Not a big fan of cornmeal on my slices. It looks pretty good though. Do you like Secret or Shins more?
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Post Rose Bowl Flea
Yellow Paper
Okay it’s a good burger and I would eat it again but it’s pretty much a hood burger with chopped chiles shrug. It’s burger that everyone grew up on in So Cal. Hmmm interesting on how much attention it has got. I don’t get it. Hipster transplants??
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Both have some execution issues for me. I really like Shins concept and menu although I wish there was a little more meat/cheese on the slice. The shape of the slice is short and wide so yeah. Secret is just a neighborhood slice. I think BOTH should probably be reheated LOL. So both are not a bad option for driving back to north OC. I wouldn’t go out of your way to come here tbh but if you are in the vicinity.
I think Sei and Quarter Sheets are destination pizzas. Great pizza, concept, menu, and dining experience.
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Just got a breakfast burrito from this place for the first time in a while. They don’t include avocado in it now but honestly still pretty good and reasonably priced. They also have salsa verde now which is a nice upgrade
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Vibe report: Mendo just as bad as you’d expect. I walked in at 3 just to see what’s up. Literally empty. The decor makes no sense.
Jeni’s at least has old school ice cream spot vibes.
Highly Likely is a pretty sick space.
I did not consume food at any of these spots though, had to go to cookbook bc they’re the only ones I know in the area who carry guanciale. Speaking of, where else can I get specialty meats like that in NELA?
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Finally did the El Flamin - La Guera // Echo Park - Silver Lake al pastor bang bang. Got two tacos at each spot, dressed very lightly with onions, cilantro, lime, and a little salsa verde on 1 out of 2 at each spot.
Both places slice meat right off the trompo, cooked well with a big chunk of pineapple. Both places make their own tortillas, and they’re both fine - neither really reaches the heights of the best fresh tortillas around. Or even the good ones at TJ style places like Angel’s.
La Guera’s al pastor is really good, nice interplay between crispy bits and meatier ones. Their adobo is lighter, so it tastes a little more charred and porky and less spiced.
El Flamin’s adobo is much stronger, saltier, heavier on spices and just a lot more flavorful. The individual layers of pork are also much thinner, so you get more of the adobo layered throughout, which you can see from the photos below.
La Guera:
El Flamin:
I think this comes down to personal preference, but I liked El Flamin’s a lot more. I had it second, and it was instantly clear to me that it was better - and I’d still put it right there with any other in the city. I guess I’m just an al pastor maximalist.
(I also liked El Flamin’s salsa verde more)
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I haven’t been there in at least a dozen years, but Eagle Rock Italian Bakery/Deli on Colorado may have it.
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i’ll check it out! I was wondering if there was an Italian market somewhere that might have it.
I don’t remember what their deli meat selection is like, but I recall sandwiches, baked goods and Italian canned goods/grocery items
whole foods carries la quercia guanciale, which used to (maybe still is) what Felix used
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Milkfarm on Colorado and Eagle Rock may have what you’re looking for. Definitely a focus on cheese there, but it’s the best spot nearby I’ve found for cured meats.
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Joy. Not bad. Not a destination Chinese carby dish like Ahgoo’s. I am always looking to support Taiwanese places. Between here and Pine and Crane I would choose the latter. I am stealing that idea of using ai yu jelly can for the kitchen or dining table.
Magpies. I like the hazelnut.
Sip Snack. Look at that freezer section with La Morra pizza, and Burritos La Palma. Canned fish section looks good too although I never tried any of them. I picked up a bag of black beans.
Barcade further down is pretty fun. I love the pinball machines they got and all the classic games like Ms Pac Man, Turtles, Simpsons, Galaga, and MJ Moonwalker LOL.
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If you love Pinball and are back in the area… also check out Revenge Of… On Wednesday they have a couple of the machines in freeplay! 
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0NjC-Kphtg/
Also… Pine and Crane > Joy in EVERY WAY. Especially service. ugh.
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Delmy’s pupusas. Waited 5-10 min for blue corn masa. Chicharon and cheese. Loroco and cheese. This was pretty good. @Atwater Farmers Market.
Fresh squeeze OJ from one of the stands.
Villa’s. Victor’s special quesatacos. Line wasn’t long at all. Victor was in the house.
The onions, mango habanero hot sauce, avocado sauce with a squeeze of lime are the perfect toppings.
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Is it open??
Not open yet but “soon” per social media
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Walked into Highland Park Bowl as well.
WOW. Beautiful. Might be one of my favorite buildings in LA after the Bradbury. How is the pizza and burgers?
NELA is such a great area. Good Mexican food. Not too far from SGV. Close to Griffith Park, Silverlake/Echo Park/Los Feliz. Lots of record shops, and coffee shops. Farmers market. Love driving thru the tunnels on the 110. The on-ramps and exits are no joke lol. Stay out of the far lane unless exiting right?
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Their wings, post OB Bear, are prob my favorite in LA. So glad to see them back on the menu.
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Man I love those tunnels too. Spent 5 years off Avenue 43 and it was like driving in hard mode. Now I’m in glassell park and it feels too easy.
But yes stay out of the right lane unless exiting. It is so helpful when ppl move to the center lane to allow people waiting at the stop sign on ramps to safely merge
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