beep Blog

Great Guacamole Hunt: Cha Cha Cha

Cha Cha Cha
http://www.theoriginalchachacha.com/
7953 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood

NOTE: we came here for the coconut curry shrimp and fried plantains, and discovered guacamole was on the menu! A true hunter will seek his prize anywhere, so we had to put Cha Cha Cha's guac to the test.

Side Order: $4.95 (comes with a big basket of warm, Cajun seasoned tortilla chips - great!)

*Ratings are based on a 1-10 scale; 10 being euphoric.

Size (serving portion as compared to price)
Aunt Beep: 4
Beep Daddy:5
(guest Beep) Brit Beep: 4

Consistency (is it easy to scoop? too many chunks? or whipped to a slimy paste?)
Aunt Beep: 9
Beep Daddy: 8
(guest Beep) Brit Beep: 8
Notes: overall, we liked the consistency very much - it was really fresh, with not-too-big chunks of avocado and tomato (though there was some argument over whether the tomato size was too big)

Whole Avocado (the whole atmosphere surrounding the guac...the restaurant/venue, energy, menu, service, can you wash it down with a margarita?)
Aunt Beep: 9.25
Beep Daddy: 9.25
(guest Beep) Brit Beep: 9
Notes: we really love this West Hollywood location - it's such a fun oasis, and the food is delicious.  Though we were a bit disappointed about the mojitos (ew, old slimy mint leaves) everything else was fab.  It's loud and casual, and a great place to go when you just want to have a good meal without all the Hollywood drama.

Overall Taste (tangy-ness, spice, freshness, is it good enough just to eat it with a spoon?)
Aunt Beep: 9
Beep Daddy: 8.5
(guest Beep) Brit Beep: 8
Notes: We didn't come to Cha Cha Cha for the guacamole, but I have to say - it's really good! Definitely an affordable starter which compliments the spicy tropical food nicely.

FINAL RATING
Aunt Beep: 7.81
Beep Daddy: 7.68
(guest Beep) Brit Beep: 7.25

Summary:
This guac would actually be a contender if the portions weren't so tiny.  It's too bad because the chips are delish, and it would be nice to have enough guac for the basket. 
Cha Cha Cha is a Los Angeles staple, and it was fun to do the Great Guacamole Hunt there.  We'll have to see what Sean weighs in about judging non-authentic Mexican restaurants...but hey - Guac is Guac!

Great Guacamole Hunt: Guelaguetza Restaurant

Guelaguetza
11127 Palms Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034-6502 
(310) 837-1153
Palms & Sepulveda, West LA


Side Order: $3.00

*Ratings are based on a 1-10 scale; 10 being euphoric.

Size (serving portion as compared to price)
Aunt Beep: 9
Beep Daddy: 9.5
this was the biggest bowl of guac we've ever seen

Consistency (is it easy to scoop? too many chunks? or whipped to a slimy paste?)
Aunt Beep: 6
Beep Daddy: 7
The guac was very chunky, almost like a salad.  There were large leaves of cilantro, long strips of onion and it was very thick...too thick for chips.  But the tomatoes were cut nicely!

Whole Avocado (the whole atmosphere surrounding the guac...the restaurant/venue, energy, menu, service, can you wash it down with a margarita?)
Aunt Beep: 9
Beep Daddy: 8.5
This famed restaurant has great geumitlicheit - if for nothing else than it's effortless authenticity.  They serve beer, wine and tequila...always a plus...the service was great - very upbeat and friendly.
BUT THE MOLE!!!! THE TAMALES!
I can't wait to go back and try another dish...this is not just burritos and fish taco folks, this Mexican restaurant is the real Oaxacan deal. Read The Delicious Life for a great review of the whole menu.

Overall Taste (tangy-ness, spice, freshness, is it good enough just to eat it with a spoon?)
Aunt Beep: 5
Beep Daddy: 6
It pains me greatly to give such a low score to this culinary gem.  Sadly, I think the guacamole is the worst thing on the menu.  And really, who cares?? They serve warm chips drenched in mole the second you sit down at the table.

