Cowboys and Turbans does such a terrific job with its name, immediately conjuring up a fun, creative environment, which, however strange the titular bedfellows may seem, would serve fun, creative Mexican and Indian fusion food. But what we have here is a failed attempt. Instead of waxing too poetic in paragraphs, let me bullet a few things out.
I like:
• The long rough cut wooden plank table in one corner of the little restaurant.
• The eclectic collection of lamps tacked onto the walls and dangling off the ceiling.
• The pink and purple sari panels through which the sunlight sifts through.
• The one hour free parking.
• The size of the empanada-esque samosa, which could be a highly economical way to feed at least two children or petite adults in one go.
• The idea of putting mint in shrimp tacos.
• The brightly coloured menu which boasts “Indian Mexican Street Food.”
• The hope all of the above gives one before actually tucking into the food.
I dislike:
• The watery lassi.
• The waitress who, however pleasant otherwise, remarked within earshot that they were running out of tables (i.e. ‘leave, now’)
• The absurd little dish of tikka masala which accompanied the humongous samosa-on-steroids. To segment this particular dislike further, first, the masala itself tasted like it came out of a Trader Joe’s jar (read, too pasty, too thick, too sweet), and second, samosas, however fused with any other cuisine they may be, simply don’t go with tikka masala I’m afraid.
• The absence of anything resembling passable flavour in anything we ordered: shrimp tacos, fish tacos, chicken tacos, shrimp tikka masala, the lassi, and the samosas.
• The factually incorrect menu. Curries and masala are not necessarily from Goa. Biryani certainly isn’t. Neither is tofu, however appropriate to Silverlake it may be.
• Stomaching the disappointment.
All in all, an idea with a mild clatter of hooves but weak on execution.
2815 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Telephone: 213.483.7778
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
RATING: 1 out of 5 SAMOSAS. BECAUSE, IF NOTHING ELSE, THE SAMOSAS WERE FILLING.
Comments
As an Indian woman engaged to a Mexican man, I got excited about this new concept, but now I don't know if it's worth trying...thanks for the heads up!
Thanks for reading S.S.! I know, I was excited at the outset too.
Twitter: SaiSays
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!