Once again, a seeming disability can turn into an opportunity. I have been diagnosed celiac (gluten intolerant) for 26 years but I am a foodie and I owned a restaurant. I also travel and love to eat wherever I go so for the first 15 years or so after my diagnosis, my food can only be described as cardboard or parakeet food. However, since being gluten intolerant has become extremely prevalent, it is much easier now to find great food and growing up in Venice, California Mexican food was and still is one of my favorite cuisine. I was going to go to an event for Yelp at the Regent where I knew I would find snack type food that would be inedible for me so after partaking in the wonder of Dia de los Muertos, I walked past Bar Ama and was captivated by the cool interior. I wasn't planning on eating much but in keeping with the Halloween Calaveras theme, I sat at the bar and had a wonderful talk with the bartender/server and some fellow diners who are also eating at the bar. Whenever there are specials, I try to order them, and in this case, this was no exception as I started off with my first Pumpkin Margarita - pumpkin, cinnamon, tequila, combier, lime, agave. Nice taste without an overpowering pumpkin flavor. Since I'm a lightweight and cheap date, I had to have some hardy food and I tried their super nachos with shredded chichen picidilia. Calling something super could mean big and/or delicious. This was both. I powered through most of it and then the devious server made me look at their muy especial desserts. That's a lie but while I'm gluten intolerant I'm not glutton intolerant so I gave in to try a dessert presented in the spirit of the holiday- Pistachio Cheesecake Brûlée- kataif, buttermilk créme fraiche, saffron honey cherry blossom salt. I don't even know exactly how you take my favorite dessert in which I am a self proclaimed expert, Creme brûlée (which was the only dessert I could safely eat for years) and pair it with my second favorite, cheesecake. Are you kidding me? Ama tell you this was epic in the presentation that was almost too nice to eat. That's BS I dug right in after taking a few snaps for y'all and so I could salivate looking at the pics later. Delicioso friends. Needless to say I waddled content over to the Regent and ate nothing so as not to break the vibe of the meal. Gracias Bar Ama. read more

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I don't know ..honestly, it was called something else while we were there. Maybe will have to try another night. I don't like that they don't have straws and use so much crushed ice in drinks read more

BAR Ama - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My first time here and it's a cute bar! Very small place with good food! I ordered the guacamole that was very bomb that had a little kick to it! It was 5/5 for sure! I tried the green chicken enchiladas that were very good!! Good flavor and spice. The customer service was 4/5 pretty good just could have came back more often to check on us. I will try Barama again! Enjoyed my time and food. Parking available on the street! read more

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Wow .. amazing ... hidden gem! Upscale Mexican food at a casual fare - all day happy hour at the bar, cute little dining area. The restaurant next door has a Michelin star and it's the same chef. Menu is constantly changing and being updated to even more delicious food. Staff is always awesome and friendly. Great margs too! read more

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Really like the vibes of this place. It was very chill and I liked the decor. I was with a group and we all sat at the bar. The bartenders were really nice and gave us good recommendations. We only ordered drinks, no food. The margaritas were good and the Snake's blood drink was pretty good. I also liked that they had non alcoholic mixed drink options as well. Not sure every drink was worth the price but I would go back to try the food. read more

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4++ this might be the most 'chic' restaurant I've ever been to that specializes in Tex-Mex. I came here on a weeknight and the place was pretty chill. I was able to get a seat at the bar right away. I like that they have a pretty straightforward simple menu. Everything seems reasonably priced in the mid range and there are offerings that are in the upper range as well. I came here, hoping to just have kind of a casual dinner by myself and a drink. This place definitely did not disappoint. I ended up ordering one of the 'bacos' and I thought it was tasty. It had me all nostalgic for the chef's old restaurant - Baco Mercat. Just a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or by yourself at the bar. read more

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Hidden gem, indeed! I was invited to Bar Ama for a small birthday dinner - table for 6. Clean, dim setting and not too crowded. Our waiter Nate was great! I ordered his favorite items and wasn't disappointed at all. I had the Snakes Blood (whiskey with hibiscus) and the chicken ranchero plate (I think). It was sooo yummy. The order consists of one large soft taco with a good portion of shredded chicken on top. It was SO flavorful. I couldn't tell exactly what it was, but it almost tasted Mediterranean. There were many appetizers and desserts involved as well. Everything was delicious. The queso was especially popular, we reordered that maybe 3 times. Service was lovely. Everyone was nice and very attentive. Great place to pop in with colleagues after hours if you work nearby read more

