Ernie's Mexican Restaurant

I love this place! It's extremely tasty, and the atmosphere is fun and romantic! If you want some good Mexican food, come here!

I live in the area and have been to this restaurant on several ocassions, the first being when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I did not like it then and have given it a few more tries, I am now 25 and nothing has changed. As a Mexican/Latin American I can honestly say that I have been to my fair share of Mexican Restaurants and this has to be the worst excuse for "Mexican Food" ever. Save yourself the bad experience and go to Los Toros in Chatsworth, its definitely worth the drive.

Ernie's serves up California-style Mexican food at it's best in Studio City. Whenever a client or friend in that area of LA wants to meet up, Ernie's is the first place that comes to mind. You will always get the food that most of us natives of LA (both Mexican and Anglo) grew up with, done better than a lot of other places in the Valley.

My personal favorite is their flautas and their tacos and enchiladas are just what I remember from restaurants popular in and around East and South East LA in the 60's and 70's (and yes - run by families from Mexico.) You will have a hard time finding better beans and rice, unless you head down around Bell and the rest of the Gateway Cities. It's one of two places I can get to in the Valley that has Enchiladas Rancheras that taste like they should, the other being Sierra's in Canoga Park.

I love their margaritas, probably because of why others said they don't like them: they are mixed appropriately and traditionally, so they complement the food instead of blowing out your taste buds with too much alcohol.

Good food for a good price and a great place to spend time talking, all in one package is hard to find any where in LA, and especially in the Studio City area, but I have to give it 4 stars because of the tiny parking lot. If there's nothing going on across the street, then parking is not that bad either.

*Industry tip - this is a terrific spot for a wrap party or press meeting. The staff handles celebrities with ease, because they are so used to them and the whims they may have. Ask Chuey about permission for parking across the street, as long as it's a week night.