Rate-A-Restaurant, #91 in a series



Restaurant: Hugo's Tacos

Location: 4749 Coldwater Canyon (Studio City)

Type of restaurant: Taco stand

We stipulated: We were looking for an afternoon snack (our lunch had been really light -- bread from Breadbar) and wanted to try a new taco stand. We've seen Hugo's Tacos while speeding down the 101, and have been intrigued by it. Wait, famed breakfast spot Hugo's has opened up a taco stand?! Indeed, they have.

They stipulated: Before ordering your taco, figure out (a) the meat/filling and (b) the choice of salsa. (Hugo's boasts a wide variety of both.) Also, it's a taco stand. The minimal seating is outdoors -- not a pleasant option on a cold day in March.

What we ordered: Chicken taco and steak taco, with salsa negra on the side; grilled fish taco, with honey chipotle salsa on the side; and carnitas taco, with salsa habanero on the side. (Tacos are $2.25 each, or $5.75 for three.)

High point: The homemade salsas are spicy and delicious -- and unlike what you'd find at most taco stands. On the whole, the tacos were delicious...

Low point: ... but rather small for the price. Still, other things looked good as well, like the torta.

Overall impression: It still seems weird that brunch staple Hugo's now also operates a taco stand. But because it's fairly new, the stand is clean, operates well, and is a gourmet alternative to your typical greasy taco shack. It also offers up vegetarian options, like a soy chorizo and potato taco, as well as a zucchini/corn/string bean one.

Chance we will go back: Not sure -- it's not close enough to make an effort, and Yuca's is still our first taco stop. If we're looking for another adventure, we'd probably again try someplace new.