DOWNTOWN WEEKLY VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
DTLA TACO QUEST 2020
THE LEGEND oF THE ORIGiNAL
TACO PETE PET E
10 GREAT PlaCES FOR TACOS IN THE DT
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2 THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
ON THE COVER:
THE ORIGINAL TACO PETE LOCATION:
GRAND FOOD DEPOT EXPO/USC I PHOTO BY KERI FREEMAN
square one: our warmest welcome ...... 3 driven to change ........6 DT Appetite: taco quest 2020.....7 the legend of the original taco pete.....10 DECK THE “MALLs” HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE....12 To BE OR NOT TO BE? .....13 Hang in there dTLa ....14
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DTLA WEEKLY editor and chief KERI FREEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS abel weiss Dan devon KELLIE ALDRICH CAROLYN PLATZMAN COLEEN GLENNON photography & VIDEO Production @kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla social media @kerieatsdtla
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Special thanks to... THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS the original Taco pete LITTLE LLAMA TACOS DALENDO 10E AMANTE RESTAURANT ENGINE CO 28 MIGNON WINE BAR Robeks dtla la museum of love THE FASHION BISTRO & Loftway
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SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME
SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST
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mayor garcetti red jungle courts district launches “serve” FUND
WELCOME
The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream, and how you handle disappointment along the way.” —Robert Kiyosaki
DCBID rallies for local
businesses LAUNCHES ‘dtla for the holidays’ The Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID) announced today its ‘DTLA for the Holidays’ campaign that encourages visiting Downtown L.A. during the holiday season while supporting local businesses and retailers. In addition to promoting DTLA as a go-to holiday destination, the DCBID is also providing the chance to win special Holiday Gift Boxes containing an assortment of unique items from small businesses and gift cards from local retailers.
for
restaurant workers affected by
outdoor
GCM’s RARE BREED of DELISCIOUS CHIX 317 s. broadway, a3, la,ca 90013
The holiday campaign runs from NoW through December 31st, and prizes include a set of gift cards to eat and shop at The Bloc and FIGat7th; a cookbook and gift cards from select Grand Central Market restaurants, a jewelry piece from St. Vincent Jewelry Center; and special gifts and goodies from participating DTLA small businesses.. The ‘DTLA for the Holidays’ campaign is being promoted via broadcast radio, digital advertising, e-newsletter, social media, and DowntownLA.com’s DTLA Holiday page, DowntownLA.com/Holidays. Featured locations and retailers include DTLA’s signature shopping destinations including The Bloc, FIGat7th, and St. Vincent Jewelry Center where there are special sales and promotions for all. “Much like the rest of Los Angeles, retailers in DTLA have been hit especially hard by the pandemic and the restrictions designed to curb its spread. While we always promote DTLA for the Holidays, this year takes on special meaning to support our local businesses and spread holiday cheer by giving Angelenos a chance to win special gifts and engage with all the unique retailers that make DTLA so special,” stated Suzanne Holley, President and CEO of the DCBID.
shutdown The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to restaurant workers. If you are a food service worker in need of support, you should find out if your eligible to receive Secure Emergency Relief for Vulnerable Employees (SERVE). The $800 grant is available to 4000 employees of restaurants, food stands, mobile food units and push carts, and breweries, wineries and bars that serve food on the premises. OUTDOOR DINING SUSPENDED Last week, L.A. County Department of Public Health suspended outdoor dining at restaurants (along with breweries, wineries, and bars) leaving many food service workers, once again, out of a job. SERVE is the newest partnership between Mayor Garcetti and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles to provide cash aid to food service workers who reside in the City. SERVE will offer 4,000 food service workers with a onetime $800 stipend to help them during this critical suspension period. Find out if you’re eligible by visiting www.corona-virus.la/SERVE
DTLA RELAX TO THE MAX: GRAND PARK
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6 DTLA DOING THE MOST: CHRIS CALDERON by Dan DEVON
VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
DRIVen INTO CHANGE
In 2015, at the tender age of eighteen,
CAR CLUB FOUNDER CHRIS CALDERON TALKS CHANGing the NARRATIVE and how HE FORMED ORIGIN KAZOKU
Chris Calderon,
decided that he was fed up with the donuts, erratic crowds, and disorder in the Southern California car scene. Chris wanted to see a change in the car community. However, to do that, he would have to take matters into his own hands and start his own parking show. He did.
the BLOC ROOFTOp in DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELS
Chris, the founder of the car collective Origin Kazoku, isn’t just a car enthusiast. He’s also a concerned citizen.
