La Bamba
1237 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY, 40204
La Bamba Menu
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Main
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Vegetarian Items
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Quesadillas
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Nachos
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Regular Meat Choices
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Specialty Meats
Healthy Meal suggestions for La Bamba
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Main
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Vegetarian Items
-
Quesadillas
-
Nachos
-
Regular Meat Choices
-
Specialty Meats
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1237 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY, 40204 - Phone (502) 451-1418
- Website https://www.labambaburritos.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Chris S.
La Bamba is a serious contender for late-night Bardstown grub. Let me start by saying: I'm a huge fan of bad Mexican food. For this reason, Taco Bell generally measures fairly high on my bad Mexican list. Nevertheless, the Bardstown Taco Bell is terrible - it is slow and consistent in only one regard: the ability to wreck my bowels. La Bamba to the rescue. It's about as authentic as a Cinco de Mayo parade in Helsinki but it fills the shitty burrito shaped hole in my heart. 4 stars for the fuck of it.
(4)Alex S.
Burritos as big as your head! How can you not be interested in a place like that. There has been some late night drinking going on and I was hungry. Hungry hungry. I asked my friend where we should go in her town and she said La Bamba. It was close, it was quick, it was later-night eats. The atmosphere feels like a cheesy Mexican fast-food place, which is kind of exactly what it is. That being said, it embraces it's cheesiness. No pretensions, no BS. You know what you're getting here as soon as you walk in. I got the combo deal which was a burrito (normal sized though), rice, beans and soda for about $9. It was ... Ok. A pretty hefty burrito and a ton of rice and beans, but none of it blew me away. I don't know, if I wan't so hungry I probably wouldn't have finished the burrito and I certainly didn't with the rice and beans. It was just your basic, average Mexican food. That being said, I love a place like this exists. It's open late, you can get lots of different food choices (next time, I'm going taco) and I hear there's even a reverse drive-through where you pay and pick up on the passenger side. If that's not wonderfully insane, I don't know what is.
(3)Alex M.
The beauty about La Bamba is that it makes no pretensions about what it is. It's the Danny Trejo of Louisville Mexican restaurants: it's good at what it does, and what it does ain't pretty. Let's be honest here; any place that claims to have "burritos as big as your head" and stays open until conveniently ungodly hours is inconspicuously telling you that it tastes better when you're fucked up. It's just the kind of hearty, gloriously bad for you meal that absolutely hits the spot when you've hit the firewater a bit too adamantly. That's not to say that the food isn't good while sober. Actually, it's just flat-out delicious. It's quick, cheap and tasty while still maintaining a decent amount of authenticity. Any place where you can get two delicious steak and pork tacos, a quesadilla, and a side of rice and beans WITH a drink under $10 is simply a gem. The meat was grilled and seasoned properly, and the rice and beans were flavorful and plentiful. The atmosphere is absolutely nothing fancy, but that's to be expected. The service is courteous and the food is served very quickly. I simply cannot recommend this place enough, whether for a quick lunch, or to ameliorate that inevitable hangover. This is definitely one of my favorite fast-food spots in the Highlands. On that note, these guys are badly in need of a liquor license.
(4)Alec P.
This place wont win any awards but for what it is I absolutely love it. It's fast food Mexican food that is much much better than Qdoba, Moe's, Taco Bell, or anything else like that. Their burritos are amazing, and so are the tacos. The staff is friendly and they're open late which is great. It's a great place to grab a quick lunch or a midnight snack.
(4)Felipe Z.
I hate that I loved it. I was visiting Louisville for a weekend, and I'm pretty sure I ended up at that place every night (or early morning) completely intoxicated, looking for the comfort of a burrito as big as my head :( . I'm so embarrassed. Their cheese quesadillas on corn tortillas are delish! and from the burritos, I'd probably go for chicken. I did not enjoy too much the pork one. Their nachos were pretty good, but a bit too much onion in them. Def. a must go if you live in the area and need some mexican comfort to sober up :( Carry on Soldiers, and let the Party extend at that place.
(4)Suzanne B.
I've been wanting to try this place out for decades and finally did just the other day. It's something of a staple along Bardstown Rd, and - while most frequently visited by those at the end of weekend debauchery - I'd also recommend it to non-debauched hungry people. There's just something about seeing a sign for "Burritos as big as your head" that draws one in like a circus freak show. Ambience is nothing special. It looks like an old Wendy's building, with the glassed-in front seating area and (backwards) drive-thru. You can see the cook prepare your food as you order it, which is nice. I got the mini burrito, so it wasn't the size of my head, but it was probably the size of a Chipotle/Qdoba burrito. Mind you that La Bamba has been around for quite a while, so when their huge burritos first debuted, they were a novelty rather than the norm. No matter. They offer a broader range of choices in meats (I picked chorizo) and toast the outside of your burrito on the grill for taste that is mmm-mmm good!
(3)Kurosh E.
Their burritos are definitely better than their tortas and their tacos. The chicken is the shredded variety, and their steak is not that good; I recommend getting ground beef. Make sure you grab one of the sauce cups, it makes a huge difference. La Bamba gets bonus points for being open late and for having a parking lot.
(4)Steve M.
Try the chorizo folks! Soooo yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)Rachel F.
Well, the big sign touting "Burritos as big as your head" was a bit of a stretch. But still makes me smile - so I am in support of it. This isn't the place you take a date for dinner. I feel certain that 90% of their profits are made after 10 p.m. Mostly at about 3 a.m. when folks are leaving the bars and heading home down Bardstown Road. Open 24/7, La Bamba is an easy pic. And the food isn't bad. It is definitely a step up from Taco Bell and you can get a taco for $1.79, so worth the stop. Tip: Be very careful driving through the drive-through. It is backwards!! Clockwise instead of counterclockwise around the building. So if you don't have a passenger or good depth perception, you might want to just park it and walk on in.
(3)Bryce B.
Much better than QDOBA or MOE'S.. this place is awesome! Only thing is I wish their hot sauce was hotter. Get anything here... they are the best. and don't forget the cheese sauce!
