A not particularly FTC-ish restaurant search

Americas - USA West Los Angeles
#1

Friend who used to live in LA and has been back in town for a bit has made a request for a “fun” Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant this Saturday evening. As in lively, possibly hip atmosphere matters at least as much as the food. We would strongly prefer to stay in the Venice / Santa Monica / MDR / Culver City area but I’m drawing a blank. Oh and since we’re talking about Saturday evening I’d really like to be able to make a reservation or not wait an interminable amount of time for a table.

Before anyone suggests that I need to find new friends - she does appreciate great food and on this trip has already been to business or personal dinners at Cassia, Gjelina, Rustic Canyon, Felix… But this is a particular “I still miss living in LA” request that I’d like to fulfill. Help please.

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#2

It sounds like you want Guerilla Tacos but don’t want to make the drive.

Hi and welcome to El Cholo

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#3

tallula’s
javier’s

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#4

Salazar would be pretty perfect… except for the Westside thing.

Loqui? It’s casual but the space around it might fit the bill in terms of hipness/liveliness/could stroll and have dessert or a drink afterwards.

#5

Mercado, Tallula’s, and El Cholo fit the bill in SaMo. Gilberts el Indio will probably have too much of a wait and the food is worse than the other 3 anyway.

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#6

El Cholo is probably the right answer but Tallulah’s is where is go. Great location, nice cocktails, fun atmosphere and food with hits and misses but generally better than El Cholo

#7

Drive to Guelaguetza.

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#8

El Cholo in SM? Been there more times than I can count, just for convenience.

But, I’d rather go to Baja Cantina in Venice. Big patio, too.

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#9

My vote goes to Casablanca on Lincoln in Venice. Love the handmade flour tortillas and calamari steak entrees. They have a margarita cart that goes around the tables for custom drink creations. Lively atmosphere, but I wouldn’t call it hip.

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#10

That’s a good call, too. Green salsa with cheese nuggets floating in there :slight_smile:

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#11

Casablanca edges out El Cholo, in my book. Chef Carlos is da jefe…

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#12

For a more hip atmosphere: tallulas or mercado. A lot of younger people and good drinks food isn’t bad at either place.

If you want more old school tex mex/ american mexican: El cholo/casablanca but its like the equivalent of the lawrys crowd lots of families and older folks with some younger people sprinkled in.

If you are willing to journey a little further east to beverly hills/weho gracias madre has an amazing patio, great drinks, super hip atmosphere, ok vegan mexican food and is quintessentially LA.

#13

Thanks everyone for all the ideas so far. Trying to avoid El Cholo. Guerrilla Tacos or Salazar would indeed be great but for the geography thing. Mercado is a possibility, or Tallulah which I haven’t been to yet. Or we can take the path of least resistance and walk to Baja Cantina.

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#14

My vote would be for Mercado as well. Excellent food. Good vibe. Close to Carmela…

#15

What about coni’seafood in Palms? Grilled snook?

#16

I had a pretty good taco from Sol Cocina in Playa Vista at Taqueando. It might be worth a look.

https://solcocina.com/menu/

#17

Casa Sanchez (Mar Vista)
Kay n Daves (Culver City, Palisades)
Home State (Playa)
Mexicano (Baldwin Hills)

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#18

Didn’t know they opened on this side of town. Cool!!

Thank you!

#19

I second Casa Sanchez. They have mariachi and dancers, it’s really fun, and the food is good quality Mexican-American.

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#20

+1 for Mercado. I went to the Studio City/Cahuena location for brunch on Sunday and was pleasantly surprised by the food. Nice space too.