Prepare to enter a world of colorful and cheerful design, as your utensils are served in small plastic buckets and assorted Mexican paraphernalia scream at you from every angle. Yes, there are nachos (and very good ones, at that), but if you're looking for burritos/tacos/fajitas or--dog forbid--SOPAPILLAS, you're at the wrong place, because none of this is available here. But (if you're meat-friendly) you can have a whack at their specialty, steak fillet with huitlacoche.

I suppose we were there during rush hour (apparently, when isn't in rush hour), though we were left unimpressed. Props for the chips, but maybe a second go will do it...

This ain't no Watercourse! If you can get by on appetizers, Zorba's offers superb hummus and falafel dishes. I go for the Kolokithia (zucchini slices with tzatziki) and if I'm feeling adventurous, I get the Macaronada as well (Greek-style macaroni), but usually I just stick to the appetizers. Zorba's serves Mexican as well; if that's what you're hankering after, leave it for another joiint. This is Colorado, after all.

Being a vegetarian, I have no desire to try the meaty selections, but others have attested to their scrumptious factor. Forget Chipotle/Qdoba/etc, this is the place to be, especially if you just want to bathe in their delicious green chili. Be forewarned: as this place is SUPER popular, there might be queue for a table (or the counter), but the wait will be WELL WORTH it.

When I lived in this neighborhood, I practically lived off of the cheesy burritos, topped with cubed tomatoes and dashes of lettuce (around $3), but I've since found concoctions that my taste buds prefer. Good chips, though.

The few times I've been here, I always order the fixed-price lunch menu, and when there's nothing vegetarian to eat, the same server always checks with the chef to see if they can't cook me up an alternative. They always do AND they still charge the same price! Now, THAT'S service! I keep coming back because of the relaxed atmosphere and the employees are friendly without overdoing it, know when to leave you alone to enjoy your food. Try the very exquisite crepes!

There are actually four branches of this place; this one near the Opera metro station might be the smallest. Better for drinks and dessert--try the crepe de cajeta (with dulce de leche). The nachos aren't bad either, but you could also make some at home for much less.

Spanish only, service sometimes slow and dubious, but products, prices, and ambience as though you were in a small village.

Where else can you order (somewhat without shame) these kind of tacos? I suppose if you have never been to Mexico (like me), you'd imagine this to be representative of some roadside taqueria, with appropriate Mexicanalia like sombreros, floral tablecloths and papel picado blowing in that Southern California breeze. I had two veggie tacos at $2.95 each, which seemed rather ghastly to me, but who knows? It is LA and we were on the Sunset Strip. I like to support family-run efforts like anyone, but I guess I just like my taco places less put together. I'll probably go back, though, to try the Oaxacan cheese burrito and the cactus.

This relative also happens to be a good cook. You relax in one of the wooden booths, gazing at various photographic anecdotes of Mexican history, grabbing some fresh, homemade chips here and there. Even when the restaurant is busy, your enchiladas rojas or tacos albanil come out almost as soon as you ordered, sometimes served by the super friendly owner himself, or one of the other equally welcoming family members. So cozy, you just might end up eating all your meals here.