If it’s Friday night and you’re in the mood for Mexican food, don’t come to La Cabanita. No, it’s not because the food isn’t good. Oddly enough, on what would probably be one of their busiest nights, La Cabanita closes Fridays at 5pm and doesn’t reopen until Saturday at 6pm in observation of Sabbath.

If you come here when they’re open on Sundays for lunch, inevitably, there will be a wait. Even if there are tables available, don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be immediately seated as we learned.

You’ll wait at 1pm, and you’ll still wait even if you arrive at 2pm. “That’s okay,” said my mom, “It’s worth it.” Once you are seated, you’ll get freshly made tortilla chips and a green and a red salsa, both terrific. Be warned though – once you start eating them, it’s difficult to stop.

Even though I had been advised, “Order something wet, not dry,” by my brother, who raved about their sauces, I was a little worried that I would be hungry with one of the enchilada plates. With that in mind, I chose the chicken burrito, partially wet in a mild tomato sauce, which came with a side salad. The burrito was massive, thus chasing any fears of being hungry away (only to be replaced by fears of not being able to finish the whole thing). The burrito was pretty standard, mostly filled with rice and beans with shredded chicken breast. It needed the addition of salsa to help give it some flavor.

Sauces seem to be where La Cabanita excels, especially their mole sauce, with its complexity of flavors from the chiles, chocolate, spices, nuts and fruit, making any dish a tasty treat.

For the little ones, La Cabanita’s kid’s menu has tacos, burrito, quesadilla, taquitos and enchiladas that are served with rice and beans and a drink.

Vegans and vegetarians even have their own section on the menu, making selecting a dish fairly easy. Items that are gluten-free are indicated by a (GF), eliminating any guesswork for those with celiac disease or merely avoiding gluten.

Take my brother’s advice and order wet, not dry. If you’re still hungry, it’s a good excuse to eat dessert. Just make sure to check your calendar, making sure it’s not Friday night nor Saturday before 6pm before heading over to La Cabanita.

Location –3445 N. Verdugo Rd, Glendale 91208
Website – http://www.lacabanitarestaurant.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Yes