(4)Andy D.
I have only said this one time in my own personal Yelp history, so you can know I don't say it lightly: "WHAT IS EVERYBODY HERE THINKING?" La Bamba has to be one of the worst Mexican restaurants I've eaten at at a long, long time. The place is shitty, the service is short, the options are confusing, but most importantly, guys, this food is just. not. good. I came around dinnertime on Halloween (yeah, yeah, I know) with mouth watering based on some of these other reviews. The price was right, too! $8.00 or $9.00 for a burrito and drink, which is about equivalent to what you'd spend at a similar Tex-Mex place or even a Chipotle. When my food came out, though, I was less than impressed. Really less than impressed. The toasty tortilla was a nice touch, but beyond that: iceberg lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, beans. And what I don't get is that other Mexican chains manage to combine these ingredients to incredible effect, whereas eating here literally felt like I was sampling out of my refrigerator. Please don't come here. Go to a Taco Bell, go to your burrito fast casual chain of choice, heck, heat up a tortilla and cheese at home, I don't care. But you Yelpers led me into a pretty sadistic trap. Either that or none of you have eaten this food sober, which, on a second read-through, might be a pretty reasonable assumption.
(1)Kelly P.
La Bamba is not fancy. It's nothing super special. You should realize that before you go. I read through some other reviews before posting this, and there seem to be quite a few bad ones, so I'm just throwing that out there first thing. Don't expect anything amazing or mind blowing when you go to La Bamba, or you'll probably be disappointed. That being said.. La Bamba is pretty good. The food is tasty and it's reasonably priced. It stays open super late and if you've been out drinking, believe me, you're going to enjoy the food. The sides are ample and the burritos are actually really good. They also have nachos, quesadillas, and other typical fast food Mexican fare. Are the burritos as big as your head? No. Is the drive-thru on the wrong side of the car? Yes. But, take this place for what it is and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.
(3)John R.
There are several issues here: 1) The drive through. It's on the right side. ....Let me repeat, you pay and receive your food through the right side of your car. If you have a passenger with you, it's a small inconvenience. If you're alone, it's a huge annoyance. And I really doubt any car larger than a jeep can get through the tiny drive-through. I have a small car. And it's tough enough. 2) The place looks dated and feels dirty, even if you aren't sure why. From the outside and on the inside. 3) It is open really late so if you go here at that time you're likely to find drunk people stumbling around or causing problems. I have heard multiple stories of drunk people making a scene here. That said,......I really enjoy their food. I've only had a few dishes but I've enjoyed them all. Still, it is right between Qdoba and the Chipotle that opened up a few weeks ago...so given the choice between all three of these, I don't think I'd ever choose La Bamba. It's hard to imagine it will remain in business much longer with such strong competition so close by.
(3)Josh M.
This place is great! The burritos are awesome. I've read people complaining about the place... It's a fast food Mexican restaurant that stays open until 4am!!!! What did you think you were going to a high end Mexican restaurant??? For what it is the food is awesome, being able to go here when everything else is closed is even more awesome! Yes there drive through is on the wrong side, so what. Yes the place isn't spotless, they're open 18 hours a day! So what the burritos aren't really as big as your head its a joke people, quit being so literal!!! Every meal I've had here I've enjoyed. The food is perfect in my opinion! I always go here when I have the opportunity, and I always will.
(5)Erica S.
I am not a huge fan of Mexican food in general, but I can usually find something on the menu I like for a picky eater. I tried here and was not a fan. Service was fine and building was clean just not food I would come back for.
(2)Sofia J.
The tacos , burritos, and tortas at this place are a lot like the ones I used to get in those delicious Mexican-immigrant run hole-in-the-walls in Chicago. The place may lack ambience, but the food is tasty and inexpensive. Many Louisvillians may turn up their nose at this place, but that is because the Mexican food they know are those cheese-smothered dishes in Tex-Mex restaurants. Don't get me wrong; I can appreciate those too, but when you are looking for homestyle Mexican cooking, this is the place where you want to go.
(4)Chris P.
Their " head sized " burrito is smaller than regular burritos I've had elsewhere. Oh well. They are decent. The tacos are pretty good. The tortas are skimpy. Everything just needs more flavor and more filling! ... I have high hopes for Mexican food thoigh. Born and raised in so-cal, and frequented Baja Mexico... This place works when you're insanely drunk and just don't give a shit because it at least halfway comes across authentic. It's ok.
(3)Charlie B.
This place is great if you know how to order. I lived in Los Angeles for nearly fifteen years before moving to Louisville, and when on the west coast ate from taco trucks at least once a week. In fact, after moving to Louisville, which I love, the only thing I missed about Los Angeles were the food trucks. I went hunting for the taste and found many, many places that didn't do it for me. Finally, one drunken evening, my then-girlfriend, now my wife (a Louisville native), took me here. I didn't love it. If you order the burritos and the tacos without any changes, they don't taste quite right. But they're close. After a few tries, I began to order either the chorizo or steak burrito without lettuce, tomato, or onions. Add rice and sour cream and it tastes exactly as it should (to me, anyway). Now that I have the formula down, I eat here regularly. Usually just getting a burrito; sometimes a few tacos (just meat, hold whatever else comes on them, and pour on their hot salsa). I used to wish their whole jalapenos had better flavor. But I've taken to pickling my own, so that's no longer a worry.* Anyway, when I want a burrito that tastes something like the burritos I spent fifteen years eating on the west coast, I come here. *Four cups of white vinegar, two cups of water, three tablespoons of salt, three garlic cloves (chopped), black pepper to taste (about a teaspoon for me). Peel and slice three whole carrots. Cut slits into the tips of fifteen jalapenos so the vinegar will permeate. Toss carrots into pot and simmer for fifteen minutes. Add the whole jalapenos and simmer another fifteen. Take off heat. Let cool for ten minutes. Put into Mason jars (usually two or three small ones). Put on lids. Let cool to room temp. Refrigerate till you eat.
