I was overdue for another visit at Madre. I kept thinking about mole three times during the week that's when I know. Seating: usually like to decide beforehand if I want to sit on the patio or inside. Most of the time, I prefer the patio, and that's what we ended up with. Service: Staff immediately offered the heater, which I readily agreed to. Two people spoke and helped us out outside of the waitress, meaning they were constantly checking in on us. This checks out similar to the service I received last time I was here. Food: We had nachos. I had mole and the chido way cocktail. My boyfriend had dark Mexican lager and cochinitta pork dish. I was really happy with our The food was excellent, and my cocktail was truly exceptional. It was on par with some of the best fancy cocktail bars I've visited, yet prices were more reasonable, typical of a restaurant. The mezcal was smoky and delicious. I also noticed that most of their cocktails are tequila and mezcal based. You should get a cocktail if it's your first visit. Vibes: It's always loud, especially at its peak on a Saturday evening. I can overhear bits and pieces of conversations from three tables next to me, but somehow it all fits perfectly. Suddenly, a live mariachi band started playing an emotional Ballad. It's always cool when I run into live music when I'm here. I like it here! Wanted to let you know that they seem to have slightly increased the prices vs the menu? It wasn't updated on the menu, but for example my Mole Negro was $1.50 higher at checkout mentioning so others are aware. read more

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We went to Madre on a Sunday. It wasn't really planned, but we were walking in Old Torrance, saw the place and decided to go in and try it out. We weren't really starving, just wanted to check the vibes, try the food and see how it was. Unfortunately, things just weren't how we were expecting. We love mexican food and we are used to the food trucks that we can find everywhere in LA. I used to have tacos from the taco truck across the street from me when I lived in San Pedro and they were just perfect, simple and on point. I think I had that idea when I ordered the taco, but it wasn't really what I expected. It was bigger and looked beautiful, but the amount of spice was extremely high, which didn't even let me taste the flavor. And on top of it, the salt felt off too. Too much spice, not enough salt. My fiance ordered tamales, and the mole was more on the chocolate side than anything. The flavors just didn't match. Service wise we have nothing to complain about. They were nice and helpful! It's just the food that wasn't good for us. read more

Madre - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

This location is hidden away in a corner in Downtown Torrance, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon it on a Sunday morning, right before noon. We had plans to stop by a different restaurant and the line was so long, we walked around until we were lucky enough to find this gem! We had my little dog with us and were worried that they would turn us away, but they accommodated us immediately! For a weekend brunch rush, we were extremely happy. We were seated in their outdoor patio area with nice views of the main streets, enjoying the shade and the breeze. Service was great, our waitress was friendly and returned often to see if we needed anything. The brunch menu was great, with many savory and sweet dishes, and items not normally associated with brunch. The food itself was amazing, my family is definitely excited to go back and try the non-brunch items. Will be stopping by again. read more

Madre - Desayuno Oaxaqueño - chicken taquito with mole, enfrijoladas, and eggs. - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

I'm glad my wife stumbled upon this restaurant on Yelp. The food here was outstanding. I had the queso fundido and carne asada plate. I'm still thinking about how tasty the dishes were and it's been a few days. The queso fundido was extremely cheesy and paired with the freshly made corn tortillas, they were an unbelievable combination. The flank steak was perfectly cooked. It was tender like it was marinated for hours, and had that smoky flavor that you only get from grilling meat on an open flame. My pineapple flavored "Lupita" mocktail was so refreshing that I had two of them. The food came out quite fast and the staff were very nice. There is plenty of free parking below the restaurant. No need to drive around looking for street parking. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Torrance. It's not just a great Mexican restaurant. It's a great restaurant, period. I can't wait to come back here with the rest of my family. read more

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Very good food! We also had their chicken taquitos, so good! Chips and salsa are delicious, must try their horchata! read more

