Flickr Shot by dotsara (detail)
I went to El Cholo in Santa Monica last night and all I really walked away with afterwards was the beginnings of a hangover and a “What’s all the fuss about?” I can appreciate how it’s an L.A. institution since it’s been around since 1923 and L.A. doesn’t keep anything around for THAT long, but I found that the food wasn’t all that impressive. Sure, I only had a couple of appetizers but that was just because looking at the entree offerings left me uninspired to order anything else.
Finally we settled on the Western Ave. Quesadillas (Mozzarella and Jack cheeses, smoked corn, mushrooms, and fresh herbs–$7.25) and then just the traditional cheese nachos ($6.95). They were mediocre dishes. Not as savory as I had hoped. The only really flavorful aspect of this meal was the side of jalapeno.
Nice presentation but the portions were small for the price. Is it because I’ve just had too many El Torito happy hours? I know, blasphemy! I’m comparing this institution to a chain restaurant. But at El Torito, you can get a big fat carne asada burrito for only about $4 during happy hour. Oh, and El Cholo? No happy hour whatsoever but “We’re always happy here” offered the waitress. Heh. No.
But after I ordered my first of several margaritas, I discovered just what makes El Cholo really special: their very potent cocktails. They range in price from the $6.75 house margarita to the $24 24KT. margarita. I had a couple of Cadillac Margaritas (traditional 1800, Cointreau and a float of Grand Marnier–$8.75) and one of their Patron Desert Berry tequinis (Patron Silver, Chambord and Cointreau served in a martini glass–$8.75).
Although I didn’t really care for the taste of the Desert Berry (it tasted sorta like berry-flavored cough syrup), without the ice it was so powerful it was like sipping a shot. Not that there was anything wrong with its potency.
Another highlight of the menu was the vanilla flan. We had placed an order with the waitress telling her that one of the guys in the party was celebrating his birthday today (really we were just celebrating his last day with our company). So she rounded up the other servers and with much hoopla and clapping, they presented the unsuspecting “birthday” boy with the vanilla flan complete with a lit birthday candle. He ended up not wanting to eat it but I had at it and it was goood. Not too custardy, which I usually don’t like anyway.
So, yeah, El Cholo: Forget the food, come for the margaritas, stay for the flan.
1025 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 899-1106
ok, FIRST of all you fail to mention the green corn tamales – BAD crackhead! and since they are available may through october only, this would have been your prime opportunity. but sampling just the quesadilla and nachos? that’s like complaining about the steak house because you used A1 sauce ;)
i suggest, nay demand, you “take two” and try the green corn tamales and annie’s enchiladas. both vegetarian, btw, both very different flavors. (knowing your sweet tooth, i’d say start with the latter, but the green corn tamales, as simple as they are, really are a unique and flavorful dish.)
i’ll give you this – you can’t beat the el cholo margarita with a stick.
Actually, I have eaten there before several times but their food wasn’t so impressive that it made me want to come back for more on a regular basis. Before last night, my last meal at El Cholo was a couple of years ago.
But the green corn tamales DO sound tempting.
oh yeah, HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!! i never saw so many white people in a mexican restaurant as in el cholo for lunch today. they even replaced the usual servers. bring your bullwhip if you expect to clear a path to make it in tonight.
[...] Wow, to think that two years ago my very first blog post was about the Beverly Hills Hotel’s soda shop. And I still haven’t checked that place out. But it’s funny to look at that one and compare it to how I do things now — that was one big quote! Nowadays, I try to go to more places before I write about them. There’s also more focus, less lists, more pictures (that picture I took in that above shot didn’t make it into the actual post) and less block quotes. Thanks to you guys for your suggestions and your encouragement. [...]