(4)Devan H.
First thing you notice is the run down feel of the dining area. Trying to communicate with the employes may be difficult at times. Excited for a huge burrito I get down on a beef and queso filled burrito. After the first few bites I realize the burrito is completely lacking flavor apart from the abundance of overpowering raw onions. Trying to add some kind of sensation I add some of their salsa on top only creating a burn in my mouth while STILL not giving flavor. Completely disappointed and would never recommend this to a true food lover. Save yourself the grief and drive down to Taco Bell if it's late and you want some cheap Mexican.
(2)Victoria T.
The burritos are not as big as my head. If my head was that size, I think I'd be missing copious amounts of grey matter required to support my autonomic nervous system. The dining room could use a spruce up or at least a scrubbing. It's a little dingy and fairly depressing. It feels like sitting in the recreation room in an old folks home. The staff was friendly enough but seemed to have some communication issues amongst themselves. There were some sharp exchanges in reference to our order. I like tacos so, you know, I ordered tacos. The chicken taco was pretty good and the tortillas were stuffed to capacity. The steak taco was not so good. It was dry and under-seasoned. Sexy Beast declared the not-quite-head-sized burrito edible. La Bummer.
(2)The N.
When I was in high school (96-00) this was the place to go late night. Always a great snack. Now, there's real Mexican places all around Louisville. And their food is better. Prices have gone up. Yet, the portions here get smaller and smaller. While decent, it's not much better than Taco Bell.
(2)Julie M.
I've had their tacos before. Al pastor, steak and pork. Surprisingly, they all don't taste all that different from each other, and I wish there was an option for onion and cilantro toppings rather than the lettuce and tomato that comes with them. La Bamba is really just OK. Its no where near being in an authentic restaurant, but it is quick and does the job.
(3)Pamela S.
I really wanted to like this place more - it was like a mirage on a late, hungry night - but it was just mediocre to me. Walked over from a nearby bar... great, great location for a Mexican food restaurant that is open late. We ordered the Super Nachos and a burrito to start. I liked the nachos, but then we tried the burrito, and both of us thought it tasted just like the nachos, except wrapped in a tortilla. Wanted something different so he went to order me a quesadilla... and its filling were pretty much exactly the same as those on the nachos and in the burrito. Were we just noobs at ordering there? "Burritos as big as your head!" is a cute tagline, but I have a very big head so I didn't get my hopes up ;) I am open to giving La Bamba another try the next time I am in the Midwest. Ending note: I really like their website!
(3)Torin K.
Place is pretty good while you are eating there. Open really late, thats always a plus. The only problem was the intense sickness my friends and I got upon finishing our meal. We all ordered different meats on a super burrito. Immediately after we all felt like we were going to throw up.
(2)Jori G.
I used to live in the house directly behind this place. Like DIRECTLY behind it, to the point if I left my window open at night I could smell the stench of shame and bad decisions wafting into my bedroom around 4am. Crossing into their parking lot to get to Bardstown Rd is like crossing a magical barrier of 'jesus fucking christ what the hell is that smell?!' which seems to only happen on their premises then magically fades away as soon as you hit the sidewalk (I'm not the only person who has noticed this, either). I've only been drunk when I come here, but I remember the food not making me sick and being fairly tasty, so that is a plus.
(3)Carey L.
If you've never been outside of Louisville then this place is probably the best Mexican food, if you've lived anywhere near the border then you may think it's average at best
(2)C-pher M.
When I come into town, it's one of the places that I have to go. More so if I'm out late with family. The food is great, the burritos are HUGE and they are so damn tasty! I love their hot sauce, it's good, it's hot, and there's a lot of it!
(4)Raymond B.
I can say with absolute confidence that this place has great tasting food. I typically get a burrito or quesadilla and my choice of meat is typically steak. I favor the brown sauce, but almost always mix some of their "Diablo" sauce in with it just because I like the taste. I have been coming here for 14 years and the food is just as good today as it was 14 years ago. The only thing that has changed is the time that I choose to dine in this establishment. It stays open an hour after the bars close on the weekends and opens for lunch every day of the week. The place is always clean and the employees are always friendly. This is far from fine dining, but I am not one that requires that to enjoy a meal. I love this place!
(5)Nicole W.
We cannot believe only 1 other person has reviewed this place. WE LOVE IT! This displaced Texan is thrilled to find some fast, authentic, affordable Mexican food. Even more, I love practicing my Spanish when we visit. Don't worry, you don't need Spanish to order. The place is full of those that don't speak a word, just love the food. We ordered the #3 (2 taco + Quesadilla with drink, beans, and rice) and a Burrito "as big as your head." My husband commented "I just cut into my burrito, and cilantro is bursting out, that's a good sign." He wasn't kidding. La Bamba, I will dream about your pork tacos tonight, and until I can have another.
(4)joe p.
Underrated place. I know a lot of people scoff and suggest you go to some mediocre place like Qdoba or even Taco Bell, but that's dumb. The tacos and the tortas are pretty effin' good, and the burritos, while not exactly San Francisco quality, are pretty tasty as well. Don't listen to the crybabies, unless you prefer the suburban BS version of American Mexican food.
(4)Amanda D.
Pulled up to the drivethru ( which is oddly placed if you have no passenger the window is on the right side of the car) and heard nothing for at least two min. Now keep in mind I'm a laid back person, I used to work fast food, I get it, so in all honesty im a very patient cust. So i said hello. They said nothing, I waited another 4-5 min and got nothing. So I re-attempted the hellos and at the same result pulled to the window. My friend and I waved hello and the guy walked to the window. We said hey we didnt hear anything over the speaker and the guy said "im busy ok?" and slammed the window shut. So we drove off. It was the weirdest exchange and at 2a there was no one in the place and no one in the dthru. but they're open until 4a. So... Im offended and will not give my money to rude service. I will not go back.
(1)B R.