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I cannot get enough of this mole. This mole was unforgettable--rich, bold, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of dish that stays on your mind long after the meal is over, and I would absolutely go out of my way to have it again and again. read more

Madre - Kids Taco plate - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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I really like the ambiance of this place and that they have live music. The guacamole and chips were pretty good, but everything else was subpar. I got the salad and like the presentation, but thought the squash felt random and the salad dressing wasn't the greatest. Chicken had good flavor but felt a bit greasy. My daughter had the chicken tacos and rice and beans and liked it, but then complained of a stomach ache afterwards. My husband got the tortilla soup and Memela and the soup was decent but the memela had a ton of cheese. If I did go back, I would stick with the chips and guacamole. read more

Madre - Ensalada Oaxaquena. Decent salad but not a fan of the salad dressing and chicken was a little greasy - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

My boyfriend and I came here for our Valentine's Day dinner and we were not disappointed. The food and service were great! We both had the chicken burrito, nachos as an appetizer, and churros for dessert which was amazing! I wish I took a picture of the food but we were starving! I also ordered a paloma which was really really good! I liked the vibe of the restaurant and there's also a garage for parking too. I would definitely come back - I already miss those churros! And thank you Lorena for your amazing service! read more

Madre - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

We went the dat after Valentine's and it was a very underwhelming experience. Our party of 10 had pretty mediocre food. Caesar salad was tasteless, mole was flat and flavorless, meat was tough and not as described. I got the El Cabron and it's supposed to be tasajo and it was cesina. Service was worse - waiter was rushed, rude and rarely came back to check on us. I understand that large parties include service and tip so that excuses them from being as helpful. read more

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Must try! The vibe is inviting and reminds you of dinner & drinks with the family. Jose, Ivan & Bryant did an amazing job! We went in for the mezcal tasting and Ivan's knowledge on mezcal is unmatched. We learned so much, as well as enjoyed delicious food. Every dish they brought out was full of authentic flavor. I can't wait to bring friends and family, so they can enjoy an amazing experience. Thank you again for the amazing hospitality! read more

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We give it 4.5 stars. The food is authentic and super delicious. The ambience very nice. Just the hostess (male) needs to improve his attitude with incoming customers. read more

Madre - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Lovely Mexican restaurant in what seemed to be downtown Torrance. There is 2 hour street parking, along with a parking structure nearby. I love the decor and murals, and the menu has so many delicious items that we had a hard time deciding what to get. Although I had no trouble ordering my drink. They make a superb horchata here! I prefer mine with a little less milk, and that's exactly how they do it, with added nuts on top. It was just how I like it! I really wanted tacos, and I'm a big fan of octopus and ribeye, so I had to get the Pulpo taco, and the Ribeye Taco. There was no spiciness in the Pulpo one, so if you're not into chilies, but you like octopus, that is the one to get. The steak one on the other hand has Habanero in it, so it was really nice and spicy. The kind of hot that stays with you for a good few minutes. And with the added melted cheese in a flour tortilla, it was theeee taco that perfectly reflects Oaxacan cuisine. The Mole Negro was also very good, and the state is known for it, but I wanna go back for two more of those Ribeye tacos! Excellent service as well. Can't wait to go back! read more

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It's probably really difficult to run an upscale casual restaurant ($20-35 per entree) in this economy with food prices skyrocketing while being unable to raise prices significantly without a decline in patronage. Madre is the latest victim to our current economy. What used to be a really good restaurant is now sadly a mediocre one. The inside decor is still outstanding and clean. We arrived at prime lunch rush on a weekend and it was borderline empty. That wasn't a good sign. And by the end of our meal, the entire restaurant was maybe 15% full. We ordered a multitude of items off their menu including some from their weekend brunch menu, but this review will only cover the most popular items - Madre's Enchiladas and the Taste of Oaxaca. Both of them missed the mark tremendously. The Madre's Enchiladas were covered in different sauces that were outstanding, but the meat inside the enchiladas were extremely dry. The Taste of Oaxaca was visually stunning, but tasted very mediocre. All 3 meats were incredibly dry and very tough to chew. However, the house-made corn tortillas were the star of the show -- chewy, soft and bouncy. Overall, it was a sad experience. We had such high hopes. read more

