Atlanta Good Food category interest

Let’s put this to rest. Yes, the Westside has fewer Mexican options than other parts of Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean it's lacking in quality spots. There’s still an exciting variety to explore: Sonoran-style taquerías, Nayarit-style mariscos, Oaxaca gems hiding in West LA strip malls, and colorful cantinas that have been in business for over four decades. So whether you live here or need a wet burrito after a long day at the beach, here are the best restaurants on the Westside for great Mexican food (and sorry Tito's Tacos lovers, we had to draw the line somewhere).

THE SPOTS

Coni’Seafood is rightfully famous. This family-owned Mexican seafood spot has been serving some of the best Nayarit-style mariscos in town for decades, and eventually expanded its shrimp-heavy operation with a second location in Marina Del Rey. The outdoor patio here is smaller than at the original spot (we prefer to call it “more intimate”), but the menu is the same. As soon as you arrive, order the signature whole snook (it takes a solid half-hour to prepare) marinated in a salty, umami-rich sauce and grilled to perfection. We also typically opt for the marlin-topped mini tostadas and bright, citrusy aguachile verde.

Fun fact: Madre boasts the country’s largest private mezcal collection (yes, really) as well as consistently great Oaxacan food. This local mini-chain has several branches around the LA area, but we love the slower pace at the original location in Palms. Come here to forget about the joke you cracked at work that didn’t land with a mezcal flight and mole-drenched tamales. Madre’s folded tlayudas are a hit, too, glued together with melted quesillo and spicy chorizo.

Meet the late-night taco kingpin of the Westside. Conveniently located just off the 405, you can peel off the freeway for an impromptu taco at Brothers Cousins anytime between 6pm and midnight—just expect lines to start forming as soon as they open. The main attraction at this roadside spot is its wide, bubbling pan of tender meats that have been braised into absolute submission. Choose your cut of choice—asada, carnitas, chorizo, lengua, suadero, among others—and the taquero chops it to order, scooping it into a supple corn tortilla in one swift motion. Pro tip: If the line is down the block, Brothers Cousins has an “annex” location two blocks west with smaller crowds.

For a Oaxacan spot on the Westside that does a bit of everything well—molotes, coloradito, chorizo-filled molcajetes, you name it—Monte Alban is your place. This West LA spot tries to transport you far away from its generic strip mall by painting the walls to look like you’re eating tamales in a Oaxacan village. Whether or not it works is up to you, but we appreciate the attention to detail that’s also seen in the food. Monte Alban’s mole negro has a subtle dry chile kick that we love, the tacos enchilados are just the right middle ground between taquitos and enchiladas, and their signature tlayuda is coated in a salty, fatty asiento that seasons its thicker-than-usual bean paste.

Sonoritas is a casual Northern Mexican spot in Sawtelle with chewy, mega-sized flour tortillas, but the real draw is what they roll into them. Their excellent burritos are stuffed with fancy fresh-off-the-grill fillings like spicy shrimp, charred salmon, even filet mignon. The rice and stewed beans packed in between the chopped proteins are warm and flavorful, and we like ours with a big glob of creamy guac inside. And if you don’t want to commit to a giant burrito, you can taste the same delicious tortillas as smaller Sonoran-style tacos filled with smoky beef rib and premium beef cuts like lengua.

This unassuming mariscos truck parked on 4th and Rose in Venice has saved us from lunchtime hungry meltdowns numerous times. It’s a great option on beach days when we’ve finished our lone bag of SunChips or when we don’t want to empty our wallet for a sandwich on Abbot Kinney. La Isla Bonita always comes in clutch with tostadas and tangy, finely minced fish ceviche for sub-$20.

Teddy’s Red Tacos is one of the few casual places to eat along the Venice boardwalk that’s not only worth your time, but an actual taco destination. The original Teddy’s in East LA got a lot of online buzz for its photogenic cheese pulls and crimson-stained tortillas, but its juicy beef birria is what made it an LA taco staple. It’s also the lone protein option on the menu, served in various ways, from tortas to ramen. If you’re especially hungry, go with the Deluxe Platter, a fully loaded tray that includes a quesadilla, mulita, tostada, and taco, plus consomme for dipping.

Located inside Culver City’s upmarket mini-mall The Platform, Loqui is often used as a pitstop between shopping for high-end hand soap and designer furniture. In the least rude way possible, we see Loqui as a bougier alternative to Chipotle. This casual counter-service spot assembles tacos and bowls, both of which feature Loqui’s braised meats, like zippy cochinita pibil and marinated chicken that packs an unexpected kick. Their handmade flour tortillas are chewy, thick, and tender—not even in the same food group as the sad ones found at most chain restaurants.