FINAL RATING
Aunt Beep: 7.25
Beep Daddy: 7.75

Summary: I love this place - and you'll love it too.  The rating is low for the guac, but go there and dig in on everything else. And don't forget to order a cinnamon and raisin tamale.  Yummy!!!!!

Great Guacamole Hunt: Tere's Mexican Grill

Tere's Mexican Grill
323.468.9345
Melrose & Cahuenga

Side Order: $3.50 (w/ chips: $4.50)

*Ratings are based on a 1-10 scale; 10 being euphoric.

Size (serving portion as compared to price)
Aunt Beep: 8
Beep Daddy: 8

Consistency (is it easy to scoop? too many chunks? or whipped to a slimy paste?)
Aunt Beep: 9
Beep Daddy: 8.5
Notes: the consistency is fabulous, lots of small but even chuncks of avocado, tomato & onion which made it perfect for scooping

Overall Taste (tangy-ness, spice, freshness, is it good enough just to eat it with a spoon?)
Aunt Beep: 8.25
Beep Daddy: 7.5
Notes: overall, the guac is good - VERY fresh - but just lacking that 'zing'.  Though the fresh cilantro is wonderful, we wanted a bit more limey tang or garlicy zip.

Whole Avacado (the whole atmosphere surrounding the quac...the restaurant/venue, energy, menu, service, can you wash it down with a margarita?)
Aunt Beep: 7.25
Beep Daddy: 7
Notes: Sadly, no margs or beer are served, so there is only so much time you can spend here.  This little hole in the wall off Melrose is super clean, bright, kitschy, cute & everyone is super friendly and happy. They accept credit cards which is nice; and the (free) marinated carrots at the salsa bar are just as easy to munch as the chips.   

FINAL RATING
Aunt Beep: 8.125
Beep Daddy: 7.75

Summary: The guac has potential.  We'd go back for lunch or a fast dinner.

The Great Guacamole Hunt has been Challenged!

If you're a dedicated foodie, you probably already read Sean Timberlake's fantastic food blog Hedonia.  So how happy are we that he's picked up on our Great Guacamole Hunt and has embarked on the same search in San Francisco!

He's giving us a chance, but our friend up north seems to think that LA ain't go nothing on the San Francisco dining scene.

Let's show him who's got the Greatest Guac, shall we?

You can read Sean's challenge here - and his first review here.

Great Guacamole Hunt: MARIX TEX MEX

Marix Tex Mex
http://www.marixtexmex.com/
Santa Monica Blvd & Flores, West Hollywood

Side Order: $5.50

*Ratings are based on a 1-10 scale; 10 being euphoric.

Size (serving portion as compared to price)
Aunt Beep: 7
Beep Daddy: 7

Consistency (is it easy to scoop? too many chunks? or whipped to a slimy paste?)
Aunt Beep: 8.5
Beep Daddy: 8.5

Whole Avacado (the whole atmosphere surrounding the quac...the restaurant/venue, energy, menu, service, can you wash it down with a margarita?)
Aunt Beep: 9.5
Beep Daddy: 9.5
Notes: We LOVE Marix! Everything about this place is great!
The food is fresh and always tasty (we love the Baja Fish Tacos, and the fajitas); the margs are well made without too much sweet and sour mix; the crowd is always lively, fun & energetic...the entire restaurant is basically outdoors, which makes it perfect for a long afternoon lunch or warm summer al fresco dining.
Plus, where else can you hear Kylie Minogue club remixes as you munch on chips and salsa?

Overall Taste (tangy-ness, spice, freshness, is it good enough just to eat it with a spoon?)
Aunt Beep: 8.5
Beep Daddy: 8.5
Notes:
-the guac is served with a shredded radish garnish - we liked the spicy (yet subtle) zing it added
-the consistency was pretty smooth, but with a nice amount of chunkiness
-I wish it had a bit more garlic and lime

FINAL RATING
Aunt Beep: 8.375
Beep Daddy: 8.375

Summary: It's darn good guac - a good standard to beat.