4. Restaurants

Espiau’s Restaurant

109 Yale Ave, Claremont, CA, 91711
  • (909) 621-1818
  • Store is closed

Espiau’s Restaurant Menu

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  • Ivan P.

    Stay away from this place if you want to avoid getting sick. I had the shredded beef flautas and got food poisoning. I threw up all morning and felt so horrible that I had to go to urgent care. I called to let the place know that I got sick from their food. My purpose for writing this review is to warn others and have the restaurant owners make some changes to this place before they really hurt someone.

    (1)

  • Tracee A.

    Disappointed in the stuff I ordered. Stopped in on a Sunday to get nachos and drink some beer. Crappy beer selection and the nachos were...meh. Find another place if you want Mexican. This place is stuck in a time warp and the servers were bothered we were there.

    (2)

  • James S.

    Espiau's has been around for a long time and I've gone there several times through the years. Although their famous Espiau's cheese loaded salad isn't what it use to be, they still do well most of the time. Sure, just like any joint they have their off days. Who doesn't? But I'm still a fan. Take the other night for instance... I was there with a few friends after hiking the Claremont Loop. We were hot, sweaty and thirsty. We knew we smelled bad. It was Taco Tuesday night and we grabbed a table in the patio. The girls each got three or four one dollar tacos and water to drink. Talk about big spenders. But our server, Arianna, didn't bat an eye. She was polite, attentive and efficient and didn't in any way show any kind of irritation that we ordered such piddly meals or dial down the service. And just as impressive, she didn't sweat us for wanting separate checks. I at least ordered a fricken beer with my one dollar tacos. But since the tab was so low, I ordered an extra beer and made the girls I was with wait a little while I finished it just so I could give her a proper tip. But what about the food? As one dollar tacos go, I'd say the the food was pretty dang good and the portion sizes were just right. Plus my two beers were served ice cold, just the way us thirsty hikers want them. All in all, we were all well satisfied.

    (4)

  • Kat C.

    Some of the worst Mexican I've ever had!! This place is more of a sports bar than restaurant...the food is absolutely horrid. We ordered a chicken burrito and albondigas soup. The chicken burrito was extremely dry and well...it had nothing else in there but chicken. Where's the sauce, rice, means, cheese??? Better off going to Taco Bell. And the albondigas soup...the most unauthentic thing on the menu. Such a disappoint. The only upside to this place is the endless free chips and salsa!

    (1)

  • Joe E.

    This place looks like it needs to be renovated. Several years ago. It's got odd sections and the trek to the patio takes you through the whole place. Gnarly old booths that make you wonder what kinds of funk could be secretly hiding inside. The bar area looked fun. Small but very lively. The patio was nice and packed with sports lovers and families. Fun atmosphere. Dining inside would have been depressing. Food was ok. I ordered the pastrami burger but they were out of pastrami. So I made one of the best worse choices I've made in a long time. I got the cheesy cheese burger. A cheese filled cheese burger that halfway through turned into a beard coating, saucy, mushy mess. It was sinfully good. I probably consumed close to 2,000 calories and hours later I looked back in disgust of myself. It was a once in a while fling and I know it will be years before I make a choice like that again. Technically, it was my second choice. They should have had the pastrami. It's Espiau's fault. She got an a la carte tamale which made me feel like a bigger pig. I think I almost finished my meal before hers too. Beer was a nice surprise. 25 or so beers on tap filled with the regular crap. I went with the local Claremont Ales Jacaranda IPA. Fantastic. It was 10.50 for a big 32 ouncer. Puts it at 5.25 per pint. Pretty sweet deal. If you go, sit on the patio. Order the local beer. And fast for a full week before hand.

    (3)

  • Ashley I.

    Anyways let me start off by stating that service is not good here... Wel of course that's what made it seem by having a waiter like the one I had.... Which is this lady that has light eyes, short. I came in with 4 people and her attitude wasn't welcoming. I got the drinks (not alcohol ) and I said I want to order now and she wasn't very happy about that. she actually rolled her eyes !!!! My friend says he wants enchiladas and she doesn't even ask him which kind, so he tells her well what kind of enchiladas you have? And she said WHATEVER YOU WANT so he is like ok I guess chicken. Food quality... Too salty for my taste the rice was kinda hard... No salsa to go with the food just the regular chip salsa. Been to better places

    (2)

  • Daniel H.

    The place has gone downhill for the last five years or so. The (salad) they brag about... Is half the size it was when this place was good. The dinner plates have been reduced by 30% at least. Not the prices, just the food... Too bad, it was a good place to eat...

    (2)

  • Heidi V.

    I went here on a sunday with the boyfriend and stopped in to have lunch after walking around the shops. Let me start off by saying that this place is located in like the best possible place in Claremont. It's a fantastic area to just wonder around and have chill afternoon. Anyway, I ordered the two taco meal and a giant margarita (blended) because it was super hot outside and I'm an adult damn it! The first thing that came our was this giant house salad that was basically a mound of cheese and iceberg lettuce and some vinegarette dressing (don't knock it until you've tried it). The rest of my meal was bomb.com . The only real complaint that I had was the sorta slow service.. but honestly I didn't mind because the waitress was super nice and the overall experience was magnificent. Totally recommend this place to anyone in the area.

    (5)

  • ED L.

    I've been here a couple times with a buddy who works nearby. The first time was about a year ago for happy hour, and the second was last week for lunch. The surrounding area of Espia's in Claremont seems to be a bedroom community. There is nearby Claremont College, and that's about it. The area is surrounded by many offices along with more restaurants. It kind of gives a me a feeling of being in another place away from the hustles of a metropolitan city. Or rather, walking around there gives me a feeling of actually being in an old movie filled with props and it's fake buildings. I thought it was pretty cool! It was a bit hard for me to write a review about Espiau's because I didn't know what to say. The restaurant is huge with many dining areas, and there is also an outside patio area that connects to the bar. The servers were really nice and accommodating. We were served salsa with chips right when we sat down. The whole restaurant was quiet and it wasn't busy. Maybe it was because we came for a late lunch. However, the first time we were here was for happy hour... and it still wasn't as busy. At least there was a live band there to entertain around patio. Well, enough said. Let's talk about the food. The soft tacos we had the first time was good during happy hour. The tacos were freshly made, and they were carne asada. We must of had at least ten tacos since they were tiny, and probably drank a few beers while we were at it. They second time we went for lunch, we ordered the Cobber Burger, Chicken wings with a dipping sauce, an arugula salad, and had chips and salsa along with a couple more drinks. Hoping the second time will be a better experience, I was a bit disappointed. The burger wasn't as good as it sounded. I wish the jalapenos were cooked or at least pickled. I know it's personal preference, but what we paid for the burger was not worth it. If I had a choice between the jalapeno burger in Carl's Jr. and this place, I think you'll know which I will choose. The salad was good. It was fresh and it was very enjoyable. So no complaints there! The chicken wings was also okay. I prefer my wings lightly battered or just stir fried. But these wings is just fried chicken. A bit too much batter which ruined the whole concept of buffalo wings. No celery comes with the wings. Oh well. The chips were good, but only a bit salty. The salsa was delicious though. Just make sure you have a drink handy while you eat the chips. The mix drinks was good. Pretty consistent with it's alcohol. So no complaints. And the beer is bottle... so no comment. My overall experience here was mediocre. That's why it was so hard to figure out what to write about this place. The first experience I felt was better. Maybe the inconsistent food the second time put a damper in my experience. I probably won't be back for awhile. So please improve... until the next time. I will be nice and give it a weak three stars. Even though I was disappointed in my lunch, at least the servers were cool, and the whole place is quite nice as it's pretty well kept.

    (3)

  • Jan M.

    The salad is what keeps me coming back!

    (5)

  • Tony M.

    I was dissapointed that the Carne Asada looked pink inside and it reminded me of a salisbury steak from a frozen food box. I would like to suggest that they buy their meat at the Mexican Meat Market on foothill in Upland. Its real carne asada. It was also dissapointing that others received their food first when we arrived and ordered before them. I will say the Margarita's were good.

    (2)

  • Sally S.

    Came here with a friend for some lunch and drinks. It was a nice day out and we sat on the patio. We ordered an Xrated martini and a mango mojito. Both were delicious along with out burgers. Our server Arianna was absolutely amazing. She had a great attitude and took all of our requests with great pleasure. She is exactly the type of server needed at every restaurant instead of servers who put on fake smile and get annoyed when you ask for something. This was my first visit here and because of the food, Arianna, and her A+ hospitality I will definitely make more trips here!

    (5)

  • Debb V.

    I wished the had - minus stars! This place sucks, service, over priced food! I had soup and salad and it took 30 mins to get our food!!!! Watch out for the hidden fees! Yes! You heard me! Hidden fees! Build your own sandwich?? Not the price they say. It only means bread and meat any thing else it's more charge!!! So I'd it really a sandwich if it says build your own and they gives you 4 columns of choices??? Nope! Buyer beware here! DID I MENTION THAT THE SERVICE IS REALLY BAD????

    (1)

  • Katie W.

    FAIL! I will never go here again! Before starting this review I thought maybe this place wasn't quite as bad as a 1-star rating, but after sitting down and thinking about it, there were NO good qualities about it, only really bad, and kind of bad. Therefore, a 1 star they get! A group of us came here on 3/14 around 1pm with a group of 8. We asked to sit outside since we had a dog with us. The lady up front told us it would be about 15 mins since they had to set a table up for us and wait for another party to leave. Ok, no problem. THIRTY minutes later, we were finally seated. Not sure how 15 turned into 30...must be magic! We got seated and the service was TERRIBLE! It took forever to get...EVERYTHING. We wanted the 100 oz beer, 2 other mixed drinks, and waters. I timed it, it took them 22 MINUTES to get us freakin waters!!! Seriously?! Then the drinks came out ONE.AT .A.TIME! OMG! We mostly wanted drinks and snacks, and after how long the drinks took we were afraid to order much, so collectively as a group we got: 1 salad, 1 guac,, 1 fundido, and 1 order of tacos. All of that took another 30 minutes and we were never offered refills. My friend waited about 10 minutes for the dressing for her salad and another 5 after that for silverware. Seriously, this was the worst service I've had in a REALLY long time! The food also sucked pretty much. The guacamole was really bland, we had to mix in salsa...too much sour cream! The queso fundido was NOT queso fundido! It was chilie out of a can. It was horrible! Fundido is a CHEESE dip! OMG! I'm white and I know that!! Everything was just bad. There's not one redeeming quality that I can say about this place. I'll never return and I will warn others. FAIL!

    (1)

  • John H.

    I've never really been here just to eat. On the multiple occasions I've had the chance to try many of the appetizers and drinks. I do like their chips and salsa, and that is the key for any good Mexican restaurant. Their Espiau's salad is a hugely popular item and it's good. Now on to the bad. I'd say at least half the times I've been here there has been a problem with the bill and the service. On my latest visit, our group was there during happy hour. The server charged us full price for every appetizer that was ordered, when we had specifically been asking about happy hour items, and pointing at the menu ordering off the happy hour menu. So why would you not get that we wanted happy hour items? Every drink we ordered was off the happy hour menu, so why would we be ordering regular priced food? I just don't get it. We also put in a drink order with a little over 20 minutes left in happy hour, and asked the server to come back before happy hour ended so we could order again. So what happens? The server comes back 2 minutes AFTER happy hour is over, and asks if we want to order more drinks. And the unfunny thing is, we still hadn't got our drinks from the order we placed 22 minutes earlier. So my question is, do they do that kinda thing on purpose? Because this is not the first time there was problems like that. Now after a discussion about that drink and ordering fiasco, we got the bill and saw the overcharges. It took close to an hour more of sitting there waiting to resolve the bill issues, and in the end we still got overcharged for one dish that they didn't correct the price to the happy hour price. I really like the place for gathering with friends, watching live music, and the plenty of TV's they have for watching sports, but they seriously need to train their employees better and provide better service. Until they show some improvement in those areas they don't deserve more than 2.5 to 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Sabdy M.

    Very cool Spot. Their Mexican Tostada salad is delicious. We also had a strawberry banana margarita & it was very delicious. =)

    (4)

  • andrea j.

    ABSOLUTELY GROSS!! I don't understand why this restaurant always looks busy. The restaurant itself is old and disgusting (the carpet looks nasty and the booths are sticky), the food was gross and the service - oh my gosh the service was awful. I don't know if our waitress was having a day or if that was her normal personality, but DAMN she was rude. We waited forever to get drinks and then to get served. When she brought our waters she did not place our waters in front of each person, but rather dumped the waters all at the end of the table so that we could each grab our own. How lazy is that??? You are a waitress, do your job! Our food took so long and by the time we got the food, we were out of our drinks and waters and the food came out cold. She looked like she could care less. AND to top it all off, she comes by as soon as we start eating our food to give us the bill and lets us know that we need to pay now because her shift is over. YOU MUST BE JOKING. Seriously, such a DUMP. And I wish I could remember that waitress' name because she needs to get a different job where she doesn't have to provide customer service. This place needs to go. Claremont has really great restaurants and this s-hole does not fit in.

    (1)

  • Kash H.

    I'm not sure what I should've thought of this place. I ordered a combination chicken enchilada that came with beans, rice & a salad. The chicken enchilada didn't have any flavor, the rice was fluffy which I liked, the salad came piled with shredded cheese.... uggghh, what the hell?? When eating the salad all that was stuffed in my mouth was a fork full of shredded cheese, I literally had to dig to get to the lettuce, all it was was romaine lettuce under the mountain of shredded cheese, I was completely confused as to what happened with this salad. Don't recommend & will not go back. The customer service was good which is the only reason why I give 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    Great place to eat!! I ordered the Fatty Burger and it was great! I had to dismantle it to just eat it, it was so huge. I only was able to eat half. The patty lacked flavor. It didn't taste like there was any seasoning on it at all. Kari was our server and she was very prompt and attentive to our needs. Everyone enjoyed their meals and had a good time! Definitely will be back!

    (4)

  • Tita T.

    I've been to this place twice and now I can say that I am not going back. The food isn't special and it is overpriced. The last time I went, we waited for our food for an hour and a half after waiting for our seat for about half an hour. I've had better food for a better price with more efficient service.

    (2)

  • Eat W.

    4 Stars because I love the food. The Mexican Salad and the dressing is super delicious! I love the decor too. Ive been coming here for more than 15 years. The salads got a little smaller though over the years, but its a perfect amount now. The only reason its not 5 stars is because the service, it could be better sometimes. Great place though.

    (4)

  • Kateri M.

    I love this place! I come here a lot and I really enjoy it! I recommend the taco salad with shredded beef.

    (5)

  • Crystal K.

    First thing that sticks in my mind about this place is they love cheese! Lol everything I ordered was covered in a blanket of cheese and honestly I kind of love that. I'm not too excited about eating Mexican out cause it's never as good as home but this was not that bad. I liked everything I had, the ground beef taco could be better though. The meat is kind of bland. My biggest complaint about this place is the decor. It's in Claremont and very busy so I would think it would look nicer. Definitely needs an update.

    (3)

  • AK K.

    As I read some of them other reviews, I am shocked! I have had a great experience here! The food is excellent, and the drinks are fantastic. Don't miss the salad!

    (5)

  • Shelly S.

    I decided to give this place another try after multiple bad experiences with the food and service...well, I completely regret the decision. The food here is some of the worst I have ever experienced. Anywhere. It is bland, comes from a can, and is extremely unappealing to look at. I knew the food was not very good (truly came for a beer and chips for the kids) so I ordered a soup and salad. Basic, right? The salad was as expected-- iceberg lettuce mix with a mile of shredded cheese on top. (Never a tomato, crouton ever.)The dressing was so flavorless that I had to add salt, pepper, and salsa to give it some kind of qualifying taste. My husband got a chicken burrito- so gross. Brother ordered carne asada nachos only to be told later that they were out of that meat. Kids got chicken strips. How sad is it when the most edible thing at the table is a frozen chicken strip. I actually sent my soup back in exchange for the chicken tortilla because I have never seen french onion soup that color. I was too scared to even eat it. Unfortunately and mysteriously, the tortilla soup came out the SAME scary brown - black color! See picture. Ate two bites which just so happened to contain the only chicken in the entire bowl. Now, service- pretty bad. I mean the servers smile, but our glasses were never refilled. We were never offered more beer, sat with plates covering the table forever, and had to ask for the check. Absolutely positive I will NEVER return. It blows my mind that anyone would choose to spend their money here when there are so many other amazing and delicious options in the village (Aruffos, back Abbey, Eureka, Union,etc.).

    (1)

  • Mark G.

    We have been going to this great restaurant for 8-9 years. We always sit in the bar and get the guacamole with their seasoned chips. Mexican salad and albondigas soup. Couple Fat Tire beers or whatever and just chill. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Dana S.

    Ehhh. Honestly an OK restaurant. Overpriced if you ask me. The food was definitely not terrible, but just OK. I also thought the restaurant was a bit understaffed. Only one waitress was working during lunch time! Would I come again? Ehh, most likely no.

    (2)

  • V G.

    I drive pass this place everyday. On Sunday (9-29-14) after my son's football game, I decided to come here for Sunday Night Football. The ambiance is okay, the staff was great. The chips and salsa were not good at all. Everything on the menu was overpriced. The boys had a bean & cheese burrito, and a cheeseburger. Nothing impressive. I had the wet burrito (shredded beef). Way over seasoned, it came alone without any sides. I believe it was $10. It wasn't even worth $4. Ended up paying $50 without any beers and highly disappointed with the food.

    (1)

  • Linda D.

    A Mexican and American restaurant and bar. Serves Mexican food and burgers. Feels like an old diner with a dimmer setting and dark colors inside. [[ Parking & Location ]]-- Right in the middle of Claremont Village. Across from California Bank. Street parking. Ask to sit outdoors and enjoy the nice weather! [[ Veggie Burrito add Carne Asada ]]-- comes with the usual that you'd expect and they call it a "veggie" burrito. But the option is there to add meat lol...what a silly plug in. The carne asada were tender and the burrito had a ton of sour cream and guac! It wasn't better than your local Alberto's but I guess it'll do. [[ Chips & Salsa ]]-- seasoned chips that look home made and a bowl of red chili with only a mild to medium spice. [[ Service ]]-- though the wait staff was friendly, they were non existent for the most part. Food took 45 minutes to come out and they never came by to check up or refill drinks. Not really looking great for customer service.

    (3)

  • Debra M.

    Gave this place another shot because I knew the original owners, Me. And Mrs. Espiau and love the food. The recipes are the same, but the service is atrocious! My elderly mother entered to get a table while I parked the car. Although there was not a wait, they made my mother stand until I arrived to get a table. She ordered a drink, and i had to ask for it again. The excuse we were given was that they got stuck behind the register. Never offered a refill. Then we asked for more salsa. She seated people, went to kitchen twice, brought out food, came back to our table, told us "You want more salsa?", then went to register, kitchen, brought out food, looked at us, back to register, gave us check.....no salsa! Just plane rude! I paid and wrote on back of receipt, LEFT TIP ON YELP.

    (1)

  • Chris C.

    Ate lunch outdoors at Espiau's this Sunday with a friend after an overnight camping trip and overall it was a nice place to catch some Mexican or Deli grub. I had the Reuben and it was exactly as it should be. Hot on rye, with dressing on the side and a nice thin tender cuts of meat. The cole slaw was excellent too. That combined with nice outdoor street-side seating, lots of shade, friendly service, bottomless refills, average prices and a very dog-friendly atmosphere made this a go-to spot for me whenever I find myself in Claremont... I only ding Espiau's one star because of the divey sports bar atmosphere, with blaring TV's, noisy patrons and service that was a little on the slow side. Not bad but noticeable... Also the limited parking is annoying, but not the end of the world.

