One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Loteria! Grill at 3rd and Fairfax
Even though the Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax isn’t really a farmers market at all, Loteria! Grill alone stands out among the labyrinth of tchotchke-filled stores and food stands that make up this misnomer (and trend setter?) as a viable reason to brave the parking lot at the Grove. Named after Mexico’s answer to Bingo, Loteria!’s Zagat-rated and highly lauded open-air stand seems to belie its moniker; consistently excellent food here seems anything but a game of chance.
The premise is pretty basic – you can order a taco, burrito, tostada or sope in one of a handful of preparations – but don’t think that means your typical refried beans-and-lard bloat-fest reigning supreme at the average margarita joint. Leaning towards traditional Mexican, the end result is a lighter, more flavorful fare.
Once you get past the fact that the little gals taking your order can holler your name louder than a circus barker, stand a few feet away from the melee and check the ever-changing specials menu. If you've got your game plan, have one person in your crew grab a table (they're often in short supply, especially as the weather heats up) and hop into the quick-moving line. If you're still uncertain, start with an order of the Sopa de Tortilla or Pozole (yet another reason to love pork and hominy), both spicy and filling and the No. 1 cure for what ails ya, be it the ass-kicking flu that sidelined half of the city earlier this year or too many Vodka Gimlets the night before. For something with a bit more substance, the Mole Poblano con Pollo with its tender, slow marinated shredded chicken, sesame seeds, onion and queso fresco is satisfying as a couple of soft corn tacos, especially with a dollop of their chunky guacamole and some extra mole for drizzling.
For the non-meat eaters, the Calabacitas burrito, filled with zucchini and roasted corn succotash, salsa verde, onion, cilantro and queso fresco is a sizeable meal in itself, but add a side of whole black beans and rice and an order of fresh chips with salsa and you've got enough to share with a friend. For those craving a more LA version of Mexican food, you've still got your Taquitos (chicken, shredded beef or potato), quesadillas and enchiladas (try the chicken and cheese Suizas, with roasted tomatillo sauce, or the Rojas in a red chile Guajillo sauce), so you're not on totally unfamiliar ground.
Finish with an order of Platano Frito (fried plantains with crèma mexicana) and wash it all down with a cold cerveza from the neighboring E.B.'S Beer and Wine. Loteria! Grill proves to be a sure thing for the mid-city. (Just don't forget to validate that parking!)
Loteria! Grill
6333 W 3rd Street (@Farmer's Market)
Sponsored message
Photo by Melissa Moore/LAist
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
