- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Lolita's South of the Border Cantina
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1326 Davie StVancouver, BC V6E 1N6
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 696-9996
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for Lolita's South of the Border Cantina
Review Highlights
"...the two of us we tried plantain chips which were delicious..."
(in 4 reviews)
"The turkey tostada appy was phenomenal."
(in 4 reviews)
"As usual the beef taquitos, ceviche and tacos were..."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
52 reviews in English
-
Review from Billy C.
1/12/2012
Visiting Vancouver:
I'm out here for work and brought my partner along for the visit
I had a great experience and I love the food. I had the Chips and Salsa, Gauc, and Chili Relleno. My partner had the Gacho Streak.
The chips are addictive and the food was amazing. I wish we could of stayed for desert!
I wish we had one of these in America! -
Review from Lori C.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011
Lolita's gives you a classy take on Mexican food. This is NOT the place that throws Mexican slop on a plate along with some rice and beans. Given it is more upscale than your typical Mexican restaurant, be aware the prices reflect that too. You can preview the menu and prices on their website. Their food was absolutely delicious! I had a chili relleno which I loved.
We went for dinner on a Friday night. It was crowded, and we were squeezed into a table for two. It didn't feel much like a table for two, as we were so close to the tables next to us. Given it was so crowded, there was also a lot of noise. I found it difficult to hear my husband over the background noise of other tables chatting. Now every time we walk past Lolita's I say "We should go back there some time, but maybe on a Tuesday night when it's not crowded". -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Throw the authentic Mexican food (aka cheapo taqueria) out the window, turn up the jams, serve it with sassy style service and wash it down with a legit margarita. Hola, Lolita's, where have you been all my life?
Late night snacks (their kitchen is open until 1:30am) included plantain chips served up with smokey salsas and crema. Think thin, crisp slices, spiced and salted. An incredible pairing to the margaritas on the the rocks. Yes, the prices are higher than your average Mexican joint, but that's why it's imperative that you think of Lolita's as another Vancouver establishment. It's not Mexican, it's just a local restaurant, with the regular local prices.
Here's a price breakdown:
$9 for the plantains
$12 beef taquitas
$8.25 margarita
Besides, no matter how rainy the Vancouver night, it's kinda hard not to get swept away into a vacation attitude at Lolita's. It's a humid Mexican evening, you're sipping on tequila, sitting on an outdoor bar's swing and possibly doing some Cha Cha Slide!
10/30: 30 Day challenge -
Review from Andrew M.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2012
Awesome food and vibe. Bartenders always on their game.
-
Review from John W.
Vancouver, BC
12/25/2011
Good atmosphere with satisfactory food.
Had a hibiscus-something-or-other iced tea, which was way too strong for my taste (like it had a dollop of children's cough syrup in it). Otherwise, the prawn tacos were awesome--battered fried with great condiments that contrasted very well in both flavour and texture.
We also shared a quinoa fritter taco (special of the day), which tasted like a bland falafel--not so good after taking a bite of the awesome prawn taco. That said, the prawn taco at Chronic Tacos is also great, but a lot cheaper.
Dessert was a special chocolate cake (not on the regular menu) with a side of whipped cream (with some sort of liquor in it) that absolutely killed. That dessert should be on the regular menu; they'd have lineups down the street.
Don't know if I'd race down there again, but service was friendly and the dessert kicked the evening into heaven. -
Review from John F.
Vancouver, BC
1/22/2012
Lolitas is a great little spot full of locals, foodies and industry folks. We were seated up at the front and the food and service was spot on. We all just returned from Mexico and went there to recapture our trip and trade photos and stories. Delicious guacamole and unreal beef taquitos that are worth the trip alone. We dined on enchiladas, duo's of tacos, chill relinos, all delicious and served on time and together. We were never lacking drinks or even a water top up. Great "beachy" atmosphere and always happening.
