La Valentina — Restaurant in Los Angeles

It’s a shame the customer service is so bad because the food was great.

My friend and I came in expecting to be required to purchase something in order to use the restroom. We figured we’d use the restroom and have lunch. When we told them this, they initially sent us away. “It’s a $10 minimum, across the street it’s only .50” but my friend was hungry and the place they directed us to didn’t have food. So we explained that we were going to have lunch, my friend started to order and I asked if I could just get the bathroom key while she ordered. We asked if we could just pay in advance, and then order, since I have a disability and couldn’t comfortably wait. They completely ignored this request and asked my friend what she wants to order.

The guy who took our order must’ve thought we were homeless or have people constantly saying they will purchase something and then they don’t, but he was treating us like an inconvenience. My friend asked how much something was to make sure it matched their $10 minimum and then she kept adding food on since we were planning to share. At this point he was talking to my friend as she ordered, saying “that’s gonna be $2 extra” etc to everything, which is fine, but he said it as if we couldn’t afford it. I told him jokingly that we got money and not to worry. He took it as if I was being rude and proceeded to turn to me and speak to me in the nastiest, most disrespectful way I’ve seen in a long time, bringing up the restroom once again and saying it’s not about money it’s about paying first. I haven’t mentioned the restroom since they ignored our request to pay in advance so I just tried to be civil at this point.

First of all I’m almost certain they’re breaking a couple of laws by not providing immediate restroom access to people with disabilities, secondly the attitude in general was so shocking to see from a restaurant that seemed so inviting from the outside, we were excited to eat there and it ruined our experience.

It felt dehumanizing to be treated with this level of disrespect when all I was asking for was to use the restroom. At the end of the day there’s a way to explain policies and there’s also a time when you should be able to trust the guest and make exceptions. Fortunately someone did hand me the restroom key once we were in line to pay. He was kind about it, but the overall energy was not good. Obviously, I won’t be...

Stopped for lunch after doing some shopping for my daughter's quinceanera. Walked in to order tacos and placed an order outside for pupusas. There were ladies ou on the sidewalk making pupusas as they were being ordered. The tacos took about 20 minutes to prepare. It was kind of a drag to wait so long with 3 hungry kids on a Saturday afternoon. The pupusas took about 30 minutes. Nonetheless they were worth the wait. I would 100% eat here again. The food is good and it was actually nice to sit out on the sidewalk and just people watch. There are tables and chairs indoors and outdoors as well. Maybe next time I'll order ahead and save myself some time. Found this on Google maps by searching for "places to eat nearby" and just checked the current reviews. It was crowded upon arrival but there was only one person ahead of us. No open tables. There was a woman playing a guitar and singing inside, too. The menu is clearly posted above the register, towards the back of the restaurant. We walked in through Santee Ave,...

This place is a hidden gem in the alleys. I was with the family and we wanted something other that bacon wrapped hot dogs, burgers or pizza and we went to La Valentina. Since the beginning the food look really good and I really like that they give you taste sample in case you are unsure of what to order just let your taste buds decide. My husband has bistec en salsa roja, my son and I had chilaquiles and the small ones just had scrambled eggs. Let me tell you the chilaquiles were delicious, I tried my husband's palate and the meat was tender and flavorful. They also serve you a generous portion well worth the price. We order 5 plates of food and 3 drinks and our total came to like $40 bucks. Wow can't beat that. Excellent customer service from staff. Will definitely be coming here next time I come...