Talpa and Don Antonio’s

Posted October 21st, 2008 by Meg

I love Mexican food. I don’t have it as often as I like, but that makes it quite the treat when I do get my taco fix. A few weeks ago my roommate and I were both in the mood for Mexican in close proximity to the home. Usually, we just go to El Cholo, Border Grill,  or La Cabana. Not this time. We wanted to try a different place. We drove down Pico with our hungry eyes wide open looking on both sides of the street. We pulled over when we saw two signs side by side: The Talpa Restaurant and Don Antonio’s Cantina. Was it the same restaurant? Or was it two separate restaurants next to one another? We both checked our phones to see what was up with this situation until we realized we were how silly it was to  be parked right in front of both restaurants looking at our phones for information about the restaurant(s). So we did what any rational person would do: flipped a coin. It landed on the Talpa Restaurant. We walked in but immediately recognized it was not where we wanted to eat for dinner. It reminded me of a pizza place where you order at the register and then sit down at a booth and watch the tv that is hanging on the wall. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we just wanted a more restaurant-y atmosphere. We awkwardly turned ourselves around explaining to the hostess that we “forgot to lock the car.”

We traipsed over to Don’s where we quickly realized we had made the right decision. It was a little busy, so we put our name down and sat at the bar. But, before we could even order a margarita, our table was ready for us. We sat down while within a few short blinks of the eye a server had brought over water and chips and salsa. I would rate the chips and salsa very high because the chips were warm and the salsa was spicy.

I ordered a margarita to drink (on the rocks with salt) and to eat I decided on the basics: cheese quesadilla, carne asada taco, and a chile relleno.

I wish I could say that this was the best Mexican food I have ever had. But, sadly it is not. I am a taco truck girl and spent my college years eating the best: Leo’s Taco Truck in Eagle Rock. The fact that I spent 8 dollars on a cheese quesadilla is beyond ridiculous. Although it came with guacamole and sour cream, this q-dilla was just too plain and boring for me to ever order again at that price. The taco is the same story. I am used to flavorful carne asada, but this was bland and a little too dry for my palate. The worst was the chile relleno. It was no bueno; soggy and bland.

I don’t like writing bad reviews, but I would return to Don’s. Why would I give them a second chance you ask? Am I crazy? Yes! But, the margarita was great! They cost around six dollars a pop; an amazing price for a non-Happy hour satisfying margarita. Worst comes to worst, they have no good food in which case I would still come back to drink the cheap yummy margaritas and eat the deliciously free chips.

Don Antonio’s
11755 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 312-2090

Filed under:Cocktails, Food, Los Angeles, Review, Santa Monica

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6 Comments

  • Diana on October 21, 2008

    Those chips do look good! I love that they aren’t glistening with grease like the HORRENDOUS chips at El Compadre (never ever ever again!). I have always been curious about Don Antonio’s after all that talk about it on “the Hills,” but I’m not sure I’m curious enough for a plate of blandocity! My heart just would not let me betray El Cholo in that way!

  • Meg on October 21, 2008

    Ooh, I’ve never been to El Compadre before. Bad chippies, eh? Does their flaming margarita not compensate for the lack good chip?

    I don’t watch the Hills. I’m very curious about it though, but figured if I have gone this long without it it’s best to just go on without it. Watching it now would be like a 45 year old to take up smoking. Reality tv is beyond addictive. I loved Rock of Love 1 & 2. I can’t wait for Celebrity Rehab to start up this week. However, I’ve watched quite a fair share of reality tv and it has conditioned me to believe it’s okay to stare at people in public. :P

  • Diana on October 21, 2008

    I totally stare at people in public! Whenever I go to the Grove, I purposely walk through the Farmer’s Market just so I can observe all the eclectic sorts that flock there. It is the best place for people-watching ever! I could be amused for hours! Plus, there’s food to look at too!

    So quick (or not so quick question): What’s a fun, yummy, not too pricey restaurant near or around the W hotel (ie. Westsideish) where I can take a friend who is in town this week?

  • Meg on October 21, 2008

    Haha, staring is awesome!

    So Westwood isn’t a place I go out to eat often at because of parking and lack of great places. But, here are a few.

    Palomino - http://www.palomino.com/index.php - I have only been there once and it was for a happy hour. They have a big menu which is nice (but could also be a sign that the food is medicore). From what I remember, it was a fun atmosphere. I don’t know for sure though about the food. But, if you can hit up happy hour - go for it! And if it sucks, just go somewhere else… hehe…

    Tengu - standard sushi place (might be too pricey though and it’s not the best so it might not be worth it)

    I’ve always wanted to try Soleil - http://www.soleilwestwood.com/ - It’s French, and looks cute. Rates pretty well on Yelp.

    For cheaper places: Native Foods (vegetarian/vegan) - http://www.nativefoods.com/

    For soup,salad,pizza,sandwiches I have heard good things about Fresh Corn Grill - http://www.freshcorngrill.com/

    My roommate thinks you should pick your friend up and go to Century City to Rock Sugar Pan Asian Kitchen- http://www.rocksugarpanasiankitchen.com/

    I can’t think of any else… Westwood isn’t the best food, sadly.

  • Diana on October 22, 2008

    Oh wow! Thanks for all the suggestions! My friend is craving sushi so I think we are going to end up at Bar Hayama — I smell a new blog post in my immediate future! :)

  • Meg on October 22, 2008

    How exciting! I have never been to Bar Hayama, so I can’t wait to read your review :)

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