Since my previous mediocre review in 2007, I had been to East LA one other time, in addition to my recent visit. That occasion had been a few years ago and had involved an insanely strong margarita, an experience that I would not want to relive. However, my friend suggested grabbing dinner there recently, and since it was a nice evening and their outdoor dining was right on the main thoroughfare of Washington Street, I agreed to at least go to enjoy their excellent people watching. I certainly vowed to skip the cocktails, but was willing to give their food another chance. We started with crisp, lightly-salty tortilla chips and a rich, bold salsa. I then ordered Vegetable Fajitas, which included green and red bell peppers, zucchini, and onions. The peppers had been sliced so thin that they were barely noticeable and made hardly any flavor impact. The sizzling platter was also about 85% onions, of which I was not a fan, so I sent back most of them in the end. The whole thing was also rather greasy. The flour tortillas were delicious and not artificial tasting like most. The DIY platter was also served with a side plate of refreshing sour cream, well-seasoned guacamole, sliced jalapenos, and fresh pico de gallo. I wished the portions of these condiments were larger, though, and the guacamole, in particular. The staff was so friendly, allowing us to linger at the table after we paid and even refilling our water during that time. They all provided service with a smile, which also helped ease any frustration a diner might have about the fact that they apply an automatic tip of 20% to the check for any party size. While I still had a decent experience at East LA, it was much better than I had remembered, and I would be willing to return. read more

Automatic 20% tip for terrible service and sub par food is crazy work. Won't be returning or recommending this spot.

Came here tonight for dinner. My waiter stopped by the table 2 times. The first time was to take our order and the second was at the end of the meal to drop off the check. The food was alright, but I was unable to order a second drink (or anything other than our initial order for the hour that we were there). When the check was dropped off, an automatic 20% tip was automatically applied. I am very disappointed with the overall experience. read more

Drinks a staple forever In Hoboken. Beers margaritas etc. The food is ok. This place is always busy as it is festive. read more

I've been coming to East La since Covid and it always hits! Either for a pregame or the main event the food and drinks are always on point. The staff are super friendly and never make you feel rushed (even when they are packed which they often are). They also have a nice happy hour and taco Tuesday special. read more

East LA - Schoolyard Nacho Tacos (4 per order) - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Came here Tuesday for happy hour and honestly had a really good time. The place had a chill, laid back summer vibe which was exactly what I needed after work. The margaritas are $7 and they don't charge extra for flavors or to make it frozen, which is already a win. I got mango frozen and it was sweet and refreshing, perfect for the heat. They also let you pick your rim, sugar, salt, or tajin, small thing but I appreciated it. Our server was super attentive, kept checking back on us way more than most places do, and even gave us a heads up before happy hour ended so we could sneak in one last round. That kind of thing makes a difference. Food is half off apps during happy hour. The chicken flautas were legit, would definitely get those again. The East LA wings were just okay though, didn't have much flavor and wouldn't rush to reorder. Chips and salsa come free for the table, nothing crazy but a solid snack while you wait. Good value, friendly service, solid drinks. Skip the wings but everything else is worth it on a Tuesday. read more

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This is hands-down my favorite summer spot! The vibe is perfect for starting the night--whether you're out with friends or just easing into a bar-hopping evening on Hoboken's main street. The happy hour is fire--great deals and a solid way to kick things off. The drinks are amazing--always strong, tasty, and consistent. The atmosphere makes it such a fun place to get the night started before hitting the rest of the bars, but honestly it's also a great place to just hang out and stay awhile. Definitely worth it, and without a doubt, my go-to spot in Hoboken for summer nights. Service is ELITE every time!!!! Never had a bad experience. read more

This reminds me of my favorite no-frills Mexican restaurant in Queens that I missed when I first moved to Hoboken. It's a classic experience: chips and salsa immediately upon sitting down. Music is a little loud so sit outdoors if you don't like that. I got the passion fruit margarita on the rocks and loved it. Very sweet though and might ask for half the amount of passion fruit syrup. Queso was just okay but I saw some other dishes go by (flautas, enchiladas) that looked delicious. read more

Mags were solid, get it frozen. Portions/price were fair. Good Mexican joint to add for your eating out routine if any.

