The concept is Italian, but more lower case than many in that crop. At L'oca, there’s not really anything here that exists outside of those traditions, but there are no belabored attempts to make everything autentico. Like it's simple housemade pasta, showiness isn’t really the point.
This former food trailer is now a full-fledged brick-and-mortar, but they’re still consistently delivering some of the best smoked meats in the city. The sides are real good, too.
The "cathedral of seafood" is a jaw-dropper. The menu is half seafood and half grilled, meat-centric Norteño. Try the tostada de pulpo, a pile of tender, griddled octopus with scallions and pepper.
This tiny yet first-class Mexican restaurant provides both sit-down and takeout meals, as well as exceptional, professional Mexican catering for your big event.
Chef Rick Lopez whips up neo-Mexican cuisine at this Second Street District anchor and 2010 James Beard Award nominee for Best New Restaurant. It's still running on all cylinders.
The barbacoa is top notch, while the picadillo is mind-numbingly good, made from minced – not ground – beef. What sucked us in originally was the promise of chivo (goat barbacoa), which melts in your mouth with intensely good flavor and isn't too gamey. The carne guisada is tender and smothered in a rich, beefy, comino-kissed sauce, while the pork carnitas are tender and unctuous. When it all settles out, La Fruta has vaulted into rarified territory as one of the best taquerias in town.
Diners slide their trays down the cafeteria-style line to order quiches, salads, soups, and sandwiches on dense homemade bread and croissants.
Diners slide their trays down the cafeteria-style line to order quiches, salads, soups, and sandwiches on croissants or dense homemade bread.
The queso here is made with poblanos, and the shrimp and crab chile rellenos comes with a pleasant surprise on top. For brunch, try Pork Carnitas Hash, a toothsome tangle of moist pork under a salsa verde.
Italian sandwich shop also offers salads and meat & cheese plates – and now features an expanded breakfast menu.
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