Editor’s Note: This visit took place prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Due to Mayor Garcetti’s orders, Mi Cocinita Chapina made the decision to move to Door Dash delivery.
Mi Cocinita Chapina is a family-owned Guatemalan restaurant located just over a mile west from the Staples Center in Downtown LA. Unlike the bustling downtown area surrounding the Staples Center, this stretch of Venice Blvd is less frequented and filled with Hispanic eateries and automobile repair businesses.
Just over a mile north of the restaurant is the Westlake area of LA, home to the nightly feasts of Little Guatemala. While this area isn’t as busy as downtown LA, free parking is extremely scarce. I didn’t believe the warnings that parking was difficult and I ended up parking 3 blocks away on Venice. Food enthusiasts don’t give up easily.
It was two days before Major Eric Garcetti directed LA’s restaurants to close their dining rooms and move to “take-out” or delivery service. I was surprised that the restaurant was almost full and was brimming with energy and lots of good conversation. The owner of the restaurant is hands-on, taking orders, serving and refilling coffee cups.
The owner greeted me and showed me to my table. After taking my order, he gave me a complimentary arroz con leche (rice with milk). While they refer to it as oatmeal, it was similar to a rice pudding.
Garnaches is a traditional Guatemalan dish made from fried corn tortillas topped with shredded beef, cotija cheese, and cilantro. Think of it as a mini tostada appetizer that would make great finger food at a party.
Their Carne Adobada was tender and full of flavor. It was my favorite dish that day. The pork dish achieved the reddish hue because it was marinated in annatto, a condiment made from the achiote tree.
I was delighted that the Bistec de Res was served piping hot and steaming away. The beefsteak combination was a lot of food, topped with peppers, onions tomatoes and accompanied with rice and beans. I feel the mark of a good restaurant is the quality of their rice and beans and they hit it out of the park with both.
The Chile Relleno was quite unusual. A pasilla chile is stuffed with ground beef, potatoes, diced carrots, onions, and cilantro. It was topped with onions, tomatoes, and black beans. Unlike many Mexican versions, it is not filled with melted cheese.
It is predicted that the worst of the coronavirus is yet to come. I hope that Mi Cocinita Chapina weathers the storm and arrives safely on the other side.
Mi Cocinita Chapina, 1325 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006; 213.381.1768
Door Dash