Anita's may be the last New Mexican restaurant left in Southern California. We've been going there for 17 years now. If you haven't tasted the difference between New Mexican chili seasoning and South of the Border tomato paste chili seasoning, you owe it to yourself to get to Anita's no matter where in SoCal you are. If they ever go out of business you'll have to travel to the Pueblo country to taste the cuisine.
The menu is varied, but the specialty of the house is the several dishes that are made with Carne Adovada (carnitas with an indescribably good true New Mexican seasoning). I never order anything else.
Restaurant has a homey Southwestern feel, but it's cramped inside and the patio dining area is outfitted with cheesy plastic lawn furniture. But you're not going there for the atmosphere -- it's the food and nothing but the food.
Pros: Unique S/W cuisine, Moderately priced, Good service
Cons: Cramped, Not upscale
more