Nopalitos Con Huevo: A Favorite Breakfast Of The Glutster
For you long time readers of mine, its no secret that La Casita Mexicana has a soft spot in my heart. Actually, its the only place I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone that asks me "Where do I eat Mexican? Its the only all around Mexican place in L.A that I can personally vouch for to be quite honest. There is not one single time I've gone--invited or not--where every single bite of the food was not a pleasure in itself.
Time after time, dish after dish, each bite never ceases to sweep me off my feet somehow, no matter what I get and how many times I get it. I've never seen such a high commitment to quality carried out so intensely. This is Mexican Food that satisfies more than just hunger for me, rustic yet refined, ultra-traditional yet executed progressively...its Mexican food that strikes a harmonizing chord with the beat of me: A 21 year old 2nd generation Mexican-American living in East L.A on his quest to find myself, my roots--through food.
And could you believe that after all this...I still hadn't had their effin Chilaquiles!?
Chilaquilitos Rojos: Spicy, Savory Dry Heat
Well I think it was about damn time.
Fortunately, I have really grown close to Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu in this last year that I've known them. It doesn't hurt that these two are already the most humble, nicest chefs in L.A probably. A couple of weeks ago, they had invited to me to come down to bell on a groggy Wednesday early morning to finally have the honor of finally tasting their highly esteemed Chilaquiles, they were doing filming an early morning piece for their weekly segment they have on the Spanish morning show "Despierta America" on Univision and were finished by 8:00 AM.
And my oh my, so many wasted breakfasts.
They make their Chilaquiles here with freshly fried tortilla chips that they make in house, briefly sauteing the chips in one of their various sauces just so they adhere beautifully but not to make soggy: Mole Poblano, Pipian de Pepita, Pipian de Cacahuate, Salsa de Tomatillo, Chile Rojo, Chipotle. Meaning they have over SIX different Chilaquile variations. (Divorciados being the last choice; where you get to choose two that are 'divorced' by a thick boundary line of cold and creamy Crema Mexicana)
Each sauce adhering to the chips differently, the pipian thick and rich, the tomatillo thin and tangy. To make a perfect chilaquile is like skillfully cooking a dried pasta, a second shorter and it will just be watery wet chip, a second over and you will have have the beginning stages of a tortilla soup. One a many times, even my mom overcooks them. But I am ecstatic to say that here, it is a mastered craft.
Chilaquiles De Chile Verde: Tangy And Crispy
Thanks to Jaime and Ramiro for finally having me over para desayunar and thank you for bringing the time honored, traditional foods of my cultures past to an otherwise Northern Mexican barren wasteland of Los Angeles.
Buen Provecho!
Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu
La Casita Mexicana
4030 Gage Avenue
Bell, CA 90201-1127
(323) 773-1898
Open Daily 9am-10pm
Chilaquiles: $8.99
www.casitamex.com
follow them on twitter:
@casitamex
11 comments:
Oh, man. That looks like The Best Breakfast Ever.
Those two dudes are so awesome. And so is La Casita Mexicana. Getting up for breakfast is painful for me, but this looks like it'll be worth the effort.
Chilaquiles are yet another dish I've never had the opportunity to try. La Casita sounds like a great place to have my first dose of chips for breakfast! Sounds like a pretty delectable way to start the day! ;)
They've invited me so many times to try those chilaquiles. I must go soon.
Matt: I'm down whenever you be down.
I am a big fun of those two gentlemen. They are the best for me. Whatever they cook it always turn out as one of the best. I adore them.
Hi Glutster,
Thanks for reminding about their Chilaquiles. I love them! I got to try 2 of their flavors last year, and I agree that I'd rather have theirs than any other version. :)
Man when will I ever wake up that early and finally make it there for chilaquiles? :(
That huevos con nopales looks mighty good also, I think I would love it as much if not more than I love the Chinese scrambled eggs with bitter melon.
This place is awesome guys. go their now! ha ha.
Love this entry, I totally want to go check this restaurant out. I ate at Church & Bistro last night, which was really good, and this new LA dining deals site just posted a special deal – $10 for $20 at Church & Bistro. I encourage everyone to check out at www.preferdine.com. Let me know what you think!
Nice. I enjoyed their breakfast for the first time a couple weeks back and was amazed by the flavors they were able to generate from their chilaquiles. Best ever.
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