Mexican (under $25)
El Tarasco
The original El Tarasco on Rosecrans is legendary, the shack by the beach that has fed generations of students, surfers, tourists who wanted to be mistaken for surfers, and everybody else who wanted a meal that was cheap, filling, and surprisingly good. About 10 people can eat inside, and whoever was unfortunate enough to have a seat in the middle was always going to have people elbowing them while picking up takeout orders. That little hut spawned a chain of seven restaurants, including the new Hermosa location that is somewhat upscale, with seafood specialties and a beer and wine license. Meanwhile the original continues just as it always has been, the constantly ringing phone and clatter from the kitchen a sign somebody’s getting good Mexican chow at a great price.
El Tarasco
316 Rosecrans Avenue
Manhattan Beach
(310) 545-4241
337 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach
(310) 406-8399
1402 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach
(310) 792-8088
Runner-up:
Hermosa Mexican Cuisine
824 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach
(310) 937-5606
New restaurant in 2021
Vida Moderna Taqueria
Some impressive fine dining establishments opened last year, but for best new restaurant, our readers chose a taqueria. Vida is upscale by the standard of taquerias, showing off with inventive, sometimes quirky ideas. There are 17 varieties of tacos on the menu, so you’re not going to try them all on one trip. Do you want to go upscale with lobster tail, wild shrimp, or New York steak, or for something creative like the tempura nopales or cinnamon carnitas? Healthy with the roasted mushrooms or Beyond Beef, or traditional with al pastor or chicken Tinga? They have all those, plus salads, zingy ceviche and much more. There are creative or traditional cocktails to pair with anything you order, and our readers are enjoying the exploration.
Vida Moderna Taqueria
1723 S. Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach
(310) 430-7787
Runner-up:
Vista
1250 The Strand
Hermosa Beach
(310) 372-9797
Pizza
Paisano’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
It’s pretty much impossible to live in Hermosa and not know about Paisano’s. If your dream pizza is New York style, with a thin crust you can fold the way they do in Brooklyn, this is where you come for gigantic slices on your way to the beach. On any given day they’ll have 18 kinds by the slice, ready to slide into the oven. Since it takes only a few minutes to bring that slice up to temperature, it’s really fast food that’s really good. Two slices are a good sized meal, so pick one you know you like and one that you’re curious about. It’s a small investment and you may discover your new favorite pizza.
Paisano’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
1132 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach
(310) 376-9883
Runner-up:
Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen & Liquor Store
101 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach
(310) 376-2330
Poke
Jus’ Poke
The South Bay’s original poke specialist is once again the favorite. As the name implies, ceviche Hawaiian style is all they do. They offer seven variations on ahi tuna from the simple traditional with onions, soy, and sesame oil, to spicy versions with wasabi and chili peppers. (The combination of cool fish with a hot marinade is so popular that they’ve come up with two versions on the wasabi.) There’s also a tofu poke, and if you get a combination plate that should be on it. The poke is served with rice and seaweed salad or edamame, and they’re both worth having. The place is owned by a Hawaiian family and brings a chill Island vibe to everything they do.
Jus’ Poke
501 N. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach
(310) 379-1133
Runner-up:
Rock’N Fish Restaurant
120 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
(310) 379-9900