    (4)

  • Yvette K.

    Great food and great mixed drinks selection!! Cool bar area that also offers food. Nice patio area that also allows dogs and has live performers. A lot of parking options but, you may have to circle a couple times.

    (5)

  • Robyn L.

    Had Espiaus today and it was my second time here. I like the place, the food is good but the service is a hit or miss. Both times I've been here the service was just alright. The first time the waitress forgot a salad and this time our waitress kind of had an attitude. When asked if she recommended the sour cream enchiladas she said she had never had them. Okay. So then she was asked "Well what are they like?" And she said "Sour creamy." Then was asked, what's in them? She said "Sour cream." Like we know that but anything else? Cheese? Veggies? Sauce? Way to be rude lady. I don't remember her name but she has a pixie haircut that's bleached blonde. I feel like she was nicer as the dinner went on and was pretty attentive after that. Food was good as usual, average portions and hot hot hot. Also, I asked the hostess to turn on the fan and she did that for me. It was kinda stuffy in there and I've been battling severe headaches all week and it was nice of the lady to turn the fans on no questions asked. All in all I'll be back to Espiaus. Just beware, you might get a rude waitress if you ask too many questions.

    (3)

  • Habeeba M.

    Went here for breakfast one time and it was great. Tried it out for taco Tuesday and it was horrible. They messed up our order,the deal they displayed wasn't even offered and they had the sign up. It was ridiculous. I have never gone back and I never will. The service is horrible. Its not worth the wait or food.

    (1)

  • Mia N.

    Incredibly overpriced, very small portions, and it's very uncomfortable inside. My husband and I had been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile and finally decided it was time. Although I was in the mood for Mexican food, once I looked over the menu and saw the prices on even single items, I opted for an egg salad sandwich instead. It was bland, rubbery, and the fries were basically just frozen fries stuck in the oven. My husband got a burrito and it ended up being not only small, but with very little beef and hardly any cheese. Nothing else on it. The restaurant itself was muggy and hot, and the tables were set up at very odd angles that put everyone in someone's way. But hey, the chips were decent?

    (1)

  • Alexa M.

    Quickly and super friendly service. I got a stuffed burrito with pork and it was excellent!

    (5)

  • Dwain C.

    I had lunch at Espiau's Restaurant in Claremont, CA on 7/10/2014. It was my first time there. My companion had a salad for $6.95 and a single enchilada for $4.50. I on the other hand had a two item combo for $16.50 which included the salad. My coffee cost $2.00. Our server, Zahra, did a fine job. Plus, I took photos.

    (4)

  • Larry G.

    Don't come here. I keep trying to like this place, it's really bad. The drinks are not poured well. Plus, they have this cheap drink ($4)that is the worse drink ever. The food is bad too. Like really. The only good thing about this location is the location, that's it. Don't go here.

    (1)

  • Jaryd H.

    I used to come here years ago and the service was great, but today it took at least half an hour to get a bucket of beer. Honestly how long does it take to get a full bucket of beer. It's not like I was waiting for fajitas or burritos or even a burger. What the hell happened to this place? It's more than adequately staffed on a Sunday. Never say never buts it's going to be a while until I ever come here again.

    (1)

  • Dale K.

    I love the Mexican salad the dressing is too die for not to mention all that cheese on top. The chips with that special seasoned salt are some of the best in the valley. I love to sit out side on the patio it is so much better than the inside dining. I have been going to Espiau's since it original location on Holt in Pomona, and the salad is still the same delicious.

    (3)

  • Alicia G.

    I'm reserving my thoughts because I didn't try the food, but the tequila list is rather awesome and intimidating with a list of great margaritas to boot. I walked in and wasn't convinced because I didn't know what was on tap. However, one of the ladies was on break and after chasing with her, I have the place another shot. Claremont craft??? Heck yeah!! This is definitely a place that gets the job done as far as alcohol.

    (4)

  • Sherry H.

    Been here a bunch of times. I really only keep coming back for their salad. It really is awesome. Other than that the service isn't good and Mexican food is really greasy. If the servers actually paid attention to you I'd probably bump this up to a 4. I'm writing this review at our table now because we've been sitting here for 20 minutes waiting for our bill with empty beverages. Come on guys we want to give a a good review!

    (3)

  • John T.

    Another great lunch today with my friend Cindy. Had the Albondigas soup. Still a homerun...

    (5)

  • Ken R.

    Espiaus would be a great place if not for the poor service. I liked the soup, baked potato and salad. I just can't see coming back any time soon... :(

    (1)

  • Bruce K.

    I went here with my wife and daughter. The food was good, but not as good as it could have been. The chips are a little thicker than I like. The salsa was great. Not too hot. My daughter's French onion soup was overdone, and to up to the standard that we are used to. I had a combination plate, and was just average to good. We like to come to downtown Claremont, and will likely be back.

    (3)

  • Steff S.

    Horrible service Disgusting food Watered down drinks Wouldn't come here ever again.

    (1)

  • Maggi M.

    This is NOT Mexican food. Not sure what to call it. Chips are soaked in oil? Grease? Waitresses having good time chatting, not so much on providing service. I will drive out of town to find Mexican food.

    (1)

  • Meghan P.

    I have been coming to Espiou's for years with my family and have loved it. I just started working in the area and a friend and I were meeting to have lunch and I recommend coming here. HUGE mistake. I am writing this review as I am sitting with no water to wash down my disgusting dry burrito that obviously was sitting under a heating lamp during the 25 minutes we waited for our food. At this point, I just want to pay our bill but I haven't even seen our waitress since she threw our food on the table. WORST service ever!

    (1)

  • Liz P.

    Friends and family come here on occasion so it was my turn to try. Meh, I've definitely had better Mexican food. My chile relleno al a carte was nothing to write home about. My husband's carnitas plate was not authentic. When I asked for a flour tortilla to wrap up the leftovers, I was charged $1.25 for it. Aren't tortillas included with any Mexican meal? I will say the Margarita was tasty and there is a nice patio to watch games and such. That's it...I'll be back to drink and watch games :)

    (2)

  • Christine Z.

    Came here for lunch the service was fine, however we paid 32$ for 2 burritos and a drink kinda kicking myself for suggesting this place to my friend. Should have gone to the place on Garey and foothill for a better tasting burrito and better deal.

    (2)

  • Lauren K.

    This place is terrible. Most of the waitress' are unfriendly. Food is bad. Only thing that is tasty are their chips.

    (1)

  • Ann G.

    This is one of me and my husbands favorite places to go ! Sometimes we show up more than once a week. We come here a lot so we have had almost everything and the food is great. I have not had anything I didn't like. I could live off their chips and salsa! Their new breakfast menu is good as well (try the breakfast potatoes). From wings to burgers to baked potatoes to sandwiches to nachos and quesadillas, to salads, this place has it all. The staff here is very friendly and always helpful. This is true with a party of two or a party of 15. They are attentive and effective. It's a definite Claremont treasure!

    (5)

  • Michael T.

    Great Mexican fare, I really like this place. My favorite item is their "snow globe" salad, which comes piled high with shredded cheese as well as a delicious dressing. I got the shredded beef taco combo, which comes with the salad and rice and beans which was quite delectable. My friend got the abondigas soup, and she really liked it. Their chips and salsa are also on point, (protip: ask for some pico de gallo and dump it into the salsa for a nice treat. For your health!) Our server was super nice and friendly, I think her name was Haley. I highly recommend this place!

    (4)

  • Brandon F.

    Good food, although can be a little pricey for what you get. Taco Tuesdays in the summer are always great though. Decent happy hour, but the seasoning on their tortilla chips is great.

    (4)

  • John C.

    Great place! We went there with a group of over 20 people and they did an excellent job! The servers were a lot of fun and great at what they did! The food was outstanding as well!

    (5)

  • Kathy H.

    They water down their drinks but charge a lot. in particular the margarita. And a virgin margarita has no purpose. The atmosphere is great,food okay and proceed well Great place to watch sports

    (3)

  • Ruth A.

    Food was not seasoned there was no flavor on anything. I order the steak fajita and the chicken tacos . I don't see my self ever going back. The only good thing there was the chips and salsa.

    (1)

  • Raphael C.

    I wish I could tell everyone how good the food here is or isn't but since I've been waiting an hour for a cheeseburger I guess I can't!!! Service is very slow and not very accommodating.

    (1)

  • kim W.

    Owners daughter is a complete not nice lady mean and would not remake a cheese buger that was raw inside that was cut in half.. she would only cook it again all cheese melted off and soggy bun.. heard her saying they ain't getting a new buger they don't deserve it as I walked to the bathroom right by the kitchen.. wow now I see y the 2 star. Spent 50 on on booze after the bad bad bad owners daughter experience.. note to owner hire people that aren't there because they are your family and know they won't be fired.

    (1)

  • Richard S.

    Beans and rice were amazing as well as the tap ipa. Carol Anne is an awesome waitress 3 of the stars are because of her helpfulness.

    (5)

  • Cynthia Y.

    Omg their food is amazing. We went recently for a hockey game on tv... they were kind enough to change the chanel so our group could watch. So awesome. Ps. Their Chocolate cake BOMB

    (5)

  • juan q.

    Great place!! Beer is cold, chips and salsa are delicious, bartenders are gorgeous and friendly, been here a handful of times for lunch break and enjoyed it everytime, try the Black & Blue Burger, great!!

    (5)

  • Cheryl P.

    Love this place. The Mexican Salad is a staple but all the food is delicious and they give you a lot of food. The prices can be a little high but you get the food you pay for. Love this restaurant and I highly recommend it. It is an older restaurant but I go for the food and the service.

    (5)

  • El B.

    Popped in for a quick lunch, and really looked the location. Sat it in the patio, and enjoyed some good people watching. Alas, the people walking by were far more pleasing than the meal. Had a fish burrito ($8.50) which was created from bagged pre-shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, crema, and fish. Not terrible, but for the price I was disappointed with the cabbage. Had a salad as well, and it was made from the pre-mixed bagged lettuce from the grocery store with a handful of cheese on top. Again, not terrible but disappointing. Beer was average Claremont pricing (~$6 for a pint). On the upside, the server was very upbeat and attentive. Probably won't come back, but we'll see

    (3)

  • Bob D.

    I remember the place in Pomona and had been there many times in my youth. The place is very different and the menu has more than just Mexican food. Maybe it is just me, but the food quality wasn't that good and the drinks are watered down. The chips are still really good, and my wife liked her Mexican Salad, but I would recommend getting a beer so they can't water it down. The place could use some TLC as it has seen better days.

    (2)

  • Aria F.

    A great place to watch the game because they have plenty of high def TVs and good selection of beer. But the food is not great so it depends on what you're going there for.

    (3)

  • Persian B.

    Good food kind of pricey though and food comes in small portions They have a nice arrangements of TVs for anyone who would like I watch games and what not

    (3)

  • Eileen M.

    This place is really good. The drinks are also good I wouldn't call this authentication Mexican food but it's close enough. It is a little pricey, however the waiters have a high turnover they need better training. The restrooms are just ridiculous! Its good if your going just to hang out and have a couple of beers and watch a game they do have numerous TV's.

    (3)

  • Miranda A.

    I mean..we waited 2+ hours on a Tuesday night and the food didn't seem close to coming out so we ended up leaving

    (1)

  • eileen f.

    This place is the WORSE. Food below medoocre, and definitely not worth the price. What about the service? We saw two parties leave in the matter of 10 minutes for the lack of service, we should've done the same.

    (1)

  • Matt M.

    This is the place to be. Great food and service. Excellent selection of beer. Love the seasoned chips & salsa. The Mexican salad is always a great choice.

    (5)

  • Andres A.

    Came with a group of friends on a Friday night. We sat in the patio which was great cause I was able to watch the game. The Margaritas were great. Me and my partner had the bull dogs margaritas which were amazing! I will need to come back here again!!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth Y.

    This place sucks. What type of place serves tostada salad in a glass bowl with a small piece of tortilla chip, piled with pounds of cheese? Also my sister clearly asked for no cheese since she's lactose intolerant, but they served her dish with cheese anyway! Also our waiter only came to check up on us once, and we had to get another waiter's attention to get a refill of water. Mediocre food, mediocre service. Save yourselves and don't come here.

    (2)

  • Lacey M.

    The service is suuuuper slow! As for the food, it's decent. The Espiaus salad is mega bomb, the spicy chicken tortilla soup is amazing but definitely spicy, the chips are good and salsa is fresh and flavorful. The menu has a lot going on...Mexican, burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings... Kind of weird but everyone I've ever been with seems to stick to the Mexican dishes. I like the patio seating area, there's plenty of tv's to catch a game and chat with friends.

    (3)

  • Michele L.

    The only thing I liked about this place: --their FREE and abundant chips and salsa --their drinks Their drinks are an okay price--$6/7 for a margarita during non-happy hours. I got the churizo con huervos and it was pretty crappy. Barely any taste, and the sausage was bad. My friend, however, got the build your own sandwich. He thought it was good, and his curly fries were amazing. I wish I had gotten the build your own sandwich, but why would I come to a Mexican restaurant for a sandwich?

    (2)

  • GT W.

    Simply should not be in business. Awfully slow and nonchalant service with a defensive attitude. Took ages to just get our menus.. Then there food comes out and someone's order was not even entered. Manager took his sweet time to timidly come our and look stupefied that someone would dare call them out for such joke food and service. Low quality food: the salad was just bagged iceberg salad with literally a half bag of shredded cheese on top. A nondescript clear squirt bottle is the dressing but no one bothered to mention that. Steak fajitas, most expensive thing on the menu at $16.50, was not even thick skirt steak or flank steak, it was bunches of overcooked flat sirloin or something that tasted liked hamburger meat dosed in black pepper. Server never cleared a single plate off the table nor refilled any drinks. After talking to the manager she transparently sucked up and helped with our to go boxes which will all be fed to the dog. We did eventually get the meal that never came out on time comped and a discount applied to the meal. However, I will not be back. For beer nerds, they have an okay selection of draft beer including a Hangar 24 rotating seasonal. I asked what the seasonal was, turns out it is a year round beer from Hangar 24, not a seasonal. Come on.

    (1)

  • Jen C.

    Food was bad, service was bad. It took FOREVER to get food after we ordered it. Their salsa has a strong tomato paste taste. The rice in my burrito was crispy as if it was from the night before. My water sat empty for 20 mins before I could get someone's attention to fill it. Burgers are better then the Mexican food. And the Mexican food is expensive for the crap that they serve.

    (1)

  • Tyler D.

    We've going here for years! It's a good place to eat. Staff is cool & friendly. It's a bit pricy but they don't cheat you on your food. Enjoy!!!

    (4)

  • Ben D.

    Been here a couple of times now and have always had a good time! Unfortunately I am going to have to un-friend one of my yelp friends.... there is no way I can try a restaurant now based on her reviews. Anyone who can say that the chips and salsa here are terrible just don't have a clue what fresh, fried, in house chips really taste like. I've been working in the area for five years and someone will as always have their chips and salsa in the break room at least 3x's a week!! They are so good even the next day they taste better than any chips I've had at other places! Ok enough about the chips... but seriously I challenge you to tell me of a better chip and I will drive anywhere for a chip challenge! Ok, so this is an American/Mexican Bar food dinner. I would not call it real Mexican food, and anyone who says it's the best probably is Caucasian, just saying, however they do use quality ingredients which makes the food a winner in my book! My wife has had an asada taco salad and the steak was plentiful, tender and seasoned right. I had the chicken burrito and was definitely satisfied! Our second visit we decided to try the burger and wings since we were having homemade Mexican food the next couple of days. We are trying to eat smaller portions so we split everything including a beer flight for $6!! The garlic parmesan chicken wings were perfect and I was impressed with the good sized Blue cheese burger with fries!! All in all a good meal! So, everything here is pretty pricey probably a couple dollars more than somewhere else. But it shows in the quality of the food and hey... your in the Village.

    (4)

  • Juan David R.

    I wish I had read some of the reviews before coming here. The food was terrible and definitely overpriced. I had the meaty burrito and to my surprise it was just chicken on a flour tortilla. No beans or rice or sour cream or guacamole. Only chicken oh and a few bits of tomato and lettuce on the side. I thought there was a mistake but the server explained to me that that was how it was made. OK aside from my opinion that a burrito shouldn't be on the menu without the ingredients that originally come with it, I found the food tasteless. The friend I went with ordered salad. Although he didn't hate the food as much as I did, he agrees with me that he wouldn't recommend this place.

    (1)

  • DA D.

    Always a consistently great meal. Large portions. People are friendly and accommodating. Have been there for work functions and private gatherings. We enjoy it so much we are taking the family there for Mothers Day.

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    Horrible, just plain HORRIBLE! Save yourself the headache and head elsewhere!!! $62 for two plain burritos and two disgusting veggie burgers. SERIOUSLY $62 dollars for crap food and horrible service.

    (1)

  • Neal P.

    I like the fact that this restaurant has an outdoor and indoor component. We went there for a friends birthday and it was not too packed. The service was average, with the waiter coming around only twice after the food was served but the food was pretty good and they serve their beer in mason jar. I also liked the fact that they had tvs outside. I say this is a nice spot located in downtown Claremont with a cozy feeling and reasonable prices. They serve all types of food ranging from Mexican dishes to burgers. So if you're in the area I would say to try it out and see how you like it.

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    Just a brief shout out to Espiau's restaurant. Dave and Zahara were great in providing food for our football banquet. Very thorough - they followed up before, during and after our event to make sure everything went well. The food arrived as scheduled and was as great as we expected it to be. Dave even threw in extra food because he knew we were feeding hungry boys. I appreciate Espiau's commitment to the community and of course it's great food. Thanks again from Claremont Wolfpack Freshmen Football.

    (5)

  • Daniel D.

    Food was okay, I'm glad we found a seat on the patio because it gets packed out there when their house band plays. They do both Mexican and American dishes which was nice because you can be sure to find something you'd like between the two. Service wasn't great, and at sometimes a little frustrating, but that could be because of the densely packed patio, but still you kind of hope they anticipate that. Overall, it isn't a favorite of mine. I might go back if I'm in the area, but I'd probably try a new place before I'd come back to this.

    (3)

  • Music L.

    Nice friend people but service somewhat slow, but the burgers were a bad choice. They came charred well done when medium was requested. Sent both burgers back and they were returned equally well done, avoid if looking for a quality burger. These were obviously frozen patties with little blue cheese. Maybe the Mexican food is better

    (1)

  • Celia G.

    Awesome place! Try the chocolate martini and the potato tacos! Slow service but great food and ambiance.

    (5)

  • Alicia E.

    Love thus resaurant. ..Mexican salad is still as good as it was when I worked at Espinosa in Pomona.

    (5)

  • Isabelle M.

    Slow service, uncomfortable chairs, food was ok not great enough to override the other faults. Not planning to return.

    (2)

  • Regina O.

    I work right across the street from here and love that I can call and have my lunch ready for me to pick up. They always give a generous amount of free chips and salsa. The only I don't like is how small the portions are. If you want a decent amount of food you have to pay at least 16 dollars for a plate! I do enjoy going in and having dinner with my daughter on occasion. The waitresses are always extremely nice. The food taste pretty good not authentic Mexican food but it is still the best you can get in the village.

    (4)

  • I S.

    We ordered a tostada salad and an all meat burrito. Just 'cuz you're on Yale Ave. doesn't mean the food is good. I can see why every time I drive by this place, it always looks empty. I should have known that the food wasn't gonna be good by how empty the restaurant was.

    (2)

  • Jory C.

