Rate-A-Restaurant #396: Evil Cooks LA (El Sereno)

Restaurant: Evil Cooks

Location: 2461 N Eastern Ave. (El Sereno)

Type of restaurant: Tacos

We stipulated: Maria and I continue "New Food Sundays," inspired by the Los Angeles Times' latest 101 Restaurants special issue. Evil Cooks' weekend pop up taco stand sounded amazing, and El Sereno isn't that far away.

They stipulated: Open only Friday through Sunday evenings, in front of a house on busy Eastern Ave. Also: "our specialty is street gourmet tacos such as Black Al Pastor and much more. Lets no forget out Dessert Tacos such as our famous Flan Taco, Chocoflan taco, Arroz con leche taco, Camote con leche taco and much more."

 

What we ordered: Maria got the Prince of Darkness burrito: Black pastor, onion, cilantro, salsa roja, cheese, eggs, guac ($8). I got the three tacos: black pastor, chorizo verde, chicken pibil ($8).

High point:  Whatta deal! These tacos, with the homemade tortillas, wonderfully prepared meats and right amount of condiments, were perfection.

Low point:  They had already sold out of their desserts, so we couldn't try the la bruja (flan taco) like we had hoped.

Overall impression: An amazing deal, and well worth the drive and even waiting in line. Best tacos I've had in recent memory.

Will we return:  Yes Yes Yes!

Rate-A-Restaurant #390: Pocha LA (Highland Park)

Restaurant: Pocha LA

Location: 6101 York Blvd. (Highland Park)

Type of restaurant: Mexican

We stipulated: I wanted to try Pocha LA for my birthday, but they were closed on Monday. Nonetheless, I've heard amazing things about their tacos, so we decided to order it for our movie night on Wednesday.

They stipulated: Take out only right now. Also interestingly, no chicken. Meats are beef, pork or turkey.

What we ordered: Pocha Guacamole with chips, 6 oz. (avocado, scallions, cilantro, white onion, citrus) $4.75; short rib/brisket tacos (beef short rib & brisket braised in New Mexico chile sauce) $4 each; al pastor tacos (grilled pork in our signature marinade) $4 each; recado puerco molido tacos (Yucatan-spiced ground pork sauteed with sweet peppers) $4 each; turkey mole tacos (Abuelito's mole poblano) $4.75 each; elote a la Pocha (grilled corn on the cob with habanero cream, cotija cheese and cilantro). 

High point:  The guacamole was fantastic, with the right amount of citrus. Also enjoyed the mole, and the kids seemed to like the puerco. Also, the salsas were great, with a nice dose of spice.

Low point:  The grilled pork and the short rib were a bit too dry.

Overall impression: Didn't quite live up to the hopes we had. It was fine.

Will we return:  Not immediately, and alas Guisado's is still our taco champ. But an ok alternative.

We Got Tacos! Lakers Make It Easier for Fans to Win Free Eats This Year

You know the cry. Usually by the fourth quarter of Los Angeles Lakers games, if things are going right: "WE WANT TACOS!"

For years now, Jack in the Box has been a sponsor at Lakers games, offering up coupons for a free pair of their hard-shell Americanized tacos (normally 99 cents) if the score was right: not only did the Lakers have to win a game, but they'd have to keep their opponents to under 100 points.

But as the NBA becomes much more of a high-scoring enterprise, the threshold for getting those free tacos has been harder to meet. In an age of so many 3-pointers, that has become tough.

Now, on Sunday night — and I don't know if this is the new normal, but it should be — the rules had been changed. We attended the Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets game, and the baseline for free tacos had become: Lakers win, and keep their opponents to under 111 points, and free tacos would be ours.

The final score: Lakers 120, Hornets 101. In the past, that would have just missed the score for free tacos.

Instead, on Sunday night, WE GOT TACOS! (BTW, I'm not a fan of the Jack in the Box tacos -- but Maria will be the beneficiary of my coupon.)

Rate-A-Restaurant #327: Guisados (Boyle Heights)

Restaurant: Guisados

Location: 2100 East Cesar E Chavez Ave. (Boyle Heights)

Type of restaurant: Tacos



We stipulated: While riding my bike on Sunday's CicLAvia, I knew I wanted to stop and some point and refuel with some tasty tacos. Guisados fit the bill.

They stipulated: "Born in Boyle Heights in December 2010, Guisados set out to serve homestyle braises on handmade corn tortillas made to order from the fresh ground masa next door at Carnitas Uruapan. We created a simple menu, one which reminded us of home and how mom spent her afternoons. It’s that same feeling that we try to put into every bite—it’s simply how we ate."



