Photo Credit: Deuxmoi
HOLLYWOOD'S "MÁS CALIENTE" MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
It's no surprise Los Angeles, California has some of the best Mexican food outside of Mexico. Whether you're a local or just visiting, here's a breakdown of the history, what to order, and who you might bump into at these iconic spots.
Since the best fish tacos in LA (according to "I Love You Man") closed, we're convinced BPT's award-winning crispy red snapper Baja-style tacos topped with tangy slaw and subtly spicy chipotle aioli are (and might have always been) the best in town. Sightings at this beachfront spot overlooking the sparkly Santa Monica Pier include: Chelsea Handler, Jo Koy, Howie Mandel, Goldie Hawn, Dodger's owner Mark Walter, Paul Butcher, Hugo Sanchez, and stars of RuPaul's "Drag Race". We give a Condragulations to their lobster tacos (think truffle mac & cheese meets a buttery lobster roll).
We love the lore of this family-run Sherman Oaks hideaway. In the 60s, Marlon Brando brought Nancy Sinatra, Rock Hudson, and Cary Grant here. Cary loved the owner's Grandmother's margarita from Tecate so much, he smuggled them into a Dodger's game (the recipe remains untouched today). By the 80s, Guns N' Roses, Toto, and Mötley Crüe affectionately called it "the darkest place on earth" to hide from the Sunset Strip. In the 90s, neighbor Jennifer Aniston brought the cast of "Friends". Forget the salad, Jen ordered Pollo Asado Enchiladas and margaritas. Today, the Kar-Jenners are regulars (they carry 818, which we hear they drink neat). Featured in "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood", you can spot the owner, Christy, playing her Aunt, as the hostess.
This narrow Third Street taqueria dive, adorned with Lucha Libre masks and colorful string lights, feels like entering a child's dream. It's so dark in here that you could be sitting right next to regulars Pedro Pascal, Addison Rae, Danny McBride, Bad Bunny, Tim Robinson, or Tracee Ellis Ross and have no idea. It was here in 1967 that Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined a little band that we now know as Fleetwood Mac. By the people behind Jones Hollywood, Rodger Room, and The Chelsea Hotel: El Carmen is one of the few places in town serving food every day until 1:30 AM. Known for their can't-miss fish and shrimp tacos (or any taco, really), elote, and perfectly covered nachos, it’s one of the few places where you can get a decent margarita for $9 during their Happy Hours. Or try their formally off-menu Cenicienta (Cinderella), a blend of Repasdo, hibiscus, lime, and pineapple with a black salt rim.
Known for their flaming margaritas (which may or may not have been the inspo for The Simpsons' Flaming Moe/Homer) and seriously addictive complimentary chips and salsa. From its Sunset entrance, you'd have no idea that behind its thick wooden door is a sprawling family-run Mexican restaurant with big red vinyl booths that hit you with Déjà vu from Nightcrawler, Silicon Valley, or Will Ferral's Casa De Mi Padre. We hear longtime regular Walton Goggins loves their Joey Margarita (on the rocks and blended on top). Quintin Tarantino is a lifelong fan who loves their banana margaritas so much that he hosted Inglourious Basterds' wrap party here with Brad Pitt, Kurt Russell, and James Woods. Green Day celebrated their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at this spot with a mariachi band playing their hits. Other famous fans include Jason Sudeikis, Kieran Culkin, Adrian Brody, and Danny McBride.
It was John Wayne who made El Coyote the landmark it is today, 12 years after it opened in 1931. Since then, it’s been a haven for Hollywood. Sure, it has some dark history, like how Sharon Tate had her last meal here before being brutally murdered, as reenacted in "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" (also shot here). But this Beverly Boulevard spot is also where Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus had the "best day" of his life post-chemo, getting drunk on their margaritas, and where Tom Hanks was spotted enjoying a wholesome lunch of cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, and an iced tea. You might recognize this historic haunt's bright yellow walls, cozy tan booths, and Christmas lights from "The Newlyweds", "Family Guy", "The Hills", "The Bookie", "Vanderpump Rules", and "Ugly Betty".
