- Abbotsford
- Brampton
- Burlington
- Calgary
- Chilliwack
- Edmonton
- Halifax
- Hamilton
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Kitchener
- Ladysmith
Do a search below using the city or postal code search box if your city is not listed above.
Get dining news including restaurant closures and qualify for giveaways.
La Casita serves authentic Mexican dishes including flautas, quesadillas stuffed with chorizo and more.
My boyfriend and I were really hungry and wanting to check out this La Casita we keep hearing about from our friends. We walked down to the corner of W. Cordova and Abbott and I knew from a distance that we were at the right place. Totally cool decor. The place is just alive and glowing. Really felt like Mexico!
I absolutely LOVED IT! I'm a pretty picky eater, but when I like what I'm eating, I can seriously throw down! La Casita is definitely a place to go when you're hungry. I left absolutely stuffed and happy! The portions were huge and the price was right. I thought it was cute how we were surrounded by all different kinds of people: some families with young children in highchairs, some young couples sharing appies and a huge fishbowl margarita in a cool glass, elderly ladies having a girls' lunch, and a table of guys eating nachos and drinking beer. Everyone was having a blast!!
Ever since I was spoiled with great Mexican food on my travels, I've often looked for restaurants in Vancouver serving up really good Mexican cuisine.
Finally, I got to give La Casita a try and am happy to say it's fairly authentic and delicious! Food actually deserves 3.5 stars. The tortilla soup was just right and came full of goodies, unlike other places that just give you the broth and a few strips of tortilla. Fajitas were flavourful and the spices used in the enchillada remind me of Mexico - not really sure what it is, but definitely not found everywhere. Mole sauce may have been a tinge too sweet, lacking some of the richness of the spices, but still very good.
Prices were reasonable for the amount of food - I'd say two small eaters can easily share 1 combo platter. Drink of the day (watermelon juice) was only 2 bucks and alcoholic beverages are fairly reasonable at 6 dollars.
No complaints on service.
Will definitely be back!
I celebrated my birthday last night at La Casita and it was really nice. I had a strawberry super margarita and a Combo #8, both were stupendous ,i just love Mexican....s.Chicken fajitas are my favorite and these awesome .Also loved the service, David was so nice and took care of our every need .Hes so cute xoxo.Definatly will be back , cant wait
Me and my friend went to watch a Canucks game and eat one night and we found some wild new stuff. The Shrimp cocktail and Mole wings were outstanding.We enjoyed cold Mexican beer and delicious Margs and they also served us deadly green salsa as well as red with our chips before our food arrived, what a treat! We are definatly going back to see what else we can find on that fun menu and location.
I enjoy good food and tend to eat at home a lot but when I do go out I can count on good service and good food at La Casita.I have been going for years and while there are other restaurants in the area I find this to be great value. Whether I dine alone, on a date or with a group everyone always leaves satisfied with the overall dining experience. Also although close to the touristy area it is not too busy to get a seat but enough people in the restaurant to know that it has a following. They have a terrific selection of high-end tequilas.
I came here a couple months back with my boyfriend and 3 other friends of his. I remember the downstairs area being very crowded because of a UFC game. I had the vegetarian quesidillias and a whole bunch of them got tacos and burritos. We were pretty stuffed from dinner and the service was nice too, cause it wasn't busy maybe. They came back to refill waters without asking but they weren't especially attentive.
Pretty good value if I recall.. it was about 10 bucks per entree. I would go back. But seems like the place has gone kind of downhill from the reviews before me. So maybe I'll go back.
I arrived for dinner at La Casita on Friday at about 7pm. It wasn't packed, but it was pretty busy with only a few tables free. The restaurant had a charming look to it. Very homey - even had an 80's yellow fridge in the dining area just outside the kitchen. I love how they turned a closet into a "semi-private" dining space for 2 (LOL)! I had no expectations going in and came out pleasantly satisfied with our choice.