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Food is fresh, impeccably seasoned and presented. Ordered chilaquiles and steak...probably some of the best steak I have had. Marinated and grilled perfectly. Great agua frescas. The service was also warm and quick. Live music on Sunday's. Free parking garage right underneath. Added to my rotation of brunch spots. Will definitely be back! read more

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My family took me out to eat for my birthday, and the menu featured a dish called "La Canasta," which is listed as being suitable for two or three people. We have previously visited other restaurants that offer a "molcajete"--a dish known for coming with a generous amount of food--but here at Madres, the "La Canasta" platter left a lot to be desired. Aside from being expensive, it contained only a tiny piece of *tasajo* and a tiny piece of *cecina*--very little food in general. There wasn't even a steak included. Furthermore, they brought everything out at different times--for instance, the food arrived first, followed by the tortillas 10 minutes later. By that time, the food was already cold. The service was very poor, and it was very expensive! The Mexican restaurant right next door is much better! read more

Without a doubt the best guacamole I've ever had to start a dinner. Perfectly prepared, flavorful and excellently presented. I had the Madre's Enchiladas, that had a very pleasant "kick" on the first bite. Served in a perfect presentation, the salsa was amazing. Cannot wait to try it again, although there are so many great items on the menu. My guest had the Carne Asada skirt steak. I got a taste and was everything one would expect - awesome aroma and taste and perfectly cooked. The live music made the evening. So talented and enthusiastic. Not too loud, thus allowing my guest and I to easily converse. I was able to find street parking directly in front of the restaurant although the area has lots of restaurants and I guess we might have been lucky. This is a place I highly recommend and will return to in the near future. read more

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Super cute vibes inside! Friendly staff and food was delicious. It was busy but the staff was able to get our food in a timely manner! read more

Madre - S Chips y Guac - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Came here over a week ago for a quick lunch with a friend. I ended up getting the Chocolate de Leche and we split a 3 meat Tlayuda. I was excited because this was my first time trying Tlayuda. Chocolate de Leche - The chocolate was nicely spiced. Would definitely get this again. Service was solid. Tlayuda - The meat was pretty good. I was a fan of the chorizo. I enjoyed the Tlayuda. The sauce was a great addition. This is my first time trying Tlayuda, so I'll try more places to get a better picture. The restaurant has a wide selection of Oaxcan cuisine, so I'll be back again to try more: read more

Madre - Tlayuda 3 Meat - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Tried this place for the first time yesterday. Great aesthetic and the presentation of the food is amazing. We tried the enchiladas and Taste of Oaxaca. The enchiladas were a 6/10 and Taste Oaxaca was an 8/10. We also tried the guacamole and chips with salsas--the guac was really good, and the red and green salsa/sauce were also really good and very flavorful! We tried both available mocktails. Both of them were very refreshing but we prefer the Lupita (10/10) over the Chapito (6/10). We last tried the Galleta (10/10), which was a pizookie with ice cream, and it was delicious! They have a free parking lot right next to the restaurant, and you can take the stairs or elevator directly to the front entrance. They also have really great service here. read more

Madre - Front Entrance - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Tasty food! I also ordered a taco de chicharrón which I didn't get a picture of. Everything was yummy however the only downer was the tortillas that came with the queso fundido weren't as great as the ones served with an entree. The other item I tasted was a taco de Barbacoa which was so good as well it comes with 2 sauces on the side and if you dip It in the red one it's the perfect bite. The restaurant is big and has indoor and outdoor seating. Servers are welcoming. We came on a Friday mid day and it wasn't busy. read more

