One of the Valley’s Most Promising Taco Spots Has Closed

Mercado Taqueria has closed after a two-year run in Studio City as of February 1. Though Mercado restaurants seem to grow at a relatively sustainable pace, with another expansion coming online in Manhattan Beach toward the latter part of last year (and five locations total), this more casual offshoot in the Valley couldn’t hit the three year mark. With reasonable prices and a bold interior, plus a full bar, the place seemed primed for success on one of LA’s busiest restaurant blocks. Fans will have to go down the street to Mercado Hollywood for their fix of familiar Mexican dishes.

In other news:

—Toddrickallen reports that a noodle spot called Unknown Kitchen is opening in Brentwood in the near future in the former Wahoo’s taco spot.

—LA Times has a feature on Norm’s, the popular Southern California-based chain of diners with iconic locations across the city, including the immortal Googie building on La Cienega Blvd.

—LA Magazine files a report on how delivery apps are jeopardizing the local restaurant industry.

—Just coming off the heels of Hollywood’s big redevelopment plans, LA Business Journal reports that Santa Monica announced plans to revitalize its Third Street Promenade amid declining taxable sales, which the city is attributing to more online shopping and food delivery apps.

—Madre plans to open a third restaurant, this time in busy Fairfax, aiming to open by fall 2020. With locations in Torrance and Palms, Ivan Vasquez will bring over 400 mezcal bottles to the former Pitfire Pizza on Fairfax just north of Melrose. The menu will stick to Oaxacan classics, but will use Pitfire’s former wood oven to prepare new recipes. Once open, Madre will be open every day for dinner, and weekends for brunch.

And now, watch Elijah Wood enjoy some of LA’s best sushi: