Located at 7661 Melrose Avenue, Durango Cantina is the place to go for Mexican-inspired comfort food delicately fused with a slight Southern California flair. As overcast grays reign supreme over sunny skies and autumn’s windy bitterness casts its spell over Los Angeles, Durango Cantina transports guests to warm desert days with its cactus and wood interior and decadent dishes.
After guests make their way through the traditional saloon-style doors, they will find themselves in a homey indoor seating area with pillow-lined benches, stained glass windows, and statement lighting. If they happen to stumble upon a Karaoke Night, then live music and supportive cheers fill up the cozy room as the smell of warm food wafts in from the kitchen. Durango’s casual and welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect place to spend a night out with friends, drinking just a little too much alcohol and getting just a little too excited over winning a game of pool.
For girls or guys nights out, Durango Cantina offers the iconic Patron Margarita Tree, which comes with a selection of margarita flavors, with guests able to create a medley with options like guava, prickly pear, passion fruit, melon, strawberry, peach, mango, watermelon, and pineapple. For those who just want a drink or two, Durango’s house and specialty cocktails are definitely worth trying. The Grounds for Divorce cocktail with bourbon, lime, apple spice, and mint is definitely set to become a fall favorite. The Oaxaca Mule with Mezcal, lime, and ginger beer is also a crowd pleaser.
Durango has a generous selection of shareable, mouth watering appetizers. With a California luxury twist on classic dishes, these unique starters are far from the average Mexican-inspired restaurant menu. The Albondigas Duranguenses is a savory meatball stew dish served with cheese and bean molletes. The restaurant also accounts for dietary restrictions, with the vegetarian Veggie Albondigas option: “meatballs” made with rice, beans, garbanzos, and tomatoes. And you can never go wrong with the Guacamole! Durango’s elevated take on this classic starter is made with irresistibly creamy avocados, ripe heirloom tomatoes, punchy onions and serrano peppers, and fresh cilantro. Served with rice paper and tortilla chips, this delicious guacamole could make anyone forget about the impending bleakness of winter as the fresh vegetables echo springtime sentiments.
As each delicious appetizer makes you crave more of Durango’s unique menu options, the entree menu boasts juicy meat options prepared carefully in a charcoal oven by Durango Cantina’s very own Chef Alex Carrasco. Previously known for Michelin-awarded restaurants like Bee Taqueria and Osteria Mozza, Executive Chef Alex Carrasco has planned a menu that is sure to impress. Durango’s tender braised lamb shank with flavorful asada roja and avocado salsas, served with steaming heaps of rice and beans will be an absolute delight for your tastebuds. Ideal for meat lovers, the Discada Duranguense combines buttery bacon, salty chorizo, tender steak, and spiced linguica sausages for an indulgent feast. The extravagant Carne Asada includes perfectly grilled rib eye with chorizo, onion, nopales asado, frijoles fritos, queso de petate asado, guacamole, and salsa de molcajete.
This Halloween season, be sure to check out Durango Cantina’s unique delicacies!
Written By Roxy De Guzman