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The inside of the restaurant is bigger than it seems from the inside. They have live music from 5-8pm on Sunday, and it made our meal experience even better. I enjoyed my experience at Madre! I had heard a lot of good things, and I'm happy that I finally had the opportunity to try it. Although the prices were a bit high, the food was delicious and tasted pretty authentic. I will definitely be returning. Everything I ordered had a slight spicy kick to it, but I love spicy food, so I was into it. My husband and I had the guacamole and we shared the molcajete. Everything tasted great, but my nose was running by the end because of the slice. However, like I said, I loved the spice! All of the servers were very nice and attentive. I can't wait to try one of the mole dishes! read more

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Make a reservation on Resy. Vibes/ambiance is 5/5. The outdoor patio is beautiful. They have heaters and it's practically enclosed. They are also dog friendly. Food is 3/5. I got the Madre enchilada's, as this was recommended for first timers. Let me tell you, this dish is a flavor explosion in the mouth. The 4 sauces are unique but I only liked 2 of them. They were the mole rojo and coloradito. The salsa verde one is spicy. My friend got the taste of Oaxaca. It's very unique and has a little of everything. She enjoyed it. My husband ordered 5 random tacos. Do not get the shrimp taco. The shrimp is so overcooked, it was hard as heck! So disappointed. They were also so spicy, he couldn't tell what flavor he was eating. I would not recommend the tacos. I would stay with the mole. Note: If you don't eat spicy or are sensitive to spicy, this place may not be for you. Or be cautious on what you order and ask questions. Place is kinda pricey. Not a typical weekday after work quick meal type place for me. Parking is in the underground lot. read more

Madre - Madre Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Very unique dishes here that don't use rice and beans as filler, a huge plus. They have a little stage for mariachi's as well! A good list of drink options, alcoholic and non alcoholic. Service is prompt too. The enchiladas Madre is very good! read more

Madre - Madre Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

Came for happy hour! Loved it! Pretty restaurant/vibes and friendly staff. Cant wait to come back and try their dinner menu. read more

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This deserves NO STAR... Very disappointed! Didn't really receive anything. Waited 30mins to be seated when there were in fact seating available. Put my number and name down but did not get a text or call so we went to check with hostess and they said we tried to text me... then proceed to take us to our table. We sat down for 15mins to be served water... just water and server said he'd be back to take our order. We proceed to wait another 15-20mins and still nothing as our server went around other tables. The fact that the table next to us ate and left and we still were not served?!? We were very understanding that it was Valentines and still patiently waiting... we waited over an hour to not be served! I was already ready to leave and by that time it was already 9pm... and we got there at 7:30pm.... We literally got up and left and the fact that they even had the audacity to say "thank you for coming" and not even noticing we are already leaving so soon...??? Service was so shitty and was dark and loud inside. I have never received this kind of service before. I don't really like leaving reviews like this but this was very much needed... because no one should ever have to deal with this or have bad service like we did. This just ruined my night and was very disappointed. Will not be coming back! read more

1 star is generous for this abysmal place. Yelp asks me to consider food, service, and ambiance. Unfortunately, I experienced none of the three. I can't comment on the food because we never received any. As for service, we saw our waiter exactly once--when he brought us cold tap water. The ambiance gets the one star, and that's still being generous. When we arrived at Madre, my girlfriend gave her name and phone number for the table alert. After waiting about 30 minutes and watching multiple parties leave, we still hadn't received any messages. When we asked about our table, we were told that the number "failed to send," which made no sense--I watched the host enter it correctly into the tablet. Eventually, we were seated and given menus. After that, we waited another 20-25 minutes without seeing our waiter. When he finally came by, he dropped off cold tap water and disappeared. We never saw him again. Meanwhile, the table next to us was checked on four separate times. After a full 30 minutes of being ignored, we lost our patience and left. As we walked out, the same host who seated us said, "Thank you for coming." For what? I could've asked. For the record, my girlfriend and I never raised my voice or caused a scene. We walked in smiling and thanked everyone interacted with. We left frustrated and disgusted by the complete lack of service. read more

