Picture a Mexico City taqueria and combine it with a cool California look. That is Jalapeno Pete’s in a nutshell. I recently learned that they introduced a new food and beverage menu. My wife and I visited Jalapeno Pete’s to check it out.
A spacious outdoor patio resides in front of the restaurant and it is a perfect place to dine al fresco. The benches are nicely spaced making it easy to accommodate a large group or families. It is also an excellent area for people watching on Ventura Blvd.
Jalapeno Pete’s interior is lined with large screen TVs and a beautiful bar. The furniture and light fixtures have a rustic appearance which immediately makes you feel at home. Customers can either hunker down near some large screens to watch the action or enjoy the conversation with friendly barflies.
Mexican Wings is Jalapeno Pete’s take on buffalo wings. The wings are not breaded, but still crispy with a good amount of heat from the sauce. A chipotle ranch dipping sauce was provided, but I preferred the wings without the sauce.
Flautas differ from taquitos in that they are made with flour tortillas and are about twice the width. They were filled with chicken, grilled peppers and onions and topped with salsa verde and Mexican crema.
Tacos is where they shine. Since my last visit, they added vegetarian butternut squash tacos as well as fried avocado tacos. If you are watching your carbs, you can substitute butter leaf lettuce for your tortillas. Our hands down favorite was their grilled shrimp taco with chipotle aioli and pico de gallo. The carne asada and the fried avocado also ranked high.
Jalapeno Pete’s offers wine and beer, but shines with the selection of craft cocktails, signature margaritas and craft spirits. The Miel Rosa is made with Absolut Grapefruit Vodka, fresh mint, creme de cassis, honey and lemon juice. Many of the drinks are named after the Mexican drug cartel: Don Neto, Cali Cartel and El Chapo. The Don Neto is a version of a Manhattan that was both strong and smooth.
I incorrectly assumed that they would offer flan for dessert. They surprised us with an innovative Bananas Foster with Waffles and Vanilla Ice cream. The waffles were dusted with powdered sugar and were extremely crisp on the outside. To complete the dessert, sliced bananas were served in a maple sauce that tasted like it included butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. It is impossible to only take one bite out of this dessert!
There are many reasons to try Jalapeno Pete’s. On Taco Tuesday, they offer $2 tacos from open to close. Happy Hour is daily from 4 – 7 p.m. – $6 margaritas and $3 well cocktails and select beers and wine. From 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. they feature a BOGO Happy Hour .
Jalapeno Pete’s, 11618 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604; 818.579.4264
jalapenopetesla.com