Grabbed dinner in downtown Cincinnati today. The space is super cute and has a really welcoming vibe. The service was excellent; everyone was friendly and the food came out quickly. I ordered the chipotle chicken taco, salmon teriyaki taco, and the crispy fried fish taco, and all three were delicious. The flavors were unique and really well balanced. The salmon teriyaki taco was a standout for me; something a little different from your typical taco but it worked so well. Great food, great service, and a fun atmosphere. I'll definitely be back to try more from the menu! read more

Lalo - Crispy fried fish taco, salmon teriyaki taco and chipotle chicken taco - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

If you're into tacos, you definitely have to check this spot out. I tried six different tacos and every one of them was solid. The bulgogi taco was probably my favorite. It honestly reminded me of authentic Korean bulgogi, super flavorful and cooked perfectly. I also had the fish taco, salmon taco, and one of their steak tacos, and across the board the meat and fish were really tender and well seasoned. Nothing was dry and everything had great flavor. I also ordered the drunken brisket burrito, and that thing is huge. I'm not even exaggerating when I say it could easily feed two people, maybe even three. The portion sizes here are seriously generous. I tried their wings too and those were amazing. The mix of seasonings and flavors they use really stands out. Overall everything was flavorful, the portions are big, and it's definitely one of those spots you tell your friends about like "yo, we gotta go back there." read more

Lalo - Salmon, fry fish and honey chipotle chicken tacos - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Wow, what a wonderful restaurant. It's small, intimate, but the flavors are big and bold. It's a Latin/Asian fusion spot! For appetizers we had the Birria Egg Rolls and the Chicken Curry and Potato Empanadas! Both came with sauces that just took the dishes to the next level! For our entrée we got three taco special. We had the mango lime shrimp taco, the Asian fried chicken taco, and the drunken brisket taco! They were equally delicious! This place is a can't miss if you're in Cincinnati read more

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I ordered the Mexican bibimbap w/ barbocoa which was ok. I wish the barbocoa was a lot juicier but was on the dryer side. I also ordered the Cuban sandwich w/ yucca fries which was pretty bomb. And the garlic chicken wings were mediocre. A little bit oily in my opinion. The service was great! read more

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It's been almost 10 years since the last time I ate at Lalo. It didn't look familiar though. Turns out they used to be at a different downtown location. Food and drinks were delicious and the wait staff was friendly, helpful. Asian and Latino fusion is unique around here. You won't regret going there. read more

Went here for restaurant week and their menu was so yummy I ordered the cauliflower wings with Thai chili sauce Mexi pad Thai with chicken peppers corn green onions and egg So much flavor!! Tres leches for dessert I will be back to enjoy their other menu items read more

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Lalo was a great dinner! So many options and easy to order as a vegetarian. Service was fast and everyone was nice. The restaurant is comfortable and casual. I'm excited to go back and try more food. read more

Lalo - Mofongo - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I wish I could give a 3.5. Lalo is a Latin-Asian fusion restaurant that always hits the spot. I've been here a few times for special occasions and I've had a good experience every time. The servers are very accommodating. Each time I go to Lalo I try something new and I regretted that a little bit this time. I didn't love the drunken brisket burrito. It just had too many beans for me, I didn't like the texture of it. However, my drink was great. And I would definitely eat here again. My favorite thing on the menu is the Mexi Pad Thai. I do not have a picture of it, but it is so good. I will randomly get cravings for it. The restaurant is doing the best they can with the space that they have . It's not the cutest place to eat, but the tables are set up nice enough. In the front of the restaurant is a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the back. My only wish is that they improve their communication among their staff. I've had some really great servers there, but sometimes the hostess and the bartenders are not the best or there seems to be some type of miscommunication between them every time I'm there. I always have a reservation for this restaurant and I still end up waiting. I definitely recommend it because of the food but be prepared to wait a while and give the staff some grace. read more

Lalo - Mai Tai Off of their cocktail menu with rum, added to it because I don't like coconut. - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I had a great experience here. I tried the wings and the CUBANO BANH - MI. I have no complaints what so ever! The staff and the food were great. The restaurant is so pretty on the inside. read more