East LA - Hoboken, NJ East LA is a must if you're in Hoboken and craving cozy Tex-Mex comfort food served up fast and full of flavor. It's the kind of spot where the food hits the table quick, hot, and delicious--but let's be honest, most people come here for one major reason: the margaritas. Their legendary flavored iced margaritas are potent, refreshing, and dangerously tasty--which is probably why there's a strict 3 frozen margarita limit per person. Trust me, they're strong enough to do the job and then some. Whether you go for classic lime, mango, strawberry/Banana (my fav) , or something new, you're in for a treat. The vibe is super chill and laid-back, with music that sets the tone just right. The staff is always warm, friendly and knows how to keep the energy up without being overbearing. It's also a go-to pre-game spot before a night of bar hopping in Hoboken--grab some tacos, sip on a few margaritas and you're ready to hit the town. East LA never disappoints. If you haven't been, you're missing out on one of Hoboken's most iconic Tex-Mex experiences. read more

East LA is a true Hoboken staple. Dating back to 1983, this place is the gift that keeps on giving. This place was our go-to for delicious margaritas during our post-college days. Guess what...two decades later and they're still fresh and delicious. It brought me joy to bring my South Jersey born-and-raised husband to East LA last weekend for pre-dinner margaritas. We loved chatting with the bar staff, learning more about the history of the restaurant, and snacking on their warm chips and salsa. It's nice to see a restaurant NOT price-gouge in this day and age. Have I tried to replicate these margaritas at home? Yes. Have I ever been successful? No! read more

I never have any complains about East LA. Our server took a few minutes to take our order, but he was very busy and extremely apologetic. He ended up being very attentive of us the rest of our time there. The frozen margaritas are strong and will definitely sneak up on you! They pair really nicely with the food and we ordered the steak schoolyard nachos, fish tacos, carnitas tacos, and beef flautas. I thought the textures of our dishes were nice in their contrast, everything hit the spot. It comes with a lot of food too so we were able to bring extras home! read more

East LA - Tacos (4 per order) Frozen Margarita Flautas - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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This place is good for people, who do not know what authentic Mexican or Tex Mex is or suppose to taste like. The order of nachos, the cheese was only melted only on the top. We took those off the ticket. The chips were not fresh for the salsa and the chillie con queso, the cheese tasted like it came out of a can. The only saving grace was the bartender Letti. She was excellent. But I could have had better "Mexican" food at Taco Bell down the street. read more

East LA - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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Met up with two friends for HH at East LA. They run HH from 4-6pm daily and you can get $7 margaritas as well as half price apps. We each had 2 margaritas as well as nacho fries, a taco, and a quesadilla. The food was very mid. The nacho fries were almost tasteless and the quesadilla was one you could make at home. BUT the frozen margaritas were great and service was fantastic. I would come for drinks, but not the food. read more

Great burrito, great queso, great marg. Came hungry, left full. crazy quick, nice service.

A bustling mexican eatery off a main street, inside has approximately like 10 tables and on a Friday night me and my party of 2 were asked to wait 30 minutes. Food was ok -- nothing great nothing too special, everything came out relatively quickly and tasted as you would expect. We ordered flautas which were kinda dry on the inside, quesadillas which just tasted like your standard chicken and cheese quesadillas, and enchiladas that were seriously lacking sauce. All dishes came with a good portion of pico, guac, and sour cream. Chips and salsa were included in the meal. Margaritas are strong but not the tastiest. Ambience is fun and laid back. It's almost like dining at a taco bell/ mexican diner. read more

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This is a cute place and it was very busy on a Friday night. We waited for 30 min to be seated, though the time went past pretty quick. The waiters were very friendly. The drinks were cheap, most margaritas $10. Even just one got em a bit tipsy, though they are very sweet like other reviews say. My favorite drink was the chambord margarita with sugar on the rim. I knew that was going to be sweet and it was but a very good kind of sweet and I enjoyed it a lot. They give complimentary chips and salsa. We ordered flautas, chicken quesadilla and enchiladas. Everything was decent. The quesadilla was not as filled with chicken as I hoped but it had good flavor. The flautas were a bit spicy but very crispy and overall good. I liked the rice and refried beans that came with the enchiladas. There was two enchiladas on the plate so perfect to share between two people. One downside is they added the tip automatically 20% for a party of 2, which is pretty unusual. I would have given 20 anyway but I would like the choice. 2 clean single bathrooms in the back. Overall very fun and colorful inside and would go again read more

