My Favorite Burrito: Al and Bea’s Chile Relleno

The sign says it all, “Specializing in Burritos.” Al & Bea’s here been here in Boyle Heights for more than 40 years and just like anything else in life, it gets better with time. My first time going to Al & Bea’s was a few years ago when a friend asked me if I’ve ever been there. “No I haven’t” I said and we were on our way there in no time. Coming from the taco truck lifestyle I was expecting the more traditional burrito de carne asada and the cliche menu that accompanies it. I get to the window and don’t even bother to look at the menu because I’m used to ordering the same thing give or take. I ask for carne asada and the guy taking my order says they don’t have carne asada. In my bewilderment, my friend stepped in and ordered for me, an Al & Bea’s special. I dove in and thought to myself, “this burrito is good, but I wouldn’t call it Mexican food,” even though the guys preparing the food are Mexican or look it. Since that faithful day, I have been going back and fourth to Al & Bea’s trying out the menu and learning to appreciate it for the great food it has, Mexican or not. 

Enter the burrito de Chile Relleno(bell pepper stuffed with cheese and fried). I’ve had most of the menu already so when I decided to go for the Chile Relleno, I was kinda hesitant. The last time I went out on a limb like that I tried their potato burrito, which turned out to be a burrito full of french fries. I threw caution to the wind and went for it. For those of you who hadn’t had the pleasure of spoiling your taste buds with the burrito, it consist of a Chile Relleno wrapped in a tortilla and smothered in beans. It was good !!!!! So good that’s the only thing I’ve ordered the last few times I’ve been there, aside of taquitos with guacamole goes well with it too. Chingado now I’m hungry.   

Rose Parade – Mostly Non-Float Pics

Since I seem to be into parades, I got challenged by my friend Chimatli to check out the Rose Parade this year. At first I thought no way, not that old fashioned institution of American myth making, I don’t even look forward to watching it on cruda morning New Year’s Day, even though it’s usually on anyways. But actually being there? Isn’t that what tourists do? Could I even get up that early? Well, a challenge isn’t easy so I said, por que no, gotta try everything at least once! Tie your shoes cuz I’m going in!

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La Crisis. Is your rental in foreclosure? Don’t know, well here is a resource.

I was reading the Uncle Fatlips blog and on his page I found a great resource, RentalForeclosure.com.

On it you can look up where you are renting and see if you will soon be homeless.

I found out my building is in foreclosure or has received a notice of foreclosure.

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Ridin’ to the beat

Peace. That’s one of the signs the dancing bycicle rider of Boyle Heights made during my bus ride with him. I didn’t notice we were on the same bus till I saw him sticking out his hand, makings signs and waves as the bus crused along. Since my last post, I haven’t seen him around and wondered what he was doing, turns out that when he’s too tired to ride his bike, he goes metro. 

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Happy New Year 2009!

We here at LA Eastside wish you a very happy new year! We look forward to another year of being a fly in the ointment, the rebels with and without causes, the malcriados on the block and the not so young kids next door that the blog neighbors secretly wish would get evicted for being a public nuisance!

Our perspective acknowledges the existence of the Eastside (that alternate reality of what it means to be Other in this town) even when the rest of the city ignores us or tries to take our name. This next year we hope to bring you even more posts about either side of the river, plus North and South tambien, but with our way of seeing the city. We are planning on a proper redesign, hoping to add a few more authors to join in the fray, talking about a few other interesting things to come, and all of this still with NO ADS! You can’t put a price on the value of our posts! Thank you all for reading. Have a good one and see ya around!