David Reiss grand-opened Playa Cantina last night at the western end of Culver Blvd. in Playa Del Rey. The space feels like some sort of beach-house from The Yellow Submarine that crashed into an old school Irish-American dive after the giant inky octopus tentacles that cover both its interior and exterior gave it a toss. The inside of this cantina finds dark and gray leather booths and a shiny, pirate-approved black lacquer bar aside sunset-hued, surf-shocked murals by local artists, and Eater reports that a patio is under construction too. The menu is party-friendly Mexican, with two types of hand-cut, meat-topped fries, plus wings, nachos, house-made albondigas soup, shortrib and Baja fish tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and asada, carnitas, and fish plates. A chili relleno-topped sirloin burger and chorizo mac and cheese appear to be the most intriguing offers, though expectations here are higher for a fun, homemade bite than a serious Red O competitor. Check out our slide show of Playa Cantina and see the restaurant’s full menu below.
Playa Cantina 119 Culver Blvd. Playa Del Rey
Playa Cantina Menu
Starters & Snacks
Playa Cantina Nachos $6.95
House-fried corn tortillas chips with jalapeno, jack and cheddar, black beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole
Add chicken, steak, or carnitas for $2.00
Housemade Guacamole $4.95
Fries
Carne Asada $7.95
Diced steak, jack, cheddar, queso freso, and pico de gallo
Chorizo & Cheese $6.95
Sauteed pork chorizo, melted cheddar, and queso fresco
Sea Salt $3.95
Hand-cut fries tossed in sea-salt
Mac & Cheese
Straight up $3.95
Pork Chorizo $5.95
Playa Cantina Party Wings $6.95
Eight deep-fried chicken wings tossed in house hot sauce, served with bleu cheese dip, carrots, and celery sticks
Pizza Mexicana $11.95
Topped with sautéed shrimp, black beans, sour cream, shredded jack, cheddar, and Mexican parmesan
Homemade Soups
Chicken Tortilla Soup $4.95
Garnished with diced chicken, roasted corn, fresh avocado, and queso fresco
Classic Albondigas $4.95
Beef broth with vegetables, rice, cilantro, and homemade beef meatballs
Fresh Ceviche Tostada $11.95
Shrimp, rockfish, and bay scallops, marinated in citrus, jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, and red onion, served on crispy corn tortillas with avocado and relish
Tacos
Street tacos
Mini Corn tortillas filled with house salsa, cilantro, and onion
Choice of chicken, steak or carnitas
2 per order $4.95 3 per order $5.95
Baja Shrimp Tacos $8.95
Sauteed shrimp in flour tortillas, shredded cabbage, fresh mango salsa, crema fresco
2 per order
Cripsy Beef Shortrib $7.95
Tender beef and mashed potato in deep-fried flour tortillas, topped with roasted tomato salsa, and shredded lettuce
2 per order
Burritos
Straight-Up Bean and Cheese $4.95
Suprema $6.95
Rice, refried beans, jack, cheddar, queso fresco, choice of steak, chicken, or shrimp
Ranchero $ 7.95
Suprema with pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and lettuce, topped with cheese and housemade tomatillo
Spicy Pork Chorizo and Egg $6.95
Chili Relleno $7.95
Topped with red sauce and queso fresco
Quesadillas
3-cheese $5.95
Jack, cheddar, and queso fresco, served with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo
Roasted Green Chili and Chicken $6.95
W/ Sweet roasted pasilla, marinated chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and roasted tomato salsa
Enchiladas
Red Chili $10.95
Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp with red chili enchilada sauce
Vegetarian Tomatillo $7.95
With sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and cheese
Entrees
Playa Cantina Chili Relleno Burger $11.95
8 Oz. ground sirloin topped with fried chili relleno and chipotle mayo on a fresh talera roll, with fries
Fajitas $11.95
Choice of chicken, steak, or shrimp
Grilled Carne Asada $15.95
Marinated steak topped with pico de gallo, served with flour tortillas, beans and rice
Chili Relleno $7.95
Battered and fried pasilla stuffed with Jack
Pan Roasted Catch of the Day $15.95
Sauteed filet, fresh mango salsa, rice and beans
Chicken Mole $13.95
Sauteed boneless chicken breast, Oaxacan mole, flour tortillas, rice and beans
Pork Carnitas Platillo $13.95
Slow-roasted pork, flour tortillas, rice and beans