The ONLY thing was we were a party of 6 and required 3 bills. This was not something their 'system" was capable of doing. But lickity split, the waitress produced three separate bills for us. She had, however, added an 18% gratuity to each of our bills. This was, apparently, the restaurants policy for separate checks. I can understand if we were party of ten or more, but not for 6. We are all industry foodies and would have taken good care of our server. Three bills for six people is not that much of a curve ball, nor does it require an auto-grat. Left a very bad taste in our mouths for an already wonderful evening.
Are you reading this Lolita? NOT A GREAT POLICY! -
Review from Colene C.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sure, it's bit pricey but Lolita's has great ambiance, tasty food, and fruity drinks. If you're lucky, score a spot at the high top long table up front. It's right by the window and you're afforded a bit more space than sitting sardine style at the other tables. Choose between the sangria (red or white) or mojito and you're all set to pretend you're on Island time.
As for food, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you're really hungry, the tacos are tasty and a very generous portion. My go-to dishes are the Emanada de pollo (the fruit accent is amazing with the smoked chicken) or Ceviche Habenero. -
Review from Erin U.
10/21/2011
they make a mean drink and have specials. The food is excellent and the ambiance is perfect for late night dinner or drinks. Best to go with one or 2 people, not room for more than 4 at most tables and the entire place is very small, but good small and cozy like. Jen in the kitchen is one solid chef and had a drink with her after her shift, great place and great staff! Go Jenkat and the bartenders!!!!! p.s hope you like tequila!
-
Review from Geralyn Y.
6/3/2011
Lolita's makes a mean drink. I've had the sangria, paraiso, and mango magarita. Drinks the way I like my men, sweet: but strong. This is the best thing about lolita's.
The food, which consists mainly of sustainable and organic produce, is good but not as great as the majority of the reviews in my opinion. I got the Pollo Empanizado: Two plaintain chips sitting atop mashed potatoes with thick pieces of bacon. The bacon mashed potatoes was the best part of the meal! Also ordered bread pudding to go- the bottom was chocolately and syrupy, which also means awesome. If you've got room, then go for it. May wait a while in general for what you order, but I only saw one cook there doing her thing so at least you know you're getting something that's fresh and the real deal.
I returned again for drinks on another night, it was pretty lively, although I hear it gets pretty crazy some nights. It's got it's perks.Listed in: Nightlife.
-
Review from Teresa M.
5/11/2011
I like this restaurant! They think outside the box a little bit in terms of Mexican cuisine but it's good. We had the vegetarian enchiladas and a turkey mole tostada. Yum! Very importantly, our drinks (we had the mojito and the margarita) were good too... not just sugary sweet, they had a good kick without being too strong. Our waitress was attentive.
I agree with the $$ rating. But, for a cute place with a nice atmostphere it's worth it. Get here early since customers will linger here. This is probably not the best place for big groups. If you drive a couple blocks off of Davie there is free parking to be had. Great for a date! I would bump this up to 5 stars if it were a little less pricey. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
2/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place gets big points in my books for service, authenticity and taste, but loses some for price. I found it a bit overpriced for the (generally laid-back) neighbourhood and compared to other Mexican restaurants in town, although part of my annoyance was assuaged by the quality of the food and drinks.
For drinks, I tried the Paraiso (litchi-li & vodka with guava and white cranberry juice), as well as the Del Monte (strawberry and pineapple plus vodka with passion & guava nectar). The latter especially had lots of real fruit in it and was absolutely refreshing and delicious. Too bad you had to make sure not to consume it too quickly for financial and hangover-related reasons. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the girlie cocktails.
For dinner, I shared the house-made tortilla chips with guacamole and bean dip (awesome) with my fellow diners. I also tried the turkey tostada which consisted of turkey tenderloin cooked in pinenut apricot mole, black beans and corn layered between house-made corn tacos. The tostada was amazing. The mole sauce was one of the tastiest things I've had in a while and the dish (which was, overall, huge) came with a very generous portion of perfectly cooked turkey.