I consider myself a foodie and I'm very bougie about quality ingredients- madres food is legitimately quality, I'm not mad at it! I love their happy hour as well.... Pictured -chicken taco $5 -ceviche $7 The staff is friendly and the food comes out quickly ... and they also have live music on most Saturday nights... I've seen both their mariachi and another time a Spanish singer And they have an incredible brunch! Pictured: - French toast - chilaquiles read more

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Such a great time. We came here after walking around the Torrance Street Fair. For 3 of us, 6 mimosas with chips and guac, it was only around $60 something bucks. Great deal! Also shout out to Sam the bartender. He made the drinks right. It usually take like 15 thousand mimosas to get me to feel but Sam had me in my feelings with only 2 ! Also, he was a good sport. My friend snuck her card and told him not to show us how much it cost, so he covered the register with a menu. When we were all pretty tipsy and this was the most hilarious thing ever. I also loved the live music! read more

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If you are in the mood for mole, this is the place for you! We ate here on a weekday evening for happy hour (M-F 3-6p) and were quickly seated in the outdoor patio. It is very pleasant--shaded and covered with plants. Our server Jose, was outstanding. He attended to our every need and even pushed a few orders past 6p deadline to get the happy hour rates. Chips and guacamole were solid. Huge chunks of avocado, onions and cotija cheese. Chips were fresh and crisp. It also came with a cheese dip that I hadn't ever had before, but now I'm obsessed. Barbacoa taco was tasty. Meat was thinly shredded and juicy. Fresh tortilla was fluffy and light. Came with two salsas but went great with the guacamole as well Aguachilerojo came in a short glass with hefty chunks of avocado and shrimp. You can definitely taste the citrus and it also has a surprisingly spicy kick The signature dish is mole negro enchilada. It had a mild sweetness and gritty flavor. Enchilada was nice and tender. Mole isn't my favorite dish but this one started to change my mind. I didn't try the Margaritas but were told they were good. Free parking underground is convenient as parking in old Torrance can be challenging at times. With live music inside and a quaint covered patio outside, your next visit to Madre will be a fun time! read more

I was expecting bigger portions for the price, but I will admit the quality is there. Coming from Las Vegas, California Has Amazing Food!But for some reason the customer Service is not the best. Waited a while to get a refill on my water. I think they might've went to the Colorado River because once again the quality was perfect but shouldn't take 20 minutes to get a refill. read more

Madre - Molcajete y Tlayuda - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

I forgot how amazing their food was! Nice Mexican restaurant in Old Torrance. Parking is easy with all these lots in Old Torrance. Tried negro enchiladas. Never expected it to be a bit sweet. It was good but we might try something else next. Definitely was unique and fun. Madre Burritos were delicious! Loved the Arugula salad was refreshing. They packed generous tortilla chips and salsa too. We miss going there. With kids, it is just easier to take out and it is still a great option we learned!! read more

Business lunch in this amazing little complex in Torrance and Madre hit the mark!! Staff was great. Not too loud. Apps, food and drinks on par!! Stop by and have the guacamole (was too hungry for a pic) and a refreshing Margarita! Thank me later xo Niecee read more

Madre - Passion fruit Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Honestly the food and drinks were amazing! The service however near the end left much to desire. When we arrived the host greeted us and asked if we wanted to eat inside or outside. We asked for the inside. We were handed menus and the waiter arrived shortly. We saw that they had happy hour from 3-6 pm. And the items were the same on the menu. When it came time to pay we were charged the regular price and the only thing the server said was that it was only honored at the bar and patio for cinco de mayo. I kindly asked to speak to the manager and he did come out shortly. He told us that because of the holiday they were not honoring the happy hour, only at the bar, which would be okay had someone told us. He actually was the one who seated us and I explained that he did not tell us this rule when we came in, the waiter did not tell us this rule while we were looking at the menus, and no where on the menus did it specify that the happy hour had exceptions on certain days. The manager while apologetic did not offer any solution which was incredibly disappointing. The price was not the issue it's the principle that no one told us about this exception to happy hour. Would love to come again, but will definitely be specifying where I want to be seated as they make no exceptions... read more