    I always end up coming here when Heroes next door has too long of a wait. Every time I wonder why I even bothered. The only positive I can say is their fajitas are decent and the chips and salsa are pretty good, although the chips can be very greasy. Every entree is overpriced for the quantity and quality. My friends and I ordered a tower of beer and the beer tasted old and flat. The service is usually slow as well. The busboy had to take our drink orders and a different waitress took our food order. If you're looking to not drink too much this is the place to go, it takes forever to flag someone down. To read someone saying this is the best Mexican food is an over statement...makes me sad to think this is the best they'll experience.

    (1)

  • Ron B.

    Terrible service. The owner is too busy making salads instead of running the restaurant. Food is nothing special either. Why does anyone come to this place is beyond me. I know that I will never come back.

    (1)

  • Victoria W.

    My boyfriend and I went to Espiau's for the first time and we were greeted with amazing food, incredible drinks and stupendous service. Our Waitress Hailey was on it and seemed more than happy to take care of every teeny tiny detail. This girl is going places! 5 out of 5!

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    I always go here for drinks. I live close by and it's just a fun environment. Allison was our bartender/server tonight and we had a great time.

    (5)

  • Santi C.

    Came here for lunch, service was good, food was not good. Got the meaty burrito expecting a lot of chicken but only got about 5 ounces! Seriously?! For $11 an all meat burrito with 5 ounces of meat. I got it with enchilada sauce, cheese and sour cream which was another $3.75. The cheese was melted to the point that the fat had separated from everything, Burrito was Horrible do not recommend this place.

    (2)

  • Steve R.

    Well, not much to say... went there with two other friends the other day... walked in and sat outside, there were over 15 servers working we counted, yet after 15 minutes we had to go inside to get some beer, and an hour later, STILL no service... Not one of the servers came to our table or the table behind us to even take our order... We watched as all the servers seemed to aimlessly walk around with no set tables, thus no organization, and thus well couln't even try their food... well except the chips - the busboy was the only one came to us and brought us chips but said he couldnt take our order... Well at least someone works there... but for SO many servers with such a small place, couldnt believe we didnt even get waited on for over an hour...

    (1)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I love this place! Delicious food and cute staff ;)

    (5)

  • N L.

    I came here to see the Hax and they were great! I loved their music and it was really fun! However, I can't say the same about the restaurant. We made reservations so we got to skip the long line at the front of the restaurant. We got seated right away. They literally brought us chips and salsa within 30 seconds. The chips were hot and tasted great. The salsa was alright. Not my favorite. We sat outside. They had tons of heaters so it wasn't cold at all. We ordered the nachos as an appetizer and a combination plate for our main dish. My boyfriend and I were going to share. It took them about 35 minutes to bring us the nachos. During this time period, our waitress Sara kept refilling our drinks and our chip bowl. When the nachos got to our table, it was huge. We told Sara that we wanted to cancel our combination plate because it we were super full from eating the chips (while waiting for our nachos). Unfortunately, it was already done. We told her to wrap it for us. Ok, the nachos were horrific. They looked good, but it was massively over-salted. It was horrible. We tried some of the combination plate when we got home. It was also ridiculously over-salted as well. My boyfriend and I both love salt. I think this is the only time I have EVER complained about anything being over-salted. It was that bad. So, I won't be back here unless the Hax plays here again. Even then, I might just order drinks and eat somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Susan C.

    The service is very good and outside has a patio with live music to entertain its customers. Their menu seems to be overpriced but they do have a good cheese salad to go with your combination meal. I would recommend that they update their interior because it seems to be outdated. Their waitresses are very friendly.

    (3)

  • Linnea K.

    Long story short this place SUCKS!!! Wish I could have given them no damn stars.... Service was beyond terrible (our server was MIA 95% of the time and it wasn't even busy) and who the hell would pay $15.50 for ONE taco with a side of rice & beans?! not me. Spare yourself the time and money and go somewhere else.

    (1)

  • Janki P.

    I frequent the Claremont village regularly and this was one of the restaurants I had no interest in trying. But after a friend I was meeting up with recommend it and swore it was good, I decided to try it out. It was just as I though it would be, nothing special. Service was fine, don't recall my servers name, she didn't stick around long enough to leave an impression. My friend recommended getting the Cadillac Margarita, mentioning shes gotten it several times and its great with a shot on the side. Our drink didn't come with a shot on the side, it was a little watered down. Oh well get me a corona please to cover up the bad taste of that drink. With my drink set, I decided to just order the cheese quesadilla. It was the bad kinda cheesy and a little too oily. My friend got a tostada (I posted a picture of it) but it was the hardest thing ever to maneuver and eat. They stacked the cheese very high that you couldn't see anything below it. As far as presentation goes, doesnt seem like they put in effort that night. My only qualm with eating out is if I get a meal that I feel I could have easily made better at home, its disappointing. Thats exactly how my dinining experience felt, disappointing.

    (2)

  • linda p.

    Ordered 9.50 margarita, cant feel the alcohol. This happens each time, wiont be coming back. Ridiculous. Food not good either.

    (1)

  • Tom B.

    Friendly service, reasonable food but the restrooms were absolutely disgusting (like non-sanitary). Would have given 3 stars but cleanliness is too important.

    (2)

  • Colleen B.

    Love, love, love this place. I've been coming to Espiaus for many years and I have never had a bad experience. It's a great, laid back setting with good service and great food. TE Espiaus salad is a must try!!!

    (5)

  • Roy S.

    Its not authentic, but they have the best salads in town and there chips and salsa wash down great with there vast beer selection

    (4)

  • J R.

    The soups are fantastic, as well as, tacos and burritos. We have been coming to Espiaus for about 40 years--when it was on Holt in Pomona. The outside windows are ever changing art. We appreciate the artist's work. We drive and walk by the windows to admire them. I photograph some of the windows and place the photos on Facebook so other people get to enjoy them. Thank you.

    (5)

  • Hunter R.

    Espiau's is some of the best Mexican food I've ever tasted, and at the right price. Service is slow though, especially when I eat there alone. I went with my boyfriend later and it improved immensely. I recommend the half-chicken, half-beef fajita specialty combination. They will come sizzling on the pan, with great rice, beans, and vegetables. My boyfriend got a salad and said it was 7/10. If you're visiting the Claremont Colleges and are looking for a restaurant lunch or dinner at a good price ($15-20 a person), I highly recommend Espiau's. I am a Pomona student and eat there every other week.

    (4)

  • Jennie E.

    When you are with the Duke - how can a place not be fantastic! The free chips and salsa to start your meal are seasoned with a season salt. I like combining the salsa with pico de gallo because I like a chunkier salsa! The Fundido Dip is a spicy delight with chili and queso - so perfect for dipping but keep some water with you! Their salads are fresh and topped with cheese and their house dressing goes perfectly! Their burgers are inventive. I had a pastrami burger and it was so yum! Cadillac margaritas are AMAZING here and they don't skimp on the pitchers! There is a full bar and the menu is a mixture of Mexican and American. Well, they have everything so no one in your party will be disappointed. They have the NFL ticket and there are TVs everywhere! I like sitting in the quaint little bar or outside on the patio. If you are looking for a quiet dining experience this isn't your place as there is always a game on, music playing and people reveling in what is the casual and fun-filled ambiance of Espiau's! The one drawback is the bathroom situation! For this, they lose a star but I am not sure how they would remedy it. There is one stall in the girls bathroom and this bathroom is shared with the coffee shop that is hidden behind it. When it gets busy you wait and they aren't really quick to clean it. You can park in front on the street, behind or in the parking structure, so don't fear if you can't find a spot right away. Claremont is a busy little town but they do have parking structures that are close by! Other than that, the staff is pleasant and make themselves available! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Brian U.

    Wellllllll, my wife has loved their salads for years and I got a fajita burrito added chicken to it. Should have gone somewhere else...very few bits of chicken and mostly refrained beans and taste was lacking for.....$15!!!!! Unbelievable and will never go there again. A salad with iceberg lettuce cheese and vinagarette dressing also $15, give me a break guys, fix ur food and lower ur prices

    (1)

  • Allison Wonderland M.

    Chips and salsa & salad is good, but everything else is mediocre...I mean everything!!! Burgers to tacos, sandwiches to something as simple as a properly cooked (not re-cooked baked potato!) and good luck getting refills.

    (2)

  • Chico J.

    Great location, that's about it. Been here many times and I think today is officially the last. Service is never good. Food is absolutely terrible. There's really nothing good on the menu, nothing! And worst of all, very expensive. 2 tacos, beans and rice for $15.50?!? It gets 1 star for location.

    (1)

  • Mark T.

    This place just BLOWS...it's not that the food is so bad...but the "help" is the biggest group of Neaderthals...not a work or customer related thought in their heads...collectively you may get 6 brain cells among them! I will NEVER go back!

    (1)

  • A Q.

    We went there for an early dinner and birthday party. There was only three people in our group and the place was not busy at all. To start with the bartender said we could smoke outside, but the waitress over ruled him and took the ashtray back. Second I had to get up and go to the kitchen every time we wanted something because we literally only saw a server twice and we were there for over three hours. Then they charged us twice for a regular coffee when it comes free with the meal. Third I had to ask four times for a slice of birthday cake before it ever came. When it finally came the server slapped it on the table and ran off, no song or anything. Lastly we purchased a $14 drink but our ride came so we tried to return it, and just give the change as a tip. But when the waitress found out we didn't tip she made a huge scene. She would not refund our money and when we told her about the coffee she just ignored us. We decided to sit there and share the drink outside and out of spite she called the police on us saying we were being rowdy. A couple in their late thirties being rowdy in a bar in a college town? That's what happens when you go to Espiau's in Claremont, Ca. I suggest you don't ever go there, their drinks are over priced. Their fake Mexican food is bland, and they over charge you for any changes to their menu. $3 for extra cheese on a side salad? And be prepared to deal with the authorities if you don't tip them. I must say my wife had the worst birthday ever and I paid $70 for this mess.

    (1)

  • Dennis D.

    Terrible service. Waited 15 for drink requests alone. Never got handed place settings till after the food arrived which literally took almost an hour. Granted it was sunday morning and busy but still inexcusable service and food was average at best

    (1)

  • Shelby G.

    Love their Mexican salad. Friendly staff.

    (4)

  • cris h.

    Food was mediocre at best. $18 for 3 soft tacos a la carte . Service stunk. They advertise taco Tuesday but that definitely wasn't the deal tonight (Tuesday ) they charged us a service fee on out large party then taxed the serviced fee! This place is a major rip off . We will never go back

    (1)

  • Lex F.

    The salad with chese

    (4)

  • Keri S.

    I've been coming to Espiau's since I was a small child - back when it used to be on Holt in Pomona. Their chips and guacamole are SO good...and so very worth the visit. The chips have a special seasoning salt that really make them stand out from your ordinary tortilla chips. If you want more of the seasoning salt on the chips, they can bring out extra for you to sprinkle on top as well. I also like the fact that guacamole is not spicy... it just has avocado, sour cream, and their special seasoning...nice and mild. I'm also a fan of their BBQ Chicken Quesadilla...as well as their Cheesy Cheeseburger (basically a "juicy lucy" with cheese in the middle of the meat). Overall, their food is very good and worth coming for. And the vibe of the place is always fun - they always go all out for every holiday possible with tons of decorations and contests.

    (5)

  • Robin M.

    We came here for lunch and had such a bad experience. Our server took 10-15 minutes before coming to our table and before that she had passed by several times. By the time we ordered, our 1 1/2 yr old was crying so much because he was hungry (and this was another 20 or so minutes later). All we ordered were a salads/ turkey sandwich and a PB & J w/fries for our son.. nothing we had required baking or frying so I didn't understand the wait, but our server was quick to blame it on the kitchen staff. Now that I mention it, the only good service was the guy that would go around and ask if you needed a water or chips refill. He was friendly. If the food was good then I wouldn't have spent time writing about our bad experience, but that was also bad. How do you make a bad sandwich? Maybe the hard imitation cheese that came with it. Not sure. We will definitely not be coming back here.

    (1)

  • Borat S.

    I can't understand why this place seems busy when I walk by. The food was very disappointng.

    (1)

  • Robert J.

    My BFF has been dragging me to this place since we were in college and I always get a burrito of some kind. So when another friend and I were in there after tackling The Loop, I decided to get something different. I went for the Fatty Burger. OMG! This thing was awesome. It's also the size of my face. The burger is served with your choice of sides. I went with the french fries (limp, but hot). It was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Be forewarned, it is messy. You are going to need a wet nap the size of a dinner plate to get the gunk off you, but it is totally worth it. My friend had the Cheesy Cheese Burger (with the veggie patty) and said that it was really good and heavy on the cheese. I love telling friends about this place. If you go into it expecting it to be what it is (a greasy spoon), you are never disappointed. The one drawback is that while we were there, every TV had football games on. This made the noise level a bit much to deal with and we left shortly after our meal because the bar area was starting to get really loud. This is a first for me, but not something that I will expect to happen too often. If you go after football season or after the games are over, it should be okay.

    (4)

  • Kathleen H.

    I was there for a large gathering with a group. It was louder than loud with live music - which was pretty good, but just too loud for the small outdoor space. Once the band was finished, the house music was put on just as loud so as to replace the band and save us any kind of social interaction besides smiling, nodding and looking at each other uncomprehendingly with wrinkled brows. I ordered the melon Margarita, and it was huge. And weak. And tasted like mostly cheap sour mix. grump. I won't make an effort to be back.

    (2)

  • Krystal M.

    If you've never been here, turn right around and leave... cause this place blows! Yesterday my bf, me and another friend stopped in Claremont for lunch on our way out to Pasadena. When we walked in the door we asked for a patio seat and the girl looked so confused, then went to look and a couple other waiters were like "Oh yeah, there's a few tables open"... Then we order drinks: 2 schooners of Coors Light and a Corona. The girl looked at my bf and was like "Corona?" ... he had to explain it was beer. Then when we got our drinks they brought the Corona, and 2 pints of Coors Light. (the 1 redeeming thing here is that the beer was ice cold, even though it was the wrong size.) Next ... time to order... getting our beers took at least 15 minutes. That should have been a sign that we should leave, especially after looking at the VERY overpriced menu. An a la carte taco was $4.50!! with NO extras! My bf got a Tacolada (6.00) , it sounded cool, but was not. I got a salad... it had lettuce and a huge heap of white cheese on it, thats it, no veggies or anything... and that was 6.25!! and my friend just had soup and salad, which was also not good, The biggest issue was that everything took FOREVER!!! an we had like 3-4 different waiters come over....I think it took like a full hour for our food... and we hardly got anything... By the time we got our 2nd beers I was telling the waitress if the food doesn't come out right now we're leaving. It literally came out right then, but honstly we should have just paid for the beer and left. I will NEVER go there again. EVER. Also, the chips and salsa are ick. The salsa tasted like tomato paste, I'd rather go to El Torito.

    (1)

  • Lisa G.

    This is a great place to sit out on the patio and enjoy a live band and maybe a drink or two, but other than that Espiau's is very overpriced. I don't know how in the world they can charge nearly $16 dollars for a 2 taquito combo plate. Those taquitos better be dipped in gold. It's just shredded beef and a tortilla. That's ridiculous!! They charge extra for everything too. The only reason why I even stepped foot into this place was because a few girlfriends of mine went to celebrate a birthday. I tried to tell them that this place is pricey for average food but they didnt care... that is until they saw the menu. Never again! Damn Claremont with your over-hyped restaurants!!

    (1)

  • Debra M.

    Beware. I think they are under new ownership. Their name is now O'Espiaus. Worst service ever. Always loved this place but after last experience I will never go back. Had reservations but table was not set up. Took 45 mins to get our salads and we still didn't have silverware. They had to wash silverware for us. Are you kidding me??? Took another 1/2 hour to get our meals which they brought out 2 or 3 at a time. There were 10 of us. Took 15 minutes and still one of the meals wasn't served until the rest of us had finished. Two ordered milk which was never delivered. Had to ask for more water.

    (1)

  • Valerie M.

    .99c Taco Tuesdays.. not too shabby. We sat at the bar area where a bunch of high tables. It really wasn't too big but there's an outside patio right outside with more seating in case it got packed. Some T.V.'s were also set up. Perf for the Laker game that came on. Happy Hour went from 3-6p. I suggest you try their Cadillac Margarita. It starts off sweet but believe me, after a few rounds.. you're good to go. Gotta sober up? Don't forget the tacos! So you basically tell them how many you want to stuff your face with and they give you tickets. Then you walk your intoxicated self to the outside patio to get some grub. If I remember correctly, you get a choice of carnitas, shredded beef, or chicken. I tried the carnitas and shredded beef which were good.. not overcooked and very tasty. They were real generous with the meat so that was a bonus. They also had a side bar where you can grab some salsa, onions, cilantro, cheese, and more. 3.5 stars! I know I've had better tacos but I could def be down for Espiau's again.

    (3)

  • Shannon M.

    We chose to eat here on the recommendation of friends but as we sat outside and read the reviews here on Yelp we began to worry. We walked in and were seated right away. The hostess was friendly and efficient. We waited more than 10 minutes for someone to come and take our drink order and I thought that was a little ridiculous. When the server finally showed up, we gave her our entire order for fear we might not see her for another long stretch of time. We waited another 15 minutes to get our queso dip appetizer which again, we thought was WAY TO LONG for what it was but in the meantime, we were able to enjoy their chips (FANTASTIC!) and salsa (which is like taco sauce with a tiny bit of salsa stirred in but we liked it). About 5 minutes later, our entrees came out so we didn't really have time to eat the queso. I had a southwestern chicken salad (really good but even better after I squirted a bunch of their "house" dressing on it) and my husband got a two item combo which was plenty of food and we are both BIG eaters. We did tell the server that the queso and food came out too close together and she was very apologetic. Overall we had a good experience. I would NEVER come here on a lunch break but would definetely come for a relaxing evening dinner and would recommend it to friends. The interesting thing about this restaurant is that it is called a "Mexican" restaurant but they also have a sandwich menu and a seperate menu for burgers. A neighboring table ordered a burger and oh my GOSH it really looked fantastic so we will be back to try those as well!

    (4)

  • Kelvin C.

    Don't know about the food, but if you want free chips and salsa with your drinks, this is the place to be. It's a far-cry from the overcrowded bar known as "The Press" so if your looking for an alternative place to drink where you can actually sit, this isn't a bad spot. They have decent margaritas and a good selection of beer on tap (big name brands, but at least it's a large selection). For you ladies going to the bathroom, I'd recommend going with a friend because you'll be walking down a strange hallway to get there. Reminds me of walking through a grocery store meat locker with the ambiance of a hole-in-the-wall burrito joint. You'll understand what I'm talking about when you see it. Anyways, 3 stars for the beer and awesome FREE chips and salsa. That free spice always makes things taste better.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Have come here time to time after my daughter's soccer games. Never been completely pleased with the food, or service. Today we stopped by for what we thought would be drinks and food while watching some football games, but after the very rude service we had from our waitress and bartender, we cancelled our order and went to Heroe's. My husband forgot his ID, we figured it wouldn't be a big deal since he's clearly over 21. My sister ordered him a drink and wasn't carded. I ordered a drink and wasn't carded. When they realized my husband was drinking the beer, they came and carded him and told him he couldn't drink because he didn't have his ID, and they could lose their license. That's understandable, but If they are going to make such a big deal about losing their license then they should be consistent, and card everyone. My sister or I were never carded. It would have all been fine, but the way the bartender talked to us was totally uncalled for. Raising his voice attracting attention of other people eating. Not to mention the Michelada I ordered wasn't good at all. Won't be going back there again! There are a lot of better places on Yale that I'd rather spend my money on!

    (1)

  • Heather J.

