Descanso - Los Angeles

Descanso - Los Angeles reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. O

   Omar VIP

   Los Angeles81 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This place is extraordinary on so many levels. Eat here.
   

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2. J

   Jerry

   Los Angeles4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delighted that after years of vacancy, Descanso has taken over the ultra-spacious old Callendars location (near LACMA & Tar Pits), completely remodeled and tastefully renovated, and created a spectacular menu…  Mexican fare is delicious and nutritious, beautifully presented, and cheerfully served… Gracias!…
   

   Descanso - Los AngelesResponded 4 days ago

   Thank you Jerry!
   

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3. B

   Barbi

   Los Angeles11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   I wasn’t at all familiar with this restaurant… we were going to be in the area, and it was close enough. A party of six…. Hoping it would be good…. IT WAS A M A Z I N G !!!!! Food, service, ambience…. EXCELLENT!!! WILL DEFINITELY GO BACK AND MAYBE TRY THE PLATAS TABLE!!! Thank you for a wonderful experience!
   

   Descanso - Los AngelesResponded 4 days ago

   Thank you Barbi... see you next time!
   

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4. M

   Michael

   Los Angeles23 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 4 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Delicious food. Drinks are a little light on the pour. Good service.
   

   Descanso - Los AngelesResponded 4 days ago

   Thank you Michael!
   

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5. H

   Hugo

   Orange County1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   I met up with a friend visiting from Mexico for dinner at Descanso on Friday night. I was curious to see the space as I had worked across the street for 10 years and had maaaaany meals at Callendar's. Everything started out fine. Server was attentive, we ordered the mexican street corn for an appetizer and it was tasty. My friend ordered the salmon, I ordered the Carne Asada. Food came out, presentation was appealing. I ordered my meat medium. When I cut in it was rare, pink from one end to the other. The meat had ZERO seasoning or taste. The server disappeared for 30 min. My friend enjoyed their meal. I managed to get mine down. When the server finally reappeared I asked for salt and pepper to see if I could somehow give flavor to this steak. I mentioned to the server that carne asada was completely tasteless, and their reply was "oh, I don't eat meat so I wouldn't know" THAT left me completely speechless! From reading other reviews, I see I am not alone in my experience.
   

   Descanso - Los AngelesResponded on 5 March 2025

   Hugo, sorry to hear that... yeah, we have had some issues with food flavoring consistency, but, we have addressed this and are making this our TOP priority... we are 100% dedicated to fixing this consistently. thank you.
   

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6. D

   Danielle

   San Diego5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 27 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a great experience at Descanso! Seating: Sat on the heated patio, which kept the noise level down (inside was a bit noisier than I would’ve liked). Service: AMAZING — we had Evan as our server and he was really great. Super friendly, helpful with menu suggestions and managing requests (whether it was adjustments to our food, bringing us more tortillas, some crema, some mango salsa used on another dish). Food: Ordered the chips and guacamole—VERY delicious, both super fresh, perfectly seasoned with just enough spice to keep the flavouring subtle so that you could enjoy the freshness but with a little kick. My sister had the Alambre (shrimp) and really enjoyed it — especially that the whole thing came with basically a giant melted cheese cracker on top. I had the crispy carnitas skillet which was absolutely dripping in yumminess. Value: prices were as expected and portion sizes were good.
   

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7. J

   Judy VIP

   Los Angeles150 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on 23 February 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Was disappointed in brunch. Had juevos rancheros. Very, very greasy. Tasted awful. Sitting in oil. Went back because they were cold. Over priced $22. Came with nothing. 1/4 avacado. Don’t like the taste. Couldn’t eat it. Coffee flavorless. $5 chips! Geez! Thought they were Free at a Mexican restaurant. Nope. Not here. Parking in the back $5.50 with validation. Friendly waiter. Sad. Was hoping for a better experience. Better food! Won’t be coming back.
   

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8. C

   Carole VIP

   Los Angeles141 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 23 February 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was completely tasteless. The elote appetizer was the ONLY good thing on the menu. The fideo soup was ok. The $13.25 taco, yes one taco with nothing to accompany it was bland. My husband had the carnitas with rice and tortillas. Very odd texture and once again flavorless. The third person had a salad with chicken. The chicken was a rich red and we had high hopes for it. Nope! Cold and tasteless. The three of us had water to drink. This “fabulous” feast including tax and tip was $121.00 dollars. We should have gone to one of the trucks on the street and had better food for about $20 total.
   

   Descanso - Los AngelesResponded on 3 March 2025

   Carole, we truly apologize for the sub par flavor. I am not sure what happened, but this is not acceptable. This is not a typical response to our Carnitas Taco. We are new and working through some kinks here and there... we will address to ensure this doesn't happen again.
   

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9. C

   Carlos

   Unspecified1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 22 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Our server was great and the upper management was very accommodating. Will recommend.
   

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10. A

    Angela

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 22 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Loved everything about this location. From the hostess to the bartenders to the server. Everyone was beyond nice! Food was delicious!!
    

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