Mexican cuisine as we know it has little to with what is served in Mexico.  If you visited a traditional Mexican restaurant south of the border you would be surprised to find that waiters don’t wear Mexican hats, there are no nachos (what?), no fried taquitos, no beef enchilada, rarely four tortillas or no frozen flavored margaritas.

Traditional Mexican food is simple and clean, it uses little beef, yellow cheese or canned vegetables.  Slow roasted pork is a main ingredient, corn is in abundance and most of the sauces are on the mild side.  Heat comes from salsas and relishes that are put on (not in) the food.

Here is a list of the best Mexican restaurants in Sherman Oaks:

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant

5142 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

This family owned Mexican restaurant calls itself authentic, but with menu items like baby kale and burgers, we have a hard time verifying this claim.  They have been in Sherman Oaks since 1977 and while maybe not traditional Mexican, they serve up great, reasonably priced Mexican food.  We did find these family specials that are a bit more authentic: Mole con Pollo, Albondigas and Menundo (Saturday and Sunday).

DeliMex Restaurant

14446 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

This is a small, family owned hole in the wall serving up typical American style Mexican food with a juice bar!

Casa Vega

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

This is an upscale Mexican restaurant with valet parking and a full bar serving up some creative margaritas and signature drinks.  They use high quality, fresh ingredients and some claim Kim Kardashian frequents this restaurant!

Cactus OTB

15030 Ventura Blvd, Ste 24, Sherman Oaks, CA

This restaurant claims to be the best Mexican restaurant and to be authentic.  Based upon their reviews, we might agree that it is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Sherman Oaks, but one look at the menu says it isn’t authentic South of the Border Mexican, but it is a great Tex-Mex restaurant and worth a try.

Enjoy these Mexican restaurants near your Parkview Terrace Apartment.