Say it with me, eeks’-tah. Yxta Cocina Mexicana (sister restaurant to Highland Park’s El Arco Iris) is located on the outskirts of downtown, a stones throw from the surging Historic Core, the shiny new South Park. and the office workers of bunker hill. But somehow people are still filling into this Mexican restaurant located in a mini mall next to the self proclaimed “L A’s Best Deli & Cafe”.

The cocina is bubbling with activity. Office co-workers enjoy Happy Hour specials, friends get together for Mexican beers or margarita’s made with a house made sour and couples are cozied up at the bar for fresh guacamole, authentic modernized Mexican food featuring handmade tortillas, slow-cooked carnitas and mole enchiladas, made with Salmon Creek natural pork and Shelton’s free range chicken.

The decor, designed by New York architect Poonam Khanna, compliments the neighboring warehouses. A large open space, with concrete walls, Mexican artwork, community dining and swirling lights. The service is decent, slow at times, but the food here is good, and affordable, which keeps people coming back for the fresh authentic dishes and family style cooking.

TIPS: Come by for happy hour 4-7pm, Monday through Saturday – $5 margaritas, $3 beers and $6 appetizers. $1 valet parking at lunch, free parking in the evening.

Chips and salsa with a house made margarita is the perfect end to a hard day at work.

The creamy gauc comes topped with lightly spiced pine nuts.

Not your typical empanadas, stuffed with your choice of meat. This one was stuffed with their delicious carnitas.

The Enchiladas Suizas with pulled chicken, roasted tomatillo sauce, cilantro lime rice, and frijoles olla.

Arrachera, a marinated skirt steak, mole cheese enchilada, mexican rice, and frijoles negros.

Small plates, recession deals, guest chefs, celeb chefs, pre fixe, two for one, et al, all buzz words to entice people into restaurants these days. But there’s nothing cheaper than a good old fashion LA taco. No celeb chefs, no 3 or 5 course meals here. Just good, honest asada, pastor, and pollo. They’ve been doing it since 1974 at King Taco.

The self disputed king of LA tacos started as a taco truck in East LA way back when polyester and bell bottoms were all the rage. Now there are twenty plus locations, and despite its ill fated stint in Dodger Stadium (the food at that stand was mediocre at best), it’s still serving up great tacos all these years later. Conveniently located east of K-Town and west of downtown, King Taco #10 is situated on Pico Blvd near Alvarado. Chances are there is one a few miles from you too.

They are not only famous for their perfectly marinated asada, but for their amazing (and super spicy) red and green salsas. Their closely guarded family recipe carne asada has a definite citrus flavor. It’s lean and cooked to perfection, placed in a perfectly grilled corn tortilla. At $1.25 per, you can’t get a better recession deal.

By far my favorite meat on the menu here is Pastor. Similar to Shawarma, this heavenly hog is cooked on a rotating, vertical rotisserie (or Trompo) then topped with a juicy pineapple. The juice breaks down protein and makes the meat very tender .The red colored pork gets its color from the red vinegar and achiote it’s marinated in. Once cooked, it’s sliced into little chunks, and grilled with some onions to give the meat a crispness and delicate onion flavor. It’s by far the best pastor I’ve ever had.

They also have great Sopes for just $2.59 each. Sopes are slightly concave crispy thick cornmeal shell topped with refried beans, meat, lettuce and Mexican cheese. These taco alternatives are similar to tostadas but have a much richer corn meal taste. The Sopes at King Taco are exceptional and I highly suggest you go and get one. Now!

Other items on the menu, burritos for $4.99, a whole rotisserie chicken for $11.99, nachos for $4.75, and fresh tamales for $1.59 each. My 2009 food trend prediction, people looking for cheaper food options turn to taco stands for fresh cooked asada, pork, and chicken. Take that Bon Appetit. More food trends at Eater LA.

If you care to brave the Hollywood Blvd crowds tonight, Loteria Grill in Hollywood is having a Halloween Special. Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos tonight for a reservation only dining and tequila tasting event. There are three seatings, one at 8pm, then 10pm and another at midnight. Plus 2am Chilaquiles specials! Call 323.465.2500 for reservations and prices.