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La Casita
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
101 Cordova St WVancouver, BC V6B 1E1
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 646-2444
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
Wed-Thu 11:30 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
54 reviews for La Casita
Review Highlights
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"Love the salsa and nachos too." In 3 reviews -
"...tried the beef chimichanga and chorizo quesadilla combo (17." In 2 reviews -
"The burrito was wonderful and all the food was cheap and..." In 6 reviews
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Marissa D.
5/9/2012
I was in Vancouver for a convention and was looking for a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I found a place that was highly rated on Yelp and not far from our hotel, but as it turned out they were carry-out only. Rather than bring the food back to our hotel room, my colleagues and I decided to find another option. Luckily for us, there was a head shop across the street. We went in and asked the "associate" behind the counter for a recommendation. He was extremely friendly and helpful and gave us the names of two places. I wish I could remember the name of the head shop so that I could write a positive review for them too, but I'm thinking that most people looking for smoke shops probably aren't reading Yelp!
So off we headed to La Casita. There was a line outside, but they managed to seat our party of four immediately. It had a fun ambiance with pinatas, lucha libra masks and a mariachi band. The waitress was so helpful and accommodating. We ended up ordering the ceviche as an appetizer and then I had the flautas as an entree. Both were amazing. In fact, my mouth is salivating just thinking about the food.
If I were to take away any stars from this review it would be for one of the following two things:
1. Margaritas were pretty weak. I had almost a full pitcher and did not feel anything.
2. Mariachi did not play Cielito Lindo. -
Review from Puja G.
5/20/2012
The food here is phenomenal. The flautas I ordered were perfectly crisp, and everything was vey flavorful. The black bean soup is amazing, and very unique... I'm not sure if there were any beans in it, but it was a bowl of deliciousness.
The service here is terrible. If you need to grab a bite in a hurry, don't bother coming here, -
Review from Leon C.
Vancouver, BC
5/7/2012
Last Friday was my first time at La Casita and my experience was fairly good. The place was filled with energy, music and laughter - an excellent place to spend Friday night for two. Although the menu was a bit confusing, the waitress was helpful in explaining. The available options for each meal make it easier for us to order the right amount of food. Overall, the service was good and the food was nice. However, I do want to mention that the space is quite "elbow-to-elbow" which is a nice date night location but probably not the most ideal place to meet your future in-laws. I also noticed the dark and awkward dinning space right by the stairs going down. Fortunately, we were not asked to sit there because I would feel extremely awkward to dine in a cold dungeon.
3.5 is my rating.
Your friendly neighborhood,
The Merchant of Truth -
Review from Florence C.
Vancouver, BC
4/29/2012
I like La Casita very much, it's close to my workplace and it's great Mexican food. Their green salsa is one of the best, I have it with everything, from chips to enchilada plate.
And oh, their brunch is the BEST.. I'm already drooling thinking of their huevos rancheros.. highly recommend it. -
Review from Hoa B.
Vancouver, BC
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here for lunch and was well greeted by the 2 waitresses by the bar. I chose to sat at the bar, because I was eating alone.
The menu selection was interesting and they seemed to have daily specials, which I always love. I decided to have their Baja Tacos because it cames with a soup.
The chips that came were good, but the dip was better. A nice colorful blend of the tomato based dip on bottom and the avocado based on on top. Very nice. I would try to get the tomato sometimes, but would accidentally get some of the avocado so I would get a nice surprise kick of sweatness from the lime juice. mmmmm
The Baja Taco (deep fried fish taco) and tortilla soup was a good compliment to each other. The taco was slightly dressed but it was simple for the most part because it complimented well with the tortilla soup which was more zesty and flavorful. A very nicely balanced meal. The salad was also fresh and lightly seasoned as to not take away from the main entree.
I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and highly recommend it. -
Review from Susan L.
Vancouver, BC
5/4/2012
Were there on March 17th - yep, St. Patrick's Day - and there was a hockey game to boot. Crazy busy! But we enjoyed the place. Food was good, service was good and the atmosphere was fun. I think there were only 2 servers on that night but they were really efficient, friendly and fun. Not necessarily real Mexican - but hey, for Vancouver, pretty good.
