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Olvera Street is known as the birthplace of Los Angeles. Located near the corner of Cesar Chavez and Alameda streets downtown, it’s kind of like a Latin version of the Farmer's Market on Fairfax with a lot more trinkets and a lot less fruit.
LAist likes to walk Olvera every now and then for the pure kitsch factor (Lucha Libre masks abound, and are usually under $20), but we certainly don't go there for the Mexican food. Of all places in Los Angeles, you’d think you could find a decent burrito or enchiladas somewhere amongst the sit-down restaurants and little taco stands. Palatable Mexican should be a stone's throw away from anywhere you stand on Olvera Street, but unfortunately, no one can throw that far.
We tried again on a recent Friday afternoon and hit up one of the street’s larger restaurants – El Paseo Inn – and failed, again.
It started out promising though: The chips were fresh and the salsa was spicy. Taking this as a good sign, we went ahead and ordered a simple, wet chicken burrito with rice and beans. When the plate arrived, the beans looked like they’d been poured fresh from a Smart and Final can; the rice had no flavor. And for a price tag of $12, you’d think you’d get a mongo burrito and take home half for later. Not the case. We’ve had egg rolls bigger than this burrito.
During this particular luncheon, our large party of 14 was celebrating a special occasion, so we weren’t paying much attention to the wandering minstrels in the restaurant. But they were paying attention to us, especially when it came time to collecting donations. They waved the money baskets in front of us like the ushers at church – and wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.
Now the smaller stands along the street might be cheaper, but the fare’s no better. We’ve tried enchiladas swimming in grease at a number of them. We picked up a simple “conchita,” which is usually a light and tasty sweet roll. The one we picked up was about as appetizing as that Yum Yum donut sitting on your boss's desk from yesterday morning.
Now LAist knows that this suggestion might be a bit sacrilegious, but why not open a Poquito Mas or Chipotle on Olvera Street? The food’s better than what’s out there now.
If you’ve actually had a decent meal on Olvera Street, then LAist wants to hear from you.
Photo by RobDog01 via flickr.
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have you tried the taquitos and guacamole at cielito lindo? it's the stand at the very end of the street, across from the chevron station. it's the only thing worth hitting on that street.
The place by the plaza is usually good, the nopalitos always hit the spot. But since you think of Placita as a place for kitsch and you suggest a Chipotle restaurant, you got what you deserved. Bland food for insipid minds, they go together.
Celia- Those are my sentiments exactly!
If you recall, I indicated back in July that they are the best "taco" in LA at (where else): LATaco.com.
I've been to La Golandrina (La Golanderia?)(sp?) a few times and remember it being pretty good. Overpriced, but good. And sitting on the patio and drinking margaritas is good times too.
Olvera Street is not for fine dining. It's for introduction to Mexican cuisine.
I once took two of my Canadian relatives to Olvera Street. They tried to eat their tamale husks. That's the level you're dealing with on Olvera Street.
Still, I have never had a really bad meal there, though I haven't had a good one, either. It is what it is. And La Luz Del Dia is the Clifton's/Philippe's of Mexican cuisine.
La Golandrina is good. I had a really good Chile Relleno there. And I agree with Admiralty - sitting on the patio and drinking margaritas there is really nice. You should give Golandrina a shot next time.
Oops, it's spelled La Golondrina http://www.lagolondrina.com/
celia is right about the taco stand across from chevron. I use to go park at the post office and get tacos there with my dad when i was younger. still the best.
Absolutely false. One of the best Mexican places in the city is on the plaza end o Olvera Street-- La Luz del Dia. She doesn't mention it so I assume she didnt eat there. The lines out the door at lunch are huge. Ladies behind the counter slap fresh tortillas into shape all day, and they are dished up with nice stews. It's a simple place, like a million decent places on teh streets of Mexico City or Chihuahua, but it is very inexpensive and really hits the spot. Go for the tortillas alone. The best part is most tourists overlook it for the margarita dispensaries down the block.
Thanks for the tips everyone...I will try La Luz del Dia next. But as for La Golondrina, been there, done that and not impressed.