The complimentary chips and salsa were good, but were small and was polished off in no time. I ordered a chicken chimichanga and my 2 other dining companions had enchiladas and steak tacos. My chimichanga was very good and I would've rated food a '4', but my friends' meals were quoted "okay". The dessert churro went straight from freezer to deep fryer right in front of our eyes - didn't look completely appetizing when the cook plopped the cooked churro on a lingering side plate. We waited staring at it for about 5-7 minutes before the server dipped it around in cinnamon sugar with his bare hands (sans pre-washing).
I really liked how all the entrees gave the option of size. You can order depending on how hungry you are. Entrees came in small, medium, large and solo (no sides). Very good idea.
The service was okay. Our server was friendly, but lacked paying attention to some things - got a simple drink order wrong, forgot some things ordered on the side, etc.
But all-in-all, it's a pretty decent place serving some good food (in my opinion). I would return for some more grub.
P.S. Looks like they have a great private party room downstairs.
Walked into this place on a whim. My buddy fell in love with the waitress so we stayed. We were amongst the first in the restaurant so got immediate service. The level of service dropped as the crowd gathered and we had to wave down friend's new girlfreind for everything from drinks to napkins to chips. You get the picture. On the plus side, the food was very good. My plate wasn't spectacular but it tasted authentic, and that's what I crave in Mexican food. Bud had the special of the day which he raved about (no doubt becasue it was served by his Hispanic Goddess). What I was really impressed with was the $25.00 marguerita pitcher. This baby held 6-7 stiff servings of delicious margueritas, and if you know any thing about margueritas, you know 7 is the minimum number that can be drunk by a human being. They are impossible to resist. I give this place an overall Outstanding because the food was good, the atmosphere relaxed, and the drinks killer. Paaaarty on Cordova. Woo!
Attended La Casita today with a party of 9....
I tried to make reservations, but they were not worried about confirming them, so we showed up as they opened with plenty of room for us. It is a quaint location with outdated decor - but it fit the overall ambiance.
The servers were understaffed but attentive as best they could with water and paper towels as napkins.
They were efficient and able to handle the workload of 9 orders - as the restaurant filled up very quickly.
We all ordered different items and they all were assessed as good, hearty, excellent portion sizes, tastey and well made. We were happy with the food and some of us got to bring home leftovers (yay!). The few people that had the lime (on the rocks) margarita found it VERY yummy, however a pitcher was reasonably priced (26$ for about 7-8 portions). Overall we were surprised and impressed at the quality of the food and would definitely go back whenever we are downtown and have a craving for great Mexican.
My boyfriend and I went here for lunch in Gastown today, and it was downright terrible! We started off with a pitcher of the strawberry margarita, which was as thick as a smoothie and bland tasting. Our server also rimmed one of the glasses with salt, and the other one with sugar. She apparently couldn't tell the difference! We then both ordered the mushroom chimichanga, which was obviously stuffed with CANNED mushrooms. They were soggy and awful. Both the beans and the rice were also extremely bland, they were basically only edible after dousing them in hot sauce. The room seemed cheap, instead of napkins they used straight up brown paper towel. I'm all for recycled products, but make them look good! There was also only one bathroom upstairs, and it was less then clean. I'll most definitely not be going back to this Mexican restaurant!
Quite possibly the worst service I have ever had. From an insufficient amount of menus and a 25 minute wait for drinks, to a server who barely touched our table and when she did brought an unpleasant grimace. My favourite part was when the server had the cahones to ask us if "everything was alright" because we only tipped her what was sufficient enough for a house tipout. The food was authentic, I give them that, but I can always ask my latino friends to cook me something.
La Casita is a family run Mexican Restaurant meets sports bar meets "place to hang out on the weekends with the guys". The portions were substantial and being that we weren't quite satisfied with our dineout meal that evening, we wandered into La Casita and were warmly greeted by the manager and waitstaff.
