Restaurant Review World

Saturday was Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeating the French and traitor Mexican troops of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862. So, of course I had to have a margarita (or two) at Don Antonio’s, a popular Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles.

Don Antonio’s has everything a good Angeleno like myself has come to expect from a Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere is dark - almost cave-like with stucco walls, low lighting, and deep burgundy booths. The bar in the back has two rows of seating, which is helpful since there is often a wait. The menu is authentic, offering two pages of combination plates, and the prices are reasonable. The margaritas are strong, sweet, and sour, and there are plenty of Mexican beers available.

After a wait long enough to let me have my first margarita (and my husband to have his first two Pacificos) we were escorted to our table. Once we were seated, the service was prompt for such a busy night, and we ordered guacamole to go with our free chips and salsa. The chips tasted like they had just been pulled from the fryer, and the salsa was very spicy, but with a good flavor. The guac, perhaps a bit overpriced at $6.00, was much more mild. It tasted like it was pure avocado, but if you put a little guac and a little salsa on the same chip: perfection.

If one can complain about fast service, I would have to say that was my biggest complaint of the night. We maybe got to eat about five chips each before our dinners came out. It was a busy night, and many people were waiting. Getting our dinner so fast made us feel rushed, as if they didn’t want us loitering for long. Other than that, dinner was delicious as always. I ordered two soft chicken tacos as a combination, so they were accompanied by refried beans, Mexican rice, shredded lettuce, and a signature orange slice. The tacos were perfect in their simplicity - shredded chicken, a little guacamole, and two soft corn tortillas, each wrapped in tin foil. My husband ordered a chicken burrito, which was the size of the large oval plate it came on, filled with chicken and refried beans, and smothered in red sauce and cheese. All in all, it was the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Don Antonio’s has that low-key atmosphere that inspires great conversation, and the food is both delicious and authentic. I definitely recommend this spot anytime you crave the flavors of Mexico.

Don Antonio’s, located on the West Side of LA, is at Pico and Barrington: 11755 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Phone: (310) 312-2090

One note: They do not accept American Express