Amazing food I love it here the service is okay could be a lot better but the food make up for some read more

Javiers - Green salsa enchiladas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I have a lot of guys that come in and out of Cali as they are training with me for their upcoming basketball season, and one of the most common questions I always get is, "What are the go-to restaurants around here?" When that question comes up, one of my absolute favorite Mexican cuisine spots to recommend is Javier's. It's one of those places that consistently delivers a great experience every time I go. The ambience at Javier's is perfect whether you're planning a date night or just an evening out with your family. It has a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you want to sit back and enjoy your time there. On top of that, the drinks always hit the spot and pair really well with the food, making the whole dining experience feel complete and well thought out. My go-to dish has to be the seafood enchiladas. You really can't go wrong with any of the options, but those stand out every time. The texture of the enchiladas is spot on, and the salsa complements the dish perfectly without overpowering it. Every bite feels balanced and flavorful, and it's one of those meals you find yourself craving again soon after. I also always make sure to grab the guacamole because, honestly, who doesn't love chips and guac? What I really appreciate is that this guac is different from the typical versions you find elsewhere--it has a freshness and flavor that really sets it apart. It's simple, but done at a high level, and it pairs perfectly with everything else on the table. The service at Javier's is always high-quality, and that's a big reason I keep coming back. The staff is attentive, friendly, and makes the whole experience even better. I still find myself wanting to try new items on the menu because every visit has been such a great experience so far, and I'm excited to see what I discover next. read more

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I'm no stranger to this restaurant. I've been to the one in South OC and Century City many times over the years, so I'm aware of their high prices and very average food (in my opinion) but the ambience is what keeps me interested. Being a resident of Pasadena, I knew I had to check out this location. Everything went well the entire evening. From parking, to getting a spot at the bar, to checking in for the reservation and throughout dinner. The two small issues I have with this place is you pay $40 for some dishes and get NO sides. Rice and beans are $7 extra. For $40 enchiladas it should come with small sides already. Also, the music volume here was extremely loud. I felt like I was screaming all night to have a conversation with my date and the waitress. My throat was hurting by the time I got home from dinner. I do plan on coming back eventually, but probably just for drinks and appetizers at the bar. read more

I write this review because I want Javier's to see it. My policy with restaurants is to approach them directly when I have negative feedback, which I did on my last visit. I'm not looking for freebies, just genuine receptiveness, but the front desk ladies I spoke to last time could care less and barely looked at me as I told them why my meal was so disappointing, and gave very little response. Just a "I'll pass along your feedback and hope you'll give us another try" is all I expect. but the hostesses just looked bored into the distance. I want the Pasadena Javiers to make it but it won't last long with these reviews. I've been a regular at the Newport Beach one for years, and understand what the place is all about. Lush design, good people watching and pretty good food and drinks at a high price point. The pretty good food is lacking in Pasadena. I've been twice and both times portions, quality, flavor and service were terrible. This last time I ordered Tacos Dorados. 3 cold soggy tacos showed up with dry, chewy meat that fell out, and ripped the shell entirely. I'm not exaggerating when I say its like they took a smart and final box of crispy tacos out of the freezer and left it on the counter for a few hours. I ate some of it with a fork, trying to doctor up an edible lunch with the table salsa. Topped with a tiny amount of cheese, and that's it, for $38. It wasn't busy, and had to ask for every interaction with staff. I sat in front of servers doing side work, with empty glasses in front of me, trying to make eye contact several times. read more

Saw live music was going to be here outdoors 7pm (?) so cane with zero expectations....ordered beer ($10) then another drink ($21) at the Javier's drink bar cart was a nice note out under the Pasadena warm breeze n sky! read more

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Javier's is a great place to check out, whether you are celebrating something, or want something on the more upscale level. This is just a fancy Mexican restaurant, more than anything. For this restaurant to be able to accommodate the party of 12 pretty well, I think Daniel did a phenomenal job with his service, making sure that everyone is taken care of, and everything came out on time, and as expected. Even though this restaurant is very big and accommodate a lot of different parties, I think it's pretty good overall. It does follow its reputation pretty well. The drinks were phenomenal. The food options, is very seasonal, so whatever you see on Yelp, may not be there a couple of months later. I ordered the seafood pasta with orange sauce, it was pretty good, but $48 for a pasta dish is crazy, but it is for the ambience of the restaurant. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Food doesn't match the prices but the vibes are always great. The drinks are always strong n good though! The food in my opinion is always mid but that's because I've had some really great Mexican food for half of the price. The ambiance is really nice and upscale and it's great lace to celebrate someone or just have drinks read more

