Mercado Los Angeles Reviews

Good and atmosphere is amazing just the price is too high! I think they a taco restaurant down the street that's cheaper but same food. We may try that next because it cost WAY too much!

I live close by to Mercado and frequent it often for breakfast & dinner. It's a great atmosphere (although can get a bit noisy at times) and the food is delicious. Their drinks are also great - I highly recommend the spicy margaritas.

Visiting during a Rose Bowl trip, we followed the reviews and tried an early dinner at Mercado. What a great find! We were seated in the bar area and had exceptional service from Pedro. The special blood orange margaritas were fabulous. The house guacamole was some of the best I've ever had. Large chunks of avocado with just the right blend of onions and tomatoes. It was also served with a spicy smooth salsa that was a perfect compliment and had a nice kick. 2 of us had the evening special; carnitas. Freshly made corn and flour tortillas were paired with a huge portion of slow roasted pork the size of a softball. I had the kale salad and it was great. We had no room for dessert, but will come back on our next visit! The food and service were outstanding! Happy New Year!

The carnitas tacos, guacamole, and chicken mole enchiladas were amazing. Way better than expected! The service is good too. I highly recommend this place.

Liked the guacamole, cuz it was mostly avocado, as it should be and smoky salsa was good , Our ceviche was expensive and had no fish or shrimp, it was just tomato , onion and cilantro and a flat chip. When we brought it to servers attention, they could have cared less. chile relleno looked nice but had no flavor and was had too much corn filler. I felt our service ( and maybe our meals? ) reflected their judgment of our appearance and age- not attentive service. We spent and paid over $320 and left a not so deserving tip for a group of 6. Should have called manager but maybe someone will read this review . Differential treatment - not cool.

For a couple, maybe sit at the bar. Stellar guac, stellar salsa. Chile relleno is unique, not butied by cheese, and a perfect portion size for a dude trying to slim down a bit. Upscale but reasonable. And hey! Plenty of Mexican libations, but I also like this place because they have not abandoned pale ale on tap! Sure they have IPA...meh. Try the Eagle Rock Revolution. Three visits to this place now...There is much to like!! Consistency is there.

This restaurant is loud and lively but very elegant with excellent food (particularly the small chicken tacos!) and margaritas. Had a really fun night with a group of people. Strong and interesting flavors, a nice spin on traditional cuisine

You don't realize how long it's been since you've had good food and service until you have it for real!Came here for the first time after driving past it everyday for mom's birthday dinner. And man, we were both pleasantly surprised. All expectations were exceeded. First generation Mexican and I swear this was the best Mexican food I'd ever had. Everything tastes fresh and homemade. We had "tacos de papa" "carne asada", "tamales de raja", and "tres leches" cake for dessert. Can not wait to come back and try more items off the menu. Definitely would come back and definitely recommend.

The menu at Mercado is based on the Mexican roots of chef José, so we started with the tacos pescado for $15, skillet seared white fish, Mexican slaw, avocado salsa, and chile de arbol aioli. Fresh clean flavors, but we found the homemade tortillas disappointing. The pickled vegetables were a welcome surprise, adding zest to the plate. The enchiladas for $19 made with Mary's free range chicken, Oaxacan mole, Mexican rice, queso fresco, crema fresca, red onions, and sesame seeds was beautifully presented, but we found it lacked enough character or depth of flavor to warrant ordering it again. Our server said the carnitas for $25 are a crowd favorite and one bite of this tender Salmon Creek pork with guacamole, Yxta salsa brava and cauliflower with escabeche made me want another, and another, and another...This is a HUGE serving that could easily have served two, or you could take half of it home for another meal. With a wide selection of drinks and tequila, and a happy hour M-F from 5-7pm, I'm planning to return to try more.

We went to check out the new spot that took over FP's old space, and I really liked what they have done with the place! Much more bright and open now that they have opened the room up a bit differently. We sat at the bar to check out the Happy Hour menu, and were super pleased by the service (kudos to Jeff and Cesar!). Also, happy hour prices were pretty reasonable, so you can easily sample quite a few different plates if you've got a few people with you. The menu is interesting....they definitely put their own twist on all their dishes. Sometimes the menu descriptions don't really do them justice, so if you're sitting at the bar, ask Jeff for his recommendations. He was spot-on in what he suggested to us! My only complaint is some of the dishes tasted a bit bland as served (I tend to like my Mexican food spicy!), but that was quickly remedied when I discovered how perfect their Salsa Verde is. If you like a bit of a kick, I highly recommend checking out the Verde!

I can't make it more than two weeks without satisfying my Mercado fix. Happy hour is great with enough delicious apps to make a great meal. The bartenders are the best and can help with drink ideas. I love Mezcal and the selection is varied and large. You can't miss the Carnitas plate as well as the Carnitas Tamale. So tender and flavorful. I'm a Guacamole snob and Mercado doesn't fail to impress. The design of the restaurant is very open and modern with a massive skylight that slides back to reveal the open air sky. Ok, I've got to go back soon.

That was our third visit to Mercado and we enjoyed it again. Small plates, delicious food. Very good Margaritas. If you are in the area, you must visit.

Celiacs beware! Mercado is unable to accommodate Celiacs. We waited a while before being acknowledged and the waiter seemed to know the ins and outs of what was and wasn't GF. When we asked if the cooks could prepare the corn tortillas on the cooking surface by ensuring to wipe the surface first, we were refused. "Can't do it." Whaaaat? It's a shame. It seems the cooks cannot figure out how to prepare naturally GF corn tortillas to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A simple "wipe off" of the cooking surface, which would suffice in our case, would have been all that was needed. "Not possible." That's really crazy. If you are allergic, then try other places that understand how to make food and reduce contamination. Mexican or Latin-style cooking is so easy to make GF. I guess Mercado is just not in the know on how to do that. Unfortunately, we walked out. The people seem really nice, but the place needs a recharge on food prep for people with food allergies.

We’re not Mexican food lovers and the food was delicious!! Service was outstanding, we went on a Friday night and didn’t have a reservation, but they accommodated us quickly and with a friendly and kind attitude. Highly recommended!

This was my second visit to Mercado and it was just as good as our first experience earlier this year. The house margarita is just the right combination of tangy and sweet. The guacamole can only be described as some of the best I've ever had - huge chunks of avocado. We also shared tamales as a starter and then moved on to tender, yummy enchiladas and the evening special - grilled sea bass. Fast, efficient service and a cool vibe in the dining room. We sat at a high top that we shared with others and didn't feel crowded at all.

