Last week I announced that I would do a Cinco de Mayo series highlighting Mexican restaurants that either have exciting dishes or are staples in the LA area. The first was Guisados and after them, I was ready to try the next restaurant. Too bad things didn’t go as smoothly. Instead, work got a hold of me and wouldn’t let me go so I was unable to write about anything. Now that it’s the freaking weekend, I can finally get my fingers to a keyboard and tell you about the next installment in the Cinco de Mayo Series: Border Grill in Santa Monica!

I was invited to check out dishes and drinks at a set of Santa Monica restaurants thanks to the Downtown Santa Monica Taco Trek. In fatty terms: you visit multiple restaurants and try out their signature items and crack jokes with attendees as you stumble (I mean walk) from location to location. For this event, I was in good company of other food bloggers like Michael from The LA Beat, Lisa of This Beautiful Day, and Tara from The Food Pervert (amongst others). Since I had been in the gym for a solid two weeks prior to this event, I figured I could take on this trek and finish it like a champion. That went out the window with the plates from Border Grill.

They, like any normal Mexican restaurant, started off with chips and salsa. But they set the stage with a plate of a single large tortilla chip and guacamole. I think someone told the chef how much I love guac because there was so much of it. I attacked that chip and was about to demolish the remaining guacamole, but stopped once I remembered more food was on the way.

Actually, next was the drink: Route 43 ($13). It’s a chinaco blanco infused with jalapeno, passion fruit, agave syrup, fresh lime, and licor 43. If you’re a spicy drink lover, then this is for you. It wasn’t too intense of a drink, but the jalapeno accent is clear as day.

Alongside the drink were the tacos. We got to try individual tacos that are part of the full plates at Border Grill. First was the Yucatan Pork Taco ($23 for a full plate), followed by the Roasted Potato Rajas Relleno ($22 for a full plate). The Yucatan taco takes pork and blends it with a jicama salsa, pickled onions, cinnamon, and guacamole atop handmade corn tortillas. The meat was savory and tender and the jicama added a rich flavor. However, the potato taco stole the show! The crispy tortilla encapsulates the seasoned potato, but it’s the melody of bright corn and spicy veggies that made this my favorite of the two. It’s a creative taco that remains simple yet elaborate in its taste. I wanted to ask, beg, no run to the kitchen to grab another one but I had to remind myself that I was on a trek and I needed space for dishes from other restaurants. At least, there’s time to get more tacos on Cinco de Mayo!

On Cinco de Mayo they’ll have specialty drinks like the Route 43 ($13), plus Sangria ($5), a Calavera Classic ($12), tequila flight ($25), and more. On the taco side they’re making $4 tacos including the Secret Cinco Taco, Lamb Barbacoa, and more special creations. To see what other items make up their menu, click here!

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Address: 1445 4th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310.451.1655
Hours: Monday to Friday – 11:30am to 10:00pm, Saturday – 10:00am to 11:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am to 10:00pm
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