AMIGO'S Restaurant and Cantina: "A surprise awaits!" Pasadena Restaurant Tip by pedersdottir

Colorado Blvd. is the 'main drag' through Pasadena. Along the east end of Colorado the streetscape becomes a bit gritty, a bit industrial. Not exactly a tourist haunt.

From the outside, Amigo's is easy to miss. When you find it, it looks like a dive, except for the charming placque at the door that reads "mi casa es tu casa".

Enter, and you are warmly greeted, promptly seated and oh-so-well treated! The locals that dine here seem to be a mix of CalTech students, middle-aged matrons and Mexicans who love food.

Favorite Dish: For openers Amigo's offers industrial-strength warm taco chips and peppery-delicious salsa. Best item on the menu? Hard to say. The Steak Picado is excellent, the Garlic Shrimp with Avocado is finger-licking good. Chicken Mole and Chicken Ranchero are both fragrant and delicious. Try one, try them all!

Cadillac Margaritas are a specialty of the house. They seemed to be uniformly popular with the student crowd.

Address: 1076 E. Colorade Blvd. (corner of Wilson)
Comparison: less expensive than average
Directions: Small free parking lot accessible from Wilson St.

Restaurant hours are 11:00 AM to midnight, 7 days a week.
Phone: 626-577-1307
Price: US$11-20
Rating: 5
Theme: Mexican