Lalo - Lalo House Crispy Wings - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I love Lalo, and I can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet. Probably because every time I go, I dig right into my food and don't take a picture. But I remembered this time for Restaurant Week! We got the zucchini fries and Birria egg rolls for apps, and both were incredible. I get the Mexi Pad Thai every time I go because it's so delicious. The desserts and drinks were just ok. Staff is very friendly at both lunch and dinner. I've never needed a reservation - typically you can just walk right in. Seating is colorful and fun and there's plenty of it. Good location of Court St that has a lot of parking options. I highly recommend this restaurant- it's one of my favorites in the city. read more

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Very tasty miso ramen bowl! We were there for about an hour and still hadn't received our food, the manager was very nice and gave us a discount. Great place to go during your lunch hour, good vibes and a big menu to choose from! read more

Lalo - Mexi Spicy Miso Ramen - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We came for the first time on a Friday night for Asian cuisine week. Everything was delicious. We ordered the curry chicken and potato empanadas and the Asian taco sampler to start. For our entrées, we ordered the Mexi Pad Thai and the Singapore curry noodles. The Mexi Pad Thai and the Empanadas were stand out for sure. They were both bursting with flavor. For drinks we had the Ube margarita which was a little sweet for my liking and a beer, which was a little flat. However, the food was a 10 out of 10. We will definitely be back to try more options! read more

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Fab food, service and vibe if you like energy! Mofongo, a must try! Burria Ramen is slurping bowl licking delicious! Go try this dining establishment. Don't take my word for it, try it yourself! read more

Decided to try Lalo during Cincinnati Burger Week. We got there a little early before they opened, 10:30 am, and were waiting in our truck in the parking spot. About a quarter til 11:00 a police car showed up and turned sideways right next to us blocking the road. Several more officers showed up and surrounded a guy that was on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Exciting start to our day, lol. A resident said he was likely a drug dealer but who knows! So after that cleared we were able to enter Lalo. I have had a meal next door to Lalo at Hawker's Alley before and really have no issue with the neighborhood as it is a typical downtown area in a larger city. We were greeted as soon as we entered and we were told to sit where we would like. We chose a booth. She brought us a menu and silverware and ice water. They had two choices for Cincinnati Burger Week and I ordered on and my friend ordered the other. I also ordered the pork kimchi dumplings and my friend ordered the zucchini fries & sriracha aioli. Both of these starter items were delicious and next time I would definitely order the zucchini as they were so lightly battered and fried crispy, so good! Nothing wrong with my dumplings either. The burgers were hot and delicious! We also had a shot of Bulleit Bourbon to go with our meal as it was on special as well with the burger week offerings. Our waitress/bartender was great and made sure we were taken care of. We will definitely be back here again to try something else off their menu. read more

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Ambiance is great, the booths make it very private. The Lalo Margarita was amazing, very smooth with just the right amount of kick. And the Monfongo was a perfect blend of savory with a touch of sweet and spicy. Definitely coming back to try some of their other dishes! read more

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It was relatively quiet on a Tuesday evening however, the atmosphere was very clean and festive to the restaurants fusion theme. The birria egg rolls were so tasty to be able to dip into the beef sauce and lastly, the drunken burrito was perfect and absolute fusion of both Asian and Mexican flavors. I would recommend having the guacamole as that added an additional freshness to the already tasteful burrito. The service was outstanding as the waitresses successfully were able to check up on our order and make sure we have everything we need would highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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True Rating: 4.5/10 LALO is a hidden gem that perfectly blends Asian and Latin food into something that you had no idea you needed. Service was fantastic, the food was even better, and what you get for the money is unbeatable. I have been raving to everybody I know about this place for days. We started with Chips & Guac, and it was great. The chips were crunchy yet light, and the guac was very tasty and fresh. Drinks were good- just a beer and a margarita. Dinner stole the show, though. I got the Mexican Pad Thai, and it was great. Both the "Mexican" and "Pad Thai" elements of the dish blended so well together. Barbacoa as the protein was an excellent choice, and was the twist on the dish that blew me away. Imagine mixing a fajita up in your favorite Pad Thai. That is what this was, but better than you can imagine. Far and away, the cost was so worth it. Chips & Guac, a beer, a Marg, 3 tacos, and a Pad Thai bowl for 57 dollars. Portions were big, so the cost was just unbelievable. Service was also great. We were promptly greeted, seated, and our waitress talked with us like we were her friend. She offered suggestions, her preferences, and was bubbly. The venue itself was vibey and pretty. I only worry about the size of it. Bathrooms were okay, but otherwise I have no complaints about it. Overall, this is my current favorite place in Cincy. Just a remarkable little place that offers a new twist on two of your favorite kind of comfort foods. I implore everybody I know and don't know to check it out! NOTE: Star rating based on my own formula consisting of flavor, cost, facilities, service, and overall satisfaction. Reviews are subject to change based on future visits. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal! The food we ordered was beyond delicious. We cannot wait to go back! The mexi pad Thai was a beautifully balanced carnival of tastes and textures. I told my husband I wanted a divorce so I could marry it. The staff was super friendly but not in a always up in your business kind of way. The decor and ambience were bold but not overpowering, a fantastic vibe! Look forward to trying the Mexi Bibimbap read more