Our server was also very friendly and knowledgeable, although it did take a bit of effort to get her attention sometimes. The atmosphere is very interesting as well; although the food and drink are Mexican-themed, I think they are going for a more club/lounge vibe later at night by playing house music.
Definitely worth the trek down Davie but not for a night out on a budget. -
Review from Christof T.
Vancouver, BC
9/20/2011
Had a delicious dinner last Friday at Lolita's. As usual the beef taquitos, ceviche and tacos were perfection. However I did have an issue with the service. We ordered 1 chicken taco and 1 fish taco for our main but when it arrived it was veggie instead if fish. I immediately caught the server to remedy the mistake but when I told her she completely contradicted me and said I had in fact ordered veggie because she distinctly remembered me saying veggie as she was a vegetarian. I responded by saying vegetarian is not in my vocabulary and to please bring us the fish which she finally did. To top it off when the bill came she charged me for the fish taco even though we didn't touch the veggie ones. It definitely left a very bad taste in my mouth.
-
Review from Cait j.
Vancouver, BC
5/16/2011
This small, dark, noisy and delicious spot is one of my favourites, for those reasons and more. Lolita's boasts a great menu with a killer bar and service staff to back it up. They know it too, and I am fine with that because they keep chill and stay friendly even when the place is packed.
I like this spot for late-night drinks and food. The atmosphere is perfect for a few of each those things, and is regularly laced with industry lurkers because of this.
So its a bit expensive, but the ingredients are fresh and consistent, and the portions will fill you. Plus, you'll have a good time. -
Review from Nam N.
Vancouver, BC
1/15/2011
Came by this place with a bunch of friends for a birthday party group of 6, they don't take reservations but we got lucky enough to get the biggest table there. Tried out a Margarita and it was pretty good, but only had 1 as I don't like too much sour drinks in one night. I opted for a Caeser which was really good.
We had a couple appies while waiting for everyone to show up. The guacamole dip was excellent and we also liked the tacos. Lots of taste and the ingredients were really fresh. The menu isn't very large here so our table had a bit of everything for dinner. I ended up getting the ribs, which I know isn't very Mexican but damn it was delicious. Very juicy and came with a side of awesome macaroni & cheese, I love that stuff. The food did take quite a while to come out but the place seems to only have a couple chefs.
Great atmosphere here, I think its cool place to hang out at for drinks if you feel like lounging it. It gets real busy though but its a good crowd.
SERVICE: Very good service, not super friendly, just quick and efficient.
PRICE: You could probably spend about $40 per person for dinner and drinks, so about same anywhere you go downtown.
SUGGEST: I'd check it out if you're in the Davie area, but wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for it. The food was good but nothing outstanding. Nice place to drop in though. -
Review from Irena L.
9/14/2011 4 Check-ins Here
So after walking up and down and up and down on Davie (because I was 'sure', that Lolita's is in between Jervis and Bute, I finally gave up and followed the map (thanks god for GPS; and then they say that men don't ask for directions).
We got in around 10.30pm and it was quite busy. I liked the cozy atmosphere, and as my partner in crime noticed - the tables are so close that if we get hungry before our food arrives we can just eat off of our neighbor's plate.
I tried Del Monte cocktail which was really nice. Not sugary, but filled with fresh fruit, can it be? Oh yes it can!
Between the two of us we tried plantain chips which were delicious, especially that spicy aioli dip; and ceviche which was so crisp and fresh! Great to keep the summery taste alive now that the rain is upon us!
I am yet to come back here and try some meat and desserts.
The food, the drinks and the company I had that night, made it a lot of fun:)
I'm pretty sure I'll be back -
Review from Zee K.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2011
Finally tried this place last night - four of us wandered in around 7:30pm. The restaurant was busy, but they found us room at the high table by the window - we had to share the table with some other patrons, but it really wasn't a big deal at all.
