Lola’s Mexican Cuisine: Rooted in Guadalajara, Made in Long Beach

Retro Row original, now a Long Beach Mexican favorite

Lola’s Mexican Cuisine began on Retro Row on Fourth Street in Long Beach. Chef and owner Luis Navarro cooks from his mom Lola’s Guadalajara roots. The dishes are cooked from scratch: silky enchiladas suizas, slow cooked carnitas, and bright house salsas. Seasonal dishes appear throughout the year and locals watch for them. Holiday tamales and chile en nogada often feel like neighborhood traditions. The room is friendly and unhurried, with regulars and first timers.

This is a place where locals come for a quick bite when they are rushed at home

Lola’s fills a quiet need for everyday meals. Yelp reviews often point to locals stopping in after work, grabbing something warm and familiar when their lifestyles are rushed. Some regulars come solo, others with family, whether you stay or take it home.

Nearby Art Theater Makes This A Hot Spot

Right across the street from Lola’s is the Art Theatre, Long Beach’s only remaining independent movie house. Its neon marquee and restored 1930s facade give the block a classic glow, especially after dark. The theatre draws film lovers for indie showings and special screenings, many of whom make a stop at Lola’s part of the night. Together, they create a rhythm on this stretch of Fourth Street: food, film, and foot traffic that keeps Retro Row feeling alive.

Need Some Alone Time

Sometimes you just need a quiet table, a good plate, and a drink that doesn’t ask too much of you. Lola’s weekday Happy Hour makes that easy. From 3 to 6 pm, regulars slip in for small plates like mole chicken nachos or taquitos and unwind with a house margarita or Modelo. It’s calm, it’s familiar, and it’s not unusual to see someone reading at a corner table or winding down solo after work. Whether you’re recharging or just passing through, it’s a space that leaves you be.

Lola’s Has Been Part of the Long Beach Scene for Years

Lola’s Mexican Cuisine has contributed to the Long Beach dining scene for years, becoming part of the rhythm of Long Beach Retro Row. What started as a single kitchen built on family recipes has grown into a place locals return to again and again—after work, before a movie, or just because. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. It feels rooted, steady, and personal. In a city where restaurants come and go, Lola’s is still here, still local, still Long Beach.

Restaurant Details

Lola’s Mexican Cuisine – Modern Mexican
• 📍 Location: 2030 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
• 🌟 Yelp Rating: 4.4 | ✅ Health Grade: A | 💲 Avg. Price: $10–$20
• 📄 Details: Art-filled space with festive plates, colorful cocktails, and weekend brunch energy. Art Theater across the street
Google Maps | Website

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