For tacos in downtown Santa Monica, the casual La Purépecha is our go-to. The handmade corn tortillas here are plump and sturdy enough to hold the heaping amounts of grilled asada and guacamole, and the fresh salsas pack a punch. We prefer to spend a little extra and order our tacos taconazo-style, which adds a layer of molten griddled cheese with a satisfying crunch. If you want something more substantial, the machaca burritos are very solid, too.

Tacos Tamix is a chain of taco trucks that park in several locations around the city, the westernmost of which is located right where the 405 meets Venice Blvd. The main attraction here is the bright red trompo of al pastor, which is shaved off in generous portions onto palm-sized tortillas that make for a great meat-to-masa ratio. Aside from the solid al pastor tacos, try the crispy alambre with cheese and bacon and plate-sized gringas with ham and pineapple that taste eerily similar to a Hawaiian pizza. Tamix is also open until at least 1am nightly, making it a clutch option for a late-night taco run.

Located on that stretch of Venice Boulevard in Culver City that always seems to be in gridlock, Gloria’s is a laid-back, family-run spot that’s been serving both Mexican and Salvadoran food for nearly four decades. While you can’t go wrong with a cheese pupusa or tortilla soup, we stick to “Ms. Gloria’s Specialties,” and in particular, the carne adobada. The massive plate of braised pork in tangy achiote sauce is as good an excuse as any to pull over while waiting for traffic to die down.

It’s fun to go to Don Antonio’s with a big group and eat in what feels like an underground cave even though there aren’t any underground caves in Los Angeles. There’s usually a wait here, but time moves quickly when you have one of Don Antonio’s blended-to-order margaritas in hand (order it spicy and they’ll throw in some jalapenos as well). You’ll also probably end up eating too many warm chips before the food comes out, but that’s all part of the experience. Everyone seems to like the super burrito, but we recommend a combination plate involving enchiladas, crispy tacos, or chile rellenos.

Hijo De Su Madre is a casual, counter-service vegan Mexican spot that injects a strong dose of creative flair into its menu. There's a seared tofu “banh mi-style” taco, a “bratwurst” LA street dog-style taco, and one called the “Phat Ass” with deep-fried avocado. The plant-based Yucatan-style dishes are our favorites though, including the spicy-sour jackfruit cochinita pibil topped with black bean and corn salsa. The faux meat is so juicy that your corn tortilla will probably disintegrate before you take a second bite, but that doesn’t detract from its deliciousness.

Juquila is a casual Oaxacan spot in West LA with murals of Mexican landscapes and a built-in shrine to La Virgen de Juquila. Maybe her holy presence is why this family-owned spot is so good at diffusing a hangry group that just sat in 405 traffic. Many dishes on its extensive menu are impressively large, from the tlayudas to the sizzling parrilladas with enough chorizo and tasajo to feed four to the namesake Juquila burrito. This “Oaxacalifornian” behemoth is loaded with a full entree worth of rice, beans, grilled chicken, and a matte coat of mole negro. It’s popped in the oven, so the cheese on top melts, and the sweet-smoky sauce seeps into the tortilla.

The menu at this old-school Mexican restaurant in Venice hasn’t changed much since the place opened 40 years ago, and we consider that one of its best qualities. The signature dish is the calamari steak, but sometimes we deviate and order either a grande burrito or fajitas. And, aside from the solid food, Casablanca is dependably raucous. Expect live music, a tortilla production zone in the main dining room, and a margarita cart that will roll right up to your table.

Something about Socalo’s funky, mid-century decor and portraits of cute chihuahuas feel like they belong poolside at a Palm Springs hotel, which isn’t the worst contrast for a place across the street from a busy hospital. This casual spot from the Border Grill chefs is one of few sit-down Mexican restaurants in mid-city Santa Monica and a reliable spot to find solid antojitos and cocktails throughout the day. The deshebrada tacos with shredded brisket are drippy and dusted with cotija, and the gooey tacos gobernador with cheesy shrimp make for a nice snack with the bar’s strong margaritas. If you’re the type whose ears perk up at the mention of a Taco Tuesday special, this is your kind of place.

Paco’s has been a staple in that part of town that’s definitely sort of Del Rey (but maybe also Mar Vista or Marina Del Rey) since 1975, and it shows. From the festive dining room filled with Christmas lights, fish tanks, and Mexican murals, to the menu loaded with combo platters, Paco’s hasn’t changed since the Ford Administration, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Do they have 14-pound burritos and chimichangas? You bet. Are they good? Sure—mostly because they’re made with Paco’s fresh fluffy flour tortillas. Those tortillas are great on their own, too (especially slathered with butter), so get some for the table, plus a few frozen margaritas, and enjoy the ambiance.