“We basically give the address an hour or two before. So no one in all Orange County, San Diego, LA, Inland Empire, or Bakersfield knows the location of the event. Everybody just has to be close to a certain area and when we post the address everyone just shows up.” said Chris. “We’re trying to “I started alone in the change the perOriginally the events beginning and throughout the spective in a lot of featured standard years it started growing and people’s minds that imports such as Hondas, I needed help. Because at the they don’t have to do Subarus, Nissan, and same time, you always have crazy stuff to have a Mitsubishi. But as Origin those bad apples that like to good time. You don’t Kazoku’s brand grew so ple do the crazy stuff. Peo have to take over an did the size of the attendthat like to do burnouts or intersection or be in ee’s wallet. Now Origin t. h-revs and things like tha hig the middle of the freeKazoku events largely And it was getting hard for me way doing donuts. consist of high-end vehito control it by myself so litYou can park your cles such as Lamborghg win tle by little I started gro car and actually inis, Ferraris, and even my team to help me out with communicate with one the occasional Bugatti the bigger crowds.” another.” Chris told or McClaren. Chris DTLA Weekly. says the shift in vehicle quality is a positive sign Growth and Expansion that the car community is becoming more In three years, Origin Kazoku ballooned of a safe place. As car owners don’t have to from over a dozen cars to thousands. worry about their vehicle being damaged. After only five years it’s one of the largest Nevertheless, Chris has made some adpop-up gatherings in the nation. Before justments over the years due to an inthe pandemic, the weekly events were crease in Origin Kazoku’s popularity. a unique blend of multi-ethnic pulsing CONTINUED ON PAGe 14 crowds, expensive cars, contests, and entertainment.
DOWNTOWN TACO QUEST by Keri FREEMAN
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A L T D TACO
QUEST
In March of 2020, most of Downtown shutdown completely in order to fight the spread of Covid 19.Facing a global pandemic, the Mayor of Los Angeles ordered all non-essential businesses closed until further notice. During this time DTLA Weekly set out to embark on a perilous adventure to find the one thing that Downtown needed to survive...THIS IS OUR STORY.
0 2 0 2 Y L G U E H T & he BAD t , D O O G E H T 1. JO’s TACOS
We don’t always leave Downtown but when we do it’s to sit and chat with actor turned Taco Maker Danny Trejo at Trejos Tacos in Hollywood California. One month Downtown Weekly found a Golden Ticket and were invited to visit Danny Trejo’s Taco Factory for National Taco Day. One lucky winner was granted free tacos for the month.
That wasn’t us. However, we did manage to escape with the lingering taste of Badass Beef Barbacoa tacos filled with pico de gallo, tortilla strips, and sprinkled cotija cheese.
TRE
These tacos are as badass as the Machete-wielding, bullet taking, Anaconda poaching, short-tempered film characters we’ve grown to love over the past 3 decades. But wait! Nothing says badass like a Trejo’s Tacos Ugly Christmas Sweater. His ultra-comfortable 100% cotton sweater featuring rows of tacos and smiling images of Danny Trejo, is sure to become a family classic and a lovable way to laugh with your hombres. @trejostacos
2.
a n i t n a C z e P t a r i a f f a y l i m a f a s ’ t I
Led by Husband a wife team Chef Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson Ramirez, their seafood dominate Mexican-style plates have been welcoming diners to their indoor restaurant with outdoor patio under the stars since 2014. Pez Cantina serves their famous Chili Verde Carnitas Tacos, two on a plate, with a side of rice and beans or salad. The juice from the tender shredded pork soaks through the tortilla in no time, but that’s okay. There is no shortage of forks in downtown LA.
Pez also serves Beef, chicken and crispy fish tacos.
Covid closures sparked a new stage for Pez. As the restaurant switched to TakeOut and safe delivery, Chef Bret took to the internet hosting a personality show full of good times, food friends, good causes and good food demonstrations each episode. Maybe if we’re lucky he will show us how he prepares his downtown taco favorites. @pezcantina
8 DOWNTOWN APPETITE: THE OG TACO PETE By Dan DEVON
3.
VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
THE LEGEND OF THE ORIGINAL TACO PETE
The year is 1989.
George H.W. Bush is in the White House and America’s favorite pastimes stem from moments spent together in family rituals. Picnics, graduations, weddings and even gatherings in the living room to watch the latest episodes of Full House, The Simpson’s, In Living Color, and A Different World mark Who’s the Mack? in Los Angeles. Known mostly for their “Iconic soft shell tacos”, Aaron, the on these streets in 1989 that Mack a more innocent time in It’s Jones re-opened an iconic yellow and red youngest son, told Downtown Weekly how American history. building with the nostalgic red and white it started for him as an early teen who had ny, America a m o t t s n w The Unbekno a new era r e t n e o t t u p. is abo oast hip-ho C t s e W f o a er e, Ice mers, Dr. Dr are o o B y r a d n e yE Leg Dog and Eas nkp o o n S , e b u C enties, cra tw ir e th in ly bare lyrics that p a r e r o c d r a eloing out h hood with m s e th in fe li mple mimic over funk sa nd e d li g t a th s die w riders a lo e th s a th o e as smo glide down th t a th s e ik b chop uth Central. o S f o ts e e tr s
“TACOS” sign on the corner of 120th and Central.
Equipped with a family recipe inspired by a stumbling old street vendor named Pete, and his two very young sons, Chuck and Aaron, Mack would spend the next 30 years at the location, serving the most iconic tacos on the West Coast known to the world as The Original Taco Pete.
Today, The Original Taco Pete is by far one of the most successful businesses
just one job; filling soda cups.
“I remember my dad telling my brother to come and get me. I was around 13 and given the job of filling up cups with soda. That’s it. Just the sodas. Later, I would move onto grating cheese. I loved every minute of it as the youngest male child in the family.” Currently, Aaron is in charge of marketing and logistics, in case anyone is wondering about what promotions came after grating cheese.
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VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM Initially, the restaurant only served ground beef tacos but Additionally, in the midst of the pandemic, has since expanded to more The Original Taco Pete opened it’s first varieties of tacos, other dish- virtual kitchen by USC for contact-free es and even packaged their deliveries and mobile orders. own branded seasoning. Virtual kitchens are an innovative concept “We started with just that many restaurants have considered in ground beef when we first the wake of the pandemic. got the business. Over the years we added chicken, “With the cloud kitchen being a new turkey, carne asada, and concept, we expect to build off of that now, Brisket,” said Mack. and continue to move forward. We see very, very promising aspects from this The Original Taco Pete also because, in the world that we live in now, served a mean fried chickpeople are on the move. People want it en, and their famous red now. “ said Mack corn nachos, burritos, carne asada fries, and newly added Pandemic or not, the family-owned busishrimp tacos. ness is looking to expand it’s brand and signature taste to create a much larger presence in Los Angeles. At the moment, a food truck, additional brick-and-mortar locations, and even franchising opportunities are being considered. Nevertheless, through all their success, the Jones family admits they are extremely grateful and humbled that people have traveled across America to try their tacos, but ultimately they are always thankful for having the respect and support of the local community.
Brother Chuck Jones stands as a protector of the family recipe. It’s what they’re known for. The signature taste hasn’t changed since day one.
“We’re blessed in that sense that people do come back. We have a lot of repeat customers and word-a-mouth keeps us afloat,” said Mack.
Aaron says this couldn’t be possible without his brother, Chuck, as he was the oane allowed to learn the ins-andouts of the legendary recipe from his aunts. And dad, well, dad is still the family’s strong, business minded patriarch - still running a tight ship. Spending their entire lives serving the community, this commitment to family, quality and consistency has earned The Original Taco Pete its reliable reputation within the community. “We stand behind our flavoring and seasoning.” Aaron continued. “I’ve had compliments from several people [stating] that the first bite was like the last bite... Whether it was a week ago, two weeks ago, a year ago, or ten years ago.”
#SurvivingDTLA
Just as much has changed over the years for The Original Taco Pete, so has the restaurant business in the wake of COVID-19. However, The Original Taco Pete is adapting and helping others. Not only do they offer some of the best tacos in Los Angeles, they also serve as a resource to the community.
