welcome
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Seems like n/Naka has gone out of style on this board, and myself havenāt been in a decade or so, but my two visits back in the day were wonderful.
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I went on another street food bender over the weekend. My last such bender was in October and I wrote about it here and here. This time, I mostly went to spots that I had not been to before, but I also made good on some unfinished business from last October. I am trying to refrain from being too harsh on the spots that didnāt quite work for my palate, but it should be obvious from the below which places Iād recommend. That said, none of the places I tried were bad, I just preferred some to others.
DTLA Kebab Alley
The street food scene here has grown since I was last there. Almost all vendors have vacated from Figueroa and now set up on Sunset between Grand and Beaudry. East of Fig is mostly Latin American vendors, west of Fig is a variety of halal vendors from Central and West Asia. I showed up around 5:45 pm and there were only a few vendors set up. By 8:00, the number of vendors had more than doubled. If you like meat grilled over charcoal, you should visit. Below is what I tried, though there are several more that I was not able to try.
- Farhod Food (IG) - One of the most popular stands in the area and one of the few set up when I arrived at 5:45 pm. These wraps were the best I tried. I had one beef wrap and one lamb wrap, both were great. The sauce had a slight tang that kept me coming back for more bites even as I tried to force myself to save stomach space. The bread for the wrap was shockingly good, given that it appeared to be store-bought. Because of how much was going on in the wrap (and because of how much I was enjoying the sauce and the bread), I wasnāt able to discern how good the protein might be on its own.
- Unnamed vendor (here-ish) - Got lamb chops here. Damn they were good. I would absolutely repeat this. While Farhod was the overall best wrap, this lamb was the overall best protein. Unfortunately, this guy seemingly had no business name or other identifying information, so it is hard to explain how to find him. I believe he is two vendors east of Rovshan Palov (the intervening vendor seems to be Mr. Kebab). The guy is a young looking Central Asian man who seems to speak almost no English. I believe he was selling salmon kebab. I didnāt notice anyone else selling salmon kebab, so this may be a way to identify him if you are looking.
- Kebab by Qazaq (IG) - Tried the lamb plate and the beef plate. Beef plate was just serviceable, but the lamb plate was excellent. Qazaq has relocated to the parking lot on the southeast corner of 1st and Beaudry, so it is removed from the main part of kebab alley. The parking situation here is much better than it is on the main drag.
- Xinjiang BBQ (IG) - Tried the lamb skewers. Absolutely delicious. I would totally return here, and Iād be curious to try additional items from the menu when I have more stomach space.
- Mrs. Knafeh (IG) - I got the original knafeh last time. This time I got the crispy knafeh. They are both absolutely delicious and I will have a hard time choosing which to get when i inevitably return. Perhaps more importantly, she now also sells sahlab (!!!). I love sahlab. She puts cinnamon and coconut in the sahlab ā next time I will ask her to hold the coconut.
- Baba Kebab (IG) - This was unfinished business. I tried the adana last time and regretted not trying the shish. I tried the shish this time and it was much better than the adana. Iād still give the edge to some of the other vendors, but if you are trying Baba, definitely go for shish over adana.
- Rovshan Palov (IG) - I was reaching my limit, so only tried the samsa here. It was fine, but I donāt think Iād need to order it again. I wouldnāt judge this entire operation by the samsa, though, as samsas are not their core offering. Iād give their other dishes a shot next time.
South LA Tacos
One morning I took a drive around South LA trying mostly barbacoa and birria tacos.
- Rica Barbacoa Estilo Capulhuac (Maps) - This was not originally on my radar, but I saw it while en route to #2, below, and decided to give it a shot. Iām glad I did, because the barbacoa (costilla de borrego) was the best I had on this outing. The consomme was great, very rich in flavor but not rich in fat, so felt lighter than usual without giving up on flavor. The only knock here is that the (corn) tortilla is not homemade, but even then it was not a bad tortilla.
- Barbacoa Estilo Xochitiopan (IG) - I got two borrego barbacoa tacos here, one costilla and one espadilla. Costilla was better. The handmade corn tortillas were excellent. The consomme was tasty but oily; it also had a fair amount of spice which I enjoyed but am not used to in consomme. Overall, this was one of the bigger wins of the morning and I would happily return. Given the geography, it makes for an easy bang bang with #1, above.
- Barbacoa Estilo Taxco (Maps) - This was unfinished business. I tried to go here last October, but they were not open. This time, they were open and boy were they good. The family running it was very friendly. I got costilla de borrego. The fresh tortillas were good and the consomme was light and clean like spot #1, above. I would happily return.
