Homegirl Cafe ~ Boyle Heights
1818 E. 1st St. (Boyle Ave.) ~ Boyle Heights (TACO MAP)
It’s time to take a trip to Boyle Heights. Next time you’re in need of a healthy taco, take that ass to Homegirl Café. Just a tortilla’s throw from downtown, straight across the Los Angeles River Bridge (helping us overcome this massive deluge), Homegirl’s hidden gem sits across the street from lively Mariachi Plaza. The strolling songmen and colorful storefront signs which sell cualquier you desire, put you in the center of a Sandra Cisneros novel.
The café operates under the umbrella of Homeboy Industries and the waitresses are true homegirls, on the mend after stints in prison or juvenile centers. What a crew of sweet faces, with script-tatted knuckles and permanent teardrops flowing from the eyes. Their T-shirts reveal the company’s name and philosophy, Jobs not Jails. Eating here serves this great cause, but the food is the real reason people…
…venture from as far as Little Armenia regularly to fill themselves up.
One such patron considers Homegirl Café the best and healthiest place to eat in East L.A. (There is not much to eat in East L.A. that is vegetarian unless you count bean and cheese burritos.) But Homegirl is not a vegetarian restaurant, per se. It has many chicken and seafood dishes named after women who sure do cook a lot. Enchiladas de me Ama, Chabela’s Fish Soup, Rosa’s Chicken Mole (a favorite of some of the homeboys), and Consuelo’s Sandwich (jalapeno pesto sandwich with chicken), all figure brightly down Taco’s hallway. As always, free chips and salsa come for your cheap friends who can;t spend a few dollars on lunch.
But what you really want to hear about are the tacos. There is one taco item on the menu, Tacos Sudados. These are soft tacos served on banana leaves with beans and rice, atruly unique presentation. Although this is East L.A., these tacos are not very traditional and have chicken tinga, roasted poblano peppers, and potatoes, in addition to standard ingredients. If you are looking for traditional messy, greasy tacos, don’t come here. But if you are looking for flavorful, healthy tacos, washed down with fresh mint/spinach lemonade, then this is your spot.
Which brings us to Homegirl’s fresh and natural juices. Besides said mint/spinach lemonade (Angela’s Green Potion) and the mix of rasberry and mango, with a splash of lime that many patrons cite as their favorite (Sarah’s Drink), you can also create your own special mix of tonic herbs and spices.
Added bonus: While you are eating, random street merchants walk in with arms of rosaries or wooden hangers for sale. Much better than the AAA batteries and pencils we’re offered in New York. It’s like having the 99c Store come to you! And…well, that’s just the way it is, pinche buey.
LINKS:
http://www.homeboy-industries.org/cafe.php
http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0527/homegirl.htm
http://www.elaguide.org/Peoples/peoples1f.htm
(1 tacos)
Wali of Austin wrote:
Hey that Sheel can sure write and take pix 2! If I wasn’t a thousand miles away I’d go there today! Here in Austin where I’ve been an Anglo all my life I eat mostly “Mexican” food of several kinds: Tex-Mex, Mexico interior, avant-garde haute cuisine Mexicana, and about 300 ways of making breakfast tacos.
Thanks Sheel.
Wali
Posted on 26-Jul-06 at 2:20 pm | Permalink
Shelby wrote:
That’s a great cause and a good write-up. It reminds me of a restaurant down the street from my house in San Diego called Cabo Cafe. It was started by Ralph Rubio (yes, of Rubio’s) and is completely operated by previously homeless kids.
Posted on 26-Jul-06 at 11:06 pm | Permalink
Roxy wrote:
Yes indeed, the that’s my sandwich in the pic..it was delicious and good with the fideo. It’s never too hot for fideo ( a vegetarians equivalent to the hangover remedy, menudo). Nice meeting you..great article!
I will keep reading your suggestions in the future!
Posted on 27-Jul-06 at 6:54 pm | Permalink
Roxy wrote:
woops typos..it’ all good!
Posted on 27-Jul-06 at 7:56 pm | Permalink
Hilda wrote:
Hey isnt that Roxy Arana in the last picture on the left?
Posted on 27-Jul-06 at 8:28 pm | Permalink
Ann wrote:
Hello!
I wanted to know where I can find the
recipe for spinach lemonade.
I would like to try and make it for
my husband. Just need to know how
to make up enough for two to three
people.
Thank you so much.
Ann
Irvine, CA
Posted on 05-Oct-06 at 9:52 am | Permalink
Chola Con Cello wrote:
Postive review for a great restaurant with a social conscience. You can’t go wrong at Homegirl Cafe and their catering service is outstanding along with the prices. Patty Zarate had a vision that through her kitchen and cooking sho would help young girls to mend and give them a second chance. It all works!! Good food by good people. . and I agree that their fideo rocks. Very seldom you’ll see fideo on a menu in LA.
Cheers,
Chola Con Cello
Posted on 03-Apr-07 at 1:15 pm | Permalink
Becca wrote:
Shout out to my new friends - Nancy, Liz, & Mariana! This is Becca from the LA Bookfest funstravaganza! Hope you guys are well! I’ll be checking out yo cafe soon. Meanwhile, check out my blog to see our pix from our weekend in UCLA! See you guys soon! Take care!
ciao, Becca
Posted on 05-May-07 at 4:56 pm | Permalink
Becca wrote:
Okay, it’s me again! Sorry, I forgot to give you my blog - blurubycupcakes.blogspot.com.
See you soon!
Becca
Posted on 05-May-07 at 5:00 pm | Permalink
Michael wrote:
OK, folks! You gotta eat, so you may as well put your money where your heart is and try this one. I have been hearing about Homeboys Industries for quite some time and I’m finally going to check out the cafe on Sunday. In fact, I’m taking my parents for a little party! If you really want to give to this great cause, go to the Homeboys Industries website and check out the cool stuff to purchase. This year all my Christmas gifts will come in a Homeboys tote!
Posted on 02-Oct-07 at 2:47 pm | Permalink
lalalal wrote:
do they eat that food on the juvenile is …for me
Posted on 12-Mar-08 at 1:37 pm | Permalink
WHISPER wrote:
I HAD NEVER TASTED A BOMB ASS FOOD KNOW I GO THEIR TO BUY SOME FOOD THEIR EVERYSDAY.
LOVE,WHISPER
Posted on 13-Sep-08 at 3:49 pm | Permalink