Mexicano Closes in Baldwin Hills, a Mexican Wine Bar Emerges in Bell, and Birria Tacos Arrive Near USC ~ The TacoWire
Mexicano in Baldwin Hills closes, Arvizu and del Campo to now focus on Bell’s first Mexican wine bar next to La Casita Mexicana
L.A. Taco has been tipped off by our former Editor Daniel Hernandez that the lights have been off at Mexicano, the second restaurant inside the Baldwin Hills Mall opened by the pioneering, high-profile Mexican chefs, Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu. A phone call with del Campo confirmed that Mexicano has indeed officially closed. Del Campo cited rampant theft issues with employees, the delaying of the Crenshaw Metro line, and the rising financial pressure restaurant owners face as reasons for their decision to call it a good run after opening in early 2015.
The chefs are now focusing on revamping the annex in their flagship restaurant La Casita Mexicana with Bell’s first official Mexican wine bar. It is replacing La Tiendita, their gift shop filled with rare Mexican ingredients, candies, and other gifts. Del Campo informs L.A. Taco that while it was a tough decision to close Mexicano, they are ecstatic about their new wine bar. He goes on to tease that they are experimenting with a cantina-style food menu concept to accompany their Mexican wine menu, micheladas, and agave wine margaritas.
Their Mexican wine bar is slated to open in early October.
Nashville-style fried chicken pop-up in car wash lot attracts long lines in the Valley, but neighborhood council member worry about taxes and permits
Daily News published an article last Saturday about Hawaiian Hot Chicken, a Northridge-based pop-up specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken between sweet Hawaiian buns. The article reveals how co-founder Mike Mkrtchyan was inspired by Howling Ray’s but wanted to “put a new spin” on the trendy chicken sandwich by using sweet Hawaiian buns. The author also touches on the topic of permits within street vendors as the report features a quote from a concerned neighborhood council member, similar to the concerned Glassell Park neighborhood council that L.A. Taco reported on earlier this week.
Pinches Tacos opens in downtown
Pinches Tacos has opened their fifth location on 6th Street in downtown. Their menu hovers around the $4 per taco range and our very own Director of Operations Memo Torres personally vouches for their chicken mole taco.
L.A. Birria brings juicy, beef birria near USC
Popular beef birria taqueros L.A. Birria are now popping up in front of The Green Olive near USC, reports our contributor Cesar Hernandez. He was on the scene on Tuesday, their first day sharing the kitchen with The Green Olive, in addition to Univision. L.A. Taco has confirmed that the original location on Adams and Crenshaw will remain open and that this pop-up is an expansion. The hours for The Green Olive are 10 AM to 10 PM, while their food truck on Adams is 9 AM to 9 PM. The Green Olive L.A. Birria location is also doing 50 percent off all draft beer for a limited time.
Eduardo Anaya, a co-founder, told L.A. Taco that he’s looking forward to the challenge of getting the USC crowd on the birria tip. “I’ve very excited for this new beginning and the students are loving it.” Anaya says they have been giving out free samples and have introduced new menu items like a Vampiro ranchero with black beans and a fried egg on top. “I would say for every five cups of free consome we give away, three students come back.”
L.A.’s first bilingual, free book festival “Los Angeles Libros Festival” hosts a talk on the art of Mexican salsas
Los Angeles Public Library, in conjunction with LA Libreria is hosting L.A.’s first bilingual book event at the Central Library location this Saturday afternoon. The programming includes a bilingual salsa talk, Yesika Salgado, and plenty of glossy Latin American cookbooks looking for a good home. Register here for the family-friendly event happening this Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
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