    I definitely wouldn't say this place sucks, but like the star descriptions say, "I've experienced better." I was hanging out with a friend and she really wanted Mexican food, and I really wanted to go somewhere like Claremont to walk around (ok, I was really craving 21 Choices and that was my excuse). We have been to Casa Moreno but she was just wanting tacos so we chose this place because we figured it would be cheaper. We should have just gone to Casa Moreno. It's not that much more. Upwards of $4 for a taco here? I get that it's downtown Claremont and rent is probably high but geez. The food was good, but I have had better for a better price. I did really like their margaritas, though; a good place to come with friends if you are really craving margaritas.

    (2)

  • M M.

    My husband and I have been eating at Espiau's since they were on Holt Ave., in Pomona. The food is great! Love the Espiau salad (piled high with cheese), and chips and salsa. The nachos and the bloody Mary's are the best we've ever had. They even have 50 tequilas to choose from if you are in to that. If you get the burrito, be sure to get it rancho style (covered with red or green sauce and cheese, yum). They have so many TV's, but the sound is turned down so it's not intrusive. The servers are very friendly and the owner, Dave, always says hello. This is a great place for date night, or to bring guests from out of town. They even have a private room for large parties.

    (5)

  • Erika M.

    Definitely not authentic Mexican food..overall menu options are rather bland..best thing about this place is their chips and salsa and their Mexican salad..which isn't really "Mexican," but good because of all the cheese :-) seriously that alone keeps me coming back..

    (3)

  • Vipul C.

    We used to come here a lot. Since I haven't been here in a couple years, I thought it would be good to review. We were hungry and got a late start out to the restaurant, so we called ahead to reserve a table. Once we got there - we found out one hostess saved the table for us and another had given it away when we got here. Then they sat us in a tiny booth in the corner where all of our knees were bumping into each other. Tonight, it's pretty busy due to a festival downtown, but in the past it seemed like it was always pretty busy. After moving to a new booth, it took over 8 minutes for our waitress to get here. We had to ask the bus boy, who ended up bringing our water after the child & salsa. If you have salsa, you have to make sure the guests have some water as well! However, chips & salsa are pretty good. The place is known for a special salad they make. It's mostly lettuce, but has a bunch of grated cheese and a really nice salad dressing. They brought us the salad and dishes and the top dish was dirty - our waitress said she must of spilled dressing on it when she made the salad - but why are you putting the salad bowl on a dish we are going to eat off of? She brought us a new dish and quickly turned to leave, but we had to again get her attention and ask her for silverware....by this time, we where thinking that she was just too busy for us. We had to ask no less than three other waitress in our area (one ended up being her sister) to bring us refills of water, napkins, etc. I ordered a burrito but didn't want some ingredients...however, I did want to add avocados. I understand they are costly, but since we were not being paid attention to as well as the waitress being short & abrupt with us, I thought I'd ask to substitute the avocados for the veggies I didn't want. Instead of saying okay, she made a big deal about it being extra cost. So, then I asked about discounting the cost of the burrito as they were saving money due to me not having some ingredients! I'm sure any of your reading this, who own a restaurant are calling me names right now, but she could of been a bit more accommodating - especially now days where patrons are more educated in fresh foods, better service and ratings/review over social media. Anyhow, so I was tired of the place and it took a bit longer to get our food, so we pretty much packed it up and took it home. Still left her a tip as well...not a great one though. Probably will only visit this place infrequent in the future if I have an urge for the salad, chips/salsa, being weary of not having the same waitress.

    (2)

  • Jeffrey M.

    Interesting menu, with a mixture of american and mexican food. Overall, we had a pleasant experience last night here. They make things like burgers, burritos and tacos, so it's easy to find something for everyone. The chips and salsa I found to be really awesome. Reasonable prices, fairly friendly service and good food make this is a fairly good place. Not over the top by any means, but a fun place to go out and eat food on a weekend. Keep in mind, it is busy on the weekend though.

    (3)

  • Mary M.

    The one thing I'm learning after reading all of the negative reviews about this place is that certain high-maintenance human beings need to be kept on their leashes and declawed. Sheesh people! God forbid you had to wait an extra 5 minutes for your server to get to you. Did you ever think that they might be busy? I personally think Espiau's is a Claremont Staple. My Aunt worked here 20 years ago when it was the Danson and I've ALWAYS loved it, especially with the new owners. The chips and Salsa are made FRESH everyday and, yes, although it might not be the most authentic tasting, they still taste absolutely delicious. And here's a word of advice, do NOT criticize a restaurant's over-all food quality unless you've tried at least 5 different items. Even at my most favorite restaurant in the world, there are certain items that I'm not that fond of. So....ORDER SOMETHING DIFFERENT. If you've never tried their Salads, DO IT. The atmosphere at Espiau's is very fun and casual. Great place for a drink. I'm not the biggest fan of their Margaritas, but hey, they have a whole drink bible! So I always find something I'm happy with. To the person who criticized the Green Coloring on the building, get over it! I think it's awesome that they go ALL out, and I do mean ALL out for the holidays! Yes, they painted the building green for St. Patrick's day and it has been that color since. Rad. Keep it coming Espiau's. Do yourself a favor everyone and head in over Christmas. You'll find yourself under a sea of Candy Canes. Service is great. It gets SO busy in this place I'm surprised these servers haven't completely lost their minds. When you see a server running through the restaurant, it means that they are BUSY. Have some patience and compassion people. I've seen these girls be mistreated on one too many occasions and it's simply not fair. They always greet me with a smile regardless. Keep it up Espiau's. Don't let these negative reviews get you down. Most of these people have either : A) Never worked in a restaurant so they don't understand how hard you work or B) Simply can't be pleased, no matter what you do I'll be in Friday night :)

    (5)

  • Stacey R.

    Terrible slow service. Waited 30 min to get our drinks!

    (1)

  • Marvin A.

    Espiau's is just a fun place to be. Good food, drinks and live band on Friday nights. The service is always good and you're welcome to stay as long as you like. Once our group started at noon and we ate and drank until 10 p.m. The service was consistently good and friendly through out our stay.

    (4)

  • Zach P.

    Was not impressed with Espiau's at all when I went in for drinks with friends. The service took forever, the guacamole I ordered had a really weird texture, and the margaritas, that were praised by a lot of my friends, were not good at all! Too much low quality tequila and salt is what throws off the balance in their margaritas. I started with a raspberry margarita and did not enjoy the flavor at all. I decided i would give the regular margarita a chance and also thought there was something off about their margaritas. The chips and salsa were okay....nothing I couldn't buy at Vons for myself. Kind of sad when my favorite Mexican restaurant in Nebraska does a better job of margaritas and Mexican food than one in Southern California....

    (1)

  • Adriana R.

    After a great morning hike with my BFF and her Husky, we were both craving a burrito for lunch. Yet the challenge of finding a sit down restaurant that was dog friendly was slim to none! Until we googled Espiaus. We sat in the patio and the waitress brought over dog treats and water for my friend's Husky. Burritos were decently priced and well proportion. Oh did I mention they have tequila flights for 7 dollars! Yep we ordered one and the gentlemen next to us (who was also drinking) ordered another one for us. Great brunch! Will def be back for a 3rd or 4th tequila flight :)

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    We have been coming here for years, the chips rock, and the Mexican salads rock. My only negative aspect is the chefs aren't always consistent sometimes the shredded beef will be its normal delicious other times it will be completely different.

    (4)

  • Abby K.

    This place was pretty good. Their menu is interesting because they have a mix of burgers and mexican food. No veggie burgers though. The service was quick and they were very nice. We went here on a Sunday night mainly because other places had a long line. I got the southwest salad and my boyfriend got one of the hamburgers. My salad was huge and they were accommodating by substituting the chicken on the salad with extra avocado. We also got the queso dip with our chips and the complementary salsa. It was alright, I wouldn't get it again. The salsa was good though. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. Not sure I would go here all the time though.

    (3)

  • Evan L.

    I've been coming to Espiaus for a really long time and it's one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Their dishes are really delicious and everything I've had here is great. The service can be slow and everything is on the overpriced side, but I do really enjoy the meals.

    (4)

  • Sarah R.

    I've been here a few times for drinks & have never had a complaint, but unfortunately this time was just plain awful. Our server was Marc and he was extremely rude to us. I received my salad AFTER I had already gotten my meal-which had taken forever to come out to us-and I couldn't even finish my sentence before he would walk away. We ordered a margarita and some extra salsa, and Marc placed it in front of our baby instead of serving it to me. Baby got ahold of the salsa & started to eat it (he had never eaten anything spiced before). I honestly have nothing good to say about the visit I just had here. Upon checkout, I asked to speak to a manager because I was really upset that our server placed the margarita in front of our baby and as I was telling her the story, Marc walks by and with an obvious attitude tells the manager that we don't deserve to have anything taken off our bill because we had "great service" he was so out of line she told me she would be taking Marc off the floor for the rest of the night. I will NEVER be returning here again. My opinion has completely changed thanks to that one server MARC.

    (1)

  • Tom V.

    The menu items here are hit or miss. The burgers are delicious. My wife loves the house salad and taquitos. You definitely can't go wrong with the chips and salsa. I don't recommend the chile relleno though. The staff is very friendly. Very nice dining atmosphere. I'm not sure why the name changed. I'll always know it as the Danson.

    (4)

  • Sabrina L.

    I read a lot of negative reviews but I really enjoyed this place. Food was good, ambiance was perfect for a Friday night. They served beer in a mason jar and I loved that! Service was outstanding!

    (5)

  • J S.

    I don't see a 0 stars button. OMG!!! And that's not a good OMG. I guess It should be WTF happened to this place? I have been to this several times over the past 30 + years, not the best Mexican food in the world but it was decent. I heard from a few friends that the food has gone downhill. What do they know about good Mexican food? Well apparently more than I give them credit for, my bad. The food here is disgusting, my wife ordered a Chili Relleno, it tasted so bad she only took one bite and she was done. Being the nice wife that she is, she had me try it, not good, I wasn't sure what it was exactly. And the twice burnt Taquito's I had, were disgusting. Not sure what happened to this place.

    (1)

  • Britt P.

    Great friendly service & yummy food!

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    I usually order take out here and haven't been inside to actually sit down in a while. The last time I ordered to go, I ordered 2 large Mexican salads, sides or beans, rice, and guacamole. This all comes with like 3 bags of chips and a TON of salsa. I didn't look in the bag before I left, but I should have. I didn't get ANY salad dressing. Not a single drop for two large salads. Their dressing is so delicious and you can't just use any old dressing on these salads. I called them when I got home and realized the mistake. The girl who answered was not the one that had gotten my food ready and she was very rude about it saying, "Well, sorry, but unless you come back and get it, there is nothing I can do!" First off- don't be rude. If they messed up the order they should offer a discount or coupon for your next visit- anything would have been better than her attitude. I couldn't go back that night so I ended up stopping there on the way home the next day and asked for some dressing. The woman went back and spoke to the lady that was there the day before that had packed my order. 5 minutes later she came back out with a large plastic bag filled with their paper bags of goodies. She gave me two more salads, chips, salsa, lots of dressing, and a burrito for free. She was really sweet and apologetic, and I appreciated that they attempted to keep a customer and make the situation right.

    (3)

  • Bambi C.

    Went to have Italian food in the Village but the restaurant we wanted to go to had lost power. We decided to go to Espiau's. The chips and salsa were good as we waited for service. My son ordered the Diablo Dip and the server told him it is very very spicy. That is what he was looking for. The salsa with the chips was much more spicy and the dip was awful. I order a combination plate and my son a burrito, both were terrible. Worst Mexican food that I have had in recent memory. Service was very slow also.

    (1)

  • V C.

    If they were shooting for the hole-in-the-wall look, management can check this off their list. If their food is suppose to be surprisingly good to be cliche-ish to that, then epic failure. The staff was friendly to our face, but so slow and inattentive to the max. Server gave us waters including my kid with the plastic lidded cup, all without straws. That's like not giving change at the register. Basic fail. Lettuce and cheese in a bowl came out first for me to pick at for 20 mins. Combo plate for $15 for two choices. Greasy grilled chile rellano and super dry chicken taco. Shredded lettuce more cheese and diced tomatoes topping the taco is as the poor sad replica wannabe of crispy hearty Tio's and is not. The beans with more cheese and rice was okay. Sandwiches like it came from the college cafeteria. Fruit cup side was actually also okay. No extra napkins. No checking on us after food was delivered. Not coming back. Boo. And as we strolled away on the sidewalk, we caught an employee (shirt bearing the name of restaurant) digging in the trash cans for recyclables. Maybe the lack of descent pay for workers is a reason for them to half ass the food service. The restaurant needs a clean up, scrub down and a face lift. The whole time sitting at the table I wanted to sanitize everything in sight. The food needs better preparation and plating. I'm not going to say anything about the quality of food. Ethnic cuisine served in Claremonthood is swiftly palatable and still sellable. The service needs to pick up pace, that is all.

    (2)

  • And L.

    I didn't really love Espiau's after visiting for the first time last week. A friend and I met up for lunch so we were definitely in the 'lunch crowed' I walked in, being a first time patron and waited to be seated. I waited for a few minutes, all the while having servers whiz past me not asking if I needed help, a party came in behind me and I over heard them say 'I think we can seat ourselves' - so I did. One waiter came by and gave me chips an salsa then left, another one came by a few minutes later and took my drink order and then we had another waiter for our food order. None of them seemed to really be on their 'A' game but it wasn't terrible, just waited a little longer that I would have liked. The chips and salsa are average.Well their salsa is average but their chips are good. I looked over their typical Mexican fair menu and thought how over priced they are. I know it's 'Claremont Village' but still... And the food was not that great. If the food was excellent then I wouldn't mind paying the extra few dollars but alas it was average. My friends mom's can cook better than that. I did like their espiau's salad though and the house dressing. I'd probably go back for that alone but I'll definitely be looking for a better Mexican restaurant for the future.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Horrible service. The Mexican salad everybody raves about was lame. Had to ask to get my drink refilled. Animals allowed in patios, so if you enjoy incessant yapping while waiting hours for your food, this is the place for you.

    (1)

  • Miyuki N.

    This place gives Claremont Village a BAD rep! I met my friend Amy (haha she just recently posted on Yelp too! )... Yeah I was in the area so I picked her up from her job on her lunch break and we headed to Espiaus probably less than 1 mile from her job...mind you she had a 60 minute lunch....It was 12:40 when we FINALLY got our food! 1. The "salsa" was FRESH...FRESH out of a CAN! yuck when the waitress came I asked her if I could have some pico de gallo because their salsa tasted like tomato sauce.....maybe she made it herself cuz she was grumpy the whole time like she didnt want to be at work or something 2. The pico de gallo didnt get much better then the fresh tomato sauce from a can cuz like Amy said it probably had 4 tiny cubes of tomatos in it...Guess there's a shortage of tomatos in Claremont??? 3. I ordered the taquito plate and she brought me 2 taquitos (well a different waitress who was really upbeat and happy!) I asked where my rice & beans were she said Oh I didnt know so she took the taquitos back and the original waitress came back and said she didnt know I ordered the plate...ok fine whatever 4. A "Mexican" salad was to come with the plate...I dont know what was so "Mexican" about this salad...It had about a pound of cheese on top of it! and underneath all the cheese was straight lettuce from a bag....WILTED lettuce!!! 5. Food was terrible and service at least from our waitress was Poor! I would definately NOT ever go there again!

    (1)

  • Laura H.

    They don't even deserve 1 star. I ordered chiliquiles & got nachos! Other restaurants soak the chips in sauce with eggs on top. $8 for chips & cheese, I don't think so! Also, I was really polite when I called them back because I ordered to go & the manager was rude & wouldn't let me bring it back for my $ because it wasn't fair to them! Wow!

    (1)

  • Becker '.

    We've gone to Espiau's since it was in Pomona. I remember the year being 1972 and one could walk in with two options: Either sit at the counter which was to the left or wait for a table in the main restaurant. At one time it was the place to go for Mexican food. Since they've moved into the Village years ago we've gone there more. It has always offered a very good Mexican salad but since the ownership change a few years ago, we've not gone as much as before. We had relatives in town from Texas yesterday so we went there, as the relative remembered it from from the Pomona days. We had seven in our group and ate inside. There are about ten to fifteen TV screens which is good since Espiau's is a sports restaurant. The service is average at best and much of the time we've had servers change in mid meal. I ordered a soda as did two others and the others ordered alcohol. About Ten minutes later the drinks finally came. The server left and we noticed she didn't leave any straws for the sodas. We had to go after her to get the straws. The orders came and the two servers seemed confused as to who ordered what. I enjoyed my veggie burrito and a small Mexican salad. However, many in our small group of seven thought the quality of the food & service had gone downhill. I agree somewhat. I am not a fan of Espiau's/Danson's since I believe it has lost its luster, good food, and good service. Good thing they're in the Village or they might lose their customers base to other better restaurants in the Village. Some business' just can't keep up the good customer service and slowly the business is best remembered for "what it used to be." Espiau's seems to be headed that way. Filed under "Remember Montgomery Ward."

    (2)

  • David T.

    It really pains me to write this review, because the waitress (not hostess, I'll get to you young lady!) was incredibly nice. I've been here twice. Most recently, I came for a dear friend's 21st birthday party. We had a group of 8 and didn't make reservations. Surprisingly, this place gets pretty crowded nearly every night...must be for the ambiance. Anyways, we were told that the wait would be around an hour for a table of 8; fair enough it's our fault for not making reservations. Shortly after, I approached the hostess again, gave her a nice smile, and was seated immediately. This story has absolutely nothing to do with the food, but I just wanted to brag a bit. We were seated promptly with chips and salsa. Honestly...enjoy dem chips and salsa cuz they are the best part of the meal, no joke. The chips are seasoned and the salsa packs a punch. The food...wow. just WOW. Wow in a bad way. Like WOW, i can't believe you are wearing a plaid shirt with stripped shorts. I ordered some sort of beef sandwich. It came with bread, beef, and wayy to much salt. My friend ordered a salad. I was so grossed out by my sandwich I stole some of her food. I guess karma really bit me in the butt for that because her salad was even worse. In fairness, their portions are monstrous, but when the food is so bad, I would rather go hungry. Which I did. If it were not for the EXCELLENT service, I would have given this place a one star. Not that they care about this review; the place is always packed. Maybe it's time to start a mexcian restaurant...

    (2)

  • Kathi P.

    First let me say that my family has been coming to Espiau's since it was in Pomona, over 40 years. It has always been our go to place for my mother's birthday dinner. But our last experience was awful! We had a large party so we made reservations and were seated promptly. That is when it all broke down. We waited 30 minutes to get our drink orders, then another 20 minutes for our food orders. They bring the salads and no one had any silverware. When we asked for it we were told that they were being washed! What??? We waited another 10 minutes for them to come out. We asked for the manager who didn't seem to be concerned that we had to eat our salads with our fingers. Dinner just went from bad to worse. Meals came out sporatically until one of our party got her meal after everyone else at the table had finished. We again asked for the manager, who again did not seem to take our complaints seriously. I don't know if the ownership or management has changed but for my family this will be our LAST visit to Espiau's!

    (1)

  • Benjamin Q.

    I'll start with the positives. The service was fast and friendly. And the chips were sprinkled with a very tasty seasoning. Overall, the place has a cool sports bar vibe to it. Now, for the criticism: The flavorless salsa was clearly store bought. And the hamburgers we ordered were equally disappointing. The hamburger patties arrived at room temperature and were bland. What was most unbelievable was the price. If I pay $12 for a burger, it had better be absolutely delicious. Next time I'll pay much less and get a superior burger at In-N-Out or Five Guys.

    (2)

  • Amy H.