The business recently took part in community outreach and assisted in the fight to end COVID by sponsoring a catered lunch for front-line health The Original Taco Pete’s secret recipe has care workers at the LA-USC medical cenbecome more in demand over the years, ter along with participating in local food and with that so have their choice of menu drives and giveaways for families strugitems. gling to survive during the pandemic.
The Original Taco Pete is located at 12007 S. Central Ave. The cloud kitchen is within the Grand Food Depot Compound on 38th and Hill Streets, where loyal patrons and awed newcomers can now order through GrubHub, UberEats, and a list of food delivery apps. For more info visit www.originaltacopete.com @tacopete2go
10 GREAT PLACES FOR TACOS By Keri FREEEMAN cont...
VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COm
4. In honor of the mamba at Cil
Leo Matias, owner and operator of Fashion District’s Cilantro Lime, had been inviting Downtown Weekly to help create a new menu item for his “For The Gram” menu for over two years. But chefs, we are not.
American cheese. And it was good. But Leo took one bite and said…
It was February and we knew we wanted to do something to honor the Mamba! But, we didn’t know what?
Taking out the squash and adding sprinkled queso, Leo concocted a burnt cheese quesadilla/taco.
In the kitchen, we stood over bins filled with tons of appetizing ingredients. With our guide Leo and our thoughts of purple and gold, we set out to make “His-story” in a taco.
Piled high on a sturdy burnt cheese tortilla, prepare for the zesty taste of fresh sweet corn with your choice of meat topped with Pico de Gallo, guacamole, spicy aioli, cilantro and lime. On that day, a BOMB spontaneous taco – the “Kobe Taco” was born.
First, we tried to build our taco with a purple-ish squash, corn and bright yellow
antro lime
@cilantrolimedtla
“Let me teach you a little something about texture. It’s good, but it has to be bomb!”
O C A T N W O T N W O D T A L E G 5. SAVED BY AN AN
Downtown Taco! Arts District’s Angel City Brewery stayed closed most of the year only to reopen just last month, to close again just last month, due to the second wave of Covid shutdowns. Fortunately, for Downtown Taco, the mobile kitchen regular, attached to the side of the Brewery, was able to provide his selection of delicious tacos inspired by the flavors of Oaxaca Mexico on the move. For most of the year, we could find the gourmet food truck parked on Hill and 3rd servicing the Department of Water and Power and BOA plaza inhabitants who managed to keep their jobs at the office.
Downtown Taco sets themselves apart with their freshly hand-pressed, organic tortillas cooked to order over a very hot grill. Inside the tiny space of the mobile kitchen, the Chef keeps his choices of grilled meats and eclectic toppings within arms reach. Our favorite??? The Mesquite filled flavor of the Chorizo Taco with spicy Spanish pork sausage and pineapples and a side of vegan cheese roles. Sure, it’s contradicting. But, it’s the balance between good and evil that just does it for us. Follow @downtowntaco for up-to-date locations.
6. HERE IN THE CLOUD with sky’s tacos Even COVID had to take a back seat to Sky’s Gourmet Tacos. Sky Burrell and her team were already ahead of the curve, so to speak, being on all of the prominent food delivery apps, such as Uber Eats, Door Dash, Postmates, etc., when COVID 19 shutdowns were announced last March. Despite not being able to open indoors, Sky’s TakeOut and catering options put up a good defense. Still, after 28 years, customers leave with TakeOut Bags full of steak, chicken, fish, sweet potato tacos (among others) and sides of beans and rice; and they never
forget to order a slice of her famed caramelized pecan cheesecake. Our favorite? Hands down - the shrimp tacos thanks to the shrimp’s special seasoning, made in-house, that make the taste of each crustacean incomparable. Sky’s Gourmet Tacos boasts several locations in LA, and recently they opened their newest cloud kitchen location close to Expo/USC now serving Sky’s remarkable mix of “Mexican with a Splash of Soul”. Order online www.skystacos.com
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12
DECK THE “MALLS” with Boughs of HOLLY
ROW DTLA
DTLA MALL SHOPPERS GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS
Come for a bright dose of cheer at ROW DTLA. Throughout December explore special Holiday pop-ups, photo-ready holiday decor, inspiring backdrops and special art and floral installations spark your creativity. Support small business by shopping their collective of retailers for home goods, hard-to-find fashion, accessories and everything in between.
