La Chinesca

Housed in an old Jiffy Lube, this retro cantina in Spring Garden has both Chinese options like cold crab noodles tossed in a soy vinaigrette, and Mexican staples like tacos, carne asada fries, and elote—all on the same menu.  While the quesabirria tacos, Tijuana street dogs, and chilaquiles are tempting, go for the fish tacos or stick to the Chinese dishes (our favorite is the pork belly bao bun). Bring a group of friends to Happy Hour for a round of wonton chips, tacos, and a few perfectly blended tequila-based cocktails on their bright pink patio bar. 

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Food Rundown

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Chilled Cucumbers

Marinated in a sweet Szechuan peppercorn sauce with a kick of chili oil, these cucumbers are chilly, refreshing, and one of the lighter dishes on the menu.

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Singapore Noodles

Eating a noodle dish with lots of toppings can be one of the most fork-exhausting things known to man. That’s why this cold noodle dish—packed with only shrimp and mounds of greens—has our hearts. It gets a nice crunch and earthiness from the green onions and cilantro and has juicy shrimp mixed in. What’s not to like?

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Kung Pao Chicken Wings

These wings are small but mighty. Coated in spicy kung pao sauce and then sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds, each bite packs a little heat, has a great crunch, and can get syrupy (grab extra napkins). Order a round for the table and another when that one disappears.

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Tijuana Street Dogs

There’s only one hot dog on the menu, and it's colorful. Two come in an order and they’re topped with crispy bacon, chipotle mayonnaise, tomatillo pico de gallo, and tangy pickled chiles. If you’re sharing, it’s not really filling. But the buttery toasted bun works so well with everything crammed inside, it’s a worthy snack on your way to a night of tacos and drinks.

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Fish Tacos

They change tacos seasonally on the menu, but the fish is a mainstay. And that’s because it’s the best taco on the menu. Tasty and simple, it layers chilito (think chamoy), poblano crema, pickled red onion, and cilantro on crispy chunks of fish. You only get two per order, so your table will probably want more, and then you’ll want an order for yourself.

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

Cocktails

Some of the best margaritas in town, the “Fill It, Regular” or “On Empty” are our go-to's here. The first is their take on a classic margarita and the second is a deliciously tart grapefruit marg with a chili lime salt rim. Plus, they’re both as coveted on a sunny day as water ice, and are just as cooling and refreshing.