Sit down Mexican near Arclight

[linus]

dear gang:

any suggestions for some great Mexican food after a late afternoon or evening movie at the Arclight? Nearby or a quick drive is best, and we'd like to sit and order from a server, rather than order from a counter. Margaritas a plus, although that's not a deal breaker.

many thanks,
el linus

[bodie]

Tere's has the best food, hands-down, of any place nearby however they don't serve alcohol and close relatively early (8pm maybe). It has less ambience than some other places but their dishes rock.

Lucy's in good if you stick to their bbq beef tacos or tostadas - plus the soup and salads they serve with the meals are quite good.

For a place within walking distance, Velvet is pretty okay.

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Tere's Mexican Grill
5870 Melrose Ave Ste 1, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Margarita s'en va
1612 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Lucy's El Adobe Cafe
5536 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[domaine547]

I think Lucy's is mediocre at best. Fun old hollywood atmosphere but that's where it ends. On the other end of the spectrum, Tere's has just about the best Mexican food in LA, but it has absolutely no atmosphere. It's as convenient to the Arclight as Lucy's but is not a fine dining experience. However, it is really out of this world, quality wise (and is certainly easy on the wallet). Don't go on Sundays, it's closed...

[DanaB]

As the one who first introduced Lucy's El Adobe to this thread, I feel the need to clarify. If you are looking for *authentic* MEXICAN mexican food, stay far away from Lucy's El Adobe, El Chavo, El Compadre, and the like. They will serve you what we who have grown up in So. Cal. know as the cheesy, greasy, beany, cheesy enchilada fest. It's not what you'd get in Mexico, but we like and/or love it, depending on who you talk to. Each place has certain things they do well (as I said above, Lucy's El Adobe has good tostadas and tacos, but their guacamole is diluted and their chips are often stale. Good salsa, though, especially if you ask for the "red salsa" from the back of the restaurant. They also have this crazy-good salad dressing, which is why the tostadas are so good.) But none of these places are authentic.

As for the best Mexican food in the AREA (the area being Hollywood), maybe Tere's gets it. Tere's at least has everything homemade and uses things like poblano peppers and crumbly white cheese. But Tere's doesn't have Margaritas or sit down service, which is what the original poster asked for.

I would posit that the best Mexican food in Hollywood is from one of the little Oaxacan places. Not so much Guelaguezta, but I like the place on Melrose just west of Western, called Antequeria de Oaxaca (5200 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, at the corner of Wilton). It's homey, and the food is good (I liked the memolitas). They do NOT have table service, nor do they have margaritas, but the food is good and authentic.

[linus]

the original poster thanks everyone for their efforts, and will probably venture outside of hollywood.

el linus

[brandygirl]

I'll put in another vote for Lucy's El Adobe. I like their cheese enchiladas and their tostadas.

[yogachik]

Lucy's El Adobe on Melrose at Gower - just down the street, basically.

[LANative]

Hi, I like El Compadre & El Chavo; best margaritas, great soups, good food. Salsa is better at El Chavo.

[katydid13]

I'd avoid El Compadre if I were you. The margaritas may be tasty, but I was kind of shocked at how bad the food was -- salsa out of a jar and chips out of a bag.

[DanaB]

If you are looking for *great* Mexican food, I'll have to disagree with the poster who recommended El Chavo. While the ambiance is fun and the margaritas decent, the food is mediocre at best.

Sit-down Mexican places in and around Hollywood are not really known for their *great* food. However, in that area, I would suggest Lucy's El Adobe (good margaritas, tostadas and hard-shell tacos, although most of the rest of the menu is pretty blah) on Melrose a few blocks west of Western. There is also an El Compadre on Sunset just east of Gardner (about a mile west of the Arclight). The food here is likewise pretty typical old-school cheesy California Mexican, but they do have good margaritas.

The Velvet Margarita is more of a hipster joint than your typical Mexican restaurant. I've only ever had drinks there so cannot attest to the food.

[LisaStitch]

I like El Compadre. It is pretty California/Mexican but I love it and can also vouch for the great margaritas. I can suually find a parking spot in the little lot behind the restaurant, or on surrounding streets within two blocks of it. Beware going past 8pm, it gets insanely crowded. Great ambience. Very inexpensive.

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El Compadre Restaurant
7408 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[lil mikey]

El Chavo isn't right there, but it's the closest sit-down, server-takes-order, good margarita place I can think of.

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El Chavo
4441 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[Emme]

Try La Fonda Antioquena on Melrose (try the guanabana shake if you go, and there's ajiaco)

or

El Guapo Cantina has decent food, especially Taco Tuesdays!

[rednyellow]

you might try Velvet Margarita Cantina on Cahuenga, just a block or two north of sunset. The food is not super authentic, but its ok and the interior would make Liberace proud.

[LaFemmeKatya]

The last time I went they had a fabulous pomegranate margarita--yumm!