Had the best experience at La Bamba! My sister and I stopped by before heading to a show nearby and I'm so happy I did. The staff was great, super attentive and nice. The food was delicious! We loved everything we got and loved the garlic sauce they offered us. And for some reason it kept reminding me of one of those spots people go to in movies and shows. There was a lively chatter going on and smiles everywhere I loved it. The sangrias were also a hit. I definitely would make the drive to come again. read more

See all

After a long day of work, my girlfriend and I were driving around trying to figure out what our stomachs were calling for when we passed this cool little outdoor spot called La Bamba. And of course, as soon as we saw the name, we immediately started singing La Bamba . That was literally what made the place catch our attention. My girlfriend is always quick to pull up Yelp before we commit to somewhere new, so she checked the reviews, saw they weren't too bad, and noticed they served Caribbean food. We turned around and decided, why not? The restaurant itself was a nice little spot. It wasn't overly crowded, but there were enough people there that it still had some energy. Our first impression, though, almost made this review never happen. When we walked in, we stood near the front trying to figure out whether someone was going to seat us or if we were supposed to seat ourselves. There was a woman working at the register who didn't acknowledge us, even when we tried getting her attention. It came across as pretty rude in the moment, and we genuinely considered just walking back out. Eventually, we decided to seat ourselves. That's when David, our waiter, came over and thankfully the service got much better from there. He was attentive, cool with us, and overall gave us a much better impression of the service than how things started. First came the chips and salsa. The chips were a little too hard for our preference, and the salsa itself was pretty bland. We originally wanted to try the ceviche as an appetizer, but after seeing that the price was getting pretty close to entrée territory, we decided to save that money and go straight for our meals. I ordered the La Bamba chimichanga with carne asada. I don't normally like beans inside my burritos, so I substituted double rice, along with cheese and sour cream, with guacamole and pico de gallo on the side. My girlfriend went for the Cuban sandwich, which she was really excited about because she had been craving one. Our food came out surprisingly fast probably within about 10 minutes. My chimichanga was... okay. That's probably the best way I can describe it. It had some flavor, it filled me up, and there wasn't anything specifically terrible about it. It just didn't give me anything that made me think, "I need to come back for this." At around $18, I also would've liked the plate to include some rice and beans on the side. My girlfriend wasn't too impressed with her Cuban sandwich either. She found it pretty dry and thought there was way too much meat compared with the thinner, juicier Cuban sandwiches she's used to having. But somehow, the thing we weren't expecting to care that much about ended up stealing the show: THE FRIES. I don't know exactly what seasoning they're using, but those fries were really good. And the garlic sauce they served with them was even better. We sat there trying to figure out what was in this sauce until one of the chefs happened to walk by. We finally asked him, and after all our investigating, it turned out to basically be garlic, mayo and ketchup. Simple? Absolutely. Did it work? 100%. That combination with those seasoned fries was probably our favorite food of the night. For drinks, I ordered my usual Blue Moon on draft. It was decent, although I've definitely had better. My girlfriend's fruity mocktail was actually the better drink between the two. It was refreshing, a good size, and had this sweet taste with a slightly bitter finish that we both liked. After everything, our bill came to about $73 with tax and tip. That's ultimately where the value started falling short for us. For what we ordered and the quality of the entrées, we both walked away feeling like we expected a little more for the money. That being said, this wasn't some horrible dinner. David was great with us, we liked the casual atmosphere, those fries and that garlic sauce definitely deserve their credit, and my girlfriend and I still had a good time together which is what brought us out in the first place. But if I'm judging La Bamba strictly on the food and experience we had that night, I can't say I'd personally recommend it based on this visit alone. Would I completely write it off? No. There are enough other things on that menu that I'd consider coming back, ordering something completely different, and seeing if round two changes my opinion. For this first visit, 3.5/5 feels fair. read more

