Adventures of a Foodie – LA: Ciro’s Mexican Restaurant

Ciro’s Mexican Restaurant

Parking: Street Credit Cards: Yes

Something that we are truly blessed with here in So Cal is great Mexican food. We have our fair share of great Mexican places in Long Beach, but when you are on the way to a Dodgers game there is a requisite stop, and that place is Ciro’s, located on Evergreen south of Wabash (conveniently only half a block from another landmark LA Mexican joint, El Tepeyac). I was introduced to both of these places by my Dad, who has been a believer since the days when he was at school at USC County General hospital across the 10 freeway.

Ciro’s is a truly great and very “LA” spot. The building is totally unassuming and if you are not looking for the place you could pass right by without a thought, but once you make your first trip you won’t be able to drive by again without stopping in. As you walk in the door you will pass the kitchen on the left and the smell will immediately captivate you.

You will be greeted kindly and given menus, but in my humble opinion all you need to order is fried tacos. They offer them with shredded beef, chicken, or potato. You can also get soft tacos with carne asada, chicken, or carnitas. Once you get your order in, sit back and enjoy something that you will not get anywhere else without paying for it: Avocado Salsa. I am not talking about guacamole; I am talking about huge chunks of avocado with tomato, onion, and other spices. It is truly a treat. They also have a roasted chili salsa that has some heat to it, but is well balanced with the salty chips and sweet roasted essence.

When the plates reach your table you are going to be truly impressed. The beans are off the hook. They taste like they are made with real lard, and as far as I am concerned that only way that beans should be made. The rice is also tasty, with green beans and other veggies scattered throughout your serving. Then there is the main dish, your tacos. The order comes with three (in my case) hard shell tacos that are dripping with flavor. They are stuffed with a good amount of cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, and they are just to die for! The last time I was there I traded one of my beef tacos for one of the Bone’s chicken tacos and it was very good. The chicken was finely shredded and was extremely moist, which can be a difficult thing to find. The same toppings that fill up the beef tacos accompany the chicken, so you can still fill up.

The last thing that you need to ask for before diving into your plate is some of the red chili that they keep in the fridge. It is a bright red chili sauce and it is almost required for the full experience. At first glance you might think that this stuff is going to be burning hot and is going to send you to the bathroom, but that is not the case. It is not too hot, which I have verified with people that do not have the palette for hot food that I do, and it is just super savory. It adds a lot of depth to the taste and really makes the meal for me.

The next time you are in the Boyle Heights area, where the 5, 101, 10, and 60 all meet up, make a stop at Ciro’s. Don’t be scared to get out of the car, as the area is not that bad at all. Find a parking spot out on the street and walk through the door to Mexican food heaven. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach,

Cliv