Hate to say it, but you’re not gonna get any expensive/‘fancy’ restaurants in NELA ever/for a long time? I think it’s underestimated just how big this LA-specific recessionary wave is going to hit the eastside hipster class in advance of a climate-aided collapse/migration in about 2-5 years from now.
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I’m not looking for Providence, but it’s random bad luck that there hasn’t been like an Ototo or Lasita or whatnot by now in Highland Park. (I realize I’m being really arbitrary with my NELA borders, lol. I can get to Lasita or Corridor 109 quicker than I can get to York.)
I do like Barra Santos though, and if we count Frogtown as NELA, Loreto looks snazzy. (Also Dunsmoor is legit really damn good and is probably the first truly destination restaurant in NELA? It’s LA fancy?)
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Dune. I think I am the last one to try this place on FTC.I like the crispy potato strings. I like Sababa a little more if we are talking falafel sandwiches.
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I’d argue Morihiro if considered NELA, though the cost makes it almost prohibitive.
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Never been to the first location, but it seems super vanilla and “safe”. Overlaps with the offerings already available from K&M/Civil (coffee/cafe), cookbook (suprette), and Home State (outdoor scene).
But I guess a filled building is better than an empty one…
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Oh one hundred percent
People say that… especially in that Dunsmoor article. But the thing that it highlights is the lack of investment in POC and heritage businesses who are already doing well in the neighborhood (I am glad the Dunsmoor article actually touched upon this is at the end, but a little less direct than I would have liked).
Banks and Investors have always overlooked local and heritage businesses who could go next level, expand into those empty spaces because… you know… That is why it feels like the powers that be are taking these neighborhoods from us. They aren’t “Transforming” the neighborhood. They are picking and choosing winner and losers… and if you don’t think… Oh… that doesn’t happen anymore… not in Los Angeles where all areas are seeing a rise in value… IT HAPPENS and they ain’t shy about it…
And is anyone actually doing this… helping heritage and other small local businesses and succeeding in these areas. YES. Burritos La Palma could have gotten a nice a really nice locaition on Fig or in the Arts District. But they have consistently chosen to open up small spaces in exisiting businesses, Across from Ramierez Liquior and at the edge of the projects in ELA. Inside a Tiendita in HP owned by a Syrian Immigrant Woman,
https://www.latropicanamarket.com/our-story
We’ll be moving to the area at the end of August (EEEEEE!!!) I already know my first choice for lunch… it ain’t Mendo…
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La Tropicana is expensive af. They don’t even show prices for their produce. I have never seen a non-hipster/yuppie in there…
They have been in the neighborhood for a long time and they are independently owned, which I would love to support. But they are too expensive. I’m talking Cookbook expensive.
They are not serving the pre-gentrification community. Try Feli-mex!
And congrats on the move!
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I mean I will quite frankly never go to Mendo, and I have to imagine lots of others won’t either. I hope it dies a quick death.
What are your lunch power rankings in the area?
Mine are loosely in this order:
- BLP
- Mariscos El Faro
- Villa’s Tacos
- The 15 dollar turkey sandwich from cookbook
- Goldburger
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When mendo first started they were delicious now they aren’t even like cafeteria level good
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Not sure why you would root for Mendo, or any new business in the area, to fail. They are a decent restaurant and, IMHO, makes good food.
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I’m going to be literally down the street from Moos… so 1-5 Moos… 
But… if I have tooo…
- Moos
- Burritos La Palma
- Villas Tacos (Although their hefty tacos are more dinner for us)
- Skafs on York (they recently came through for us at a Party at our new place and all the Veggies LOVED IT!)
- Fiore Market S. Pas.
I never really been impressed with most of Cookbook’s Grab and Go items. I go a good amount because they carry Kernel of Truth Masa and are open on Sundays… I usually would just hit PRD on the way home… LOL!! I LOVE Pine and Crane DTLA but find Joy Meh. I really want to try Chow and Fun! I’m also going to be walking distance from an A Line Stop, so plan to spend a good amount of time in Chinatown. I recently had a really good meal at Noodle St because it is right by the station in Old Town. Paper Rice is also near there and is also on my list to try. I think it was mentioned here that Highly Likely is opening in the area as well. They have really been an awesome presence in our community here in West Adams. Have had pop ups and lots of interesting programs. So I’m sure I’ll be hitting that spot a fair amount.
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Gotta add Azteca for huaraches and juice/snack shop next door
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El Huarachito for chilaquiles.
Lupita’s for menudo.
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I really need to try Moo’s burger.
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Gentrification is a weird thing. I am certainly a participant in it, though in a weird full circle thing that by no means exonerates me from the conversation, my wife’s family was part of the Mexican community that was pushed out of NELA/Boyle Heights area by the freeway expansion, so for her to live here is a sort of homecoming.
Anyway, I try to support the local businesses in HLP as much as I can. I am often at Mariscos El Faro, or Burritos La Palma, or Villa’s Taco as of late. I’ve been going to El Huarache since maybe 2011?
Mendocino Farms is by far the biggest non-fast food chain to move into the neighborhood. They aren’t providing anything new to the community. Even if we dismiss the gentrification aspect, it’s just a bummer to have a dull chain move into HLP. Would love to have the next Taco Maria there, or the next Villa’s Tacos, or the next Amiga Amore, or if we’re saying HLP is past the point of gentrification and we just need to wait for the landslide to consume all the local businesses, I’d like it to be a more ambitious or interesting spot.
That is my quick reply.
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The huitlacoche Super Huarache at Azteca is my number 1 in HLP for sure. I like Jeff’s Table too - the sandwiches are perhaps heavy for an office work lunch, the bland desperation meal I associate Mendo with. I don’t dislike Mendocino Farms but it’s for times/places where little else is available. It makes sense amongst all the office skyscrapers just west of Pershing Square but maybe not as much on a “hot” section of Figueroa. Is the “playing it safe” thing where money-providers won’t take a chance on something less established, i.e. not a chain, the next gentrification step?
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This was certainly a more nuanced response, and I appreciated it (esp as someone who doesn’t dislike Mendo!). 
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I think restaurateurs and developers see Home State printing money and want a piece
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Villa’s Tacos is delicious…
Am I doing something wrong?