See all

This place is a gem!!! A friend brought me here. Just a little open air restaurant. The food was delicious, portions were great, and the people made you feel like you were a welcome visitor in their home. I'm not a huge pork person and appreciated that they had a lot of different options on their menu. Next time I go, I'll be ordering a margarita. Street parking is not hard to find in the area. It was 93° and they had fans and misting water to keep us cool. The place is not fancy, but the vibes are Havana . read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - The St. Thomas Burrito- inside was meat, guac, and sauce. No beans or rice in the burrito. - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Really enjoyed everything about this place. Definitely coming back soon. Service 10/10 it isn't wheelchair or stroller friendly BUT one of the gentleman working there helped me lift my stroller up the two small stairs. Very kind of them. It is a tight fit but there are a few tables you could sit at if you decide to take yours in. Good 10/10 I ordered La bamba chimichanga and it was oh so delicious with a little heat to it. They have many good choices and it was hard to pick just one. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Been to La Bamba a few times now and I've never been disappointed. Walking into La Bamba is like walking into my mom's house. The space is humble but cozy, simple but inviting. It's the perfect spot to grab a meal on a warm and sunny California day. I wish I could say I've tried most of their menu but I can't ever bring myself to order anything other than their Jamaican steak plate because I love it THAT much. It's strip steak cooked with tomatoes and peppers, served with choice of black or pinto beans, and rice. It's so, so tasty and I look forward to it every visit. Service has always been fast, attentive, and friendly. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Jamaican steak - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

I always love coming to La Bamba! A true Burbank hidden classic. The food is always amazing and I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. I always love getting their Cuban Sandwich with a side of Yucca. Their burritos are amazing too and you get more than what you pay for! The Papa Sampler is great as well and can easily feed 3-4 people. I can go on about all the different dishes but like I said , you can't go wrong with anything. Service is always great! Everyone is so welcoming and hospitable. The ambiance is a so nice with a chill vibe. It's an outdoor restaurant and fresh air and sun really adds to the whole dining experience. 10/10 spot and highly recommended. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Surf and Turf burrito - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

See all

I went to celebrate my birthday yesterday and I couldn't have chosen a better place. The surf and turf burrito and plantains appetizer were to die for. My friends had mezcal and when they asked the owner for the brand because they liked or so much, they realized it is imported from Mexico and not available to buy here. The employees were super nice and sang happy birthday to me and brought a delicious red velvet cake. The put a Mexican hat on me, it was fun! The music was amazing! I wanted to get up and start dancing so bad. I am Colombian and they played Merengue which is not common to hear in LA. Even though it is far for me, it worth the drive. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Surf and turf burrito, plantains and chicken enchiladas - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

So random, but I absolutely love their black beans! They have this subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the red rice. The garlic shrimp? Out of this world! And don't even get me started on the salsa - they serve it complimentary with fresh chips (who doesn't love a free snack?). My brother swears by the chicken fajitas and he always asks for melted cheese on top. The portion is super generous...he literally shares with his two kids and still has leftovers. Service is consistently great! They're always so accommodating. We came here for my mom's birthday, and they even opened up a small room in the back for us, which was really thoughtful since the patio is on the smaller side and we had a party of 6. Just a heads-up: the bathroom is teeny tiny, so plan accordingly. There's usually street parking available, which is convenient. All in all, I'll keep coming back. This place is a true Burbank staple in my book! read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Everything is good here - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

The garlic avocado burrito is amazing. Garlic avocado is actually a holy revelation to me. I knew I loved both ingredients, and I am no stranger to guacamole, but it never occurred to me garlic and avocado as a duo. And it's so obvious too! I got this burrito to-go-- actually my friend ordered and picked it up for me. My friends who live near here recommended this place, and I am so glad they did. read more

See all

Freshness was missing. Service was okay, but they were preoccupied with preparation for the dinner crowd. We were there at 4;00 ish. Ambiance in the front room and front of the restaurant was excellent. We were in the back room which seemed like it storage room. But it was a hot day and they had a/c! All in all l it was a disappointing experience. It may just come down to knowing what to order there. read more

