# Travel >> Destinations >> North America

Mexican Restaurants in Southern California

Southern California is home to Los Angeles, San Diego and the Inland Empire. The restaurant scene offers diverse ethnic foods, but if Mexican is what you crave, the area is dominated by eateries that specialize in the cuisine, which is fitting, given the area's proximity to Mexico.

Jalisco Cafe
- Jalisco Cafe has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine in Imperial Beach, San Diego County, for over 40 years. Appetizers include cheese crisp, nachos and jalapeno poppers. For breakfast, enjoy huevos rancheros, a ham and cheese omelet, or steak and eggs. For lunch and dinner, selections include fish and beef tacos, chorizo with egg, or beef chimichanga. A variety of enchiladas and fajitas is offered, including shredded beef, chicken and steak. The restaurant also offers specialties such as chile con carne and pork tips in green chile sauce. If you'd like to taste several items, try one of the combination platters. Finish your meal with a churro or homemade flan. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and is open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
  
  Jalisco Cafe
  
  1669 Palm Avenue
  
  Imperial Beach, CA 91932
  
  619-575-4955
  
  jaliscocafe.com
El Chavo Restaurant
- El Chavo, on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, has also been in business for 40 years. The restaurant is known for its green tamales, "Senor" and "Senora" combination plates, Monterey steak and shrimp a la diablo. Other menu items include tapatia, chiles rellenos, an array of tacos and enchiladas, pollo frito and tostadas con chorizo. Enjoy live or DJ music while you dine every night of the week except Tuesday. Hours of operations are 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and 4 p.m. until midnight Thursday through Saturday. The bar is open until midnight on weeknights and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
  
  El Chavo Restaurant
  
  4441 Sunset Boulevard
  
  Los Angeles, CA 90027
  
  323-664-0871
  
  elchavorestaurant.com‎
Tia Juanas Long Bar and Grill
- This restaurant is known for its 70-foot bar, the longest in Orange County, where you can enjoy the strawberry basil margarita, one of the other signature margaritas, or a lava colada. Appetizers include Baja nachos, barbecue chicken flautas, and queso fundido. Ahi tacos, shrimp and lobster fajitas and the Cobo roll are some of the specialties of the house. You can also dine on the New York steak asada, enchiladas suizas, salmon tacos, and spicy shrimp and carnitas. Live music is played seven nights a week.
  
  Tia Juanas Long Bar and Grill
  
  14988 Sand Canyon Avenue
  
  Irvine, CA 92618-2103
  
  949-551-2998
  
  tiajuanas.com‎