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Review from Leon F.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/11/2012
A few years after writing my first review, the owner offered a gift certificate for two to come back and visit. I took them up on the offer, so I have a conflict of interest.
We sat in the same place, which is still a bit awkward. It's a location right by the stairs going down and the chair sits on a slight ledge so it sorta feels like you may fall downhill. Also, a smell seemed to flow from downstairs, but I'm guessing that's just how it is in gastown with all the old buildings.
I ordered horchata to drink and it was good, I'm glad they offer it as some places don't. They also serve Mexican style hot chocolate. The salsa and guacamole were a bit odd and I'm not sure why, strange texture and appearance but tasted fine.
The menu is still a bit confusing so make sure to talk to your waitress. There still is several options for each meal. I'm starting to like these options now as it allows a couple to order just the right amount of food (we ordered rice and beans with only one of our entrees). I ordered the pork and pineapple tacos (al Pastor) and it was pretty filling and tasty. Overall, the service was pretty good and the food was nice, a good improvement over the last time I visited.
I'm borderline 4 stars on this review but I would give it 3.5 if I could.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2009
Strange smell, sticky table and average food. Also, weak salsa for chips and very confusing menu - 4… Read more »
Comment from Cat d. of La Casita 9/20/2011
Sorry to hear about the old us , since then ive gotten new… More » -
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Review from Mo F.
Vancouver, BC
2/24/2012
ALERT
ordered the guac.
asked if there was cream/milk in it (I am very allergic) she said yes... so I avoid it, no biggie.
5min later - she returns to the table and says that she double checked, and No there is no cream in it.
I eat about 2tbsp worth in the next 5-10 min.
waitress returns to inform me that YES there is sour cream in it, "sorry"
seriously?!?! they could have killed me. thankfully I didn't eat enough - only enough for my throat to close up a bit after throwing up for an hour and breaking out in hives.
VERY BAD!
I for one will NEVER go there again.
I have no problem avoiding things that I can't eat but to have the staff yank my chain about it and risk me being ill?!
please. -
Review from Chauncey B.
Vancouver, BC
2/25/2012
As everybody knows, the most important thing in an Ethnic restaurant is authenticity. So let's break down my last La Casita experience: the decor was mostly pinatas and Mexican beer signs. That was good. Menu-wise most of the ingredients had Mexican names, I think, but such as "soup" just said soup instead of el soup or whatever. Points off there. The staff seemed Mexican, on average, and though I wasn't quite convinced of the Mexicanness of our server specifically, my conversation with the manager calmed me down some. There was a luchador movie on the TV! A+! But then there was voodoo in it which is Haitian I think and I had to knock off a grade. I didn't come for fusion cuisine, I came for genuine Mexican flavours.
The food was good, but I've never been to Mexico so I'm going to leave that one alone.
Overall...tres? I don't know how to say four. -
Review from Chelsy W.
4/23/2012
Really good Mexican Surprising all the way in BC being from So Cal. Taco Tues. 2.50 a taco Service ok
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Review from Tony D.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
Food: 3 stars
Service: 1 star
The absurdly slow service at this place really kills it. The place was packed the night I went, and we were sitting down for 15 minutes without being served. We finally asked a waiter if anyone was going to help us, and then finally ordered.
The drinks came fast, but the food sure as hell didn't. We waited roughly 50 MINUTES for our fairly simple dishes to arrive. I know it was busy, but it's absurd to expect people to wait that long for food. We were offered chips and salsa to munch on, but the whole experience was hugely frustrating and almost ruined the entire night, since we got out of there so late. Our waitress was nice, and it wasn't her fault, so I felt kind of bad for her.
The small kitchen with 4 cooks is clearly not big enough to serve all the customers when the restaurant is full. That's a pretty big problem. If you can't keep up with the number of orders when your kitchen is fully staffed, then you really need to reduce the number of customers you have at one time. People like me would probably never go back. You're better off rejecting customers at the door than making them wait so long. -
Review from Jasmine O.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 10/9/2011
I'm here to update! The wife and I gave this spot a second chance last night with the hopes that it would gain itself another star or two from the last time I visited a year and half ago... Well done! It was awesome!!! It's hard to get a table in a Gastown restaurant at 8pm on a Friday night but La Casita had one left, just for us. We settled in to our snug table for two and perused the menu which had all sorts of yummy delights.
