El Granjero Cantina Launches Lotería Taco Tuesday Sept 13: Mexican Bingo Meets Tequila and Tacos

El Granjero Cantina launches Lotería Taco Tuesday Sept 13 with traditional Mexican bingo, $10 tacos, margaritas by carafe, and prizes at The Original Farmers Market.

When LA’s most colorful Mexican cantina decides to combine a beloved traditional game of chance with $10 taco specials, handcrafted margaritas, and prizes, you know Tuesday nights just got significantly more interesting.

El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market is launching Lotería Taco Tuesday starting September 13, 2022, running on select Tuesday evenings through November where guests can play Lotería, a traditional Mexican game of chance similar to bingo but using beans and illustrated cards rather than numbered ping pong balls—while enjoying Executive Chef Jenni Sklar’s modern Mexican cuisine from 6:00-8:00 pm.

For foodies, tequila enthusiasts, and fun-loving audiences from Beverly Hills to West Hollywood to Santa Monica who appreciate when dining experiences offer genuine cultural engagement alongside exceptional food and drinks, Lotería Taco Tuesday represents exactly the kind of interactive entertainment that transforms ordinary weeknight dining into memorable celebration.

With lively, bright indoor-outdoor seating perfect for people-watching at The Original Farmers Market, Chef Sklar’s ingredient-driven menu featuring Chicken Dorado Tacos, Carnitas Tacos, and Avocado Tacos (all $10), Baby Nachos with choice of protein, plus Frozen Margaritas and margaritas by the carafe ($44-$54 depending on variety), El Granjero creates the perfect combination of authentic Mexican tradition, contemporary California cuisine, and social gaming that makes Tuesdays worth celebrating.

What Is Lotería? Traditional Mexican Game Meets Social Entertainment

Lotería (pronounced loh-teh-REE-ah) is a traditional game of chance beloved throughout Mexico and Latin American communities—essentially Mexican bingo, but infinitely more colorful, culturally rich, and visually engaging than its numbered counterpart.

Instead of numbered ping pong balls and standard bingo cards, Lotería uses a deck of 54 cards featuring distinctive Mexican folk art images: El Gallo (the rooster), La Sirena (the mermaid), El Corazón (the heart), La Luna (the moon), El Catrin (the dandy), and dozens more iconic illustrations that have remained consistent since the game’s origins in 18th-century Spain and subsequent adoption throughout Mexico.

Players receive tabla boards featuring random selections of these images arranged in grids. As the announcer (called el cantor) draws cards and calls out their names—often adding colorful commentary, riddles, or humorous observations about each image—players mark matching images on their boards using beans, coins, or other markers. The first player to complete a predetermined pattern (horizontal line, vertical line, full card, or specific shape) shouts “¡Lotería!” to claim victory and win prizes.

What makes Lotería culturally significant beyond simple gameplay is how the images reflect Mexican folklore, traditions, and daily life. The cards tell stories, reference proverbs, and connect players to shared cultural heritage. For Mexican families, Lotería represents much more than entertainment—it’s intergenerational bonding, cultural transmission, and joyful gathering rolled into one game.

For Los Angeles’ substantial Mexican and Latinx community, and for cultural enthusiasts who appreciate authentic traditions rather than superficial appropriation, El Granjero Cantina’s Lotería Taco Tuesday honors genuine Mexican social customs while creating inclusive atmosphere where everyone—regardless of cultural background—can participate, learn, and enjoy.

According to Mexican cultural tradition, Lotería has been bringing families and communities together for over two centuries, evolving from upper-class pastime to beloved popular entertainment that crosses all socioeconomic boundaries.

Chef Jenni Sklar’s Modern Mexican Taco Tuesday Specials

Executive Chef Jenni Sklar—whose commitment to ingredient-driven cuisine and handmade-from-scratch preparation earned El Granjero Cantina devoted following since opening—brings that same dedication to Lotería Taco Tuesday with specials that balance authentic Mexican flavors with contemporary California sensibilities.

Chicken Dorado Tacos ($10) feature salsa verde, sour cream, and cotija cheese. “Dorado” means golden, indicating these tacos are lightly fried to achieve crispy exterior while maintaining juicy chicken interior—texture contrast that makes every bite satisfying. The salsa verde provides bright acidity, sour cream adds cooling richness, and cotija (Mexico’s crumbly, salty aged cheese) delivers savory depth.

