Brothers Jonathan and Jason Baran own the popular Baran’s 2239 restaurant. During the pandemic, they shifted their onsite experience to a 100% to-go experience. They made breakfast burritos made from ingredients like housemade chorizo, and it was a way for the brothers to keep their doors open. They recently opened a Tigre’s Fuego in Redondo…
Mexican
El Granjero Corners the Original Farmers Market
Many chefs have an entrepreneurial spirit the which leads them to open a restaurant of their own. If the concept succeeds, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, and frequently, a chef will launch another restaurant. After all, if they have name recognition, they already have a built-in following. One such chef is Neal Fraser. He recently…
Celebrate National Tequila Day at Lanea in Santa Monica
This year National Tequila Day takes place on Saturday, July 24. Unfortunately, no one knows the history behind National Tequila Day and how it began. Perhaps the creators of this holiday just consumed too much of the drink they celebrated to remember they created it. Either way, the exact roots of this day are not…
Where to Enjoy National Michelada Day in LA
A Michelada can simply be described as a Mexican cocktail made from tomato juice, beer and spices. When made well, is one of the most refreshing and bracingly flavorful summer beer drinks out there. Monday, July 12 is Naitonal Michelada Day and I’ve gathered places around LA that serve a mean michelada. North Los Angeles…
Wes Avila Opens Angry Egret, a Sandwich Shop in Chinatown
One of my favorite taquerias in LA is Guerilla Tacos in downtown LA. Chef Wes Avila established it and he used the tortilla as a canvas to produce some of LA’s most innovative tacos. In fact, the late Jonathan Gold wrote a feature article about his career. Avila left the restaurant to his chef de…
Torta Movil Delivers True Mexico City-Style Tortas
A good sandwich begins with the bread. It should not overpower the sandwich and yet be sturdy enough to hold the contents without falling apart in your hands. That said, I happen to have a liking for Mexican tortas. One vendor that does it extremely well is Torta Movil, a business that runs out of…
Nomad Eatery Brings Bold Flavors to the South Bay
Owner and chef Scott Cooper is a veteran in the South Bay. Back in 2007, he and his wife Sharon opened Jackson’s Village Bistro in Hermosa Beach which quickly gained popularity. Most recently, he owned and operated Jackson’s Food and Drink. Cooper comes roaring back from the pandemic with his latest concept, Nomad Eatery. Cooper…
La Princesita Tortilleria Continues its Focus on Taste and Quality
When you bite into a taco, you will first notice the aroma and taste of the tortilla. Until recently, I only had Mission and Guerrero tortillas because those brands are readily available in LA grocery stores. Thanks to taquero Wes Avila, I learned about La Princesita Tortilleria and discovered how a tortilla can transform a…
La Carreta Serves Stand-Out Mexican Breakfasts
When many people think of Mexican food, they automatically think of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Mexican cuisine varies greatly, but one type of Mexican food I enjoy is breakfast. Chile Rellenos, Chilaquiles, and Huevos Rancheros are just some of the items you can expect to see. I recently visited La Carreta to try their famous…
El Ruso – A Sonoran-style Taqueria Worth Your Visit
Boyle Heights is LA’s epicenter for some of LA’s best Mexican cuisine. Establishments exist as brick-and-mortar restaurants on Cesar Chavez or Whittier Blvd and as food trucks lined up on Olympic Blvd. just east of the Olympic Blvd Bridge into East Los Angeles. One such food truck is El Ruso, a family-run operation located in…