Upscale Yet Casual. Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery in Santa Monica

Lunch at Huckleberry Bakery and Cafe on Wilshire and 10th in Santa Monica is a nice experience. A bit pricey, but the baked goods and prepared salads are tasty. Everything looks freshly made. At lunch time, even after 1:00 pm, the place is packed. You go to the counter, order your food, take a table number, and the staff will bring your order to you. The process is quite efficient and after a very short wait, we found a seat.

While the food at Huckleberdy's is generally good, their interpretation of the huevos rancheros is ingenious.: two deep fried taco shells smothered with black beans, queso, a fried egg and salsa. Beautiful and delectable: a perfect combination. Highly recommended.

Unhipsters' Hangout: Potato Tacos at El Atacor in Cypress Park

On the outskirts of the uber hip Highland Park is Taqueria El Atacor, a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant just north of downtown Los Angeles, close to the thrift stores St. Vincent De Paul and Good Will. Taqueria El Atacor is what I would call a dive, with tacky decor: A taxidermy antelope head on the wall, a juke box, a mural, all past the counter where one orders the food and the kitchen where the food is cooked. Every time we go there, there is hardly anyone dining in the restaurant, let alone any hipsters. I suppose most people order take out because the place simply has no ambience worth speaking of.

But we go there repeatedly for one particular item: The deep fried potato tacos smothered in sour cream, guacamole sauce and cheese. While I've had good steamed potato tacos, the potato tacos here are stuffed in the taco shells and fried together. The pico de gallo here is the best and we top the tacos with it.

The best thing about the potato tacos? A bargain $8.50 for ten of those heavenly things. (A couple of years ago they were $7.00 for 10, but I guess all prices go up).

Let's hope that hipsters don't discover this place and drive up the price any time soon!

Taqueria el Atacor:

2622 N Figueroa St

Los Angeles, CA 90065

http://www.taqueriaelatacorrestaurants.com