La Popular Hollywood Makes Its Debut

Much to my surprise, after 25 years there is no more Hollywood & Highland complex anymore as it has now been rebranded as Ovation Hollywood. Opened in 2001, it’s going to take a lot for locals to get used to the new name.

Likewise, the touted launch of La Popular Hollywood, a Mexican take on high-end dining and drinking, might take some getting used to when folks realize it falls short of being an impressive Mexico City transplant in the heart of L.A.

La Popular comes courtesy of Group Carolo—a popular Mexico City restaurant group with nearly 30 restaurants in its portfolio. The La Popular Hollywood location is housed in a former California Pizza Kitchen space. With other restaurants in Claremont and Porter Ranch, as well as Roseville in Northern California, these locations, as well as the CPK tie-in, didn’t surprise me much because as often as words like “chic” and “sophistication” are used to describe the restaurant, its more apt description comes from the Mexico City brand itself when it calls La Popular a “nice” taqueria.

I’m a big fan of Mexico City—for being one of the world’s leading destinations in cocktail culture to its exquisite and groundbreaking culinary scene—but La Popular Hollywood is something you’d find in a CDMX mall than anywhere where foodies would lineup for hours or fight for a reservation. It makes sense this outpost is in a shopping complex and that the other locations are in mall towns.

While the Hollywood powers that be may brag about its agave program, the cocktails here were very disappointing—that is if you’re a fan of boozy well-balanced drinks. I found the cocktails to be too sweet and too weak. The two cocktails with Instagram worthy presentations I was told would not be to my liking. This might be more of a beer and wine experience with perhaps a nice shot or two for good measure.

While the setting is a little nicer than CPK, the patio space offers a comfy vibe with a view of the Hollywood sign. This will be an ideal location before concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Come for happy hour between 3-6pm and then head off to the show or nightcap it with an evening happy hour from 9-11pm.

During our recent visit for dinner, we started with the Corn Off the Cob Salad with mixed greens, avocado, onion, cotija, Tajin, and lemon vinaigrette. You can also add steak, shrimp or chicken but we enjoyed it as a simple starter salad.

We also enjoyed the Mole Enchiladas prepped with pulled chicken, mole sauce, cotija cheese, red onion, cilantro, guacamole and crema. It was very tasty. Other enchiladas options include short rib, cheese, or Suizas with your choice of shrimp or pulled chicken.

Another crowd pleaser was the Quesabirria—two braised short rib tacos with asadero-jack cheese, refried beans, Mexican rice, and consommé. While you might find two tacos for $19 pricey, they were very good and it is a hearty dish.

If you’re really hungry, opt for the Carne Asada skirt steak with chimichurri butter, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, pickled red onions, rice, beans, and tortillas. I wished the presentation offered something more attractive for Instagram but the dish itself is pleasing. It’s also big enough to share, which is a good idea as it’s a $34 plate.

you save room for dessert, the Churros with chocolate sauce and cajeta do not disappoint just as the Turtle Pie with peanut butter, chocolate, caramel and candied pecans is a winner.

This might become a Hollywood go-to spot for happy hour before a concert of movie but maybe with some fancy editing, La Popular will soon enough be ready for it’s closeup in the spotlight.

La Popular Hollywood is located at Ovation Hollywood 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. Open daily from 11am to 11pm (midnight on Fridays). Opens Sundays at 10am. Call (323) 552-7499.

Photos 1,2,4,5,6 and 8 By: Stan Lee