Really enjoyed the pork carnitas; highly recommend plus the excellent guacamole! Service is uneven but the menu is unique and varied.

Went there for a birthday celebration. We had reservations and sat down right away so no waiting. The food was pretty good but the waitress was not attentive to us. We told her to put the cheese on the side 3 times but it was not done. We had to tell 2 different waiters to bring plates. We ordered 2 desserts but she only brought one of them. Overall I would go back but not for a while.

Had an amazing dinner with our family. Loved everything we had, they are really friendly. Guacamole was divine and the carnitas just fell apart and the taste was heavenly.

Great location near Farmers Market but with a downtown trendy vibe. The food was generally good but not the best. Mexican food happens to be my favorite food so I have higher standards. The had a steak taco that was pretty good. The waitress was very accommodating when I had to send something back. Unfortunately for many Mexican style restaurants they rely heavily on drinks for dinner ie Margaritas.

While perched at a high top table in a chic contemporary space you might not expect authentic tastes of Mexico. Mercado offers high quality variations on traditional Mexican flavors. The dishes are on the spicy side. Not to be missed are the guacamole and anything with carnitas, perfectly cooked and seasoned.

If you are looking for a very casual, non-formal evening - this is unique. Food unusual and quite good. Ahi tuna tostadas are a great appetizer. House Margarita was nicely flavored. Staff is extremely courteous. Scallops are great! Portion sizes are appropriate. Valet parking - a must! Just know the atmosphere is loud, which contributes to "the vibe!"

Skip it there are better places in LA. I’ve been coming for years and this last time the valet was so expensive that it makes it not worth it. Better food and less expensive valet: worst experience!

Not so much for kids who are not used to spicier food. If you are not taking kids, perfect place to go. Service was generally good.

We have dropped into Mercado a couple times within the last week. Both times the food was great. If you want to have a conversation without going hoarse, sit at the bar or near the sidewalk. The inside table noise level is like a high school cafeteria. We have enjoyed a shared kale salad, then I had carne asada that quite tender and flavorful. My wife's pollo en salsa was equally good; a generous portion that required a doggie bag for later enjoyment. Form the bar, the cucumber margarita is nice and refreshing but with a slight spicey kick. I like a simple tequila and tonic, here it had a generous pour.

Not a bad place to eat....super expensive for what you get. Attracts a good crowd.... Service was good.

We ate here twice over the Thanksgiving holidays 2014 - once during their Happy Hour - and once for lunch. Both times the food was hot, fresh and delicious. Their nachos with pork shoulder are not to be missed. Practically a meal for two. I also had a fantastic kale salad. Their menu offers a great variety from carnivores to vegans. Definitely recommend.

Our server was absolutely amazing. Helpful, not intrusive. happy hour tacos - could not get enough of them! Absolutely delicious. The regular menu is fantastic and the dinner special that night (sea bass) was so tasty. We come here regularly when in town. It never disappoints!

Went here with my wife and another friend of ours. We started with the chips and guacamole. This is probably the best guacamole I have ever eaten. We ordered drinks. I ordered a margarita. This was basically a glass of tequila with a splash of margarita mix. LOL The atmosphere was nice. My wife ordered the ceviche. She was not very thrilled with it. I tasted it and thought it was fine. I ordered the skirt steak. It was phenomenal! I could see myself going here again.

We were celebrating my daughter-in -laws birthday. We were seated almost immediately (had a reservation). The server was attentive and was very familiar with the menu. Our food was excellent. We ordered several small plates to share 9kale salad, two types of tacos and more) and two entrees. there was plenty of food and it was tasty. They brought out two birthday desserts - flan and tres leche cake. Both were delicious. It was a lovely evening as they had the front door and windows disappeared giving us an al fresco feel inside the restaurant.

Family early dinner. Guacamole is amazing, must have for starter. The Tacos (meat and fish) all good, but seriously spicy. Delicious spicy but really spicy Dessert menu was ok, didn't like the Churro ice cream (to be fair I thought it was churros with ice cream, but it wasn't). Flan was ok, had better Excellent service. But place is really really noisy, hard to have a conversation. Not "bad", it's lively, well lit and windows are open for good ventilation, but it is noisy.

This was a lovely spot to have a quiet dinner with great food. The service was amazing and the prices weren't too bad for what you get. If you like Mexican and want a romantic dinner this is the place to go!

My husband and I stopped by here for their Happy Hour on a Thursday afternoon. The Happy hour is daily from 5-7. There is a selection of food and cocktails on special. I ordered the Hibiscus Margarita and it was amazing. Perfect amount of sweet with the tequila. We also ordered an appetizer from the HH menu, the tacos to share. No small portions here. Full size order and the pork was slow cooked to perfection. We saw a lot of the other menu items being brought out and everything looked very good and also large sharing size portions. The restaurant is very casual with large open windows facing the street for great people watching. The place was packed which is also a good sign and it seemed a lot of locals were there after work for the Happy Hour. We are planning on coming back Monday night for dinner before we leave to head home Tuesday morning. Highly recommend

Mercado on Fairfax and 3rd in LA is an absolute must for the Foodie of authentic Mexican Cuisine! With a menu focusing on Southern Mexican and Central American fair, I felt like I was back on the Yucatan Peninsula with the unique spices and sauces Chef Jose Acevedo uses to accentuate his dishes. Reservations are extremely recommended after 7:30pm as this restaurant is one of the “it” spots in town. Parking can be difficult in West Hollywood so I suggest using Uber or Valet to get to this centrally located location (9 times out of 10, Uber will be less expensive than Mercado's Valet). The restaurant itself is dissected by a large bar (with a great selection of tequila – duh – and spirits. “Café Seating” (large communal tables that offer Happy Hour) are located here for a quick, inexpensive meal. Booths and 2-4 tops are located to the right of the entry as well as in the back of the restaurant and Mercado offers some patio seating that all feature the regular menu. The entryway/maître’ d area is very small so if the line is long, wait at the bar. We of course ordered margaritas when we sat down but our server recommended the margarita special for the night: Blood Orange. It was absolutely fantastic. Fruity but had a bit of bitter and sweet from the blood orange mixing with the tequila. Definitely a hit drink of the night as many tables ordered the same thing. The menu is simple (I am pretty sure Mercado’s drink menu is larger than its food menu – the sign of a good restaurant). The portions are not “American” in size so always order an appetizer if you are hungry. We ordered the Dip Duo ( guacamole, choriqueso, Yxta salsa brava + tortilla chips) and were 100% glad we did! The choriqueso was like nothing that I have ever had: a traditional queso (done right) with the savory, spicy taste from the chopped. Chips were crisp and homemade, the salsa and guac, standard in flavor but the choriqueso made up for it. A friend ordered the Tamales from the small plate menu (fresh masa, chef’s choice filling, queso fresco, crema fresca) and loved every bite. The dish came with a light mole sauce that was perfectly seasoned. I ordered the Enchiladas de Pollo en Mole Oaxaqueno (pulled free-range chicken, oaxacan mole, Mexican rice, queso fresco, crema fresca, red onions, sesame seeds). It was one of the best enchilada dishes I have ever had. Everything about our dishes tasted fresh, healthy; not oily or fried. A great environment that catered to the elite, trendy, and family crowds alike – Masa is my new go-to restaurant for authentic food from the Yucatan. I hope you enjoy Chef Jose’s food as much as I do!

