El Carmen  Hot PDF Print E-mail
Tequila Bar - Restaurant Reviews United States
Submitted by tvJefe   
August 01, 2007
El Carmen - Click to enlarge
Tequila Bar Review
Street Address: 8138 W Third St
City: Los Angeles
State: California
Zip Code: 90048
Phone Number: (323) 852-1552
  Map / Directions


El Carmen

If "Twin Peaks" director David Lynch designed a south-of-the-border bar, this is what El Carmen would be like. Mounted bull heads watch over tequila drinkers, while black velvet paintings of Mexican wrestlers survey the room. The theme carries over to the wrestler masks hanging from the ceiling and the Pulp-style art covering the walls. The surreal mood is locked in when the jukebox jams its fourth Michael Jackson song in the last hour and no one even notices.

The kitsch factor draws its share of hipsters, but El Carmen also gets its fair share of the sleek and chic who come for the tequila, baby. There are more than 420 varieties to choose from; the sampler platter offers a sip or two of several different types. Or try a Mexjito, a delicious, tequila-based take on the mojito.


User reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
94
Agave Spirit Selection
97
Food
89
Price
93
Knowledge - Service
96
Ambiance
97
 

To write a review please register or login.



1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

September 18, 2008

Written by Piņa   -  View all my reviews  - Top 10 Reviewer

Overall rating (weighted)
93
Agave Spirit Selection
95
Food
88
Price
90
Knowledge - Service
95
Ambiance
95
A great place with a great staff. Great 'bar' food. The best part is theres a bus that can pick me up from my place and drops me off almost in front of El Carmen!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

August 01, 2007

Written by tvJefe   -  View all my reviews  - Top 10 Reviewer

Overall rating (weighted)
96
Agave Spirit Selection
98
Food
90
Price
95
Knowledge - Service
96
Ambiance
98
At less than 1 mile from my house, El Carmen is my neighborhood tequila bar. And with over 400 varieties of tequila, I will NEVER get bored with it.

The food is cheap and served quickly. Is it great? No. But it gets the job done. For tequila pricing calibration, I always use Herradura Seleccion Suprema, which is $35 here; but there are some selections that tip the scales at $100 (too rich for my blood).

Like the description says, the ambiance is awesome. Mexican wrestler masks and bull heads line the walls. It can be dark and noisy at times, but never to the point where I am uncomfortable.

Not all the waitresses know their tequila, but the bartenders seem very knowledgeable and willing to offer samples and recommendations. (With 400 varieties, I can definitely use recommendations from time to time.)

Due to the massive selection, fair pricing, knowledgeable bartenders, and fantastic atmosphere, I have to give El Carmen a solid "A" and recommend it to anyone visiting Los Angeles.


 
< Prev   Next >