Guelaguetza

Our city’s Mexican cuisine is immensely hyped and deservedly so. But for every great taco, there’s an overpriced poser next door just looking to cash in on your dinner plans. For every glorious burrito, there’s a really sad one waiting for your drunk ass down the block. It’s a game we all have to play and we don’t always come out winning.

Know where you’ll always win though? Guelaguetza.

Somewhere between the outer fringes of Koreatown and the 10 Freeway overpass sits this glorious Mexican temple. Just don’t come to Guelaguetza expecting burritos or tacos. You won’t find any. What you will find is incredible Oaxacan food. Guelaguetza’s website domain is ilovemole.com, so we’d encourage you to use that as the jumping off point in your ordering process. Rojo, negro, verde, amarillo - it’s all fantastic.

When you walk into its gigantic, buzzing dining room, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to get here. The atmosphere rivals that of any in the city. A live mariachi band sings to you on stage as you triumphantly order another round of those famous mezcal margaritas, made with one of the 65 mezcals they have on hand.

Guelaguetza is special and deserves to be treated as such. So next time you’re driving home on Olympic, keep going. Destination Oaxaca will be on your right.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Holly Liss

Mole Negro

The menu tells you its “an absolute must-have” and YOU BETTER BELIEVE THEM. Rich and savory, it’s the perfect blend of Mexican spice and that famous Oaxacan chocolate.

photo credit: Holly Liss

Mole Verde

Kick the heat up a notch with this savory sauce composed entirely of Oaxacan green chiles and local herbs.

photo credit: Holly Liss

Amarillo

Another must-order. This yellow mole is mixed in with chiles, cloves, and cumin.

photo credit: Holly Liss

Especial de Carnes

An assorted meat plate or sorts, with grilled tasajo, chorizo, cecina and Oaxacan string cheese. How could you honestly not order that?

photo credit: Holly Liss

Molotes de Papa con Chorizo

Fried dough stuffed with potatoes and chorizo. Think: pierogies for the gods.

photo credit: Holly Liss

Canasta Costena

This family style dish comes with shrimp, chicken, potato, and fish fillet all doused in the beautiful Oaxacan seasoning. Consider this the tour de force.

Mezcal Flight

Duh.

Empanadas

Yes, you want them.