    I went here for lunch yesterday with a friend who was up from the Long Beach area. We met on my lunch hour and we were both looking forward to a nice dining experience. So much for expectations. The salsa was basically tomato sauce, poured straight from a can. The pico de gallo had maybe 4 tiny cubes of tomato in it (maybe they used all of the tomatoes on the tomato sauce!?) The server had a bit of an attitude and was not at all friendly. It took forever to get anything to the table, except for the drinks and including the food. By the time our meal arrived, I had to ask for a box and the check because I needed to get back to work. The only redeeming quality about the whole experience was that the chicken chimichanga was pretty good, as were the refried beans, but the rice was pretty bad. Skip it and hit Los Jarritos in Pomona instead. The service is friendlier, the prices more reasonable and the cuisine much more authentic.

    (2)

  • Andrew V.

    We went here a few weeks ago and sat outside in the front! My fiancée and I had the best time! The food was delicious , well THE SALAD, but we did order food too, but the salad is amazingly simple but delicious. Our service was perfect even though were in the front! Can't wait to return! Oh we had the Popsicle and was just as good as the first one!!

    (5)

  • Don P.

    This place is good for people watching and the chips and salsa are ok. The food is over priced for what you get. Four of us went and each ordered something different and all of us same thoughts. Tasteless food that wasn't really any good. Better tasting food at El Torito. Try one of the other nice places in the village. The server was polite.

    (1)

  • Carlo A.

    I don't know what everyone's problem is...my fiancés' family is Mexican, so I'm always used to eating home cooked Mexican food all the time. This place really impressed me with their perfectly seasoned tortilla chips, amazing beans and rice and authentic Chile relleno and enchilada. I guess there's too many white people eating Mexican in Claremont and even worse...reviewing Mexican.

    (5)

  • Zach R.

    What a disappointment. Attempted to order enchiladas but asked for flour tortillas instead of corn. To this the waitress told me that they won't do any substations today so I could have a burrito if I wanted. Instead I ordered a simple sandwich, which came out with the wrong cheese. I sent it back and it came back with the bread torn in half and the french fries were cold. Not sure I'll come back is an understatement.

    (1)

  • Tiffany S.

    Been here multiple time at the recommendation of my aunt who is a regular. We love their chips and salsa! It is delicious! I have never had a bad meal here have even picked up take out and it was still just as good and dining in.

    (4)

  • Georgia C.

    It's an okay place. The chips are very good, but the service is usually very slow. If you have a movie to catch and tell the server when you arrive, they will accommodate you.

    (2)

  • Sappho C.

    Decided to take a day off work for some me-time and came here to get lunch with the bf. I've been here once for their pitcher margaritas, which was great, so this review is mainly focused on the food. Looked at the menu and didn't really see anything I really want. We sat at the bar section and the lady didn't notice us for a long time! Finally she came by and gave us our chips and salsa, which was very good, and I think that was the best part of the meal. They don't have lunch specials, which kinda sucked since it was a weekday and I wanted something that was reasonable priced. I got the taquitos and enchiladas plate. It was alright, but I definitely had way better Mexican food before. Overall, there's no wow factor that makes me want to go back. I paid the bill and left unsatisfied and $20 bucks poorer.

    (2)

  • Keegan P.

    Ok, the food isn't spectacular, but if you're ordering Mexican food from a place like this you're doing it wrong anyhow, get a burger. I like the Mexican salad, it's simple but the dressing sells it. They have Pomona Queen I am aHappy camper. I come here mostly to sit on the patio and listen to the live music, and have a beer or two. I've never had a problem with the service either. Seen 3 or 4 different musicians here and they're all nice, very comfortable choices of covers and I didn't once have to sit through "ring of fire". Blue burger FTW.

    (4)

  • Minoli A.

    Just like the location and the Patio seating area. Food and drink is just ok---not bad but nothing special.

    (3)

  • Warren T.

    I can't comprehend all the negative reviews! I first ate here almost 47 years ago, when they were still on Holt in Pomona. For awhile just before and after we were married we lived a very short walk from Espiau's, and were frequent customers. Have probably eaten here a hundred times or more over the years. Full disclosure: We very quickly got into a pattern here, so we have not tried most of their menu... the number five combination (no longer on the menu, but they will usually still make it when asked) - two cheese enchiladas covered with chili and cheese. I don't really want to know the cholesteral or calorie counts, probably can't count that high. Preceded by their outstanding Mexican salad, shredded lettuce heaped with shredded cheese, and their own oil and vinegar dressing. Likewise, the chips and salsa are great, clearly not store bought! It is true that all this is a bit pricey, but worth it!

    (5)

  • Vanessa H.

    The food's mediocre, but at least the portions are large. Espiau's will survive, despite the bad service and bland food (salads and potatos covered in blizzard of jack cheese) because there's no other sports bars in Claremont and it has a prime location in the older part of downtown. The carnitas nachos were tasty, however. For "special" events, such as the world cup, they tend to have a food & tip minimum. You can make reservations, unlike typical sports bars, so if you want a patio table, call in advance.

    (3)

  • Jason S.

    I understand now why this place has constant low reviews, it's not a good place. My girlfriend and I meet up with some family here yesterday to watch a sports game and I regret wasting my money here. Let's start at the top of the list: When we arrived, my family had already ordered their meal but told us they informed their waitress that more people were showing up. We sat down and talked and we were able to watch the 3rd period of the kings vs blues game in its entirety before we were asked what we would like to drink. After another 20 mins to get our glass of water we ordered our food. I am particularly fond of chile verde, my girlfriend got the "fatty burger". Since my meal was a dinner, it came with one of their "famous" salads. Roughly 40 mins later, our meal shows up, but no salad. The waitress forgot to bring it out, she apologized and went to get one for us. Personally, I would want to salad to eat something healthy, their salad has a block of cheese grated on top so it defeats the purpose, perhaps this is why so many people like it. The meal portion was small, I've had twice as much food for half the price at other establishments and the food wasn't really that great. Chile verde was dried out, the beans taste like they were from a can. My girlfriends burger tasted like a frozen patty, and the fries, without a doubt, come precut and frozen. There was a man walking around who's attention I kept trying to get, but he was more concerned about keeping the tvs on a sports game then the patrons in the restaurant, plus the bus boys who like to hang out in the booths and just watch the games. Needless to say, not even a remotely good experience. Slow service, not that great food, and overpriced. I would hate to be here when it's actually busy, scratch that, I'll never be back here.

    (1)

  • Charles B.

    Good place to hang out, watch games. Our waiter was great, not intrusive. Food was delicious.

    (4)

  • Jesse n.

    Food was good, service horrible. Service rating alone would've been one star (wasn't rude, just inattentive). Our server, who I will not name, was missing in action 90% of the night. Basically took our order and next time we saw her was to drop off our bill. Got my salad and had to wait 10 minutes for dressing. Asked for a box to box up basically an entire enchilada meal with rice and beans, she brought me the smallest box in the world. Had to wait 10 more minutes for her passing by to ask for a box that would actually fit my food. Also, my water was never refilled, empty the whole time. Food was good, but not good enough to make up for the horrible service. Service here was aggravating to say the least.

    (2)

  • Christopher J.

    This is an ok spot to start off the night with drinks and maybe an appetizer or two, if and only if the good places around the corner are packed like a mofo.. Beer selection here is ok, chips and salsa were good, guac tasted like it was defrosted, shredded beef nachos were good, and service was good.

    (3)

  • Asma R.

    Simply LOVE their margaritas...it's delicious

    (4)

  • Margie B.

    Service can be slow and they do take their time in the kitchen, they have gotten better. We enjoy the casual atmosphere, cheap prices and of course their nachos (those chips are yum) so in summary: live music in the patio, chips and salsa are great, beer prices pretty good, but the food A-Ok other than the burgers or nachos I wouldn't recommend anything specific to eat. I tried their burrito and it was bad, their pasta was bland and the salads? well it is just a bowl of lettuce with 1/2 lbs of cheese on top and if you're lucky with the garden salad you get 2 slices of tomato and 2 slice of cucumber on top of your 1/2 lb of lettuce. They should call it "lettuce salad" - it is what it is.

    (3)

  • Kathy L.

    Friendly service with average food.

    (4)

  • Deanna F.

    Came here for Taco Tuesday and sat on the front patio. The chips and salsa came right away and it was delicious; thick crispy season salt chips and tomato salsa. All we ordered were tacos which were inexpensive of course. But the tacos themselves were cheap. They were small and they didn't put much meat in them. They also didn't have carne asada. And i'm a woman of carne asada. They left us out in the patio a long time before they came to take our order and took a really long time to take our payment. Good chips, but I'd rather go to El Torito.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    I can't help but laugh and cringe at some of these reviews that range from graphic hyperbole to fake touting. I remember back in the 70's when this restaurant and cafe was named 'The Danson". The owner's name was Dan and he had a son Dan Jr. That explains how this restaurant got its name. For years this place had been a simple restaurant, mainly specializing in Deli sandwiches with salads and soups. The menu selection was minimal, but the ambience was pleasant with its rustic decor of laminated wood tables/chairs, indoor/outdoor carpet and young wait staff. In 1979, Dan Sr. bought Espiau's when it was located on West Holt Blvd in Pomona. The restaurant space was at least three times larger than the cramped space they have at 109 Yale. Last summer I took my daughter through a tour of Claremont, because I wanted to show her my old stomping ground where i grew up. We walked in and I asked the hostess if the original owner was still operating the place. He was no longer the owner, but the granddaughter worked there. As friendly and inviting as the hostess was I demured to meet anyone as I thanked her and left. I assume Espiau's and the Danson were combined in the original setting of The Danson during the 90's. The place is still popular after all these years due to their location and entertainment they provide. Claremont is a sleepy collegiate town and nightlife is very limited. So in essence, Espiau's is sitting pretty in terms of absorbing all these thirsty and hungry souls looking for a tasty meal, a few drinks and some fun.

    (3)

  • Pam S.

    I WANT to like this place.. I really do. My daughter works here so I frequent here a bit. They have Taco Tuesday which I enjoy because at a buck a Taco you pretty much walk away happy with whatever you get... unless the meat is fatty. Which to this date it has not been. That being said the food is mehhhh there isn't anything on the menu that SIZZLES my taste buds or has me running in there to order =[ The carnitas is not dry actually has a good flavoring to it but I still doctor it up with my Sour Cream, Onions, Cilantro and Cheese... it's just the above and beyond person in me I guess =/ I like the chips and salsa in fact the Salsa is KICKING! My Lemon Drop Martini was tasty as hell one night I went in and then this past weekend it taste like medicine =[ Thomas Jefferson liked his Margarita just fine though!! Respectfully Reviewed

    (3)

  • Corey P.

    I'm not too sure why Espiau's has such low ratings to be completely honest. Perhaps the food is really bad or something. I do think this place is a great for groups to go out and have a few drinks. After a long introduction week at college, me and maybe 10+ other class mates came here to take a load off. There was a huge medical school event going on, with the entire outside seating occupied. They were loud and rowdy, but all in good fun. We got a huge table inside, she carded all of us and before I knew it the pitchers and chips and salsa started pouring in. My friends ordered fried zucchini which they said was reallllllly hot temperature wise but was good and nachos which were pretty tasty. I don't think the food tasted better because I was drunk or anything. It was just great snacking food. I did return recently and ordered a veggie burrito, $6.50 before tax. It was packed with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes. Tasted pretty good and it was a good size as well. I had a tall beer and it was $6. I guess that's normal, but personally too rich for my blood. Don't get me wrong, it was a big ass beer, but you're better off going with a pitcher. They were very accommodating. I can't say how their service is when it's only people eating, but it's a great place to grab a drink with a couple friends. They have an entire bar and large flat screen television everywhere playing football games and other sports. I say if you find yourself in the area, why not just stick around in Espiau's for a while? It wouldn't kill you.

    (3)

  • Nikki N.

    I never tried the food here before. I came here a few times just for drinks, UFC fights and Laker games. Pretty chill place to hang out. The margaritas are pretty good, good selection of beers on tap, and you get chips and salsa just sitting in and watching the game. Pros for those who likes to watch UFC... no covers. And they have a big panel outside showing the fight.

    (3)

  • Nick M.

    Went to Espiau's for the first time last Sunday before the Super Bowl. We went in a group of 6 and sat in the bar area (combined 2 tables). Everyone ordered off the orange special burger menu, I had the Club Burger. The Club burger is a beef patty, topped with turkey, ham, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato and mayo. I ordered it medium rare without mayo and it was delicious. I also tried the ABC (bacon avocado burger) which was delicious. I can't really comment on the Mexican food, but the burgers were A+. If you are familiar with "The Bucket" in Eagle Rock, the Club is similar to the Cardiac burger, but possibly less deadly.

    (5)

  • Jackie C.

    Food is amazing! My friends mom is impossible to please when it comes to eating out and I mean IMPOSSIBLE! I took her to Espiaus for lunch, she had a ground beef enchilada and by George she liked it! She said it was the best he's ever had! I got taquitos which were heaven! Service always seems to be a little off point but the place is always busy so I forgive them. They waiter or waitress always seems to be a little slow but are in no way rude or disrespectful. Always friendly and the food is always fantastic!

    (5)

  • Natalie Z.

    I really don't know what ppl expect from a Mexican / burger joint. It's good, not expensive. I've never had to wait a long time for service. I recommend it. Ppl need to get off their high horse. Oh yes, not too shabby of the beer selection too. Go eat here and make the call yourself.

    (3)

  • Peter L.

    The only good thing about this place are the wings and beer on tap. The service is super slow. Do not go here for a ufc fight. It's way too packed with douchebags, and it's automatic $25/person and automatic 20% gratuity. I don't know what else to say because I hated it so much. Claremont sucks, and this place is a prime example of why.

    (2)

  • Cody E.

    I have lived in Claremont and have been going here for years for the Meatball Soup! It's a good portion served with a nice slice of sourdough bread. The chips and salsa is superior! I also enjoy their GIGANTIC hamburgers and curly fries. The Mexican salad is overrated really. The prices can bee steep for the Mexican food but it is fresh and not sparse on the cheese. It's a very well decorated and cozy.

    (5)

  • Rick K.

    Free chips & salsa and good prices make this Mexican spot quite enjoyable. I wish I had better things to say... sad day. Wait... you can watch sports there. What the hey! This is not a bad spot!

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    Delicious burgers! At first, I had my doubts because of the decor (I do judge a book by its cover). But the awesome service (they didn't mind moving my table to the patio outside) and awesome burger (great portion, I could not finish) made this experience well. Unfortunately, I do not live in the area, but I'll be back again.

    (5)

  • Diane H.

    Go here a lot & tonight had the worst service ever. Hope this isn't a sign of the times. This restaurant isn't cheap. In fact, they've cut back on portions while increasing prices. Will check back again to see if they are just going down hill or if it was a fluke.

    (2)

  • Jaimie O.

    DELICIOUS!!! Albondogas and Espiau's salad are the BEST!!!

    (5)

  • Ron L.

    Nestled in a cozy ol' fashioned downtown of Claremont sits Espiau's, a Mexican food restaurant with other varieties of food. It appears that this establishment did a series of additions to make the building what it is today. Once, inside a hostess greeted our party and sat us in a booth. Delicious complimentary crispy fresh chips and salsa were brought to our table and consumed quickly. A second platter of chips and salsa quickly arrived to meet our needs by the bus boy. A wet ranchero burrito, fish sandwich platter, and fish burrito was the delicacy for our group. We enjoyed the meal immensely. The waitress was good, but sometimess our drinks were filled by an excellent busboy. Note: The photo on the wall of guy peeing on cactus tree. Geeez and this is a family restaurant.....

    (3)

  • S. B.

    WTF, OMG This place use to be good. Tonight we were here for my sister-in-law's birthday. We had reservations for 5pm and were sat on time. Got our drinks in a timely manner but sat there for 30 minutes before our orders were taken. 15 minutes later we got out salads but no one had forks to eat it with. It took them almost 10 minutes to bring any to us. We were told they ran out of clean silverware. Now we are sitting there waiting for our meals. I lost count of how many times some one came out to say the food was coming. When the food finally came out I was first given my sister-in-law's dinner then they tried to give me my niece's dinner. Now every one has their dinner EXCEPT me. I was told several times it was coming, the kitchen was mixed up. Now everyone is almost finished eating so I told the waitress to forget my meal, I didn't want it. It came out and I told them again I didn't want it, someone asked if I would like to have it to go and it was being taken care of. Again, I don't wasn't it. What in" I don't want it" was so hard to understand? Now the bill comes and they but my sister-in-law's meal on our bill. My husband had to go up and get that straightened out. It took 2 hours to have dinner. Non of this seemed to bother the manger, who we spoke to, or the waitress. We won't be going back to Espiau's, ever.

    (1)

  • Salinger M.

    Most definitely better place to go for Mexican food.

    (3)

  • Ian A.

    The jars of beer are good.

    (2)

  • Devon P.

    I love this place! I've been coming here since before I can remember. My parents would bring me here as a toddler, though this ain't no Chuck-E-Cheese. I had all but completely forgotten about it until I rediscovered it on a date with my wife a number of years ago, and have not stopped returning because of the excellent atmosphere, delicious food, and great live music on the oversized outdoor covered patio. They have HD Flatscreen TV's throughout the restaurant and bar area, and on the outdoor patio, making it an excellent place to come and watch the big game or fight, or whatever. They get pretty busy especially on the weekends, but they can usually get an average size party seated in 20 minutes or less. Some other cool features are; Reggae Sunday (twice a month), Tequila Night (did I mention it's a mexican food restaurant), and UFC events. You can also come see ME play acoustic versions of classic, pop, and 80's music on the their patio every so often.

    (5)

  • Shirley T.

    Good, basic Mexican -- enjoyed our meal. Great chips and good margs! Will definitely return. (Noisy outside seating -- good band on Sat night, but made impossible for our 12 person group to hear one another.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    This place has horrible service and food. Our food was cold and my kids fries were old. Our waiter never came back to refill our drinks or check on us. It was a waste of money.

    (1)

  • Brandy F.

    Very expensive for the quality of the food. I was very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Paul S.

    Was visiting a buddy in Pomona, and had occasion to visit Espiau's twice: 1) Claremont beer and appetizer crawl. Just came out to the patio for a beer and some chips and salsa. Actually quite surprised by the quality of the salsa. Clearly house-made salsa, based on it's texture, and has a great balance of sweet and spice. Waitress was nice, but a tad on the inattentive side. 2) US Women's soccer World Cup final. Came about half an hour before kickoff, and unfortunately all the space outside was "taken." Mostly because of reserved signs. Which is quite annoying. So we sat at the bar inside, which smelled of stale beer (not my favorite). Service this time was better. Got some more beers and a John Daly (golf outing to follow the soccer game). Again, chips and salsa were pretty money. Didn't really see anything on the menu that struck our fancy food-wise. But ate the hell out of those chips and salsa. Definitely went to better places on my trip around Claremont. But wouldnt mind going back for another drink and chips.

    (3)

  • Vatsal S.

    Amazing food, ton of quantity. Great service and its a sports bar. This will be our usual go to place now whenever I am nearby

    (5)

  • Oscar M.

    Atmosphere: This place is TV heaven! There are TVs everywhere. And it was really clean inside. (1Star) Taste: They have the BEST chips and salsa. I'm being serious! Those things are addicting! We kept asking the waitress for more. My Asada burrito was also amazing! (1 Star) Price: It's a higher scale Mexican restaurant to the price as a little up there, but the atmosphere and chips and salsa make up for it! (1 Star) Service: The waitress was great. (1 Star) Overall: I work nearby to this place so I plan to go more often now. Even just for the chips and salsa! I highly recommend this place. I don't know why it was such horrible ratings. I've been to worse restaurants with 4 stars! (1 Star)

    (5)

  • Whitney M.

