Chipotle (Part 2)

On the carnivore side of the aisle, Chipotle features a terrific barbacoa beef burrito. Barbacoa (from whence we get the word "barbeque") was introduced to Southwestern cuisine via Mexican settlers in Texas. Typically barbacoa is not marinated, rather sauces are added after cooking (similar to fajitas). Chipotle describes their barbacoa thusly: spicy, shredded beef, braised with our own chipotle adobo, cumin, cloves, garlic and oregano. Braising involves first searing the meat at high temperatures and then simmering, in a covered pan with sauce. Adobo means seasonings.

Chipotle offers barbacoa in the conventional burrito form (with beans), in a fajita burrito (with sauteed peppers and onions instead of beans), or in a bowl (sin tortilla). The cost of the burrito is reasonable ($5.95), but they extract a king's ransom for chips & guacamole ($2.40). The Figueroa location, as Lisa noted, is bustling, a lunch staple for students, Expo Park personnel, and cops. Sidewalk seating is available as is validated parking.

Manas Indian Restaurant

2823 South Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007

When this place first opened, it was ALL VEGETARIAN. Although I'm still holding out for the LA City Council to expand their ban on fast food into a ban on meat, it hasn't happened yet and judging from the menu at Manas, there would probably be a riot. It wasn't too long after opening that Manas realized they couldn't survive in the carnivorous USC neighborhood without serving flesh, so they changed their menu to please the market.
Yes, it pissed me off, but I still go to Manas. The food is good, though not as good as it used to be, and there are a number of vegan choices. Last time I was there, I had the lunch special, some lentils, some other vegetable curry thing, rice and a salad. Very delicious.
Next door is an Indian market where you can buy vacuum packed Indian food, great for your earthquake kit or last minute meals.

Home Depot hot dog cart

Home Depot hot dog cart
1830 W Slauson Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Sure, sometimes on a Saturday morning I go to the Santa Monica Promenade and get a latte and watch the people on their shopping trips with their fresh farmer's market produce. But other times, I would rather get some cheetos and a diet coke from the hot dog cart at the Home Depot and watch the people with their weekend project purchases.

The hot dogs are pretty good and they also have tacos and tortas.

Crenshaw Fish Market

Crenshaw Fish Market
3407 Crenshaw (Crenshaw/Jefferson)
btwn the burger place and cell phone place
323-734-6191
takeout only

The fish looks pretty good - and I am very alert to any suggestion of degradation or disease - 10 or 12 different species of fish and lots of it - so they must have a good turnover.

I got the $7.99 oyster dinner- fried oysters (coleslaw and macn'cheese with slices of bread). So many very rich oysters with a nice tartar sauce - couldn't eat them all.

Someone who eats fish should give them a try, cause it mostly fried fish (though also shrimp and oyster and wings). No vegan options.

Chipotle

Chipotle - USC
3748 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
213-765-9068

First of all, if you're going to eat here, order ahead online. You can create an account and create your burrito fantasy and then go pick it up without standing in the line from hell. Secondly, if you do order online, check your burrito before you come home. Last time I went there I got all the way home to find that my veggie burrito was a meat burrito. Disgusting. I was so pissed I can't even tell you.
Thirdly, this place uses naturally raised meat (whatever that means) and tries to be responsible with their food sourcing, so that's cool I guess.
Also, they sponsor a Tour de France team and we like that.
The veggie burrito is a bit bland, but if you heap up at least three kinds of salsa on it then it tastes OK.

La Taquiza

3026 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007-3711
Phone: (213) 747-4849

It's right near USC, so I go sometimes when I'm at school. The only thing I've ever eaten from La Taquiza is the veggie burrito hold-the-cheese-and-no-sour-cream-please. It's pretty delicious and with the red salsa and some of those marinated carrots and a few radishes, it's even better. The only weird thing is that sometimes there is a chunk of meat hidden in the veggie burrito so if you are a super-uptight veg, maybe it's not the place for you. Usually they're careful, but it has happened to me on more than one occasion and it's pretty gross. Still, I keep coming back, so this must say something about the food.
I've watched other people eat meat here. They say it's yummy. Also, the chili relleno looks pretty good, and the specialty is mulitas, which is something I've never eaten.

Eastside Market

The Eastside Market Italian deli was established in 1974, and does a lunch only business. The menu is delightfully simple: four kinds of salad, a soup of the day, a fruit bowl, a lasagna or pasta (on Tuesday or Thursdays only), and 22 sandwich choices (8 hot, 13 cold). I forever alternate between hot sandwich choices #1 and #2: Italian sausage with cooked peppers and cheese (smothered in a thick tomato sauce), or Italian meatball (with same), served on Italian rolls.

There's plenty of seating, filled with downtown suits, police, firefighters, and delivery personnel. The atmosphere is collegial, with many watching ESPN telecasts, or day baseball. The sandwiches are "dos manos" in size, most costing $6.70. (Credit cards are accepted.)

East Side Market
Italian Deli
1013 Alpine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-250-2464
www.esmdeli.com