Reserve now:
El CriolloReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
Los Angeles / Orange County Restaurant Reviews >
San Fernando Valley / Ventura / Valencia Restaurant Reviews >
Van Nuys Restaurant Reviews >
Cuban Restaurant Reviews
El Criollo Reviews List
El Criollo
El Criollo has established itself as a freshly modern, yet still traditional full-service restaurant in the bustling downtown Van Nuys area. We of El Criollo are driven by the genuine aim to provide excellent, personable service complemented by the finest, most flavorful Cuban cuisine.
El Criollo's interior includes classic exposed brick walls, a high open ceiling, beautifully soft serenading Cuban music and poster-size images of vintage magazine covers and print ads. The restaurant offers deliciously delectable food with an updated, though still very classic look and feel – so much like a bodega in Old Havana. Our spacious dining room seats 60-plus with a bar offering fabulous wine, beer and cocktails.
See more El Criollo details
El Criollo's interior includes classic exposed brick walls, a high open ceiling, beautifully soft serenading Cuban music and poster-size images of vintage magazine covers and print ads. The restaurant offers deliciously delectable food with an updated, though still very classic look and feel – so much like a bodega in Old Havana. Our spacious dining room seats 60-plus with a bar offering fabulous wine, beer and cocktails.
7 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 7 reviews
5 stars
(0)
4 stars
(5)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(3)
- great for lunch(2)
- kid-friendly(2)
- fit for foodies(1)
- great for brunch(1)
- hot spot(1)
El Criollo Reviews List
Review 1 for El Criollo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Cuban delicious
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We tried this Cuban restaurant in Van Nuys in anticipation of our upcoming trip to Cuba. Fresh and tasty food cooked by Cubans fit the bill. Everything was delicious. The service was gracious and friendly."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for El Criollo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good and authentic Cuban food..."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for El Criollo
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Very poor service, food took
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very poor service, food took very long . The waiter forgot about my wife's drink after we asked 3 times he bought it . Very high price for the food and service. .. Will not come back."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for El Criollo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Simple but good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The short version: Very tasty food, immaculate place, friendly but slow service.
The long version: The neighborhood is eh but once you get inside the place is an extremely clean & charming. Brick walls, retro Cuban posters, modern furniture. The TVs playing sports on the wall didn't fit IMHO
The food was prepared well & flavorful. We had the stewed chicken, the fish in tomato sauce & the fried vegetarian plate. We were all happy but agreed it wasn't outstanding. I think that is because of the type of food it is. I mean how excited can you get over rice & beans right?
Our waiter was nice but forgot to bring our Mojito and messed up an item we ordered. Maybe it was an off day."
The food was prepared well & flavorful. We had the stewed chicken, the fish in tomato sauce & the fried vegetarian plate. We were all happy but agreed it wasn't outstanding. I think that is because of the type of food it is. I mean how excited can you get over rice & beans right?
Our waiter was nice but forgot to bring our Mojito and messed up an item we ordered. Maybe it was an off day."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for El Criollo
Based on the average of (3) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
2.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate