The Standard

When we were teenagers, we were completly obsessed with Clueless the movie.  It was the story of a young girl named Cher who was trying to navigate the treacherous waters of living in Beverly Hills while trying to maintain a proper teenage skincare regimen.  She was living our life.  The mansion in the hills.  The popularity at her school.  The uber-fashions that all of her friends didn’t understand but yet completely envied.  We died!

We came to Beverly Hills shortly thereafter, and we made it our life mission to track down Cher and let her know that we totally related.  What else was a Stan D’eenager to do really?  So one day while frantically combing the streets of Beverly Hills for our blonde nemesis, we received a phone call on our cell phone telling us that Cher was at a place in the San Fernando Valley called Casa Vega.  We were confused by this casa thing but we didn’t ask any questions.  Must.  Find.  Cher.

When we arrived, we were told that she had already left.  Maybe we shouldn’t have stopped by the Chateau Marmont for that half-caf double latte with foam and a sprinkling of cinnamon powder, but when in Los Angeles, one does as the Angelenos do, but we digress.

After our tears dried on our Hermes ascot, we lifted our head and opened our eyes to find ourselves in a mid-century Mexican wonderland.  Red vinyl booths lined the walls, wrought iron dividers with brass trimmings separated the tables and colorful Christmas lights in dizzying numbers were strung from the low lying ceilings.  All around us, senoritas in traditional Mexican garb were running around bringing freshly fresh tortilla chips and cold salsa to diners who were sipping on frosty margaritas out of salt rimmed glasses.  What was this place?

We learned that Casa Vega has been a landmark institution to the locals for over 50 years.  Enchiladas covered in molten cheese, spicy refried bean nachos and chicken flautas are all a way of life.  Ever since that fateful night, Casa Vega has become a way of our lives as well.  

Casa Vega is located at 13301 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, CA.  818-788-4868.