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Menu for El Cholo Cafe


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Editorial

  • Family-friendly Mexican restaurant with kitschy decor and standard fare like enchilada and burrito combination plates. Also, popular happy hour scene.

  • 4/24/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Master Card, Discover, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: South Pasadena
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