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I tried this spot during Dine LA this year (specifically Le Dräq, which is the newest restaurant inside of Bar Ama) and overall the food wasn't anything exciting, but that's not to say it was "bad" either. We tried several things from the DineLA menu (i.e. Pesto Cauliflower, Caesar Brussels), as well as some other additions that we thought sounded too good to not try (i.e. Truffle Caviar Nachos, Lobster Flauta). The only things that truly stood out would be the le dräQ bäco (wagyu short rib "taco") and the pineapple upside-down cake, which reminded me of an apple crisp. Both of those were very delicious and flavorful, but most of the other food options we tried were a bit underwhelming from a flavor perspective. The lobster flauta was fine, but tasted more like cheese than it did lobster, and the caviar truffle nachos, which I'd expect to have that wow-factor solely based on its description alone, simply fell short and was not nearly as flavorful or unique as I expected (the $25 price point also did not warrant the portion or the taste in my opinion; a few items here seemed priced a bit high for what you get, but I chalk that up to the current state of our economy more than anything else rather than to the fault of the restaurant themselves). On the flip side, the service was amazing and they were very attentive. And the overall ambiance of the restaurant/bar is chic and cute. TL;DR: While a lot of the food was just average in my opinion, I didn't have any complaints on the service or ambiance. I think this would be a nice spot to grab drinks at, with a couple light bites (including the wagyu bäco - in my opinion, the standout that you must try if you do come here), but I wouldn't come here solely for the food expecting culinary excellence. read more

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I came here once last year and really enjoyed the food but I came back this weekend and was beyond impressed~ We came here after specifically looking for piri piri chicken (this dish is originally from Portugal) and have had trouble finding a dish similar to it in LA. Stumbled upon the menu for Bar Ama for their fajitas with piri piri chicken. Ordered the fajitas and it was amazing! The piri piri chicken fajitas had the piri piri sauce and seasoning, so juicy and tender. It was sauteed with green bell peppers and onions. It also came with two different salsas, and one mayo sauce along with rice & beans mixture and four flour tortillas. Their guacamole is also one of my favorites! I'll be back to get more fajitas next time. read more

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The food here is incredible! They are so friendly and welcoming, everything was ready in minutes. They're off menu, secret item. Puffy tacos are an absolute must, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. They have a great happy hour as well. One of our favorite restaurants downtown Los Angeles, highly recommended if you're looking for elevated Mexican food and a casual environment. read more

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What a disappointment. I always try to start my reviews with something positive but this one is not so easy to do. Positives: fair portion sizes and pricing. Staff is nice despite lacking the knowledge on what proper customer service is. A good variety of options for those who are vegetarians. Bar menu and regular menu differ. They do not have soda but only in house made beverages. Nothing from a food perspective will blow your mind. The best item is the sweet potato at this hot yet casual spot. My biggest issue with this place: while waiting for our food to come, a roach was crawling on the wall behind me causing our party to move to a different on our own. In a very private manner I informed the staff who couldn't care less as they carried on as if that's part of the show. No discount no comp nothing. Honestly, 3 stars is being nice. read more

At long last I finally tried Bar Ama, chef Josef Centeno's Tex-Mex cantina. I have dined at his adjacent Italian-Japanese omakase tasting menu Orsa and Winston; they share restrooms. That was during the pandemic, when both restaurants were serving in the adjacent alley. Bar Ama entwines traditional Tex-Mex offerings with lots of fresh vegetables, plus a selection of off-the-menu puffy tacos (an ode to chef's hometown of San Antonio). The restaurant has a regular menu, while the bar has a Super Nacho Hour menu. Note that during the first 2 hours of service, the bar menu is also available in the dining room, and there are deals to be had. I ordered a medley of dishes off both menus and had lots of leftovers. From the Super Nacho Hour menu: 1) Ama's margarita. Classic, with a chile-salt rim. 2) sweet potato mole dorados. Two crispy empanada-like half circles of deliciousness topped with a pretty complex mole. 3) Squash blossom quesadilla. Although I could see the squash blossoms, there wasn't a lot of flavour. The chile crunch dipping sauce was smoky but not too spicy. Had I not been dining solo, I would have ordered the Super Nachos, which looked nice on an adjacent table. From the regular menu: 4) Grilled baby corn. Delish! Tiny baby corn with the husks still attached perfectly grilled. 5) Mom's green chicken enchiladas. Apparently based on chef's mom's recipe; classic and comforting in the best way, baked and served in a hot cast iron skillet. Definitely has some spice! Off the menu (just ask): 6) shrimp puffy taco. There were several filling options, but the server recommended this one. It was fab. This crunchy dish as well as the crispy dorados were finished here so as not to lose the texture. Dessert was a plate-size bunuelo, a disc of fried dough flavoured with cinnamon sugar and honey. Also finished at the restaurant. Overall a very good and ample meal. So many other things I'd like to try in the future. read more

