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BBE Editor's Pick

Yxta Cocina Mexicana

601 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles (Downtown)   map

Yxta Cocina Mexicana
By Eric Rosen
With a short, intimidating name (it’s pronounced EEK-sta), a no-frills interior and a bustling open kitchen, this little restaurant-that-could stands out from the pack of inexpensive Mexican favorites. That’s partly thanks to the low-key but sophisticated industrial-chic decor, but it’s mostly because of owner Jesse Gomez’s warm welcome and the menu of familiar dishes that still manage a few new culinary tricks. Here, tostadas come with sushi-grade ahi tuna and a tongue-tingling chipotle lime cream sauce. The carnitas are thick cuts of slow-cooked pork served with guacamole, a tangy onion cilantro mix, Mexican rice, and traditional frijoles olla. You’ll want to sample a few of the tacos by ordering à la carte, but not at the risk of missing out on one of the big plates, perhaps something bold and satisfying like the arrachera (marinated skirt steak) and pickled red onion. Even the margaritas get an update here. Watermelon agua fresca, anyone?

menu musts

Tostadas de atún (ahi tuna with chipotle lime cream)
Enchiladas de mole (pulled chicken and mole poblano)
Carnitas estilo Michoacán (Salmon Creek slow-cooked pork)
Capirotada (cinnamon-spiced Mexican bread pudding)
view full menu here

sweet seats

On those balmy LA nights (or if you’re a smoker), the tables on the front patio are best, but inside, you can make new friends at the raised communal table by the bar, or cozy up for an intimate dinner at one of the corner tables along the banquette.

chew on this

Gomez’s family also owns El Arco Iris, the beloved Mexican restaurant, which has been anchoring York Avenue in Highland Park since it opened in 1964. Now it’s a full-service restaurant with catering and a banquet room.

hours

Mon.–Wed. 11:30 AM–9 PM; Thurs.–Fri. 11:30 AM–10 PM;
Sat. 5 PM–10 PM
happy hour: Mon.–Fri. 4 PM–7 PM; Sat. 5 PM–7 PM
closed Sunday

price range for menu items

$10 (tinga de pollo taco) to $21 (Mexican sweet shrimp)

hours

Mon–Wed 11:30 AM–9 PM; Thu–Fri 11:30 AM–10 PM;
Sat 5 PM–10 PM
closed Sunday

price range

$10 (tinga de pollo taco) to $21 (Mexican sweet shrimp)

601 S. Central Ave. (at E. Sixth St.), Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213-596-5579   map   www.yxta.net $$


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