you decide: new historic core mexican grill?
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Attention all Downtowners, this is your chance to play SimCity with your neighborhood… well, sort of.
Reader Michael Franz has contacted angelenic to get your input on his proposed Mexican Grill/Cafe near the corner of 5th and Spring. Details of the concept are still being formulated, but most of the basics are already decided.
My restaurant would have fresh, natural ingredients (organic beans, no hormones in the beef) with big burritos, tacos, tostadas ordered and prepared fresh at the counter [sans table service] for around six bucks. The space might lend itself to hanging out and drinking beer or wine as well, so there may be a happy hour.
As a tribute to the venue’s would-be predecessor, works of local artists would adorn the walls above cushy booths intended to make the “modern industrial” space more inviting. Proposed hours are 11:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week, even as late as midnight on the weekends.
Is the Historic Core ready for a Mexican Cafe/Beer and Wine Bar/Art Gallery hybrid hangout?
Your opinions and feedback could make or break Michael’s decision to move forward with the new venture. Show your community support and leave some constructive comments!
My vote? Sounds like a clever fit for Spring Street, although I don’t even begin to think about dinner until after 8:00pm.
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31 comments
i think that would be fabulous. nothing would appeal to me more. i agree that a slightly later closing time would be ideal (particularly on the weekends). because i have a pathological inability to eat anything other than mexican food, i’m sure i would be there with frightening frequency. i would even do my best to drag my friends from other parts of the city to join me. an affordable mexican place with good food would be just the thing to draw out all of those hipsters who seem incapable of leaving the confines of echo park.
I live at 7th & Spring and would absolutely love this. Would margaritas be too much to ask for though? :)
Sounds good to me. Do we know which space it is?
Bert, Michael has requested that the location stay confidential until negotiations are finalized.
Awesome. It would be AWESOME.
PLEASE try to consider later hours, I’m at 5th and Spring myself and if I am not cooking that night then the progressing evening hours mean I’m going to Famima, Tacos Mexico or 7-11. I tried the place next to the Hotel Cecil once and paid $2.50 for like the worst asada taco in the world. I know the Alexandria is trying to fill its interior lobby restaurant space—GO THERE!
I think I can guess what the space is since there is only one real option, but I will leave it unsaid. This would give us sis Meican Resaurants in about half-a-block. There are four along 5th Street in the Chester Williams Building at Broaddway, then the seafood Mexican Restaurant at the Alex and then this one.
Soooo, like a Chipotle?
Whatever you call it, I’d eat there if the lunch price was right. And a margarita happy hour would be welcome.
yes, please please please! I’m moving into the chapman as soon as we get our closing date so the more restaurants and bars that coming to the historic core the better! also, I love mexican food, so that works. and happy hours are my favorite and my group of co-workers are always looking for a great happy hour deal with good food, at least once a week. please come!
My husband and I want to buy at 3rd and Spring, and a Mexican restaurant two blocks away would be delicioso. And bring on the booze!!!!
Good Mexican food = always a good idea. And please make sure to serve Tecate along with the margaritas— it’s a nostalgia thing.
I’d go to City West. There are SO many people over there with nothing to eat. Many college, younger students looking for something a little more affordable than the $30 a dish Blue Velvet. Medici, Piero, Glo - 3 of the largest apt. complexes. (see latest downtown news) You would have to compete with that Mexican place on Wilshire, though.
^John, interesting idea. I live in City West and think the neighborhood is over ripe for decent retail also - Vero is about to change that.
La Parrilla at Witmer/Wilshire is enough to give me my Mexican fix, but another smaller cafe/joint maybe on 7th Street (oozing with untapped retail potential) could be amazing. Not to mention the immediate Hispanic population… a great plan B for Michael.
forgot about 1100 wilshire and soon to be built 1010 wilshire. In those 5 buildings you will have +1,500 units. They will probably be at about full occupancy in a year (by this time you will just be getting through your 10th round of inspections, with about 10 more to go). If you use a 1.6 multiplier you will have about 2,500 people with no where to eat in walking distance except, again, Blue Velvet.
John, La Parrilla and PDC are within walking distance. Mitaki Sushi, Subway and Wein Bakery will be opening soon in Vero.
boring, too many mexican restaurants as it is. How about spicing it up a bit and bring a new flavor to the area. I personally dont like going out and spending $10 on a burrito that is just as good as a $6 one elsewhere.