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Came back over this past week with some friends and had a better experience than last time apparently! We sat at the bar for a few drinks and snacks and I didn't make a huge mess this time around The nachos were killer, just as yummy as last time. I also tried the sweet potato dorados and a pulled chicken taco which were great Margs were yummy but what stood out the most was the spicy rim. Tasted more than just salt and Tajín, a nice sweetness to it that added a lot to the margarita read more

BAR Ama - Queso Super Nachos with Chicken Picadillo Kit - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Nice vibes for a cocktail with friends or colleagues! We also had food and I loved the aguachile! Definitely a place to keep in my back pocket. read more

BAR Ama - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We stumbled upon BAR Ama and it was wonderful. BAR Ama is one of those rare hidden gems where every detail feels thoughtfully put together. The food is incredibly unique and flavorful -- every dish feels like a modern take on Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere is warm and stylish without feeling pretentious, and the staff truly elevate the experience. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. read more

The service here is excellent and the food is tasty- it's an elevated Tex-Mex vibe. We ordered the fried fish tacos, tacos dorados, green chicken enchiladas, and sweet potato mole enchiladas. My favorite is ordering the sweet potato enchiladas with the green Chile sauce, but everything is really good. read more

Cool spot with a great vibe for Mexican fusion food! I repeat this is not your typical Mexican street taco menu. With that said nacho (happy) hour is a great deal and an awesome way to try everything! Tortillas thin and light made of flour and the filling is meaty! I had the shredded chicken and ground chicken. I also forgot to mention they are vegan and plant based friendly! So for those of you that enjoy that give them a chance. Queso also great and desserts? Order them all and share. The tapioca was so light i could eat 2 every day. Rice pudding thicker but not sugary. Come and enjoy and try something different. Parking lot nearby one block away, street parking pay attention to signs. Must try: squash blossoms and puffy bread!! And all desserts lol. read more

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Long time fans of BAR Ama. Came tonight for Dine LA and it was exceptional. They are able to accommodate vegan and vegetarian which is awesome. The vegan option was guacamole, queso, cauliflower, chile relleno and mushroom birria. So freaking yummy. Such great flavors, excellent chef! Highly recommend. Super consistent year after year. read more

The restaurant environment is good. The service was nice. My friend commented the Fish Taco are the best fish taco they've ever had-- really crunchy and tasty! The Crunchy Duck Quesoritto though, is not crunchy at allit's just not that goodtoo much meat flavor for me. read more

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Bar Ama is awesome. We come here all the time. Bar tenders are really sweet and the nachos are the best. Today Emma was our bartender, she gave us great friendly service even though it was pretty busy. The pricing, vibes, good food and bartenders keep us coming back to bar ama read more

Delicious food to enjoy with friends or perhaps a date. The staff provided excellent service and were so kind and friendly. The enchiladas are very generous so consider sharing them or taking some home for later. Loved the guacamole and the deviled eggs. I look forward to returning to try more menu items. And don't sleep on the margaritas. We ordered a pitcher and it was excellent. read more

This place was a pleasant surprise! Not being from LA and in an area that doesn't seem like there'd be much to offer, we were thrilled to find this little gem. The Great - I LOVE the selection of some boujee Tex Mex! The Good - The food was beautiful, as was the space. The Bad - I wish we'd have been offered chips and salsa. Even if we had to pay. The Ugly - That 18% service charge guarantees I'll never be back. - Raise your prices and pay your employees more. I really liked my meal, which was the mushroom Birria and puffy bread. The service was nice, the speed of service wasn't bad and the area was nice and cozy. read more

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The food, appetizers & drinks were just outstanding.. The environment is very enjoyable and the Margaritas are out of this world!! The servers were very polite and top of our order. Parking was easy, parked in their garaged located 415 S Main and used their new Chargie Chargers to charge my BMW while we ate.. read more

