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El Cholo Cafe, Pasadena, CA

El Cholo Cafe

3.8
3.8
963 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today
  • Good for groups
  • Charming
  • Vegetarian-friendly
It all started back in 1923 in a small storefront in downtown Los Angeles. 95 years later and 5 generations later El Cholo has become synonymous with Mexican food all over Southern California.

Our Pasadena venue opened in 2000 and is at the Paseo Mall within walking distance of the Civic Auditorium and Convention Center, overlooking Colorado Blvd.
The menu consists of classics dating back to the original menu along with an array of more modern dishes showcasing the different regions of Mexico.

Four private rooms that can accommodate parties from 40-100 that allows our valued guest a memorable experience no matter the occasion.

Most famously known for our Margaritas and a menu featuring over 150 Tequilas. Both of our bars offer a comfortable environment allowing our guest to relax enjoy their experience.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Latin / Spanish, Spanish
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (626) 795-5800
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jorge Degales
  • Catering
    El Cholo caters off-premise in addition to delivery to your home or office in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas. Please call our catering division at 626-795-5800 ask for Diego Fernandez or email him at diego@rmgroupllc.net.
  • Private party facilities
    Parties from 25 to 120 for private events offered in 4 of our semi private dining rooms and patios. In addition to that El Cholo Pasadena can also can accommodate parties up to 250 in an adjacent courtyard to our patio. We feature a full bar with over 150 Premium Tequilas.
  • Area
    Pasadena
  • Cross Street
    Garfield Ave. and Colorado Blvd.
  • Parking details
    Parking in The Paseo Colorado parking structures. Additional parking in the Marengo parking structure on the corner of Green St. and Marengo Validation available. First 90 minutes FREE
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining

What 963 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 3.7Food
  • 3.7Service
  • 3.7Ambience
  • 3.5Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Pasadena

    Great for brunch

  • Pasadena

    Healthy

  • Pasadena

    Hot spot

  • Pasadena

    Romantic

  • Pasadena

    Lively

963 Reviews
  1. Scott

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    279 reviews

    5.0

    279 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Still a classic, and the table had a wide range of dishes from OG 1923 items to Chicken Mole Enchiladas, something added very recently. Margaritas are still great, and the vibe of the place maintains the same feel you get at the first location on Western, even here in a mall in Pasadena. Tableside guacamole is a must, and their tamales are among the best anywhere.

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  2. Bruce

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    45 reviews

    1.0

    45 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Despite having a confirmed Open Table reservation, when we arrived at El Cholo it was CLOSED, as it apparently is on all Mondays. How could this happen?

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  3. Deanna

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was delicious! The patio was nice and cozy!

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  4. Victor

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 19 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our office would come here on Friday's as they serve margaritas by the picture. The food was always very bland.

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  5. Cecille

    Orange County

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 16 December 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    I dont understand why i was allowed to make a reservation when the resraurant was closed on mondays!

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  6. Patricia

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    20 reviews

    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Very disappointed by the food which was bland and served lukewarm. The servers wee attentive. This location in Pasadena is definitely not comparable to the original restaurant in Los Angeles. Will not return to this location.

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  7. Jon

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    It was a nice enough place for a quick bite before seeing a show at the playhouse. Staff was very nice and helpful.

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  8. Avi

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    El Cholo is still good, but not like it used to be. Sadly it’s not the same place it once was

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  9. Courtney

    Los Angeles

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on 29 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great experience at El Cholo today. My bestie and her hubby were in town for the USC-Notre Dame game and we met up for lunch. We sampled the carnitas tacos, albondigas soup, and a combination plate (rolled taco/cheese enchilada). Everything was delicious! We all left stuffed and happy. We will definitely be back.

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  10. jonathan

    Portland

    197 reviews

    2.0

    197 reviews

    Dined on 25 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    This was a mediocre at best Mexican dinner. I only booked this restaurant because I had previously eaten a very good meal at El cholo in Corona Del Mar. The service was slow and given the fact I didn’t see that many people it took about 45 minutes to get served our dinner. The server was friendly and helpful when he was around.. A very nice young female server made guacamole at the table, which was a plus. Granted it was a Sunday night and the place might’ve just been understaffed .The food was just average for a cheap Mexican meal, but this food was NOT inexpensive. It was not the quality of the El cholo in Corona Del Mar. The restaurant is in a large upstairs space in downtown Pasadena near the convention center and is aesthetically not very pleasing.  There were several large tables of people, including young children, and there was a lot of noise and they left a moderate mess on the floor which was not cleaned up during the ensuing 20 minutes we were there. Adding up everything…. I will not be back to this restaurant. 

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FAQs

El Cholo Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (626) 795-5800.

El Cholo Cafe is rated 3.8 stars by 963 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for El Cholo Cafe

300 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 214, Pasadena, CA 91101

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Garfield Ave. and Colorado Blvd.
  • Area
    Pasadena
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Latin / Spanish, Spanish
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking in The Paseo Colorado parking structures. Additional parking in the Marengo parking structure on the corner of Green St. and Marengo Validation available. First 90 minutes FREE
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jorge Degales
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining
  • Phone number
    (626) 795-5800
  • Catering
    El Cholo caters off-premise in addition to delivery to your home or office in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas. Please call our catering division at 626-795-5800 ask for Diego Fernandez or email him at diego@rmgroupllc.net.
  • Private party facilities
    Parties from 25 to 120 for private events offered in 4 of our semi private dining rooms and patios. In addition to that El Cholo Pasadena can also can accommodate parties up to 250 in an adjacent courtyard to our patio. We feature a full bar with over 150 Premium Tequilas.
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