It sounds good, but I’d rather see something along the lines of some “Pick up Stix” style grub, but with a more inviting decor.
And I agree with everyone about staying open a bit later, say 9pm. Yes! on the cushy booths and artwork!!
Wow! This is generally intelligent and discursive!
I just thought of another thing…the area is swarming with Mexican restaurants currently, but none really serve what I would hope this place would be: a slightly more upscale and health conscious menu. I love El Huarache on Broadway and all but the atmosphere is late 80’s Fastfoodian.
So atmosphere is needed and beer and wine are important (as would the art gallery) but please GOD try to be open late…!
Art and healthy Mexican food. Sounds good to me. Can I suggest the name “Beaneez”? ;)
As a fellow Hispanic-Latino of mexican descent. I love my mexican food, but i rarely go out and eat it, mostly at family or friends homes- bbq’s etc.
But thats just me. Comfy booths is a plus and a decent selection of drinks a must. Cause thats what is going to help your bottom line-sales. Focus in a main core group of selections, so you can make them good.
I love Tecate, some salt and lime..lol, but dont forget modelo negra too.
Only have mexican beers, liquor etc. Don’t try to be everything for everybody. Key word is focus- and have a target audience.
And i might add and this applies to any retail establishment that deals with customers directly- If the staff and customer service sucks- no matter how good the product (food in this case), thats what the customer will remember.
And also check out your competition . And have clean restrooms..that says alot about an establishment..perception.
I personally am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Maria’s Italian Kitchen to downtown- now i can stop going to pasadena. I am so craving some risotto right now, any good places downtown?
I think it sounds like an excellent idea. Healthy Mexican food is hard to find, but when I do find it I return again and again!
Guess I should chime in here, given I’ve opend my big, fat mouth about every other restaurant in DT.
The idea sounds intriguing to me. From the food perspective, my advice is to specialize in something. Preferably something simple, with mass appeal, but that isn’t easily prepared at home. Slow-roasted or braised meats fit the bill. Something rustic and authentic. Try to stay open later and try to deliver. Tap into the fast business lunch crowd if you can. And get to know your future customers. Aggressively reach out to the residents of the loft buildings in the area.
Hi everyone,
Weeneez is doing extremely well. People love our homemade lemonade, homemade salads, homemade chili and of course our beautiful hot dogs that have no nitrates and are grilled with a natural casing. Also, our ground chuck hamburgers are fast becoming the favorite in the area. MMMMM. The beverage and food component of the gallery will be functioning at a smarter pace soon. Thank you for supporting Weeneez, we are having a blast!
in regards to ms. ricos comment. WTF? isn’t this off the subject…
And btw bravo Brady, yes! already so many and on 5th & spring st. “Ensenada Restaurant” has been here for 20yrs. and has authentic mexican food with terrific drinks/ full liquor lisc. has been here for 20yrs. so maybe it’s a YAWN for y’aLL…. you know your 15min. and want to conquer the world. Oh! and hispanics actually owned.
owned. well, peoples…?!
Please dear, with all respect think of something more original. that would be Lovely. xoxo
Ilikelosangeles,
I visited Ensenada Restaurant with a few friends. The food - TERRIBLE. All five of us thought it was horrible, and I know good Mexican food.
They don’t have a full liquor license - they only have a beer and wine license.
Hispanic-owned means nothing if the food ain’t great.
Rich darling,
the last time i was there it was fine and i had a shot of tequila?
Oo…i haven’t been in awhile because of the skid marks of dog feces and urine on the streets of spring st. has left a distaste.. it’s turned into a dog park. i’ve been dining else where.
well perhaps it’s the same o same good things don’t last. xo *huggs*
If you have LATE HOURS and GREAT MARGARITAS, I’d live there! paz
Mr. Franz:
Healthy, Mexican food is a great idea. I agree with the others, late business hours are a must. Signature guacamole never hurts either
Maybe even Mariachi on weekends (Sunday brunch?)…
I’m in! I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD! Sounds like a Chipotle clone, that is not a bad thing though. Vegetarian and/or fish options are highly recommended - taco, burritos, salads. Corn tortillas too.
South Parkers unite!
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