When pressed to answer the question, what is the best mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, this is my stock answer. The chile en nogada is terrific, sure, but don't miss out on the 3 house moles.
One of the 3 best Peruvian places in L.A. (Mo-Chica) is also in the Mercado's food court, so you can hit 2 birds with one stone, if you're feeling especially gluttonous.
The marvelous chimichanga is the opposite of healthy. The mole negro is a complex, nuanced and delicate wonder that is possibly the best mole in town. I don't know why you'd order anything else.
Roberto Berrelleza crafts the greatest chile en nogada in Los Angeles. An unassuming hole in the wall on San Gabriel Blvd. turns out to be a gem. Pricey, yes, but for the skill on display, a bargain.
Kick off your meal with the Chicharron de Queso: cheddar cheese grilled into a crisp disc. You rip off pieces and eat it with handmade tortillas and guacamole. A great meal for out-of-town guests.
As far as tortas go, this place churns out aggressively flavored, hulking specimens that are nearly tortoise-esque in size.
Yuca's overcooked slapdash cheeseburger is a spartan yet glorious thing that'll awaken your childhood memories of cookouts and summercamp. P.S. The cochinita pibil torta is a sandwich dream come true.
Their clayuda: A thin tortilla is coated with a black bean spread & shredded quesillo, then toasted over an open flame. The smokey burnt bits of the tortilla yield a charming & subtle bitterness.
TVC's breakfast burritos are the best in town, each one made to order. Eggs are scrambled into the ingredients and well seasoned as they cook. Their homemade hot sauce is magnificent.
For breakfast, get the fried plantains. They come with fried eggs, a rectangle of panela cheese, cooked down black beans, and tortillas. Nothing fancy, but a pretty nice start to any morning.
I like their hibiscus (flor de jamaica) tacos best, followed closely by the shrimp, duck carnitas, fried potato, and cochinita pibil tacos. Be adventurous: nearly everything on the menu is terrific.
Beyond the marvelous barbacoa and carne asada fries, there are gems to be discovered. The potato taco dorado is both delicate and decadent splendor. Don't miss the crisp carnitas or the salsa bar.
Sure, you can just grab a juggernaut of a burrito here and go home grateful. But why not get some of their lovingly-crafted tortillas and refried beans to go? The you of tomorrow will love you for it.
Lupe's is one the great lunch counters of Southern California. Their bean and cheese burritos are outstanding. Lupe's red sauce packs a delightfully spicy punch so order yourself a large beverage.
