This trippy yet low-key Eastside fave makes carnitas marinated in cola and orange juice seem perfectly plausible.

Owned by Steven Arroyo—the man behind the popular Cobras & Matadors, the Hillmont and the Cobra Lily—Malo is a chic stop for a Mexican dinner on the patio, or chips and salsa with a stiff and stellar margarita at the small, friendly bar. The dim interior, cloaked in black tiles and red velvet wallpaper, is just as inviting if the night is too crisp for the patio (or too bright to keep a date from spotting that nasty pimple). In addition to tacos and enchiladas, the menu offers many imaginative items like carne asada with scallions and cucumbers and the aforementioned carnitas-cola-OJ combo. Locals swear by it.