12161 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604(on the North side across from Starbucks and just before Laurel Cyn, park in the rear) ph. 818/985-1744 F. 818/985-7085
Lunch Daily, Brunch Sat and Sun 11:30 am - 4 pm, Dinner Daily 4pm - 1 am, cocktails Daily 11:30 - 2am. Take out and Catering available. email: margatini@aol.com
Note: if going here at night, either call ahead to put your name down or don't be in a hurry! -- Mexicali Mondays -- 30% off menu items from 4-11 pm -- a deal!. Reservations suggested for night or call and put your name down before you arrive...
We could never go to this nice looking place because of the prodigious amount of smoke emitted from the bar. Now that that's over with, we ventured in. Painted in soft oranges and yellows with big wooden comfy and large booths, this is a great place to go even in the day. I would recommend it for the day rather than the night in fact, because the soothing atmosphere is cut in two because it's LOUD. Even in the day. Loud music, loud drinks being drilled up in a blender, TVs going over the nice bar. Get seated away from the bar and you'll be safe enough. At night it's loud AND very very crowded. I think the bar action there is pretty hoppin, and you just know there's a lot of scripty, casting call talk going on here. During the day there's cigar-smokin' hipsters outside sippin' margaritas and checking out the sidewalk action. It's lively.
The food here is worth the noise. We skipped the appetizers in favor of soup and salad. The Tortilla Soup (with entree, the bargain price of $1.25, $2.50 with chicken) is the best we've ever tasted. Not overly spicy but extremely well spiced and tasty, it's worth the trip for this alone. The chicken in the soup is slow cooked and melts the way it should. The salad ($1.25 with entree) was wonderfully fresh and we tried the avocado-ranch dressing. The dressing will positively ruin your breath and is so worth it. They put crispy tortilla chips on the table, and the salsa was mild, fresh and delicious. The service was great -- timely, efficient, etc.
I ordered the Burrito Verduras ($7.95), which has grilled veggies, cheese, black beans, rice, tomatoes and red onions. It was massive, tasty and came with nicely spiced black beans and Mexican rice. This is another restaurant where you can get the salad or soup, eat half the entree, proceed to dessert with your now-saved parking money, and have a lunch for the next day.
Steven had the Enchiladas Suprema ($7.85), more popularly known as chicken enchiladas, also with beans and rice. The chicken here is very tender (see below for other recommendations). Steven became a member of the Clean Plate Club in short order. and that left only one stone unturned -- dessert! Yay!
Chocolate Flan. $3.95. Big enough to share, good enough to eat alone.
Other exciting stuff included: Bravo Chiles, ($6.20), Yellow chiles sutffed with Mexican cheeses, dipped in Beer batter and fried, served with cilantro ranch dipping sauce. Grilled tuna ($11.20) on a corn tortilla with black beans, rice, and roasted tomatillo salsa, served with corn or flour tortillas on request. Tamales ($7.20), housemade (!), with chicken or chile cheese with guacamole. Mexicali Pasta ($9.50), linguini with chicken, peppers, fresh corn and jalapenos and garlic Tequila cream sauce...and finally, there is Rotisserie Chicken, half ($8.50) or whole ($13.95), made garlic or citrus with two house side orders including beans, rice, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled veggies or french fries.
A great place to check out if you're feeling lively and want some a lively menu and atmosphere to match. You can always load in a margarita and become that way later if necessary. I didn't really say that.........