Villa's Tacos #3 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

If you like seafood and you like Villa’s Tacos down at Fig and Ave 54, you’ll love their #3 location. You can get vegetarian tacos here, as you can at the other Villa’s; we tried the hongos (mushrooms), a savory option that almost melts in your mouth. But seafood tacos are #3’s raison d’etre. We like octopus, but at some restaurants the results can be hit or miss. Here the pulpo is fresh and tender, grilled (zarandeado) to perfection. The preparation is mild, putting the octopus flavor forward. For a spicier treatment, try the dorado asado, wild-caught mahi-mahi grilled and dressed with beans, cucumber, and salsa macha (hence the heat). It’s hard to rate service at a walk-up stand. Just before opening, Villa’s manager (jefe, owner?) gives a daily pep talk not only to his gung-ho crew but to his waiting customers. How can anybody not have the motivation to serve—and to be served! Atmosphere? Again, it’s a corner taco stand. But this one has vivid murals celebrating the Dodgers; Metro trains run right past the back door, and palm trees tower overhead; there are sun-drenched stools at stainless-steel counters and a picnic table in a relatively shady alcove. There’s also a beautiful LA branch library a block away and a good bookstore...

I've been thinking about my past two experiences here and I want to root for this place bc there's nothing I love more than surf and turf -- and it's within walking distance from house. The flavors are good there's no complaints there, but there's a few issues that stand out. The operations should be streamlined somehow. Idk I don't work in the food industry but maybe a number marquee could be useful if the crowd is just gonna stand around because 1) the music is blaring so loud one can't even hear when the staff tries calling your name to pick up your order 2) it takes a really long time to get your order so a visual cue would be appreciated if a sonic cue isn't in the mix. Also, both times I visited my order was served mildly warm instead of hot. Something also needs to be done to address the juxtaposing cold condiments with warm food. I'm fine with that when I'm at home, but it's not what I expect from a restaurant. I waited 30 minutes for my two tacos and there were only like 6 parties with small orders of two or three tacos each ahead of me. Not the...

First time trying this new spot and it didn't disappoint. I got Camarón Salvaje Mexicano, No Soy Pulpo and Wild Mahi Mahi. Pulpo and Camarón were the standouts for me but Mahi Mahi was really good also. I'm not a big seafood fan but they were well seasoned, had a lot of flavor and weren't overly fishy, slimy like most seafood. I will say that they are quite pricey but worth it. It's a small spot with limited seats because of it being right next to the train tracks but it has a ton of personality. I did have to wait a bit for the tacos but that's ok. Their green salsa and pineapple habanero salsa complemented the tacos well but be careful with the pineapple habanero because it is quite spicy. All in all I would definitely come back and would recommend just be aware...