Whether the beach, pier or hiking trails, these days much of what we love about Southern California appears to be under one restriction or another. That is, until you consider the food — specifically, Mexican fare. You might not be able to sit at a restaurant table to dine, but that shouldn’t stop you from indulging in cuisine that is as ubiquitous to the Valley as the Santa Ana winds themselves. Here are some of the best spots to order from now for takeout and delivery.
Conejo Valley
Casa Escobar Malibu
22969 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 310-456-1999
Curbside takeout is available Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Steeped in the Sonoran traditions of a bygone era, this family-owned restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway specializes in classic Mexican dishes. While the locale’s ambiance might be off-limits due to the coronavirus, the food continues to provide the expected flavor. Their limited menu includes family-style trays of tacos and enchiladas as well as such favorites as burritos and fajitas. Their always-popular margaritas are also available.
Cisco’s
1712 E Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks 805-288-6208
Takeout is available daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Serving authentic Mexican fare for almost 50 years, Cisco’s offers a limited menu for takeout that includes quesadillas (including the roasted pasilla chili and cheese, stuffed with roasted pasilla chili, Monterey jack cheese and green onions), fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and chimichangas (like the Ultimate, stuffed with white meat chicken, refried beans, Spanish rice and jack cheese, then topped with sauce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes).
San Fernando Valley
Mi Ranchito Veracruz
13363 Saticoy Street, North Hollywood 818-287-6911
Takeout is available Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Delivery is available through Postmates, Grubhub and UberEats.
This North Hollywood eatery remains open for takeout and delivery, meaning you still enjoy everything from their braised beef (with rice, black beans and guacamole) to their carne asada plate (grilled skirt steak with rajas poblanos, rice, beans and guacamole). And then, of course, there are the tamales, served Veracruz-style, and now including a bean and cheese vegan option.
Casa Vega
13301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks 818-788-4868
Call ahead to order takeout or delivery.
A Sherman Oaks institution for more than 60 years, Casa Vega continues to operate from their Ventura Boulevard spot with a contactless drive-on-thru menu featuring house combos, street tacos, enchiladas, and family trays. Additionally, you can pick up eggs, bread, milk, tortillas, avocados, yellow onions, limes and tomatoes from among their marketplace items.
Santa Clarita Valley
Sabor Cocina Mexicana
23953 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia 661-259-9002
Curbside pickup, takeout and delivery via Doordash are available Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Serving Santa Clarita since 2000, Sabor Cocina Mexicana continues to be open for curbside, takeout and delivery. Dishes on their to-go menu include taquitos (shredded chicken, guacamole, salsa verde, crema and queso fresco), tacos (stuffed with choices of spicy pork, ribeye steak or grilled filet mignon) and chile relleno (crispy Anaheim chile with cheese, crema and roasted chile-tomato sauce). Their family kits include a dozen tortillas, guacamole, salsa, chips, rice and beans. And to finish your meal off, try some vanilla flan or churros for dessert.
Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant
19319 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 661-367-4945
Takeout and delivery daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dishes on their to-go menu range from soups (Albondigas or chicken tortilla) to salads (including the seafood salad with Abalone, octopus, cold shrimp and crab) to such favorites as burritos, tacos and taquitos. Items ordered from the junior menu, aimed at ages three to 10, come with rice and refried beans or French fries. If you wish to feed a lot of people (say, 15 to 20), you can choose from their selection of (very) large family platters.