The logo for El Gringo used to be a pasty-faced cowboy; now, it’s a small monkey on a large surfboard. The exact reason for either is unknown to the public at large, who only care about one thing – they serve very good Sonora-style Mexican food at very modest prices.
It’s the simple Mexican food we all love, a few ingredients combined in many delicious ways to create tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, and the other items that are soul food for California coastal natives. To their credit, they do more than that – the mahimahi grilled with Mexican spices and the Yucatan-style chicken and avocado soup called Xcholti aren’t items you see on every menu, and like everything else, they are generous portions at modest prices. The three restaurants in this chain are the places that demanding Beach denizens go for sustenance when their stomach and their wallet are both running on empty, and they leave with one much more full and the other not quite exhausted.
El Gringo: 2620 Hermosa Ave., HB. 310-376-1381. 921 N. PCH, MB. 310-372-6080. 821 Torrance Blvd., RB. 310-316-8032
Runner-up: Sharkeez, 52 Pier Avenue, HB. 310-318-0004. 3600 Highland Ave, MB. 310-545-8811.