- Taculichi (South Gate Location) (IG) - This one isnāt street food, it is a proper restaurant. I got a taco de cabeza and consomme. So. Good. I donāt typically get cabeza so I donāt have much to compare it to, but I loved this. The meat and the consomme were both packed with deep, beefy flavor. The consomme was a tiny bit on the salty side, but I bet it would be outstanding if you added just a tiny bit of hot water to dilute.
- Taco de Birria (Maps) - I tried one taco de birria and consomme. Both were solid enough, though I wouldnāt go running back. To be fair, this was my favorite birria of this run, but the barbacoa of this run outshined all the birria spots.
- Tacos de Birria de Res (Maps) - I tried one taco de birria and consomme.
- Tacos de Birria La Pelygrosa (IG) - I tried one taco de birria and consomme.
- Julioās Barbacoa (FB) - I tried costilla de borrego and consomme.
Whittier
I went back to the street food drag along Whittier Blvd., mostly to clean up unfinished business. I had hoped to go to Wezz Arepas (IG) again, but they were not there. I noticed afterward that their IG said they were closed for a private event. Sad.
- Mochomitos (IG) - More unfinished business. Last time I went, they were not selling costilla. I went back and got the costilla taco this time. It lived up to my hopes. I tried one on a corn tortilla and one on flour. Both were good, but I preferred the flour. I expect others would disagree.
- Tacos el Tio (IG) - I went here last time and enjoyed it, but I was so full at the time I thought I didnāt enjoy it as I should have. I went back and got another chorizo taco this time. Itās not quite as good as I remembered it, but itās still enjoyable and I would not hesitate to stop by again when Iām in the area.
- Tacos El Nuevo Pedimento (IG) - More unfinished business. This is the Oaxacan stand I saw last time but was not able to get to. It is a relatively large operation with a variety of grilled meats on offer. It has a line of people waiting as soon as it opens. I tried the costilla taco. I enjoyed it, but not as much as Mochomitos. So next time I go, Iāll try a different protein. There did not seem to be a consensus among the customers as to what protein was best.
Elsewhere in LA
- Tacos Royale (Silver Lake / Echo Park) (Site) - This newish spot already has its own FTC thread and has been written up in numerous places outside of FTC. It was really good and, for me, lived up to the hype. I tried the asada taco. I also had them add the beef chicharron to the taco and I loved that combo. (Side note: I called the beef chicharron āveneno,ā as referenced in Bill Esparzaās Eater article about Tacos Royale, and the guy taking my order had absolutely no clue what the hell I was talking about. He simply called it beef chicharron.) The salsas were mostly excellent, though the salsa macha was a miss for me.
- Tacos al Carbon (Hollywood-ish) (Maps) - I tried tacos de costilla and carnitas. I liked them both quite a bit. The freshly grilled costilla was delightfully smokey. The carnitas were tender and shockingly light given that they had just been plucked from the oil. This stand sets up along the south end of the Pavilions parking lot where Asadero also operates. This stand takes the morning shift in the spot where Guelaguetza takes the night shift. I canāt find any online presence for this one.
- Barbacoa Las Flores (East LA-ish / Boyle Heights-ish) (IG) - This is a great little operation run out of a house, but it is set up almost like a completely full-service restaurant (full wait staff, for instance). The menu is broader than the other barbacoa spots Iāve hit (sample here). They even make their semillas enchiladas, pistaches enchilados, and chapulines in house, and they are all delicious. The consomme, after a squirt of lime, is excellent. The costilla de borrego taco was good, though the meat was a little more gamey than some of the other spots. Still, when well dressed with toppings, it made for a good taco. The freshly made (corn) tortillas have a nice consistency, but lack the strong corn flavor I got at some of the other spots. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. This would be a great spot to bring a few friends, given the environment and broader menu. Iāll be back.
- Guisados en Hollywood (Hollywood) (IG) (Maps) - Another accidental find. I headed to the parking lot of this 7-Eleven because there is often a tamale vendor in the mornings. This morning there was no tamale vendor, but there was this guisados vendor. I asked what was best and the woman working the stand said the pork adobo, so thatās what I got. It was pretty good! I have no idea what goes into the sauce, but it was rich and had what I would consider the perfect level of spice. The tortillas were from Northgate Market, but they were surprisingly solid. In addition the pork adobo, they had bisteca con nopales, huevos en salsa, mole verde (pollo), papas con longaniza, and albondigas. Iāll go back to try some more of the menu.
