South American
Atlacatl
301 N. Berendo St, Los Angeles, CA, 90004
323-663-1404
The interior of this Salvadoran landmark, a former residence on the fringes of East Hollywood, is as frumpy as Grandma’s house…
Neighborhood: Downtown, Koreatown, Los Angeles
Category: Latin American, Restaurants, South American
Beba’s
6024 Hazeltine Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 91401
(818) 786-1511
The one and only Bolivian restaurant in Los Angeles County happens to be a remarkably comfy place to experience the much lauded sal-teñas: sweet-and-savory meat pies made with eggs and raisins. (They taste better than they sound, we swear.)
Category: Restaurants, South American
El Rocoto
11433 South Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90703
(562) 924-1919
At El Rocoto, Inca-worthy recipes use traditional tubers, Andean grains, and the fragrant lúcuma fruit, while standards including ceviche, lomo saltado, and papas huancaina are artfully executed.
Website: https://elrocoto.com
Neighborhood: Gardena
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Eat, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Eat, Restaurants, South American
La Cevicheria
3809 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90019
(323) 732-1253
Central America’s singular rendition of ceviche involves the famously indelicate bloody clam known as mule’s foot, or pata de mula. This Guatemalan seafood shrine serves goblets of the pungent mollusk set off by bits of mint and diced tomato.
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Category: Restaurants, South American
Los Balcones del Perú
1360 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA, 90028
323-871-9600
Of all the great dishes at this stronghold of Peruvian cuisine—like the warm, hominy-studded, chile-spiked shrimp ceviche known as camarones a la piedra…
Neighborhood: Hollywood, Los Angeles
Category: Latin American, Restaurants, South American
Pollo a la Brasa
764 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90005
213-382-4090
More woodpile than restaurant, this weathered Peruvian-style chicken stand serves the smokiest bird in L.A….
Neighborhood: Koreatown, Los Angeles
Category: Latin American, Restaurants, South American
Puro Sabor
6366 Van Nuys Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 91401
818-908-0818
The flavors of Peru have been popping up everywhere lately, from Beverly Hills to Hollywood. The country’s lively cuisine is nothing new to Angelenos in the know, who for years have been hitting up this Valley standout for ceviches and the sweet pumpkin doughnuts known as picarones.
Category: Restaurants, South American
Rincon Chileno Deli
15418 Hawthorne Blvd # B, Los Angeles, CA, 90260
(310) 349-2091
The South Bay branch of this Chilean favorite features a pared-down menu and seriously inspired cooking. Empanadas the size of a ladies’ clutch are loaded with chicken, hard-boiled eggs, and sweet peppers.
Category: Restaurants, South American
Sarita’s Pupusería
317 S. Broadway, E5-6, Los Angeles, CA, 90013
213-437-0100
The draw here is the freshly made Salvadoran pupusas: fat, chewy tortillas ($2) filled with ingredients like mild cheese or pinto beans…
Neighborhood: Downtown, Los Angeles
Category: Restaurants, South American