Quick - Fun Mexican on West side

[yummyinmytummy]

Date nite. good shots, dark,

[Mateo R]

Lares is a good date place.

[Servorg]

Lares is definitely another good option and we like Gilbert's El Indio too. These are both so close together it's easy to basically flip a coin if you can't decide between them (and with Don Antonio's and the Talpa just barely to the east) and finally even Monte Alban and Juquila for Oaxacan just a few minutes farther north there are a lot of good choices, all local to each other.

-----
Juquila
11619 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Monte Alban
11927 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Don Antonio's
11755 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

The Talpa
11751 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Gilbert's El Indio
2526 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[elnora]

i really like pacos tacos in venice - they have delicious on-the-spot made flour and corn tortillas. i would avoid the chiles rellenos though. but - the vibe is cute and fun.

[Servorg]

Is that the Pacos on Centinela in Mar Vista (plus their other location up in Westchester on Manchester Blvd.)?

-----
Pacos Tacos
4141 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[elnora]

yup... thats the one. okay - so maybe not technically venice? i like it though. they are one of the only restaurants ive been to where their rice and beans were exceptionally good.

i think there was a scene from jerry maguire filmed there. though in the movie, the restaurant looks a lot bigger.

[Servorg]

You might give Don Antonio a whirl. They have very good albondigas and, while the food is Mexican American it's surprisingly tasty for that type of fare.

-----
Don Antonio's
11755 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[bulavinaka]

Casa Sanchez on Centinela first came to mind when I saw "Fun Mexican on the West side".

Fun - yes. Great Mariachi bands and singers.
Very nice inside with a nice back patio - should be good for a date.
Good tequila selection - shots, yes but savor the flavor.
Dark - I don't know - it can be a little muted on the lights - maybe the patio area would be darker. But since the nights have been in the low to mid 50s, huddling together may or may not set the mood.