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Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
Master Critic Reviews (10 Lists)
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.3
An Oaxacan-focused spot with a deep mezcal bench and a menu built around moles, tlayudas, and slow-cooked meats. The kitchen leans traditional but plates with polish, and the bar program makes it a natural linger-and-share destination. Multiple locations exist, but this Palms outpost is the one in 90034.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda con asiento, Mole negro over chicken or enchiladas, Carnitas or barbacoa tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Oaxacan specialties plus one of the Westside’s better mezcal programs.
Who should go: Mezcal lovers and groups craving regional Mexican.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or late-afternoon happy hour.
What to order: Tlayuda, mole negro dish, mezcal cocktail flight.
Insider tip: Ask what mole or mezcal is pouring as a limited seasonal feature.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.1
A full-service Oaxacan mezcaleria where tacos are just one part of a broader, deeply regional menu. You come for handmade tortillas, rich moles, and a lively dining room that feels built for long meals and agave flights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos de carnitas, Mole coloradito enchiladas, Tlayuda with asiento
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Oaxacan tacos and moles anchored by a serious mezcal program.
Who should go: Dinner groups who want tacos plus mezcal.
When to visit: Evenings, especially around happy hour.
What to order: Carnitas tacos, tlayuda, mole enchiladas.
Insider tip: Ask staff for a mezcal pairing with your taco order.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.3
A mezcal-forward Oaxacan dining room with rich moles, masa-driven antojitos, and thoughtful plates built for sharing. The Palms location runs slightly more laid-back than its siblings, but the cooking keeps its depth and punch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Negro mole with chicken, Memelas trio, Cauliflower taco with salsa macha
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking anchored by deep, house-made moles and mezcal know-how.
Who should go: Cocktail lovers and groups who share plates.
When to visit: Weeknights for easier seating.
What to order: Negro mole, any memelas, mezcal flight.
Insider tip: Ask for staff picks on mezcal—there are off-menu pours.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.2
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
A mezcal-forward Oaxacan spot where mole, tlayudas, and slow-cooked meats are treated with real care and regional pride. The room feels celebratory, and the bar program amplifies the food with thoughtful agave pairings. Great for a chef-led feast without going formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole negro with chicken, Tlayuda with asiento and cecina, Mezcal flight with orange and sal de gusano
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking anchored by a serious mezcal program.
Who should go: Friends who want shareable plates and agave cocktails.
When to visit: Friday night for full energy.
What to order: Mole, tlayuda, mezcal flight.
Insider tip: Ask staff for a mezcal that matches your spice tolerance.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.4
A mezcal-leaning Oaxacan kitchen that turns lunch into something a little more celebratory, with deeply layered moles and standout tlayudas. It’s polished enough for client lunches while still feeling like a neighborhood spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda with asiento and chapulines option, Mole Coloradito Enchiladas, Ceviche de Pescado
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Oaxacan moles plus one of the Westside’s best mezcal lists.
Who should go: Mezcal fans and lunch groups who want something memorable.
When to visit: Weekday lunches for easier parking and quieter tables.
What to order: Tlayuda, any mole enchiladas, seasonal ceviche.
Insider tip: Let the server steer you to a mezcal that matches your mole.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.4
A mezcal-leaning Oaxacan cantina that balances smoky moles with bright coastal flavors. The room is energetic at night, with cocktails and shareable plates designed for lingering. High review volume and steady ratings make it a confident late-night pick for the Westside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole Enchiladas, Tlayudas, Ceviche de Pescado
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking plus a deep mezcal program in the heart of Palms.
Who should go: Mezcal fans and taco-to-mole explorers.
When to visit: Friday or Saturday night for peak energy.
What to order: Mole enchiladas, tlayuda, mezcal margarita.
Insider tip: Ask for a mezcal flight matched to your spice tolerance.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.5
A mezcal-forward Oaxacan spot that balances comforting staples with deep, smoky flavors. The kitchen shines on moles and masa-driven dishes, while the bar keeps the room lively well into the evening. Reliable for a full late dinner when you want something layered and traditional without feeling fussy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole negro with chicken, Memelas with asiento and salsa, Tlayuda with cecina
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Oaxacan moles and mezcal program done at a neighborhood scale.
Who should go: Mezcal lovers and groups craving a real sit-down dinner.
When to visit: Weekend nights after 8 for peak energy.
What to order: Mole negro, memelas, tlayuda sampler.
Insider tip: Ask for a flight from their small-batch mezcal list.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.2
A mezcal-forward Oaxacan restaurant that stays lively into the night, with handmade tortillas and layered moles anchoring the menu. The taco options lean traditional, and the bar program makes it a natural late dinner or post-show stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco de Asada, Mole Negro Enchiladas, Tlayuda with Chorizo
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking paired with one of the Westside’s deepest mezcal lists.
Who should go: Mezcal fans and taco traditionalists.
When to visit: Late evening for tacos and a mezcal flight.
What to order: Asada taco, tlayuda, mole negro dish.
Insider tip: Let the bartender steer you to a small-batch mezcal that matches your taco.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.4
Modern, ingredient-driven tacos with premium meats like wagyu birria and mesquite-grilled asada. It’s a bit pricier than the stands nearby, but the flavors and tortillas feel thoughtfully made for a sit-down taco night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu brisket birria taco, Mesquite-grilled asada taco, Al pastor street taco
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: High-quality meats and refined taco builds in Palms.
Who should go: People craving upscale-leaning tacos.
When to visit: Lunch hours for a quieter experience.
What to order: Wagyu birria taco, asada taco, taco flight.
Insider tip: Order the flight to sample signature vs. street styles.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria
8.6
Oaxacan-forward cooking with a mezcal bar that’s unusually deep for the neighborhood. Happy hour here is about well-made margaritas and snackable moles, with tortillas and salsas that keep regulars coming back after work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Memelas with asiento and mole, Negro mole chicken, Cauliflower taco
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A mezcal-first bar paired with reliably executed Oaxacan staples.
Who should go: After-work groups and mezcal-curious diners.
When to visit: Weekdays at 3–6pm for happy hour.
What to order: Memelas, negro mole, margarita flight.
Insider tip: Ask for a mezcal recommendation based on your spice tolerance.