Tinga at Tinga

When you name your restaurant after a particular dish or drink, your version of the dish better be spot on and delicious. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the tinga served at Tinga as I have never had the dish before, but I can say that it is tasty.

Tinga, a Mexican cafe which opened two weeks ago, is now doing a bustling lunch business. I hadn't had the opportunity to try the namesake dish on my previous visit, so stopped by yesterday to check it out.

The tinga is shredded chicken with tomato chipotle, lettuce, crema,and marinated onions on a crispy tortilla shell. It comes two to an order. It can get messy to eat these open faced tostadas but they are full of flavor and the taste is clean.

I also grabbed a potato taco, which I had heard good things about, but found it to be not too my liking as the contents were mushier in consistency than I prefer. Stick to the tinga, the chicken or the beef tacos and you will be a happy camper, and remember to save room for dessert.


Tinga: 142 S. La Brea Avenue (1st St/2nd St). Phone: (323) 954-9566. Website: www.tingabueno.com

Tinga: Now Open

Tinga restaurant opens today on La Brea Blvd, just south of 1st Street. The Mexican taco specialist is the first restaurant project for husband and wife caterers Jerry (pictured below) and Chris Baker. Last night I was invited to their friends and family opening celebration to see their new space and try the food.



The menu is built around five types of tacos, including cochina pibil, papas bravas, puerco especial, steak picado and short rib deshabrada. I tried the steak tacos, which were very clean tasting and had nice bright flavors. Others around me raved about the pork tacos and the potato (papas bravas) tacos.

The other signature dish is the tinga, which is shredded chicken served on a toastada with tomato chipotle, lettuce, crema and pickled onion. The tortillas, salsas, guacamole and beverages are all made in-house.



The team was especially proud of the horchata (pictured below), justifiably so, in my opinion. Very refreshing. Tamarindo, jamaica and watermelon lemonade are all also available.

My favorite of the dishes I tried was the grilled corn, which had spices and lime juice on it to give it a real kick. The corn was served off of the cob in clusters of kernels in a salad format and was packed with flavor.



The pistachio desserts were tasty treats and have a strong lemon flavor as well. Lemon is a favorite of mine in desserts, so I was happy to eat a second one when given the opportunity.



Tinga does not have a sign up at this time. Look for the open french doors and the large communal wooden table dominating the interior. The walnut stool seats and table tops were manufactured for the Tinga team by a maker of cutting boards, which is a cool design touch, although I don't suspect they'd like you to start cutting straight on the table...

Tinga does not have an alcohol license. The taco plates are between $5.50 and $8.50 and the fresh drinks are $3.75. Tinga's slogan is "The people, they like it!" and I'd have to agree with that sentiment.

Note: I was invited to this event and did not pay for my food or beverage.

Tinga: 142 S. La Brea Avenue (1st St/2nd St).