The Brief

It's happening again! Time to get your bike, skates and sneakers out for this Sunday's CicLAvia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You'll be crisscrossing through the heart of Los Angeles, on a route that connects Westlake, downtown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Arts District and Boyle Heights, as normally jam-packed streets will be shut down for cars and other vehicles.

(Electric scooters, electric skateboards, hoverboards, electric unicycles and motorcycles are not permitted, except for motorized wheelchairs and similar vehicles used by people with disabilities.)

It’s a good idea to pack snacks to keep fueled, but save room for a proper meal or sweet treat because there are many iconic establishments along the route — classic haunts that are deeply rooted in their communities and an essential part of Los Angeles’ dynamic dining scene.

The 7-mile route runs from Macarthur Park through Little Tokyo to Mariachi Plaza.

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Courtesy CicLAvia

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From a landmark marketplace packed with food stalls to a family-owned Chinese bakery that’s been around since 1938, local legends lurk throughout the 7-mile stretch. Our guide starts at Mariachi Plaza, swings into Little Tokyo, jogs up to Chinatown and finishes in downtown.

(Also, come and meet some LAist staff and snag some merch at our booth located at the Little Tokyo Hub on Central Avenue between 1st & 2nd streets, around the corner from the Shohei Ohtani mural. We'll be there the whole day.)

Al & Bea’s (Boyle Heights)

Find homey and satisfying renditions of tacos, antojitos, burgers and burritos at Al & Bea’s, a lively Mexican food stand opened by Albert & Beatrice Carreon in 1966. With its fast-casual service and simple façade of stucco and brick, the vibe at this community hub is casual, cool and purely old school.

Join the queue of hungry folks at the ordering window and wait a beat for everything to be prepared. The bean and cheese burrito — a plush flour tortilla parcel filled with a molten mix of pinto beans and orange cheese — has been Al & Bea’s best seller for nearly six decades. Get the one that includes a chile relleno for an extra kick.

The burritos can be taken to go, but it’s wise to grab a seat at one of the many shaded picnic tables to treat each bite to a pour of the restaurant’s famous green salsa and to avoid any potential messes.

Fugetsu-Do Confectionery (Little Tokyo)

Brian S. Kito, owner of Fugetsu-Do bakery

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Salwan Georges

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The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Those seeking a sweet pick-me-up during CicLAvia can’t do better than Fugetsu-Do Confectionery. Owned and operated by the Kito family since 1903, this modestly appointed jewel box specializes in Japanese mochi and manju. Grab a pre-packaged selection from the wooden shelves or curate a unique assortment with the daily selection on hand.

The lineup of wonderfully toothsome handheld sweets comes flavored with teas, flowers and herbs and filled with traditional red and white bean pastes, as well as crowd-pleasing peanut butter and chocolate ganache.

Look for the flower-shaped kiku mochi with its creamy white bean centers and pretty pink or white exteriors. Also terrific is the avocado green manju filled with red bean paste and dusted with toasted rice powder.

Yang Chow (Chinatown)

Yang Chow is known for its Slippery Shrimp.

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Josie Huang

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LAist

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Make a beeline for Yang Chow restaurant when lunchtime hunger pangs hit. The Yun family opened the original location in 1977, naming it after their hometown in eastern China, and also owns and operates additional outposts in Long Beach and Pasadena.

Nearly every table orders a platter of the signature Slippery Shrimp. A generous mound of cornstarch-battered shrimp arrives hot from the wok and sticky from an aromatic mélange of ginger, garlic, chiles and sugar.

It’s a sweet, savory and crispy Chinese American dish that every Angeleno needs to try. Even after a half-century, the Yun family’s restaurant continues to remain as relevant as ever in a city with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Chinese restaurants.

Phoenix Bakery (Chinatown)

The Phoenix Bakery's beloved strawberry whipped cream cake.

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Cathy Chaplin

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LAist

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When it comes to keeping energy levels high while traipsing around Los Angeles, forget Clif Bars washed down with a swig of Gatorade and reach for a slice of Phoenix Bakery’s signature strawberry whipped cream cake instead. Opened by the Chan family in 1938, the bakery is a one-stop shop for traditional Chinese pastries and cookies, French desserts like éclairs, palmiers and fruit tarts and L.A.’s unofficial celebratory cake.

Sold whole or by the slice, the beloved strawberry whipped cream cake comprises delicate layers of light sponge, interspersed with pockets of whipped cream and fresh, sliced strawberries. A crust of toasted sliced almonds provides richness and crunch. It’s a not-too-sweet and not-too-heavy creation, so let us eat cake!

Grand Central Market (DTLA)

China Cafe's been going strong for more than 65 years.

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Cathy Chaplin

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LAist

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Grand Central Market is one of Los Angeles’ quintessential dining destinations, with its neon lights, palpable energy and abundant stalls abuzz with good food and conversation. Home to 40 merchants selling everything from sushi to aguas frescas and pad Thai, there’s something for every appetite.

The legacy vendors inside the market especially are worth checking out, including China Cafe, which opened in 1959. Sidle up to one of the stall’s 22 counter seats and dig into Chinese American classics like chow mein, chop suey and egg fo yeung.

The 73-year-old Roast To Go dishes out dependably good tacos, burritos and combination plates, while Sarita’s Pupuseria prepares deft versions of the Salvadoran specialty. Garnish each griddled-to-order pupusa with curtido and salsa before taking a bite.