I finally got to go to La Bamba-- and it's a solid establishment. Good food (nothing amazing but good), very accommodating and fast. If you're lucky, the outdoor seating is covered well and on a pleasant day it's such a nice atmosphere to spend lunch or dinner. Truly! The staff works hard and make sure your chips and salsa are full (they usually come around to check). It's like a well-oiled machine this staff. Maybe not the most personable staff, but they work hard here. I think it's probably one of the many businesses in Burbank that mainly the locals all know about. The food is tasty, a mix of Cuban and Mexican eats which are pretty satisfying! I love a good meal with a nice chill vibe and this place has it. So if you're a local, pay another visit. If you're visiting, add this to your list of places to dine :) Not bad La Bamba! Keep it up! read more

it was my first time coming to this establishment and I was beyond impressed. The service was exceptional. They were super attentive. the food was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant and the servers Cererino and Victor are my favorite!!! read more

Where do I start I was in the area for work smelled the aroma had to stop I was early they didn't open till 11. Chips salsa wine based margaritas I'm in the 3rd one bout to be the fourth I'm not driving . Victor , Mr Elias and Mr C thank you I'm writing this now because it's the truth read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Cuban Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

I love coming here every time I'm on this side of Burbank. I've been coming here for 15 years. Outside seating, but covered. The vibes are very chill and relaxing. Great Latin music always playing in the background. They have awesome sangria and spicy margaritas. Their food is amazing! You can't go wrong with anything here. My favorite is the La Bamba special, which is pulled pork with onions. They have an amazing selection of burritos, any style you desire. They have taco plates, enchiladas, shrimp plates, Cuban sandwiches and plantains. Service is always great, and it feels like you're eating in your family's kitchen. Their fresh tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa is also a can't miss! Love this place! read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - La Bamba Special - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Came here for lunch, their seating reminds me of eating at a friends house. Their seating is basically outdoors. The service was quick. They provided free chips and salsa. They had a variety of fish tacos. I felt the price was reasonable and the food was well seasoned. I appreciated the quickness of the food as well. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

See all

Serving up great Cuban food, La Bamba Island Cuisine is a stand out amongst the food scene in Burbank. Located about 5min away from the 5 freeway and at a triangle corner (you'll know what I mean when I see it.) There is street parking along the main street and in the neighborhood. La Bamba's menu is pretty extensive ranging from the typical Cuban food you'd expect to Mexican style burritos. I've ordered both and they are incredibly delicious. They give a ton of food for the price and I am actually shocked that this place isn't more popular than it already is. If you haven't eaten here before I'd suggest the Cubano with the plantains OR the Garlic burrito! You really can't go wrong with either, they both are hella tasty and will leave you feeling full! read more

Enjoyed my meal very much! Delicious!! And eating on the covered patio was a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful weather. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Delicious dinner! - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

The food is ok, I had it a few times. Service is great, location is good. Atmosphere is ok as well. Overall not bad and not great

I loved all the vegetarian options! I ate a veggie quesadilla with rice. I had the deep fried ice cream for dessert. Service was excellent and I love the outside patio. There is some covered area but, the outside was refreshing. read more

It has been a long time since I've had La Bamba and I have to say it was just as delicious today as it was that many years ago. I got the pollo plate and the chicken was marinated well and was juicy. The beans and rice were very good as well. My daughter's favorite thing here is the carne asada grilled cheese with fries. She says it's the best thing on their menu. My husband got the veggie burrito and he loved it. We ordered this via uber eats and we got our food quickly and it arrived warm and ready to eat. We will absolutely order from here in the near future. read more

I haven't been to this place for years. Actually, it was about 35 years ago. I'm not sure when it switched from Cuban to Cuban/Mexican but it's definitely not Cuban any longer. I had the La Bamba Garlic chicken sandwich. It was good if your not expecting it to be a cubano type sandwich. If you want Cuban, I would suggest eating somewhere else. If you want a decent meal and your taste buds aren't set on Cuban cuisine, then it's a great casual option. read more

