Casa Escobar

From the outside of Casa Escobar, it's hard to envision the restaurant's interior. If you enter the restaurant when it's still light outside, give your eyes a minute to adjust to the cave-like lounge atmosphere. After your eyes have properly adjusted, you'll see cozy tables, small red lights lining the walls and an unobtrusive television in the corner. Casa Escobar opened its doors in the 1960s, and the dining area has stayed true to that area, lack of windows and all.

The lounge area is a comfortable, retro place to take a date. Sometimes there's even live music to entertain the patrons. Casa Escobar's inner room is decorated party like a Mexican restaurant and partly like a child's birthday party. Piñatas hang from the ceiling in a variety of characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, Tinkerbell, Spiderman, Elmo and Snow White. It goes without saying that children dining here will prefer the decor in this room, as well as the child-like adult.

Since it's hard to eat Mexican food without drinking a margarita, you'll want to try the classic margarita on the rocks for $7. Other favorites are the Cadillac margarita and the strawberry margarita. Because of the deliciousness of the drink, the tequila might sneak up on you. Two drinks will usually do the trick here, so hopefully you have a safe ride home from dinner.

Menu items cater to meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The spinach and cheese enchiladas are fresh and delicious. The machaca burrito is stuffed with juicy shredded beef, bell peppers, onions, cheese and a mildly spicy sauce; unless you're a big eater, you'll probably have enough burrito left over to take home. If you're unsure of what to order, ask your server for a suggestion. Combination plates are great for customers that want to try several dishes.

The servers here are prompt and courteous and whether you're a regular or a newcomer, it's easy to feel like part of the Casa Escobar family. 

HelloMetro Tip: Come here hungry! When you are seated, you'll immediately receive chips and salsa, which will include a mild and a spicy version of salsa. Go easy on the spicy, or you might find your lips on fire. You've been warned.

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.