Just a fantastic evening. Delicious food, many options for both vegetarians and not. Super blood orange margarita, get there for happy hour! Friendly and helpful service.

Even though the restaurant looks modern and sleek, the food is indeed mediocre and overpriced. For example, the dip duo comes with guacamole and bacon-cheese dip. Although the guacamole is fresh, the cheesy dip tastes exactly like from the jars you bought from the grocery store. And, to mind you, it's 19 bucks. The Tostaditas de ceviche sounds interesting, with ingredients including white fish, shrimp, chopped fruits and vegetables, and herbs, but the reality is it's tasteless - either there is not enough seasonings, or it's lacking flavorful sauce. The same problems applies to my entree: my Carne Asada consists a touch, over-salted, overcooked skirt steak, accompanied with lukewarm corn. If it's just because of the mediocre food I received, I should have given this place 3 stars. However, with the price I paid, as well as how Mercado positions itself as a high-end, fine-dining restaurant, I can just give this place 2 stars. To be honest, there are so many good, authentic, or innovative Mexican restaurants in LA; don't bother with Mercado. Our waiter is a little bit pushy, constantly suggesting us ordering more drinks or other dishes, even when I have complained of the dishes.

I ate here twice whilst staying nearby at the Farmers Daughter Hotel, weirdly the building caught my eye due to the branding as I thought it looked very cool, and somewhere worth trying - after a quick scan on google, the reviews all seemed positive so I decided to give it a go! The first experience was great, to be fair it was a Sunday evening and so it was pretty quiet. The staff were very friendly and attentive, switching on the heating near the open window / wall which meant that we could stay where we were without getting cold! The food was great (I had an item of the main / large plates) - really interesting flavours and huge portion sizes! The second experience was on a Thursday evening, and I was in a group of about 5 people. The place was very busy, and we could see that there was a queue, but we asked and were given a waiting time of 30-40 minutes. Unfortunately we were left waiting for over an hour, and at the point where we were about to walk out we got a table. The staff although apologetic, didn't offer anything to apologise for the long wait (maybe some free chips and guac or salsa huh!) and their response to the delay was "people are not leaving the table when they are done" which is very odd and really frustrating, as here in London most busy restaurants give the customer a table for 1-2 hours and then you have to be gone and it seemed as though some of these people had been in the booths for 3-4 hours! If they are still eating then fair enough, but they were just sitting and talking and not ordering anything for most of the last hour.. If I were management I would have politely asked them to move onto a bar so the could seat new customers.. Regardless, we couldn't be mad for too long as the food was incredible, I picked up some small plates too and they were maybe better than the large plates! Really pleased I foudn this place, will be back on my next LA trip!

Mercado's vibe is super cool, and the food is amazing. My party had the guacamole, tamales, and enchiladas. All very tasty. I'll definitely return on my next trip to LA!

The five of us went there for dinner last night and had one of the best Mexican meals in our collective memory (and we all dine out often). The atmosphere was great, the service was fast, professional and not intrusive (which is all good) but the thing that really stood out for everyone was the delicious food. Several members of the party said it some some of the best Mexican food they had tasted in Los Angeles. The restaurant is about a block away from the famous original L.A. farmer's Market in the heart of Los Angeles, on 3rd Street a few doors West of Fairfax. While (from a causal look) it's entirely roofed, the front "window" can vanish and you wind up with an indoor/outdoor feel, which is really nice. The bar and casual dining area is about 2/3 of the place, and has a nice energetic feel without being so loud that you can't carry on a conversation (which unfortunately seems to be the trend these days). We sat to the right (in a room in back of the bar) which has a series of large booths and a fireplace. The booth (and there were a number of them) was quite comfortable for five, and would be fine for six. Service (by Brandon) was friendly, attentive and efficient; I was quite happy with it. We over-ordered and bought too much food (their "small" plates are large as small plates go, so more restraint in ordering than we exercised would have been better. We started with the dip duo (hot sauce, queso and guacamole) @ $17 and loved it. I started with a daily special of chicken tortilla soup @ $7. That was a great choice; I love the dish, and I think it was better than some of my previous favorites (Polo Lounge and Pelican Grill in Newport Beach) because it had more complex flavors. If you like tortilla soup, and its on the menu, don't miss it! My main dish (recommended by Brandon) was the Carne Asada @$25, and it was also outstanding. Not overwhelmingly huge, but a perfect portion with a nice flavorful char on it. Another great dish. Another member of the party had the chef's signature carnitas @$21; all of us shared a small taste and it was exceptional. That's what I'll order on my next visit. The person who ordered it said it was the best carnitas he's ever had anywhere. Other members of the party shared a numbered of small plates, and loved all of them: Tacos de tinga de pollo@$10, tuna tostada @$16, tacos de arrachera @$14, as well as other dishes. I highly recommend this place without reservation. We will definitely be back, and soon! I don't often have a meal this good, and I'm pretty picky.

Noisy, inconsistent and needs a new energy. Menu reflects the nature of the restaurant. Very uninteresting. Service lacks enthusiasm. Thought maybe this could trendy, exciting. Not so. Actually as I write I might be giving them the benefit of the doubt. Probably a 2.5 overall.

We went for Happy Hour and had a great time. Margaritas were freshly made. Guacamole was made fresh too and well worth it. We all had tacos which were delicious as well. Nothing was too big of a portion so you leave feeling full but not stuffed. The prices on the Happy Hour menu were good too!

