For those of you struggling with social media feeds full of overpriced carne asada tacos, margarita deals and racist themed parties that make you just want to lose all hope for humanity: hang in there. There is a bright side.
Whether or not you celebrate Cinco de Mayo, truth is Puebla, Mexico is a culinary gift from beyond. Mexico’s city of angels (The city of Puebla’s official name is Puebla de los Angeles) is the birthplace of chiles rellenos, cemitas, mole Poblano and tacos Arabes just to name a few. Too often this day is celebrated with carne asada tacos, nachos or burritos. No tea no shade, we all know those are great but let’s be real eating a bean burrito is not really celebrating the true spirit of la batalla de Puebla (which is not to be confused with Mexican Independence day), the day when all Mexican food is fair game.
If you really feel like celebrating Puebla, here are a few places you can celebrate some of it’s culinary gems in California’s City of Angels.
Cemitas at Elvirita Cemitas Poblanas
If you haven’t tried a cemita before, put it on your to-do list. The cemita Poblana is a torta-like dish known for its unique sesame seed bread called a cema. They are served with milanesa or other meats and topped off with quesillo, avocado, papalo and chipotle sauce. Cemitas easily become vegetarian friendly, just hold off on the meat. Find these tasty eats and Puebla’s most famous tacos, tacos Arabes- an Arab influenced pork taco- at Elvirita’s.
Website
3010 E. First St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Mole Poblano at El Gallito Restaurant
Mole Poblano, often a rival to Oaxaca’s mole, is a thick mole sauce that contains chocolate and is eaten with chicken. Located inside the historic El Mercadito in East LA, you’ll find mole Poblano at El Gallito restaurant. El Gallito also has cemitas for you to munch on.
Website
3425 E 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Mole Poblano Tacos at Guisados
Guisados gives mole Poblano a taco spin with their take on the traditional plate. Mole Poblano is usually eaten with a tortilla, but Guisados takes this idea further with full-on tacos made with shredded chicken breast soaked in a Poblano style mole and topped with onion and queso fresco.
Website
Boyle Heights,Echo Park & DTLA
Tacos Arabes at Los Originales Tacos Arabes de Puebla
Don’t need to mention what this place specializes in, just take note of the name. Los Originales Tacos Arabes won’t be open for 5 de Mayo, but it’s a go-to for Puebla’s street food favorites like tacos arabes and cemitas any other day. Catch them open Thursday 7pm-11pm. Fri-Sun: 6pm-12am.
Website
3549 Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Boyle Heights
Have any favorites I missed? Share below.