THE BASICS:

WHAT: Mexican food in an up and coming hood you’ve probably never heard of.

WHERE:  Frogtown.  WTF is Frogtown you’re asking?  It’s a neighborhood in Elysian Valley, adjacent to the L.A. River (east of Los Feliz; not far from DTLA).  We’re still not even sure where it is, so here’s a map.

WHEN:  Dinner Tuesday- Sunday starting at 5:30PM and weekend brunch starting at 10AM.

 

THE DISH:

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:  You’ve crossed the border and stepped into the most chic cantina in Mexico.

WHAT TO ORDER:  Joven y Alocada ($13) is that fancy rum drank in the coconut and we went (coco)nuts over it, so begin there.  Also, it’s a crime not to start your mexicali meal with chips and guac ($5-ish), so that’s your next move.  Then, it’s time to TACO it up ($3.75 each)!  They keep it traditional with just avocado, salsa, cilantro and onion, but the tortilla (made-to-order; you can see them slaving in kitchen doing the damn thing) is beyond yum.  Get a side of Chef’s version of Esquites ($7- Mexican street corn) for the table, topped with popcorn (yes, popcorn), and call it a day.  And just like that, we planned your most perfecto meal…

WHAT TO SKIP:  While the Hamachi of the day ($14) was good; that tummy space would have been better filled with more tortillas.  The chorizo ($16) was also good, but it was a lot for one person to handle and the best part was the buttery mashed potatoes underneath (can they make a side of just that?).  We hear the steak is superb, so we would try that route next time.

TAKE SOME TO GO:  Tortillas- did you get it in your head how important it is to order extra ($3).

DON’T BE DECEIVED:  If you’ve read enough and you’re a second away from clicking on salazarla.com and planning your adventure, don’t be deceived by the website as it’s cheesy AF.  Now that we’ve been and we know how cool it is, we are digging its playfulness; but before then, not so much.  Rest assured, its real and it exists.

WHEN TO GO:  Before a Dodgers game or after LA Live.  Or anytime you find yourself heading east (we went on our way to Pasadena).  Or if you’ve been looking for an excuse to explore a new part of town.

WHERE TO SIT:  About 85% of this place is outdoors, so be sure to check that weather app.

WHAT TO WEAR:  Casual- cool; this place is hip and has a ton of amazing photo-op spots.  You will most likely be sitting outside and it seems to only be getting hotter by the day, so we recommend wearing as little cloth as possible without looking like a hoochie mama.

WHO TO BRING:  Anyone because who doesn’t like tacos?

EDDR LIFE LESSON:  There is always more to explore; and sometimes it’s just a short drive from your front door.

A² FINAL THOUGHT:  This is a spot we will be recommending and going to again and again (shout-out to EDDR bestie, Jess, for looking out).  We have only just begun to explore this menu.  Also, we will be drinking our way through the bebidas as well (we have heard amazing things about the Paloma) – soooo drinking buddy wanted; accepting applications now…

How many coconuts is too many coconuts,

Alex

Salazar ↔ 2490 Fletcher Dr, LA, CA 90039 ↔ 858-352-7737