We had the guacamole and chips, the trio of salsas, and plantain chips to start. The guacamole was good, but comes with beans as well, and for the nearly ten dollars they charge for it, the portion should definitely be larger. The plantain chips were crisper than I am used to, but still quite tasty.
Our main meals were where this place really shone. I had the tortilla soup, which was quite tasty, my other two friends had the tacos - fish and vegetable ("SO good!") and the Pollo Empanizada, which was unreal. My brother had the Enchiladas Verduras, which were mind blowing.
So, 4/4 on the mains. Service was good, not incredible, but good, during a busy time, and other servers would periodically check in with us as well. When I first saw the prices on the menu, I was a bit taken aback, but reading that they use as many organic/free range ingredients as possible, and after tasting the food, the only thing I thought was overpriced was the guacamole.
Overall, I would actually give this place 4.5 out of 5 stars. We didn't have dessert or any beverages, so I can't comment on those.
We will definitely be back. -
Review from Rebecca C.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 9/15/2011
I just can't with this place. Still love the food, location etc. but the service has just tanked - went back a couple of months ago and had THE most attrocious experience from the bartender - I wish I could remember her name - for some reason she took an instant dislike to me and was rude, unwilling to acknowledge when I required service (although my friends were treated normally) and quite frankly an absolute horror. I had brought my girlfriend who had never been before and she was excited to check it out and was so appalled by this women's terrible attitude that she will never be back and I don't think I will either. Bizarre, uncalled for, I'm done.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/7/2011
If I were to give stars on the turkey tostada alone I would happily rated at least four. Its just… Read more »
-
-
Review from Doug G.
8/5/2010
Not every Mexican restaurant is a "Mexican" restaurant.
Lolitas is a great restaurant, but it's definitely Can-Mex food. It's pricey, the food is excellent, but if you are looking for authentic, I'd look elsewhere.
We last dined here on May 5. Cinco de Mayo is a cause for celebration for Mexicans - a holiday remembering how the Mexican army defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, so imagine our disappointment to discover that the owners didn't even know what cinco de mayo was, let alone didn't have any specials to celebrate the occasion.
I enjoyed my meal at Lolitas. Great service, vibrant atmosphere. Reasonable prices. But I stop short of calling it Mexican. -
Review from Eric B.
Vancouver, BC
7/24/2010 ROTD 12/16/2010
I've been to Lolitas last year and always had planned to write a review but never did. I had to go back again to finally get to write one, and it's well deserved.
The place has a warm feeling to it, like a cozy South American restaurant. The lighting is pretty dark but not too much. The service is good and relaxed; the girls are nice, tattooed, and friendly.
The margaritas are what they call "hand made". Me and my friend ordered the lime margarita, but only took one each (probably a record in my case) as I had plans that involved walking, talking and not stumble around. One of my South American friend always told me that what he likes in a margarita, is the bitterness, your mouth burning with sourness. I got that. And I liked it. I am a margarita enthusiast as I make my own, and I can say that those are pretty damn good ones.
For the food we had the Enchilada Verduras and the Lolita's tacos (pulled achiote chicken with salsa verde & crema AND ground beef & chorizo with pomegranate demi-glaze). This comes with a salad and rice. The portions are not that big but since the food is fresh and heavy (beans :)), you get full pretty fast. The food came and two tacos were placed under the chicken and two under the beef. The problem with that is I tend to eat slow and by the time we got to the taco on top, it started to be a little wet. Note to self: Eat the taco on top first !
All in all this was a great experience. The restaurant looks good and comfortable, I would go for a date or for a drink with friends. It's definitely a cool place to hang out. A little pricey, but worth it. -
Review from Yunn A.
