Los Angelenos are able to enjoy a wealth of authentic Mexican food. While Sonoran cuisine is quite plentiful across LA, you have to visit South LA and Boyle Heights to experience food from other states such as Oaxaca, Yucatan, and Puebla. My goal that day was to eat a cemita poblana at Cemita Poblanas El Sapito.
A cemita poblana is a regional sandwich from the city of Puebla. The difference between a torta and a cemita poblana is probably like comparing a Quarter Pounder to Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Big Mec (well not quite that gourmet). It usually comes heaping with a variety of fillings bursting with unique flavors.
Cemita Poblanas El Sapito is located on 1st Street near the corner of Evergreen Ave. in Boyle Heights. It is a modest restaurant, typical of the restaurants in Boyle Heights, but it was noticeably clean. Each table had clear vinyl table coverings and the floor looked extremely clean. The walls were freshly painted in bright orange. Their attention to detail encouraged me.
The menu has an impressive assortment of cemitas available. It ranges from your typical proteins such as carnitas and carne asada to vegetarian to the less popular head cheese and pigs feet. The menu also includes street tacos, quesadillas, chalupas, and even Mexican plate offerings.
Because the counter and a wall-mounted menu faced me as I entered, I quickly assumed that this was set up as a fast-casual restaurant. After placing my order, I saw a server quickly appear and take an order from a couple that had just arrived.
The milanesa is their most popular cemita. Because the sandwich is bursting at the seams, you have to nibble around the edges before you can take a regular bite. Breaded fried beef cutlet is used to make their milanesa. It is then topped with raw onions, a generous amount of avocado slices, and quesillo, a Mexican string cheese, and chipotle peppers. The sandwich quickly wakes up all of your taste buds.
Another popular item is the taco arabe. It is filled with bits of pork seasoned with chipotle peppers. The pork is neatly rolled into a flour tortilla and it resembles a burrito that isn’t sealed at the ends.
Chicken enchiladas were served on a platter smothered with a thick dark mole sauce. The sauce was complex and thick, slightly sweet, smoky and, was spicier than a typical mole. Had I been at home, I would have licked the plate clean.
If you ever pay your respects at Evergreen Cemetery, be sure to make time to stop by Cemita Poblanas El Sapito. They are located across the street on 1st Street in Boyle Heights.
Cemita Poblanas El Sapito, 3010 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90063; 323.881.0428