Named after owner Jesse Gomez’s professor at Loyola Law School, Yxta Cocina Mexicana continues to add to its menu and promote signature dishes like their handmade tortillas, freshly made guacamole, slow-cooked carnitas, enchiladas de mole, and empanadas, Several updates were made as well, including tostadas with sashimi-grade tuna, sweet shrimp taquitos and salmon in pipián verde.
Located in downtown Los Angeles on the corner of Central Ave. and 6th Street, Yxta Cocina Mexicana blends authentic Mexican food with a touch of modern-day cuisine and always surprises with its winning combinations.
Featuring Salmon Creek natural pork and Shelton Farm’s free range chicken, Yxta also boasts a full bar with 50 different variations of tequila, keeping the margarita selection fresh and inventive, including one of their most popular, the Real Pina margarita consisting of real silver tequila, muddled pineapple, cilantro and a kick of jalapeño. It might sound like a weird combination, but the sweet of the fruit with the spice of the jalapeno works perfectly and is a fast favorite of Yxta.
The house Yxta Margarita does not skimp on the tequila and makes a great classic consideration when looking at the cocktail list (ingredients are zavaño blanco, triple sec and fresh sour). All of the margaritas are definitely given a push above those found at a chain restaurant with the fresh sour mix that many places buy from a manufacturer.
Chile Relleno (Photo by: Marc Cartwright)
In addition to amazing and thirst-quenching margaritas, the bar also offers other cocktail options, including a twist on a White Russian, the Mexican Russian, made of Hangar One vodka, Kahlua, horchata and cinnamon, a drink that tastes like a holiday favorite.
Yxta offers a Happy Hour six days of the week as well for great deals on both drinks and appetizers: Monday 4-9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 4-7 p.m. and Saturday 5-7 p.m. – $5 margaritas, $3.50 bottled and $4 draft beers and $6 appetizers.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos (Photo by: Marc Cartwright)
To start the meal off, popular appetizers include the freshly-made guacamole with hass avocado, red onion and cilantro and the empanadas, consisting of the chef’s seasonal filling, crema fresca and salsa brava.
The perfectly cooked and seasoned Taquitos de Camaron are also a treat from the appetizer section mixing the sweetness of the shrimp with the spice of the salsa brava. A light dish to start your meal off right could be one of the many salad options on the menu, including the Ensalada de la Casa (“house salad), which includes organic greens, cherry tomatoes, onions, jicama, mushrooms, pepitas and chile ancho vinaigrette.
Rajas Poblanas (Photo by: Marc Cartwright)
On the tacos side of the offerings is a top-notch dish named Al Pastor and brilliantly combines marinated pork, pineapple, red onions, cilantro, cilantro lime rice and frijoles olla. The sweet pineapple and pork astoundingly complement each other and create the most interesting and also most appealing taste of the dinner. It’s definitely a must-try at Yxta Cocina with both complex and subtle pieces.
The options for dinner continue appealing to any and every Mexican cuisine fan that enters, including the more daring ones with the enchiladas section having some sweeter styles, like Enchiladas de Mole (pulled chicken, housemade mole poblano, crema fresca) and Enchiladas de Camaron (mexican sweet shrimp, yellow mole and queso fresco). The sweeter plates will not be every diner’s favorite, but it increases Yxta’s ability to please every tastebud.
Tostadas de Atún (Photo by: Marc Cartwright)
Ending a meal on a delicious high note is also a must, and Yxta gives several different dessert styles to choose from, including Pastel de Queso del Día and Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding), both that can be accompanied by ice cream for another dimension.
Yxta is one of those rare establishments that can serve as both a place to go out before a night on the town or one that is suitable for families and business luncheons. The interior décor is warm and inviting with also being stylish, and incorporating the many art pieces on the walls works to its advantage.
In addition to the typical meal offerings, Yxta can also cater parties, available for either pickup or delivery and reservations are available for parties of eight or more.
Yxta Concina Mexicana is located at 601 South Central Avenue. For more information, call 213-596- 5579 or visit www.yxta.net.
