Smorgasburg LA is the premier outdoor market featuring some of LA’s best food finds. Located at Row DTLA, they are open each Sunday, rain or shine. It was based on the Brooklyn summer weekend food market and opened almost six years ago.
Due to the pandemic, Smorgasburg LA was closed from mid-2020 to 2021. I recently visited them, and I’m happy to report that interest is still strong. Success is evident because vendors such as Sus Aprepas, Anarchy Seafood, Mama Musubi, Lobsterdamus, Jolly Oyster, Black Sugar Rib Co, and Donut Friend were there before the pandemic and are still drawing lines.
What’s gone since the beginning? Ugly Drum, known for its smoked pastrami, pulled out unexpectedly in January. They are still available from Goldbelly. Moo’s Craft Barbecue also dropped out but recently opened up a brick-and-mortar in Lincoln Park. Unfortunately, many have gone out of business.
New food vendors include Bridgetown Roti (Caribbean wraps), The Bad Jew (“Porkstrami sandwiches”), Los Dorados (golden flautas), Tacos 1986 (upscale tacos), Treme Kitchen (bread pudding), and Uncle Terry’s Kitchen (crispy fried catfish).
Los Dorados is a two-person operation in a U-Haul-sized trailer. The flautas are fried to order, and each one gets a stripe of both salsa de verde guacamole and a strip of red salsa, then sprinkled with grated cotija cheese. They are crispy and delicious. Flauta options include chicken, lamb barbacoa, chorizo, and potato.
Uncle Terry’s Kitchen features their signature Fried Catfish dish with fries. An abundance of southern spices coats each filet. The exterior is crispy, while the inside is tender. Since each dish is prepared to order, expect to wait at least 20 minutes.
I was drawn to Treme Kitchen because they specialize in New Orleans-style desserts and candies. My curiosity got the better of me when I heard they had a bananas foster. They take bread pudding and top it with caramelized bananas and caramel sauce. I also enjoyed their old-fashioned pralines.
When you attend a food event, staring isn’t considered rude behavior. It is acceptable to stare at someone’s food and ask what that is and which vendor. Commonly, you catch the person chewing on something so that they will point to the vendor’s stall.
If you like adventure and don’t mind waiting in lines, Smorgasburg LA will give you an experience that you won’t forget. They offer one-of-a-kind LA specialty foods that you won’t find in restaurants. Parking is free for the first two hours, and Smorgasburg LA does not have an entrance fee.
Smogasburg LA, 777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 la.smogasburg.com