Open since 1927, this Downtown spot serves straight-up Mexican fare and strong margaritas that'll put any faux lush to shame.

Not only was El Cholo the first restaurant in LA to serve nachos (in 1959), but it was the first to use Cuervo 1800 Tequila in its margaritas (in 1967). Though the owners have updated (read: Americanized) the menu through the years, El Cholo still serves some of the same grub that its success was founded on: chile rellenos, cheese enchiladas and beef tacos. But the green corn tamales, available May through October, are in such high demand that the line it spawns gives the one at Pink's some serious competition. The bar scene ain't too shabby either, especially after the first round of potent margaritas makes it seem as if the crowd has magically tripled. All the traditional options are here, as well as fruit-infused flavors and the LA Lemonade, a dizzying mix of three kinds of tequilas with Cointreau.