The service was fast and friendly, we had a fanastic time and the food was incredible. Try the Prawn Ceviche, get the big order and share it. Totally amazing.Listed in: Greatest Hits
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2010
Stopped in for a quick bite for energy needed for some dancing on Saturday night. I had a tascado… Read more »
Comment from Cat d. of La Casita 10/13/2011
Thanks for comming back you guys , hope to see you again. More » -
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Review from Michael A.
2/21/2012
Margarita, awesome! Atmosphere, awesome! Tacos, awesome! I'm saying go there.
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Review from Jena J.
Vancouver, BC
4/7/2012
the only thing cool about this place is the spiral staircase.. and the trippy 3d house off your right hand side going down the stairs.
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Review from Jim P.
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Of all the food we had to choose from we ended up here. We came to the neighborhood for a highly ranked burger joint across the street, but it smelled like a toilet so we walked out.
Unfortunately the food here wasn't much better, and the wait staff doesn't really seem to work well as a team.
The super nachos took a really long time to come out, and the cheese was barely melted on top, and it seemed like some bagged refrigerator cheese. Also, if we were served our free chips and salsa promptly, we would have probably never ordered this. For the main course, we ended up sharing the chimichangas, but you can't mix, one beef, and one chicken. (extra charge). We ended up settling on the chicken, but it again, had a "left over" smell and taste that just didn't scream "fresh" to me. Plus it took a long time.
Magarita's on the rocks were too sweet. I noticed some people ordering by the pitcher. Maybe a better deal.
Incessantly chatty patrons who literally didn't touch their meal the entire time, because they were too busy talking. Finally, the "wise guy" waitress just sealed it. On the way out, I whispered to a small group of Asian people, contemplating the menu..."don't go in there..", (I call that my livecast Yelp review). As they scampered away into the darkness, I thought to myself, "I wish someone had done that for me". -
Review from Emma K.
Vancouver, BC
8/30/2011
La Casita is in a beautiful location and it is always filled with people. The atmosphere is authentic and it is a cozy place to sit when there is a rain storm outside. The service is very fast and attentive and the waiters and staff were actually Mexican. It's easy to take for granted how rare that is.
The Mole, salsa and guacamole are top-tier. Very good quality and fresh ingredients. The burrito was wonderful and all the food was cheap and cheerful.
The crowd is usually young with a hipster bent. Whether you 'fit in' or not it is a delightfully unpretentious place. There have always been Mexican exchange students whenever I go there- proof of good Mexican food anyone?
If I could make a single change it would be to the hours, not the menu. They should stay open until 2 a.m! Nothing is better than salsa and Mexican rice after a long night! Especially when it's cheap! -
Review from Mary S.
Surrey, BC
7/15/2011
I've walked past this restaurant many times, and it's always busy. The last time I walked past it, I saw a woman drinking the largest Margarita I've ever seen - I knew I had to try this place!
One of those giant Margaritas will serve 3 (or one very thirsty person) and it will set you back 21 bucks. Their margaritas are amazing. I tasted the mango and strawberry ones and they were delicious.
I love that their menu offers combos. You can choose from a variety of dishes such as quesadillas, tacos, flautas, etc. All combos come with rice, beans and veggies. I really recommend the combos if you'd like to try more than one dish. We tried the Baja fish tacos ($13). I should note that we were surprised that the fish came deep fried. Don't get me wrong, the batter gave the fish a very satisfying crunch, but if you were looking for a healthier option on the menu, this dish is not for you.
We also tried the beef chimichanga and chorizo quesadilla combo (17). I loved the chimichanga. This crispy burrito came stuffed with well-seasoned meat, beans and cheese. The quesadilla was filled with spicy chorizo and melted cheese.
I loved the food, it was very good. The Margaritas were amazing. The only thing I was disappointed on was the dessert. We tried the flan ($4). I found the flan to be very runny and the caramel sauce very generic. I wouldn't recommend it. -
Review from Ashley B.
