Inside Socalo

Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger call their new Santa Monica restaurant a California canteen and Mexican pub that will serve the duo’s Mexican-inspired food. It is expected to open in mid-December.

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 21, 2019 - Breakfast granola: Sweet housemade granola (smaller bowl) - oat milk yogurt or straus yogurt with chia passion fruit and berries, at Socalo, a soon to be open Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica, October 21, 2019. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Breakfast granola — a choice between oat milk or Straus yogurt with chia passion fruit and berries — at Socalo. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Nov. 28, 2019 5 AM PT

Socalo’s vampiros: steak and shrimp with griddled cheese and salsa macha, or vegetarian with griddled cheese. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Lamb birria made with slow-braised lamb shoulder and served with consommé, escabeche and tomatillo salsa at Socalo. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A dish of crispy chicken skins with crudités, lemon crema, house-made tajin and avocado tomatillo salsa at Socalo. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)