La Olla Mexican Cafe
8553 N Silverbell Rd, Marana, AZ, 85743
La Olla Mexican Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Marana for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
8553 N Silverbell Rd
Marana, AZ, 85743 - Phone (520) 579-0950
- Website https://www.laollamexicancafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Scott S.
Small family owned and operated restaurant, that is totally committed to creating and serving unique and great quality Mexican food. This is a must try!!!
(5)Kurt P.
We've been coming here for several years and have never had a bad meal. They have great lunch specials for $5.95, and excellent value. My wife really likes the La Olla Bowl. I'm a big fan of Chile con carne roja, and had it today. Very flavorful, but it is more of a shredded beef texture (see picture), whereas I like larger cubes of beef like the way they prepare it at the Carlota's in Catalina. I like La Olla for their more healthful options and sides - the calabacitas are the best!
(4)Megan G.
Love this place! This is our go to place for Mexican food in the Marana area. The portions are huge and at a great price. We have tried at least half of the menu options and have not been disappointed yet!
(5)Kelly R.
Not impressed. Food was very hot, but the beef was a weird texture and flavor. Ate something that was very fragrant and did not seem to belong. Everything seemed pre-made. I asked about leaving one thing out of the chimi and they couldn't. Service was fine. Not particularly friendly but got the job done. Don't understand the 4 star rating. At. All.
(2)Adam F.
If you do not live near La Olla, let me tell you that it is well worth the extra commute to give it your business. In doing so, your taste buds will reap the greatest benefits. This is not a big restaurant, but has enough seating to accommodate groups. The ambiance inside is "home-like", with a bar for those who come for happy hour. Servers are very nice and friendly. They take their time with you and it's clear that they care. That is a big plus in this business. If there is anything that separates La Olla from most other Mexican restaurants, it is their menu. You can find it online or through the photos on Yelp, but it is very unique. Categories among their menu include the "Recession Buster" specials and the $5.95 menu. Most of these are combination items and are a very customer-friendly deal. The quality and quantity of the food is commendable. Their enchiladas, tacos, beans, rice, chips, and salsa are all very good at this establishment. Hopefully in a later visit I'll try more items on their menu. For the price, it is definitely worth going back!
(4)Rachel D.
I am still in town visiting my mom & this is one of her fave places so I printed a Restaurant.com Certificate to use for May as I had used one here in April. Friend of mine drove down from Scottsdale so we went here Tues. May 5 for lunch. When we tried to order the waitress said we could not use my certificate on any of the items we ordered. This was quite annoying because in April when we used my April certificate my mom & I ordered the same exact items & my certificate was accepted & the total was deducted from the bill. Because of this my mom had to order something different & my friend had to order the exact same thing for 2X the price. I was allowed to order the same thing I had ordered in March & April. I am allergic to Dairy & have Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Syndrome! My mom ordered something with steak in it and it was dried out like shoe leather & very hard so she could not chew it. She sent it back & gadgets the same thing made with ground beef & it was fine. My friend ate her whole meal so it must gave been good? My meal was the exact same as I what I ordered in March & April but for some reason.my portion was smaller this time? It was still good as I ate the whole thing.
(4)Kaci J.
Price for what you get is amazing! Drinks were satisfying. Great place to take the whole family. Best of all, the service!! Not overbearing at all but my kids drinks were never empty and we were asked prompetly if we wanted another round for the adults. Our waitress had an amazing demeanor and the other servers were extremely polite and helpful. Will definitely eat here when we come back to Arizona!!
(5)Geralyn N.
Always delicious food. We just moved here and have eaten here 3 times. We love it. Never a bad meal yet. I really felt I needed to post a review. Hoping to help spread the word and bring more to try this great restaurant.
(5)Jamie C.
Ive been going here for years. So many delicious dishes! The calabacitas is a must have side.. Any of thier shrimp dishes are incredible. The kids menu is great. The service is usually good, but every once in a while it can be slow. The prices are great.
(5)Taylor U.
Tried this place due to its close proximity to our house. Chips and salsa were good, however, everything else was less than desired. Staff was incredibly nice, it's just worth driving a little farther into town to get better Mexican food.
(3)Daniel S.
Been wanting to go for awhile finally made it glad I did! When you walk in and see a display kitchen and nice southwest decor you are off ro a good start. Chips and salsa awesome fried tacos and enchiladas great at a reasonable price. Now need to head back soon and try some dinner items
(5)Mike B.
Here's a tasty Mexican food restaurant to try out for lunch! Their specials are great, quite a few lunch time selections all for only $5.95 each. My choice was two beef tacos with rice and beans. Of course you'll get tortilla chips and salsa when you sit down. It's just the right amount of food for a quick lunch. This was my first visit for the lunch special though I've been there before for dinner and always have a good time. If you're still feeling hungry and need something different you owe it to yourself to try the deep fried twinkie with jalapeno ice cream! How can you resist after reading that on the menu? I certainly couldn't.
