Cuisine:

• Mexican
• American
• Latin American
• Fast Food and Hamburgers

Border Grill Description:
Experiencing the Latin-spiced cuisine of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, formerly Food Network's Too Hot Tamales, has become an L.A. tradition. Like the magnetic personalities they have always displayed, their flagship spot (Ciudad is their downtown Los Angeles gem and there's a Border Grill in Las Vegas) is raucous, funky and intensely colorful. This is no taco stand or little Mexican joint on the corner but one of the country's top Latin restaurants. Based on the duo's travels---and creativity---you'll find sophisticated dinner entrées such as the adobo pork chop with an apple-tamarind sauce and grilled salmon with tomato-herb salsa. However, we've been disappointed with the cochinita pibil, a surprisingly weak rendition of the Yucatan classic. For starters, the various ceviches, empanadas and wild mushroom quesadilla are terrific, and you can continue grazing---and saving money---on a selection of small plates: green corn tamales, black-bean-stuffed panuchos and griddled tacos filled with everything from potato and rajas to roasted lamb. It's easy to fill up on the addictive homemade chips and salsa. But, beware, bring a pair of earplugs if you hate noisy restaurants.