Thursday, March 8, 2012

Mexicali Taco & Co

Mexicali Taco & Co used to be a truck parked in a parking lot in downtown LA. A few weeks ago, they opened a brick and mortar location and I could not wait to try it out. Now that it is an actual restaurant, the prices have raised a bit, but it's still inexpensive compared to other options and you can have a great dinner for about ten bucks. The menu is short and sweet with tacos, tostadas (cachetada), quesadillas, nachos, and their famous vampiros. You can add a fried egg to any dish for an additional $.75.

I had a sample of the vampiro ($3.75) back at LA Street Food Fest and I couldn't wait to try a full one. This was just as good as  I remembered with an addictive garlic sauce accenting the cheese and chicken sandwiched in the tortilla.

Chicken Vampiro

Mexicali is famous for their carne asada which I enjoyed in my tacos ($3.25)

Carne Asada Tacos

Kris and I shared the cachetada ($3.00) topped with chicken, cheese, and a spicy chipotle aioli. This was actually quite rich so I found the salsas from the salsa bar came in handy to cut through some of the fattiness.

Chicken Cachetada

Salsas

All of the dishes come with grilled green onions and beans. The restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, but they have a variety of sodas and agua frescas to go with your meal. With great pricing and hearty food, Mexicali is a great addition to the downtown LA food scene. I hope to be able to visit a few more times before I leave LA.




Mexicali Taco & Co.
702 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 613-0416
*Cash only
Website
at

8 comments:

  1. EricaMarch 8, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    Leave LA?? Where are you going?? What a cool spot. The side of onions is awesome

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  2. EsiMarch 8, 2012 at 6:48 PM

    Erica, I'm moving to Chicago in a few weeks!

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  3. JoanneMarch 8, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    The one thing the east coast is terribly lacking in is good Mexican food! This looks awesome.

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  4. aida mollenkampMarch 9, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Moving to Chicago? No! I'll miss all your posts on where to eat in LA!

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  5. EsiMarch 9, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    I have a few more LA posts coming up, but also stay tuned about where to eat in Chicago!

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  6. Kristina VanniMarch 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    I need to visit downtown LA more often! I am curious about this garlic sauce and flavor. Sounds delicious!

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  7. lisa is cookingMarch 11, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Love the thought of the vampiro! And, adding a fried egg to anything.

    ReplyDelete
  8. EricaMarch 12, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    I had no idea you were moving to Chicago! What a change- how exciting!!

    ReplyDelete

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