Vancouver, BC
11/22/2011
Shared a combination platter which had about everything on it for $22. Good value for two people (plenty of food).
1. Average Food
2. Salsa with the chips was excellent
3. Decent spices
4. Re fried beans looked like they came from a can
5. Presentation was nothing great
Overall, AVERAGE which is difficult considering how many good restaurants there is in the area. Would go back, 'maybe' because it was a good value. -
Review from Mark F.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
You don't always get great food in a tourist area. La Casita is no exception but what you do get is decent menu selections to satisfy your entire party, big drinks and friendly service. The food is only 2-3 stars.
Pia was a great server. Putting up with this table is always a challenge. The menu offered man choices but understanding it was confusing with entree only, big entree and entree with sides. I actually ordered the entree only, without side (less a few bucks) and was brought the full meal deal.
The fun comes with sharing a giant margarita. Not much alcohol but helps hydrate on your big night out.
The food was boring but order the prawns. A little spicy and good. I ordered 2 chicken/green enchiladas (which came with rice, beans) that again, were just ok.
If you're looking for great Mexican food, this is not it. If you want to kick back with friends, have a good time with decent food, come on in. The salsa's fine. -
Review from L K.
Burnaby, BC
8/11/2011 5 photos
I was taken here for a birthday dinner and really enjoyed it! The servers were very quick to help, the food was amazing and filling! Decently priced for what you get, and the quality of food.
The margarita for 3 was good, and made with real strawberries, but kind of icy and hard to drink. You can't blame them though, I have to imagine blending 3 times the margarita can make it difficult to get smooth. -
Review from Zach P.
Richmond, BC
3/14/2012
The service is friendly and the food is great. The tortilla soup is my favorite. Perfect amount of cheese...crispy tortilla strips and a nicely spicy, salty broth. Don't miss ordering this delicious soup!
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Review from Trish T.
Vancouver, BC
6/26/2011
We've passed by this place many times and promised ourselves we'd give it a try someday. And that someday happened today at dinnertime.
Service was okay. Food came out pretty fast, servers were nice enough, but we could tell they were there to do their jobs and nothing more.
Food was okay overall. The portions were generous, but the flavours were just okay. My husband and I shared the beef tostada and we both ordered the fish tacos. The tostada was okay, if a little salty. The tacos were just okay - I felt it could have used some more greens and tomatoes, and we were actually quite disappointed that the fish was battered. The food overall did not taste bad, but it could be better. The flavours just lacked any kind of complexity and umph.
The ambience was okay. Because it's on the edge of the DTES, there aren't too many wankers, so that in itself was good. It felt cozy on the main floor, but I do not know what the basement would be like, though.
Considering I used the word "okay" in my review 6 times, I think it would be fitting to give La Casita 3 stars. La Casita is OKAY - nothing more, nothing less. I did not feel ripped off, my tummy was full, and I felt satisfied. I may or may not come back, but I definitely won't be taking friends here I want to impress. -
Review from Rich B.
12/22/2010
Good honest mexican fare. I accidentally ended up with a meatless meal - the chiles rellenos and flauta combo - which was good if a little lacking in, well, meat. However, the flavours of salsas, rice and beans all made every mouthful fun and washed down with a Negra Modelo - what could be better.
Top marks, though, for the staff who were great fun and very game with our talkative sons! Also, the boys discovered a new drink - half iced tea, half lemonade. Nice. -
Review from Marjolyn U.
Vancouver, BC
9/22/2010 4 Check-ins Here
As long as La Casita keeps serving Potato/Onion Flautas, I will keep eating there. I am in love with these flautas and even the side dishes they serve.
I would never eat refried beans but La Casita makes a great sidedish of such that I always finish it! Love the salsa and nachos too!
They're churros dessert is delish.
I dont know what their other plates taste like because honestly, I only ever order the flautas. -
Review from Vanessa G.
3/16/2011
Fresh salsa and warm chips. Yes please. It's hard to find good mexican food, let alone decent vegetarian mexican food, but this place works it. There margarita's are almost authentic too!