The good: Their margaritas were fantastic.They had a nice selection of tequilas. The food was quite tasty with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is great--clean and open--although the acoustics made it difficult to be heard over the crowd noise. The not-so-good: We waited over half an hour to be seated, even though we had a reservation, and there were empty tables. Everything took f-o-r-e-v-e-r... from having our drink orders taken to getting the check.

Menu was extensive and food was delicious. Wide variety of small plates which makes sampling easy and fun if you are with friends. Waitress made sure everything was to out liking. Lively atmosphere!

We're in the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles. Find a Mexican restaurant and enter. Good Margarita, tacos and guacamole. If you dine, remember that the bar closes at 10 p.m. so after that you only drink water. The other dishes are not worthy of particular note.

Great rita's for $7, the place is open and nice. They have lots and lots of tequila if you are adventurous. I also get their carnitas nachos which are really good. Also try their mashed potatoes, they are delicious.

I have been to this place with two of my best pals, we wanted to go to a place to gossip, crib, chat and basically talk all things girly. We ended up going to Mercado twice and both times during happy hours and it was one of the best times we ever had! Firstly the margaritas are excellent, out of the happy hour menu the carnitas, taco de papa, tamales and guacamole are very good.......the best part .....the dessert- Flan ....one of the best I have ever had.......grab your besties and drink away!!!

Went on a Sunday evening at 730. Our server was great...can't recall his name. I had the tamale "small plate" and it was excellent. I also ordered the chile relleno "large plate". It was very disappointing. It kind of reminded me of a creamy pot pie with crunchy vegetables inside of it.....completely overwhelmed the flavor of the chile. Place was so noisy you could only speak to the person sitting next to you. If you like that...you're in luck.

We had dinner on a Saturday night and it was very busy, so the service was a bit slow and we didn't get our drinks until after our food as the bar was backed up. They took care of us and the food did not disappoint! Well done for the size and busyness of the place.

Very tasty! This restaurant is a Gourmet Mexican. The Guacamole, Poblanos appetizer, Spicy corn, and Margaritas are delicious!

While Mexican restaurants are numerous in this area, this one stands out for being a cut above the typical fare. The guacamole was excellent. I had the Tostaditas de Ceviche as my meal; it was delicious, I only wish it was a larger (not Starters) portion, so I added a side of rice. The Carne Asada and Pollo did not disappoint my companions. Loved the Flor de Jamaica drink. Would we return to Mercado? Si.

Our party of 4 had such a great time drinking margaritas and eating small plates that were delicious. We loved the guacamole had to order it twice. The service is speedy and friendly and great food.

Jesse Gomez has been treating Angelenos to great food for years. I read an article about L.A.'s Best Happy Hours and rushed right over that night for an evening of goodness! We began with Cesar suggesting the Blood Orange Margaritas that did not disappoint! (had to have a couple of them!) The Guacamole with spicy pepitas and chips were fresh and flavorful; The Tacos de Carnitas mouthwatering delicious; the Elote Callejero – grilled sweet corn, caramelized onions, chile piquin butter, queso cotija is a MUST; the fresh masa Tamales just made you wish you had room for more! Ashley was a new employee behind the bad and could not have been sweeter or more accommodating! BTW today she celebrates her 30th birthday! Cesar told us a new Mercado specializing in Seafood was going to open on Laurel Canyon! Can't wait for another amazing experience.

I ate here 3 nights in a row on a recent business trip to LA. The food is very, very good, the service is excellent, but it is pricey and noisy. If I was in the area again I would certainly stop in again.

I was visiting LA for one night and this is where I had dinner. The location was awesome and the way the wall opened up and let the night air in was beautiful. The appetizer of guacamole and queso was a great way to enjoy the chips and salsa. Food had amazing flavor and powerful tastes. I usually don't get desert but one of the deserts fell on our table accidentally and so we couldn't let it go to waste. One of the best meals I have had in a long time. This place gets hospitality. They understood the incredible intersection of great food, great service and great atmosphere and how powerful it is when you get them all right like they did here at Mercado.

Had brunch and it was very good and atmosphere is terrific. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 is I am more of the down and dirty taco stand/truck Mexican, but this has advantage of 70 tequilas.

Brought my sister here for her birthday dinner, and we loved it. The food was delicious and we were very impressed with the drinks!

Terribly mediocre Mexican food, I don't understand how it's rated so highly. First I cannot believe the enchiladas come with nothing and they have the audacity to charge $6 for a little cup on rice on the side that costs probably 25 cents to make. The quality of the chicken was good but I found a small bone in it, when I said something to the waiter he was completely unfazed and said it happens all the time. Also who puts raw red onions on top of enchiladas?! It's a small thing but was indicative of my overall experience.

I'm originally from Texas and I'm pretty picky when it comes to Mexican food. I found Mercado online and stopped by with low expectations. We didn't get to dine in, due to covid. I ordered the mole chicken enchiladas which came with Mexican corn and rice, it was probably the best I've ever had, seriously! I also ordered the spicey cucumber margaritas to go, which were amazing. My daughter ordered the chicken bowl and loved it as well. I will without doubt go back for the mole chicken enchiladas and cucumber margaritas when visiting the area.

Right across the Farmers Market, this is a great and lively place for modern Mexican food. I came during Happy Hour which is from 5-7pm and had a Hibiscus Margarita with the Jumbo shrimp tacos, both were so tasty though if you don't like spicy you'll probably have to warn them.

We ate here after spending the day at Universal Studios. Our food was delicious, atmosphere was great. We valet parked, which made the whole experience very easy. The waitstaff was superb!

Went here with a couple colleagues for a business dinner. The place was definitely hopping lots of people and energetic vibe. Our server was friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu and made some good suggestions. We started with some chips that had both guacamole and cheese queso. I am not much of a guac eater but the cheese queso was excellent, we all loved it. I had the Carne Asada marinated skirt steak which was very good and one my other colleagues had the Callos de Hacha jumbo sea scallops, I can’t recall what the others had. Everyone at the table agreed that all the food was exceptional and that we would all gladly come back. A stand out dining experience and I will definitely go back! Major props to Mercado.

