Casita del Campo
1920 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-4255
“When you’re a jet, you’re a jet all the way…from your first cigarette to your last dying day.”
But, Rudy del Campo, owner of Casita del Campo in Silver Lake was a Shark. I can’t remember the Shark song. Sorry Rudy.
Anyhoo, Rudy del Campo played a shark in the movie version of West Side Story. He and his wife opened the doors in 1962 and have been getting hipsters, gays and gay hipsters (hip gaysters? gaysters?) drunk on margaritas ever since. You can even see West Side Story memorabilia on some of the walls if you look really hard.
Okay, yes, that’s all well and good. Nice story and all, but should you go there? I say yes. My love for this place probably stems more from my affection for the ambience than for the food. But, it’s still yes I’m screaming.
It’s so cute. In the main dining area, sit under the giant rubber tree or go kick it on the patio with a Negro Modelo. The bar area is dark and moody, like a bar should be and they have Happy Hour 7 days a week! (Those Sharks know how to party). Plus, the staff is super cool and it’s mainly awesome people grubbing there. Nothing like good vibes with your tacos.
There is even a parking lot outside with a little fountain to throw your hard-earned coins in. During the day, park yourself and at night, pay someone in a maroon vest to drive your car four feet. Yipee! Or, just find street parking on Hyperion and walk, you lazy bum.
Since this is a food review, I guess I’ll tell you about the food. It’s straight up middle-of-the-road Mexican Cuisine. It can be super yummy but it’s not going to be crazy oh-my-gawd good. (Don’t want to lead you astray. This is for real, my peeps.) I’m a big fan of Combinacion Uno (cheese enchilada and beef taco) and my husband usually orders the carnitas. Nothing really standout here, unless it’s the Enchiladas Suisas (chicken and green tomatillo sauce) or the fajitas, which are always a safe bet. The chips and salsa are addictive so proceed with caution. Oh, and get the soup for a starter unless you dig white iceberg lettuce drowned in freezing ranch dressing.
Good ole’ Rudy in his infinite wisdom put in a full bar that makes a mean margarita. You can’t get pitchers anymore unless you have more than two people drinking (something about drinking and driving, I don’t know) so go with a group and pitcher it up. Go for the Ultimate Margarita instead of the regular one because you’re cool like that.
I’m going to go listen to some real music to get “Officer Krupky” off my mind. Damn West Side Story….
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1 response so far ↓
1 Rox // Jan 21, 2008 at 12:42 pm
One more tip - Don’t go unless you have plenty of time. The service is friendly but SUPER slow.
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