We hear their tortillas are so "life-changing" that the competition has been seen digging through their trash for their secret. Their margaritas, four types of elevated Sangria (both available in flights), and Micheladas might just be the best in town. Their al fresco, hot sauces, and dressings are all made fresh by hand with so much care that they even wash the skin of the avocados before making their guacamole. Known for their Crispy Beef & Pickle Tacos, the Biebers' favorite Sanchoku Wagyu Tacos, Tyler, The Creator's go-to Branzino Tacos, and Olivia Rodrigo's favorite Baja Fish Tacos. Other sightings include: Bad Bunny, Kendall Jenner, Lana Del Rey, Michael Cera, and Jason Clarke.
This bright open-air meatless Mexican mecca across the street from the star-studded Craig's has the same founders as Cafe Gratitude, which tracks since their name translates to "Thanks, Mom." Thankfully, you don't have to order their decadent can't-believe-it's-vegan Queso Fundido by saying something like "I Am Cheesy." Other fan favorites include their Hearts Of Palm "Crab Cakes," Mushroom Quesadilla, Barbeque Jackfruit Burger, Lion's Maine Tacos, and La Loteri–a hibiscus margarita topped with pineapple and coconut foam. Sightings include: Jeff Goldblum, Jared Leto, Camila Morrone, Emma Roberts, Christina Applegate, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Trevor Noah, Björk, Jason Mraz, Machine Gun Kelly, Judy Greer, Lily James, Giancarlo Esposito, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Meredith Marks, Seth Marks, Mike White, and Woody Harrelson.
The first thing you see and smell when walking into this inviting open seating space is their tortillas being made by hand (which were named the best in SoCal, NBD). Founded because the owner missed her home state (get it?) of Texas, this Austin-style rustic cafe is known for its breakfast tacos (which might be better than most breakfast burritos), queso, homemade hot sauces, and margaritas with in-house syrups that take 24 hours to make (careful, they feel healthy but they're strong). They have 9 locations, but at their Sherman Oaks one, we've spotted Jeremy Allen White, Olivia Rodrigo, Joe Jonas, Stormi Bree, and Iris Apatow.
Named one of the top ten best new restaurants when they opened in 2012, and even gained Michelin recognition. We can't stop thinking of their panko-crusted Jicama Shrimp Tacos, and apparently, Christopher Nolan can't stop thinking about their Carne Asada. Also known for their guacamole, carnitas, flan, and neon green (but completely fresh) Spicy Cucumber Margarita, which is as complex and flavorful as it is seasoned. We've spotted Dave Coulier, Will Smith (the Dodger), and Howie Mandel here. Oh, and Nathan Fillion just shouted them out on The Rookie.
Every detail of this expansive open-air eatery is a love letter to Mexico, from its ingredients to its hand-painted murals and decor, all sourced or inspired by The Land of the Sun. Their bar features rare and exclusive small-batched spirits and pre-Hispanic methods you won't find anywhere else. You can always keep it simple with their Tommy's Margarita or try their El Pulquero, made from a fermented agave plant using ancestral techniques that date back to the Mesoamerican period. Their food is always seasonal, but you can't miss their Aguachile, Tacos, and Cochinita Pibil. Sightings include: Brittany Snow, Chris Pine, Megan Fox, Jordan Peele, Connie Britton, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Kendrick Lamar, Rachel McAdams, Robert Pattinson, Suki Waterhouse, Draya Michele, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Carla Gugino, Seth Rogan, Eric Andre, Miranda Cosgrove, Troy Sivan, Jimmy Butler, Harry Styles, Bobby Cannavale, Josh Hutcherson, Pauline Chalamet, and AOC.
Known for their housemade tortillas, mesquite grill, and extensive Mezcal menu, this sprawling outdoor converted auto body shop in Frogtown opened in 2016 to celebrate genuine Sonoran cuisine and the best taco trucks in town. First dates from then come back today with their families for their Perfect Margarita, incredible Pork Chop, Flat Iron steak with Compound Corn Butter, Esquites, and really anything on their house-made flour tortillas. Sightings include: Dan Levy, Natalie Portman, Benjamin Millepied, Mae Whitman, Retta, Christina Hendricks, David Harbour, Lily Allen, and the neighborhood fluffy tabby Monty.
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