The Legend of Marix Moves West

The story of Marix in West Hollywood has become a local restaurant legend. Originally opened as a California-French restaurant about a year and a half ago, the place did so poorly that the owners decided to reconsider. They closed the doors, fired the chef and scrapped the original menu.

When they reopened, the restaurant had been transformed into a Tex-Mex emporium. Prices were reasonable, portions were large, and the customers poured in the doors. They took no reservations, and last time I called I was told that the wait was more than an hour.

Buoyed by their success, the owners have just opened Marix Tex Mex Playa in Santa Monica at 118 Entrada Drive. This restaurant does take reservations; the number to call is (213) 459-8596. The ambiance is relaxed, and so are the prices. The thing to drink is a Margarita, the things to eat are fajitas (half a pound of sizzling skirt steak that you wrap up in tortillas with onions, guacamole and salsa).