One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is the amazing Mexican food. From taco trucks to upscale restaurants, Mexican food has made much progress over the hard shell tacos and cheese-covered beans from my childhood. Fancier than a truck, but not quite as pricey as places with $5-$6 tacos, is Loteria Grill. Started in 2002 by Jimmy Shaw in the Farmers Market, Loteria Grill has since expanded to five additional locations, serving authentic Mexican food to an eager public.

Named after the game, Loteria’s original location still charms with its reproductions of brightly colored Loteria cards encircling the stand. On weekends, the long line to place an order snakes through the area, giving people ample time to decide what to eat. Of course if you are me, your time is spent agonizing over whether to get the chilaquiles that everyone seems to be eating or whether the burritos or tacos would be a better choice.

My husband decided one the breakfast burrito, with black beans, eggs and chiles. Burritos come with a choice of chips or salad. Thankfully, he ordered the chips.

I finally chose the two taco plate, feeling too guilty to eat a plate of chips, and wanting to try more than one type of filling. For those who are serious about sampling, there’s the Probaditas plate which has 12 different fillings served on dollar coin-sized corn tortillas (and happens to be one the cutest dishes I’ve ever seen).

I selected two of my favorites – the cochinita pibil (anchiote and citrus-marinated pork slow-roasted in a banana leaf) and carnitas. They both tasted so good that I couldn’t even pick one over the other. The plate came with rice and beans as well.

I made quick work of my plate, polishing off the tacos and rice quickly. When faced with my cup of black beans, it only made sense to use the chips that husband had left on his plate to scoop up remaining beans. I ate so many chips that it was probably the equivalent of those chilaquiles I had been eyeing earlier.

So do yourself a favor, and go to Loteria Grill and get the chilaquiles (or maybe the nachos). Round out the chip-laden dish with a couple of other items, and count your blessings that you’re in Los Angeles.

Location – 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 90036. Additional locations in Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Studio City and Westlake Village.
Website – http://loteriagrill.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Pesco-Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Yes

As of October 2018, this location has closed.