El Cholo Mexican Restaurant

The small El Cholo restaurant chain is a local fixture with a reputation for great Mexican food and a loyal following to back it up. The Salisbury family, who have owned and operated El Cholo since 1927, opened the newest location in Santa Monica, bringing an Eastside favorite to the Westside. This El Cholo serves up the same great cheese enchiladas, beef tacos, chile rellenos and tamales in an adobe hacienda-style setting. One of the original recipes, green corn tamales (from Grandma Rosa's "Early Arizona Day" recipe) is still on the menu.

Along with great food, El Cholo is recognized for potent and delicious margaritas. The restaurant is also lauded for its "L.A. Lemonade," a special blend of tequila, various liqueurs and homemade margarita mix. A healthy dining menu is also available with a computerized nutritional analysis for lovers of spicy fare who need to monitor their food intake. And don't miss the decorations--nostalgic photographs from the restaurant's nearly 80 years of business.