    Um, Helloooo why does this place have a low rating? Taco Tuesday here is the BEST! They do street tacos (chicken, shredded beef and ground beef) and you can put whatever you want on them. 20 kinds of drafts beers. 50 kinds of tequila. THE SEASONED CHIPS ARE THE BEST YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE! Good guac ans salsa too. Good service, menu includes The Dancin which has excellent burgers that are cooked to perfection. MUST GO!

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    I have been going here for years and overall I do like this place. The food is pretty good and the service is great. My only complaint is the prices keep going higher and higher and the portions are getting smaller and smaller. Also, the margaritas are very weak here. Not sure if the owner is getting greedy or it just costs alot to run this place. Due to the lack of value alone, this place would have gone out of business years ago if it weren't in the Claremont Village.

    (2)

  • Nicci C.

    I might have liked this place a little better had our waitress actually paid attention to us. My party wasn't tucked in a corner either! We had a window booth in between 2 other parties, and there were a couple other tables of people near us too. She tended to all of them very well, but we were nearly invisible to her. I got the veggie quesadilla, which was fine. Not good, just fine. I don't think I've ever had a veggie quesadilla with huge chunks of carrot in it... not bad, just weird.

    (2)

  • Paul L.

    Tried this place for the first time. Had the taco combo plate. The taco nothing to write home about. I've had better refried beans at El Torito. Chips were meh. Salsa was good. Definitely a family place, 'cuz many peeps with kids. Parking is hideous, ya gotta get lucky to get parking. I want to try this place again because it seems to have more potential than my 1st experience.

    (3)

  • James H.

    The dinner salads are great, but the food is a bit over-priced (probably because of the included dinner salads), and there are tons of TVs if you're into that.

    (3)

  • Alfie C.

    Ok, I'm compelled to write a review because I can't believe people are giving this restaurant such low ratings. Wait, I do know, these might be Claremont snobs who would much rather be verbally and emotionally abused at "The Back Abbey" or "Heroes" because they're "cooler" places. In fact, yes. I'm gonna use this space also to repeat what I have said before. "The Back Abbey" sucks; if you want to go out for a drink and be actually given good service and a smile, go to Espiau's instead. Same goes for "Heroes," which amazingly enough told us "We're done for the night" when we walked in at 9:10pm. Why? Because we didn't walk in smashing beer cans in our foreheads and wearing McKenna tshirts? Does Espiau's serve true mexican food? C'mon, you're in Claremont. If you want real mexican food and you are a real foodie, you bravely head to the ghetto without hesitations. You don't walk around immaculate Claremont looking for great food; you won't find it. But... Espiau's has a great selection in burgers. I tried the Blue Cheese/Blackened Burger and it was hands down, the best one around here. The waitress was super sweet, accommodating, and friendly. She didn't hesitate to split checks and they had a decent selection of tap beers. Again, after tasting the different bars/places to have a drink around here, Espiau's is hands down the only one who had smiley staff and welcoming attitude. All the others are aloof and snobby. But If that's down your alley, hey, go for it.

    (4)

  • Anette F.

    I really really wanted to like this restaurant but I just couldn't. The service is terrible. It took them about 15 minutes, yes 15 minutes to get us water and chip & salsa. Not only that but the waitress gave us our check before we were even done. We felt rushed and therefore, didn't even bother to order more drinks. The food is decent.

    (2)

  • Nicole M.

    If you like Mexican food, do NOT come here. It was the worst Mexican food I have ever had! The service was good but the food was really bad! I would never come here again!!! A lot of other reviewers say the chips and salsa are really good...the salsa tastes like tomato sauce and the chips are covered with Lawry's season salt...way too salty! The salad was just lettuce topped with way too much cheese and a weird sweet dressing. The beef fajitas tasted like it had italian seasoning on it (italian, really?) and the rest of the food was extremely bland! I've never had a need to write a negative review but I feel people should know, and I usually like everything, but the food here was just not good at all!

    (1)

  • Alain F.

    Well, Adios Espiau's Restaurant. My love affair with this restaurant is over after 32 years. I've endured the relocation to Claremont, the Danson identity crisis, and ownership changes. My wife and I recently went there with a friend and were very disappointed. This is the third time in a little over a year that we had not left as happy foodies. We have seen the food go from excellent to terrible. We had chips & salsa to start and the salsa now tasted like it came out of a can. The round of Margaritas we had needed two extra shots each to mask the sweet & sour overkill. My wife had the Chile Verde and the pork was so overcooked it was inedible. Our friend had the Tostada which came in a bowl. I guess the bowl is to hide the fact that there's barely any meat in there. I had the Taco / Enchilada combo with shredded beef. The beef used to be spiced and cooked to perfection. On this night, it tasted like it was canned. My wife and friend both returned their plates. I endured through mine as I'm not one to complain. It took almost half an hour for their replacement choices to get to our table. Now I know they may have been busy, but if someone returns food to the kitchen, they should have rushed out replacements IMO. I gave them two stars because our waitress was understanding of our dissatisfaction and was very attentive. I think the excellent flavors of the old Espiau's are now gone and replaced by the desire to save a buck.

    (2)

  • Ken S.

    I have been going to Espiaus since 1973 when they were on Holt and Dudley. My favorite burrito has always been the red chile burrito. They have since taken it off the menu. Sometimes they will still make me one when I ask, sometimes they say they will and mess it up horribly. I still love their chips and salsa and salad!!!! PLEASE BRING BACK MY RED CHILE BURRITO!!!!

    (4)

  • Tina U.

    Been there a few times I like the salad but the service is no good at all. If you go with your family of 6 they automatically charge 18% for gratuity including kids. Even if your service was not great you will be paying 18%. I will never be going back there. Food is not hat great but service is even worse. You decide. The restroom for ladies is pathetic.

    (1)

  • Michael K.

    Wanted to like this place. Food is not that good. Service ok. Have tried several times, hoping I was just ordering poorly, turns out the food is just not that good.

    (1)

  • Lil-Bear N.

    Great location but I've had waaaaayyy better Mexican food without the crowds.

    (1)

  • Jia B.

    This is one of the greater bars and restaurants in Claremont. Great for a group of friends to watch sports on their many TV's or just to hang out, eat, and drink. It's also good for a more private meal and drink. They have a restaurant-stye section, a bar section, and an outdoor covered and heated patio section. The food is actually great, and I've had quite a few things there. But the margaritas are what make this place a 5 not a 4star place... They are PERFECT! not too strong, not too weak, mix and match your own flavors, and they're really big :) I come here pretty regularly to hang out and my friends and I enjoy it very much for a chill, fun night.

    (5)

  • Natalie P.

    Holy guacamole what a nightmare. Went here for a quick meal while visiting my brother. When I asked the waiter what items on the menu were gluten free, he said he would find out and come back. That's fine, I'm glad he went to get more information. When he came back, he said "the bean tostada is the closest thing we have." I'm sorry. THE CLOSEST? When you're dealing with an allergy, "the closest" is NOT going to cut it. I was speechless and kind of confused, so I asked to see the chef. Instead, the manager came to the table, clearly pissed off that she had to talk to customers. She said that she would give me a tortilla with beans and cheese and lettuce. Then she said that there were no lard in the beans, so they're healthy (fyi, "healthy" does not mean gluten free) and then asked if tomatoes were gluten free. Um...WHAT? I don't care if you don't know what gluten free is: I'd be happy to inform you and give you the information you need to help people in the future. What I am not ok with is a manager being clearly upset that she has to answer questions and then saying that they can give me the "closest thing." I did end up eating the bean tostada--the information I got out of her eventually led me to believe that it would be safe to eat. I didn't get sick or anything, but still the food was just plain old bad. It was a tiny tortilla with a bit of beans and a MOUNTAIN of lettuce. Not an exaggeration. it was actually about a 6 inch tall pile of lettuce. Then covered in shredded cheese. Overall: food is bad and the service is worst.

    (1)

  • David C.

    Great patio!! TV's everywhere. great for sports but also good for meeting friends for the evening. Friday night music is great, solo acoustic artist, usually have bands on Saturday nights and a magician that goes from table to table on Thursday. Foof is pretty good including Mexican and American Cusine. I've always had good service but also, I'm never in a big hurry when Im out for a night relaxing and looking for live music.

    (4)

  • Kathie W.

    Salad is one of a kind however this last visit the service was terrible and food was cold. If you get sat on the patio just plan on being forgotten about.

    (2)

  • Kristin C.

    I don't quite understand how the ratings are so low for this place, I actually didn't find it bad. You get a variety of different flavors offered to you: sandwiches and burgers, but also Mexican. The menu was full of all sorts of options, so it was hard to pick and choose what I wanted. Eventually I settled for the Blacked burger with Bleu cheese, fries, and a standard margarita. When you're first seated you are given their house chips and salsa, which I found was quite tasty. Their chips were seasoned with a lemon chile salt, giving it the taste of a Lay's limon chip - but trust me, it's much better. It went so well with their salsa. I feel like I could snack on those all night! Also, of course having a margarita, the pair was just perfect for me. The margarita I had was also quite strong from the tequila- definitely giving a kick. So, dinner was especially enjoyable! The Black and Bleu burger was one of the best burgers I've had! The beef patty was tender and juicy. I cut it in half and it was crumbly, cooked medium well. I'm personally a fan of bleu cheese and especially when it's on my burgers. The match was so perfect to me, extremely strong, rich, and flavorful. Fries come along with it, they were curly and not seasoned. Very standard, no complaints. I also had a taste for their house salad with their dressing, which I actually thought was alright. I'm not crazy about it, but I wouldn't turn it away either. It comes as a mound of lettuce with some little pieces of veggies and the top is covered with monterey jack cheese. They also drop off a bottle of their house dressing/vinagrette to put as much as you prefer. In my taste, it was almost like an Italian dressing, but slightly spicier. The ambiance was good. TV's were everywhere, the bar is there and a lot of seating available. Overall, the meal was enjoyable and the food is tasty. Great experience.

    (5)

  • Dana R.

    Four of us went here to watch the UFC fight this past weekend. The atmosphere was probably the best thing about this place. We sat at a table in the bar where each of us had a clear view of one of their TVs. Waitresses were attentive and friendly. Food and drinks were less than I had expected. I ordered their vegetable quesadilla to eat. Maybe I should've read the description better, because my vision was grilled onions/peppers/tomatoes or something of that sort in a quesadilla. Instead, it looked as though the vegetables were from a bag in the frozen section (I find carrots and broccoli to be strange vegetables to use in a quesadilla). Even with the vegetable situation, it tasted as though the tortillas were fried in butter. I was hungry and there to watch the fight, so I ate half of it by dipping it in the guacamole (the guacamole was the best part of the meal). I ordered a couple of margaritas on the rocks which were eh at best. My boyfriend got their chicken burrito - the shredded chicken was pretty good. Apparently though, if you wanted other items besides shredded chicken in the burrito, you had to pay extra? Weird. His burrito was literally tortilla, chicken and sauce. Seems like the place has potential because of its location and the staff that works there, but needs some help in the food and drink taste area.

    (2)

  • Liliana M.

    Let me start w/saying that they have a great variety of beers on tap. Food was OKAY, nothing to brag about or leave me wanting more. I think this place is good for Happy Hour; which of course ends at 6pm and maybe good for Taco Tuesday's.

    (3)

  • Anthony N.

    Great food.. Horrible service. Order multiple drinks and put in your order for food right away. Servers do not monitor their stations.

    (3)

  • marlon e.

    She wants her Mojito since Back Abbey doesn't serve any mixed drink we have to move somewhere else after our dinner. Since we're both trying so save some money we went here instead of the other fancy schmancy place... i got hoegarden she got her mojito happy alcoholics sucks we wanted to seat outside but they told us there's a party coming in... yeah a party of 3 assholes!

    (2)

  • Gerard P.

    Taco Tuesday in a nice location. Sweet waitresses. Good, attentive service. Reasonable prices. Ginormous portions. Patio and sidewalk seating. Televisions everywhere. What would make this place a five? I dunno. It's just...a thing. But it shouldn't matter. I eat here. I like it.

    (4)

  • Shulie L.

    The chips and salsa is indeed impressive. The tortilla chips have a bit of seasoning on it.. makes it a little spicy. I ordered the vegetable quesadilla, and it was really good! It actually had cauliflower in it! I believe it was cauliflower, bellpepper, onions, and some jalepeno chunks in it, too. Came with side of sour cream and guac. It was delish.. Also got to try a bit of their chicken burrito. Weird thing about their burritos is whatever meat burrito you order, that's all that comes in it. Just meat. So we added beans and rice, which is a dollar extra for each. Strange.. And it's not like you get MORE burrito.. just.. less meat? Usually burritos come with stuff other than meat. But hey that's just me. Burrito was alright. Would have appreciated a couple of healthier Mexican choices (I know, it's an oxymoron, but there are healthier options.. like wheat tortillas or grilled fish tacos, you know). Prices are pretty good for Claremont Village, too.. Seems like ever other restaurant charges sooo much around here. (Press Cafe, Harvard Square Cafe... -_-) The service could be better here. Nothing bad or good, but just mediocre. Would it kill you to smile? :)

    (3)

  • M B.

    Visited Espiaus on the recommendation of several friends, and like my 3-star rating indicates, I think it was A-OK. Not the best thing on earth, but good for what it is: a casual mexican-american restaurant & cantina. My friends ordered tacos, a hot dog w. chili, a chile relleno, & I got a carne asada quesadilla. All of us enjoyed what we got. The service was satisfactory. It was all... A-Ok. I think it does so well because of it's awesome locale in the uber-cute Claremont Village.

    (3)

  • Wolf O. C.

    Good Taco Salad. Huge portion size. A little expensive. The Christmas decorations were pretty cool too-- there must have been over a thousand candy canes hanging from the ceiling. I have been told the real treat is the wet burrito and a margarita, but given this was a working lunch, neither was a good idea. Will definitely be back to try again.

    (3)

  • R T.

    Good service, great food and live music on patio. Try their special salad...it looks Ike a snow cone but is flavor fully delicious! All their food tastes great but the live music on summer nights makes this a great place to hang out with friends!

    (5)

  • Allison E.

    I come here a few times a year for work get-togethers and normally it's okay, not great, but all right. This time was the first time I came on a Friday night with some other friends. Bottom line is that this restaurant is so unorganized. They can't handle it when things get busy like when someone walks in and the phone rings at the same time. While my group said "first available" (inside or outside) seating was fine, we did say up front we would like a table as close to a TV as possible to see the game. The hostess assured me that they had TVs everywhere and we'd be able to see they game fine. Sure. Okay. Except no. First, they lost our name on the list and then tried to make it sound like we were at fault because the hostess was on the phone when we walked in. Huh? That was actually their explanation when I asked if there were other tables available besides this small booth that doesn't face a TV. She said it was a "busy night" and that was all they had. It wasn't all they "had" when they sat a bunch of other people when they shouldn't have and lost our name on the list. The hostesses never even apologized although several parties got seated way before us at seats (and with much better views of the television for the game) when we came in way before them. Had they at least been sorry and nice about it, it would have been forgotten and forgiven, but they could not have cared less that they made a mistake. Instead they made it seem we were lucky to get seated at all. Really? When our server heard this story he said he'd get us our food quickly. No, once again, we would see others getting their dinners before us when they were seated AFTER us. Even still, one person of our group (of only 3) had to send her soup back since she was given the wrong one and we had to wait another 10 minutes for that to get fixed. Later her entree also had to be sent back because she asked for no avocado and there was avocado all over the top of her meal. That took even more time! What is so complicated about French onion soup and a Cobb salad no avocado? And my other friend got his plate and went to start eating and then some other server said that wasn't his and took it off him and traded him for his "right" one. I am guessing that nearly eaten enchilada went to the customer that ordered it, but seriously, doesn't that seem a bit tacky? And, really, how many mistakes can one place make in one night with one table? C'mon. The people behind us were also having hard time dealing with the kitchen (we were able to overhear), but the server offered them free red velvet cake. We were not offered free cake, despite his knowledge of our table fiasco, his empty promise, sending food items back twice, and plates swiped right out of our hands. Once we had the right food, it was fine, but the attitude, service, kitchen, and overall organization was so below par, it was really pathetic and it made the evening sort of ridiculous. I was (am) very disappointed. So, unless you have nothing to do and have enormous patience, I'd say try something else in the Village. I am going to stick with Heroes. They might be slow, but they've never lost my name on this list, nor have ever made it seem like I was to blame for something that went wrong. Or better yet, I'll just go to Applebees. They have TVs, drink specials, and far friendlier service. The only good thing about being there was that our team won, (Go Lakers!) but I could have seen that at home and been much closer to my TV too. I would have only given the place one star, but my previous times with co-workers on non busy times were pleasant enough to get a little higher rating. =/ Ugh.

    (2)

  • Teresa T.

    lots of people love this place - i am not one of them. Don't care for the Salsa or chips. I have never had food where i thought i wanted to have it again. Seems like people really like to hang out in the outside area to watch sports. It's in a really great spot in Claremont.

    (3)

  • M. D.

    The thing with Espiau's is you have to know what to order. When we first started coming here about 18 years ago, we ordered traditional combos like we do at most Mexican places that we try. Immediately we knew that was not going to make us happy here. We were not fans of the rice and beans they had at the time so combos made no sense for us to order plus they didn't come with soup or salad and were super expensive. Being a big fan of albondigas in general, I decided to give theirs a try. It was hard to believe after our previous experience here but it was really good and that's what keeps us coming back now! I grew up loving albondigas soup at my favorite little hole in the wall Mexican place in Gardena and ever since I moved away, I've been looking for something to fill my craving until I could get back there. This soup actually took over the #1 spot in my book and that's a tall order to fill. Occasionally I feel like we get gipped (sp?) because I don't get a good scoop of veggies or I get a little less meatball than normal, but really the soup always has really good flavor. The other thing I loved at my favorite place was Chili Colorado, here it's called red chili. It's pricey but it is good and it has quite a kick to it. I don't actually love this over the one I grew up with, but it's a reasonable replacement. I don't get it often because it's quite pricey and we have to watch that budget. Believe me, I get the negative reviews because if Yelp had been around when we first came here, I wouldn't have rated it high after that first visit either. This is a family run place and they do things their own way but that's part of its charm. The older waitresses are likely family members though I don't know that for a fact. They have been around since we started going here and it was known more as The Danson. They are not the most attentive servers in the world but I think of them like Flo from Alice (yes, I'm dating myself but oh well). They're just part of the experience. If you're not a fan of these ladies, try sitting in the bar or back room. I don't usually see them serving in those areas. One of the younger girls working there is a niece of the owner but she always does a great job when she's our server. We do seem to have better luck with the younger servers that have been there a while. I've seen some people complain about the burritos coming with just meat but the menu clearly states that. That's their thing, lots of meat so if you order a carnitas burrito you get a carnitas burrito, no filler! If you want rice, beans, etc they will do that but there is an extra charge, that's the way it is. We don't like it that way either, that's why we order other things. The soup is definitely a family favorite but so is the Mexican salad. Piled high with cheese and served with their own unique dressing, it's really tasty and I would encourage everyone to try it at least once. And when you do, ask for the bottle of dressing. They do put some on, but it sinks to the bottom right away so I always need to add some to get me started :-) It comes with a lot less cheese these days but really that's ok. Before it was a mountain, now it's simply covered but covered well in my opinion. Another item we like are the taquitos but we order them ala carte. The only problem we have with this dish is that the size has shrunk considerably over the last few years and recently, the price shot up. That said, these are very good and they come with a good portion of guacamole which brings me to my favorite appetizer. Their guacamole is one of my favorites. I hate onions and this one doesn't have any! It's packed with smashed up avocados and worth the $ when we can afford to splurge a bit. They also have coupons in the Claremont Quarterly so stop by the Chamber of Commerce down the street and pick up a copy. Use the coupon, save $5 or so and get yourself the guacamole. When Taco Tuesday is in effect, you really can't beat that deal. $1 per taco and they do a good job filling them with meat. I use the seasoned chips to scoop up whatever falls from my taco, yum! Sadly they have stopped doing Taco Tuesday for the time being, but hopefully it will resume shortly. So to sum up, this is a place that deserves a second chance. It is not nor has it ever pretended to be a typical Mexican restaurant. Try something different, think outside of the box. You'll find that one thing that will keep you coming back and you'll end up ordering every time.

