Trejo’s Cantina in Hollywood, Pasadena and Woodland Hills greeted summer with four new menu items, plus a selection of new margaritas.
The eatery’s co-owner Ash Shah was most excited about Trejo’s new dessert, “Bread” Pudding ($8). It consists of donuts from Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts in Los Angeles, dulce de leche, cinnamon crumble and house-made whipped cream.
“The idea was, ‘How can we take some of the donuts that we have at the end of the day,’ which is how bread pudding is traditionally made,” Shah said. “Fortunately, we don’t have enough, so we have to make the donuts for the ‘bread’ pudding.”
There are three entrees, including the Cheeseburger taco, which is hamburger, bacon, onions, cherry tomatoes and cheese sauce on a flour tortilla ($4), a nod to the cheeseburger taco served at Empellon in New York City, one of Shah’s favorite restaurants.
The Chicken Tikka Masala, chicken, rice, pico de gallo and raita cream on a flour tortilla ($5), is a “fun twist on a chicken taco.” It honors Shah’s Indian heritage with the spices he grew up with, including cumin, coriander, turmeric and chili powder.
Finishing up the new offerings is the Mexi Falafel with falafels, kale, pickled onions and tahini sauce on a flour tortilla ($4).
“We have a fairly large vegan clientele so we wanted to offer another vegan taco and Middle Eastern food is quite hot and trendy right now. It was a no-brainer for us,” Shah said.
All of the dishes are also available as burritos, bowls and quesadillas.
Trejo’s Cantina is bringing back its brisket taco, as well. It has been off the menu for a few months and Shah said that diners were requesting its return.
There are some new margaritas too, including hibiscus, pineapple and cinnamon, lime-in-the-coconut, cucumber cilantro and lavender.
“They’re all a little different. I think unique in a way,” Shah said. “We went out of the wheelhouse a little bit and created some interesting flavors.”
All of the items will be available through summer and most are also on the menu at Trejo’s Tacos two Los Angeles locations.
Shah shared that the restaurant is already working on special menu items for fall and the Pasadena location will be adding a Sunday brunch soon.
Trejo’s Cantina in Pasadena will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Danny Trejo 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 28.
If you want to go to Trejo’s Cantina
When: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Where: 1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles.
Information: 323-461-8226, www.trejotacos.com.
When: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Where: 37 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena.
Information: 626-792-4441. www.trejostacos.com.
When: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
Where: 21550 Oxnard St., Suite 125, Woodland Hills.
Information: 818-805-3165, www.trejostaco.com.