Little Tokyo stands in solidarity with their local gift shops this Holiday Season. They’re hosting a year of gift-giving and merry-making virtually and asking DTLA skip big-name retailers and support Little Tokyo businesses by shopping safely online from home.
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET
FIGA7th holidays 2020
Open-air shopping and dining in the heart of DTLA at FIGat7th Holiday 2020. This is the perfect place for gifts for everyone. From clothing to cosmetics, there’s nothing like shopping to get you in the spirit of giving.
LITTLE TOKYO FOR THE HOLIDAYS
THEBLOC
18 million hues of lights illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes at Sparkle DTLA at The Bloc. That’s a whole lot of lights. The Bloc is LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. Safely capture your perfect photo-op moments at this FREE experience open to all ages and furry friends.
It’s possible there will be t-ime this year to attend GCM Bazaar which takes place on weekends. The Bazaar host a dozen of with artisans, and record shop inside the backdrop of numerous restaurant hubs located inside the market. For virtual fun, join Esotouric, L.A.’s tour company for a webinar celebrating the cultural history of Grand Central Market.
spark a systemic spark: racism story NOW STREAMING
(Just 32 Minutes to Start Unlearning) “While watching the George Floyd protests unfold, it was clear the nation was experiencing a moral awakening,” said Trent Gegax, story and editor producer. “Spark: A Systemic Racism Story aims to educate through awareness, listening and the daily practice of anti-racism because until everyone is free, no one is free.”
“Spark: A Systemic Racism Story”, is a thirty-minute film created by Tom Gegax and Mary Wescott of the Gegax Family Foundation in 2020. The film takes a hard look at historical and present-day systemic racism from the origins of the Atlantic slave trade to the the killing of George Floyd and the aftermath that followed. Floyd ignited worldwide protests the first of its kind, involving overwhelming support from “white allies” in America and from around the world. The film narrarates the world keep up that same energy and offers soluctions after a montage of interviews, video clips and photojournalistic recaps of the darker side of American history.
The documentary is an aggregator of interviews and clips of prominent leaders including Oprah Winfrey, Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart, Spike Lee, and Barack Obama. It also shares interview snipets from racial justice advocates, politcians and freedom fighters providing historical context of policies and procedures that led to the oppression of the Black community. Spark also proposes practical solutions and remedies in public safety, policing, criminal justice, and society.
Spark, in addition to individual use, can be used as a free educational tool for any organizations or communities seeking to accomplish racial-justice and racial-sensitivity goals. Amateur Films, LLC is based in Minneapolis, MN where George Floyd was killed offering never before scenes of the protest in the days that followed. For More information visit: spark-doc.com
TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THEATER GUIDE
TO BE OR
NOT TO BE? PRESENTED BY KAPOOR'S AKBAR
JUST 1 BLOCK NORTH OF Music Center Grand Ave X Cesar Chavez
VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM 13
CAL ARTS REDCAT
NEW ORIGINAL WORKS FEST OCT 8TH - DEC 12th
GRAND PERFORMANCES LISTEN ON SPOTIFY ONGOING
FREE Parking w/ Validation
MUSIC CENTER
STREAM THE MUSIC CENTER OFFSTAGE
EAST WEST PLAYERS
STREAM FIRST ANNUAL VISIONARY AWARDS & GALA
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL STREAM SOUND/STAGE ONLINE CONCERT SERIES
LATINO THEATER CENTER STREAM SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING
COVID-19 has devastated small businesses. Cultural institutions like BBMT are losing $30,000 per month and in danger of closing forever. In order to survive 2021, the beloved theater must meet their annual goal of $365,000 and to do that they’ve asked DTLA Weekly to help spread the word.
Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company presents...
BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER ZOOM PUPPET SHOWS
The multi-camera, virtually produced reading include Luis Alfaro’s “Mojada” and “Electricidad”, along with “Oedipus El Rey”.
HAVING
These modern adaptations of Greek tragedies complete “The Greek Trilogy of Luis Alfaro” which is presented on Center Theatre Group’s Digital Stage in partnership with The Getty.