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**Correction, the managers name was Oscar This is an edit to my previous review which was originally 5 star and remains. read more

Javiers - Menu - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

Wasn't sure if I wanted to try this place coz we weren't impressed with the food at their Vegas location. Glad we gave it a try. Food was excellent, our server was fantastic... and the vibe of the restaurant is phenomenal. I had the lobster enchilada... with big chunks of lobster. Would definitely order it again on my next visit. My friends also enjoyed their orders. They even made special vegetarian sauce for my friend's vegetable enchilada. read more

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This place is beautiful. It is hard to find because it's in an alley, and you need to park in nearby structures. However, the space itself is huge and very pretty. The food was also delicious and there are options for everyone. We did have to wait a bit, which was annoying. Our reservations were at 7:30. We got seated at 8, and the food came out closer to 9. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves. read more

Javiers - Shrimp & steak fajitas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Friends have been talking about Javier's. Finally got to experience what is all the talk about. Javier's Pasadena is located in a alley of food places. It's tucked away quite nicely. First off staff greeting and interior is really nice. I feel like it's a little get away from the hectic days. We had a group of 7 with reservations. Reservations are highly recommended. Chips n Salsa are great almost addictive. This was probably the highlight of the experience this and the atmosphere within. I'll get right to business. The menu isn't really reaching for anything outside the norm. I went with the aguachile verde which I split and the tomahawk pork chop. The aguachile was great. Not life changing but on point. Great amount too. Pork Chop was just a tad bit overcooked. Well seasoned. Plain n simple. This is a safe bet for a good meal. Veggies tasted good and the potato puree was light and flavorful. I'd say worth the $55. Service was a bit slow but not too bad. We had a large table. The prices are pretty high for what you get but there are some decent meals there. On a side note a friend got a "mariscos quesadilla". I think they had mistakenly got it or misread the option. Not a single person had made an attempt at this quesadilla. No one knows what was in it either. All we knew was that it smelled like the ocean. It was not pleasant at all. I believe we asked for the item to be removed but it wasnt. Avoid this menu item. You've been warned. PS - As a michelada aficionado the ones at Javier's Pasadena are a 2.5 out of 5. Very basic. read more

Javiers - Tomahawk Pork Chop - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I came here on a Saturday right when they opened 11:30 am as my friend and I were walking around Pasadena trying to figure out where to eat. My friend was visiting and had never been before, so we decided to give it a go As soon as we walked in, I was completely mesmerized. The decor is absolutely stunning and beautifully done. I've been to the Irvine and Vegas locations, and honestly, I think this one tops both of them. The ambiance, the lighting and big white booths alone makes you want to stay awhile. What made our experience even better was our server, Eber. He was so passionate and knowledgeable about the menu and genuinely kind throughout our meal. We really appreciated the little details, the conversation, and how attentive he was without ever feeling overbearing. My friend ordered the steak picado, where you get to build your own tacos, and I ordered the fish of the day, which happened to be the sea bass. It was a little more buttery than I personally prefer, but I still enjoyed it. It came with seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes, which made for a really satisfying plate. TBH I always get the trio enchiladas and I'll continue getting that from now on haha. But it's okay to try new things! My friend's steak was cooked perfectly, juicy, flavorful, and incredibly filling. The Mexican rice was yummy!! It was huge portions we were both so full. We also shared the guacamole, enjoyed some wine, and Eber had a cucumber mocktail made for my friend that was really refreshing and delicious. Overall, we had a wonderful experience. Between the beautiful space, great food, and exceptional service, this location really stood out to me. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Love the interior of this restaurant! It's beautifully decorated and it makes me feel like I'm dining somewhere at a Mexican resort. Food was delicious and servers were very attentive and fun to converse with. Definitely a good place to go for celebrations and large groups. read more

