It’s been well over six years since we last ventured through the doors of fancy Mexican restaurant Loqui, yet the memories of our last meal remain strong.
“Being new to Loqui, we ordered the chicken primo with corn tortillas, which is basically an unassembled taco,” we said, back in 2018. “The chili-flavored chicken was somewhat charred but enjoyable. The pinto beans and onions were tasty, and the guacamole had a creamier consistency than expected.”
The restaurant game can be rough, especially in these days post a global pandemic. So it’s reassuring to know that Loqui is still around, with four local locations including Culver City. It’s also fun to dig a little deeper into their story.
“Loqui is a casual restaurant created by friends, inspired by Mexican flavor heritage,” they say. “In 2013, we began bringing transportive tastes of Baja, the Yucatan and beyond to our weekly pop-up at Tartine in San Francisco. We then spent three years preparing to officially share LOQUI, putting down roots in Culver City in 2016 with our first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Our menu is filled with traditional ingredients and deep flavor. May it remind you of all the experiences in Mexico you’ve enjoyed and, more importantly, those you still haven’t.”
Similarly to last time, we ordered the Achiote Chicken Bowl, “achiote” meaning a spice made from the red seed of the annatto tree. The bowl was served with cilantro-lime rice, pinto beans, guacamole, cotija cheese, pickled purple onion, cilantro and salsa.
There’s a choice of tortillas to have on the side, and we opted for flour. We also ordered a side of chips and salsa, so that we could construct our own nachos (of a sort).
Because that’s ultimately the fun when eating at Loqui; the food can be assembled and constructed as you see fit, safe in the knowledge that the ingredients are top-notch.
The pickled purple onion is spectacular–sweet and tangy, it really does taste wonderful whether eaten alone or in synchronicity with something else. The salsas (the smokey one that came with the bowl and the more traditional one that came with the chips) are both awesome, and the beans are hearty and comforting.
But the actual chicken is glorious. The achiote and citrus juices have coated the tender chunks of meat, enhancing and not overpowering the flavor.
The genius at Loqui is that they know, no matter what order you decide to eat the various niceties in, they can’t fail.
Loqui is located at 8830 Washington Blvd., Suite 104, Culver City 90232. Call 949-997-2800 or visit eatloqui.com.