Santa MonicaTwo of LA’s most recognized chefs, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, serve up conscientiously sourced fare—seasonal ingredients, sustainable seafood, and organic rice, beans, and corn tortillas—at this Mexican canteen in Santa Monica. The garlicky Grilled Steak Arrachera and Pork Carnitas Norteñas are standouts, but vegetarians will find plenty to nosh on too, such as the tempura-fried Chilitos Rellenos or Mushroom Milanesa Skillet with guac. Taco Tuesday is a showcase for all of Socalo’s tasty options; be sure to try the slow-braised Lamb Birria, served with a tortilla griddled in the oil that’s been skimmed off the birria broth and blanketed in salty, creamy, melty cheese.

LA chef legends Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken opened this beachy canteen and Mexican pub in Santa Monica, and its sizable taco menu has many standouts, like slow-roasted lamb birria, chorizo, beef barbacoa and steak and shrimp. But the Socal dobladita is a tastebud explosion. Created with Chef Gio Lopez, who first tried it in Jalisco, this signature bite is a blue-corn tortilla overstuffed with roasted corn, kale, veggies, caramelized onions, cheese, chipotle aioli and house-made barbecue potato chips.

Border Grill’s Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken have returned to the city where it all began with Socalo, a casual spot serving the seasonal, California-inspired Mexican cuisine that put their original concept on the map over two decades ago. While times have certainly changed—L.A. diners now usually gravitate towards Mexican restaurants led by Mexican chefs—the citrusy, rainbow-colored tacos, crudos and entrées still make for a solid Mexican lunch or dinner option on the Westside.

Santa Monica Cal-Mex spot Socalo reopened ( and expanded) their outdoor dining area. They’ve also got margaritas and some Mexican craft beer available all day, as well. Reservations are recommended for dinner, but it’s first-come, first-served at lunch.

After meeting in the late ’70s as the only two women working in the kitchen at Chicago’s prestigious Le Perroquet, chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger moved to LA in 1981 and opened what would become the first in a long string of restaurants that includes former Santa Monica institution and James Beard Award winner Border Grill, eventually opening Socalo in Santa Monica. Socalo is an all-day Mid-City canteen located in The Gateway Hotel Santa Monica that serves their specialty, modern Mexican with a seasonal California twist (i.e. jackfruit tinga tacos, gingery ceviche, warm guava empanadas, and duck carnitas cassoulet). As Milliken is fond of saying, “We ditched the patriarchy and took charge of our own destiny.” They’ve never stopped blazing trails as cookbook authors, Food Network hosts, champions for LGBTQ rights, sustainability, and anti-hunger charities, or founding members of Women Chefs and Restauranteurs and Chefs Collaborative.

Dedicated to uplifting and celebrating women in the food and beverage industry, renowned restaurateurs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken first met as the only two female chefs in a Chicago kitchen, later going on to become the first female chef duo on the Food Network. Susan now sits on the board of the LA LGBT Center, and Mary Sue founded Regarding Her, a nonprofit that supports and empowers female restaurant owners. One of the crown jewels in their multi-state restaurant portfolio, SOCALO is a beachy California canteen meets Mexican pub.

5 first bites out of 10 were almost all fat, tortilla was like trying to cut paper or cardboard, my hand began to hurt from pressing so hard to cut it so I gave up and got a steak knife. Well, you're thinking: you could pick it up and just bite it right?. Yes, tried that, super greasy all over my hand, guess that's why they put the paper under everything, either to absorb some of the grease(?) or to make it easier for them to clean,(?) not just to make it slide around as you struggle to cut through stale tortilla.