Definitely agree with Cielito Lindo. Great spot! Taquito paradise :)
I think it's important to first distinguish between Mexican, Mexican-American, and Mexican American Fast Food (e.g., Taco Bell) - all three of which I happen to be a fan of. As far as Mexican food goes, Olvera St. sucks. They may have great Mexican-American restaurants with sizzling fajitas and strong margaritas, but the tacos at Cielito Lindo are not real Mexican style tacos.
For good taquitos al estilo mexicano, go to either El Patio or Tacos Guadalajara, which are both on Western somewhere in between Beverly and Wilshire. There are also decent mobile taquerias off of Cesar Chavez Blvd. in East LA.
I've always liked La Golondrina, especially their Pollo con Mole. To each his own, however.
Agree that the mole and the chiles en nogada and margs at La Golondrina are good. The carnitas at La Luz del Dia are also good. Try harder next time. And if you can find some freshly made churros about, those are OK as well.
Now go try and find some satisfactory NY Pizza or a good Philly Cheese Steak and report back.
Chipotle? Seriously?
La Golondrina, La Luz del Dia, Cielito Lindo and Casa de Sousa (coffee shop) are places I frequent, frequently...each with their own price range and choices, but all good food and drink for the price.
But don't go to Olvera Street only for the food or drinks, and especially if you don't have an affinity for Mexican culture. Stick with Chipotle and that other place you write about.
Yes, there's kitsch, but also real finds in the Candle Shop, Olverita's Village, Casa Bernal. The musicians that you disparage are part of the cultural ambiance, are the real deal and work hard for the money. What else? Books, jewelry, clay figurines, history, charm, cool t-shirts, art galleries, the Mexican Cultural Institute, Aztec dancers, the Peruvian musicians in the placita...a destination and a place to connect / reconnect with Mexican/Mexican American/Chicano/Pocho culture, ¿y que?
What you call kitsch, I call culture. We Mexicanos/Chicanos/Pochos (as Aberlardo so eloquently put it) actually USE the products for sale at La Placita Olvera. Molcajetes, clay pots, Mexcian candies, wooden toys and guaraches are all items I frequently buy there. And by the way, the wrestling masks weren't "kitsch" until that lame movie with Jack Black came out.
Perhaps if LAist had some Chicano writers from LA on their staff, we would have more diverse opinions on the subject of where to get good "Mexican" in LA.
Adelita,
While I didn't write this post and despite my German last name, I am Chicano. And while I am currently a vegetarian, I did grow up with my mother's food, who grew up cooking and eating in her family's Mexican restaurant on the Southside of Chicago.
Olvera does offer good food, but many of the quick-food stands offer quesadillas and enchiladas with cheddar cheese. While I have no idea of the history of cheddar being used in Mexico these days, what happened to quesa fresca, cojita, chihuahua, oaxaca cheese? I took my uncle there and he declined to eat it.
Also, I would say that "kitsch" is in the eye of the beholder.
And if there are people out there who want to write for LAist with the Chicano/Mexican POV, all you have to do is drop a line to the man in charge. There are no guarantees, but it never hurts to ask.
My last two purchases on Olvera Street were: 1) a surprise $1 grab bag, which turned out to contain glow-in-the-dark Halloween decorations and 2) a California license plate key chain which I had a friend's name engraved.
Now Adelita, that's kitsch, not culture.
Well, Christine that's your fault for buying dumb stuff,no? And by the way, you use the term "Mexican" as if the only thing "Mexican" is food. That may work in Boston esa, but not here.
Zach, thanks for the response. I agree, the food at La Placita is not the kind of food you would get in Mexico, it is Californian Mexican food. My family and almost every other Chicano from East LA I know grew up eating the taquitos from Cielito Lindo. It's a well known place amongst locals.
BTW, it shouldn't be my responsibility to help the editor of LAist do a better job of hiring local, diverse writers.
you know, i must say that i can care less about the quality of food at placita olvera. you want authentic good mex food, eat at home if your that much of a hard-core mex.
I thought placita olvera was all about going to see and meet all the foreign girls or the local latin mamis. The foreigners don't know quality mex-food. Take them to city terrace park and enjoy an elote or tamal, ha! a paleta for dessert! am i wrong? its just a good place to meet people your not gonna see again.
authentic mex-food at placita olvera is like sea food at sizzler, if you want it more authentic, ya gotta jump in the ocean yourself and catch that crabby