El Compadre Restaurant of Hollywood

"Whenever we have visitors from out of town, our knee-jerk reaction is to take them to the El Compadre in Hollywood. Is this dark, windowless cavern across the street from Guitar Center where you’ll find the best Mexican food in LA? Absolutely not. But taking down a combo plate and a flaming margarita while shouting over the mariachis and spying on the table over is a signature LA experience. Pile a crew into a big red booth and feed everyone chile rellenos and enchiladas for a guaranteed great time." - brant cox, garrett snyder, arden shore

"El Compadre is one of LA’s most iconic Mexican restaurants, with a large menu full of every kind of combo plate and sizzling fajita platter you could want. That said, no one who drinks comes here without ordering their famous flaming margaritas. While they aren’t actually flaming for takeout (because, you know, car fires), they’re still some of the strongest in town. Open for takeout and delivery seven days a week." - brant cox

"El Compadre always has your back. At the end of a long day, this Mexican cantina is ready with cozy red booths, mariachis, and a stiff drink. The Hollywood staple (there’s an Echo Park location, but the atmosphere isn’t nearly as fun) has been serving classic California-Mexican food (i.e. a lot of cheesy enchiladas) and very strong flaming margaritas since the 1970s and they show no signs of stopping. Definitely make a reservation as crowds get bad almost any day of the week, but just know, at El Compadre the party never stops." - brant cox

"Even if you’re halfway into your REM cycle, if a text comes through saying to meet at El Compadre, you get your ass up and go. Located on Sunset right on the Hollywood/Weho border, El Compadre is completely slammed every night of the week with people eating excellent old-school Mexican food, listening to the mariachi band, and housing the strongest flaming margaritas in town. Reservations are definitely required." - brant cox, brett keating

"Mission Cantina is one of most overlooked casual dinner options in Hollywood - especially on Tuesdays, when the tacos are a dollar. The tiny Mexican spot on Sunset doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside it’s a good place to catch up with some friends. The deal: $1 tacos, all day." - amy clark, kat hong