(4)Jeremiah B.
No one really liked this place at all. The chili rellenos were soggy and not super flavorful, the tacos were bland, the bacon wrapped shrimp and seca were good, but not enough to merit a return. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but we didn't love any of it.
(2)M. M. G.
Been eating here with friends when visiting Tucson for years. Now we live here and La Olla is close . . . yay! Great happy hour, good house margarita and the chips and salsa are always crisp and tasty. Chile rellenos a personal favorite, but really, have never had anything we don't like. The calabacitas are very good, even if you usually don't like squash. They have lunch specials as well, a very good value. Go, it's very well done Mexican food that isn't the usual red sauce and cheese slopped over everything.
(5)Beth S.
Yummy, would go again. Went on a Sat Evening.
(4)M E.
Really underrated Mexican restaurant and probably one of my top 3 places to get Mexican in Tucson. Their salsa is really good and so is just about everything else on their menu. You can't go wrong.
(5)Kelly V.
We stopped here on the way to Vail and it was great. Food was delicious and service was good!
(4)Michelle D.
Fresh daily local ingredients, homemade salsa, Sonoran calabacitas and chicken tacos...LOVE this place and the owner chef Diane! Service from Olivia and Leslie is second to none.
(5)Devin W.
Showed up at 7:55pm on a SATURDAY (google says they close at 9pm). Immediately upon entrance, all servers looked at us with a rude gaze and one quickly approached and said we're closed (only 5 available tables of maybe 25). I worked in the restaurant industry for years, I have never heard of turning away customers before you are actually closed.
(1)Jackie H.
This was a very clean restaurant with great service and good food! My husband had a combo plate with a taco and enchilada. I had a bean and cheese burro. We both thought they were very tasty.
(5)Jeff C.
Best Mexican food in Tucson period! Not you typical Sonoran flare but recipes covering the entire country. Keep up the good work! They have daily special that aren't on the menu but always good. They also have a large menu of items under $10.
(5)Gina H.
Had their chile rellenos and it was fabulous! Crunchy batter with a yummy white , had the zucchini and corn succotash as a side, very good!! Guacamole was awesome!
(5)Walter P D.
La Olla is a destination restaurant in the Marana, Arizona area (North of Tucson on I-10). Fabulous Salsa ! Nice balance of cilantro, onion & heat. At La Olla, don't be ordering stuff you can get at Taco Bell. Bruuuuce and WPD ordered the same menu item - Manchego Shrimp. Butterflied shrimp with Manchego Cheeze wrapped in bacon and roasted green chile, topped with chile con quest, melted Manchego and corn salsa. Served with rice, calabacitas, and a warm hand stretched flour tortilla. Now WPD did kinda steal the description from the menu, but......, this S#i+ is GOOD ! Oh, and this restaurant is Super Duper Clean.
(5)B S.
Incredible food, great margaritas, very pleasant service. They must hide a culinary genius in the back. Guacamole, lamb tacos, pork carnitas, all phenomenal. Oh yeah, and N-A-C-H-O-S with carnitas = unforgettable!
(5)Taylor V.
Superb little restaurant. Lovely service. The food is fresh and delicious. It takes a while for the food to arrive, plan 25-35 mins; longer if busy but it's worth the wait. Excellent prices!
(5)Marian B.
Just so you know their enchilada sauce and rice has meat stock if you're a vegetarian (like I am). They have a salsa Crema which they will substitute with their cheese enchilada.
(4)Linda W.
Amazing food with flavors that go beyond description. Start with the queso fundido...my favorite of any I have ever had anywhere. The combination plate #5 has such unique and wonderful foods, each better than the other. Wish this place was in Vancouver WA so we could eat here regularly.
(5)Tom H.
What a little known gem of an authentic Mexican restaurant. The tamales are to die for and momma makes a variety of them as a daily special. Best chile rellenos I've ever had and their recession buster combinations cannot be beat. If there is any downside to this restaurant it's that their food tends to be pretty authentic and for a lot of non-natives, it might be too spicy or not what they are used to from Taco Bell. But if you crave authenticity, wrapped in excellent service, then give this neighborhood restaurant a try.
(5)M V.
This is my absolute, most favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson! The food is amazing...the kind of food where you close your eyes to savor every bit of it. I also appreciate their friendly and hard working staff.
(5)C T.
Damn I wish I lived closer to this spot. I would eat here multiple times a week. Fastest service I've had in a LONG time and the food was outstanding. Had the carne asada plate and I wish I had room for two plates its was so good. The fresh tortillas and fresh ingredients were very evident in the taste of the dish. Do your self a favor and go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kimberly T.
Try their shrimp wrapped in bacon with a strawberry margarita. Can't go wrong. They also took our entertainment coupon. So if you have a book use it!
(5)Darrell F.
