We love it here! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is delicious and the staff are so on top of it! I love seeing how everyone works together and are constantly checking in to make sure your drinks are full and if you need anything else. We've come here multiple times since opening and will be coming again next weekend for my birthday. We love to celebrate here! It's definitely a special place for us where we get to celebrate with each other for birthdays, promotions, and everything in between! read more

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Today was our 39th Anniversary, so I wanted to elevate lunch beyond normal. Parking here is really not available unless you do parking structure or valet. The food is done very well and the service was excellent. The wife had a steak salad and I had lamb chops. The environment is like a dream, being predominately white with secret rooms and paths through arches. The bar scene is so elegant and definitely decadent. Parking is a drawback ands to the total price of dining. Cost is a major drawback here, but for special occasions, it is definitely a contender! read more

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This experience was completely different than my first visit. Our reservation was at 2pm and then seated us immediately. From there our waiter Tevin was the absolute sweetest nicest, most attentive waiter. I ordered seafood enchiladas and my friend ordered a chopped salad. We also ordered drinks. The salsa and warm chips were delicious our food was served quickly. It was pretty expensive for not that much food, but then again, it's Javier's so we expected it. The only downfall was that the valet was not out front to take our car, so finding parking close enough for me to walk with back issues took about 30 mins. They said the valet doesn't work for them directly so they sometimes don't show up. They need to get a real valet assigned. But other than that, our experience was great! Thank you Tevin for the great service. read more

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Overrated, overpriced less than average Mexican food. No thanks. I will send you to a great place though!! Maxs Mexican in Monrovia or Azusa. Much better quality at half the price, and their margaritas absolutely destroy Max's. read more

Overall, the food, customer service, and ambiance were absolutely amazing! However, my biggest complaint is the communal seating arrangement. What makes it even more frustrating is that this happens even when you make a reservation. Personally, if I'm taking the time to make a reservation, I expect to have my own table rather than being seated with other parties. It takes away from the experience, especially when you're celebrating a special occasion and want to enjoy that moment with your own group. Unfortunately, the shared seating arrangement really takes away from what should be a memorable celebration. Aside from that, everything else was wonderful, and I truly enjoyed the food and service. I just wish they would reconsider their seating arrangements for guests with reservations. read more

First impression: way, way too loud. Three people who had not seen each other in a year tried to talk across a large table, understand a server who was barely able to speak over the din, and speak I depth about the year gone by. The menu is impressive, if you eat meat or fish, which one of us did and two were pescatarian, but strict vegetarians would have had little to choose from. Us locals sold the ceviche and aquachile as being so more vibrant and flavorful in SoCal than anywhere else. The ahi ceviche could have been any poke shop, not vibrant or individual. Beef and shrimp tacos were filling, but bland. The cream ranchero sauce on the Fideo Del Mar was virtually tasteless. I had to add the table salsa (which was quite tasty, I might add) to the pasta to give it any flavor at all. Thankfully, the grilled shrimp and scallop were delicious, and the crab claws delectable. Unfortunately, that may be our one and only visit - the prices are too high for so little enjoyment. read more

Ambiance 10/10 food 10/10 service 10/10 Marco was our server and he was soooo nice and attentive he made Sure our glasses were filled with water without having to ask! Food came out hot and ready to eat the drinks were delicious and paired well with the chips n salsa! The only thing I would change were the to go boxes they kept opening in the bag because the way they were made so 1/10 for the to go read more

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I was hesitant on visiting this location due to the poor, bad reviews but decided to give it a chance to see for myself....and was not disappointed!! I visited with my sister and mother around noon, without reservations, and they gladly welcomed us and sat us immediately. Our server, Marcos, was very attentive, friendly, and offered his personal recommendation on drinks. Our food was delicious and didn't take long to arrive. The drinks were exquisite and refreshing. The busser continuously refilled our waters, chips and salsa. Overall, we had an excellent experience that I would love to visit again, especially in the evening. Additionally, the setting/vibe of the interior design is very coastal and beautiful - whether you sit inside or outside, you'll enjoy your seat. In regards to parking, right behind the building is a public parking lot (white building). I recommend you to not drive around and just park there - unless you can do valet ;) read more

