Happy Hours Happening at Que Pasa in Sherman Oaks

Happy hour practically never ends at Que Pasa in Sherman Oaks. Monday through Thursday it runs from 4 to 7 p.m., then begins again at 10 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Friday hours are 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Early evening and Saturday hours feature 12-ounce Margaritas or well drinks for $1.75 and a complementary hors d’oeuvre buffet, located on an indoor patio between the reception desk and the bar.

The appetizer spread includes tortilla chips with three or four varieties of salsa, vegetables with dip and a hot offering--one night it might be deep-fried Mexican burritos, another taquitos or mini enchiladas. For 50 cents, you can also get a mini taco filled with a choice of carnitas, chicken or beef.

There are tables adjacent to the buffet, or wander into the adjacent room and sit at either the half-circle bar or the crescent-shaped individual tables. The decor throughout is south-of-the-border casual, with five strategically located television sets tuned into music videos, except when there’s a major sporting event.

“People often call to find out if we’re going to be showing a baseball, basketball or football game,” said manager Gustavo Triay. “Those always draw a good crowd. It can get pretty exciting when two events are going on at once and television sets are divided to offer coverage of both.”

Word of Advice

A friend who frequents Que Pasa also suggested it as “a meeting place for a bunch of us on the way to a Dodger game.” Her warning: “Go easy on the hors d’oeuvre, or you won’t be hungry enough to enjoy a Dodger dog.”

During the newly instigated late weeknight happy hour, there’s an even further price reduction on Margaritas--they’re just $1.25. The buffet on the indoor patio is divided into individual tables to provide more seating and all appetizers on the menu are available at half the regular price. The choice includes quesadillas ($1.88), chicken fingers ($2.30), nachos ($2.30) and Buffalo wings ($2).

Friday nights probably are the busiest time, but Que Pasa draws plenty of locals weeknights too. General manager Luis Pereira says, “I think it’s a combination of our prices and the fiesta-like ambiance.”

Que Pasa, 14433 1/2 Ventura Blvd. , Sherman Oaks; (818) 990-5860.