Benny’s Tacos doesn’t automatically look like the sort of place that would do a great salad. Tasty tacos, sure. That’s what the name would suggest. Quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, various bowls and even rotisserie chicken – all of that tracks.
Benny’s Tacos looks to be the classic Mexican fast food eatery that purists would scoff as due to a lack of authenticity. This mini chain (there are two more locations in Santa Monica and Westchester), says online that, “Our tacos and burritos are straight-up legendary and our portions are huge, you can’t find these on any street corner. Our chicken is on point – we let our chickens brine for 24 hours with citrus, garlic and spices to ensure a juicy bird.”
They’re justifiably proud of their ingredients, stating “Benny’s Salsas and guacamole are made daily with fresh ingredients, nothing canned. We keep it real with locally sourced ingredients for that flavor-packed, fresh Mexican taste.”
Sitting on Venice Boulevard, right on the boundary separating Culver City and Los Angeles, and situated alongside a Mediterranean restaurant and various shops, it’s ideally placed for foot traffic while being perfectly in the eyeline of passing vehicles. Got a hankering for tasty Mexican treats with a fusion-twist? This is your spot.
The staff are friendly and helpful when entering and, despite this being fast food/cafeteria-style dining, you don’t ever feel rushed and harried.
Again though, this writer is watching his weight so we opted for the Southwestern Salad, and chose to add grilled chicken (an optional extra). The menu describes it as: “Romaine lettuce, Oaxaca cheese, corn, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, tortilla strips, cilantro ranch dressing.”
The first thing that jumped out was the impressively large portion. This could easily be two lunches, or one very large dinner. You certainly won’t be hungry afterwards.
The addition of the Oaxaca cheese (Mexican quesillo), avocado and dressing means that the salad isn’t perhaps as lo-cal as you might hope. The good news is that the dressing is served on the side. Dip don’t pour, for best effect.
The ingredients are all as fresh as they claim. The lettuce is crisp and firm, not all limp and tired. Similarly, the tomato is vibrant and tart, and the corn kernels are plump and bursting with juicy flavor.
The black beans add some earthy flavor and texture, while the avocado is beautifully oily and fresh. The tortilla strips add much need crunch, and the dressing is lively and playful.
The chicken does take the salad up to another level though. It feels like a proper treat because of the seasoned white meat.
Overall, this is a delightful salad from an impressive restaurant.Benny’s Tacos is located at 10401 Venice Blvd. #101b, Culver City 90034. Contact 424-298-8327 or visit bennystacos.com.