First Time eating at La Olla and the food was excellent and the service was very good. I will be back.
(5)Shana M.
I couldn't wait to try this Mexican restaurant due to its outstanding reviews. The beef taco was a patty inside of a fried corn tortilla. The flour taco on the combo plate was really a joke. I threw the crackeled tortilla to the side and added the tablespoon of diced meat to top the salad or whatever was on my plate. I had prawns wrapped in bacon. The bacon that wasn't really cooked enough. I can't imagine driving from OV to this place in a strip mall. I thought it would be a diamond in the rough. It turned out to be just ruff. I think I even saw it on the TV as a great Mexican restaurant?
(3)howard r.
Great shrimp, flaun, margs, n service. I was worried when I walked in n saw only one family from down south but my wife reminded me that we were in a different neighborhood n to relax n enjoy. It was great!
(5)Asawari S.
Excellent food and fast service. We went there for dinner and were surprised to find this cozy place packed to capacity on a weekday. Offcourse it was, coz the food was delish! We ordered the chille relleno with shrimp and fish tacos. The portions are more than enough. Top it up with flan...and we came out smiling!
(5)Stephen F.
Easily my favorite place in Tucson. I've never had a thing I haven't liked there. From the salsa to the amazing combos, you'll love everything!
(5)Ryan M.
Best Mexican food in Marana. Not quite on par with the great ones down south like mi nidito but this place can definitely hold their own as a good Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Tortilla soup was delicious and the tacos are ground beef patties, something I personally use as a barometer for good Mexican food. Very fair prices too. I will definitely be back.
(4)Javan H.
Great food for the price. This is not your same-old-same Mexican joint. The flavors are unique and pop in your mouth. Will certainly come back and will recommend to all. The appetizer, Diablo Chicos, is amazing! Yellow Anaheim pepper stuffed with shrimp, green onions and cheese before being wrapped in bacon and baked....What? Wow!! I want this dish again...now! The guacamole and salsa with the chips was good and spice about right. The Carne Seca (dried beef with seasoning/spices an dried) was great! A little salty and probably wouldn't want a full plate, the trio combo plate was perfect. Will definitely order again. The relleno is ok. I like mine more fired and cheeses. This was more egg-like. Cheese inside had good flavor, but if you like a fried relleno, go for something else in menu. The garlic shrimp taco was the bomb! Amazing taste. My dad had a different combo plate and I tried his Carne Asada taco (very good), carnita enchilada (tasty) and Manchego shrimp (awesome)! The margaritas were also done right. Best Mexican restaurant I've been to in Tucson.
(4)Rachel L.
Two words: ENCHILADA STACK. I haven't had Mexican food that delicious in a long time. We also ordered a taco salad which was also fantastic. There were only 2 waitresses for a full restaurant but they were friendly and kept the service up to par.
(5)Chelsea S.
Visiting the area and stopped here for lunch on our way back from the Sonoran Desert Museum. We purposefully tried several Mexican restaurants, all of which we enjoyed, but La Olla was our stand-out favorite. This is a small, comfortable space that has a local and welcoming feel. House margarita perfect, the salsa amazingly fresh, and tortillas delicious and plentiful. While they do have traditional, well-prepared entrees (I had the chicken enchiladas...the quality of meat was superb, and the sauce delicious but not overpowering), there were other super creative dishes not to overlook. My favorite part of the meal was the "Diablos Chicos" appetizer....shrimp, green onions and cheese stuffed in yellow peppers and wrapped in bacon, with amazing corn salsa, salsa crème, and anaheim crème. I'm not even sure how one would think to put all those flavors together, but it so worked and I could have licked the plate! The service provided by everyone was exceptionally friendly - professional with a touch of fun/humor that made you feel like you were dining in a friend's house. All the entrees are served with calabacitas, in addition to beans and rice. This was the only establishment that did that, and having never had them before and will just say that thanks to La Olla I now love squash! No room for the daily homemade cheesecake so will probably need to start with that when we visit again!
(5)Amy B.
Yum! Manchego shrimp and a margarita are a winning combo!! 2 year old loved her quesadilla too. I've had the sopapillas in the past and they are wonderful too. Service was perfect- attentive and kind but not overbearing. They clearly work as a great team. One of our favorite places! Great deals on restaurant.com and in the entertainment book too.
(5)Cindy N.
I can't say enough good things about La Olla. The staff is excellent and the food is one step above everything else in Tucson. Very mouthwatering dishes to choose from. We had a Groupon coupon and took advantage of the deal. The place is really far from us but worth making the 20 minute trip. I never saw the place so busy so I am pleased to see they are doing well. The dishes are presented on a very large platter and comes with lots of different sides. A sweet tamale pie was with my carnitas. It was incredibly good. This is my third review of La Olla so just check out the other reviews of mine. We also had the chocolate jalapeno gelato. Wow was that good.
(5)Alicia M.
