Amor Y Tacos Awards

Amor Y Tacos Restaurant Review:

This Cerritos strip mall restaurant near the Los Angeles/Orange County border looks nondescript from the outside. It’s a different ballgame inside, as evidenced by the handmade tortillas being prepared by the front door. The earth-toned interior is livened up a bit with colorful paintings of lucha libre masks, which give the place a casual, neighborhood feel. This low-key ambience is an ideal setting for the fun and progressive cuisine whipped up by executive chef Thomas Ortega, who pushes the boundaries of Mexican cuisine in bold ways. Case in point: the must-try starter is the Oaxacan roasted crickets, tossed in a tangy chile-lime mixture. The menu also includes tater tots smothered with house-made mole, Doritos chilaquiles, and slow-roasted pork belly with a Mexican Coca-Cola glaze. As the name of the venue suggests, there are plenty of tacos, featuring different takes on the usual suspects: carnitas, al pastor and carne asada. Desserts such as churros with salted caramel carry the whimsy through to meal’s end. Sunday brunch is highlighted by traditional dishes like menudo and pozole.