11/29/2010
Just dined here last night in a group of 5. The food was tasty, some interesting flavors and great presentation. Our server was efficient, though not friendly - just there. I enjoyed their margarita VERY much. I would have given them 4 stars, but instead of giving us three 2 tops for us to sit at, they turned the tables sideways and crammed 5 of us on the 2 small tables, which was quite uncomfortable, and someone had to sit in 'the crack.' That alone sort of dampened the comfort of our experience that night.
Anyhow, it's a decent restaurant to try if you are looking for a modern twist to Mexican food. One of my friends had recommended this and said it was on his top 5 in Vancouver. It didn't make mine. -
Review from Alexander Bromley Clark D.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2010
I fiiiiinally dined at the West End's Lolita's this past week, after several years of hearing good things about it and seeing it as I have walked/run along Davie, en route to Stanley Park. My family tried Lolita's older, brash cousin - Me & Julio - last year and I have discovered that I feel the same way about both of Jaison and Lila Gaylie's establishments.
Vancouver doesn't "get" Cal-Mex, let alone authentic Mexican cuisine. The appeal of West Coast Mexican food is its bold flavours, value, and satisfying simplicity. From Whale's Vagina (San Diego) to Blaine, every US city worth its salchicha offers an array of cheap and kickass Mexican restaurants. But nooooo...all you can get upon entering hoighty-toighty, chi-chi Vancouver is designer desayuna and yuppified yerbabuena. Yes, Lolita's has stellar cocktails and beautifully-plated entrees. Yes, Me & Julio's specials are super creative and will start a party in your mouth hole. But this is beside the point because Vancouver needs some Mexican restaurants that are somewhere between a taqueria and a boutique eatery such as Lolita's.
My foodie pal and I ordered the Plantanos con Creama, the Turkey Tostada, and the Brisket Taquitos. To reiterate, the food created under the Gaylies is always punchy and pretty, so I cannot state that I did not enjoy my meal. I'm just getting sick of enjoying these types of $16 dishes, when what I would really prefer is a $5 tamale or $7 birria like I have had in countless Mexican cantinas and restaurants south of the border. I would definitely go back to Lolita's for a cocktail and those delectable plantains, but I'd probably eat somewhere else along Davie.
One final, snarky thought: would you naturally *want* to dine at a restaurant owned by a guy who spells his name "Jaison"? It's like wanting to listen to the music of a singer-songwriter named KT ("Katie") Tunstall, or wanting to read a book by an author named Poppy Z. Brite. I should trust my gut more often, before I fill it. -
Review from Anthony F.
Vancouver, BC
6/13/2010
Background: I've been to Mexico 3 times in the last 2 years. It's near and dear to my heart. The kitchen here is open late and my friend intro'd me here at 1am yesterday night.
Food: Girly cocktails hit the spot including a lychee-guava-something-something I ordered yesterday that was killer. It comes with an umbrella so you can look pretty. Mixed ceviche comes in an appetizing mound on a bed of guac and a blue tortilla chip. My that sounds sensual. It's delicious but the meat was a bit too cooked by the citrus. Crab cakes were just the right texture and had all sorts of fun veggies mixed into it. It came with a nicely complementing ensalada with a bright vinaigrette.
Ambiance: The latin beats are funky as hell and numerous people were interrupting their nosh session to funk it out. I love this place. It's great for dates.
Service: Good although a bit ADD. Lacked the personalized touch.
Pricepoint: $20-30 per person to eat and drink here. Coming just for drinks is a realistically good option.
Overall: This place is new-age Mexican cuisine, has a sensual kitsch atmosphere, and truly deserves a regular spot in anyone's weekend nightlife. -
Review from Louise L.
Vancouver, BC
7/17/2010
Buzzing atmosphere, delicious mojitos and a creative Mexican menu - you can't go wrong at Lolita's.
This popular little haunt means I've generally waited for a table, but you can easily order a drink at the bar and peruse the menu for the short while. The decor offers a Mexican rustic seaside feel which translates beautifully in both summer and winter. The location is small so be prepared to get cosy with your neighbour.
