Where is the Best Cuban Food in Los Angeles, California?
Every genetic food genre across the globe has its own sub-category of comfort food – the noodle soup Phos of Vietnam; the Italian’s chicken parm; and, of course, meat loaf and mashed pots. However, every dish in the Cuban repertoire seems to embody the very the notion of all things comforting. Maybe it’s the omnipresent swathing of garlic and onions that cover nearly every dish like a soothing blanket. Or perhaps it’s the mound of warm, soft rice or mushy, pillowy fried plantains that are to a Cuban plate as grandma was to hot cocoa. Cuban food just generally goes down like a giant hug to the belly.One of the better examples of the genre is El Criollo which is apt, because the name loosely translates into “The Comfort.”Set on Van Nuys Boulevard in the heart of the Valley just north of the courthouse, El Criollo is an oasis set between sidewalk, industrial storefronts. Inside, soft conga music sets the tone as does the deep-red brick walls adorned with colorful, cartoon movie-size
If you know Cuban food, you’ll know this is as authentic as it can get…in LA. The food is good, try the chicken and order a side of yuca al mojo de ajo. I do have to warn you about the service, it’s not that great. Not enough waitresses to cover the entire restaurant, you will definitely wait. But for some reason (probably the food) I keep going back and you will too.
When you first walk in you are immediatly drawn to the entrance of sparkling bright red and green beaded cloth and the sound of Latin music intices you to come feel the beat. First step in the door and its like your on an island in the Caribbean. No lights but the candles on each table. Red streaked paint and little necklaces and medallions hang from the richly covered walls. Empanaditas stuffed with goat cheese and vegs, small portion, very good. Comes with very tasty salsa. Dishes come w/ dirty rice, black beans, & fried bananas. Crunchy thing is fried jicama. Suggest you get valet parking, area around Cha cha cha is scary as heck. $20 dollars will usually get you a glass of sangria & your main dish (which could alone be as much as $20). Happily cozy.Pros + Unique atmosphereCons – the neighborhood, parking, yikes!!