I went here for lunch today. The guys at the counter were curt and rude. I ordered three tacos and they were overpriced, tasteless and just unacceptable. My recommendation is to save your money and just hit the nearest taco bell. I would have given them one star if they were courteous, but they didn't even earn that.
(1)Kyle S.
While the burritos were not quite as big as my head, they were pretty big and pretty good. I was surprised by the habanero sauce which had a lot of heat for a place that rolls up burritos for Gringo and Gringa college kids. This place was fairly priced and you definitely get a lot of food for what you pay. It's also open late, making it drunk munchie central. Fine place.
(3)Damon B.
The food is awful. I know it's a favorite among bar frequenters but I can't stand it no matter how many I've had. The only reason it didn't get one star is because the service is decent.
(2)Cynthia D.
So, I feel like I am writing a confessional, letting the world know that I go here at least once, or even twice, a week. This reminds me of the real mexican food I would get at taco trucks or little shacks on the side of the road when I was living in LA. Huge amounts of food, cheaply. I am especially a fan of corn shells instead of flour, and this spot has them! A great selection of Jaritos soft drinks, and they even have their own bobble heads. A WTF moment: The drive through window is backwards, you order at the driver's side but the passenger side is where you pick up and pay. Totally confusing late night. This is a cheap, fun and awesome place to be. Viva La Bamba!
(5)Bryne Y.
Burritos as big as your head! That's all most of you likely need to know, but for those wishing to delve deeper, here: La Bamba is a solid, if unspectacular Mexican joint. Order in front of the grill, receive your food in front of the grill, pay at the register, and seat your own dang self. The food is fast and plentiful, and pretty good for what it is. It'll never be mistaken for higher-end Mexican cuisine, but something tells me that's hardly the intention here. It's something to stuff your face after a night of drinking (or in my case, a day and night of drinking). Lots of vegetarian and meat options alike. A little too much lettuce on the nachos (just because I don't eat meat doesn't mean I want a glorified taco salad) but very good nonetheless.
(4)Peter C.
Awesome place! They don't call it Burritos As Big As Your Head for nothing. Reasonably priced $8 for a giant burrito big enough to split with your date. With $3 tip because they're known for their extra nice service it's $11 total for a good meal. Try the chicken stuffed burrito -my favorite.
(5)Jennifer M.
Cheap eats and the super is literally as big as your head. Vegan friendly. They're open super late too.
(4)John B.
This is def a fast food restaurant quality place. Guy is quick as hell and food is a decent price but not very good. Better than standard taco bell, not as good as your average taco truck
(3)Courtney S.
I used to live down the street from this place. It looked like a dump, the type of place where you'd be afraid to eat. But the food is surprisingly good, and cheap! Yes, the sign out front is true, "burritos as big as your head." My favorite burrito was the carne asada. Clearly, the burrito weighed about two pounds. Two pounds of meaty/beany deliciousness. They had four sauces: pico de gallo, mild, medium, and hot. Oh, then there's that one that they keep in the back. The one you have to ask for, and when you do, all the guys at the counter look at you like you're nuts. Why? Because you would have to be nuts to eat the stuff. The sauce is so hot I think you could use it as paint remover. Hot as it was it was very good. If you're in Louisville and you like burritos give this place a try.
(4)Antonio S.
Please excuse the fact that I am a burrito snob. Growing up in California, the Burrito truck was a way of life. I've grown accustomed to the foil wrapped burrito in a paper bag as a staple. Since moving from California through numerous states, I've been unable to find a burrito of the same caliber - even in an actual mexican restaurant. La Bamba has disappointed me yet again. I have come by on numerous occasions, thinking it was going to taste better each time. Well, it's official - it hasn't. I've truly given La Bamba a chance by trying it over and over again - this will have made it my 5th visit. I love good Mexican food, and I want La Bamba to be sooo good, so bad. I continue to try it time and time again out of desperation - because it has been so long since I've truly had quality Mexican food. If you haven't noticed, I am passionate about food period. The Carne Asada Burrito brings back so many memories of joy and happiness, I always make it a point to order it as my gauge of whether the restaurant is worth it. I ordered my Super Carne Asada Burrito each and every time, and although they state that the burrito is as big as your head - I must admit, it is actually rather small, and has nothing in it except some steak, LOTS of DRY lettuce, and refried beans all wrapped in a huge tortilla. Unfortunately, this gives you the illusion that the burrito is actually big - its not. Lots of cheap fillers. No rice, no tomato, no sour cream, no guacamole, cheese etc. just the bare minimum. Not to sound like a total burrito whore - but I've had way better. People will swear by La Bamba's food, but remember that half those people will have had their food at 0300 on a Saturday night after heavy drinking. In that mental state, let's be real for a minute - just about ANYTHING you put in your mouth tastes good. Need I say, "Waffle House, Denny's, White Castle, etc....?" Tell me if I'm wrong - I've been there. Ask any true Mexican food aficionado what the best hangover cure is when it comes to Mexican food - try MENUDO. Have the same people eat the same thing in a sober state, and then ask them their true opinion then. If it's still the best thing they've eaten, then they just haven't had anything better and simply don't know what they're missing. Psst...Here's a couple of tips to gauge the quality of a Mexican restaurant's Mexican food: 1. Order a taco. If they only offer it with ground beef versus shredded beef - they are cheap. Granted, if you have the choice to order between the two, that's another story. But, if their supposed "steak" taco contains nothing but ground beef - be wary. If they use shredded beef and its totally watery, again - be wary. Notice how Taco bell uses ground beef as their default setting for tacos. Now that Taco Bell is under fire for not even using real beef - even THAT's suspect. 2. Freshness of ingredients - True Mexican cooks go out of their way to ensure their ingredients are nothing short of FRESH. If the lettuce is brown, the guacamole is brown and watery, and the tomatoes are mushy - the quality of food is low. The lettuce should be crisp and not DRY. On top of that, a lot of cheap, Mexican restaurants will offer small burritos with the meat inside the tortilla, and the veggies, rice, guacamole separately - then they douse the whole thing in cheese. This isn't a real burrito, the presentation is just better, so it seems like you're getting quality food. Don't be tricked by this. If Mexican is truly quality, it doesn't need much in terms of presentation to prove it. Hence the "Super Steak" burrito in a paper bag....
