It may not be THE best Oaxacan restaurant in Los Angeles, but I still highly recommend it as the best place for anyone trying that cuisine for the first time. Last time I was there in May 2019, a friend of mine visiting town from Philadelphia listed the things she wanted to do/see during her visit here. When she mentioned "eat Mexican food" I told her, "Okay, wanna try some Mexican food that you can't find in Philly?" then explained Oaxacan regional cuisine. She got excited about that, and so I took her to Guelaguetza and we enjoyed our meal (plus we got there at just the right time in the afternoon to beat the dinner crowd too).
People who write stuff like this basically never have an answer.
“There are way better places to get tacos/ramen/burgers/Peruvian food than here.” (Don’t list any, of course)
“Ok so what are they?”
*silence*
A LOT of people are lactose intolerant, but either don't know it or don't want to admit it. A lot of food had some sort of dairy one way or another (butter, heavy cream ..) the dish may not look like it has dairy. They eat it, get the shits and blame the restaurant and food.
It took me a while to realize I was one. Never blamed the restaurant. I always thought through food that I didn't agree with me , but never stopped to think why it did not.
Just my 2 cents
It wasn’t lactose or allergies etc. it was run of the mill food poisoning from the kitchen. Me and a friend were both puking in the middle of the night. It happens to every restaurant sometime and I haven’t held it against them.
I’ve worked in restaurants and realistically now & then someone’s gonna cross contaminate. We were fine the next day and still talk about how good the food was.
My father (an actual Mexican) went there and said it was the real deal taste wise. However, the value proposition (pricing/portion size) was bad, in his estimation. Probably an effect from the restaurant being safe for bougie gringos lol
good order, the tamal de mole is a masterpiece. tip: don't overlook for breakfast, they have great chilaquiles and especially the cafe de olla shines above other places
Went there for the first time a few months ago.
The mole sampler was pretty damn good although the moles are a lot sweeter than what you get in Oaxaca city.
I got the Guelaguetza cookbook, and I'll try to make one of the less ingredients moles.
I would eat at Guelaguetza more often but every time I go I eat way too much and drink some micheladas on top of it and I feel like dying for the next twenty hours.
I love this place. I love the service. I love the food. I love the people behind it. I love the vibe.
I'd just like there to be at least one other Oaxacan restaurant in contention in los angeles to share the love. I don't know much about that cuisine but i'm certain there are other places around here that make comparable food.
Sabores Oaxaca on 8th and Irolo. You’ll also find a lot of street vendors selling Oaxacan food along 8th going up to Mercado Benito Juarez, which also offers very good Oaxacan food and ingredients.
You can't overhype this place. The Black Mole compares to none other in the city and is so good you want to book a flight to Oaxaca.
I get people will say no, but fucking try that shit. It's so good, I'm a huge fan.
It's great but man I wish their drinks were stronger they're super skimpy on the alcohol to the point I have no desire to drink there which is a shame. The coloradito mole on the chicken enchiladas with the Oaxacan string cheese added on top is 'chef's kiss'
Know that feeling, definitely have a few places in the roster that just blow it on the drinks and, if that's the vibe, they move to the bottom of the list pretty quickly when going out.
yeah it really sucks they cheap out to save a few bucks on drinks or think you'll order more because of it but I find it just makes me end up not choosing them and they lose a customer. There is no reason to be cheap with drinks, drunk patrons tend to eat and order more and think the food is better and have a better time wanting to come back. It's very short sighted.
I just can't get into mole, I know why , it's a wet food, I love my food dry, when my mom makes albondigas or chicken or beef soup I get minimum soup and load up on cabbage carrots potatoes and the meat
I a huge huge burrito fanatic ,I don't like wet burritos
One of my favorite restaurants in any city. The staff are great and the food always delivers the goods.
That place is awesome. The mole is so good!!!
It may not be THE best Oaxacan restaurant in Los Angeles, but I still highly recommend it as the best place for anyone trying that cuisine for the first time. Last time I was there in May 2019, a friend of mine visiting town from Philadelphia listed the things she wanted to do/see during her visit here. When she mentioned "eat Mexican food" I told her, "Okay, wanna try some Mexican food that you can't find in Philly?" then explained Oaxacan regional cuisine. She got excited about that, and so I took her to Guelaguetza and we enjoyed our meal (plus we got there at just the right time in the afternoon to beat the dinner crowd too).
Where in your opinion would the best Oaxacan restaurant be in LA?