We were, admittedly, half-full, but it was the weekend and after flipping through their large menu, we decided to split combo #4, and two drinks that the waiter recommended, the Casita Sunrise. It was like a tequila sunrise, but with pineapple and orange juice, and (if I heard it correctly, 2 oz of tequila). Personally, I don't think it was two ounces of tequila, but it could have been the food that made me full, and not boozy.
Combo four came with two chorizo and mushroom quesadillas, a salad, and six hot wings. M really liked the quesadillas. He said that the flavour of the mushroom and chorizo really came through. I would like to note, and I appreciate that the tortillas were home-made. Home made tastes better!
I was actually getting a little full, and liked that the salad wasn't a plain green salad. It was a marinated slaw of sorts, and I love that they had fresh avocado garnishing the plate. The chicken wings were average, although I liked that there was extra hot sauce on the table for you to add as you pleased! Another bonus was that the food, although filling and rich, was not greasy. Finally, a Mexican restaurant that is not all about greasy fingers and shiny lips!
Service was great, considering that we had just come from a higher end restaurant with no service but almost triple the price tag!
We were really too full at this point but we finished the entire combo nonetheless. For under $30 and full bellies, we would love to visit La Casita again, perhaps to watch UFC? I was told that there was a larger group area downstairs, with karaoke and televisions.
I’ve been eating at Mexican restaurants in Vancouver for over a decade. In the past ten years many of these restaurants have closed. Others have opened only to close shortly thereafter. And for those Mexican eateries that have hung around, the food is either average or worse. They seem to be trying too hard, and in the process lose the point of Mexican cooking—rustic ingredients and rich flavour. So I gave up on Mexican food for a while. That is until recently. I found myself hungry in Gastown—historic, trendy, and currently experiencing a twentieth centrification. It seems an unlikely spot for good quality Mexican comfort food Or so I thought.
I walked into La Casita’s on an afternoon just two days after New Year’s. I did not have high expectations. But since the calendar marked beginning of a fresh year I thought it time to give Vancouver’s Mexican culinary scene a fresh start. What immediately became clear was the simple clean décor. The interior of the restaurant is nothing like the posh, overdone and ostentatious presentation of its Gastown culinary cousins. It is reminiscent of a typical, unassuming eatery you might fine in a small Mexican town—minimalist in design yet rich in personality. And La Casita is definitely full of personality. The staff are very warm and inviting. They greeted me with a smile and affection that I considered genuine. I thought perhaps it was because I was the first customer of the day. However, the authenticity of warmth carried over to each person entering the establishment.
Shortly after I arrived a steady stream of what seemed very hungry patrons began to flow into the restaurant. We were quickly treated like valued regulars.
I decided to dive in headfirst. I ordered the steak and egg chilaquilles. It is basically shredded steak, marinated, then fried and mixed with scrambled egg, cheese and taco chips, topped with a light sauce. Everything was cooked to perfection and so full of flavour. This is clearly Mexican comfort food at it is flavourful best. The portions are generous without being exhaustive. As soon I was finished my meal, I could not wait to come back. The quality of the food far exceeded the moderate pricing. I could not wait to come back. So I did, and very soon afterwards.
Two nights later I revisited La Casita. It was very busy so I sat at the bar. The staff were friendly and warm as usual. I sat at the bar. That night there was a special of steak salsa verde, with Mexican rice and soft tortillas. Again the shredded sirloin steak was flavourfully marinated and cooked perfectly. The salsa verde added even more flavour. It was something I will definitely try again in the future. This dish defines Mexican comfort food, something your Mexican mother might make, if you has a Mexican mother. I was already planning my third trip, before I even finished, and at that moment I noticed that La Casita offers 2 buck taco night whenever a Canucks game falls between Monday to Thursday. This gave me an excuse I really did not need.