The location that is currently the (relatively) new Mercado, on Cahuenga Blvd. West, near Universal City, used to be Henry's Hat. My friend and I had tried that place once, but it was so noisy, we never returned. She told me there was a new restaurant there, so we tried it on a Saturday night, fairly late. The minute we entered, we remembered why we had disliked Henry's Hat so much: THE NOISE! Tiled walls, tiled ceilings, tiled everything, apparently, and nothing to absorb or deflect the NOISE. But it was late, so we asked if we could sit on the small outdoor patio. Our waitress (Ariana?) was really marvelous and one of the best "salespersons" any restaurant could hope to find. I followed her recommendation and ordered a very unusual, but utterly delicious version of carnitas. My friend and I first shared a persian cucumber salad, which was also great. BUT, despite multiple requests for something, anything, that had little or no spices, my friend continued to grouse (to me) about how spicy her little fish tacos were. When she was told that they do not serve any decaf coffees (huh? why not?!), she settled for lemonade. Finally, we split an enormous serving of flan, also based upon the waitress' recommendation. It was very good, but no better than any other I've ever eaten (and none is ever as good as the one served at La Golondrina, on Olvera Street). Our bill for what amounted to a very simple, but well-prepared Mexican meal came to $65, not including the tip. And we had not ordered any alcohol. My dinner was so good, I wish I could say I loved the place, but when I go out for a meal, the last thing I want to do is shout to be heard or, worse yet, be forced to listen to every other table's conversation, because THEY have to shout. I thought there was a movement afoot in L.A. to eliminate problematic noise levels in restaurants. Mercado needs to get on board and then let the public know they've done something, because here are two weekly diners who will never return. And about that decaf...!

Definitely an LA restaurant with the crazy high prices and trendy vibe. Appetizers are from $15 and entrees from $26 and up. Way up. Although, I must say the pork carnitas was incredibly excellent. Unbelievable, actually. The service staff was on. Felt very rushed to get our order in and turn the table over quickly. They forgot the tortillas, and when they did come, there was only 2! A bit chincy paying $30 and only give 2 tortillas. I hate that crap. Other issue is if you have more than 2 people, you sit at communal tables. Terrible seating options. But, I would go back because it was fun and the food was good. And great crowd with nice looking LA people.

I made reservations for a Sunday but it was really not needed. The restaurant was barely packed but expected. There's lots of seating by the window as well as inside with a fairly large bar. We started off with the margarita specials. One of them was a jalapeno infused one. Really good. They have a pretty extensive tequila list with some craft beers. For the appetizer, we got the Dip Duo, which came with guacamole, choriqueso, and fresh chips. The "fresh chips" definitely tasted packaged and not freshly made. I was hoping it was going to come out hot and oily. The guacamole was good and the choriqueso was excellent. It was warm with bits and pieces of chorizo. I wouldn't eaten that queso all day. I ordered the Carnitas for my entree. It's Chef Jose's slow-cooked natural pork, guacamole, chile de arbol salsa, and cauliflower with escabeche. The carnitas was SO GOOD!!! Very flavorful, fall of the bone delicious. They give you a huge chunk of it. Just get your fork, press it down, and it'll shred apart. The cauliflower on the plate was really random and I don't think it pairs with pork. This dish came with either corn or flour tortilla. My two biggest complaints about this dish was that it was lacking sides. Mexican combo plates traditionally comes with rice and beans, which you can easily make yourself a taco with but because this dish only came with guacamole and meat, it was lacking. My other complaint was that the tortilla wasn't homemade! It was definitely store bought. Very distasteful for a Mexican restaurant. As everyone mentioned, the flan is a must order. It was soooooo good! It's also a pretty big portion. Service was ehhh. Our server had a bit of an attitude but my friend liked her sassiness. Also, when she was picking up our finished plates, she said we ate like children after looking at the mess we made at the table. (it was just some rice and salsa that spilled). She started picking up all the rice with her bare hands. Also, we asked for some spicy salsa, which she brought and never mentioned it was going to cost extra. Little courtesy? Overall, the food was excellent but knocking a star for service and for the packaged tortillas. I think I'm being more than generous because it really should be more or a 3 or 3.5 star review.

Their happy hour is until 7pm on a weekday I went and granted it was small, it's always nice seeing a smaller number next to the dish you're ordering. There were a plethora of good options to choose from, but my family chose to share everything. The guacamole you order was fresh avocado, so you can still the chunks and it was delicious, what also stole the show was their chili hot sauce! Their tamales were good and it's a limited supply so order up! Their enchiladas were also tasty. My favorite was their chicken, it was so flavorful and the meat wasn't dry... Even the breast!! It was topped on mashed potato and corn. Try it. We made reservations for 5 on the same day and it was easy to get.

We came here based on the reviews, and this place did not let us down. Starting with the guacamole, which was amazing. I had a good specialty cocktail. It looked to be a decent bar scene. Seafood items were another highlight. Fresh, flavorful, well presented. There were a fair number of vegetarian options. The meal was not inexpensive, but we felt that we got our money's worth. Glad to visit LA and get some high quality Mexican food.

After an incredible grapefruit marguarita, we had the best guacamole! could have foregone the main meal for more of the same, but had the scallops and they were divine! Great atmosphere and good service. I would highly recommend this Mexican!

We visit this restaurant last Saturday and definetly we will return. The Margaritas were good and the food excellent. You need reservations because is very popular.

Love to sit at the bar and have guacamole, chips and one of the delicious margarita options. Sometimes that's enough, but the dinners are good too.

I was here on Saturday night with friends for a dinner, and overall thought this place was good. We shared the fresh guacamole to start and I thought it was excellent. Later had the carnitas option for my main, which was good. I liked the corn tortillas that came with them. Very delicious. Had a great watermelon margarita type thing to drink. Would recommend if in the neighborhood.

This bar/restaurant is a great place to meet friends for a chilled out afternoon. The cocktails are great, a selection of margaritas plus beers. The space itself is really light and airy during the day but I bet it gets buzzing in the evening

Went to this place because it was recommended by Lonely planet, and it was just as great as they said. very delicious, I had some kind of enchillada, and you could really taste that the vegetables that came with it was fresh and not from a can.

Really good Mexican and very reasonably priced! The Guacamole is delicious and also try their corn/butter/chilli dish! We are way too much but it was worth it :)

From the friendly welcome to the incredible food, what is not to love? The decor was to my taste as were the drinks. A fun place to come to alone or meet friends! Thanks a million!

Went with a friend for a quick bite. Had a hibiscus margarita, chips and guacamole, carnitas tamales. All were fabulous but the tamales were amazing! So flavorful! I live over an hour away and am seeking reasons to visit the area again so I can eat those tamales once more!

We happened upon this place based on proximity and good reviews. It did not disappoint. This restaurant is a bit higher end so the price point is more than I'm used to paying for tacos, but they were well worth it. If you go during happy hour the prices are a bit lower. I had a margarita, guacamole and Dos Gringas tacos. They were honestly the best tacos I have ever had.

