Mexican Food in Palm Springs

Our Must-Try and Why Palm Springs Ethnic Eats

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Palm Springs casual crowds; inside ultra elegant young French owner’s eponymous Benjamin Perderean’s elegant shop. He wears the “pantone” shirt he made famous on Grace & Frankie

(Gerry Furth-Sides) We were happily surprised that our top Palm Springs places are ethnic or ethnic-influenced, with all the affection and care paid to guests as to the food. These few joyous days we spent in the town after the “official” season turned out to be filled with crowds happy to be out, as we were, and given all the more reason to do so by these places.

Me in Palm springs! Tangelos from a tree nearby, and my own 1920 adobe casita

My cousin and partner rent the adobe house in Cathedral City from a friend who grew up in it. His dad was Dwight Eisenhower’s physician.

Lulu’s

Everyone in town knows Lulu’s, a rousing cross of brash South Miami Beach night club and NY deli energy. The place lives up to its many accolades and awards and makes any stranger feel a part of Palm Springs energy at its highest.

The menu is an internationally-influenced, fashionable one that really tries to please everyone and make sense at the same time. For example, there is an “Impossible Burger” vegan burger by trade name, AND Lulu’s own much tastier and less expensive black bean vegan burger AND a Wagyu burger. I ordered the Wagyu was happy with the substituted (slightly burned, skimpy) yam fries (delicious cole slaw the other option which was shared at the table with another order). I could not photograph it. And I did not care.

Why? We had to wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged by an impersonal staff – between busier lunch and dinner service- and then had to beg Lulu manager, Hunter, to turn on the misters. This he did. He also got our favorite waiter, James, to bring out a complimentary cotton candy. We gave it to the next table , where the recipient’s birthday was the following day, just like my host! You just are not surprised to find such fun happenings at this place. And they gave us a tiramisu to go instead.

Lulu’s (2019): a rousing cross of brash South Miami Beach night club + NY deli energy
Lulu manager, Hunter, and favorite waiter, James, offers complimentary cotton candy to make a meal into a party

//Lulupalmsprings.com, Lulu’s 200 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327. 5858)

Tri-lussa

The most accommodating, and not surprising to be Italian! Dark and cavernous in a very Roman way with just enough of a front outdoor patio to make it feel cozy even in a shopping center. Communal tables of attractive middle eastern families lingered even at closing time, no one on that patio wanted to leave.

Tall, romanesque interiors and just enough of a private patio
Trilussa, Cathedral City, with generous portions of classic, hearty Italian food and a salad and after-dinner drink included!
Other guests even complimented my hosts on their shirts at Tri-lussa, Cathedral City!
//(www.trilussarestaurant.com) Trilussa, 68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234, (760) 328-2300

Le Vallauris

Even though owner-founder, Paul Bruggemans sold Le Vallauris in Palm Springs last year, partner-chef and brother Tony still oversee restaurant dining or catered events of 50 in the historic, 1927 landmark Spanish home or parties straight up the mountain behind them. The original, signature naturally cooled patio still thrives, albeit without the whimsical elegance it once had, starting with the flower plants replaces with Sansevieria trifasciata (mother-in-law tongue succulents). Entrees are unnecessarily bigger in size and price (some at $50)

I relished every bit of the the exquisite yet wintery sweetbreads/ signature thymus gland (the best I have ever had), and the Warm Duck Confit Terrine in Filo Dough with Dried Fruits and Nuts, sublime even in the 100-degree evening.  

A Le Vallauris birthday soufflé’s plus superlative sweetbreads and duck confit in filo
Le Vallauris’ signature lobster taken out of the shell and replaced, plus seafood

LeVallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92262, (760)325-5059.  For details, menus and information, please visit: www.LeVallauris.com.

Tac/quila

Tac/Quila.was the answer both my hosts and I came up with simultaneously for the best Mexican/most indigenous cuisine. Somehow, although we are in the southwest, “southwest” cuisine never includes California. Here, Tac/Quila, billed as “Mexican/southwestern” is California influenced with a menu you have to really study because you want to order it all.

The extraordinary crab cakes, not really a California staple, are bursting with crabmeat so there is no room for filler, and dotted with tiny, festive diced red and green pepper ($16 for two that would make one meal with a small salad). My guest said he has had equally good: in Baltimore!

Grilled veggies and fruits, including avocado, and subtle, beautifully seasoned sauces are a trademark, along with the serene, southwest decor that is a recipe to enjoy and linger over food and drinks.

Tac/Quila fare with the extraordinary crab cakes in the middle! The Mexican Corn, tried and true, is made special off the cobb with just the right amount of lemon zest and parsley along with the requisite mayo, cotija cheese, paprika, cayenne pepper,
Husband and wife owners, Liz and Mark, greeting guests daily at Tac/Quila

Tac/Quila, (//tacquila.com) 415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, (760) 417-4471.

Primo Donuts

We started our trip with a pick up at Primo Donuts (for our Primo story please see //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/. The idea was to take a birthday donut (one without a hole) with TIM written on it for our co-host’s birthday. Celia, daughter of the Primo’s, got on the phone with manager Wendy to order. You would have thought we were talking about making a wedding cake for 100 with so much thought put into the idea by them.

