taco spot

Is there anything better than walking around your home town and discovering some place you haven't been? I think not! So when we took off up the block in search of some lunch and spied the Taco Spot sign, I was already a happy camper. One look at the (very hip in design) nuevo Mexican menu (read: soyrizo's an option with your tofu burrito), and I was sold.

Regardless of whether you're eating in or taking out, you order at the counter (almost suspiciously) manned by cute boys, and get a number before checking out the well equipped salsa bar. There's definitely an alt vibe here, but that doesn't mean you won't find the classics including sopes, chile relleno, tampiquena, and my favorite naughty breakfast, spicy rojo chilaquiles. More unusual than a soy enchilada - healthy options. If you want to keep it light, the fajita salad topped with cotija cheese and some garlic bread is a tasty option. If you're looking to keep it simple, they've got you covered with the selection of tacos - ahi, papa, asada, machaca, pastor, and old school, hard shelled, ground beef all served up with rice and (refried or black) beans to name a few. Everything on the menu is under $10. Yum, yum.

alfredo's grill

Failing to find a parking spot at Quality and refusing to wait in line at Toast, we settled on Joan's for a late brunch, until we realized we were standing right in front of Alfredo's - our breakfast burrito delivery joint!

Being hungry and noting the patio dining and a couple of cozy booths open, we decided to give it a try. We walked in and were quickly seated. Once we (finally) got a menu, it was tough to decide what to have everything looked so good. They do brek all day and have an extensive list of options for both food and beverage. Beer settled on a fruit shake (strawberry-banana since they were out of blueberries) and I asked for the A.G (their version of a mocha ice blended). His shake was good and my coffee would have been as well - had it arrived before our food was cleared.

He ordered the chocolate banana pancakes and I got one of the scrambles. All of the food coming out looked great. When ours finally made it out, it was no exception. The only challenge was ... we still didn't have set-ups, Beer never got the water he asked for, his pancakes came dry without any syrup to be found, my coffee was MIA with the syrup, and every table in the house but ours had bread. Our server was nice enough and I wanted to think maybe he had too many tables on his hands, but the truth of the matter is that there were two of them (one of whom I suspect was the owner) waiting a small number of tables and the only one who seemed to have his shit together enough to be helpful was the busboy.

Once we got utensils, etc. the food was good. The portion of both fruit and scramble on my plate seemed a bit skimpy, especially in light of the mass of pancakes falling off the plate across from me, but it was pretty good. I wish I could have said the same for the service. Kept wondering why it was so relatively empty for a sunny Saturday, but given the staff, I think I know.

We'll probably give this one another shot the next time we can't get in to one of our usuals, but until then, I'm sticking with delivery.

8310 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-4922

chulada grill

Good Mexican isn't always easy to find, especially when you don't want to leave the house, but Chulada always manages to deliver - literally and figuratively.

I wouldn't go so far as to say everything here is perfect, (complaints about too dry burritos and nachos have been warranted on occasion), but the chilaquiles with verde sauce, chicken and steak (add $1 for both), hits the spot every time. Add their spiced rice pudding or flan and a beer for the perfect combo after a rough day at work. The horchata here is pretty good too.

The specialties of the house are Oaxacan and they do a mean oxtail stew that's worth a visit.

5607 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019

(323) 954-7570

el carmen

Hands down, this remains one of my favorite watering holes in town.

I'm a tequila drinker and this is one of my favorite places to enjoy it. The lucha libre theme, the Mezcal Margaritas, the Dune-esque paper lanterns, the velvet wall paintings, the jukebox, the Mezcal Margaritas, the weeknight dj's, the red leather bar chairs, the Mezcal Margaritas, the fact that it's dark enough for me not to care how nasty the little girl's room is and close enough for me stumble home.

Did I mention the Mezcal Margaritas?

All that AND I can get a fish taco?

Love it!

8138 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 852-1552