- Camello (East Hollywood) (Site) - Iāve been following this pop up for a while. The chef is blending Middle Eastern and Latin American components. I got the wagyu beef arayes. Unfortunately it didnāt quite land for me, but Iām going to keep an eye on Camello and go back and try other dishes before I make a final decision. I respect the chefās hustle and creativity and would like to see him succeed.
- Tacos La China (Mid-City) (IG) - I went for the costilla, but they were sold out by the time I arrived. The vendor said the costilla typically sells out by around 11:00 am. I had a carnitas taco as consolation, but Iām not going to render judgment on this place until Iāve tried the costilla.
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much respect, that is an itinerary amongst itineraries! 7 barbacoa and birria in a morning is some real work!
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Legendary work!
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Wow! Did you hit all those Sunset/Beaudry halal spots in one go? Iāve done the big plate chicken at Xinjiang and it couldnāt match the high of those lamb skewers. The TV critic Alison Herman rightfully shouted those out on her Substack a little while back as well. The baba mix (chicken + beef) is my go-to at Baba Kebab, which I prefer sometimes for its relative calmness. Their new truck is nice. Iāve completely missed Qazaq but will make sure to try that one next!
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Yes, I hit all of those spots in one go! I still have plenty of leftovers. 
That is good to know re big plate chicken at Xinjiang BBQ, I will focus on other options on my next trip. Thank you!
Edit: Also, thanks for mentioning Hermanās substack, @ShiftingPath! This looks great, Iāll keep an eye on her work.
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I wish I went there in the early days when reservation was not this hard.
One thing that would make me hesitant to go backāthey donāt have a bar. I am usually a solo diner, and feel bad for taking up a table for two haha
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A couple quick picture-less Aug '26 hits:
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For a Pollos a la Brasa alternative in Dinoās territory, I really liked Pollos el Brasero on Pico and Magnolia. Really solid Peruvian chicken with crispy/sticky skin, good rice and beans with a brutal aji verde, and basically no wait. I contrast it to the two aforementioned restaurants, which I love but where the waits can be pretty harsh.
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For buying chocolate, Iāve been really into The Chocolate Dispensary in Echo Park. Its name isnāt a great selling point, but their selection makes up for it. Even more stuff than Epicurus. Iāve been enjoying the dark milk + salt from Brazilās Mission Chocolate, and both the turon and black sesame + nuts dark bars from Theo & Philo. They have a lot of the Kessho bars youāll see at Epicurus - the wonderful guava/lime has a great chili hit.
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Damn you put in the work! Respect
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What are they?
Oops. This was a typo ā I meant to say semillas enchiladas. They are chili-seasoned seeds. May have been pumpkin seeds or something along those lines.
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JiRong Duck House (Rosemead)
Had dinner with a friend and we over ordered. It was fun!
The Peking duck is very good! The crepes are paper thin and the skin is a crispy potato chip. Made for a great wrap.
The duck soup was a great accompaniment. Having a soup with a coursed meal was necessary because my companion kept ordering more stuff.
The mapo tofu with Wagyu was uber rich with a nice hit of heat.
I needed a vegetable so we picked up the Chinese broccoli with salted fish.
Overall, a fantastic meal. Service was great, too. Just remember to make a reservation and let them know you want a duck. They need an hourās notice.
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Thanks for the Pollo el Brasero rec. Iāve driven by it wondering. Is chicken the move here or is the saltido worthy?
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Iāve only done the chicken on its own so far. A couple cops came in for lunch, which can be a good sign since they often go for places which are fast, filling and affordable.
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I used to go there semi often during university but that was over 15 years ago their chicken was always good. Glad to hear they are still around
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Havenāt been to any Hillstone restaurants in years but the classics still hit. Houstonās in Irvine. Spinach artichoke dip, ribs and French dip. The key lime pie is new to me and was very good. Tart and nice crust.
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A cheery facelift transforms the former Socalo space on the corner of 20th and Santa Monica Blvd. into the third and newest location for diner stalwart Metro Cafe! Validated parking is available in the underground lot of the adjoining Gateway Hotel.
Their signature banana pancakes remain delicious as ever. Always-affable Metro Cafe owner Sasa hints at a future menu concept which may pay homage to his homeland of Serbia. Stay tuned!
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How lovely!!! A welcome addition for sure (although I actually liked Socalo, as well).
Whereās the 2nd location???
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Never heard of Metro Cafe but glad to see something taking the Socalo space, and after only six months, impressive!
Glancing at the Metro Cafe menu, it looks similar to Cafe Vida but with more breakfast options. @J_L do you know Cafe Vida and if so is that a decent comp?
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