Power duo chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken opened the original Border Grill in 1985, so the two have been cooking Mexican food in LA for more than 35 years and were some of the first to showcase different regional Mexican recipes coupled with local California ingredients. They dub their latest restaurant a California canteen and it is a fun and approachable spot to enjoy vampiro tacos, lamb birria, or steak arrachera on the westside. 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404; socalo.com

Socalo, from Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken has some premium eats for your weekend happy hour. Enjoy brand new items like the Mexican-inspired Socalo Burger with queso enchilado, poblano rajas, and chipotle aioli ($10), along with fan-favorites like the Green Fish Ceviche Tostadita ($7.50). Cocktails like the House-made Margarita and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned are just $8, Wines are under $10, and Beer is just $5.

Mexican food is a staple of Californians thanks to the close heritage across the Mexican border. This tasty part-organic restaurant in Santa Monica will surprise you with the rich comfort menu that also includes light fare like a raw seafood bar and plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. The tomahawk pork carnitas include a tasty blend of meat, herbs, mojo sauce, grilled peaches, and shallots that is unforgettable.

Lien Ta is managing partner at All Day Baby restaurant; her colleagues include Sandra Cordero of Gasolina Cafe, Sylvie Gabriele of Love & Salt, Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza, Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill and Socalo, Kimberly Prince of Hotville Chicken, Dina Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza, Heather Sperling of Botanica, and Brittney Valles of Guerrilla Tacos.

If they’re as delicious as this one, then jackfruit should be the focal point of more tacos. The strands of the unripe fruit are adept at committing to whatever flavor or marinade you desire, and the texture is practically meaty. It’s the centerpiece of the tinga tacos at Socalo, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s Santa Monica restaurant.

A sit-down Santa Monica cantina, Socalo is a popular spot gaining popularity for its California-Mexican fare using local, conscientiously-sourced ingredients. The restaurant screams a hip Santa Monica vibe with polished concrete floors and modular wooden furnishing. Do you want to enjoy a good meal in an artistic and fancy place?

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken return to Santa Monica with Socalo—a zero-footprint restaurant. The Pollo Norteño—a half chicken covered in guajillo sauce, cotija cheese and an apple herb salad—is a favorite of manager Lauro Alvarez. “It’s a specialty chicken that’s smaller, so it holds more flavor,” he explains.

socalo, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, There is also a vegetarian gala meal collaboration. Featuring signature menu items from 5 women-owned local restaurants in LA!. This is the same offering that Kye’s Feel Good Food is offering but both are part of the restaurant collaboration and hence are being offered by both.

Socalo is a perfect example of another door opening when one closes. After more than two decades in operation, the famous Mary Sue and Susan Feniger’s Border Grill closed in 2016. However, healthy food lovers in Santa Monica, California, were compensated with the opening of Socalo in the same spot a few years later.

Socalo is a stunning wedding venue in the heart of Santa Monica, California, offering nearlyweds a romantic,... Read more breathtaking site to celebrate their love in style. Located just minutes from the beach, this space is available for indoor and outdoor use along the open-air sidewalk seating and shaded...

They perfected the guava cheese empanada – a bit of cotija cheese added to cream cheese creates a subtle salty balance and the fresh lime softens the sweetness of the guava paste. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by SOCALO canteen & mexican pub (@socalorestaurant)

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Milliken and Susan Feniger (Socalo), Sandra Cordero (Gasolina Cafe) and Valerie Gordon (Valerie Confections) will cook a one-of-a-kind meal highlighting SoCal ingredients by way of Spain, Mexico and California across three courses.

Fans of Mexican food will have full plates at Socalo, Mercado Santa Monica, Red O Cantina and Blue Plate Taco. Socalo chef Susan Feniger said that the event is exciting due to “how it brings people together around food.

Enjoy creative takes on Cal-Mex for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start with chilaquiles in the morning, hit Santa Monica for the day, and end with a platter of grilled arrachera?. Sounds like a perfect day to us.

1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404Phone: 310-451-1655 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by SOCALO canteen & mexican pub (@socalorestaurant)

A Portion of Proceeds Will Benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Socalo restaurant is extending its support for Alex’s Lemonade Stand...