LAReview
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Chez Tex
Included In
Every neighborhood needs that one place. The place where you can walk in at 7pm on a Friday, actually get a table, and still eat some excellent food. If you’ve ever tried to do that in Venice though, you’ve probably had a person wearing artfully torn jean shorts laugh openly in your face. But now Venice has Chez Tex, where instead of models with a personality disorder, you’ll be greeted by normal people who’ll smile at you and get a drink in your hand immediately.
In fact, we’ve never received any attitude at Chez Tex. What we have received is excellent bistro food, useful wine advice (always accompanied by a sample), and that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you’ve been to a restaurant once, but they recognize you when you walk back in the next time. Venice might be full of tourists taking photos of donuts on Abbot Kinney, but Chez Tex isn’t here for them.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Nothing about Chez Tex is going to have you frantically texting everyone you know that they have to get here right now. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of potential for this to become your regular spot. The brick-walled space is kind of sparse (and there are only ten or so tables and a few seats at the bar), but it’s somehow still a place where you want to hang out. The menu is full of simple classics like a burger, roast chicken, beet and goat cheese, and a regularly-changing pasta. Chez Tex is an easy option, but it’s also a great one.
The best use case for Chez Tex might be showing up while the sun’s still up, ordering a bottle of wine, and digging into a bunch of snacks. Soon enough, two hours (and two bottles) will have gone by and you’ll need a burger. Whatever happens, they’ll definitely remember you when you come back. Because you will be back.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Pee Wee Potatoes
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Beet Terrine
Little Gem Caesar
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Mary’s 1/2 Free Range Chicken
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Burger
photo credit: Jakob Layman