Rate-A-Restaurant #204: Cook's Tortas

Restaurant: Cook's Tortas

Location: 1944 S. Atlantic Blvd. (Monterey Park)

Type of restaurant: Latin Sandwiches



We stipulated: Hungry for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, we decided to try some place new. I'd been curious about Cook's Tortas since Pat raved about it on her site, and decided we'd make a trek out to Monterey Park.




They stipulated: Certain sandwiches are always on the menu, while others rotate. They're all made fresh to order. Oh, and you've got to drive out to Monterey Park to satisfy your craving.



What we ordered: Cucumber-lime aqua fresca; Mole verde sandwich (Pepita tomatillo, Chicken breast, Onion, Avocado); Bacalao sandwich (Spanish style cod, Roasted red peppers, Olive, Garlic, Parsley, Potato). On our second visit (!) we brought sandwiches over to a friend's house, so we bought four. In addition to the Bacalao (easily our favorite from the first round), we got the La Diabla sandwich (Chicken breast, Jalapeno, Chile de arbol, Habanero, Guacamole); Chicken basil sandwich (Chicken breast, Lettuce, Tomato, Basil pesto, Fresh cucumber); Cochinita sandwich (Achiote pork, Onion escabeche, Black beans, Cilantro). We also got a pineapple-celery aqua fresca. All sandwiches are $6.98 come with a side, such as red fries, potato salad, macaroni salad, caprese cucumber salad, among others.



High point: Oh, that soft, easy-to-eat bread! Not only are the sandwiches great, but the sheer variety of choices (see the blackboard photo above) is amazing. And the price makes the drive worth it. Even Evan liked the bacalao (and, the second time around, the Chicken basil). The La Diabla was super spicy, even for me, yet I'm still glad I tried it.

Low point: At one point, someone cleaned the tables with Windex right next to us... which left an unfortunate odor as we ate our sandwiches. The fries are also just OK; I'd recommend one of the salads instead (like the cucumber one, below).



Overall impression: Like Pat mentions on her blog, Cook's Tortas is the kind of place that I wished popped up all over L.A. -- or at least, closer to home. If we had one of these close to the office, it might be a little dangerous -- I'd probably eat there every day.



Chance we'll go back: Well, we've already been back once, and we'll probably continue to head down the 5-to-the-60-to-Atlantic-Blvd. in order to eventually try every sandwich!

Rate-A-Restaurant #203: Little Dom's

Restaurant: Little Dom's

Location: 2128 Hillhurst (Los Feliz)

Type of restaurant: Italian



We stipulated: My parents were in town -- and it happened to be a Monday night. Since we're trying to be budget-minded, like everyone, and we'd been wanting to check out Little Dom's for some time, it made sense to finally check out their Monday night recession menu.




They stipulated: Monday nights are jam-packed at Little Dom's -- and you better reserve a table days beforehand. Otherwise, you'll be eating at 9:30 p.m.




What we ordered: The $15 prix fixe menu: Salad, gnocchi pasta, dessert (vanilla gelato with caramel sauce). Also: $10 bottle of house red wine.



High point: Did I mention the $10 bottle of house red? A nice recessionary bargain. Actually, the whole dinner was an economic treat. Although the food wasn't anything fantastic, it was quite the deal. We did really enjoy the hearty salad, including the veggies and cheese.

Low point: Did that menu sound uninspiring? It's because by the time we arrived at 9:30, the prix fixe items were gone. So instead we were given substitutes for the pasta and dessert. The gnocchi, for example, was supposed to include sausage; but with the restaurant out of sausage, we were given meat sauce. Not the same thing. Good. But not the same.



Overall impression: Little Dom's is the relatively new sister to old Rat Pack hangout Dominick's in West Hollywood; it definitely has its own cool vibe. And the $15 Monday night meal is a keeper.



Chance we'll go back: We definitely want to hit the Little Dom's Monday night Supper again; this time, though, we'll call days in advance. $10 wine bottle, here we come!