Lalo - Mexi Pad Thai* - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I wanted to love this place! And I may in the future. But not yet. We went in on a Wednesday afternoon and the service was good - it wasn't crowded, and the waitress was very helpful at making recommendations. Their atmosphere is pretty cool - the music was a little loud. Very 2010 pop songs. The food - I had the bibimbap. It definitely was a huge portion! My friend helped finish it off - I got it with al pastor. It was good and healthy, but the flavors didn't really pop for me, and I was really rooting for them to. My buddy got the shrimp and steak fajitas, and while his was good too (and a little pricey at $20 for lunch), it wasn't as amazing as expected. I would like to give them another go and maybe try their tacos, or mexi pad thai, but just wasn't WOWed like I have been with some other restaurants or menus. Life is too short to just try restaurants because they sound amazing - you want them to BE amazing. And I was just a tad underwhelmed. Might be in the minority here - but am willing to give them another go. read more

Lalo - Steak & Shrimp Fajitas - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Was downtown for music at Fountain Square and my friend recommended this place to eat. I liked the way they did the booths and the general atmosphere of the place. The food was great! Such a unique thing with fusion of asian and mexican, lots of vegetarian options! I got 3 tacos: poblano mushroom, teriyaki tofu, and teriyaki salmon. My friend got Mexi Bibimbap with tofu, and couldn't finish all of it. It was definitely satisfying and unique. I got a mocktail and she got a cocktail. Service was good. They were busy enough but not too busy. If I'm in the area downtown closeby, I will probably come again. read more

Lalo - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We tried Lalo for dinner on a Saturday and it was really good. I would absolutely recommend the birria egg rolls, Hawaiian chicken bowl, and the tres leche cake. The tres leche is probably the best tres leche I've had at a restaurant. The food overall was amazing. The service was attentive and the environment was very welcoming. read more

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I was excited to try Lalo. It's been on my radar for years. It was Margarita day so perfect. Service was good. We were greeted also by another customer who absolutely loved it and was sharing as this was her first time. We had margaritas and burria egg rolls. I did not like the egg rolls, too much cheese vs meat ratio. I do love burria tacos in general. The margarita was too sweet for me. It seems thier base/basic is sweeter. I like to taste more fresh lime. The place is cute inside. read more

Um wow!!! This place is a hidden gem and is absolutely worth a visit. The food is reasonably priced & tasty, the decor is super cute & trendy, and the servers are kind and attentive. Will definitely be returning! read more

all the appetizers were outstanding! we had the zucchini and the barria egg rolls. I have the barria ramen fusion. the Ceviche and Ramen needed salt but still pretty good! read more

Lalo - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Food was delicious! Good size portions. Delicious authentic fusion. Food served hot with wonderful kind service. The venue is beautiful with the neon light signs and murals. Will be back next time I'm in Cincinnati! read more

Lalo - Mexi Bibimbap*Mexi Pad Thai* - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Oh lalo how I love your food. Queso is amazing, their guac is the same. You get a MASSIVE amount of delicious food here for a great price. My favorite is the barbacoa burrito with queso poured all over it. It's enough for 2 meals. Service is kind, if you decide to eat at the restaurant but the food delivered is just as good. Ambiance is cute for a date night or night out with friends. read more

