I am loving this thread, everyone! Thanks for the good ideas.
We are certainly not foodies but do appreciate a good plate of greasy Mex. I have been to El Compadre a couple times myself and the food wasn't great but it was good and who can argue with margaritas on fire? So maybe we will give El Coyote a try. But NOT the Pantry. Everyone seems to agree on that!
Thanks for the replies and keep 'em coming!

"UCLA 13 USC 10 RIP."

Oh fricka fracka foo. :P

People in LA swear by Titos. I live right next door and you couldn't pay me to eat there. Coming from Texas, I have found the Mexican food here very unimaginative and tastless. (I miss Doneraki in Houston - the only reason to go that city!)

That said, I love Pacos on Centinella. Their tortillas are the bomb...and I butter them up and let the butter melt and eat them for desert!!

I don't swear by Tito's, but I do think it's good when I'm in the mood for it.

California Mexican and Texas Mexican are totally different things. I like both but I think CA is better.

moshdaddy, them's fightin' words! I've done Mexican in CA and Texas (well, their version of Mexican)-- and California Mexican wins, hands down, in all its varieties (including my hometown favorite, which specializes in <i>cocina jalisque&ntilde;a</i>).

Great, now I want to run home and get a tamal and chile relleno...!!!

Look, if we want them to do a &quot;Scene&quot; lunch, and the grub doesn't have to be that good, why not just send them to the Ivy on Robertson? If they can get in.

Actually, the Urth Caff&eacute; is probably the best bet (the food's even passable!), now that I think about it. Good suggestion!

&quot;Look, if we want them to do a &quot;Scene&quot; lunch, and the grub doesn't have to be that good, why not just send them to the Ivy on Robertson?&quot;

'Spensive. El Coyote is eety beety dinero.

Oh yeah, I forgot.... It's 'spensive, all right. Urth Caff&eacute; isn't, however.

Moshdaddy - you don't know your Mexican food if you think Texas does it better. If you're a typical Texan, you voted wrong, too. [-X The Mexican food in this state is delicious and authentic. I don't swear by Tito's, either. I don't know anybody who does but it is fun to stop by for a quick nosh.

rjwlgbca - Two good minds think alike, in regard to The Ivy. I don't like the food nor the scene but roseren and her friend would probably enjoy the scene. Sit out front, order a salad and watch the action. You'll see cars pull up and popping out, more silicone than you could ever imagine. Cell phone after cell phone and people pretending to think they're important. It's the meeting place of the divas, the narcissistic and wannabes galore.

By the way, take a cab to and from the Skybar. ((D))

I'm not into scenes, but isn't Chateau Marmont worth a visit for these two?

mlgb, as usual, is thinking with all eight cylinders! That sounds like a great place to check out-- specifically, the bar adjacent to the hotel (helpfully named the Bar Marmont).