BALAM Mexican Kitchen

11700 Long Beach Blvd, Lynwood, CA 90262, United States
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(641 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to BALAM Mexican Kitchen, a cherished culinary gem nestled in the vibrant heart of Lynwood, California. This beloved establishment invites you into a warm, inviting space echoing the lively and colorful spirit of Mexican culture. As you step through the door, you are greeted by the tantalizing aromas of traditional recipes expertly crafted with a modern twist.

BALAM specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine that celebrates bold flavors and meticulously sourced ingredients. Their menu boasts an array of delectable entrees that are sure to delight your taste buds. Don't miss the Rajas—a mouthwatering dish of roasted poblano peppers, onions, and cheese enveloped in a comforting tortilla. Another standout is the La Paz, featuring beer-battered tilapia layered atop crisp Baja slaw, brightened with chipotle and cilantro, and served in a blue corn tortilla. For a unique flavor combination, the Tropical T with succulent coconut shrimp, fresh mango pico de gallo, and toasted pumpkin seeds will transport you to sun-drenched tropics with every bite.

But the culinary exploration doesn’t end there! You’ll find the Chicken Tinga Masala, a delightful fusion of classic Mexican flavors with aromatic spices, offering a fresh take on a traditional favorite. Pair your meal with their Chipotle Dressing, enhancing each dish with a smoky depth that’s simply irresistible. The restaurant also boasts a fantastic barista who brews the best-tasting coffee in the area, perfect for rounding out your meal or for a rejuvenating pick-me-up.

The atmosphere at BALAM is laid-back yet lively, enhanced by a charming outdoor patio adorned with lush plants that provide a tropical retreat from the urban landscape. This creative purlieu is ideal for families, friends, or couples looking to enjoy a memorable dining experience under the sun or stars. Numerous reviews echo this sentiment, with visitors noting not only the delightful food but also the friendly service that makes you feel like family. Customer 'Erika P' describes their first visit as a success, praising the bombastic posole and agua de pepino, while 'Mark Hiles' emphasizes that each dish presented is a flavorful feast, served hot and generous in portion.

BALAM Mexican Kitchen is undoubtedly a culinary hotspot in Lynwood. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, it beckons towards an experience that is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavor, community, and culture. So why wait? Dive into a vibrant world of taste at BALAM, where each dish tells a story and every bite is a fiesta!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

641 Reviews
Erika P

11 Aug 2025

1st time here on a Sunday afternoon! Posole bomb! Agua de Pepino delish! The salsita picante how I like it !! Taco governador was aight!! There was abt a 25mins wait, but worth it!

Mark Hiles

05 Aug 2025

We was so glad to find this little gem for some authentic Mexican food and we was not disappointed. The food came out in good time and came out hot too. The food was full of flavour and generous portions too. If I lived in LA I’d always be eating out at this place but I advise you, if your passing through, stop here and try what you can while your here.

Bryan Reyes

01 Aug 2025

Food here is really delicious, they have some unique tacos you have to try, burritosate always stuffed & they also have a barista making best tasting coffee in lynwood/Los Angeles And the micheladas here are flavorful. You won't want to skip on trying one...

Rafael Cruz

29 Jul 2025

Cool spot, great food. It’s traditional mexican with a slight modern and Asian fusion spin. Not all out fusion or modern but just enough to make it unique. I can see some people not liking it as much if they want just fully traditional flavors but I thought it was excellent. Service was great and the spot is cool. Extra points for offering something dope in the neighborhood.

Marisa Ruskan

19 Jul 2025

I can’t speak to the food or the service as it closed at 6pm instead of 8pm but this place seems like a hidden gem & I thought people should know that the outdoor patio is totally covered & surrounded by plants, total vibe

tiffany carr

17 Jul 2025

Omg, this is one of those small, amazing restaurants that you have to check out. My friend dragged me here and was so happy she did that she did the food was amazing. We had 7 different tacos, each with amazing ingredients and flavors. If you are in the area, you must stop by this place will not disappoint.

Man-E Cortez

04 Jun 2025

I've been coming here for some time and have been lagging it on a review. Well, this spot is definitely a gem serving great authentic Mexican food. I went for a quick bite, grabbed a horchata, 2 Korean asada tacos, 1 al pastor, 1 chicken tinga, and 1 Barbacoa taco. Horchata is on the sweet side, but it is damn good. From least to best, barbacoa was my least favorite, but it's because I hardly ever have it. Slow braised beef, pickled onion, and cilantro. Regardless, it was juicy, cilantro, and pickled onions, give it a great flavor al throughout, I added some lime and fuego. Al pastor taco consists of marinated pork loin, white onions, pastor sauce, and cilantro. Everything in this taco was on point. Meat was juicy, onions, and cilantro give that vibrant taste. Pastor sauce gives extra pastor flavor. Pineapple would be the best, but still great taco. Chicken Tinga Taco has pulled chicken breast, chipotle sauce, cilantro, and pickled onions. I love me some tinga, and this taco doesn't disappoint flavorful chicken in Chipotle sauce, gives you kicks of spiciness to your mouth, cilantro and pickled onions battle it out for control of flavor but everything goes so well and balanced together, love it. My favorite is Korean Asada Taco, marinated sliced beef, slaw, and chipotle sauce. This taco is so fire it is a Mexican Asian fusion that will blow your mind. The marinated beef has a slight sweet ginger flavor that gives those Asian vibes and goes well with the slaw, then you get the chipotle to kick it up some spice, pairing heat with sweet you won't want it to end. Great menu, clean restaurant, and fast service. Definitely recommend it. I will keep coming back. 5 stars, hands down

Danielle Cooney

03 Jun 2025

My family loves this place and I come here every time I'm home. Tacos al pastor are my favorite but I've never had a bad meal here. Anything you order will be delicious. Plus I love their patio.

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