Mexican Restaurant in Santa Monica Needed ASAP

[G_Greenbaum]

@Bruce Leiserowitz

@G. Greenbaum

Not comparing the two. Gilbert’s is my favorite place down there, period. Border Grill, imho, sucks. I’m fairly certain these folks don’t want to eat crap, despite how upscale it may be.

If someone asked me where I would rather eat, my answer would be Gilbert’s as well. I think, though, that you are being way too harsh on Border Grill. We were there within the last six months or so. While there was nothing we had that I thought was great (I agree with John that it’s gone downhill from when it first started), everyone at our table enjoyed what they ordered. It may have been relatively safe and slightly generic, but I don’t think anyone at our table was unhappy with their dishes.

Bruce

No accounting for taste, enjoy BG all you want.

[CFu]

@G. Greenbaum

@Bruce Leiserowitz

@G. Greenbaum

Not comparing the two. Gilbert’s is my favorite place down there, period. Border Grill, imho, sucks. I’m fairly certain these folks don’t want to eat crap, despite how upscale it may be.

If someone asked me where I would rather eat, my answer would be Gilbert’s as well. I think, though, that you are being way too harsh on Border Grill. We were there within the last six months or so. While there was nothing we had that I thought was great (I agree with John that it’s gone downhill from when it first started), everyone at our table enjoyed what they ordered. It may have been relatively safe and slightly generic, but I don’t think anyone at our table was unhappy with their dishes.

Bruce

No accounting for taste, enjoy BG all you want.

GG’s word is law . I also find border grill to be adequate. No problems eating at the dtla location for lunch.

[johngonzales]

Seriously? El Cholo, atrocious? Nah, though I prefer the Western Ave outpost. There are ton of better places, but it’s certainly edible. The green corn tamales are very good, and the relleno is good too. I think if you want Mexican food, you’re not looking for a Melisse setting. El Cholo is definitely vibrant and maybe noisy, but it’s more appropriate for MOST clients than a place like Gilbert’s or Monte Alban, which have better food. It’s clean, has decent tables, appointments, and decor, as well as good margs. Another really good marg-outpost btw is El Carmen near Bev Center.

Gregg- knowing your POV, I figured you’d be willing to revel in it. I’m surprised you like Red O, given that it is pretty pricey and the food is not as tasty as a Bayless connection might be. It is a creative menu, and the drinks, vibe, and room are nice.

Btw, not that it applies here, but some of the best Mexican food in the area is at Babita in San Gabriel. It’s more expensive, but the food is really good, with regional fare that is not tacos or burritos. Mi India Bonita in E.L.A. is also tasty, as well as Guelaguetza “downtown” for moles.
A couple of other real low-key favorites of mine are La Flor de Yucatan on Hoover about 1/2 mi. north of 10. It’s pretty much a counter with only 2-3 tables, but it is very inexpensive, and the cochinita pibil there absolutely rocks.
Another newer recent fave is Tacqueria Los Anaya, in part because it is convenient on West Adams, and the people are uber-friendly. It’s also at the low-end pricewise, but the quality is good and ingredients fresh. Excellent mole, barbacoa, adobado, and chorizo. Their firey diablo sauce rocks.

Btw, I must also say that we usually DO go to the downtown Border Grill. It is also Mary’s account so they recognize us. No doubt that if one is looking value, it gets a knock at $17+ per plate. I often get the turkey with vinegar and black pepper, which has been a classic dish since the early days on Melrose 25 years ago.

[Bruce_Leiser_owitz]

So now that we’ve completely aired our views re: Border Grill, let me recommend another Mexican place I like on La Brea, Tinga:

http://www.tingabuena.com/

I understand Tinga is looking to open an outpost in Santa Monica as well.

Bruce

[CFu]

I thought red o was pretty average too.

[G_Greenbaum]

@johngonzales

Gregg- knowing your POV, I figured you’d be willing to revel in it. I’m surprised you like Red O, given that it is pretty pricey and the food is not as tasty as a Bayless connection might be. It is a creative menu, and the drinks, vibe, and room are nice.

I went to Red O once and fortunately didn’t pay. It is expensive, but I thought it was pretty good with the caveat I’ve never been to any other Bayless operations. I doubt I would return on my own dime.

[johngonzales]

Btw, I tried to go to Mercado in SaMo for lunch yesterday, and they were only open for dinner. Saved me some dinero, as I just went over to Tacos Por Favor for a carnitas torta.
Now if we really wanted to have a debate we could talk about Tito’s.

[G_Greenbaum]

Tito’s sucks. Your turn.

[johngonzales]

@G. Greenbaum

Tito’s sucks. Your turn.

See, we can all get along. Though, I’d give it a poor, not a “sucks”. Shows that I will eat just about all mexican food. On rare occasion I’ll stop for a late night burrito on the way home from LAX. Tito’s is incredibly popular for how poor it is. About the only place I feel sucks is Benito’s, Taco Bell and Del Taco. Acapulco acutally has some decent carnitas.

[CFu]

have you had the taco bell cheesy roll up? might be singing a different tune after that ;p

[Bob_Wood]

@Charlie Fu

have you had the taco bell cheesy roll up? might be singing a different tune after that ;p

Have you had the KFC buffet? It’s healthy.

[CFu]

@Bob Wood

@Charlie Fu

have you had the taco bell cheesy roll up? might be singing a different tune after that ;p

Have you had the KFC buffet? It’s healthy.

i’ve heard good things about the green beans

[G_Greenbaum]

@johngonzales

@G. Greenbaum

Tito’s sucks. Your turn.

See, we can all get along. Though, I’d give it a poor, not a “sucks”. Shows that I will eat just about all mexican food. On rare occasion I’ll stop for a late night burrito on the way home from LAX. Tito’s is incredibly popular for how poor it is. About the only place I feel sucks is Benito’s, Taco Bell and Del Taco. Acapulco acutally has some decent carnitas.

I guess if I was stoned too and in the vicinity (read: parking lot), I’d probably eat a taco. The next day I’d probably come to my senes and think it sucked.

[Mike_Cohen]

This discussion has been great. Wife read the entire thing and chose Mercado. Appreciate the insight and the banter. Hopefully next time, I’ll come to LA with her and hang with all of you.

[Bruce_Leiser_owitz]

@Mike Cohen

This discussion has been great. Wife read the entire thing and chose Mercado. Appreciate the insight and the banter. Hopefully next time, I’ll come to LA with her and hang with all of you.

Oh, you mean we were supposed to be helpful? Sorry about that.

Bruce

[CFu]

@Bruce Leiserowitz

@Mike Cohen

This discussion has been great. Wife read the entire thing and chose Mercado. Appreciate the insight and the banter. Hopefully next time, I’ll come to LA with her and hang with all of you.

Oh, you mean we were supposed to be helpful? Sorry about that.

Bruce

i vote this thread was as useful as tito’s burritos

[SeanHarding]

You guys are insane. I’d eat at Taco Bell long before I’d eat at Tito’s. I have eaten at Tito’s, but it requires true desperation.

[Mike_Cohen]

So my wife went to Mercado. Thought it was good not great. She did get to Son of a Gun for lunch and loved it. Said the salmon crudo dish was amazing.

[johngonzales]

@Mike Cohen

So my wife went to Mercado. Thought it was good not great.

Damn. People from Jersey are dissin’ our Mexican food. That’s sad.

[Bob_Wood]

@johngonzales

@Mike Cohen

So my wife went to Mercado. Thought it was good not great.

Damn. People from Jersey are dissin’ our Mexican food. That’s sad.

They got their own Messicans now.