Casa Vega

Casa Vega Restaurant Review:

This Valley favorite, beloved by loyal neighborhood regulars, a few celebrities and folks looking for a bargain, has been around since 1956 and founder Rafael Ray Vega's family still operates the joint. His daughter Christy is equally comfortable in the kitchen making chiles rellenos as she is brightly welcoming diners. The dining room is one of the darkest places around --- so dark you can hardly make out the images on the original bull-fighting paintings above the old-school red vinyl booths. The margaritas are big and strong; stick with the classics or get adventurous with the blood orange, pomegranate or “skinny” varieties (the latter being very appropriate for L.A.). The modestly priced menu offers all the usual suspects of Americanized Mexican food: quesadillas, taquitos, chicken or lobster enchiladas and big burritos, made with cage-free chicken and all-natural Angus beef. Most meals include an appetizer of a mini tostada salad or cup of soup; we prefer the chicken tortilla soup for its rich broth and chunks of avocado. A vegetarian menu offers spinach enchiladas and a Mexican pizza. Several seafood options are light enough that you'll have room for a dessert of creamy caramel flan or churros de Rafael. Reservations are not accepted, and there can be a long wait on weekends.