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Ramen lunch special is the way to go. Got the carnitas ramen from the lunch menu and it was so flavorful and a large portion. The elote was good but not my favorite (though I ordered corn out of season). Will be back to try the full menu read more

Lalo - Mexi Spicy Miso Ramen (with carnitas) - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We had such a wonderful experience here! The food was unique, the flavor, combinations, creative, and delicious! There were six of us, we all got different things, and everyone was raving! The decor was fun and playful, warm and inviting and totally fit the vibe of the restaurant! The drinks were creative and delicious, as well. Lastly, we found this place to be extremely affordable for the level of deliciousness we experienced! Can't wait to go back again and bring our friends and family. read more

let's admit it: fusion is tricky. sometimes it's because chef/cook is indecisive. Lalo blends it PER-FECT-LY! full disclosure: we only went to Lalo because we had an event downtown and many joints are closed on Monday evenings. Lala fit our needs, even if we didn't have high expectations. the hostess was pulling triple duty. hostess-bartender-server. and though the place was not busy (who actually eats at 5pm on a Monday?!--my weirdos and me, that's who), she was deft and efficient in all rolls. the kitchen was quick and every order was delicious, vibrant and well-received at our table. we started with queso fundido to share. excellent in it's simplicity. two from our party ordered an assortment of tacos (one with flour tortillas and one with lettuce wraps) and praised each one. another had the mexi-pad Thai (I grabbed a bite of that one and I had to take a moment to savor it). my teen son, the bottomless pit, ordered the curry chicken burrito and could not finish it all--serving size and value is strong at Lalo. I had the birria quesadilla and likewise could not finish it all. it's hard for me to speak to ambiance. the decor (not something that I generally notice) was fine. and again, it was a slow night, but they were staffed well and I imagine whoever is in charge is a pretty smart cookie and when the place starts hopping, they get it done. we'll be back! read more

Birria Ramen! That's it! That's the review! But for real, this bowl is jam packed with a family of flavors. The broth alone is wonderful. The first spoonful was magical and if I'm ever in the area again (I'll be back for sure) I'm gonna have it! We also tried the different salsas and the queso fundido. Those were all really good, but the chips, which were wonton-like, really set it off! I had the hot razz margarita, which was a spicy sweet raspberry margarita. It was tasty and strong! Yeah I definitely return! read more

Lalo - Birria Ramen - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wow! What a chic vibey Mexican restaurant in the heart of OTR. Stumbled upon this gem on a Saturday night during taco week - so the place was packed! I'd definitely suggest making reservations prior to your visit - but me and my partner were able to get bar seating. The food was served quick and hot! We started with the salsa sampler and thought each salsa brought a unique taste. Very fresh and flavorful which makes it really hard to choose a favorite! I got the fried chicken taco sampler and it was truly heaven in a taco! My partner got the birria quesadilla and he thought it was really good! He felt it needed a bit more consommé but very flavorful overall. We both got the perfect margarita and it packed a punch! The bar tenders were friendly and very helpful - we will definitely be back soon! Side note : They recently changed locations but are still in OTR. Make sure you're going to the right place! The updated address is on their website read more

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I've always liked the Chinese -peruvian fusion Infirst experienced years ago at this place in other locations. It didn't disappoint. The birria eggroll appetizer was delicious, especially dipped in soy sauce. Although I missed the Mexibimbap I fell in love with the birria udon dish. Perfect. Can't wait to get it again read more

Wow, wow We read the reviews! This is not those reviews it's 100% better. The appetizer queso fundido with chorizo and jalapeño and the chips are fresh and new and hot. I had the pad Thai that was huge.. my partner had Hawaii chicken over rice. Phenomenal! Service was excellent Come back, hell yeah this place is amazing read more

4 stars = will be back. Food is very good with original dishes that have a South American/Mexican/Thai fusion. Sat at the bar and the bartender was a high energy guy that had a passion for the food and wanted you to enjoy your experience. Place is comfortable with good music. If you are downtown give this place a try. read more

