Chico's
100 N Ave 50
Los Angeles, CA 90042 (323) 254-2445
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
30 reviews
Neighborhood: Highland Park
"This place is fantastic! I can't believe what they've done with vegetarian foods. . ..so many options. Finally-Variety! Try the chicken…" read more »
25 Reviews for Chico's
I (heart) Chico's. No, like seriously - I love it! I grew up in L.A. and know my way around good Mexican food. Everything tastes very homemade and is super delicious. The salsa is amazing and the people who work there are very sweet. Chico's rocks!
I'm a newbie when it comes to Mexican food but the stuff I've tried at Chico's have all agreed with my taste buds. I especially love the warm, crispy complimentary nachos with the fresh and spicy salsa. I usually try to avoid cinnamon but their cinnamon coffee I dig. Cool decor too. Prices are just about right.
In the last month, it has become a regular place for tacos and burritos. good ingredients, nice finishing touches- hard to find in round the way- mexican joints. really like their chicken tacos...fish tacos are a little bland if grilled but still good.
The cinnamon coffee is ridiculously good. You don't need sugar or cream. Everything else was tastefully delicious too. I only wish there were more places like this around San Diego.
Perfect for: The morning after sleeping on the floor on a pallet watching "Coming to America"
On my way to an LA Conservancy Walking Tour of Highland Park, a bright, colorful yellow building caught my eye and considering it was on a street running parallel to the one I was driving on, I probably shouldn't have been taking a peek. I did make a mental note; however, that it was a Mexican restaurant and that maybe, I'd check it out after the tour. Lo and behold, our tour ended right across the street and I knew it was fate.
Before I walked across joined by others from the tour, I did notice the remnants of an old sign with the words "Cafe" on it, attached to the same pole as Chico's Restaurant sign. It seemed so somber in color and out of place sitting over a building that looked as if a rainbow exploded over it; yet, keeping that old sign seemed almost as an homage to what was past was actually pretty cool.
Entering the restaurant, with a blue sombrero touting "Respect Your Hood" painted above the door, I went into a dining area with red and green striped booths and with walls showcasing painted murals of Mexican life. It's not a very big space, but I really liked the vibe and soon a very friendly waitress came our way with menus. Even the menus were a little different than what I've seen before. These weren't pages filled with computer fonts neatly typed. Instead, the menu pages contained illustrated images and even the text, except for one section, looked like they were drawn with a feeling of liveliness. From the outside to the inside to the menu, Chico's was definitely a visual experience.
Before even placing our orders, we were served the proverbial chips and salsa, but that salsa was really good. The flavors were as fresh as the ingredients were vibrantly colorful. When it came to ordering a drink, I skipped over the soft drinks and opted for a strawberry agua fresca. I have to say that while I like ague frescas, I've had them in the past where they were too sweet, too sugary, but the one I had a Chico's was just right and very refreshing.
While others in the group went for the tacos and burritos on the menu, my taste buds had a hankering for the pork chile verde and that's exactly what I got. My taste buds picked a winner. The tomatillos in the chili verde sauce added a nice tangy-grassiness while the chilies added a little kick to the fork-tender pork, which made not only for happy taste buds, but also for a happy me.
Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Chico's, but more than just good food, Chico's is definitely a visual feast. Coming from a graphic design background, I can't help but appreciate the fun colors and the quirkiness of this restaurant space. I bet even in the gloomiest of days with pouring rain, Chico's bright yellow facade would still be a beacon that hungry customers can find their way to and with the good food waiting inside, who could blame them?
To see pics, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/...
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I recommend the tortas de milanesa and cafe de olla (refills...). As for the other dishes, I don't recall being super impressed by them.
Every time I'm in LA, I make a point to stop here. The guy who works here is a doll, the food is inexpensive, delicious, and FRESH.
Amazing salsa, avocado salsa, fish tacos... it's all good. They have vegetarian options and breakfast foods, too!
ETA: Aaaand I just learned that all authentic Mexican restaurants cook with LARD. So I won't be taking my vegan ass back there, but it's still delicious!
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This is our neighborhood Mexican food joint... it's addictive and I always feel the need to eat a carnitas burrito! One of the high points of Chico's is the consistency factor: you'll always get exactly what you expect. Another great thing is the service: there's the most beautiful lady behind the counter and she'll always greet you with a smile.
Food-wise: Great guac mixture. They mash in some extra flavor for your dipping pleasure
Carnitas EVERYTHING: the meet is always cooked to my liking - it's a little well done without being dry
Chips & Salsa come with every meal. The salsa is chunky and filled with jalapenos ... not for the sensitive tummy. You can also request a smoother version of salsa/or hot sauce.
Enchiladas Verde: Fresh lime highlights the sauce and the corn tortillas wrap whatever filling you'd like in a delish 'corny' flavor
Thank you for being around the corner, Chico's!
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One of the perks of living in Southern California is the wide variety of great Mexican food that can be found in almost every neighborhood. I love it when it's right, and I get really pissed off when it's done poorly.
