At long last, Highland/Glasell Park soccer-moms can get their ubiquitously bitter coffee without having to drive all the way to Eagle Rock. Yes, Starbuck’s, with its 15,000 stores in 44 countries has finally deemed us worthy of their coffee. Technically, I believe the address is in Glassell Park, but I wouldn’t have believed anyone who told me York Blvd. would have a Starbucks in the foreseeable future. Let’s hope the new Cafe de Leche isn’t run out of town by the 1,000 lb gorilla that is Starbucks.
Beyond a coffee shop that I don’t plan on ever visiting as I’d rather give my money to Miguel at Antigua or the guys at Casa Blue (which isstill open), Occidental Plaza is also sporting a Long’s Drugs that is already open, and an L&L Hawaiian Plate Lunch joint that actually has potential of receiving my business. Back in college, when I was a frequent visitor to our youngest state (for reasons I can’t disclose as I value my current relationship) Plate Lunch was a delicacy of the Hawaiian hoi polloi that I couldn’t find on the mainland. Now, these places proliferate, but it’s still nice to have one nearby. Personally, I’m looking forward to the Korean spare ribs, chicken katsu, and mac salad. Based on a recent drive-by, it looks like L&L and the Starbucks are opening imminently.
Occidental Plaza
4430 York Blvd.
Hole in the wall eateries come and go pretty quickly in the omnipresent strip malls of LA. After three visits, all without bringing my camera inside, let’s hope Antojitos Chilangos sticks around. Antojitos roughly translates to “little cravings” and this little shop specializes in simple cuisine specific to the Mexican capital. (I am informed however that chilango, referring to someone from Mexico City, is not a word to be thrown around in the wrong context.)
The specialty of Antojitos Chilangos has to be their panbaso. This large sandwich starts with a salty bolillo roll that is dipped in a mildly spicy red sauce. The roll is then filled with potatoes, chorizo, lettuce, and cotija cheese. Sprinkle a little salsa on top and gorge (with a fork and knife to keep your hands clean).
(Photo: ocfoodblogs.blogspot.com)
In true D.F. fashion, you can also grab some tacos de canasta filled with either beans, cheese, or chicharron. I’m not sure if these are authentically cooked in a basket as they are in Mexico, but they are an excellent small appetizer, which is important here as they really take their time bringing out the panbasos. If you’re so inclined, Antojitos Chilangos also serves a filling gordita, and some fruity liquidos with bananas and strawberries that make for a nice refreshment on these hot summer afternoons.
Antojitos Chilangos
5528 York Blvd.
Part three of the ‘Readers Write-in Article Ideas Trilogy’ is thanks in part to Karen B. who tipped us off to a new cafe that had leased the space at 5000 York Blvd. back in May. While I don’t really have any information to give, the sign in the shop’s window promises a summer opening but based on the emptiness of the interior, and the fact that no one was working on it on a Tuesday morning, I’d be pleasantly surprised if this place opens in the next two months. Since I can’t give you anything firm, let’s play have fun making speculations based on a hip picture of a hummingbird. I’m hoping for something a little more exotic than just a straight coffee and pastry type of place. A small but good breakfast menu is a must with hopefully at least a few items for lunch. I’d hope for a few tables on the sidewalk, and wouldn’t roof access be cool? Think a quaint version of Buster’s or Heirloom Bakery in South Pasadena. Now if something other than Marty’s would just move in on the other side of York, we’d have a runaway renaissance on York.
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