We were at theatre around the corner at the music center and coming off of a two intermission play. I was very ready to grab a bite to eat. I admittedly have my favorite spots dtla but most open at 5p. It was a Sunday and not quite 5p but we didn't want to wait (a skill I'm not so great at ;) 30minutes for places to open. Enter my BAR Ama Yelp bookmark, a place couple different friends of mine have told me about in the past. Not only were they our saving grace, opening at 4p on a Sunday afternoon; we showed up with no rezzie and were immediately accommodated. It gets better! We then find out they have Happy Hour until 6p, on a weekend?!?! What type of magic establishment is this joint? I ordered a margarita, I'm not a big fan of mezcal - it's too smoky for me but if you're into it they have one of those margs on the HH list as well along with two beers and a few wines. We ordered the super nachos (no meat), a chicken ranchero taco and the taco dorados. Everything was super filling and yummy! Service was exceptional and if you're wondering if the JC on the boots stands for Jesus Christ, no it does not - I asked! It's actually their head chef. Enjoy! read more

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I've been here a handful of times over the years. The food is usually really good (I've felt like "meh" on a few items) and drinks are great. But the one thing I am obsessed with is the queso and chips. Omggggggggg. I can devour it solo. Chips are really great, tho greasy, but super big to get maximum cheese lol. There's a little sour cream and salsa in it too. I've door dashed just the queso before that's how much I like it lol. The last time I came our server seemed in a bad mood and was a little rude to us but that hasn't been the overarching history of the place so I won't write It off. We all have bad days. read more

BAR Ama - Queso and Chips - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Been coming here for many years, and the food is as good as it's ever been. Portions are very generous. Was elated to see they had added Bacos to the menu since our last visit. It transported my wife and I right back to Baco Mercat a decade ago. Won't wait so long to return this time... read more

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Stumbled upon this place after dinner while walking to our next destination. Decided to stop in and have a drink. This place is lovely. I wish I hadn't just eaten dinner because their food looked and smelled amazing. Their drinks are fabulous. Ordered the Snake's blood. It was made with a delicious in house prepared hibiscus syrup. The service was great and the place was so nice and clean, especially the restrooms. It looked like a small dive like place from the outside so it really exceeded my expectations. read more

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Back again for another amazing meal at Bar Ama. Food, service, and drinks are all still spectacular! You won't find a more satisfyingly relaxed and refined Tex-Mex spot in all of LA. read more

Went here for a birthday dinner for a group of 10 on a Saturday night and it was fantastic. It was group of vegan and non vegans and the staff was very informative in explaining the details of the menu. I order the off menu puffy taco and the happy hour shrimp dorado taco with diablo sauce and it was so delicious. My fiance enjoyed the vegan cashew queso and the mushroom birria. Definitely will be back again read more

I visited Bar Ama last night on a Friday. My first impression was very good. I arrived a little after my reservation time due to traffic but thwybwere able to seat us right away. We wanted to try a Tex Mex New Mexcian style because we wanted to welcome someone who was originally from that area. We started off with the pitcher of Ama Margarita. It was so good, you have to order this! The margarita tasted great and had the right amount of tequila. Unfortunately they did not have the super nachos on regular menu but we opted for the queso and chips was exceptional! So good! We ordered the green enchiladas, mole enchiladas, and the chicken. All amazing! I was very impressed with the flavors. My favorites were: Ama Margarita, Tex Mex queso, and green enchiladas. The service was great, very polite and helpful. I cant wait to come back. I want to sit in the outdoor area next time. Parking is a little tough but we found a lot not too far. Prices are a little high (e.g. street corn for $16) but that is expected from dtla locations. Can't wait to visit again. read more

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I am so glad this place is still open! Great creative tapas that will make you salivate over the different flavors and sauces. The drinks are delicious especially the one that starts with Blood...forgot the name but can't miss it on the cocktail menu. You have to order the rice pudding! It is seriously the BEST I've ever had!! I have no idea what they put in it but it's super creamy and not too sweet topped with cinnamon. Yummmmm We especially liked the Cauliflower. It was so good! Service was a bit slow but we loved it since we stayed a good 3 hours talking and eating as the food was coming out. They have valet outside in case you're worried about parking. I can't wait to go back!! 18% tip is automatically added to the bill. read more

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Shelly and Francis both were so lovely and friendly with my party. My older friend Paul got a bit too high off pot after a long day in court and was so overly chatty. They were both so friendly and attentive to all of us. Def try the Caesar Brussels! This was a game changer for sure and so unique! read more

