Bernie's L.A. Cafe

• Cuisine(s): Latin
  Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm
  Price: $$
  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
• Attire: Casual
  Features: Takeout, Delivery, Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
  Serving: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
  Alcohol: Beer/Wine
• Reservations: Recommended for Large Parties
  Parking: Meters

Description

Bernie's L.A. Café opened recently to a packed house on Alton Road, and it continues to pack 'em in. Part of the built-in appeal is familiarity with chef/owner Bernie Matz, who has a following from his Café at Books & Books. There is no literary backdrop to L.A. (Latin American) Café, just about 30 seats and a counter. It's located where The Spot sandwich shop used to be. The menu is extensive and inexpensive. There are tacos, burgers, seafood cocktails, ceviches, tapas, salads, sandwiches cold and a la plancha, quesadillas, fajita wraps, sweet potato fries, main plates, sides, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and cafecitos. Each day brings a different soup du jour ($4) and a trio of daily specials that come with white rice, black beans, and maduros (solid deal at $9). One favorite: Tuesday's lechón asado special and a grilled flank steak fajita that comes in a whole-wheat tortilla with grilled onions, roasted red peppers, and avocado salsa. The beef has no antibiotics or hormones. Bernie's offers simple, fresh, and tasty home-cooked Latin fare without a fuss. It serves lunch daily and stays open for dinner until 10 p.m. weeknights, an hour later Friday and Saturday. Plus there's delivery. We like it.