We had great seating that was open to the outside which was perfect! The chips, salsa and guacamole were some of the beat we have had! The roasted vegetables were spectacular. The tacos were fresh and super spicy. My youngest wasn’t able to eat them. She loved the enchiladas. The carnitas with cauliflower rice and beans was one of the beat meals we had in LA. The staff was friendly and service was great.

Ritas on happy hour are pretty tasty. They have many kinds of tequila for your tastebuds as well. Also, the happy hour nachos are killer and the mashed potatoes are superb.

We ordered some margaritas which were awesome. This was my first time having a shaken rather than blended one. I'm hooked. We ordered some guac and that has GOT to be the best guac I have ever had hands down. We loved it so much, we ordered another. For dinner I had the slow cooked pork and that was also to die for. Must go, awesome food.

So many superb Mexican restaurants in LA; this one is hot right now. Make reservations. Great vibe and service. I ordered carnitas, and the pork was a little dry, but my daughter who lives here and eats at Mercado often says that was unusual. The guacamole/cheese dip starter was really nice. Margs are good but expensive. Look for special flavors nightly.

My daughter and I ate here last night and it was outstanding. The guac was perfect, we split the roast chicken with mushroom sauce and small plate of beef tacos with margaritas. I would be hard pressed to find anything wrong with the place! The food was fantastic and the service was very attentive. We did sit at the bar. I'd love to go back!

Lots of noise. We wanted to avoid it and go in the calmer adjacent room that was occupied by a family (and then other customers) and almost empty but we were denied this for an unclear reason. More importantly we were disappointed by the food. I had the pork that was ok but unevenly cooked. The enchilada was not tasty at all. Exceptions: the margaritas and the guacamole both remarkable. Service Ok.

Everything about Mercado is fabulous - the food is amazing, the service is letter-perfect and the restaurant itself id gorgeous. It's a great place for a casual date night and has a very cool vibe. It's hard to be impressed by Mexican food in LA, as they city sets a high bar, but this place does an amazing job. A great variety and some unique takes on standard fare. Also, the staff is just lovely.

Reserved a table at Mercado via Open Table for dinner. This restaurant was very busy and this was a Sunday night. Service was quick, and efficient. The food was very good. For me, personally, it was a little too spicy but that is really an individual thing and I would not hold that against them. Mint lemonade to drink to counter the spicy food. Dessert was a bread pudding with raisins and chocolate ice cream.

I’ve been here many times but this last time was Awful service. Basically ignored all night. Wanted to order more drinks and the waiters would just walk by us. Food is okay, not great. They don’t know what ceviche is. It was just Tuna sashimi. This place is a hard pass

its a nice place, and nice food. I think food is overpriced and the place is over packed. we had to move our table every 5 minutes to allow people sitting next to our table to be able to walk by. We had to remember our waitress three times to bring the drinks we ordered.

Excellent drinks: grapefruit margarita, mojitos. Large and delicious guacamole. Main courses excellent too: carnita and chicken enchiladas. It was noisy/loud but in a fun way (unless you were there to catch up with someone).

Went to Mercado for happy hour with friends for the first and probably last time. Food was good, drinks were good but over priced and was very disappointed to find out that since we had a table of 8, we were NOT entitled to 'happy hour' prices. Makes no sense. If we had been a table of 6 we would have gotten the happy hour prices. Also were told that we could only have the table for 2 hours then we had to give it up. In 40+ years of visiting restaurants this was the first time I'd ever heard that. The employees were not very friendly either. Sorry can't recommend this place.

Although we live in the area we went to Mercado for the first time this past weekend. While this restaurant is listed under the “Mexican”, do not get it confused with Tex-Mex. The food is more what you will find on the southern coast of Mexico, fresh bursting with fresh flavors. We will be back many times.

Food food food, yes good food and the long lines are worth it. Went on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed and pleasant. Parking attendants to move everyone along and guide you in. Food everywhere and just like a Tijuana marketplace lots of everything from clothes to cookware and jewelry. My one tip is take the food downstairs if your not drinking, it is cheaper and some look better. The third floor serves beer and malt margaritas, but the food is slightly overpriced, maybe to pay for the entertainment which is excellent. This is a fun food and family afternoon. The lines for the smoothies and other goodies are long, but they move fast and are so worth it. It's a nice way to see East Los Angeles. From the third floor deck you can see the Pino from movies like Blood In Blood Out and La Bamba, The Richie Valens Story. I recommend this.

Had dinner at Mercado. The guacamole is really good and so id the food in general. Great mid-range mexican restaurant.

Went in with family. My daughter hates Mexican so so was finishing up her last 3 bites of a salad she bought from Mean Greens. We were told by manager (I guess) that she couldn't finish it. She only had 2 or 3 small bites, so we left. Very rude.

After a night at the movies, we decide to head to this restaurant since I pass by almost every day but never have the time to explore it. The place is very chic, modern and beautiful. The food was good although don't expect the huge portions that you may find on a more traditional Mexican restaurant. Don't miss the mint lemonade, it taste like a mojito without the alcohol, it is really good. Unfortunately the place is very noisy and it is hard to get a conversation in a normal level. Overall, the experience was good and the food very tasty. I may have to go back and give the place another chance but I'll make sure I'll do it at a different time of the day.

Simply a great spot to go and have contemporary Mexican cuisine. I have been several times with family; and none of us have ever been disappointed in what we ordered. The only downside - just too much food to eat...particularly if you start with the delicious guacamole and chips. Only difficult is finding your way to the valet parking spot during rush hour traffic on 3rd Street.

We landed here never hearing anything about this place but craving Mexican food, and what a find! The atmosphere is great - modern, clean, open space, not too large, lots of wood, cozy....a lot of energy, people talking, laughing, waiters running around, young adult crowd....we didn't have a rerservation but got the last table available. The drinks are fantastic, the menu creative. My chicken mole was buttery soft. Check it out.

This is a modern looking restaurant that also looks like a good cocktail bar. Our seating was informal. The welcome had that typical Californian warmth. I will not ever get bored of it! The Ambience is great. The menu is modern Mexican and there are some specials on the blackboard. I was pushed into having the 16oz Rib-Eye steak, whilst everyone else had scallops, fish and other lighter dishes. It was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and delicious. Of course I could not finish it, but everyone on the table helped me. I was very impressed by this restaurant. For casual dining, I will return.

We have eaten at three Mercado locations in LA. Most recently, at the one near Universal City. We were there for happy hour, and had guacamole (excellent), margaritas, tamales, fabulous scallops, and tacos.

