Mexican restaurants

Gloria's Cocina Mexicana

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

7401 Florence Ave, Downey, CA 90240, United States
4.3
3,604 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Gloria's Cocina Mexicana welcomes you to a genuine slice of Mexico right in the heart of Downey, CA. This Mexican restaurant is a vibrant celebration of traditional flavors, fresh ingredients, and warm, inviting hospitality that makes every meal an experience to savor.

Upon stepping inside Gloria's Cocina Mexicana at 7401 Florence Ave, you’re immediately immersed in an atmosphere rich with authentic charm. The cheerful sounds of lively Mexican music set the perfect backdrop while the tantalizing aroma of freshly made tortillas – crafted by hand right before your eyes – fills the air, promising a meal made with love and care.

The menu bursts with classic Mexican dishes that excite the palate. Their tacos are a must-try, especially the Marlin Jack cheese and avocado taco, served alongside vibrant pico de gallo and creamy guacamole for just $6.99. Equally enticing are the Carne Asada or Carnitas Pork tacos, both priced affordably at $5.00, showcasing juicy, tender meats that balance perfectly with fresh toppings. For seafood lovers, the Shrimp Taco offers succulent shrimp paired with crisp lettuce and a special dressing that brightens every bite.

For a more indulgent treat, Gloria’s tostadas shine with fresh, flavorful options like the Fish Ceviche and Mixta—a medley of shrimp, octopus, and abalone—each piled generously atop crispy tostada shells. Their Molcajetes stand out as a crowd favorite: the Shrimp Molcajete features roasted cactus and spicy salsa blending into a rich, savory concoction, while the Original Molcajete offers a hearty mix of chicken breast, beef steak, and Mexican sausage, served with rice, beans, and guacamole – perfect for sharing or a hearty solo feast.

Customers consistently praise not only the food but the vibrant and attentive service. Bartenders at Gloria’s are known for crafting some of the best blended margaritas in the area, offering just the right balance of sweet and tart. The fresh, hot chips and salsa – including a delightful green salsa option – add an extra burst of flavor that sets the tone for the meal. Regular patrons rave about the generous portion sizes and authentic taste, ensuring that every visit feels like a feast made just for you.

Whether you’re planning a lively family dinner or a cozy date night, Gloria's Cocina Mexicana strikes a perfect balance between a festive dining environment and heartfelt, home-style Mexican cooking. It’s a place where every detail—from the hand-pressed tortillas to the perfectly spiced molcajetes—reflects a deep respect for tradition and a passion for culinary excellence.

For those craving an unforgettable Mexican dining experience that feels both authentic and welcoming, Gloria’s Cocina Mexicana is simply unmissable in Downey.

Contact them at +1 562-776-1488 to reserve your table or simply walk in to enjoy a vibrant meal filled with joy, flavor, and tradition.

03 Notes from regulars

3,604 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.3
Based on 3,604 verified notes
5 2,329
4 691
3 285
2 129
1 226
All Molcajete Mariachi Outdoor Patio Hand Made Tortillas Chile Relleno Combo Live Music Fresh Tortillas Cafe De Olla Happy Hour Mole
F U.
2 month ago
Delicious Mexican food. Really great service and great ambiance. Well made drinks and they play good music. They also make fresh tortillas by hand while you eat. Would definitely recommend bringing your family or a date
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CoriAndre Crane.
2 month ago
Bartenders are amazing and attentive. There's a sweet smiling lady making fresh tortillas around the corner from the entrance. Regular menu items (outside of lunch and happy hour) are large in portion, fresh, authentic, and worth the price. Blended margaritas are superior! Chips and salsa were fresh and hot and for the first time had green salsa instead of red which was awesome! Older lady taking orders with glasses not so pleasant. Same older lady taking our order appeared to be worn out from the lunch rush. She came to our table and said something fairly lengthy in Spanish and never returned. We didn't understand what she said which was confusing because our entire interaction previously was in English.
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Isabel Arroyo.
5 month ago
The food was delicious! Get the molcagete (the best)
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Lee Tamayei.
5 month ago
Great food. Great service. Will be back when in the area
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Jose Made.
5 month ago
Recently went to Gloria's Cocina. The place was nice enough and food was pretty good; can't complain. My only complaint was the wait time. I almost ended up leaving but I figured I'd wait. I wish they would have given me a more accurate wait time. That said, I'd go again if i know I have plenty of time. The service wasn't too bad either.
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Darian K.
5 month ago
If you have something to celebrate with your friends and family, please come to this place. You can enjoy authentic Mexican dishes. The price is reasonable but the wait can be long depending on the day and the time.
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LatnBadBoyz Photography.
5 month ago
I can’t say enough how much I love this restaurant. It is one of my most favorite. Go to for real Mexican food. My food almost always gets to me quickly, and I don’t have to wait long. The restaurant can be pretty busy, especially on the weekends, but all I can say, is, the food is definitely worth the price. This is my go to for fresh, hot Mexican food and I always leave full and with a smile on my face! Anyone who says differently is not telling the truth they serve the best damn food and I’m from Jalisco and I approve this restaurant 100.
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Kitty Roxx.
5 month ago
We were greeted with a nice hostess and a nice waitress we ordered 2 micheladas which were perfectly balanced in flavor as for the shrimp cocktail I got it was pretty good just that the cup they used to serve it was kind of annoying to scoop out the food other than that it was a great service
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday (today) 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Finding the door

7401 Florence Ave, Downey, CA 90240, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Live music
  • Serves local specialty
  • Sports
Popular for
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Happy hour food
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Planning
  • Brunch reservations recommended
  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations
  • Usually a wait
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu
Parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Paid parking lot
  • Parking
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