Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles
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A
El Cholo
Happy hipsters, hungry families and rowdy birthday parties compete for tables at this festive two-story adobe landmark. A handful grumble that the food is so-so, but the blue-corn chicken enchiladas, potent margaritas and a buzzing lounge keep most everyone coming back for more.
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B
Mijares Mexican Restaurant
Pasadeneans have flocked to the tapestry-lined walls of sprawling Mijares for almost 90 years. Although the focus is more on fun than fine cuisine, addictive chips and salsa, traditional combo platters and powerful margaritas keep the patios filled with families, friendsters and a business team or two. Try the yummy avocado- and chip-filled tortilla soup.
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C
Tacomiendo
Cops, construction workers and clued-in hipsters flock to this unassuming Mexican pit stop to fortify themselves on ginormous tortas, tacos, burritos and other staples. Everything's freshly prepared in the smokey open kitchen, so it's not exactly fast food. While you wait, sip a refreshing melon agua (fresh fruit drink) and help yourself to three salsas, pinto beans and crunchy radishes from the excellent condiment counter.
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D
Poquito Mas
Poquito Mas has fueled under-the-gun TV writing staff since 1984 – just ask the assistants who pick up the massive orders. This local fast-food chain serves up classic Baja-style Mexican – fresh ingredients prepared with a light touch (no lard). It’s the hit-the-spot steak burritos that best help writers finesse that 3rd-act turn. Also in West Hollywood (Tel: 310-652- 7008; 8555 Sunset Blvd).
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E
El Gringo
Grotty-looking dives usually make the best Mexi-fare and this tri-city mini-chain definitely delivers. Authentic charm is doled out with as much abandon as the delish dishes. Skip the standards in favor of machaca (shredded beef) burritos, pollo negro (blackened chicken) salads and flavor-packed xcholti (pronounced ‘soul-chee') soup. Also in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.
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F
Tamales Liliana's
Across from El Mercado and a tortilla factory, Liliana's makes tamales the way they ought to be: light, yet tight and generously stuffed with spicy pork, chicken or beef. We also like the Zacateca-style huaraches – oval flatbreads topped with tasty meats, fresh salad and drizzled with crema (sour cream). Try them with the fire-roasted salsa.
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G
Homegirl Café
'Jobs not Jail' is the motto of this artsy Eastside café run by young at-risk women and serving homemade and healthful Mexi-faves. Great choices include the wicked jalapeño-pesto chicken sandwich, unbelievably complex mole and various vegetarian dishes. Wash it down with delicious spinach-mint lemonade. It's right on Mariachi Plaza.
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H
Ciudad
With pan-Latin panache, the Two Hot Tamales of cable TV – Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger – brighten the downtown corridor with empanadas, carnitas and other spicy specialties sprung from Spain and South America. Tuesday is ‘Paella on the Patio’ with the Spanish rice dish whipped up tableside on the ever-so-cute front patio. Mojitos are a must.
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La Cabaña
The party vibe is infectious at this late-night Mexican cottage with dark nooks for making out and a brick patio where smoking is allowed. Dishes are fresh and vividly spiced, a señora pounds out fresh tortillas and the margaritas kick butt. Best of all, they let you linger in peace until long after you've sopped up the last delicious drop.
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J
Lares
There's nothing trendy about this family-run Mexican neighborhood favorite whose subdued Spanish Colonial furnishings make it feel more festive than fiesta. The slow-cooked carnitas – juicy and fall-apart pork – are a specialty, as are the sizzling fajitas. Just don't OD on the smokey chipotle salsa. Good margaritas, too.
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K
Chichen Itza
Part of the Mercado La Paloma, this casual eatery near Exposition Park is the go-to place for excellent and authentic food from Mexico's Yucatán peninsula. Everything's delicious but don't miss brazo de reina, a banana-leaf-steamed tamale stuffed with spinach, ground roasted pumpkin seeds, egg and drenched in tomato sauce. Yum.
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L
Yuca’s
They may have paved paradise and put up a taco hut but who’s complaining? At Yuca’s tiny taco shack, tucked between a liquor store and nail salon, they’ve served fast, hot, authentic tacos for years. Some say they’re the best in town. Place your order at the counter and see for yourself – won’t cost ya more than four bucks.
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M
La Abeja
The booths are torn, the decor silly and the air-con absent, but the food, oh, the food, is truly some of the best Mexican in town. Brave the drive and inevitable wait to taste their enchilada verde swimming in a tangy green sauce, the juicy machaca (shredded beef) and the spicy carne adobada.
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N
Mama's Hot Tamales Café
Tamales (a stuffed cornmeal patty) of the world unite at this cheerful nosh spot right by MacArthur Park. Try chicken-potato tamales from Oaxaca, spicy beef tamales from Acapulco or spinach-mushroom tamales from Peru. They're so good, you'll want to pick some up for later in the attached mercado (market).
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O
Lucy's El Adobe
The Mexican food is only so-so but the Old Hollywood vibe is priceless. It was in these dark booths where Raymond Chandler made movie deals, the Eagles got hammered and Jerry Brown trysted with Linda Ronstadt. With Paramount across the street and other studios nearby, it still often feels like a commissary.
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P
El Conquistador
Halloween meets Margaritaville at this campy cantina, which is a perfect launchpad for a night on the razzle. One cocktail may suffice to drown your sorrows, so be sure to fill up on yummy nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas and other above-average classics.
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Q
Marix Tex Mex
Many an evening in Boystown has begun flirting on Marix's patios over kick-ass margaritas, followed by fish tacos, fajitas, chipotle chicken sandwiches, and all-you-can-eat on Taco Tuesdays.
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R
La Serenata de Garibaldi
Boyle Heights (Mexican) - East LA; Essential dish: gourmet tortilla soup at La Serenata de Garibaldi.
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Taco Surf
For tasty Mexi snacks, head to Taco Surf , a Baja-style cantina with $1 tacos and beers during happy hour.
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Loteria Grill
At Farmers Market, the mouthwatering tacos at Loteria Grill is worth a bite.
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