What do Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio have in common?
Besides being genetically blessed, obviously.
They both drank tequila at Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks.

If that is not a strong enough opening for a Sherman Oaks restaurant review, I do not know what is. Booth C6, to be exact, where Once Upon a Time in Hollywood filmed one of its most iconic bar scenes. And honestly, Casa Vega looks exactly like the kind of place Tarantino would fall in love with: dark, red, moody, and full of old Los Angeles character.

Casa Vega opened in 1956, founded by Rafael Vega, a second-generation Mexican American whose parents owned one of the first full-service Mexican restaurants in downtown Los Angeles. When he passed, his daughter Christy Vega took over and kept the family legacy alive. Walking into the Sherman Oaks location, you can feel that history in the walls. It does not just look vintage. It is vintage.

I finally went on a girls' night after hearing about Casa Vega for years, and let me tell you, the vibe makes an impression before the menu even hits the table.

The Vibe

Casa Vega is one of those restaurants where you open the door and immediately think, oh wow. Everything is red and shadowy, like a stylish cantina lit only by candles, neon, and secrets. It somehow feels loud and intimate at the same time. The deep red booths, low ceilings, glowing lamps, and classic Hollywood touches make the entire place feel like a time capsule built for margaritas and storytelling.

It is no surprise celebrities love it. This is the kind of dim lighting where everyone looks good. And it is very easy to picture Brad and Leo leaning back with their drinks, relaxing under that soft red glow before Tarantino yelled cut.

On the girls' night I went, we were seated near the back and immediately fell into that warm, buzzy energy where everything feels fun. Casa Vega understands ambiance on a level most restaurants never reach, and honestly, half the appeal is just being in that room.

The Food

Here is the honest truth. Casa Vega’s food is fine. Not incredible, not bad, just nostalgic Mexican American comfort food that tastes better when you are already in a good mood or halfway through a margarita.

They surprised our table with table-side guacamole since it was our first visit, which was actually very sweet. Watching them prepare it right in front of us with fresh lime and cilantro made the whole thing feel special.

Everything else we ordered tasted the way classic chips, enchiladas, and rice have tasted for decades. Familiar, simple, a little old school, and exactly what you expect. You do not go to Casa Vega for a culinary breakthrough. You go for the vibe, the nostalgia, and the cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails…

The Drinks

The drinks are the whole reason people come back. The margaritas are strong, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. The strawberry and mango ones hit even harder.

But the drink that steals the show is The Tarantino, created by Tarantino himself. It tastes bold, balanced, slightly dramatic, and exactly like the kind of cocktail someone orders while sitting in a dim booth planning something exciting. You would expect a themed drink to be overly sweet or gimmicky, but this one is actually very good. Shockingly good.

We ordered more than one round without even thinking about it. Casa Vega knows its strength, and it is absolutely the bar.

The Experience

Casa Vega is not the type of restaurant you analyze. It is the type you feel. The lighting makes the night softer, the drinks make the conversation flow, and the energy in the room makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

My girls' night there was everything you want from a classic, no-stress, slightly rowdy group dinner. We ate, drank, took photos in the red glow, and left with that warm, satisfied feeling only places with real character can create.

No one goes to Casa Vega for fine dining. You go because you want ambiance, nostalgia, tequila, and a fun night.

Final Verdict

Casa Vega is iconic for a reason. The food is simple, but the vibe, history, cocktails, celebrity lore, and red booths are what make this a true Sherman Oaks landmark.

If you are looking for a fun girls' night, an easy date spot, or simply want to sit in the same booth where Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio sipped tequila, then Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks is absolutely worth the visit.

Come hungry, come ready to drink, and come ready to fall in love with the atmosphere more than the entrees.