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Tu Madre - Los Feliz
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Tu Madre - Los Feliz
8.3
Creative Mexican cuisine meets one of Los Feliz's best patios at this lively spot known for its daily 'Feliz Hour' featuring $1.50 tacos, margarita specials, and beer-and-shot combos. The indoor-outdoor space draws crowds for contemporary twists on classics, from fried chicken tacos to potato taquitos, all served with an energetic atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Tacos, Potato Taquitos, Margarita Flights
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: One of LA's best happy hours with $1.50 tacos and a stunning patio
Who should go: Groups seeking fun atmosphere with creative Mexican food
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or weekend brunch
What to order: Feliz Hour $1.50 tacos, margarita flights, potato taquitos
Insider tip: Arrive before 5pm for the best patio seating during happy hour
Tu Madre - Los Feliz
7.8
Modern Mexican cantina with creative taco twists including Korean BBQ bulgogi and fried chicken variations on handmade tortillas. The spacious patio is one of Los Feliz's best outdoor dining spaces, complemented by a full bar specializing in margaritas and tequila flights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Korean BBQ Taco, Crispy Shrimp Taco, Ahi Tuna Taco
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Fusion tacos with creative proteins in a vibrant cantina atmosphere
Who should go: Groups seeking cocktails, outdoor patio lovers, fusion fans
When to visit: Happy hour for $1.50 tacos, weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas
What to order: Korean BBQ taco, crispy shrimp, loaded XL nachos
Insider tip: The patio is the move - spacious enough for large groups and great for celebrations
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Vermont Ave and residential streets - moderately difficult evenings/weekends. Small lot in back but fills quickly. Consider rideshare for prime times.
Dress code: Los Feliz casual - jeans and tees are standard, but the patio vibe skews slightly trendy. Think elevated casual.
Noise level: Lively but conversational - music and crowd energy create buzz without drowning out conversation. Patio quieter than indoor bar area.
Weekend wait: 30-45 min for tables without reservation, 15-20 min for patio bar seating. Friday/Saturday peak (7-9pm) can hit 60 min.
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins welcome, typically seated within 10 minutes. Happy hour (3-6pm) fills up by 5pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options - veggie tacos, black bean variations, cauliflower dishes. Not extensive but thoughtfully prepared.
Vegan options: Limited but doable - 2-3 taco options with plant-based proteins, chips and guac. Specify no cheese/crema when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas standard for tacos (naturally GF). Kitchen aware of cross-contamination but not a dedicated prep space. Skip the nachos.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for the right vibe - the patio creates relaxed energy and shared plates break the ice. Better for casual/fun first dates than intimate romantic ones. Go early evening to avoid peak crowds.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes, weekends risky. Bar seating and patio high-tops are first-come options. Call ahead day-of to gauge wait times, or arrive right at opening (11:30am lunch, 5pm dinner) to beat the rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime/early evening yes - kids menu available, casual atmosphere, spacious patio. After 7pm skews adult with bar crowd. High chairs available but no changing table.
Is the happy hour worth it? Absolutely - $1.50 tacos (3-6pm weekdays) are legitimately good, not throwaway bar food. Margaritas discounted to $6. Best deal in Los Feliz for quality fusion tacos.
How's the service? Friendly but can lag when slammed. Patio service slightly slower than indoor. Staff knowledgeable about menu but prioritize bar regulars. Don't expect fine dining pace.
Best For
Better for: Tu Madre wins for: outdoor space quality, fusion creativity (Korean BBQ/fried chicken tacos), group-friendly atmosphere, happy hour value, and cocktail program. Best patio in Los Feliz for Mexican food.
Skip if: You want: authentic traditional Mexican (hit Guisados instead), quiet romantic dinner, fast service, extensive vegan options, or easy parking. Also skip if you hate crowds - this place buzzes.
Tu Madre - Los Feliz
7.9
This contemporary taco spot features creative Mexican fusion with a spacious patio and full bar serving margaritas and craft cocktails. The menu balances traditional tacos with inventive options, offering late-night service until midnight on weekends and a lively neighborhood atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Shrimp Burrito, Carne Asada Tacos, Grilled Chicken Bowl
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: One of Los Feliz's largest patios with late-night hours and creative Mexican fusion
Who should go: Late-night crowds and patio seekers wanting modern Mexican with drinks
When to visit: Happy hour for taco specials, weekends until midnight
What to order: Crispy shrimp burrito, potato taquitos, house margaritas
Insider tip: Happy hour features $1.50 tacos and margarita specials
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - metered until 8pm, fairly competitive. Arrive 10 minutes early or use rideshare to avoid circling.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood vibe - jeans and t-shirt perfectly fine, no need to dress up
Noise level: Lively but conversational - patio is loud on weekends, indoor seating better for hearing each other
Weekend wait: 30-45 min peak hours (7-9pm) without reservation, bar seating usually available
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, walk-ins welcome
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - potato taquitos, cheese quesadillas, veggie tacos, and most sides are vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited - can modify some tacos without cheese/crema, but menu isn't designed for it
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available for tacos, but limited beyond that due to flour-heavy menu
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual vibes - the spacious patio creates relaxed atmosphere and margaritas help break the ice. Skip if you want intimate/quiet conversation though, as it gets loud on weekends.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes, weekends risky. Bar seating is first-come-first-serve and usually available. Arrive before 6:30pm weekends or expect a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual family dinners - patio has space for kids to move around, menu has approachable options. Better for elementary age and up given late-night bar scene on weekends.
Is the happy hour worth it? Absolutely - $1.50 tacos are legitimately good (not just cheap), and margarita specials are solid value. Gets crowded 5-7pm so arrive early.
How late can I eat here? Kitchen open until midnight Friday-Saturday, 11pm other nights - one of the few late-night sit-down Mexican options in Los Feliz beyond taco trucks.
Best For
Better for: Late-night dining with outdoor seating, groups wanting shareable tacos and drinks in casual setting, happy hour value hunters. Best patio-to-value ratio in the neighborhood.
Skip if: You want authentic traditional Mexican (this leans fusion/creative), need quiet romantic ambiance, or want upscale presentation. Choose Yuca's for no-frills authenticity or El Compadre for old-school atmosphere instead.