I like the combo options so you can get a taste of a couple of things. Staff is always excellent as well. Great place to chill out before a hockey game, or W2 event. -
Review from Miranda L.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
La Casita serves the absolute best Mexican food in Vancouver.
Vancouverites have this bizarre affliction where they THINK all sorts of places have good Mexican, and it's mostly westernized crap. If you normally head south of the border for decent Mexican cuisine, travel south no more.
The service? Sometimes meh. It's sometimes hot, as well. Sometimes you can't get a seat. All of which - for me - doesn't matter, because the food is worth it.
Large portions, great food. Order a combo and add a margarita (you'll end up with half the combo for lunch tomorrow). The ceviche is delicious as well.
Prefer a different environment to eat your ultra tasty Mexican food? Give take-out a go, and enjoy it on your own terms!Listed in: Gastown Haunts for Everyday
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Review from Dee B.
3/6/2011
Mexican food in Vancouver is entirely disappointing. I haven't yet tried Calli on Davie, but so, far La Casita is the best I've had.
When I crave Mexican I want that orange rice and grey/purple refried beans with my fajitas arriving on a sizzling iron skillet. Vancouver just doesn't have that except at Las Margaritas and I just find Las Margaritas to be so cliche and not really that good.
What I really liked about La Casita is that I ordered the chicken fajitas (small) and I swear, they gave me 2 full chicken breasts worth of chicken. I liked the black beans and the creamy green salsa that comes with the chips (which were fresh and crispy I might add).
Would I got back? Meh. Not high on the priority list, but if I was in the area, starving and couldn't think of anywhere else to go, I would dine here again. -
Review from Liz B.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2010
Went on a miserable Friday, late afternoon, with the 2 big kids. More wait staff than customers, and a nice bunch they were too! Wait staff that is.
In a bit of a hurry, so passed on starters and went straight to the main course. I had the chicken tacos - all very tasty. Not as good as some of the stuff we've munched over the border, but very tasty all the same. The speed at which the youngest scarfed down his meal, suggested his was pretty good too.
Would go again with the 2 eldest kids, but would not venture there with the smallest one. -
Review from Gretchen C.
Vancouver, BC
9/14/2011 10 Check-ins Here
huge margarita fishbowls (like... HUGE), awesome mexican food (well, for canada at least).
also open pretty late, which is awesome, especially after a night of drinking.
enough said. -
Review from Roanna Z.
2/28/2010
Si señor ! Walked in and it felt like a party was going on inside! Very festive indeed.
We ordered the Ceviche and it came out quite quickly as did the beers.
We saw one of those MONDO Margarita's, and I thought: "holy shit it's in a FISH bowl!"
Two could easily share with a couple of straws (how romantic, like the two Dalmatians in the Disney movie.)
I ordered the Molé wings and black bean soup. Perfect! and pretty much sans gluten too :-)
Our meals did take a while to arrive, but it was SO worth it.
Others ordered the Chimichanga which is basically a deep fried burrito smothered in delicious Salsa, served with rice and yummy black beans. (-delicious!)
Also ordered was the Chicken Enchiladas and the Fajitas. Seems like everyone wanted that molé sauce. - Who wouldn't want a sauce made with Chocolate and Chillies?
YES, you read that right. There are many kinds of Mole too, (this I have only recently learned, to my delight!)
This meal was really good and the service was seriously excellent.
Muchas Gracious!Listed in: Gluten Free/ Dairy free eats.
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Review from Jason D.
Vancouver, BC
5/11/2010
Wasting Waitress
I've been here 3 or 4 times but today was the final straw. The waitress asked for our orders 15 seconds after sitting down and then again after another 15 seconds (I'm only slightly exaggerating). We hadn't looked at the menu so she left and didn't return for at least 15 minutes before taking our orders. Whether it was or wasn't, it certainly felt deliberate.