A VIRTUAL EVENT? ADD EVENTS FREE ON
DTLAWEEKLY.COM
help! SAVE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER from closing !!! Bob Baker Marionette Theater is reaching out for help with some pretty scary news: the puppet theater is on the brink of closure.
READINGS ON DEMAND WITH CENTER THEATER GROUP
On behalf of all of us here at DTLA Weekly THANK YOU for being a friend of the puppets. We’ve never missed an issue without Bob Baker even though we nay have printed you as Bob Barker by accident a few times. Our publisher has a lot of arms, not eyes. Although we have never seen a show, it has been an honor to have been able to share your shows in our pages for the psst 4 years. Thank you for sharing the love. #KeepImaginationAlive
Luis Alfaro is a Chicano writer known for his work in poetry, theatre, short stories, performance and journalism. Luis spent six seasons as the Playwright-in-Residence at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival from 2013–2019. He was a member of the Playwright’s Ensemble at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theatre from 2013– 2020. Luis is the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. He was recently awarded the PEN America/Laura Pels International Foundation Theater Award for a Master Dramatist, the United States Artist Fellowship and the Ford Foundation’s Art of Change Fellowship. His plays and performances include “Electricidad,” “Oedipus El Rey,” “Mojada,” “Delano” and “Body of Faith.” Luis spent over two decades in the Los Angeles poetry community and toured for ten years as a performance artist. He is a tenured professor at USC. His play anthology, “The Greek Trilogy of Luis Alfaro,” was just released from Methuen Press. Luis was a participant in Center Theatre Group’s 2018/19 L.A. Writers’ Workshop and is a member of the newly formed CTG Creative Collective, a dozen inspiring, innovative and highly collaborative artists shaping the contours of the theatrical landscape of the future. Each reading is free to the public and will be available on demand until January 20, 2021. FOR MORE INFO VISIT @ctgla
14 HANG IN THERE DTLA!
HANG IN THERE DTLA!
VOL 14 NO 8 - DECEMBER3RD - december 9th / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
making positive changes THRU
community partnerships origin kazoku continued...
Just when you thought it was safe to dine outside… LA County announces yet, another shutdown. Effective Wednesday, November 30th at 10pm: No more indoor or outdoor dining. For now, due to Covid 19 mandates we’re back to TakeOut & Delivery, Be sure to check out our list of 10 Great Places for TakeOut to remind you of what we do best. Eat to Live & Drink.
We Did It Before...We Can Do It Again
So proud of the DTLA restaurants who have been rolling with the punches to make sure we don’t all have to eat out of a can...not that there aren’t any good canned foods but... they may just be the last reminders of how good things used to taste. Be sure to visit www.dtlaweekly.com for our weekly list of TakeOut picks this holiday season.
Giving Back Chris has plans to expand his brand in the future. But at the moment he wants to use Origin Kazoku’s large presence to give back to the community. To date, Origin Kazoku has engaged in sponsorships and cross-promotions with a variety of local businesses to boost exposure. As a result, Origin Kazoku has become very helpful to the local economy. Chris explains this is because Origin Kazoku is an exclusive market that is willing to give back.
In the past, Origin Kazoku has partnered with non-profits such as churches to combat homelessness. They’ve also held a rally alongside Live Like JoJo to enrich the lives of special needs children. For Chris, it’s personal because Origin Kazoku has allowed him to meet people from all walks of life. The reason why he started Origin Kazoku was to make a change. Thus, he’s aware of the flaws in the community and wants to use Origin Kazoku’s platform to help.
Although the pandemic has placed a strain on Origin Kazoku’s endeavors, Chris hopes in the future to continue to make positive changes in not just the Southern California car community but also the entire community as well. For those interested in partnership opportunities Origin “We also like to help out chari- Kazoku can be found on ties. We have a big following and originkazoku.com. a lot of people that follow us like to give back as well.” Chris said.
