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LOLA Puts a Polished, Playful Spin on Mexican Food

Public reviews favor LOLA’s creative tacos, fresh guacamole and inviting patio, though drinks, service and value draw mixed reactions.

By Freya Sandoval4.4617 public ratings
LOLA in Salt Lake City
Emily Henderson

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Food and interior photo 1 at LOLA in Salt Lake City
Food and interior photo 2 at LOLA in Salt Lake City
Food and interior photo 3 at LOLA in Salt Lake City
Food and interior photo 4 at LOLA in Salt Lake City
Food and interior photo 5 at LOLA in Salt Lake City

Photos published by diners on Google, not AI generated.

What stands out

  • Charming patio seating
  • Fresh house guacamole and salsa
  • Creative sweet-savory combinations
  • Beautiful food presentation
  • Well-received tacos

Worth knowing

  • Cocktail quality appears inconsistent
  • Some diners question the value
  • Reports of slow service and a hot interior

Suggested meals

Dishes that come up most in public reviews

  • Chips, salsa and guacamole
  • Tacos

Worth a visit?

The overall read

LOLA holds a 4.4 Google rating from more than 600 reviews, a solid showing for a restaurant taking a less traditional approach to Mexican food. Public feedback repeatedly points to attractive plating, quality ingredients and sweet-savory combinations. The mood appears polished but approachable, with a charming building and patio helping distinguish the experience.

This is not framed by diners as a straightforward neighborhood taqueria. Instead, reviews describe familiar formats treated with fusion-minded details, from ginger paired with carne asada to plantains folded into a quesadilla. That creativity is a major part of the appeal, but it also raises expectations around price, consistency and service.

Food with a creative streak

Tacos, salsa and guacamole provide the clearest common ground in the available reviews. The house guacamole and salsa earn praise for freshness, while both carne asada and shrimp tacos receive favorable mentions. One diner singled out the subtle impact of ginger in the carne asada tacos, suggesting that LOLA’s twists are intended to complement rather than overwhelm the base flavors.

The plantain quesadilla also stands out in public feedback. Its combination of warm plantain and cheese delivers the sort of sweet-savory contrast that seems central to the kitchen’s style. Cantaloupe with prosciutto was praised along similar lines, although that pairing may depend heavily on the quality and seasonality of the fruit.

Other favorable mentions include Mexican corn and an open-faced steak burrito. Presentation receives consistent credit, even from a reviewer who found the overall flavors less memorable than the prices suggested. The pattern points to food that is visually considered and often distinctive, but not guaranteed to feel like strong value for every diner.

Patio appeal and cocktail uncertainty

LOLA’s outdoor patio is one of its most dependable advantages. Multiple reviews call out the setting positively, making it a sensible choice for lunch or a relaxed meal when patio weather cooperates. The building itself also contributes to the restaurant’s appeal.

Cocktails are less consistent. While one review broadly praised the drinks, another reported multiple disappointing selections, including margaritas that tasted either watered down or overly strong. That split makes the bar program harder to recommend with the same confidence as the food.

What to weigh before booking

Service and comfort appear to be the main practical concerns. One diner reported an inattentive server, while another described an uncomfortably hot interior despite portable air-conditioning units. Neither issue defines the restaurant’s overall rating, but both are worth noting alongside the patio praise.

Value is the other dividing line. LOLA is listed at a moderate price level, yet at least one reviewer felt the taco and burrito pricing outpaced the flavor payoff. The strongest case for visiting is therefore the full package: inventive combinations, polished presentation and a pleasant patio. Diners focused mainly on generous portions, conventional Mexican flavors or predictable margaritas may come away less convinced.

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Research-based review: our UT editor synthesized 617 public reviews and the current 4.4-star rating, not an anonymous visit.