Mariachis and good Mexican food?

[Mandy]

My 3 yr old loves mariachis, quesadillas, and chicken tacos with a side of rice. And I love a good margarita. Anyplace (preferably in the SFV) at which I can find all these things?

[ashleytrailrunner]

El Cholo, in Pasadena, may be too much of a drive for you, but the mariachi music is great - call in advance to confirm, but they usually have mariachi music during dinner hours Fridays & Saturdays.

http://www.elcholopasadena.com/

[mattesq]

Has the El Cholo in Pasadena improved? I went years ago when it first opened and it was just plain awful. And this is from someone who likes El Cholo (the one on Western)

[WildSwede]

Still awful.

[mattesq]

I figured. El Cholo did not expand well. Every iteration got progressively worse.

[pharmnerd]

Went to the Pasadena El Cholo once & vowed never to return. Even the chips & salsa sucked. Depending on what end of the valley you live in. definitely not worth the drive from SFV IMO. If way on the East side, might be good enough for quesadillas and chicken tacos for a 3 yo though.

[afs]

There's only one place in LA with true, real Mariachis not a 3 person trio strumming guitars either.
La Fonda on Wilshire has been around for ever, foods good, great margs and reservations are based on seatings for a dinner and the show. Great place for groups, birthdays out of towners etc.
Great place for family and kids too

[WildSwede]

I went there YEARS ago with some college friends who got extra credit for going and listening to the mariachis. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I do not remember a whole lot about the evening!

[Eat_Nopal]

Oh god its certainly not the only place in LA with a real Mariachi band... but Los Camperos de Nati Cano ARE THE best Mariachi in the L.A. area... and generally considered one of the Top 5 in the world. The food sucks but the music is wonderful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AszHvfKdGtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zxq9iqzWaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1RWewM74T8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CQEGg...

[WildSwede]

Well if you want a good maggie and mariachis (the food is good too), I would go to La Fiesta Grande in Pasadena. However, the mariachis can get loud (sit in the back room next to the bar, avoid the front room). Be sure to call them to make sure they will be there.

[annagranfors]

I suspect, since you specify SFV preference, that El Mercado in East LA might be a little too "autentica" for you, but there is nothing like the experience of being on the top floor (3) there and having the customary two or three mariachis playing simultaneously, with the glorious cacophony filling the atrium. and the food/drink is awfully good, too.

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El Mercado De Los Angeles
3425 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90063

[snooze button]

I don't think the food is all that, but for the mariachi music and the atmosphere, not a bad spot.