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I visited the Pasadena location of Javier's on 06/03/2026 at 5pm with a party of two. This is my first visit to this restaurant. I am a bit stunned about the amount of negative reviews. I tend to believe that the more "upscale" a restaurant tends to swing, the more critical you tend to be of the reviews. I don't necessarily think it is fair to judge a place on criteria you wouldn't judge a more economical restaurant on. With that said, I give my experience 5 stars. First off, you enter and the space is just absolutely stunning. The design, aesthetic, beauty, live plants, open windows, the two bars. Everything was amazing and beautiful. When we came early at 5pm, the restaurant was pretty empty; however, by the time we left at 7:15pm, it was pretty darn full, and that should speak volumes for a Wednesday night. Our server for the evening was Ivan. Ivan was very efficient, pleasant, attentive and was around when we needed him to be. They do bring out complimentary chips and salsa. Our table shared an order of the Guacamole. The guacamole was delicious, pure and simple. It was well worth the money spent. Our table also shared the Ensalada De Asada. It was some delicious greens with skirt steak, avocado, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, gorgonzola and an absolutely fabulous honey mustard vinaigrette. For my entree, I had the Enchilada's De Camaron, or shrimp enchiladas. It was so yummy. They were two large enchilada's with a delicious butter sauce, a generous amount of shrimp and cheese with some sour cream or crema on top. So yummy. For dessert, we shared an order of the churros, which was equally delicious. Overall, we had an excellent experience. May I recommend two things that could have been improved upon and one suggestion for the future. #1 - It took several attempts to get silverware for our table. I think this should have already been on the table, or given by the host upon being seated. #2 - Please take care of water refills. Water was not refilled unless we specifically asked. And my one suggestion is to consider a green salsa as well with the complimentary chips and salsa. Overall, this was an excellent visit and I would most certainly visit again in the future. read more

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We went to Javier's for dinner on a Thursday and it reinforces the saying that Thursdays are Fridays in LA. It was a full house of people drinking and dining. The food was decent but you go here for the atmosphere and vibe. The interior design and furnishings are are awesome. It has a very lounge feel more than a restaurant. Louder music and alot of energy. It's not the spot for a relaxing dining experience, atleast on the weekend. Service was attentive and polite but not a lot of interaction with the staff mostly due to noise and how packed it was. All the mixed drinks were very very good. We went here for a birthday dinner before a fun night out and Javier's is that type of place. Come in for a fun time for drinks and a light bite. It's pretty pricey so drinks and a full meal can add up quick. Guacamole 2/5. Plain run of the mill guacamole. Skip and get it at any other Mexican spot. Trio of enchiladas Del Mar. 5/5. Must try in my opinion. Contents and sauces were great. Carne Tampiquena. Overall 3/5(mostly because the enchilada.) New York steak. 2/5. Way undercooked for the med rare we ordered and too rare for my wife to eat. I thought it was a good cut and could be better if prepared as requested. Chicken taquito 2/5. Good flavor but very dry. Dungeness crab enchilada 5/5, refried beans 4/5. Ceviche Shrimp 5/5. Great starter. read more

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This super popular restaurant in old town was mentioned by several people, so we got reservations and took a party of 4. The ambiance was great, lots of well dressed people pre-gaming at the bar or waiting for tables. They have a Beautiful wide opened dining space, very well decorated. I eat a ton of Mexican and usually favor authentic mom and pop places so I was concerned that this was going to be too bougie and not satisfy but it was excellent. Everything had very good flavors and we all agreed we'd like to come back. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

Very disappointing experience at Javier's. We had a reservation and still waited almost 40 minutes to be seated with very little communication or professionalism from the front desk staff. The hosts appeared extremely young and unprepared to handle the flow of guests or manage reservations properly. Unfortunately, the service did not improve once we were seated. Our server seemed unfamiliar with the menu, could not answer basic questions about the dishes, and overall lacked product knowledge you would expect from a restaurant of this level and price point. The atmosphere is beautiful, but the organization and service quality were far below expectations. For a restaurant with this reputation, the experience felt disorganized and frustrating from start to finish. The only good thing we had that night was the tamarind margarita. We order steak and shrimp tacos and asked the server to show us an item that had the tacos and rice and beans in one order and she had no idea what we were asking for. We need up getting everything separate which ended up being a total waste and nothing tasted decent. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