ALL MARIAH CAREY WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS = cookies
Planetary ALIGNMENT COMING to skIES over downtown
The world has waited 800 years for Saturn and Jupiter to come Legendary best-selling female artist of all time, Mariah into conjunction. The last time Carey, just launched her very-own virtual brand, Marithe two planets were in alignah’s Cookies. Carey’s cookies will bake in a variety of classic flavors includ- ment was in 1226. Since the two are the largest gas bodies in the ing Chocolate Chunk, Triple Chocolate Chunk, Heath Bar, solar system, experts are calling Lemon Cooler, and Spiced Oatmeal Raisin, with three very this cosmic union the “Great special holiday flavors Partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts, all the baking, shipping and handling will be provided. Conjunction.” Only the eating will be up to us this Holiday Season. Patrick Hartigan, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice Look out for Ms. Carey on December 4, where she plans to University, wrote “both planets watch her very own Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Spewill be visible in the same field of cial on Apple TV at home with a box of assorted cookies on view in most small telescopes, the sofa.
along with some of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons.” “In fact, they will be so close it may be a challenge to separate them with the unaided eye for many people.” You’ll have about an hour to soak up as much intoxicating cosmic sightseeing as you can. Get your telescopes ready and head to a rooftop, the galactic party starts on December 21st. #illuminatisacrificecomingsoon
10 GREAT PLACES FOR TACOS By Keri FREEEMAN cont...
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7. WARM & coZY at little llama peruvian TACOS Little Llama Peruvian Tacos may be new to the Old Bank District, but its creators Chef Jean Valcarcel and Co-Founder Angela Wagner are longtime DTLA culinary enthusiasts who have been wowing us with their oneof-kind dining experiences for almost a decade.
In 2016, the duo conceived Little Llama as a pop-up concept at the weekly Arts District foodie haven known as “Smorgasburg LA”. When the cold chill of Covid forced the event to close, they turned 100% of their energy to their first brick-and-mortar location.
In 2012, inspired by the sophistication of DTLA’s golden age, the pair launched Re Creo Supper Club, a DTLA-based pop-up supper club. It became known for fine dining experiences staged on rooftops and in lofts, warehouses, and art galleries throughout the city.
Now open at 222 S. Main Street, they’re earning rave reviews for their signature Lomo Saltado Taco, a soul-warming combination of Angus steak marinated in garlic and ginger, crispy Yukon gold potatoes, Huacatay aioli, and tomato escabeche. @littlellamatacos
8. FLOAT YOUR BOAT at rapp BAR
During the first months of shutdown, Rappahannock Oyster Bar would remain one of the last open docks at the Bloc, a lifestyle mall located far off the mainland in the Warehouse District of the city.
9. pop up with pablitos tacos It’s the Taco that started it all for Mikazi Nikkei Sushi partner Danny Rodriguez. For a brief stint during his new restaurant’s grand opening in the Historic Core, Rodriguez offered downtown a taste of his highly notarized Pablito’s Taco in Burbank, with a hearty downtown Taco Tuesday pop up.
After switching their seaworthy indoor and outdoor dining experience into a seafood and cocktail TakeOut sea-port, Chef Wilson Santos cast a line with his amazing Oyster Tacos and Downtown took the bait. RappBar’s Oyster Tacos come three on a plate. They are made simply with house-made coleslaw that completely shelters three delectable fried oysters, placed on each small tortilla. Picking them up for a bite without dropping some coleslaw can be a battle, however, you’ll enjoy the clash of tremendous flavors. So light and crispy, they are very hard to eat slowly. @rappbardtla
It was then that we embarked on our first Peruvian Taco adventure. Pablito’s Taco filled our plates with a mix of carne asada, chicken, pastor, veggie, chicharron and Loma Saltado upon fresh hand-pressed tortillas, covered in onions, cilantro, guacamole and Pablito’s Green “Crack” Sauce. @pablitostacos
10. reunited with bad son tacos Downtown Weekly discovered a hidden gem at Bad Son Tacos located in the Little Tokyo Mall. Before Covid, Bad Son Tacos kept a steady flow of customers thanks to the flavors of handmade tortillas, salsa and traditional South of the Border favorites like Tinga, Mole and Chapulines (grasshopper) tacos, characters you just couldn’t find anywhere else.
Their recipes were all the fuel they needed to catapult Bad Son Taco into greatness. But the COVID shutdown suddenly left the in-store taco kiosk without foot traffic or dine-in options, leading to the family’s terrible sibling’s announcement in May, that Bad Son Tacos would be closing indefinitely. But never fear Bad Son Tacos rejoined their father’s restaurant, La Morenita. @badsontacos
