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THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED TINGA Santa Monica

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED TINGA Santa Monica Restaurant Review:

If you wonder why American chef Jerry Baker is doing Mexican cuisine, here is the explanation: back in 1983, during a visit to Santa Barbara, he fell in love with famed La Super-Rica, and told himself “One day I will open my own taqueria.” The Santa Monica location is his second TINGA, a more “restaurant” version of the La Brea Avenue small taco joint. Situated in the former home of Renee’s Courtyard Bistro, this iteration has three separate dining rooms, each with its own bar, and plenty of al fresco seating. The décor with murals and paintings by artist Brett Westfall is funky and messy, but that’s what makes the place cool and fun. Start with a cocktail crafted with fresh-squeezed juices, house-created syrups, and a long list of tequilas and mezcals. Begin the meal with the bacon guacamole, some chorizo and goat cheese rice balls or the grilled sweet corn topped with cream and poblano purée. Now it’s time for the tacos, built with homemade masa and hand-pressed tortillas, the burritos, quesadillas and nachos. There are many choices, made with chicken, pork or flat-iron steak, with some vegetarian options. If you prefer spicy, we recommend the lamb taco. We really like the “pastram-adilla,” Baker’s interpretation of a pastrami sandwich in quesadilla form. Finish with the churros, a must-have.