Beautiful restaurant with a great vibe! We had a reservation and it was extremely crowded, but they seated us once our entire party arrived. The drinks took quite a while, and although our server was friendly, we barely saw her throughout the night. Our appetizers came out and within minutes the entrees arrived right behind them, which made the whole meal feel very rushed. Staff kept trying to clear plates we were still eating from, and the table felt overcrowded and chaotic. Honestly, it turned into a bit of a cluster. We also had to flag down Viviana for the check and again to cash us out. One more thing to note -- they automatically add an 18% gratuity, which was frustrating given the service experience. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We came here for a quick dinner with some friends. Pretty packed for a Saturday evening. I ordered a shrimp chopped salad. The salad was clean and simple. Hubby ordered a pork chop, but it was way overcooked and had no flavor whatsoever. Service was mediocre. Great music, but loud. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Went with a group of girlfriends and we had a blast! If you are looking to go someplace and feel like you escaped to the tropics then go here! Felt like I was in Miami. Went on a Monday night and it was still hopping. Luckily, we didn't experience a wait to be seated as mentioned in other reviews. The atmosphere is loud music so if you are looking for quiet this isn't the place. But the high booths made our dinner somewhat secluded and we were able to carry on conversation amongst us. With a large cocktail list and menu there is plenty to get your own party started. We enjoyed Flaca's to drink. We started with yummy Queso Fundido and chips and then very much enjoyed the La Tablita. This was a platter full of the tasty makings of fajitas. We choose shrimp and skirt steak. Both were very good but the shrimp was out of this world amazing in tortillas. The large platter will surely wow when they bring it to the table. In addition to the two meat choices it came with: a side of arroz, refritos, guacamole, salsa fresca, jalapeños, green onions, warm tortillas, queso fresco. We were celebrating a birthday so we got two desserts and they added even more ice cream and presented all three on a platter. It was a fun presentation. Our waiter was the best. He didn't miss a beat! Overall a great night! Public Parking Structure located behind the restaurant. $10 flat rate on a weekday night. read more

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I usually visit the Newport Beach or Century City locations, but this was my first time trying the Javier's in Pasadena, and I was so impressed. One major highlight for me is the outside patio area specifically for waiting. At the other locations, you usually have to stand the entire time while you wait for a table, so having a comfortable outdoor space here is a massive upgrade. As always, the food was absolutely great, and our server was amazing--attentive and super friendly. Between the excellent service and the much-improved waiting situation, this Pasadena location is definitely going into our regular rotation! read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

In the mood for Mexican food, and, of course Javier's is the place to be! The food is cooked to perfection and seasoned very well. Customer service is on point on all levels. read more

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Great place for small gathering but if any big party this place is too big. No one could hear what you're saying in the party. The flood and especially the drinks are excellent read more

I came here for an anniversary Love the ambiance The service was great! Very welcoming The food was great! We asked the waiter what their most recommended items were and he shared it was the short rib. Sauce was spicy,the meat was tender! And the steak, asparagus and mashed potatoes were a great price point. Tasty too. One thing I wouldn't get again though is the queso fundido- it gets cold quickly and clumps up Otherwise everything else from drinks to the dessert was great! read more

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Javier's was okay -- not something I'd try again. Hats off for the help, but honestly, it wasn't as good as people say. Bye for now. read more

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The enchiladas con pollo was sooooo good! The drinks were amazing! Got a little too turnt though read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

I have to say, there is truly a reason why this famous celebrity level restaurant chain is so popular and fully booked every day. When I found out they opened a new location in Pasadena, I knew I had to try it and it definitely did not disappoint. First of all, the interior design is elegant, upscale, and very tasteful. The service was also warm and professional. The staff kept checking on us to make sure everything tasted good and that we were enjoying our meal. We were very happy with all the recommended dishes. I specially chose this restaurant to celebrate my friend's birthday and it was such a great choice. The restaurant is very spacious and the layout feels comfortable and well designed. The whole atmosphere makes you feel welcome and home. read more

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Visited Javier's on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate a friend and it was the perfect spot! Tucked between two buildings in Old Town, it's a little hidden, you can't see it from the street ,but absolutely worth finding. We went in the afternoon and it had a relaxed, not-too-crowded vibe, which made the experience even better. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. Fresh flowers, plush seating, and a warm lounge aesthetic that makes you want to linger.The service was attentive and the food did not disappoint. I had the salmon salad ,blackened salmon placed right on top, light but so flavorful. We shared the Queso Fundido and guacamole with chips. The guac was fresh and delicious; the Queso Fundido was a bit thick for my taste but still good. My friend had the Carne Tampiqueña and loved every bite. For drinks, I went with the Tamarindo Margarita as a mocktail and it was full of flavor ,no regrets! It is on the pricier side, so just be prepared for that. But for a special occasion, birthday, or even a date night followed by a walk through Old Town, it's a fantastic choice. Already craving a return visit! read more

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I had to give this place a five just for this enchilada trio. Shrimp, lobster and crab. I thought they would skimp on the fillings but all three were stuffed full. Worth it. And obviously the whole inside is a vibe. read more

Javiers - Enchiladas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

Omg ! They made my birthday so magical ! Great customer service , atmosphere and food ! Would visit again in a heartbeat! read more

