Today is National Guacamole Day, which means that for one day we have a legitimate excuse to consume all the guac we can muster. That's not to say we normally go easy on the smashed veggies. We eat bowls of them at LA's best Mexican restaurants, scoop dollops on our street tacos and, yeah, probably consume them on toast, too. On this sacred holiday, here are some of our favorite spots to shovel in the beloved dip.
1. Rosa Mexicano (DTLA): The Mexican restaurant near L.A. Live is famous for the Guacamole en Molcajete served tableside, but the real kicker is that anyone who is sitting at the bar can have bottomless servings of guacamole from 4-7pm every day. That's $14 for all the guac you can fit in your stomach for three hours. Get on it.
2. Tlayuda (East Hollywood): A refreshing bowl of guacamole at Tlayuda in East Hollywood swaps out the usual side of tortilla chips and instead includes tlayuda crust—all for a mere $4.99.
3. Mercado (Beverly Grove, Santa Monica, Hollywood): Along with cilantro and serrano, a hefty helping of Hass avocados are mixed with red onions, Yxta salsa brava and spicy pepitas to make the guacamole at this popular chain. Bonus: the margaritas here are pretty fantastic, too.
4. Bar Amá (DTLA): The made-to-order guacamole at Bar Amá includes cilantro, serrano and celery, and is one of the freshest tasting bowls of guac Downtown.
5. Tinga (La Brea): Fresh avocados smashed with pico de gallo and lime and topped with chipotle salsa and cotija—it's a no brainer. If you're in the mood for salsa, too, get the Tres Salsa Tasting (two salsas and guacamole).
6. El Cholo (Downtown, Mid-City, Santa Monica): This guac is DIY—you can mash at your leisure, but who are we kidding, you'll probably eat it first.
7. Petty Cash (Mid-City): You could order Petty Cash's regular guacamole—or you could go balls-to-the-wall and get the Bomb.com, guacamole with Santa Barbara sea urchin and chicharrones.
8. Mijares (Pasadena): The Guacamole Estilo Mihares features fresh avocados with diced tomatoes, onions, garlic and a dab of sour cream. Want it made tableside? All you have to do is ask.
Honorable mention: The LA County Fair is selling deep-fried guacamole, because what don't they deep fry? You can sink your teeth into the snack until the fair ends on September 25.