See all

The place is nice out doors smells oh so good staff is excellent. It was just the burrito that I had, and the tacos. The chicken was so dry to me. It was cooked earlier that morning and wasn't enjoyable read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Boss burrito - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Great little spot with plenty of covered patio seating and easy street parking. The menu is quite expansive ranging from tacos, burritos, seafood, and even Cuban sandwiches. I opted for the Cuban sandwich with a side of fried yucca, while my friend grabbed a few fish tacos. There's complimentary chips and salsa provided while you wait for your food to arrive. Staff are friendly and helpful. Bathrooms are to the left side of the counter area. Definitely enjoyed my Cuban sandwich with very flavorful pork. The friend yucca was amazing with seasoning and garlic. They also provide a special dipping sauce for them. Definitely will stop by again as my friend and I were eyeing the sizzling fajitas at the table next to us. Super chill vibes and great atmosphere for a weekend lunch or dinner! read more

An oldie but goodie. La Bamba is one of Burbank and surrounding areas oldies but goodies. I'll admit that it had been quite a while since I had visited this place but on a drive towards home we decided to stop by and so glad we did! The service is great and the food is amazing. I can honestly say the food has even gotten better than we remember it. If you're looking for good Cuban food, make sure to visit La Bamba. It's nestled in a cute corner location in Burbank, CA conveniently off of Glenoaks Blvd. You get chips and salsa to start and we ordered some fajitas, the st Thomas burrito and the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries. All were impeccable. Even their free salsa and garlic dip dressing is phenomenal. How about the prices you ask? Very affordable! I plan to go here at minimum once a month with the hubs and kids honestly. I took some pics to share. Thank you for having an awesome place, friendly service and amazing food. We'll be back soon! read more

See all

If you're looking for good, casual dinner, La Bamba is a great place go go. The food is good, not great. The service is very good, and the atmosphere is super casual - perfect for a lazy meal. I was excited for the Cuban and Island Cuisine, though it's also Mexican. Seems to be a mishmash of all types of cuisine but not sure there is any expertise in any of them. I had the La Bamba Garlic Chicken Sandwich with plantains/maduros and husband had the pork torta. Husband liked the torta, I found the chicken sandwich just ok. The maduros were just ok as well. Pretty sure the margs were just sweet mix. Parking is street parking but we had no issue parking right outside the restaurant. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Cuban sandwich with plantains - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

I have driven past this place for years and finally met friends here for lunch! I enjoyed the Strawberry Colada and ordered the Plantain Combo and it was so yummy! The staff was super attentive and checked on us offering refills of water and made sure we didn't need anything else. It was warm outside, but they did turn on misters for a bit to help cool everyone off. I plan on coming back to try more items off their menu! They also have Happy Hour from 2-5. read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Mahi Mahi Grilled Tacos - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

See all

Great place for a romantic date or just to enjoy your meal with your family or friends. Food is always delicious and nice service. read more

It was about time i tried this place after living in burbank for 10 years. Food and service were amazing and surprisingly very fast. The torta was fire read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Beef Torta Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Cold Delivery Burrito Tacquitos average Green salsa was too spicy Sandwich so so Red salsa no bueno read more

03/22/25 Oops I didn't mention what kind of meat I wanted in my burrito. Automatically it's pork and I wanted asada. Went back to the counter (take out) and the man took charge of the situation and told the cook to prepare asada for me. I offered to pay the difference and he said it's no problem. I absolutely loved the wet style burrito. read more

See all

Best Mexican food in Burbank the burrito is so good I recommend this spot a lot and they cook fast. And the workers are very nice and the service is good everything is good here read more

Been coming for about 10 years, and the quality and service does it every time. A cute location for a casual lunch or happy hour. Their burritos and sandwiches are amazing. Can't go wrong with anything you get! read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Tilapia garlic avocado burrito with no cheese. Really good! - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

See all

Great food in a casual setting with wonderful service. Try the La Bamba special and garlic fries!