(2)Antonio S.
Please excuse the fact that I am a burrito snob. Growing up in California, the Burrito truck was a way of life. I've grown accustomed to the foil wrapped burrito in a paper bag as a staple. Since moving from California through numerous states, I've been unable to find a burrito of the same caliber - even in an actual mexican restaurant. La Bamba has disappointed me yet again. I have come by on numerous occasions, thinking it was going to taste better each time. Well, it's official - it hasn't. I've truly given La Bamba a chance by trying it over and over again - this will have made it my 5th visit. I love good Mexican food, and I want La Bamba to be sooo good, so bad. I continue to try it time and time again out of desperation - because it has been so long since I've truly had quality Mexican food. If you haven't noticed, I am passionate about food period. The Carne Asada Burrito brings back so many memories of joy and happiness, I always make it a point to order it as my gauge of whether the restaurant is worth it. I ordered my Super Carne Asada Burrito each and every time, and although they state that the burrito is as big as your head - I must admit, it is actually rather small, and has nothing in it except some steak, LOTS of DRY lettuce, and refried beans all wrapped in a huge tortilla. Unfortunately, this gives you the illusion that the burrito is actually big - its not. Lots of cheap fillers. No rice, no tomato, no sour cream, no guacamole, cheese etc. just the bare minimum. Not to sound like a total burrito whore - but I've had way better. People will swear by La Bamba's food, but remember that half those people will have had their food at 0300 on a Saturday night after heavy drinking. In that mental state, let's be real for a minute - just about ANYTHING you put in your mouth tastes good. Need I say, "Waffle House, Denny's, White Castle, etc....?" Tell me if I'm wrong - I've been there. Ask any true Mexican food aficionado what the best hangover cure is when it comes to Mexican food - try MENUDO. Have the same people eat the same thing in a sober state, and then ask them their true opinion then. If it's still the best thing they've eaten, then they just haven't had anything better and simply don't know what they're missing. Psst...Here's a couple of tips to gauge the quality of a Mexican restaurant's Mexican food: 1. Order a taco. If they only offer it with ground beef versus shredded beef - they are cheap. Granted, if you have the choice to order between the two, that's another story. But, if their supposed "steak" taco contains nothing but ground beef - be wary. If they use shredded beef and its totally watery, again - be wary. Notice how Taco bell uses ground beef as their default setting for tacos. Now that Taco Bell is under fire for not even using real beef - even THAT's suspect. 2. Freshness of ingredients - True Mexican cooks go out of their way to ensure their ingredients are nothing short of FRESH. If the lettuce is brown, the guacamole is brown and watery, and the tomatoes are mushy - the quality of food is low. The lettuce should be crisp and not DRY. On top of that, a lot of cheap, Mexican restaurants will offer small burritos with the meat inside the tortilla, and the veggies, rice, guacamole separately - then they douse the whole thing in cheese. This isn't a real burrito, the presentation is just better, so it seems like you're getting quality food. Don't be tricked by this. If Mexican is truly quality, it doesn't need much in terms of presentation to prove it. Hence the "Super Steak" burrito in a paper bag....
(2)Amanda D.
Pulled up to the drivethru ( which is oddly placed if you have no passenger the window is on the right side of the car) and heard nothing for at least two min. Now keep in mind I'm a laid back person, I used to work fast food, I get it, so in all honesty im a very patient cust. So i said hello. They said nothing, I waited another 4-5 min and got nothing. So I re-attempted the hellos and at the same result pulled to the window. My friend and I waved hello and the guy walked to the window. We said hey we didnt hear anything over the speaker and the guy said "im busy ok?" and slammed the window shut. So we drove off. It was the weirdest exchange and at 2a there was no one in the place and no one in the dthru. but they're open until 4a. So... Im offended and will not give my money to rude service. I will not go back.
(1)B R.
I went here for lunch today. The guys at the counter were curt and rude. I ordered three tacos and they were overpriced, tasteless and just unacceptable. My recommendation is to save your money and just hit the nearest taco bell. I would have given them one star if they were courteous, but they didn't even earn that.
(1)Courtney S.
I used to live down the street from this place. It looked like a dump, the type of place where you'd be afraid to eat. But the food is surprisingly good, and cheap! Yes, the sign out front is true, "burritos as big as your head." My favorite burrito was the carne asada. Clearly, the burrito weighed about two pounds. Two pounds of meaty/beany deliciousness. They had four sauces: pico de gallo, mild, medium, and hot. Oh, then there's that one that they keep in the back. The one you have to ask for, and when you do, all the guys at the counter look at you like you're nuts. Why? Because you would have to be nuts to eat the stuff. The sauce is so hot I think you could use it as paint remover. Hot as it was it was very good. If you're in Louisville and you like burritos give this place a try.
(4)Alex M.
The beauty about La Bamba is that it makes no pretensions about what it is. It's the Danny Trejo of Louisville Mexican restaurants: it's good at what it does, and what it does ain't pretty. Let's be honest here; any place that claims to have "burritos as big as your head" and stays open until conveniently ungodly hours is inconspicuously telling you that it tastes better when you're fucked up. It's just the kind of hearty, gloriously bad for you meal that absolutely hits the spot when you've hit the firewater a bit too adamantly. That's not to say that the food isn't good while sober. Actually, it's just flat-out delicious. It's quick, cheap and tasty while still maintaining a decent amount of authenticity. Any place where you can get two delicious steak and pork tacos, a quesadilla, and a side of rice and beans WITH a drink under $10 is simply a gem. The meat was grilled and seasoned properly, and the rice and beans were flavorful and plentiful. The atmosphere is absolutely nothing fancy, but that's to be expected. The service is courteous and the food is served very quickly. I simply cannot recommend this place enough, whether for a quick lunch, or to ameliorate that inevitable hangover. This is definitely one of my favorite fast-food spots in the Highlands. On that note, these guys are badly in need of a liquor license.