Avocado Tacos ($10) showcase chipotle aioli, marinated kale, corn salsa, and pickled red onion—demonstrating how vegetarian options can be just as flavorful and texturally complex as meat-based tacos. The chipotle aioli provides smoky heat, marinated kale adds earthiness, corn salsa brings sweetness and crunch, while pickled red onion cuts through richness with acidity.

Carnitas Tacos ($10) serve braised pork, guacamole, cheese, and pickled red onions. Proper carnitas—pork slowly braised until tender, then crisped—represents one of Mexican cuisine’s most beloved preparations. The combination of rich pork, creamy guacamole, melted cheese, and acidic pickled onions creates perfect flavor balance.

Baby Nachos feature Guajillo cheese sauce, shredded cheese, black olives, pickled red onions, salsa verde, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Guests can add protein including:

• Pork Carnitas, Soyrizo, or Tomatillo Chicken ($5)
• Braised Beef ($6.50)
• Steak ($10)
• Additional side of Guacamole ($4)

The “baby” designation suggests shareable appetizer portions rather than massive platters—perfect for groups playing Lotería who want snacks without committing to full entrées.

Taco Tuesday Special ($25) provides excellent value: one Taco Plate with choice of Chicken, Carnitas, or Avocado Tacos plus one Classic or Skinny Margarita. For guests seeking straightforward, affordable dinner-and-drink combination, this package delivers quality at price point that makes weekly participation feasible.

Frozen Margaritas and Margaritas By The Carafe: Keeping the Party Going

El Granjero Cantina keeps the party going with drink options designed for both individual enjoyment and group celebration.

Frozen Margaritas and Frozen Mojitos ($10) provide refreshing, fun-loving options perfect for warm LA evenings. The frozen format—while sometimes dismissed by cocktail purists—serves important function: it’s approachable, cooling, Instagram-worthy, and designed for leisurely sipping rather than rapid consumption.

EGC Margaritas By The Carafe transform Tuesday night into genuine celebration by offering shareable quantities at prices that reward group ordering:

• Classic, Skinny, or Watermelon Margaritas ($44) – the foundational options covering traditional, lower-calorie, and fruit-forward preferences
• Cadillac Margaritas ($50) – premium version typically made with top-shelf tequila and Grand Marnier
• Fresh Mango Margaritas ($54) – seasonal fruit margarita using real mango rather than artificial flavoring

These carafe prices represent smart value proposition. A standard margarita at upscale LA bars typically costs $14-18. A carafe serving 4-5 drinks for $44-54 delivers significant savings while encouraging communal drinking that fits perfectly with Lotería’s social, interactive nature.

For upscale audiences throughout Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica accustomed to craft cocktail bars where single drinks easily exceed $20, El Granjero’s carafe pricing makes quality tequila cocktails accessible for regular enjoyment rather than special occasion splurge.

The Original Farmers Market Setting: Perfect Location for Social Gaming

El Granjero Cantina’s location at The Original Farmers Market provides ideal setting for Lotería Taco Tuesday’s social, festive atmosphere.

With lively, bright, and inviting indoor-outdoor seating and great patio for people-watching, the restaurant creates environment where strangers naturally become friends, groups merge across tables, and the energy of surrounding Farmers Market foot traffic adds to the overall buzz.

The Original Farmers Market—operating since 1934 as one of LA’s most beloved gathering places—brings built-in community feel that perfectly complements Lotería’s tradition as game that brings people together. You’re not in isolated restaurant—you’re part of larger social ecosystem where diverse crowds converge for food, shopping, and entertainment.

The indoor-outdoor configuration matters particularly for group gaming events. Lotería requires space for multiple tables of players, room for el cantor to call games, and acoustic environment where announcements can be heard without excessive amplification. El Granjero’s layout accommodates these needs while maintaining comfortable dining atmosphere.

For locals and visitors throughout Los Angeles, The Original Farmers Market represents accessible, parking-friendly destination where you can arrive casually, explore multiple food vendors before or after dining, and enjoy LA’s perfect weather in outdoor setting that feels simultaneously urban and relaxed.

Lotería Taco Tuesday Schedule: Select Dates Through November

El Granjero Cantina’s Lotería Taco Tuesday runs on specially selected Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm:

• Tuesday, September 13, 2022 (launch date)
• Tuesday, September 27
• Tuesday, October 4
• Tuesday, October 18
• Tuesday, November 8
• Tuesday, November 22

This selective schedule—roughly every other week rather than every Tuesday—creates anticipation and allows El Granjero to maintain special event atmosphere rather than routine weekly promotion. Guests mark calendars specifically for Lotería nights, building excitement and ensuring strong turnout.

