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Recession Obsession: Santa Monica’s Tacos Por Favor
Feasting at Tacos Por Favor | Photo by Caleb Bacon for LAist
The Official Recession has been upon us for fourteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a million inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is meal (or activity) that is fantastic whether times are good or bad -- because it's just that damn good. We last loved on fish tacos, and LA institution Zankou Chicken. Today, we...
There are parts of Los Angeles where you can fling a sombrero and graze a plethora of world class Mexican eateries. While that’s not very polite, that’s not something you have to worry about doing in Santa Monica. This beach city (where Baywatch was shot) has some decent Mexican, but not many taquerias call my name in the night air. Especially in this economy.
Tacos Por Favor sweetly whispers my name and does so politely. Tacos... please... It’s my favorite Mexican joint in Santa Monica, and runs $4-$10 a head. Known for using fresh ingredients, TPF isn't "health food." Fresh ingredients -- ones which aren’t aged or flaccid -- don’t translate to the bland fare that can often be found at healthfully-advertised Mexican restaurants. From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner -- Tacos Por Favor delivers (though I’m not sure if they deliver, literally.)
Something Good For Everyone
The truth is I haven’t had a bad dish here. The menu is massive -- from huevos rancheros to mole to birria to tacos to plates like chile verde or chicken diablo. I don’t think any of their dishes earns a “Best of SoCal” tag, but that’s quite alright. Being snobby is sooo 2006 (you could afford to call yourself a foodie back then.)
On the liquid front there is something for those with sweet-teeth (Jarritos, horchata, and Mexican glass bottle Coke) and something for the boozehounds (Mexican beer.)
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Minding the wallet, and pleasing the palate are two accomplishments which make Tacos Por Favor something to obsess over. The public seems to agree. Last year Tacos Por Favor expanded to twice as large.
FYI: I advise you take it easy on the liquid lunch. Those repeat trips to the cashier for another cold pop is going to lighten your wallet more than you can afford. Mind the recession!
- Tacos Por Favor | 1406 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica | (310) 392-5768
- Mon - Thu. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Fri - Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
What do you think? Comment below!
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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