    (4)

  • Brandi C.

    My mom and I heard good things about this place and decided to check it out (yes, I still eat food with my mommy). It was pretty meh. They have a decent selection of classic Mexican dishes along with a variety of juicy-looking burgers. I ordered the taquitos and a tamale (gotta try the tamales, right??) and received an enchilada instead. Aside from that the service was fine. The food is good as long as you're not expecting traditional Mexican fare. The plates at Espiau's are highly Americanized and HUGE. To give you an idea just how huge, the enchilada I partly ate was about as big as forearm. Maybe I exaggerate, maybe I don't. Find out for yourself.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Just ate here with a few friends. I bought a chicken taco with a few chunks of barely seasoned chicken, a pile of lettuce, and a little Monterey Jack cheese. I spent $7.54 with a $1 tip. The taco was flavorless. If you think that's a good deal, by all means, try it.

    (2)

  • Bob P.

    This place was absolutely deplorable; I wish I would have seen the poor reviews on Yelp! before we went. The food was bland beyond belief. The salsa tasted like pizza sauce; the rice was soggy and the chips had some kind of spice sprinkled on it that it completely ruined them (my guess is that they are trying to do something that makes them stand out from other corn chips. Well...they succeeded. My opinion is that they didn't turn out the way they had planned). The other problem I had was the prices. What I wanted to oder was a Carne Asada Burrito with Rice and Beans. I also wanted it wet with cheese melted over it. To have placed that order would have cost me $13.50. $9.00 - Carne Asada Burrito $2.00 - Cost to add rice & beans $2.50 - Price to add sauce and melted cheese One of the reviews said the only thing this place was good for was to get drunk at...I would have to agree...and I don't drink alcohol. Save your money and your time.

    (1)

  • Jessica V.

    The first time I went to this place it was great! Late night drinks and appetizers, live band and good service. So I decided to have my birthday there! Chips and Salsa was great! But service... my party waited for 30 min. to get service, as simple as water!! Website and the server had the Happy Hour times wrong... kind of confusing to tell my guest. But all in all atmosphere was good and our server (when she can around) was great, I think her name was Kristina...?

    (3)

  • Antonia G.

    I have been coming here since I was a child and while the place doesnt have stellar food it is conveniently located in the village and offers a wide variety of choices, american staples like tuna melts, burgers, fried zuchini, etc and they also serve Mexican food. You dont come here to have authentic Mexi food you come here for the lively atmosphere and convenience of the village. The beans are rosarito and the rice is fake mexi rice with peas and carrots...very whitewashed but hey this is Claremont. You want bomb mexi food go to El Farolito in Placentia or Mexico Lindo in Pomona or even my homegirl Isabel's house! I always order their salad which is basically romaine lettuce covered in white cheddar cheese and served with a vinagrete. So bad but so good. My Dad always crushed some chips on top too and added salsa going there last night made me miss him. Last night my Mom and split fajitas and each had salads we barely touched the chips. Service was awful last night but they were super busy and the servers all very young. I will keep coming back here as long as I have family in Claremont.

    (3)

  • Jeff C.

    Please don't bother. We unfortunately listened to the hotel clerk's recommendation rather than the Yelp reviews. We had a group of nine and a broad diversity of food nobody cared for their meal. Nobody finished their plates and nobody bothered with doggie bags. Some had salads that were just clumps of lettuce with heaps of bland cheese. The cheap margaritas were like overly sweet limeade with no taste of alcohol and the top shelf Margarita was also too sweet. Service was friendly, but VERY slow especially considering that it was a Sunday night with few customers. Too bad we wasted time and a lot of money here when there are great choices right around the corner.

    (2)

  • Hello M.

    I like the taco bar that they do on Tuesdays out on the Patio. I watched the Spain Netherlands world cup chowing down on some of those tacos. A lot of the other food isn't that great. And the service can be choppy. Sometimes great, sometimes poor. I can understand the low reviews.

    (3)

  • hector s.

    Espiaus!! Its an alright restaurant, the food isn't GREAT but it is tolerable. I usually just get the appetizer meals EX. Nachos, Chili Cheese Fries etc. Like i said the food isn't great but it is a really cool place to go to and enjoy a few beers, watch some UFC fights, football game, basketball while enjoying the appetizers. If you are looking for a great meal think again....I go every time they have the UFC events, the atmosphere is awesome specially outside, you get rowdy, loud and rambunctious, it is a ton of fun. The service can be weak at times, it will usually be waitresses and they are usually really good looking girl' s(in my opinion) What really sucks though is that you have a 20 dollar spending limit for each person and they will charge you 18% gratuity on fight night. It can add up really fast if you have a couple people with you.

    (3)

  • Megan G.

    I am not looking to change the mind of those who already love this place. It has its good points such as a good outdoor patio and live music. But the food, oh the food. Its not good. Most of it seems to be canned or frozen. My bean and cheese burrito was really dry, which was disappointing. Their much raved over salad was good, but didn't outweigh the poor burrito.

    (2)

  • Jimberly W.

    Just when you thought Mexican food in Claremont couldn't get any worse.... welcome to Espiau's! The only thing this place has going for it is the outside patio seating and the margaritas. As for the food - the Mexican portion of the menu at least - it's pretty bad. You especially want to avoid the fish tacos and the fish burrito. Bad decision to order fish this far inland - at least from this place. Don't do it!

    (1)

  • ANGIE D.

    This review is only based on the food because I've never actually been to the restaurant. Espiau's had a food stand at the California Beef Festival about 3 weeks ago. Now normally any food at events like this tastes good because you've been drinking all day. Well, not this food. I ordered 2 beef tacos which turned out to be kind of weird. They were made of shredded beef on small corn tortillas used in street tacos, but they had shredded lettuce and cheese like a fried hard shell taco would. And the tortilla was semi-fried which just made it seem like it was stale. Chips and salsa were good, but I will not be going to the restaurant.

    (1)

  • Paula R.

    Favorite Mexican food in town! I have been eating at Espiau's for the past four years and really like their food. Their chips, salsa, and guacamole are the best I've ever had. We alway have good service and get our food quickly. Eating out on the patio on a warm day is really lovely. My favorite dish is the carnitas dinner plate. There is more than enough food for two. (Three is you are sharing with a toddler). Definitely my go to restaurant t when company is in town.

    (4)

  • Rachel B.

    Got a loaded baked potato, it was amazing! The bacon was huge pieces, not bacon bits.

    (3)

  • David D.

    Really like this place in Claremont! Hands down, the tastiest chips & salsa in the area! I've read some of the reviews on this place and I just don't agree with the low ranking on some of them. We like to go on Sundays for bloody marys and some grub. Great portions of food and a $4 menu for kids. On another note: Espiau's has always been so accommodating for patio space and my son's wheelchair. Service has always been quite good, even on some busy game days. We'll be back again and again.

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    Food was over-priced and bland with the exception of the salsa which was very good. Lousy service!

    (2)

  • Daniel K.

    Its really hard to find a decent place open past 10 out here. everyone was friendly but the food was just terrible. I wanted to like it I really did

    (2)

  • Tracet T.

    Service was at best indifferent. Nice patio, which didn't make up for the poor service.

    (1)

  • Rich M.

    I ate at Espiau's for the first time on a Thursday evening. They had plenty of open tables so we figured let's give it a try. We had the enchilada with carnitas and rice, enchiladas with taco meat and a burrito with shredded beef. All of these items were served hot and presented neatly but the flavor was high in salt and very one dimensional at best. Such a shame because it wouldn't take much to make it better. We had a magician named Chazz stop by our table before our food was delivered and he turned out to be the highlight of the night. Very entertaining, great personality and his tricks were very cool. Totally unexpected. The worst part of the experience was the service and although other yelp reviews make the excuse the restaurant was very busy so don't expect efficient service that wasn't the case. That's a bs excuse anyway, if your busy staff for it. The problem with the service was that our server wasn't around to provide any. She did less then the bare minimum and quite frankly, if I were the owner I would be thinking about how this not only effects opportunities to sell us more (e.g. drinks, appetizers and dessert) but also how it keeps people from coming back. Our server took forever to approach the table and that should have been the red flag for us walking out. From there she literally took our order, stopped back once after the food was delivered and then returned 15 minutes after we were done eating. I was just about to get up and find a manager for the check when she finally arrived with it. No refills on beverages, no clearing of plates, no offers for another margarita and never mind dessert. I generally leave a 20% tip if service is reasonably good and NEVER leave less for bad food which I think penalizes the server, but on this night I left 12% which was probably more then I should have. I actually tipped the Magician Chazz more!! In this case the server and the owner both lose. I won't be back because this restaurant didn't leave me feeling like I received a fair value for the price. If I your looking for a place to have a drink with some buddies or watch a game I guess I can see how some people would go back but for me, the only way to make up for the dated, somewhat dirty atmosphere and even weak service would be have some food with soul. Othererwise, adios.

    (2)

  • Rebecca J.

    One word for this place... mediocre. It could be fabulous as the decor and patio are pretty inviting... but the service and food need work. I'd go many times just for margaritas (which are excellent) and the chips and salsa (equally delicious!) and their yummy mexican salad that's piled high w/ tons of cheese, each time knowing that because of my previous experiences I probably wouldn't get the best service or order anything other than a few drinks and chips. Many times I've sat without refills or more chips for longer than expected, and had to ask the server for what I needed rather than being offered it. And I'm a server so I'm usually pretty easy going about stuff like that. I think a few of the times they were understaffed which I can understand but there's really no excuse for servers standing around ignoring their tables. Their salads are tasty, mainly because of all the cheese piled high on them and they do have a delightful vinagrette, however they charge like 11 bucks for a salad/tostada with beans, lettuce and cheese (that doesn't include sour cream or guac). So basically I'm paying 11 dollars for a hunk of cheese? Seems way high to me. And everything is that way, 11-12 dollars for each sandwich (none of which are exceptionally good). And if you go I suggest going only for sandwiches and salads... their Mexican dishes are a no go! 5 dollars for one taco a la carte and it was bad, bad, bad!! Full of greasy, slimy meat with very little flavor. Ultimately they are okay for a few cocktails and chips and salsa or a light snack... but if you want great service and quality food, I suggest taking your money and spending it elsewhere. Overpriced for food that isn't quality.

    (2)

  • Karena R.

    It was our first time here when Anderson Silva fought last. I completely dislike their UFC policy. You have to eat $20 worth of food, and if you don't, they'll simply add on up to the $20 mark to your bill. It always looked crowded, and it was. However, all the tables were so close together, there was no privacy and I was in a booth. Their salads are not Mexican salads. Come on, just because you added a pound of cheese on top, literally, it does not qualify as a Mexican dish. It was too freaking much man. We had to take a whole box full of salad with cheese that simply rotted in the fridge because no one was excited to eat it. The only thing I LOVED here was the carne asada! Hands down, some of THE best I've ever had. Their seasoning is masterful. It's amazingly juicy, soft, and savory. Service is annoying btw. They came to my table damn near 20 times. Good service does not mean excessive annoyance people, please. Let us eat and watch the fight. I did not appreciate that. They're whatever, I most likely won't come here again, unless it's our last resort for watching fights.

    (2)

  • Lindsey W.

    Why is it only people with bad things to say always comment but never people with good things take the time? I don't know why everyone seems to complain about this place either, I love it! I come here all the time! Service good, the food is great, drinks are great, and the live music on the patio is awesome. I highly recommend coming here. Don't listen to all these crazy people who just want to complain about every LITTLE thing. Go and try it yourself! You won't regret it!

    (4)

  • S R.

    I really don't know much about all of Espiau's plates...all I know is that the Espiau's salad with blue cheese dressing is amazing!!!!!! Yummmm.

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    My friend and I have been visiting Espiau's Restaurant for years. We ride our bikes there regularly for happy hour and love the chips and salsa. We have had great experiences with every server we have had and always love the fun. It is unfortunate that I have to even write this review especially due to my previous experiences at the restaurant but due to my last visit I will not be returning. Long story short my friend and I had a question about a charge on our bill. The manager Kari-Lyn was rude unprofessional and defensive. She started talking about how she personally made the menu and that we had read it wrong. She stated the just because we were customers we were not right and then proceeded to argue with my friend when all she did was question the price of the side of asada she had ordered. After my friends conversation with her the manager proceeded to walk to the back kitchen area and talk began talking to her employees about what had just happened and about my friend. I could not believe what was happening and will never come back because of Karl-lyn.

    (1)

  • Julia N.

    Espiau's has deliciously cheap Mexican food and is an excellent option for budget-conscious Claremont students! Who doesn't love an endless supply of chips and salsa?

    (4)

  • Rachid G.

    Just not that good food. The kind of place you go as a last resort if everywhere else in the village is too crowded. Sometimes on the patio they have live music, perfect for drowning out any hopes of conversation during your meal, unless of course you're willing to shout. I think one time I came here they had pretty hot waitresses...that's always a plus.

    (2)

  • Michael M.

    Tough to give this place more than an A-OK. The food is pricey for the quality that you get, the service is flat at best, decor is old looking. Too many good choices in the Village to waste your time in this one. Although if you want to watch a sporting event, their outdoor area looks good.

    (3)

  • Cotton C.

    Nice beer, great drinks, which is nice. The staff -in my experience- has been extremely friendly. oh and the chips and salsa are great. that's about all the pluses. The food all tastes the same except for the salads, which come with about 4 lbs. of shredded cheese on top of it. Seriously. I'm somewhat indifferent on the place, although I've never actually eaten outside of the bar or the porch. I guess if you're really into MMA (not that I'd understand why) or you want to see televised sports, I'd recommend it because there aren't many other places to see them in Claremont.

    (3)

  • Jeff C.

    Food was good Service was adequate, don't be in a hurry to eat or pay your bill, both took a long time (20 minutes to get salads) and another 15 after I got the bill dropped on my table before I saw a server to pick up my check. If the delay wasn't enough, Don't try to use an American Express or Visa Gift card They won't take them. Yet they would gladly take my American Express or Visa to settle the check. Disappointed to say the least

    (2)

  • George H.

    My wife had an issue that was resolved with the manager. Nice place. Would return. And would recommend.

    (3)

  • Maple M.

    Espiau's has a relaxing, enjoyable outdoor seating space with mediocre food and service. They have great margaritas and nice beer. They serve the BEST salsa and chips in town. My friends and I go to Espiau's quite frequently. We go there when we want good drinks, salsa and chips to munch on, and have a nice afternoon conversation. We always sit in the shaded outside seating area. This place was once a mechanic's garage and the outer seating area retains that look. Located on the corner of Yale and 1st street, this is just the right place to talk about what is going on in town. When seated outside, you often see people you know walk by this well-frequented intersection of Claremont's downtown. You wave to them, they join you, the margaritas and the chit-chatting continues. They have television screens in the outside seating areas. I have also heard that they have live music during the weekends. But I have never been there during weekends. We often go during the happy hours: Monday to Friday, 2.00pm to 5.00 or 5.30pm. My friends and I do not go to Espiau's when the goal is to eat a delicious Mexican meal or enjoy bar food. The food is not too great - the portions are big but the food lacks flavorful cooking. It is acceptable if you are hungry and don't want to move to a different place. The service is quite slow and they seem under-staffed during happy hours. I sat inside once and decided never to sit inside ever again. I was there on a bright day, but it was quite dark and musty in there. Although the restaurant is quite big, it seems the inside seating areas lack air circulation. Or they probably had a "bad air" day ;)

    (2)

  • Gerry M.

    I came in here for lunch and the waitress recommended the albondigas soup and mexican salad. I took her recommendation and am so happy I did. The food was amazing and the service was perfect. I will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    Best Mexican food in Claremont!! I recommend the fajita burrito. Great staff and great food!

    (5)

  • Nicholas B.

    I went here with friend for food and drinks. The drink selection was good but the food was just average nothing special about it. I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't anything to brag about. The waitress was nice and friendly and very attentive.

    (3)

  • Marc W.

    Love this place! Great atmosphere and never had a bad meal here, I have been coming here for many years. Love the cheese salad and the ground beef taquitos! Entertainment in the bar area is a plus on some evenings. Great location and always a fun time!

    (5)

  • tonya g.

    I always seem to wait awhile for the waitress to come around, and to get my check...and the waitresses are pretty rude. the food is ALRIGHT...over priced for tasting so plain.

    (1)

  • Canicus L.

    If you want to see the game, there aren't that many choices in Claremont. For that reason alone the relatively new owners of Espiau's (a.k.a., the Danson) made a wise decision when they remodeled the patio to take full advantage of the sports crowd. And they must be doing something right because the place is more crowded than before and "Heroes and Legends" a few doors up has been losing customers ever since. I suppose until a really decent sports bar opens up in the village, Espiau's doesn't need to change a thing. But if they want to get ahead of the curve, here are some suggestions: 1) Work on the service. There is no reason for a customer to wait 25 minutes for anything, much less the change from the twenty that he handed the waitress for the beer. The only thing that comes fast are the chips and the waitresses have nothing to do with that. 2) Change the glasses. Pint-sized Mason jars are made for jelly, not beer. Beer glasses are designed to hold the proper quantity of beer (e.g., a pint) with room to spare for a head. At Espiau's your pint of liquid reaches all the way to the rim, allowing for no foam at all and thus contributing to the unsettling illusion that you are drinking flat beer. 3) re-carpet the main dining room. It contributes to a strong and off-putting "restaurant funk" that greets every patron unless they enter through the gate. 4) Remodel the restrooms. Even the customers who think a salad should have more shredded cheese than lettuce deserve a nice place to make more room for headless beer.

    (2)

  • Mike R.

    HORRIBLE SERVICE! I came for my mother's birthday hearing good things. Forgot to bring salads, drinks, silverware... All after forgetting to take our order. As we came in they tried stuffing us in the bar area, even though the dining room had other people dining. Seems to be run by the unintelligent teenagers working here, I suggest they close this place down and replace it with a reataraunt that knows what they're doing. Oh and in case your wondering: NO the food was definately not worth a second visit.

    (1)

  • Daphne P.

    Have to give Espiau's five stars just for the Mexican Salad and chips/salsa, which are simple but delicious and haven't changed at all over the years. Like an old friend, I've been eating at Espiau's for over 40 years, since I was in a high chair. Now, driving close to two hours now for an occasional Espiau's-fix, there are so many things to love, especially the salad piled high with queso fresco and their tangy vinaigrette dressing, chips and salsa, taquitos, tacos, tostada, and so much more.

    (5)

  • Cristy M.

    I had the enchilada & taco combination. The taco was mediocre, but the enchilada & beans were fantastic!! The salad was everything it was hyped up to be (a ton of cheese & yummy!!). I wasn't fond of the chips sprinkled with Lawrys seasoned salt, however my hubby loved it. Salsa was good. Beer was good and cold. Service was not the best, but since I'd already heard to expect that it wasn't a big deal. Bottom line....I will go back.

    (3)

  • Ariel M.

