Los Moles — Restaurant in Emeryville

We came here because of the reviews and it looked like a nice place. We regret that decision. At first, it was great; the place smelled fantastic and we were starving. We opted to sit outside which I guess was our second mistake (choosing Los Moles was the first). The person who seated us was friendly but then we sat there with no water and absolutely no service for 17 minutes (I had to check Google's timeline because I wasn't initially timing the service but it became ridiculously long.)

At one point, I went inside to look for service and noticed people who had arrived after us had already ordered, so clearly it wasn't that they were too busy. I made contact with all three servers and they all literally turned their backs and continued as if they didn't see me. My husband eventually got someone to come over. She acted as if it was a burden that she was helping us (this is important later) and took our order for our appetizer and food.

Our appetizer came out literally 1 minute later although we did have to remind her to bring part of it. We also got our water minus extra water (unlike the couple seated much later after us outside who got a pitcher). Less than a minute after our appetizer came out, our main food was served. The food was strangely tasteless with a side of frozen. Nothing tasted freshly made even the tacos. It was bizarre in how tasteless all of the food was. We did eat most of it because neither of us had eaten all day and were famished but it was definitely not because it tasted good and we're paying a lot for it.

After we were served our meals, the waitress never came back. We were sitting there for 19 minutes before my husband decided to go inside to pay. I honestly wanted to dine and dash and we joked that they wouldn't even notice but we're not that kind of people, no matter how bad things are. This is where it gets fun! We both walk inside and suddenly the waitress is all smiles and friendly, asking if that was all (after 20 minutes of no service lol) and asked how we liked the food which we were honest about (and usually I lie even if it's bad because I don't like hurting people's feelings but this felt like they needed to know because I've seriously never had this bad of food and service combined. We felt especially played by the instant change in her demeanour once it was time to pay.

We didn't have the mole so maybe it's good but we will no doubt, never be back to try it. I HIGHLY recommend steering clear of here; there are plenty of much better places with good service and delicious food. We're sad we wasted our time, money, and taste buds on this place.

Added Later Now we have indigestion/heart burn which is incredibly rare for me. Also, I never would have left this review if the service has been good. There are many places we've eaten at and had poor food but the service always made up for it. Today, this was not the case. Good service always makes...

decent. good mole sauces. when i walked in i thought i smelled the distinctive odor of dead rats but maybe it was just the neighborhood. the food was tasty, horchata was good (hard to mess that up) it is an authentic type of cuisine which may take some people used to other local fare by surprise. the salsas are very complex but not overly spicy. i tried mixing several of them together and it was good.

this place is within a far walking distance of work, so it was worth it to come here and walk back? yes it was. it was good. my tummy left the place happy and didn't suffer any post-meal stuff in the men's room afterward so.. that says something.. erm, anyway, yeh. decent. good menu.

so thumbs up, 3 stars. if it was really really good and prices a bit better (for what you get, its fine, but ... mmm... could be either better food or lower prices, not sure which, its not bad, it's good, really, its just not really super duper grande good.. from the name and decor you end up thinking they maybe have better chefs in rotation and have truly awesome stuff if you go at the right time. granted i went in the middle of a weekday so they probably didn't do their best.)

ok, i'll shut up now..

parting words.. kind of weird how you order though. you come up to the counter and order, then you go sit down and they bring it to your table, i mean, why not just have a waiter do that? ..shrug.. it is tastefully decorated in that Mexican hallucination sort of style. they also have a tequila bar off to the side so you can inebriate yourself pretty well with shots if...

Los Moles in Emeryville is easily one of the best dining experiences in the Bay Area. I have been coming here for years, and every visit reminds me why I love it. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff is consistently friendly and attentive, and the food and drinks are second to none.

The regular menu is outstanding, with tender meats, handmade tortillas, and traditional dishes that always impress. The moles are the heart of the restaurant, each one rich, layered, and unique. Mole poblano balances spice and sweetness, mole negro is smoky and deep, and mole verde is fresh and vibrant. Every bite carries history and tradition, and you can taste the care in every recipe.

The weekend buffet is a highlight, offering a chance to sample multiple moles side by side along with pozole, menudo, meats, salads, rice, beans, and desserts. It feels more like a celebration of Mexican cuisine than just a meal. Add in café de olla at the end and it is an experience worth savoring.

The drinks are strong and flavorful, from crisp margaritas to creative mezcal and tequila cocktails that pair perfectly with the food. Combined with the welcoming atmosphere and excellent service, Los Moles delivers every time.

This is more than a restaurant, it is a celebration of Mexican culture, flavor, and community. Los Moles never disappoints, and it remains one of my favorite places to eat in...