Lula Cocina Mexicana celebrates 35 years in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Flaming hot fajitas, enchiladas and fish tacos for days.

Find it all at Lula Cocina Mexicana, located on Main Street in Santa Monica, just a short walk from the beach.

This neighborhood staple is celebrating 35 years in business, and co-owners Chuck Craig and Barry Kinyon said the community is a big part of what has kept it going.

“We're very fortunate. I would say this is probably the strongest community restaurant I've ever been a part of,” Craig said.

Vibrant colors and large works of art welcome guests inside, where the restaurant is a gathering place for everyone from families to singles.

Food and drink specials throughout the week are another way Lula brings people together.

“We offer not only a great happy hour of our food, Tuesday special, a Wednesday special. Right? So I think that's community to me,” Kinyon said.

On Taco Tuesday, guests can get two tacos and a margarita for $18.

Wednesday brings two enchiladas and a margarita for $20.

And when it comes to the menu, there's plenty to choose from.

The restaurant serves fresh ceviche, an 8-ounce hanger steak carne asada, and 16 special sauces made in-house.

One standout dish features shrimp cooked in butter and garlic, served on top of blue corn pancakes.

“I'm ordering this the next time I come, which is so good,” one diner said.

And the signature Lula Margarita is where it all started, according to Kinyon.

The restaurant has also recently started hosting improv shows, which have become a hit in the community.

Lula Cocina Mexicana is located at 2720 Main St., in Santa Monica and is open Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant is available for catering, private parties and tequila tastings.

Thank you, Robert Wilson, for the submission.

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