Had to travel to LA, so what do we do when we must make that drive? Look for a new Peruvian…read morerestaurant to try!!!!!! This was a bit off the track on our way but had great reviews so went for it! Reviews said meals come with bread and aguadito! Count us in! The bread and aguadito are actually Yummy together, never thought to eat like this but it's so good. The soup is more watery than I make mine or have had but trust me, dip your bread in it! Game changer!!!! I love that they do this, makes them stand out and serving soup with each meal is why we chose it over all the other Peruvian restaurants on the way. The place was packed by the way. And we saw more ppl going in for the first time as well saying oh look, it's over here in the corner. I love more and more ppl are discovering how amazing Peruvian food is!!! For meals we got aji de gallina, my personal favorite and it did not disappoint. It had a very slight kick to it. Again trust me, I'm Kentucky born, I can't handle spicy lol. And this was perfect. Not spicy. Just a tiny kick. Try it. Enjoy it. Make sure you take a bite of rice with each bite of this dish. It's meant to eat together. Got papa rellena to share but we weren't fans so we just ate our other dish. But next day we ate it with our leftovers and we both enjoyed it much more. A must with the aji verde of course. And again, each bite must be paired with the salsa criollo that comes with it. Salsa criollo is the sliced red onions in the container with limon and cilantro, trust me, it's how it's meant to be eaten. Hubby got the arroz con mariscos. He enjoyed it. I am not a jaela fan, so I just don't care for these dishes. I'm a chaulfa fan! And they are not the same though they may look similar. So if you don't like this try chaulfa next time. But my husband prefers this dish to chaulfa, still he doeslikes both. We got chicha to drink. There's taste a hint different than other places. Not at all a bad thing. We loved it! Obviously house made! Some put a tad more pineapple and some a tad more cinnamon etc. So not all will taste the exact same. I highly recommend you try there's. Wish we'd gotten two each! Restaurant was clean and efficient and good seating options. Bathroom was clean and roomy. Staff was welcoming and nonstop working and willing to explain the dishes if you aren't familiar so ask if needed. Menu is thorough. It explains each dish well. My only complaint, it's far from Oceanside lol!!! LA has sooooooo many options, we need more in San Diego county. But if you are trying to decide since there's sooo many in the area, we recommend you try this place. Oh and my husband used the extra aji verde we had left over on our pasta, he loved it.

What a great find!!!…read more While going on a deep dive on where to eat this popped up. And I'm so thankful it did. We went here 2 weeks in a row so far and tried a different item each time. The staff is friendly, the food was tasty, and this was an unexpected oasis of delight. My first time I tried the Lomo Saltado, it seemed like a must try for a first experience. And it was excellent. The lunch special started off with a delicious soup and then the meal came out and hello. This was no meager lunch. It was a lunch that was delightful, delicious and I satisfied for the rest of the day. The second journey here I was happy to try something different. I had the Vinita Saltada with beef. Well this was once again a wonderful meal. I am so thankful to have found this wonderful place. And I look forward to going again soon. And bringing another friend along.

Great food, great people! We came to celebrate my mother in law and it was amazing! I highly…read morerecommend this place (:

Do you Karaoke? If yes then Fri, Sat, Sun evenings from 6p to midnight is where you want to be…read more Wish I knew the classic Latino songs patrons were singing. Service wasn't that bad, we didn't get water refilled but we also didn't look to find him. My creamy chicken was delicious but the steak was fatty. Venue is big and has a nice party area but it was really hot in there. As a hot blooded woman I was dying. I recommend taking a hand fan to cool off. Very loud during karaoke so don't plan on talking to your date. Good party vibes and that's why I would return.

Anniversary dinner last night was great as usual. Saw many one or two star reviews. Wondering…read morewhether owners have shifted their attentions to their new Seafood bar in Huntington Beach? Been a customer for over 25 yrs. Gotta say the aji green salsa is still good. But not as good as it used to be. Same yummy rolls. Ordered my usual since we're only here a few times a year now. Back when I was working in Bellflower, I was here every Monday for lunch. Tried most things in the menu. Ordered: Ceviche mixto- tangy, not spicy unless you bite into the yellow habanero. Which was so large I thought it was a bell pepper! A mix of shrimp, scallop, squid, mussel & white fish. It's still a fav. Tallarin mariscos- pasta with mixed seafood in a soy sauce based sauce. Off menu and still very good. Lomo saltado- hubby ordered this. Said it was good as usual. Unsure about other comments regarding toughness of meats. Decor has changed a bit. Half wall divides length of restaurant. Possibly to create a sense of intimacy in this one large room. We will still come back. Not for nostalgia but because we still enjoy the food here. There's a possibility previous reviewers have a misconception about restaurant life. Not sure they've notice the price of groceries in general have increased. Most entrees $20 +. Similar to other restaurants. Gone are the days of $12-15 entrees. Realistically need to consider prices of gas too. Cuz foods arrive in trucks. Also finding and keeping good chefs/staff is hella difficult. Hopefully the owners can balance their skills amount three restaurants.

If Zero Stars Were an Option, I'd Choose It…read more Honestly, I have no idea how this place charges these prices for this kind of food and service. If I could give zero stars, I absolutely would. The server Adrian was rude and seemed completely clueless about the menu. I asked a simple question, and instead of answering, I just got stared at like I was bothering them. If you work at a restaurant, you should probably know the menu--or at least be willing to find out the answer. The food was even worse. The seafood was rubbery, overcooked, and definitely not worth the ridiculous price. I've had better seafood for a fraction of the cost. Overall, rude service, bad food, overpriced menu, and a complete waste of money. Save yourself the disappointment and go somewhere else. Definitely will not be coming back.

Patricia had the best personality and was very sweet and attentive. Food was also amazing and…read moredrinks are a 10/10.

Delicious food. Amazing and attentive staff. Great service and atmosphere. Will be returning again.read more

Food is always good and service is fast The aguadito de…read morepollo as apetecer is tasty The bread used to be homemade but seems like that changed same with the maracuya. They have drive through making it very convenient.

If I could leave a 0 I would! I came last time and the service was bad but at least she wasn't rude…read moreand the food was okay decided to give them a second chance sometimes we have a off day we will never go back ever again Service -10 didn't ask us if we needed anything gave us attitude and was not kind made us feel uncomfortable since we walked in like she was having a bad day or was mad that we showed up in the first place Food- the only good thing was the tallarín verde everything else from the aguadito to the ceviche SALTY The best thing there was the canned sodas Seems like the owners changed or something but it's not the same as it used to be

I've been here about four times now, and the chicken definitely has its moments where it's dry, but…read morewhen it's juicy and fresh, it might be the most delicious rotisserie you've had. When it's dry, the skin is like leather and the flavors are burnt and the chicken is flaky. But the two times I've had it where it was outstanding was enough to get me hooked. That marinade on the skin, once roasted, is a literal flavor bomb. Smoky, sweet, salty... I'm not sure how else to describe it. That soup is my favorite, bright, hot, comforting. But the fries are also awesome, crispy and seasoned really well. The cilantro sauce is the best I've had, so refreshing. The steamed veggies are clearly prepackaged and frozen, with that grocery store mix with baby carrots, pretty unseasoned, but healthy and hot nonetheless. Solid solid spot for some delicious chicken. Very minimal interior, giving a fast food spot from almost two decades ago now, but service is usually pretty nice and helpful.

Love their food. Always Great quality however, their Customer service needs improvement…read more I usually spend easily over $20 every visit and I drive a distance to come to this location and this time was not the exception but I asked for a cup of water in the drive thru and they give you a small cup with no lid. I'm sorry but this is cheap, and inconvenient for a driver. Just plain Unacceptable. A regular cup is understandable for a someone eating inside but it's not even safe for a driver to hold a cup with no lid and straw Management, please do something about this Also, observation: in the past we were able to get a slightly larger styrofoam cup with green aji per order and now we get a smaller cup for the same price and we have to pay over a $1.00 for an additional cup

Calling all Carnivores, you don't want to skip this place. The chicken, the beef and ribs were…read moreseasoned and cooked to perfection. I also found out the sausage served was a Blood Sausage which I wasn't a fan because of its consistency. We ordered the Parrillada for one person but it fed two of us. It came with a side of fries and salad( see photo). We also ordered empanadas which were mouth watering. They tasted handmade and fresh. There is lots of tables to sit down and other restaurants nearby. The ambiance is family friendly. Free parking in lot is a plus.

The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is awesome, and I loved the outdoor seating. Watching a FIFA…read morematch there was a lot of fun--you could really feel the energy from everyone around. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the experience. I ordered the Una Persona Parrilla, and the grill itself was cold. At that point, it might as well have been served on a regular plate because there was no point in the sizzling presentation. The meat was cold, stale, dry, and lacked flavor. The only reason I'm giving this place 3 stars is because I had such a great time with the atmosphere and the surrounding area. If I ever come back, it definitely won't be for the parrilla. I won't be ordering that dish again.

I've only had Peruvian food a couple of times, so when I was in the area, I decided to give this…read morelittle spot a try. The menu had so many different options that I had a hard time deciding between the soups, traditional meat dishes, and pasta selections. I ended up ordering a pasta dish that surprisingly had an Asian-inspired flavor profile. It reminded me a bit of Kung Pao chicken with linguini, thanks to the red and green bell peppers, onions, and a nice kick of spice. It was delicious, especially with the house-made green salsa they served on the side. I also ordered a side of rice and beans, and although I passed on the plantains since I was dining solo, the server kindly brought me a sample, which was such a thoughtful touch. This is a cozy, mom-and-pop, hole-in-the-wall spot with a mix of two- and four-top tables. Parking was easy, and I found a space right in front. I stopped by just before closing, and there were still a few people enjoying dinner. Expect to spend around $30 per person. Overall, I enjoyed the food and friendly service, and I'd definitely come back if I'm in the area again.

The food was very delicious! The lady was nice. Really good spot, will definitely come back again…read moremore frequently.

The lomo was amazzziinnggg! The ladies working when I went were so nice! Definitely coming backread more

Stumbled upon this place when deciding what type of cuisine my coworkers and I wanted to eat. We…read moreeventually decided with Peruvian food. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a lady and had us choose a table to sit at. She took our drink order and served us some table bread and brought out 2 different sauces: green (had a little kick) & white (creamy & no spice). We then proceeded ordering our entrees and most of us ordered "saltados". The food came out and proportions were pretty big filled with flavor and tenderness. This hole in the wall spot was well worth it and would come again. Entree pricing was average, although soft drinks in a can were pretty pricey ($4-4.50)

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.