bueno times for la parrilla mexican restaurant
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The economy may be in the pits and local businesses are feeling the squeeze like everyone else these days, but you wouldn’t know if from strolling by the corner of Wilshire and Witmer after dark to the tune of Mariachis and lively chatter.
La Parrilla, a small regional chain rated by critics as a top Downtown Mexican restaurant, has welcomed a steady uptick in diners over the last year with a new generation of City Westians hankering for the joint’s overstuffed burritos and tangy margaritas.
To greet the influx of new customers, the thirty-year old neighborhood fixture just completed a series of sidewalk improvements and facade touch ups to its hundred-year-old Queen Anne-style residence, claimed (albeit incorrect) to have been once owned by silent film legend Charlie Chaplin.
Renovation work has now moved inside to update the front dining room, and plans are in the pipeline to expand the restaurant further into the historic structure’s second-story, occupied mostly today by a private apartment.
Even though July was relatively a slow month for traffic — a story you’ll hear from business owners across the board — the restaurant’s owners are looking to rebound this fall by extending dinner hours from 10:00pm to 11:00pm, accommodating more locals wanting later takeout and to enjoy the bar’s “cantina hours” further into the night.
For the larger Downtown population who rarely trek west of the 110 freeway, this one may be worth consideration.
La Parrilla
1300 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-353-4930
laparrillarestaurants.com
-dining institutions west of the 110 freeway
La Parrilla Patio
La Parrilla Banquet Room
6 comments
With the exception of the fajitas this place isn’t that great. I have given this place many chances and I have to say that I would only go back for the fajitas. I have had better tacos and burritos from a taco truck than this place. As far as service the location on Wilshire is much better than the one on Sunset in Silverlake..
it’s all about the molcajete and the guacamole.
Moving into Vero across the street, I was so excited to have a Mexican restaurant so close. Then I ate the food. How have they stayed in business this long? It’s too bad they couldn’t “renovate” the food or chef. Living right across the street, I’ve been several times, it doesn’t get any better. On the plus side, they have excellent guacamole—but guacamole does not a great Mexican restaurant make. We find ourselves driving to Echo Park to go to El Compadre or Silver Lake for El Conquistador, both are much better.
P.S. Forgot to mention though, that their service is good.
Agreed, great character and staff but the qualtity of the food has never risen above the level of barely acceptable.
I gave this place several chances and I have to admit that it is awful. I would rather dine out at Taco Bell than eat here again. There were ants on the table, food was definitely not worth the price.
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