Located right on Santa Monica Blvd. in a primarily Hispanic neighborhood, this is best Oaxacan food you will ever eat. Truly this is the little engine that could and can!!
Here’s what I tried:
Starters:
Guacamole and Chips, the guacamole has a great flavor and the chips are large blue corn, which makes for some pretty good dipping.
Tlayudas:
Classic Supreme Tlayuda, extra large toasted tortilla, a spread bean puree, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, cheese, meats tasajo beef, cesina pork and chorizo. Kind of pizza kind of tostada, whatever it is, it’s unique and very delicious.
Plato Mixto, with Grilled pork loin (cesina), chicken, rice, beans, salad, pico de gallo, cheese and tortillas. This was my favorite dish, the flavors of the grilled pork and chicken are just so perfect, the right amount of seasonings and the right amount of grilling time, just superb.
Enchiladas Verdes, 3 chicken enchiladas served with a side of rice. There is no sauce on the enchiladas, so you can really taste the full flavors of the meat and combination ingredients.
Burrito, with a flour tortilla, your choice of meat, black beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado. A huge king size burrito, for me I can take this home and have 3 other meals off of it so be warned.
Tacos, served on a handmade tortilla with black bean puree, Oaxaca cheese and avocado, two beef tacos, two chicken tacos, two mole sauce tacos. These are not any run of the mill tacos, each one individually great, and each made with the perfect tender meats and accompaniments. My favorite was the mole sauce taco, with lots of rich chocolate type sauce, amazing.
Dessert:
Cheesecake, served with a chocolate caramel sauce, so amazing.
They don’t serve alcohol, but their own made Aguas Frescas are more than satisfying! I also had a hot pour over coffee which was so great, it hit the spot with the cheesecake.
Everything about Tlayuda L.A. has an artsy, colorful style from the walls to the food! You’re greeted with delicious aromas and friendly faces from the moment you walk in. Masterpieces from local artists, a trendy mural and whimsical Oaxacan creatures are painted around the restaurant. Once you have a bite of the rich guacamole or savory meat, you’re hooked. All of that has been carefully designed by Laura Guerrero, whose passion is creating the best customer experience. Laura opened her first business in 2010 and why stop at one? Laura’s successful local and online businesses were flourishing and her desire had always been to own a restaurant. I knew I wanted something that was “pretty, that tastes good” and the Tlayuda definitely exceeds that requirement! “It’s such a great plate and it’s not a main dish in most Oaxacan restaurants; most people don’t even know about it. I wanted to give life to it!” As a lifelong foodie, Oaxacan cuisine has always been a favorite. It’s different and something most people have never tasted before.
Tlayuda L.A. brings together the Oaxacan flavors with a contemporary twist – it’s not your traditional Mexican restaurant! “It’s even better than I expected!” is a frequent exclamation from customers enjoying our Oaxacan cuisine for the first time. Our Oaxacan-trained chefs keep the essence of the flavor while creating new tasty dishes. Our signature dish is the Tlayuda, a Mexican pizza served with succulent meats and cheeses. The fresh, savory food is certainly “Instagram-able!” and has gained a loyal following already. Within two months of opening, we already had regulars coming in multiple days a week!
Whether we’re your usual Taco Tuesday or a date-night destination, Tlayuda L.A. is one experience you will enjoy every time!
About Oaxacan Cuisine:
Oaxacan Cuisine:
Oaxacan food is based on the Mexican staples such as corn, beans and Chile peppers. The appeal of Oaxacan cuisine comes from the variety of ingredients and unique preparation. Oaxaca cheese is one of the most notable items. They make this mozzarella-like string cheese through a complicated process involving stretching the cheese into long ribbons and rolling it up like a ball of yarn. Another popular snack and topping are chapulines which are toasted grasshoppers with a sour-spicy-salty taste of garlic, limejuice and salt. Tlayudas, Oaxacan style tamales and mole sauce are some other favorites.
Oaxaca, Mexico:
Oaxaca is known for its unique cuisine and traditional cultural experience. Oaxaca is a beautiful state in southwestern Mexico with a long coastline and mountainous, tropical terrain. The communities have been preserved because they are so isolated throughout the valleys in the area. The large indigenous population have maintained their individual languages, customs and traditions – in fact about one in six people don’t speak Spanish! The Oaxacan culture has been passed down for hundreds of years.
I am telling you, this was quite a surprise, I would tell you to go out right now and grab some of this very authentic Oaxacan cuisine.
Tlayuda L.A. Mexican Restaurant
(213) 261-4667
5450 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
* Some content was taken off of their website.
