My daughter had her wedding shower at Madre's and it was everything we imagined. The service was excellent, the food and signature cocktails were great. All the guests were delighted and impressed with the atmosphere. A special touch is when the female Mariachi Band came into our party and entertained us .I would highly recommend Madre's for celebrating a special occasion. read more

Excellent service & great food. I've been to Madre a few times & although every server has been good, our server Erick was great. He was so kind and on point. Very patient with my family's complicated orders too lol. Can't wait to be back. read more

Had a great experience at Madre. Went to celebrate some life moments with friends on a Thursday evening. Originally reserved for 4 and when I asked to add 2 more, the host had no problem and asked us if we wanted inside or outside. Th decor was very homey and there was live music! We ordered the paradilla, madre enchiladas and guacamole with salsa for the table. We also ordered a variety of cocktails, beer and agua fresca and it was all delicious. I appreciated the attention to detail with the cocktails and mole enchiladas. I tried this place one other time but I have to say, this time I know I'll be back! read more

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Probably due to bad experiences in the past, but everytime I go to a higher-end Mexican restaruant, I come in feeling a little weary. However, Madre's became an instant favorite featuring so many winners on their menu that when I come back, I will be even more conflicted whether I want to try something new or stick with what I know. Everything from the mains to the drinks to the appetizers to the chips and salsa were incredible. Each sauce, and there was at least ten different ones, were distinct, delicious, and paired well with their respective dishes. We got to try the salsa, guacamole, squash blossoms, and ceviche. And when Madre's Enchiladas came out, I couldn't even regret not saving my appetite before then. A plate bigger than my face, filled with eye-catching goodness. Again, each sauce was unique, and I had fun mixing and matching. Probably one of the best ways to try as many things as possible in one dish. Had leftovers, and it tasted even better the second day! Some downsides: each item is expensive (I got lunch covered by the company, if I had to pay for myself maybe my opinions would change), and it took a while for our orders to be taken/for the food to come out. Alebit, we did order three appetizers, and all those came out at a reasonable pace. Madre's is perfect for special occassions, and has changed my mind on what Mexican food has to potential to be. read more

Madre - Madre's Enchaladas - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

This place ticked all the boxes for a Saturday lunch. First, there is free public parking next to the restaurant. Secondly, the staff, including the manager, are very friendly and professional. Thirdly, the place is spotlessly clean and there's a shady patio. Finally, the food was excellent. We shared the lamb barbacoa, which is only available on weekends. It was a very generous portion of tender lamb shoulder served with an unctuous consume, silky bean puree, and other condiments. We also had some guacamole, which was tasty but needs more lime and salt. read more

Madre - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

Madre is this fun Cali/Max themed restaurant. What they offer is a really nice selection of the new breed of Mexican food with all the trappings of modern preparation and ingredients. The food here is really good. They do a very good job of not only sourcing high quality ingredients, but preparing each dish with a very nice presentation. In terms of atmosphere, this is a large restaurant. They have numerous interior tables, as well as some exterior tables, as well. They also have a very nice bar area. Their seating is all very well spaced so you never feel like you're sitting too close to any other customer. This gives you the space to feel comfortable having conversations with whomever you're with. On certain night in the evening, they actually bring in a band. Not your traditional mariachi band or anything like that. But, a band that performs some really interesting takes on both traditional and modern Latin music. The staff here are all super nice. They're happy to help you out with whatever you need. And, they do a really good job doing their job. One thing to know about this restaurant is that they're currently offering Sunday brunch beginning at 9:00 AM. I know the sign outside says that the brunch doesn't begin till 11:00 AM. But, don't let that fool you. They actually are opening at 9:00 AM. Meaning, you can come in here on Sunday morning and have a really great breakfast. Overall, if you're in the Old Torrance area, and you want to have some great Latin inspired food, this may be your place to go. read more

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Tried Madre again. The food is amazing and authentic. I ordered the Tétela which is made with corn, epazote, mushrooms, quesillo, a fried egg, chorizo and queso fresco. I could've eaten 3 more! The chicharrón tacos was spicy and made with a handmade tortilla. Be ready for real spice! The service is friendly and the ambiance is relaxed. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Checked out Madre on a Friday night. The decor is nice, but the vibe was surprisingly low and it was pretty empty for a weekend. The food was a mixed bag. The Barbacoa Res was incredible and easily the highlight of the night. However, the Cheese Chile Relleno was awful--nothing like what I'm used to, and we couldn't even finish it. As for drinks, the Margarita and Paloma were just average, and we finished with the Tres Leches. Overall, a very middle-of-the-road experience outside of the great Barbacoa. 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

My husband and I stopped by Madre while we were staying in the area on vacation, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip! The food was incredible from start to finish. I ordered the enchiladas verdes, and they had the perfect amount of heat with amazing flavor. My husband's steak was cooked perfectly and was just as delicious. We also loved the atmosphere--it had a great vibe that made us want to stay and enjoy the evening. The wait staff was friendly, attentive, and happy to answer our questions. If we're ever back in the area, this will definitely be one of our first stops! read more