Can't be fair to rate this restaurant due to our jet lag. However, despite everyone being tired, the food was great. The service was terrific. Nice spot to visit for an upscale Mexican cuisine.

Went to Mercado for happy hour with some former co-workers and turned out to be Not so happy hour. We were seated and told flat out that we needed to leave by 8.00pm so they could use the table. In all my years going to restaurants I have NEVER heard that line before. The food and drinks were good but way over priced as per usual in LA, the service was all right but the employees were very unfriendly. On my way to the restroom I smiled at two employees and was just glared at like I had no business being there. At 8.00 the waitress was there with the check then stood there while we figured out payment. She came back and stood there until we left. I don't plan on returning to Mercado.

I came for Mexican food, but the food was just amazing and full of flavor. The guacamole as superb and the steaks ( I had a rib-eye to die for) were incredibly flavorful. Leave room for the churro ice cream if it on the menu! If the waiter recommends the blood orange margarita or anything, listen to him!

Mercado of Santa Monica recently opened a restaurant in the Fairfax area, just a block or 2 from the Grove/Farmer's Market. The quality and selection of the food and drinks is a cut (or 2 or 3) above most of the Mexican food in the area. While the number of entrees on the menu is only about 8 or so, they are all very creative and made with high quality ingredients. I recommend listening carefully to the specials, as I had a terrific sea bass special that was prepared perfectly. The special drink list is great and their tequila offerings are extensive. All in all, a terrific dinner.

Went there this past Monday and it was packed! The carnitas are amazing and so are the fish tacos. The jalapeno margaritas are really good. Great guacamole too!

Having chomped our way around the US for 24 days and experienced some notable highs and lows, opinion amongst the family was that this meal was the best of the lot because the quality was so high and the price for what we had was so reasonable. The fish of the day @ $27 was a steal. I look forward to encountering the same standard elsewhere but I think that I will be looking for some time. It was simply sensational in the way that the flavours combined to make a very memorable dish. Highly recommended and it will be on the list to return to next time round.

This restaurant is located on Fairfax just North of Olympic Blvd. in the Little Ethiopia district of Los Angeles. The restaurant makes you feel as though you're in Ethiopia from the minute you walk in. Delicious, authentic food at a good price. What more can be said?

The food is superb. We try to eat at Mercado very often. Consistent quality. Excellent drinks. Professional and friendly service. We will definitely come back again. Highly recommended!!!

Wonderful food and drinks at Mercado! Visited during happy hour and the food is the best Mexican food! Amazing!

My wife and I met another couple here for dinner, having liked one of their affiliated restaurants downtown. The food was excellent, the cocktails delicious, and the service attentive. The place is very hip and young, somewhat noisy, so we took a table in the back (the restaurant is quite large) and traded darkness for the ability to talk. Prices are reasonable, for a hip LA restaurant.

I arrived at this open air dining venue around 5:30 and found plenty of open seating. By 7:00, the place was pretty full, though it looked like there was still more seating available at the high tables. We split an order of carnitas between us and found it to be tender and flavorful, nicely-prepared, a bit on the sweet side. The staff was very friendly and attentive. In the bustle it could be a little difficult to carry on a conversation without raising one's voice but a positive experience overall.

Really cozy atmosphere, great service, tasty drinks but most importantly delicious food. We were there on happy hour so it was reasonabely priced as well. Their guacamale is to die for. Highly recommend you check this place out!

Based on reviews and crowds of people going into this restaurant we had high hopes. We came in towards end of happy hour and the front room was so noisy we asked for a booth on the other side, forsaking the Happy Hour menu for the regular one. Some dishes better than others we tried but in general portions were small, food tasted more trendy than authentic. Drinks expensive. I won't be returning.

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Los Angles. There is a great vibe in Mercado and the food and cocktails are amazing. Try the Margarita with Altos tequila!

Had a really good happy hour meal here, with inexpensive and good (as in could taste the alcohol and not too sweet or sour) margaritas and a bunch of apps, including guacamole (not very spicy, but chunky and real), shrimp tacos (excellent, ordered it 2x), and a few other dishes. Good ambiance, good food. Service good, not great, but place was very busy with families, couples and friends. Nice atmosphere. Definitely worth a revisit.

very nice atmosphere with friendly LA service. Big menu with well prepared slightly upscale versions of traditional and modern takes on the standards. The special margaritas were expensive and a bit "light" and I thought it odd that salsa and tortilla chips were a la carte and not complimentary, but all the food was satisfying and delicious. A bit pricy, but not over the top. Make a reservation if you are going, it's very popular.

I ate at the Mercado in the San Fernando Valley so I decided to try the other location near me. This place is noisy but the food is really good. We started with guacamole and chips which was delicious. Then I had the carne asada. It is very good and flavorful. The meat was tender and juicy. The only thing is the only real sides on the plate is corn and the spicest few vegetables I have ever eaten. So that is my biggest complaint a little drab if you aren't into corn. My friend had the scallops which he enjoyed very much. It is not cheap. So if you are on a tight travel budget maybe not your place. But I would definitely eat here again.

Entering in this place you can immediately feel the spark atmosphere and feel comfortable of the good service. I order scallops as main course and I was literally amazed, cut fine vegetables in micro cube made as thin omelette. On top some giant scallops with a bit of Rosmarin, precious combination! Margaritas drink the best I had in LA. To improve the parking sign.

Mercado was delightful. Delicious food, adequate service, and great location. We're picky, and we'd repeat.

We had a super meal here which was recommended by our concierge. It was the best Mexican we have had - food so fresh which the freshest ingredients. Cocktails also excellent.

Loved the food here. The guacamole was delicious with the warm, crunchy chips. My daughter had a watermelon/cucumber margarita. I was very good. I loved the chicken mole enchiladas. Drinks were pricey, but food prices were more moderate.

First of all, they opened up the side of the restaurant and it feels more open, brighter and just nicer. It's a higher end Mexican joint and the food was actually really good. The guacamole was spiced right, the grilled fish tacos very tasty and clean and the veggie dish good as well. The little small booths are just small enough to get close to someone you like. The waiter came around waaaay too much -- trying to turn tables. I feel like there is a time to be a little intune and not just think about the $ sign. You might actually make more in the end. Will be back here for sure.

What a hot spot!! And those Margaritas...not to forget about the corn and the kale salad or the lobster tacos...AND the guacamole...excellent service and atmosphere....don't miss it!!

