Review Visit: February 23rd, 2016 A strange mix of Taco Bell and your traditional Mexican restaurant. When it came to write this post for La Bamba, I had no idea how to tackle it. But, here we go! La Bamba was recommended by my friend Chad. He said he would go out of the way to stop there for some food while out doing family stuff. He said he had a lot of nostalgia for the place from his college days. With his recommendation and his hype, I decided to check it out while exploring Bloomington/Normal. It wasn't too hard to find due to the giant sign on the side of the building. My girlfriend wasn't hyped like I was because I always get excited to try a place that was recommended to me from a close friend. We headed in and were shocked at what La Bamba had inside. First off, the artwork on the walls was hilarious. I hope that was their intent because I couldn't help but chuckle at them as I stood awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant. You can see what I mean below. If they had some cultural or heritage meaning to them and they aren't mean to be funny, I do apologize for my laughing. After I got over that, I noticed there was a sushi bar. Now, of all the things I have been surprised by, this is up there. I'm not a fan of seafood so I was in no way tempted to even try the sushi bar. I am sure the food is good, but just not for me. I was here for some Mexican food. We both ended up ordering one of the combo meals. My choice was the mini burrito with rice, beans and a soda. My girlfriend ordered the cheese quesadilla that came with the same sides. My experience has taught me that a mini portion from a Mexican restaurant is still a massive amount of food and I hoped that La Bamba followed my previous experiences. We snagged a table and waited for our food to come out. So, did La Bamba live up to the hype? No, not in my opinion. The meal ran about $11 after tax and like I expected, the mini burrito was still more than enough to fill me up with the help of the heaping pile of sides. So, for your money, the amount of food is ridiculous. But why didn't it live up to the hype? Everything was dry or tasted like it sat in the warmer for a bit too long. From my experience when that happens, food tends to dry out and lose some of it's flourish, one could say. While it wasn't a struggle to choke down the mediocre food, it wasn't as pleasant as I was hoping. I do acknowledge that maybe we just got some old food as my girlfriend had the same issue with her sides that I had with my entire meal. Perhaps a future visit would yield different results, hopefully tastier than this visit. I could see how some drunk college kids would love this place. It's got some appeal to it that fills that void that being drunk brings with it. From the goofy art on the walls, the random sushi bar, the ability to customize Mexican food in a million combinations, there is some charm to the place. I just think I need to try it again during a busy time so the food is freshly prepared instead of sitting in a warmer all afternoon. read more

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Purchased a 50$ E-Gift card and when I tried to use it in person I was told I cannot, and they couldn't help me.

Just not what it used to be. Used to be a "go to" for burritos. Now they add sushi to menu, doesn't even make sense. Stick to what you once were the best at - Mexican cuisine. read more

3 roll for $14 is unbeatable! my boyfriend and i love la bamba sushi and get it at least 1-2 times monthly. the horchata is delish too

It's odd to say, but I go for the sushi. It is fresh and affordable. Love the Mount Fuji roll. It's a great spot to stop by to pick up lunch to take back to the office. read more

If you like a multitude of different sushi rolls including some that are a little unusual and you don't need an 'all-u-can-eat' arrangement nor care to drain your checking account, this is your new spot. Like the many ISU students and wise locals before us, this place we went to in college for (cheap) burritos as big as our head, these days is cranking out seemingly as much sushi as they are TexMex?! And while the set up is a little funky with the separate windows/menus/food crews behind either side of a myriad of plexiglass. the LaBamba value I recall 30 years ago still prevails. We went with the 3 rolls for $18.99 - a spicy tuna, an eel roll and a fancier tuna/cream cheese option for the lady. Given the business they share the space with, we also decided to add a 'Mexican Roll' which was easily the spiciest - all were delicious. That said next time (unless we are already drunk) we will likely be taking our fast food sushi to go because the place gets noisy and isn't the cleanest. read more

Amazing sushi for the price. This is a classic, iconic, isu stopping grounds that only gets better and better. Never had a bad experience, it's definitely worth it for the sushi read more

So the food here is decent, however prepare for the aftermath that will follow... I've been here twice and I've gotten food poisoning twice. I had hoped the first time was just a fluke maybe a bad stomach day. I wouldn't recommend unless you have a lead-lined stomach. read more

La Bamba - Super steak burrito - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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So, let's be clear, I am from San Francisco where the north-of-the-border-style burrito was born. I am prejudiced. I want Al Pastor sliced off onto my tortilla. I want carnitas. I want carne asada right off an asador. If you are from SF, this is not a Mission District taqueria. And this would not pass muster. For the Midwest, the food here is typical and good. It is served in large portions at reasonable prices, all done to fit Midwestern tastes. But what I really come to La Bamba for is the sushi. There is a strong connection to sushi based on countless Mexicans having worked in Japanese sushi joints over the years. In any large city or resort town in Mexico, you will find plenty of sushi joints. This place has an extensive menu and it is classic Mexican-style sushi. Three rolls for just over 15.00 USD. I go at least once a week when I do not feel like cooking and want pig out. Never had a bad meal. Always fresh made with fresh ingredients and delicious. The restaurant itself is clean, the staff is attentive and friendly, and while it is aimed at the students at the local university, it is a good place for non-students as well. read more

Best sushi in town! My daughter and I eat here regularly. So good! 3 rolls for $13?! Can't beat it!