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Was not expecting to find such a gem in Hoboken. The staff was stellar; A+ recommendations at every turn. The food was delicious - we had steak fajitas and fish tacos - and the frozen margarita was the perfect compliment. Coni was our sever and he was excellent. read more

3.5 maybe even 4 is fair. It's average commercial Tex-Mex food but the beef tacos were pretty good and the chorizo & chicken were average. The beef fajitas were good and beef was not tough. The rice and beans at Mexican places are rarely any good or maybe we are just not fans of bland rice and refried beans. The margaritas however were pretty dang good! It was not too busy on a Thursday early evening, therefore the service was excellent and attentive. read more

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We placed a large order to be delivered for an important company meeting. Chris could not have been more helpful and accommodating. The food arrived exactly on time and hot and, despite the large number of items, the order was 100 percent correct when it arrived. But, most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious - fresh, flavorful and well prepared. It was a home run and I won the day with the team! read more

I first went to East LA in 1991 for their legendary Margaritas and to sign the offer on my first condo in Hoboken. For over 3 decades this Hoboken classic has been locally owned by the same family and now operated by Chris Son, Nephew and Grandson of it's original founders The Roberts Family Housed in a historic former Ice Cream Parlor this eatery unabashedly serves great quality Mexican food with a menu that you can rely on without trendy changes and shifting whims... The very best Chips, Salsa and Guacamole- if you have a question its likely the owner will come out and answer it... The outdoor cafe is the place to be seen and also spot various celebrities walking down Washington St during our various films being produced here recently! EAST LA defies the restaurant industry trend of opening, changing and closing- mainly because the one thing you can be sure of it's not going to change. 34 years after my various homes in Hoboken have changed, but this legendary spot stays comfortably and proudly exactly the same! Tony Hoboken read more

East LA - East LA chips and Margaritas - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Service was awesome and food is exactly what I was looking for from a typical Mexican restaurant

My friend and I were in the area and asked a traffic officer for a good happy hour spot and he recommended East LA. There was a wait for an inside table but opted for outdoor seating. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful with recommendations from the menu. We were served complimentary chips and salsa which was great. We ordered frozen margaritas, wings and fries which didn't take long to come out. Loved the margaritas! You definitely have to order the wings with chipotle sauce...it's delicious! I can tell that East LA is the go to spot of the neighborhood and with good reason. It's really a good vibe! If you happen to be in Hoboken, stop by to eat, drink and enjoy! read more

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Great tacos & burritos! Service is really friendly too. You can grab a cold margarita at the bar or sit at one of the many tables. Great lunch or dinner place that hits the spot when you gotta have mexican. read more

I've been hearing good things about East LA. My roommate and I decided to go since it was recommended by people we know, and has outdoor dining. I had pretty high hopes, but was disappointing to find that the food is more akin to something you'd find in a high school cafeteria than a restaurant, especially with these prices. The tacos were dry and not remotely spicy even topped with the salsa verde provided, and the chile con queso genuinely tasted exactly like something you'd get out of a jar from the supermarket, as did the salsa. The meat in the quesadilla is incredibly dry and rubbery to the point of near inedibility. The food came out very fast, which would normally be a good thing, but the speed leads me to believe that they have the ingredients prepared and sitting out waiting to be ordered. It didn't seem particularly fresh. On top of that aspect of the service, we were checked on a strange amount, and two different servers came out to give us boxes and our check. We got the impression that they thought we were going to dine and dash. Overall very weird, disappointing, and completely inauthentic experience. The second worst Mexican food I've had in a restaurant. read more

East La is one of the most convenient and affordable spots in Hoboken, However the manager who is now managing there is the most disrespectful/ rudest manager I ever came in contact with. It was the most uncomfortable visit I have ever had there ( Ryan ) that's his name. I chose never to go back there until he was gone !!! read more