I think food taste better when stolen off someone else's plate, so Lolita's is perfect for sharing dishes. I can't go past the slow roasted smoked beef taquitos or the soft halibut tacos. Mojitos are delicious.
Lolita's is a wonderful option for a date or dinner with friends. It's hard to find a restaurant that guarantees you a great atmosphere every time, so this is a must for your next evening out. -
Review from kath r.
At my stepdad's request: Mexican, I took him here for his 60th birthday. And it was perfect.
Yes, it's not authentic Mexican but it's damn good fusion and the drinks pack a punch. Heck, even my mum who's not a liquor drinker got into the margaritas!
The music's loud (too loud to really converse) but that helps with the party party atmosphere and once you imbibe in a couple of cocktails you too will be turning up the volume.
The place was packed when we got there for a 9pm dinner and so we had to wait until a table cleared out, this was fine except there really isn't anywhere to wait and have a drink in the meantime - the bar was completely full. They don't take reso's so if you're going to want to eat at a table and not wait then i would suggest showing up on the earlier side of the dinner rush.
Service was fine, a little short-staffed considering how full the place was. But all in all, I'll definitely be back again. -
Review from Ema J.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2010
This place is fun, tasty and the beverages are spot on.
It's not cheap, as you will likely have more than one drink and eat way too much, but everything is tasty and with a buzzing, tight ambiance it's easy to spend a few hours.
Not great for big groups but perfect for 2-4 (4 max) as it's close seating and usually quite busy. I wouldn't call the food Mexican, more Mexican-inspired but extremely good with bold flavours and reasonable portions. -
Review from Dave B.
Campbell River, BC
2/1/2010
My rating is 2 stars lower than I would've rated it 2 years ago simply because they stopped serving brunch. Lolita's was my favorite brunch location -- they had amazing french toast and DE-licious coffee -- but probably were a victim of their own success because they were constantly packed Saturday and Sundary br-oon, and seemed to have staffing issues.
Food:
BUT, their evening dishes are great as well. I wouldn't call it Mexican cuisine as it's much much better than that and way more unique, but it's in the similar style, wherein you can get re-fried beans and pulled meats, etc. They've got a number of funky Caribbean drinks (Mojito!), and it's a pretty funky place to hang out (if you can get in).
Service:
Again, I think they have staffing issues (i.e. not enough), so you may have to wait a while to be seated/served. But the staff are pleasant and funky -- gotta love the tattoos on the ladies ;)
Environment:
It's a bit small for me, but the decoration is unique (all their decor is hand-made, including the tables), and it is cozy.
I'm hoping you read this Lolita's so you bring back your amazing brunches!! -
Review from Brandi P.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2011
One of my favorites! I knew I was going to love this place the moment I saw it. I highly recommend the fish tacos. Great food, great atmosphere, great service and great overall value for your money.
-
Review from T P.
Vancouver, BC
11/5/2010
Lolita is a great restaurant, great service and this place is fun!
Their food is amazing, but it isn't good for big groups. -
Review from Christie S.
Vancouver, BC
12/31/2009
Lolita's is a very tiny, cozy Mexican restaurant in the West End. It's popular with locals and therefore almost always crowded. The loud music, close quarters and surrounding conversations tend to make it unsuitable for long intimate conversations, but it's a great casual place to stop by for a drink and an appetizer.
The food is pretty good and reasonably priced. Service is quick but informal, and the poor waitresses are constantly bumping into everything due to the lack of space. I recommend sitting at the bar if you are over 5'9" - you'll have a bit more elbow room. Don't overdress, it gets pretty warm in here! -
Review from Jenna H.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2009
A charming wee Mexican fusion bistro! The food my friend and I split was incredibly tasty and very unlike other Mexican food I have tried in Vancouver. We shared an appetizer and main course and the portions were so big we were absolutely stuffed after.