I'm in Tucson for the night and decided to check Yelp reviews for a place for dinner. This was the 2nd restaurant to come up. So glad I came here. Super yummy. I had the pork carnitas. It comes with a veggie medley and tamale pie. I could eat that everyday. The chips and salsa are super yummy as well. I would definitely eat here again the next time I'm in town.
(5)Gary S.
There is lots of good Mexican food in Tucson but I give La Olla the 5 star rating. I live just around the corner and its hard to drag myself anywhere but here recently. The food and the service are great every time. It's hard to pick my favorite menu item because everything is good. I have had just about everything on the menu now. But just to give you a couple recommendations. The Diablos Chicos appetizer and guacamole to start then the El Grandote taco or Manchego Shrimp for entree and of course their house margarita. You won't go wrong of be unhappy.
(5)Lauren T.
Monday through Saturday there is a great menu for 5.75 for lunch! Lots of good food for that great price! Everything else is also reasonably priced. It is on my side of town and a quiet, casual gem that not enough people know about. I think that is a good thing! I don't think I even need to give recs...all their plates I have tried are fantastic. I don't think you can go wrong! My fave part about this place?!? The drinks aren't weak! Love it! Not the spiciest Mexican food around, but great taste and great service! Give this place a try when you are up on this side of town for sure!
(5)Jackie C.
Pretty speedy, up kept, clean Mexican restaurant with delicious food. LOVE the chicken enchiladas. I never venture from them, so unfortunately that's all I can recommend. But absolutely love it here. Just a taaad pricey, but I'm a true believer in you get what you pay for. Definitely will be back time and time again!
(5)Danette W.
I tried this restaurant from a friend's suggestion and there was a living social deal on it. I was pleasantly surprised. I've driven past here over a hundred times. The food was really good. It's a small, family owned place so it had that cozy feel to it. Highly recommend eating here if you're a local. Great service as well.
(4)Zachary H.
I was really disappointed in this restaurant. My wife and I went here because of the reviews and the stars it had received. The only reason they should receive any stars is the service, which is fair at best. Our server was pushy with our order and had no enthusiasm at all about being there. My wife had the two enchiladas with rice and beans. She didn't even eat a quarter of it. The sauce tasted over-cooked and burnt. The beans were way to watery and in seasoned. The rice was the only thing decent, at it's best. She felt sick almost immediately after eating. I had a cheese enchilada and fried beef taco. Terrible. The sauce was burnt like my wife's and the the beef in my makeshift taco was a seasonless hamburger patty. Huge chunks of tomato and old lettuce inside this soggy fried taco with a split bottom ruined even the idea of the meal. The rice had peas and corn in it that tasted like green olives, a clear indication they were old when cooked. For the price they charged and the food quality, I would rather have gone to a Taco Bell, which you can't even consider to be real Mexican food. We will never be returning to this place again.
(1)James T.
La Olla's is always superb, we go there 2 to 3 times a month. Fantastic food, great service and good people
(5)Jeanette A.
The only reason why I'm giving them 1 star, is because the queso fundido was great, and service was decent ( but really, who can get melted cheese wrong?) I was raised in an authentic Mexican home. My mother made tortillas on a comal over wood burning fire. Our food was authentic Mexican as it gets. This place was ABSOLUTELY not authentic Mexican food. I'm sorry. But if you are used to moms cooking...you will be disappointed with this place. I would seriously rather drive 30 minutes south, to go to El Indio...then subject myself to this. I'm not even gonna say it was decent enough for this side of town. It was just sad. Unless you're Not of the Mexican descent, you will probably think it's the best thing out there...but if you really know Mexican cuisine, don't bother.
(1)Mimi G.
My favorite Mexican food restaurant!!!! Try the tamale pie and the side of calabacitas. Small restaurant but we usually go during off times. Fresh, clean and amazing!
(5)Steve F.
Super good food!!! Everything on the menu looked good, I had the la olla burger and it was a tasty greasy yummy deal! Potato fries were good perfect.
(5)Rick F.
What a surprising gem! This place was all-white, from staff to patrons, so I wasn't sure how good the Mexican would be (I'm Latino). I was blown away at how awesome it was. I had the green chile corn tamales and the calabasitas, rice and beans. Everything was outstanding - I would definitely return. And I'm telling all my friends!
(4)Jessica L.
