Petty Cash Taqueria

One of the many perks of living in LA is the accessible and delicious Mexican food, namely tacos.  I love tacos like I love gelato (and I really, really love gelato).  So when I first heard Petty Cash Taqueria was taking over Playa, I was excited... then, skeptical.  Could a restaurant in Mid-City really compete with the delicious and authentic $1 tacos of East LA? Si, amigos. But would I rate them serving the best Mexican food I've eaten in my life (especially when an average price of one taco is $5)?  Nah.

Nevertheless, Petty Cash Taqueria does a solid job of serving up good food in a good vibe. Definitely check Petty Cash out if you're in the neighborhood, but if you're looking for dirty, but delicious street food, hit the streets of East LA.

With colorful graffiti adorning the walls and music bumpin', plaid clad crowd, and $100k+ cars in valet,  the ambience is a vibrant mishmash of East LA meets West LA.  Do you have to practically shout to be heard by the person sitting next to you?  Yes.  Is it a fun atmosphere?  Sure.

Bring it on.  At the bar.

Fly By Night -- Petty Cash scotch medley, Salier's gentian, King's ginger, angostura, peychaurd bitters, grapefruit twist -- $8

The food and drink menus are straight-forward, all items fitting on a single sheet of paper and divided into a handful of categories.

Complimentary tortilla chips and housemade red and verde salsas.

Pig Ear Nachos -- with crema poblano and soft egg -- $12

Pig Ear Nachos?!  To my non-adventurous foodie friends, fear not.  To my adventurous foodie friends, it might be tad bit underwhelming. The pig ear slices are fried to a crisp, but they're almost too crispy because it loses some of its flavor.  The thin, but crispy restaurant-style tortilla chips are then topped with a creamy cheese, peppers, and a soft-boiled egg.  If you dislike egg yolk, you may choose to pass.  But if you're curious, it doesn't hurt to try.

Yolk! Or to some, Yuck!

Dorados -- potato, avocado, tomatillo, topped with cabbage, cotija cheese and pickled onions (3 pieces) -- $4.5

Ceviche Negro -- Pacific sea bass, squid ink, mango, peanuts -- $12

Tacos!

Carnitas -- pork, salsa verde, guacamole -- $5

Carne Asada -- refried beans, guacamole, salsa roja -- $5.50

Charcoal-grilled Octopus -- chile de arbol, peanuts, jack cheese, avocado -- $6.5

Al Pastor -- marinated adobe chile-rubbed pork shoulder, onions, avocado, pineapple -- $5.50/ each

Really flavorful!

FYI: Tortillas are from Mexican Sefloras, an East LA establishment.  Produce is sourced from local farms or their roof-top garden.  Seafood is sushi-grade and comes from a local Japanese provider.  Pigs are from Cook Ranch in Julian, CA and carne asada is prime NY-strip loin.



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meal date: 5/31/13; Dinner
cuisine: Mexican/ Latin-American
location: Mid-City
hours: Dinner only. M-W, Sun: 6 PM - 11PM; Th - Sat: 6 PM - midnight
websites: { PC | yelp | facebook | twitter }
attire: Casual
parking: Street meters or valet
notes: Try Pig Ear Nachos and al pastor tacos
other reviews: { JGold | LAist }