Growing up in SoCal the best Mex was usually a Mex family owned, family run, hole-in-the-wall with marginal location, lousy parking, all the cousins as wait staff, and the best food dirt cheap. We had several nearby and we also had one with mostly white waitresses but the kitchen was all culturally appropriate and the food was great. Good times. The only Mex food places we avoided were the chains that really didn't understand how to do it well.

When we moved to Idaho I thought we would have to give that up but there are a few really good family owned restaurants nearby that are as good as SoCal and we are regulars. They do have more regional flavors as one family is from Mexico City, one from Baja, and one from the Yucatan peninsula so a good variety between them. We also have a local taco truck run by the sweetest family. I can get a wet burrito that feeds 2 for $7 and it is pretty great. They also do tamales every December.

Traditional Baja Style for me.
A Carne Asada Torta from El Trailero on Hwy 1D
To have a Caesar Salad made at your table is a cultural treat. El Rey Sol, Ensenada
Fish Tacos made on top of a barrel drum is the OG style. fish market
A freshly made Horchata is a sweet treat with a Mango on a stick.
Finishing up a "Mexican Coffee" made for you is an awesome show.
No bad days in Baja

We had a Tapas place open here last year...a certain slice of Spanish cuisine.

It was very good but closed within six months. Pity

We have lots of Mexican restaurants around here (now).... I like 'em all, and have never seen a worker, wait staff, or owner that wasn't fluent in Spanish :).

A buddy & I were sitting in one several years back at the bar, and were reminiscing about our favorite 24 hr walk-up/take out joint in San Diego (on Rosecrans, near the harbor) as we've been there many times and it was our goto place.... We called it "Purple Burrito Heaven" 'cause of the color of the building .... Had 1lb burritos.... Another buddy ate two once... But I digress....

A guy eating at the bar (probably a former Squid) overheard us talking and knew the place.... I bet I've been there a dozen times... At least :).

Anyone know of or remember Santanas in SD? Don't know if it was a chain, or how it compared to others, but once we went there our first visit, we went every single day, every single trip.... sometimes twice a day... or night :D

Dang ..... I am hungry now....

There is (or was) a restaurant in Santa Paula named Tlaquepaque the had the best Carne Adobada I've ever had. It's thin pork cutlets marinated in a red chile sauce. Good stuff!

Also if you're traveling Hwy 126 between Santa Clarita and Ventura there's a place in Fillmore "El Pescador" that has great food, especially breakfast. The Chilequiles are good and so is their Huevos Divorciados with a red and green sauce.

Yes, there's just not enough Mexicans to go round.

If you aren't buying your tacos from a truck on concrete blocks outside an abandoned gas station you're doing it wrong.

Las Brisas in Laguna Beach, Ca.

$2.00 each....Chipotle Ranch Grilled Burrito at Taco Bell
Yumm!


https://www.tacobell.com/images/2323...to_269x269.jpg

Cubans would beg to differ with you. Cuban food has closer links to Spain than Mexico.

Spain is on the other side of the earth. Mexico is a hop across the gulf.

Maybe I should have been more specific. There is a big difference in cuisines.

https://havana-guide.com/cuban-food-vs-mexican-food-whats-the-difference/

Pbbbbt...that is the sound that comes out of the end where the food comes out in the morning.

This is a Gringo version of Mexican.

Manuel El Tepache on Evergreen St in E LA...right across from the Catholic church..closed on Tuesdays

Started going there in the late 70's...Sitting at the Counter, 90 seconds from placing your order to be serving your order.. Machaca Dinner.

The place is an E LA institution.


Try a Manuel Special Burrito.. that one oughta be a two or three flush in the morning..

Try a couple first then forge your commentary. They kick ass.

I talk to a babe that is obsessed with saying "Oh, that will give me the squirts" " I'd be on the toilet for the rest of the day" " I would never eat that because of gastric distress" even with McDonalds food.

I eat most anything I want when I am gluttonous or not and simply pitch a loaf like a man when it's time. There is no drama to speak of.

[QUOTE=tabs;11845928Try a Manuel Special Burrito.. that one oughta be a two or three flush in the morning..[/QUOTE]

OK. You win. Bwa ha ha ha.

Here in LV I don't shop the White people major Supers except for specials... I shop the Third World Mexican and Oriental mkts... the Mexican ones have restaurants...where you can get a dinner plate for $8.

People on this Board have seen me eat..and I can barley get a M Special down and that was when I was half my age....it is 18 inches long 8 inches wide and 3 inches in height..

At one time Manuel used to give $100 if a guy could get 2 down..

FIFU...

Those are Cultural Appropriation Burritos.

Tell the B to try a Taco from a Tijuana Taco Cart...

A cozin of mine who was with State...did just that...He exclaimed, "Tastes just like home."