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    Bastards American Canteen

    3.8 (628 reviews)

    Bastards American Canteen Photos

    BASTARDS AMERICAN CANTEEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bastards American Canteen

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    Isaac V.

    Great place for drinks and food! The service was excellent, with friendly cashiers who consistently checked in to see if we needed anything else. The restaurant, owned by a veteran, gived off a strong military vibe from the moment you walk in. I attended their Cinco de Drinko event and can honestly say I was not disappointed.

    Chilaquiles
    Christopher V.

    Great service and a great ambience! The food was great and so was the service! Will definitely be back for football Sundays! They had great deals as well.

    Bastards Mexican Lager and Lemon Pepper Wings
    Holly S.

    Always a good time at Bastards! Nick, Tony, and the rest of the staff are super attentive and make sure to talk to their customers and build relationships with everyone that comes in.

    Dolores M.

    First off, Brian/Bryan is THE BEST. I came to watch the Eagles game and he open the doors early (2 minutes becausehe saw us at the door.), turned the game on. (It was when the opened at 10.) FOOD IS AMAZING. My man and I shared the double smashed breakfast burger, which PLEASE GET. But after my bottomless mimosas and at the end of 3rd quarter, I needed to try the Street breakfast taco. Another win! Very clean and cozy. BRIAN/BRYAN and the COOK the real, MVP. GO BIRDS. FYI, I never leave reviews. Just visit here already.

    Brandon B.

    Great food, quick service, and good environment. Happy hour menu was great. Appetizers were my favorite!

    Jameson Bastards Mule- decent. Had better.
    Dena T.

    The name of this establishment intrigued me so I decided to give it a shot. We arrived and the hostess greeted us promptly and we sat outside on their patio. The establishment didn't have waiters (I'm sure it's because of covid), we had to order at the bar, and the food was brought to the table. We ordered their mini corn dog for appetizers, chicken and waffles, and my friend had a Jameson mule. Pros: Ambiance was nice. Corn dogs were bomb! Jameson mule was decent but ordered a double and it cost $21 (little expensive for a double and it taste like a regular mule). The bartender and bus gentlemen were nice and checked on us through out our dining experience. Cons: Chicken was bland and over cooked. Waffles were dry, bland, and we asked for butter but didn't receive it. They had a spicy maple syrup that was not good. Luckily, they had regular syrup but I couldn't take more than 3 bites into the waffle. Batter just didn't do it or me. Overall, it was ok. I would return for their appetizers.

    a burger and fries with a glass of wine
    Elisa S.

    So so happy to have finally tried this place out!!!!! I love the whole concept and everything about it is so perfect. Menu is simple but hits all the right spots, with everything from waffles fries, wings, burgers, cocktails, and drinks!!!! But it's the flavors of all of their items that make it so freaking good! There's plenty of outdoor seating with limited seating in the inside. However, they do have convenient heaters outside! Either way, get you a couple of shots of 1942 and you'll feel nice and warm! Definitely check this place out, you won't be disappointed!

    Regular Garlic fries vs. regular fries
    Tana C.

    I give these fries 4.5 out of 5 . They're crunchy and the ambience is cool. Very local civilian and military friendly . The bartenders are welcoming and it stays open late while the rest of Downey goes to sleep

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    1 year ago

    Brian always provides great customer service. Bro is awesome and attentive!!! Great bartender every single time I'm here.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    All I can say, I enjoyed this establishment! Stop by! Your be happy you did. Food good, nice place

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Service was great. Drinks and fried pickles were really good. Do not get the pastrami pizza it was terrible.

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    Page 1 of 16

    Bastards American Canteen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bastards American Canteen

    Is the Downey location still open...and serving?

    3.17.2023 made reservations. And the place looks abandoned. Maybe due to fire/structure damage from the restaurant next door.

    What time does kitchen close?

    When they run out of food. 😅

    Are Reservations needed or simply walk in?

    Walk ins

    Are there TVs outside for outdoor dining?

    Do they have nfl Sunday ticket?

    Yes

    Is there a happy hour here?

    Yes. I believe it starts at 3 on the weekdays. All day On Tuesday's you can get domestics for $3 and $3 tacos.

    Is this place kid friendly or not? From what I'm reading , it seems not to be?

