You know when you’re craving Mexican food, but you don’t want all the grease & cheese & massive portions followed by curling up in the fetal position? Born and raised in Southern California, I eat Mexican food at least twice a week, and sometimes I do want that greasy goodness (generally after a booze--induced evening), but most of the time I want to feel like I haven’t just stuffed my face with rice, beans, & cheese. Border Grill is just the kind of refined Mexican cuisine that makes you feel like you’ve experienced all the flavors of south of the border, without committing gluttonous crimes to your waistline. Their cuisine combines the art of Oaxaca and Yucatan home cooking, with a modern, upscale twist. Co-Head Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, better known as the Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales”, have been setting a standard for gourmet Mexican cuisine since 1985 when the Border Grill first opened. Originally it started as a taco stand in West Hollywood and 5 years later they were able to open the restaurant at its current location in Santa Monica. There is now another Border Grill in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay.

Right as I walked into Border Grill, I was impressed by the color scheme. Rich & vibrant colors of orange, red, & yellow earth tones drape the entire restaurant & bar. The shape of the ceiling & dividing walls are uneven and geometric, to give it that urban, modern feel. Essentially, you feel like you’re in a Salvador Dali painting, which I think is what they were trying to accomplish.

The drink menu is a highlight for any Tequila fan. They have a wide range of specialty margaritas & cocktails, including a fresh Mango or Guava Margarita, Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita, Naranjito (w/ fresh orange, lime, & Bacardi O), Mojita Ocho (w/ aged Bacardi 8), & my favorite, the Ginger Pomegranate Margarita. My margarita was absolutely superb, but my only complaint is that for $12 a glass, they should have doubled the size. The portion made me feel like I was drinking from a sippie cup. Border Grill also offers an impressive wine list that pairs well with spicy and Latin-flared dishes. For the straight Tequila drinkers, they have a Tequila menu that contains over 15 Anejos, 8 different Reposados, & over 10 Platas (or Blancos). Let’s just say if you take a date here, you’re probably getting lucky at the end of the night.

For dinner the prices are very reasonable (b/t $5-$9 for appetizers & $12-$29 for entrees), and lunch is even more affordable. Border Grill menu highlights include anyone of their homemade Tamales (the Green Corn Tamale absolutely melts in your mouth), the Chicken Adobe Quesadilla is sweet & spicy, and I couldn’t decide which one of their Salsa Trios I liked better because they were equally mouth-watering & perfect to dip any of the entrees into. Every night they offer a Pescado Veracruzano, which is there pan-seared Wild Seasonal Fish of the Day in a white wine and garlic broth. A couple things I wasn’t over the moon about are their guacamole; it was too drenched in lime and it overpowered the avocado & my palette. Also, their Roasted Lamb Tacos w/ manchego cheese was just ok, but it lacked flavor and heat. Next time I will most likely try either the Carnitas Nortenas (slow-braised pork w/ Serrano chilies, red onion, & a citrus slaw, the Seabass Amarillo Ceviche (w/ yellow chilies, ginger, & lime), and/or the Gaucho Steak (grilled rib eye w/ caramelized onions, slow-roasted garlic, & red chilaquiles. There are so many Mexican restaurants to choose from in this city and Border Grill is not necessarily the best you can find in all of LA, but it has style, it has sophistication, and it has the flavors.

Special Events:

Border Grill offers private parties for lunch, dinner, or just cocktails.

Happy Hour- Monday thru Friday from 4pm-7pm
Late Nite Happy Hour- Friday & Saturday after 10pm
Sunday Happy Hour- From 11:30am-4pm/Drinks Only

Saturday & Sunday Brunch
(11:30am-3pm)
Includes special drinks & special dishes (Border Grill Benedict, Banana Pancakes, & Machaca con Huevos)

Border Grill
1445 4th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Make Reservations: 310-451-1655

Author: Erin Landsberg