Once the food arrived, I ate about one-third of my plate (portions are huge) and when she came to take our plates, I mentioned that I would take the rest with me (I later confirmed this with my friend). After considerable time had elapsed and I was satisfied that this wasn't the waitress' "normal delay", I inquired about my food and it became apparent that she had thrown it out. Two full chicken quesadillas, binned. I hate wasting food (!!) and could see the waitress explaining her (warped?) rendition of events to the supervisor. To make sure I wasn't wearing the black hat in this fiction, I joined the conversation and explained that I had asked for it to be packaged up and would never waste that much food.
Anyway, the owner was visibly unimpressed with the waitress and offered to make me new food but given the amount of time wasted so far, I couldn't wait any longer. In fairness, the manager tried to make it up to me. But I've seen this waitress in action before and there's only more of the same. In fact, there are several places with better food and service within a block's radius.
And if you're the waitress who happens to be reading this, the tip is for the cooks.Comment from Cat d. of La Casita 9/20/2011
Hey, ya, i hate wasting food too ,im really sorry about the… More » -
Review from Megan S.
1/11/2009
I'm going with cuatro estrellas (four stars) despite having a mixed review, it's just that the strengths outweigh the negatives.
Location: It's not my favorite area of town, but it's a quick walk up Cambie, and then a block down Cordova. So really it's not out of the way from millions of other downtown haunts. Though at night La Casita and The Met are the only places open.
Atmosphere: Tacky. But you know in the way you've come to expect from an authentic Mexican place that's not in Mexico. This is two-thumbs up decor. Sombreros on the the tacky coral-colored walls. A stained glass Virgin Mary is hanging in the window. The music is authentic, and something I haven't been hearing in any of the other so-called Mexican places I've stopped in Vancouver. We got some mariachi & regeaton, classics like Guantanamera. We even had a Hispanic waiter! Some of the tables were a little too close.
Food: Chips and salsa to start, and they were free (as they should be!). The salsa was ok.... tasted like hot sauce more than like salsa. The chip bowl was a decent size. The enchiladas were good, and you very reasonably priced. The burrito was ginormous. Lots of leftovers. The menu says they have lime and strawberry margaritas, but the table near us got a huge pitcher of what appeared to be mango margaritas. That's worth investigating, it looked good! But in general, the food here is exciting- it tastes Mexican! Ultimately, it's worth coming back for, despite our other complaints.
Service: The waiter sat us right in front of the door, when there were other 2-person tables available. This became a problem, as it got very cold with the door opening. Unfortunately, we didn't realize it was a problem until the other tables were full. I got no water refill throughout the night, which was frustrating. Coke refills come at a cost.
Now here's my big complaint. At the end of the meal, my husband got a refill on his coke. First, we didn't realize there was a charge. Then when we got the bill, we didn't realize that each coke was $3. Everything we got was so reasonably priced, that this really stood out as a horrible scam. But the problem is that the 2nd coke had crap floating in it. Yuck. If you swirl it around slightly in the cup, you see 'stuff' collect on the sides of the glass. Super gross! So the second coke, costing us $3, sat untouched when we left the restaurant. Everything else makes up for this one problem- but I will say, don't drink anything before fully inspecting the glass! -
Review from Mimi H.
Vancouver, BC
4/20/2009
I'm a child of the Tex-Mex Mile (google it), so I think I can speak with some authority on Mexican food. I moved up from Austin a year ago and began an immedate and exhaustive search for good Mexican food. I was not encouraged by the word on the street. But a chef friend assured me that it did exist. He couldn't remember the name, calling it only "the good one". La Casita is the "good one".
First of all, it's a little divey and sufficiently tacky, as all good Mexican places should be. Cacti? check .Sombreros? check . The margs are pretty good...if they could make a Mexican martini, it would be better. The menu was good too...plenty of tried and true standards. We started off with "nachos". Pssttt, La Casita...those aren't nachos. It's "queso". Nachos are layered chips and various toppings. Queso is a big bowl of melted goodness. And although you're calling it by the wrong name, that's what you serve...queso goodness. Melted cheese that warms the cockles of my heart. My personal litmus test for all new Mexican restaurants is Enchiladas Verdes. If you can't get that right, you might as well hang up your poncho. But you didn't get it wrong, you got it pretty right.
So thanks, La Casita for making a Texas girl feel a little bit more at home. -
Review from Kimli W.