    It's fine for kids during the day. I've brought my own kids and see families all the time, but there is no kids menu. Would be funny if they did & called it the lil' Bastards menu. LoL.… 

    Is this a family restaurant or is their an age limit requirement?

    There is no age limit, but they do hold events that are 21+ if you're just going to eat you can take the fam. Its like a small version of bjs

    View All 18 Questions

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    Kuduowl

    4.9
    (97 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Five Stars for Kuduowl! Owner and bartender extraordinaire Amanda Colom, her business partners &…read moretheir staff have created an amazing bar that showcases creative and original drinks. There are about 6 talented bartenders who work the bar and each of them bring a unique portfolio to mixology. Let's get back to Amanda! One of my friends who was visiting from Hawaii found Amanda on social media and asked that I take her to Kuduowl to experience this unique mixology. We were greeted warmly by Amanda and she explained the concept of the bar and the drink options. All were absolutely beautifully crafted and served! Delicious! I had a drink a few years ago (Sloe Gin Ramos) and not many bartenders know how to make it, nor do they want to take the time to make it. Amanda and Chris jumped right in and made it (takes 10-15 minutes to make). It was delicious and the preparation was a show! Loved it. All bartenders, servers, and bar backs were working in unison, like an orchestra. You could tell they all enjoyed their jobs and coworkers! It made for a beautiful ambiance. The bar welcomes everyone - from old to young, from gay to straight, and a rainbow of diversity of ethnic backgrounds! This has to be my favorite bar in Southern California! Bravo Amanda & team!

    Amazing drinks & super knowledgeable staff!…read more -Ambiance Cocktail bar is upstairs with different seating options including couches & comfy chairs. At 9pm the lower floor becomes a night club which we did not experience. -Drinks Sooooo good! Very well balanced & unique. Leaving us wanting more as soon as we finished a drink. Each one having a different elegant visual presentation. The owner/head bartender even came to our table to check in & get our opinion about our drinks. Even letting us know that there were new drinks being added to the menu soon! It's so cool to watch the creation of drinks on her Instagram @bad_birdy -Service Awesome service! Attentive & extremely knowledgeable about each drink. Taking the time to explain what made each of them special. Making the ordering process super easy. We went with a couple friends & they made it very easy to split the check by item which they did quickly on a hand held touch screen card reader. -Food Food is provided from local partners near by. My wife & I ordered Mexican food & both agreed it was only so so. We ordered the empanadas, queso fundito, chicken street taco & asada street taco. With the most bummer part of the meal being the queso. Despite it being served on a cast iron skillet the cheese combo they used ended up becoming hard & difficult to finish. It came with soft little tortillas instead of chips which we weren't expecting. Almost like making them into mini hard cheese quesadillas. The food wasn't a total loss though because there is another partner with a different menu that we are willing to try. Overall we will definitely be back for the drinks & other food options.

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    Bella Lounge

    Bella Lounge

    3.8
    (118 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Healthy dining

    Beautiful place and nice ambiance, and has very beautiful drinks that taste amazing. The service is…read morealso great, they were very quick!

    We came to Bella Lounge in Downey for a double date and honestly started off having an amazing…read moreexperience. The place has a great atmosphere, the drinks were incredible, and the bartender clearly knows what they're doing. Our waitress, a sweet young blonde woman, was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and her drink recommendations were spot on. We ordered several rounds because everything she suggested was delicious. At one point, we shared a single Porto's pastry. We had already finished it and had been sitting there for quite a while when a woman who appeared to be a manager, who we believe was named Ruthy, came over and, in a very rude tone, told us, "You can't have food in here. Throw it away." We immediately apologized and explained that it was already empty and asked where we could throw the wrapper away. Instead of simply pointing us to a trash can, she insisted we had to go outside to the sidewalk to throw it away. The interaction felt unnecessarily hostile over something that had already been resolved. To make matters worse, a security guard came over and stood behind us, puffing out his chest as if the situation was about to become physical. We weren't arguing or causing a scene--we had already apologized and were simply trying to explain that the pastry was gone. What made the situation even more frustrating was seeing another customer actively using what appeared to be a hookah. If outside items aren't allowed, the rules should be enforced consistently. It felt like a double standard. We had planned to stay much longer and continue ordering drinks because we were genuinely enjoying ourselves. Unfortunately, that interaction completely changed the mood of the night. The bartender and our waitress absolutely deserve 5 stars--they were wonderful. But the way we were treated by the woman we believe was Ruthy and the security guard was disappointing enough that it made us question whether we'd return. I hope ownership takes this as constructive feedback and provides better customer service training. A polite conversation would have gone a long way.