I'm ashamed to admit that I learned of this restaurant from celebrity sighting posts on People magazine and an episode of Keeping up With the Kardashians. Be that as it may I also learned that the Kardashians are good at one thing (besides inter-racial, independent art films) and that's picking high end Mexican restaurants to dine at because this place was good! Located close to the Grove shopping mall, the restaurant is in a good area and the open air windowsill makes it a good spot to dine and enjoy tequila cocktails while people watching. The tequila selection is rather impressive and while the food is more high scale Mexican, the pricing is quite affordable and the atmosphere is hip yet casual. We went for dinner but the restaurant offers an awesome Happy Hour Menu from 5-7 with $3 beers and $6 appetizers as well as a Sunday brunch. The food is served tapas style but the portion sizes are quite large. The 'Dos Gringas' which are spit-roasted pork tacos are phenomenal as are the Rajas Poblanos. It was a special the night we were there and not on the regular menu but the Ahi Tuna Tostada was also incredible. The tuna was incredibly fresh and some of the best I ever tasted. There was another mixed seafood tostada available on their menu but that was the only item we ordered that didn't particularly stand out. My only complaint was the service though it was not bad enough to deter me from ever returning. When we first walked in, we asked the hostess if we could be seated next to the windowsill but she told us those tables had been reserved. By the time we were finished up our meal, only one of those tables had been seated and it was a couple seated at a table built for five. I wouldn't say that the staff is rude but more that they just don't seem to care. The food and drinks did however come out rather quickly and after reminding the server he forgot one of the dishes we ordered, he was quick to retrieve it.

When one enters it's a pretty hip looking restaurant - not that traditional SW adobe look. Think white walls, restoration hardware type fixtures with Edison bulbs and hardwood floors. Our servers were professional and efficient. They were helpful but did not recommend their favorites until prompted (I prefer a server w expertise) I ordered a Corona and my daughter a Pinot. We were both happy. We ordered Chios and their sauces - nice. Additionally we ordered a plate of black beans which we scooped up with the chips - excellent. My daughter ordered the COLIFLOR CON ESCABECHE with roasted cauliflower and pickled vegetables - an excellent choice. We ordered two orders of the JICAMA SHRIMP TACOS -crispy shrimp, mexican slaw, chile de arbol aioli, jicama tortilla. It started as one order but the dish so good (and small - 1 shrimp per taco) we ordered a second. That was it. My daughter is a vegetarian so she concentrated on the cauliflower and she ate one of the shrimp tacos. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. We will return. :) Valet Parking a little slow. Ice cream shop next door - amazing.

I've been to Mercado on 3rd twice now, and the food has been excellent both times. Small plates, delicious food, and great service combined to make our night out a good one. The food is varied and quite delicious, the carnitas soft and tasty, the guacamole is chunky and the sauce is spicy, but not too bad, and the margaritas delicious. Nice place to go with friends. CM

This restaurant surprised me. I was expecting your typical Mexican restaurant. They kind of turn that model into something really interesting. Everything from the chips and salsa, to the margaritas with jalapeños, this place is very authentic. The carnitas are very good. Also their jalapeños by themselves are really interesting. Servers are fast and thorough. I would recommend this test to anyone looking for a fun time in LA.

Always arrange brunch with friends/family when I return for a visit a few times a year. Food and drinks never disappoint. If anything they set the bar high. House made flan is a must, as is guacamole. Location, atmosphere, and overall vibe are great.

I have been here for dinner before but happy hour is what keeps me returning. From 5-7pm Monday though Friday, you can enjoy discounted margaritas, select drinks and small bites. The guacamole is a generous serving and I especially like the pine nuts sprinkled on top, it gives it just enough added texture. The tamalas are always a good choice, but I the second most popular item, the dos gringos are an absolute must try. The food is very flavorful, not too salty and the drinks are always refreshing. Mercado never underestimates the importance of feeling like you are receiving quality.

Took 3 friends last night and everyone had wonderful time. Great atmosphere (a tad loud for intimate conversations though). Waiter was very friendly and provided excellent recommendations. I had the large plate carnitas as recommended by waiter- FANTASTIC. Probably one of best ever had. Also, FYI "small plates" are not so small and should be shared by up to 4 hungry people.

Quick visit to LA, we were tipped to Mercado by the desk clerk at the Hotel Wilshire who said it was a staff obsession. Since we were walking to the Farmers Market anyway, it was a no-brainer. Right across the street. As others have noted, the guac and chips, which comes with a smoky salsa on the side, is AMAZING. The guac was the best we've ever had (and we've had a lot). The chips were house made and still warm. Even if you just do drinks with chips/guac, you will be so glad you stopped here. Also loved the shrimp tacos. Great, friendly service too...must go back.

Visited Mercado which is next to the wonderful Farmers Market in LA. Great service, v nice restaurant and amazing food! Don't miss their amazing desserts, yummy.

I'm not a pork eater...in fact, I usually avoid it. But the carnidas were fantastic. I highly recommend it and the guacamole and tortilla chips. Definitely a place to go to when visiting LA.

Modern spin on Mexican favorites yields very good results. Guacamole is chunky and fresh (albeit with too salty chips). Elote is delicious and so are soft tacos. Chicken enchiladas are heavy on the meat and low on the cheese, just like I like 'em, though they could pull back on the extensive use of mole sauce. Fast and friendly service in a bright main room with communal seating. Great job!

Really amazing Mexican food. So unique and flavorful. Best guacamole and Dos Gringas – spit-roasted pastor, oaxaca cheese, red onions, cilantro, Yxta salsa brava, avocado salsa, flour tortillas. Yum.

The food here is amazing! I've never tasted anything like their kale salad. There tamales are delicious, so is their steak, chicken, and fish dishes. The staff is very friendly and efficient. I stop by to eat here every time I'm in L.A.

We (my family and I: I'm French living in Italy and my family is living in Switzerland and in Los Angeles) went to Mercado restaurant the day before New Year' Eve. First of all the welcoming was very warm with a large smile, then our waiter Christian was so nice and helpful. The food (specially Guacamole and ceviche for us) was excellent with fresh ingredients and every dish was very tasty. At the end the manager, Josh, came to talk with us at our table and explain what they want to do with this restaurant and how they are making their dishes. That, in a very nice way. Then he offered us some tacos that we didn't ordered, just for tasting. We had a so wonderful dinner in Mercado, and we recommend it strongly. As I said before we have a large spectrum of tastes and everyone was satisfied. Bravo!