Unbelievable Latin food tour via the Gold Line Metro

Carmen Micheli

By guest Wine Chix Carmen Micheli

Carmen is a freelance wine, food and music writer living in Temecula Valley Wine Country.  An amazing home chef, mother of two  and wine aficionado she writes about those in-the-know and on-the-go. With a pulse on the latest in dining, entertainment, events and more, Carmen delivers the latest news and happenings around the city, showcasing the best that Temecula Wine Country and the SoCal area has to offer.

 

Latin food tour via the Gold Line Metro

Melting Pot Food Tours East L.A. Latin Flavors tour in Southern California is a historical, educational, and unbelievably delicious walking food tour.  It explores areas of L.A. rich with Latin flavors and culture via the Gold Line Metro.  The tour includes a wide range of delicious urban food that reflects the cultural history and culinary highlights of the area.

This fast-paced walking tour begins with breakfast at a local café which employs, educates and inspires the area’s troubled youth.  Homegirl Café, a division of Homeboy Industries, offers satisfying meals and baked goods using traditional recipes with a Latin twist.  Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or Saturday brunch, made with seasonal produce from the Homegirl mini-farm or grab one of the baked fresh daily treats and a cup of Orange

Homegirl coffee cake and coffee

Cinnamon coffee, iced cappuccino, or the popular spinach and mint limeade known as “Angela’s green potion”.  Visit the Homegirl Marketplace at the front of the café for a nice assortment of homemade products including the signature Homegirl granola, seasonal preserves, coffee, and organic herbs and teas.  And be sure to check out their new line of organic teas made with 100% Homegirl mini-farm herbs.   Visit them online to learn more about the café, Homeboy Industries, and also how their gang outreach program is making a difference in the community at http://www.homegirlcafe.org/#/about-us.

Liliana’s Tamales

If you are looking for a truly memorable tamale, look no further.  Tamales Liliana’s has been a local hot spot and catering favorite for almost 20 years.  The generations old family tamale recipe is a big hit and priced right at just $1.50 each.  Champurado, a house specialty, is the recommended drink pairing.  This chocolate based, warm and frothy Mexican drink served with tamales is a combination historically popular on Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead Celebration.  Tamales Liliana’s is located a convenient 1 block from the Gold Line Metro at 3448 E 1st Street, Los Angeles.

El Mercado de Los Angeles

Inside El Mercado de Los Angeles is an interesting 3 story urban shopping center, south of the border treasures await the eager bargain shopper.  Items ranging from raw herbs, spices, and teas, to woven purses and blankets, and handmade jewelry and clothing all come together in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Latin bazaar.  There is even a Deli, Mexican restaurant and a fresh sorbet stand.  “If we don’t have it you don’t need it” is the slogan of this bustling marketplace. http://elmercadito.net/

The art of tortilla making is sacred at La Gloria Mexican Foods Corp.  The three generations, family owned and operated tortilleria is known for being the first mass producing tortilla factory in the country.  They have been making tortillas the old fashioned way, with slow-cooked stone ground corn, since opening in 1954.  Founder Manuel Sanchez Behar and family strive to preserve” the smell and taste of Mexico” in every batch of tortillas and they have been very successful.  After all, an estimated 1 million tortillas are produced by La Gloria Foods every day.  For an interesting story of how La Gloria came to be and to check out the other yummy products they offer visit: http://www.lagloriafoods.com/history.

Pupusa

At Un Solo Sol Kitchen, a very distinctive Salvadorian specialty will keep you coming back for more.  An ancient Mayan dish called a “pupusa” is a handmade corn tortilla stuffed with mozzarella cheese and served with curtido, or pickled cabbage, onions, and carrots usually served with a side of salsa.  Try one of the many varieties like spinach and cheese, mushroom and cheese, or zucchini and cheese and more all for under $3.  The menu also consists of healthy and affordable ethnic dishes such as Pozole Soup, Saltado, and Cholay.  Visit them on facebook or check out the unique menu online at: http://www.unsolosol.com/.

Latin cuisine, history, culture lovers will adore this one of a kind urban food tour.   Melting Pot Food Tours happily invites all Latin food lovers to join them for the East L.A. Latin Flavors Tour.  They also offer other educational and fun food tours like the Old Pasadena, and L.A. Farmers Market Tour for about a third of what most other tour companies charge.  For more information or to book this tour visit: http://www.meltingpottours.com/melting-pot-tours/la-latin-flavors-tour.

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