When celebrated food critic Jonathan Gold first came across Chef Roberto Berrelleza’s now-shuttered La Moderna in 1992, he wrote, “La Moderna's food, prepared by a true restaurant maniac, is among the best Mexican food in Los Angeles.”
Grand Central Market has been open for a century. Those who shop there have found sustenance, but for industrious immigrants, working at the market is also a way to stay in touch with and share their culture.
The iconic Grand Central Market celebrates its centennial this October 27. Amid the festivities, its longtime and new vendors reflect on life at the market over the years.
Mexican food has been getting a lot of attention in the United States, which has Mexican chefs trying their luck at opening restaurants across the border. But they soon find out it's not as easy to find success north of the border.
There is not just one style of Mexican food in L.A., says author Bill Esparza, but several. His new book explores the complexity and richness of the Mexican food scene in Los Angeles.
As most adventurous eaters in L.A. know, finding your food can be as much of the experience as eating it. That’s certainly the case at Mariscos Doña Mary, which has been quietly turning out Mexican seafood specialties to hungry fans for over a decade.
Chicano Eats presents photos and recipes that quietly tap into mainstream beliefs about Mexican food being cheap, exotic or lacking depth — and underscore that the complex cuisine has more personality than most people realize.