What we ordered: The 6 mini taco sampler platter ($6.99): Mole Poblano (Shredded chicken breast in a nutty Poblano style Mole. Served with sour cream, queso fresco, red onion and dried chile); Tinga de Pollo (Shredded chicken breast braised with tomatoes, cabbage and chipotle chile. Served with chipotle chile and avocado); Chorizo (Mexican sausage en su jugo served with red onion, green serrano chile and chile arbol atop black beans); Cochinita Pibil (Shredded pork cooked in a sweet, red achiote chile atop black beans. Served with Yucatan compliments, Pickled red onions and habanero chile. Taco defaults at a 3 on scale of 1-10); Hongos con Cilantro (Mushrooms cooked with cilantro and onions. Served with green serrano chile and queso fresco).




High point:  That $6.99 platter is quite a great deal -- and the tacos are as tasty as they look.

Low point:  I can't say there was any, other than the long line -- but given the crowds for CicLAvia, that was understandable.



Overall impression: I won't step into the gentrification debate here. But I will say Guisados is another great reason to visit Boyle Heights, and I think exploring your city is a good thing -- it's the entire point of this blog!

Will we return: Absolutely! Many many times. #InTacosWeTrust

From Crispy Fish Tacos to Miso Donuts, Filling Our Bellies at The Taste's Opening Night

There are plenty of food festivals in Los Angeles. But I don't think there's one better organized than Los Angeles Times' The Taste, now taking place this weekend at the Paramount lot. The event attracts top-notch restaurants, which offer up perfect bite-sized eats, and there's never a long wait for any of the vendors. You can eat well at The Taste.

And last night, at the Opening Night of The Taste, we ate very well. Some highlights:


Yep, those tacos were crispy. And effing good. Maria and I agree, this was the best item of the night. And it was the very first thing we ate. From the Church Key.


Waterloo & City


Adding a drizzle to the miso donuts at Hinoki & The Bird


Fried chicken sandwich from Plan Check Kitchen + Bar


Putting together those Plan Check sandwiches


Feel the burn! Spicy curry chicken from Jitlada Thai Cuisine. And I mean SPICY. But even through the tears, no regrets!


Forkin'! At Phorage.


Other restaurants at opening night included: Alma, Bowery Bungalow, Bulgarini Gelato, CAFE del REY Chichen Itza Restaurant, DeSano Pizza Bakery, esCaLA Ktown, Firefly, Fred 62, Goldie’s, Guelaguetza, Hamasaku, Horse Thief BBQ, iPic, Mexicali Taco & Co., Pedalers Fork, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sun Cafe, Sushi Roku, Tanzy, The BLVD- Beverly Wilshire Hotel, The Counter Burger, The Restaurant at Mr. C Beverly Hills, The Whisper Restaurant and Lounge, Union, Urban Garden, Wood & Vine.

Some tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday events; go here for details. (Keep in mind that, per the website, LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold is no longer involved with this weekend's festivities due to "unforeseen circumstances.")

Rate-A-Restaurant #321: Shark Pit (Maui)

Restaurant: Shark Pit

Location: 4482 Lower Honoapiilani Hwy (Lahaina, Maui)

Type of restaurant: Tacos

We stipulated: While on vacation, looking for a quick but tasty lunch before an afternoon at the beach.



They stipulated: "While other food trucks on Maui may focus on mobility, price, and quick food, Da Shark Pit focuses on bringing you great tasting high quality food. Because we have built strong relationships with local farmers and fisherman, the quality of our food is always exceptional. In addition to Ono Grindz (great tasting food), our goal is to make sure the food you get at Da Pit is good for you, too."



What we ordered: Kabayaki Chicken Meatball & Portuguese Sausage Taco plus a Spicy Shrimp Taco (with Tropical chipotle, house slaw, Korean aioli and Sriracha) --both pictured above, $12; Kalbi Burger (on taro bun, $9); Kalbi ground beef tacos, $8



High point:  The taro bun was a nice touch on the burger. And the chicken meatball/portuguese sausage mix was a unique, tasty idea for a taco.



Overall impression: There are a lot of fish taco joints on Maui, particularly around Lahaina. But let's face it, we're not hurting for the taste of a fish taco here in SoCal. Shark Pit offers a tasty island twist on tacos, and worth a visit (even if it's a bit on the pricy side).

Will we return: If we were back on Maui, especially on that part of the island.

Defending Why Los Angeles Is The Best Food Town In America

The haters are out in full force today after The Daily Beast explained Why Los Angeles Is the Best Food Town in America. Gawker followed up by asking the question, Is Los Angeles the Best Food Town in America? And here were some of the replies:

You know how every mid-sized American city has that one main drag full of bland strip malls and mediocre restaurants? That's what almost all of LA feels like to me. For the most part, I've had adequate meals there.

