La Guelaguetza in Los Angeles, California

Yeah, I know! This weekly  spotlight on the delicious food from various restaurants is making my mouth water too!! Hahaha, I'm going to start calling this segment, the Monday Munchies hahaha.

La Guelaguetza is not only THE LA hot spot for authentic Oaxacan food, but also home to one of the largest selections of Mezcals in the USA! And our local LA friends said to believe the hype, that it was DELICIOSO! So you can kind of get a feel of why Gabriel and I were so excited to finally sit down and eat at La Guelaguetza! 

Bueno, upon arriving, we were warmly greeted and quickly seated. And like any good Mexican restaurant, the complimentary totopos, or "tortilla chips" were served. But to our wonderful surprise, they were served with a side of MOLE (moh-leh), instead of your typical pico de gallo!!!!!! ^.^ Now if you haven't tried MOLE before, oh mai gawsh you are missing out! 

There were many delicious authentic Oaxacan options on the menu, so we asked our server to recommend a dish that we could share.  He suggested we try the Especial de Carnes, which includes: grilled tasajo (thinly sliced grilled beef), cecina (thinly sliced, salted and partially dried beef or pork), chorizo and Oaxacan string cheese. Served with rice, black beans and green salad. 

We liked the Especial de Carnes, but I honestly don't know if it was worth the $16. I was disappointed with the store bought tortillas that had clearly been warmed up in micowave...which were advertised on their menu as freshly hand made.

Onto our next dish...a plate of fried CHAPULINES (grasshoppers). Yes, I was feeling adventurous and in need of something high in protein (and crunchy!), hahaha! I had never eaten grasshoppers before, so I figured I might as well check that off my bucket list! We also asked if we could have a sampling of three moles on the side (red, black and coloradito).

When I saw this huge plate of CHAPULINES infront of me, I thought I had lost my mind...forget it, I was about to bail eating those hopping insects...ah, f#CK it, I grabbed one, closed my eyes and started chewing...and chewing....and chewing. Damn, these little grasshopper were dry and crunchy!! Hahaha, mind over matter...forget they're grasshoppers that have legs and eyes and poop inside....by making TACOS!!

I grabbed a tortilla, spread some mole negro, added some Oaxacan cheese, sprinkled a handful of grasshoppers ontop, rolled it up and took a bite....mmmmmmuch better! I highly recommend eating tacos de chapulines! Hahaha, I had about 5, each time rotating between moles (rojo, negro and coloradito).

La Guelaguetza Restaurant

3014 W Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90006