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El Zarape

4.2 (966 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open • 8:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
Updated over 3 months ago

Order El Zarape Takeout or Delivery

El Zarape Photos

Business Info

EL ZARAPE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - El Zarape

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Reviews With Photos

Taquitos Dorados
Roel C.

Hey Fam, Check out this small Mexican Restaurant. Only a few seats outside or just take out. There is a cute liquor store behind that has great selection of canned cocktails or wine. The Chicken Taquitos were really good and so was The El Zarape burrito which is a Cali Burrito with Fries inside. Also the Mole Quesadilla was amazing! Street Parking can be challenging, Credit Cards accepted. Staff has always been so Nice. Support small businesses

Taquitos Dorados
Francesca L.

Needed to grab something to eat before seeing Poetry for the People at the Fountain Theater and El Zarape's patio turned out to a great choice on a warm day. There was a bit of people watching too.. maybe because of the liquor shop next door. Easy ordering at the window, there were printed pamphlet menus, a posted menu, and some specials - so be sure to look through it all. J ordered a bacon breakfast burrito and a cafe de olla (in case of mild food coma ha) and I ordered taquitos dorados with chicken. Everything was served fresh and hot, but the service is not quick. The food was served with care, on lovely plates and with garnishes. Although we were on a slight time crunch, the presentation even being just a patio spot was so nice the we had to sit and enjoy it. With the taquitos I especially loved that you could taste the oregano in the chicken and the fresh lettuce to cool everything down. I had a couple bites of the breakfast burrito and the salsa verde added some nice tangy light spice on the savory bacon, potatoes, and eggs. We enjoyed our quick lunch!

The Zárate on fountain ave , I will never visit again very bad experience on service .
Alice W.

I always come here food is good I leace around the corner ,but I won't eat here no more I really upset I went today Wednesday August 19 like at 6:45 pm two people were there ,the cooker and other woman ,I'm pretty sure the cooker saw me but he decided to leave ignore me ;I wait there for a minute but nothing so I decide to leave and I say thank you very much he don't even look at me ,besides prices are ridiculous, never ever ever spending my money here .

Surf & Turf Burrito
Abeeha H.

A cute authentic Mex food place tucked east past downtown! I used to come here more when I lived here, but was glad food was still really good and the people here were awesome still! Carne asada here is so so so good and is definitely the main thing to recommend when eating here. Small touches like the colorful chips, cute menu, art on the building walls all make the experience more fun. Would be a good idea for a casual date on a day with good weather.

Refried beans
Claudia S.

This is a decent late night taco shop that hits the spot!!! I like their tacos and their nachos are the best. I like adding their authentic guacamole. All the nacho toppings go well with any protein of your choice. Rice and beans also really good and authentic. Definitely my late night Mexican restaurant of choice when I DoorDash. Highly recommend!!!

Rice and beans
Sofya P.

I will always rave about this spot. Everything we have had so far is a hit. Chicken enchiladas was a new try. Very good!!! Salsa verde had a nice kick and chicken was very tender.

Steak & Eggs for the WIN!
Skye W.

The tacos are pretty basic compared to the taco trucks that a near by, but I got the steak & eggs once & was SOLD! It was so good! Well seasoned & well cooked. Overall super happy with that meal:)

I noticed that the menu lists chips and guacamole under "Sides," so I ordered just the guacamole. However, when I went to pick it up, the cashier denied me the chips. I wasn't asking for free chips; I simply expected them to come with my order as indicated. It's quite disappointing, and I doubt the restaurant would suffer financially by including a few chips with the guacamole.

Specials and happy hour menu
Quynh D.

I forgot how good this spot is! Craving Mexican food and decided to stop by. This checked all the boxes because it's quick and no frills with great service. The quality is also there.. you get what you pay for. I had shrimp tacos and carnitas tacos and it was definitely filling. I also got a horchata which wasn't great- tasted watered down. Difficult to find parking, and it's in a sketch area of town. Outside seating only and it's limited to a small area with a few tables. Worth it though! I want to come back already and try all the other options. They have plates and happy hour menu (although limited)

Molcajete

Love the molcajete, however the tacos were not impressive. Only one small thin tortilla. I understand is only tacos, but I expected more, compared with me other previous experiences at this place.