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    Mandala Cantina

    Mandala Cantina

    4.1
    (285 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    Speaks Spanish
    Locally owned & operated

    In order to honor Cinco De Mayo, with festivities that were okay for me, I went to Mandala Cantina…read morefor Latino beats and Loteria--- otherwise known as Mexican Bingo, which kind of takes the red, white and green flavor of the game. But quick understanding the term suffices. As I entered Mandala Cantina, I knew that I had stepped inside a vibe of Latin frenzy and buck--- it was replete with a sophisticated backyard boggie energy. Or in other words, the carne asada barbecue had adopted an elegant, glamorous and modern Talum motif that hit with bright mellow lights, beige beauty all around and a good time fueled by tequila shots and cocktails. I was sat at the bar, but I was warned that my sit would be bellow the regular bar line. So I sat alone, and I could look up at everyone else sat from by de-elevated sit. I was ok, I had arrived late, I was by myself with no reservation and on a whim, so I took my corner seat and did my best to forget that I sat below everyone's eye level. The party vibe was strong and palpable all across the bar. In fact, I have been to very few bars where the move was to sit, yet, the music and crowd almost demanded that we acted like we were on a club, but sitting down. More clearly, I wanted to move and dance but since there was no space, and we were playing Mexican bingo, we were implicitly required to sit and dance. For those who did not, the party still pulsed. There was this huge Cantaro (Mexican clay cup or vase) with six straws. So like a fishbowl drink that is commong in Tiki or Island theme bars, but in a large Mexican mug. This guy was moving it around while he was filmed in a way where he showed the drink for six like Mufasa showed Simba to the residents of Pride rock. So I am basically saying that all the people in the bar and crowd found a way to honor the old school hits of Reggaton and Banda that dominated the airwaves of the spot. I could not help but beat my head back and forth when Oye Mi Canto played and the lasers of the spot moved around wildly. In short, it was an experience that can be described as lit. The experience of game play was also electric. As soon as you entered, you were asked to pick a card from a large stack. You were also required to get some frijolitos-- small beans, that did not jump. I put all my beans into my card and removed them as my cards were called. I came close to winning, and maybe I did, but it was hard to focus amidst the noise and bop, so maybe I did win and did not register that one of my cards had been called so its frijolito remain on top of that square. Regardless, of the lack of victory I expeirenced I was still very happen I went here to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with appropriate festivities. After I soon sat, some tacos were placed in front of me. They were for my neigbor. I was honest and made them aware that they were not for me. After all a Mexico Hero-- Benito Juariez reminds us that respeto a lo ajeno es la paz. Or in other ways, respecting what is not yours equals peace.