(4)Chris S.
La Bamba is a serious contender for late-night Bardstown grub. Let me start by saying: I'm a huge fan of bad Mexican food. For this reason, Taco Bell generally measures fairly high on my bad Mexican list. Nevertheless, the Bardstown Taco Bell is terrible - it is slow and consistent in only one regard: the ability to wreck my bowels. La Bamba to the rescue. It's about as authentic as a Cinco de Mayo parade in Helsinki but it fills the shitty burrito shaped hole in my heart. 4 stars for the fuck of it.
(4)The N.
When I was in high school (96-00) this was the place to go late night. Always a great snack. Now, there's real Mexican places all around Louisville. And their food is better. Prices have gone up. Yet, the portions here get smaller and smaller. While decent, it's not much better than Taco Bell.
(2)Julie M.
I've had their tacos before. Al pastor, steak and pork. Surprisingly, they all don't taste all that different from each other, and I wish there was an option for onion and cilantro toppings rather than the lettuce and tomato that comes with them. La Bamba is really just OK. Its no where near being in an authentic restaurant, but it is quick and does the job.
(3)Charlie B.
This place is great if you know how to order. I lived in Los Angeles for nearly fifteen years before moving to Louisville, and when on the west coast ate from taco trucks at least once a week. In fact, after moving to Louisville, which I love, the only thing I missed about Los Angeles were the food trucks. I went hunting for the taste and found many, many places that didn't do it for me. Finally, one drunken evening, my then-girlfriend, now my wife (a Louisville native), took me here. I didn't love it. If you order the burritos and the tacos without any changes, they don't taste quite right. But they're close. After a few tries, I began to order either the chorizo or steak burrito without lettuce, tomato, or onions. Add rice and sour cream and it tastes exactly as it should (to me, anyway). Now that I have the formula down, I eat here regularly. Usually just getting a burrito; sometimes a few tacos (just meat, hold whatever else comes on them, and pour on their hot salsa). I used to wish their whole jalapenos had better flavor. But I've taken to pickling my own, so that's no longer a worry.* Anyway, when I want a burrito that tastes something like the burritos I spent fifteen years eating on the west coast, I come here. *Four cups of white vinegar, two cups of water, three tablespoons of salt, three garlic cloves (chopped), black pepper to taste (about a teaspoon for me). Peel and slice three whole carrots. Cut slits into the tips of fifteen jalapenos so the vinegar will permeate. Toss carrots into pot and simmer for fifteen minutes. Add the whole jalapenos and simmer another fifteen. Take off heat. Let cool for ten minutes. Put into Mason jars (usually two or three small ones). Put on lids. Let cool to room temp. Refrigerate till you eat.
(4)Kelly P.
La Bamba is not fancy. It's nothing super special. You should realize that before you go. I read through some other reviews before posting this, and there seem to be quite a few bad ones, so I'm just throwing that out there first thing. Don't expect anything amazing or mind blowing when you go to La Bamba, or you'll probably be disappointed. That being said.. La Bamba is pretty good. The food is tasty and it's reasonably priced. It stays open super late and if you've been out drinking, believe me, you're going to enjoy the food. The sides are ample and the burritos are actually really good. They also have nachos, quesadillas, and other typical fast food Mexican fare. Are the burritos as big as your head? No. Is the drive-thru on the wrong side of the car? Yes. But, take this place for what it is and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.
(3)Victoria T.
The burritos are not as big as my head. If my head was that size, I think I'd be missing copious amounts of grey matter required to support my autonomic nervous system. The dining room could use a spruce up or at least a scrubbing. It's a little dingy and fairly depressing. It feels like sitting in the recreation room in an old folks home. The staff was friendly enough but seemed to have some communication issues amongst themselves. There were some sharp exchanges in reference to our order. I like tacos so, you know, I ordered tacos. The chicken taco was pretty good and the tortillas were stuffed to capacity. The steak taco was not so good. It was dry and under-seasoned. Sexy Beast declared the not-quite-head-sized burrito edible. La Bummer.
(2)John R.
There are several issues here: 1) The drive through. It's on the right side. ....Let me repeat, you pay and receive your food through the right side of your car. If you have a passenger with you, it's a small inconvenience. If you're alone, it's a huge annoyance. And I really doubt any car larger than a jeep can get through the tiny drive-through. I have a small car. And it's tough enough. 2) The place looks dated and feels dirty, even if you aren't sure why. From the outside and on the inside. 3) It is open really late so if you go here at that time you're likely to find drunk people stumbling around or causing problems. I have heard multiple stories of drunk people making a scene here. That said,......I really enjoy their food. I've only had a few dishes but I've enjoyed them all. Still, it is right between Qdoba and the Chipotle that opened up a few weeks ago...so given the choice between all three of these, I don't think I'd ever choose La Bamba. It's hard to imagine it will remain in business much longer with such strong competition so close by.
(3)Josh M.
This place is great! The burritos are awesome. I've read people complaining about the place... It's a fast food Mexican restaurant that stays open until 4am!!!! What did you think you were going to a high end Mexican restaurant??? For what it is the food is awesome, being able to go here when everything else is closed is even more awesome! Yes there drive through is on the wrong side, so what. Yes the place isn't spotless, they're open 18 hours a day! So what the burritos aren't really as big as your head its a joke people, quit being so literal!!! Every meal I've had here I've enjoyed. The food is perfect in my opinion! I always go here when I have the opportunity, and I always will.
(5)Erica S.
I am not a huge fan of Mexican food in general, but I can usually find something on the menu I like for a picky eater. I tried here and was not a fan. Service was fine and building was clean just not food I would come back for.
(2)Sofia J.
