Los Compadres — Restaurant in Long Beach

I heard a lot of positive talk about Los Padres, so decided to give it a try. Based on the Yelp reviews and positive buzz, I was expecting it to be good, and it was--but what really pushed it over the time was the Happy Hour menu.

I don't expect a lot from Happy Hour menus. At best, I figure I'm getting a small/sample size version of an entree. The Happy Hour plates at Los Compadres are whole entrees in and of themselves. I was blown away at the sheer volume of food I got for $6. Not only was there more than enough food, but it was good. The ceviche torta was wonderful, and the nachos (stolen from someone else's plate) were delicious and piled high. Pro-tip: you have the option of either shredded chicken or shredded beef for your nachos, but you can ask for half and half. I also got to try one of their fried fish tacos (3 for $6 during Happy hour), and it was pretty damn good.

The cocktails were massive. Seriously, I got a huge glass of a mixed margarita that was easily two regular glasses anywhere else. While on the subject of margaritas, I will note that while their mango margarita was good, it wasn't stellar. If you're looking for really good margaritas, I would suggest Agaves. However, if you just want a decent drink with your meal, you'll be happy to know that you can get a superhuge margarita for $4 here. I also tried the chichi, which is a bit like a strawberry pina colada. I liked it better than the margarita, though I must stress the margarita wasn't actually bad.

If you're ordering off the regular menu, please note that you can get some entrees a la carte even if it's not listed on the menu, but the per-item price will be higher than expected. For example, a single cheese enchilada a la carte is $4, and while it was a very good enchilada, it wasn't particular huge. I wouldn't pay $4 for a single enchilada again, though I would be tempted to get a combo that includes an enchilada.

So I've waxed poetic about the food, but I must also note that the service was excellent. The wait staff is professional, friendly, and accommodating. At no point did I ever feel like service was lacking.

TLDR: Good food, go during Happy Hour (lasts until 7pm on weekdays) and clean up on their $6 food and $4 drink menu. Service is good,...

I love the food here!! Homemade tortillas, everything is fresh and the recipes are mouth watering. The staff is always attentive and on top of everything. Your glass will never have a chance to go empty, the staff is prompt to check for refills, even when you visit the Anaheim location and they are slammed with a full dining room (it's been a while since the pandemic...but trust me, when they open back up for full service, you'll want to get there early, they pack up quick). They will still come check up on your table several times to ensure you are enjoying your food and to see if there's anything else they can bring for you.

You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu either. Happy hour specials are great, this is a great time to try the ceviche for a great discount, or a taco plate if that's more your thing.

My favorite meal is the enchilada Rojas combo with rice and beans, the sauce is so flavorful and the beef and chicken fillings are juicy and well seasoned. I also love the aguachilis, tacos dorados, ceviche and they have a rich decadent mole sauce that's amazing (try it on a wet burrito, it will change your life!).

I also love the salsa here! Not hot, but not too tomato-y. It's well blended with the perfect amount of flavor to enhance the food rather than cover it up. The warm chips served with the salsa are crispy and light, never hard or overdone. You may find yourself reaching for the chip basket until it's empty, and then need to ask for a box for some of your entree...but hey, who doesn't love getting their fill of chips and salsa at the table and having a little leftovers to snack on later or for lunch the next day?!

This is a great place to order delivery from as well, through their website. It's convenient and user-friendly, and they offered some amazing deals throughout the pandemic. The delivery drivers, like the staff in the restaurant are professional, courteous, prompt and wear PPE along with restaurant uniforms.

Really can't say enough great things about this place, it's a definite must try if you're in Long Beach and looking for a nice, authentic quality sit down Mexican food restaurant. You will not be...

Please do NOT eat the shrimp from here. I ordered shrimp from the other location and got sick. Then I thought if I order from another location, then that should solve the problem. Not only were the shrimp bad, but they gave me intense food poisoning- to the point that I was so dizzy that I fell and hit my chin on my tile floor and was bleeding very badly. I ordered the aqua chile camarones both times and second time was MUCH worse. I suspect that they are using the same brine to "cook" the shrimp and when those shrimp are done, they take them out and REUSE the brine!! That means that old, raw shrimp bacteria is in the brine that they use over and over. That's the only logical way to get food poisoning from BOTH locations from the same dish. I personally will never eat anything from here again and I would recommend the same. It was a terrifying experience to be that...