The night I wished I were Mexican

Kim Burke-Connors and I

Dios mio! If there is anyone in Los Angeles who has not yet been to Red O, get yourself together, man! And for anyone out there who has issues with pricey Mexican food, well that's just racist. Not all Mexican food is cheap to produce. The mole and spice-rubbed roasts were as intricate as any Parisian dish I've had. That place made me wish I were Mexican.

Red O was such an experience, that I forgot to photograph my food. And this girl takes photos of all kinds of business. I did however, save the tasting menu from a recent dinner party I attended there. Read it and weep. And then eat. And if you don't, that's racist. 

Taco Heaven

I once cut a quote out of an old Glamour magazine and stuck it to my fridge. It read, "No matter where you are, you're never that far from a taco." I found this sublimely comforting.

I assumed I'd be in taco heaven when I moved to L.A. But there was a lot of trial and error. There's an old adage that declared shabbier taco joints as being more authentic and tasty. But trust me, some are cheaper for a reason. Low quality meat, laziness in seasoning and not-so-fresh salsa bring a lot of these places down.

For all you Angelenos who take comfort in Mexican food like Elvis did with peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches, here are the best of the best:

Best Bean and Cheese Burritos:

Los Tacos in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard

Best Everything:

La Fogata on Van Nuys Blvd

Best Carne Asada Tacos:

Benito's (multiple locations and...free guacamole!)

Best Carnitas:

Tortas Mexico on Ventura Blvd

Best Trendy But Still Delicious Tacos:

Pink Taco in Westwood & Velvet Margarita Cantina in Hollywood

This took years and years of research people, so throw on your bibs and get to town. I must also pay respect to a fellow taco lover, L.A. Taco

God bless you, L.A. Taco. Saving me hundreds of dollars in dry tamales and tacos shamefully stuffed with shredded yellow cheese, my calories will be spent on quality, not science projects.