It is very cramped and crowded so instead of waiting an hour to get a table we sat at the bar which was great because we could order multiple cocktails during our gossip fest! I am always a fan of easy access ;)
I think Lolita's would be a great place to go with a group because then you could order lots of different dishes and share everything. What was coming out of that kitchen looked divine and I wish I could have tried it all.
Ole!Listed in: take your taste buds on a trip…
-
Review from Chris M.
2/5/2009
Come for the mexican....get lots of pickled cabbage...it is on everything they serve
I had heard really good things about Lolita's so I decided to try it. I live in Chicago but am in Vancouver weekly for work so I have high expectations for my mexican.
I went with a buddy and we shared a few things...guacamole, beef taquitos, the two tacos (steak and chicken) and the queso fresco.
The guacamole was topped with pickled cabbage and was a guacamole with a bean dip on the bottom, it was ok. The chips tasted like cool ranch tortilla chips but we got a refill on the chips and they clearly make their own.
The queso fresco was good. They had a few salsas on the side that really made this dish. The tacos were topped with pickled cabbage but this gave the tacos a great taste. Keep the pickled cabbage here! The beef taquitos were nothing special.
All in all, probably the best mexican in Vancouver, the food has a good taste and the margaritas go down easy. It is a small little restaurant so you may have to wait some time for a table but it is worth it. -
Review from Emmo S.
Vancouver, BC
9/4/2009
The Setting: Thursday Evening, 7p.m.
The Group: Friends (8)
The Restaurant: Busy, but no line-up, approx. 5 mins to get a table
This is my first (and likely last) visit to this "Mexican" restaurant. The wait staff are knowledgable about their menu and to be fair are professional, but entirely unfriendly. Secondly they needed to be constantly tapped on the shoulder for requests such as more drinks, water, napkins, etc. - each time they were rather annoyed about anyone doing that, but after waiting a while you do what you have to do to get service, right?
The drinks? Mediocre. We tried a variety of the specialty drinks, the "sangria" was satisfactory ($8.25!!) but not particularly authentic and more "berry" than citrus. The "loco limonada" was spicy hot but the flavour was entirely lacking. The "margs" were essentially tequila, juice, and ice cubes - no shaking, no salt anywhere... I don't know what the idea was but entirely underwhelming. Stick to beers, which are also overpriced (domestic is 6.75 a bottle!!)
On to the food... which was all over the map. Our group had plantain, guacamole, and an assortment of salsas. The chips were seasoned but heavily greasy and likely refried, the salsas were adequate but uninspiring and the guac was completely flavourless. The salsa and chips, which are brought in small ramekin-sized dishes was barely enough for two people, and a tiny basket of tortilla chips for over 7 bucks....zero value here. The mains were reasonably portioned and flavourful but with strange food combinations such as pickled cabbage or beets. You'll need the hot sauce if you like spicy, nothing is overly challenging here, and as a side note, the hot sauce is from louisianna.
Overall, the restaurant was expensive, underwhelming and I left feeling taken advantage of. There is far better mexican food in Vancouver to be had, but if you wish to be had, then this is your joint. Finally on another side note, the "chef" is noted at the top of the menu - and you can't get more "authentic" about mexican than Shelome Barrouille....good grief. -
Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
2/12/2010
The best thing Lolita's has going for it is the atmosphere. This place is always buzzing and you really feel like having a drink or two while you are here. With a Polynesian inspired decor it feels somewhat like a tiki bar.
The food is what you might call modern Latin, I am trying to avoid using the word fusion. The owner and chef once worked at Bin 941 and you can see a resemblance between the two although Lolita's is more casual affair. The food is excellent and full of fresh clean flavours, nothing feels heavy or greasy at all. A great effort at moving Mexican flavours into restaurant quality dishes.