Came here for lunch with my parents, this is the best spot in hoboken. Not only incredible food and drinks, but outstanding service. Margaret had been out waitress for our last few times here and has made our experience so memorable. She is so so attentive and kind, at NO point were we left to wait. Margaret is the BEST!!! We will absolutely be back!! BEST SPOT IN HOBOKEN read more

East LA - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Worst Mexican food I have ever eaten. The best part of the lunch was free chips and salsa. The rice and beans lacked flavor and I have never seen beans this color and so watery before. They tasted and looked unappetizing. Shrimp tacos: overcooked Fish taco: bone dry and no flavor, seemed like they threw a frozen filet into the fryer Chicken: tasted really off and was really really dry Steak: lacking flavor and super chewy Sadly the experience was terrible and they auto added tip to the bill. read more

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Great food - had the guacamole, queso, shrimp fajitas, chorizo burrito, steak quesadilla. All really solid. Great chips. Margaritas are fantastic - definitely stronger than you would expect given all the flavor options. Love the relaxed yet colorful vibe. Service was outstanding. Zoni is the best - so friendly and fun, and professional. read more

East LA - Sangria margarita - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

They must of deleted my old review so here I am AGAIN LEAVING ANOTHER ONE, Because I decided to come here after a few years and it's still very shitty place. Last time I was here I had horrible service & I'll post his pic again doing nothing lol . This was 2 years ago after Covid In 2022 ... mind u prior to Covid this place was one of my favorite places I used to come here alll the time! Now not worth it ! I even waited 2 years!!! & now it's even worse ! Made us wait 30 min even tho there was tables available because they where for 3 or more people but they never became occupied. And made us wait for no reason. I had a chimichanga and the chicken was raw, no flavor I literally thru gagged n that's usually my favorite meal! I'm so disappointed! And if they pay to remove this comment I'd be more then happy to leave 100 more keep spending to remove me it gives me satisfaction read more

East LA - Them doing nothing. - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

really good chorizo tacos! and good free chips and salsa to start! definitely lots of outdoor seating. read more

East LA - chorizo taco - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

We saw the restaurant was packed and thought it must be good, first mistake. Food needs seasoning there was no salt, cumin, garlic powder in the food. I got shrimp fajita which were 6 shrimps and a plate of onions... I was visiting from California and was craving Mexican. I don't like to give bad reviews but never again. read more

East LA - Shrimp fajita - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

This place is great! Music and vibe are awesome. The staff are super friendly and the service was great. The food is also good too. I enjoyed the tacos for taco Tuesday and the margherita was strong. They have loads of flavors for it too. I'd definitely come back. read more

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I hadn't gone to East LA in a while. My wife and kids would go there for a Friday happy hour each week when the kids were much younger and it was the perfect way to end the week. On Tuesday there were a bunch of restaurants closed for lunch so my friend and I landed on East LA. So happy to say nothing's changed since I went there with my family -it's still excellent on all fronts! Great service, the outdoor seating is set up really well and the food is THE BEST Mexican food in Hoboken. I ordered the chicken & pork tacos - can't go wrong there! Thank you to the staff for their hospitality. A wonderful dining experience! read more

Love their margaritas!!! Amazing! Perfect price, they're not watered down. Taste amazing. Highly recommend!! Ordered the chicken quesadilla and it was good. Would definitely get again. Fresh guac, sour cream and pico. Love this place!!! read more

East LA - Chicken Quesadilla, yummm - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Manager of the restaurant was so extremely rude, I couldn't believe it. I was trying to have a nice dinner with my family and he gave us dirty looks and treated us like we were peasants. Do not give money to this place. read more

People keep talking about the margaritas so I had to check this place out & I was IMPRESSED!!! The waitress was so niccceee!!! The food was GOODT! The decor is well done. Definitely will be back! read more

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The drinks were delicious had outside seating because it was so nice and beautiful outside. read more

East LA - Bars Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Love this spot. The hospitality is Amazing and margaritas are out of this world. Love east LA.

The staff was attentive and friendly. The place was full of patrons. The chili nacho fries were perfect. The fries was crispy all the way to the last bite. The pico de gallo, chili, beans and jalapeños all complimented each bite. I would definitely come back!! read more