Everyone likes
this place; the
businessman
grabbing a quick
Arrachera tortas
lunch before his
next power
meeting, the
commuter trading
traffic for
taco's al pastor
on their way
home. And then
there are the
tattooed local
artists sipping
margarita's,
nursing their
too much tequila
the night before
hang with the
hair of the
cactus that bit
them, all the
while munching
down on some
spicy Machaca
con Huevos.
Yxta
Cocina Mexicana
is a cuisine
oasis in the
downtown
industrial
district. With a
nod to
tradition,
Mexico City
artwork adorns
the walls. With
a touch of urban
chic, the space
is open, upscale
with a raw
modern vibe - it's a cool
crowd kind of
place. Though
not so much from
the outside, as
Yxta lacks
exterior
panache, more
weathered
Mexican
hacienda, which
is just how
owner Jesse
Gomez likes it.
If you know your
fine Mexican
food by name,
then you might
recognize
Jesse's, whose
family has run
the Highland
Park favorite El
Arco Iris for
the past 40
years. With such
a pedigree, you
would expect
this Latin fare
to be authentic;
it is, and there
is not one
burrito on the
menu. Some
classics have an
updated spin,
like the tostada
with
sashimi-grade
ahi tuna, fried
cebollitas,
chipotle lime
cream, and
avocado, light
and very nice.
Anything mole
rocks,
everything pork
is amazing. This
is a made from
scratch house,
from tortillas
to salsa to the
sour mix for the
tequila
cocktails that
are a must have.
As Yxta pours
over 30 premium
silver, reposado,
and aņejo
tequilas, well,
drinking goes
down easy here.
The hours
between 4pm and
7pm are happy at
Yxta, even on
Saturdays. The
margaritas are
$5, appetizers
are $6, the
parking is free
and always, the
food is muy
delicioso.
Everyone likes
this place, and
now I know why.
~ Fallon
Milligan
Where:
Yxta Cocina Mexicana, 601
S. Central Ave, Downtown LA