Birria De Res Plate

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4 months ago

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6 months ago

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4 months ago

I've had El Zarape several more times, and it's been consistently delicious. Al pastor, taquitos, rice, beans, salsa - all excellent.

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3 months ago

Best Mexican in LA. Entire menu is amazing. The chipotle sauce is like crack. Authentic mole is out of this world. Highly recommended

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

I had birria tacos and got food poisoning. So bad I had diarrhea and sharp stomach pains with vomiting.

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3 months ago

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11 months ago

Our company orders tamales every year for holiday party every year an El Zarape never fails! The burritos are amazing as well!

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5 months ago

Waited over 20 minutes for 2 overpriced bean and cheese burritos that were 95% thick cheese and 5 percent beans. Very disappointing

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1 year ago

I ordered a chicken quesadilla and while I was eating it I felt two small pieces of chicken bone

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3 years ago

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Page 1 of 25

El Zarape Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Zarape

Hello, are the beans and rice vegan or are they cooked with chicken broth or lard? Thank you

no

Any Taco Tuesday specials as of 2022?

Yes we have an 18 taco tray for 38.00 it also includes chips and salsa.

Is the chicken tinga made with chicken breast?

When are you open?

They close at midnight daily but I'm not sure when they open!

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Mi Corazon - carne tacos

Mi Corazon

3.8(772 reviews)
1.8 mi•Los Feliz
•$$

This bar is fantastic! A large space with lots of options for seating inside and out. Very chill…read morevibe. We had intended to go to the bar next door, but one look at the crowd there and the loud throbbing music turned us off. I had wanted to go to Mi Corazon anyway, and was glad the group agreed. Lots of great mezcal and tequila options, as well as a well-stocked bar with wine, beer and cocktails. And the food menu looks great, but we didn't try it. Next time! The bartender was great and served us at our table. Brought us chips and a delicious homemade spicy salsa. The atmosphere was perfect for conversation, with good indie music playing at the right level. I will be back.

1 Star -- Extremely disappointing experience…read more Unfortunately, our experience at this restaurant was horrible from the moment we arrived. When I first arrived, I gave them the name of our reservation, and the staff had no idea what I was talking about. We were a party of 6, yet they seated us at a tiny table that was clearly not appropriate for our group. When it was time to order, my husband very clearly told the waiter which pasta he wanted and even showed him a picture of the item on the menu. The waiter looked at it and agreed. My food came out, but my husband's food never did. We eventually found out that his order was never even put in. What made it worse was when the waiter came out saying, "Oh my God, I thought you said you didn't want it." Everyone at the table looked at him completely confused because my husband had literally told him what he wanted and showed him the menu item. Instead of simply acknowledging the mistake and fixing it, we were left waiting. On top of that, trying to get anyone's attention was nearly impossible. We had to repeatedly try to get someone's attention just to get basic service. Then there was another issue with the entrance fee. My sister-in-law had messages showing that we were told that if we ate at the restaurant, we would no longer have to pay the entrance fee. We showed those messages to the woman handling the wristbands, but instead of looking into it or speaking to someone who could clarify the situation, she simply said, "I don't know, you have to pay." No attempt was made to investigate or resolve the issue. After everything that happened, they still added a tip to the bill, despite the extremely poor service we received. Overall, this was one of the most frustrating restaurant experiences I've had. Poor communication, poor service, lack of organization, and no effort to make things right. I definitely will not be recommending this place to anyone, and we will not be returning.

Photos
Mi Corazon - The veggie burrito diet works!

The veggie burrito diet works!

Mi Corazon
Mi Corazon - The Shinning Star (Paper Art Sacred Heart Collection)

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The Shinning Star (Paper Art Sacred Heart Collection)

Guelaguetza Restaurante - Complimentary Chips and Mole.

