La Venadita
Essential Information
With its logo featuring an antlered Frida Kahlo presiding over a pink-walled dining room, you know the hip quotient is high at La Venadita, Tom and David Schnetz’s stylish Oak Park taqueria (Tom started several trendsetting restaurants in the East Bay, including Oakland’s Flora), which opened in 2016. Order burrito and taco combos at the counter—try the buttery camarones mojo de ajo alongside the crispy-shelled carnitas—and take advantage of the full bar by snagging a Mezcal Old Fashioned or a refreshing michelada with Modelo Especial, spicy tomato juice, lime and a chile salt rim. The weekend brunch lineup includes creative entrées like a chile verde con huevos, or choose to brunch any time of day with morning-focused menu items like egg-filled breakfast burritos or the rich, saucy chilaquiles.