Chef Wes Avila is working on a new project with leading hospitality firm sbe and restaurateur Giancarlo Pagani (Mother Wolf, Ka’Teen) in West Hollywood. MXO, which means Mexican origins, is slated to open on La Cienega Boulevard this spring. The contemporary Mexican steakhouse will be centered around wood-fire cooking.
Avila, a two-time James Beard finalist, is renowned for his nuanced blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine. He is best known for the meteoric rise of Guerrilla Tacos, which started as an experimental street cart and eventually went on to become a brick-and-mortar restaurant that received a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide in 2019.
In 2020, Avila opened the wildly popular Angry Egret Dinette, which sadly closed its doors at the end of last year, and Piopiko Tacos in Kyoto, which is still open. The following year Avila debuted Ka’Teen in Hollywood, which offers “a fresh take on the ancient cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula.” He also recently launched a brand with sbe’s C3 platform called Me Tacos by Tastemade, a hybrid in-person and delivery dining experience.
“I am looking forward to taking the next step in my culinary career, working on a unique and deeply personal food concept, in partnership with sbe. The opportunity to blend my heritage with sbe’s innovative approach to hospitality promises an exceptional dining experience. Together, we will create a space that celebrates authenticity, and the vibrant flavors and spirit of Mexico,” Avila said in a press release.
