El Huarachito — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Although I grew up only a couple miles from this unassuming, charming restaurant, in Boyle Heights, I only managed to visit it until a few months back. But it felt just like home. This spot, along with El Tepeyac and La Parilla, represent some of the essential experiences of Mexican cuisine, as practiced in Los Angeles. The restaurant is in one of those plain, low-rise, stucco-faced commercial buildings you see all over the denser parts of the city, but stepping inside you're welcomed by bright pastel colors and framed reliefs of rural Mexican life on the dining room walls.

If you can't decide on what to ear, try the chilaquiles, as their reputation is deserved. Also great for breakfast are either the Huevos Rancheros or the delicious Menudo, but note the menudo is served without hominy, which is particular to southern Mexican cuisine, I believe. I wasn't aware of this and was a bit disappointed in that, as I like hominy in my menudo.

Their beverage selection is similar to most every restaurant, but the stars here are the Aguas Frescas (Fresh Waters). For a tangy but fruity refreshment, try the dark crimson Jamaica, brewed from Hibiscus flowers. It's perfect for taking some of the edge of the habañero salsa you can request with your complimentary chips.

A final note on this spot: it is cash only, so bring some or prepare to search for the nearest ATM (there's one right by the front door of the restaurant).

In short, if you're a fan of Mexican food, in Los Angeles, this place is...

My boyfriend took me to his favorite Mexican breakfast spot in Los Angeles. The servers are super nice and very welcoming. They started us off with free nachos and salsa. We ordered Café de olla, which is made with panela, a type of raw sugar, and cinnamon. It has a unique flavor and is very smooth with milk.

We tried the taco de chicharron verde, with tender stewed pork skin in a mildly spicy green sauce that was very appetizing. His main dish was his favorite, Chilaquiles rojos con carne, which is tortilla chips topped with red sauce, beef, and eggs.

I ordered Menudo, a tripe soup with hominy (large, peeled corn), which I garnished with lime, cilantro, and chopped onions. It's known as a Mexican hangover cure and was delicious.

We also had Flautas de Papa, with crispy exteriors and smooth mashed potatoes inside, topped with guacamole. The combination of cold and hot, crispy and soft textures made for a rich and flavorful experience that we both loved.

If you want to try Mexican breakfast, you definitely have to check out this place. Heads up, they only...

I was curious to see why this little place was always busy so I went to eat there. I ordered the red sauce chilaquiles breakfast with chicken and an orange juice and cafe de la olla. It was excellent, very authentic. The chilaquiles were not soggy or mushy, they were crispy and tasty. Sauce was flavorful and spicy but not too spicy. Eggs and beans were good too. The food is NOT greasy like some other places can tend to be. The orange is juice is fresh squeezed on the spot. Cafe de la olla was done right. The waitress was great, very attentiveness and had a spicy personality herself. This is a small neighborhood restaurant, it is quaint and charming but not fancy or elegant. I highly recommend this place for an authentic Mexican experience The slightly higher than expected prices are reflective of the food quality and well worth it...Para...