Overall the ambiance is cool and I like the attention to detail with greenery inside. I dig the decor and the layout of the restaurant. Our server was great as well. But the food is subpar and definitely not worth the price imo. Chips and salsa, 5/10: Immediately left a bad impression, as some chips were excruciatingly salty and some were decently seasoned. The taste of the salsa seemed to vary per dish. One bowl was tangy, savory, and bright. The other bowl was salty, dull, and lackluster. They served multiple dishes of chips and salsa. It's clear consistency was lacking. Chorizo Enchiladas, 6.75/10: I ordered these thinking they would stuff the chorizo inside the enchiladas; maybe I should've asked. But the dish was very underwhelming since it was mainly tortilla, cheese, and sauce. It tasted pretty good for what it was. But, it was lacking the protein and depth that this place promises upfront on the menu description. Barely any chorizo was to be found. Not worth the hefty price tag. They charge extra for rice and beans since it doesn't come with the dish. Tablitas with asada, 7.5/10: A good portion for a small group. The asada is cooked medium, with a great sear on it. It could use a bit more seasoning. I like that it comes on the hot grill. The sides that accompany it are solid: rice, beans, guacamole, grilled veggies. Dish is filling and can be easily shared. Margarita, 6/10: First time seeing a house margarita served with no garnishes, no fruit, no lemon, nothing. It came cloudy and tasted bland. I will say they did not skimp on the tequila. Ceviche de pulpo, 8.5/10: Easily the best dish there. Octopus tastes fresh, not fishy at all. It has a nice chew and is cooked appropriately. The refreshing vegetables highlight the bright flavors of the octopus well. Minor detail is I'd prefer bigger chunks of octopus for a meatier bite. I appreciate what this restaurant is going for. But it misses the mark heavily for me. read more

Javiers - Chorizo enchiladas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

I went to Javier's for the first time ever last week and I have to say.....the Pasadena location is a VIBE. The restaurant is stunning - think plush booths, fountains, greenery, and gorgeousness. The bathrooms are elite - there's an attendant (so make sure you tip!), tic tacs, gum, lotion, etc. The food was amazing. Like I said I've never been here before. We got the crab and shrimp enchiladas (SO meaty!) and the steak salad. Steak was unbelievable. We got fried ice cream for dessert but my friend has a peanut allergy, so we had to send it back. Settled on the flan after that, and it was also delicious! Only drawback and reason for 4 stars was the service. Yes, my party was just two people with no alcohol, but we were left looking for our server fairly often - especially when we wanted to pay and leave. Other than that - Incredible vibe. I loved it, and will be back! read more

Javiers - Bar vibes - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This restaurant is so nice and spacious inside. There is music playing and the restaurant is kind of hidden in between two buildings. Portion and food is good and the drinks are nice and strong. Staff was also nice. read more

Javiers - Food - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Wow now let me tell you the new Javier's in Pasadena is absolutely breathtaking!! It blew me away. All of the details from the structure, the openness with all the windows & the very cool skyline greenhouse roofing in the middle of where we sat, all of the beautiful plants & greenery! This place is a whole vibe! All the staff were so pleasant & helpful along the way. Our server Kevin was great! He helped with all the recommendations & was always checking in on us! The other staff were also so on it with filling our waters without asking or having to wave anyone down to clearing off our empty plates so quickly! I got the piña margarita drink which was so refreshing & tasty! We went for a work lunch meeting so started off with the tuna ceviche as an appetizer, it was refreshing & light, perfect way to start. My boss got the chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce he said they were great! My coworker got the lobster enchiladas rice & beans with a shrimp taco & poblano stuff with crab & shrimp. Tried a bit of hers & it was fantastic! It was a bit of a chilly day so I wanted something warm so I got the birria & oh boy was that the right choice! So delicious and exceeded my expectations. Ask for the habanero salsa on the side if you're like me & like your food extra spicy! Haha Loved & will definitely be back to this location again! read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

Walking into Javier's always feels like stepping into a mini vacation. The aesthetic is gorgeous and transportive -- perfect for a special occasion, a celebration, or a fun girls' night out. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but the ambiance and quality make it worth it. I also always end up having leftovers to take home. The service is consistently excellent, and I'm obsessed with their chips and salsa. They do offer parking validation, but I personally like parking in one of the nearby public lots and taking a short walk in. It adds to the whole experience. A beautiful spot to treat yourself. read more

