LA PUREPECHA COCINA MEXICANA

"There are so many manic tourists on The Promenade that, after a while, you’ll begin to completely dissociate and let the crowd take over your movements. Go regain bodily autonomy at Le Purépecha. This casual Mexican restaurant is only about four blocks from The Promenade, but feels like a clean break from the chaos. The bright, casual space is filled almost entirely with people who live in the area and the food is both reasonably priced and delicious. Go for the tacos—they’re our favorite in Santa Monica—which are made with handmade corn tortillas sturdy enough to support generous scoops of meat, guacamole, cilantro, and onions." - brant cox

"For lunchtime tacos in Santa Monica, the casual La Purépecha is our go-to option. The handmade corn tortillas here are plump and sturdy enough to hold heaping amounts of asada, guacamole, cilantro, and onions—which they do. We prefer to spend a little more and order them taconazo-style, which adds a layer of molten, seared cheese with a satisfying crunch. If you want something a little more substantial, the machaca burritos are very solid, too." - sylvio martins, jess basser sanders

"For tacos in downtown Santa Monica, the casual La Purépecha is our go-to. The handmade corn tortillas here are plump and sturdy enough to hold the heaping amounts of grilled asada and guacamole, and the fresh salsas pack a punch. We prefer to spend a little extra and order our tacos taconazo-style, which adds a layer of molten griddled cheese with a satisfying crunch. If you want something more substantial, the machaca burritos are very solid, too." - sylvio martins, jess basser sanders, brant cox, arden shore

"La Purépecha makes the best tacos in Santa Monica. The handmade corn tortillas are deep yellow, rough around the edges, and sturdy enough to support generous scoops of meat, guacamole, cilantro, and onions. Everything about this counter-service spot is thoughtful, from the free chips and pickled carrots to the daily agua frescas. Step up your taco by making it a taconazo, which adds griddled cheese beneath your adobado or asada. For something even more substantial, Purépecha serves an excellent chilaquiles plate and a solid machaca breakfast burrito. " - arden shore, brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins

"La Purépecha is where you’ll find the best tacos in Santa Monica. The handmade corn tortillas are deep yellow, rough around the edges, and sturdy enough to support generous scoops of meat, guacamole, cilantro, and onions. Everything about this counter-service spot is thoughtful, from the  free chips and pickled carrots, to the daily agua frescas. Step up your taco by making it a taconazo, which adds griddled cheese beneath your adobado or asada. For something even more substantial, Purépecha serves an excellent chilaquiles plate, and a solid machaca breakfast burrito. photo credit: Matt Gendal" - Arden Shore