Tia Juana in WLA is closing

[zeke_the_geek]

Probably to put up another highrise! Does anyone know if they will relocate?

[DanaB]

Oh, no! I had my first real margarita at Tia Juana in the early '80s (shhhh! back then they used to not be so good about carding the younger-looking patrons), and have been going back all these years for the homemade tortillas, enchiladas, chips and guacamole.

Does anyone know when they will be closing?

[fangler]

When I called Tia Juanas last week, the lady who answered the phone said that they were closing on Nov. 4th.

[Renault78law]

I would have sworn they are closing 11/2.

[chef36]

Truly a bummer they're closing -- nothing like those piping hot tortillas with butter! Good Margies too...so sad.

[Motherhubbard]

Anyone have a suggestion for really good Mexican on the Westside-other than La Serenada?

[yogachik]

I suggest doing a search, or just reading pages 2 and 3 and 4, as this is a common question and there are many in depth threads. Personally, I like La Serenada, Gilberts, Lares, La Cabana, but all for different reasons. Monte Alban is always great, but it's Oaxacan.

[bophisto]

That is bad news! It will probably be some condos or some type of office building on the site. The place has real character, decent food for reasonable prices. I guess even being a successful,busy restaurant doesn't guarantee you can stay in business nowadays with land values so high in L.A

[PaulF]

Don Chuy's on Washington Place at (I think) Grandview has homemade tortillas (and a dollar taco night, too!). If it isn't Grandview, it's one of those cross streets between Centinela and Sawtelle.

They are opening another location sort of near Costco on Washington.

Tacomiendo (both locations) have homemade tortillas.

Actually, they aren't homemade. They are freshly made in the restaurant. Homemade would mean they are made in someone's home -- that would be silly.

Tia Juana is related to the folks at La Cabana. The La Cabana folk are cousins of the Gilbert's El Indio family, too. I know the GEI folks pretty well -- they once filled in the blanks for me about Cousin Bob at La Cabana and the rest of the clan.

[Servorg]

Don Chuy is on Washington Pl. at McLaughlin (which is Barrington after it morphs at the E/W intersection of Federal/Indianapolis - the only 4 way street name change intersection that I know of).

[Skorgirl]

I was there last week and the waiter said that the whole block was being bought .... that's all the information he had to offer. I asked about a relocation, and he referred me to a flyer on the table for a restaurant by the same owners .... in Huntington Beach! Tia Juana has always been my reliable choice when I'm in that chips and salsa/margarita on the rocks mood, but I wouldn't drive all the way to Huntington Beach! They certainly didn't have the greatest Mexican food, but they were pretty consistent, had nice waitstaff, and yummy fresh tortillas. I'm sad to see the old stand-by go ....

[Das Ubergeek]

O RLY.

Tell us -- those of us who actually live beyond the Orange Curtain -- what restaurant is this?

Tia Juana's was never going to win any awards for best Mexican, but it was really good in a pinch and I never had a bad experience there the way I have with Gilbert's El Indio, Juquila, Lares, and (ugh, GACK, must I say it?) Casa Escobar. It was always a tossup between Tia Juana's and La Talpa.

[yogachik]

Oh no! It's one of the few left with homemade tortillas...

[hrhboo]

Are there any other westside places with those tortillas? The only other ones I can think of are Paco's and Casablanca, and both are extremely stingy with them. My pregnant friend really wanted some and we tried both. Neither would sell her just the tortillas (for any price) and would only allow two per entree ordered. She ended up with a ton of mediocre food just because she wanted a few tortillas!

[Motherhubbard]

Casablanca and the Mexican kitty corner from it are the same owners as Tia Juana. It was the only good Mexican on the close West side. Boo Hiss

[Ogawak]

That would be La Cabana. I hope Tia Juana relocates, maybe in Santa Monica.

[whatsfordinner]

I could be wrong, but I thought Pacos Tacos had the same owner as Tia Juana.

[Juji]

El Torito Grill makes their own tortillas and the honey butter and salsa they serve with them are delicious.

[Densible]

When? I love this place-sentimental favourite and I enjoy the tostada and the warmth of the people.