El Compadre Restaurant   

The SceneA slice of Olvera Street is transplanted to the Sunset Strip, with a dimly lit bar and an adobe-trimmed dining room resembling a quaint patio courtyard. The clientele, however, is anything but traditional: a mix of budding guitar gods and tequila-swigging old-timers glued to their bar stools.The FoodThis friendly eatery has been dishing out affordable, American-friendly grub since the '70s, but the unremarkable cuisine has always played second fiddle to the flaming margaritas. With a squeeze of lime, a generous splash of tequila and a touch of flame, El Compadre's signature concoction is always a crowd pleaser. Surprisingly tasty enchiladas Acapulco are stuffed with succulent shrimp and crab, while shrimp fajitas arrive atop an oil-sopped mess of flavorless onions, green peppers and beans. Simple Mexican staples--hard-shell beef tacos, triple-cheese enchiladas smothered in mole sauce, and overflowing burritos--offer the best, and safest, bang for your buck.