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Lolita's South of the Border Cantina
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1326 Davie StreetVancouver, 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
60 reviews for Lolita's South of the Border Cantina
Review Highlights
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"...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 3 reviews
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60 reviews in English
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Review from Thera M.
Richmond, BC
3/14/2012
I am stuffed! The beef and chorizo taco was the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. We had no problem getting a table, although it is a Monday. The guacamole and bean dip is not to be missed.
This is my first stop on the hunt for the best taco in Vancity and the bar has been set high. -
Review from Carmen C.
I used to think that Lolita's was the bees knees... but alas, things have changed. I've been there a few times and either:
a) the drinks were a bit stronger than I thought and perhaps left me with wine goggles/ wine brain
or
b) I was completely oblivious to the service.
Perhaps it was a bit of both, si?
I have a friend visiting form out of town and thought, 'Hey! Lolita's would be a GREAT place to take my guest!'
We arrived to the usual dark, loud and fairly cool (as in awesome) atmosphere.
We were pleasantly greeted by the blonde haired bartender and waited to be seated.
Our server must have been having a bad day because she was both grumpy and aloof.
She never refilled out waters (I had to ask twice), she didn't offer to get another boozy beverage for my guest when they had already finished their drink and never asked us how our meals were, or whether we had enjoyed them.
The meals were alright, but I think I'd rather same the extra $$$ you're going to spend at Lolita's and just go to La Taqueria. If it's taco's you want - go to La Taqueria. If it's the cool ambiance you're in the mood for - yeah, Lolita's is ok. But I'd stick to sitting at the bar where the bartenders are usually friendly. Skip the waitresses and skip the attitude.
P.S: Lolita's, while this isn't a complete break up, I'll definitely be reducing the number of times I visit your place. And by the way, it's not me, it's you :P -
Review from Reena M.
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've had this place in my Bookmarks for ages! Since I became Elite in 2009! It's a cute, small venue but the service is great. We got seated right away at the bar and our bartender was very friendly and on the ball with our drinks.
My friend an I had delicious 3-4 cocktails, I wasn't keeping count. We also shared an enchilada and the guacamole. The food was decent, but it was soooo expensive for what it was. I definitely experienced sticker shock here. But the food was good. Drinks were good. We had a good time. It was nice. -
Review from Stacey M.
Vancouver, BC
5/24/2012
My boyfriend and I used to come here often, but after our last visit we may try to find a new favorite place. We came in on a Monday where we were told it was cheap taco day for selected tacos on the menu. After looking through the menu and selecting the pulled pork taco, which was new since I had been there last, the waitress confirmed that I would be getting them for the special price.
I found the pork to be quite dry, not as good as my usual chicken tacos. When the waitress returned with the bill at the end of our meal, I noticed she had charged me full price for my tacos, when I asked she advised it was her mistake and they were actually only on special for brunch, not dinner. Needless to say, this wasn't a great experience and won't be returning anytime soon. -
Review from Jeremy D.
Vancouver, BC
2/29/2012
OVERHYPED! Rude service and tasteless food. I'd been there before for partying, and the salsa trio is great when you're loaded, but their entrées are overpriced, flavorless, mushy crap. The waitresses wouldn't care if we were choking to death. The too-cool-for-school atmosphere gets tired quickly as well.
DO NOT EAT DINNER AT LOLITA'S. It's OK for under-30 party animals, I suppose. -
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 Debbie S.
West End, Vancouver, BC
3/23/2012
The food is great, and the bartender was AMAZING! But seems to be a trend of leaving on terrible notes on my last two visits. The first time the server put an auto-gratuity on our party of four without telling us (hope she liked her 40% tip), and this last week, as we were leaving all super happy, the waitress pushed us out of her way. Not a polite "excuse me," but an actual shove. No she didn't! My friend's said she was having a bad day. That's not my problem, and also being a serve myself...I would never push anyone. Sorry I won't be coming back again.
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Review from Patrick L.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2012
I've been a fan of this restaurant for 4-5 years now and I would return every months or so for the same two dishes and bring all of my friends visiting from out of town there for great food. I last went a couple of weeks ago to enjoy my two favorite dishes they have on the menu: Caesar Salad and the shrimp tacos but to my surprise the shrimp tacos were no longer on the menu. It was explain to me that they have changed their menu to focus on local fish. Isn't there shrimps in Vancouver?!? I was very disappointed and ordered two of the fish tacos which were very underwhelming taste wise. Plus the tortillas were cold, dry and tasted "raw". It's a far cry compare to the amazing breaded shrimp tacos they used to have. Next was the Caesar salad which used to be in my opinion the best Caesar salad I had ever had. No joke. The "new" Caesar salad was nothing compare to that. There was too much dressing, the candied limes were inedible, and the toasted nuts were gone. The only good thing on the plate that remained were the cornbread croutons. Needless to say that I don't think I would go back based on my last experience and especially since I know they can/were doing so much better before. It's sad and I hope they get their xx together. In all honesty I never tried anything else on the menu and I'm sure it's not all bad. It's just disappointing when you love something so much and it's not the same anymore.
-
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 Danielle M.
3/18/2012
Another one of our go-to restaurants whenever we get up to Vancouver. Very good food, ambiance, drinks and service. Some of the food choices are better than others, but the bartenders will be very honest in their descriptions and recommendations so ask them for their thoughts.
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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 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 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 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.
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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 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 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!
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Review from Sanaz J.
Vancouver, BC
3/5/2012
If you have ever been south of the border, even to Bellingham you have probably experienced good TexMex cuisine. Having only been to Mexico a couple of times doen't make me an expert on Mexican food but I the ridiculously delicious Snapper and Basa dishes in Mazatlan have left a memorable memory on my taste buds. Anyways Mexican food in Vancouver has always disappointed me but a friend recommended that we give this place a try for a delicious umbrella cocktail. We were greeted warmly by the host and sat at the end of the restaurant on cozily on a table for three of us. You run elbow with neighbours as the space is small but has character. The ambience is fun and filled with locals and friendly faces. The ceiling is decorated with straw panels which is a reminder of happy sunny days. We started off the night of with Tijuana Tornado, a combination of Pineapple juice rum and ginger beer. The combination works great as I prefer my cocktails crisp and more on the sour side. My only complaint would be the small amount of alcohol as it didn't do much to elevate my mood! As for food we ordered a chicken and beef tacos which are cheap at $4 on the late night menu but lack to wow you. Again another disappointing experience with Mexican food in Vancouver
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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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 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 Irena L.
9/14/2011 5 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 Andrew M.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2012
Awesome food and vibe. Bartenders always on their game.
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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 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 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 »
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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 »
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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…
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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 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 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 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
