PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Located in the fashionable part of the valley, Mexacali Cocina Cantina has a reputation for being a trendy spot to have lunch or diner. With that reputation comes both the good and the bad. Dark wood tables, soft lighting and tightly packed tables gives Mexacali a very comfortable feeling. Perhaps known for their very attractive waiter staff, almost all of whom are aspiring actors, and the celebrities that frequent the restaurant (Jessica Simpson most notable) as much as for there food, Mexacali continues to be a chic spot for those looking to see and be seen.

The Food

Don't come here expecting to get authentic Mexican food. The name says it all. The food is a standard mixture of everything you would find in a traditional Mexican restaurant, but done with a California sensibility. Flour over corn tortillas and esoteric spices such as saffron and cilantro are just a few of the differences. Some of the more popular dishes are the Tortilla soup, the shrimp fajitas and the Shrimp and Crab burritos. If you are looking for some drinks with your meal try their signature drink, the Margatini. It's as potent as it is tasty, packing enough licker to get most people buzzed with the first glass.

The Service

The service here is what you would expect from a trendy restaurant with an actor heavy staff. You get pleasant chit chat, your meal and a couple of refills on chips and drinks. If you come for diner expect a long wait. On some nights the wait can reach forty-five minutes as the place gets packed. Lunch is usually easier to get in without a wait or reservation.

Parking

Parking is perhaps the best I have seen at any restaurant. They share an adjacent lot with the surrounding business so there is plenty of it.