Guelaguetza Restaurante

3.9(3.3k reviews)
3.0 mi•Harvard Heights
•$$
Family-owned & operated

Guelaguetza is a festive and joyful space for celebrations. There's colorful art throughout with a…read morepink tree in the middle surrounded by marigolds. As you enter the main dining room, there's a show. A couple people are laying down an energetic beat on a large marimba while guitarists play traditional Oaxacan melodies. Chapulines: These toasted grasshoppers are crispy like chips or fried shrimp. Seasoned with olive oil, garlic, salt, and chile de arbol, they'd be s great snack with a cold beer. Tear off a piece of the house-made tortilla and form a taco with some chapulines, avocado, Oaxacan string cheese, and salsa. Mole Rojo: The incredible red mole is a complex blend of warm spices. There's layers of creamy nuttiness from toasted almonds, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Heirloom tomatoes provide redness and sweetness. The Chilhuacle rojo is an heirloom chili pepper from Oaxaca known for a citrusy fig-like flavor with jalapeño-like heat. Ancho chilies add some faint smokiness. The aromatic spices like cinnamon and cloves add to the boldness of smooth comforting flavors. With giant, juicy, and tender pork ribs and rice, and more house-made tortillas, it's easy to clean up all the delicious mole! Flan: For my continuing birthday month festivities, my friends surprised me with a big slice of flan with a candle. The custard is cold, thick, rich, smooth, and creamy. Parking: They have a huge valet parking lot for $7. There's also street parking in the neighboring streets.

Maybe they're really good at what they do, but I'm just not into authentic mole sauce and tostadas?…read moreI feel like we sampled a big part of the menu (4 kinds of mole with shredded chicken, a huge Tlayuda and a Mamela sampler (5 tostados, but not easy to share each kind because it's hard to cut), but nothing really stood out for me. The food prices were reasonable (but not drinks - they were pricey!), but I guess it's hard to live up to the level of hype this place gets (Eater LA, James Beard nom, lots of other awards, etc). My 3-star award would set expectations at a more realistic level. Regret not going to a Korean place in koreatown.

Photos
Guelaguetza Restaurante - Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

Guelaguetza Restaurante - Delicious chocolate cake.

Delicious chocolate cake.

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Mirate - bar downstairs

Mirate

4.2(1.2k reviews)
0.8 mi•Los Feliz
Private events
Outdoor seating

I only came here for the bar so this review is strictly for the drinks. I did not know this place…read morewon Top 50 Bars of America for 3 years in a row, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that sign when we entered. My girls and I were bar hopping in WeHo for our friend's bachelorette and this place was recommended to us for good drinks. We went in with no reservation and the seats downstairs for the open bar area were full, so one of the servers told us we can lounge around at the bar upstairs and grab some chairs until someone kicked us out. Thankfully, we were able to grab a couch and everyone was super friendly and sweet. We ordered some signature cocktails off the menu and as the night went on, we ordered some tequila shots as well. Instead of lime and salt, they gave us our shots with golden berries and salt and wow. I'm definitely going to be taking my tequila shots with this combo! It was sooooo good. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and very spacious, and the food looked really good too. I'd love to come back with my husband to give them a try!

I would actually give Mirate a 3.5 because the drinks are phenomenal but the food was a huge let…read moredown. Unfortunately the flavors for the food here fell really flat for us for the most part. We came here for my friend's birthday and her steak was perfectly cooked and delicious. The pulque bread with miso butter and the guac were also delicious appetizers. Those were the 3 best dishes of the night. We also shared the crab bunuelos, the cochinita sopes, and the pulpo tacos. Sopes are my favorite Mexican dish, but these ones were too difficult to cut through/bite through. The pulpo taco, we could mostly taste the tortilla, the pulpo didn't shine through. And the bunuelos were fine, but not something super memorable. One of my friends had the duck emolada, and I had the branzino. As I mentioned, the birthday girl got the steak and that was delicious. But my other friend was really let down by his emolada which he has been wanting to try forever. My branzino was well cooked, the green sauce was pretty good. But the tomatillo greens salad on the dish was possibly one of the worst things I've ever eaten. And I love bitter, and I love greens.... But this was next level where I involuntarily made a sour puss face with each bite. For dessert we had the chocolate cake with cafe de Olla which was moist and good. We also got the pulque with the prickly pear, which was veryyyyyy sweet and none of us cared for that much. (Even tho I usually love prickly pear desserts) The service was nice, no one dropped the ball, but nothing stood out either. The restaurant itself is beautiful but it is open air (with no AC) so it was very hot since we have had so many hot days here in LA. We took a Lyft so we didn't have to worry about parking.

