Madre! Restaurant REVIEW and Important Information

---

If you’re a foodie looking for a dining experience that’s out of this world, Madre! Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria is the perfect spot for you. Madre offers a mouth-watering menu inspired by traditional Mexican cuisine. From their signature mole sauce to their tantalizing mezcal cocktails, this restaurant has something for everyone. As a fan of both mole and mezcal, I couldn’t wait to try out their menu and see if it lived up to the hype. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my review of Madre! Restaurant and some important information you should know before visiting. So, let’s dive in!

Madre Menu and Recommendations

Madre! Restaurant serves traditional Mexican cuisine with a unique Oaxacan influence that sets it apart from other Mexican restaurants. Their menu features a variety of dishes that are sure to please any palate, from classic tacos to more exotic options like their huitlacoche quesadillas. Everything is made fresh and has a high-quality taste.

One of their most famous dishes (and my absolute favorite – I get it almost every time!) is their rich and flavorful mole sauce, which is made using a blend of over twenty different ingredients and takes hours to prepare. In addition to their fantastic mole, Madre also offers excellent soups, such as their caldo de piedra, and delectable lamb and meat dishes like their barbacoa.

The menu also features small dishes such as tamal de mole or chile relleno as well as salads, if a full meal is too much. Conversely, they offer big sharing plates if you’re dining with a group of friends or family and want to sample more of the delicious flavors.

The restaurant also has a great selection of mezcal cocktails to complement its dishes, making it the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner. In fact, the restaurant boasts the largest selection of artisanal mezcals in the United States.

Madre Menu Highlights

APPETIZERS:

⭐️ Elote – This grilled corn dish is buttery, savory, and all-around delicious!

⭐️ Molotes – Perfect for sharing, the queso fresco adds an irresistible flavor.

MAINS:

⭐️ Barbacoa – I’ve tried the lamb (de Borrego) and beef (de Res) and both were excellent! The lamb literally melted right off of the bones it was so tender, and the beef plate came with a delicious square of fried cheese and grilled aloe vera. They are served with tortillas (flour or corn) that might be some of the freshest and best tortillas I’ve found at a restaurant in LA.

⭐️ Enchiladas Oaxaqueñas – Tortillas dipped in mole negro or coloradito mole. As someone who is mildly obsessed with enchiladas… this is an absolute must-try! Their mole is my absolute favorite, it has an incredibly rich flavor that pairs well with the tender meats.

COCKTAILS:

If you are a fan of mezcal (it kind of tastes like a smoky tequila) you absolutely have to try one of Madre Restaurant’s mezcal cocktails. My favorite so far has been the El Chapo y Kate which has a fresh, pear and cucumber taste. Otherwise, they serve excellent margaritas along with wines and beers.

Ask for their mezcal menu when you sit down – it’s absolutely massive! My boyfriend and I usually get a shot of one of the mezcals just to sip on and taste in addition to our cocktail.

Is There a Happy Hour at Madre Restaurants?

Yes! Happy hour is offered at each of the three locations from 3pm-6pm on Monday through Friday.

At the Torrance location, there is a late-night happy hour offered from 10pm-11pm on Monday through Thursday, only offered at the bar and on the patio.

Madre Restaurant Vibes

Madre! Restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere that makes diners feel right at home. The restaurant is decorated with warm, earthy tones and rustic accents that create a relaxed and comfortable vibe. There are fun pops of color throughout with colorful tiles and murals. It certainly reminds me of dining in Mexico City!

The staff at Madre! are friendly and attentive, providing excellent service that adds to the overall experience. They know how to cater to all kinds of guests from couples on a romantic dinner to families and groups of friends looking for a fun night out.

Madre Torrance

I grew up in Torrance, so this is the Madre location that I am most familiar with. I genuinely think it is one of the best restaurants in Torrance, and certainly up there for one of the best in the whole of the South Bay LA as well!

It’s a fairly large location with a patio that wraps the front side of the restaurant and ample indoor seating as well. There is a fully stocked bar, of course with a huge Mezcal display. On the back half of the indoor section, there is a small stage where they occasionally host live music!

At the moment, this is their live music schedule, however, I recommend keeping an eye on their Instagram or website to stay up to date on the latest information.

Thursday: Voz Bohemia (Reservations Suggested)  7pm – 10pm
Friday: Carlos y Charlos 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Sunday: Mariachi Santa Monica 12pm – 3pm | Rosalie Rodriguez 5pm – 8pm

Madre WeHo

This location is probably the largest and most impressive, with huge open lighting, a minimalist dining room, and a beautifully chic outdoor patio. In addition, this establishment offers a distinct brunch menu that infuses Oaxacan flavors into classic dishes, such as a chapulines omelet, pancakes served with nanche and fig marmalade, and the ever-popular weekend dish of barbacoa de borrego.

At the moment, they have live music performed by Voz Bohemia on Tuesday’s from 7pm-10pm.

Madre Palms (Culver City)

While it still serves great food, the Madre in Culver City is the most basic, in my opinion. The restaurant feels more like a casual restaurant and just doesn’t have the same exciting energy as the other two locations. It has a very small outdoor seating section in the front and is just a smaller property in general.

Do You Need a Reservation to Dine at Madres?

While you don’t need a reservation for Madres, I would highly recommend one for the WeHo location and would make a reservation based on the day/time at the Torrance location. You can call the restaurant, or for WeHo, you can reserve on Open Table as well.

When I dine at the Torrance location during the week or early evening, it’s never hard to get seated right away. However, Thursday through Friday and especially after 6pm I would recommend making a reservation, just to be safe as it does get pretty popular.

Madre Palms in Culver City does not take reservations. They seat guests on a first-come, first-served basis and will have a waitlist at the door if all of the tables are full. 

Madre Restaurant Information: Address, Hours, and Phone Number

So far, Madre has locations in Torrance, Culver City, and West Hollywood with a location in Santa Clarita coming soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they expand even further in the coming years as they’re becoming increasingly popular.

The hours and addresses for each are as follows:

Madre Culver City
Address: 10426 National Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 559-4732
Sun-Thur 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat 10am-11pm

Madre Torrance
Address: 1261 Cabrillo Ave. #100, Torrance, CA 90501
Phone: (310) 974-8005
Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Madre West Hollywood
Address: 801 North Fairfax Ave. #101, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: (323) 850 8518
Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm
Friday-Sat 11am-10pm

CONCLUSION: Madre! Restaurant Review

Madre restaurants offer a delightful culinary experience that captures the heart of traditional Oaxacan Mexican cuisine. The restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere coupled with its impeccable service adds to the overall dining experience.

Their menu offers a range of authentic dishes made from fresh and quality ingredients that showcase the vibrant and bold flavors of Mexican cuisine. From the appetizers to the desserts, every dish is thoughtfully crafted to create a gastronomic journey that leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds. Madre! Restaurant is a must-visit for those looking for a true taste of Mexico and an unforgettable dining experience.

Related Posts:
Best and Worst Times to Visit Los Angeles
11 Best Cheap Hotels in Redondo Beach
A Guide to Surfing in Los Angeles