So very delicious. We were a little torn about trying La Olla based on the bipolar reviews it has received, but decided to take a chance and geez are we glad we did. I'm super perplexed about where the negativity comes from. Sure it's a small restaurant in a strip mall-type building, but really guys, WHO CARES? They actually have done really well with the decor considering the small informal location. Chips were hot, salted and obviously fresh, and the salsa was clearly homemade - it had a little kick but was mild enough that you could graze before your meal without working up a sweat. We started with the shrimp empanadas for an appetizer, which were absolutely delicious, straight down to the dough they used. I ordered the 2 combo which was a tamale, a beef taco, an enchilada with the rice, beans and calabacitas. All of it was AMAZING. All perfectly cooked, all impeccably seasoned. Nothing greasy. My dad got the carne seca, which was also fantastic. They even put love into the items on the kids menu, which in most restaurants is just an afterthought. My son got a kids beef chimi that was so good. There were a ton of dessert offerings to choose from and though it's not a traditional Mexican dessert we went for the raspberry dark chocolate crumble cheesecake - out of this world good. Ho-ly cats! The server said they are constantly making new cheesecake flavors - can't wait to go back and see what they have come up with next. The service was fantastic, all the girls were friendly and beyond attentive. So for all the critics out there, I respectfully have to disagree. We have been pretty disappointed with the Mexican food in the area since moving here a year and a half ago (here, of all places you'd expect it to be stellar!) - being CA natives originally we KNOW good authentic Mexican food - and had pretty much given up but La Olla has restored our faith! Count us among your new regulars.
(4)James W.
My wife and I love, love, love this place... If you haven't been here you need to go! Nachos are amazing. Red chili Chimi amazing. #5 is amazing. Fried tacos amazing.... Need I say more?
(5)Bitsy M.
This is a sweet and welcoming place. There is no rush to get you in and out. The decor is Mexican with American influence. The wait staff is knowledgable of all the items on the menu so feel free to ask questions. They have a very reasonable lunch specials at a cost that won't break the bank. I find the free salsa and chips a good customer relationship that most but not all Mexican restaurant offer. What makes this place stand out is the menu is Sonoran style. This brings a nice change to the same old same Mexican food. Don't get me wrong I enjoy Mexican food,but this style adds another choice to your dining experience.
(5)Robert H.
Super little place in the NW corner of Tucson on the Marana line. Best salsa & chips and lunch specials!
(5)Chimi A.
Still as good as the first time I ever went there! I was there on the beef tamale day - oh my gosh they were AMAZING. I also got the pleasure of meeting the owners and can I just say that they are fantastic people?! They're extremely nice and can obviously cook what I am confident in saying is the best Mexican food in Tucson. Yep - it's that good. You have to try this place!
(5)Joy R.
If you are looking for authentic Mexican restaurant, this is not it. Small, clean, sterile run by total gringo. Food was good, but a bit pricey for what we had. We are gringo ourselves but when we want to experience Mexican, it is more than this place offers.
(2)Andrea G.
I had a combination plate with a chile relleno, garlic shrimp taco, carne seca, beans, rice, and calabacitas. Every item on the plate was tasty. I have no clue why this place is getting negative reviews!
(5)Kent W.
Local place for locals. I do not live here. Some locals brought me here. Lunch is very reasonably priced. Service attentive. Definitely a keeper next time in Tucson area
(5)Ashley J.
We just moved to the neighborhood and were excited to have a Mexican place practically within walking distance. I saw their awesome reviews, so we had to check them out pronto! Unfortunately the visit was not nearly as nice as I had hoped. First, we stood at the door awkwardly for a long time, as we didn't know if we needed to wait to be seated or to seat ourself. When we finally got a table, we sat for a good 10 minutes before we finally flagged down someone to ask for our server. We had to get our own menus (since the person "seating" us didn't give us any), and by the time our waiter finally came to greet us we were ready to order our entire meal (drinks, appetizer, & dinner). The food that came was quite lackluster. The salsa looked and tasted just like Pace from a jar. My kids like their chicken quesadillas, but I thought the chicken tasted "off." For our entrees my husband ordered fajitas and I ordered a carnitas chimichanga. Both were bland and flavorless. We were never checked on, so in order to pay we had to AGAIN flag down our waitress to bring us the bill. I'd understand if it was crazy-busy, but there weren't even many other people in the restaurant. And I never saw a manager or anyone that seemed to be in charge. I may give them another chance, just given the proximity and the fact that others have given such good reviews (maybe we just went on a bad night??) but I was sorely disappointed in the whole experience. Nothing was downright nasty, but just completely lackluster. Bland and tasteless. And poor service, to boot! PS: I should also mention that my strawberry margarita tasted like it was "virgin." I rarely drink so usually get a slight buzz from a single rita, but I gulped this whole thing down and thought, uhhh.....was that just sugar and strawberries blended together??? Where's the tequila???? Yeah. So drinks are weak, too.
(2)Mike L.
Amazing food and friendly staff, especially Emily who directed us to some incredible dishes. The green pepper wrapped in bacon, stuffed with shrimp and cheese was off the charts delicious. Don't remember exactly what the names were for the main course, but each was just as good. Definitely check this place out.
(5)Keith L.
Great food. The shrimp tacos were great. Also had the daily tamale (green corn) it was very good. Bean and rice were also good. Great service.
(5)Brandon K.