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Mirate - Brunch

Brunch

Mirate
Mirate - Brunch

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Brunch

El Tepeyac Cafe - 7/28/24: Okie de Pollo Burrito -- fireeeeeee!!!

El Tepeyac Cafe

3.8(2.9k reviews)
6.8 mi•Boyle Heights
•$$

4++ This place feels like an East LA/ Boyle Heights institution. They serve as both a café and a…read moretakeout window. You can die in and have a vibe of a small pop type place or you can order it and have takeout at the side window. The folks here are very friendly either way. A few coworkers and I were trying to get some takeout so I went with the Hollenbeck chile verde. This burrito was huge and the food lasted me at least two meals easily. The price is pretty reasonable as well. I've been wanting to come to this place a long time. Years ago I saw this place on food shows and what not. Can't believe it took me this long to come here. Glad I got to experience it. One of their items is that huge burrito which of course I couldn't partake in especially since I was planning on going back to work. If you want a good hearty meal in the area for a decent price this is a great option. Especially for their burritos.

Been coming to this place since I was a kid & recently started coming back. Taste is always great…read morebut the business is practicing deception w their pricing. Last time I was here was last June & the menu prices were not the correct prices. I was not notified of this by the waitress but when I received the receipt. A difference of $3 for the burritos from the menu prices. The waitress's reasoning was they haven't got their new menus OK no problem. I go back today, 3.5 months later. The burrito menu prices have not been corrected in the menu & I revise the receipt w an increase of $3 and no indication on the menu. The waitress uses the same excuse as she did in June, except this time I call her out on it. She states that it indicates that "prices are subject to change", in very small print. I inform her that that change must be indicated by the waitress or the menu by California law. Even though I brought this to her attention, she stuck by it. She also charged twice for cheese. I also paid for the Large burrito but it came out the mini-burrito. I hate to say, but this place is practicing pricing deception. The owner and the supervisors better correct this, quick. It is the waitresses job to inform the customers of the price increase. This Is technically theft, just like if a customer walks out on a bill. I didn't argue. I just adjusted the tip accordingly. These are tough times & no one should be taken advantage of. Manny would not be cool w this. ***Just spoke w the Manager Ghay about the issue & he was unwilling to listen, & very defensive. He claims that he knows the law & does not have to indicate the current prices. After I explained he was violating city laws by not informing patrons of prices. He said I could speak to the owner "Carlos" & hung up on me. This guy is gonna learn the hard way that he's committing theft. This guy better change his tune bc the place is usually empty these days.

Photos
El Tepeyac Cafe
El Tepeyac Cafe - Chicken enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas

El Tepeyac Cafe - Beef tacos Crunchy

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Beef tacos Crunchy

Holbox - Smoked kanpachi tostada

Holbox

4.7(2.8k reviews)
5.6 mi•Historic South Central
•$$

Holbox is a Michelin-starred Mexican seafood spot tucked inside Mercado La Paloma in South LA. Chef…read moreGilberto Cetina draws inspiration from the coastal cuisines of Mexico, especially the Yucatán Peninsula, combining traditional Mexican flavors with fresh Southern California and Baja seafood. Don't let the casual food-hall setting fool you -- this place serves some seriously impressive seafood! There is usually a line about 30-90min. Once you ordered, find a table and food will be delivered. I recommend to come during off peak time to avoid long wait. The mesquite-grilled octopus and tacos are always my must-order items whenever I visit. If you love seafood, there's so much to explore here, from fresh ceviche and aguachile to grilled fish and creative tacos. *Pulpo a Las Brasas - $28 Mesquite-grilled Yucatán octopus with almond pipián, cilantro rice, black beans, avocado and pico de gallo. This is one of my absolute must-orders! The grilled octopus is a highlight and a dish I would definitely come back for. *Pescado a Las Brasas - $31 Whole grilled branzino served with cilantro rice, black beans, avocado, pico de gallo and handmade tortillas. A great option if you prefer a whole grilled fish. *Guacamole & Chips - $14 A classic starter to share while waiting for the seafood dishes. *Tostada de Kanpachi + Uni - $24 Premium Baja kanpachi ceviche topped with Santa Barbara sea urchin. A great choice for seafood lovers who enjoy more premium ingredients. *Shrimp Aguachile - $28 Raw New Caledonian prawns in spicy green aguachile, served with fried shrimp heads and avocado. A vibrant, spicy seafood dish for those who enjoy a little kick. *Ceviche Mixto - $23 A refreshing mix of wild Mexican shrimp, Yucatán octopus and halibut ceviche. *Grilled Kanpachi Collars - $20 Two mesquite-grilled Baja kanpachi collars served with cilantro rice, black beans, avocado, pico de gallo and handmade corn tortillas. A nice alternative to the usual fish fillet. *Taco De Pulpo En Su Tinta - $8 Braised and fried Gulf of Mexico octopus with calamari ink sofrito. One of the signature tacos to try, especially if you enjoy octopus! *Smoked Kanpachi Taco - $8 House-smoked Baja kanpachi with Oaxaca cheese, salsa cruda, avocado and peanut salsa macha. A more distinctive taco with a combination of smoky, creamy and nutty flavors. *Baja Shrimp Taco - $6 Classic crispy battered shrimp with crema, mayo, salsa roja, cabbage and pico de gallo. *Baja Fish Taco - $7 Crispy battered local rockfish with crema, mayo, salsa roja, cabbage and pico de gallo. A classic Baja-style fish taco. *Scallop Taco - $9 Pan-seared Maine diver scallop with butter, x'catic salsa, caramelized onions, tomato and marinated fennel. A more elevated take on a seafood taco. Overall: Holbox is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates Mexican coastal cuisine and quality seafood. I would prioritize the mesquite-grilled octopus and make sure to try a few different tacos rather than sticking to just one kind. With so many interesting seafood preparations.

Holbox is a pricey and hyped Michelin one-star restaurant located in a casual food hall style…read morebuilding. Although the presentation of the dishes was beautiful, the overall flavor and taste didn't quite live up to the hype for us. We arrived around 4 PM on a Saturday and waited outside for around 45 minutes to place the order and give a tip. The employee at the counter gives you a number and bring the food to wherever you're seated. There are indoor and outdoor tables, but finding an open spot can be challenging, especially on weekends. Parking: There is a small parking lot attached to the food hall, but it fills up quickly. Free street parking is available, but finding a spot might be challenging. Atmosphere: Very casual for a Michelin-starred restaurant. The food hall has a variety of different styles of tables and chairs, many are old and a bit worn out. There are tons of people walking around and it's incredibly crowded during the weekend. Food: We spent around $170 for three people, including six oysters, ceviche, fish tacos, a whole grilled sea bass, and two uni dishes. The presentation was beautiful and definitely picture-worthy. The seafood tasted fresh, but the flavors weren't particularly memorable nor stood out to me, especially since LA has plenty of amazing seafood restaurants. The prices weren't unreasonably high for the amount of food that you're given. Overall, Holbox is worth trying if you're curious about a casual Michelin-starred seafood restaurant. If you're around the area visiting the USC campus or museums, Holbox would be a great stop for a Yucatan-style seafood meal. A solid 4 stars for me!

Photos
Holbox - Kitchen view

Kitchen view

Holbox - Taco de pulpo

Taco de pulpo

Holbox - Shrimp aguachile

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Shrimp aguachile

El Zarape - mexican - Updated October 2026

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