BAR Ama - Rice pudding tastes like whipped creme with choco crunch bites - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The ambiance is super cute. Came here for dinner around 8:45. I would make a reservation as the place is small inside. The host/server was nice but he disappeared throughout the night. We had to flag him down when we needed additional items. We did notice that the pitcher of margarita was full of ice when it arrived. The place closed at 10 so we were told to leave around 10:30. We totally understood we over welcomed the stay but the female server could have said it nicer considering there was a big group still in the place as well. Bill was not super expensive considering how much food was given- super filling. read more

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Y'all better stop playing about this place. An institution known for the puffy tacos and the rice pudding; which I sincerely believe to be one of the best desserts in the city. At any rate, we popped in for dinner on a recent Friday night and the spot was surprisingly sleepy. While I was more than thankful to get an immediate seat, I also worried about what that meant for the restaurant. The menu is stacked with the veggie courses arguably being some of the best items on the menu. You're also going to get some fantastic cocktails. TL;DR this place is still a hit. Make your way over there ASAP read more

Headed here after an event on Sunday night - the restaurant was quiet and really cozy. Squash Blossoms - (5/5) - Herby, green, fried without feeling soaked in oil. I was really excited for these and they didn't disappoint, I wanted to order another! Fish Tacos - (5/5) - Yummm. Satisfying fish taco with lots of pickled vegetables inside. Each taco has two pieces of fish inside making it really filling. Shrimp Burger - (5/5) - Flavorful and simple crunchy burger, delicious. I would love to come back and try more things on their menu, it's a fun Tex-Mex place that is reasonably priced, they do charge an 18% service fee for equitable wages in case that shows up on your bill. read more

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The food is very good. The ambience is nice. The service was good. Our waitress had great patience with 6- type A personalities trying to order simultaneously. Yelp should have a CROWN icon for those deserving angels. Making a reservation was strange and uncomfortable. Somehow I didn't get through on the phone but ended up emailing the restaurant. We weren't given a clear reservation (several emails back and forth) so I took my party of 8 with crossed fingers. I didn't like not getting a confirmation of my reservation with a date and time. I hope that Bar Amá improves on communication and customer service. But all in all we had a sweet male server that smoothed everything out and we ate every bit of food on our plates! Delicious! The margaritas on Happy Hour were very good!!! read more

Love the vibe of this place. We sat at the bar.bartender was nice. I got the enchiladas which came in a skillet and stayed hot the whole time and were amazing. My friend got the nachos as part of happy hour. read more

BAR Ama - Mom's Green Chicken Enchiladas - Tex-Mex Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Close to zero alcohol in all of their drinks. I tried $12 snakes blood. Ok. A margarita pitcher for $38 won't even get you buzzed. It's mostly sugar so that was disappointing. The best food item we tried was the enchiladas. Brussel sprouts were below average. 18% automatic service charge added to your bill even if you're just a party of 2. read more

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This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. Parking can be a challenge, but we usually Uber, so it's never a problem. Every dish I've tried has been consistently excellent--and the cocktails are just as impressive. read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Bar Ama before. I've eaten there before the pandemic, and then I've dined outdoors and taken out during it. To be honest, bad chain restaurant memories of Tex-Mex kept me from eating that food again for a long time (like eating bad East Coast strip mall Chinese). However, I'm a huge fan of Orsa & Winston, and so eventually I overcame my Tex-Mex fears and ate at its sister restaurant. Most recently, I discovered the breakfast burrito, which is a small log of eggy, cheesy, bacon-filled goodness. It comes with a delicious salsa and is probably the height of comfort food. By itself, it's worth a trip to downtown from Hollywood (I know, because I made that trip this past Sunday). Speaking of comfort, the nachos here--I'm talking the chips themselves--are literally the best I've had anywhere. Before restaurants closed to outdoor dining--they shared a thoughtfully converted alley/breezeway with Orsa & Winston--I was able to pop in for a meal with my friend. Highlights included the guacamole, a fresh salad with fruit and their habanero green goddess dressing (which I LOVE), a killer broccolini dish (they always do great things with veggies here), as well as fantastic enchiladas. Of course, the margaritas here are what you'd expect--yummy, and available in several variations (though we stuck with the basic ones). They were just getting back to table service when we went for our last outdoor dining foray, and servers were friendly and properly protected, and tables were well spaced. Prices are higher than one might pay at a conventional Mexican restaurant, but that's to be expected--and reasonable--when you're talking about responsible sourcing of high-quality produce. I look forward to being able to eat here again (rather than just taking out) once LA County gets COVID under control. read more

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