"For a Oaxacan spot on the Westside that does a bit of everything well—molotes, coloradito, chorizo-filled molcajetes, you name it—Monte Alban is your place. This West LA spot tries to transport you far away from its generic strip mall by painting the walls to look like you’re eating tamales in a Oaxacan village. Whether or not it works is up to you, but we appreciate the attention to detail that’s also seen in the food. Monte Alban’s mole negro has a subtle dry chile kick that we love, the tacos enchilados are just the right middle ground between taquitos and enchiladas, and their signature tlayuda is coated in a salty, fatty asiento that seasons its thicker-than-usual bean paste." - sylvio martins, jess basser sanders, brant cox, arden shore