The Tacos did not disappoint! They make you feel warm and comfortable and satisfied. And a shot or two of La Casita’s high end Tequila added to the feeling of being well taken care of. I will definitely be visiting La Casista again soon and frequently. Maybe I’ll see you there…
The prices were not that low, but I didn't mind since it was in Gastown. However, I was rather surprised when the food came, and the beans and the rice were only lukewarm. The decor was supposed to be atmospheric, but it looked run-down and didn't feel that clean. Overall, very disappointing especially with the food temperature even though it was a pretty slow evening.
The servers are nice. The decor is really downscale. The food is not the sort of thing I want to eat again, not really bad, just not good. I had the chicken fajitas, and the only word I can use is "gummy". I have had better at a hole in the wall in the U.S., but then maybe they demand better because they have more Mexican restaurants. I will not go there again.
Had reservations in their private room starting at 5:30. People showed up and waited ....and waited. Wait staff finally came and took drink orders, which took a long time to arrive. Just before 7 the owner (or manager) came down and informed us that we had to out of the room by 7:30 ...7:30?!!!! That left us a whole 2 hours for an office christmas party. After complaint he said he would move us upstairs for 25% off the bill. Upstairs we were spread all over the place, service was slow, food was not consistant, and overall of poor quality. One of our staff was asked to leave by the VERY RUDE manager for posing the question as to why we were asked to vacate the party room for a very small UFC party where HE was partying with the new customers. I left shortly after and was CHASED DOWn by wait staff saying I had to pay my bill. I did not go back and pay since I had already left $$ with other staff to pay my part when the group bill came later.Not going back, will tell my friends not to either.
One upset Vancouver employee.
Heard good things, and from the outside this place looks cute. We went there on a Tuesday night for a quick dinner, and we wanted quick because of early starts the next morning. Didn't think that would be a problem on a Tuesday night. It wasn't busy.
From the start the server wasn't very friendly. I am not sure if she put out order in straight away either. The wait for the food got longer and longer and she kept avoiding us. Finally, only because we were in a rush I had to go up to her and ask. No apology, just ït's coming'". Food took almost an hour (only two of us went.) We ordered a the chimichanga meal and a chicken burrito. The chicken tasted as if it had been microwaved and was smothered in cheese. Nothing tasted fresh, everything was greasy, sloppily presented and way overpriced. We didn't finish our food and the server did not once ask how it was. Don't bother going here there are much better Mexican restaurants in Vancouver.
Food was not really good. it was too bland. The server was very rude too. they asked me pay more tips. we were only 4 people and on the menu I didnt see any rules like that. however they said its legal in B.C which is not ture. I was going to pay 7 dollars which was already over 10% but they wanted more. I am never gonna go there again. It is totally not worth for your money.
Overall, It was a pretty exotic experience. The food was just fine but not as good as I thought. My friends and me ordered 4 different foods and we all pretty enjoyed them. The dishes were quite big! However, the poor service disappointed me a lot. They forced me to pay 15% tips when I tried to pay with my interect. Oh well...It might be a little expensive for their foods for us...
Vancouver isnt as known for their mexican as they are for their sushi so its nice to find a place that has really solid mexican food. Nothing was amazing but the mole sauce i had on my enchilada was very good and so was the cerviche... cervich? An appetizer that came with a ton of seafod in lemon sauce it was really good. I found it a bit pricey for mexican food which is suppost to be on the cheap side but still really enjoyed my meal. Service was nice and so was the ambiance
| 1. | Charles Bar, The (27 m) |  |
| 2. | Metropole Community Pub, The (48 m) | |
| 3. | Revel Room (53 m) |  |
| 4. | Jules Casual French Bistro (64 m) | |
| 5. | Lamplighter Public House, The (95 m) | |
| 6. | Bourbon, The (95 m) | |
| 7. | Juice Truck, The (99 m) | |
| 8. | Subway (101 m) | |
| 9. | Vallarta Grill, The (102 m) |  |
| 10. | Judas Goat Taberna (116 m) | |
