Perhaps. Some may find their tacos over composed, especially Quesatacos which is what they are known for. But their regular tacos are wonderful too, especially with that tortilla. I think their best meats are also Chicken (Villas is the only place I get Chicken Tacos), Chorizo and the Veggie tacos.
But Villas is a ‘style’. It’s not going to be for everyone.
Azteca papas y rajas huarache is fully goated, such a great lunch. Tamales from the juice bar are pretty great too.
when Mendo first opened the ownership was local. Then they sold the business to an investment company or something similar at some point within the last couple years
Mendo isn’t terrible, but it’s not good, and I’d just skip a meal rather than eat it. I use Chipotle as a baseline for food I’d willingly eat, and I put Mendo lower.
No love for Otono? Myself and several friends feel Theresa’s menu rocks and outreaches Hippo easily. No restaurant in LA I’ve experienced does Spanish food greater justice. Not to say Hippo isn’t good, Otono is just more creative and hits higher notes. Best pan con tomate. That black bread with goat butter and bocarones is magic. Many other hits on the menu. The cocktails are great, too! I just wish it had a better patio setting.
It’s been a little while since we’ve been, but Otoño’s paella negra was good.
i gotta go back. top of my HLP hitlist!
scene report on Barra Santos: get there on Friday at 4 and you’re still getting seated pretty easily. By 5:15, wait times were like 30 minutes. I like that pork sandwich a lot.
Kinda strange concept at the moment, as it’s so popular that the chill wine bar vibe isn’t really a thing. We got our check after 45 minutes. Proceeded to hang for another half hour though, and they didn’t push us out.
Definitely second:
Some more:
hard pass! thanks for taking one for the team.
Care to elaborate? Or are you just yucking my yum?
hah, no, weird glitch - that was a response to the Barra Santos experience.
We are lukewarm on Otoño after four visits, though we would go back. We just haven’t been impressed by anything. We prefer Flor y Solera in DTLA.
Absolutely ridiculous line at Villas lol. Like Space Mountain-ish long. It’s more $$$ for Villa’s though so that’s good. But wasn’t like this 2 months ago!
Aww that’s right they got LA Times’ed BA’ed.
bib gourmand
So, I went to that cevicheria on the corner of N Ave 54 and Monte Vista again. It is very good.
They are called Cevicheria Altata and the ladies that run it are great.
Here is the IG: https://instagram.com/cevicheriaaltata?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Great coctel, ceviche, aguachile, and fried shrimp tacos dorados similar to Marisco Jalisco.
Shrimp, octopus, and fish all tasted fresh and had very good texture. Great seasoning and salsas.
Yeah. I like this place. I’ll be going here instead of El Faro on Fri-Sat.
Lines have been crazy since that article and Michelin. Even on weekdays!
As an alternative for tacos (but no crazy quesatacos or hibiscus escabeche):
Carnitas El Gallo
So I went once and I need to go back. Do they only serve like ceviche negro?