DanEats

Art With Edward - Episode 1 - Ed Ruscha’s Back Of Hollywood

2 notes / February 13, 2012

Alvarado Taco’s - Los Angeles, CA

On this night there were four taco trucks/stands on Alvarado in Echo Park. The best one for tacos was in the Rite Aid parking lot north of Taco Zone. It is no longer there.

5 notes / January 13, 2012

Mariscos Chente - Los Angeles, CA

I took Michael straight from the airport to Mariscos Chente. It was pouring rain and the harsh interior of the restaurant didn’t make the day any more pleasant. We had our pick of tables, but there is really no best seat in the house at this place. It feels like a transient kitchen. Their are 12 lights on the ceiling, but only three of them are on. Both times I have been I have to ask if they are open. Maybe at night when the band gets on stage and the they open up the margarita mix margarita bar one would feel more comfortable. Sadly, I don’t think that ever happens here.

Two Hispanic brothers walked in and sat across the restaurant from us. The one was a stalky 5’6” with a cherubic face wearing a San Francisco Giants hat and one of those mid thigh black leather field coats with the draw string pulled as tight as possible. He was as cheerful as one could be considering the bleek atmosphere. He grabbed two Jarritos. One for himself and one for his brother.

His brother was in bad shape. Around 6’4” 250lbs, he looked like he was the last guy to leave a blue tarped backyard house party in Echo Park. I think he passed out on a speaker because you could see the cumbia bass line still rattling in his brain. He barely opened his eyes the whole meal.

I walked outside to get a sweatshirt since the doors were open on both ends of the restaurant whipping a cross breeze through. There was Dodge Charger parked in front of the back door with an open 40 of Budweiser in the cup holder. It was 11:30AM.

The whole point of coming to Mariscos Chente was to try the pescado zarandeado with my brother. You order it by the kilo, so I waited for my brother to come to town to share it with me. It’s bonkers. A must try in Los Angeles. Especially on a nice day. A giant grilled fish covered in a salty, sweet marinade topped with raw red onions. My brother kept saying umami. I hate that word, but I love my brother, and I love this dish so it’s cool. We had a great time.

As giant bowls of seafood cocktail were set in front of the other brothers face’s and the rest of their family came out of the kitchen to eat with them the vibe improved.

Mariscos Chente is like the holidays with your family. Getting to the meal can be difficult, but it’s worth all the hassle once you sit down to eat.

6 notes / December 17, 2011