The tacos , burritos, and tortas at this place are a lot like the ones I used to get in those delicious Mexican-immigrant run hole-in-the-walls in Chicago. The place may lack ambience, but the food is tasty and inexpensive. Many Louisvillians may turn up their nose at this place, but that is because the Mexican food they know are those cheese-smothered dishes in Tex-Mex restaurants. Don't get me wrong; I can appreciate those too, but when you are looking for homestyle Mexican cooking, this is the place where you want to go.
(4)Chris P.
Their " head sized " burrito is smaller than regular burritos I've had elsewhere. Oh well. They are decent. The tacos are pretty good. The tortas are skimpy. Everything just needs more flavor and more filling! ... I have high hopes for Mexican food thoigh. Born and raised in so-cal, and frequented Baja Mexico... This place works when you're insanely drunk and just don't give a shit because it at least halfway comes across authentic. It's ok.
(3)Devan H.
First thing you notice is the run down feel of the dining area. Trying to communicate with the employes may be difficult at times. Excited for a huge burrito I get down on a beef and queso filled burrito. After the first few bites I realize the burrito is completely lacking flavor apart from the abundance of overpowering raw onions. Trying to add some kind of sensation I add some of their salsa on top only creating a burn in my mouth while STILL not giving flavor. Completely disappointed and would never recommend this to a true food lover. Save yourself the grief and drive down to Taco Bell if it's late and you want some cheap Mexican.
(2)Alec P.
This place wont win any awards but for what it is I absolutely love it. It's fast food Mexican food that is much much better than Qdoba, Moe's, Taco Bell, or anything else like that. Their burritos are amazing, and so are the tacos. The staff is friendly and they're open late which is great. It's a great place to grab a quick lunch or a midnight snack.
(4)Pamela S.
I really wanted to like this place more - it was like a mirage on a late, hungry night - but it was just mediocre to me. Walked over from a nearby bar... great, great location for a Mexican food restaurant that is open late. We ordered the Super Nachos and a burrito to start. I liked the nachos, but then we tried the burrito, and both of us thought it tasted just like the nachos, except wrapped in a tortilla. Wanted something different so he went to order me a quesadilla... and its filling were pretty much exactly the same as those on the nachos and in the burrito. Were we just noobs at ordering there? "Burritos as big as your head!" is a cute tagline, but I have a very big head so I didn't get my hopes up ;) I am open to giving La Bamba another try the next time I am in the Midwest. Ending note: I really like their website!
(3)Felipe Z.
I hate that I loved it. I was visiting Louisville for a weekend, and I'm pretty sure I ended up at that place every night (or early morning) completely intoxicated, looking for the comfort of a burrito as big as my head :( . I'm so embarrassed. Their cheese quesadillas on corn tortillas are delish! and from the burritos, I'd probably go for chicken. I did not enjoy too much the pork one. Their nachos were pretty good, but a bit too much onion in them. Def. a must go if you live in the area and need some mexican comfort to sober up :( Carry on Soldiers, and let the Party extend at that place.
(4)Torin K.
Place is pretty good while you are eating there. Open really late, thats always a plus. The only problem was the intense sickness my friends and I got upon finishing our meal. We all ordered different meats on a super burrito. Immediately after we all felt like we were going to throw up.
(2)Suzanne B.
I've been wanting to try this place out for decades and finally did just the other day. It's something of a staple along Bardstown Rd, and - while most frequently visited by those at the end of weekend debauchery - I'd also recommend it to non-debauched hungry people. There's just something about seeing a sign for "Burritos as big as your head" that draws one in like a circus freak show. Ambience is nothing special. It looks like an old Wendy's building, with the glassed-in front seating area and (backwards) drive-thru. You can see the cook prepare your food as you order it, which is nice. I got the mini burrito, so it wasn't the size of my head, but it was probably the size of a Chipotle/Qdoba burrito. Mind you that La Bamba has been around for quite a while, so when their huge burritos first debuted, they were a novelty rather than the norm. No matter. They offer a broader range of choices in meats (I picked chorizo) and toast the outside of your burrito on the grill for taste that is mmm-mmm good!
(3)Kurosh E.
Their burritos are definitely better than their tortas and their tacos. The chicken is the shredded variety, and their steak is not that good; I recommend getting ground beef. Make sure you grab one of the sauce cups, it makes a huge difference. La Bamba gets bonus points for being open late and for having a parking lot.
(4)Steve M.
Try the chorizo folks! Soooo yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)Rachel F.
Well, the big sign touting "Burritos as big as your head" was a bit of a stretch. But still makes me smile - so I am in support of it. This isn't the place you take a date for dinner. I feel certain that 90% of their profits are made after 10 p.m. Mostly at about 3 a.m. when folks are leaving the bars and heading home down Bardstown Road. Open 24/7, La Bamba is an easy pic. And the food isn't bad. It is definitely a step up from Taco Bell and you can get a taco for $1.79, so worth the stop. Tip: Be very careful driving through the drive-through. It is backwards!! Clockwise instead of counterclockwise around the building. So if you don't have a passenger or good depth perception, you might want to just park it and walk on in.
(3)Alex S.
Burritos as big as your head! How can you not be interested in a place like that. There has been some late night drinking going on and I was hungry. Hungry hungry. I asked my friend where we should go in her town and she said La Bamba. It was close, it was quick, it was later-night eats. The atmosphere feels like a cheesy Mexican fast-food place, which is kind of exactly what it is. That being said, it embraces it's cheesiness. No pretensions, no BS. You know what you're getting here as soon as you walk in. I got the combo deal which was a burrito (normal sized though), rice, beans and soda for about $9. It was ... Ok. A pretty hefty burrito and a ton of rice and beans, but none of it blew me away. I don't know, if I wan't so hungry I probably wouldn't have finished the burrito and I certainly didn't with the rice and beans. It was just your basic, average Mexican food. That being said, I love a place like this exists. It's open late, you can get lots of different food choices (next time, I'm going taco) and I hear there's even a reverse drive-through where you pay and pick up on the passenger side. If that's not wonderfully insane, I don't know what is.
(3)Jori G.