    If I could give 0 stars, I would. I'm honestly disappointed with how disorganized Mandala was…read moreduring the Mexico game on July 5, 2026. I've tried multiple times to call and speak to a manager about what happened, but after receiving no response, here I am leaving a Yelp review. This wasn't my first time at Mandala, but it will very likely be my last. I made my reservation the same day Mexico won and reservations opened. I reserved a table for 8 people at 3:45 PM, which was the maximum party size available. I arrived around my reservation time, definitely before 4:00 PM, and security directed me to wait in the line designated for guests with reservations. By around 4:30 PM, the reservation line had barely moved, yet I watched other people walk up, give their names, and be let inside. At the same time, I could clearly see two reserved tables for eight sitting completely empty.I finally asked one of the waitresses, "I reserved for 8 people, and I see those two tables are empty. May I ask what the hold up is?" She asked for my name, looked up my reservation, confirmed it was there, and then told me, "It was canceled." I asked, "What was the reason? I've been here." She replied, "You never checked in before 4:00 PM." Which in fact I did, and security even confirmed that I had arrived before 4:00 PM. Despite that, no one was willing to honor my reservation. At that point I told her, "Only three people from my party of eight are here. Can we just get a table for the three of us?" She spoke with another waitress, and they came back saying it would be standing room only. I asked, "Why?" Again, they referred me back to my supposedly canceled reservation. By now I was beyond frustrated. While they spent another five minutes trying to "figure something out," I continued watching people walk up, give their names, and immediately be seated. Meanwhile, the two reserved tables for eight were still sitting empty. Then I was told, "The best we can do is standing room at the bar, or you can stand anywhere in the restaurant with one of the cocktail tables, but there's a $100 minimum per person." That requirement was never advertised or mentioned when I made my reservation. I reminded her, "This isn't my first time here." She simply replied, "Or you can stand at the bar. No minimum." At that point, it was so close to game time that I just wanted to get inside. We were never greeted--menus were simply placed in front of us. And throughout all of this, those two reserved tables for eight remained empty. The biggest lie I heard all afternoon was, "We're at capacity." I must have heard that at least 10 times. If Mandala was truly at capacity, how were people continuously walking in without reservations and being seated? Why were guests with confirmed reservations turned away while empty reserved tables sat untouched? Thankfully, the game was delayed until 6:00 PM, which gave us enough time to leave and take our business elsewhere. This was poor planning, poor communication, misleading reservation practices, and some of the worst customer service I've experienced. I wasted my time, my gas, and what should have been an exciting afternoon watching the Mexico game with family and friends. I expected much better from a place I'd enjoyed before. Instead, I left feeling ignored, frustrated, and completely disappointed. I rest my case.

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    The Vandalist

    The Vandalist

    4.3
    (164 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    Had a great time!…read more From the greeter at the door to the bartender, we had an awesome time. Didn't get any food - we were stuffed - but the food sounded inviting. Nice atmosphere for talking and enjoying drinks.

    I'm new to Whittier and still getting a feel for the area, and wow... I'm so glad my friends put me…read moreon to The Vandalist. This place instantly became one of my favorites after just one visit. From the moment you walk in, the whole vibe hits you--the moody, neon-lit ambiance sets the tone perfectly. It feels elevated, a little edgy, and honestly just the kind of spot you want to spend your night at. The music is curated so well. Not too loud, not too mellow--just the right balance where you can vibe, have a conversation, and still feel the energy of the room. You can tell they actually care about the experience, not just throwing a playlist together. Now let's talk about the drinks... because that's really where they shine. Every cocktail feels intentional and crafted with care. You can taste the quality immediately--nothing watered down, nothing basic. They have a really cool mix of classic cocktails and modern twists, and even the familiar drinks feel elevated. It's the kind of place where you want to try something new every round because you trust the bartenders know exactly what they're doing. Service was on point too. Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. They took the time to explain drinks and made great recommendations, which made the whole experience even better. I came in not knowing what to expect, and left already planning my next visit. If you're in Uptown Whittier and looking for a spot with great energy, amazing cocktails, and a full vibe--The Vandalist is it. Thank me later

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    OLA Restobar

    OLA Restobar

    3.2
    (620 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Went to Ola to celebrate my birthday and had the best time. Paola was our hostess and she was the…read moreabsolute best! She was constantly checking on us, making sure we had everything we needed, and she really went out of her way to make me feel special. I really appreciated her kindness, humor, attentiveness, and overall great energy. You can tell she genuinely cares about making sure her guests are having a good time, and she definitely made my birthday memorable. I woke up with the WORST hangover but that's proof of how much fun I had. Totally worth it Thank you, Paola!

    Ola, is a place I would go to frequently. I use to like the ambiance & the food. However, I went…read moreyesterday & walked out extremely disappointed. Our waitress, Ale didn't bother to check up on us until towards the end. Since no one was checking up on us, we asked another waitress, Paola for ketchup & sour cream. Paola, walked by various times & never brought it to us. I can understand if she forgot but it's hard to do so, since it was in the early morning & was not busy. Also, since she was walking by various times she could have asked if we're ok & or needed anything (in case she forgot). However, no one approached us. Ale, eventually brought us the sour cream and ketchup but we were basically done eating. I truly suggest to encourage their staff to be more attentive & friendly towards their customers. It will take some time to go back after this experience.

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    Bastards American Canteen - sportsbars - Updated August 2026

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