I'll start this review with the service. The service was good, and friendly. This review is solely based on the food. Since most of the places I went to, close their kitchen at 9 o'clock, and it was a little after 10, I decided to give La Bamba a shot. Being from Southern California, I eat a lot of Mexican food. I am always skeptical of eating that style of food outside of California, let's just say next time I will stick to my guns. I ordered a tamale, which was hot and delicious actually. I also ordered a combo burrito. It was cold, and tasteless. Would I eat here again? The answer would be no. read more

Miss the Peoria location so stopping in here for a mini chorizo burrito feels nostalgic and tastes just like I remember it.

The best mexican food and the best sushi. One of my favorite spots to go in up town! The prices are fair and the food comes out fast and fresh. read more

This place is the most disgusting place I've had in the city.... So far. Having been here several times, you can taste the rancid old flavor in the meat. Apparently they can't manage having to serve several cuisines (sushi and Mexican???) and the meat gets recycled somehow. Disgusting!!! No wonder ppl are reporting food poisoning. Another reason to stay away is the crappy service. Sometimes you cannot understand what the f**k they're saying and they get hostile when asked to repeat something (especially the short guy with the mustache that takes the orders). It's just ridiculous. The audacity!! I've also seen how they treat customers differently. They may even have some prejudice (age, gender, race). Either way, what a trash place! Just say no. Go to Tony's read more

Mediocre food at best. Portions small for the money. Not authentic tasting whatsoever. Sorry for the review, just will not go back.

I've gone to this place plenty of times though not sober. The times I've gone I like to get their chorizo cause it's spicy enough to be a wake up call after I had a couple of drinks. Haven't had the big burritos but you won't be disappointed. read more

I've been out of the Bloomington Normal area for a few months and found myself missing a burrito as big as my head and as tasty as they are. Plus they have a sushi bar that's solid for the area. Guys behind the counter are efficient and it's cleaned up especially considering it's location being so close to ISU. Good work gentlemen. read more

My husband and I like to stop here from time to time when passing through Bloomington/Normal. We always get their steak super nachos, and my husband likes to get a burrito to take home. The nachos are almost always excellent with generous toppings, although there was one occasion recently where they were more generous with lettuce than anything else. We were reluctant to try their sushi. It seemed so strange to us for a Mexican place to begin offering sushi, but it was surprisingly good! We've only tried the Mt. Fuji rolls so far. My only complaint is during our last visit the woman behind the counter said she put extra sauce on them for us, as if she was doing us a favor; however, the rolls were sitting in pools of liquid, and it was just way too much for our tastes. read more

Heavenly sushi and burritos. The three employees I interacted with were some of the kindest and most patient I've met. Great variety of sushi to please anyone, besides Mexican choices. Our family bought both sorts of food and they were top-notch. Kitschy and fun environment. Great prices. I'm OK if that's the only restaurant we visit when visiting our college student! read more

Good food but something was wrong with the fish quality because I had a terrible stomach ache the next day.

You walk in and it just seems grimy. Very dirty and very little lighting. Wait in line to get food no formal area. Food is below average but appealing to college kids. Quesadilla is very big. Tacos I can make better at home. Tamale is Average, needed some salt. All n all better Mexican places in town than this read more

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Can't say much about the sushi, but the late night mex dishes just hit the spot. We had about 15 different orders and not a single complaint. read more

The sushi is really good and their Mexican food has always been good. Definitely well priced and will be back. read more

La Bamba - Sushi Order link - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

I love the sushi. I'm from out of state and have been trying different sushi spots all over and this place has the best sushi ! It's really well priced as well. I'll keep coming coming here as long as I'm in town read more

Best sushi in town!! Don't judge on the appearance, the food is amazing and they have an amazing sushi deal

Sushi is a pass for me... I had really high hopes after seeing the line and number of people waiting outside for their orders. I ordered three rolls & honestly this is probably the worse sushi I've ever tried. The way it was prepared & the taste was off... ended up tossing it out into the bin. Reason for three stars is for their bean and cheese tamale. Kinda pricey for a really small tamale but the taste was delicious. This would be the only reason I ever go back & that is, maybe once in a long while. The burrito was ok.. typical taste. read more

