Guelaguetza Palms Restaurant (Reported Closed)

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adamgator

Joined 6 years ago

Man, we could go here every week (and do)!. This place is truly a hidden gem. My wife and I are regulars on Fri. night. Usually no wait which is shocking but makes me happy. The meal starts with chips covered in the red mole - the mole lives up to the hype, man it is good!!! Then beer - very reasonably priced (and not just relative the Westside prices). They have a huge menu - you could come weekly for a year and keep getting new things. We are vegi and still find plenty but have a hard time getting away from our favorites : Chilaquiles with oaxocon string cheese, Vegi Tamale with Mole, the Enfrijoladas with their yummy black bean sauce and stuffed with oaxocon cheese (sometimes we'll get it with mole instead)...okay, getting too hungry to write. Service is always prompt and efficent - same 3 guys every time. The coffee and coco + breads look great. Keep meaning to go for breakfast to try them! Two entrees usually costs us under $25 with tip. Fast service, big parking lot shared with Trader Joes.

Doesn't Recommend

gesguerra

Joined 5 years ago

Sure, if Mole is all you want to eat. The service is really great, no question. They are very courteous and attentive. The other reviews, so far, are mostly in praise of the Mole, not the restaurant. I've never tried Mole so I have nothing to say about that. In fact, I believe all the reviews since the verdict seems unanimous. I had the shrimp with garlic which was more like garlic with shrimp. Or shrimp doused, sprouting and spewing garlic. They were properly sized shrimp and the menu said shrimp. I just could not tell you it tasted like shrimp. I should have just been served with a bottle of minced garlic because that's all you taste. The one-star rating is for the garlic with shrimp. Sorry, five stars just makes it seem like everything in the restaurant is good.

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elmexicanonumerouno

Joined 6 years ago

Ohmygod, this place is sooo awesome!!!. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now. Eat here. It's good. Do it now.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Peek into a Oaxacan kitchen and taste its awe-inspiring moles.. The Scene
This gastronomic gem boasts a mostly Mexican clientele, but Guelaguetza's legendary mole also draws culinary pilgrims from all over the city. The dining room is a sparkling-clean, no-frills space with storefront windows looking out onto the busy street scene.

The Food
Guelaguetza is famous for its spectacular mole sauces, Oaxacan concoctions made from complex blends of nuts, herbs, chiles and ground seeds. Start with the clayuda, a pizza-sized disc of crisp tortilla slathered with bean paste and a smattering of crumbled queso fresco. The minty verde de espinazo (green) mole livens up a stew-like concoction of juicy chicken breast brimming with chayote squash and potatoes. The granddaddy of all moles, the chocolaty mole negro, is deeper and darker than any pale American imitations. For the more adventurous, there are three more delightful mole sauces: sweet-spicy coloradito (red), tangy-sweet estofado (yellow), and the clove- and cumin-flecked amarillo (also yellow).

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rudette

Joined 8 years ago

Great "cheap eats" place. Incredible mole - you'll get addicted to the chips served drizzled with mole and mild cheese. The menu is extensive and I try something different every time and am never disappointed. Last time I got a HUGE goat dish that was amazing - and $6! The Mexican drinks on the menu are great, too. There's plenty of parking (and a drive-through Starbucks shares the same lot of you need a caffeine fix on the way out) and the service is friendly. The only cons: they're a little understaffed when it gets busy, but you usually won't mind because you're too busy enjoying the chips or drinks or food. Other con: not the most beautiful restaurant ever. The tablecloths are shiny plastic, etc. But I did bring my parents here and they were totally willing to forgive the lack of atmosphere because the food was so good and cheap. The Koreatown location is excellent, too.

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jcruz22

Joined 7 years ago

great food. great prices. Having had a craving for Oaxacan food and in the relative area of this one I decided to try it out and lo and behold the food was great and affordable. The staff was a bit shorthanded and the poor waiter was running from table to table but we were taken care off quickly and promptly with no problems whatsoever, highly recommended.

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uclagirl

Joined 10 years ago

A Neighborhood Gem. This place isn't fancy, but it really delivers. The mole is great--we particularly liked the coloradito (red). At first, the spices are rich and flavorful, and then the heat starts to build. It's never out of control, though, and went well with both pork and beef. I'm looking forward to trying their other moles on future visits.

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dmenkes

Joined 8 years ago

Oh, the mole!!. The mole is the main reason to come here. Ask for a plate of chips with all the different mole sauces: black, red, green, etc. The mole verde con pollo (green mole with chicken) is awesome! Don't come here if you're in a rush--sometimes for dinner they only have one waiter for an entire room. Try a few of the mexican drinks. The menu has abundant choices. It has little to no atmosphere but hey, it's good food!

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poprocks

Joined 9 years ago

TASTY...HOLY MOLE!!. We chose this spot after seeing it on "$40 a day" with Rachel Ray on the Food Network. My wife ordered the special banana leaf tamale with chicken and mole negro ... their specialty. I had the chicken enchiladas with mole negro. Amazing, smoky flavors! Very economical. The special tamale is just $7 and almost too big to finish. We will try the red mole next time ... it was delicious on the chips that came out before the meal. Our first Oaxacan experience gets two big thumbs up!

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chrisnrich

Joined 11 years ago

Awesome!. We went here on the advice from some friends, and boy are we glad we went. This place serves up some of the best Oaxacan-style mexican that we have ever had. Rich's mole negro was outstanding - rich and complex with plenty of depth. But we both agree that the red mole sauce is the best - sweet and spicy and just plain delicious. From the chips, which are served warm with the red mole and fresh cheese, to the hot chocolate served with a pastry, this place really impressed us.

The service was really friendly