Went for lunch today around noon. Server was nice and attentive. The chips and salsa are very good. I ordered a carne burrito. The burrito was huge and it's covered with enchilada sauce lettuce sour cream and avocado. It was very good but about a third of the meat was very tough and not edible. I will definitely go back and give it another try but will avoid the carne.
(3)John D.
The only reason I would give La Olla four stars rather than five is because I want to go back and try another dish. That's not to say that the Chilaquiles of the Day that I ordered was flawed in any way, but it definitely was different than what I expected. Although I've never eaten chilaquiles before, I know what the dish looks like. La Olla surprised me with a dish that included a cube of what looked like a chilaquiles casserole along with some astounding rice, beans and now a new favorite side of mine, calabacitas (basically squash, onions, and peppers in a sauce). This interesting take on chilaquiles was certainly good, but I can't help but feel as though I still have not really had chilaquiles. To stay on the positive though, the burrito that my wife ordered (which I sampled a bit of that night and the next day as leftovers, don't judge me!) was excellent and part of the reason I want to go back and try any number of their other dishes. What's even better about La Olla is that the restaurant itself is small and located so far down Silver Bell Road that I don't think many people are aware of it, which is perfect for anyone that just wants a nice quiet dinner out without a lot of wait or hassle. Oh, and the chips and salsa, the measure by which you should judge any Mexican restaurant, passed the test.
(4)Sunny D.
Waitresses were really nice. Ordered the fish tacos and tortilla soup for dinner. The warm tortilla soup was really salty. The fried fish tacos were not impressive and really bland. Thankfully the Dos Equis helped wash down the expensive, mediocre food.
(2)Kerry P.
This is a dynamite little restaurant. Don't drive by- stop in. The food and service is super! If I were independently wealthy I would eat here more often. This is a dynamite little restaurant. Don't drive by- stop in. The food and service is super! If I were independently wealthy I would eat here more often.
(4)Jennifer G.
We've eaten at La Olla about a dozen times over the past year. I suppose everyone has a bad day (re: the few poor reviews they have received) but I've never had less then stellar experience there. The service has consistently been great. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is always great - I've had salads, tacos, burritos, and weekly specials. Never disappointed. And you just can't go wrong with a Moonshine Margarita! The best!
(5)George C.
The food is average to better than average. The atmosphere is simply terrible. They call it a "family place" because of the screaming kids who behave little better than wild animals and the parents who sit there and do nothing about their children's errant behavior because the kid(s) are finally not bothering them. Don't bother saying anything to the unconcerned owners - they simply tell you "...maybe you should come at a different time of day...". So, let the folks with the poor parenting skills and ill-behaved children support this place. We have never gone back and we would never again recommend this "playground" to anyone. And, for those of you who may be wondering - No, we do not hate children. We do dislike ill-behaved children who have parents who seem to believe others find their children's misbehavior "cute".
(1)Evan B.
It is not often I come upon a new take on a Mexican food dish that I like. however this place had one that I really did like. It was called mini rellenos. As the name suggest they were mini chili rellenos sorta. In lieu of the traditional large hatch or Anaheim chili, they used the small party platter style peppers. They were stuffed with cheese, battered and fried, however the sauce was a creamy (insert Mexican word) sauce. The overall sweetness of the peppers contrasted by the savory heat in the sauce was very good. There was even enough sauce for it to spice up my rice. As an appetizer we ordered some sweet potato fries. Don't ask me how that is Mexican. To my surprise they were crispy, many times sweet potato fries are soggy but these were great, see the photo. the included chips and salsa were good woo with the chips being large and sturdy. I went in expecting just a local place near my friends house and walked out one dish richer in my life, and maybe a few pounds heavier.
(4)Lisa T.
We have been here 3 times. First time was for dinner and it was great! The second time was for lunch and it was just okay. Our waitress was pushy and food was just not as good. We went again for dinner with my parents. I got one of the specials (chicken Santa Fe, I think) and it was delicious. My husband got the red chili and it was very good. My dad got a combo and liked everything but the chili relleno. My mom, however, got the Manchego Shrimp, but the bacon was practically raw. Our waitress never came back to check on us so my mom took off the bacon and ate the rest. When we did tell the waitress about it she just said sorry. We asked her again later if she told the kitchen. She said she did but no offer of a free dessert or a coupon for our next visit... Nothing. That did not make us leave with a good taste in our mouths. We will go back and try one more time. They need better customer service. BTW we don't care for their regular rice or their beans. But their cilantro rice was great and so are the calabacitas!!
(3)Jentry M.
Diane has done a great job at bringing mexican food with a southwest sonoran twist to the continental ranch area. Just a block down the street from lil abners steakhouse her establishment is nestled in an unassuming strip mall. Dinners range from 8 - 15 bucks and the food is superb. The chips and salsa are amazing, and her sonoran dog rivals the best in Tucson.
(5)Red R.