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This location is a vibe, definitely a date night spot. I came here for dinner with my coworkers and we were taken away by how beautiful the restaurant was. There were so many beautiful booths and the center bar was gorgeous. This is definitely a spot Pasadena needed to pick up their nightlife. The service was amazing. Drinks and food were great. We will be back for future dinners and happy hours. read more

Javiers - Steak and chicken plate - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Very disappointing service. We had dinner for five on a Tuesday night, and the host was the only staff member who made us feel welcome. When our entrees arrived, the table still had dirty plates from our aguachiles appetizer. The food runner had to clear them before setting down our food and seemed frustrated about it. Some of us didn't have utensils, no steak knife was provided, and we had to ask for refills. Our server never checked in to take care of the table, even though it was a slow night. The food was decent, but the service felt like we were just placing an order at a fast food joint. Now I'm surprised this restaurant has 3.1 stars on Yelp. With much visible management Im blown away how they are not proactive pushing the staff to do better. Servers and staff feel entitled and you could feel it read more

We enjoyed our time here. We were served pretty quickly and the interior was absolutely gorgeous. We ordered the La Tablita which was the perfect amount for three girls. It really had everything you needed and I have to admit, the meat was delicious. I don't really like steak like that, but I couldn't stop eating it. read more

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Check-in was quick and organized. The ambiance is absolutely stunning. It genuinely felt like I was transported to Cabo for the evening. The food definitely lived up to the atmosphere. The enchilada was good and the sauce had a nice kick to it. The only downside is the pricing. It is on the higher side, so it may not be an everyday spot for most people. That said, if you're looking for a special night out with great food and a beautiful setting, it's definitely worth checking out. read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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'll start by saying I've eaten several times at the Las Vegas & Century City locations this was my first time visiting Pasadena. I was initially very excited to try the new location because my experience at the other two locations have always been pleasant. Decor: Absolutely stunning. We sat on the indoor outdoor patio area. The weather was amazing. There was a nice breeze coming in the ambience was perfect. Actually, it reminds me of a restaurant out of the country. Service: Our server was SUPER NICE. I'm not sure if she was overwhelmed or if she was new but once we were seated, no one came over to greet us. Bring us water our silverware. We sat there for about 10 minutes before I had to ask another waiter that was walking by if they could find our server. Once she came over and introduced herself, we were actually ready to order because we had already sat there for so long. We ordered our food. We asked her for plastic silverware, salt, pepper, hot sauce, like we literally ordered everything at the same time. By the time our food arrived we still didn't have napkins or silverware. Food: I ordered my regular the "Trio" and I was very disappointed that it was cold. I had to send it back to the kitchen. My husband's food was cold as well. They took our plates back. They warmed our food up, brought it back out and brought us new servings of rice and beans that were still cold a second time. at this point I wasn't really hungry anymore. I waited so long for my food that I got full off of chips and salsa so I took a couple bites and then packed it up to go. The guacamole is not my favorite. I wouldn't order it again. It's more like a purée guacamole (mashed potatoes, consistency ) it doesn't seem like it's made to order more like they blended a large batch and then serve it as ordered. No tomato's, cilantro, lime, just avocados peppers and onions. I basically just ate chips and salsa. Ceviche: My husband ordered a ceviche to go when we got home. I took it out of the bag, and the portion was literally so small. It was less than a handful and I have tiny hands. I'm not a big fan of ordering to go while I'm inside of a restaurant because I always feel like they give you smaller portions. I normally will just order as if I'm eating it at the table and then once they bring it out I'll package it to go, but I didn't do that this time because I was ready to go home. Over all my experience at this location wasn't anything special and I'll most likely not visit again. read more

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This was Friday lunchtime, busy but we were seated right away. This place probably rocks in the evenings. Massive bar and lots of large tables for 8 or more people. Food: Fresh guacamole was not at all spicy just a bit pricey. The salsa was so fresh with " real " good tomatoes. Chips cooked just right although a bit salty today. Chicken in the enchiladas was moist and tender. Beers are all bottled from Mexico, no drafts. Lots of tequilas and cocktails to choose from. Ambiance: The indoor/outdoor dining area is super plush hip and comfy with massive palms and greenery and giant metal flower sculptures all around. Service excellence. Everyone seemed to be helping each other from ordering to delivery to clean up. Three different people working seamlessly. read more