Why people rave about the drinks here is beyond me though. They were ok but not balanced well at all. Way too sweet in general and no real effort to work with the flavours of the liquor. I am sure a lot of girls will love the sweet taste and pretty colours but for anyone serious about good cocktails, stick to the beer or perhaps a tequila straight up.
Overall well worth a visit and definitely one of the top places on Davie St.Listed in: Davie Street
-
Review from Stacey E.
8/15/2008
Funky Mexican fusion cuisine you have never imagined possible. It is possible, it's at Lolita's. Everything I have tasted on their menu was memorable. Their fish tacos are so legendary I find myself trying time over time to replicate this dish at home thus far with little success.
This is a really busy joint that becomes a loud bar scene in the evenings at which point service can be a bit touch and go. Arrive early and beat the bar-stars to the punch. -
Review from Lincoln P.
Vancouver, BC
5/14/2011
Cramped space and the service was just ok but the food was quite good. The turkey tostada appy was phenomenal.
-
Review from vanessa G.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lolita usted es el amor de mi vida y yo comeré con usted por siempre jamás. When this place opened up and the word on the street got out that it was delicious, i began coming here weekly. Then i left the neighbourhood and haven't been back in quite some time. The flavours, the service, the great menu options. Ok i am going back soon. I just needed to write this review to remind me how good you actually are.
-
Review from Claudia L.
Burnaby, BC
12/7/2008
Newschool Mexican in a cozy bumpin' atmosphere, me likee :)
Great place to catch up with friends and knock back a couple (maybe more :P) mojitos.
Food: Only been there once but I was impressed by the dishes balance in textures.
i.Heart: Soft shell crab (man I'm a sucker for soft shell crab) with tamales. Chocolate espresso rubbed steak with chipotle mashed potatoes (this was on special).
Service & Atmosphere: Intimate, cozy and jungle feverish. -
Review from Gersham M.
Vancouver, BC
7/15/2009
Cool & dark mexican inspired restaurant on Davie.
Went here with a friend and I had the tacos and the cheese dip appetizer thingy. Both were decent however the tortillas with the cheese dip were raw and awkward and the tacos had this very sweet cabbage over them that dominated the flavors. Nicely spiced otherwise. The food isn't quite what you'd get from other mexican restaurants in town which could be good or bad. Personally I prefer a place like Don Guacamoles, the food is considerably less pretentious.
Stylish interior however the seats are all next to each other making a private dinner somewhat difficult. Portions are large but the dishes are relatively expensive for what the place offers. Service was quite disinterested from a group of women who seemed like they weren't terribly excited by being there.
Much better options available for the style of food in this city. -
Review from Pookie B.
Vancouver, BC
7/11/2011
The set-up here took me back to one particular restaurant I visited in East Village, NYC this year. Small, dark, but the service and food more than made up for the lack of finesse with the interior deco. But, in all honesty, I really enjoyed the vibe here. Took my boyfriend here for his birthday this past weekend. We had the guacamole and plantains as a starter. Everyone in the table ordered tacos except for myself. I had the gaucho steak. Best steak I've had in Vancouver. I asked for rare and it was beautiful. The servings were big. We were stuffed and fully satisfied in the end. My only complaint was with the mash potatoes - didn't need the cheese. All in all, great value, great food, great service.
-
Review from Sheila W.
BC
12/1/2008
I have a lot of respect for a place that takes such care to make my cocktail not only delicious, but memorable. When you order your mojito (or other sinful selection) you can watch as the staff behind the bar muddle your mint and squeeze fresh limes.
The cheese fondue was tasty, but I would only recommend it if you're spitting between more than two people. It's so heavy because they give you a generous amount of cheese. The four tortilla shells will not be enough. I got hooked on Tortilla Soup while I was in Oaxaca so I was excited to try it here. Tortilla soup was never the same twice in Mexico and this is another different take on the recipe that I enjoyed.
It's a lively spot on already-fun Davie Street and worth the wait to eat there.