Lalo - Beef barbacoa burrito - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

LALO's has great service for a vibrantly energetic venue. Coconut Mai Tai was a lovely opener--pleasantly sweet. Shrimp & Fish Ceviche Asiático is a refreshing delightful, starter paired with zucchini fries, and Chipotle aïoli, sprinkled with queso fresco. The MOFONGO with shrimp is outstanding Served along with the house salad- Unique and throughly unexpected in taste and the sheer satiating comfort. I could not help relishing the texture of the warm plantain with the spicy Sirarcha Mayo. Shrimp was perfectly grilled. The Valentine Special Dessert of Passionfruit Mousse cake -- unbelievable! Loved every bite of the not-too-sweet texture. A definite competition to the delicious Tres Leches Cake. Definitely cannot wait to try some other Vegan choices on LALO's menu. Until next time... read more

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OMG!!! I thought this place sounded really good but man did it exceed my expectations. Lalo Fries Nachos - these fries are perfectly cooked and crispy for a nacho plate. All the sauces on top made for a very flavorful bite. This will be something I crave. Mexi Spicy Miso Ramen with Pork Belly - this was super flavorful, perfectly braised pork belly, with a good mix of crunch from the kale and corn. Mexi Bimibop with Barbacoa - it was basically a Mexican Korean pot roast over a bed of rice. Drunken brisket taco - is the best thing I had there! It was so good and it took me back to a child being with my grandma. It nearly brought tears to me! read more

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We had such a great experience at Lalo! I grabbed a lunch reservation on the recommendation of a friend, and I'm glad I did. It's super casual and unassuming, but the food was really different and top notch. We started with the Nacho Fries with chicken on the recommendation a girl working in the bakery next door. They were excellent. Then, after chatting with the staff a bit about their favorites, I ordered the Mofongo with Al Pastor pork. My husband ordered a ginormous burrito filled with drunken brisket, and one daughter decided to give the Mexican Bibimbap a try while the other ordered some tacos. Servings are MASSIVE. None of us could finish our meals. And everything was creative, fresh and delicious. And everyone on staff was incredibly kind. We had a great weekend in Cincy and will plan on visiting Lalo when we come through town again! read more

Asian and Latin flavors makes for a unique dining experience. Located downtown they've recently moved to a new location. We were seated immediately and ordered the empanada appetizer and kimchee pork egg rolls. Neither of these disappointed. I ordered the Lomo Saltado: A Peruvian Chinese dish with beef steak strips, onions, peppers, tomatoes and cilantro, Served over French fries and a side of rice. The sauce was very flavorful and well presented. Our server was great and we plan to return again. read more

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I recently went to Lalo Chino Latino for dinner when I was in town for a Bachelorette Party. We had reservations so when we arrived we were welcomed and seated quickly. There were so many things on the menu I wanted to try but I opted for the taco plate that comes with 3 tacos. I tried the fish tempura, pork belly adobo and drunken brisket. All of the tacos were so good! My favorite was probably the fish tempura followed by the drunken brisket and then the pork belly adobo. I also had the picante margarita, which was also good, not really spicy but overall yummy. I'd definitely recommend stopping in to try their latin american and asian fusion food. Next time I'd want to try their mexi ramen - that looked and sounded so good! read more

Lalo - Top Left to Bottom: Drunken Brisket, Pork Belly Adobo and Fish Tempura Taco - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Very creative fusion restaurant combining Mexican and Japanese cuisine. That's a new one for me. I saw that they had lots of vegan options, including a Mexican-infused ramen. That looked intriguing, so I ordered a vegan version of it with tofu ($14 plus tax). The ramen came out within 10 minutes, coming with lots of fried tofu, some kale, pico de gallo, corn, mushrooms, and what seemed like instant noodles, which were a bit subpar. Fortunately, the broth character rich, complex and unique, seemingly like a mix of miso and spicy Mexican tomatoey character. I really liked this inventive mix. Other than the noodles, everything was great. Service was professional, quick and attentive. Recommended if you want something different. read more

Lalo - Mexi Spicy Miso Ramen with tofu (vegan) - Latin American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio