Weekend Doggie Brunch comes to Tallula’s in Santa Monica

Palomas and puppies? Yes, please. Doggie Brunch is now served on weekends in Santa Monica at coastal Mexican Tallula’s Restaurant (at the former Marix property) just a block from the beach every Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM – 3 PM. Bring your beloved pup who you may like better than your friends and family and treat Fido to his own menu while you sip your Bloody Maria.

Add an order of Chilaquiles or a Breakfast Burrito with a Café de Olla to start the day at this family-friend spot while your four-legged friend will be smiling next to you over their bowl of chow and probably eyeing the other bitches in the joint.

The new Executive Chef Juan Robles is taking guests back to his native Mexico with indigenous dishes from different regions, such as Sopa de Piedra with local seafood and rich Oaxacan moles, recreating family favorites like a Veggie Tamal, or in the true spirit of LA, showcasing Mexican fare that blends global influences such as his Jalapeño & Miso-Glazed Fish Taco. Chef Juan Robles hails from AOC Brentwood, The Hollywood Bowl, and Lucques Catering, and started his culinary career at Patina Restaurant Group working on large-scale events, including the Grammys and Emmys and as a kitchen supervisor at their Downtown LA Market Cafe. Born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Juan spent summers in his grandmother’s kitchen learning how to cook traditional dishes like Caldo de Res and Chile Rellenos and make fresh masa for Tamales Oaxaqueños.

Juan and the team are firing up new brunch dishes, such as Eggs in a Blanket with the choice of fried or scrambled eggs and refried black beans tucked between two corn tortillas and topped with salsa Suiza, crema, queso fresco, jack cheese & tortilla strips; Milanesa featuring a country-fried, grass-fed flank steak, Weiser Farms mojo de ajo potatoes, fried eggs & poblano gravy; Ham & Cheese Quesadilla with hickory-smoked ham, jack cheese, queso Oaxaca, sunny-side up egg, salsa Roja & crema, alongside other classics like Blue Corn Pancakes, Breakfast Tacos, Huevos Rancheros and more.

Wash it all down with Mimosas, Micheladas, or a Mexican Spiked Coffee. Reservations are available via Resy, but walk-ins are welcome.

Besides the epic brunch roll-out from the new chef, dinner is also a worthy endeavor at this relaxed SoCal spot, especially for the fresh aqua chile, summer melon salad, caesar with pepitas, and guacamole with blue corn tostadas. Try the charred blue prawns or a taco sampler with options like fish, shrimp, and carne asada. Our favorite was the flavorful market veggie with refried black beans, onions, zucchini, squash, chipotle crema, and cilantro. Don’t miss sharing or hoarding the grilled corn with chipotle aioli. We adored all of the cocktails but the fresh ginger Mezcal cocktail they dubbed “somewhat like a margarita” was our favorite mood enhancer.

Music Mondays from 6-8 p.m. – Every week local musicians play acoustic, Spanish guitar on the patio. Start with Oysters with tepache mignonette, Beet Ceviche Tostada and Grass-Fed Hanger Steak while taking in the sweet, sweet sounds…preferably with a Paloma or Margarita (or two).

Happy Hour is now Monday – Friday from 4 – 6 PM in Felix’s Bar with bites too. Taco Tuesday is back from 4 – 9 PM with a Mix and Match Taco Plate ($20) and all-night Happy Hour pricing on handcrafted cocktails and housemade tacos, beer, wine, and more. Gobble up Jalapeño Miso-Glazed Rock Cod with guacamole, spicy slaw & cilantro or Carnitas with white onion, salsa Roja & cilantro. Also, you can choose to sit indoors or outside in the converted parking lot with colorful tables and bold fun art.