When I picked up “the donut” plus three other small ones, it turned out to be actual cake size with “Happy Birday” written on it! And Wendy added three more donuts! It set the fun, hilarious mood for the visit, and we’ll be talking about this for years.

Founded in 1956 by husband and wife, Ralph & Celia Primo, the highly ranked Primo’s Donuts family run business spans three generations. 

Primo Donuts manager, Wendy, finishes our order to show off in Palm Springs

Primo’s Donuts, www.primosdonuts.com, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 900964, (310) 478-6930

Best Mexican Food in the Greater Palm Springs Coachella Valley

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(Gerry Furth-Sides)   With a strong Spanish influence in the desert, great authentic Mexican food is certainly a must try in Greater Palm Springs, a growing .  The local favorites for authentic food are great insider tips.  (all photos for Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill are )

Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill

(photo courtesy of Evy Hanson)

Margaritas at this popular Palm Desert spot are a grand tribute to the blue agave plant that produces tequila.

(all photos above courtesy of Evy Hanson)

The lunch menu offers a large selection of burritos, tortas, enchiladas and tacos.

(photo courtesy of Evy Hanson)

House specialties include fresh seafood and shrimp dishes.   Fajitas Agave made with sizzling chicken or beef, caramelized onions, green peppers are garnished with guacamole and Pollo en Champinones, chicken with mushrooms features  a grilled boneless chicken breast smothered in soy sauce, onions and mushrooms.

(all photos above courtesy of Evy Hanson)

Locals’ favorite items on the dinner menu include fajitas, chile rellenos and enchiladas de mole.

The Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill also has a vegetarian section featuring meatless fajitas and enchiladas.  Tortilla soup is another delicious dish to cool down with in the summer and warm up with in the winter desert.

Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill

Chef/owner Ernesto Gastelum (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Chef/owner Ernesto Gastelum came with his family to Los Angeles from Sinaloa when he was 13, and many of his recipes have been in the family forever – including this grandmother’s albóndigas (meatball) soup with fresh cut vegetables.

Carne Asada with Cheese (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Sizzling Fajitas (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Carnitas (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Green Corn Tamale (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

The chef’s mixed grills contain citrus marinated grilled shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapeno and jack cheese, quail, grilled chicken and grilled steak served over grilled onions and green and red bell peppers—all  accompanied by guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese, rice and beans.  The mixed grills can be made for one, two or four people.

Two for one House Margaritas (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Enjoy “Happy Hour” $5 house Margaritas all day, every day, with $6.95 Happy Hour appetizers daily from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mexican — and the finest international beers (photo courtesy of Jon Edwards)

Soul of Mexico

The Lua family migrated from Jiquilpan, Michocan, a place often referred to as the “Soul of Mexico or Alma de Mexico” – inspired the restaurant name. Chef-matriarch Teresa and her family, including six children, opened this popular restaurant in 1997 in Indio.

Chile Relleno en Ahogada (stuffed), a fresh poblano chile stuffed with shrimp, gets consistent rave reviews on the long menu, as does the Soul of Mexico’s special version of a cobb salad that includes roasted corn, Cojita cheese and spicy ranch dressing.  And after dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, Soul of Mexico transforms into a lively Latin night club.

 

El Mexicali Café

This tiny treasure in Indio has a loyal following for its traditional dishes like tacos, burritos and enchiladas.  It is also known for its home-style Mexican breakfast items like huevos rancheros and chiliquiles (fried tortilla quarters topped with salsa and then topped with chicken, shredded cheese, cream, raw onion rings and avocado slices).

Carne Asada con Camarones (grilled meat with shrimp) and shrimp-stuffed roasted gueritos (hot yellow peppers) served with soy sauce and mayonnaise are the specialties. Low key entertainment is provided by the occasional trains shooting past the restaurant on the nearby railroad tracks that give the café its special vibe. Don’t be surprised to spot a celeb or two who know about this hidden gem.

Taqueria Tlaquepaque

This popular restaurant recently moved into the heart of Palm Springs from its Sunny Dunes location and is growing rapidly. If you’re adventuresome, you might want to have goat- or brain-filled tacos. You can also try some beef tongue and head meat, but the menu is mostly delicious standard offerings featuring chicken, beef, pork and seafood. Tortas (flat bread), tacos, tostadas and burritos are available with your meat of choice, and the menu also offers Mexican-style platters of seafood, meat and poultry along with Tequila and beers. The restaurant gets its name from Tlaquepaque (“a place above clay land”), an ancient Mexican city surrounding Jalisco that has been integrated into Guadalajara. Pueblo Viejo Grill This recent offspring of the original

 

Pueblo Viejo Grill

in Indio is in the university district of Palm Desert between Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford Drives and attracts locals from nearby communities. The menu is traditional, made with fresh ingredients and prepared to order. They have week night specials, like Fajita Madness on Tuesday and Thursday and Happy Hour discounts nightly from 3-6 pm. If you come as a group, you’ll enjoy the platters of burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas and more. Each platter has 12 pieces, making it fun to order 3 or 4 platters so everyone can sample the variety of dishes. The Tequila selection is truly impressive.

 

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