Madre - Happy hour on menu - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Drinks: great (just don't get anything basic like Paloma unless that's really what you like) Food: good Service: good We love to come here for the Oaxaca para todos, it comes with different types of meat in one plate. read more

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I really wanted to like this place but I was dissapointed SEVERAL TIMES. I ordered delivery a few times and the either the meat was burnt or non existent.. uploading pictures and you be the judge- $7 tacos by the way!!!! read more

Madre - Tripa Taco - where's the meat?... $7, this is a joke. - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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It was the first time we came here and it far exceeded our expectations. I'm a bit appalled by the poor reviews because definitely not what we experienced. Service was attentive.. food was amazingggg... and Mariachi Santa Monica just got that Sunday vibe just right. It is a beautiful place with pleasant indoor and outdoor seating and a spacious bar area. There is a parking garage underground accessible from satori and van ness/cabrillo. We had a regular margarita and a mezcal margarita. Delicious! We started with the empanadas, then the salsa verde enchiladas with shrimp... omg delicious... my husband had the brunch chilaquiles with roja sauce and asada. Sooooo good! Topped it off a seasonal tres leches and some cafe de olla. Hands down. We had an amazing time and seriously felt like we were on vacation. Soooo looking forward to coming back! read more

Madre - A side of arroz (best arroz!) and Brunch Chilaquiles with Asada and Mezcal Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

It was our first time here, and I'm so glad we chose this spot for a spontaneous, dog-friendly brunch. We came on a Thursday and found out brunch is only served Sat-Sun (10-2), so we went with the lunch specials instead. We ordered the elote, lunch special tacos (carne asada, fish, and one tripa taco), plus the chicken tortilla soup as our side. My husband could not stop raving about that soup. He said it was the best he's ever had, along with the tripa taco. The soup was rich, earthy, and perfectly balanced with just the right hint of spice. The elote was my favorite. It came as two ears of corn, halved, so I ended up eating three pieces myself. They were smothered in a creamy sauce, dusted with cheese and spices, and absolutely delicious. The tacos were good, but honestly, the soup and elote stole the show. The atmosphere was also a highlight. Inside, the space is clean, modern, and beautifully designed with Oaxacan touches. The shaded patio where we sat was equally inviting. Service was friendly and attentive. We arrived at an odd time (Thursday at 10 a.m.), so no one was at the door initially, but my husband went in to find someone and we were seated quickly. From there, everything flowed smoothly. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Next time we'll definitely come back for the weekend brunch! read more

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What a fun atmosphere. The servers are energetic, friendly and entertaining. Large restaurant with outside dining also. Fun place. Great selection of food choices and huge portions. The enchiladas and fajitas are divine. My friends love the margaritas. I did not partake but they loved it and said it was perfectly balanced. A full bar and a happy hour so it gets crowded during peak hours. In old town Torrance so take a walk around town when you're finished as you'll want to walk off your dinner as it does not disappoint. Very fun place! read more

I wrote a review on Resy already but I had to put one here, the food was so good!! and ambiance just perfect. We went on literally the most perfect day, breezy, sunny and not too busy. Our table was in a corner but was comfortable as well, the decor is so beautiful and our waiter did well! She was kind and patient I wish I got her name but thanks to her a bunch(I hope I tipped well enough). Just like to note the cafe de la olla is amazing I've had that style of coffee before but never that good 10/10 omg. Also the mariachi sang so beautifully they came in towards the end and got to hear a bit before leaving. For sure will be back read more

Madre - Mole Negro Enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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Food tasty , service is ok Need translation for food name Especially first timer . Server was good read more

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