    Less than service, whatever food with a side of TACKY! I think part of the reason I had such a bad experience was that I had high expectations for the eateries in Claremont. I am soon coming to learn that Claremont is just...Cute, and is NOT a place to dine; might as well drive out to LA or down to downtown Fullerton or even venture into Downtown Pomona. I decided to come here for my birthday as it seemed to be a happening place on St. Patties day when I was exploring Claremont Village. On the weekends they have live bands and on Tuesday they have Taco Tuesday. Before you get excited about the drink specials and tacos you must know that their 99 cent tacos are smaller than my hand and you purchase tickets to than go to a taco bar to get tacos. I came here for dinner expecting a casual sit down place. The server didn't even acknowledge the fact that it was my birthday, even though I was wearing a birthday pin & a princess crown. She even forgot about us! Although this place looks homie and the patio seems like a chill place to hang that is about it! You can have better food from the frozen food section at the supermarket. Call me spoiled, by being use to having Mexican food from San Diego but I do not call a tortilla with sour cream, sporadic blobs of pureed avocados, drenched with melted chesse and tiny specs of meat..a burrito. The "pico de gallo" was an embarrassingly small dish of jalapeno pieces with parsley and the occasional tomato or onion spec. The rice was dry and the beans looked old underneath the globs of melted cheese. THE ONLY GOOD THING WERE THE CHIPS AND SALSA. For $11 I expected either better service or actually having tomato and beef in my Burrito. My friends enjoyed their entrees however, the tacos were pathetic. And it was very tacky when the whole table ordered entrees and then my friend was given tickets to get "Tacos" from the taco "bar"!

    (2)

  • Steve U.

    This place is a Gem in the downtown Claremont area. The food is excellent, there is a wide variety of drinks, great atmosphere, they always have a ton of games on, live bands that aren't too bad, excellent service, and great prices. You really can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • The P.

    nothing too special. i feel like people only go here because they live in claremont and dont want to leave the area. the only thing i barely like here is the chips and salsa

    (2)

  • Anna A.

    I found the food and service to be very good. Quaint atmosphere, totally decked out for Halloween.

    (4)

  • Stephan B.

    For those of you who are not sure about this place called Espiau's let me tell you clearly: Do not come here. Where do I start? We show up for someone's bday, and we join a group of 10 or so to make 12. We waited for awhile for some chips and salsa, which we have heard bad things about from yelp. We were like "how bad could it be, if this guy is having his bday here?" We reach for the chips, and they are cold. We dip it in the salsa, and it is mediocre at best... About 10 minutes later some waitress asks if we would like something to drink. Sure, 2 margaritas on the rocks w/ salt.. She goes "sure can I see some ID?" no biggie, my date is in her mid 20's and although i'm pushing 30, I am indeed bald on the top of my head which she was standing over.. My date gives her ID to her, and I flip out mine from my wallet, and display it for her clearly.. "i'm sorry sir, can you pull it out for me?" Now mind you I'm bald w/ hair, and its the plastic see thru thing, there is nothing to be gained by having it pulled out, so I ask her as she examines my id: "Are you old enough to serve alcohol?" and she seems puzzled and takes a moment back and says "of course, why??" at which point I didn't say a word, and she figured out that she was retarded. No biggie, lets move on... Our margaritas show up rather quickly, and we go in for the initial tastes... :-/ Our eyes met as if we were reading each other's mind - There was definitely alcohol, in it, but there was something not right... My girlfriend is like "babe, is there something wrong with your drink?" I said, well let me taste yours and you can taste mine! So we switch - they both taste funky.. She asks what is it?? I said well, it tastes as if the mixer was left out for an extended period, and has gone rancid... I didn't want to ask them how they make margaritas, or get up to watch them make it, so I just let it go. Then we ordered and waited forever for our food. Carne asada burrito, wet style... We split the burrito in 1/2 and shared it... This thing looked like it would be tasty, I was wrong. The meat tasted as if it was boiled in nasty tap water - It tasted like tap water. We took a few bites and didn't eat it... later we left like a $2 dollar tip and left, feeling cheated like we needed to eat something else to make up for this... Oh I forgot the best part... We are finishing watching our food, and some car pulls up sideways at the corner (we are sitting outside on their dining patio) and this guy opens the passenger door from the inside, leans out and pukes all over the sidewalk and grass... The whole patio erupts in saying EWWWW and everybody is disgusted... It was like at 9:30pm - still a little early to be getting sick but this event seemed like it was par for the course for this type of place... again let me tell you clearly: Do Not Come Here.

    (1)

  • Stephanie L.

    I've been to this restaurant a few times and have had good experiences. Its in the cute downtown area of Claremont, with lots of little shops and restaurants. They are known for their Mexican salad, which has a TON of cheese on top and the dressing is amazing! The first time I went, I got their taquitos, which are pretty good, but full of meat...almost to the point to where it is too much. Last night, I got the salad and one chicken taco. Perfect amount of food, and the chicken in the taco was yummy! I would order that combination again. Good atmosphere, the staff are very friendly, and they usually have live music outside on the patio. All makes for an enjoyable night.

    (3)

  • Charlie C.

    The only reason i am giving Espiau's two stars is because the service was good, In regards to food it was to be quite honest the worst mexican food iv'e had in a long time. I had a carne asada burrito ranchero style and by gosh i had to force it down, not only is the food bad but they charge you alot for it ($13 for the burrito alone). I am not a fan at all, to be honest next time i want a good burrito ill just hit up Alberto's you can get a better burrito there for about $10 cheaper. However if your not in the mood for Alberto's and you want something alittle nicer where you can sit down, My reccomendation is to try out Sergio's on route 66 very good mexican food at a good price.

    (2)

  • Michael G.

    if i had to pick the worst restaurant i have ever eaten at it would have to be this place hands down. in southern cali you can't be a mediocre mexican restaurant let alone an awful mexican restaurant. there's too much competition out there. i believe this place stays open because of its location. for some reason claremonters, although very close to the city of pomona, don't know what good mexican food is. the couple of times i've eaten here i told myself to just eat the rice and the beans because there's no way you can mess up rice and beans. this place finds a way to do so. they have decent margaritas and trust me you'll want one.....or five to take away the taste and erase the memory of the food you just ate. you've been warned.

    (1)

  • Barb C.

    Used to be great...lately was greasy and unacceptable quality. The meat in the fajitas chewed and over cooked...salads soaked with dressing and chicken not good at all. Need to be the Espiaus of years ago..what happened?

    (2)

  • Bob M.

    Great place for lunch. Amy is my favorite waitress.

    (4)

  • Mohit K.

    My friends and I went for lunch today and it was just OK. The salsa was good but too hot, the chicken was pretty salty, and the service wasn't necessarily exceptional. With so many Mexican restaurants around, this one was too mediocre to stand out.

    (2)

  • Matt W.

    The food here is not so great and there is absolutely nothing authentic about any of it.The atmosphere is kind of outdated and feels a bit unkempt. Try Senor Baja's or keep searching if you want something Mexican in Claremont.

    (2)

  • Cindy W.

    The service was really friendly, but the food was really, really bad. From the salsa all the way to the tacos, it was bad. And I did not like their famous salad. At all.

    (1)

  • Cynthia G.

    I have been coming to Espiau's for years. I bring the board from the local soccer club for meetings, host dinners with clients here, and my business parter and I often wind down over a cocktail from time to time. Most of the staff has seen my face and some even know my name. Today I took my nephew and nieces there and a friend, and I was just so shocked that a party of 5 sat there for 20 minutes and NO drink or food order was taken. We weren't even greeted by our waitress. Only the bus boy brought over chips and salsa. Now I understand that it was a busy day with it being the last holiday or vacation day and then the bowl games, but 20 minutes. I just felt like there would be more loyalty especially to a familiar face. Or maybe they took that for granted. Lately things have been slowing going down hill, this isn't our first struggle with bad service here, and the food isn't as good, and the staff just don't seem to have time or the car to talk to restaurant goers like they used to. So we left, didn't eat there, went to Heroes instead. A shame, a year ago this place would have had my 5 stars.

    (2)

  • JM O.

    I'm a big believer in hole in the wall, order standing at a window, stand while eating as taco juice runs down your chin but you don't care because it's so damn good Mexican food places, so I was a bit skeptical of Espiau's. First, it's in downtown Claremont, and second, it's a fairly big space, with a front portion that has folding doors to open it completely to the street, a lot more seating inside, and an outside patio - in other words, I had alarms going off in my head when I got there. BUT, Espiau's was a pleasant surprise. The chips are awesome. These chips aren't out of the bag, nor are they the day old chips that Nacho Libre gets for the orphans; they are fresh made, hot out of the fryer, chippity goodness. My friends and I all ordered burritos (these are probably the most affordable items on the menu - they serve dinerish fare as well but it gets a bit pricey). As my friend observed, they make burritos the authentic way: all meat on the inside with beans and cheese on the side. If you're not into that, you can ask them to put everything inside your burrito. Thursday nights are flip nights: you can sit at the bar and flip a coin with the bartender for half price drinks every half hour. I'm definitely going back to check it out.

    (3)

  • Jess B.

    ok... my gbf/fy (gay boyfriend slash fellow yelper) joel and i were walking around claremont village just checking stuff out this weekend...we ran across espiau's, which apparently he frequents after work. we agreed to try it for lunch the following day. so...espiau's was open on labor day. they get a star for that cuz some places weren't. benefit of the doubt kinda thing. they serve mexican food or typical american bar food...another star for the choice...as well as the chips n salsa regardless! my veggie patty melt was totally yummy! add another star! the bad? well, upon arrival it took more than 5 minutes for any of the staff to acknowledge us audibly. no kidding. we stood in the front, near the "please wait to be seated" sign and were passed by NUMEROUS servers without so much as a "hello"..."be with you in a minute"..."have you been helped?" sooo....minus a star there. why remove another? they forgot the grilled onions on my patty melt! what the? the onion burger bun they gave me was a tastey touch...but not exactly one i asked for. usually, i wouldn't really remove a star for that...but i was peeved about being left in the front for 10 hours before even being seated. i'm sure we'll return...the food was pretty yummy and reasonably priced...but a note to the owners....i'm waiting for better service.

    (3)

  • Jennifer D.

    I've been going to Espiau's as long as I can remember. I'm shocked by alot of the negativity on here... Ok, so maybe the service isn't the FASTEST, but everyone there is really nice and is responsive to things you ask for. The portions are huge! If you get a salad (which is a MUST w/ house dressing) just order other items a la carte....or you will be taking a lot of food home. Margarita's are awesome. I've never had their deli or burgers...just mexican food.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    I ate here in a group of 12 around 10am and we were the only group there. We had only one server but she didnt check up on us probably as often as she could have. The food was good. The chips and salsa were some of the best I've ever had actually. But the server didn't even know the food items she was giving out, and had to write our names down on each order. Even tho she did that, the names somehow got lost, and she couldn't tell differences between fish tacos and chicken tacos, or rancheros and enchiladas. Then at the end, we were all ready to go and she hadn't come check on us in a good half hour, so we all had to walk up to the front and she was there frantically handing out reciepts where we had to TELL HER AGAIN what each of us had. If I went here and had a better server I would have given it 4 stars, but a 3 star here is justified because if you end up with that server, it does kill the enjoyment. The bathrooms are in an odd place, you almost have to walk through the kitchen to get to them. They do have free wi-fi tho.

    (3)

  • Tim E.

    I have literally been eating at Espiau's for four decades.. my earliest memories are of a Jr. Hamburger with a side cup of Mozzarella cheese (since I didn't like salads, or anything green for that matter) that my mom would order for me as a 4- or 5-year old while dining at their old Pomona location! I've since grown to absolutely love this place, and despite the move to Claremont, the Mexican menu has stayed pretty much intact. I think even the waitress is the same one that served me way back when! Their signature Mexican Salad is covered with aforementioned cheese and slathered in the best vinegarette dressing I have ever tasted. I am also partial to their enchiladas, though they have gotten quite pricey in the past few years. I haven't sampled anything from the Danson menu, but it all looks delicious as the wait staff whisks it past my table. I will continue to visit as often as I can.. but if the rumors of a recent ownership change are true, I can only hope they don't fix what ain't broken!

    (5)

  • Marie S.

    Downtown Claremont, nice to walk around, we ate in the outside patio on a sticky plastic table cover. The chips where warm and pretty good, but the salsa not so good. I ordered the chicken enchilada combo, took two bites didn't finish. The salads that people seem to like, well they are just okay.

    (1)

  • Peter N.

    If you are looking for a comfortable place to eat this is it. For most people it will hit them in their comfort zone not too pricey, not too spicy and casual. I've read some of the other reviews and no one really mentions their extensive menu it includes Mexican style and Deli style sandwiches. There is a huge place indoor dining, bar area, patio area and large flat screen TVs all over the place. It is in downtown Claremont where the townies and university kids rub elbows and tastes. The university kids & professors bring an eastern urban view/ expectations and this restaurant is clearly a homogenized restaurant that tries to appeal to everyone. From the crowds I've seen a lot of people do like it for snacking, drinking and dining.

    (3)

  • Gina M.

    Good food, good prices, good service, nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Plethora T.

    We are Espiaus addicts and have been since the days the menu and name were located in Pomona (near Cal Poly Pomona.) We have been ordering the meat/bean taco salad and diet Coke since it used to be $5 for the two of us (probably including tip.) Are we crazy? No, it is the consistency that we crave. To be clear, I adore Mexican food and as a native SoCal-er I know what is good. For us, the salsa is addictive (not as spicy as some but it goes great on the salad along with the garlicky French dressing. There is something about the combo of that salsa and those seasoned, fresh chips.) MMMMMMM - I feel an Espiaus rush coming on. The seasoned chips are wonderful and plentiful. The shredded beef burrito is nothing but a ton of seasoned beef in a giant flour tortilla. No filler - just juicy shredded beef and tortilla. Who couldn't love that? The taco is a meal in itself. We often get a to-go of a two-item combo (it comes with the Espaius salad which is topped with a mountain of finely shredded Jack cheese) beans and rice. I get the enchilada, my spouse gets the taco. A really good value for fresh, wonderful food. If they every go out of business, we will be heartbroken. We can only assume that those who don't care for the food are secret fans of Del Taco.

    (5)

  • Lara S.

    *I had to wait three days in order to write this review because even the next day I was still steaming from my experience* If I could give zero stars, I would. I am not super picky, but there are certain things that really set me off at a restaurant: 1) The food was -meh-, not too great, and definitely not good enough for the prices. Plus I was charged an extra $1.50 for a tiny side of sour cream for my baked-potato (which they didn't even tell me was going to cost extra). 2) The waiter came to our table a total of 3 times the entire two hours we were there (once to take our order, once to drop off our beers, and once to drop the check on the table and rush off). It was not busy and there were multiple waiters/waitresses hanging around, so really, no excuse. As a former waitress myself, I really found it quite bad. 3) To top our extremely mediocre meal off, the crowning moment of the meal, the manager. Because my boyfriend and I were not psyched about the extra charge and the rude waiter, we went to the manager. FIRST, he said "well we've never had complaints about him" and rushed off. When he came back he stated that we were lying. Then, about the stupid $1.50 (it's the premise of the matter, not the damn $1.50) he said "it's in the menu, you must have missed it." Now we searched the menu, and we couldn't find anything saying you would be charged for condiments, but whatever. After this, my boyfriend said "well thanks for everything but we won't be coming back" to which the manager replied, "haha good." I've worked in the restaurant business, as has my boyfriend, and we were both appalled. Isn't the customer always right? All he had to say was, "we're sorry that the service wasn't great and that you weren't told about the extra charges." That's it! But instead he was a complete douche. I hate places that think they are so good they don't need to please anyone, particularly if they are not so good. I am going to tell everyone I know not to go there.

    (1)

  • Joe J.

    Best known for their salads, chips & salsa, tostadas and margaritas; however, it's the live music on the mist-infused patio that makes it worth a visit during the summer!

    (3)

  • Alan M.

    I ate here with my family last Friday night. I am disappointed with the service and food.

    (1)

  • Jan C.

    This restaurants gets a bonus for being in the heart of downtown Claremont, with outdoor seating, and providing live music in the evening. As for the food, it was good, but not outstanding. We had some chili and a pastrami/corned beef sandwich and they were ok. Great chips and salsa though. I think I'll reserve this place for the next time we're in the area and have a craving for greasy food.

    (3)

  • D M.

    The best mexican salad and chips & salsa!! Yum! The newly remodeled bar area looks awesome and it's a great place to watch a game or just hang out with friends. The wait staff is good, but ever changing.. with a few originals. A tad pricey.. and food is a bit greasy IMO.. but overall a great place!

    (5)

  • Dani T.

    The only thing good about this place is the Mexican Salad. You can't find a salad like this anywhere else. All of the other comments about crappy service are true. If you happen to be a crappy server who is looking for a job, then apply at this place and they will hire you in a heartbeat. If you go expect to wait too long for service and be prepared to get your own silverware and napkins. The "mexican food" reminds me of canned dog food.

    (2)

  • Janice Y.

    The service is not good and the food is terrible. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

    (1)

  • Jason M.

    Worst experience I've had in a long time. A a few friends and I went to have a beer and watch the fight here on Saturday April 18th, 09. We went in to get a table and the manager was a complete ass to us. He told us not to even bother and wait. They were busy so that is understandable but no need to be a jerk about it. So we went outside and we were standing along the fence watching the fight from the street. Well we noticed a table on the outside was empty and no one wanted to sit there because you can not drink alcohol on the outside so we went in to see if we could sit there and the manager said sure but you guys all need to spend at least 20 bucks min each. without alcohol! How do you do that? We explained that we would come inside and order drinks when the fight was over and the manager said OK then you have to order $20 min outside (no alcohol) and $20 min inside too. What kind of crap is this. That has got to be considered rape in some countries. Who can even order $20 worth of food without alcohol? So we never got to experience the food or drinks only the worst manager in the history of managers and you can be sure that I will not go back along with my friends and if someone asks I will tell them about the horrible experience I had.

    (1)

  • Darcy M.

    I am a big fan, but you have to be into casual Mexican! Having grown up over the hill in Covina, I have been eating at Espiau's for decades. The attraction here is great chips and salsa. The basics are very well done, chips come out warm, thick and very crisp. They are dusted with a spice combination, not just salt. They are the best I have ever tasted. The simple Mexican salad is lettuce under a huge pile of white cheese. But again, the vinaigrette is the best around. Pile some of the cheese on a chip, add salsa and crunch it down! Taco's enchilada's all good! Is it authentic Mexican, absolutely not! No scary ingredients or cow stomach in sight I eat Mexican frequently, we recently tried Red O, Rick Bayless new restaurant in LA. My favorite is Gabbi's in Orange. But those are dress up restaurants, espiaus is a dress down, have a beer, watch tv kind of place. Plus as a bonus you can sit outside, on the main drag near a collage town, and watch for cute collage kids or canine's. Your choice.

    (5)

  • Diana M.

    We have been eating at Espiau's every week for many years. We love the friendliness of the staff. Our waitress has our orders memorized, and the food is excellent. The chips and salsa are the best we have ever found. They are to die for. The turkey burger is by far the best around. It is lean, large, and very tasty. The Chicken Tortilla Soup is excelllent. All portions are large. We like that you can get either a Mexican or American meal at the same restaurant. The restaurant has had a lot of upgrades recently, so if you haven't been in, you should check it out. There is a nice bar and big screen tv's. The patio is large and has heaters. They are very dog friendly too. There are even dog biscuits for the four footed friends and we enjoy bringing our dogs with us when the weather is nice.

    (5)

  • C C.

    Our service was just fine, but the place was not too busy. The chips are perfect and the portions are Buca di Beppo large so sharing is definitely suggested. Deli and hamburgers for the kids who don't like Mexican food (yet) so Mom & Dad can eat here without complaints. Been here for ever and ever. The salads are like nothing I have ever seen piled with a huge mound of mild white cheese, great!

    (4)

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Opening Hours

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Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Street
    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 : Yes
    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.

Espiau’s Restaurant

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