Tacolina — Restaurant in Los Angeles

*Delayed post from Jan ‘25

Tacoina is a fantastic spot for special occasions and date nights. The restaurant is a mix of indoor/outdoor seating, with real plants, fire pits, and cozy nooks, featuring plenty of seating and photo opportunities throughout the space. Our server was knowledgeable on the menu and super personable, which took our experience to extra heights. Food wise, the portion sizes and meat to toppings ratio was perfect and left nothing to be desired.

For starters, we ordered the Tuna Tostada. The tostada itself was very crispy, complimenting the creamy textures of both a generous amount of guacamole and drizzled chipotle sauce. The raw tuna felt fresh and went perfectly with the cucumber and ponzu sauce that gave the tuna a slight sweet flavor. The crispy shallots and chives on top really brought this small plate together, giving a japanese-mexican fusion vibe with its similarities to a spicy tuna roll. Same-same, but different.

We also ordered the Shrimp Aguachile, which had a lovely acidity similar to ceviche and came with a larger quantity of shrimp than we expected. The spice level was pleasantly high due to the jalapeño. The only issue I had with this dish was the thickness of the tostadas. While I appreciated the rustic tortillas made in-house, their thickness made bites too chewy in places. Given the amount of shrimp, this dish would have benefited from having four, thinner and crispier tortillas you can break to scoop up the shrimp, instead of two thick ones.

The Conchinita Tacos were the highlight of the night! Once again the quantity of pork was large, but they weren’t overcompensating for lack of moisture, as it was juicy and had flavorful bits of charcoal. The pickled onions and radishes on top gave it a crunch factor and the lime brightened the heaviness of the dish, highlighting the sugar in the roasted pineapple.

The Baja Fish Tacos were also a hit, cooked properly in a light batter, which brought out the tenderness of the fish, instead of being overshadowed by a thick crust. There was a decent amount of salsa and chipotle cream on top - a delightful contrast to the crunchy radish. Our last savory dish was the Grilled Elote off the Cob, which is exactly what it sounds like: the classic Mexican dish made with Grilled Sweet Corn, Crema, Parmesan, Cumin, and Chili.

For dessert, we had the Key Lime Pie. While the custard had great taste and texture, and the cream on top was well proportioned, the tart itself was too thick, causing an imbalance of filling to shell ratio. It was fully cooked though. No soggy...

If you're a couple looking for a spot with a vibrant, slightly tropical feel for a casual but special night out, this could be it. The Vibe: Tacolina is almost entirely outdoors on a lush garden patio. Think lots of greenery, a relaxed but buzzing atmosphere, and definitely a place where you'll want to snap some cute pics. It feels like a little escape from the city, and even though it's outdoors, they have an awning, heaters, and even offer blankets, so don't let a cooler LA evening deter you. It struck us as a great place for a date where you want to chat and enjoy the surroundings as much as the food. The Food: We dove into a few tacos – the steak was fresh and flavorful. We also shared the Chips & Guacamole, which were solid. The menu leans towards coastal-style Mexican, with some interesting twists. Prices for most tacos range from $14-$17, and appetizers are in a similar ballpark. For a couple, you could probably have a good meal with a few shared plates and tacos for around $40-$60 before drinks. Drinks: They have a tempting selection of margaritas, palomas, and some unique cocktails. We tried one of their signature drinks, and it was well-made and refreshing – perfect for the patio vibe. The Service: The service was friendly and efficient. Our server was happy to offer recommendations and made sure we were comfortable. Things to Note: parking is street parking, which can be a bit tricky in Silver Lake, so factor that in. Overall: Tacolina is a fantastic spot for a couple looking for a casual yet atmospheric dining experience. The beautiful outdoor setting, tasty Mexican food with a twist, and good drinks make it a strong contender for a date night. We'll definitely be back to soak up those...

This place was nothing but a great disappointment. To start the food was incredibly mediocre and just seemed over priced and unauthentic. I already was a bit weary and turned off when they offered us to start our meal with an order of their chips and salsa. They charge $9 for the chips and $3 each salsa you choose to order with it. For a table of 4 the small little cup of each salsa they provided was laughable and disappointing. Once we were almost done with the chips, that would otherwise be complimentary at any other Mexican restaurant, our waiter Rudy came by to take out orders. He asked our table who wanted to get started ordering, nobody but myself was entirely ready but when I opened my mouth and starting stating my order he cuts me off mid sentence and with a condescending tone says, “Hey let’s let the ladies order first ok?”. This was extremely off putting and everyone at my table agreed weird, rude, and unnecessary. I like to think of myself as a gentleman but I have never ever heard of this unspoken rule Rudy decided to uncomfortably forced me into abiding by. The act of cutting me off mid sentence and not just taking my order ruined my appetite and gave me an instant feeling of wanting to stand up and run out the front door. I let it go but our meals only added fuel to the fire. The steak tacos were about $16 and I received nothing but two tortillas with chopped steak bits on it. The side of beans I ordered might as well have been black beans out of a can. None of my party finished the dinner feeling fulfilled and satisfied. The only enjoyable thing about the meal was the margaritas which were actually quite tasty and well made, the bartender...