I am so thankful for my friend Rob's recommendation of this sweet little cafe. I went for lunch today by myself and I can't stop smiling. This was about as good as it gets. As you have probably seen in almost every other review of this place, their fresh salsa is to die for. I think I killed about two good sized bowls of it. I had a combination plate of two floutas and one asada taco served with fresh lime, a small salad, fresh avocado slices, beans and rice. Everything was delicious, though it was almost more than I could eat. Add the fact that it was well under $10 and you know that I was in heaven.
The service was great. The place is clean and charming. I look forward to bringing some of my other mexi-centric foodie friends here.
I'm so disappointed. Potato tacos, Carne Asada, and extra guacamole was boring. The meat was dry and tasteless. And the potato taco? Come on, it was boring.
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Hmmm, I haven't had the potato tacos here but I do love the flautas and the sopes and the cafe de olla and the salsa. Reasonable prices and good service.
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Chico's never fails to disappoint for delicious, inexpensive, and fresh Mexican fare. The salsa is spicy, the guacamole is flavorful (and seems to be made after you order it), and the dishes are always well seasoned.
The service staff here is terrific. I think most of my friends are secretly in love with the lady with the sensible shoes and the great smile! Not only is she beautiful, but she is also a kind and attentive server.
Chico's also has a charming cafe atmosphere, with an excellent mural painted on the interior walls (and a retro starburst clock that I am totally jealous of!).
This great neighborhood place is definitely worth a try!
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Chico's is a great little hole-in-the-wall that has wonderful fish tacos and even better potato tacos. Their salsa is delish.
The freshest Guac in town.
I am now officially a convert to their fish Burrito while my fiance swings her pendulum from the potato tacos to the carnitas plate and back on a regular basis. I support either decision as long as she arees to share (which sometimes she does not! Yeah it's good.)
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5 Stars for being cheap, delicious, and fresh.
The Burritos are great, but the guacamole is some of the best I've ever had; be sure to ask for an order with some chips!
Also, the cinnamon coffee has become my drink of choice there. If that sounds like a good beverage to you, I would buy on sight.
I've eaten at Chico's about 5 times now and every time has been a winner.
Extra friendly and helpful wait staff as well...
ro
Chicos! The most amazing guacamole, somehow....it's a little different...just try it. Vegetarian burritos here are filling and also different. Cute, freaky little vibe inside too. You can't really go wrong here.
Hole in the wall that should stay this way. Meaning don't expect much taste wise. AVOID the potato tacos! please!
Foods good but their caldo de res soup is the best that I have ever tasted! Service is friendly and the place is clean.
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I love this place. We live around the corner and eat here all the time. The Guacamole and salsa are heavenly and fresh. The beef taquitos are excellent, as are the flautas ,although they can be a little greasy. Their green chili stew is the best for when you have a cold, and I love the cheese enchiladas with red sauce, you can really taste the chili.
The service is always very friendly, it's a nice family place, the food taste tasty and fresh.....and it's really clean(ish). Oh and they have red booths. I love booths.
Hint: They sometimes close early (if it's a slow night), so it's best to call ahead.
A good spot for a relaxed meal in the neighborhood. Decent food in a clean, brightly painted interior with booth seating. The tacos al pastor weren't quite like I know them from el D.F. but they were tasty nonetheless. The burritos looked very good - I'll have to try those on my next trip. Crispy chips and flavorful salsa. Plus they have parking and take credit cards.
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Decent mexican food neighborhood joint. Its around the corner from us so when we crave tacos this is the place we head out to. Its small and rustic, but the people who work here are super nice. We love the tacos dorados plate and chips and salsa.
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The food is good. Not great but good. However, the staff's service is unbelievable. Probably one of the best I've ever seen.
Stopped in for the first time on Friday night. Very friendly people and great food. I just had time for tacos - two fish and one carnitas. Both were fabulous and the salsa for the chips was particularly distinctive. Warm, casual place with very reasonable prices.
Also check out the Acorn and Avenue 50 Studio galleries across the street (walking toward the metrorail tracks). http://www.arroyoartsc.../ + http://www.avenue50stu.../
i love this place....i happened to stumble upon it while totally ranveous, far from home in need of some sustenance. the waiter was super friendly and brought out chips with some of the best salsa I have ever tasted. my camarones ala diabla were fantastic - really flavorful and spicy and rich. i plan to make pilgrimages when i return to LA...
great simple mexican food. especially good are the vegetarian sopes. (my wife loves them). overall a pretty small place, but the food is always fresh.
most all of their dishes are good, but the shrimp ajo and shrimp diablo are my favorites. only wish they also did fish tacos. the gucamole is also very good. pretty hard to spend more than $25 for two.
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Mediocre. Cute facade brings in the gringos, food is far more authentic, cheaper and better, at multiple other places in the neighborhood, including El Metate, Antojitos Guerrero, Huaraches Azteca, El Atacor, and innumerable taco trucks.
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