I used to live in the house directly behind this place. Like DIRECTLY behind it, to the point if I left my window open at night I could smell the stench of shame and bad decisions wafting into my bedroom around 4am. Crossing into their parking lot to get to Bardstown Rd is like crossing a magical barrier of 'jesus fucking christ what the hell is that smell?!' which seems to only happen on their premises then magically fades away as soon as you hit the sidewalk (I'm not the only person who has noticed this, either). I've only been drunk when I come here, but I remember the food not making me sick and being fairly tasty, so that is a plus.
(3)Carey L.
If you've never been outside of Louisville then this place is probably the best Mexican food, if you've lived anywhere near the border then you may think it's average at best
(2)C-pher M.
When I come into town, it's one of the places that I have to go. More so if I'm out late with family. The food is great, the burritos are HUGE and they are so damn tasty! I love their hot sauce, it's good, it's hot, and there's a lot of it!
(4)Raymond B.
I can say with absolute confidence that this place has great tasting food. I typically get a burrito or quesadilla and my choice of meat is typically steak. I favor the brown sauce, but almost always mix some of their "Diablo" sauce in with it just because I like the taste. I have been coming here for 14 years and the food is just as good today as it was 14 years ago. The only thing that has changed is the time that I choose to dine in this establishment. It stays open an hour after the bars close on the weekends and opens for lunch every day of the week. The place is always clean and the employees are always friendly. This is far from fine dining, but I am not one that requires that to enjoy a meal. I love this place!
(5)Nicole W.
We cannot believe only 1 other person has reviewed this place. WE LOVE IT! This displaced Texan is thrilled to find some fast, authentic, affordable Mexican food. Even more, I love practicing my Spanish when we visit. Don't worry, you don't need Spanish to order. The place is full of those that don't speak a word, just love the food. We ordered the #3 (2 taco + Quesadilla with drink, beans, and rice) and a Burrito "as big as your head." My husband commented "I just cut into my burrito, and cilantro is bursting out, that's a good sign." He wasn't kidding. La Bamba, I will dream about your pork tacos tonight, and until I can have another.
(4)joe p.
Underrated place. I know a lot of people scoff and suggest you go to some mediocre place like Qdoba or even Taco Bell, but that's dumb. The tacos and the tortas are pretty effin' good, and the burritos, while not exactly San Francisco quality, are pretty tasty as well. Don't listen to the crybabies, unless you prefer the suburban BS version of American Mexican food.
(4)Bryce B.
Much better than QDOBA or MOE'S.. this place is awesome! Only thing is I wish their hot sauce was hotter. Get anything here... they are the best. and don't forget the cheese sauce!
(4)Andy D.
I have only said this one time in my own personal Yelp history, so you can know I don't say it lightly: "WHAT IS EVERYBODY HERE THINKING?" La Bamba has to be one of the worst Mexican restaurants I've eaten at at a long, long time. The place is shitty, the service is short, the options are confusing, but most importantly, guys, this food is just. not. good. I came around dinnertime on Halloween (yeah, yeah, I know) with mouth watering based on some of these other reviews. The price was right, too! $8.00 or $9.00 for a burrito and drink, which is about equivalent to what you'd spend at a similar Tex-Mex place or even a Chipotle. When my food came out, though, I was less than impressed. Really less than impressed. The toasty tortilla was a nice touch, but beyond that: iceberg lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, beans. And what I don't get is that other Mexican chains manage to combine these ingredients to incredible effect, whereas eating here literally felt like I was sampling out of my refrigerator. Please don't come here. Go to a Taco Bell, go to your burrito fast casual chain of choice, heck, heat up a tortilla and cheese at home, I don't care. But you Yelpers led me into a pretty sadistic trap. Either that or none of you have eaten this food sober, which, on a second read-through, might be a pretty reasonable assumption.
(1)Cynthia D.
So, I feel like I am writing a confessional, letting the world know that I go here at least once, or even twice, a week. This reminds me of the real mexican food I would get at taco trucks or little shacks on the side of the road when I was living in LA. Huge amounts of food, cheaply. I am especially a fan of corn shells instead of flour, and this spot has them! A great selection of Jaritos soft drinks, and they even have their own bobble heads. A WTF moment: The drive through window is backwards, you order at the driver's side but the passenger side is where you pick up and pay. Totally confusing late night. This is a cheap, fun and awesome place to be. Viva La Bamba!
(5)Bryne Y.
Burritos as big as your head! That's all most of you likely need to know, but for those wishing to delve deeper, here: La Bamba is a solid, if unspectacular Mexican joint. Order in front of the grill, receive your food in front of the grill, pay at the register, and seat your own dang self. The food is fast and plentiful, and pretty good for what it is. It'll never be mistaken for higher-end Mexican cuisine, but something tells me that's hardly the intention here. It's something to stuff your face after a night of drinking (or in my case, a day and night of drinking). Lots of vegetarian and meat options alike. A little too much lettuce on the nachos (just because I don't eat meat doesn't mean I want a glorified taco salad) but very good nonetheless.
(4)Peter C.
Awesome place! They don't call it Burritos As Big As Your Head for nothing. Reasonably priced $8 for a giant burrito big enough to split with your date. With $3 tip because they're known for their extra nice service it's $11 total for a good meal. Try the chicken stuffed burrito -my favorite.
(5)Jennifer M.
Cheap eats and the super is literally as big as your head. Vegan friendly. They're open super late too.
(4)John B.
This is def a fast food restaurant quality place. Guy is quick as hell and food is a decent price but not very good. Better than standard taco bell, not as good as your average taco truck
(3)Kyle S.
While the burritos were not quite as big as my head, they were pretty big and pretty good. I was surprised by the habanero sauce which had a lot of heat for a place that rolls up burritos for Gringo and Gringa college kids. This place was fairly priced and you definitely get a lot of food for what you pay. It's also open late, making it drunk munchie central. Fine place.
(3)Damon B.
The food is awful. I know it's a favorite among bar frequenters but I can't stand it no matter how many I've had. The only reason it didn't get one star is because the service is decent.
(2)