Have you ever been in that familiar dinner dilemma, craving something beyond the usual, something…exotic? Just the other day, a simple question to my nine-year-old about dinner plans led to a surprising revelation. When I suggested our neighborhood Mexican restaurant, known for its dependable enchiladas, tamales, and fajitas, her youthful wisdom shone through. She declared, with an air of profound understanding, that she was in the mood for something truly exotic.
It was a lightbulb moment. Living in Southern California, Mexican cuisine has become so ingrained in our daily lives that we often overlook its rich heritage. It’s seamlessly woven into the fabric of our food culture, sometimes perceived merely as American fare with a side of salsa. But this familiarity can be a double-edged sword. We risk missing the depth and complexity, the millennia of history, culture, and even conflict embedded in every bite of a burrito, enchilada, or chile relleno. Long before Spanish conquistadors set foot on the land that would become Mexico City, Mexican cooking was already a sophisticated and advanced culinary tradition.
The Spanish conquistadors may not have found mountains of gold, but they unearthed something arguably more valuable: a treasure trove of ingredients that would transform global cuisine. Vanilla, turkey, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, corn, chilies – the list is extensive. And contrary to the notion of simplicity, authentic Mexican cooking is often incredibly labor-intensive. A truly traditional mole poblano, for instance, can be a three-day culinary undertaking. Now that’s what I call “exotic.”
Yet, in our casual Southern Californian dining scene, it’s easy to lose sight of this. Sitting in a bustling Mexican restaurant, enjoying complimentary chips and salsa, perhaps with a Corona in hand, the “exotic” origins can fade into the background.
However, if you’re looking for a place where those chips arrive with exceptional speed and flair, look no further than La Capilla Family Restaurant. This beloved culinary institution, often bustling and full of life, might be a hidden gem for those unfamiliar with the side streets of downtown Torrance. In Southern California, venturing beyond the main thoroughfares often reveals the most rewarding discoveries.
La Capilla in Torrance is part of a quartet of restaurants, with sister locations in Huntington Beach, Anaheim Hills, and La Palma. The Torrance branch, nestled just off Cabrillo Avenue, is a welcoming warren of rooms, cozy booths, tables, and a lively bar. It’s the kind of place where you can happily lose track of time over a flavorful margarita and a plate of rich mole. While Mexican beer often feels like the quintessential pairing for Mexican food, La Capilla is renowned for its impressive array of flavored margaritas. From strawberry to banana, melon to peach, and pineapple, their frozen margaritas offer a refreshing twist.
La Capilla successfully occupies several culinary spaces at once. On one hand, it’s a bastion of classic, almost retro, Mexican cooking. The menu features “Combinations” as elaborate and satisfying as any “one-from-Column-A/two-from-Column-B” Chinese menu. The “Combinations” section is prominently placed at the menu’s forefront, starting with the wonderfully minimalist “Combination of One.” This option presents a choice of rice and beans, accompanied by either tortilla soup or salad, and your pick from an enchilada, taco, chile relleno, or tamale.
The subsequent combinations, logically named “Combination of Two” and “Combination of Three,” continue the familiar and comforting mix-and-match approach. You can customize your plate with tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, tostadas, and tamales, creating your perfect Mexican comfort food medley. And truly, what’s not to love about a classic beef taco, a savory chicken enchilada, and a perfectly prepared chile relleno?
However, venturing beyond the combinations reveals a broader culinary landscape with unexpected delights, dishes more commonly found south of the border. Consider the “Nachoritos.” Despite the name’s playful diminutive, they evoke a sophisticated French-inspired dish encountered in Mexico City. These are not your average nachos; tortilla chips are meticulously shaped into small cups and filled with a delicious assortment of ingredients – shredded chicken or beef, cooling sour cream, melted cheese, hearty beans, and a variety of vibrant salsas.
For those seeking a more substantial nacho experience, the “Nachos Supreme” is a must-try. Imagine a generous mountain of crispy chips piled high with your choice of beef or chicken, refried beans, melted Jack and Cheddar cheeses, diced tomatoes, creamy guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream. While a half order is available, even that portion is likely to challenge even the heartiest appetites.
Moving down the menu from the familiar carnitas, carne asada, chile colorado, and the notably excellent chile verde, you’ll discover a subtly elegant dish: grilled chicken breast infused with the bright flavors of lemon and cilantro. This harmonious pairing is a testament to simple ingredients elevated to diner’s heaven.
Then there’s the “Chicken California.” Just as dishes labeled “Hawaiian” often feature pineapple, anything “Californian” gets the quintessential avocado addition. It’s a nod to local flavors and ingredients.
Unlike many local Mexican restaurants, La Capilla boasts a respectable selection of seafood. The grilled red snapper, or “huachinango a la plancha,” is a beautifully cooked filet, and undoubtedly a healthier alternative to its breaded and deep-fried counterpart. And for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, the “camarones al mojo de ajo” – shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic – is an undeniably delicious classic.
Another appealing feature of La Capilla is their willingness to serve breakfast all day. For breakfast enthusiasts (like myself), the huevos con chorizo and machaca con huevos are excellent choices, proving that breakfast dishes can be equally satisfying at dinner.
And to conclude your La Capilla experience, dessert should always include flan. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s always room for the smooth, creamy perfection of flan. It’s the ideal sweet note to end your flavorful journey at La Capilla Family Mexican Restaurant.
Restaurant Review:
LA CAPILLA FAMILY RESTAURANT
Address: 1332 Sartori Ave., Torrance.
Phone: (310) 533-1048.
Cuisine: Mexican.
Hours: Lunch and dinner, every day.
Details: Beer and margaritas available. Street parking. Reservations recommended for groups.
Prices: Appetizers range from $2.95 to $7.95. Entrees range from $5.95 to $13.95.
Cards: Accepts MC, V.
Our Rating: 1/2
On the Menu Highlights:
Chile con Queso: $4.95
Nachoritos: $5.95/$6.95
Combination Plates: $6.95-$10.95
Sizzling Fajitas: $11.95-$13.95
Steak Picado: $10.75
Chile Colorado: $9.95
Chicken in Mole: $10.25
Seafood Puerto Vallarta: $13.95