The food is wonderful! The service is fabulous too. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Karen S.
I've been coming here since they opened. I'm only in Tucson a few times a year and every time I'm in town I come (and sometimes more than once). Carnitas, carnitas, carnitas. They are so good and so perfectly seasoned I can't pass them up. Lightly drizzled with crema, rich and flavorful. (Come on, mayonnaise??) The sides are pretty impressive for the price. A tamale pie with a nice layer of melted cheese and calabacitas (squash) are unusual and a welcome change from generic beans and rice. Carnitas flautas were so crisp and delicious as well (a theme?). The enchilada sauce makes the enchiladas. The typical Mexican staples (chips, salsa, guacamole, margaritas) are reasonably good but nothing to make it stand out. There are plenty of places that get it right.
(4)E E.
Wifey and I finally made a visit to La Olla this past weekend. All we can say is, "WOW!" We love the tortilla soup and the fresh guacamole. The chips and salsa are awesome. Can't believe it took us so long to visit this diamond in the rough I our own backyard. Can't wait to go back!!!
(4)Jorge T.
This place is amazing! It's a lot to say when my wife, who is Mexican, compliments a mexican restaurant and she LOVES La Olla. Surprisingly, the owners are anglo, but you can see they have a passion for Mexican food. It's a nice little place that can be crowded in the weekends. Their lunch specials are amazing (two ate for less than $25). If you're in Tucson, come to La Olla, you won't regret it.
(5)suzi w.
Best New Years Eve Meal ever. I cannot imagine how this place can get any negative reviews. I am from Chicago, and this is the BEST Mexican food I have ever had, even better than what I had in Mexico. It's gourmet level Mexican food at extremely fair prices. I eat here several times a year, and am always, always impressed. On NYE 2013 we each had a different shrimp dish and I wanted to lick the plate. Our sever, Melissa, was outstanding. Just the right amount of service, and her knowledge of all entrees is perfect. I just am sad that I live so far away. We are trying to move to Tucson and hope that we can become regulars.
(5)Aron B.
Good solid Mexican restaurant. Chips and salsa were good too. Our server was on the ball. Atmosphere was nice. Overall good experience.
(4)Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. La Olla Mexican Cafe: not fine dining. Yellow See photos.
(3)Dannny K.
My new favorite Mexican Restaurant. The $5 lunch menu is awesome and they don't skimp on the lunch size. The red sauce is so good. Great wait staff and the atmosphere is comfortable and I especially like the background music - it makes me feel like I'm in a Mexican resort.
(5)Kelly T.
It's all about the calabacitas. I'm usually not a fan of summer squash but this side is wonderful and I could totally eat it as a main entree. That's not to say that all of the other food that I have tried there is bad, it's not, it's excellent. I have tried several menu items but I would have to say that I love the chicken soft tacos, the pork carnitas and the carne asada. There aren't many unique places to eat in this area of Marana and it is nice to be able to drive a block or so and eat terrific Mexican food. The service is wonderful and the food is decently priced...plus they have pretty awesome margaritas, which make life positively wonderful. I love this place and wish that it maybe weren't so inconspicuous (I drove by it for a few months before realizing there was a restaurant there). So if you are on the Northwest side, come check out La Olla.
(5)Angel H.
As a professional reviewer on other sites, I am VERY picky and choosy about giving the highest ratings for any place. This place is one of my exceptions. I had a late dinner here and I must say...the reviews are right: The food was FANTASTIC!!! I had a bowl of tortilla soup and the taco platter. The soup was superb! I liked the added bits of avocado. The tacos are NOT pre-formed icky store bought shells; this place makes their tacos the RIGHT way!! The rice and beans were great!! I liked the little vegetables added into the rice. I think everything here was home made because neither me nor my husband had ANY complaints. Service was awesome. Waitress was very attentive. I made she she received a good tip. Figures I move away from Arizona and my old neighborhood and an awesome delicious tasting Mexican place opens!!! But now I have a good place to return too for tacos when I come home for visits. =)
(5)Holly C.
Best Mexican restaurant on the northwest side hands down! Very reasonably priced compared to other Mexican places nearby. Best tortilla soup I've ever had! Friendly service as well.
(5)Rochelle B.
Their food is always outstanding. The service is always attentive. The atmosphere has a small town feel without feeling crowded. Diane's cheesecakes and other daily desserts are to die for! Local to us on the Northwest side of Tucson, La Olla is a top notch Mexican restaurant and tops the list of my favorites! We always try to bring out of town guests to eat here, and I have celebrated many occasions there. The calabacitas are amazing....even if you don't usually like squash, you will probably like these.
(5)Jeremy T.
Best Mexican food I've had in Tucson. Service was great as well. I went with three others and we all agreed it's a five star Mexican food place. I've had everything across Tucson from La Parilla to El Charro. This place beats em' all.
(5)Jason C.