Every woman I know who is from or moved to LA is either anorexic or bulimic. So it's kind of a sad joke if LA is the best food town.

THEY DON'T EVEN EAT IN LOS ANGELES.

Are San Francisco and Chicago no longer considered as part of the U.S.? I am sure those two cities would beg to differ. I love L.A., but not for the food.

How can you tell in a town where no one eats?

Yep, the usual idiot comments. (By the way, what has the Bay Area even offered in cuisine as of late?) But commenter Kat B. owned all of those other folks with her fantastic defense of why L.A. might just be the capital of U.S. eats right now:

Los Angeles resident here. All the naysayers here, I'm sure you love your city a whole lot — but anyone who wants to refute this (especially the dude who thinks Boston has "great food" LOL) who hasn't spent more than a touristy vacation in LA needs to shut the fuck up and check their idiocy at the door. I'm willing to wager you all don't know much about LA aside from what the tee vee shows/tells you — "CELEBRITIES AND PRETTY PEOPLE EVERYHWERE!" — and you're in for a rude awakening. (EDIT: And to all your people making "but people in LA don't eat jokes!" are so lazy, I almost feel bad for you.)

I grew up in the Bay Area, and Bay Area food doesn't hold a candle to what you can get in LA. There is literally every single type of food here — and it's done right and it's done well. A lot of this is thanks to LA's huge ethnic populations. We have the most Thai outside of Thailand; the most Filipino outside of the Phillipines; the most Mexicans outside of Mexico; the most Koreans outside of Korea. Need I continue? Large immigrant populations mean multiple locations to eat real, authentic cultural cuisine.

Just take a look at Jonathan Gold's list of the 100 best restaurants in LA. Out of the 100 featured, only a handful (less than 10?) are traditional "American/Californian" fare. The rest? You'll find the most delicious Oaxacan mole ranked alongside the best yakitori outside of Tokyo sitting next to the most exquisite Taiwanese soup dumplings from the world's best dumpling chain. (You'll only find those stateside in Seattle and LA, by the way.)

We have Cuban, Ethiopian, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, El Salvadorian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Peruvian, Caribbean, Guatemalan, French, German, Italian — not to mention a selection of vegan restaurants that would make your head spin. LA is a vast and varied food city, and it's definitely the only city I've found that is truly global and all-encompassing.

But please, continue to think that LA is a superficial no-man's-land of Kardashians and rich people. We won't miss you here. Don't get me wrong, we have a lot of social and political problems — but in terms of culture, you'd be hard pressed to find a more unique, captivating place.

Boom.

This Year's Great Los Angeles Walk After Party: Tinga Santa Monica

Santa Monica's Tinga restaurant has signed on as the venue for this year's Great Los Angeles Walk! It looks to be a great space to relax and enjoy some food and beverages at the end of the day.

We'll be celebrating between approximately 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. -- although some folks may get there earlier, and I'm sure some folks will stick around after that!



Tinga Santa Monica
522 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica Ca 90401
310-451-9341

Rate-A-Restaurant #302: Victoria's Tacos & Grill

Restaurant: Victoria's Tacos and Grill

Location: 4204 San Fernando Rd. (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Mexican




We stipulated: We had a short window to grab lunch before picking up the kids from school. Mexican sounded good, and I had read good things about Victoria's on Yelp. I'm always on the hunt for new, authentic tacos.

They stipulated: Cash only.




What we ordered: Pastor taco, Carnitas taco, Baja fish taco


High point:  The pastor taco, and the free grilled peppers available at the counter.

Low point: The fish taco was VERY deep fried and had the look, feel and taste of a fish stick.



Overall impression: We had high hopes. But alas, there are many better taco joints close by. Victoria's doesn't make the cut for us.



Will we return: Nope.

Rate-A-Restaurant #299: Ara's Tacos

Restaurant: Ara's Tacos Mexican Grill

Location: 901 W Glenoaks Blvd (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Mexican




We stipulated: After one of the Blogger Toddler 2.0's Saturday morning Pee-Wee baseball games, we wanted to grab lunch. I'd been curious about Ara's, which comes from some of the folks behind Zankou Chicken. (It even shares space with a Zankou). I loves me some Zankou chicken, so tacos stuffed with the meat ought to be delicious, right?