Madre - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Torrance, California

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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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For exceptional Oaxacan cuisine, Madre delivers with its richly flavored complex moles, tasajos, and tlayudas It occupies a giant space and its bar in the back has a massive wall of mezcal bottles. Madre Enchiladas: If you can't choose, pick them all! On a platter as wide as a pizza with a low rim, the mole sauces are practically overflowing. It's like an artist's palette board with four earthy mole colors. Mole Rojo, is an auburn blend of chilies, nuts, chocolate, and spices. The enchilada's corn tortilla is wrapped around my favorite filling, tender and juicy carnitas. My favorite mole is the Mole Negro, black as the nighttime sky with a deep smoky and sweet flavors. The dry chilies, sesame seeds, nuts, Oaxacan chocolate, and herbs provide a velvety sauce for the chicken picadillo. The darkly hued Mole Coloraditos has a little bit of a spicy kick from its toasted chilies, nuts, sesame seeds, chocolate, tomatoes, and spices. It's hard not to use the shredded beef enchilada to swab the plate clean. I would seriously lick the plate clean if I was at home. OK, the last one isn't a mole. The Salsa Verde is tangy from its tomatillos, green chilies, onions and garlic. The crumbly chorizo and cheese enchilada is comforting. The enchiladas are topped with queso fresco, onions, and parsley. Parking: There's plenty of street parking, but you may have to walk a couple blocks. read more

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

Great place, consistently good. Love their margaritas (cadillac and strawberry marg are my faves)

Went looking for a cool upscale Mexican spot! Was heading to South Bay and we found this lovely place in old town Torrance. Even though it's a chain it felt warm, encoring and authentic. The decor was classic upscale modern Mexican. The specialties were the Moles and the Mezcal tequila. The carne asada was tender and super delicious. The trio mole enchiladas were fantastic. Each none was smooth, sweet and chocolaty. The hand made tortillas were a perfect addition to our meal. The service was exceptional. Try Madre where ever you can find one! read more

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Always a good time at Madre, good food & great service. Our out-of-town guests had a great time. For our 2nd visit we had a couple AMAZING mocktails (cucumber & pineapple - see pics, I don't even like cucumber & I LOVED the drink), two shareable dishes (the Parrillada & Molcajete - see vids... the Molcajete we've had a couple times now, it really blew us away when we 1st tried it, I highly recommend. I love how everything is charred & super hot. I enjoyed esp. the chicken & nopales.) My guest took home a tres leches cake which she really enjoyed. I highly recommend :D. read more

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First time here for brunch and it did not disappoint! The chilaquiles (red) were the perfect amount of spice that built while eating the dish. Flavors were bright and fresh. We had mimosas to celebrate and it was a good time! Service was good but we had to ask for our check. Inside was bright and beautiful too! While we were leaving an all female mariachi was setting up! read more

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Found this amazing place tucked away in a plaza in Old Torrace. The food was amazing. I had a beef dish, my daughter had chicken, I also had the house margarita, simple and delicious. We over ordered, filled up on chips and guacamole, so we ended up taking most of it home. Made a delicious second dinner read more

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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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My husband and I took a quick date around Torrance and we were craving some mexican food. We did not have reservations, but luckily they were able to seat us. The parking wasn't bad since it was at the bottom and you either had to take the stairs or the escalator up. I ordered a mocktail, the lupita which consisted of pineapple, lemon, fresh ginger syrup, with sparkling water which was refreshing on this hot day! For starters, we tried the guacamole and queso fundido(melted cheese and chorizo served with tortilla chips). Nothing to really rave about the appetizers. For entrees, we ordered the madre enchiladas which was a sampler of the different enchiladas they offered from mole negro with chicken picadillo, coloradito with shredded beef, mole rojo with carnitas, and salsa verde with chorizo and cheese. All were definitely interesting as you can taste some more nuttier than others. We also ordered a carne asada plate that my husband loved because he was craving for a carne asada plate. We also tried the pork chicharron and chile relleno taco. Both were delicious and as you can tell from the pictures, the portions are very big. There was also live music which was really nice. The only thing is the pricing for me. It was more on the pricier side, but that's probably just a preference on my end. read more

Last minute decision to come here on a Saturday night. I was so worried about how busy it would be but thankfully we were able to get a reservation online. The hostess was very friendly and sat us where we wanted & the server was quick to take our orders. read more

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'Modernish' Mexican venue in 'downtown' Torrance; Dishes are well-seasoned, well-executed and you won't feel 'heavy' after a meal compared to a more 'traditional' Mexican meal. Loved the ceviche, chicken enchilada with black mole, mezcla margarita, caramel flan is on the 'heavy' side and big enough for two! read more

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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

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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During our stay we walked over to Madre's for lunch, even though they had a huge work lunch-in in that Wed, food came out in a timely manner. We had fried quesadillas for our starter which were good. For entree we had ceviche, a burrito, a lunch special Oaxaca bowl, and Oaxacan mole entree. All very flavorful and highly recommend the dark mole negro, so good! Place is beautiful and would love to come back for dinner another time. 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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Delicious traditional Mexican food from the State of Oaxaca, in southwest Mexico. At MADRE! Everything is prepared by hand using quality ingredients. It's pricier than your run-of-the-mill "Cal-Mex" or "Tex-Mex" places, but it's well worth it because of the genuine upgraded cultural cuisine. It's my family's go-to for special celebrations, or when we have guests from out of town. read more

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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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

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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This was my first experience and Samuel was the best bartender ever. He was very informative. Showed me lots of different mezcals. He took a lot of initiative to educate me on different Mezcal. The best live band EVER. The best customer service I have experience. I will definitely return to this location. Samuel made me feel welcomed and I can't wait to return. read more

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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