Food was great! Service was not. we ate dinner and bill came to like $23.25 and I gave the waitress $30.00. Waited ten minutes and still never received my change, don't get me wrong I always tip 20% if it good service and 15% even if it's bad but it's rude too asume all the change is theirs. I had to ask for my change and she brought back a 5 and 1 and some loose change. Being she only checked on us once after receiving our food.
(1)Glenn S.
Small Mexican restaurant. The food was very very good, perhaps one of the best Mexican restaurant food experiences I've had. The service was excellent- highly attentive and the servers were clearly interested in assuring a good dining experience. Tasty and delicious and it appeared to be very fresh and prepared to order. I had the combination #5. Would return again for sure.
(5)Dick W.
Best food option in NW Tucson. Unique combinations in addition to the standard Mexican fare and all packed with flavor. I'd bet if this place were more centrally located it would be doing gangbusters.
(5)chris h.
What else can I say I live this place all the flavors pop, and the service was great!
(5)Wendell H.
The food here is so good, it defies description. For my next visit to Tucson, I'm thinking of pitching a tent in their parking lot. Even if you live halfway across the world, you should hop on a plane and check this place out.
(5)Sara S.
La Olla's flavors are not ones you run across every day. I had the carnitas, and I would consider this my favorite carnitas dish anywhere. The tamale pie is amazing. Before tasting it, I told my husband he could have it. I quickly took that comment back. Small, quaint environment. Very friendly service. Will definitely return.
(4)Brough M.
The combination plate 5 and Carne Asada was fantastic! The staff is super friendly and the restaurant has a very family owned feel.
(4)Moe C.
We live at least 25min from this restaurant, and we make the trip at least once a month cause it's that GOOD!! They have great happy hour prices as well, only draw back is they are closed on Sundays. The food is fresh and delicious and the staff is always helpful and friendly. I love the La Olla Nachos. The black beans and sour cream like sauce they include on these are awesome, best I've ever tasted. This is not your greasy type Mexican food, it's healthy and quality ingredients. I agree with another poster in that it is the BEST Mexican restaurant in Pima County. No I'm not related to the owners, I just love this place, and wish they would open up by Oracle and Tangerine.
(5)Patty K.
Food was great. Service was ok, she seemed very rushed and didn't spend much time at the table. Wanted to ask what the lunch special was but she didn't seem to have time to explain.
(4)J.O. T.
We go once a week for Tortilla Soup. It is the best in town. Friendly staff and a nice place even in if it is in a strip mall. Try the shrimp with injected cheese and bacon wrap. Life will not be the same after this experience. On another note, very few of these establishments are interested in good beer. Say "India Pale Ale" and they can only repeat the mantra of Modelo, Tecate and Corona.
(5)Kelsie W.
This is a great little local place. The unique dishes have excellent flavor. Be brave and try something new--it's all good!
(4)Chelsea L.
Can we say fish tacos! Yummy you must try them. Not much going on in Continental Ranch as far as food but this little place has great service and stands out as a great place to dine!
(4)Mike S.
The first time we went we thought the food was good. But today when we went the food was barely average. My plate was a combo that consisted of a tiny enchilada that had a few pieces of hot, wilted lettuce on top and a rank tasting battered fish taco. My friend said his small chili relleno tasted sorta bland.Service was so so. The only thing that we both liked were their refried beans. Best in town!! Their lunch menu is cheap too. Only $5. If this this place is to survive, though, they are going to have to serve consistently good food.
(3)Craig P.
Excellent food. Not your typical Mexican food. La Olla does it right! Great service! Try the chile rojo and you will not be disappointed. My daughter ordered a deep-fried twinkie with jalapeno chocolate ice cream for dessert--surprisingly it was quite good!
(5)Stephen G.
Tasty Mexican food with a flair. Bit pricey, but great quality, taste and presentation. Plating so pretty you hate eat it. Enchilada sauce is about the best in town. Don't miss the desserts. All are creative, especially the Zango and the chocolate jalapeno ice cream dessert. The flan is especially creamy and presented like none other. Service has always been speedy and accurate and the staff and owners are a joy to be around. I always look forward to my meals at La Olla.
(4)Charlene T.
Had lunch here. Was just okay. The food was bland, and I did not get what I ordered. When I asked about getting what I ordered, the waitress insisted I had ordered a burrito, NOT a Chimi. So service not very good, and food is not very spicy or flavorful. Tasted full of butter, but not spices.
(2)Mike S.
Great food slightly upscale from many local Mexican places. Friendly service with average+ prices. Early bird menu has a great burger. Go figure. Closed on Sunday, we found that out the hard way. Continental Ranch location is out of the way for many. If you are in the 'hood, it is a go to Mexican eatery.
(4)Kristey K.
Decent food for the price, but I wouldn't go on a weekend! It is also hit or miss as to how good your food is, but the squash casserole they serve on the side on most of the dishes is delicious.
(3)