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So pretty here. Just opened so everything is pristine and the service is really good. The decor is amazing. read more

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It's my second time grabbing dinner here and it did not disappoint. Service has been great for me and the rest of my parties. The food was delicious and drinks were good. So far my husband and I have taken friends, and family here and each one of them have said 10/10 recommend. Safe to say I'll be back again. read more

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I love the atmosphere of this restaurant it gives vacation vibes. The bartenders definitely got their steps In because they were busy last night. I ordered taquitos I give it an 8/10 I Like how it wasn't fried to hard. The margarita was a 10/10 I can tell it was made with love. Last but not least the fried ice cream I also give that a 8/10 the taste was there but I felt it was missing something. read more

Javiers - Fried ice cream - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

I had been wanting to check this place out, and the interior did not disappoint; absolutely beautiful space with a great vibe. It was packed, which speaks to its popularity, but if you're seated closer to the bar, be prepared for a pretty high noise level. On the plus side, they have plenty of tables and booths that can easily accommodate larger parties. Service: Very attentive from start to finish. Shoutout to all the servers who helped our table and especially Xayla for bringing such high energy all night. Parking: Valet is available, plus nearby parking structures and some street parking, which makes it manageable despite the busy location. Food: The house salad was delicious. I tried the tacos suaves. I'd definitely recommend the beef. The chicken was a bit dry. Adding a shrimp option would be a great addition to the menu. Drinks: The hibiscus margarita was tasty and well-balanced, not watered down, and just the right amount of kick. Price: On the pricey side. It's a great spot for a special occasion, but probably not somewhere I'd frequent regularly. read more

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I had heard about Javier's over the years so was excited when they opened up one in Pasadena in the old Il Fornaio space. Additionally, a Mexican friend of mine thought I would like it. I was surprised the Yelp reviews weren't better but still checked them out for a last minute bday lunch spot. The interior is very pretty and sophisticated. Complimentary chips and salsa are quite good, with the salsa having a little kick which I love. We both got cocktails (black samba for me at $25 - a little pricey) which we both really enjoyed. My friend got the guava margarita. We both also got salads - chopped salad with shrimp for me and my friend got the salmon salad. Both were very good. Split the chocolate ganache cake which was quite dense and tasty. Lovely spot to celebrate a special occasion in particular. Also, great service! read more

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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

Such a great location! They have valet or You can do self parking on meter or close by parking lots. The location was so stunning, loved the whole ambiance and space. The service here is excellent as well, attentiveness and friendly staff. The food was absolutely amazing, we tried the white fish crudo and ahi crudo which was some of the best never had. So fresh and the fish was such high quality. The aguachile was amazing too and super fresh with a nice kick of spice. The tablita Andre was a great shared entrée great for a couple of people, the skirt steak was some of the best beef on the menu, cooked perfectly and seasoned so well. The carnitas was some of the best I ever had!!! Deserts were amazing too especially the guava cheesecake. Everything was so fresh and delicious, place is on the pricier side but worth it! Date night type of spot or great place to celebrate special occasions. read more

Food was okay. The location is beautiful, like the other locations, but honestly, the customer service really fell short. We waited 20 minutes just for a drink, and overall it felt like they were short-staffed. It's more of a place to check the box than somewhere I'd put in my top 10 or want to return to. If I'm spending this kind of money, I expect the service to match the price. This isn't El Torito pricing--and honestly, El Torito has better service. read more

Love Javier's! The vibe is always immaculate. Perfect lighting and the food and service is good. They're always so busy so service is on the slower side but they try their best and plus why are you in a rush anyway this place is beautiful! read more

