Los Amores de Julia — Restaurant in Pico Rivera

If I could give negative five stars, I would. This place deserves negative number!!!

We visited Los Amores de Julia in Pico Rivera expecting a special birthday meal, but what we got instead was an absolute disgrace of a dining experience--culminating in food deception, rude service, and a complete lack of accountability.

Let's start with the main reason for the negative score: I ordered the Fries con Asada, which was described on the menu as "fire with prime skirt steak, pico de gallo, avocado, aioli cream, and queso." I asked to substitute the fries with rice and beans, and was told that wouldn't be a problem. Another dish we ordered was the enchiladas with chicken in mole. Sounds like a solid meal, right?

When the food arrived, I was stunned. The "prime skirt steak" was not a sliced steak as expected (and as anyone across the U.S. would define it). Instead, it was a sad, greasy pile of shredded beef--looking more like the filling for a cheap Philly cheesesteak from a gas station deli than anything remotely resembling prime skirt steak. Maybe half a cup of meat, swimming in queso sauce, spread on a plate that looked like a DIY sandwich bar gone terribly wrong.

Shocked, we immediately flagged down our server and explained that something must be wrong. Her response? "That's how we do it here."

Let me be crystal clear: NOWHERE on the menu does it state that the steak is shredded. There are no photos to indicate otherwise. And for a $24 dish, this was an outright scam. We politely said we did not want the dish, as it was untouched and clearly not what was advertised. We asked to exchange it for something else from the menu.

Her response? "Sorry, it hit the table. We can't take it back. But you can order something else--and pay for both."

Unbelievable.

We explained again that the dish was untouched, clearly misrepresented, and we were not trying to dodge a bill--we just wanted the food we were promised, especially for a birthday meal. We were met with stonewalling, indifference, and an utter refusal to take responsibility.

At that point, we stood up and left--disappointed, frustrated, and completely disrespected.

This wasn't just bad service or mediocre food. This was a bait-and-switch, plain and simple. Fraudulent business practices disguised as "restaurant policy." It's one thing to have a chef with a unique vision, but it's another to intentionally mislead your guests and then stick them with the bill for something they didn't order.

The worst part? They had no problem running my credit card.

As soon as that charge posts, I will dispute it with my credit card company--and I encourage others who experience this type of deception to do the same. No diner should have to deal with this level of incompetence and arrogance, especially while celebrating something as special as a birthday.

Los Amores de Julia should be ashamed. They've lost our business--and anyone else's we can warn. Avoid this place...

This place has 4 or 5 star potential, however, at this time I have to give them a 3 star review. More than happy to revise my review if service quality improves. I would return based on my initial experience. I want this place to succeed to serve the residents in and around Pico Rivera.

This establishment is high energy, loud, and fun if that is what you are seeking. Their mariachi was cool. It also good for large groups. There is also seating for small groups and couples. If you show up during primetime (8pm on Saturday) without a reservation or putting your name down in advance then you can expect a wait time of 1 or 2 hours. We showed up and took two seats at the bar within 5 minutes.

Got charged twice for agua fresca even though the menu states one agua fresca gets one refill. The cost for the overage is $8 plus tax plus tip = $10/$11. I inquired but was told I was mistaken. Had to look at the menu again after I paid. Sounds like not Everyone knows the policy.

Food was served with no tortillas, which is disappointing because the first thing you see when you walk in is two señoras making tortillas. Not sure if I had to ask for them or if they are separate. I sat at the bar but the attention for the bartenders was primarily on pushing out drinks for the seated guests and less on tending to those seated at bar. I still left a 20% tip bc you can tell they were hustling.

The food was above average. Better than Chili’s for sure if you want Mexican food. I had camarones a la diabla (came w literally a small handful of rice on the side) and my wife had carne en su jugo (no tortilla to complement the Carne en su jugo which comes w beans mixed in). Sad we weren’t offered tortillas but like I said not sure if I had to add them to my order but a Mexican place should just serve you tortilla by default (or at least ask if you want some).

More bar back’s are needed. More organization is needed. More understanding of the policy on refills is needed. More attention to the needs of a guest when they regarding their meal.

Also to end this really long review I will say that even though it’s fun it feels like someone with ADHD is controlling the music, volume, transitions, etc. when the mariachis are not...

A disappointment to say the least. Yet another viral restaurant that is all about the hype and nothing more. Another sad disappointment. Another restaurant that I was so excited to try and left literally hungry lol. Being Mexican, I get excited to support Mexican restaurants and happy when they look to be good. My husband and I made reservations last Saturday. We arrived 5-10 minutes early and thankfully we did because just to check in there was a line way out the door. We waited 20 minutes to check in. I was already frustrated. Everyone waiting looked so upset. I thought to myself "Maybe they don't have reservations?" After checking in to our reservation we still waited 45 minutes to be seated. This is not acceptable. Upon being seated we were ready to order. We were starving. We ordered queso fundido as an appetizer and I ordered the margarita flight. The queso came out with no tortillas. Yes they make them hand made but guess what that just means the waitress is waiting around those poor ladies to make the tortillas. 20 minutes later we got our tortillas and of course by that time our queso was cold and almost hard. But we were starving so we ate it that way. While we waited for our food I thought I would enjoy my drinks while listening to the live mariachi. Drinks were disgusting. Undrinkable! I kept having to put water in them and even then I couldn't drink them. I have never had such sweet margaritas. I was so disappointed but yet was still excited to try the shrimp enchiladas I ordered. Guess what, yet another disappointment. I couldnt even eat them. So salty. They were horrible. Needless to say I was obviously hungry so I made me mistake of ordering flan!!! Yes, yet another mistake!!! How do you mess up flan? By adding mazapan to it! Thats how. I have to say at the least the mariachi is amazing! Hands down 5 stars for them. They are what kept us from walking out of this place. But I would not go back. I left so upset and hungry!!! lol! Do better management! Get your act together and get good servers and good food. Everyone who works here looks so...