The November 22 date falls just before Thanksgiving, providing fun pre-holiday celebration for friends and families gathering in LA for the holiday weekend.

The 6:00-8:00 pm timeframe accommodates after-work crowds while concluding early enough that guests can enjoy games, food, and drinks without staying out excessively late on a weeknight. This timing reflects understanding of professional audiences who want fun mid-week entertainment that doesn’t compromise next-day productivity.

Prizes, Community, and Cultural Celebration

While the press release mentions “Prizes, and much more” without specifying exact rewards, Lotería traditionally involves small prizes for game winners—gift certificates, free drinks, branded merchandise, or other tokens that create friendly competition without high-stakes pressure.

The real prize, however, is the experience itself: learning or reconnecting with traditional Mexican game, enjoying Chef Sklar’s excellent tacos and margaritas in beautiful setting, meeting new people through shared gaming, and participating in cultural tradition that’s brought joy to generations across Mexico and Latin America.

For El Granjero Cantina, Lotería Taco Tuesday represents smart business strategy that aligns with their values: honoring Mexican culinary and cultural traditions, creating community gathering spaces, showcasing Chef Sklar’s ingredient-driven cooking, and building regular customer base through weekly programming that gives people reasons to return consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Lotería and how do you play?

A: Lotería is a traditional Mexican game of chance similar to bingo but using illustrated cards featuring iconic Mexican images (El Gallo, La Sirena, El Corazón, etc.) rather than numbers. Players receive boards with random image arrangements and mark matches as el cantor (announcer) draws cards. First player to complete a predetermined pattern shouts “¡Lotería!” to win. El Granjero Cantina provides all materials—no experience necessary.

Q: When does Lotería Taco Tuesday happen at El Granjero Cantina?

A: Lotería Taco Tuesday runs 6:00-8:00 pm on select Tuesdays: September 13 (launch), September 27, October 4, October 18, November 8, and November 22, 2022. The event occurs roughly every other Tuesday through November at El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market.

Q: What are the food and drink specials for Lotería Taco Tuesday?

A: Specials include $10 tacos (Chicken Dorado, Carnitas, or Avocado), Baby Nachos with optional protein additions ($5-$10), Taco Tuesday Special—taco plate plus margarita ($25), Frozen Margaritas and Mojitos ($10), and Margaritas By The Carafe including Classic/Skinny/Watermelon ($44), Cadillac ($50), or Fresh Mango ($54).

Q: Do I need reservations for Lotería Taco Tuesday?

A: While walk-ins may be accommodated, reservations are recommended to guarantee seating during this popular event. Call El Granjero Cantina directly at 323.879.9324 or visit CantinaLA.com to make reservations for specific Lotería Tuesday dates.

Get Your Game On While Getting Your Taco and Tequila Fix

El Granjero Cantina’s Lotería Taco Tuesday represents exactly the kind of creative, culturally grounded programming that makes LA’s dining scene special: authentic traditions honored rather than appropriated, excellent food and drinks served at accessible prices, social gaming that builds community across diverse audiences, and fun-loving atmosphere that transforms ordinary Tuesday into weekly celebration worth anticipating.

Chef Jenni Sklar’s commitment to ingredient-driven Mexican cuisine ensures that even promotional pricing doesn’t compromise quality. Her Chicken Dorado Tacos, Carnitas Tacos, and Avocado Tacos deliver genuine flavor complexity, while margarita carafes made with quality tequila justify group orders that keep tables buzzing with conversation and laughter.

The Original Farmers Market location provides perfect setting—accessible, welcoming, visually engaging, and already functioning as community gathering place where diverse crowds converge for food and entertainment.

Whether you’re Mexican-American reconnecting with childhood game, cultural enthusiast learning Lotería for the first time, tequila lover seeking quality margaritas at fair prices, or simply someone looking for Tuesday night plans that offer more than typical happy hour, El Granjero Cantina’s Lotería Taco Tuesday delivers on every level.

Mark your calendars for September 13 (launch), September 27, October 4, October 18, November 8, and November 22 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Call 323.879.9324 or visit CantinaLA.com to make reservations.

Grab your sombrero, gather your friends, and get ready to shout “¡Lotería!” while enjoying some of LA’s best tacos and margaritas. Tuesday nights just got a whole lot more colorful.