You can't beat the price and speed of how fast they make sushi! Especially for takeout, we need more of those fast, cheap, and good food in Uptown. However, I'm not a big fan of their sushi themselves. They are good, but they taste too stuffy and heavy for me. With the ingredients, extra sauce, not so fresh raw fish, I can't say I'm a fan. read more

La Bamba - Mt. Fuji, Tiger, and Hot Mama - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

This was my first time eating here and I was so excited. Their sushi was delicious. Sadly they didn't have eel so I didn't order my go to sushi which is the dragon roll, but I got the caterpillar and spider roll. I didn't try their Mexican food, but from looking at people's orders I can't wait to try it. The burritos were at least a foot long. The food is very cheap too which is why my friend and I were so down to try it. They are also open till 3 am and deliver which is very convenient. My friend and I took a Togo menu as we can't wait to order food from here again. read more

La Bamba - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Good parking space. Friendly staff. Clean area. Went and got sushi. Good price for 3 rolls of sushi. It was good sushi.

Great burritos and great sushi! You'd think both in the same place is weird but oddly enough it works!

This place has not changed (other than the Sushi Bar) sense I went to college at ISU 30 years ago. Is the food great? It tasted just like it did when I was college. As soon as I tasted it brought wonderful memories. Look it's not high end Mexican food. However it's a great spot and the prices are good. I can't understand why some people gave reviews complaining about the prices. Get a job if you can't afford it! Thanks for keeping it the same! read more

To my surprise this place us now one of the best sushi restaurants in town. Had not been for a burrito in a few years which are as big as your head and tasty so got one for lunch. Then decided to come back to try the sushi which is excellent. We had squid salad that was excellent a couple of egg rolls also very good. Then added 3 sushi rolls for 12.99 decent deal as the fish was very fresh and excellent presentation on the plate. So if you like sushi give it a try and if someone with you does not like it there is the traditional Mexican menu as well. Great concept! read more

La Bamba - Spider roll, salmon mango roll, and Alaska roll - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Food it's decent, but service has been very poor under current management. The guy the works the grill is the least pleasant person I've encountered in a long time. It always seems like customers are an inconvenience. Again the food is decent, but the service and lack of friendliness is a big NO for me. Instead we've been going to Tony's tacos. Great food and more important the service is great! read more

My rating is for the service and not the food. I ordered tacos on door dash, and they prepared the wrong order. A burrito. I called to try to get it rectified and instead of just fixing the issue, they repeatedly would just hang up on me and pass me off to various other unhelpful employees. When I called back and asked for a manager, I was told he was in Mexico and they have no one in charge and they aren't going to fix my order. And on that note, I'm on my way up there now. They picked the wrong one. read more

I went in at 9:30pm on a Tuesday and the sign said the closed at 1am.the employee just kept yelling "we are closed " over and over. The. He locked the door as I left and I watched other patrons try to enter and were unable to. I used to frequent there but won't be giving them my money if that's what they are going to do. The employees wanted to go home instead of doing their job. There were other customers seated eating so it want a slow night. read more

Few years ago...these guys used to be very friendly to me. Suddenly, they made fun of me. They told me a Mexican word that are mean and hurtful to me. I like their food, great service, great business but the way I been treated is unacceptable. read more

I ate at La Bomba for the first time since I went to school here 20 years ago. Either I had no idea what Mexican food was supposed to taste like or the quality has plummeted. I'd rate the food as barely edible. Even the pop from from the soda fountain was bad. The bugs crawling up over the dirty table as I ate there were the icing on the cake. Eat here if you're about to starve to death and you have no other choices for food or you're drunk or stoned and don't care what you're putting in your mouth and can't taste anything anyways. I threw most of my food away. The carne asada was as bland as could be and almost every bite had a piece of unchewable gristle in it. Simply horrible. I'll put this away in my memory as a place I used to eat at in college when I didn't know any better. Two stars only because of the history, but seriously, how has this restaurant lasted so long? read more

Decent, but expensive for what you get.....I'm sure there are much better places in normal for Mexican food.....Like someone below said, If your drunk and/or high and it's late at night, La Bamba's is great.....during the day it's just an alright mexican place. Plus they removed the Time Crisis arcade Machine :( read more

La Bamba - outside - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Ordered a steak burrito, 2 tamales, and a pork torta. Nother tasted very fresh or flavorful. Pretty skimpy on the meat as well. Just quite bland, though it was the cheapest Mexican food around. read more

The meal itself was very good! Could have used a bit more salt on the rice but overall everything was tasty. The restaurant was very clean. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody seeking a home-cooked meal! read more

La Bamba - a plate of mexican food - Mexican Near Me - Normal, Illinois