5 Delicious Reasons To Grab Your Bike And Head To Venice Beach Sunday

Are you going to CicLAvia in Venice this weekend? The weather is supposed to be nice, finally, so it's the perfect chance to get outside and feel the wind run through your hair like the majestic being that you are.

For the uninitiated, CicLAvia are those rare days in L.A. where stretches of the city are closed off to traffic, allowing bikes, skateboards and other “people-powered vehicles” to take over the streets.

This Sunday, April 21, the party heads to the beach: Venice Boulevard will be car-free between the 10 Freeway and the Pacific from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All that cycling and fresh salt air will surely work up an appetite. Luckily, there are plenty of options along the route: a beloved Oaxacan establishment, some delicious square pies, fish and chips by the beach, plus more. So lace up those sneakers, grab your bike helmet, and let's hit the road.

Little Dynamite

Some of our favorite West Side pizzas can be found at Little Dynamite. The small pizzeria was among the first to fully embrace the square pie lifestyle that has since become synonymous with L.A.'s pizza scene.

The 10x10 pan pizza menu has many options, including whole pies and a few stellar by-the-slice options served daily from noon to 3 p.m. Some favorites for whole pies include the Bad Gurl, which is made with crushed tomato sauce, roasted garlic, pistachio pesto, and lemon zest.

Another is The Mom, which ensures you get your vegetables, including green bell peppers, black olives, confit heirloom cherry tomatoes, and red onion underneath a milky fresh mozzarella and crushed tomato sauce.

Empanada's Place

Empanada's Place has been in business for nearly 40 years and maintains a modest yet charming storefront on Sawtelle bordering the Palms neighborhood. The cafe makes some of the best empanadas we've had.

Some favorites include the criollo, which contains a fantastic combination of ground beef, hard-boiled egg, and raisins, a flavor combination often found in Argentina. It will make you question why you don't eat more raisins daily.

If meat isn't your thing, try any of their vegetarian offerings. You can't go wrong with the berenjena (eggplant) or the picante made with poblano peppers and cheese.

Quiadaiyn Restaurant

If there's good Oaxacan food to be had, then you better believe we are making a stop. Quiadaiyn (pronounced kia-dine) is a great place to enjoy delicious food from one of Mexico's most beloved states. Various moles range from their earthy red Coloradito, containing sweet and spicy notes, to the Verde, with its herbaceous sweetness and thick texture due to the added masa, served with chayote (similar to a Mexican summer squash) and green beans.

If you find yourself there with a group, the tlayuda mixta is a great option. Maybe order two. It's a 12-inch, thin, crunchy tortilla slathered with a layer of black bean sauce, topped with shreds of quesillo cheese, aka queso Oaxaca (similar to string cheese) followed by layer of cabbage, tomato, and avocado, drizzled with red salsa.

Then that's all piled high with a trio of proteins that feature tasajo (dried beef, similar to jerky featuring a smokey flavor), cecina (a slightly salty and slightly more chewy version of carne asada), and the small red round bundles of joy known as chorizo Oaxaqueño. This is the Oaxacan pizza of your dreams; there is plenty to share.

Wee Chippy

Have you ever wanted to try some fish and chips prepared by a Scot? Well, you're in luck because the Wee Chippy, found along the Venice Beach, is just the place. The heavily battered fish is only one of many options to choose from. Try other seafood selections, such as shrimp and calamari, or go for all three as part of the Loch Ness Monster plate. There are even vegan options available.

One of our favorite aspects of this place is the "choose your own adventure" of it all. The game plan is as follows: Start with a choice of fish or seafood. Then select a salt seasoning (some of our favorites include black truffle salt, Bangkok Ginger, and U.K. Curry). Finally, don’t forget to add your choice of two dipping sauces. Try the spicy ketchup and malt vinegar for supremely excellent fry dipping action.

El Huarique Venice

We've always been a sucker for good Peruvian, and El Huarique is very much where it's at in this beachside eatery. There's lots to choose from, including bangers like tallarin saltados (Peruvian chow mein) and delicious Peruvian tacos.

We always crave raw fish when by the ocean, and the ceviche mixto here perfectly fits the bill — featuring a mix of fresh fish and shrimp, along with an array of cubed, tender sweet potatoes, chulpe corn (crunchy toasted corn), and choclo (large-kernel Peruvian corn) containing a substantial burst of sweetness.

All those ingredients sit upon a small pool of leche de tigre sauce, made from fish trimmings, onion, garlic, ginger, cilantro, and chili, and then topped with thin slivers of red onion. It perfectly combines the right amount of citrus-kissed flavors with various heat-packed textures. It is a great reward to bestow upon yourself or to share with your crew after a long ride. You've earned it.