過年跟兩個小孩的年夜飯，這次選在了Pasadena 的Javier餐廳, 離小孩住的地方近， 也順便來看看這家的裝潢 當天傾盆大雨， 餐廳仍是客滿的，小孩說是Chinese new year 的關係，我是懷疑的，裡面東方人不到5%， 也沒有看到亮眼的紅色， 不常吃墨西哥料理的小孩，看著菜單也是很多東西不曉得怎麼點，女兒不敢相信我居然會找一家yelp 上2.8顆星的餐廳，其實是我老花眼，以為是3.8顆星，,不過大部分都是在抱怨菜太貴，就像港式餐廳yelp review 也都很差，大部分是在抱怨服務態度是一樣的， 食物部分仍是不差的，他家的東西，跟美女們去過，都不錯， 這次點的羊排， 豬排，菲力，三道主菜小孩也是給4 顆星， 前菜Taquito 我最喜歡， 有點像春捲包起來，最近幾年開始嘗試很多不同餐廳後， 發現很多墨西哥餐廳也是非常好吃的，找不到帳單，一直跟小孩說話， 忘了拍， 只記得兩百多元～ read more

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I was so excited to try the newly opened Javier's in Pasadena, especially since I've previously been to the Javier's in Newport Beach and Aria in Las Vegas. The ambiance is stunning, warm, vibrant, and perfect for a girls' night out. The energy in the room felt elevated but still welcoming. We ordered one of their shareable menu options for 2-3 people, which included a selection of proteins. We chose chicken, beef, and carnitas, and it came with guacamole, cheese, salsa, tortillas, red rice, and beans. Everything was flavorful, beautifully presented, and perfect for sharing. Their jalapeño margaritas were so yummy. Overall, it was an amazing night with great food, great drinks, and an even better atmosphere. I'll definitely be back! read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We decided to dine here for Valentine's Day, I'm sure if it were any other day it wouldn't be as crowded and packed at the front door but it was jammed packed February 14th ! The front desk staff was very accommodating and attentive got us seated within 15 minutes as our reservation was at 4:00 and we were 15 minutes late ...they still kept our spot per pre arrival request. The building , decor and bar area is beautiful..... again on a busy night I would expect a wait , there were no available seats at the two bars . This place is happening !!! There is plenty of seating if you have to wait for your table outside and around the restaurant. Take a nice stroll, it's worth the wait for a date . They have valet parking and quick, we didn't have to wait long to give or get our vehicle. The service was amazing! Loved the conversation and dish recommendations of the waiters and staff. We were checked in on often. Appetizers were flawless and flavorful. I personally don't care for spicy dishes and the dish I ordered ended up killing my mood after the first bite because it was beyond spicy and it was not noted on the menu. Needless to say the waiter took the dish offered to replace it and comped that dish off the bill. I will definitely be going back , I love the beautiful upscale ambiance, food and the service! The menu has great food selections and I can't wait to try the trio dish ! read more

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Very popular place in So Cal. I hear this location is newer. It's a beautiful space and everyone is friendly. Friend made reservation and we got hour wrong (we were an hour away when we were supposed to be there) but they still accommodated us (party of 3). It's a little loud. Food is worth the wait. I got the steak tacos. Steak was tender and everything on it was perfect. Friends shared aguachile del ray. It was perfect spicy they said. They liked the red sauce. Friends enjoyed their pineapple margaritas. I enjoyed my wine. Chips and dip for the table are great. Salsa is actually very good. Pasadena is lucky to have this place! read more

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Javier's opening in Old Town Pasadena was definitely a big deal. This location has so many memories for me because we had many birthday celebrations and memorable meals here when it used to be Il Fornaio. So to see Javier's open here feels like a new Pasadena restaurant landmark. The decor is absolutely 10 out of 11. Beautiful, beautiful. I first came for lunch with a friend, and later came back for dinner. Lunch feels more casual and not too busy, good for a business casual lunch or just catching up with friends. Dinner is much busier and has more of a vibe. I don't drink alcohol, but everyone keeps saying the espresso martini is the hit, so if you're not like me, that's probably something to try. For me, my absolute favorite is honestly the chips. I don't think I've ever had tortilla chips so crunchy and perfect -- not too oily, not overly fried, just perfect. I could eat them all day. Javier's menu is known for elevated Mexican dishes, seafood, enchiladas, ceviche, guacamole, queso fundido, and handcrafted cocktails. But for me, the whole experience is really the ambiance, the energy, and the presentation. It's a beautiful place to dine in Pasadena. read more

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