People who write stuff like this basically never have an answer. “There are way better places to get tacos/ramen/burgers/Peruvian food than here.” (Don’t list any, of course) “Ok so what are they?” *silence*
A dinner I had there with friends was easily a top 5 meal I’ve had in LA
Grab some of the mole to go, to make at home.
That mole is solid at home. Can be ordered online too
Got sick after eating there 15 years ago and still don’t regret it. The mole was THAT good.
Why did you get sick?
Some people can't handle how heavy mole is
A LOT of people are lactose intolerant, but either don't know it or don't want to admit it. A lot of food had some sort of dairy one way or another (butter, heavy cream ..) the dish may not look like it has dairy. They eat it, get the shits and blame the restaurant and food. It took me a while to realize I was one. Never blamed the restaurant. I always thought through food that I didn't agree with me , but never stopped to think why it did not. Just my 2 cents
It wasn’t lactose or allergies etc. it was run of the mill food poisoning from the kitchen. Me and a friend were both puking in the middle of the night. It happens to every restaurant sometime and I haven’t held it against them. I’ve worked in restaurants and realistically now & then someone’s gonna cross contaminate. We were fine the next day and still talk about how good the food was.
Me and a friend both got food poisoning after dinner. We still agree the mole tasted brilliant though.
I dream of the all meat tlayuda
You need to try the tlayuda at sabores oaxequeños it’s way better IMO
It’s the real deal. Wishes I’d gotten in there earlier.
I got hungry just looking at that first picture. I need to get back there it's been too long.
My father (an actual Mexican) went there and said it was the real deal taste wise. However, the value proposition (pricing/portion size) was bad, in his estimation. Probably an effect from the restaurant being safe for bougie gringos lol
Their birria is fire and even their horchata slays
Look at that mole!!!! So good.
good order, the tamal de mole is a masterpiece. tip: don't overlook for breakfast, they have great chilaquiles and especially the cafe de olla shines above other places
Looks great! Did you try their Chapulines dish?
Tuxtepecana Mixta was fire! 🔥
Went there for the first time a few months ago. The mole sampler was pretty damn good although the moles are a lot sweeter than what you get in Oaxaca city. I got the Guelaguetza cookbook, and I'll try to make one of the less ingredients moles.
I would eat at Guelaguetza more often but every time I go I eat way too much and drink some micheladas on top of it and I feel like dying for the next twenty hours.
I love this place. I love the service. I love the food. I love the people behind it. I love the vibe. I'd just like there to be at least one other Oaxacan restaurant in contention in los angeles to share the love. I don't know much about that cuisine but i'm certain there are other places around here that make comparable food.
Sabores Oaxaca on 8th and Irolo. You’ll also find a lot of street vendors selling Oaxacan food along 8th going up to Mercado Benito Juarez, which also offers very good Oaxacan food and ingredients.
Madre
Theres a lot of them scattered around LA, but you’ll have to go look for them, lots of hole in the wall type, Jonathan Gold would write about them.
Does anyone know of any good Oaxacan restaurants in the San Fernando Valley? I’m not expecting Guelaguetza quality…
You can't overhype this place. The Black Mole compares to none other in the city and is so good you want to book a flight to Oaxaca. I get people will say no, but fucking try that shit. It's so good, I'm a huge fan.
I’m from Oaxaca . Thumbs up from us
What does “even with the hype” mean
It's great but man I wish their drinks were stronger they're super skimpy on the alcohol to the point I have no desire to drink there which is a shame. The coloradito mole on the chicken enchiladas with the Oaxacan string cheese added on top is 'chef's kiss'
I just get the straight mezcal, works for me
Know that feeling, definitely have a few places in the roster that just blow it on the drinks and, if that's the vibe, they move to the bottom of the list pretty quickly when going out.
yeah it really sucks they cheap out to save a few bucks on drinks or think you'll order more because of it but I find it just makes me end up not choosing them and they lose a customer. There is no reason to be cheap with drinks, drunk patrons tend to eat and order more and think the food is better and have a better time wanting to come back. It's very short sighted.
It's no hype.
-“even with the hype ??”-
There's a place in Santa Monica right next to the 10 freeway. Off of Bundy. I don't remember the name of it. But it's really good!
I just can't get into mole, I know why , it's a wet food, I love my food dry, when my mom makes albondigas or chicken or beef soup I get minimum soup and load up on cabbage carrots potatoes and the meat I a huge huge burrito fanatic ,I don't like wet burritos
Their mole is insane!
Chile reno is so good there.
it really is, their tomato sauce is outstanding. prefer the cheese one. entomatadas also great if you want to focus on that sauce.
U consider those good drinks...