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On our recent trip to California, we got to to eat and drink at amazing restaurants & bars. To celebrate my amazing wife's birthday, we chose Javier's Pasadena. It delivers an exceptional dining experience for Mexican cuisine from start to finish. The ambiance is vibrant, elegant, and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with authentic flavors, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality and excellence. The food was fresh, delicious, and expertly prepared. Cocktails were exceptional and potent !! We had Chile Verde, Quesadilla as well as Pena & Javier's Cristalino margaritas. What truly elevated the experience was the outstanding staff. From the warm greeting at the door to the attentive service throughout the evening, everyone was friendly, professional, and genuinely committed to ensuring guests have a great time. Javier's is a standout restaurant that I highly recommend. read more

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Elevated Mexican food is a tough task to accomplish. More often than not if you want a good margarita and enchiladas, a home style cantina with homemade/fresh ingredients does the job. Javier's in Vegas was a much better experience than Pasadena. Javier's Pasadena is LOUD. So loud, you're walking out with a sore throat, especially if you're seated in the dining area with low ceilings. They expanded into a covered outdoor terrace with higher ceilings but it still requires you to yell at the company next to you and not out of frustration lol. The food is underwhelming. There's no reason to order crab, lobster and shrimp enchiladas but I did just to try. Def not worth $50. The service was very attentive and friendly. No complaints there read more

It was a beautiful place I have to say. The food was delicious we ordered last tablita, some lamb chops, the steak plate a device and just everything really good. The service was nice and attentive. Restrooms clean and they had a nice lady working there too. The only thing I gave it 4stars is the music was a little on the too loud side where you have to be loud to talk among your party. But I will definitely go back! We were there to celebrate my birthday and had a great time! read more

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Before eating lunch here, I was concerned about their average rating of 2.8 stars. After finishing my meal, I think a 2.8 is kind of harsh in my opinion. It's probably closer to a 3.5 for me. Yes, the food is overpriced and charging $7 for rice and a separate $7 for beans is diabolical. Like what other reviewers have said, there are so many more authentic and affordable Mexican restaurants in LA that you can go to. BUT what this restaurant did deliver on were the elevated interior design choices, location, and the vibes. The servers were nice and we didn't run into any issues with billing. The food did take forever to get to the table after ordering though so don't come here if you're in a time crunch. I thought the food was going to taste worse than it did but I was content with the Enchiladas Poblanas that I ordered. Were they the best enchiladas I've ever had? No, but the flavors were still good. Complimentary chips came out fresh with salsa. We lounged here for a while after we finished eating and I'm glad that the servers didn't try to push us out. For parking, they offer valet but there are two Pasadena public parking lots close by. I parked at the Schoolhouse Garage at 33 E Green St and it only took me 2 to 3 min to walk to the restaurant. EV charging is available for a small fee on the B1 level using the PowerFlex app. There's also the other public parking lot on De Lacey but that one is tighter and more difficult to maneuver if you have a large car. read more

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

This was my first time at Javier's ! There are parking lots around but not free. Once we walked in, we were amazed ! The place is stunning like we were at a resort In Mexico. They did such a great job. We were seated pretty quickly and the staff was lovely. We ordered margaritas of course and they were delicious! They give you free chips and salsa!! We got the queso fundido to start which was super good but pretty stringy so it was kind of hard to get onto chips and the tortillas. I got the taquito started as my meal and that was definitely filling enough. We also got the fried ice cream dessert ! Glad we did but probably wouldnt order it again just cuz of the price. The whole menu is pretty overpriced but the ambiance is worth at least going once ! read more

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Gorgeooooousssss! WOW, decor and architecture design was absolutely eye catching! I had a few espresso martinis at the back bar since the main bar was off the hook! Martinis were impressive and customer service was flawless. Ordered guacamole and chips. Guac was fresh and chips tasted homemade. Looking forward to having dinner in the future. Beautiful people, families, and tourists all around. Make your reservations since this venue is buuussssy! read more

Loved the food, the service and ambiance. The space was gorgeous. It is a bit expensive, but worth it. read more

Nice interiors and enclosed patio dining areas. Very hip and stylish, two bars. Service was great but food was a bit overpriced for what you get for most of the Mexican dishes especially the $20 guacamole. Crab & shrimp enchiladas were good but a bit over priced with no sides included. Portions were small compared to what you would expect for Mexican food as you are basically paying for the ambience and service. Valet parking in the front on Colorado. Min $20 spend per person required. Probably a fun place for a night on the town. read more