8/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Vancouver - and all of Canada for that matter - has no idea what real Mexican food tastes like.
That being said, La Casita is the closest we're likely to get any time soon. It's pretty darned tasty, and miles above the other Mexican places in town (the only exception being El Barrio, which is also great).
The service can range from decent to downright abysmal, but if you go in with an open mind and some patience, it'll pay off in deliciousness. -
Review from Wendy C.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2010
I love the location and concept. The delux natchos I just got were great, even if I'd like something a little more... How do I say, desireable as in 'green' perhaps?
The service could have been a lot better but I think it's cuz they were pissed at me cuz I wanted a table by the window , and it was for 3 and it's just me... But there were several bigger tables available, and I didn't want to sit in the drafty doorway. The waitress could have smiled a bit more...she looked pissed off and bored.
I'll still b back though. It's so kitchy and I've yet to sit in the 'closet corner'. I love the salsa.!Listed in: I like-A-Lot!
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Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was craving brunch Mexican-style after a great experience the previous weekend, so I suggested that we give La Casita a try. The atmosphere was very festive and our server was very helpful. (I see mixed comments about the service in other reviews but came on a Saturday afternoon got great, timely service).
My friend ordered the veggie quesadilla and said it was good but had a bit too much cheese for her. I had one of their brunch items; eggs scrambled with cheese and tortilla chips served with salad (topped with fresh avocado) and beans. A bit uncoventional (I'd never heard of tortilla chips in scrambled eggs) but tasty. Perfect for perhaps soaking up those glasses of wine from the previous evening... My only tiny complaint is that the salsa, while spicy, was not as good as I've had at other Mexican restaurants in the area. I'm surprised they haven't stepped up their game, salsa-wise, considering everything else seemed basically up to the standard of other Mexican places in Van.
I wouldn't exactly go out of my way to come here again but I would definitely give it another try if the opportunity arose. Olé!Listed in: Best Brunch
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Review from Krista V.
Vancouver, BC
6/12/2011
Pretty decent Mexican food for Vancouver. Services is friendly and the portions are generous. We went to pick up takeaway and three seperate staff members asked if they could help us in the span of a minute. Highly recommend.
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Review from Sabrina S.
Montréal, QC
2/3/2010
To be quite franc, I don't remember much of the night. It was my boyfriend's birthday and I told myself I woulnd't get drink, but if you give me a pitcher of lime margaritas. I will drink it. and so I did... and I ate very good food ( pork quesadillas) with homade tortillas and more Margaritas! oh my. From was the other party attendees were saying, the Tamarind margaritas were pretty rockin.
The decor is very cozy but it does get loud. I had no problems with the service because I spoke to the waiters in spanish and all was good.
anyways! enjoy it! -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
8/25/2008
Nestled away in a quiet corner of Gastown, La Casita is a great little find. Although now that a lounge has opened up across the street it may become more well known! With authentic Mexican offerings, you can be sure to give your taste buds a tingle!
The nachos here are fabulous; and the small intimate atmosphere makes it a very cozy place to dine. They have a lot of vegetarian options and if you're at a Mexican restaurant - you HAVE to order Sangria (just order a pitcher and you won't be disappointed!!). -
Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
9/11/2008 2 photos
Hidden way on the corner of Cordova and Abbott is La Casita, one of the best Mexican eateries in Vancouver. While the competition in this particular genre of cuisine isn't stiff, La Casita is delicious, affordable and authentic.
The menu offers some of Mexico's more well known corn-based dishes, most of which are of the fried variety: enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas and chimichangas--although the last is actually more Tex-Mex and thought to have originated in Arizona. Everything looked appetizing, making it difficult to settle on only a couple of dishes.
The salsa was nice and spicy, and came with an unlimited supply of nachos. Our chosen mains (mine was a mushroom chimichanga) both came with a side salad, some rice and beans. Thankfully, we thought to order some guacamole, which lent some freshness to what otherwise might have been a very heavy and rich meal.
Mexican cuisine varies so much from region to region so it would have been nice to see more from the states that border the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico, which tend to be more seafood oriented. Despite this, the food here was great and the staff hospitable and attentive.