I had the Shrimp Tostada and it was so good. I am looking forward to going again next time I am in the area.

First off, I LOVE the ambiance and the romantic lights. The food has always been good quality here, and the service is great! It's a very friendly and down-to-earth environment. A shout out to Celerino who served us on our last visit! :)))) (Notes from boyfriend- the food portions were hefty and the restrooms were clean) PS- get their Sangria, it's amazing! read more

My wife and I met good friends at La Bamba on their recommendation and because they dined there regularly. The place did not disappoint. The choices my wife and I made were delicious and I know that our friends ordered the items they normally enjoy. For such a small kitchen, the smells and plates of piping hot food being served is a testament to the experienced staff and the owners. My photos don't do the meals justice. The Jamaican chicken plate was plentiful. The shrimp tacos were huge. The shrimp with garlic plate looked amazing and I will get that on my next visit. My garlic avocado burrito with shrimp was fantastic. The place is super casual and we were able to sit and converse for almost two hours. Customers came and went and I got to see other items that I want to try. We will be back for sure!!! Can't wait! read more

La Bamba Island Cuisine - Shrimp tacos. - Cuban Near Me - Burbank, California

Good afternoon! I wanted to share my experience at La Bamba restaurant in Burbank, California, on May 16, 2026, where my friends and I gathered for lunch, inspired by a friend's positive memories from a previous visit. I ordered the La Bamba Special, which features slow-roasted, shredded pork seasoned with a Caribbean-style marinade and is usually served with rice and beans. I was looking forward to a flavorful Cuban-style dish, but the meal turned out to be quite unexpected. Instead, the plate included chunks of pork topped with raw red onions, accompanied by Mexican rice and refried beans, which didn't align with my expectations. Overall, the dish was disappointing and unappealing, both in flavor and in the combination of sides. I ended up eating only a quarter of it. The refried beans had no flavor, and I chose not to eat the rice because I prefer different styles. One of my friends ordered fried yuca and fried plantains. While I appreciate the effort to include these items, the yuca was quite dry and could benefit from more seasoning. The plantains, which resembled regular bananas, seemed to have too much oil. As someone who enjoys Caribbean cuisine, I believe the restaurant would benefit from focusing more on traditional flavor combinations. Mixing elements of Mexican and Caribbean cuisine can be a challenge, especially for those familiar with both; there's great potential for improvement by keeping these cuisines distinctly represented. I recommend assessing your kitchen staff; they may need training. I wanted to share some positive recommendations with family and friends about visiting this restaurant, but I recommend exploring other options for now. I hope that constructive feedback will help enhance the dining experience. Thank you! read more

I grew up in Burbank and grew up with La Bamba. Everything is dialed in from the food to the drinks and desserts. Some of my favorites include the bistec, Jamaican steak/chicken, sunshine salad, carne asada tacos. They also make great banana smoothies. I think I've eaten/ ordered take out almost 1,000 times in my life. La Bamba is more than a restaurant to me read more

This is overall a very disappointing experience, but only when it comes to the food, the service was great and I didn't enjoy the ambience. It was really cute. We were optimistic and excited because we love Caribbean food the menu leaned more towards Mexican food and and the Cuban sandwich was probably the worst that we've ever had. We also asked if could be served steaming hot because I can't eat deli meat right now and it came cold. The lemonade was really good, but I was kinda surprised that you paid $15 for a sandwich and you don't get any sides with it. It would've been nice to have just a few plantains or some french fries additionally the salsa was incredibly bland --we asked for hot sauce and they did bring a spicier salsa. but the flavor was very one note. In terms of wait staff I have no complaints. I would not recommend this restaurant unless you don't know or like carribean food. read more

The food and service here is incredible! We walked in for dinner, group of 6, and even though the restaurant was busy they still found a spot for us! Such a great vibe and atmosphere! read more