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First I would like to say Please please please decide for yourselves how a particular restaurant was to your liking or not. As it relates to Javier's, I found it a wonderful, energized and completely satisfying experience. My advice is to disregard those extremely negative reviews that I see posted. The restaurant recently opened and as it was during the holidays and brand new, of course there will be slight learning curve and yes also very busy as there is an excitement of this location opening in Pasadena. The restaurant is beautiful, ample booth seating and foliage throughout. Spied a couple of bars, the largest being directly in the center ( maybe the other was decorative, have to go back to be certain. Although busy I found the wait staff as well as the hosts extremely pleasant and did their best to be accommodating. Lively music played throughout the restaurant and one thing I did wish, was that there could be a live band and even a small dance floor. The song selection made you want to get up and Salsa. The food was good in my opinion. I kept it basic; Mole Enchiladas, Shrimp Enchiladas, Salmon as well as a couple of salads. No complaints at all. Fresh, not overcooked and of course tasty. Great addition to the Pasadena dining scene. If you want good food, great night out and a beautiful venue, then this is your spot. read more

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Me and my friends have been waiting for this place to open up. We made reservations more than a week ago and still had to wait for over 50 minutes. You know though I get it, new restaurant and lots of people. Because even though we questioned the manager, he was kind and honest. Food was great! Loved the seafood trio enchiladas. I also like when a restaurant has good chips and salsa. Yummy!! Really nice and fancy layout. Loved the decor and fancy restroom. read more

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What a beautiful space. They did such an amazing job. This was my first time trying Javiers and not disappointed at all. Made a reservation ahead of time and was late but they still accommodated (thank goodness). Food was delicious - I had the relleno, my friends got the shrimp enchilada and the carnitas. Big portions. Was so full and satisfied. Chips and salsa were delicious as well. Everything we got was good including the margs and drinks. Will have to come back with the hubs. read more

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A girlfriends night out. The decor is gorgeous, but it is so loud inside. We could barely hear each other. The acoustics are terrible with no soft surfaces everything echos. We waited 30 minutes to be seated, despite a reservation, in a very hot little space. The food was OK. The service was good. But it just wasn't an enjoyable evening because honestly it was just so loud with very ordinary food. read more

Came to Javier's Pasadena on Valentine's Day and the place was packed! They let us know ahead of time that food might take a little longer because of how busy it was, but honestly they were pretty good with timing We started with the ceviche, guacamole, and taquitos. The ceviche was nice and refreshing with great flavor. The guacamole tasted super fresh and delicious -- and the chips seemed freshly fried, which made it even better. The taquitos were one of my favorites! The sauce on top was so good and really brought everything together. For mains, we ordered the enchiladas, tacos, and arrachera. The enchiladas were good, but not necessarily a standout for me. The tacos had great portions, flavorful meat, and really good salsa. My absolute favorite was the arrachera -- the prime skirt steak was cooked perfectly, super tender, and seasoned really well. The papas fritas were okay -- a little too thick for my liking and some pieces seemed slightly undercooked. The refried beans were good though. Drinks were solid too! I had a mango margarita and really enjoyed it Overall, great experience especially on such a busy night. And you can tell the amount of thought on into the design the place is beautiful great ambiance with water features and foliage! I'll definitely be back! L read more

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This new location in Old Town Pasadena is just what we need--great location and beautiful decor inside. The food and drinks were good and the service was fantastic. Nice cool vibes with a vacation style as if we're in Cancun. Very hip and upscale atmosphere. read more

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I have been a big fan of Javier's since they first opened in Newport Beach. I have eaten in all of his restaurants. I look forward to the salsa and chips. Over the last few years, I have frequented the Century City locations. Now there is one locally in Pasadena. The quality of the salsa has changed. The biggest change is the inconsistency in their food. For example tonight: the salsa was bland, one was salty, and when we asked for another one then it was close to what we remembered (need to be spicier). My house margarita looks like water... missing color. The la table steak has no seasoning at all and the onion bulb was not cooked. I know you guys can do better. . read more

Javiers - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Pasadena, California