They stipulated: From a Glendale News-Press story: "I eat at Chipotlé, I respect what they did, but there's more room in the playing field," founder Steve Iskenderian said." I thought, I could do it better — better food, more authentic food." Iskenderian said he felt confident that because of his experience managing food operations at Zankou locations, he could beat Chipotlé at its own game. Ara's Tacos will use chickens from L.A. Poultry, Zankou's supplier, and beef from Canyon Wholesale Provisions. Like at Zankou, whole fresh chickens will be deboned and marinated at the restaurant, Iskenderian said.



What we ordered: Chicken bowl ($6.25); chicken tacos ($6.25)

High point:  Lots of meat.

Low point: The chicken edges were burnt, and there aren't a lot of salsa choices.



Overall impression: Another joint that I really wanted to like. But it's such a copycat of Chipotle that I couldn't give it any points for originality. And that famous Zankou Chicken flavor was marred by the burnt edges. Sorry, but a bummer.



Chance we'll go back: I'll stick with Zankou for chicken, not tacos.

Save Henry's Tacos

Nearly 6,000 have already signed the petition, but another 2,000 signatures are needed, as enthusiasts of post-WWII design, San Fernando Valley historians and fans of gringo-style tacos band together in an attempt to keep Valley institution Henry's Tacos alive.

The L.A. Times has the details:

To its fans, there is something quintessentially L.A. about Henry's Tacos, which was opened in 1961 by a white guy from Nebraska, had bit parts in movies and TV shows like "Adam 12" and boasted loyal customers ranging from working Joes to Hollywood celebrities.

So when the owner announced earlier this month that Henry's Tacos would close at the end of year, fans rose up in protest.

Suddenly, long lines started forming around the modest midcentury stand at the corner of Moorpark Street and Tujunga Avenue. Celebrities such as Aaron Paul and Elijah Wood showed up to buy tacos and lend their support. And a Web campaign has taken off, including Facebook groups like "Occupy Tujunga" and hundreds of Twitter posts with the hashtag #SaveHenrysTacos.

The battle focuses in part on whether Henry's is more than a taco stand — whether it's actually a piece of history worthy of official preservation. In a city that boomed after World War II, L.A. has debated giving historic status to a car wash and space-age Googie buildings. But for devotees of Henry's, it's less about the architecture than the lifestyle it conjures.

According to the paper, the Henry's Tacos closyre came after owner Janis Hood applied for a historical monument designation for the stand last year. According to Hood, her landlord -- Beverly Hills businessman Mehran Ebrahimpour -- raised her rent 50% and refused to renew her lease after that. Ebrahimpour refused to comment to the newspaper.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Rate-A-Restaurant #271, King's Highway

Restaurant: King's Highway

Location: Ace Hotel 701 E Palm Canyon Dr. (Palm Springs)

Type of restaurant: Diner



We stipulated: For our last day in Palm Springs, we were looking to do something simple that could fill both our breakfast and lunch needs. Eating L.A.'s Pat suggested King's Highway as a dining spot, and Maria wanted to check out the Ace Hotel anyway.

They stipulated: "We restored the old Denny’s restaurant on the property and made it into King's Highway, serving fresh food for hot days. We use the best ingredients we can find, including local, organic and artisanal products whenever we can. We’re working with a local family-owned business called TKB (The Kid’s Business) for our morning muffins, scones, and pastries. They source as many of their ingredients as they can locally, too. We get organic goats’ milk cheese from the Springhill Cheese Company out of Sonoma Calif., which they only sell at farmers markets (even to us). Our Stumptown Coffee is grown in partnership with growers who get a good price for their beans. We work to build good relationships with producers and distributors, like Prime Smokehouse in Oakland, which makes custom thick cut black pepper bacon for us."



What we ordered: Mike: FISH TACOS 8.00 (Corn tortilla, slaw, salsa verde, crema); Maria: MANCHEGO CHEESE & BEET SALAD 8.00 (Walnuts, shaved fennel, baby spinach); Blogger Kid: AMIGO BRISKET BURGER 12.00 (Jack or sharp cheddar cheese, roasted tomato, pickled onions, fries)

High point: The fish taco was good, although a tad cold. The burger boasted a nice pickled onion relish and full grilled tomato.

Low point: We were led to believe that we were ordering a kids burger for the Blogger Kid. (Perhaps because we said, "Do you have a kids' menu?" And they replied, "We have a burger that's perfect for kids." Not realizing that our waiter was referring to the $12 grown-up burger. Luckily, the Blogger Toddler ate some of it too.)



Overall impression: It's a shame that some of the great-sounding breakfast and dinner items aren't available all day. But overall, I like what they did with the space, as well as the interesting menu. And even though there are no kids items (a major oversight), it's still kid-friendly.



Chance we'll go back: Yes, and we'd recommend it to others coming to Palm Springs, including with small kids.